Wine Press FINAL 10-14-10

September 10, 2011

 

            One sure sign of harvest season is all the festivals to celebrate it.  The Hudson Valley Festival starts today, Long Island gets set to celebrate next weekend, with the Finger Lakes Riesling Launch right behind, and New York Farm Day right after that.  There's lots going on in New York wine country, so join the fun. 

            Cheers!

            Jim Trezise

 Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest Goes On

                Despite the torrential rains of Hurricane Irene and then Tropical Storm Lee, our stalwart friends in the Hudson Valley are celebrating the region's bounty during this weekend's Hudson Valley Wine Fest at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck.

             Now in its 10th year, the event includes dozens of wineries from throughout New York State, predominantly the Finger Lakes, along with more than 100 vendors of gourmet foods, fine arts and crafts.  Chef demonstrations and food samplings are a popular part of the Fest, which also includes live entertainment.

             Tickets are only $30 per day or $50 for the weekend, and are available at www.hudsonvalleywinefest.com.

East End Harvest--Great Wines, Great Foods, Great Causes

              Long Island's vintners have much to celebrate, including the good fortune that Hurricane Irene did virtually no damage, the 2011 vintage is looking good, and the 2010 wines that have been released are tasting great.

              Next weekend is the culmination of the second annual East End Harvest, a unique series of events that began September 3, continue this weekend, and wrap us on September 17. The festival, organized by the Long Island Wine Council and Long Island Merlot Alliance, includes 28 wineries and 18 restaurants, with Food & Wine magazine as the presenting sponsor.  Proceeds benefit East End Hospice, Group for the East End, and Peconic Land Trust.

              "The Wine Salon" educational events ($25) involve winemakers, farmers, chefs, and  Maximilian Riedel demonstrating what a difference a glass makes.  Next Friday, "10-Mile Dinners" ($350 per person) will take place at spectacular private homes and gardens in The Hamptons, Shelter Island, and the North Fork, with an ultra-local meal prepared by a top regional chef and wine presented by Long Island winery owners.

              On Saturday, the "Fall for Long Island: The Festival Tasting" ($125) will include barrel samples from the 2010 vintage along with local foods, followed by the "Harvest Moon Gala: Dinner & Wine Auction" ($275, includes Festival Tasting) featuring bidding on exceptional Long Island wines and experiences, a super supper, and dancing to live swing jazz.  It's all great stuff for great causes.

              More information and tickets are available at www.harvesteastend.com/tickets.

3...2...1: Finger Lakes Riesling Launch Approaches

                  Riding on the coattails of the three-month-long Summer of Riesling, a national promotion which ends September 22, the 2010 Finger Lakes Riesling Launch will officially begin September 19 for a week of activity.

              Organized by the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance and Finger Lakes Wine Country, the first "Riesling Launch" promotion involves 30 Finger Lakes wineries, numerous restaurants and wine stores both upstate and in New York City, and is intended to highlight both Riesling as the region's signature wine and the 2010 vintage as the best in decades.  Some in-store tastings and winemaker dinners have already been held, but the most concentrated activity will take place the third week in September.

               The main event will be "Riesling Hour", a virtual tasting of Finger Lakes Rieslings by consumers around the world enjoying their wine at home (or wherever) but all hooked together by the internet.   For  more information, visit www.RieslingLaunch.com

                           

 Farm Day Features

              New York Farm Day in Washington is always a fun feast, and this year we're delighted to welcome some new partners and their special offerings.

                 Long Island Spirits will feature Vodka and Sorbettas made from John Kioski & Sons potatoes, and Harbes Family Farm and Seps Farm berries.

                Hudson Valley Fruit Producers will offer a veritable rainbow of colors and flavors with Raspberry-Aronia Sorbetto, Whitecliff Winery Wine-fruit Sorbetto, Mountain Range Farms Black Currant Sorbetto, and Elderflower Sorbetto.

                Empire State Honey Producers will have sliced baguettes and crackers with New York State Honeycomb and creamed honey.

                Simply Red Bistro will offer Sweet Corn, Bacon and Pablano Soup made with Ithaca Milk Company milk and cream, Sweet Land Farm sweet corn, Good Life Farm Pablano peppers, and Autumn's Harvest Farm bacon.

                Charlie Palmer Steak will feature Fly Creek Cider Mill Braised Pork Cheeks with Celery and Brown Farms Apple Salad.

                Yum.  No wonder Farm Day is the most popular reception on Capitol Hill!  It's all about New York wine and food, and it's all great.

  

 

  "Enjoying great wine without great food is experiencing only half the pleasure."

                                                       --Michael Mondavi 

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