Local Wineries React to Large Visiting Groups

Far above Cayuga’s waters, on a weekend afternoon in the fall, a busload of people await to embark on an afternoon full of wine tastings at a number of the Finger Lakes region’s wineries. The scene is the first on a typical wine tour, an activity that has become commonplace as the Finger Lakes region is the second largest wine-producing region in the country, behind Napa Valley in California.

What often occurs at most wine-tastings, however, would make some wine connoisseurs turn their heads. Often times, visitors show little regard for wine tasting etiquette. They ignore the aroma or palate of the Merlot or Chardonnay in their hand while downing the beverage exclusively for its alcoholic content.