January 19, 2013

             More Inaugural wines from New York, Long Island in the spotlight, CIA showcases New York wines, and new hope for 2013.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

           Hunt Country Vineyards wines from Keuka Lake will join Tierce Dry Riesling from Seneca Lake and Bedell Merlot from Long Island as official wines of this week's Inaugural festivities. 

            Long known for its strong emphasis on environmentally friendly farming and wine production, Hunt Country will showcase three of its wines at the Green Inaugural Ball held at the Newseum on Sunday evening, January 20 prior to the official swearing-in on Monday.  The Green Ball is hosted by the clean technology, conservation and environmental communities.

            Hunt Country's Dry Riesling, Chardonnay, and Alchemy--a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Noiret, and Merlot--will be served in the Green Ball's VIP rooms.

             The Ball's steering committee selected Hunt Country due to its focus on sustainability in its grape growing and winemaking operations.  The winery has a geothermal heating/cooling system which drastically reduces fossil fuel use; a wind turbine generating electricity for their tasting room; and a composting operation converting grape skins, stems and seeds into high-quality fertilizer which is spread back into the vineyards.  Art Hunt has also been deeply engaged in the debate about the implications of hydrofracking in the Finger Lakes wine region.

              Art and Joyce's daughter Suzanne, who will attend the Ball, is a very prominent figure in the environmental community in Washington.  Their son Jonathan is also the winemaker, who with his wife Caroline raises organic produce at their nearby home.

               Hunt Country has been producing 100% New York wines using sustainable agricultural practices since 1981, with their wines having also been served at the United Nations and featured on NBC's Today Show.

               The next day, the Tierce and Merlot will be the official wines of the Inaugural Luncheon in the U.S. Capitol right after the ceremony.  I, along with Trent Preszler (Bedell Cellars) and Scott and Ruth Osborn (Fox Run Vineyards), have the honor of attending the Inauguration, and we will all be bundling up for sitting at least three hours in 19 degree wind-chill conditions.  We could be warmer watching it on TV with a glass of wine. But for such a historic occasion, we wouldn't miss it.

             Long Island Wine Country is only 40 years old, but in that relatively short time has become internationally known for its fine wines and attractions as a major tourist destination.

             This was recognized most recently when Wine Enthusiast magazine named "North & South Forks of Long Island" as one of the Top 10 Wine Travel Destinations for 2013, and one of only three in the United States.

             The article, with a huge photo of a festive wine country picnic at Borghese Vineyards (originally Hargrave Vineyards, where the Long Island wine industry began in 1973), includes a great description of what makes the region special, along with practical tips on where to stay, dine, taste, and basically have a great time in a great place.

              Supplementing Wine Enthusiast's enthusiasm is another great piece in edible Manhattan, "Rising in the East", about the many things that make Long Island a special wine destination.  And in his recent Long Island Vines column in the Sunday New York Times, "For the 40th Year, Diversity", Howard G. Goldberg traces the evolution of the region into one where not only many different varietals do well, but there is excitement in the experimentation into new horizons.

               For those who live in New York City, Long Island Wine Country is an easy daytrip and a wonderful weekend, especially during the winter months during the Long Island Wine Council's "Wine and Jazz Festival" which lasts for several weeks.  The alternative, if there isn't the time for travel, is to ask for Long Island wines in the many New York City restaurants and wine shops which now feature them.

               For more information, visit www.liwines.com.

               Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to conduct a series of classes, public tastings and dinners at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.  My compatriots were Bob Madill (Sheldrake Point Winery, and Finger Lakes Wine Alliance), Paul Grieco (Hearth Restaurant and Terroir Wine Bars in New York City), and Stuart Pigott (wine writer and TV host, and one of the foremost Riesling experts in the world). 

               The focus was on Riesling (from New York and other parts of the world) which was enthusiastically received by all audiences, but my takeaway was how much the CIA (which does not stand for "Central Intelligence Agency" or "Chardonnay International Army", as Stuart Pigott maintains) has changed its focus to "local", including New York wines.  'Twas not always so.

                CIA Director Michael Weiss clearly understands the "local" message, as does Beverage Manager Noelle Guagliardo, because an increasing emphasis in all their operations has to do with New York--the foods, the wines, and other products.  Mind you, the CIA is truly a world-class training institution, so their students must know and understand the wines of the world, meaning there cannot and should not be an exclusive New York focus.  But I can tell you after this week that they have come light years in a very short time in terms of their inclusion of New York wines in their curricula and restaurants.

                 The other thing that stood out, besides the great luncheon and dinner, was the training and attitude of all the students.  Attentive, responsive, courteous: hospitality at its best. 

                 We discussed some new opportunities to partner in the future, and I look forward to doing so.

                 Monday, January 21 is the beginning of President Barack Obama's second term and the next session of Congress.  Regardless of our individual opinions about politics and positions, virtually everyone wants our leaders to come together to solve our problems.

                 Wine is a social lubricant, and we are proud to have New York wines fulfilling that role this year. I hope that the Inaugural Luncheon will bring people together so they will work together.  In that spirit, I quote two luminaries:

                 "Wine is the most civilized and civilizing of beverages."

                                                             --Leon Adams

          "You Americans have the loveliest wines in the world, you know, but you don't realize it."

                                                             --H.G. Wells

Here's to a brighter, and more peaceful, 2013. Cheers!