Wine Selection
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Nissley Vineyards & Winery Estate, 140 Vintage Drive, Bainbridge, PA 17502
Phone: (717) 426-3514 or (800) 522-2387 (in PA and neighbor states)   Fax:  (717) 426-1391
E-mail:  winery@nissleywine.com 

This page was last changed on August 26, 2010

    Shortcut. You can skip the explanations and go directly to the Wine Selection list, which includes wine descriptions, food suggestions, compositions and awards.  If you would like to place an order, please see the To Order page.

    General Information.  Most wines of the world are best when consumed young, and that is true of most Nissley Wines as well.  Our wines are generally light bodied, with fruity aroma and minimal oak character.   The varieties of grapes we use fall into three classifications:  Vinifera,  French-American hybrid, and Native American.   Native American grapes lend a very grapey character to the wine, which most sweet wine drinkers prefer.   French-American hybrids and Viniferas are preferred for not-so-sweet and dry wines.    

    Dryness/Sweetness.  We have found that sweetness level is very important to the consumer.  In our region of Central Pennsylvania, many people prefer that a wine be sweet, while others prefer dry (the absence of detectable sweetness).  Accordingly, our wines range from very dry to very sweet, with many levels in between.   Each label contains a dryness/sweetness designation to help you determine whether the wine might fit your taste.  Dry, Off-dry, Semi-dry, Semi-sweet and Sweet are the five designations we use.

    The Source of the Grapes or other fruit is indicated by three designations.  Estate Bottled means that we grew the grapes, fermented the wine and bottled it, all at our winery.  Lancaster Valley means that the grapes were grown locally in our viticulture area, but not entirely (or even partly) on our property.  Pennsylvania means that the wine does not qualify for either of the first two designations, but the grapes/fruits were all grown in PA.  With very rare exception we produce (i.e., ferment and bottle) all the wine we sell.  

     Vintage refers to the year that the grapes were grown.   We vintage date all grape wines which qualify (according to Federal Government regulations).  On the wine label, you will see the vintage date prominently displayed above the wine name.  If the wine does not qualify for the vintage date, we refer to the copyright date, displayed at the bottom or side of the label in small print.   (This copyright date is the same year that the fruit was grown.)  Occasionally we will use a letter of the alphabet to differentiate two separate lots of the same wine.   
        Although we strive to produce wines that are consistent from one lot to the next and one year to the next, there will often be variations due to availability of and climatic effects on the grapes or fruit.  Furthermore, a wine develops different characteristics as time passes.   Even one year can make a noticeable difference. Therefore, for reasons of quality control, we pay close attention to the dates printed on Nissley labels.  Although the compositions may vary from vintage to vintage, the descriptions here are generally appropriate from one vintage to the next.   A significant exception is the 2003 VINTAGE OF RED WINES.  They were notably pale and light-bodied because of the cool, rainy summer of 2003.      
   
     This list is not a precise representation of the vintage that is currently available, because wines sell out disproportionately at our five shops, particularly during the months of May, June, July and December.  If you are interested in a specific vintage, please call the winery weekdays, or use email to ask about the availability.   

    Composition means the grape varieties or fruit used to make the wine.  Proprietary is a term used to indicate that the blend is special and falls into the category of trade secret.    The compositions are vintage-specific.   If two vintages are given on the Wine Prices list, only one will be described here.  

    Awards are listed to help describe the wines.  Please do not assume that a wine is inferior because it has not won an award.  We do not submit all of our wines for judging, for reasons that are explained on the Awards page.   We relay the results of professional competitions to our customers so that they will feel more comfortable about selecting a wine that is unknown to them.  The awards are vintage-specific.  Please read the Vintage paragraph above.  For a comprehensive list of awards that we won in recent competitions, please see the Awards page.

    Wine Prices are not listed here.   Please see the Wine Prices page.

    Wine Selection

 


NISSLEY WINE SELECTION
August 26, 2010

 

Composition

Awards

White Wines

%

Variety

Level

Competition*

Seyval Blanc 2008

Dry

A dry, lightly oaked, white wine with a flinty, lingering flavor. Serve with grilled chicken, fish in white wine sauce and sharp cheeses. Recommended for those who like light bodied Sauvignon Blanc.  

80%
20%

Seyval Blanc
Other French
Hybrid White



Estate Bottled

Bronze

'10 FLIWC Competition

Vidal Blanc 2008

Dry

A dry, white wine with a lively finish and a touch of oak.  Pair with grilled fish, roast pork, or pasta with white clam sauce.  Recommended for those who like light bodied Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.

100%

Vidal Blanc




Estate Bottled

Bronze


Bronze
'10 PA Farm Show Competition

'10 FLIWC
Competition
Rhapsody in Blue®  © 2009
Semi-dry A semi-dry white wine in a cobalt blue bottle. Designer label with matching blue capsule. Delicious with a semi-firm cheese and fresh fruit or with mildly-seasoned foods.  Serve well chilled.

77%
23%

Vidal Blanc
Cayuga





Estate Bottled
Silver '10 INDY
Competition

Petite Blanc 2009                                             

Semi-dry

A 375 mL version of Rhapsody in Blue, in a green bottle.  A popular wedding favor.

