June 17, 2012

             New York Gold from LA, Summer of Riesling debuts, Restaurant Week in the Finger Lakes, and much more from New York Wine Country.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

           New York wines won three Gold/Best of Class awards, 16 additional Gold medals, 36 Silvers and 21 Bronze for a total of 76 awards at last month's Los Angeles Wine & Spirits Competition, one of the country's oldest and largest events.  In addition to giving medals, this competition includes number scores for all Gold medal wines.

            Gold/Best of Class winners included Chateau Frank 2006 Blanc de Noirs (90), Coyote Moon 2011 River Time (95), and Goose Watch Golden Spumante (92).

            Additional Gold medals went to Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2010 Finger Lakes Estate Semi-Dry Riesling (95), and 2010 Finger Lakes Estate Dry Riesling (94); Coyote Moon 2011 Twisted Sister (92) and 2011 Fire Boat Red (90); Goose Watch 2011 Rose of Isabella (94), and 2010 Traminette (92); Penguin Bay 2011 Riesling (94) and Tuxedo Red (92); Sparkling Pointe 2006 Blanc de Blanc (90); Swedish Hill Spumante Blush (92), 2011 Riesling (95), 2011 Cayuga (94), and 2011 Vidal (90); Thirsty Owl 2011 Diamond (95) and 2011 Riesling (92), and Wagner Vineyards 2010 Estate Dry Riesling (93).

             News Flash: We just finished the Sweepstakes round at the San Francisco International Wine Competition (4,450 wines), and while the complete results won't be available for a few days, I do know that three New York wines got Double Golds and were in the final round: Coyote Moon 2011 Brianna, Goose Watch 2011 Riesling-Gewurztraminer, and Swedish Hill 2007 Late Harvest Vignoles.

              There may well be other New York Double Golds that didn't make the Sweeps, as well as Golds, Silvers and Bronzes, and we should know soon.

            The incredibly successful Summer of Riesling celebration kicks off later this week, and will run from June 21 (summer solstice) to September 22--a three-month toast to the world's most noble and versatile white wine.  In 32 states and a few foreign countries, more than 335 hispster wine bars and top restaurants will be featuring Rieslings by the glass as well as bottle.

          Created in 2008 by Manhattan restaurateur and Riesling afficianado Paul Grieco, who that year limited white wine selections in his Terroir Wine Bar to Riesling (30 by the glass and 100 by the bottle), the celebration has grown each year since then.  In 2011, with financial support from the International Riesling Foundation, the promotion went national; this year, again with IRF support, it's even bigger--and international.

           The 32 states range from Alaska to Florida and California to New York (with the most participants--66), and include some of the top wine bars restaurants in the country, along with several top retailers.  Restaurants in Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom are also participating in the first international edition of the Riesling revolution.  A listing of current participants, along with more information, is available at www.summerofriesling.com.

            Summer of Riesling creator Paul Grieco will officially kick off the 2012 version at 12:01 am (midnight) Wednesday morning with a couple roasted pigs and struedel at Hearth Restaurant and wine dinners at all his restaurants, accompanied by a wide range of Rieslings and Riesling lovers on hand to share the festivities. 

            The International Riesling Foundation was created to promote Riesling as the world's most noble, versatile, and food-friendly white wine, and includes a prestigious Board of Directors from the world's top regions and producers.  www.drinkriesling.com.