On the Wine Side - Our Annual New York State Tasting! Wed, Nov 05, 2025 It’s THAT time of year again – Exit 9’s New York State Wine Tasting event. In fact, it came up on us fast. It’s THIS SATURDAY, November 8, 2025 and the hours are 1 pm to 5 pm. Here are just some of the reasons you want to be here: 1. Where else can you sample offerings from wineries throughout New York state in one big, happy place with no admission fee?2. What other opportunity do you have to try those bottles you’ve been eyeing all year but aren’t quite sure about?3. It’s so much easier than driving all the way to the Finger Lakes! (And more diverse, too – you’ll visit multiple NY AVAs in just a few hours.)4. The holidays are here, and New York wines are perfect pairings for holiday foods and make great local gifts.5. You’ll be supporting Special Olympics New York through your purchases. Here at Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse we are proud to support New York State wineries; we’ve been doing it since we opened 24 years ago. The wine scene has exploded in this time, and we strive to continually bring unique offerings from around the state to the store. For those of you who still have reservations about the quality of the wines coming out of New York, well, this tasting is especially important. Did you know that the Finger Lakes was just named Wine Enthusiast’s 2025 American Wine Region of the Year? Yes, American Wine Region of the Year!! Here’s how Wine Enthusiast put it: “New York’s largest wine-growing region has come a mighty long way in a few decades. Where wine lovers once had to search for quality, these days it’s the norm…The rolling hills that fringe 11 long, deep lakes at the center of the Empire State are home to a plethora of world-class wineries that craft vibrant Riesling of all shapes and sizes; herbaceous Cabernet Franc; red-fruited Blaufrankisch; a kaleidoscope of sparklers; and so much more. Add to this an increase in wine-tourism offerings, breathtaking lakeside vistas, and enchanting waterfalls, and the vibes in the Finger Lakes are entirely grown up.” On Saturday, you can taste wines from pioneers like Dr. Konstatin Frank, Fox Run, and Bully Hill, among others, alongside wines from Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery, as well as wines from relative newcomer Weis Vineyards, which won New York Wine Classic’s 2025 “Winery of the Year.” Whites, yes, but reds? This is a common impression of wines from New York. We’re all pretty familiar with the worldclass reputation of Rieslings from the Finger Lakes, but you may be less aware of the attention Cabernet Franc is now getting state-wide. A contributor on the website of the critic Jancis Robinson wrote recently, “There is absolutely no excuse for the lack of New York wines on the wine lists of most New York City restaurants. It is time for New Yorkers to get on the ‘drink local’ bandwagon. These wines are too good to ignore.” Here's what the writer, Alder Yarrow, said about what to look for in NY CabFrancs, in particular: “Across the state, stylistic diversity is a strength rather than a challenge. In the Finger Lakes, producers are crafting wines that show elegant structure and ripe fruit balanced by minerality. The…Hudson Valley—with its alluvial soils and continental climate—produces nuanced, lighter-bodied expressions shaped by fertile soils and cooler nights. Meanwhile, Long Island’s maritime climate gives rise to richer, rounder Cabernet Francs, often with supple tannins and depth that reward cellaring.”See what you think after trying different Cab Francs and other wonderfully expressive red wines here on Saturday. Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse is also pleased to continue its support of Special Olympics New York with this event - 25% of sales of New York State wines during the event will be donated to this organization. Come for the opportunity. Come for the experience. Come for the comradery. Come for the wines. See you Saturday! By Tyler Duma
