No Such Thing as a Normal Harvest for Grapes in New York

From Jim Trezise at the New York Wine and Grape Foundation

This year's harvest once again proved that there is no such thing as a "normal harvest" in New York state, in contrast to some other regions where things are more predictable.

After a comparatively warm winter relative to the previous few years, what became the key issue was an unusual drought -- at one point classified as "extreme," beyond "severe"-- in the Finger Lakes and some other regions.  

But at the end of the day (or year), the 2016 harvest was generally one of superb quality, and the reduction in drought-induced quantity that was less than anticipated.  In the Lake Erie region (95 percent Concord and Niagara grapes for juice), the sugar levels were off the charts compared with "normal" years.

As always, Cornell Cooperative Extension's excellent "Veraison to Harvest" weekly e-newsletter during the fall was a valuable resource for growers and wineries to adapt to the conditions in order to maximize quality and quantity.  And the final edition included a great wrap-up of the year

At this point, the wines from the 2016 harvest are quietly developing in tanks or barrels, with great promise for great wines.

New York state now has 418 wineries and farm wineries, plus 82 branch offices/satellite stores, in 59 of the state's 62 counties. We're everywhere!

Changes Coming for Wine Industry in 2017

From Jim Trezise at the New York Wine and Grape Foundation

The 2015 holiday season seems like a month ago, and the grape harvest just yesterday.  

But here we are at the end of another year--and the beginning of the next.

Overall, 2016 has been a very good year.  In most regions, the harvest was excellent in terms of quality, and sufficient in quantity.  The number of wineries continued to grow in many parts of the State.  And New York wines kept getting ever more recognition for consistent quality.

2017 will be a year of change. Sam Filler will become executive director of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation on January 1, and I will continue as president until March 31 in order to fully orient him on the challenges and opportunities he will face.

I will move on as president of WineAmerica, the national organization of American wineries, and continue as president of the International Riesling Foundation, as well as judging in major wine competitions.  A new administration will occupy Washington, presenting many uncertainties related to programs and policies affecting the New York and American grape and wine industry.

2 Finger Lakes Wineries Take Top Honors at NY Wine Competition

Results from the New York Wine & Food Classic as posted by Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation:

Congratulations to Billsboro Winery and Keuka Spring Vineyards for top showing at this week's New York Wine & Food Classic.

 

Billsboro Winery 2013 Syrah from the Finger Lakes Region won the coveted "Governor's Cup" trophy as the best wine of the competition, with a very strong vote among all judges during the final "Sweepstakes" round. 

 

When the Classic began some 30 years ago, it was totally inconceivable that a dry red Syrah from the Finger Lakes region would take top honors, but here it is.

 

The "Winery of the Year" award went to Keuka Spring Vineyards, also from the Finger Lakes region, for the best overall showing in terms of the number and types of medals for various wines entered.  

 

 Keuka Spring is a past Governor's Cup winner whose wines have also won top awards at major international and national competitions, including twice for Best White Wine (once for a Riesling, once for a Gewurztraminer) at the San Francisco Chronicle Competition, the largest in the country..

 

This year's competition included 893 New York wines, 20 Hard Ciders and 38 Craft Spirits from several regions across New York state including Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment and Lake Erie. 

 

The Billsboro Winery 2013 Syrah was also voted Best Red Wine and Best Syrah on its way to the ultimate award. Keuka Spring Vineyards won Best White Wine and Best Overall Riesling on its way to the Winery of the Year award, along with several Best of Class awards and other top medals. 

 

Other "Best of Category" grape wines in the final "Sweepstakes" round were: 

 

Sparkling Wine: Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery 2013 Brut, from Long Island

 

White Wine: Keuka Spring Vineyards 2015 Gewurztraminer, from the Finger Lakes

 

Blush or Rose Wine: 21 Brix Winery Ellatawba, from Lake Erie

 

Dessert Wine: Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2015 Descencia Botrytis Riesling/Chardonnay, from Long Island 

 

There are other special categories as well: 

 

A "Specialty Wine Champion" award recognizes consistent quality among the increasing number of wines made from fruits other than grapes, or honey. The 2016 winner was Coyote Moon Vineyards Razzle Dazzle.

