Wine and Dine on VinVillageRadio

David V. Peterson, Ph.D., Viticulture, is the General Manager of Swedish Hill, Goose Watch and Penguin Bay Wineries, all of the Finger Lakes region in up-state New York. Peterson's family have been growing Vitis vinifera, Vitis labrusca, and French-American hybrid wine grapes in the Finger Lakes for over 40 years. In 1990 they founded Swedish Hill, the first of three separate wineries. You know that sparkling wines capture my attention and respect above all others so naturally, when I saw that Goose Watch Winery's Non-Vintage Finger Lakes Brut Pinot Noir Rosé won Best Sparkling Wine of the 2009 Best of Category Winners at this year's International Eastern Wine Competition.... well.... I just had to share the news with you.
http://www.vwm-online.com/wine_competitions/intl_eastern/iewcresults.asp

The Finger Lakes Wine Region of New York is perfect climate for producing high quality sparkling wines. In the 1860's, sparkling wines from the Finger Lakes region of up-state New York were winning awards here and abroad. Cool climate tempered by large bodies of water have a long tradition of being excellent sources for growing wine-grapes destined for sparkling wines. The Peterson Family of Romulus, New York, grow Pinot Noir and other grapes for classic method sparkling wines under the Goose Watch, Swedish Hill and Penguin Bay Wineries. Other reds wines that are produced at Goose Cross include a Finger Lakes Lemberger, Chamboucin, and Cabernet Sauvignon (not typical of the region).
http://www.goosewatch.com/index.html

Mary Ann Coskery, Executive Director, heads up The American Wine Society, organized in 1967 as a non-profit, educational, consumer-oriented organization for those interested in learning more about all aspects of wine. On October 7, 1967, a group of some two hundred wine enthusiasts gathered at Dr. Konstantin Frank’s vineyard on Keuka Lake near Hammondsport, NY for the AWS’ initial meeting. Through a system of a board of directors, an executive director, regional vice presidents, and chapter chairman, the Society has grown into a nation-wide organization of amateur grape growers, winemakers, and wine appreciators interested in learning more about the history, production, appreciation, and use of wines. The Society has also attracted wine educators and professionals in wine related sciences, as well as the wine trade itself, extending the Society to a much broader membership base than most other wine clubs.
http://americanwinesociety.org/web/welcome.htm

American Wine Society membership is open to any interested person - wine enthusiast, professional wine maker, amateur wine maker, grape grower, and curious novice - anyone who wants to learn more about wine! AWS Member Benefits include: Participation in local chapter activities; Participation in local, regional, and national events, including national conference; Membership card and certificate; Quarterly American Wine Society Journal; Quarterly AWS Newsletter; Technical manuals, bulletins, videos, and vintage charts; Wine Judge Certification Program; National Tasting Project; Winemaking competitions; AWS Education Foundation; AWS Insurance Program; Discounts at participating wineries.
http://americanwinesociety.org/web/welcome.htm