Posts Written OnMay 2007

Reminders: Wine Blogging Wednesday and Brooklyn Uncorked

Tomorrow is going to be a fun day, that’s for sure. For one, it’s Wine Blogging Wednesday #33, with mid-priced wines from the Midi as the theme. Don’t worry Marcus, I won’t let the rest of the day’s events interfere with WBW. Wouldn’t be very "founderly" of me now, would it? Tomorrow is also Brooklyn Uncorked, which just might be the premier Long Island wine event of the year. It looks like most of the wineries are participating and it’s going to be a lot of fun. I get to taste most of Long Island’s wines without going to events…

Gary Vaynerchuck Just Bought Cork’d. Is he the Next Rupert Murdoch?

This just in: Gary Vaynerchuk, everyone’s favorite wine vlogging superstar, has just agreed to purchase cork’d as a part of a newly formed company (which he will head). On the surface, this might not sound like big news, but I think that the potential growth here is huge. I’ve toyed with places like Cellar Tracker and cork’d in the past, but none of these site have really impressed me as anything more than searchable mini-blogs where people can post tasting notes. Sure, that is still providing a service to users–and online tasting journal. But I have a little black notebook…

Brooklyn Oenology Launches Website

What, you’ve never heard of Brooklyn Oenology? Don’t feel bad. I hadn’t heard about them until fairly recently myself. But, they’ve launched a new website this week. Basically, they’ve bought some North Fork fruit and are making wine in Brooklyn. How is the wine? I have no idea, but I’m looking forward to meeting the founder/winemaker Alie at Brookyn Uncorked later this week…and of course I hope to taste their 2005 Chardonnay and 2005 Merlot. Stay tuned for more info about these guys. I’ll pass it along as I can. Oh, and just a little warning, their website blows up…

Clotilde’s Book Comes Out Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Chocolate & Zucchini: Daily Adventures in a Parisian Kitchen will hit bookshelves for the first time, and I couldn’t be happier for its author Clotilde Dusoulier. Yes that Clotilde, the fun, hungry writer behind the Chocolate & Zucchini blog. She’s actually in New York City tomorrow for a book signing that kicks off her U.S. publicity tour. Why do I bring a Parisian blogger’s book release on a New York-focused wine blog? It’s simple, I did the wine pairings for the book…without relying on my New York expertise. It was a lot of fun and Clotilde was very complimentary…

A Belated Happy Mother’s Day

Yeah, so I’m a day late with this post, but we had a busy weekend…mostly celebrating Nena’s first Mother’s Day. Some weekend highlights include: Stopping at Roanoke Vineyards for their De Rosa launch party. De Rosa is the name of their rose wine (it’s named for the owner’s grandmother). Fresh, crisp and much much better than the 2005, we bought a few bottles to enjoy on hot days. After picking up some flowers, we also stopped at Corey Creek Vineyards for a glass of wine. Nena is really loving their 2006 Domaine CC rose, so she had that. I went…

May Selections: The New York Cork Club

It’s May…spring has finally come to Long Island and that means warmer weather, the beginnings of local produce and–for me anyway–a turn to crisp, fresh white wines. This month’s selections for the New York Cork Club fit the bill nicely. I’ve written about Dr. Konstantin Frank’s 2006 Rkatsiteli already, but I chose it for this month for a variety of reasons. One, it’s very unique–you just don’t see many rkats out there. Two, it’s versatile–think of it as a blend of riesling, gewurztraminer and sauvignon blanc–and will pair with a wide range of food, including Thai and Indian cuisine. And…

Beer Podcast – Southampton Biere de Garde

By Contributing Columnist Donavan Hall On today’s show… I’m joined by my co-host Rich Thatcher.  We’ll be taking you to Spuyten Duyvil, a cool beer bar in Brooklyn.  Our featured beer of the day is Southampton’s Bière de Garde. I was hoping to get some coverage of last night beer dinner out at Southampton Publick House, but I didn’t get back from the dinner until after midnight.  Needless to say I had a good time.  I’ll tell you all about it soon. Southampton is putting on their beer dinner again, but this time in Huntington at Canterbury Ales.  This event…

Tourism Expands in the Finger Lakes

By Finger Lakes Correspondent Jason Feulner According to the New York State Department of Agriculture, nearly 60% of wine sales in the Finger Lakes occur at the winery site by visiting consumers. These sales statistics are reflected in the strong regional alliances between wineries, wine routes, businesses and restaurants. The Finger Lakes has long sold itself as a scenic destination with wine as the main attraction. Visitors, enamored with the beauty of the area, are often inclined to purchase what they taste. This story in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle by Deborah Alexander reports that visitors with more spending money…

In Memorium: Ch. Montage Petit Syrah

Almost two years ago, I did a story in a local paper about Long Island Wine dogs. These dogs serve as mascots, tasting room greeters and constant companions to many in the local wine industry. And they are damn cute to boot. This week, we say goodbye to Ch. Montage Petit Syrah, known by simply Syrah by most, who has served as the mascot for Lieb Family Cellars for years. Owned by general manager Gary Madden, I’ve hung out with Syrah several times in the tasting room and I’m sure that many other visitors have as well. Friendly doesn’t begin…

WTN: Corey Creek Vineyards 2006 Gewurztraminer (North Fork of Long Island)

I happen to love gewurztraminer, but only a handful of local wineries bother with this under-appreciated grape Some make it in the off-dry style that I think plagues many U.S. bottlings, but a couple use Alsace as their model, crafting dry, distinctive wines. Corey Creek Vineyards 2006 Gewürztraminer ($30) is similar to the stellar 2005, and while maybe a little less intensely flavored, it’s no less enchanting or delicious This is an extremely aromatic white with wild flowers, peach and lychee mingling in a nose that is typical for the varietal but somehow fresher and more lively. The flavors in…