In a state capital better known for politicians on the take (29 convicted and counting) than passing ethics legislation (0), about the best thing to come out of the New York State Legislature is its annual “Sip and Sample” event.
Like so many other political efforts these days the event, which brings wineries, cheese producers and food manufacturers from throughout the Empire State to Albany, appears to be a partisan affair–the two co-sponsors, Senator Tom O’Mara and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, are Republicans.
The event is set for Tuesday and will take place in The Well of the Legislative Office Building from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Producers from the Finger Lakes, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Central and Western New York will be featured.
New York Wine Industry Association President Suzy Hayes said in a press releases that “’Sip and Sample’ has become one of the favorite events for legislators and their staff…because they get the chance to try wonderful New York products while meeting the producers.”
The wine industry contributes about $5 billion to New York’s economy, legislative staffers estimated.
No Need to Leave The House Ever Again!
HelloFresh, which delivers meals for people to cook in their homes, will begin on May 17 to offer wine to go with those meals.
Delivered to customers’ doorsteps, monthly wine subscriptions will include six 750ML bottles with options of red, white or mixed cases. Every box will come with pairings that correspond to each month’s HelloFresh recipes. Subscriptions are $89 plus tax per month and shipping is included. Just like the HelloFresh meal subscription, customers will choose their preferred delivery day and can pause or cancel at any time. HelloFresh Wine will also be available to non-HelloFresh meal customers.
Bollinger to Spend Almost $50 Million on New Vineyards
Bollinger’s chef de cave Gilles Descôtes told The Drinks Business that the Champagne house that makes James Bond’s favorite sparkler has committed to spending $49.1 million (€45 million) over the next 10 years.
“We have been buying around 3 hectares (7.4 acres) every year since two years ago, and we are trying to buy more but it’s not easy. They don’t want houses buying land, so it’s quite difficult,” Descôtes told the outlet.
Bollinger now owns 420 acres (170 hectares) of vineyards. “We want to be over 200 hectares in the next 10 years,” he said. “That will guarantee our supply. We want to stay with having more than 60 percent of grapes coming from our own vineyards.”
Bollinger Chief Operating Officer Jérôme Philipon told The Drinks Business that 2016 had been a record year and credited the Champagne house’s association with the English spy for the growth. The 24th James Bond movie “Spectre” was released last year.
Published: May 13, 2017
