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New York State is located in the Atlantic Northeast of the USA. It is one of the top four wine-producing states in America, both in terms of the number of vines planted and the quantity of wine produced. From Long Island on the east coast to the shores of Lake Erie in the central west, New York State contains a wide range of grape-growing regions. Most of its wineries are small, family-run businesses producing wine mostly for early drinking and local consumption. The first grapes were planted here in the 17th century, by Dutch and Huguenot settlers.
New York State has a very diverse terrain, shaped by ice age glaciers which created deep valleys and sloping hillsides. These glaciers carved out the Finger Lakes and also shaped the wide Hudson River. Well-drained gravel and shale soils were left behind, with silt and loam adding moderate fertility. The climate here is characterized by warm days and cool nights, with all New York wine regions benefiting in some way from a body of water. These lakes and rivers, along with the Atlantic Ocean, help to moderate temperatures in the summer and tame the often-severe winters. Annual rainfall is 30 to 50 inches (760–1270mm) and hurricanes can also be a problem. At 170 to 200 days, the growing season is short in Lake Erie and the Finger Lakes, but is relatively longer on Long Island, which has an average of 220 days. Long Island also has higher humidity and rainfall.
More than 80% of the grapes grown in New York State are native Vitis labrusca varieties, with a high proportion of those being Concord. However, the state is forging a new wine reputation based on quality Vitis vinifera varieties and is increasingly being recognized for producing premium wines, with Riesling leading the way. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are being used for both still and sparkling wines. French/American hybrids are also being planted in an effort to benefit from the best aspects of both. The native Vitis labrusca is hardier in this often-harsh climate, while crossing it with Vitis vinifera increases the quality of the grapes.
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