Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated launch of the 2013 Tierce Dry Riesling. Held at Anthony Road Wine Company on July 11th, the celebration will highlight three cool-climate vineyards, three winemakers and one remarkable wine. Tierce Dry Riesling represents a unique collaboration between Anthony Road Wine Company, Fox Run Vineyards and Red Newt Wine Cellars – integrating not only the varying vineyard expressions of Seneca Lake, but also the individual philosophies of the participating winemakers.
This year's event emcee duties will be shared among the trio of winemakers responsible for this beloved wine. Peter Bell of Fox Run is joined by two new winemakers from Anthony Road and Red Newt. New in their positions, Peter Becraft and Kelby Russell aren't strangers to the Tierce winemaking project. Both served as assistant winemakers for their respective wineries and were involved with the blending process for previous vintages. An evolution of these winemakers and their individual philosophies form a new chapter in the Tierce story.
Guests will have the opportunity to taste the separate 2013 Tierce Dry Riesling varietal components. Only then will the 2013 Tierce be poured. The event is the first opportunity to purchase the 2013 Tierce Riesling. Tickets are $45 per person and available online at http://tierce2013.eventbrite.com. Doors open at 7 pm.
Peter Bell (Fox Run), Peter Becraft (Anthony Road) and Kelby Russell (Red Newt) have peered through the prism of cool-climate terroir to produce Tierce. Drawing from three distinct winegrowing sub regions of Seneca Lake, this Riesling offers complexities and nuances that set it apart from all others – making it uniquely Finger Lakes. Says Peter Bell, "It's a one-third each blend of lots from each winery. It's all done by a series of tastings where we do lots of trial blends, mostly based on hunches. Such as, what will this smoky-scented lot do to the wine in differing percentages? And ultimately we're looking for an austere style. We talk about minerality, electricity and tension. Can you quantify them? No, but we know what we're looking for."
"The Tierce project has always been an expression of each vineyard and winery, but the spirit of collaboration that underpins it has always been its strength. Now that the project is in its second decade, we're seeing that that spirit and idea of an ultimate Finger Lakes Riesling has a legacy of its own beyond any one person or year," adds Kelby Russell.
"What makes the Tierce Riesling slightly different from year to year is simply the diversity of each growing season. Each year's unique 'finger print' is being captured in every bottle. It is important to allow the vintage to show its true face of its growing season," continues Peter Becraft.
