Kind of a gloomy day in Buenos Aires today. After realizing this morning that I lost my debit card by brilliantly leaving it in an ATM machine this weekend, I walked in the rain all the way to MALBA (the Museum of Latin American Art in Buenos Aires), only to find that it’s closed on Tuesdays. Way to check ahead, Aar. Then I watched the gate close in front of my face at my Plan B, the Japanese Gardens. C’est la vie… see what happens when you actually try to get out of the house and away from the computer? Well, I sure learned my lesson!

Before any of this happened, however, I read an article in the New York Times online that got me thinking enough to even inspire a second post for the week - before we’ve even hit Wednesday. I guess there’s something to be said for having so much time on my hands.

It seems that going forward there will be yet another reason to visit Staten Island, besides the views from the ferry - to check out the new vineyard at the Staten Island Botanic Garden. Before I tell you about it myself, here’s a link to the article: “A Toast to Tuscany, With a Staten Island Red.”

Now, kids, don’t get too excited. First they have to choose the varietals, plant the vines (they’re thinking 2000 of them), and get them producing fruit. Once the vines are in the ground you’re looking at an absolute minimum of 3 years before there are grapes that can be pressed into any kind of wine at all, let alone good wine. (More like 5, at least.) They have to build the winery and tasting room before you can visit it… and even then, who knows? But the point here is that this can only be a good sign for the world of wine. If New Yorkers are able to visit a winery, without even taking a train? I can only imagine how much of a boost this will give to wine-interest in and around the city, especially among people who can’t or don’t eat out in the fancy restaurants.

Of course my first thought reading this article was “Seriously?? on STATEN ISLAND?? Are you kidding me?” and then another part of me spoke up, saying “Well, it’s about time!”

(If things in my head were simple, well, you probably wouldn’t be reading this.)

In any case, before the industry fed the geek in me and turned it into a monster, I was attracted to vino for some pretty simple reasons. It tastes good, especially with a meal; it is a truly international product, with a long history in some of my favorite countries; there’s always more to learn about it. Most importantly, perhaps, it’s only beginning to appeal to the masses in the United States.

The example I’ve always used for this is Yellow Tail, from Australia - despite my personal tastes, Yellow Tail has only been a good thing for the wine industry, and for the American palate. It’s not stealing consumers away from Trévallon and Viña el Cerno… if anything, it’s taking them from Bud Light. Anyway you look at it, more people are drinking wine in the US now than ever, and the number only continues to grow; in fairness I have to credit much of this to Yellow Tail’s marketing and pricing. Some of these consumers will eventually move on to what my colleagues and I can’t help but see as ‘better’ wine, and those who don’t, well - they’re still buying vino! God bless them. May you all enjoy a glass of wine with your dinner, whatever it is, and wherever it’s from.

So yes, I’m pretty excited that there will finally be wine made within the city limits of New York. Some wonderful things are starting to come out of Long Island, and the Finger Lakes (upstate), and I believe that people are even starting to drink them outside of New York State. But Staten Island? Who would’ve thunk it? And who cares if it’s maybe just a ploy to get more people visiting the borough? They’re doing it. That’s enough for me.

Apparently, some of “Staten Island’s leading businessmen” recently took a trip to Crespina, a city in Tuscany that is set to become the borough’s sister city. I believe they are there now, learning about viticulture, getting exposure to wine-making techniques, and looking for the right varietals to plant in their home turf. Of course, it is illegal in the US to import cuttings, so they will have to choose a grape and then seek for a place in the United States where it is already growing. Interesting. As is the fact that 38% of Staten Island’s residents are of Italian Heritage, making it the most Italiano county in the nation, and explaining the trip to Tuscany, rather than Bordeaux, for example.

Ah - home sweet home.

November 13th, 2007 | vino