Lake Erie: New Book, New Guide, and Harvest Festivals

              As growers and processors celebrate the end of the 2011 harvest, lots of other things are happening in the Lake Erie region at New York's far western border.

            "Traversing America's Grape Country--A Personal Guide to the Eastern Lake Erie Grape Belt" is a new regional guidebook by Andy Dufresne, a 33-year veteran in the field of agricultural education including time at Cornell Cooperative extension.  The 112-page book features more than 200 photos, maps and artwork accompanying the narrative, which incudes practical tips on how to discover and enjoy the region as well as lots of information about natural resources like where to gain access to Lake Erie, enjoy the hiking trials, follow the creek headwaters up to the contintental divide, and experience the footprints of Ice Age glaciers.  The $34.95 book is being sold in some local wineries and can also be ordered directly from Andy (and2@cornell.edu).

              "Taste the Harvest Guide: Where and How to Eat Fresh, Local and Seasonal" is a new, and first-ever, national guide to farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants that was created by Welch's and Zagat, and unveiled at the recent Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE.  While "locavore" movements have sprouted up across the country--this year more than 1,000 new farmers markets have opened, along with many farm-to-table restaurants--there has been no single source of information and independent ratings until now.  The guide, downloadable at www.welchs.com/zagat, includes a listing of farmers markets across the country; a guide to when different produce is in season; tips for incorporating fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables into a healthy diet; seasonal recipes from Registered Dietitians; and Zagat Ratings & Review for restaurants in 16 markets recognized for their farm-to-table practices.  Welch's, best known for its delicious, nutritious Concord grape juice, is owned by National Grape Cooperative Association headquartered in Westfield, NY.

              Lake Erie Wine Country will be hosting two popular Harvest Wine Weekends on November 4-6 and 11-13, adding Fridays to the schedule at no extra charge.  The $35 ticket includes wine tastings and food at the 22 participating wineries, a souvenir wine glass, recipe booklet, a $5 voucher for wine purchase, and a hand-crafted pewter wine bottle coaster.  For more information and tickets, visit www.lakeeriewinecountry.org.

            A sure sign that the 2011 harvest is winding down is that next week will be the final,  "wrap-up" edition of Cornell Cooperative Extension's "Veraison to Harvest" newsletter which keeps grape growers, wine makers, and many others informed about what's going on in the vineyards and how to deal with it.  This week's edition indicated that it has been an unusual year that has varied by region, but for the most part with plentiful quantity and good to excellent quality.

            Growers and processors in the Lake Erie region are the happiest, with a large crop and quality they describe with words like "excellent, great, and exceptional".  One reason: they received none of the rains spawned by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

            Those storms devastated the Hudson Valley in particular, and while most vineyards were spared the horrendous structural damage of many other farms, all of the water has made for a challenging year in that region.

             In the Finger Lakes, mid-harvest rains caused some growers to drop some fruit due to rot, and generally the grapes came in with lower sugar levels than normal, but the flavors were good and showed little green or vegetal aromas.

             On Long Island, which fortunately dodged Irene and Lee but has still faced some weather-related challenges, the fruit quality of the red grape varieties "astonished" CCE's Alice Wise.  That region's harvest always ends the latest, and there are still substantial quantities of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to be harvested, so we wish them sunny skies.

             Statewide CCE Director Tim Martinson summed it up best: "Reports from around New York indicate a much better year than anyone could have expected--key factors being ample heat in spite of the overcast skies and rainfall that characterized the ripening seasons, and the response of vineyard managers and growers to adapt to this season's challenges."

             To that I would add, "...and the timely, valuable information provided every week by Cornell Cooperative Extension through the Veraison to Harvest e-newsletter."

Concord Grape Juice: Health in a Glass

                 One of the great pleasures of harvest season is the luscious aroma of ripe Concord grapes wafting through the air.  Even when that's gone, there's the delicious taste of grape juice, which just happens to also have major health benefits.

              Every 4-oz. glass of Welch's grape juice is made with more than 20 grapes and counts as one serving (1/2 cup) of fresh fruit.  The skins, seeds, and other materials pressed to make the juice contain plant nutrients (polyphenols), like those in red wine, which have been shown to have benefits for heart health.

              A few years ago (when we had money), we sponsored a promotion program on the health benefits of Concord grape juice, which also included several recipes incorporating it.  Fortunately, that is still live (www.healthyconcordgrapes.com), and you can also get more  up-to-date scientific information from The Grape Science Center (www.grapescience.com).

              Concord grapes are also vital to the New York grape industry's economic vitality, accounting for about two-thirds of all vineyard acreage and annual tonnage.  We're delighted that Concord growers and processors had such a great year.