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 March 1, 2008

    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.

    Estate Bottled is a term which means that our company grew the grapes, produced the wine and bottled it here.  We do purchase some grapes and fruits from other growers.  Therefore, not all Nissley wines bear the designation Estate Bottled, but they are all made with the same attention to high quality ingredients and methods. 

     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
March 1, 2008

 

Composition

Awards

White Wines

%

Variety

Level

Competition*

Seyval Blanc 2006

 

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 Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.

80%
20%

Seyval Blanc
Other French
Hybrid Whites



Estate Bottled

Silver

Bronze

'07 INDY
Competition

'08 PA Farm Show
Competition


Vidal Blanc 2006

 

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, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.

100%

Vidal Blanc




Estate Bottled

Gold


Silver

 
Silver

'07 AWS
Competition

'07 INDY
Competition

'08 PA Farm Show
Competition


Rhapsody in Blue © 2006
  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 an herb-seasoned entrée.  Serve well chilled.

76%
24%

Vidal Blanc
Cayuga




Estate Bottled

Silver


Bronze




'07 San Fran.
Competition

'07 INDY
Competition

Petite Blanc 2006                                             

 

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

76%
24%

Vidal Blanc
Cayuga



Estate Bottled

Bronze


'07 INDY
Competition

Classic White 2006   

 

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.  

75%
25%

 

Cayuga
Vidal Blanc



Estate Bottled

 

 

Vignoles 2006                                             

 

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 Reisling.

82%
18%

Vignoles
Vidal Blanc



Estate Bottled

Silver


Silver


Bronze


'07 San Fran.
Competition

'08 PA Farm Show
Competition

'07 INDY
Competition

Holiday White © 2006

 

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 Nov 1 thru the Winter until sold out, and available by special order August thru October.

100%

French Hybrid
Whites




Estate Bottled

Bronze


'07 INDY
Competition

Whisper White 2006

 

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. 

70%

30%

French Hybrid
Whites
Pear


Silver


Silver

Silver

'07 INDY
Competition

'07 I.E.W.C.
Competition

'08 PA Farm Show
Competition

Niagara 2006

 

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.

81%
17%
2%

Niagara
Catawba 
Vidal Blanc



Estate Bottled

Bronze


'07 INDY
Competition

Grapeful White 2006

 

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

57%

43%

French Hybrid
Whites
Native American Whites


Estate Bottled

Bronze '07 INDY
Competition
Topaz Select 2006
  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

Double Gold

Silver

'07 San Fran.
Competition

PA Farm Show
Competition

Rosé Wines

 

Candlelight 2006

 

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 2006
  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.  

73%
11%
15%
1%

Chambourcin
Cab Franc
Cayuga
Vidal
Estate Bottled

 

 

Bainbridge Rosé  2006 

 

A semi-sweet wine in the traditional rosé style. Very easy to drink. Well suited with a picnic, a casual meal and as an aperitif. 

83%
17%

Vidal Blanc
Chambourcin

Estate Bottled

 



Fantasy 2006

 

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.

42%
34%

24%

Concord
Native Amer.
White
French Hybrid White

Silver

'07 INDY
Competition

Red Wines

 

Cabernet Franc 2006

 

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. 

77%
16%
7%


Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Chambourcin

Lancaster Valley

Bronze

'07 AWS
Competition

Merlot 2005

 

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

75%
12%
13%

Merlot
Chambourcin
Cabernet Franc


Lancaster Valley

Silver

Bronze


Bronze

'07 I.E.W.C.
Competition

'07 INDY
Competition

'07 AWS
Competition

Chambourcin 2006

 

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.

83%
17%

Chambourcin
Merlot


Lancaster Valley

Bronze

'07 AWS
Competition

Valley Red 2006

 

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.  

52%
16%
12%
20%

Chambourcin
DeChaunac
Cabernet Franc
Vidal Blanc


Estate Bottled

Bronze '07 INDY
Competition
Petite Claret 2006
 

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

52%
16%
12%
20%

Chambourcin
DeChaunac
Cabernet Franc
Vidal Blanc

Estate Bottled

Bronze '07 INDY
Competition

Naughty Marietta  2006                

 

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.

80%

16%

4%

French Hybrid
Red
French Hybrid
White
Vinifera Red




Lancaster Valley

Silver '07 INDY
Competition

Bainbridge Red 2006

 

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.

73%
10%
17%

DeChaunac
Chancellor
Vidal Blanc


Estate Bottled
Silver '07 INDY
Competition

Holiday Red © 2006

 

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

68%

32%

French hybrid
red & white
Concord




Estate Bottled

Silver

 

'07 INDY
Competition

Concord 2006

 

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.

85%
15%

Concord
French hybrid
red

Silver '07 INDY
Competition

Spicy Red © 2006

 

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

   

Grapeful Red 2006

 

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. 

70%

30%

French hybrid red & white
Concord

Bronze '08 PA Farm Show
Competition

Fruit Wines

 

Apple © 2006

 

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%

Apples

Silver

Silver

'07 INDY
Competition
'07 I.E.W.C.
Competition

 

Montmorency Cherry © 2007

 

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

100%

Sour Cherries

   
Country Cherry © 2007
  A sweet wine with mild cherry aroma and flavor.  Made from fresh cherries only, not grape wine with extracts. Delicious as a sipping wine or with chocolate desserts and cheese cake.

100%

Sour Cherries    

Black Raspberry                             Temporarily Sold Out.  Available again in Spring 2008. 

 

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.

67%

33%

Black & Red Raspberries
French Hybrid
White

 


 


The 2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show Competition was held in January 2008.

The 2007 American Wine Society Competition was held in November 2007.

The 2007 INDY International Wine Competition was held in August 2007 at W. Lafayette, Indiana.

The 2007 San Francisco Competition was held in June 2007 at San Francisco, CA.

The 2007 International Eastern Wine Competition was held in May 2007 at Corning, NY.

The 2007 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition was held in April 2007 at Mendon, New York.

The 2007 Keystone Wine Competition was held in April 2007.

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