Thirsty Owl Vidal Blanc
Grape: Vidal Blanc
Vintage: 2008
Region: Finger Lakes AVA
ABV: 11%
Maker: Thirsty Owl Wine Co., Ovid, New York (Cayuga Lake, west bank)
Vidal Blanc is a Euro-American hybrid grape variety developed by a man named Jean Louis Vidal. One of its parents was Ugni Blanc, the grape used to make Cognac and Armagnac. Vidal apparently thought his cross would be useful in brandy production, but it has proven to be most useful in the production of ice wine.
This is not an ice wine, however. But it’s almost like a watered down one, in a very good way. The nose is light, slightly dry, with a hint of pineapple. The pineapple sneaks up on the palate after it enters the mouth. It blossoms into a big slice of fresh, ripe pineapple and fades into a rich, sweet finish. It’s a surprisingly good wine, one worth seeking out. I don’t know if this owl flys outside of New York, but if you see it, catch it.
Sipology 