Dry Riesling, Nathan K

Finger Lakes native Nathan Kendall has traveled the world making wine, but returned to his home state to start his own winery in 2011. Kendall set out to bring what he learned from working in Germany, New Zealand, Oregon, and other renowned regions to his wines in the Finger Lakes. This Riesling is a great example of the skill Kendall has gained through his winemaking travels. The nose is reminiscent of a German-style wine, with a wet stone minerality and notes of honeysuckle and white pepper. The palate is pleasantly austere, but has enough fruit depth that the acidity isn't overwhelming.

Riesling is an aromatic white grape variety that’s native to Germany. It’s also commonly found associated with Alsace [France], the Clare and Eden Valleys [Australia], and the Finger Lakes [Central New York]. It is a diverse varietal and can be showcased in range of styles from bone dry to sweet dessert wines to sparkling and is one of just a few white wines that can age for decades. While it can certainly pair with all food types, its high acidity and natural sugars make it a great match for spicy cuisines. 

While most white wine is meant to be drunk very soon after bottling, high-quality Riesling can last and improve in the bottle for more than 100 years. Over the course of aging, Riesling often develops a chemical compound known as TDN. High concentrations of this compound impart an almost petrol-like aroma in the wine. While it might sound off-putting, wine enthusiasts view the petrol aroma as a hallmark of high-quality aged Riesling.