For those who receive Time Warner Cable in New York State, tune in at 9 pm tonight or 6 pm Sunday for an hour-long special featuring the growth and prospects of the New York wine industry: "The Grape State of New York".

                 TWC has been working on this show for months, and this week has been broadcasting "teaser" segments on specific topics: Learning the Basics of Wine; State Aims to Help Wine Industry Grow; Raising Awareness of Long Island Wines; and Brooklyn Rooftop Reds.

                  This special series is the latest example of how the wine industry is a major economic engine for the State, generating more than $5 billion annually in economic benefits.  It also shows how Governor Andrew Cuomo and his Administration understand that, and are taking concrete steps to increase that through policies and programs that stimulate industry growth.

                   Grab a glass of New York wine and tune in. 

                    Judging in the recent Canberra International Riesling Challenge was a fun and instructive learning experience (especially about Australian Dry Rieslings, which account for over 95% of their total Riesling production), as was a brief side trip around the Canberra District, which has about 30 wineries.  

                     I was especially lucky to have a transplanted Napa Valley winemaker, Bill Crowe, as my guide.  Bill previously worked with my friend (and his uncle) Scott Harvey of Scott Harvey Wines (and formerly Folie a Deux), and now has his own small winery (Four Winds Vineyard) which specializes in Riesling and also includes an outside wood-fired pizza oven which is a major attraction.  The winery also offers local cider and beer for those who prefer those beverages to wine.  Why not?  It means more sales.

                    The Aussies wisely skipped the stupid Prohibition debacle and its economically counterproductive aftermath that has made the United States 50 different countries when it comes to wine production, distribution, and consumption.  So, as just one example of the difference, Bill can ship his wines directly to consumers in any of Australia's seven states through the post office and without having to register his winery and pay a fee in each state.  Wow, what a concept!  

                     On a practical level, what that means is that he has one sheet of paper that tells him how much it will cost to send a certain number of bottles to a certain location--versus having to have a full-time person handling burdensome applications and compliance like we do here.

                    Besides buying wine directly from wineries, consumers may also purchase it at wine stores and grocery stores, which seem to coexist just fine.

                    Australia is a very civilized country. 

                    World Value Wine Challenge from the Beverage Testing Institute found several great New York wines which were also all rated "Best Buy".  They included:

Dr. Frank 2014 Gewurztraminer (93), 2014 Dry Riesling (92) and 2014 Gruner Veltliner (91); Glenora 2014 Gewurztraminer (93), and 2014 Chardonnay (91); and Knapp 2014 Dry Riesling (91), and 2014 Riesling (90).

                     Culinary History of the Finger Lakes--From the Three Sisters to Riesling, by Laura Winter Falk, is a terrific little book that blends history of the region with recipes and wine pairings reflective of various periods.  The first chapter, "The Iroquois and the Three Sisters", describes corn, beans, and squash as the staples of that era and community.  "Three Sisters Soup", paired with Cayuga Ridge Chardonnay, was created by Mary Jane Challen-Kircher of the Copper Oven bistro located inside Cayuga Ridge winery, owned by her parents.  At the other end of the book is a discussion about the emergence of Riesling as the region's signature wine, and a recipe for Beet Tower by Suzanne Stack of Suzanne Fine Regional Cuisine.

                      Published by American Palate, this is a fun and friendly book with lots of interesting information and recipes to try.

                      "A Wine Lover's Getaway to the Hudson Valley" appeared yesterday in "The Daily Sip" blog, with the subtitle, "Get a breath of fresh air in New York wine country".  The piece recommended stops at Brotherhood, Millbrook, Clinton Vineyards, and  Benmarl, along with the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, and the Culinary Institute of America.

                       Separately, Wine Enthusiast highlighted Palaia Vineyards in the Hudson Valley and Wagner Vineyards in the Finger Lakes among "11 Spots to Sip Wine and Soak Up Fall Views" throughout the world. But hurry: Fall is moving on.