Last year, I went to my first Finger Lakes Wine Festival with high expectations. It was going to be an opportunity for me to taste wines from Finger Lakes wineries I'd never or rarely visited. I'd also be able to taste wines from Niagara and the Hudson Valley, too.
That Saturday, the festival was a teeming mass of people. Hot, sweaty and cramped under the tents in 90+ degree heat and tasting wines sitting in ice-cold water baths was not at all what I had in mind.
Sunday was perfectly pleasant, though, with far fewer attendees. The most enjoyable part of the festival however occurred after hours, when winemakers and owners gathered in the "Riesling Room" in an informal setting to taste reserve bottles, swap stories and generally relax after a long, hot day of pouring wines.
This, I thought, was the wine experience I was looking for: a chance to really taste top wines and talk to winemakers. Into the evening after these tasting sessions, industry folks brainstormed about how to make the festival more inviting for the wine-savvy crowd.
On by blog Ithacork, I summed the 2009 weekend up in three parts. My conclusions and plan for returning in 2010: on Saturday, make an effort to get to seminars and other special events that were being offered and taste down on the front lines on Sunday when it would be less crowded.
This year, I pretty much stuck to my plan, though Saturday was much better than expected: I was privy to the Riedel VIP Experience.
So from noon until 5 p.m. on Saturday, one could stay in the air-conditioned media center, away from the crowds, and taste special selections of Finger Lakes wines, many of which were poured by winemakers/owners. Bingo.
The first element of the VIP experience was a "personal sensory evaluation" with Georg Riedel. I'm not going to mention all of the pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo that underpins the claims Riedel makes about how glassware affects wine aroma and taste. That's for another post and possibly another forum altogether.
Suffice it to say that Riedel holds a tightly-controlled and carefully orchestrated tasting, which involves pouring wines from glass to glass in a choreographed ballet of smelling, tasting, nodding in agreement and gasping in amazement.
My never-ending skepticism aside, there's no denying that Riedel makes world-class glassware and it was great to see Finger Lakes wines filling that glassware. It was also great to see Finger Lakes wines showcased in such a way to a VIP audience, which included international journalists from the prestigious Circle of Wine Writers.
Interestingly, two of the wineries selected also feature Riedel glassware in their tasting rooms. The wines for this tasting were selected by Jill Day, regional manager for Riedel USA and between 9 and 12 wines were submitted for consideration for each of the four grape varieties.
All the wines showed well in the glassware (as expected). Midway through the tasting, there came effusive praise from Riedel for the Heart and Hands 2007 Barrel Reserve Pinot. When he smelled and tasted it, he was quite obviously temporarily knocked off his game. It was clear that he was truly surprised by the quality of this Finger Lakes pinot as his polished delivery was stopped in its tracks while he complimented winemaker Tom Higgins on a job well done.
After the Riedel tasting and a short breakdown period, the VIP wine tasting began. Leather couches and cocktail tables, light piano jazz and outstanding hors d'oeuvres prepared by local chef Deb Whiting (Red Newt Bistro) set the mood. Fifteen of the top Finger Lakes producers (selected by Finger Lakes Wine Country) were there to pour some nice wines for the VIPs for three hours.
"The winery response was amazing and there was a waiting list in addition to the 15 represented," says Finger Lakes Wine Country president, Morgen McLaughlin. "To have [Hermann J.] Wiemer, Shaw and Lamoreaux Landing pour at the event (when they weren't part of the rest of the Festival) speaks to the support from the wine industry and the top wineries in the region for a VIP Experience."
If you make a list of who you think are the elite producers in the Finger Lakes, many on that list were in attendance at the VIP tasting. I'll leave a complete list of attendees in the comments section.
Standout wines for me in the VIP tasting (some of which were new releases or very recently bottled): Lamoreaux Landing 2009 Dry Riesling (fruit leaping out of the glass), Shaw 2009 LiBella Pinot Grigio (bold tropical fruit), Heron Hill 2007 Blaufränkisch (strawberry showing through still generous oak), Red Newt 2007 Viridescens (dark fruit kept in check by firm acid and tannin structure), Hermann J. Wiemer 2008 Gewürztraminer (effortlessly balanced fleshy fruit, floral notes, and acidity).