77%
23%

Vidal Blanc
Cayuga

Estate Bottled

Bronze

'10 INDY
Competition

 

Classic White 2009   

Semi-dry

A perky, semi-dry white wine with a hint of licorice.  Easy to drink. Serve with a light supper, white meat or fish, clam chowder. A good choice for picnics and gifts.  

80%
20%

 

Cayuga
Seyval Blanc





Estate Bottled

Bronze '10 INDY
Competition

Vignoles 2009                                            

Semi-sweet

Pronounced vin-yolz; the "g" is silent.  A semi-sweet white wine,  with a hint of pineapple.  Excellent with baked ham, sweet/sour dishes, assorted cheeses.  For those who like Riesling.

80%
20%

Vignoles
Cayuga




Estate Bottled

 

 

Holiday White © 2009  

Semi-sweet

A semi-sweet white wine with a wide appeal during the holidays. Keep some chilled and ready for drop-in guests. With a pleasing aroma and light flavor, it is a fine choice for casual buffet suppers. Available from Oct 1st thru December until sold out, and available by special order during  September.

100%

French Hybrid
Whites




Pennsylvania

Silver

'10 INDY
Competition

Whisper White © 2009   

Semi-sweet

A semi-sweet white wine that is light bodied, fruity (but not grapey) and smooth.  A fine sipping wine.  A touch sweeter than Holiday White.  Delicious with chocolate desserts or as an aperitif. 

66%

34%

French Hybrid
Whites
Pear


Pennsylvania

Bronze '10 INDY
Competition

Niagara 2009

Sweet

A sweet, white wine.  Grapey, like the grapes you plucked from your grandmother’s arbor. Delicious with apples and sharp cheese. A fruit punch recipe is printed on the side panel of the label.

82%
18%


Niagara
Other Whites 




Pennsylvania




Not yet entered.

Grapeful White 2009

Sweet

A sweet white wine, with a distinctly grapey character.  Serve well-chilled.

56%

44%

French Hybrid
Whites
Native American Whites


Pennsylvania

Silver '10 INDY
Competition
Topaz Select 2008
Sweet A very sweet rich white wine.  Our sweetest wine.  Produced by a cryoextraction method of chilling the juice and removing ice crystals before fermen- tation.  For those who like Ice Wine.  A fine marinade for fresh fruit.  Excellent after dinner.  Available in 375 mL bottles only.

100%

Vidal Blanc





Estate Bottled

Bronze


Gold


Bronze

'09 AWS
Competition

'10 PA Wine Competition

'10 FLIWC Competition

 

Rosé Wines

Candlelight 2009

Semi-Dry

A gentle, pale rosé wine in the White Zinfandel style. This most versatile wine is great by itself or with mild cheeses, most lightly seasoned meats, poultry, and raw vegetables (crudité).   

95%

5%

French hybrid
white
Chambourcin


Estate Bottled

   
Petite Rosé 2008
Semi-Dry A semi-dry rosé wine that is similar to White Zinfandel but richer in color and flavor.  A fine choice for wedding favors.  Available in 375 mL bottles only.  

87%
13%

Chambourcin
Cab Franc


Estate Bottled

Bronze

Silver

'09 AWS Competition

'10 PA Farm Show Competition

Bainbridge Rosé 2009 

Semi-sweet

A semi-sweet wine.  Very easy to drink. Well suited with a picnic or a casual meal, and as an aperitif. 

82%
18%

Hybrid White
Hybrid Red

Estate Bottled

Silver '10 INDY
Competition

Fantasy 2009

Sweet

A sweet, yummy wine. Pretty rosé color and grapey aroma. Well suited for sipping. Fine with a fresh fruit dessert.  Foil accents on label match the stunning red capsule.

43%
46%

11%

Concord
Native Amer.
White
Hybrid White

Pennsylvania

Silver

'10 INDY
Competition

Red Wines

Cabernet Franc 2007

Dry

A dry, light-bodied red wine.  Recommended for those who like Beaujolais.   Serve at room temperature, with grilled or pan-fried pork, roast turkey and Swiss cheese. 

78%
8%
14%


Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Chambourcin

Lancaster Valley

Bronze


Bronze

'09 AWS Competition

'09 FLIWC Competition

Merlot 2008

Dry

A dry, medium-bodied red wine with a hint of black pepper.  Serve at room temperature, with venison, veal scaloppini, ratatouille, gorgonzola cheese, dried fruits and walnuts. 

84%
16%

Merlot
Chambourcin


Pennsylvania

Silver


Bronze

'10 PA Wine Competition

'10 FLIWC
Competition

Chambourcin 2008

Dry

A dry red wine with light tannin, a hint of oak and a crisp finish.  Pair it with mild cheeses, pasta with tomato-based sauce and prime rib of beef.  Recommended for those who like Merlot.

79%
10%
11%

Chambourcin
Cabernet Franc
Merlot


Lancaster Valley

Gold


Bronze


Bronze
'10 PA Farm Show Competition

'10 PA Wine Competition

'10 FLIWC
Competition

Valley Red 2009

Off-Dry

An off-dry, light-bodied pleasant red wine with a soft balance and distinct berry character.   Serve at room temperature, with lamb, grilled meats, roasted vegetables and stir-fry chicken.  

