New York, however, has its own share of locally-grown grapevines which are fermented into exquisite-tasting wine.



The state is rich with history and has a very wide variety of wines to offer. From as early as the 1960's, places such as Long Island, Finger Lakes, Albany, Hudson River and Lake Erie have been part of the grape-growing and wine-making industry within the region.

"Wine Country"

Wine country refers to the chain of independent wine makers spread all over the state. New York has a very rich soil ideal for growing grapes.

You can also find many "wine trails" composed of neighboring wineries and vineyards whose owners work together to promote their fine products.

If you want a tour of the facilities and would like to experience how grapes are gathered, fermented and bottled, there are individual wineries which offer a tour and might even give you a sip of a real New York vintage wine.

In New York City, month-long celebrations are held to remind vintners about the bounty of their own land. The same theme is celebrated in Albany during the month of November. These parties showcase vintage wine and fine dining to show the best that New York has to offer.

Because of the vastness of New York, each place would have a big difference in terms of climate, thus affecting the type or variety of grapes grown for each region.

The colder regions include Finger Lakes, Lake Erie, Long Island and Hudson River.

Of these four, Hudson River and the Finger Lake region have the most number of vineyards and bottle a greater number of wine types.

The wine countries in New York produce red and white table wine. Table wines, whether white or red - are those which are not considered as sparkling wine, with minimal alcoholic content.

New York also bottles sparkling wine, grape juice and dessert wine. There are over 32,000 acres of land where grapes are grown, and the state boasts an enormous 175,000 tons of grape production.

The most-produced variety of wine in the state are a combination of French Americans and locally-grown variants.

If you are a wine lover, go ahead and add a bottle of vintage New York wine to your collection and you can't go wrong.