Irene was nothing (we think) and the NY Times notices the Finger Lakes

After talking to a number of North Fork vineyard owners the general opinion is that Irene did minimal damage, only some salt spray near the Bay. Hopes are still high for a very good vintage as the area is more climate sensitive than the West Coast. Meanwhile The New York Times actually wrote some good things about the Finger Lakes and in particular the rieslings - also noting there is only about 800 acres in the region devoted to the grape. Also worth noting in the article was a listing of retail stores in New York where you can find New York State wines, the fact that only a handful was listed is significant. New York State wine continues to be a hard sell. Places like PJ's in upper Manhattan still have next to nothing. Missing from this list was a gem of a store for New York wines on Third Avenue and 28th street called Buy-Rite; looks a hole in the wall from the outside but inside had over 100 New York State wines for sale. (all vintages). They also had a few from Virginia (you'd be surprised) and a bottle of Baco Noir from the Finger Lakes - wow - that French American hybrid from the 1970's. Got to get back up there to try it.

I'mmmm Baaack!

Time to return to my true passion - drinking wine! The state of wine in New York hasn't changed much; some Long Island wines from 2010 have won national awards, and of course Long Island was hit by tropical storm Irene. What does that mean for the 2011 vintage? We will ask some of the winemakers out east over the next week and promptly report on their comments. The big worry was salt spray off the bays, and if the leaves on the trees in my neck of the woods in Westhampton are any indication they may be in trouble. You would think it was late October and the leaves sre falling off the trees. I'll be there next weekend to give an update.
In the meantime kudos to Palmer merlots, I've had a few of late and will report shortly. One in particular has a great price quality ratio.