by Bryan Calandrelli, Niagara Region Editor When I look back on 2009, I can say with some certainty that the Niagara wine region as a whole grew up. Why do I only now say this? Well, because 2009 was an indication of what the future holds for the industry and specifically, how wineries will have to operate their tasting rooms, make their wines and market themselves. Two trends that will affect how wineries will operate this year were the influx of tourists that found the wineries during their visit to Niagara Falls and the popularity of locals taking limo and…
Posts Written OnJanuary 04, 2010
Zugibe Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Franc
By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief Zugibe Vineyards is one of the newest producers in the Seneca Lake wine community, only opening their tasting room in November, so don't feel bad if you haven't heard of them. I hadn't either until Brendan Zugibe, one of three Zugibe brothers responsible for the winery, commented on a post a while back. Planted in 2005, Zugibe Vineyards began as 23 acres of vinifera wine grapes, but has since grown to 40 acres. They grow 11 varieties, including riesling, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, gewurztraminer, pinot gris, chardonnay, merlot, Blaufrankisch, sauvignon blanc and gruner veltliner.…
What We Drank (January 4, 2010)
By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief For this, our first WWD of the new year, we have one old old bottle, and a few value wines that were enjoyed over the holidays. For me, my drinking over the last week has been mostly local, so those notes will be published as stand-alone and "Tasting Table" posts. Evan Dawson: Alain Graillot 1989 Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude In a blind setting, this wine convinced the table it was a syrah — likely from the northern Rhone. But more experienced tasters were pegging it at 15 years old, and if you follow Northern Rhone winemaking, you…