July 25, 2015

 

             New York Gold from Long Beach, Classic coming up, NY wine's global benefits, Taste NY, and more from New York Wine Country. 

 

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

 

 Long Beach Loves New York Wines

 

                 Goose Watch Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc Rose was the Sweepstakes (Best of Show) winner in that category, leading a strong showing of New York wines at the Long Beach Grand Cru competition organized by California wine journalist Dan Berger.  Goose Watch also won Gold medals for its 2014 Traminette and 2013 Cabernet Franc Ice, while sister winery Swedish Hill took a Double Gold for 2014 Vignoles, as well as Golds for 2014 Blue Waters Riesling, and 2014 Riesling.

 

                 Chairman's Best of Class (and Double Gold) awards went to Anyela's 2013 Riesling; Coyote Moon 2012 Marquette; Thirsty Owl 2014 Gewurztraminer, 2014 Snow Owl, and 2013 Diamond; and Wagner Vineyards 2013 Fathom.

 

                 A Double Gold medal was awarded to Coyote Moon 2013 Marquette, while Gold medals went to Anyela's 2013 Dry Riesling; Coyote Moon 2013 Brianna and 2013 Fireboat Red; Fulkerson 2014 Juicy Sweet Diamond; Thirsty Owl 2013 Riesling (Lahoma Vineyard), 2014 Riesling, and 2014 Chardonnay; and Wagner 2013 Riesling.

 

                 Next up, this week, is the fabulous INDY International Wine Competition held at Purdue University.  The competition's Executive Director, enology specialist Jill Blume, is a judge at our New York Wine & Food Classic in a couple weeks.  Stay tuned for lots of Gold.

                                  

                   

"The Oscars" of New York Wine...                           
 
                   The New York Wine & Food Classic, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, will take place on August 11 & 12 at the fabulous Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, with a record number of entries (more than 900) and a great panel of international judges to determine the best of the best.
                    Known as "The Oscars" of New York wine, the Classic is highly respected for its integrity, efficiency, quality of judges, and promotion of the top scoring wines, which often sell out within days.  As always, there will be one full day of judging by seven different panels, followed the second morning by the "Governor's Cup" tasteoffs to determine the best wines in each major category and, ultimately, of the entire competition.  Last year it was Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling.  The other top award, "Winery of the Year" for best overall showing, went to Macari Vineyards on Long Island. 
                  This year's 21 judges hail from New York (State and City), California, several other states, London, and Paris, and represent diversity in the professional areas of the wine world:
 
--Jessica Altieri, Certifed Sommelier and CEO, Wine Channel TV Network, Chicago
--Julie Arkell, Freelance Wine & Spirits Writer & Author, London
--Kathy Arnick, Lecturer, Viticulture & Enology, Cornell University
--Jill Blume, Enology Specialist, Purdue University, and Executive Director INDY International Wine Competition
--Bernard Burtschy, Wine Columnist, Le Figaro, Paris
--Rene Chazottes, Wine Director, Maitre Sommelier, The Pacific Club, Newport Beach, California
--Patrick Comiskey, Senior Editor, Wine & Spirits Magazine, Los Angeles
--Richard Dreher, Assistant General Manager and Beverage Director, Monument Lane, New York City
--Traci Dutton, Manager of Public Wine & Beverage Studies, Culinary Institute of America, St. Helena, CA
--Anna Lee Iijima, Contributing Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, New York
--Aimee Lasseigne New, Assistant Manager, Bottlerocket Wine & Spirits, New York
--Ann Littlefield, International Wine & Spirits Marketing, Napa, CA
--Bill Mahoney, Wine Manager, Premium Wine & Spirits, Williamsville, NY
--Dr. Anna Katharine Mansfield, Associate Professor of Enology, Cornell
--Ann Miller, Marketing Manager, St. James Winery, Missouri
--Jerry Pellegrino, Chef/Owner, Waterfront Kitchen, Baltimore
--Mike Riley, Wine & Spirits Director of Operations & Educations, Wegmans
--Coke Roth, Wine Consultant, Writer & Attorney, Kennewick, Washington
--Stephanie Rudat, General Manager & Wine Buyer, Ryans Wine & Spirits, Canandaigua, NY
--Dr. Bob Small, Professor Emeritus & Wine Book Author, Pomona, CA
--Patrick Watson, Owner, Back Label Wine Merchants, Stinky Bklyn, The Jake Walk Wine Bar, Manhattan and Brooklyn.
 
