Posts Written OnJune 2005

Laurel Lake Vineyards 2002 Reserve Chardonnay

I know. I know. This obviously isn’t my white pinot for Wine Blogging Wednesday #10. It’s been a busy couple of weeks and I’m a bit backed up on my tasting note posting, including these notes on a pretty nice chardonnay from Laurel Lake Vineyards in Laurel, NY. In the past, I’ve found Laurel Lake Vineyards’ wines to be hit and miss…partially because I’ve gotten more than a couple corked bottles from them. But, this wine is a clear exception. Eyes: Light gold with medium legs Nose: When cold (right out of the fridge), it has a delicate nose of…

Don’t Forget — Wine Blogging Wednesday #10 is TOMORROW

You didn’t forget, did you? Wine Blogging Wednesday #10 — White Pinot, hosted by Alice of My Adventures in the Breadbox is tomorrow, June 8th. It’s hard to believe that we’re already at the 10th vintage of this global wine blogging event. Wine Blogging Wednesday has definitely taken off…so join us tomorrow. Go out and get your pinot blanc, pinot grigio…any white pinot. And tell us allllll about it.

Meet Christy Campbell, Author of “The Botanist and the Vintner – How Wine Was Saved for the World”

Tuesday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. the Stony Brook Center for Food, Wine and Culture will play host to author Christy Campbell, author of "The Botanist and the Vintner — How Wine was Saved for the World" at Stony Brook’s Manhattan Campus, located at 401 Park Avenue South at 28th Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free and includes a wine tasting and, of course, you’ll get to hear Mr. Campbell discuss his book. Autographed copies will be available for purchase. While free, seating is limited, so you need to call Ginny Clancy, Program Coordinator, at 631.632.9404 to reserve your seat.…

Palmer Vineyards’ New Summer Sippers

 (This column appeared originally in the 6/3/05 issue of Dan’s Papers) I was invited to a Memorial Day party last weekend and, as usual, volunteered to bring wine (along with my famous-in-some-circles grilled chicken wings). Because not many of the party’s attendees drink wine and those that do usually stick to light, fairly innocuous whites, I knew I had to leave my favorite BBQ wine – cabernet franc – at home. But I also knew Palmer Vineyards in Aquebogue was releasing four new whites, so I figured I’d take those with me after doing a private tasting. The folks at…

Wine Lovers — What Do You Drink When You’re Not Drinking Wine?

We’ve all been there…at a party or non-fine restaurant…any place where the wine is either absolutely awful or just not really all that interesting. What do you drink in these situations? Me…it depends on the mood. But, I’ve been known to drink: Beers like Bass, Guiness or Brooklyn Brown Ale Ketel One and Tonic Bombay Sapphire and Tonic Or, at softball games…whatever light beer we have in the cooler. And nine out of ten times, if we’re at a party, I’m bringing the wine anyway. I’d much rather drink any of the above over bad wine…are any of you SO…

If You Support Direct Wine Shipments…

Do you support direct wine shipments? Anyway, if you live in New York, Connecticut or Michigan,  Free the Grapes has made it beyond easy to contact your government officials and make your voice heard. From the looks of it, their online forms generate both emails and faxes to various people. I know I just did it…so you should too! Free the grapes…and the wonder beverage made by fermenting their juice!

A New Way to Get Kids to Read

Just joking… A library outside of Pittsburgh (in fact, it’s not far from my parents’ house and my aunt lives in McCandless) applied for and received a one-day liquor license so they can serve wine at a fundraiser. They’re also offering a wine appreciation course if you opt for the $30 ticket. I’ve got to email my parents and aunt…I bet they’d enjoy this.

When a Good Wine Goes Bad — REALLY Quickly

A couple of nights ago, Nena and I opened a bottle of Vineyard 48 North Fork Red, a non-vintage blend of 50% percent merlot, 25% cabernet franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. We’d drank it before and just wanted a simple red to sip with whatever we were eating. Plus, I just wasn’t in the mood to take notes that night. Anyway, we popped it open and the color seemed a little off…a little brown tinge here…an oxidized look there…but it tasted much as we remembered it the first time, pleasant and in the "pizza red" range. We were content. We…