re: #288 austin_blue

I love Finger Lakes gewurtztraminers. Even Longisland is making some pretty decent plonk.

Texas is starting to produce some decent bottles. If you can find a Becker Vineyards “Iconoclast”, give it a go.

We were down in Texas Hill Country a couple years ago, and we were disappointed mostly because the wineries were pricing tastings as though they were more established and worth $20 or $30 for a tasting, when Napa or Finger Lakes was charging equal or less. We’ll have to check out Becker if we can get those up here.

Virginia wines are an interesting mix. Same with North Carolina. We were surprised at the quality at the Biltmore (which has its own vineyards both in CA and NC). Most of their branded wine is sourced from CA, but they do have NC wines too depending on the label. A lot of those VA and NC wines are on the fruity side - not as refined as what you’d see in CA, NY, or Old Wine (or Australia or South Africa or Chile for that matter).

Israeli wines are another good option - hot dry summers means that the wines really get interesting. And it also means getting out to Israel, so that’s a bonus :)