It was clear that the organizers of the event used consumer and industry feedback to tailor a VIP experience. Kudos are due to FLWC and Watkins Glen International, the engines of these improvements. Not insignificant in this change is the new president of WGI, Michael Printup. A slick businessman and admitted wine enthusiast, Printup has big ideas for integrating "the Glen" with wine country, including the recent planting of some St. Croix grapevines on the track.
Special events were not limited to those able to drop 175 bucks though.
Like every year, the NYWGF and the NY Wine & Culinary Center sponsored free seminars on Finger Lakes wines and culinary seminars featuring wine pairings. Down on the track, the "Riesling Room" from 2009, which offered samples of a spectrum of high-quality Rieslings, expanded to become the "Vintner's Room" in 2010, offering 20-minute seminars on different types of wine from winemakers and owners, with special tastings offset from the main tasting tents.
The most disappointing aspect of the VIP tasting was the attendance. While the room was packed for the Riedel tasting, not everybody stayed for what was arguably the real meat of the VIP experience. Even the Vintner's Room, filled to capacity on Saturday, was packing up early on Sunday.
And speaking of packing up early, almost no wineries stayed open past 5 p.m. for "exclusive after-hours access." Whether this was a miscommunication between security and vendors or an understandable case of "let's get the hell out of here," the Festival was a ghost town at 5:15.
The Festival has (obviously) developed a bad rap among wine cognoscenti over the years. The organizers need to overcome that stigma in order to convince people that a VIP experience is something worth attending.
Is a huge name like Riedel required to make that happen? $175 is pretty steep, and many wine lovers (if they're anything like me) already have a plethora of wine glasses to begin with. Perhaps a slightly cheaper experience, without the added cost of expensive glassware and airfare for Austrian hucksters, could attract more wine enthusiasts while keeping out the riff-raff.
One thing is clear here, though. The Festival itself is not a static entity that "is what it is" and has no intention of courting wine-savvy consumers and trade folk. This year, the organizers made a valid first attempt at an experience that caters to more discriminating tastes. While it may not have been very well attended, it was a legitimate step in the right direction. Labeling the Festival as nothing but a "drunkfest" is simply no longer valid.
Though truthfully, I did feel a bit bourgeois up there in the media center, far from the madding crowd below. I guess that's what being a VIP is all about.
Wine tasting at the Schulze Vineyards & Winery table.
The annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival draws tens of thousands of visitors to the region, pumping money into the local economy while helping to promote and support one the country's largest wine industries.
So why don't we take it seriously?
To come away with a well-rounded story about this year's Finger Lakes Wine Festival, I should've gotten a VIP pass and media credentials. I should've had time to go the vintner's room and participate in the various seminars and tastings. I would've needed the whole day to tour the tables to find the best wines of the show. Unfortunately I was again working on the other side of the table and was extremely limited in terms of how I experienced the event.
The fact is I had a blast writing last year's post, poking fun at the toga party and the how porta-potties can provide metaphorical symbols of what I think of certain wine styles but I realize that there's much more to the festival than quirky observations.
In the lead up to this year's festival I thought it needed a fair shake so I intended to show both the good and the bad with video as the medium but with my vantage point being so narrow, it didn't take long for me to realize that I wasn't seeing the best of the event. A quick look back at my video clips reveal funny yet unappealing snippets of inappropriate clothing, ice cream being eaten out of tasting glasses and crowded tasting tents.
I was reminded that I was basically reinforcing the opinion that this festival isn't for fine wine lovers so I've temporarily scrapped it. So for now I want to clarify some of the misconceptions I have helped create in the past.
Yes, the festival is crowded and noisy enough that having meaningful conversations with the winery employees is not easy…on Saturday. Luckily Sunday feels like there are only half as many attendees so getting around and having satisfying tasting experiences is absolutely possible and is on par or better than many other events I've been to, including Food Network-sponsored wine tastings.
The idea that wineries only bring uninteresting and inexpensive bulk sweet wines is also inaccurate. It seems like more than 75% of the wineries bring some dry wines, including riesling and cabernet franc. This year I tried Tocai Friulano from Ventosa Vineyards, McGregor's Rkatsiteli-Sereksiya and Cabernet Franc-Lemberger from Anthony Road. I was personally selling a $25 Pinot Noir and McGregor was tasting and selling their $50 Black Russian Red.
