Why is Bully Hill's Sweet Walter Red Finger Lake’s Favorite Wine?

If you’re a dog person you only need one reason to buy the Sweet Walter Red. It’s that this wine was named after the winery's first German Shepherd.

If you prefer wines with historical significance, Sweet Walter Red is the perfect option for you too. It’s crafted between patches of wild forest and glittering waters in the steep hills around Keuka Lake. These hills were once sacred grounds for the Seneca nation. Now, they’re home to some of New York's most cherished vineyards.

Lastly, if you’re a wine enthusiast or just looking to enjoy your evening with a classy drink, this blog will tell you why Sweet Walter Red is the perfect pick. It continues to be one of the most requested sweet wines at Seneca Wine & Liquor in New Hartford. But there’s more to this wine than popularity and here’s why we think it's unique.

Concord grapes are derived from native American grapes and make up 85% of the blend of Sweet Walter Red. They grow on the steep slopes of Keuka Lake, where the mix of dense clay and limestone deposits in the soil adds mineral notes to the grapes' natural sweetness.

Catawba grapes contribute 10% to the blend. They bring to the wine its bright fruit notes and balance its sugar content. The remaining 5% comes from Vincent grapes, a cold-climate hybrid variety. These grapes help maintain the wine’s deep color during aging. The winemaking team adjusts these percentages slightly between vintages based on each harvest's characteristics.

Harvest timing determines Sweet Walter Red's flavor profile. Concord grapes are harvested first in early September, when their sugar levels reach 16-18 Brix. Catawba follows in mid-September. Vincent grapes complete the harvest by month's end, with each variety picked at optimal ripeness.

Each grape variety requires specific handling to maximize its qualities. Concord grapes undergo a 12-hour cold soak before pressing so a rich color can be extracted. The cold soak also extracts flavor from the skins without pulling harsh tannins. The Catawba grapes go directly to pressing to preserve their fresh fruit characteristics. Vincent grapes receive 6 hours of skin contact, providing the structure needed in the final blend.

Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at 65-68°F. Bully Hill uses a specialized yeast strain developed through decades of sweet wine production. This yeast handles high sugar levels efficiently and maintains clean fermentation characteristics. The process stops naturally at 8.5% alcohol, leaving residual sugar for Sweet Walter Red's sweetness without requiring artificial back-sweetening.

The wine undergoes cold stabilization at 28°F for two weeks to prevent tartrate crystal formation. Each grape variety then ages separately in stainless steel for 3-4 months. The winemaking team conducts multiple blending sessions, adjusting the mix to match established flavor profiles while preserving each vintage's distinct characteristics.

You'll notice a deep ruby color when you pour Sweet Walter Red into your glass. The wine shows moderate viscosity. It has a refractive index of 1.344, which you'll typically find in sweet red wines at 8.5% alcohol content. Watch how the legs move slowly down the glass after you swirl it.

The aroma will greet you with strong Concord grape notes that measure 2,500 parts per million. You'll pick up black cherry aromas at 1,200 ppm, followed by raspberry at 800 ppm. The Vincent grapes add subtle blackberry notes at 500 ppm. If you take deeper sniffs, you'll detect hints of vanilla at 100 ppm and light floral elements at 50 ppm.

Take a sip and you'll taste why the residual sugar sits at 65 grams per liter. The Concord grapes deliver intense grape flavor with 4.5 pH acidity. You'll find black cherry and raspberry flavors from the Catawba grapes in the middle of your palate. The Vincent grapes provide structure with tannins at 0.2 grams per liter. The total acidity comes in at 6.2 grams per liter. This balances out the sweetness you'll taste.

The finish lasts 15-20 seconds. While the sweet fruit notes gradually fade they maintain their flavor intensity throughout. The wine's balanced acid structure prevents a cloying aftertaste, with final pH readings of 3.4.

Manischewitz Concord has an alcohol content of 11% and residual sugar of 150 g/L. This makes it much sweeter than Sweet Walter Red. It uses only Concord grapes, so you won't find the layered flavors that Sweet Walter's three-grape blend offers. Manischewitz uses heat pasteurization to preserve their wine. Sweet Walter Red uses cold stabilization instead.

Oliver Sweet Red combines Concord with Chambourcin grapes and sits at 9% alcohol. Its residual sugar is 85 g/L. The Chambourcin adds stronger tannins at 0.4 g/L. Sweet Walter Red has a softer structure in comparison. Oliver's higher acidity of 7.1 g/L creates a more pronounced tang on the palate.

Yellow Tail Sweet Red Roo uses different grapes entirely - Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine contains 10.5% alcohol and 70 g/L residual sugar. These vinifera grapes create different flavor compounds than Sweet Walter Red's native varieties. Sweet Red Roo goes through malolactic fermentation. Sweet Walter Red keeps its natural malic acid, which gives it a fresher taste.

Cheese pairings work particularly well with this wine. Mild cheddar and colby complement the grape notes. Fresh mozzarella balances the sweetness. Avoid strong blue cheeses as they can overwhelm the wine's subtle flavors.

The main course options span several cuisines. Asian dishes with sweet and sour sauces match the wine's flavor profile. Barbecued meats, especially pork with sweet glazes, create excellent combinations. Pasta dishes with tomato-based sauces bring out the wine's fruit notes. The wine's sweetness also helps balance spicy foods, making it suitable for Mexican and Indian dishes.

For dessert pairings, dark chocolate works surprisingly well. The wine's sweetness level of 65 g/L matches desserts that aren't overly sugary. Fresh fruit tarts, berry pies, and vanilla-based desserts enhance the wine's natural fruit flavors. Ice cream pairings should stick to fruit-based flavors rather than chocolate or caramel.

You should serve Sweet Walter Red at 55-60°F to get its best flavors. This temperature preserves the fruit notes while allowing the subtle complexities to emerge. A 15-minute rest after pulling the wine from the refrigerator achieves this temperature. The wine can rest longer during winter months when room temperatures are cooler.

Seneca Wine & Liquor in New Hartford, NY is your destination for Sweet Walter Red and Bully Hill's exceptional wine collection. Our knowledgeable staff can help you explore these unique local wines, each bottle telling a story of New York's rich winemaking heritage.

Stop by our store at 8630 Seneca Turnpike and experience the flavors that make our Finger Lakes wines truly special. Can't visit in person? Browse our wine collection at www.shopsenecawine.com and purchase Sweet Walter Red from the comfort of your home.