November 13, 2011

            New New York wine store opens, American Wine Society celebrates, Hong Kong loves New York wines, and more accolades.

            Cheers!          

            Jim Trezise

 Empire State Cellars: Location, Location, Location

                  In 1984, when there was a different Governor Cuomo (Mario, Andrew's father), we got a law passed that permits New York wineries to have up to five satellite stores, and to be able to sell any New York wine.  Empire State Cellars is a great example of both.

                Empire State Cellars is an extension of Peconic Bay Winery, opened just last week, and already is selling 400 different New York wines from 150 different wineries.  The store is located right next to the Food Court, and bus stop, at Tanger Outlet Mall in Riverhead--or, more precisely, right at the end of the Long Island Expressway where millions of people enter eastern Long Island.  In fact, this mall welcomes more than 14 million visitors a year.  Not a bad location!

                We had a chance to visit Empire State Cellars this week before our Board of Directors meeting on Long Island, where General Manager Jim Silver gave us a tasting and a briefing.  The store is pleasantly spacious, with most of the wines in a rack along the left wall, and a tasting bar in the back flanked by terrific photos of New York winegrowers from various regions.  The wine selection ranges from under $10 to well over $100.

                Rather than arrange the wines by region, Empire State Cellars separates them by color (red and white) and, within that, by varietal, so there may be Cabernet Francs from four regions side by side.  The reason, explained Jim Silver, is that they want to emphasize that "we are all New York" regardless of region.  How refreshing!

                Like any new operation, things like the web site and direct shipping logistics are works in progress, but going full speed ahead under Store Manager Polly Brown.  Meanwhile, Jim Silver is thinking even bigger, and Peconic Bay owners Paul and Ursula Lowerre deserve lots of credit for supporting these collaborative ventures.

                For more information, visit www.empirestatecellars.com.

               More than 40 years ago, Dr. Konstantin Frank turned a vision into a reality: the American Wine Society, a nonprofit organization of avid wine consumers and home winemakers which began as a small regional group and has since blossomed into a national organization. 

               This week, the AWS returned to its roots by holding its annual national conference in Rochester, starting Thursday evening with a Welcome Reception involving about 20 New York wineries. Yesterday I gave a tasting and presentation on "New York Gold", featuring an eclectic array of Gold medal wines from our New York Wine & Food Classic competition; and Bob Madill, President of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance, conducted a tasting of "Vivacious Finger Lakes Rieslings" the day before.

                Many of us are involved with various industry organizations like wine trails, statewide groups, WineAmerica, and FIVS, but AWS has much more of a consumer focus--and without consumers, we wouldn't be in business.   It has local chapters throughout the country, with dues that are eminently affordable, and a jolly group of people who get together annually to share and celebrate the joys of wine.  This week's conference drew more than 500 people from around the country, and they are very serious wine people.

                 For more information, visit www.americanwinesociety.org.         

Hong Kong Loves New York Wines

                     It may be half way around the world, with a 12-hour time difference, but Hong Kong certainly has a connection with New York (City) and New York wines.

                 Thanks to the Market Access Program of the United States Department of Agriculture and the superb work of my colleague Susan Spence, "Uncork New York" had a presence at the recent Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Show, Asia's largest. The Foreign Agricultural Service staff in Hong Kong did a great job briefing us and colleagues from other states on trends for wine in the Hong Kong and China markets.

                 The reactions among the trade and consumers mirrored those at other foreign trade shows: "New York isn't just a city?...It's a big state?...You make wine?...It's this good?...Can we buy it here?"

                 For now at least the answer to the last question is no, since this was our first foray into the market to test the waters for reactions to the wines (very positive) and the economic feasibility of exporting there (to be determined).

                 Because of its vibrant economy, plethora of hotels and restaurants, international population, and lack of tariffs on wine, Hong Kong might make sense, but China is out of the picture: They're looking for large volumes of very low priced wines, and that's not what New York wineries produce.  (China is also reportedly making large volumes of wine without using any grapes.  Hmmm...how do you do that?  Water, grain alcohol, food coloring, artificial flavors, and counterfeit labels.)

                  Export to anywhere is a long-term process, and as our industry continues to grow in terms of the number of wineries and volume, we are looking for new opportunities for expansion so the new wineries don't just cannabilize the market share of established ones in local and domestic markets.

              Ravines 2009 Dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes was picked as the favorite white wine for Thanksgiving by a panel of New York Times wine and food critics based on its elegance, lively acidity and versatility with various foods. www.ravineswinecellars.com.  

                 Brotherhood America's Oldest Winery Limited's Cabernet Sauvignon was recently featured at the U.S. State Department's 50th Anniversary commemoration of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms, which showcased "American wines with a historical significance".  Among those in attendance were Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Secretaries Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell.  www.brotherhoodwinery.net.

                  Niagara Wine Trail USA will sponsor its annual "Share the Bounty" weekend event on November 18-20, a great event for a great cause with proceeds going to the Food Bank of Western New York.  Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 on site, with information at www.NiagaraWineTrail.org.

                  Allure Chowder House and "Oyster-ia" on eastern Long Island, owned by our good friend Chef Tom Schaudel, has a very extensive wine list that is entirely Long Island wines.  Tom is also the owner of Cool Fish restaurant, an author, and a regular attraction at the annual New York Farm Day in Washington.  www.allurenorthfork.com.

                   Washington State Earthquake this week wasn't geological, but rather political, as the state's residents strongly voted in favor of Costco and against Southern Wine & Spirits to allow direct sales of wine to retailers (rather than requiring that they go through a wholesaler) as well as volume discounts and other measures.  Years ago the nation's wholesalers fought tooth-and-nail against direct interstate shipment of wine, a tempest in a teapot compared with this measure, which may signal the beginning of the end for the traditional three-tier system.  There are many implications for wineries and consumers as well as wholesalers and retailers, and you'll be hearing much more as it all unravels.

  "This wine should be eaten, for it is much too good to be drunk."

                                                   --Jonathan Swift