The assumption that the serious wine producers don't participate is also isn't true. Fox Run, Dr. Konstantin Frank, Chateau Lafayette Reneau, Red Newt and Atwater are just a few of several respected wineries that attend and obviously benefit from selling wine there. Sure, there's no Wiemer or Ravines table, but two wineries do not represent a whole region.
The perception that the crowds can be unruly or misbehaved is not deserved as the overall party atmosphere is not much worse than what I've seen in tasting rooms on a Saturday afternoon, it's just on a larger scale. For the most part even the most extreme tasters are still positive and trying their best to allow everyone to enjoy themselves.
There were a surprising number of dry wine drinkers at my table. We poured through more pinot noir than anything else and the biggest seller was a cabernet-merlot blend. Sure there were plenty of sweet tasters but they didn't speak for everyone.
I do admit that the Finger Lakes Wine Festival will never replace actually going to a winery, meeting the winemaker or walking through the vineyards, but not everyone who supports the industry needs to do that.
The truth is, the event features wine as a collective experience of tens of thousands of people from all walks of life. If nothing else, the festival serves as a reminder that wine doesn't have to be just for the few, but in reality is for the many. It deserves a hat tip for its success and interest it creates in New York wine.
What Should You Expect From Finger Lakes Wine?
The Finger Lakes ain't the Mosel.
This weekend, several dozen writers will make their first journey to the Finger Lakes. And this month, several tens of thousands of people will make their first journey of 2010 to the region. It is reasonable for everyone to ask what they should expect from Finger Lakes wine.
May is a little thing called Riesling Month around here, but let's be honest: In the Finger Lakes, every month is Riesling Month. Sure, you could squeeze in a month for pinot noir or cab franc or gewurztraminer, but there is a reason that Finger Lakes producers will showcase their riesling this weekend.
In the weeks to come, we're going to write more about the top producers of riesling and what a Finger Lakes regional profile now looks like. But I'm holding off on that, because I don't want to sway the views of incoming writers. There is already enough confirmation bias in the world of wine.
But I do want to preempt any discussion -- any consternation -- that Finger Lakes riesling does not closely match its cousin from Germany, or Alsace or elsewhere. Just recently we saw a well-publicized wine writer lament that his first taste of Finger Lakes riesling wasn't a dead ringer for a German bottling he liked.
Hey, even the German winemakers in the Finger Lakes understand that our terroir is different.
And yet, there most certainly is an emerging style to go with a prominent sense of place in the wines. We've conducted large blind tastings with riesling from around the world. It's remarkable how riesling reflects its home, and picking out the Finger Lakes is no less challenging than finding a German product. Any variety of grape will bring similarities, but perhaps more than any other, riesling adds the layers of place so effectively.
Even a Finger Lakes cab franc stands apart from, say, a Loire version (and certainly one from California). Now, I would argue that a Finger Lakes cab sauv stands out as well, but not for reasons of place or terroir. Not every planting decision is a perfect one in every region.
To those who argue that a worldwide benchmark is the best way to compare wines, I say: There's a compelling point there. Burgundy will always be the zenith of pinot noir. But comparing a Russian River pinot or a Finger Lakes pinot to a Burgundian pinot will only take you so far. Accounting for terroir is essential.
Cheers to what will be a fascinating weekend, month, and ongoing conversation. Let's let Mosel be Mosel, Alsace be Alsace, and the Finger Lakes be the Finger Lakes. And let's be open to the strengths and weaknesses of all.
You're going to hear it a lot, so get used to it -- May is Riesling Month in the Finger Lakes.
Tonight at 8 p.m. as a part of the month-long celebration, Finger Lakes Wine Country has organized "Riesling Hour" a virtual tasting happening via Twitter and Facebook.
It's similar to TasteLive, but scaled down, and easier to take part in. To participate one only needs to open a bottle of a Finger Lakes riesling -- from any producer or vintage -- with friends or family at 8 p.m.
Then simply log on to your Twitter profile and post some comments and pictures on the wine using the #FLXwine hashtag.
If you aren't on Twitter, you can visit FLXtwits.com to follow the action (including a live stream of the Riesling Hour goings on at Red Newt Cellars). Or, you can log on to Facebook and visit www.facebook.com/FingerLakesWineCountry to post comments, photos or videos from your riesling tasting experience.
We're tasting a lot of riesling these days at NYCR headquarters, so we'll probably log on and join the fray. Should be a fun event.
