October 27, 2012

             WOW, what a week!  A major beverage summit, all kinds of rave reviews for New York wines and regions, Belgians love our wines, and now a huge hurricane looms.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

           This Wednesday was the start of a new era for the New York wine industry as well as our friends and colleagues who produce New York beers, spirits and cider.  We were all summoned for a summit convened by Governor Andrew Cuomo who, in one day, changed the business climate for our products.

             I had the privilege of attending, and of providing the opening and closing remarks on behalf of the industry, and I was thrilled that the Governor embraced my idea that he host a major New York beverage and food tasting in Manhattan to raise the profile of our products in the world's most competitive market.

             After listening to other industry members and breaking for a brief lunch, Governor Cuomo announced several initiatives that would take effect immediately, including important regulatory changes and the commitment of major funding for promotion of our farm-based New York beverages.  It was a dramatic example of government in action, as opposed to government inaction.

             "Governor, I'm sure I speak for everyone in this room when I say you've made our day," I said at the end, and indeed it was true.  We then adjourned to the historic Executive Mansion for a great reception of these great beverages paired with foods created by Executive Chef Noah Sheetz.  (A full description of the Summit was in yesterday's Wine Press.)

              It's a new day in New York.

             Over the past few years many New York wines from different regions have received positive reviews from major consumer publications.  But rarely do they come all at once as in the past week or so.

           Paumanok Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island had its 2010 Festival Red included among "20 Autumn Wines for $20" in the Dining & Wine section of the New York Times, which called the wine "one brash Bordeaux blend from a very good Long Island producer".  Over the past several years starting with the Great Recession, many consumers traded down to wines priced lower than  they purchased before, and $20 became an important price point, so this really underscores the value of Paumanok's Festival Red.

            Wine & Spirits magazine has long recognized the quality and value of New York wines, and its winter issue reflects that.  Ravines, a small but growing Finger Lakes winery on Keuka Lake (and now Seneca Lake as well), is listed among "7 wineries to watch in 2013" which included others from Austria, California, France, Greece, and Spain.  Meanwhile, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard and Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, from opposite sides of Seneca Lake, rank among the top 42 wineries in the United States and top 100 in the world.  Then, among the 100 Best Wines of the Year is Anthony Road 2009 Finger Lakes Martini-Reinhardt Selection Riesling (93 points, tied for Best Riesing with Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen).  Oh, and among the 100 Best Buys of the Year are Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling (93, $14) and Standing Stone 2010 Finger Lakes Riesling Ice (91, $25).  Seneca Lake is clearly on a roll.

               Finally, Wine Spectator's James Molesworth found lots to like among Finger Lakes Rieslings from the 2011 vintage, which was challenging to say the least but has yielded some exceptional wines.  Silver Thread Vineyard, owned by Paul and Shannon Brock, got three of the 90+ scores for their 2011 Seneca Lake Riesling STV Estate Vineyard (91), 2011 Cayuga Lake Randolph O'Neill Vineyard (90), and 2011 Seneca Lake Doyle East Seneca Vineyard (90).  Heart & Hands Winery on Cayuga Lake scored two 90's for its 2011 Finger Lakes Hobbitt Hollow Riesling, and 2011 Finger Lakes Nutt Road Vineyard Riesling.  Keuka Lake Vineyards also got two 90's for its 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling Evergreen Lek Vineyard, and 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling Falling Man Vineyard.  And Forge scored a 91 with its 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling.  There were also lots of wines rated in the high 80's, with none below 87--proof that Finger Lakes Riesling means consistent quality even from a challenging year.

                Meanwhile, on a different but equally important front, the Finger Lakes and Long Island got great news this week when TripAdvisor (the most read travel site) announced that among the top 10 wine destinations in America they rank 4 and 5 respectively.  It's a great reflection of all the years of work by many people and organizations to raise the profile of New York Wine Country.

              Share the Bounty of the Niagara Wine Trail is a great event for a great cause that will happen on Veterans Day weekend (November 9-11).  Basically, the 9 participating wineries offer different possibilities for generating funds or food for local food banks and charitable organizations to ensure a happy holiday season for people in need.  Some wineries donate their normal tasting fees to the organizations, or make donations based on wine purchases, or let people bring canned goods to be distributed.  In the past, the event has raised over $10,000 in monetary and food donations.  More information is available at www.niagarawinetrail.org.

                  Hurricane Sandy is on her way, and so far the weather guessers have her pointed directly at the Finger Lakes region, which is really bizarre.  Traditionally, the Finger Lakes weather fears have been deep freeze or spring frost, with Long Island enduring hurricanes.  But this one will apparently be attracted by an inland weather system, and the two will combine into "Frankenstorm".  Governor Cuomo has even sent an email around to all New Yorkers providing on advice on how to prepare.  Happily, virtually all grapes are harvested except for late harvest and ice wine grapes, so maybe there just won't be any from the 2012 vintage.  We'll see...