By Melissa Dobson, Finger Lakes News Correspondent Mention ice wine and most everyone thinks of Canada and the Niagara Ice Wine Festival held each year in Niagara-On-The-Lake, now in its 14th year. Although Niagara On-the-Lake, Ontario may be the first region to come to mind, New York's producers are looking to show off their offerings and educate wine lovers on the distinctiveness of their ice wines during the first New York Ice Wine Festival being held at Casa Larga Vineyards in Fairport, NY just outside of Rochester. Kicking off on February 8, 2009 and running through the month of February,…
Posts Written OnJanuary 26, 2009
Wake and Memorial Arrangements for Ben Sisson
The wake for Ben Sisson will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, at De Friest – Grattan Funeral Home, located at 51400 Route 25, Southold, NY from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A memorial service will also be held at the First Universalist Church of Southold, on Wednesday, January 28 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that friends honor Ben's memory through contributions to a memorial fund in support of his family. Gifts can be made to: Friends of the Sisson Family c/o Suffolk County National Bank P.O. Box 702 Cutchogue, NY 11935
Standing Stone Vineyards 2005 Pinnacle
2005 Finger Lakes reds continue to show well in my weekly tastings. Of course, no one expects the region's reds to push the aromatic whites into the background, but it is clear that, in hot years anyway, elegant, balanced reds are possible. Standing Stone Vineyards' 2005 Pinnacle ($23) is a Bordeaux-style blend (or Meritage if you will) made with 89% cabernet sauvignon, 8% cabernet franc and 3% merlot. In the glass, it shows nice extraction and is a rich crimson-violet color. The nose is intense with Bing cherries, caramel-vanilla and hints of oak. The palate is lush with bright cherry…
Oh, Snap: Cold Temps Not Low Enough for Severe Damage
By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Correspondent Last week, Dave Wiemann, the vineyard manager of Sheldrake Point Vineyard on Cayuga Lake, conducted a test to find out if the viciously cold temperatures had destroyed buds on his vines. He went to the coldest part of Sheldrake Point's 43 acres and cut ten canes of Riesling. He soaked the canes in water for 48 hours, then cut the buds. He was hoping to see green — a sign that the buds were still alive and well. He feared he could see the deadly black that signals a victory for the weather. The…