April 20, 2013

             Some impressive New York Gold this week, with more expected in the coming week from the Pacific Rim International, plus other news from New York wine (and yogurt) country.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

             Dr. Konstantin Frank 2012 Dry Riesling was awarded Best of Show (of all wines), and Sparkling Pointe 2003 Brut Seduction was Best of Show Sparkling Wine at the recent U.S. National Wine Competition sponsored by Vineyard & Winery Management magazine.  On its way to the ultimate prize, the Dr. Frank Riesling also took Best of Show White, meaning that New York wines topped two of the five major categories (White and Sparkling).

             Sparkling Pointe also won a Gold for its Brut, and Chateau Frank won a Gold and Best of Class for its 2007 Blanc de Noirs along with a Gold medal for its Celebre.

             Other awards included Gold medals for Anyela's Vineyards 2010 Noiret; Coyote Moon 2011 River Time (also Best of Class), and 2011 Brianna; Goose Watch 2011 Viognier; Swedis Hill Vidal Blanc and Spumante Blush (both of which also won Best of Class honors).

             Separately, high ratings from the Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago include 93 and Best Buy for Dr. Konstantin Frank 2012 Dry Riesling, and 90 and Best Buy for its 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling; 94 and Best Buy for Hunt Country Dolce di Moscato; and 90 and Best Buy for Heron Hill 2011 Muscat.

              Lots more New York Gold will be flowing from California during the next month, with three major competitions--Pacific Rim, Riverside, and Los Angeles International--taking place in rapid succession.  Traditonally, New York wins have done well at all, including several Best of Show honors in various categories over the years...so stay tuned.

               "THE TASTING ROOM BY ATWATER" will be a new attaction in Watkins Glen starting around Memorial Day, an extension of Atwater Estate Vineyards tasting room just up the road on the east side of Seneca Lake. 

               Owner Ted Marks found a fabulous location a block from the waterfront and the fabulous Harbor Hotel, next to the Glen Mountain Market and Bakery, and across the street from Nickels Bar B Que.  "Watkins," as the town is affectionately called by locals, has gone from a sleepy rundown village into a bustling tourist destination in a short time, conveniently located at the south end of Seneca Lake with easy access to the 60 or so wineries along the east and west sides.

                The Tasting Room will feature a selection of local New York wines, apple ciders, spirits, artisan cheeses and other products which reflect the unique bounty of the region.  Legislation and regulatory changes announced at Governor Andrew Cuomo's Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit last October have provided new opportunities to cross-market all these farm products.

                While you wait for the Tasting Room to open, you can always visit the winery to get a flavor of what's to come.  www.atwatervineyards.com                

              SHINN ESTATE VINEYARDS, known for its many fine wines, is also well known for the quality of its lodging, food, and hospitality--most recently exemplified by its recognition from Bon Appetit as one of the Top 40 nominees for Best Food Lovers' Hotels in America.

               The "quaint little farmhouse on Long Island's North Fork", as described by the magazine, was selected because owners David Page and Barbara Shinn are "generous hosts...nothing less than obsessed with viticulture and food".  Other features cited included David Page's awesome breakfast, a late afternoon happy hour, and personalized tours of the biodynamic vineyard.  www.shinnestatevineyards.com                

                  NEW YORK IS #1--IN YOGURT, having rapidly surpassed California in the past year--with New York's production increasing from 554 to 692 million pounds while the Golden State decreased from 627 to 587.  New York's yogurt production has more than tripled in the last five years, and the growth just keeps accelerating.

                  Before Governor Cuomo held the Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit in October, he hosted a Yogurt Summit in August which set the pattern of "entrepreneurial government" by bringing together the public and private sectors to jointly arrive at solutions to problems and opportunities for growth.  As with our Summit, a number of legal an regulator changes were implemented that have encouraged growth of the sector.

                   For the past several years, Chobani Yogurt has been a featured attraction of New York Farm Day hosted by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in Washington.  Besides offering their wonderful Greek yogurt to Farm Day attendees, Chobani provides a dramatic example of the economic impact of farming and food production, and New York's place among the top farm states. 

                   Mark your calendar: New York Farm Day is on September 17 this year.                                

 "Without farmers, there is no food."