July 20, 2014

             New York Gold from Long Beach, Classic judges, bloggers conference, Lake Ontario festival, compliance conferences, and an incredible wine educator.  Lots happening in New York wine country...

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

                  This weekend was the 20th annual Long Beach Grand Cru wine competition run by noted wine journalist Dan Berger, where once again New York wines shined by winning 11 Double Gold/Best of Class, 19 Gold, and dozens of Silver and Bronze medals.  Making especially strong showings were 21 Brix Winery in the Lake Erie region, Belhurst Estate Winery in the Finger Lakes, and Coyote Moon Winery from the Thousand Islands region.

                  The 11 Double Gold/Best of Class awards, all contenders in the "sweepstakes" round, included 21 Brix Ella's White and Ellatawba; Belhurst Estate Winery 2013 Dry Riesling and Isabella Sparkling; Chateau Frank 2008 Blanc de Noirs; Coyote Moon 2013 Fire Boat Red, 2013 Marquette, and 2013 Twisted Sister; Fulkerson Winery 2013 Gruner Veltliner; Goose Watch 2013 Diamond; and Thirsty Owl 2013 Snow Owl.

                 Gold medals went to 21 Brix Ella's Red, 2013 Marquis, and 2011 Vidal Ice Wine; Belhurst Neptune and 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling; Coyote Moon 2013 Brianna and 2012 La Crescent; Dr. Frank 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling; Fulkerson 2012 Vidal Blanc; Goose Watch Snow Goose and 2012 Riesling/Gewurztraminer; Swedish Hill Naturel and 2013 Vidal Blanc; Thirsty Owl 2013 Chardonnay, 2013 Gewurztraminer, and 2013 Traminette; Wagner Vineyards 2012 Dry Riesling Caywood East Vineyard, 2012 Riesling Ice, and 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling.

                  Consistent trademarks of Dan Berger-run competitions (Riverside and Long Beach) are the lack of viticultural racism (prejudice that great wines can be made only from classic European varieties) and the judges' open-palatedness (evaluating wines based not on grape pedigree or regional origin, but on quality--aroma, taste, balance, and pleasure).  The Best White Wine, Friendship School White from St. James Winery in Missouri, is a great blend dominated by Cayuga White (created by Cornell University).  Close behind were a Seyval Blanc (French hybrid) from Wollesheim Winery in Wisconsin; Goose Watch Diamond (a Native variety) from New York; and a Traminette (another Cornell creation) from Maryland.

                   My panel included a colleague from Michigan and two from California, who are great examples of that approach.

                  Separately, at the International Craft Awards Wine Competition, Dr. Frank Wines won Gold medals for its 2012 Riesling Reserve, 2012 Rkatskteli, and 2012 Pinot Gris.

                   Next up in 10 days is the annual Indy International Wine Competition held at Purdue University, and then our own New York Wine & Food Classic.  Busy, busy!

                    One of the keys to the credibility and success of our New York Wine & Food Classic--the "Oscars of New York Wine"--is a great group of highly qualified judges from different places and professions, and with different palates. 

                    This year our judges' names range from A to Z (Kathy Arnick, Amy Zavatto); their locations include France, California, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York (City and State), and Washington; and their professions include wine writers, wine educators, wine scientists, wine retailers, wine marketers, chefs and wine directors.

                   And, I am proud to report, ours is the only competition in the world that has half women and half men as judges.

                  This year we instituted a "rotation" to include several new judges, and will continue that in future years, including bringing back some judges who have been with us in the past.  Here's this year's line-up by location:

--France: Bernard Burtschy, Wine Columnist, Le Figaro, Paris

-- California: Rene Chazottes, Wine Director, Maitre Sommelier, The Pacific Club, Newport Beach; Traci Dutton, Manager of Public Wine & Beverage Studies, Culinary Institute of America, St. Helena; Ann Littlefield, Direct Wine Marketing Brand Champion, Napa; Dr. Bob Small, Professor Emeritus of Hospitality Management, and Wine Book Author, Cal Poly University, Pomona

-- Midwest: Indiana--Jill Blume, Enology Specialist, Purdue University, and Executive Director, Indy International Wine Competition; and Ellie Butz, Vintage Winery Consultants, West Lafayette. Kansas--Doug Frost, M.W., M.S., Wine Writer and Educator, Prairie Village. Michigan--Chris Cook, Writer & Producer, Hour Detroit Magazine.  Missouri--Ann Miller, Marketing Manager, St. James Winery

--Maryland: Jerry Pellegrino, Chef/Owner, Waterfront Kitchen, Baltimore

--Washington: Coke Roth, Wine Consultant, Writer & Attorney, Kennewick

--Upstate New York: Kathy Arnick, Lecturer on Wine, Cornell; Chris Gerling, Enology Extension Associate, Cornell; Fred LeBrun, Columnist, Albany Times Union; Bill Mahoney, Wine Manager, Premium Wine & Spirits, Williamsville; Stephanie Rudat, Ryan's Wine & Spirits, Canandaigua.

--New York City: Rebecca Banks, Wine Director, Balthazar; Anna Lee Iijima, Contributing Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine; Aimee Lasseigne-New, Associate Buyer, Bottlerocket Wine & Spirit; Patrick Watson, Owner, Smith & Vine Wine Shop, the JakeWalk Restaurant & Bar; Amy Zavatto, Wine Writer

                 This year we have more than 850 wine entries from all regions of the state, as well as several in both the spirits and cider categories.  The festivities begin with a great Welcome Dinner at Lakewood Vineyards on August 11, prepared with local ingredients by Chef Pellegrino and Sous Chef Coke Roth (who brings incredible Northwest Salmon), topped off with the luscious Dr. Bob's ice cream.

                 Then the next two days we'll get to work at the fabulous Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel for the judging and some more great local food.  Stay tuned for the results. 

                      Wine Bloggers Conference will be coming to the Finger Lakes next year, thanks largely to the efforts of the Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association in Corning.  This has become an annual event that moves around the country, and can result in a nice bump in recognition for the regions where it's held.  Certainly the Finger Lakes is well-positioned to host this, given the number of wineries, tourism infrastructure, and ever-increasing reputation for providing a high-quality wine country experience.

                       Summer Sips & Sounds on July 27 (noon to 6 pm) is the theme of a festival sponsored by the Lake Ontario Wine Trail at Long Acre Farms & JD Wine Cellars.  The event will include 7 wineries, a distillery, local (Wayne County) food products, and music.  The $15 fee buys 15 sips--not a bad deal.  For more information and online registration, visit www.lakeontariowinetrail.com.

                       Craft Beverage Act was passed at the very end of the 2014 legislative session a few weeks ago, and we have organized three educational sessions for the producers of New York wine, beer, spirits and cider in conjunction with the New York State Liquor Authority. Governor Andrew Cuomo initiated the law, which was created by SLA Chairman Dennis Rosen and Special Counsel Tom Donohue in close consultation with industry representatives.  A big part of our "social responsibility" initiative is to enhance compliance, and these sessions are intended for that purpose.  A Long Island session has already taken place, with Albany (8/6) and Geneva (8/7) still to come.  It is amazing, and uplifting, how much better the business climate has become since Andrew Cuomo became Governor.

                       Toby Strianese is a guy who never looks for credit but deserves a ton--for teaching 4,552 students the joys of consuming and selling New York wines.  For the past 39 years, Toby has run the hospitality program at Schnectady County Community College, and his focus on New York wines has been an integral part of that long before other people even noticed our wine industry.  If only he could be cloned...