July 26, 2014

             New York Gold from Virginia, New York City as wine heaven, a new wine trail, safe food and beverages, and much more from New York wine country.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

                  Chateau Frank 2008 Blanc de Noirs took Best of Show honors at the recent Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition in Virginia, where New York wines also won 7 Best of Category, 24 Gold, 41 Silver, and 30 Bronze awards, topping 100 total.

                  Gold/Best of Category Awards went to Arbor Hill Grapery Speedster; Chateau LaFayette Reneau Seyval-Chardonnay and 2012 Dry Riesling; Coyote Moon 2013 Fire Boat Red; Knapp 2013 Semi-Dry Gewurztraminer; Martha Clara 2010 Northville; and Osprey's Dominion 2010 Cabernet Franc.

                  Other Gold medals were awarded to Arbor Hill 2013 Noir; Belhurst 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling; Chateau Frank 2007 Brut and Celebre Rose; Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2013 Dry Riesling and 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling; Dr Frank 2013 Gewurztraminer; Earle Estate Worthog Hard Cider and Porky's Pleasure Worthog Hard Cherry Cider; Fulkerson 2013 William Vigne Juicy Sweet Riesling; Glenora 2013 Chardonnay; Lakewood 2013 Vignoles; Osprey's Dominion 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon; Thirsty Owl 2013 Dry Riesling and 2013 Riesling; Whitecliff 2013 Riesling and 2013 Table Rock Red. 

                    Coming up this week is the fabulous Indy International, followed closely by our own New York Wine & Food Classic.

                    New York City was recently named as the "World's Top Wine Destination" by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine, based on ratings by a distinguished panel of judges.

                    New York accounted for over a sixth of the world's best wine lists, the highest of any city worldwide.  Morrell won Best By-the-Glass Wine List in the World, and Restaurant Hearth was rated Best Wine List in North America.

                    New York is also the most competitive wine market in the world, and New York wines have to earn their way onto Broadway just like all others.  Happily, our NY Drinks NY program has opened many doors and created new accounts for participating wineries, and converted many sommeliers and wine store managers.  While the list continues to grow daily, here some of the restaurants and retailers which do a great job featuring New York wines.

Restaurants: In Manhattan--ABV, Blue Hill, Brinkley's, Dovetail, Gramercy Tavern, Hearth, Home, Landmarc, Momofuku, Rouge Tomate, Spina, The LCL, The NoMad; in Brooklyn--Brooklyn Winery, Buttermilk Channel, Flatbush Farm, Lodge, Seersucker, 61 Local; in Queens--Keuka Kafe, Winegasm

Retailers: In Manhattan--Astor Wines, Bottlerocket Wine, Chelsea Wine Vault, 67 Wine, Union Square Wines; in Brooklyn--Brooklyn Wine Exchange, Dandelion Wine, Fermented Grapes, Gnarly Vines, The Greene Grape, Waterfront Wines; in Queens--Square Wines, Table Wine.

                   We encourage you patronize those businesses and ask for New York wines.

                      St. Lawrence Wine Trail is now a reality, with legislation signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo this week, becoming New York State's 18th wine trail.  The new trail will soon be marked by grape cluster signs along seven highways in St. Lawrence County, New York's northern border where the St. Lawrence Seaway divides the United States and Canada.  Wine trails--groups of wineries that promote together--have been a major reason why New York wine country tourism has grown to more than 5 million tourist visits annually, with more than $400 million in wine-related tourism expenditures.

                       Senator Patty Ritchie, a great advocate of our industry who chairs the Agriculture Committee, and Assemblymember Addie Russell sponsored the legislaton, which will bring more business to the wineries, boost tourism in the region, and result in additional economic activity.

                       Food Network will join us at New York Farm Day on Tuesday for the first time in the event's 13-year history, with a chef who like the others will create great dishes using New York ingredients.  We're delighted to welcome them, and look forward to a taste. Thanks again to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for hosting this great event.

                       Nation's Healthiest Laboratory Award was given this week to the New York State Food Safety and Metrology Laboratory in Albany.  Run by the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, the lab analyses more than 20,000 food and beverage samples annually, and was praised for "excellence in environmental stewardship and health promotion in both practice and policy."  It's great to know they're watching out for us, and we congratulate Commissioner Richard Ball and the entire staff.