Posts Written OnSeptember 09, 2008

Diploma Dispatches: I Passed!

By Sasha Smith, New York City Correspondent Good news – I passed the Unit 3 exam! Friends have asked if I’m excited, but mostly I’m relieved. (Also slightly shocked that I passed the tasting portion.) Now I need to go through the same drill for spirits and sparkling and fortified wines and write four research papers. Piece of cake. Many thanks to Lenn for giving me the real estate on his blog – and thanks to all of you who wrote in with words of encouragement and support. Whoever thinks the blogosphere is full of only snark and vitriol has…

Tropical Storm Hanna No Big Deal for Long Island Wineries

Hurricanes, and their remnants, are a hazard that very few wine regions need to worry about. But as harvest approaches each season, Long Island vineyard managers and winemakers always have an eye set on tropical systems as they develop in the Atlantic and build steam in the Caribbean. Sometimes the can, and do, make their way north and the results can devastating. Growing fine wine grapes on Long Island is a delicate balancing act. Growers are always trying achieve the most ripening that the growing season will allow—trying to eek out every last bit of sugar—while ensuring that they get…