WINE OF THE MONTH

Apollo’s Praise Lahoma Vineyard Dry Riesling Seneca Lake, NY 2024

Last evening, the Wilmington Wine Circle was in full swing with the rhythms of Riesling! From Germany, the spiritual home of Riesling, to the Finger Lakes, Australia and to a Grand Cru of Alsace, our May Wine Circle offered a tour across some of world’s most celebrated wine regions known for producing the finest Rieslings.

The Lineup

Our tasting featured seven distinctive wines, each thoughtfully paired with equally delicious dishes:

• Schmitt Söhne Dry Riesling Germany 2023
• Dr. Heidermanns Mosel 2024
• Freiherr Von Heddesdorff Riesling Troken Winningen Mosel 2024
• Hosmer Dry Riesling Finger Lakes Cayuga Lake 2024
• Apollo’s Praise Dry Riesling Lahome Vineyard Seneca Lake 2024
• Knappstein Clare Valley Riesling 2023
• Anne de K Riesling Alsace Grand Cru Schlossberg 2022

Each wine brought its own personality to the table, from the crisp, slate minerality of the Mosel to the structured, powerful elegance of Alsace. The pairings elevated the experience even further, highlighting how beautifully Rieslings come to life alongside food, from fried chicken to caviar!

And the Favorite Is…

At the end of the evening, we all cast our votes for our favorite wine, and the clear standout was the Apollo’s Praise Dry Riesling Lahoma Vineyard 2024 from New York’s Finger Lakes region.

This wine captivated the group with its vibrant freshness, precision, and remarkable balance. On the nose, it offered expressive aromas of lime zest, green apple, white peach, jasmine blossom, crushed stone, and just a hint of petrol. The palate was dry and laser focused, driven by bright, mouthwatering acidity that carried flavors of citrus, orchard fruit, and subtle mineral notes through a long, refreshing finish.

If you have never explored dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes, let this bottle serve as your invitation. The Apollo’s Praise Lahoma Vineyard Riesling was not just our Wine of the Month. It was a reminder of why Riesling remains one of the most exciting and misunderstood grapes in the wine world.

Until next month, cheers from the Wilmington Wine Circle!

“The best wines are the ones we drink with friends.”

June Wine Circle

At our upcoming June Wine Circle, we’ll explore the simply fabulous world of rosé: Rosé All Day (And Night). From pale and delicate to bold and fruity, our June Wine Circle will surely have a rosé for every taste.

So come join us to start sipping your way through summer on Thursday, June 18, from 6:00-7:30 pm at a Wilmington location TBD.

The first Thursday of each month (well, this month it’s the third Thursday), up to 8 people get together to enjoy each other’s company as we taste wine focused on a particular varietal, wine style or wine region. There’s no fee to participate in these gatherings. Each month is hosted by a different person who is only responsible for providing glasses and a festive tasting atmosphere. Each participant brings a bottle of wine and a paired snack to share that fits the month’s theme.