Good News- New York State Restaurants Reopen for Outdoor Dining

Good News! Restaurants in seven regions of New York state have been given permission by Governor Andrew Cuomo to reopen for outdoor dining today!

As reported by Eater New York, Cuomo gave the green light for restaurants to reopen for al fresco eating in the seven regions of New York state that were in the second phase of reopening.

The seven regions are: Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country, the Southern Tier, Western New York and the Capital Region.

These rules do not apply to New York City, which is yet to enter the second phase of reopening, but according to Eater, this may happen as early as 22 June. NYC due to enter its first phase of reopening on 8 June.

Restaurants in New York state that reopen for outdoor dining will have to space their tables two meters apart and ensure that all staff members are wearing face masks. Diners will also be required to cover their face when they aren’t at their table.

To qualify for outdoor dining, venues will need to be granted approval from local entities and will have to comply with local regulations for outdoor dining. Eater reports that restaurants and bars in New York City will have to secure specific permits before being able to set up tables outside.

No guidelines have been issued regarding indoor dining in New York State, which will not take place until the third phase of reopening begins.

Les Dames d’Escoffier Ontario Chapter Launches “Women in Wine Talks™” with Elizabeth Gabay MW June 11, 2020

The Les Dames d’Escoffier Ontario (Canada) Chapter created “Women in Wine Talks ™” as an online platform to promote women in the wine industry. Women in Wine Talks includes virtual online conversations, talks, and panel discussions on all aspects of the industry.

Women in Wine Talks ™ shine the spotlight on global women business leaders, winemakers, authors and other industry experts, with participants ranging from beginners through to wine professionals.

 About Les Dames d’Escoffier Ontario (Canada)

The Les Dames d’Escoffier Ontario (Canada) Chapter launched spring 2019, and is fully dedicated to supporting women leadership, providing educational opportunities and hosting philanthropic events in the wine, culinary and hospitality fields. Our members not only share knowledge among colleagues, we support talented young women as they aspire to become the leaders of tomorrow in their chosen professions, through our impactful scholarship program.

First in our Series

The first in our series of Women in Wine Talks ™ includes a talk and tasting with Elizabeth Gabay MW. Elizabeth is one of the world’s foremost authorities on rosé wines, the author of ‘Rosé: Understanding the Pink Wine Revolution’, and President of the Jury at International Rosé Challenge.

Date: June 11, 2020

Time: 2:30 – 3:30 pm EDT (EG is based in South of France)

Cost:  $20.00

Registration: https://bit.ly/3gGqhjn

Choose one, two Rosés, or three Rosés on the list below (recommended by Elizabeth), sit back, sip, savour, and learn while Elizabeth Gabay MW discusses Rosé: Understanding the Pink Wine Revolution.

Wines being discussed (all available at the LCBO)

  1. Muscat and rosé: Banrock Station Pink Moscato or Jacob’s Creek Moscato rosé or Gapsted Moscato rosé or Bodacious Moscato rosé Canada
  2. Historic Italian rosé: CantineArte Gaia Cerasuolo’Abruzzo or Di Bernardino d’Abruzzo or Cirelli Cerasuolo Anfora or Castel del Monte Rosé
  3. The importance of Portugal: Pink Bang Rosé (Touriga Nacional) or Mateus Rosé
  4. Traditional Italian red regions going pink: Kis Sparkling Maremma (could also choose a Tuscan rosé) Rosato, Sangiovese
  5. Central Europe: Pittnauer Rosé Dogma Burgenland, Blaufrankisch
  6. Dark juice rosé: Rustenberg Petit Verdot rosé, South Africa
  7. Indigenous varieties: Karamolegos Terranera, Greece or Kir Yianni Alakies Xinomavro

 

Happy National Wine Day !  Netflix Canada  & Ontario Wine…the perfect pairing!

 

 

Netflix Canada  & Ontario Wine…the perfect pairing!

Here are my three recommended pairings (movie/series and wine):

“To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” PAIRED with Marynissen Estates Bottoms Up Red 2017

This lush ruby-red Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend is berry-driven and the ideal match for this flustery tale of first love.

Tasting Notes:  Seduces you immediately;  rich and expressive aromas of cherry, plum and raspberry that also carry through to the palate with a smooth long finish

“Virgin River” PAIRED with Nyarai Cellars, Field Blender’s White 2017

Nothing complements a fresh start at romance quite like wonderful aromatics and orange blossoms

Tasting Notes:  An elegant style that features rich complex and exciting aromatics; effortlessly displaying notes of apricots, honeydew melon, and orange blossoms;  edgy minerality runs throughout with crisp acidity onto a long citrus finish

“Self Made” PAIRED with 13Th Street June’s Vineyard Riesling 2018

Aromas of lime and wildflowers pairs beautifully with the inspiring confidence and drive of M.C. Walker

Tasting Notes:  Delicate whiffs of honey, beeswax lend depth to crisp ripe peach, apricot flavors with some stony mineral tones; this spry yet penetrating Riesling finishes with juicy concentrate stone fruit flair.

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California bars and restaurants can now offer outdoor seating

California’s bars and restaurants can reopen for table service as long as they can provide outdoor seating, according to new measures announced this week.

The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) in California has proposed regulations for bars and restaurants that will allow them to seat diners on the property that is “adjacent to the licensed premises”, such as pavements or car parks.

The ABC has previously ruled that on-trade outlets can offer take-out and home delivery to patrons so they could stay in business while the state’s lockdown measures are in place.

Pre-made cocktails and other alcoholic drinks are only to be sold as a take-out option if they are served with a meal.

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a directive to close all bars, wineries, nightclubs and brewpubs in the state on March 15 and called for all seniors age 65 years or older to stay in self-isolation, in an effort to stop Covid-19 from spreading and putting a strain on local hospitals.

The temporary authorization only allows bars and restaurants to sell alcohol “during times in which bona fide meals are being served,” and allows them to use outdoor spaces that comply with public safety and welfare requirements.

Meanwhile, venues should still “encourage takeout and delivery service whenever possible,” according to California’s latest guidance for bars and restaurants issued last week.

The ABC updated its guidelines on May 19, and also ruled that licensees that do not have their kitchen facilities and do not prepare bona fide meals on the licensed premises to partner with businesses that do offer meals ( a “meal provider”) to “sell bona fide meals in conjunction with to-go containers of alcoholic beverages.”

The regulations have been amended to provide relief to the alcohol industry while it is unable to operate in full during lockdown.

Some US states are already coming out of their own lockdowns, with restaurants now able to take bookings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidance for bars preparing to reopen earlier this month as coronavirus lockdown restrictions eased.

Vinexpo New York announces 2021 dates

It’s official… pencil in February 3 – 4 2020 in your Calendar!

Vinexpo New York has announced dates for its 2021 return to Jacob K. Javits Center. The move is a vote of confidence in the resilience of the wine and spirits industry and the show’s dates, February 3-4, will make it the first opportunity for the global market to gather as a community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jointly organized with Diversified Communications, Vinexpo New York is the leading international exhibition in North America open exclusively to the wine and spirits trade. It features two full days of educational programming and networking opportunities. The exhibition hall is strategically organized to foster business relationships between both domestic and international producers and American importers, distributors, retailers, brokers, e-commerce representatives, on-trade buyers and sommeliers. Attendee and trade registration will open online in mid-September.

The 2021 show will feature all of the signature offerings of the 2020 show. These include a robust schedule of conferences and masterclasses; a Key Buyer Program offering VIP perks to high-volume wine and spirits buyers; a complimentary business matchmaking service; The Buzz, a dedicated space for knowledge exchange, networking and group discussion; and the WOW! Pavilion showcasing organic wines. US-based importers will also be exhibiting their portfolio of brands. Program details will be announced as they develop.

In the meantime… register for the June 3 webinar…

“The New Normal: Beverage Alcohol in a COVID Environment,” June 3

Vinexpo New York has introduced a webinar series to provide a forum for industry discussion well before it convenes next February. Moderated by Diversified Communications’ event director, Beckie Kier, the series launched on May 5 with The Evolving Landscape of the Wine and Spirits Industry. A second, planned for June 3, will explore The New Normal: Beverage Alcohol in a COVID Environment, and will feature Brandy Rand, chief operating officer, Americas, of the IWSR and a Vinexpo New York Advisory Board member. It will air live at 11:00-11:45 a.m. EDT and registration is available here. As the webinar program continues to develop, future events will be announced at https://www.vinexponewyork.com/webinars/.

“As the international wine and spirits industry, like so many others, navigates the unprecedented upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vinexpo and Diversified are unwavering in our shared commitment to providing a global platform to address the community’s needs, both through our new digital offerings and the return of our in-person event,” said Kier.

Added Vinexpo CEO Rodolphe Lameyse, “The extraordinary challenges posed by COVID-19 are impacting every aspect of our industry. Vinexpo New York 2021 will provide a vital platform for producers, importers, distributors, buyers and more to share their experiences and learnings and to hear from international experts as we all continue to adapt and innovate our way through the crisis.”

For further details visit vinexponewyork.com.