Swedish Hill, Sheldrake Point Take New York Wine & Food Classic Honors

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  Watkins Glen, New York—Swedish Hill Winery Riesling Cuvee from the Finger Lakes won the coveted “Governor’s Cup” trophy at the 2010 New York Wine & Food Classic competition, held on August 16 and 17 at the Glen Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, NY. The “Winery of the Year” award went to Sheldrake Point Vineyards, another Finger Lakes winery, for the second year in a row.

The elegant Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice, recognizes the “Best of Show” or top prize of all 850 entries in the Classic, known as “The Oscars” of New York wine. The “Winery of the Year” award is presented to the winery with the best overall showing based on the level and number of awards in relation to entries.

This year’s competition included 850 New York wines and 17 spirits from the Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment, Lake Erie, and other regions of New York State. The Swedish Hill Riesling Cuvee was also voted Best Vinifera Sparkling and Best Overall Sparkling on its way to the ultimate award. Sheldrake Point Vineyards received 2 Double Golds, 2 Gold, 4 Silver, and 2 Bronze awards on its way to the Winery of the Year award.

A “Specialty Wine Champion” award was added in 2008 to recognize consistent quality among the increasing number of wines made from fruits other than grapes, or honey. The 2010 winner was ELF’s Farm Winery and Cider Mill with 1 Double Gold and 2 Silver awards. A new “Best New York Spirit” award went to Finger Lakes Distilling Seneca Drums Gin.

The awards were based on blind tastings by 24 expert judges—4 from California, 12 from New York, 6 from other states and 2 from the United Kingdom. Judges included prominent wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers, and wine educators. Four-judge panels determined the initial awards, with top-scoring wines evaluated by all 24 judges for Best of Category and Governor’s Cup awards.

Celebrating its 25th year, the Classic is organized by Teresa Knapp of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and is open to all 280 New York wineries from all regions. In 2010, a total of 32 Double Gold, 74 Gold, 284 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.

The “Best of Category” awards, all eligible for the Governor’s Cup, went to:

Best Sparkling Wine Swedish Hill Winery Riesling Cuvee

Best White Wine Keuka Lake Vineyards 2009 Semi Dry Riesling

Best Rosé Wine Arbor Hill Grapery Coriesa Hill Iona Rose

Best Red Wine Bedell Cellars 2008 Cabernet Franc

Best Dessert Wine Casa Larga Vineyards 2007 Fiori Delle Stelle Vidal Ice Wine

Best Specialty Wine Torrey Ridge Winery Scarlet Red

Best New York Spirit Finger Lakes Distilling Seneca Drums Gin


The “Best of Class” awards went to:

Best Vinifera Sparkling Swedish Hill Winery Riesling Cuvee

Best Sparkling Swedish Hill Winery Riesling Cuvee

Best Unoaked Chardonnay Coyote Moon Vineyards Naked Chardonnay

Best Overall Chardonnay Coyote Moon Vineyards Naked Chardonnay

Best Dry Riesling McGregor Vineyard 2008 Riesling

Best Medium Dry Riesling Keuka Lake Vineyards 2009 Semi Dry Riesling

Best Medium Sweet Riesling Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 2009 Semi Dry Riesling

Best Overall Riesling Keuka Lake Vineyards 2009 Semi Dry Riesling

Best Niagara Schulze Vineyards & Winery Thirty Mile Point Sweet Niagara

Best Gewürztraminer Sheldrake Point Vineyards 2008 Gewürztraminer

Best Cayuga White Swedish Hill Winery 2009 Cayuga White

Best Traminette Bet the Farm Winery 2009 Traminette

Best Vidal Blanc Swedish Hill Winery 2009 Vidal Blanc

Best Vignoles Lucas Vineyards 2009 Vignoles

Best Hybrid White Thousand Islands Winery Wellesley Island White

Best Diamond Torrey Ridge Winery Diamond

Best Native White Blend Niagara Landing Wine Cellars 2009 Rosebud Gold

Best Vinifera Rosé McGregor Vineyard 2009 Rosé D’Cabernet Franc

Best Native Rosé Arbor Hill Grapery Coriesa Hill Iona Rosé

Best Cabernet Franc Bedell Cellars 2008 Cabernet Franc

Best Other Vinifera Red Varietal Fulkerson Winery 2008 Dornfelder

Best Vinifera Red Blend Peconic Bay Winery Nautique Esprit De Rouge

Best Native Red Blend Penguin Bay Winery Tuxedo Red

Best Concord Eagle Crest Vineyards 2009 Canal Boat Red

Best Fruit Wine ELF’s Farm Winery and Cider Mill 2009 Appalachian Trail Apple Wine

Best Mead Torrey Ridge Winery Scarlet Red

Best Late Harvest Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars

2008 Bunch Select Late Harvest Riesling

Best Ice Wine Casa Larga Vineyards 2007 Fiori Delle Stelle Vidal Ice Wine

Complete results of the 2010 Classic will soon be posted under “New York Gold” at http://www.newyorkwines.org/, which also includes Gold medal New York wines from other major competitions.

