May 31, 2014

             New York Gold from LA, super symposium, new book, new Rose, and more happening in New York wine country.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

                 New York wines won four prestigious Best of Class awards at the recent Los Angeles International Wine Competition, along with 14 other Gold medals and dozens of Silver and Bronze.

                  Gold/Best of Class honors went to Goose Watch Winery 2012 Rose of Isabella, Keuka Spring Vineyard 2013 Dry Riesling Humphreys Vineyard, Sparkling Pointe 2012 Brut, and Thirsty Owl 2013 Traminette.

                   Additional Gold medals were awarded to Chateau Frank 2008 Blanc de Blanc and Dr. Frank 2013 Dry Riesling; Goose Watch Classic Cream Sherry, Snow Goose, and 2012 Lemberger; Keuka Spring 2013 Riesling and 2013 Vignoles; Swedish Hill Blue Waters Riesling, 2012 Marechal Foch and 2012 Dry Riesling; Thirsty Owl 2012 Diamond; and Wagner Vineyards 2012 Riesling Caywood East Vineyard, 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling, and 2012 Riesling Select.

                   Next up, in a few weeks is the San Francisco International Wine Competition, so watch for more New York Gold.

                      With less than two weeks to go, it's time to reserve your spot at the fabulous Wine Symposium of the Finger Lakes, which will feature a great lineup of speakers.

                      California wine writer Dan Berger, a fan of New York wines for decades, will conduct a tasting of cool-climate wines from old and new world regions along with Thomas Pastuszak, wine director of NoMad Restaurant in New York City.

                      Chefs James Treadwell and Rob Newton will present a structured tasting on wine and food pairings.

                      Keynoting the event is Joshua Greene, editor and publisher of Wine & Spirits magazine, which was the first major wine consumer publication to recognize the quality and value of New York wines, particularly Finger Lakes Rieslings.

                      And MC-ing the whole event is radio personality and wine lover Michael Warren Thomas.

                      The Symposium also includes some fabulous wine receptions and meals. For more information and to make your reservations, visit http://winesymposiumfingerlakes.com/program. 

                    "Best White Wine on Earth" is the title of a new book by renowned wine writer and blogger Stuart Pigott, a British native who splits his time between Berlin and New York City.  And what is that wine? Riesling!

                     Stuart is a very entertaining speaker, and this book reflects his unique ability to educate in a way that is amusing and fun.  The inside front cover features a succinct series of reasons why Riesling is the best white wine on earth--its versatility of styles, reflection of "terroir", compatibility with a wide array of foods, refreshing acidity, ageability, and more--as well as the IRF Riesling Taste Profile which helps consumers select the type of Riesling they prefer.  The book will be a gift to all who attend the upcoming Wine Symposium of the Finger Lakes.

                      Stuart also conducted a comprehensive tasting of "New World Riesling" (including some from the Finger Lakes) at this week's fabulous International Riesling Symposium in Germany's Rheingau region.  In addition, he has produced a video of seven Riesling regions in North America (NY, MI, CA, OR, WA, and both Ontario and British Columbia, Canada) that will be unveiled in New York City on June 21, the first day of Summer of Riesling.

                      Summer in a Bottle is the catchy name of a new Rose wine from Wolffer Estate Vineyard, by far the largest producer of Roses in New York State.  The new wine joins two other table wines, the Wolffer Rose and Grandoso Rose, along with a sparkling wine (Noblesse Oblige), dessert wine (Fabiana Late Harvest Rose) and a dry rose cider (Wolffer No. 139).

                       A sustainable vineyard in the heart of the Hamptons on Long Island, Wolffer's Roses are extraordinarily popular in this tony playground of the rich and famous.  The winery's many other products, especially Merlot, have also earned Wolffer a widespread reputation for superb quality.  www.wolffer.com.

                       Rare Beer Fest is the latest initiative of the Taste NY program, which has been actively promoting farm-based craft beverages (wine, beer, spirits and cider) as well as other agricultural products.  This Thursday, June 5 (6-10 pm) at the Brooklyn Brewery, 26 New York craft breweries will offer consumers more than 50 rare, unique, and award-winning beers paired with a variety of locally sourced foods.  www.tasteny.gov.