July 4, 2015

Happy Independence Day! Great ratings in The Wine Advocate, NYWCC on a roll, Chateau Frank anniversary, winery restaurants, Minnesota magic, maple syrup boost, fly-in breakfast, and more from New York Wine Country.

Cheers!

Jim Trezise

The Wine Advocate Applauds Long Island, Finger Lakes Wines

Wine Advocate magazine's current edition features extensive coverage by Mark Squires on the Long Island and Finger Lakes regions, plus ratings of 88 wines which scored 90 or above. He rated 196 from Long Island, resulting in 73 90+ scores, and 55 from the Finger Lakes with 15 earning 90+. In total, there were forty-one 90's, twenty 91's, seventeen 92's, seven 93's, and three 94's.

Scores ranged from 85 to 94 on 251 wines tasted, with the average score at 88.98 overall, 89.03 for Long Island and 88.82 for Finger Lakes wines.

Both the editorial coverage and tastings focused primarily on Long Island, where Paumanok and Wolffer Estate led the way, both with multiple high ratings for wines of different types and vintages. Sheldrake Point topped a strong showing by Finger Lakes wineries This coverage is very significant in that Wine Advocate has rarely paid much attention to New York wines in the past.

Wolffer Estate 2012 Descecia Botrytis Chardonnay and 2012 Diosa Late Harvest from Long Island each received 94 ratings, as did Sheldrake Point 2014 Riesling Ice Wine from the Finger Lakes.

Long Island wines receiving 93 included Paumanok 2010 Late Harvest Riesling, 2007 Merlot Tuthill's Lane, 2010 Merlot Tuthills Lane, and 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vintage; and The Lenz Winery 2001 Merlot Old Vines. Finger Lakes wines with 93 included Red Newt 2012 Riesling "Sawmill Creek Vineyards - Fred Block", and Sheldrake Point 2014 Wild Ferment Riesling Ice Wine.

92 scores for Long Island wines included Jamesport 2010 Merlot; Lenz 2010 Chardonnay Ice Wine; Macari 2010 Viognier "Block E" and 2010 Bergen Road; Paumanok 2010 30th Anniversary Special Edition, 2007 Assemblage, and 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vintage; Roanoke 2010 Merlot; Shinn Estate 2005 Merlot Nine Barrels Reserve; The Grapes of Roth 2010 Merlot; The Lenz Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines, 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines, and 2007 Merlot Old Vines; and Wolffer 2002 Premier Cru Merlot, 2012 Christian's Cuvee Merlot, 1997 Chardonnay Estate Selection. Finger Lakes ratings of 92 went to Boundary Breaks 2013 Late Harvest Riesling No. 90; and Red Newt 2012 Riesling "Sawmill Creek Vineyards - South Block"

Long Island 91 scores included Bedell 2010 Musee; Channing Daughters 2013 L'Enfant Sauvage; McCall 2010 Pinot Noir Reserve "Corchaug Estate"; Paumanok 2010 Assemblage, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Tuthills Lane Vineyard, and 2014 Sauvignon Blanc; Shinn Estate 2011 Grace; Sparkling Pointe 2005 Brut Seduction; The Grapes of Roth 2002 Merlot; and Wolffer 2014 Grandioso, 2005 Cabernet Franc "Caya", 2013 Chardonnay Perle, 2012 White Mischief 2007 Fatalis Fatum, and 2012 Fatalis Fatum. Finger Lakes 91's went to Boundary Breaks 2012 Riesling Reserve "No. 198 Single Clone"; Red Newt 2012 Riesling "Sawmill Creek Vineyards - North Block", and 2012 Dry Riesling Reserve; and Sheldrake Point 2013 Dry Riesling Reserve.

Scores of 90 for Long Island wines: Anthony Nappa 2013 Sauvignon Blanc "reminisce and 2013 Riesling Eiswein "Leonardo"; Bedell 2013 Viognier, 2013 Gallery, and 2013 Sauvignon Blanc; Bouquet 2014 Rose "Bouke" and 2010 Red Wine "Bouke"; Channing Daughters 2013 Sylvanus and 2014 Rosato di Refosco "Home Farm Vineyard"; Coffee Pot Cellars 2010 Meritage and 2013 Chardonnay; Jamesport Vineyards 2012 Riesling and 2007 Jubilant Reserve; Lenz 1999 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer; Leo Family 2010 Red; Lieb 2013 Pinot Blanc Reserve; Macari 2014 Sauvignon Blanc "Katherine's Field" and 2013 Sauvignon Blanc "Katherine's Field"; McCall 2007 Pinot Noir Reserve "Corchaug Estate" and 2010 Merlot Reserve "Corchaug Estate Vineyard; Paumanok 2010 Petit Verdot "Apollo Drive Vineyard -- Limited Edition, 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling, and 2013 Minimalist Chardonnay; Pellegrini 2010 Chardonnay Vintner's Pride; Raphael 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon; Roanoke 2012 Cabernet Sauvgnon, 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon "Hill Block", and 2012 Gabby's Cabernet Franc; Shinn Estate 2010 Merlot Nine Barrels Reserve; The Grapes of Roth 2013 Virgin Berry Dry Riesling; Waters Crest 2010 Merlot; Wolffer Estate 2012 Cabernet Franc "Caya", 2005 Christian's Cuvee Merlot, 2012 Chardonnay Perle, 2012 Merlot Lambardo, and 2011 Noblesse Oblige Rose Extra Brut.

