Saturday, August 4, 2007
NEW YORK GOLD was discovered again last week in Indianapolis at the Indy International Wine Competition, where New York wineries copped 141 medals including 4 Double Gold (called “Concurrence Gold” at Indy), 16 Gold, 69 Silver, and 52 Bronze awards. The Double Golds included Brotherhood 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dr. Frank 2006 Dry Riesling (again!), Torrey Ridge Red Raspberry Mead, and Catawba—once again confirming high quality among a diversity of wines. Gold medals went to Cascata 2006 Cascade Riesling, Cayuga Ridge Estate 2006 Cayuga White, Dr. Frank 2006 Semi-Dry Riesling and 2006 Rkatsiteli, Duck Walk Boysenberry, Earle Estates Semi-Sweet Mead and Catawba, Glenora 2006 Dry Riesling, Hazlitt Lame Duck (Concord/Delaware blend), Lakewood 2006 Riesling, Long Point 2005 Merlot, Montezuma Sparkling Mead, Thirsty Owl 2006 Diamond, Torrey Ridge Diamond, and White Springs 2006 Sauvignon Blanc and 2004 Cabernet Franc Rosé. Your most reliable New York wine shopping list can be found under “New York Gold” at http://www.newyorkwines.org.
THE OPICI WINE GROUP has announced the consolidation of Finger Lakes Premium Wines, representing 16 Finger Lakes wineries, starting on September 1. Opici (pronounced Oh-Peachy), has retained Ron Reals, who built Finger Lakes Premium Wines in conjunction with Anthony Road Wine Company, with the sales force expanding 10-fold from 3 to 30. Opici is one of the country’s largest independent and family-owned premium wine distributors in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida markets—all primed for New York wines—and nationally through its Opici Import Company. Ron Reals has done a fabulous job getting relatively small Finger Lakes wineries distribution in key markets, which will now multiply with Opici’s sales force, especially in conjunction with our “New York Wines & Dines” program in October in New York City, and “New York Wine Month” in November in other major New York State markets. In addition, the adjoining states and Florida represent a major market opportunity for New York wines. It’s encouraging that distributors, retailers, and restaurants and now recognizing the quality and value of New York wines.
NIAGARA WINE TRAIL USA, New York’s newest and one of the fastest growing, got some nice ink in The Wine Buzz, which lures lots of Ohio and Pennsylvania residents into western New York wine country. Citing the grape growing similarities to Ontario, Canada’s fine winegrowing region which shares the same basic characteristics, the piece did a great job summarizing the “buzz” about all the growth and prospects, including great places to eat and stay—not to mention Niagara Falls, one of the world’s “seven wonders” and greatest attractions. The Niagara Wine Trail has received a “regional branding” grant from us to highlight all these attractions. Interestingly, The Wine Buzz cover actually showed a gorgeous view of Canandaigua Lake (Finger Lakes) vineyards shot by our photographer Randy Tagg, who also had another great photo in “Cheers” (a trade magazine) of The Old Field Vineyards on Long Island, leading into an “Emerging Regions” article.
CONCORD GRAPE JUICE, which accounts for about 3/4ths of New York State’s total annual grape “crush”, is a focus of a major promotion sponsored by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. The promotion is made possible by leadership from Senator Catharine Young (Chair, Agriculture Committee) and her Senate colleagues, with support by Assembly Agriculture Committee Chairman Bill Magee and approval by Governor Eliot Spitzer. In October, a group of journalists specializing in food, health and nutrition will visit the New York Wine & Culinary Center for seminars by renowned scientists on the health benefits of Concord grape juice; a Concord-based cooking demonstration by the Center’s Executive Chef Dan Martello; a visit to Jim Bedient’s Concord vineyard, including a ride on the harvester; a barrel room dinner at Fox Run Vineyards; and a “hands-on” cooking drill where they’ll create their own dishes using Concord grape juice. In addition, the Holiday edition of Wegmans MENU magazine will feature a full-page ad for Concord grape juice, with lots of radio advertising to support it. Recently, a mailing to over 2,700 dietitians and nutritionists included a brochure on the health benefits of Concord grape juice, along with recipe cards for healthy recipes (with nutritional information) like a Concord Grape Shake, Buckwheat Pancakes with Concord Grape and Black Currant Syrup, Pan Seared Salmon with Sunflower Seed Crust and Concord Grape Sauce, Upstate New York Chicken, and Concord Poached Pears. The recipes were developed by New York Wine & Culinary Center Executive Chef Dan Martello, and are available at http://www.healthyconcordgrapes.com.
TABLE GRAPES, which account for only about 2% of New York’s annual tonnage, nevertheless are an important part of the industry—as U-Pick operations, at farmers’ markets, and in locally focused grocery stores like Wegmans—which is why we’re also doing a table grape promotion this fall. Like the Concord grape juice promotion, this is being orchestrated by Mason Selkowitz McDermott of Penfield, which has done such a great job for the New York Apple Association as well. Key elements will include adaptable point-of-sale materials, a web site listing sources of table grapes, and radio advertising. Concord is the most common table grape, but there’s literally a rainbow of colors and flavors with others like Catawba, Niagara, Vanessa, Himrod, and Einset. The early ripeners will be available in a little over a month. Meanwhile, grapes and grape seed extract got a nice plug in Women’s Health, which noted the anti-cancer benefits of both products.
IMAGINE MOORE WINERY in Naples at the south end of Canandaigua Lake is New York’s newest (another week, another winery), and reflects the creativity and philosophy of Tim and Diane Moore. For 10 years, Tim, who trained at UC Davis, has been Director of Grower Relations for Centerra Wine Company (part of Constellation Brands), was a key part of our Viticulture 2007 team, and has now realized a dream with his own winery. “Sustainability” is a common thread, from using recycled materials from older homes in the tasting room to sourcing grapes from growers who focus on sustainability. The first five wines are Imagine Moore Joy, Love, Peace, Harmony and Change, ranging from a dry Riesling to a red table wine, with Cabernet Franc Wisdom and a Cab-Syrah blend (Synchronicity) to be released later this year. The tasting room is on Main St. in Naples, featuring a great view of the Naples Valley and surrounding hills; phone is 585-374-5970.
NEW YORK WINE & FOOD CLASSIC happens this week in Napa, which means that the entire NYWGF staff will be out, and there probably won’t be a Wine Press next weekend. But watch for the key results in a press release toward the end of the week. Best of luck to the 790 wines entered!
“Wine is sunlight, held together by water.”
--Galileo
A Votre Santé To Your Health
Jim Trezise
