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Penn Yan, NY (May 3, 2008) – NEW YORK GOLD was mined in San Bernardino, CA last week at the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition run by the inimitable Don Galleano. Topping the New York winners’ list was Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2005 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay which won Double Gold and Best of Class in the under $15 price category (in California!), with that winery’s 2006 Johannisberg Riesling also earning a Gold. Other Gold medals went to Belhurst 2006 Dry Riesling and 2006 Cayuga, Chateau Frank Célebre (a Riesling-based sparkling wine), Dr. Frank 2006 Rkatsiteli, Glenora 2001 Blanc de Blanc, Hazlitt 2007 Homestead Reserve Riesling, Hunt Country 2007 Off Dry Riesling and 2007 Late Harvest Vignoles, Lieb Cabernet Franc, Merritt Estate Bella Rosa and Chautauqua Blush, Prejean 2006 Cabernet Franc, and Wagner 2006 Semi-Dry Riesling. New York wines also won 27 Silver and 15 Bronze medals, bringing the total to nearly 50 awards. Some non-New York results were also fascinating: Forty Five North winery from Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula took Best White Wine (of any type) with its 2007 Dry Riesling, along with Double Golds and Best of Class for its 2007 Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir Rosé; and Mission Hill Family Estate from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada, took four Double Gold/Best of Class awards ( Pinot Blanc, Riesling Ice Wine, White Meritage, and Chardonnay ($15-$30 price range)). The Best of Class Riesling awards went to Forty Five North from Michigan (Dry), Mission Hill from BC (Ice Wine), V. Sattui from Napa Valley (Off Dry), and Prix Vineyards (Sweet), also from Napa Valley. Just goes to show you that great wines are being made in many places these days, which is good for everyone. Competition based on quality raises the bar, which means consumers get better wines, which drives up demand, which drives up production. It’s an upward spiral, and a win-win-wine situation.
NEW YORK WINE MONTH (April) is now history, which may repeat itself this fall, given the enthusiastic reactions and reports from wholesalers, wineries, restaurants and retailers. Elmira Distributing Company, established over a century ago and distributing New York wines since the 1930’s, did a great job representing New York wines to restaurant and retail accounts—increasing its April sales of New York wines by over 90% in just the first three weeks compared to the entire month in 2007. In addition, due to many tastings conducted by their representatives, EDC’s placements of New York wines this year have nearly tripled. Many thanks to the company’s president, Toby Lagoenegro, and his colleagues for their aggressive support of New York wines.
HUDSON VALLEY WINES may finally start getting some of the recognition and sales they deserve as a result of several new initiatives. The Dutchess Wine Trail worked with nearby Marist College under an NYWGF grant to develop a web site (www.dutchesswinetrial.com) that not only describes the trail, wineries and wines, but also lets consumers buy them online on the spot. With leadership by Phyllis Feder (co-owner of Clinton Vineyards and President of the Dutchess Wine Trail) and Susan Wine (Rivendell Winery, Vintage New York, and Shawangunk Wine Trail), a “Hudson Valley Wines” regional branding program funded by NYWGF is now also underway. Another grant has funded a planning study for a Hudson River Valley Wine & Culinary Center, which appears to be another promising way to promote the historic region’s wines and foods, as well as other New York wines. Research capabilities in the region have also been expanded and upgraded, promising quality improvements in the future. Given its location just up the river from Manhattan, which is bordered on the west by the Hudson River, this region should be a natural magnet for City dwellers— who really need to get out more.
WINE OPINIONS market research by Napa Valley-based John Gillespie and Christian Miller shows that New York City residents have a relatively low winery visitation rate compared with Upstate New York residents (as well as those from other states), and are therefore relatively unaware of the “Wine Country” surrounding them, especially in the nearby Hudson Valley and Long Island regions. (This phenomenon is reminiscent of the classic poster showing New York City as the beginning and end of the world.) Fortunately, Metro North and Enterprise Rent-a-Car are trying to lend a hand, with a seamless train-car package from Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal to 23 different stations up valley. Basically, when you get off the train, your car or an Enterprise representative will be waiting for you so you can immediately drive on to your destination. On the way back, you just leave the car at any of the 23 stations, put the keys in a lockbox, and hop back on a train for the Big Apple. Since many New York City residents don’t have cars (for very good reasons), maybe this convenient system will help get them out the City to discover the wine country right in their own backyard.
CLINTON VINEYARDS in the Hudson Valley will celebrate its 30th anniversary release on June 14 with a special tasting of its wines paured with local foods, and a farmers’ market featuring local food producers. Ben Feder, now a young and vital 85, planted his vineyards in the mid-70’s, focusing on Seyval Blanc table and sparkling wines, which in recent years have been joined by luscious fruit wines. Clinton Vineyards has always been a strong supporter of industry organizations, and Phyllis Feder showed tremendous leadership during her three years as Chair of the NYWGF Board of Directors. Tickets for the event are just $35 (www.clintonvineyards.com).
MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE (www.mohonk.com) will be the scene of our 2008 New York Wine & Food Classic wine competition, thanks to Phyllis’s recommendation. On August 18-20, expert judges from around the country will select the best wines New York has to offer, and also get a taste of the historic and emerging Hudson Valley wine region.
VINTAGE NEW YORK WINE BAR, an offshoot of the Hudson Valley’s Rivendell Winery and the Vintage New York wine shops in Soho and on upper Broadway, finally got a bit of the recognition it deserves. An article in Gotham magazine mentioned not only the 200 different New York wines they feature, but also the New York foods. For years, owner Bob Ransom has preached, “Eat Local, Drink Local,” and it’s nice to see a publication understand why that makes sense.
FROST DAMAGE is something that eastern and midwestern winegrowers often fear and discuss, but this year it’s our friendly competitors in California who are shaking their heads and wringing their hands. A highly unusual series of April frosts have hit northern California, killing buds and reducing the potential crop significantly in Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles and other regions. At the judges’ welcome dinner last night in Riverside, one wine maker told me he has lost 25% of his crop, and thinks that is about average for the regions affected. This is a very rare occurrence in California, and while we are all competitors in the market, weather-related damage is something we never wish on anyone. It’s a reminder that, first and foremost, wine is farming.
“Grapes are the most noble and challenging of fruits.”
--Malcolm Dunn, Head Gardener of Powerscourt, 1867
A Votre Santé To Your Health |
