Mezzacorona Wines, "Taste Of The Dolomites" On The Hudson

Who says you can't experience the Italian Alps in New York City? Mezzacorona Winery, located in the village of Mezzocorona just outside of Trento at the foot of the breathtaking Dolomites in northeastern Italy, sent wine enthusiasts in the Big Apple on a weekday adventure to showcase the spirit of the vineyards right in our own backyard. An exhilarating kayak jaunt on the Hudson river around The Intrepid helped us soak up some sun, work up an appetite, and get into the spirit of the Dolomites.

Stefani Jackenthal, president of NTS Wine Tasting, triathlete, and author of Wanderlust Wining, who led the expedition, believes that outdoor adventure and great wine complement each other perfectly. After all, she explained, producing an extraordinary wine requires a deep knowledge and respect for the land, as does exploring nature. Mezzacorona has certainly plumbed the depths of their land, taking advantage of the region's unique microclimates to select precisely the right vineyards for each grape.

The rich Mezzacorona pinot noir was well suited to the vibrant New York sunset, but it was the Cliffhanger Vineyard red, a proprietary blend of two local grape varieties, teroldego and lagrein, grown on jagged, tiered limestone cliffs, that really impressed. The minerality of the rocky soil comes through in spades; just be sure to let this wine breathe a bit before enjoying that first sip. For those of us who can't jet off to Europe on a whim, the only thing standing between us and the Italian mountain air is a cork.