Sunday, January 28, 2007
The Wine Press
Sunday, January 28, 2007
New YorkWine & Grape Foundation
Diversity o Quality o Productivity o Social Responsibility o Unity
LAMOREAUX LANDING WINE CELLARS recently captured two Double Gold and Best of Class ratings for its 2005 Chardonnay and 2005 Chardonnay Reserve at the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, where Baldwin Vineyards Strawberry Wine received a Gold and Best of Class designation and Martha Clara 2004 Himmel (a dessert wine) also got a Gold. Lamoreaux Landing’s double “Best of Class” ratings for two different chardonnays in a California competition is a major achievement, matched by Baldwin’s Strawberry Wine being rated The Best Fruit Wine in the United States for the second year in a row; it has also been Best Fruit Wine in New York three years in a row at our New York Wine & Food Classic. The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition included over 3,800 wines from 1,573 wineries in 20 states, ranking among the country’s largest. The 2007 competition season has now officially begun, and New York is off to a great start. Next up is the wonderful Florida State Fair International Wine Competition on February 7-9.
HERMANN J. WIEMER VINEYARD recently got national attention from a January 18 Associated Press story by Ben Dobbin titled, “Rieslings earn Finger Lakes a seat at world’s fine wine table”. The article traced Hermann’s German roots, his evolution in New York’s wine industry, and his many awards including the Governor’s Cup in our 2003 and 2006 New York Wine & Food Classic competitions for his elegant Dry Riesling. Among those quoted was Linda Lawry, who judges with us and is Director of the International Wine Center in Manhattan, noting that the Finger Lakes has an ideal climate for growing Riesling and that Finger Lakes Rieslings compare favorably to those of Germany’s Mosel and Rheingau regions, considered by many to be the “gold standard” of Riesling in the world. “Farming for Flavor” is a key focus of next week’s Viticulture 2007 conference, when experts from New Zealand will discuss how that country has become synonymous with world-class Sauvignon Blanc, offering some tips for Finger Lakes Riesling. Part of the program is a special luncheon on Wednesday, February 7 with foods specifically prepared to match with Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.
UNITY BANQUET on Thursday evening, February 8 will be a highlight of the three-day Viticulture 2007 conference and Wine Industry Workshop in Rochester. The annual banquet, sponsored by Constellation Brands, is a celebration of people who have made major contributions to our industry in various ways, and is named after the key to success: Unity. Chef Leo Vogt of the Clarion Hotel is preparing a special all-New York meal featuring Grilled Empire Filet with Bordelaise Sauce, Daniel Webster Chicken with apple herb stuffing, Vegetable Wellington (eggplant with sun-dried tomato risotto in a pastry shell over mushroom essence), and Mini New York Cheesecake among other delights. It’s the perfect time and place to schmooze, feast, and toast the people who make our industry great. For more information, visit http://www.viticulture2007.org.
“NEW YORK ONLY” is the philosophy and marketing strategy of a new wine store in the Capital region called Harmony House Marketplace which opened in November in Cohoes (184 Remsen St., 518-238-2233). Owned by partners Diane Conroy-LaCavita and Jane LaCavita Clemente, the store began with about 140 wines from about 45 wineries, with the goal of increasing winery representation to around 100 of the State’s 200-plus. Their hometown focus derived from a desire to support the local economy, sustainable agriculture and the ecology, and from courses they took from our friend Toby Strianese of Schenectady County Community College, a long-time champion of New York wines. Thanks to Toby, Diane and Jane for having the vision to support local; when you guy New York, you build New York.
FRUIT JUICE SALES in the United Kingdom are booming, due to the desire of Brits to get their daily ration of fruit in a convenient and tasteful way. We’re hoping Americans will soon catch on as well, particularly in terms of Concord grape juice. We’ve been working with the firm of Mason Selkowitz McDermott to create a promotional program featuring the health benefits of Concord grape juice, which will be unveiled on “Grape Juice Day” (Friday, February 9) at Viticulture 2007. The promotion will include targeted advertising (print and radio), an attractive educational brochure, a dedicated web site, an educational program for health professionals, and other elements. Studies have shown that Concord grape juice improves heart health, boosts the immune system, and slows aging. And it tastes great, too. What’s not to like?
VALUE-ADDED is a key part of the grape and wine industry’s economic contribution, but something that many people forget or simply don’t understand. The recently release national economic impact study (available with related graphics at http://www.newyorkwines.org under Information Station/Hot Topics) showed that the wine, grape and grape products industries contribute $162 billion annually to the American economy. While the study includes all grapes and grape products (e.g., grape juice, table grapes, raisins), winegrapes and wine represent the vast majority of the impact. Here’s how value-added works: The wine sold at the winery for $11.4 billion then generates another $2.7 billion for distributors, followed by another $9.8 billion for restaurants and retail wine stores; in other words, the original sale is more than doubled in terms of value-added economic impact. The wine industry also generates over $27 million tourist visits annually and over $3 billion in wine-related tourism expenditures, which add value to rural economies at Bed & Breakfasts, hotels, restaurants, gift shops, gas stations, and local tax coffers. Put another way, it’s the “multiplier effect” that starts in the vineyard and ripples through many levels of the local, state and federal economies. When a large industry is declining, the negative impact goes beyond its employees to its suppliers and communities, causing a downward spiral. Conversely, an industry that is growing causes an upward spiral, with the rising tide lifting all boats. That is value added.
“The grape and wine industry has been a powerful economic engine in New York State, contributing $6 billion annually to the state’s economy and supporting many other businesses while enriching our dinner tables and culture.”
--Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
A Votre Santé To Your Health
Jim Trezise
JimTrezise@nywgf.org, email
http://www.newyorkwines.org/, web