 

A "Best Limited Production Wine" award, for wines produced with fewer than 100 cases, went to Finger Lakes Community College Viticulture & Wine Tech Corp 2015 Gather, Dry Riesling.

 

There are also awards for Best Spirit and Best Cider. The Best Spirit honor went to Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Bourbon Whisky while the Best Cider was Brooklyn Cider House Half Sour.

 

The awards were based on blind tastings by 22 expert judges-5 from California, 9 from New York, 7 from other states, and 1 from London. Judges included prominent wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers, and wine educators. Judging panels determined the initial awards, with top-scoring wines evaluated by all 22 judges for Best of Category and Governor's Cup awards.

 

Celebrating its 31st year, the Classic is organized by Teresa Knapp of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, with support from NYWGF colleagues Susan Spence, Dana Alexander, Jenn Cooper, and Kim Hughes, and a great crew of volunteers.

 

The Classic is open to all 406 New York wineries from all regions. In 2016, a total of 71 Double Gold, 106 Gold, 386 Silver, and 250 Bronze medals were awarded. In addition, "Best of Category" and "Best of Class" designations were awarded to wines rated as the finest in various areas. Double Gold medals require unanimity among a panel's judges that a wine deserves a Gold medal, whereas Gold medals require a majority vote.

 

 

Best of Class awards go to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least 7 wines. The "Best of Class" awards went to:

 

Best Oaked Chardonnay

Whitecliff Vineyard 2014 Reserve Chardonnay (Hudson River Region)

 

Best Unoaked Chardonnay

Lieb Cellars 2015 Bridge Lane Chardonnay (North Fork of Long Island)

 

Best Gewürztraminer

Keuka Spring Vineyards 2015 Gewürztraminer (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Dry Riesling

Keuka Spring Vineyards 2015 Humphreys Vineyard Riesling, Single Vineyard Series (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Medium Dry Riesling

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2015 Riesling, Semi-Dry (Finger Lakes)

  

Best Medium Sweet Riesling

Keuka Spring Vineyards 2015 Semi Sweet Riesling (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Sweet Riesling

Wagner Vineyards 2013 Riesling Select, Estate Grown & Bottled (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Overall Riesling

Keuka Spring Vineyards 2015 Semi Sweet Riesling (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Pinot Grigio

Duck Walk Vineyards 2015 Pinot Grigio (Long Island)

 

Best Other Vinifera White Varietal

Palmer Vineyards 2015 Albarino (North Fork of Long Island)

 

Best Vinifera White Blend

Bedell Cellars 2015 Taste White (North Fork of Long Island)

 

Best Vinifera/Hybrid White Blend

Keuka Spring Vineyards Celebrate (Finger Lakes)

Best Cayuga

Swedish Hill Winery 2015 Cayuga White (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Seyval

Benmarl Winery 2015 Seyval Blanc (Hudson River Region)

 

Best Traminette

Seneca Shore Wine Cellars Traminette, Estate Bottled, DeMarco Vineyards (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Vidal

J.R. Dill Winery 2015 Vidal Blanc (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Cold Climate White Varietal

Coyote Moon Vineyards Brianna (Thousand Islands)

 

Best Hybrid White

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyard White Stag (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Niagara

Americana Vineyards Crystal Lake (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Catawba

21 Brix Winery Ellatawba (Lake Erie)

 

Best Native Varietal

Coyote Moon Vineyards Fire Boat Red (Thousand Islands)

 

Best Vinifera Rosé

Wagner Vineyards 2015 Rosé of Cabernet Franc (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Cabernet Sauvignon

Osprey's Dominion Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (North Fork of Long Island)

Best Merlot

Clovis Point Vineyard & Winery 2013 Vintner's Select Merlot (North Fork of Long Island)

 

Best Pinot Noir

Osprey's Dominion Vineyards 2014 Pinot Noir (North Fork of Long Island)

 

Best Cabernet Franc

Kontokosta Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc (North Fork of Long Island)

 

Best Other Red Vinifera Varietal

Influence Wines 2015 Malbec (North Fork of Long Island)

 

Best Syrah

Billsboro Winery 2013 Syrah (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Vinifera Red Blend

