Anthony Road Wine Company

Anthony Road Winery, which released its first wines in 1990, is on the west side of Seneca Lake. Owned by Ann and John Martini, the wines are made by German-born Johannes Reinhardt.

Reinhardt grew up in a family that has been in the wine business since 1438, so he's been in vineyards and wineries just about all his life. With his German background, it is no surprise that he ended up in the Finger Lakes, where the best varieties of Germany, particularly Riesling, thrive.

This wine, however, is a first for me – a non-dessert wine made from the Vignoles grape. Vignoles, also known as Ravat, is a white hybrid variety that is most often found in dessert wines because of its high sugar content...coupled with high acidity. Because it grows in small, tight clusters, it is also very prone to botrytis or noble rot.

Light gold in the glass, the nose is surprisingly complex with apple, pineapple, honey and flowers. I sense light residual sugar here to go with ripe melon, citrus and pineapple flavors. There is plenty of acidity to balance the sugar and fruit flavor, making this a refreshing pour, even if the finish is a little short. Unique and charming, this is a wine I think a lot of wine drinkers would find very interesting.

This wine is made in extremely small quantities and is only available in the winery’s tasting room.

Reviewed August 16, 2006 by Lenn Thompson.