Are you familiar with Baco Noir. It’s a French-American hybrid grape but don’t let that scare you. It makes a really nice red wine with aging potential. Think of it as a poor man’s Barolo.

In this episode of Winephabet Street Lori and I spoke with Carlo DeVito, former owner of Hudson-Chatham Winery in Gent, New York. Carlo grew Baco Noir as well as sourced some from the Finger Lakes. He has in-depth knowledge of Baco and he shares it with us.

Winephabet Street is a monthly series where Lori Budd of Exploring the Wine Glass and I work our way through the alphabet exploring wine and wine regions one letter at a time. The show is live on the third Monday at 8pm and is free, but you must register to attend. Put it on your calendar, pour yourself a glass of wine and hang out with us.

During this episode I poured a 2010 and 2016 Baco Noir from Hudson-Chatham Winery and a 2016 from Benmarl Winery. It was very interesting to see the aging potential of the wine. I was pretty amazed.

2010 Hudson-Chatham Baco Noir Reserve Casscles Vineyards - Brickish in color but smooth and elegant on the palate. Hints of chocolate and baking spices on the nose that leads to a palate of bright bing cherry, raspberry and sour cherry.

2016 Hudson-Chatham Baco Noir Block 2 North Creek Vineyard Hudson River Region Estate Grown - This wine too, was smooth and elegant with dark cherry, black raspberry and baking spice.

2016 Benmarl Baco Noir Hudson River Region Estate Grown - This version of Baco was a bit more acidic. Notes of black cherry, sour cherry, black raspberry with the acidity popping throughout.