On my family's Riesling to Visit the Finger Lakes wine tour, we stopped at Penguin Bay. We tasted many different wines; however, the Rosé of Chambourcin caught the taste buds of our party. While we enjoyed the Rosé of Chambourcin, Penguin Bay may be best known for its Percussion wine label. The Percussion wine uses a blend of Cayuga White, Traminette, Vaidal Blanc, and Valvin Muscat grapes, that is quite popular with white wine aficionados. Their popular red wine is called Maroon Four,which is made primarily with Corot Noir and Noiret Hybrid grapes developed by Cornell University (good job Big Red for cultivating grapes that make great wines!).
Our group took home a few bottles of the Rosé of Chambourcin as this bottle was the choice of the day. If you are unsure about rosé wines (and men if you think that it is too girly because it is pink), you need to think again. This wine is not a White Zinfandel, it does not even come close to a White Zinfandel. The Rosé of Chambourchin is a refreshing dry wine. I am not always a fan of dry wines; however, this wine is crisp and clean. It is a rich, full, flavored Rosé that has a nice finish to it. You can taste hints of strawberries, cherries, and I believe raspberries. I could taste the famous Riesling grape as well as the buttery texture of a Chardonnay. In June it was refreshing on a very hot day with picnic food. However, I also found it enjoyable on this cool crisp September night paired with Eggplant Parmesan or Rotisserie Chicken with Alfredo Parmesan noodles. Either way you have it I am sure you will find it enjoyable too.
Some History about Penguin Bay Winery
Penguin Bay, formerly known as the Finger Lakes Champagne house on Seneca Lake, is now owned by the Peterson Family which owns Swedish Hill and Goose Watch wineries. Penguin Bay Winery wines are great for a good cause, because a portion of the proceeds from all Penguin Bay wines support endangered Humboldt Penguins at the Rosamond Gilfford Zoo in Syracuse, NY. So raise a glass to the endangered species.
If you would like to taste what Penguin Bay has to offer go and visit them. They are located 12 miles north of Watkins Glen. For all you NASCAR fans out there who are looking for something else to do near the Glen, here is another option.
Penguin Bay Winery
4565 Rte. 414
Hector, NY 14841
607.546.5115
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