Seasonal Segue

                Labor Day weekend is one of the bookends of the summer season, the earlier one being Memorial Day weekend at the end of May--and years ago that three-month period used to define the tourism season in New York's wine regions. 

              No longer.  While summer is a peak season, so is fall as the harvest begins and gets into full swing, framed by the brilliant colors of maple and oak leaves.  Even though fall doesn't officially begin until September 22, we're moving into it quickly. Tourist season has even extended into winter and spring, thanks to special events and tastings at wineries and wine trails, and all tourism-related businesses have benefited, not to mention State and local coffers.

              Happily, overall the state's 2011 grape crop looks good, with most vineyards on Long Island and the Hudson Valley still in good shape despite Hurricane Irene.  While there were local variations, it appears that Long Island got only a couple inches of rain, but very strong winds, while the Hudson Valley got 10-14 inches of rain, with some areas still flooded but most vineyards not affected.  Let's hope that no more hurricanes visit before harvest is over.

              Giant grape harvesting machines have been combing many Finger Lakes vineyards, picking the early ripening varieties like Aurora and Cayuga White for Constellation Wines, with early Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes for sparkling wines to be picked next week.  A couple weeks later, the 2011 grape harvest will be in full swing, most likely lasting until mid or late October.

              A great way to stay up on developments is through the Veraison to Harvest e-newsletter which we are funding for the fifth year as a service to the industry.  The weekly e-newsletter is produced by Cornell Cooperative Extension, with updated information from all regions of the state and perspectives on maximizing the quality of the harvest.  To view the first issue this year, which appeared Friday, go to http://www.cals.cornell/edu/cals/grapesandwine/veraison-to-harvest/upload/Veraison-to-Harvest-2011-1-1.pdf.               

              September also means New York Farm Day, our annual celebration in Washington, DC designed to remind policy makers that New York is a major farm state with some of the best wines, foods, and restaurants in the world.  We're honored that Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will again host this popular reception in the Senate Kennedy Caucus Room on September 20.

              This year's 31 exhibitors include many familiar names joined by some newcomers, with every region of the state represented.  As always, there will be a wide selection of wines from Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Finger Lakes, the Lake Erie and Niagara regions, as well as other regions of the State.  Farm Day beverages will also include Saranac Beer, Long Island Spirits, Welch's grape juice, Upstate Dairy milk, and fresh apple cider from Red Jacket Orchards.

                The fresh and processed food products for sampling include Long Island oysters and clams, fish from Local Ocean, produce from Brooklyn's Red Hook Farm, Chobani yogurt, New York apples, McCadam Cheese, Mercer's Wine Ice Cream, New York honey, pork from Flying Pigs Farm, fruits and vegetables from the Hudson Valley, North Country sausages and maple syrup, a range of products from Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty, and food products derived from programs at both Cornell University and the State University of New York.

                Scattered among the wine and food stations will be some great restaurants from around the State: Cool Fish (Long Island), Charlie Palmer's (New York City), Dinosaur Barbeque (upstate New York), Mouzon House (Saratoga Springs), Red Newt Cellars & Bistro (Seneca Lake), and Simply Red Bistro (Cayuga Lake).

                 The invitation-only event is for Senators, U.S. Representatives, their key staff members, agriculture committee staff members, high-level members of the Administration, and other organizations which share our commitment to the advancement of New York agriculture.  New York Farm Day typically draws about 600 people eagerly sampling the bounty of New York and talking with the people who produce and harvest it.           

Free Run...

                  Finger Lakes wine country got a nice plug in the CNN Money blog about being an affordable luxury compared with Napa Valley, where an average visit would cost 37% more due to higher tasting fees at wineries ($10-25 per person, vs. $2-3), lodging, restaurant costs, and practically everything else.  It didn't mention the fact that people wanting to invest in a vineyard can get good acreage in the Finger Lakes for about $5,000 per acre, compared with well over $200,000 in Napa Valley.

              Martha Clara 2010 Riesling, which won this year's Governor's Cup at the New York Wine & Food Classic, got a nice write-up by Howard G. Goldberg in Sunday's "Long Island Vines" column of the New York Times.  The article also mentioned the many other significant awards won by various Long Island wineries, including several Best of Category and Best of Class honors.

              Silver Thread Vineyard, created by Richard Figiel and farmed organically since 1982, is being sold to Paul and Shannon Brock.  Paul is a talented winemaker, with experience at nearby Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars (our Winery of the Year), but for the past year or two has been the enology instructor at Finger Lakes Community Colleage in Canandaigua.  Shannon has been the Wine Coordinator at the New York Wine & Culinary Center, and is a wine education professional.  For more information, visit www.silverthreadwine.com.

   "Wine is the divine juice of September."

                                                        -- Voltaire