June 22, 2013

             Happy summer(!), more kudos for Finger Lakes Rieslings, more good legislation, and other happenings in New York wine country.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

               Summer is now officially here, launched by the longest day of the year and lots of bright sunshine.

               And Summer of Riesling is now underway as well, from now through September 22, with lots of great restaurants and wine bars around the counry featuring the world's most noble white wine.  The promotion was created several years ago by Manhattan restaurateur Paul Grieco (Hearth, and several Terroir wine bars), who has since expanded it to a national celebration.  For more information, and to get involved, visit www.summerofriesling.com. 

              I'm sorry if my frequent mentions of Finger Lake Rieslings sound like a broken record, but the fact is that they have become internationally recognized for quality, and have really put the Finger Lakes on the world wine map (like Oregon Pinot Noir or Napa Cabernet Sauvignon).

              Most recently, the current edition of Wine & Spirits features the "Year's Best Riesling" with a listing of 26 American Rieslings rated 90 or above, of which 16--nearly two-thirds--are from the Finger Lakes, including 5 which received the highest rating (93) of any wines.  Washington had 5 wines, Oregon 4, and Idaho 1.  In addition, 5 Finger Lakes Riesling were designated as "Best Buys".

              Wines with scores of 93 include Hermann J. Wiemer 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Magdalena Vineyard Riesling and 2011 Finger Lakes Dry HJW Vineyard Riesling; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Finger Lakes Homestead Reserve Riesling; Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling (Best Buy); and Red Newt 2011 Finger Lakes Lahoma Vineyards Riesling.

               Those rated 92 are Hermann J. Wiemer Finger Lakes Late Harvest Riesling and 2011 Finger Lakes Reserve Dry Riesling; and Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Finger Lakes Red Oak Vineyard Risling.  Scores of 91 include Anthony Road 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling (Best Buy); Hermann J. Wiemer 2011 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling; Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling (Best Buy); and Red Newt 2011 Finger Lakes Sawmill Creek Vineyards Riesling.

                 Wines scored at 90 are Damiani Wine Cellars 2011 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling (Best Buy); Fox Run 2011 Seneca Lake Reserve Riesling; Tierce 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling; and Wagner Vineyards 2011 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling (Best Buy). 

                  Separately, Ravines 2011 Dry Riesling is one of six "go-to summer wines" in an article on Riesling ("Summer's Best Anytime Wine") in Men's Journal. 

                  I also expect the results of last weekend's San Francisco International Wine Competition to be public soon, which almost certainly means more Riesling raves.  And next weekend I'll be judging at the Long Beach Grand Cru event run by Dan Berger where New York wines traditionally do very well.

              Chateau Frank Celebre (sparkling wine) was rated Best Grape Wine as well as Best New York Wine at the recent Big E competition, and Earle Estates Apple Enchantment won Best Fruit Wine.

               Gold medals also went to Dr. Frank 2010 Chardonnay and 2011 Pinot Gris; Chateau Frank 2007 Blanc de Noirs; Torrey Ridge Cous'n Hick-A-Billy and Blue Sapphire.                           

                This week marked the end of the 2013 legislative session, which always means total mayhem in our State Capitol as lawmakers scramble to pass a huge number of bills (some good, others less so) while packing their bags to go home for the rest of the year.  We don't know everthing that happened yet, so there might be some unpleasant surprises lurking, but we do know that some good things occurred.

                 First, in addition to legislation enhancing the Niagara Wine Trail, which I mentioned last week, there were bills expanding the Shawangunk Wine Trail in the Hudson Valley and creating a new Adirondack Coast Wine Trail in the North Country.  Wine trails--groups of wineries in a given area that cooperatively promote together--may exist without legislation, but they can't put up highway signs until they are officially recognized.  And time has proven that good signage is vital for building tourism visits.

                 Two other bills initiated by Governor Andrew Cuomo establish a new license for farm cideries similar to those already available for farm wineries, farm breweries, and farm distilleries; and streamline and modernize the brand label registration process for all alcoholic beverages while providing an exemption to the registration fee for craft manufacturers producing small-batch spirits and hard ciders.  Both bills emanated from the Governor's Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit last October, which already had led to many positive changes.  Another comprehensive "omnibus" bill crafted by the New York State Liquor would have had many benefits, but didn't make it through the legislative process this year...so we'll get back at it next year.

                  It goes to show that Albany can do good when it wants to.  As always, we thank our awesome partners at New York Farm Bureau for all their great work on behalf of our industry and all of agriculture.

                    Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars on the east side of Seneca Lake is the latest New York winery to receive the 2013 TripAdvisor Certificate of Exellence for providing great visitor experience.

                    American Wine Consumer Coalition is a new organization to promote the interests of consumers in the public policy arena, to wine producers, and in other ways.  Wine blogger Tom Wark, with whom I will be judging next weekend in Long Beach, is the head honcho, and Rebecca (Becky) Robinson of ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) is a Board member.  It could be a great help to have the consumer voices heard on issues like direct shipment of wine when wholesalers are trying to deny consumers access to a wide array of wines.  For more information, www.wineconsumers.org.