Usalola’s Weblog

Camden, Maine

Making our way out of the Niagara wine region, we jumped right into the Finger Lakes wine region of New York. This region is characterized by rolling hills and beautiful valleys, and from Glenn’s recollection, some pretty “foxy” wines- wines better suited for juice and jelly than drinking. Although the region is composed of  5 lakes – hence the “fingers”, it is centered around 4, and we visited 2.

We started at Keuka lake and visited Dr. Frank’s winery. He was a Ukrainian immigrant(go Ukies!) who began experimenting with Vinifera grapes in the 1950’s and 60’s. His rieslings have recieved rave reviews, and it is the most widely planted varietal in the region, but we really enjoyed – now get this – the Rkatsitelli (the what??? as I said – called R-kat). It is a light, refreshing white that tastes somewhat like riesling, but with hints of gewurtz spice. Although the “winery” ( a 1950’s brick house with big crystal chandeliers and throw-back watercolor pictures on the walls) was kind of funky, the vineyard view overlooking the Keuka lake was beautiful.

view from Dr. Frank

The next day we made our way around Seneca lake, and stopped at Anthony Road winery, where we really enjoyed, and bought, the Reserve Cabernet Franc. Although I haven’t personally been a fan of that wine in the past, it was really lush and is showing itself as one of the region’s signature grapes. After a few more quick wine stops (nothing worth mentioning) we headed to the Seneca beach cottage of an old friend of Glenn’s – Joe Daly. He and his girlfriend, Kate, were such great sports letting up camp out on their driveway and making us a wonderful dinner that we enjoyed down by the lake- very relaxing. Thanks you guys!

Glenn (flavah flav), Joe and Kate

 It was hard leaving the lakes area, but we’re heading towards the area that I am most looking forward to this whole trip – the quaint Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine states. We did a quick stop in Cooperstown(literally rode our bikes through) and as we headed out of New York, we stopped at Glenn’s old college stomping grounds – Union College. Now this is classic, as we got closer to the campus I asked Glenn what he really remembered about his time at Union, and he said……. “Mrs. Moffetts”.  I asked, ‘what was that?” –   response: a liquor store. End of story.

the man himself

Now I know the word quaint has been used ad nauseum to describe many New England villages, but seriously, I can’t find a word more fitting. As we have seen so much, I will summarize some of the highlights:

- Roller-coaster like roads weaving through the small towns and luscious green farmland of Vermont.

-12yr old aged Vermont cheddar cheese. Rocks!

-York and Rye beaches with the large mansions lining the coast.

-Road-side Lobster stands- lobster rolls are a specialty.

-Maine blueberry ice cream, blueberry pie, blueberries,blueberries,blueberries!!!

-Truly historic, classic homes everywhere you look.

-25 mile bike ride on the backroads of Booth bay, Maine

-Port towns with their window-framing flower boxes and cobblestone streets.

-Portland, Maine to see Glenn’s old friend Gary and his family

-Blueberry wine at a winery in Maine – ok, not a great highlight, but I just HAD to try it.

-Chowder (chowdah) taste off in Camden, Maine. People here are serious about their chowder!

mansions along the coast

Gary and Glenn

Camden, Maine

chat more as we head up the road to Bah Hahbah (that’s Bar Harbor to you and me )…..