64%
11%
17%
7%
1%


Chambourcin
Corot Noir
DeChaunac
Merlot
Cab Franc


Lancaster Valley

Bronze

 

'10 INDY
Competition
Little Red Wine 2008
Off-Dry

A 375 mL version of Valley Red 2008.  Popular as gifts and wedding favors.

71%
15%
12%
2%

Chambourcin
Corot Noir
DeChaunac
Cab Franc

Estate Bottled

  Not entered.

Naughty Marietta  2009                

Semi-Dry

A versatile semi-dry pale red wine with a slightly sweet flavor. Very light-bodied. Our most popular red wine. Named for our proximity to the town of Marietta, PA.  A chillable red or serve at room temperature.  Serve with beef or lamb dishes, sharp cheeses and vinaigrette salads.

88%
10%
2%

Hybrid Reds
Hybrid White
Vinifera Red





Pennsylvania

  Not yet entered.

Bainbridge Red 2009

Semi-sweet

A semi-sweet red wine.  Similar to Bainbridge Rosé, the flavor is fruity without being grapey. Chill it for picnics and barbecues. Serve with spaghetti in winter.

75%
10%
15%

DeChaunac
Chambourcin
Vidal blanc


Pennsylvania
Bronze '10 INDY
Competition

Holiday Red © 2009 

Semi-sweet

A semi-sweet red wine. The infusion of Concord lends it a subtle grapey character, appealing to the occasional wine drinker. Available from Oct 1st thru December until sold out, and available by special order July thru September.  Serve chilled (in a wine glass) or heated (in a mug).

65%
35%
1%

Hybrid Reds
Concord
Vinifera




Estate Bottled

 

 

 

Concord 2008

Sweet

A sweet, grapey, pale red wine with an assertive but smooth flavor that is enhanced by chilling. A nice sipping wine, it can also be enjoyed with fresh fruits and many cheeses.

77%
23%

Concord
Hybrid Red



Pennsylvania

  Not yet entered.

Spicy Red © 2008

Sweet

A sweet red wine with natural flavorings added (cloves, cinnamon & orange). Serve hot (in a mug) during cold winter months. Or serve over ice as a quick Sangria in the summertime.

 

Proprietary




Pennsylvania

  Not entered.

Grapeful Red 2009

Sweet

A sweet red wine.  Our sweetest red.  The smooth, creamy flavor is just right for sipping. The grapey aroma matches the sweet flavor.  Serve well-chilled. 

35%
35%
30%

Hybrid Reds
Concord
Native Whites


Estate Bottled

Gold '10 INDY
Competition

 

Fruit Wines

 

Apple  © 2009 

Semi-sweet

A mild, semi-sweet wine which is perfect as a luncheon wine. Serve with quiches, cheese omelets or mild Chinese dishes. It becomes a delicious hot spiced wine when you add cloves, cinnamon & brown sugar. The recipe is on the side panel of the label.

100%

Apple






Pennsylvania

Gold

Gold

'10 FLIWC
Competition

'10 INDY
Competition

Montmorency Cherry © 2009

Semi-dry

A semi-dry wine with definite cherry aroma and flavor.  Made from fresh cherries only, not grape wine flavored with extracts. Dry wine drinkers like this full-flavored wine as a change of pace. Excellent with baked ham and as an aperitif. Brings wedding cake to life.

100%

Sour Cherry






Pennsylvania

Silver '10 FLIWC
Competition
Country Cherry © 2009
Sweet A sweet wine with mild cherry aroma and flavor.  Made from fresh cherries only, not grape wine flavored with extracts. Delicious as a sipping wine or with chocolate desserts and cheese cake.

100%

Sour Cherry




Pennsylvania

Bronze


Bronze


Silver

'09 AWS
Competition

'10 FLIWC
Competition

'10 INDY
Competition

Black Raspberry © 2009                          

Sweet

A sweet wine with a rich red color, very raspberry aroma and silky flavor, derived from fresh raspberries (not extracts). Serve it in cordial glasses or spoon it over ice cream and peaches for an easy but elegant dessert. Add to white wine for a delicious kir. Keep refrigerated after opening. Available in 375 mL bottles only.

66%


34%

Black Raspberry & Red Raspberry

Hybrid White





Pennsylvania

Bronze

'10 INDY
Competition

 

The 2010 INDY International Wine Competition was held in August 2010 at Perdue University, Indiana.

The 2010 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition was held in April 2010 at Mendon, New York.

The 2010 Pennsylvania Wine Competition was held in March 2010.

The 2010 Pennsylvania Farm Show Competition was held in January 2010.

The 2009 American Wine Society Competition was held in October 2009 in Pittsburgh, PA.

The 2009 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition was held in April 2009 at Mendon, New York.

The 2009 Pennsylvania Wine Competition was held in March 2009.

The 2009 Pennsylvania Farm Show Competition was held in January 2009.

The 2008 American Wine Society Competition was held in September 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA.

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