| When you think of wine in the United States, | | | | to show the best that New York has to offer. |
| the first thing that comes to mind are the | | | | |
| vast vineyards in California. Sonoma Valley, | | | | Because of the vastness of New York, each |
| Napa Valley and Paso Robles are just some of | | | | place would have a big difference in terms of |
| the places where grapes are grown and wines | | | | climate, thus affecting the type or variety |
| are made. | | | | of grapes grown for each region. The colder |
| | | | regions include Finger Lakes, Lake Erie, Long |
| New York, however, has its own share of | | | | Island and Hudson River. |
| locally-grown grapevines which are fermented | | | | |
| into exquisite-tasting wine. | | | | Of these four, Hudson River and the Finger |
| | | | Lake region have the most number of vineyards |
| The state is rich with history and has a very | | | | and bottle a greater number of wine types. |
| wide variety of wines to offer. From as early | | | | |
| as the 1960�s, places such as Long | | | | The wine countries in New York produce red |
| Island, Finger Lakes, Albany, Hudson River | | | | and white table wine. Table wines, whether |
| and Lake Erie have been part of the | | | | white or red � are those which are not |
| grape-growing and wine-making industry within | | | | considered as sparkling wine, with minimal |
| the region. | | | | alcoholic content. |
| | | | |
| �Wine Country� | | | | New York also bottles sparkling wine, grape |
| | | | juice and dessert wine. There are over |
| Wine country refers to the chain of | | | | 32,000 acres of land where grapes are grown, |
| independent wine makers spread all over the | | | | and the state boasts an enormous 175,000 tons |
| state. New York has a very rich soil ideal | | | | of grape production. |
| for growing grapes. | | | | |
| | | | The most-produced variety of wine in the |
| You can also find many �wine | | | | state are a combination of French Americans |
| trails� composed of neighboring wineries | | | | and locally-grown variants. |
| and vineyards whose owners work together to | | | | |
| promote their fine products. | | | | The right combination between food and wine |
| | | | is a source of ultimate bliss for every |
| If you want a tour of the facilities and | | | | connoisseur. Both wine and food can benefit |
| would like to experience how grapes are | | | | from the right pairing. The right wine can |
| gathered, fermented and bottled, there are | | | | accentuate unexpected gastronomical aspects |
| individual wineries which offer a tour and | | | | of food and vice versa, wine can shine in a |
| might even give you a sip of a real New York | | | | new light when accompanied by the right dish. |
| vintage wine. | | | | In order to savor the splendor of such |
| | | | combinations, one does not need to frequent |
| Learn the art of Wine Tasting. | | | | expensive restaurants and buy overpriced |
| | | | wines. Rather, when combining food and wine |
| In New York City, month-long celebrations are | | | | it is one�s intuition and curiosity that |
| held to remind vintners about the bounty of | | | | are of paramount importance. If you are a |
| their own land. The same theme is celebrated | | | | wine lover, go ahead and add a bottle of |
| in Albany during the month of November. These | | | | vintage New York wine to your collection and |
| parties showcase vintage wine and fine dining | | | | you can't go wrong. |