Tonight at 7 p.m., at Ithaca geek haven Pixel Lounge, a unique and interesting gathering of ideas will occur.
IGNITE ITHACA is a high-energy evening of 5-minute talks by people who have an idea–and the guts to get onstage and share it with their hometown crowd. Run by local volunteers who are connected through the global IGNITE network, IGNITE is a force for raising the collective IQ and building connections.
I'll be giving a 5-minute talk on appreciating wine science and some of the biases that we can encounter when enjoying and purchasing wine, with a heavy shout out to New York State wine, of course.
Once the event's over, I'll try to get a video of the talk up on here.
If you're in Ithaca, come to Pixel at 7 to have your mind blown by all kinds of crazy Ithacan ideas.
Perhaps the only thing crazier than attending the Finger Lakes Wine Festival as an attendee is actually pouring wine at it. Now, I'd conceded that the crowds, party atmosphere and prevalence of sweet wine kept me from attending in the past, and I would never want to be the ringleader for a team of winery employees planning the logistics of participating in the festival. But, when I was given the opportunity this year to pour for a local winery, I just couldn't pass it up -- especially because all I had to do was show up and do what I was told.
At any rate, I still had to deal with the general mayhem.
Give in to the urge to stop in for a tasting at a winery or two on your way down. It's just not healthy for any of us to drive by dozens of wineries and not stop in and get at least one tasting.
If you are told you are working a toga party the first night of the festival, accept it as fact. Togas do make occasional appearances at parties where people carry oversize plastic mugs, goblets and glasses full of sweet wine.
Upon realizing that the main restroom facilities of a festival will be porta-potties, prepare your metabolism to take advantage of the pristine condition they are in first thing in the morning. Remind yourself later that day that even a strategically thrown Red Cat bottle in a porta-potty doesn't call for taking an ironic photo while inside.
Get comfortable with poaching. If you see people waiting in line to get a taste of something, don't be afraid to let them know they can get some immediately if they step up to your table. Sorry Glenora!
Accept the fact that some people just want to taste the "sweetest thing you got". Do not try and change the world, pour them what they are looking for and make a quick sale if you can.
If your coworker encourages you to step away to get a few tastes, take him or her up on it. With the crazy non-stop auction on acid atmosphere there, you may not get a second chance to take a break. Don't be a hero.
Embrace the viral social phenomenon that occurs every time the sound of glass breaking pierces the steady drone of wine banter and take part in yellowing "ohhhh" along with your neighbor. By the end you'll be guessing how far away the clumsy attendee is by the Doppler effect caused by the uproar.
Don't assume another pourer knows what you mean when you say they should check a bottle for taint. It doesn't matter if they are big enough to rent eight tables and rightfully state that they were the first to successfully grow vinifera in the region, the person pouring may not be trained to sniff out bad corks.
If you see an open bottle behind a table, it must have been uncorked for people like yourself. If they say it's just for trade and media, you respond, "That's what I hoped you say!" and stick your glass out.
Do not expect an after party sponsored by Riedel at a swanky lakeside mansion with shot girls and chocolate fountains after the festival. From what I can tell there's not much nightlife in the Finger Lakes and chances are most of the workers are exhausted from dealing with the masses.


Technology is seeping into our everyday lives at a rapid speed. Well, in all honesty, technological advancements and accessories have made our lives fairly easy. Think of your smartphone for example. From just a calling and texting device, they have evolved to devices that we can't function without in our personal and professional life. Every woman needs a few trendy tech accessories to help her out in every situation. So here is our list of the top stylish tech accessories that every woman needs to own in 2018.
Yes, the first tech accessory on our list is the most obvious one. It is almost impossible to survive without a smartphone these days. So, the first thing you need to do is, to find a smartphone that suits your personality. Your smartphone has to reflect your style and personality. Moreover, a smartphone is more than a calling and texting device. Browsing the web, clicking pictures, sending e-mails, listening to music and scrolling through social media has been made easy with just one single device.
Every woman should own a smartwatch. A smartwatch like the name suggests is a mix of a regular watch and is worn on the wrist. In addition to that, the watch can be easily connected to your smartphone to track your fitness and also let you know when you receive any new text or email notification. It is like a mini smartphone that is worn on the wrist. There are various kinds of smartwatches that look sleek and smart and are also a great accessory that can perform various functions along with providing you instant notifications.
