September 21, 2013

             Concord perfume, an awesome Farm Day, many media hits, more New York Gold, the latest Taste NY activities, locavore/locapour events, and much more happening in New York wine country, including some "bad good news".

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

                 This week harvest really started, at least according to my nose.  Many early-ripening grapes had already been picked, and for weeks I could see large clusters of grapes hanging from the vines, but to me the true sign of harvest is the luscious aroma of ripe Concord grapes wafting through the crisp fall air.

                 Nature's perfume is most noticeable in the Lake Erie region southwest of Buffalo, which grows two-thirds of all New York grapes and 95% are Concords for grape juice, but happily the Finger Lakes region also has substantial acreage. I've been patiently waiting to inhale the sweet, fruity aroma, and this week on my way home it finally happened.   Aaaaaah....

                 Meanwhile, so far so good for the 2013 harvest across the state, with especially favorable conditions on Long Island.  It's not a "perfect" vintage like last year or 2010, but unless the weather really deteriorates (read, lots of rain) it could turn out very well, based on reports from our Cornell Cooperative Extension colleagues in this week's edition of the Veraison to Harvest e-newsletter.  Alice Wise from Long Island is especially enthused, writing: "It is a real pleasure to pick clean, flavorful fruit in sunny, dry weather.  This is what all vineyard managers live for." 

                   Here's hoping for more of the same....            

          New York Farm Day on Tuesday evening in Washington was bigger and better than ever, and I keep wondering how that can happen every year, but somehow it does.  The beverages and foods were awesome, the crowd was buzzing, and host Senator Kirsten Gillibrand made everyone feel at home as part of the New York farm family.

           We always try to add new elements every year, and next year Farm Credit East, a great supporter and sponsor of Farm Day, will arrange to have New York fresh fruit pies as part of the menu, while Cool Fish owner/chef Tom Schaudel will bring another of his Long Island restaurants, Jewel, to share the local bounty.

           Many thanks to Senator Gillibrand, her awesome staff, our sponsors and exhibitors, and our own Jennifer Cooper for impeccable organization of the most popular reception on Capitol Hill.

              This week was a busy one in terms of coverage of different regions and aspects of New York wine country. 

               Clinton Vineyards in the Hudson Valley got lots of  local as well as national attention when owner Phyllis Feder on Wednesday unveiled Victory, a new wine dedicated to the premise (and hope) that former First Lady, Senator, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will add a new title to her resume: President of the United States.  This is not the first time that Clinton Vineyards, located in tiny Clinton Corners, has urged or congratulated members of the Clinton Family: Theirs was the gift wine for guests at the wedding of Chelsea a few years ago, and there have been other special bottlings for Hillary.  Wednesday's unveiling got mentions in the New York Times and Time magazine, among other media.

                "Du riesling made in USA" is the headline of a major piece by wine writer Bernard Burtschy in Le Figaro, the largest circulation daily newspaper in France.  Bernard is one of the judges at our New York Wine & Food Classic, so has had the opportunity to sample a wide range of New York wines, and is particularly impressed with Finger Lakes Rieslings.  The lengthy article is accompanied by an iconic photo of vineyards above Keuka Lake, as well as one of me with Governor Andrew Cuomo during the Governor's Cup Wine Tour.  Le vin de New York: c'est magnifique!

                 Wines & Vines online ran a nice piece on New York Farm Day by Linda Jones McKee, who with her husband Richard Carey attended the event and had the opportunity to sample all the foods and beverages.  Included in the article was a photo of Senator Gillibrand with the Long Island wine contingent of Ron Goerler, Steve Bate, and Anthony Sannino along with a listing of all the New York wines poured.

                  Wine Spectator (October 31 edition) includes a full-page ad promoting New York wines right in the middle of a long article highlighting the best new restaurants in New York City.  "Next time, drink New York" is the headline, with copy mentioning the 80 Double Gold, 565 Gold, and 88 Best of Class awards New York wines won in major competitions last year.  The major graphic is a bunch of corks in the shape of New York State, with the Taste NY logo at the bottom and a link to www.taste.ny.gov, which includes the content of our web site for the wine portion.  The same ad will be running in other major food and wine publications, while a TV ad has also been running in The Big Apple. 

