Posts Written OnFebruary 2005

One of Nena’s good friends from work got engaged last week. So…congratulations go out to Lisa and Greg. But you might be asking why would I post about this event on LENNDEVOURS? They want us to cater their engagement party. That’s why. Lisa has been ‘stealing’ our recipes for quite a while now (to the point that Greg thought they were hers!) and when they decided to have a cocktail party to celebrate their engagement, Lisa asked Nena if we’d do the food. When asked if she was serious, she said she was. Cool eh? Apparently we’re going to meet…

Later this week, I’ll do a full post on the Valentine’s Day dinner I cooked for Nena Saturday night…but I thought some of you would enjoy seeing a few pictures.  

Lucky for me, Nena shares my feelings on Valentine’s Day…it’s just not that big a deal to either of us and we typically don’t do anything too exciting or involved. However, a few years ago…when "wooing" was still happening (hey, at least I’m being honest about it!) I cooked her a great little dinner at my old apartment and she absolutely loved it. So, this year we’re going to revisit that theme…I’m making dinner tomorrow night. The menu? It’s a secret and my lovely lady reads LENNDEVOURS…so I can’t reveal anything just yet. But, I will mention that I’ve got…

February 21 – 27 Bedell Cellars will be pouring it’s unreleased 2000 Bedell Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon as part of Winter Wine Month. It will also be available for sale in the tasting room for that week only. Obviously, I’ve never tasted this Cab…but Bedell’s winemaker, Kip Bedell, is well known in these parts for his talents with red grapes…particularly Merlot. For more information, call Bedell Cellars directly at 631.734.7537.

Alder of Vinography  recently visited Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry in Yountville, CA for dinner. I think his review says it all. Yet another reason that Nena and I need to get to California for vacation. The list of reasons is seemingly endless.

Details are still a bit scant, but I’ve been invited to attend a private vertical tasting of Estate Selection Chardonnay (their "reserve" stuff) at Wolffer Estate Vineyards on March 15th at 7:30 p.m. It’s being hosted and run by their winemaker, Roman Roth. And, as far as I know I’m one of only ten or so invitees. I wonder how many years back we’ll go… Should be a great evening. I can’t wait…especially since it might be a last hurrah of sorts before I have my tonsils removed and can’t drink for a couple weeks.

Well folks, LENNDEVOURS’ first wine tasting event went off pretty much without a hitch. We ended up with 14 wines from 12 Long Island wineries and one Finger Lakes winery, and 12 tasters. It was interesting to see how different people reacted to different wines. For the most part, Nena and I tended to like similar wines (not a surprise) but there were only a few that everyone liked. Similarly, there was only one (maybe two) that everyone disliked. Easily the most entertaining part of the evening (and the next morning) was reading everyone’s comments. One friend in particular, we’ll…