Casa Larga unveils newest ice wine at annual NY Ice Wine & Culinary Festival
Casa Larga Vineyards has announced that three ice wines will be released at Saturday's NY Ice Wine & Culinary Festival. The 2013 vintage of Fiori Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, the 2016 vintage of Fiori Block 1 Ice Wine, and a new release, the 2016 Fiori Mosaic Ice Wine, will be poured at the festival.
Mosaic is the newest ice wine in Casa Larga's ice wine repertoire, which includes 8 other ice wine products. It is the third field blend ice wine in that group, Mosaic is a blend of Muscat Ottonel, Riesling and Chardonnay. The winery makes ice wine of Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Vidal Blanc and Gewurztraminer, Fiori Negative 8 (Gewurztraminer and Riesling fortified with Tree Vodka) and Fiori Block 1 (a mix from "block one" in the vineyard that dates back to the first planting in 1974). Casa Larga also makes a cuvee of Blanc de Blanc Brut with Vidal Blanc ice wine.
"Ice wine is one of the most challenging wines to make, and also the most fun," comments Winemaker Matt Cassavaugh. "From the harvest in the freezing cold, to the sometimes years-long fermenting process and the sheer amount of ice wine products that we make here, well over the average for most traditional ice wine producers."
The three newly released ice wines are available to taste at the NY Ice Wine & Culinary Festival on Saturday, February 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets to the festival are 2 for $110 using code VDAYSPECIAL through Friday, and $65 on Saturday at www.casalarga.com, in the wine shop, at Wegmans and at the door. After the festival, they will be stocked in the wine shop at 2287 Turk Hill Road, Fairport. The winery plans to release more new wines in April.
2016 Fiori Mosaic Ice Wine, $54.99
Winemaker Matt Cassavaugh carefully melded very small quantities of several frozen grape varieties -- Muscat Ottonel, Riesling and Chardonnay -- to produce this exceptionally delicious ice wine with delicate fruit and floral aromas. Just 98 bottles (about 8 cases) produced.
2016 Fiori Block 1 Ice Wine, $59.99
Created from the first block of vines planted by our founder, Mr. C, in the 1970s, this rich, brilliant amber ice wine exhibits flavors of candied oranges, raisins and a touch of spice. The luscious sweetness (23% RS) of this wine is beautifully balanced by its elevated alcohol content (13.3%). Just 114 bottles (about 9 cases) produced.
2013 Fiori Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, $43.99
Our Fiori Vidal Ice Wine is a lusciously sweet explosion of honey and apricot flavors and a long, rich, satisfying finish. This exceptional wine is one of the world's most highly awarded genuine ice wines. Just 27 cases produced.
