Three quick items this in this weeks New York wine news roundup:

  • The NY Wine Grape Task Force, chaired by Kareem Massoud of Paumanok Vineyards, has released it's first report to to Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Patrick Hooker. They offered more than two dozen specific recommendations to enhance the future economic viability of the state’s grape and wine industry. It will come as no shock to anyone who has dealt with the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) that that that agency was the first target, with the report stating: "The antiquated Alcoholic Beverage Control Law should be reformed in a
    manner that provides a level playing field with other wine producing
    states and accommodates the needs of New York wineries."
    The SLA is a beaurocratic nightmare for just about everyone in the New York wine industry. The agency is a deserving topic of an entire post, so keep an eye out for that after the new year. In the meantime, you can read a copy of the full report.
  • John Witherspoon, a VA-based blogger at AnythingWine, got his first taste of Long Island's 2008 vintage last week, tasting Macari Vineyards 2008 "Early Wine" Chardonnay.
  • Another prominent blogger, Jeff Lefevere, also reviewed a Long Island wine last week: Wolffer Estate's 2005 Caya Cab Franc.