New York wines once again did well at the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition, starting with four Double Golds getting high points as well: Castel Grisch 2013 Riesling Ice Wine (94); Coyote Moon 2014 Semi-Sparkling Moscato (96); Goose Watch 2015 Pinot Grigio (96); and Penguin Bay 2015 Pinot Grigio (98).

                   Gold medals, with scores from 89 to 91, went to Belhurst 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon; Castel Grisch 2013 Vidal Ice Wine; Coyote Moon Fire Boat White, and 2014 Cherry Bomb; Keuka Spring 2015 Riesling, Humphreys Vineyard, 2015 Semi-Sweet Riesling, and 2015 Gewurztraminer; Lamoreaux Landing 2015 Vidal Ice Wine; Penguin Bay 2015 Riesling, Percussion, and 2013 Vidal Ice Wine; and Whitecliff 2013 Sky Island.

                   There were also 29 Silver and 29 Bronze awards for New York wines.

                   At the International Women's Wine Competition, Torrey Ridge 2015 Catawba won Best of Class, while Gold medals went to Bet the Farm 2015 Chardonnay, Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2014 Riesling, Earl Estates 2015 Black Jewel, and Torrey Ridge 2013 Dry Riesling.  There were also 14 Silver and 10 Bronze awards for New York wines.

                      Anyone who has been around for more than a few years knows that the quality of New York wines has improved dramatically, and consistently, among vintages and wineries.  This is a tribute to the grape growers who focus on quality, the winemakers who maximize it, and the many people who work together toward that common goal.

                     Underlying it all is a solid foundation of research conducted by Cornell scientists and disseminated by Cornell Cooperative Extension experts.  Unlike promotion, which is typically loud, flashy, and immediate, research is quiet, deliberate, and long-term.  But every bit as important.

                     This week the National Grape and Wine Initiative (NGWI) Board of Directors met in Monterey, CA, confirming the importance of research on a national and international level as well.  NGWI was created over 10 years ago to determine national research priorities for all things grape--grape juice, table grapes, raisins, and wine--and to find ways to make that research happen.

                      A great example of research's bottom-line importance came during a presentation showing the economic impact of when a grower begins treating the vineyards for a particular vine disease.  If treatment began right away, the returns (yields, and profits) were excellent, but if it began even just a few years in, the vines slowly died while the losses mounted.  The economist who gave the presentation used the analogy of starting to use sunscreen when young versus waiting until adulthood relative to the risk of skin cancer.

                    NGWI has a new President, Camron King, who is bringing a new perspective to the organization as it continues its vital role.  It's an important organization, and we're happy to support it.

                       WineAmerica is another vital organization that every American winery should join.

                        Based in Washington, the national organization of American wineries protects and advances the interests of our industry in conjunction with an excellent government affairs firm, Meyers & Associates.  This week, we were pleased that the Department of Justice issued a ruling that will help protect wineries from unfair music licensing practices.

                       WineAmerica's Tara Good has taken the lead on this issue, and done a great job.  It's very complicated legally, but very simple economically: Performing Rights Organizations (PRO's) like ASCAP and BMI want to charge wineries as much as possible for music they play in their tasting rooms, at special events, and elsewhere.

                       Many wineries throughout the country have reported highly unpleasant experiences with these companies in terms of their aggressive approach and exorbitant fees.  An increasing number are simply not using music anymore.  Wineries are not alone: Many types of businesses have had the same experiences, so a broad-based coalition has been formed to deal with it, and we have also met with the staffs of Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer.

                       This week's DOJ ruling refused to change an existing consent decree in response to anti-competitive behavior--which has been in effect since 1941, so obviously there's a long-term pattern of misbehavior.  WineAmerica weighed in on the issue last November, and applauded this week's decision (www.wineamerica.org).

                       This is just the latest example of how a modest investment in WineAmerica can provide a very handsome return.  To wineries that are members, thank you.  To all others, stop being a freeloader and get involved.