1st iPad wine list debuts in NYC

NEW YORK -- A 650-label wine list takes some navigating, but a Manhattan restaurant has come up with a way to help its customers.

The South Gate, located at 154 Central Park South, has become the city's first restaurant to use a custom-designed iPad wine tablet.

Customers can use it to access detailed information on all the wines, and the database is updated automatically as wines sell out. The application is called SmartCellar.

South Gate carries several New York State wines among its more than 650 offerings. They include a Peconic Bay 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon; a quartet of Cabernet Francs -- Schneider 1994, '95 and '99, and Reverie 2005, and a Peconic Bay 2007 La Barrique Chardonnay.

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Euro Rieslings seeking NY acceptance

NEW YORK -- The reputation of New York State's largely-excellent Riesling wines has gone virtually global in recent years. However, that is not stopping European producers to give up the battle for consumer attention.

The European Union and Wines of Germany will present their 6th annual Riesling Week, from July 26 through August 1, here and in other key U.S. cities. Customer response should be particularly interesting to see since the state's wine industry just completed its own Riesling Month promotion.

Restaurants in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas and Miami will offer European Riesling specials, including by-the-glass selections, dedicated Riesling flights, and food-pairing menus. Wine retailers also will host European Riesling tastings in participating cities. Details are available here.

Participating New York City and Long Island restaurants:

• 15 East, 15 East 15th Street
• Bar Veloce, 175 2nd Avenue
• Cavatappo Grill, 1712 1st Avenue
• Cavatappo Wine Bar, Gramercy, 347 3rd Avenue
• H2O Seafood Grill, 215 West Main Street, Smithtown, LI
• L’Ecole, The Restaurant of the French Culinary Institute, 462 Broadway
• Matsuri, 369 West 16th Street
• North Square Restaurant, 103 Waverly Place
• Prime an American Kitchen & Bar, 117 New York Avenue, Huntington, LI
• Savoy, 70 Prince Street
• Spice Market, 403 West 13th Street
• Tellers Chophouse, 605 Main Street, Islip, LI
• Terroir EVil, 413 East 12th Street
• The Jakewalk, 282 Smith Street, Brooklyn
• The Tangled Vine Wine Bar & Kitchen, 434 Amsterdam Avenue
• Verace True Italian, 599 Main Street, Islip, LI
• Aquavit, 65 East 55th Street
• Café Boulud, 20 East 76th Street
• Cavatappo Wine Bar, 1728 2nd Avenue
• Double Crown, 316 Bowery
• Hearth, 403 East 12th Street
• Le Colonial, 149 East 57th Street
• Megu New York, 62 Thomas Street
• Oak Wine Bar, 361 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn
• PUBLIC, 210 Elizabeth Street
• Seäsonal Restaurant, 132 West 58th Street
• Stone Park Cafe, 324 5th Avenue, Brooklyn
• Terroir Tribecca, 24 Harrison Street
• Thalassa, 179 Franklin Street
• The Monday Room, 210 Elizabeth Street
• Tocqueville, 1 East 15th Street
• Vyne, 82 West 3rd Street

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'Galloping Grapes' headed for Saratoga track

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- Here's the latest update on "Galloping Grapes: A New York Wine Event," set for Friday, August 6, at the Saratoga Race Course.

As I mentioned last month, the event is part of the Times Union newspaper's fundraising for its Classroom Enrichment Program and the Times Union Hope Fund. The New York Wine and Grape Foundation is assisting in the organization of the event.

The tasting fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, August 6, offering 30 or so wine and food vendors from throughout the state. Advance tickets are $25, with a $30 admission at the door.

Wineries signed up so far:

Ledge Rock Hill Winery
Colebrook Country Wines
Altamont Vineyard and Winery
Chateau Lafayette Reneau
Swedish Hill Vineyard
Heron Hill Winery
Adirondack Winery
Brookview Station Winery
King Ferry Winery

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'Taste of NY' in Sackets Harbor

SACKETS HARBOR, NY -- In the real estate business, the mantra is location, location, location. In the various "Taste of New York"
events held around the state, location has to be New York.

The next "Taste of New York -- NYS Farm and Winery Market" is set for Saturday, August 7, at the Harbor here.

The Jefferson County event will take place in an outdoor tent setting, with live entertainment and samples of foods and wines produced in the state. In addition to offering samples of wines, participating wineries will be allowed to sell their products by the bottle.

Nearly 40 farms and wineries will be represented to show off their wines, grape juices, cheeses, maple syrups, ice cream, meats, sauces and other products.

Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for active members of the military, and $3 for persons ages 11 to 20. Under 11 children are admitted free.

The event is a joint effort of the Village of Sackets Harbor, the local Chamber of Commerce, and CNY Media Group/Infinite Media. It is sanctioned by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets' Pride of New York program.and the Jefferson County Ag Development Corporation.

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Lake Placid 'Adirondack Harvest' series continues

LAKE PLACID, NY -- Harvest meals get a lot of publicity when they're held in traditional markets, but the mountains have their moments, too.

Building on a successful debut event last month, David Hunt, executive chef at Generations (right), the restaurant at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, will be putting together an "Adirondack Harvest Brunce" to be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday, July 18.

It will feature foods and produce from Asgaard Farms, Rulf's Orchard, Kilcoyne Farms & Lake Placid Vodka.

