Friday, February 15, 2008

Finger Lakes News & Notes Feb.16, 2008



- Check out my new song and music video for The Seneca Lake Wine Trail
- The 2008 Wine Competitions are in full swing now and Finger Lakes Rieslings made a great showing at the prestigious Riesling du Monde, Riesling-only, competition in France with 5 Finger Lakes wineries taking home Gold Medals. Congratulations to Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2006 Dry Riesling(always good Riesling from CLR), Dr. Frank 2006 Riesling (Always Classic), Fox Run 2006 Reserve Riesling(another perennial top producer), Glenora 2006 Dry Riesling(a great showing from Glenora that doesn't always get the respect it deserves), and Hazlitt 2006 Homestead Reserve Riesling (this is an incredible Riesling and has won Gold in many competitions. Unfortunately, it is sold out. I'm kicking myself for not buying a case or two) . Quite an impressive showing and this, once again, shows that Finger Lakes wine is world-class wine! And I believe that their are quite a few other Finger Lakes Rieslings that did not enter that would have done very well. Click here for the complete results.
- And the results are also in from the Florida State Fair Wine Competition. The following are the Finger Lakes Gold Medal winners:

Anthony Road Wine Company, Penn Yan, NY
GOLD 2006 Cabernet Franc / Lemberger

Casa Larga Vineyards, Fairport, NY
GOLD N/V Estate Bottled Pallido

Chateau Frank, Hammondsport, NY
GOLD N/V Methode Champenoise Célèbre Crémant

Dr. Konstantin Frank, Hammondsport, NY
GOLD 2006 Riesling Dry

Earle Estates Meadery, Penn Yan, NY
GOLD N/V Raspberry Reflections

Goose Watch Winery, Romulus, NY
GOLD N/A Diamond USA
GOLD 2006 Melody USA
GOLD N/A Golden Spumante USA
GOLD N/A Classic Cream Sherry

Hunt Country Vineyards, Branchport, NY
GOLD 2006 Simmons Vineyards Cayuga White

Knapp Winery, Romulus, NY
GOLD 2006 Estate Bottled Cayuga White USA
GOLD N/V Superstition

Lakewood Vineyards, Inc., Watkins Glen, NY
GOLD 2006 Chardonnay

Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, Lodi, NY
GOLD 2006 Estate Bottled Chardonnay

Penguin Bay Winery, Romulus, NY
GOLD N/A Percussion

Torrey Ridge Winery, Penn Yan, NY
GOLD N/V Diamond USA
GOLD N/V Catawba
Get the complete results by clicking here.
- In his East Coast Wineries blog this week, Carlo Devito has listed the East Coast wines that are rated highly in the new Wine Spectator Ultimate Buying Guide. The following are the Finger Lakes wines that received ratings of 84 and above:

Anthony Road, Lemberger-Cab Franc 2005, 86 rating

Atwater Estate, Celsius 2005, 84 rating

Bloomer Creek, Riesling 2005, 87 rating

CasaLarga, Vidal Ice Wine 2005, 86

Dr. Konstantin Frank, Riesling Dry 2006, 87

Dr. Konstantin Frank, Riesling Reserve, 89

Fulkerson, Vidal Blanc Iced Wine, 86

Glenora, Cab Franc 2005, 85

Hazlitt 1852, Riesling Homestead Reserve 2006, 87

Knapp, Chardonnay Barrel Reserve 2005, 85

Lakewood, Riesling 2006, 85

Lakewood, Riesling Dry 2006, 87

Lucas, Riesling Dry 2005, 85

Lucas, Riesling Semi-Dry 2006, 84

Lucas, Riesling Semi-Dry 2005, 85

Standing Stone, Cailloux 2006, 88

Standing Stone, Cailloux 2005, 87

Standing Stone, Vidl Blanc Ice 2005, 85

Swedish Hill, Vignoles Late Harvest 2004, 85

Wagner, Riesling Ice 2006, 89

Riesling Semi-Dry, 84

- John Zuccarino of Silver Springs Winery (east side of Seneca Lake) has been producing an excellent series of educational wine videos on a variety of topics. Very Informative. Check them out.

- Rochester photographer Lisa Hughes creates portraits of life in the Finger Lakes

- Bet The Farm Winery provides wine education program

- Sandra Silfven spotlights the difference in state wine tasting fee regulations

It won't be long now until Spring. Start planning your Finger Lakes vacation now. Be sure to Read my Tips for Planning Your Trip to The Finger Lakes. Cheers!!!

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