July 11, 2015

 

             More awards, beverage trails, new materials, a mini-Summit, Chobani goes national, and more from New York Wine Country. 

 

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

 

 Awards from Ultimate Wine Challenge and FLX Riesling Challenge

 

                 Three New York wines won the coveted Chairman's Trophy at the Ultimate Wine Challenge.  Dr. Frank 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling (Gold, 94) and 2013 Pinot Gris were joined by Casa Larga 2010 Fiori Vidal Blanc Ice Wine (Gold, 95).

                Other Gold medals went to Chateau Frank 2008 Brut (92), 2009 Blanc de Noirs (91) and 2009 (90), with Dr. Frank also receiving a Gold (91) for its 2013 Riesling.

 

                 Meanwhile, the Finger Lakes AVA Riesling Challenge rated the top Rieslings in the region, grouped according to the International Riesling Foundation's Riesling Taste Profile categories, with the Best in Class awarded to:

 

Dry: Wagner Vineyards 2013 Dry Riesling

Medium Dry: Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2014 Dry Riesling

Medium Sweet: Wagner Vineyards 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling

Sweet: Sheldrake Point Winery 2014 Luckystone Riesling

Dessert: Sheldrake Point Winery 2014 Wild Ferment Riesling Ice Wine

 

                There were also several Gold medal wines in those categories:

 

Dry: Lakewood Vineyards 2013 3 Generations Riesling; Thirsty Owl Wine Company 2014 Dry Riesling; Barnstormer Winery 2014 Dry Riesling; Lucas Vineyards 2012 Dry Riesling; Hosmer Winery 2013 Dry Riesling; Keuka Spring Vineyards 2014 Humphreys Vineyard Riesling; and Penguin Bay Winery 2014 Dry Riesling.

 

Medium Dry: Damiani Wine Cellars 2012 Davis Vineyard Dry Riesling; Lucas Vineyards 2013 Dry Riesling; Silver Thread Vineyard 2014 Doyle Fournier Riesling; and Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 2013 Red Oak Vineyard Riesling.

 

Medium Sweet: Lakewood 2014 Riesling; Silver Thread 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling; Billsboro Winery 2013 Sawmill Creek Vineyard Riesling; and Anthony Road Wine Company 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling.

 

Sweet: Dr. Konstantin Frank 2013 Reserve Riesling; and Rooster Hill Winery 2013  Semi-Sweet Riesling Reserve.

 

Dessert: White Springs Winery 2013 Late Harvest Riesling; Glenora Wine Cellars 2014 Riesling Ice Wine; Boundary Breaks 2013 Late Harvest Riesling 90; and Sheldrake Point 2014 Riesling Ice Wine.

 

                  These wines will be featured at a Grand Tasting on August 21 during the Wine Symposium of the Finger Lakes in Geneva, which will also include several panels of specialists on various topics.  For more information and tickets, visit http://winesymposiumfingelakes.com

 

                  In my coverage of Wine Advocate scores last weekend, I inadvertently omitted two 91 scores for Roanoke Vineyards: 2007 Merlot, and 2012 "Single Acre" Merlot.  I congratulate them, and apologize for the mistake.

 

                 Next weekend is the Long Beach Grand Cru competition where New York wines consistently do well, and then...our own New York Wine & Food Classic with a record number of entries on August 11 & 12.

 

                 Lots of Gold coming up!

                

                   

                   

Beverage Trails Everywhere!                           
 
                   The Cayuga Wine Trail, now over 30 years old, was the first wine trail not just in New York but the entire nation, and their success inspired many others to capitalize on the benefits of cooperation.  There are now nearly 20 wine trails in regions throughout New York, and many in other states as well.
 
                    Now the trend is toward beverage trails of farm-based craft beverages including various combinations of wine, beer, spirits and cider.  The most recent example is the Schoharie County Beverage Trail near Albany that includes Royal Meadery, KyMar Farm Winery and Distiller, Barber's Farm Distillery, and Green Wolf Brewing Company.
 
                    Actually, beverage trails are not entirely new: The Cooperstown Beverage Trail near the Baseball Hall of Fame has been around for years and includes wineries, cideries, and breweries; and the Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail joining New York and Massachusetts also features a diverse line-up of beverages.
 
                    Another new one, spearheaded by Jason Barrett, owner of Black Button Distilling in Rochester, is the Rochester Craft Beverage Trail extending into the Finger Lakes.  And there are many others in the works.
 
                    There are also cheese trails, maple trails, cuisine trails and others which guide tourists to different businesses in a specific geographic area so they can learn, taste, and buy.  These are all being encouraged by the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets under the leadership of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.
 
                     In all cases, the secret of success if cooperation.  One winery (or brewery, or distillery) is a local curiosity, but a group of them becomes a destination, and they all benefit from heavier tourist traffic.  Cooperation Pay$.
                    
 Rack Cards, Restaurant Cards...

 

                   For years we have published a highly popular "Uncork New York" statewide winery guide--48 pages of general information, detailed maps, gorgeous photos by Randy Tagg, and a superb layout by Book Marshall.  There's great demand for it, but we have a limited supply driven by budget constraints.

 

                   So...we now have a simple but attractive "Uncork New York" rack card highlighting our web site (www.NewYorkWines.org) with the menu of contents on one side, and the other including a regional wine map of New York State, guidelines for chilling wine, and tips for wine tasting.  We'll be circulating these to all the businesses that get the large guide, but many more as well, including wineries, tourism agencies, and elsewhere.

 

                   "The meal was fine...but where's the New York wine?"  That's the question on the cover of  our new Restaurant Card--a "leave-behind" that diners may use at restaurants that don't support New York wines.  On the inside is space for the customer name and phone number, and the date of the meal; and on the back is contact information for our organization for restaurateurs who want to get more information.

                     Anyone interested in the Restaurant Card or rack card should contact Bonnie Hampton ([email protected], 585-394-3620, ext. 201)

 

                     Those are just a couple of new items.  But wait until you see what we'll unveil in August!                    

 

Free Run...                                                           
                     Mini-Summit is what it felt like to me: A meeting on Thursday at the New York Wine & Culinary Center that had a panel of producers of wine, beer, spirits, and cider, plus industry members in the audience, and top Administration officials engaging with the industry.
                     Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball and new State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley each make brief remarks, but mostly took copious notes as industry members offered suggestions for how things could improve.  It was just the latest show of support for the farm-based craft beverage sector by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, which we greatly appreciate.
 
                     Chobani Greek Yogurt has been selected by the United States Department of Agriculture as the main supplier nationwide of Greek Yogurt for the federal school lunch program, serving students from K-12.  This an awesome accomplishment, and well deserved.
                     Chobani really started the huge yogurt boom, which quickly propelled New York State as America's #1 yogurt producing state!  They have also been a popular presence at New York Farm Day, which this year will occur on September 9.
           
Words on Wine...                             
                               
                   "Wine...cheereth God and man."
                                                                  Judges 9:13
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