August 4, 2012

             New York Gold in Virginia and Indiana, and the Classic is next.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

           Chateau Frank 2006 Blanc de Noir added to an already impressive string of accolades by winning Best of Show honors at the recent Atlantic Seaboard Competition in Virginia. That same wine has won top awards all over the country, and we're only 7 months into the year.

           In addition, Dr. Frank 2010 Pinot Gris took a Gold/Best of Category, along with several other Gold/Best of Category winners from New York: Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Gewurztraminer, Belhurst Winery 2011 Semi-Dry Riesling, and Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2010 Pinot Noir Blanc.

           Additional Gold medals went to 21 Brix 2011 Chardonnay, Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2010 Pinot Gris, Dr. Frank 2011 Semi-Dry Riesling, and Fulkerson Winery 2010 Dry Riesling. 

            Coming up next is our own New York Wine & Food Classic on August 13 and 14, preceded by our famous Welcome Dinner for judges and staff at Lakewood Vineyards, where Baltimore-based chef Jerry Pellegrino and Washington (State)-based sous-chef Coke Roth grill Pacific Northwest Salmon provided by Coke along with luscious local meets, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, followed by Dr. Bob's Ice Cream from California.  (I serve Mercer's Wine Ice Cream at another occasion.)

            Due to the intense work involved in the Classic, there will be no Wine Press next weekend, but look for the Classic results next Tuesday afternoon.  Good luck to all who entered!

            21 Brix Winery Ellatawba, a Catawba-based wine from the Lake Erie region, won Best Rose wine and led a strong New York showing at this week's Indy International Wine Competition at Purdue University. The total haul of 141 medals included 12 "Concordance Gold" (similar to Double Gold), 23 Gold, 66 Silver and 40 Bronze medals, with several of New York's Concordance Golds included in the final "Sweepstakes" round.

          Other Concordance Gold medals went to Belhurst Winery 2011 Pinot Grigio and 2011 Semi-Dry Riesling, Dr. Frank 2010 Rkatsiteli, Goose Watch 2011 Riesling-Gewurztraminer, Harvest Moon Cidery at Critz Farm 2011 Maple Moon Hard Cider, Hunt Country Dolce di Moscate (Valvin Muscat), Liberty Vineyards Diamond, Swedish Hill Niagara and 2010 Late Harvest Vignoles, Wagner Vineyards 2011 Riesling Ice Wine, and Winery of Ellicottville EVL White (a Diamond blend).   

           Gold medals were awarded to 21 Brix Cayuga White and Ella's White (Niagara); Chateau Frank 2007 Blanc de Blancs; Coyote Moon 2010 Pinot Noir, 2011 Island Mama, and 2011 Cherry Bomb; Dr. Frank 2011 Reserve Gewurztraminer; 2011 Semi Dry Riesling and 2011 Pinot Gris; Fox Run 2010 Reserve Chardonnay and 2011 Reserve Riesling; Goose Watch 2011 Melody; Lakewood Vineyards 2010 Lemberger and 2011 Dry Riesling; Long Point Winery 2010 Sangiovese; Seneca Shore Dry Riesling Old Vines; Swedish Hill Viking White, 2011 Vidal Blanc, and 2011 Cayuga White; Thirsty Owl 2011 Vidal Blanc; Torrey Ridge Diamond; Wagner Vineyards 2011 Semi-Dry Riesling and 2011 Vidal Blanc.

           Orchestrated by Purdue's Dr. Christian Butzke and Jill Blume (one of our Classic judges), the Indy always provides a great example of the diversity and quality of wines from around the United States (and Canada) these days.  The overall Best of Show wine was an Indiana Vignoles, Best Sparkling a California bubbly, Best White a Michigan Gewurztraminer, Best Rose a New York Catawba, Best Red a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon, and Best Dessert an Okanagan Riesling Ice Wine. 

            Purdue is also a great university with a good viticulture and enology program, beautiful grounds, a distinguished history, proud school spirit, and a renowned football program (Drew Brees QB'ed there). 

            It's also flanked by a very cool cluster of shops, restaurants and bars like "Harry's Chocolate Shop" and "Where Else?".  The former, a funky old speakeasy with dark wood, sinful munchies, plentiful noise, and a wide beer selection for "the great indoorsmen", lets students honestly tell their hovering long-distance parents that they're just at Harry's Chocolate Shop.  Across the street is the other bar, which can stimulate this type of dialogue: "Wanna have a beer?"  "Sure, where?"  "Where Else?"  "OK, see you there". 

            West Lafayette, Indiana may be a bit steamy (around 100 degrees) in early August, but at least there some good watering holes.       .

             Niagara Wine Trail is sponsoring the fourth annual Wine & Culinary Festival this weekend at Academy Park in the heart of Lewiston.  Fourteen of the region's wineries will be joined by local restaurants and other vendors including arts and crafts, along with cooking demonstrations.  Tickets are $20 in advance and may be purchased at http://www.NiagaraUSAWineFestival.com. 

                 Finger Lakes Riesling Festival, also in its fourth year, takes place on the weekend of August 11 & 12 along the beautiful Canandaigua Lake waterfront where some 25,000 people of all ages enjoy great Finger Lakes Rieslings, local beers, local restaurant offerings, arts and crafts, live music on four bands, and so much more.  This festival is free, though donations are accepted for the local YMCA's Caring for Kids Camp, which since the festival began has received more than $100,000 from festival proceeds.  For more information, visit http://riesingfestival.com.  

                 America's Grape Country Wine Festival  in the Lake Erie region also takes place next weekend with fun, food, crafts, and of course wine.  There's even a concernt on Saturday night featuring The Guess Who and Sean Patrick McGraw.  More information is available at www.agcwinefestival.com  or 800-965-4834.