                 It's all part of Taste NY, which today is appearing at Willie Nelson's Farm Aid concert in Saratoga, will move to Eventi hotel on October 1, then to Brooklyn Brewery on October 3 for an Octoberfest celebration, and to a New York City Wine & Food Festival after that.  It's a great (and very busy) program.

                 Long Island Wine Country, and particularly Shinn Estate Vineyards, got great coverage in AAA's Member Connection magazine in a long article by Margaret McCormick.  David Page and Barbara Shinn own not only the vineyard but also a Bed & Breakfast on the property that has been rated as one of the best food lover's hotels in America by Bon Appetit magazine.  The piece provides an overview of Long Island wine country and specific mentions of several wineries.

                 The same edition contains an article focusing on Watkins Glen, with shout-outs to Finger Lakes Distilling (awesome spirits!) and the terrific Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel (awesome lodging and support of local products).

                 In addition, there's a full-page Taste NY ad promoting wineries and wine trails; breweries and beer trails; and farm fresh New York.

                   Dr. Frank Wine Cellars 2011 Rkatsiteli took a Double Gold and its 2012 Gewurztraminer a Gold medal at the recent International Wine Channel TV Awards, where Woodbury Vineyards won a Double Gold/Best of Class for its 2011 Vidal Blanc and Gold for Foxy Red Renard.

                    In the last edition of Wine Spectator, Diamini Wine Cellars 2012 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon scored a 90, the highest rating to date for a Finger Lakes red wine.

                    Barnstormer Winery, on the west side of Seneca Lake just north of Watkins Glen, is now officially open and welcoming visitors.  www.barnstormerwinery.com.             

                 Finger Lakes Cork & Fork, a major celebration of local foods, wines, and agriculture, began last night with a fun competition where I and four other "celebrity judges" (including Agriculture Commissioner Darrel Aubertine) tasted and rated 16 different dishes paired with different farm-based beverages (wine, beer, and spirits).  It was a wonderful example of how far this region has come in terms of sourcing and supporting "local", and a tribute to the passion of growers and chefs alike for spreading the word along with the foods and beverages.

                  The two-day event continues today with tickets at $25.  For more information and tickets, www.fingerlakescorkandfork.com.

                   Niagara Wine Trail  is also celebrating "local" with a Harvest Fest Weekend today and tomorrow, pairing Niagara region wines with a wide range of foods from the area as well. Sweet, savory, and spicy offerings range from Butternut Squash Ricotta Sage Crostini to Open-Faced Chicken Won Ton and Apple Curry, with every winery providing a different dish.  A full list of all pairings and other featured activities is available at www.niagarawinetrail.org, where tickets may also be ordered. 

                   Taste Williamsburg occurs tomorrow in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, where many of the most exciting locavour/locapour activities and businesses are located.  Tomorrow's wine-and-food event will take place along the beautiful Williamsburg waterfront of the East River State Park, with proceeds going to two local charities.  www.tastewg.com.     

                    Julie Suarez is one of the most extraordinary people I have met in my professional life, a model of intelligence, integrity, and class. 

                    For the past 15 years she has been with New York Farm Bureau, most recently as Director of Public Policy, a position she will be leaving on October 4 to become Assistant Dean for Governmental and Community Relations at Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. This is truly a bittersweet development.

                     Julie's accomplishments on behalf of New York agriculture are far too numerous to list, even those just within the grape and wine industry.  But one great example is the direct interstate shipping law for wine that was passed in 2005, thanks to her efforts in tandem with those of winery owners John Martini and Pete Saltonstall, who courageously risked their businesses to make this happen.  This was truly a David vs. Goliath battle against incredible odds, and the passion and commitment of those people slew Goliath.

                      My great respect for Julie is shared by everyone I know who knows her, from colleagues in the industry to legislative leaders and  top Administration officials.  Her viewpoint carries a ton of weight because she does her homework, explains the problem, and presents the solution very clearly.  She also bears no malice toward anyone.  We will all miss her tremendously, but look forward to working with her in the new position.

                       The good news is that another great Farm Bureau veteran, Jeff Williams, has been appointed as the new Director of Public Policy.   Like Julie, Jeff is a familiar face who really dives into the issues and commands respect in the halls of Albany, and I look forward to working with him.

                        New York Farm Bureau (and Long Island Farm Bureau) is simply the best partner our industry has ever had or could wish for.  Every grape grower, juice producer, and winery should be members as a modest way to say "thank you" for all they do.