January 10, 2014

             New York Gold in California, Taste NY Expands, Hazlitt Sherry, Vineyard Preservation, and a Woman of Distinction

             Happy New Year!          

             Jim Trezise

                 This week the 2014 wine competition season was officially kicked off at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the country's largest with 5,825 wines submitted by over 1500 wineries from 25 States. I had the pleasure of judging, and of learning about the New York wine winnings after today's Sweepstakes round.

                  New York wines garnered more than 150 awards, including 7 Best of Class designations, 3 Double Gold, 22 Gold, 77 Silver, and 42 Bronze medals.

                  Best of Class (which also won Double Gold) went to Dr. Frank 2012 Gruner Veltliner; Goose Watch 2012 Diamond; Swedish Hill 2012 Cayuga White, Viking Red, and 2012 Marechal Foch; Keuka Spring 2012 Vignoles and 2012 Apres Dessert.

                  Other Double Gold medals were awarded to Chateau Frank 2008 Blanc de Blanc; Vinditti Vineyards 2012 Vino Rosso E Dolce, and Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Solera Sherry (see below).

                   Gold medals went to Sparkling Pointe 2010 Tokaz Imperial; Goose Watch Naturel; Hazlitt 2012 Gruvee, 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay, and 2012 Oaked Chardonnay; Glenora 2012 Gewurztraminer; Keuka Spring 2012 Riesling (last year the 2011 Riesling won Best White Wine of the entire competition), 2012 Riesling Humphreys Vineyard, and Celebrate; Swedish Hill 2012 Dry Riesling, 2012 Riesling, and Blue Waters Riesling; Wagner 2012 Dry Riesling Caywood East and 2012 Riesling Select; Knapp 2012 Dry Riesling KV Estate; Benmarl 2012 Semi Dry Riesling; Dr. Frank 2012 Dry Riesling and 2012 Riesling Reserve; Fox Run 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling; Ventosa 2012 Semi Sweet Riesling; Merritt Estate Bella Rosa; and Venditti 2012 Marechal Foch.

                    Given the huge number of entries, the "Chronicle" judging is run with extraordinary efficiency, while also encouraging fun and camaraderie among the judges and staff.  Next up, in early February, is the Florida International, where New York wines shine in the Sunshine State.                 

               "Taste NY" keeps moving along, most recently with the opening of a new store at the Chittenango service area on the New York State Thruway in Canastota, joining another store and four storefront displays along the busy interstate highway.  The stores carry a selection of New York products including maple syrup, yogurt and cheese, complemented by two Taste NY stores at LGA and JFK airports also featuring wine and other farm-based craft beverages.

                In his State of the State message on Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled some additional initiatives for the Taste NY program including highway signage, along with the intention to hold additional "summits" like the Yogurt summit and the Wine, Beer & Spirits Summit, both of which resulted in major benefits to those industries and the State economy.  By bringing industry and government together, the Governor has been able to tap into a synergy that can lead to quick and dramatic progress.

              Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, one of New York's fastest growing wineries with a great diversity of quality products, is using the classic Solera method to produce fine Sherry--on the roof of their Naples, NY location. 

              Hazlitt is actually reviving the process instituted a century before by Widmer Wine Cellars, whose facility they purchased in 2011 to produce their ultra-popular Red Cat wines.  They're using the same barrels that Widmer had used for decades, employing the Solera process of fractional blending so that the finished product is a mixture of ages with the average age gradually increasing as the process continues over many years.  The aging process also involves natural weathering in outdoor casks, with the wine baking in the summer and chilling in the winter to achieve its amber color and nutty flavor

              A fortified dessert wine combining table wines and grape spirit, Sherry can make a great aperitif or after dinner drink, and is absolutely wonderful this time of year in front of a cozy fireplace.

              Argetsinger Vineyard, overlooking the southeastern shore of Seneca Lake near Hector, is now destined to remain a vineyard forever.  Due to the efforts of owner Sam Argetsinger, Schuyler County, the Department of Agriculture & Markets, and the Finger Lakes Land Trust, the iconic vineyard has been protected from development by being placed in the Finger Lakes Land Trust.

              The Argetsinger Vineyard has been in the family for more than 100 years, and its treasured grapes are part of the secret behind the superb quality wines from Ravines Wine Cellars.  Now there are assurances that the tradition will live on.

              Wendy Oaks Wilson, president of Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, was named by Buffalo's Business newspaper as one of 25 "Women of Distinction" in the region--recognition that is richly deserved.

               Wendy is part of the Oakes family who have long operated LynOaken Farms, a very large fruit farm in Orleans County west of Rochester.  She was instrumental in helping the farm diversify into wine and one of my all-time favorite beverages: Steampunk Cider, which recently got a rave review in the New York Times.

                 Wendy is also an industry leader, devoting lots of volunteer time to the fast-growing Niagara Wine Trail, where she is Treasurer.  Congratulations to a great person.