March 22, 2014

             Fulkerson scores!, so do others, New York wines at Prowein, multi-generational wineries, growler ruling, New York LOVES New York (wines), and more happening in New York wine country.

             Happy Spring from Deutschland...Prost!          

             Jim Trezise

                Fulkerson Winery, which last Saturday celebrated its 25th year as a winery (though they've been growing grapes much longer), clearly had something new to toast, and to toast with: Fulkerson 2013 William Vigne Riesling, which won Best New World White Wine at the New World International Wine Competition in southern California. 

                Since I get the results early, but couldn't attend the winery's event, I sent an email to them that day so they cold promote it as a fitting symbol of the quality they are committed to. 

                 Other big winners included Best of Class designations for Goose Watch Winery 2011 Chambourcin; and Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2012 Vidal Ice Wine.

                 Double Gold medals were also awarded to Hazlitt Solera Sherry and Gruner Veltliner Gruvee; and Swedish Hill Winery Sparkling Blush.

                 Gold medals went to Goose Watch Winery Golden Spumante; Hazlitt 2012 Riesling; Sparkling Pointe 2009 Blanc de Blanc; and Swedish Hill 2012 Dry Riesling.

                 New York wines also captured 18 Silver and 17 Bronze medals for a total of 45.

                 Next up, in just a week, is the great Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

                 Separately, Wines & Spirits magazine awarded a 92 to Heron Hill Winery 2012 New York Classic Dry Ingle Vineyards Riesling (14), and 93 to Hermann J. Wiemer 2009 Seneca Lake Noble Select Riesling Josef Vineyard ($100).

          Those are some of the comments we know we'll hear over the next few days at our "Uncork New York!" stand at the massive Prowein trade show in Dusseldorf, Germany.

           Winery colleagues from the Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, and Niagara regions are joining Susan Spence and me in offering importers, restaurateurs and retailers samples of a wide range of New York wines.  Prowein is an enormous trade show which is always a great reminder that there's a huge world of wine out there, and New York is just a tiny speck--0.2% (2/tenths of one percent) of the world's wine production.

            But it's also very encouraging to see and hear the reaction of tasters who are  surprised that (1) New York is more than just a city, (2) we have over 350 wineries, and (3) the wines are sooooooo good!  We have a great advantage of both familiarity and surprise: everyone around the world knows "New York", but very few know that it is so much more than one of the world's greatest cities.  It's fun to teach them.

            The key is follow-up: After the trade show breaks down and we all go home, someone needs to follow up with the contacts who were truly interested.  Happily, a new company has been formed by a European importer and three wineries to do just that on the other side of the pond.

                      "NY Drinks NY" event on Monday at the Astor in Center in lower Manhattan provided overwhelming evidence that New York wines are truly establishing a foothold and following in The Big Apple.

                       Both the  afternoon invitation-only session for trade and media, and the paid consumer tasting in the evening, were totally sold out.  In both cases, the buzz was awesome as people discovered new wineries and new wines.  This tasting is always a major highlight of our o "exchange program" under which we bring New York City writers and sommeliers to the wine regions, and then bring the wineries into the City.  The program is orchestrated by our great partners at First Press Public Relations, and is made possible by a grant from the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority.

                       New York City is the world's most competitive wine market, but we are making tangible progress, with an increasing number of good restaurants now featuring New York wines.

                      Wine Industry Growth is now graphically illustrated on our web site with a series of "Wineries by County" statewide maps showing where wineries existed, and how many statewide, in 1976 (the year of the Farm Winery Act), 1985 (creation of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation), 2000 (turn of the Century), and in 2013 (last full year).  There's an individual map for each of those years, but the real kicker is the one that shows all four on one page, dramatically showing how the New York wine industry has grown from a largely regional phenomenon (14 wineries in 9 counties in 1976) to a truly statewide industry with 53 (of New York's 62) counties now having one or more of the 416 wineries, satellite stores, or branch offices.

                    With that growth has come economic impact for New York State exceeding $4.8 billion annually in jobs, investment, tourism, and taxes, once again confirming that wine is the ultimate value-added product and a major economic engine.

                    Many thanks to Bonnie Hampton of our office for the research, and graphic designer Book Marshall for turning the numbers into eyebrow-raising visuals.

                   "Growlers" are containers most often associated with beer which may be refilled (like a coffee mug) at various retail locations including convenience stores if the consumer simply brings them in, pays for the beer, and carts them back out.

                    Some people have suggested that it's only fair for wine consumers to enjoy the same convenience, which also offers a more "green" alternative by reducing the need for and cost of packaging (bottles, labels, capsules, etc.).  After public comments and consideration, the federal Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), a very good regulatory agency, ruled that wine could be put into growlers, but on a much more limited basis than beer.  Basically, only a business licensed as  a "taxpaid wine bottling house" would be allowed to fill growlers for consumption off of the premises.  In other words, unless a winery or convenience store obtained that license, it could not do so.

                     There are a couple states which have already passed laws allowing wine growlers and will have to revisit their statutes, but for the moment at least there is no proposal in New York State.  We'll see how the issue evolves nationally over time.

                    Burt Notarius, owner of Premier Wines & Spirits in the Buffalo area, super-brilliant wine marketer, and one of the world's nicest guys, has passed away, and we mourn with his family.

                    I had the privilege of getting to know Burt very well when he served for about 10 years on the Board of Directors of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.  As incredibly busy as he was, he rarely missed a meeting, and when there spun off fabulous marketing ideas at the speed of light.  It was truly hard to keep up with his creative genius.

                   Better yet, he explored, appreciated, and promoted New York wines long before other retailers in the State.  He created a huge New York section in his store, and proudly showcased the local product with frequent in-store tastings involving winemakers.

                   His sons Jon and Mark also own major wine stores in the Buffalo area, and are part of the Premier Group, so we know the legacy will live on.  We will be forever grateful to Burt Notarius for creating it.             

                 "Water divides the people of the world.  Wine unites them."