May 12, 2012

             Lots of New York Gold from California, and lots more.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

           Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2009 Late Harvest Vidal from the Niagara Escarpment led a strong showing of New York wines at this week's Riverside International Wine Competition, winning the honor of Best Dessert Wine.  On its way to the top honor in that category, the wine also took Best of Class and a Chairman's Award (requiring unanimous agreement among judges, like a Double Gold in most other competitions).

            Other Best of Class/Chairman's Award winners from New York, which were also among the "Sweepstakes" round wines, included 21 Brix Raspberry, Chateau Frank 2006 Blanc de Noirs, Keuka Spring Vineyards 2011 Riesling, Liberty Vineyards & Winery Reds, Whites & Blues Rose, Thirsty Owl Wine Company 2011 Diamond, and Thousand Islands Winery 2010 Marquette.

             Additional Chairman's Award winners were Fox Run Vineyards 2009 Tierce Dry Riesling (in collaboration with Anthony Road Winery and Red Newt Cellars), Hazlitt 1952 Vineyards 2010 Dry Riesling, Homestead Reserve, Red Tail Ridge Winery 2010 Dry Riesling, and Swedish Hill Winery Blue Waters Riesling.

              Gold medals were awarded to Arrowhead Spring Vineyards 2008 Meritage Reserve; Casa Larga Vineyards 2009 French Oak Reserve Chardonnay and 2009 Fiori delle Stelle Riesling Ice Wine; Chateau LaFayette Reneau Seyval-Chardonnay; Dr. Frank 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling; Fox Run Vineyards 2010 Riesling; Glenora Wine Cellars 2010 Late Harvest Riesling and 2003 Brut; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Vidal Blanc Ice Wine; Keuka Spring Vineyards 2010 Vignoles Dessert Wine; Lakewood Vineyards 2010 Riesling; Leonard Oakes Estate Winery 2009 Vidal Ice Wine; Red Tail Ridge Winery 2009 Blaufrankish; Swedish Hill Winery Spumante Blush, 2007 Optimus; 2010 Chardonnay Reserve, 2011 Riesling, and 2011 Cayuga White; Thirsty Owl Wine Company 2011 Snow Owl; and Wagner Vineyards 2009 Estate Bottled Dry Riesling.

              New York wines also won 96 Silver and 39 Bronze awards for a total of 164 medals.  Now held at the great South Coast Resort & Spa in Temecula, Riverside is run by Dan Berger, and for that reason is a great competition for wines from anywhere.  Dan has always been passionate about recognizing the quality of wines regardless of where they are from or what grape variety they're made from; and over the years has instilled that same passion in Riverside judges.  In fact, last year at our New York Wine & Food Classic, we have him a special "Wine Missionary" Award in recognition of his efforts.

              Next up, this week, is the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition, where New York wines also traditionally score well, and why not--they're good!   

            Correction: Last week's Wine Press mention of Casa Larga's "Best of Class" ice wine winnings incorrectly said they were both made from Vidal, when in fact they were the 2008 Fiori delle Stelle Vidal Ice Wine and the 2009 Fiori delle Stelle Riesling Ice Wine. The latter also won a Gold this week at Riverside, so congratulions to them again.   

               United Kingdom consumers can now enjoy Finger Lakes wines along with Long Island wines, thanks to importer Sue Chambers, who founded "Wine Equals Friends" a few years ago. She began importing wines from six Long Island wineries, and is now adding eight from the Finger Lakes including Dr. Frank, Fox Run, Hermann J. Wiemer, Lakewood, Lamoreaux Landing, Red Newt Cellars, Red Tail Ridge, and Sheldrake Point. Among the top restaurants already featuring the wines are Chez Bruce, Hotel du vin Bristol, and Hotel Terra Vina.  A nice write-up in Decanter.com comes just in time for our "Uncork New York" presence at the London International Wine Trade Fair, where these wines will be featured along with those from Paumanok and other Long Island wineries. Our winery partners from Fox Run, Lakewood, Paumanok and Sheldrake will likely see lots of people at the booth, eager for a taste of New York.

                    Brooklyn Winery, which held its Grank Opening of The Atrium last Sunday, is a great place to enjoy fine wines and hold special events. The Atrium, formerly a courtyard, is a beautiful, airy space with a giant glass roof, hand-constructed communal tables, and walls paneled with reclaimed wood.  Brooklyn Winery offers its own and other New York wines, New York beers and specialty cocktails--definitely worth a visit when you're in the City. 

                    "Upstairs Bistro" will open this Friday at the New York Wine & Culinary, and if it seems familiar that's because for the past six years it has been the "Taste of New York" restaurant. NYWCC Executive Director Alexa Gifford explains that the new name reflects a change in ambiance from a formal dining experience into a fun and relaxed atmosphere featuring the best of New York food, wine, beer and spirits.  The Upstairs Bistro will also have a new menu which I can't wait to try--I've already seen it because our offices are right down the hall and I eat there most days when I'm in town. Besides the creative "locavore" menu created by Executive Chef Carlo Peretti (who won our Restaurant Award), the prices are very reasonable.  Visit www.nywcc.com for more information. I highly recommend it.

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

               --Michael Mondavi