Wine Press FINAL 10-14-10

August 2, 2014

 

             Dr. Frank wins Indy, more New York Gold, Governor's Cup Wine Tour(s), State Fair Ale, and more from Wine Country.

  

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

 New York Gold from Indy

 

                   Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars won Winery of the Year at this week's Indy International Wine Competition, a tribute to consistent quality across the board.  Dr. Frank wines won 2 "Concordance" medals (equivalent to Double Gold, requiring unanimity among the judges), 1 Gold, 7 Silver, and 1 Bronze, with sparkling wine producer Chateau Frank adding 4 Silvers to the stash.  In addition, New York wineries won a total of 122 awards including 16 Concordance (Double Gold), 23 Gold, 62 Silver, and 21 Bronze, with several of the top wines in the final "Sweepstakes" round.

 

                    Concordance (Double Gold) awards went to 21 Brix 2013 Thirsty Elephant and 2013 Riesling; Dr. Frank 2012 Sauvignon Blanc and 2013 Gewurztraminer; Goose Watch Diamond Sparkling Wine, Snow Goose, and 2013 Viognier; Hector Wine Company 2012 Gewurztraminer; Liberty Vineyards Reds, Whites, & Blues, and 2013 Pinot Grigio; Seneca Shore Pinot Gris; Thirsty Owl 2013 Traminette; Torrey Ridge Blue Sapphire; Wagner Vineyards 2012 Riesling and 2012 Riesling Caywood East Vineyard; and Wort Hog Cidery Hard Cider.

 

                    Gold medals went to 21 Brix 2013 Ellatawba, 2013 Riesling, and 2013 Chardonnay; Belhurst 2013 Riesling; Dr. Frank 2013 Riesling; Earle Estate Blueberry; Fulkerson 2013 Gruner Veltliner; Goose Watch Classic Cream Sherry; Lakewood Vineyards 2011 Blanc de Noir 25th Anniversary, 2013 Gewurztraminer, 2013 Valvin Muscat, and 2013 Vignoles; Liberty Vineyards Fredonia, and 2013 Pinot Grigio; Seneca Shore Pinot Gris; Silver Spring Red Blend; Swedish Hill Naturel Sparkling Wine, 2013 Blue Waters Riesling, and 2013 Cayuga White; Thirsty Owl 2013 Vidal Blanc and 2013 Gewurztraminer; Torrey Ridge Diamond; Wagner 2012 Riesling; William Vigne 2013 Juicy Sweet Riesling; Wort Hog Cidery Big Jake's Spiced Hard Cidery and Cherrry Hard Cider/Porky's Pleasure.

 

                     Held at Purdue University, chaired by Dr. Christian Butzke and organized by Jill Blume (who will soon judge at our New York Wine & Food Classic), "Indy" included more than 2,200 wines from 14 countries and 40 states, and a large group of judges (including yours truly) to evaluate them.

 

                     Next up is our own New York Wine & Food Classic on August 12 & 13.  Stay tuned.

Governor's Cup Wine Tours

                    The top award in our New York Wine & Food Classic competition is the Governor's Cup for the Best of Show wine--out of about 900 this year.

 

                     We're honored that once again Governor Andrew Cuomo will join us in the Finger Lakes for a special dinner on August 13 to announce and present the Governor's Cup to the winning winery.  But before the dinner he'll lead a large delegation of media,wine trade, and public officials on an afternoon tour of a local farm winery and farm distillery, with samplings of wines and other craft beverages from a wide array of producers.

 

                      Then, on August 23, the show will move to Long Island for another winery visit along with a farm brewery, and ending at the huge Harvest East End festival.  Once again, there will be connections to our competition in the form of various announcements and presentations.

 

                       We're truly fortunate to have a Governor who is so engaged and enthusiastic about the wine industry and the other farm-based craft beverages.  New York's business climate for wine has never been better.

 Free Run...

                      State Fair Showstopper Ale will be launched at this year's Great New York State Fair in Syracuse beginning in late August.  One of the many suggestions at the first Governor's Wine, Beer, Spirits & Cider Summit in October 2012 was to make sure the State Fair embraced local beer instead of a major national brand that has traditionally dominated awareness and sales. 

                      The Showstopper Ale will be the official brew of the State Fair, will be made in part with New York hops and barley products, and appropriately will be brewed by Empire Brewing Company of Syracuse. That brewery's owner, David Katleski, has been a driving force behind the strong growth of New York's craft brewing industry through changes in legislation (mirroring winery legislation), organizational work, and other means.  It's great to see him and his company get this well-deserved recognition.

 

                      The lives of Marco and Ann Marie Borghese will be celebrated and honored at Castello Borghese Vineyard on Long Island on Saturday, August 16.  A ceremony at Our Lady of Ostrabrama Roman Catholic Church in Cutchogue at 3 pm will be followed at 6 pm by music and dancing among the vines, watching the setting sun, and a Memorial Celebration of Life Concert featuring Nashville Hall of Famer Hugh Prestwood and friends.  For more information, [email protected] or 631-734-5111.

 

 

 
 
                       "Wine is the divine juice of September."
                                                                                       
                                                                                          
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