As part of our Top 10 Wines 2010, we present #9…

Ravines Dry Riesling 2008

Being fortunate enough to live in New York City, we are able to easily access one of the biggest secrets of the wine world: New York State wines.  And while we are always indulging in the great cabernet francs coming out of Long Island, it was a Finger Lakes riesling that really blew us away this year.

First off, we have to be up front about one thing – we love riesling.  And more specifically, since out trip to Colmar, we love dry rieslings from Alsace.  The Ravines dry riesling is, for all intents and purposes, a benchmark dry riesling comparable to some of the best in Alsace.  There are layers of tangy citrus fruit (lemon, lime, Florida grapefruit) that unfold themselves in a straightforward but pronounced way, mingled with the telltale mineral notes and a whiff of petrol.  All of these flavors and aromas are perfectly in balance.  And for a wine that feels light on the palate, it lingers for a really, really long time.

This wine can be found for less than $20 at a number of shops in Brooklyn (including Brooklyn Wine Exchange).

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