We're joined by Tim Moore of Imagine Moore Winery for this week's edition of Q&A. Imagine Moore is still a relatively new player in the Finger Lakes wine community, but there are plenty of things to like about the operation. They source fruit from sustainable vineyards and print their labels with organic inks, to name just a couple of those things.
What (and where) was the first bottle of wine you remember drinking?
It was in the mid 80’s and being from California and relatively young, it was a bottle of Korbel Sparkling Wine out of my best friend’s house for homecoming.
What event/bottle/etc made you decide that you wanted to be in the wine industry?
I was studying in Austria, trying to figure out what I wanted to do in my life. I was sitting in Weinbau Familie Jaeger Heuriger (Weissenkirchen, Wachau Austria) drinking Riesling over looking the Danube and thought I’d finally found the thing I love- -winemaking made me feel the passion of life.
Which of your current wines is your favorite and why?
Our 2006 Wisdom 100% Cabernet Franc – It is such a pleasure to make such a delicious wine during a cool growing season. My wife and I have traveled all over the world to many a wine region and we have come to appreciate the value all regions. I truly believe that consumers can get caught up with what everyone tells them should be delicious. When it comes to true appreciation, it starts in the vineyard and ends in the bottle. Making wine in our regions is driven throughout each growing season and no one winemaking approach will dictate what can make a delicious wine. That is both our challenge and our curse.
What has surprised you most about being a member of the Finger Lakes wine community?
It surprised me how open and cooperative the entire industry is with one another. This industry is strong in its conviction, supportive of one another and always willing to lend what ever is needed to their neighbor. I’ve never experienced such a strong sense of community in a business atmosphere.
Other than your own wines, what wine/beer/liquor most often fills your glass?
I have to admit that much beer goes into the production of great wines. I am partial to extracted IPAs, yet if you were to tie me down and say what other wines besides your own do you consume, well – – – I am currently partial to also a recently emerged American wine region – Oregon. Both my wife and I often drink many a Pinot Noir from various delicious producers of complex vineyard driven wines.
Is there a 'classic' wine or wine and food pairing that you just can't make yourself enjoy?
I guess if you asked me what I would not order, not that I do not enjoy the diversion of flavors but I guess that a pairing of Fino Amontillado Sherry and shellfish is not my preference. I am a fruit driven winemaker and while I appreciate the complexity of said wines, they are not my first choice.
Wine enjoyment is about more than just the wine itself. Describe the combination of wine, locations, food, company, etc. that would make (or has made) for the ultimate wine-drinking experience.
Establishing a winery has been a life long dream of mine – I have had the fortunate experience to become friends with one of our greatest wine advocates and an incredible chef. During our first year of business Warfield’s Restaurant in Clifton Springs, NY hosted our first winemaker’s dinner. Since it was our first winemaker dinner, among the guests, some of our good friends came to celebrate the experience with us as Chef Eric Mueller paired a four course dinner emphasizing regional products from throughout NYS and four of our yet to be released wines. It was a special night for me personally.