                  This is the first major wine competition where a majority of the judges are women (other than women-themed competitions).  And this year we've also invited five non-voting "guest judges" from the New York Wine & Culinary Center, which does such a great job promoting New York wines, other craft beverages and foods.  The Classic gives them the best opportunity possible to taste a wide range of New York wines--and figure out which ones they want to feature.
 
                  Judges are great, but wouldn't ever get to taste any wines without the backroom staff, and under the supervision of Teresa Knapp (a.k.a. New York Wine Boss) we have the best and most efficient one on the planet Earth.
 
                  Best of all, the Classic starts out with an incredible Welcome Dinner on Monday night for the judges and staff at nearby Lakewood VineyardsChef Jerry Pellegrino and Sous-Chef Coke Roth, with help from a bunch of us kitchen elves, put together an incredible feast of Northwest Salmon (thanks, Coke!), fresh local vegetables and fruits, local meats, and more--all topped off with Dr. Bob's ice cream.  It's a great way to start a great event!
 
                  Watch for the results on Wednesday, August 12.  Then go buy the wines!
Free Run...                                                           
    
                    N.Y. Wine Tasting, Global Benefits was the headline of a major front-page story by business journalist Mary Chao in Sunday's Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.  I knew the article was coming, but didn't know it would be so lengthy or certainly that it would dominate a Sunday front page.
                   The long article focused on the strong growth of the Finger Lakes wine industry, the recent success of local wines in overseas markets, and the challenges and opportunities the industry faces.  The growth of our industry, in the Finger Lakes and elsewhere, is great, but it's also vital that we grow the market for New York wines so everyone can have a sizable piece of the pie.
                   Sunday front page in a Gannett newspaper: It's great to have this kind of publicity.               
 
                  Taste NY program orchestrated by the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets continues to expand its reach with different partnerships throughout the State.  Most recently is the New York Wine & Culinary Center, which for nearly 10 years now has been actively educating consumers and others about the great wines, beers, spirits, and ciders made in New York--not to mention all kinds of wonderful foods.
                   The partnership will mean new branding opportunities for Taste NY, as well as broader recognition and promotion for the Center.  The Taste NY logo will appear not only in promotional avenues, but also on the new food truck and many other places.
 
                   In addition, Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball recently announced a partnership with Cornell and the Geneva Experiment Station to do major research on hops and barley production for the craft brewing industry.  The number of craft breweries is increasing substantially, which provides a great opportunity to grow this segment of New York agriculture.
 
                   Kelby James Russell 2014 Nutt Vineyard Dry Rose was one of just eight Roses from around the world recently recommended by Wine Enthusiast magazine.  The winemaker for highly respected Red Newt Cellars, Kelby boldly launched his own brand with nothing but Rose--and it paid off.  It's a great wine that has already received lots of attention and accolades.
                   In fact, Dry Rose as a category appears to be "the next Riesling" for the Finger Lakes region--consistently excellent wines regardless of vintage or variety (Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir).  Reflected by the huge surge in Dry Rose entries in this year's New York Wine & Food Classic competition, the number of producers has multiplied, as most likely will the number of medals.  The best news: Consumers love it!
                     
           
Words on Wine...                             
                               
                   "Wine, when taken without excess, is a tonic for the muscles and a stimulant for the mind."
                                                                              --Dr. Widal
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