Don't you just hate having to untangle the wires of your headphone before plugging it in? Well, the best solution to that problem is a wireless headphone. Another blissful advantage of owning a wireless headphone is that it complements all outfits. Whether you are on your morning run or on your way to work, you can put on your headphones and throw away the hassle of dealing with a broken cord.
For every single independent woman out there, this one is for you. It is easy to be extremely caught up with work and forget tons of things that you had to get done during the day. With voice commands, you can ask your smart assistant to carry out various functions like playing the music, ordering something online, schedule meetings, set reminders and alarms and so much more. Some smart assistants can even connect and control other smart devices in your house. Doesn't this sound like an interesting device to make your every day easier?
Technology hasn't always been very female-friendly. However, in this super fast world, it is equally important to keep a proper track on your health and fitness. If you are a health conscious and are trying to improve your fitness levels, there are a couple of fitness trackers designed for woman that can help you out. These fitness trackers help every woman improve their muscle tone, strength and stamina. They measure your daily activities like steps walked, floors climbed, calories burned, hours spend on sleep and more. Along with this, it also keeps a close monitor on your heart rate. Though, there are different types of fitness trackers for various kinds of activity. So, pick out the apt fitness tracker according to your fitness routine to stay motivated and focused on your goals.
Since smartphones and Instagram made its way into our lives, we have got an easy access to take photos of almost everything, anytime and anywhere we want. But have you realised that these images most probably end up in one corner of our phones gallery without a second look? Well, we have almost forgotten the excitement of holding an actual photograph in our hands. Photographs help us stay in touch with our memories. So whether you are a photographer or not, it's time to get yourself an instant camera. Instant cameras are easy to use and are not too expensive. Also, you can capture you preserving memories with one touch of your hand.
One thing every woman needs apart from her smartphone is a tablet. Though laptops are the most preferred devices, tablets can be carried anywhere easily. They work almost as efficiently as a laptop and are compact and extremely lightweight. Tablets are great tech accessories to keep a check on your email, browse through the web, read books, listen to music, watch movies and much more. If you are someone who travels for a long duration to get to work or college, then you should consider a tablet to keep you entertained.
Next articleHow can you use live streaming to boost your marketing efforts?


January of 1995 was a particularly good month for Steve Largent. On January 4, the same day as his 20th wedding anniversary, he was sworn in as a member of the 104th Congress as the newly elected U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's First Congressional District. A few weeks later on the 28th, he learned that he had been elected in his first year of eligibility to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Both his election to Congress and the Hall of Fame were testimony to the hard work, character and commitment to purpose that Largent epitomizes. And, both are examples of successes that naysayers initially thought were long shots at best.
Because of his lack of political experience, Largent was described in 1994 political circles as an "unconventional" candidate. That's the kind of description you generally hear when some political pundit or party official is suggesting that a candidate's chances are slim to be elected. That type of rhetoric didn't deter Largent in the least, as he set out on the campaign trail espousing his heartfelt political convictions His lack of political experience didn't deter voters either. In his successful bid for election he garnered more than 60 percent of the vote.
Even the way in which Largent began his congressional service could be called "unconventional." Shortly after his win at the polls, the Congressman-elect was appointed to fill the final days of a vacated seat before beginning his own term in January.
Largent was reelected three times before resigning in 2002 to run for Governor of Oklahoma. He was narrowly defeated in that race and his career as an elected public official came to a close. Today, he stays tightly connected to Washington in his role as President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association, a lobby that represents the wireless communications industry.
Much like his route to the nation's capital, Largent's journey to Canton could also be described as "unconventional." As a youngster growing up in Oklahoma City Steve never dreamed of being a football player. It was at his parents' urging that he tried out for his high school football team. Overwhelmed by the 140 other aspiring players and self doubt about his speed and size, Steve persevered only because his mother insisted that he do so and would not allow him to quit the team.
Largent developed into an all-state player, while also lettering in baseball, at Putnam High School in Oklahoma City. He earned a football scholarship to Tulsa University. Steve attended college with his high school sweetheart Terry Bullock who he soon married. At Tulsa, Largent earned a degree in biology while also excelling on the football field. He led the nation in touchdown receptions during his junior and senior seasons. That drew the attention of NFL scouts although most thought he lacked the speed and size to play at the pro level.