 

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Atwater Vineyard Estate 2007 Vidal Blanc

We were looking for a crisp, refreshing white wine as we were unwinding on a summer's evening. We hit just the right note with a favorite from the Finger Lakes: Atwater Vineyard Estate 2007 Vidal Blanc. Atwater is on Seneca Lake and is one of the closest wineries to Seneca Springs, the bed and breakfast we've stayed at the last two years. Atwater has a sensational deck high above the lake with a gorgeous view. Of course, the wine is spectacular as well.

Vidal Blanc is a French-American hybrid grape that is popular in the Finger Lakes as well as Ohio. The grape is hearty and thrives in cool climates. It is a favorite for ice wines but also makes crisp and juicy wines with a touch of sweetness. It tastes like a cousin of Riesling but hasn't been given the appreciation of the more well-known white grape varieties.

We first tried a glass of red wine (to remain anonymous) that we had opened a couple nights before. After the first taste we knew that it had gone south. We need something with some zing to purge the tired red wine from our taste buds.

The Vidal delivered a mouthwatering taste of apples and pear. It is an interesting, full bodied wine that paired well with a selection of cheeses.

This wine is a great choice for "chill-laxing" on these hot summer nights.

Finger Lakes Report: A New Favorite Found

   Our tasting team members Stephanie and Pat Wise have been on the road again -- this time to one of their favorite wine destinations, the Finger Lakes.

The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York holds special memories for us. When we began dating in 1998, Patrick took me there on our way to Boston. We returned the following years until we had our daughter in 2004. We were even engaged there at our favorite bed and breakfast, the 1918 Red Brick Inn, in 2001.

Now that our daughter is older and able to keep herself occupied on long car trips, we decided that for our anniversary this year we would return to our Shangri-la to check out our favorites places and discover new ones. When we were last there in 2001, the Seneca Lake Wine trail brochure listed the wineries A through V.

Now, the brochure extends the list to II. The other lakes have also expanded their trails to include new wineries, all capitalizing on the region’s ability to grow some of the country’s best grapes, and thus the best wines.

Our favorites stand the test of time:

Lakewood Vineyards has a great buttery chardonnay and a red we discovered called Crystallus, which is a great blend of 61% Lemberger, 13% Pinot Noir, 13% Cabernet Franc & 13% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Prejean still offers the best dry Riesling in the region along with a red called Marechal Foch.

Dr. Konstantin Frank brought wine making to the region in 1962, and his winery has some of the best wine with their Cabernet Franc, Dry Riesling, Chardonnay, Meritage, and their specialty, Rkatsiteli, which is one of the oldest grape varieties in the world.

Our new discovery was a winery that Dave and Kathy visited last summer and raved about their wine selection. Ravines Wine Cellar in Hammondsport opened in 2003 and is owned by the former chief winemaker of Dr. Konstantin Frank’s winery. There is nothing on the tasting list that we didn’t like. We even joined their wine club so that we can enjoy the wines all year around.

Other favorites include Castel Grisch, Heron Hill, Fulkerson’s, Glenora, Chateau Lafayette Reneau, and many more!

We can’t say enough about the region. It’s a quick 6-hour trip which is just right for a long weekend out of town. Visit some of the following websites to plan your wine getaway. Enjoy!

http://www.fingerlakeswinetrail.com/

http://www.fingerlakes.org/

http://www.senecalakewine.com/

http://www.keukawinetrail.com/

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Wine Tastings & Events: Week of August 16, 2010

Wednesday, August 18
Anderson's Market, Sylvania, Wine Tasting. 6-8:00 PM. Brunch Wines: 1. Yellow Tail Sparkling Rose, 2. Sterling Organic Cabernet Sauvignon, 3. Lost Vineyards Lambrusco, 4. Stefano Farina Moscato d’ Asti.  Nominal fee per sample or flight $6.50.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. You Know You Love Merlots. $15. 

Thursday, August 19

The Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM.

2006 Chateau Gravat Medoc, 2. 2006 Chateau Saint-Sulpice, 3. 2007 Chateau Davril, 4. Chateau Vergnes Beaulieu. Flight $6.50 or nominal fee per sample.

 

The Andersons, Talmadge Road.

BBQ To You Too. Great Wines for Grilling and BBQ: 1. Fuente Milano Verdejo-Viura, 2.  Rex Hill Oregon Pinot Gris, 3. Immortal Zin, 4. Terra Barossa Shiraz, 5. Spann Syrah, 6. Firestone Riesling, 7. Rosenblum Harris Kratka Zinfandel, 8. Von Wilhelm Haus Riesling Auslese. Nominal fee per sample.

