Reports from field are coming in from all over the place
including quite a few from Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, and
Virginia. All the links can be found at the Regional Wine Week link page. My home region New England is represented, although it could be
better represented, with the following posts; including three from me:
Massachusetts
WiningWays blog,
Regional wine week -- Join in, Massachusetts winemakers
Glamorous Gourmet
Girl, Discovering Massachusetts wines
New
England
Ancient Fire wine
blog, New England Wine Tasting
Ancient Fire wine
blog, New England has unique wine
New
Hampshire
Ancient Fire wine
blog, What a harvest, Flag Hill Winery
Vermont
Vermont
Wine Media, Regional wine week
All week I’ve been sharing articles from the New
England region in hopes of exposing our unique wine character with the many
wine explorers who know nothing of what we do in the region. With about 100
wineries, cider houses and mead makers (New England wine) in the region there
is a little bit of a lot of different things to be found here.
Today I am going to present three wines from my home
state of New Hampshire. These wines are locally grown and locally made,
representing some of the expectations people should have for local New
Hampshire wines.
Jewell Towne Vineyards
Marechal Foch
Jewell Towne Vineyards is the oldest New Hampshire winery in operation
having been found in the early 1990’s by Dr. Peter Oldak, a well known viticulturist
and winemaker in the region.
This wine pours a garnet color with medium/low concentration
much like a Pinot or Beaujolais. There are raspberries and strawberries in the
nose. This Foch is present in the sweet style. When in the region and presented
with Foch for tasting it is worthwhile to ask whether it is sweet or dry
because both are made here. I don’t have a preference for one or the other, but
this style was the first I ever had so there is a sentimental link for me. There
is enough acidity to keep the sweetness in check and a bit of structure from
the tannins. Foch made in this style makes for a great casual drinker and will
also work with slow cooked game meats with spicy or tangy sauces.
LaBelle Winery Granite
State Red
Amy LaBelle starting making wine in small batches just as I
have been doing for the last 8 years. Her recent success at the LaBelle Winery, a new facility is under
construction, is inspiring on those days where my mind drifts off and I think
about going into the business myself.
Granite State Red is a blend of 80% New Hampshire grown
Marechal Foch and 20% New Hampshire Blueberry wine. The wine is of medium
concentration with a deep garnet color. Blueberries come out in the nose and
the nose smells a little wild, like a good regional wine can. As opposed to the
Foch above, this wine is ever so slightly sweet. There is also structure here
from the Foch that is sometimes lacking, especially when it is blended with
fruit wines.
Note: I went back for a second tasting and found the bottle
to be actively out-gassing, possible from re-fermentation? The sharpness of the
CO2 present in the wine was noticeable and off-putting so I had to dispose of
the wine. This is an occasional problem with local wines which is unfortunate
when trying to convey reasons for interest by others unfamiliar with the
wineries. This is the first time wine from this particular winery has done this
for me so I hope this won’t dissuade anyone from seeking out the wines.
Flag Hill Winery
& Distillery Flag Hill White
Flag Hill Winery is the second oldest in the state and was
the source of my first taste of New Hampshire wine. In my post “What a Harvest!”
earlier in the week I shared my experience of working harvest at Flag Hill for
the first time. I also offer a bit of history of the winery too. It was a
record year for harvest and I can’t wait to see how the wines turn out down the
line.
Flag Hill White is a very light white wine blend aged in
oak. And there is oak. It is in the nose and shows up on the palate. If you don’t
like oak in white wine, just click away then. The fruit flavors are citrus and
tart white flesh, maybe unripe peach, pear or tart apple. I also feel like there is a touch of herbs.
The acidity is mellow, but present. This wine is smooth and immensely
drinkable. This wine would make for a great starter for your next local wine
cocktail party!
The Regional Wine Week train keeps rolling and I’m on board
for the whole ride. Later today I will post what will likely be my shortest
post ever, my entry into the 47 Words on Regional Wine essay (is 47 wordsreally an essay?) contest. Tomorrow I will finish my tour of regional wines
with the massive success story in local New Hampshire mead, Moonlight Meadery.
Cheers!
Jason
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