July 12, 2014

             New York Farm Day, festival season, the inimitable Clark Smith, and a sad goodbye. 

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

                New York Farm Day in Washington is just over two weeks away, on July 29, when Members of Congress and Administration officials get a tasteful reminder that New York is a major farm state, and agriculture is  major part of our economy.  

                 We're honored that one again Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who is on the Agriculture Committee, will host the event, as well as an export resources workshop and Agriculture Working Group meeting earlier in the day.  Since her days in the House of Representatives, and now in the Senate, she has been a tireless and highly effective champion of New York agriculture.               

                  We've organized Farm Day since 2002 (first hosted by former Senator Hillary Clinton), and it quickly became the most popular reception on Capitol Hill  Traditionally, Farm Day is in September or October--harvest season--but this year it will be on July 29, since virtually no one will be in Washington during this fall's midterm election season.

                   Part of Farm Day's magic is the venue: the Senate Kennedy Caucus Room, the most elegant and historic on Capitol Hill.  It has been the scene of major hearings like the Watergate Scandal, the Titanic Investigation, the Teapot Dome Scandal, and confirmation of Supreme Court Justices.

                   Farm Day's popularity isn't based just on the great food and beverages, but especially the fact that the people who produce them present them--not some local caterer--so there's extra pride and a direct connection from farm to consumer. As always, this year we will feature a fabulous array of fresh fruits and vegetables from apples to zucchini, an array of dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), awesome breads, maple and honey, seafood and meats, and all four farm-based craft beverages (wine, beer, spirits, cider). In addition, two fine restaurants--61 Local from Brooklyn and Tom Schaudel's Jewel from Long Island--will offer creative bites using New York ingredients.

                   Bon Appetit, and Cheers!

                    If it's summer, there must be a wine festival somewhere, not to mention various wine trail events, plus even more at individual wineries.  A festival sampling:

                   This weekend is the annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival at the Watkins Glen International Race Track, where dozens of wineries will offer thousands of eager consumers samples of their products.  What began as a small event many years ago has grown into a major festival which fills hotel rooms all throughout the region, not to mention restaurants, gift shops, and service stations.  Oh, and wine sales are huge!

                   The Hudson Valley has a whole series of festivals, starting with the Wine Farmers' Market July 19; Bounty of the Hudson on July 26-27; the Putnam County Wine & Food Fest on August 2-3; and the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival on September 6-7.

                   The Niagara Wine Trail hosts its Wine & Culinary Festival on July 26-27, and the Harvest Festival on September 19-21.

                   And Long Island's "Harvest East End" gala is on August 23.

                   There are many more events throughout New York Wine Country which draw tourists from around the State, country, and world--over 5,000,000 tourist visits annually--generating a huge economic benefit for the largely rural areas where most wineries are located. Wineries, in turn, could not survive without the direct sales to consumers at special events and in their tasting rooms.  It's the perfect example of a symbiotic relationship--and it works!

                    Wine: the economic engine.

                      "The product is a pleasure, but the people are the treasure."

                       Sorry for the feeble attempt at poetry, but I often say that because it happens to be true: Wine people are truly special--whether vineyardists, winery owners, winemakers, or scientists--and this is true all over the world.  Maybe it's because people in our industry WANT to be in it, sort of like people playing golf want to be doing that, so they're fundamentally happy (despite the occasional duff).  And they're truly interesting people--wine people, that is.

                        That certainly describes Clark Smith--happy and interesting--whom I've had the pleasure of knowing for more than two decades, and have judged with on many occasions, including at the recent Riverside competition. He is a walking wine encyclopedia,  a winemaker, as well as a highly respected wine scientist and the author of the book, "Postmodern Winemaking: Rethinking the Modern Science of an Ancient Craft."

                         And he's coming to the New York Wine & Culinary Center for a two-day symposium on August 7-8.  Actually, the festivities start with a Welcome Reception the evening of August 6, followed by two wonderfully intense days of discussions, debates and demonstrations, including his awesome Wine & Music Seminar following a Grazing Dinner Party on Thursday evening. 

                         Clark is incredibly knowledgeable, but not at all intimidating or pompous, and in fact he loves to stimulate discussion so that other people get involved and share their opinions.  It's a blend of education and entertainment at its best.

                         To register, visit www.nywcc.com or call 585-394-7070. 

                       Marco Borghese was an Italian Prince.  But what really made him special is that he never claimed that.  And that he married a beautiful woman who could have been a Princess, but was just as down to earth.

                       The Long Island and New York wine industries were recently shocked and saddened to learn that Ann Marie Borghese had passed away after a private battle with cancer, and Marco just a few days later from a tragic highway accident.

                        Having purchased the original Hargrave Vineyard (the first on Long Island, established in 1973) and renaming it Castello di Borghese, Marco and Ann Marie quickly earned the friendship and respect of their wine industry colleagues, and spent much effort and time advancing the common good.  Marco served as President of the Long Island Wine Council for several years, and in recognition of his service was presented our coveted Unity Award.   

                         Ann Marie's beauty extended far beyond a smile that lit up the room to an aura of collegiality and passion for being in the wine industry. For several years, she was a welcome addition to New York City farmers' markets where she sampled and sold Borghese wines.

                         What makes the wine industry so special are the people, and we will sorely miss two of the best.