The Houston Oilers decided to see what Largent could bring and selected him in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft. He caught only two passes in four preseason games before the team made it clear that he wasn't a part of their future plans. The young receiver was placed on revocable waivers by the Oilers.
Jerry Rhome, a former member of Tulsa's coaching staff, was the quarterbacks and receivers coach for the expansion Seattle Seahawks in 1976. Familiar with Largent's ability, he convinced Seattle head coach Jack Patera to give Steve a try. Seattle dealt an eighth round draft pick to the Oilers in exchange for Largent. It was a trade that didn't make headlines at the time but ultimately proved to be a monumental move that put the new Seahawks team on the football map.
It didn't take long for the sure-handed and hard-working rookie to prove his value. He came off the bench in the season opener against the St. Louis Cardinals and hauled in five receptions. He also demonstrated his play away from the ball by throwing several nice blocks. He finished the season with 54 receptions for 705 yards and 4 touchdowns and was voted to the league's all-rookie team. He continued to improve as a player and by his third season he eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau for the first of eight times in his career. He also received the first of seven invitations to play in the Pro Bowl.
For 14 years, Largent utilized his great hands with smart route running to not only become the face of the Seahawks franchise but to leave the game as the NFL's all-time leading receiver.
At the time of his retirement after the 1989 season, Largent owned several significant receiving marks. He was the NFL's career leader in receptions (819), receiving yards (13,089), and touchdown catches (100). He also held the NFL records for most seasons with 50 or more receptions (10), consecutive games with a reception (177), and seasons with 1,000 or more yards receiving (8).
"I didn't play football to set records," he said. "The records were nice and exciting and fun when I set them. But setting records was just part of the process of playing."
Regardless, his staggering numbers and superlative play made him a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he became eligible after the mandatory five-year waiting period. Appropriately, he was the first long-time member of the Seattle Seahawks to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
All the while he was rewriting history on the football field during his playing career, he was making a name for himself off the field as well. Steve, a devoutly religious man and dedicated husband and father, recognized the many people who served as mentors in his life. His parents divorced when he was young and his grandfather stepped in to play an integral role in his life. Steve credits his grandfather as the one who taught him the importance of giving back to people. As such, Largent used his fame with Seahawks to make an imprint in the community. He was intimately involved in a number of charities. Recognition of his contributions came in 1988 when he was bestowed the prestigious NFL Man of the Year Award granted to a player who combines excellence on the playing field with community service off the field.
The importance of football was not lost on Largent. He clearly understood how the game impacted his life. Perhaps one profound statement from the closing of his enshrinement speech may best summarize his path to greatness, on-and-off the field.
One thing is for sure. Steve Largent has always been defined by his strong character which has allowed him to help not only himself but reach others whether serving his constituents during his days in politics, his charity work, or entertaining fans with his reliable pass catching during his Hall of Fame career with the Seahawks.
Pete Fierle is the Vice President of Communications for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He joined the Hall of Fame's staff in 1988.
This article originally appeared in the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Yearbook.


Your notary for real estate purchase and real estate law in Cologne In the field of real estate, the notary will supervise the property purchase between private persons as well as the purchase from real estate developers among other things. In addition, real estate is often transferred from one generation to the next by way of pre-recorded testamentary succession. We are also available to support you with the division of condominium and partial ownership and other property issues, such as mortgage and land charge creation.
On the following pages, you will learn all about the process of a classic purchase agreement, the specific features of a purchase from a real estate developer and about the transfer for children, spouses etc. Furthermore, you will be able to download the respective checklists.
The notary drafts the property purchase agreement on the basis of the information provided by the parties. Previous questions will be addressed. After notarisation of the contract, the notary will take care of obtaining any official permits from authorities and protects the buyer in the land register by registering a priority notice. If the object is charged, the notary will procure forms for the cancellation of encumbrances and observes any conditions of the creditors. The purchase price is only to be paid, when the purchaser has been protected, usually directly to the seller or the creditor of the seller. After the purchase price payment, the purchaser will become owner by an entry in the land register. The notary requires information for the preparation of the agreement. These follow from the checklist for the purchase agreement.
The costs for the certification and the land register entry conform to the value of the real estate. The rule of the thumb is ca. 1.5% of the purchase price for the notary costs and land registry. Further details can be found here.