Ratings of 90 for Finger Lakes wines went to Dr. Frank 2013 Dry Riesling; Red Newt 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling, and 2012 Riesling "Bullhorn Creek Vineyard"; Sheldrake Point 2013 Gewurztraminer; Silver Springs 2012 Riesling "Don Giovanni"; and Wagner Vineyards 2012 Dry Riesling "Caywood East Vineyard".

Congratulations to all the wineries for an unprecedented showing in a very influential publication. New York wine has come of age.

New York Wine & Culinary Center Hits the Road

The New York Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua, where our offices are located, has lots of great things going on.

First, there's the Upstairs Bistro's new summer menu created by Executive Chef Andrew Chambers and his team, featuring what's fresh and local (or at least New York-produced). Among several new small plates are Curry Spice Rubbed Quail, and Littleneck Clams, with a fabulous Vegetable Couscous as one of the new sides. How about flat bread pizzas featuring Squash & Zuchinni, or Curried Lamb; or sandwiches like House Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork, and a Bistro Cuban. Main dishes include Pan-seared Montauk Scallops, Free Range Organic Chicken Breast, or Pan-roasted Duck Breast.

Oh, and don't forget the desserts, like Summery Berry Trifle, Lemon Thyme Cr�me Brulee, Berry & Cabernet Cheesecake, or Chocolate Kiss (a chocolate shell with mousse cream filling and raspberry coulis--Mmmmm!)

Accompanying the great foods is an eclectic New York wines list, plus a selection of New York craft beers and craft spirits in creative cocktails. The Upstairs Bistro is locavore/locapour at its finest. In fact, one woman, a physician and nutritionist, recently blogged: "It's official. I just had the best meal I have ever eaten. Hands down. And the best part? It was incredibly healthy as well as fabulously delicious!"

I know what she means. My office is 20 yards down the hall from the Upstairs Bistro, so I feel an obligation to be a taste tester, pretty much every day. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it!

So...why not take it on the road? Actually, the Center has been doing that for well over a year through its popular catering service, but now has kicked it up a notch with a...food truck! With offerings like Beef Brisket on Ciabatta, Grilled Chicken Salad, and Marinated Veggie Pita, the food truck has a busy schedule visiting wineries, breweries, concert venues, and other locations. It's another great way to get the word out about great New York foods.

Come taste for yourself. www.nywcc.com.

Chateau Frank Toasts 30 Years

Chateau Frank, the sparkling wine-only sister winery of Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, will celebrate 30 years tomorrow with an elegant reception, luncheon, and tour of the unique facility.

This was the dream project of the late Willy Frank, Dr. Frank's son, who eventually took over the original winery and brought it to a new level. His son Fred has propelled it even further ahead, and now Fred's daughter Meaghan is the fourth generation involved in the iconic family winery.

Willy's dream was to make world-class sparkling wine in the Finger Lakes, a dream which has come true. He planted the classic Champagne grapes--Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier--in a vineyard overlooking Seneca Lake. The "winery" itself is in the basement of a historic house high above Keuka Lake next to the Dr. Frank winery. It didn't take long for Chateau Frank wines to earn a reputation for quality, which is now widespread. The 2006 Blanc de Noirs, for example, has won an unprecedented string of Gold medals and Best of Show awards at major competitions.

The 30th anniversary celebration will also include a book signing by author Tom Russ of his new book, "Finger Lakes Wines and the Legacy of Dr. Konstantin Frank". The book is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and the winery's tasting room.

I am looking forward to celebrating with the Frank family, and thanking them for all they have contributed to our industry.

Free Run...

Brooklyn Winery and Knapp Winery Restaurant on Cayuga Lake were cited by Vinepair as being among the top eight winery restaurants in the country! Brooklyn Winery is making some great New York wines as well as emphasizing local foods. Knapp's restaurant, with Chef John McNabb at the helm, has long been a popular spot as well as a leader in the burgeoning locavore movement in the

Finger Lakes.

Owera Vineyards overlooking Cazenovia Lake has become the ultimate in locavore/locapour by now using its own-grown vegetables and beef as part of small plates menu at the winery caf�. Owera focuses on cold-hardy "Minnesota" varietals but also produces wine from others. New chef Rob Potter has created an eclectic menu which features beef, but also vegetarian options.

Marquette and other cold-hardy "Minnesota" grape varieties have allowed the growth of the New York wine industry in places never before associated with wine, according to a recent Associated Press article by Mary Esch. The Thousand Islands, Adirondacks, Lake Champlain, and even the upper Hudson Valley are too cold in winter for most grapes, but these varieties generally thrive. And, as been shown by many Gold medals, they can make some very good wines.

New York Maple Syrup has had a great year, overcoming a challenging winter to produce a record 601,000 gallons of syrup from more than 2.3 million taps across the state during the 2015 season, comfortably retaining its position as the #2 maple producing state.

Our friends in the maple sector not only produce lots of great syrup, but several other tasty maple-based goodies, and they're always a hit at New York Farm Day, which this year will be on September 9.

Fly-in Pancake Breakfast is always a highlight of the 4th of July here on Keuka Lake. Penn Yan has a small airport with lots of enthusiastic private pilots, along with their colleagues from neighboring lakes, so high above the sailboats is a steady stream of hungry fliers landing to get their pancakes graced with New York maple syrup.

Words on Wine...
"Good wine, well drunk, can lend majesty to the human spirit." M.F.K. Fisher