Harbes Vineyard 2014 Red Blend, Proprietor's Reserve (North Fork of Long Island)

 

Best Cold Climate Red Varietal

Tug Hill Vineyards White Out, Estate (Thousand Islands)

 

Best Fruit Wine

Coyote Moon Vineyards Razzle Dazzle (Thousand Islands)

 

Best Cider

Brooklyn Cider House Half Sour

 

Best Spirit

Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Bourbon Whisky

 

Best Port

Goose Watch Winery 2015 Finale White Port (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Late Harvest

Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2015 Descencia Botrytis Riesling/Chardonnay (Long Island)

 

Best Ice Wine

Sheldrake Point Winery 2014 Riesling Ice Wine, Wild Ferment, Estate Bottled (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Vinifera Sparkling White

Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery 2013 Brut, Methode Champenoise (North Fork of Long Island)

 

Best Vinifera Sparkling Pink

Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery 2013 Topaz Imperial, Methode Champenoise (North Fork of Long Island)

 

Best Hybrid Sparkling White

Swedish Hill Winery Blanc de Blancs (Finger Lakes)

 

Best Native Sparkling Wine

Lakewood Sparkling Catawba (Finger Lakes)

 

 

New York Wines Win at California Competition

From Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation:

The recent Grand Harvest Awards held in Sonoma, Calif. once again yielded some more New York Gold, including four Best of Class, three Double Gold, and eight Gold medals.
 

Best of Class awards went to Dr. Frank 2014 Dry Riesling (also a Double Gold and Best of Finger Lakes AVA); Heron Hill 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling (also Gold and Best of New York State AVA); Liberty Vineyards 2014 Traminette (also Gold and Best of Lake Erie AVA); and Thirsty Owl 2014 Diamond (also Gold).

Additional Double Gold medals went to Swedish Hill 2014 Late Harvest Vignoles and Thirsty Owl 2014 Gewurztraminer.  And other Golds went to Dr. Frank 2014 Gruner Veltliner; Heron Hill 2012 Cabernet Franc, and 2013 Semi-Sweet Riesling; Liberty Vineyards 2014 Reds, Whites & Blues Rose; and Swedish Hill 2013 Blue Waters Pinot Noir.

Cornell Grape Research Gets Federal Money

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $6 million to Cornell University for grape research. 

Go to http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2015/10/cornell-grape-research-boosted-6-million-grant this link to read more about the grant.

New Initiatives Come Out of Wine, Beer, Spirits and Cider Summit

This information about the Wine, Beer, Spirits and Cider Summit is from Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced more than $16 million in new investments to grow New York's craft beverage industry.  

Included is $5 million for promotion including direct spending ($2 million), tourism promotion ($1 million), and targeted advertising ($1 million)--plus a $3 million competitive matching grants program.  

In addition, $400,000 is specifically dedicated to getting tourists from New York City to the eastern Long Island wine region.

On the research side, nearly $7 million was committed to the New York State Food Venture Center at the Geneva Experiment Station, which will accelerate the growth of the craft beverage sectors.  This investment reflects the importance of Cornell University and Cooperative Extension in the industry's advancement, complemented by Finger Lakes Community College.

In addition, the incredibly valuable "One Stop Shop" ombudsman service of state government, first created at the 2012 Summit and staffed by Sam Filler and Molly Bauer, will be enhanced with a subset within the State Liquor Authority, since about 90 percent of all industry inquiries involve the Alcohol Beverage Control law or SLA rules, so direct calls make more sense.

There were also about a dozen new initiatives designed to cut bureaucracy in various ways: allowing salespeople to work for multiple craft beverage manufacturers; letting craft beverage manufacturers collaborate in operating a "branch office" (satellite store); permitting the sales of off-premise beer in growlers; letting wineries operate "home winemaker centers" where hobbyists can use the facilities and equipment to make their "homemade" wine; and simplifying the licensing for bona fide wine educators.

Wine Competition Season Kicks Off With Wins for NY

From Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation:

The 2014 wine competition season was officially kicked off recently at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the country's largest with 5,825 wines submitted by more than 1,500 wineries from 25 states. 

I had the pleasure of judging, and of learning about the New York wine winnings after today's Sweepstakes round.

