Winter 1999, Volume 9 Number 2

Riesling is Gold...Très Bon

French honor bolsters winery's world-class reputation

Strasbourg, France:   Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars 1997 Johannisberg Riesling (Semi-Dry) was awarded a Gold Medal at the recent RIESLING OF THE WORLD COMPETITION sponsored by the Socéité des Foires et Expositions de Strasbourg (SOFEX) and held in the famous wine producing region of Alsace. The competition's select jury of 70 internationally renowned experts tasted their way through 232 samples of Rieslings submitted by 143 of the world's finest producers of the variety that yields the most distinctive and noble wines of Alsace, the Mosel, the Rhine, and The Finger Lakes.

"To win such an honor in Alsace is particularly significant," says winery patriarch Willy Frank. "Riesling is the oldest species in Alsace-having been grown there since the time of the Romans-and Alsatians themselves say firmly that Riesling is the king of wines. This Gold Medal says to the world what we in the Finger Lakes have been saying for years -'there is no finer region on earth for growing internationally renowned Rieslings than on the hillsides above the deep blue, glacially formed Finger Lakes'."

It would seem Willy Frank knows what he is talking about. Dr. Frank's Rieslings have twice won the Deinhard Trophy awarded to the "Best New World Riesling" at Jerry Mead's New World International Wine Competition. They have won prestigious Gold and Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, been given the "Best White Wine" designation at the Riverside (CA) Wine Competition, and have been served at the White House and at International Summit meetings. Most recently Dr. Frank's 1998 Johannisberg Riesling (Dry) captured the Gold Medal in its class at the International Eastern Wine Competition-an event that boasted 1,465 entries from 32 states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 6 foreign nations.

Double Gold - San Francisco International Wine Competition - only Double Gold in its class

Rieslings grown in the Finger Lakes Region produce small yellowish fruit that when vinified develop the appley, strawberry-like flavors characteristic of good German Rieslings and boast more crispness and liveliness than those grown in other parts of the United States-a benefit of the Finger Lakes Region's cool climate. Few wineries have had such far-reaching influence and success with Riesling as Vinifera Wine Cellars which was founded by the legendary Konstantin Frank-the father of vinifera in the eastern United States. The winery, founded in 1962, is now in its third generation of producing internationally acclaimed Rieslings in many styles-from dry table wines to superbly luscious ice wines.

Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars has some of the oldest plantings of Rieslings in the United States. The wines are made from the most delicate and elegant Riesling clones (Clone 90 and Clone 239GM) which Dr. Frank received from the Geisenheim Wine Institute some 40 years ago. The vines were received in exchange for his winter-hardy rootstocks used to make the tender European vinifera grapes survive winter conditions in the Finger Lakes.

The label shown at the left represents an historic achievement in the New York wine industry, for it adorned one of the first bottles of Dr. Konstantin Frank's 1962 Johannisberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA)-the first such wine produced in New York, and according to historians, the first produced in the United States. TBA Riesling-also known as Nectar of the Gods-is the late harvest version of the noble German Riesling. The wines are made from hand-picked, individual, over-ripe berries affected by the "noble rot." TBA Rieslings are the German equivalent of fine French sauternes, the Chateau d'Yquem being among the most famous.

The first Dr. Frank TBA was produced in 1962, and was followed by vintages in 1971, 1975, 1985, and 1991. The last two wines received Gold Medals at the Intervin Wine Competition in Toronto, Canada.

The early labels for Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars were printed in Germany and feature a view of the Rheingau-a panorama remarkably similar to the one visible from our winery located high over Keuka Lake.

One of the newest honors bestowed on the winery came recently when Dr. Konstantin Frank was selected by Wines & Vines magazine as one of this century's outstanding people in the U. S. wine industry. In an article appearing in the July issue that honored "The Wine World's People,"editor Phil Hiaring said of Dr. Frank: "He was a German scientist born in the Ukraine who believed in vinifera, even in the cold climate of the New York State Finger Lakes."

Dr. Konstantin Frank (right), joined by California wine producer Andre Tchelistcheff Photo by Dorothy Tchelistcheff

Andre Tchelistcheff is recognized as the pioneer responsible for the resurgance of the California quality wine industry, whereas Dr. Frank is credited with bringing the vinifera grapes to the Eastern United States and laying the foundation for the production of quality wines in the East.

The winemaking team took on a new look this season as we welcomed a new chief winemaker to our team. Morten Hallgren (pictured right) a native of Denmark graduated from the University of Montpellier, France and also did his training in France. Morten is ably assisted by Samuel Alexandre, a graduate of the University of Dijon, France, and our winemaker Mark Veraguth (U.C. Davis) who has been with us for over 10 years. Vineyard manager Eric Volz rounds out this great staff who brought in an excellent harvest again this year-although it was smaller than usual because of the summer's drought conditions.

Morten Hallgren, Dr. Frank's new chief winemaker

We move into the new millennium under the able guidance of Dr. Frank's grandson Frederick Frank (CEO). With his tutelage, both our plant and production have expanded dramatically to meet growing consumer demand.