Other harvest meals are scheduled for Sunday, August 22, and Sunday, September 26. The cost is $28 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

The Golden Arrow is known for its green and environmental practices, and calls involving the region's farms and farmers a natural extension for what is the only 5 Green Leaf-rated property in the U.S. as decided by Audubon International.

The menu for Sunday:

• Chillled Athena melon soup with wild blueberries and Champagne
• New York State cantaloupe from the Great Lakes region
• Northern New York blueberries from Rulfs Orchard
• Asgaard Farm maple goat cheese blintz with local maple syrup
• Asgaard Farm fresh eggs Benedict with wilted Fledgling Crow Farm spinach on English muffin with Hollandaise sauce
• Braised Kilcoyne short ribs with Fledgling Crow Farm purple potato pancakes
• Stir-fried Oriental greens with soba noodles, a combination from two farms -- tot soi from Fledgling Crow and bok choy from Rulfs
• New York State cherry clafouti with Pama Liqueur reduction and whipped fresh cream
• Screwdrivers made with Lake Placid Vodka (one complimentary with each brunch)

The 166-room Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is located directly on the lake at 2559 Main Street in the village. Information and reservations: (518) 523-3353.

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Hoosick River boat launch to open

EAGLE BRIDGE, NY -- The official opening of the Hoosic River public access boat launch will be marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, July 31.

The Rensselaer Land Trust has schedule the event for 11 a.m. at the Trust's property located one-half mile west of Eagle Bridge or 1½ miles east of Buskirk on Route 67 in Rensselaer County.

Canoeists and kayakers are particularly invited to participate by bringing their fishing license and fishing poles, parking in the lot opposite the Eagle Bridge Inn, and taking the shuttle service to the site.

After the ribbon cutting, there will be a guided boat tour at 1 a.m., afternoon fishing and casting contests, and a fly fishing demonstration by Trout Unlimited.

"Our Hoosic River property is a joint partnership between the Rensselaer Land Trust and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, with the DEC constructing the parking lot, canoe launch, kiosk and benches," the Trust said in a press statement.

"The majority of this 33-acre parcel is leased to local farmers. The DEC holds a conservation easement on the rest including a 66-foot-wide public fishing access along the 3,120-foot shoreline."

The Rensselaer Land Trust is the only not-for-profit land trust primarily dedicated to the preservation of natural spaces throughout Rensselaer County, especially land that protects sources of drinking water, areas that serve as natural habitats for wildlife, and land that maintains the scenic rural character of the community.

The RLT is headquartered at 415 River Street in Troy. Phone: (518) 659-5263.

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44th Phelps Sauerkraut Festival on tap

PHELPS, NY -- Mark your calendars for August 5-7. That’s when the 44th annual Sauerkraut Festival rolls out in this Ontario County village.

The Phelps Chamber of Commerce started this festival because the town was one of the largest producers of sauerkraut in the world. Eventually, a committee made up of members from the community and community organizations took over the various aspects of this festival with the support of the Silver Floss Sauerkraut Company, now the Great Lakes Kraut Company, and Birds Eye Foods.

Even though Phelps no longer has any working sauerkraut factories, it continues the festival as a salute to its industrial heritage, in conjunction with the American Legion (Auxiliary Unit 457) and Phelps Fire Department.

As part of the three-day event, Thursday night is “Kiddie Night,” and Friday night is “Kraut Idol,” a cooking contest and live music. Saturday events begin at 9 a.m. with a 20K race, arts and crafts show, midway rides, kids safety events, a parade, live music and other events.

Phelps is located on Route 96 between Rochester and Syracuse, off the Thruway at Exits 42 and 43.

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Finger Lakes fest adds 'Riedel Experience'

WATKINS GLEN, NY -- When the Finger Lakes Wine Festival rolls around later this month, a small group of attendees will be rewarded with something special for their dollar.

The “Riedel Experience,” a new feature this year for the July 16-18 event at the Watkins Glen International motor racing complex, is limited to 150 people paying $175 each.

What they’ll get is a two-day VIP pass for the festival and Brewers Garden, several Riedel wine glasses including the glass created exclusively for Finger Lakes Rieslings and launched last year, a sensory evaluation class with Georg Riedel, hors d’oeuvres on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, exclusive tastings with participating wineries, and a ride in a pace car from the track.

The festival itself is the largest showcase of Finger Lakes wines in the world, drawing thousands of visitors from around the country and world.

Incidentally, the aforementioned Brewers Garden this year will feature products from Anchor Steam Brewery, Ommegang, Brooklyn Brewery, Dundee, Kona Brewing Company, Lake Placid Craft Brewing, Long Trail Brewery, Magic Hat, Michelob Brewing Company, Newcastle, Roosterfish Brewery, Saranac, Seagrams Full Color, Sierra Nevada, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Victory and Woodchuck Cider.

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Pultneyville Homecoming adds art, wine, jazz

PULTNEYVILLE, NY -- The Pultneyville Historical Society’s Homecoming Festival has something a little different for its 53rd annual event, scheduled for Saturday, July 17: art, wine and jazz.

Members of the Lake Ontario Wine Trail will be involved in the event in this Wayne County hamlet.

The antique and art segments of the festival will begin at 10 a.m., the food and farmer’s market segments at 11, and the official start of the wine and jazz segments kicking at about noon after completion of the Homecoming Parade.

The venues are spread throughout the hamlet and environs.

Wine tasting tickets are available for $15 per person age 21 and over. Designated driver tickets are $10. Both are available online by going to the Trail website.

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