November 15, 2014

            More New York Gold, Thanksgiving wines, more State support, and more from New York wine country.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

Dr. Frank/Chateau Frank Score Big, and more New York Gold

                   Chateau Frank and Dr. Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars won big once again, this time at the recent New York World Wine & Spirits competition.  Chateau Frank 2009 Blanc de Blanc took Best in Show Sparkling Wine, with the 2008 Blanc de Noir right behind earnin a Double Gold.  Dr. Frank 2012 Riesling Reserve also won Best in Show for that category, and the 2013 Gewurztraminer got a Gold.

                    Elsewhere, at the American Wine Society competition, New York wines won two "Best of Show" honors, 14 Double Golds, 15 Golds, 72 Silvers, and 47 Bronze awards--148 in all.

                    Best of Show (and Double Gold) went to Liberty Vineyards & Winery Reds, Whites & Blues in the Rose category, and Wagner Vineyards 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling in the White Wine category.

                    Other Double Gold medals were awarded to Americana Crystal Lake Niagara; Belhurst Isabella Sparkling Wine; Black Willow Odin's Nectar and Valkyrie's Lure; Chateau Frank Celebre Rose and 2007 Brut; Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2013 Proprietors Reserve Chardonnay; Fulkerson 2013 William Vigne Juicy Sweet Riesling; Leonard Oakes 2013 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine; Liberty Diamond; The Winery at Marjim Manor Treasure Beyond Measure; and Toro Run 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling.

                   Gold medals went to Americana 2013 Chardonnay; 21 Brix Ella's Red; Behhurst Naturel Sparkling; Chateau Frank 2008 Blanc de Noirs; Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2012 Chardonnay Barrel Fermented and 2013 Riesling; Dr. Frank 2013 Dry Riesling; Goose Watch 2012 Lemberger; Knapp 2013 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine; Penguin Bay Lemberger-Pinot Noir; Swedish Hill 2013 Blue Waters Gewurztraminer and Blue Waters Chardonnay; The Winery at Marjim Manor A Pear Made in Heaven; Three Brothers 2013 Sauvignon Blanc Estate Reserve; and Wagner 2013 Sweet Riesling.

                    It's great for them, and great for New York.  They're another reason we're "Wine Region of the Year".

                    For your holiday wine shopping list, just go to the "Awards and Accolades" section of www.newyorkwines.org.

                    Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday of the year, and in fact the only one I truly celebrate.  It's so simple--family, friends, food, and fun, with wine part of it all.  The blend of festivities and flavors is the perfect setting for a wonderful range of wines as well.

                     This week the New York times online produced their annual suggestions, which included the Hidden Star Semi-Dry Cider from Slyboro as well as Martha Clara 2010 Northville Red Blend as terrific companions for typical Thanksgiving foods (which the tasted as well).

                      Separately, Wine Enthusiast magazine recommended two New York wines for Thanksgiving: Hudson-Chatham 2013 Old Vines Masson Place Vineyard Pulteney Farm Baco Noir; and Silver Thread 2013 Doyle East Seneca Vineyard Riesling.

                      And there are so many others, from spicy Gewurztraminer (or Traminette) to Dry and Medium Dry Rieslings (or Cayuga, or Brianna) among the whites, and Pinot Noir (or Noiret), Cabernet Franc (or Chancellor and Marquette), and Merlot.  And let's not forget the festive bubbles and the luscious late harvest or ice wines with dessert, or as dessert all by themselves.

                       Whatever you choose to eat and drink (as long as it's New York), I wish you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving. 

                       Governor Andrew M. Cuomo this week signed into law the legislation he initiated and the New York State Liquor Authority drafted, and which the State legislature passed earlier this year.  He also announced the availability of State matching grants available to promote the State's farm-based craft beverages--wine, beer, spirits, and cider.  Both developments were promised at his second "Wine, Beer, Spirits & Cider Summit" last April.

                        The Craft New York Act, which will take effect in a month, has many helpful provisions:

-- letting producers conduct tastings and serve by the bottle and glass

-- increasing retail outlets for farm distilleries

-- lowering the food requirement in conjunction with tastings and wine by the glass sales

-- allowing farm distilleries to operate a branch office similar to those for farm wineries

-- raising the production caps on farm beverage producers.

                        The $2 million Craft Beverage Marketing and Promotion Grant Program, which requires matching funds from the private sector, is designed to increase the awareness, trial, and sales of New York produced wine, beer, spirits and hard cider.  A separate $1 million fund is focused on increasing tourism to craft beverage producers and various regions.

                         This is addition to funds already spent on advertising, like the full-page Taste NY ad in the current edition of Wine Enthusiast, along with another full-page ad touting Long Island as a tourist destination.

                         New York's business climate for the wine industry has never been better, and the same applies to the other beverages.  Since Governor Cuomo took office in January 2011, the total number of farm-based craft producers has more than doubled--with 202 new farm wineries, 62 farm breweries, 49 farm distilleries, and 8 farm cideries.

                        Just like we need a good climate to grow good grapes, we need a good business climate to grow the industry.  And that's what we have in New York!

  "A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry."