Can anyone tell me why.....

[Thomas]

Roberto, I tried to explain why NY wines are limited in distribution--don't you believe any of what I said? Thems are the facts, like it or not.

By the way, the guys from Molise and Calabria have the ability to tap into some government funds--we don't get that kind of help here in the land of the free, and certainly not in the state known for its take rather than its give.

Re, the national writers not covering what is nationally available: that's the excuse given by the writers, not by me. I have heard that song far too many times for you to persuade me otherwise. And while we are at it, the Expectorant annual coverage of NY wine always leaves me to wonder if the guys with the taste for bomb-throwing oak haven't taken over that rag. They do not seem to understand fruit, acid and the marriage between wine and food.

As for price-quality ratio, that is an area I think NY has a distinct disadvantage. It is costly to produce here, and although the quality can be great, the price for vinifera-based products is often problematic when you consider what is out there from the world over. This is a function both of cool climate growing (which is not always cooperative) and limited land for planting. What they get away with in Burgundy pricing for limited vineyard plantings is not even up for discussion in NY.

Next time you are on your way to Italy, you could stop at Kennedy Airport, grab a car and drive around NY State for a few days. I will gladly give you the VP tour, provided I am not on my way to Italy at the time....