April 25, 2015

Pacific Rim Gold, FIVS in Brussels, Northside noted, Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, and more from New York wine country.

Cheers!

Jim Trezise

Pacific Rim Yields New York Gold

The Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, held this week in San Bernardino, CA, reaffirmed that New York wines are hot--winning 12 Gold/Best of Class awards as well as 23 additional Golds plus a slew of Silver and Bronze medals. Pacific Rim is an awesome event chaired by the immortal Don Galleano, joined by chief judge Coke Roth, with Yolanda and Jonathan Daly cracking the whip to keep everything on track.

Gold/Best of Class awards went to 21 Brix Muscat and Cherry; Americana Baco Noir; Chateau Frank 2009 Blanc de Blanc, Celebre, and Celebre Rose; Dr. Frank 2013 Riesling Reserve; Goose Watch 2013 Cabernet Franc Ice Wine and 2013 Pinot Grigio; Merritt Bella Rosa; Penguin Bay 2013 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine; and Swedish Hill 2014 Cayuga White.

Additional Gold medals were awarded to Americana Crystal Lake and Apparition; Chateau Frank 2009 Blanc de Noir and 2008 Brut; Dr. Konstantin Frank 2013 Dry Gewurztraminer, 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling, 2013 Dry Riesling, and 2014 Gruner Veltliner; Glenora 2006 Brut; Goose Watch 2012 Merlot and 2013 Diamond; Hosmer 2013 Riesling; Knapp 2014 Dry Riesling and Brut; Liberty Red, Whites & Blues; Penguin Bay 2014 Dry Riesling; Swedish Hill Viking Red, Naturel, 2013 Riesling, 2013 Vidal, and Extra Dry; Wagner Vineyards 2013 Dry Riesling and 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling.

Next up is Dan Berger's great Riverside International, followed by the Los Angeles International, where New York wines have shined in past years.

FIVS--The International Protector of Our Industry

Just like WineAmerica and Winegrape Growers of America protect the grape and wine industry on a national level, FIVS does so on an international level that most grape growers and wineries have no clue about--even though they are affected by international law and policies. And this week we meet in Brussels to discuss the current issues and plot strategy.

Created as the Federation Internationale des Vins et Spiritueux (International Federation of Wines & Spirits, in English), and based in Paris but with a Washington Secretariat, FIVS represents trade associations and beverage producers from over 25 countries throughout the world. It's a collegial, collaborative private sector organization that deals with government agencies on an international level such as the World Trade Organization, World Health Organization, and International Office of Wines & Vines.

Jim Finkle, the now retired Senior Vice President for External Affairs at Constellation Brands, rescued FIVS more than a decade ago and has rebuilt it into a viable, vital organization. As a highlight of the conference he will be recognized for his many accomplishments.

Among the issues to be discussed are social responsibility, environmental sustainability, trade and market access, and consumer matters. I'll be giving a presentation on New York State as an example of how the business climate affects the potential growth of the industry, which in turn contributes back to the state economy. FIVS meetings offer the only opportunity for all segments of the industry from all over the world to come together and collaborate on critical policy issues.

It's the invisible hand that protects our industry.

Free Run...

Northside Wines & Spirits in Ithaca has long been a great supporter of New York wines, the recipient of our "Retailer Award", and recently got well-deserved recognition in the April edition of highly respected Market Watch magazine.

The four-page spread, titled "Finger Lakes Trail Blazer" with several photos, described how a passionate retailer in a market with a small but sophisticated wine consumer base has focused on local wine while still offering an excellent selection from around the world. Owner Tania Boros supported Finger Lakes wines years before it was "the thing to do", and Dana Malley has provided the direct link to the industry.

We congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition, and thank them for being pioneers supporting our industry.

Adirondack Wine & Food Festival in Lake George this June will be a first, with the ambitious goal of attracting about 3,000 visitors to the weekend event.

With 14 local wineries, two breweries, three distilleries and several food vendors, the event will take place on June 27-28 in the popular Adirondack resort town on a gorgeous lake. Adirondack Winery is the principal organizer, with support from the recently formed Upper Hudson Valley Wine Trail and local businesses and communities.

For more information, www.ADKWINEFEST.com.

!Vino Latino! is the name and theme of a new program at Bedell Cellars to acquaint Latino consumers with Long Island wines. Bedell's Assistant Winemaker Seferino Cotzojay conducts the special tours and tastings for consumers who can fully enjoy the wines without waiting for a translation. Great idea.

Wine Country Weddings are big business for some wineries, including a handful cited by Martha Stuart Living as the best venues in the New York City area: Martha Clara Vineyards, Wolffer Estate, Raphael, Bedell Cellars, Brooklyn Winery, and Torne Valley in the Hudson Valley.

In the Finger Lakes region, Glenora Wine Cellars--with its elegant 30-room Inn and Veraisons restaurant--does a ton of weddings, sometimes two or three per weekend, thanks to a great and patient staff that handles all the details (and intense emotions) surrounding the big day. (Many wineries say they wouldn't touch weddings with a ten-foot pole.