New York Wines Shine at Long Beach Grand Cru

                 As is often the case, New York wines wowed the predominantly California judges at this weekend's Long Beach Grand Cru competition run by Dan Berger, which included more than 1,400 entries from around the country and world.

               Coyote Moon Vineyards in the Thousand Islands led the New York showing with Best Rose Wine (Catawba-based River Run) along with Golds for its La Crescent and Brianna, plus two Silvers and five Bronzes.  Best of Class awards, and Sweepstakes contention, went to Belhurst Estate Winery Isabella Sparkling, Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2010 Semi-Dry Finger Lakes Estate Riesling; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyard 2008 Homestead Reserve Riesling; Lakewood Vineyards 2010 Long Stem White; and Torrey Ridge Winery Diamond.

               Additional Gold medals were awarded to Anyela's Vineyards 2010 Finger Lakes Riesling and 2008 Noiret; Belhurst 2010 Finger Lakes Riesling; Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2010 Finger Lakes Estate Dry Riesling and 2010 Finger Lakes Estate Late Harvest Riesling; Dr. Konstantin Frank 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling; Fulkerson Winery 2008 Cabernet Franc; Goose Watch Winery 2010 Rose of Isabella; Lucas Vineyards 2010 Finger Lakes Vignoles; Merritt Estate Winery Bella Ice; Swedish Hill Winery Finger Lakes Spumante Blush; Torrey Ridge Winery Finger Lakes Blue Sapphire; and Wagner Vineyards 2008 Finger Lakes Estate Bottled Semi-Dry Riesling.

               New York wines captured a total of 91 medals including 20 Gold, 38 Silver, and 33 Bronze.  Long Beach results confirmed the consistency of quality among a broad diversity of wine types and styles, as well as the quality of the superb 2010 vintage. Next up is the Indy International in a couple weeks, followed 10 days later by the New York Wine & Food Classic.                                  

          Consumers, media and trade will be able to taste the top wines from the 2011 New York Wine & Food Classic just 10 days after the actual competition at a "Celebrate the Classic" showcase on Friday, August 26 at the New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua.

            The "Governor's Cup" winner (best wine of the competition), top selections from "Winery of the Year", and Double Gold and Gold medal wines will be presented by the winemakers and available for purchase on the spot at the Center, which will be stocking up for its month-long "New York Gold" promotion spinning off of the Classic.  A private tasting for media and trade will take place from 3 to 4 pm, with general attendance from 4 to 7 pm.

            Complementing the wines will be recipes by great regional chefs using fresh, local seasonal ingredients specifically created to marry with the top wines.

            Admission will be $35 per person, $60 for two, with ticket sales through the New York Wine & Culinary Center (but not yet).  The event is sponsored by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (which sponsors the  Classic) in partnership with Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism, and the New York Wine & Culinary Center.

            We're hoping to sponsor a similar event in New York City later in the fall if funding can be found.

Deb Whiting Celebrated 

              Deb Whiting, the dear friend we lost a couple weeks ago, will be celebrated on two different television shows highlighting her culinary creations and bubbly personality.

             WXXI public broadcasting in Rochester will rebroadcast an archived episode of the "New York Wine & Table" series that featured Red Newt Cellars & Bistro.  We sponsored the 20-segment series which covers the entire state--wine, food, farmers, restaurants, and much else--and this particular episode is aptly titled, "Farming: A Team Effort". 

              Deb and winemaker-husband Dave talk about the winery and bistro, their monthly winemakers dinners, and how Deb sources local foods to pair with Dave's wines. The show will air next Saturday, July 23 at 12:30 pm on WXXI-TVHD(DT21.1/cable 1011 and 11).  Deb also appeared on the "Chopped" program of the Food  Channel, which will air that segment on Tuesday evening, August 16--the evening our Wine & Food Classic concludes.

              An annual highlight of the Classic for our judges and staff has been the Monday night dinner at Red Newt--as it will be again this year.

               Also, Wine Spectator's James Molesworth recently rated Red Newt's 2010 Finger Lakes Riesling, Davis Vineyards at 90, and cited Red Newt and Deb as an example of how New York City restaurants should celebrate "local".

Free Run...

             Sparkling Pointe winery, a premier sparkling wine producer on Long Island, has launched a great program to illustrate the incredible food-friendliness of bubbly magic: "Foodie Sundays". 

                On certain Sundays throughout the summer, the Sparkling Pointe Tasting House will feature a local chef creating recipes that marry with the winery's products.  Owned by Cynthia and Tom Rosicki and dedicated exclusively to sparkling wines, Sparkling Pointe's wines have won many top awards and ratings.  The secrets: a vineyard of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier (the classic Champagne varieties), and the talented winemaker Gilles Martin, a native of France who has trained at California's prestigious Roderer Estate Winery. 

               Foodie Sundays take place from 1-5 pm, with a very reasonable $25 price.  Visit www.Sparklingpointe.com. 

               Hunt Country Vineyards turns 30 this year, having received their farm winery license in the fall of 1981, and they're celebrating the milestone with "Grape Jam: Rock the Vineyards" on Saturday, August 13.

               The celebration includes three bands and lots of fun for just $18, with some proceeds going to the Committee to Preserve the Finger Lakes.  Tickets and more information are available at www.huntwines.com, 800-946-3289.

               It's hard to believe 30 years have past since the days when I, known as "Tickle Bug"to tickle my kids and the Hunts' including Jonathan, who is now the wine maker.  Where does the time go?

               Hudson Valley wine country got some nice publicity this week when Matt Spacarrelli of Benmarl Winery appeared on Fox TV to talk about the historic region and its current renaissance.  He did a great job promoting the region and New York wines in general.

               Interestingly, in her set-up of the interview, the show's hostess said that "people are making billions of dollars in the wine business".  Hmmm...I wonder where!

         "Wine is liquid food."

                                                        --Robert Mondavi