Swedish Hill Dry Riesling 2009

When I wrote my Year In Review, I named the Atwater Estates Riesling 2008 as my best white wine for 2010. That choice was not easy when you consider all the fantastic Finger Lakes Riesling tasted during the past year.  I don't think it's fair to say many of the others were also-rans or runner-ups when they just as well could have been named my best. One of these is the 2009 Dry Riesling from the Swedish Hill Winery on the Cayuga Lake wine trail..

Early this past autumn I tasted a dry Riesling from Swedish Hill and felt at the time that this was maybe one of the best I have ever had.  Tonight I opened the 2009 Dry Riesling ($16) and have to say again, this is one of the best Finger Lakes Rieslings I've tasted since I started enjoying Rieslings.
Shirley did a nice chicken tonight made with a sauce of capers, sun dried tomatoes and lemon zest over fried breast and served with roasted potatoes and requested a nice dry white wine.  The Swedish Hill fit the bill nicely.
Aromas were floral, some honeysuckle and apple blossom with a little peach an light citrus.  The mouth was melon and honey with a little of the honeysuckle. Nice dry and pleasant finish.  This is a fabulous wine that will pair well with chicken, spicy Chinese and  one of my favorites, broiled scallops.

Family-owned and operated by Dick and Cindy Peterson, Swedish Hill is one of the largest wineries in the region. After 20 years of growing and selling grapes to area wineries, the Petersons crushed their first grapes in 1985 and opened Swedish Hill Winery in 1986. Just 1,300 cases were produced that year; this year they produced over 60,000 cases of award-winning wines and sparkling wines. Swedish Hill is recognized as one of the top award-winning wineries in New York State, having won state, national and international acclaim.
Swedish Hill Winery Riesling Cuvee from the Finger Lakes won the coveted “Governor’s Cup” trophy at the 2010 New York Wine & Food Classic competition.
The elegant Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice, recognizes the “Best of Show” or top prize of all 850 entries in the Classic, known as “The Oscars” of New York wine.
I have to confess that this is one of only a few Finger Lakes wineries I have yet to visit.  Can't wait till spring to visit, but sure to uncork a few more Swedish Hill wines till then.