April is Wine Month in New York

More than 160 restaurants and 200 wine stores throughout New York State will be celebrating New York Wine Month in April by offering their customers hundreds of fine New York wines from about 90 wineries.

"April is the perfect month for celebrating New York wines,” said Jim Trezise, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation which is orchestrating the month-long promotion. “The 2007 vintage was the best in at least 15 years, and many of the wines will be unveiled for the public in April.

“In addition, a major ‘Taste of New York’ public television series produced by WXXI in Rochester will begin airing in April, along with publication of a ‘Taste of New York’ cookbook featuring New York wines and foods. And it’s the onset of the wine country tourist season when consumers start planning their trips to New York’s great wine regions.”

Among New York’s famous wine-growing regions are the Finger Lakes and Long Island, which both produce unparalleled award-winning wines. The wineries in these regions offer a variety of winter events and wines, including ice wine, a unique dessert-style wine made from frozen grapes harvested throughout the winter season.

Long Island Wine Country is just 70 miles east of New York City, and only a short ferry ride from New England. Visitors can tour more than 30 wineries with specialties that range from Merlot and Chardonnay, to Cabernet Sauvignon and red blends.

Famous for its spectacular scenery, the Finger Lakes Region, which includes the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, Keuka Lake Wine Trail, Canandaigua Wine Trail and Seneca Lake Wine Trail, specializes in the production of sparkling, Riesling and Pinot Noir.

The newyorkwinemonth.com website lists all of the participating wineries, restaurants and stores, including the specific wines they are featuring.