Posts Written OnJanuary 27, 2011

As we get them, we're adding comments from industry members regarding the ideas put forward by Carlo DeVito regarding the creation of a New York Wine Council. From Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation: "I

 By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Many red blends from the Finger Lakes are heavy on the cabernet franc — the red grape that many (though clearly not all) believe grows best consistently in the region. Ian Barry, winemaker at Swedish Hill Winery, is one winemaker who believes strongly in Finger Lakes cabernet sauvignon, so it probably isn't a surprise that his Swedish Hill Winery 2007 Optimus ($22) 42% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot and 25% cabernet franc — all grown in the Finger Lakes. I'm not ready to hop on his cabernet sauvignon bandwagon, but this Bordeaux-style blend does help make…

By Evan Dawson, Managing Editor Carlo DeVito, owner of Hudson-Chatham Winery in the Hudson Valley, spent a long time studying the numbers. To him, they told a grim story — New York wine continues to grow as an industry, but New York State offers less support each year.But in other wine-producing states, government support is growing to match the industry. Virginia's state government offers far more support, and DeVito noticed that even Ohio is squashing New York when it comes to state investment. Armed with the numbers, DeVito met on Monday with members of the state assembly, Senate and Governor Andrew…

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Here on Long Island, we're blessed with craft breweries like Southampton Publick House and Blue Point Brewery. Each makes some terrific beers — ones that I'm happy to drink anytime I see them at a restaurant or pick up at my local beer shop. But, there's something even more exciting going on in the local beer scene — the rise of nanobreweries. It seems like every few months I hear about a new smaller-than-micro brewery popping up on the Island, places like Barrier Brewing Company, Blind Bat Brewery, Barrage Brewing Company and Rocky Point Artisan…