The purchase from the property developer differs from the classic purchase contract, as the acquired property is usually still under construction. The buyer therefore does not pay the purchase price in one sum, but according to the progress of construction. The property developer may demand up to seven installments. However, the first instalment is not due until the earthworks have begun and the buyer has been secured, e.g. by making a reservation in the land register. The developer then requests the instalments according to the progress of construction. After payment of the penultimate instalment, the property is inspected together and any defects are recorded in writing. Only when the property developer has remedied these last defects does the last instalment become due and the buyer becomes the owner. If defects still occur after acceptance, the last instalment may not be retained, but the developer is liable for defects in the building for five years. The costs for notarisation and entry in the land register depend on the value of the property. As a rule of thumb, you must reckon with approx. 1.5% of the purchase price for the costs at the notary and land registry office. Further details can be found here.
Parents often have the wish to transfer property to children during their lifetime. This is advisable to exploit tax allowances every ten years. When drafting the transfer agreement, the parents often reserve the right to live within the object (housing law) or to use the whole object commercially (usufruct). The usufruct includes the right to rent out the property. The parents receive the right of withdrawal which is registered in the land register to protect the parents. This prevents the new owners (the children) to sell or charge the object without the approval of the parents and also protects from the children from insolvency. Economically, the transfer agreement leaves everything as it was, only the ownership position is transferred to the children.
The notary requires information for the preparation of the agreement. These follow from the checklist for the transfer agreement.
The costs for the certification and the land register entry conform to the value of the real estate. The rule of the thumb is ca. 1.5% of the purchase price for the notary costs and land registry. If the property is transferred to the children or spouse, there is no land transfer tax, however the contract can trigger a gift tax, if the allowances (400.000 per child and parent, € 500.000 for spouses) is exceeded within ten years. Further details can be found here.
As notaries for real estate law, we are available for consultation and/or certification in the fields of real estate and land.
Property agreements can of course be drafted in collaboration with your lawyer, your office for real estate law and/or your tax consultant/auditor.


I'm an ardent believer in the unlimited human potential to learn and grow. That's why it is always my starting point when I work with my clients who are External and Internal Coaches and People Practitioners such as HR and L&D professionals.
My work involves, SuperVISION for coaches, Executive Coaching , Mentor Coaching.
I create a safe space for my clients to be vulnerable, to be confused, stuck, daring and aspirational, uncertain; so they reflect deeply, feel inspired and courageous to explore different perspectives to go back to do their best work with their clients. I serve as a Reflective Partner by being present and being a mirror to reflect the parallel processes and observations most useful to the clients.
Qualified as a Coaching Supervisor from certification program, awarded certification in August 2018.
"Sukh shifted her supervision style to meet my needs and preferences. This included inviting me to tap into my whole self as well as doing that herself."


it took about 20 minutes to boot my computer and I think that's a problem. good thing I'm a patient person.
I saw #Gravity. it was a good movie I guess but it had some glaring issues. like the fact that it was impossible. it was also pretty upsetting on several levels.
I have a pounding headache and feel nauseous and completely exhausted and I think I'm getting ill.
my family is here. they still want to go to church with me tomorrow. maybe will be too sick to get out of bed.
I have a lot of homework to do and I feel like death.
I wonder what my friends are up to. hope they're having a better time of it than I am.


Biography: The geographic, economic and political location of my village has caused the vast majority of my county officials to question its existence. The educational condition is so dismal that my father never had the opportunity to go to school and my mother still cannot believe there is an educational institution as large as Tohoku University, where I currently study. I left my small village in India for the modern lights of Japan and the internationally renowned education of Tohoku University and I will not let anything deter my success.
I study Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Japan's prestigious Tohoku University. My passion for technology and multicultural diversity, led me to join Tohoku University's Foreign Student Association (TUFSA) and Tohoku University`s international exchange division as Administrative Assistant. Both experiences give me incredible opportunities to meet and serve people from various backgrounds and countries. Through TUFSA we assist more than 300 international exchange students and visiting guests per semester.
I am confident, a team player, and I always accept new challenges and learning opportunities, attributes that have made my life in Japan very active. My exposure to science and technology with leadership has helped me develop a sound foundation for nurturing further research and leadership activities. I would like to see myself on a team and among the pioneers who work at the interface between technology, management and public policy. I will then be closer to my goal of becoming a global leader in the field of technology innovation, something I will leverage for the betterment of society.