Brotherhood Dry Riesling 2008

To continue Riesling month here in New York, I wanted to find something other than my favorites from the Finger Lakes region.  Doing so seemed almost impossible.  Other than ordering on line, it is very difficult to find New York wines other than Finger Lakes and Adirondack wineries in the local shops.  Thankfully, my son was able to obtain some from the Hudson Valley through one of the distributors he uses for his lounge.
This past week-end, my pal Mark and I were able to taste two Rieslings from the Brotherhood Winery located in Washingtonville (Hudson Valley) NY on the Shawangunk Wine Trail.  Brotherhood also happens to be America's oldest winery.
In 1810, a French Huguenot emigre named Jean Jacques purchased land in New York's bucolic Hudson Valley and began planting grapes.  By 1837, Mr. Jacques needed more land, so he purchased a plot in the quiet village of Washingtonville, NY, and planted another vineyard.  By 1839, his first underground cellars were dug and Mr. Jacques fermented his first wine vintage.  Those cellars, the oldest and largest in America, are still in use today at Brotherhood Winery.
Enough history. To learn more about the winery, please visit their website at www.broltherhoodwinery.net.

The two wines we tasted were the 2008 Riesling and the 2008 'dry' Riesling.  Mark was more into the sweeter Riesling.  This was confirmed last July at the Finger Lakes wine fest were we blind tasted four different Rieslings.  He noted the floral and citrus aromas with some tropical fruits and enjoyed the pairing with his Mediterranean flat bread pizza. His wine was just a tad too sweet for my palate, although I am now finding enjoyable semi-sweet wines and gradually accepting sweeter white wines.
I also snacked on the Mediterranean pizza (two cheeses, roasted red peppers and kalamata olives), my favorite item on his menu and always with a red wine.  This time, though, I paired with the 'dry' Riesling.

Winemaker's notes:
Crisp, dry and racy, with grapefruit and pear scents, this Riesling-for-food shows the ripe fruit flavors and slightly mineral qualities of its fine European relatives.

My notes:
Aromas of grapefruit, a light floral scent of honeysuckle with some peach or apricot. Nice dry and fruity with a long finish of slate and citrus.  Surprised the hell out of me at how well the wine paired with my pizza and with a side of dutch fries (french fries covered with a dutch mayo, onions and peanut sauce).

The Brotherhood Rieslings($10), from the Hudson Valley region of New York, are as good as many of my favorite Finger Lakes Rieslings and can be purchased on line or at many shops around the country, if you are lucky enough to live near the ones given on their web site. Now looking forward to 4 day trip to New York City and some Long Island Merlots and some more Hudson Valley wines.

Other Reviews:
Travaglini, Gattinara 2001 (Italy)
Carpineto, Dogajolo 2006 (Italy)
Penfolds, Bin 2 Shiraz/Mourvedre 2006 (Australia)
Muga, Rioja Reserva 2003 (Spain)
Buttonwood Grove, Dry Riesling 2006 (NY)
La Corte, Salice Salentino 2006 (Italy) 
Damiani, vino rosso NV (NY)
Vina Real, Rioja 2005 (Spain)
Damiani, Pinot Noir 2006 (NY)
Barons de Rothschild, Bordeaux Reserve Speciale 2006 (France)
Clos Du Bois, Calcaire 2006(California)
Heron Hill, Eclipse 2004 (NY)
Bonterra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (California) *organic
Babich, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (New Zealand)
Quinta, Da Cortezia Reserva 2004 (Portugal)
Heron Hill, Cabernet Franc Rose' 2006 (NY)
Damiani, Meritage 2007 (NY)
Bonterra, Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (California) *organic
Henry Estate, Oregon Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon)
Lindemans, Bin 40 Merlot 2007 (Australia)
Mutuo Rioja Crianza 2004 (Spain) *organic
White Springs, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Anthony Road, semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d' Abruzzo Riserva 2005 (Italy)
King Family Vineyards, Michael Shaps Viognier 2006 (Virginia)
Ravines Wine Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2007 (NY)
Row House Cellars, White Table Wine NV (NY)
Candoni Chianti DOCG 2007 (Italy)
Glenora Wine Cellars, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Billsboro Winery, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards Reserve Riesling 2008 (NY)
Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva 2005 (Italy)
Lamoreaux Landing, dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Agent for Change (Martellotto Wines) Zinfandel 2006 (California)
Fulkerson Winery Dornfelder 2007 (NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Syrah 2007 (NY)
Bonterra Vineyards Zinfandel 2007 (California) *organic
Lakewood Vineyards Riesling 2007 (NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Cabernet-Merlot 2007 (NY)
Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008 (California)
Bogle Winery Petite Sirah 2007 (California)
Arboleda Carmenere 2006 (Chile)
Concha y Toro Concha Marques de Concha Casa Carmenere 2007 (Chile)
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2008 (Chile)
Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Reserve 2004 (California)
Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah 2007 (California) 
Red Tail Ridge semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)