Lake Erie wineries

I'm new to this forum, so I am surprised to see there isn't much on PA wineries. We're lucky to have some incredible wineries right in our backyard. I suggest checking out http://www.nechamber.org/events/wine_fest/ http://www.wineonthelake.com/
http://events.goerie.com/erie-pa/events/wine+tasting+erie+pa
http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/wineries/p/erie_wine_trail.htm

pspacht-The site isn't about PA wines or PLCB but about all wine & all but a few wineries in the world aren't in PA. I don't pretend to speak for everyone who posts hear but quite a few enjoy the qualities in wine that are almost impossible to create from grapes grown in the climate here. Plenty of talented growers & winemakers in PA but you can't change the terroir. If this was 'PA orange juice talk' you wouldn't read much about PA orange juice either.

There are wineries in PA?!?

pspacht,
Are you related to David Spacht from Mazza Vineyards in PA?

Since this specific forum is titled "Pennsylvania Wine Discussions on Pennsylvania wine and wineries" I thought it might be a place to discuss wines from the 113+ commercially producing PA wineries. (a respectable 7th in US wine production)

I'll admit that I drink a lot of German, CA & WA wines, but I like to try something from the east coast. Although I not affiliated with any winery, my husband may have some relatives who are. (growing up in a town that produces around 13 variety of wine grapes and is the world's largest grower of concord grapes, it's kind of hard to avoid some type of connection.)

I am very familiar with Mazza's Winery. In fact, I highly recommend their Ice Wine Vidal Blanc @ around $45.00 a bottle. Being a dessert wine it won't appeal to all.

I just located another website that has results from various national and international wine tasting competitions. Interestingly enough there were a lot of PA wines that won head to head with some of the best wineries. I guess I will use these results to try some new wines.


I saw an article recently about the international wine competition in Florida

pspacht
"I just located another website that has results from various national and international wine tasting competitions. Interestingly enough there were a lot of PA wines that won head to head with some of the best wineries. I guess I will use these results to try some new wines."


Can you post the link to that site?? I would be interested in seeing the results. I've tasted several PA wines (friends or Seven Springs Wine Festival) and was never really impressed, especially with the reds. A trip to the Erie wine area has always been on the radar but I've never pulled the trigger.

BTW......the 7 Springs Wine and Food Festival is this weekend featuring 28 PA Wineries.
http://www.7springs.com/page/category.detail/nav/5652/Wine---Food-Festival.html

When I feel like I have to drink something from the east coast (once a year? ;) I go to finger lakes riesling. Some decent Ice Wine up that way as well. Never had a PA wine that Id willingly drink again.

Whoa controversy!! I'd be interested to hear about more specific PA wines, I don't think I've had any I liked besides some Reserve Chaddsford Chardonnays that were nipping at Burgundy's heels, and that was years ago - my wine experience has come a long way so I don't know if they still make 'em or if I would still like 'em. I do think the East can produce good wines, they're plainly not a CA style.

I do like more and more of the Finger Lakes (Wiemer, Red Newt, Atwater Estates are all top o' the line, I even get excited when I see them on a menu). I also LOVE the Loire which I suppose has some similarities to our similar climate, if maybe not many other growing conditions. I really enjoyed the Saumur Champigny that many seem to not like so much.

On ice wine: Lake Ontario is the spot for me. The fact that someone who isn't me has to be out there picking at 3 am in the freezing cold somehow makes it more special. Think of the pain in those fingertips! Course you pay for them, although there was a good deal on Inniskillin Sparkling Ice Wine a while ago where it was $15 for a .375. I stocked those up.

Here is the list of recent awards 
http://www.pennsylvaniawine.com/Awards.aspx

The PA wines I tend to like are the semi-sweet to semi-dry, made with Fredonia, Niagara, Pink Catawba, or Delaware grapes. (otherwise I prefer a German spatlese riesling)

I also recommend Heritage Winery's peach port. (18% alcohol)

Great price on the ice wine - I'd stock up too.  A few years ago I was going purchase a bottle of Chateau Ste Michelle ice wine, but it had been a bad year for grapes. It was going for $135.00 a bottle ( 375ml)  

There is a new type of wine out called a crystal wine. Unlike the traditional ice wines where someone (other than me too) hand picking the grapes after the first hard freeze (Temperature dips below 32 degrees) these grapes are hand picked and placed in a freezer. Although it has the sweetness of the ice wine it doesn't have the same quality. From what I've been told, ice wines tend to sell out fast. (I purchase mine as soon as Mazza's announces the sale date.)

I understand the bias against some of the PA wines. I am not a wine expert. I just know what I like. I am however aware that many east coast wines taste simple or immature. I think being in the Lake Erie region has spoiled me.  Since most of the area wineries have been in business for more than 35 years and the newer ones have owners with experience in the wine industry, the quality of wine  is excellent.  I can say the same for some of the wineries across the border in NY and OH. (Erie county PA is only 45 miles wide and is "wedged" between NY & OH.). 

(Most of the wineries in the area offer FREE wine tasting.)
 
I am not looking for controversy.  I'm just looking to learn more about regional wines. I just want to find wineries that are close to home so I can tour them. 

Im in Meadville right below you. No controversy here I just haven't found one I like. :) I find it easy to run up to the finger lakes or ontario if I feel like ice wines for the weekend. I don't think I've tried mazza however.