Showing posts with label Baldwin Vineyards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baldwin Vineyards. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Cruising the Shawangunk Wine Trail and Finding Chardonnay

This weekend I spent in New York - and in between bad weather - had a little time to explore the Shawangunk Wine Trail - about an hour northwest of the city. I selected two wineries rather close to each other and close to a mall to leave the family - Baldwin Vineyards & Brimstone Hill Winery. Both are located in Pine Bush and have been operating for over 30 years - maybe not as old as Brotherhood - but that's a long run. From visiting other wineries in the area, I've become fond of Baco Noir - yet I discovered on this trip that old reliable Chardonnay was the featured wine.  Both versions were very similar - made in the Burgundian style - fermented in oak and aged on lees with more oak aging. The result are two creamy, buttery wines with decent flavor -   although the classic Chardonnay profile gets overwhelmed. The tail is short and could use more acidity - but these are pleasant wines - and very affordable for local wine standards at a little over $10.   Pair with The Farewell Drifters.