State Works to Promote NY Wines

By LeShea Agnew

Rochester, NY – New York State is launching a new initiative aimed at encouraging residents to support locally produced wine.

The New York Wine and Grape Foundation based in Canandaigua is leading the effort and says the program will be focused in New York City, one of the world's most competitive markets.

Speaking on behalf of the Wine and Grape Foundation Michael Gitter says New York wines are vastly underrepresented in their major home state market. This promotion will bring more visibility to the quality wine being produced here in the state.

According to officials--for years the quality of NY wines has improved with many routinely receiving scores of 90 or above in major wine competitions.

The National Association of American Wineries shows New York ranks 2 in wine production with 28.5 million gallons. California is number 1 producing an annual 566 million gallons. NY's wine industry employs 5 thousand people.