New York wines garnered more than 150 awards, including 7 Best of Class designations, 3 Double Gold, 22 Gold, 77 Silver and 42 Bronze medals.

Best of Class (which also won Double Gold) went to Dr. Frank 2012 Gruner Veltliner; Goose Watch 2012 Diamond; Swedish Hill 2012 Cayuga White, Viking Red, and 2012 Marechal Foch; Keuka Spring 2012 Vignoles and 2012 Apres Dessert.

Other Double Gold medals were awarded to Chateau Frank 2008 Blanc de Blanc; Vinditti Vineyards 2012 Vino Rosso E Dolce, and Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Solera Sherry (see below).

Gold medals went to Sparkling Pointe 2010 Tokaz Imperial; Goose Watch Naturel; Hazlitt 2012 Gruvee, 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay, and 2012 Oaked Chardonnay; Glenora 2012 Gewurztraminer; Keuka Spring 2012 Riesling (last year the 2011 Riesling won Best White Wine of the entire competition), 2012 Riesling Humphreys Vineyard, and Celebrate; Swedish Hill 2012 Dry Riesling, 2012 Riesling, and Blue Waters Riesling; Wagner 2012 Dry Riesling Caywood East and 2012 Riesling Select; Knapp 2012 Dry Riesling KV Estate; Benmarl 2012 Semi Dry Riesling; Dr. Frank 2012 Dry Riesling and 2012 Riesling Reserve; Fox Run 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling; Ventosa 2012 Semi Sweet Riesling; Merritt Estate Bella Rosa; and Venditti 2012 Marechal Foch.

Taste NY Harvest Fest Tickets on Sale Now

From Gov. Cuomo's office:

Tickets are now on sale for the Taste NY Harvest Fest at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.

This event provides visitors with an opportunity to sample and purchase some of the best foods and beverages made in New York state. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 in the Horticulture Building.
"Since it began earlier this year, Taste NY has been a catalyst to help us spread the word that products grown and made in New York are among the best in the world," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. "Events like the Taste NY Harvest Fest not only create fans for homegrown food and beverages, but boost our economy by supporting our farmers, brewers, and manufacturers."

The event allows attendees to meet with vendors and sample their products, gather information, and purchase their favorite items. Dozens of companies from around the state will be on hand, from well-known brands such as Syracuse's Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Gianelli Sausage, McCadam Cheese of Chateaugay, and Utica's F. X. Matt Brewing Co., to companies aiming to gain better household recognition, such as Rome Grown Garlic of Rome, Ma Poole's Chutney of Skaneateles, Roger's Rustic Rubs & Sauces of Hudson Falls and Hungry Bear Farms of Middlesex.
Many makers of wine, beer, and spirits will also be on hand.  Among the companies confirmed so far, besides F. X. Matt, are Merritt Estate Winery of Forestville, Casa Larga Vineyards of Fairport, Adirondack Distilling Co. of Utica, Americana Vineyards and Winery of Interlaken, Three Brothers Winery of Geneva, and Thousand Islands Winery of Alexandria Bay.
Tickets are $15 for tickets purchased in advance or $20 at the door. Advance sale tickets can be purchased in person, over the phone, or by fax.

To purchase in person or by phone, visit or call the State Fair administration building during business hours on weekdays, where the receptionist will complete the purchase. The receptionist can be reached at (315) 487-7711, extension 1001.

Tickets purchased over the phone or by fax can be picked up at the reception desk during business hours, or can be picked up at the event, at the Will Call window. The form to fax is available on the New York State
Fair website, www.nysfair.org.  All admissions include a free Taste NY beer or wine glass with which to drink samples.

News About Northern Cold-Hardy Grapes

Go to http://northerngrapesproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013JuneNGPnewsletter.pdf to check it out.

Just What is in Wine?

Go to http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/dining/the-big-question-whats-in-wine.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0 to see the story.

Seneca County Dairy Gets National Attention

Go to http://www.usatoday.com/story/lifestyle/food-and-drink/blogs/roc-drink/2013/05/16/ice-cream-flavor-features-local-cheese-wine-fruit/2168237/ to see all the fuss about Vanillen Dairy.