Sunday, October 22, 2006
ATWATER ESTATE VINEYARDS made New York proud by winning “Best North American Riesling” at the Grand Hyatt National Riesling Championship held recently in Australia. Our friends Down Under take Riesling very seriously, make it very well, preserve its fruity, freshness with screwcaps, and host one of the world’s toughest and most respected competitions. Last year’s same honor went to Sheldrake Point Ice Wine from Cayuga Lake, and now Atwater’s Seneca Lake wine again confirms that the Finger Lakes is Riesling Heaven. Located at the southeast end of Seneca Lake known as the “banana belt” for its comparatively warm climate, Atwater (http://www.atwatervineyards.com) has won many awards over the years, but this is certainly the icing on the cake. Congratulations to Ted Marks and his crew for a great accomplishment.
75,000 WINE LABELS is roughly what the federal Tax and Trade Bureau reviews and approves each year, which means there’s a lot of competition out there, which for some consumers represents clutter and confusion. Wine competition results help guide many consumers, along with recommendations from publications like The Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator, which both included major New York coverage for the first time this year. Our recently unveiled “New York’s Great Grapes” series of merchandising and point-of-sale materials, available on our web site (http://www.newyorkwines.org), is also designed to cut through the clutter by giving retailers and consumers basic information that can be tied to individual brands. For New York’s top award-winning wines, visit our web site and click on “New York Gold.”
“NO VACANCY” is a common response these days in Finger Lakes wine country, even at a time of year that not so long ago used to be totally dead. I’ve received many emails from friends wanting to visit the area but can’t find rooms anywhere—hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, rental cottages—because everything is booked. In November! This is a direct result of wine trails and wineries hosting events, and word of mouth that Wine Country is a great place to visit any time of the year. Lots of new accommodations have opened, but there’s still no room at the inn—yet another example of the wine industry’s huge multiplier effect benefiting the local economy. Wine—the locomotive pulling the train of economic development.
FIVS (International Federation of Wines and Spirits) is just as important to the New York grape and wine industry on an international level as WineAmerica and Winegrape Growers of America are on a national level. Grapes and wine are global commodities subject to international laws and regulations which affect our industry members from eastern Long Island to our western border with Pennsylvania. Headed by Jim Finkle of New York-based Constellation Brands, FIVS is an international association of associations (such as the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and Wine Institute from California) with members from about 25 countries. Twice each year, and this week in Luxemburg, they convene to compare notes and develop consensus policies on important issues like labeling regulations, trade barriers, and taxation. Those broad-based industry positions have a major effect on inter-governmental organizations like the International Organization of Vines and Wines, World Health Organization, and World Trade Organization. Whether on a local, statewide, national, or international level, diversity is our strength and unity is our power. FIVS is the path to international power.
MEDITERRANEAN DIET, including regular, moderate wine consumption, has multiple health benefits for most consumers due to the antioxidants and polyphenols of cereals, wine, fruits, nuts, legumes, fish and olive oil. Here are some recent findings published in peer-reviewed professional medical and scientific journals:
Greater adherence by Americans to a Mediterranean-style diet could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 68% (Archives of Neurology)
Consuming a Mediterranean diet with extra nuts or olive oil is significantly better for heart health than a low-fat diet (Annals of Internal Medicine)
People who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet are 60% less likely to be obese (Nutrition)
Adopting a Mediterranean-type diet can have significant benefits on cholesterol levels (Journal of Nutrition)
A 60-year-old who follows the Mediterranean diet can expect to live a year longer than peers who consume foods commonly eaten in northern Europe (British Medical Journal online)
Moderate consumption of wine is associated with a lower risk of mortality from all causes in people with raised blood pressure (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)
The bottom line: A Mediterranean-style diet is VERY good for you – and tastes great too, so it’s not like this is about sacrifice. For the latest on wine consumption and health, come to Viticulture 2007 and listen to Dr. Curtis Ellison of Boston University Medical Center and the Institute of Lifestyle and Health. Dr. Ellison has twice appeared on 60 Minutes to explain the French Paradox: Why French people with a seemingly unhealthy lifestyle have less heart disease than Americans. The answer: Moderate, regular wine consumption.
“Abstinence is a risk factor.”
--Dr. Curtis Ellison
A Votre Santé To Your Health
Jim Trezise
fax
JimTrezise@nywgf.org, email
http://www.newyorkwines.org/, web