August 18, 2012

             Dr. Frank wins big, "Celebrate the Classic" this week, Long Island wines shine, the Hudson River region welcomes visitors, and the 2012 harvest is upon us.  Lots of good things happening in New York wine country. 

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

           Dr. Konstantin Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars added a great honor to the celebration of its 50th anniversary by winning both the Governor's Cup and the Winery of the Year award at this week's New York Wine & Food Classic. 

           The Governor's Cup goes to the best wine in the competition (Dr. Frank 2011 Semi-Dry Riesling), and Winery of the Year is awarded to the winery with the best overall showing for wines entered, thereby recognizing consistency of quality.  This is only the second time in the Classic's 27-year history that one winery has won both awards in the same year, and certainly a fitting tribute to a winery that has transformed the New York wine industry by sparking the "vinifera revolution".

           Other "Best of Category" wines in the final tasteoff included Atwater Estate Vineyards 2008 Cuvee Brut (Best Sparkling Wine); Miles Wine Cellars Wisteria (Best Blush Wine); Miles Wine Cellars 2009 Lemberger (Best Red Wine), and Sheldrake Point Winery 2010 Riesling Ice Wine (Best Dessert Wine).

            The "Best Limited Production Wine" award (not eligible for the Governor's Cup due to quanity restrictions) went to Anthony Road Winery 2009 Riesling, Martini-Reinhardt Selection Series, Martini Vineyards.

            Three other categories outside of the grape-based competition include Best Specialty Wine (Baldwin Vineyards Trilogy), Best Hard Cider (McKenzie's Hard Cider Black Cherry Hard Cider), and Best Spirit (Finger Lakes Distilling Seneca Drums Gin, a repeat winner).

             There were also numerous "Best of Class" awards for various types of wine (Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, etc.), with the winners hailing from all corners of the State.  These honors, plus all medals awarded, are available at www.newyorkwines.org.

              The 2012 competition marked the first time that numerical scores of 90 and above were assigned by the individual panels to wines winning Double Gold and Gold medals. However, it was all 23 international judges who determined the final awards during the sweepstakes round.

              The Classic included 752 wines, 9 hard ciders, and 12 spirits from throughout the state evaluated by wine experts from around the world.  The annual competition is sponsored by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and orchestrated by Teresa Knapp with support from the rest of the staff and a great group of volunteers.

            Consumers, media and trade represenatives will be able to taste what all the excitement is about this Friday evening at the New York Wine & Culinary Center, which is partnering with the New York Wine & Grape Foundation to host a "Celebrate the Classic" tasting of Double Gold and Gold medal winning wines.

          Participating wineries include 21 Brix, Atwater Estate, Casa Larga, Dr. Frank, Finger Lakes Distilling, Fox Run, Goose Watch, Kings Garden, Mazza Chautauqua, McGregor, Miles, Sheldrake Point, Silver Thread, Swedish Hill, Thirsty Owl, Three Brothers, and Wagner.

          Trade and media representatives will be admitted at 4:30, with general admission from 5:00 to 7:00.  The wines will be accompanied by foods prepared by the Center staff specifically to pair with the winners.  The event is open to the public, with more information and on-line registration at www.nywcc.com.

              Hudson River Region will welcome a delegation of seven New York City media and trade representatives tomorrow and Monday as part of our on-going program to promote New York wines in the Big Apple.  Michael Gitter and Kayt Mathers of First Press Public Relations will accompany the group to Clinton Vineyards, Millbrook Winery, Hudson-Chatham Winery, Tousey Winery, Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery, Benmarl, and Stoutridge Vineyard.  These "vineyard visits" are designed to acquaint New Yorkers with the "other" New York beyond the City, and next March the participating wineries will visit the City to better understand that challenging market.              

                 2012 Grape Harvest is right around the corner, and in fact will start this week for some growers with early varieties going to large wineries.  The Lake Erie region, which accounts for about 2/3rds of all New York vineyard acreage and tonnage (predominantly Concord for grape juice), will unfortunately have a very small crop this year due to a late spring frost which killed the buds.  However, other regions are looking promising, and the previously feared drought is now just a memory, thanks to a series of timely, steady rains a couple weeks ago.  At this point, the harvest appears to be a couple weeks early, which decreases the fear of a killing frost toward the end.  The hope now is that the weather remains warm and dry through the end of harvest.  Fingers crossed.