VIEN 1104 tasting assignment
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Cornell University *
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1440
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Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Uploaded by GeneralKuduPerson981
Professor Kathy Arnink
VIEN 1104
Oct 27,
2023
The Finger Lakes terroir and its impact on grape varieties, with a focus on Pinot Noir
Glass 1: Polarity (white wine made from red Pinot Noir), Heart & Hands, NY, 2021
Appearance: Light golden yellow, clear appearance.
Odor: Chalk, nectarines, and beeswax on the nose
Taste & Mouthfeel: F
resh cream, luscious apricots and ripe nectarines on the palate
Aftertaste/Finish:
crisp, dry, and refreshing.
Glass 2 Pinot Noir, Heart & Hands, NY, 2021
Appearance: Translucent ruby red with a bright and clear hue.
Aroma:
Cherries, chalk, and earth on the nose.
Taste & Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied with a silky texture. Displays flavors of red berries and cranberries—
well-integrated tannins with balanced acidity.
Finish: Offers a medium length
with medium tannin
This flight of wines demonstrated how the production processes of red Pinot Noir wines and white wines made from
Pinot Noir differ with the handling of the grape skins during the winemaking process. Red wines like Pinot Noir are
fermented with grape skins to extract color and flavor compounds, while white wines made from the same grape
have minimal contact with the skins to avoid color extraction. These wines were from the same producer in the
Finger Lake region in New York. It is known that “The climate, mineral soils, sunlight, and water availability of the
Finger Lakes Region are, in fact, reminiscent of the conditions observed in Burgundy France, the home of the
popular and complex grape” (Durand, Pascal, 2000, p.1). The Finger Lakes region in New York has become known
for producing excellent cool-climate wines. Although Riesling is the most widespread grape variety in the area,
other cool-climate types also thrive due to the unique terroir. Grapes like Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and a few
limited plantings of Pinot Noir have also been successful in the Finger Lakes, adding to the region's diverse wine
selection.
While less widely grown than Riesling, Pinot Noir is becoming more popular in the Finger Lakes region,
demonstrating the area's potential for producing refined and complex red wines that thrive in cool climate
conditions. While the Finger Lakes region may not be as renowned for its Pinot Noir as other areas, its successful
cultivation demonstrates its adaptability and ability to thrive in various cool-climate environments.
The Finger Lakes terroir is ideally suitable for cultivating specific grape varieties. The region's chilly climate,
regulated by deep and narrow lakes, offers a more extended growth season and slower ripening process. This slow
ripening process contributes to the development of intricate flavors and lively acidity in the grapes, ideal for
growing Pinot Noir grapes. The slower ripening process allows the grape's delicate flavors and balanced acidity to
develop fully. The grape's natural acidity is also preserved due to temperature moderation, resulting in harmoniously
balanced wines with fruity, acidic, and subtle earthy notes. Also, the region's soil is predominantly composed of
shale and is characterized by rolling hills and sloping vineyard sites. These unique geological features impart distinct
mineral characteristics to the wines produced in the region. The well-drained, mineral-rich soils facilitate the
development of intense aromatics, elegant structures, and refined flavors in the wines.
However, growing Pinot Noir in the Finger Lakes region presents several challenges due to the area's cool climate,
frost risks, disease pressure, and the need for precise vineyard management. Overcoming these obstacles demands
careful site selection, vigilant vineyard management, and the application of effective viticultural practices. While
these challenges make cultivating Pinot Noir in the Finger Lakes demanding, successful vineyards demonstrate the
region's capability to produce exceptional cool-climate expressions of this esteemed grape variety.
In conclusion, the Finger Lakes area of New York represents the outstanding potential of viticulture in cooler
climates. It exhibits a unique terroir that fosters the growth of high-quality wines. Despite the challenges posed by
the colder climate and the demanding vineyard management, the successful cultivation of Pinot Noir highlights the
region's strength and ability to produce exceptional cool-climate wines. As the Finger Lakes region continues to
develop, its reputation as a premier wine-making region is only set to grow.
Reference
Durand, P. (2000). Comparison of Pinot Noir Production in New York and Burgundy, A.
Haeger, J. W., & Storchmann, K. (2006). Prices of American Pinot Noir wines: climate, craftsmanship,
critics.
Agricultural economics
,
35
(1), 67-78.
Martinson, T. E., White, J., Winter, M., & Wilsey, W. (2003). Finger Lakes vineyard notes. Newsletter. 2003: no. 10.
Mervin, I. A., Heuvel, J. V., Brown, M. G., Walter, M. T., & Ink, H. (2008). Soil drainage and irrigation influence on
riesling vine establishment in a Finger Lakes vineyard. In
60th Annual Finger Lakes Grape Growers,
Conference and Trade Show. Canada, Waterloo
.
Newman, J. L. (1992). Decline and development in the Finger Lakes wine region of New York State.
Journal of
Wine Research
,
3
(2), 79-95.
Pool, R. M., Henick-Kiing, T., Howard, G. E., Gavitt, B. K., & Johnson, T. J. (1995). Pinot noir clonal research in
New York.
Ohio Grape--Wine Short Course
, 5.
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