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Big might well be beautiful - and there are plenty who think it is - but when it comes to wine I sometimes wonder whether small is smarter. What we're talking about here are the so-called boutique wineries (though, in fact, many do not have wineries of their own) which provide much of the interest, the variety and the colour in an industry dominated by a handful of big players. And we are talking about some of the wineries most at risk as the industry battles one of the biggest slumps in its recent history. Which is only one of the reasons we should be supporting them. The other is best demonstrated by the results from the Royal Easter Show Wine Awards, the first of a new round of competitions which will, throughout the year, reward excellence in viticulture and winemaking , not to mention the passion of people who in some cases stake their futures on the wines that they produce. During failed attempts to pass the state budget on time, the Legislature balked at Gov. David Paterson's proposal to allow grocery stores to sell wine as a way to generate millions of dollars and help address New York's more than $9 billion budget gap. Before the Legislature's Easter break, both the Senate and Assembly seemed in agreement over rejecting Paterson's Wine Industry and Liquor Store Revitalization Act, which aims to raise $300 million in new revenue for the 2010-11 budget by requiring supermarkets, convenience stores and gas stations to pay a licensing fee to sell wine. At the same time, it would give consumers increased access to wine while expanding the marketplace for winemakers. KENT PORTER/ PD At Bella Winery in the Dry Creek Valley, a walk in the vineyard leads to the Wine Road Barrel Tasting in Sonoma County, Saturday March 6, 2010. A total of 25,000 people sipped their way through the Wine Road Barrel Tasting that spanned two weekends in March, and they generated record-breaking sales in excess of $2.5 million. The so-called ‘futures' refer to wine sold before it's bottled, often at discounted prices. Barrel-tasting provides a sneak preview of this young wine while it's in the process of aging and won't be available for another year or two. WABASH WINE... Joe and Shelly Skahill anticipate opening the Wabash Wine Company winery, located on Ferguson Road in July. Interested in a bottle of Petticoat Blush or Bill’s Bridge wine? Perhaps you’re interested in a sampling of the Blackberry Express or Caboose? If so, those are just a few of the wines being made at the Wabash Wine Company, located at 800 West Ferguson Road in Shenandoah. Owned and operated by Joe and Shelly Skahill, the Wabash Wine Company was established in 2008 on their vineyard in rural Coin. HAMILTON SQUARE — Newly opened Hawk Haven Vineyards in Rio Grande took bronzes for its 2007 American Kestrel White and its 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon at the 10th annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition in March. Cape May Winery & Vineyard in Cape May won three silver awards for its 2008 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, its 2009 Chardonnay non-oaked, and its 2009 Riesling. It also captured four bronze awards for its 2008 Cabernet Franc, 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Pinot Grigio and its 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Natali Vineyards in Court House won a silver medal for its 2008 Shiraz and bronzes for its Strawberry Wine and its Blueberry Wine made from fresh-picked Hammonton blueberries.
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Site developed by Viraj Patil ()
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