May 26, 2012

             All kinds of awards and accolades for New York wines, New York City promotion continues, New York wines in London, new "Upstairs Bistro" at the Center, great coverage for Long Island's sustainability initiative, and lots more happening in wine country.

             Happy Memorial Day weekend!

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

           New York wines often win Double Gold and Gold medals at major competitions throughout the country and the world, but there are some that really stand out in terms of consistency of quality--and how expert judges rate them in blind-tastings. 

            Chateau Frank 2006 Blanc de Noirs is probably the best example, with a Platinum award at last week's Critics Challenge competition just the latest in an impressive string that almost certainly makes it the top award-winning methode champenoise sparkling wine from the Finger Lakes, ever.  The other awards for this wine: Chairman's Award (Double Gold) at Riverside International; Gold at Great Lakes; Double Gold at Tasters Guild International; 93 Points/Finalist at the Ultimate Wine Challenge; Double Gold at U.S. National; Best New World Sparkling Wine and Double Gold at New World International Wine Competition; Gold, 93 Points, and Best Northeastern Sparkling Wine at BTI World Wine Championships; Gold at Florida State Fair International; Double Gold & Best of Class at American Wine Society.  And that's just so far this year!  Coincidentally, in just about a month is the 50th anniversary celebration of Dr. Konstantin Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars--and they sure have great bubbly to toast it.

             Similarly impressive in the ice wine world is Casa Larga Vineyards, which over the years has consistently won numerous Golds, Double Golds, Best Dessert Wine, and even our Governor's Cup (for best wine of any type).  Most recently, they had two different ice wines--2008 Fiori Vidal Ice Wine and 2009 Fiori Riesling Ice Wine--which were both awarded "Best of Class" at the Pacific Rim International because the judges loved them so much they wanted them both to win (and they did).  What surprised them, and many others, is that these two ice wines, from different grapes in different years, were made by the same winery--a truly impressive feat.

              Swedish Hill Winery is another consistent winner--in one recent year winning both the Governor's Cup and Winery of the Year awards at our New York Wine & Food Classic, along with the Governor's Cup in other years.  Most recently, based on consistent quality across the board, it took the trophy for Winery of the Year at the Riverside International Wine Competition in California, with 1,950 entries.  Swedish Hill's total medal count of 14, out of 17 entries, included six gold medals (one of them unanimous) and eight bronze medals.

               We're in the middle of enhancing our web site, and one of the changes will be the ability to search the "New York Gold" section by winery (not just varietal and competition).  I'm sure you'll see lots of medals for these wineries.

              The recent Critics Challenge competition yielded 5 Platinum, 9 Gold, and 15 Silver medals for New York wineries.  Besides the Chateau Frank 2006 Blanc de Noirs mentioned above, the other Platinum awards went to Fox Run Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Franc/Lemberger; Goose Watch Winery 2011 Riesling-Gewurztraminer; and Wagner Vineyards 2011 Riesling Select and 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling.

                Gold medals went to Fox Run Vineyards 2010 Riesling 12, Lake Dana; Goose Watch Classic Cream Sherry; Sherwood House Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Franc, Estate Grown; Sparkling Pointe 2006 Blanc de Blancs, 2009 Topaz Imperial, and 2002 Brut Seduction; Swedish Hill Riesling Cuvee and 2011 Vidal Blanc; and Wolffer Estate 2007 Fatalis Fatum. 

                At the International Wine & Spirits Competition, Fox Run 2009 Tierce Dry Riesling won a Gold medal, while the two Casa Larga ice wines mentioned above each won Silver awards, continuing their streak.  The 2009 Tierce, which is actually a winemaker collaboration among Anthony Road Winery, Fox Run Vineyards, and Red Newt Cellars, was also the Wine Spectator Daily Pick on May 23, with a rating of 90.

                Meanwhile, Wine & Spirits magazine's "100 Top Values of the Year" edition (June 2012) features Red Newt Cellars, Heron Hill Winery, and Sheldrake Point Winery among the top value producers in a "Cycling the Finger Lakes" section; and Red Newt 2009 Finger Lakes Circle Label Riesling ($12, 93 points) along with Palmer 2009 North Fork of Long Island Chardonnay ($14, 88 points) were among the top 100 value wines.

                And...(it never stops), the New York International Wine Competition cited Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars as the New York State Winery of the Year Finger Lakes; and Sherwood House Vineyards as the New York North Fork Wine Region Winery of the Year.  

                 The many wineries which enter wine competitions and submit their wines to major wine publications for reviews do all New York wineries a favor by elevating the reputation for quality of New York wines.               . 

           We're delighted that our "New York Drinks New York"  program focused on New York City will continue, thanks to a new grant from the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority with support from the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

         Our three-month program earlier this year was immensely successful, but would have been just a flash in the pan without additional funding.  We can now build on that success by bringing key New York City wine media and trade representatives to the various regions, taking winery representatives into New York City--sort of an exchange program--and supporting all of this with ongoing public relations and advertising, starting with the "Eat Drink Local" program in late June.  First Press Public Relations of Manhattan is again orchestrating the program for us.

          "This was a very successful program, and we are pleased that it can continue with additional funding," said New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine.  "The grape and wine industry is an important part of our agricultural economy, tourism, and quality of life in New York State, so this is a sound investment for the State of New York that I fully support."

            Senator Gillibrand, the first New York Senator to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 40 years, also actively supported the grant request.  "From Niagara to Long Island, the Finger Lakes to the North Country, New York is the third largest producer of wine in our country," she said.  "This is an opportunity to showcase New York's renowned vineyards and their products across the globe.  In addition, we encourage tourists to come visit our local vineyards and wineries.  New York vineyards are a critical part of our local economies and agricultural sector, and I will continue to help bring New York wines to the New York City markets and beyond."

             We will also be taking New York wines--along with many New York foods--to Washington on September 12, when Senator Gillibrand will again host New York Farm Day to remind official Washington that New York is a major farm state with some of the best foods, wines, and restaurants in the world.