Much recognition and thanks are also due our able and enthusiastic wine shop crew who have been doing a magnificent job serving our multitude of visitors. We are grateful to George DiTomasso, Joe Yedinak, Lucia Reed, Kristine Menihan, Michelle Gabrielson, Jill Peek, our tent staff-Barb Serphillips, and Lisa Hallgren (especially for her culinary skills) who all labor under the able direction of our Joe Serphillips. We also mourn the unforgettable Jack Garrity whose untimely death left a deep void in all our hearts.

We would also like to thank you, our valuable customers and friends, for your past business and wish you Happy Holidays and a joyful Millennium. Please, remember that our inventory of Dr. Frank wines and Chateau Frank champagnes and sparkling wines is being depleted very rapidly. We urge you to stock up soon, be it at your favorite wine shop or here at the winery.

Sincerely,

With the Millennium only a few weeks away, shortages of fine champagnes are beginning to show. Our sister winery, Chateau Frank, which produces only sparkling wines, has developed a serious backorder situation, especially with our distributors. We need three winemakers to disgorge the wine, and as they were busy with the harvest, we fell behind in the champagne cellars.

Whenever we were able to find a spare moment, we disgorged as much champagne as we could. We are now catching up on our work by employing 20 riddling racks and two French gyropalattes around the clock.

The only New York winery making sparkling wines exclusively from the classic French champagne grape varieties, Chateau Frank has five styles of champagnes on the market. We have a choice to please any palate, and we have them at very reasonable prices.

Previous vintages have outscored Bollenger Grand Année ($60), Veuve Clicquot Gran Dame ($85), Perrier-Jouét ($80), and a list of 80 or 90 more (available on request)

Our various champagnes and sparklers have outscored dozens of famous French and California bubblies (many costing 3 or 4 times as much as ours) at national and international wine competitions. Decanter - The World's Best Wine Magazine - describes Finger Lakes champagnes as, "light, lean bubbly-like Champagne-not the rich, fruity California sort." And they state Chateau Frank, "... makes Brut and Blanc de Blancs sparkling wines that rival certain brands from Champagne, and a charming Crémant." So, don't get caught short this New Year's Eve, stock up on your favorites from Chateau Frank while they're still available.

1995 Brut Champagne Experts consistently mistake this wine for French Champagnes costing several times its price. Four years of aging on the yeast have resulted in a rich, toasty wine full of complex yet subtle flavors.

1995 Blanc de Blancs Champagne A straw yellow wine with a pleasant yeasty nose, this bubbly is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. Medium body, with lots of acid and medium fruit. This wine is austere with subtle lime fruit and earthy undertones.

NV Celebré A delicious, fresh, flavor-filled bubbly at a price that makes champagne an affordable pleasure. Now produced methode champenoise!

NV Celebre Rosé Our latest addition! Made primarily from the Pinot Meunier (a traditional Champagne grape) this is the fruitiest and most forthcoming of our sparkling wines. Its seductive color and satisfying aromas are sure to please.

The distribution of Dr. Frank's wines is growing! If you can't find our wines in your local wine shop or favorite restaurant, ask the owner or manager to contact one of our distributors:

If our wine is not available in your area, we can ship to you or your family and friends via UPS or other shipping companies. Due to legislation in various states, shipping is not available to: FL, KY, TN, NC, IN, WY, MD, ND and GA. Please contact us for the latest shipping information.Call 800-320-0735.

Resveratrol (res VER a trawl), it seems we mention it all the time. You have probably read in both the press and in our last two newsletters about this amazing naturally occurring substance which has been found to fight heart disease and cancer .

The good news is that both the Dr. Frank Pinot Noir and the Fleur de Pinot Noir continue to contain high amounts of resveratrol, and they taste good too. The Fleur de Pinot Noir was recently chosen to be served at a Gala Dinner at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, at the National Press Club in Washington, D. C., and at the Hudson River Club in New York City.

The Fleur de Pinor Noir is a respectable wine at a good price and we have it in stock. At the dinners above, it was paired with duck, Hudson Valley Foie Gras and with Salmon. Do your heart and your palate some good by creating your own innovative Pinot and food pairings.

Resveratrol (res VER a trawl), it seems we mention it all the time. You have probably read in both the press and in our last two newsletters about this amazing naturally occurring substance which has been found to fight heart disease and cancer .

The good news is that both the Dr. Frank Pinot Noir and the Fleur de Pinot Noir continue to contain high amounts of resveratrol, and they taste good too. The Fleur de Pinot Noir was recently chosen to be served at a Gala Dinner at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, at the National Press Club in Washington, D. C., and at the Hudson River Club in New York City.

The Fleur de Pinor Noir is a respectable wine at a good price and we have it in stock. At the dinners above, it was paired with duck, Hudson Valley Foie Gras and with Salmon. Do your heart and your palate some good by creating your own innovative Pinot and food pairings.

P.S. Food for thought...this wine pairs well with both holiday turkey and ham.