Posts Written OnFebruary 05, 2009

Judging the Hudson Valley Wine & Grape Association’s 5th Annual Hudson Valley Wine Competition

Tonight I have another fun announcement to make. On April 25, I'll be judging the Hudson Valley Wine & Grape Association's 5th Annual Hudson Valley Wine Competition. The judging will take place that day at Terrapin in Rhinebeck, NY from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lunch in there somewhere. Then, on June 12 there is a wine dinner featuring the winning wines. Those are really the only details I have right now, but I'm sure I'll learn more between now and then.

How to Convince Consumers and Restaurants to Buy Local Wine

By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Correspondent So how DO you convince consumers and restaurants to buy local wine? I realize the first solution is to offer quality wine. Let's start with the premise that New York wine is of higher quality than many people probably assume. There's a new "Buy Local" campaign afoot in the Finger Lakes, and unlike many well-intentioned but ultimately misguided efforts, this one strikes me as simple and effective. Joanna Purdy created two posters for Fox Run Vineyards, and the posters will be made available to other wineries and organizations that would like to use them…

Sheldrake Point Vineyard Late Harvest Riesling

Sometimes I think that dessert and ice wines are the unsung heroes of Finger Lakes wine country. True, riesling table wines are the shining stars, but there are some terrific sweet wines being made in the region too — many from riesling. Sheldrake Point Vineyard’s Late Harvest Riesling ($20) is beautiful in the glass — a brilliant lemon-yellow and slightly viscous. The nose brings big fruit aromas of peach and pineapple with hints of honey and baking spice. It’s sweet on the palate (8% RS) and there isn’t quite enough acidity for my tastes. Still, it’s far from cloying and…