{"id":42635,"date":"2021-01-20T06:00:31","date_gmt":"2021-01-20T14:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=42635"},"modified":"2022-08-16T13:47:02","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T20:47:02","slug":"dr-kostantin-frank-award-winning-wines-from-the-finger-lakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/dr-kostantin-frank-award-winning-wines-from-the-finger-lakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Kostantin Frank – Award-Winning Wines from the Finger Lakes"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Chinese

Chinese food pairs well with Dr. Konstantin Frank Rkatsiteli wine \u00a9Priscilla Willis<\/p><\/div>\n

A 2021 resolution for wine lovers: try new wines!! A fantastic place to start is the award-winning wines from the best wineries in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Begin expanding your palate with varietals such as Gr\u00fcner Veltliner,\u00a0 Blaufr\u00e4nkisch, Rkatsiteli, and Saperavi from Dr. Konstantin Frank<\/strong>, the most award-winning winery in the Finger Lakes region. I did and I liked it.<\/p>\n

Dr. Konstantin Frank Wines<\/h2>\n

I’ve long been a fan of Gr\u00fcner Veltliner, Austria’s signature grape. Gr\u00fcner is known for its citrus fruit flavors and aromas of lime, lemon, and grapefruit. It also possesses green, herbaceous notes often described as white pepper, minerality, and acidity that explodes in the mouth. And, it pairs famously with one of Austria’s signature dishes: Weiner Schnitzel<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Crispy<\/p>\n

Wolfgang Puck’s Weiner Schnitzel<\/a> is a classic pairing for Gr\u00fcner Veltliner \u00a9Priscilla Willis<\/p>\n

Of the four varietals listed above, I was only familiar with Gr\u00fcner Veltliner, but that soon changed. As a participant in a wine share webinar hosted by the International Food Wine Travel Association<\/strong><\/a> (IFWTWA) and the Corning\/Finger Lakes Visitors Bureau<\/strong><\/a>, I received three bottles of wine from Dr. Konstantin Frank.<\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

I started my tasting experience with Dr. Konstanin Frank’s 2019 Rkatsiteli, <\/strong>a varietal that I was unfamiliar with and anxious to try. This vintage garnered a 90 rating<\/strong> from Wine Advocate:<\/p>\n

“The 2019 Rkatsiteli, from Keuka Lake vines planted variously in 1983, 1983 and 2003, comes in with seven grams of residual sugar, 9.2 of total acidity and 12% alcohol. The acidity pretty much obliterates the sugar here, leaving a crisp and somewhat nervy wine that still has great fruit, even as it seems a little lean on opening. The tension on the finish nicely lifts the fruit and slams it home.<\/em>“<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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About Rkatsiteli<\/h2>\n

Rkatsiteli<\/strong> (pronounced cat-si-tel-e) is one of the ancient Georgian varieties linked to Dr. Konstantine Frank’s homeland of Ukraine that set their portfolio apart. When Dr. Frank began planting grapes on the west side of Keuka Lake in the late 1950s including Rkatsiteli and Saperavi. Konstantin viewed these varieties as treasured links to his homeland.<\/p>\n

With the recent release of their Amber Rkatsiteli, which made Decanter’s list of 2020 White Wines of the Year<\/strong>, Dr. Franks’ winemaking team lifts Rkatsiteli to a whole new level by embracing a traditional Georgian winemaking technique using amphorae, porous clay oval receptacles similar to wine barrels. Unlike a wine barrel, an amphora doesn’t impart any flavors to the wine. An amphora, however, does contribute to the roundness, mouthfeel, and concentration of the wine and softens the flavors and tannins of Rkatsiteli.<\/p>\n

\"Vineyard

Premier guided tasting experience at Dr. Konstantin Frank winery<\/p><\/div>\n

History of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery<\/h2>\n

The winery, founded by Konstantin Frank in 1962, is located near the quaint town of Hammondsport on Keuka Lake. The Dr. Konstantin Frank<\/a> vineyards are situated on the southwestern hills of Keuka Lake where they have 70 acres planted with 11 varieties. The cooler microclimate of their vineyards lends itself to a more mineral style of Riesling and imparts acidity and elegance to their red wine varieties.<\/p>\n

When Dr. Konstantin Frank, a doctor of agricultural science, arrived in the Finger Lakes he was captivated by the terroir<\/em> of the region. He believed that the vinifera<\/em> grapes that produced some of Europe’s and California’s finest wines would prosper in New York. He is regarded as the father of Finger Lakes wine for cultivating old vines and generously sharing his agricultural knowledge with others, and, in the process, changing the American palate for wine and proving his naysayers wrong.<\/p>\n

\"Premier<\/p>\n

The Finger Lakes’ terroir: <\/em>cooler climate, glacial lakes, and acidic soil, is also perfect for the production of traditional method sparkling wine and I’m saving the 2016 Blanc de Blanc (rating 92) I received for a special occasion. Dr. Frank was named one of the Top 100 Wineries in the World for 2019 by Wine & Spirits Magazine. Dr. Frank’s winery is one of the oldest and most celebrated wineries in the Finger Lakes region and they continue to win national and even international recognition.<\/p>\n

Visiting Dr. Konstantin Frank<\/h2>\n

Following Dr.Konstantin Frank’s commitment to uncompromising quality, third-generation Frederick Frank assumed leadership of the winery in 1993. He expanded production with the introduction of a value brand, Salmon Run, and continues the legacy of innovation. Fourth-generation winegrower Meaghan Frank brings her education in business and winemaking to focus on winery operations, wine direction, staff satisfaction, and guest experience.<\/p>\n

With the introduction of the Guided Tasting Experience, the winery has reimagined and reinvented your wine tasting experience. Parties of 6 or less (pre-booked) travel through an instructional guided tasting of 5 wines while learning about the production of sparkling wines, the history of the Vinifera Revolution, why old vines are important to wine quality, innovations in winemaking techniques, and more. At each of the 5 stations, guests have one choice from a selection of 3 wines with a Dr. Konstantin Frank branded glass to take home.<\/p>\n

Dr. Konstantin Frank<\/a> – 9749 Middle Road, Hammondsport, NY 14840<\/p>\n

More of the Best Wineries in the Finger Lakes<\/h2>\n