Usonia Schmeritage Red Wine 2023

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Organic/Biodynamic/Sustainable

Finger Lakes, New York, USA

A freeze event in the Finger Lakes caused Usonia to look beyond the Finger Lakes region for fruit for the first time, as well as to experiment with more varieties. “Schmeritage” is a take on the classic Bordeaux blend. The primary components are Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot (20%) from Macari Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island. The Cabernet Sauvignon was fermented partially carbonic and partially semi carbonic and the Merlot was given a two day maceration and pressed as a dark rosé. In addition, there’s 10% of Cabernet Franc from Usonia’s home vineyard, New Suns, which was fully destemmed and macerated for 10 days. To lighten up the blend, there’s a touch (10%) of Tocai Friulano from Ventosa Vineyards on East Seneca Lake, which was destemmed and macerated for 18 days. All varieties were vinified separately and blended at bottling. Sulfur additions were added after Malo and before bottling.