New York wineries won a total of 82 medals, including 17 Gold and three Best of Class ratings, at this week's Pacific Rim International Wine Competition in San Bernardino, CA. 

             The Best of Class honors went to Merritt Estate Edelweiss, Red Tail Ridge 2010 Sweet Riesling, and Torrey Ridge Diamond. Chateau LaFayette Reneau and Thirsty Owl Wine Company had particularly strong showings, each winning four Gold medals along with Silver and Bronze awards.

              In addition to the Best of Class wines, Gold medals went to Anthony Road 2008 Vignoles Trockenbeeren and 2008 Tierce Dry Riesling; Belhurst Estate Winery 2010 Sweet Riesling; Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2009 Chardonnay Barrel Fermented, 2010 Late Harvest Vignoles, 2009 Off-Dry Riesling, and 2010 Dry Riesling; Goose Watch Brut Rose and 2009 Pinot Gris; Red Tail Ridge 2010 Chardonnay; Thirsty Owl 2009 Off-Dry Riesling, 2010 Off-Dry Riesling, 2010 Pinot Gris, and 2010 Vidal.

               Next up in a couple weeks is the superb Riverside International followed by Los Angeles International.  Watch for more New York Gold from the left coast.

 Baby Boomers Buy Big

           The young "Millennial" generation gets lots of attention when it comes to wine marketing, as it should given that group's large numbers, affinity toward wine, and tendency to experiment with new products and brands.  But their parents, the "Baby Boomers", often get overlooked even though they're also major drivers of the American wine market.

               The Wine Market Council has just issued the 2010 Baby Boomer Wine Consumer Study which shows, among many other things, that Boomers account for 39% of the nation's wine drinkers and 39% of the wine consumed, with the oldest segment (60-64) the most committed to wine compared with beer and spirits.  Like all generations, "trading down" to lower priced wines was widespread during the recent recession and has continued, with increases in purchases of wine between $6 and $15 but decreases in sales of bottles priced at $15 or more and very little over $30.

               Interestingly, the perceptions of wine's affect on health cut both ways, with many Boomers attributing increased wine consumption to health benefits but slightly more citing health risks as the reason they're drinking less.  In terms of New York wines, the younger Boomers (in their 40's) are drinking more while the older (60-64) are consuming less.  Also, a comparison of Millennial attitudes toward regional wines showed very strong favorable ratings for New York wines--a great sign for the future.

               The Wine Market Council, with superb wine marketer John Gillespie as President, is a great resource for its members and the industry as a whole.  For more information, visit www.winemarketcouncil.com.

Cornell Contributions

          I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again: We are so lucky to have Cornell as an active partner in the New York grape and wine industry.  The latest edition of Appellation Cornell, the online newsletter edited by Cornell Cooperative Extension statewide director Tim Martinson, provides several examples of our good fortune.

             There are different areas of "Focus" in the newsletter, with the Research section focusing on the dreaded powdery mildew disease in vineyards; the Faculty section on viticulture researcher Dr. Justine Vanden Heuvel and her work; the Student section on how Cornell's relatively new undergraduate Viticulture & Enology curriculum has expanded student field trips well beyond the Finger Lakes to all major New York grape regions from Long Island to Lake Erie; and the Extension focus on the fact that the "New York Grapes & Wine Classifieds" electronic service, provided free by CCE, resulted in $1.2 million of sales in 2010. 

              This is essentially a matchmaking service where industry members may post items (usually grapes, sometimes bulk wine, even equipment) for sale or items wanted.  CCE doesn't get involved in any transactions other than providing this bulletin board.  A couple years ago when a serious grape surplus was looming, we provided some funding to expand the reach beyond New York to wineries across the country.  This may well be needed again this year.

               Some people take for granted that Cornell will always be there for the grape and wine industry.  True, there are many highly committed people, from former Dean Susan Henry who created the V&E curriculum, current Dean Kathryn Boor, Director Tom Burr of the Geneva Experiment Station, and the many researchers and extension professionals. 

                But the bottom line is that all this takes money, which is increasingly hard to find. On the federal level, the longstanding Viticulture Consortium funds which supported many projects for many years are now at zero.  (Fortunately, the crucial Integrated Pest Management program--recently headed for extinction--was restored at the State level and retained at the federal level, though with about a 25% cut.)  Three years ago, we had roughly twice the State funding now available to support research.

                 The industry also contributes funding to support research, but it clear that the amount needs to increase if we're to have a reliable, sustainable research program long term.  That's one reason there's increasing talk about the possibility of an industry-funded marketing order.  It would require a small investment that would generate a huge return.  Our friends in the apple industry have certainly proven that.                           

Court of Honor

            The recent Unity Banquet recognized several individuals who have made major contributions to our industry in the recent past.  They join our "Court of Honor" listing many of their peers who received similar recognition in previous years.  Just visit www.newyorkwines.org, and on the home page click to download the list.

                It's a great reminder of how many great people there are in the grape and wine community.