Finger Lakes, NY - TasteCamp East 2010, Fingers Crossed

This weekend I will be attending the TasteCamp East 2010 in the Finger Lakes of upstate NY. This was put together largely by Lenn Thompson of the New York Cork Report and a host of wineries from that area. The area is beautiful. I have been there before. Lake areas have always appealed to me even though I am a landlubber at heart; it took me a long time to teach myself to swim. I like to stare at water, Zen-like, or perhaps in just a comatose-like state, for a fairly long time. I will be driving and using the journey for a detour to put flowers on my grandmother's grave in Little Falls. A somber moment to be followed by a weekend of education and fun. Everything in moderation and balance. Hopefully.

 Castel Grisch's B&B looking through the vines

The opportunity to taste a large sampling of wines produced in this part of the world stirred mixed feelings on my part. First and foremost, I am very interested in assessing the quality and style these wines represent.  I will meet wine makers and other wine enthusiasts with whom I can share ideas and opinions. There will be delicious dinners and party on a boat. I think it should be a fun adventure. Nagging at me, however, are the experiences I have had with NY wines in the past. Generally I thought the wines to be Good to Poor. To be fair, the "past" was fifteen plus years ago, and I have had a few NY wines in the last three years that I thought were very good, if somewhat over-priced. I tend to think, however, that most wines are overpriced. I am keeping an open mind and my fingers crossed.

Castel Grisch, circa 1994?

My biggest dilemma, however, with regards to mixed feelings, is what wine to bring for the BYOB wine dinner. My first thought  was to bring a wine made from a grape variety that the Finger Lakes is known for. Riesling, Cabernet Franc, or Pinot Noir seemed like good choices. But... won't we be tired of tasting the same varieties all day and night? It might be good for a change of pace and place. So I though Bordeaux or maybe Rioja. Then I thought, boring. I should bring something that would excite a crowd of forty or so wine geeks. Ugh, I hate these kind of decisions. Perhaps a Bully Hill wine... just kidding. As I type, I am juggling, (yeah, I got skill) a Burgundy a Chinon, and a Cremant du Jura.

Hosmer Winery, circa 1994?

Well, it should all be a blast and I hope to meet great people. I just have to remember to find time for studying for my final on Tuesday. I really thought I should use this weekend for cramming, and this almost prevented me from attending, but kind of damage could a little more information cause? Still keeping my fingers crossed, and I still don't know what to bring.

 The Gorge

A long time ago.