Wine Press FINAL 10-14-10

June 19, 2011

 

          New York Gold Rush in Sonoma, New York wines at the White House, and Summer of Riesling starts Tuesday.

          

          Cheers!

 

          Jim Trezise

 New York Gold at IEWC in Sonoma 

            The International Eastern Wine Competition, sponsored by Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine and run by veteran wine writer and judge Linda Murphy, has been held on the east coast since its creation decades ago, but this year was conducted at a great farming complex in the Russian River Valley that is part of the Santa Rosa Junior College, which trains many of California's wine industry professionals.  Why the change? The New York wholesaler who received the competition wines all these years was unable to do so, for whatever reason, so this year alone a change in venue was required, and next year it will move back east.

                 New York wines made a strong showing with several Best of Class awards, other Double Golds and Golds, and many Silver and Bronze awards.  The Double Gold/Best of Class winneres included Glenora Wine Cellars 2010 Finger Lakes Pinot Blanc; Hazlitt White Stag; Hickory Hollow Liquid Wisdom; Keuka Spring Vineyards 2010 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling; and Lucas Vineyards 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling.

                 Other Double Gold medals went to Coyote Moon 2009 Naked Chardonnay; Dr. Konstantin Frank 2010 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling; Hosmer 2010 Cayuga Lake Riesling; Keuka Spring Vineyards 2009 Seyval-Chardonnay; Lime Berry Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling; and Thirsty Owl 2010 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling.

                 Gold medals were awarded to Coyote Moon 2010 New York State La Crescent; Dr. Konstantin Frank 2009 Reserve Gewurztraminer; Glenora Wine Cellars 2010 Gewurtztraminer; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Semi-Dry Riesling; Hosmer Sparkling Wine; Thirsty Owl 2009 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling; and Thousand Islands 2010 New York State Frontenac.

                 

Dr. Frank Wines at State Luncheon

         In a case of history repeating itself, wines from Dr. Konstantin Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars were recently served at a State Luncheon in Washington DC honoring German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, and hosted by Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

            The June 7 luncheon, held in the elegant Benjamin Franklin Room of the State Department, featured Dr. Frank Celebre Rose and 2010 Gruner Veltliner during the reception, followed by 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling and 2008 Lemberger with the luncheon.

             Decades ago, the legendary Dr. Frank, who catalyzed the "vinifera revolution" in the east, received similar honors when his wines were served at the White House.  Apparently it runs in the family.

Summer of Riesling Debuts Tuesday

             The "Summer of Riesling" celebration will be officially launched on Tuesday, June 21, when more than 150 of the country's very top restaurants will begin featuring at least three Riesling wines by the glass all the way through September 22--94 days in all.

                 Summer of Riesling was created in 2008 by Manhattan restaurateur Paul Grieco (Hearth restaurant, and Terroir wine bars), a Riesling fanatic, and the concept has grown in New York City since then.  Now, with sponsorship by the International Riesling Foundation, it's going national, featuring the A-list of restaurants in major markets: Spago in Beverly Hills, Gary Danko and Slanted Door in San Francisco, Wild Ginger in Seattle, The French Laundry in Napa Valley, and in New York City such meccas as Per Se, Le Bernadin, Boulud, Craft, Gramercy Tavern, and many others.  www.summerofriesling.com

                 The International Riesling Foundation is the only global trade association formed around one varietal, and includes the top producers from throughout the world.

"Wine is a chemical symphony."

--Maynard Amerine

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