Beer and Wine Cave, 4400 Heatherdowns, (419) 382-6221. 6-8 PM. You Know You Love Merlots. $15.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. The Greatest Grape Vol. 1 – Syrah: We're going to do an exciting new series of tastings over the course of the next couple of months. We'll display the best examples we have to offer of all the classic grape varietals. This month we focus on Syrah (my personal favorite). We'll taste delicious bottlings from Australia, California, South Africa, and of course, the Rhone Valley of France. $1 to $3 per sample.

Friday, August 20

Special Event: Wine by the Glass Pavilion, Toledo Museum of Art. 7:00 – 9:30 PM. Drop-in wine tasting: Tempranillo. Enjoy four wines, light snacks and a view of the Glass Pavilion Hot Shop. $15 members, $20 non-members.

Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Hot Summer Sweeties: 1. Scagliola "Primobachio" Moscato d'Asti, 2. Del Rio "Rose Jolee," 3. San Giulio Red Malvasia, 4. Carisma Syrah. $10 tasting.

Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. The Greatest Grape Vol. 1 – Syrah: We're going to do an exciting new series of tastings over the course of the next couple of months. We'll display the best examples we have to offer of all the classic grape varietals. This month we focus on Syrah (my personal favorite). We'll taste delicious bottlings from Australia, California, South Africa, and of course, the Rhone Valley of France. $1 to $3 per sample.

Saturday, August 21
Aficionado Wine and Cigars, The Shoppes at RiverPlace, 26567 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 135, Perrysburg, (419-873-4444). 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. Hot Summer Sweeties: 1. Scagliola "Primobachio" Moscato d'Asti, 2. Del Rio "Rose Jolee," 3. San Giulio Red Malvasia, 4. Carisma Syrah. $10 tasting.

The Andersons, Woodville, Wine Tasting. 1-3 PM. Nominal fee per sample or flight.

Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Noon to 5:00 p.m. Pay by the sample or flight.

[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]

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Tuesday Tasting Slated At Zia's

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 Zia's On The Docks,  20 Main St., Toledo, (419) 697-7138, will host a wine tasting on Tuesday, August 17, 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Three wines are featured along with an assortment of pizza and appetizers. Cost is $17.95, which includes tip. 

Featured wines are:

Apothic Red 2008, a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, & Merlot. An excellent wine with notes of rhubarb, black cherry and hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice, and vanilla. On the palate velvety and smooth finish with a full body and an excellent balance.

Two wines from Trinity Oaks Vineyards: A 100% eco friendly wine that plants a tree for every bottle sold.
For reservations, call (419) 697-7138.

Vintage Ohio 2010 Heats Up The Summer

The Vintage Ohio Wine Festival was held August 6 and 7 in the beautiful Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland.

Participating wineries were: Breitenback Wine Cellars,  Buccia Vineyard,  Candlelight Winery, Debonne Vineyards,  Emerine Estates,  Ferrante Winery, Grand River Cellars,  Grape and Granary,  It's Your Winery,  Klingshirn Winery,  Maize Valley Winery, Marietta Wine Cellars,  Old Firehouse Winery,  Old Mill Winery,  St. Joseph Vineyard,  The Winery at Spring Hill, Valley Vineyards and  Wyandotte Winery. 

The first impression is “huge” as we spied the assortments of tents and hundreds of cars in fields serving as parking lots. Spiderman accompanied Green Dragon and me on the trip. When we were getting our tickets he asked how many tastings you could get. He couldn’t have asked for a better response: “You can have a hundred if you want.”The grounds had a truly festival atmosphere with three stages of music, a wide range of food booths plus educational programs and other cool products. One of the most unique products we saw was the wine caddy. This is a cord that is worn around the neck attached to a coiled copper tube into which your wine glass fits. You can enjoy the festival “hands free” without worrying where you left your wine glass.

We circulated trying the different wines and nibbling some small food samples. We found a few new favorites: Klingshirn Winery had a nice assortment including their Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin and Pinot Grigio; Grand River Cellars scored with their Stonewood Red and Austin’s Red. Ferrante had a very popular booth and we enjoyed their semi-sweet Grand River Valley Riesling. However, they didn’t bring some of our favorite dry wines.

The focus of this event is mostly on sweeter wines, which aren't our favorites. We really liked the wineries that had "dry" and "sweet" lines. The "dry" line was like the EZ Pass lane on the Turnpike. You can zip right up, then go back for seconds before someone waiting in the long "sweet" line could reach the counter.

As we wound up the afternoon, we needed some food before hitting the road. We grabbed a couple gyros and an Angus burger and paired it with a glass of nice Reserve Pinot Noir from St. Joseph.

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