Posts Written OnSeptember 2009

A Hop Farmer Emerges on the Niagara Escarpment

By Julia Burke, Niagara Correspondent Mike Sieczkowski has never brewed beer, he has never been a farmer – and up until a few months ago – he had never even seen a hop plant.  But inexperience hasn’t stopped him from becoming the first commercial hop grower in the Niagara Escarpment area in decades. Sieczkowski planted sixteen rhizomes of Mt. Hood and Nugget hops this winter, and armed with the expertise of Flying Bison Brewing Company brewmaster Tim Herzog, the fertile soil of the Escarpment, and a fearless sense of adventure, he is enjoying remarkable success.  Having moved to Budd Road in Cambria…

Update: TasteCamp EAST 2010 Finger Lakes

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief  It's been almost two months since we announced that TasteCamp EAST 2010 will take place in the Finger Lakes region of New York, so I thought it was a good idea to mention it again here on the site.  I know a few bloggers missed the original announcement. With so much more ground to cover — literally — during 2010's event, we'll probably begin the formal programming Friday afternoon and extend it well into Sunday this year.  We already have 40 bloggers and spouses/significant others signed up to come, so if you're interested, make sure you…

Q&A: Paul Brock, Winemaker, Lamoreaux Landing

By Lenn Thompson, Long Island Editor and Editor-in-Chief Paul Brock is the winemaker at Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake in New York's Finger Lakes region. He has an M.S. in Enology and Viticulture from Cornell University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  Prior to Lamoreaux Landing, Paul made wine for Ravines Wine Cellars and Keuka Lake Vineyards in the Finger Lakes, and Whitehaven Wine Co. in Marlborough, New Zealand.  He is a graduate of the American Wine Society Judge Certification Program and holds an Advanced Certificate in Wine and Spirits through…

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2007 Cabernet Franc

By Lenn Thompson, Long Island Editor and Editor-in-Chief To most wine lovers outside of New York (and even many in New York) Dr. Konstantin Frank Viniifera Wine Cellars is synonymous with Finger Lakes wine. Dr. Frank's is one of the region's largest, best and most widely distributed producers.  Of course, the winery is best known for its riesling bottlings, followed closely by Gewurztraminer and, partly because it's unique and partly because it's unique — Rkatsiteli. Today's review isn't of any of those well-regarded wines. Instead, we'll focus on a ripe, polished Dr. Konstantin Frank 2007 Cabernet Franc ($20) that still…

News Briefs: Palmer Vineyards for Sale, Ben Feder Dies

By Lenn Thompson, Long Island Editor and Editor-in-Chief A couple news items that hit our virtual news desk over the last couple of days: When Bob Palmer, who founded Palmer Vineyards in 1983, passed away over the winter, many wondered if his family would take over and keep one of the oldest vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island running. They have so far, but it sounds as if they are ready to move on. The winery (and a separate vineyard) are now on the market and being sold in two parcels.  The first property, on 61 acres in Aquebogue, includes the…

Chardonnay: New York’s Other White Grape?

By Bryan Calandrelli, Niagara Regional Editor What’s this area known for? What’s your specialty? Which white do you do best? These are all questions that I get asked when pouring local wine for newcomers to the Niagara region. I don’t always have time to explain the diversity of soils or the huge difference in how Lake Ontario moderates one mile from the lakeshore to six miles inland to the Escarpment. Nonetheless, people seem to want an answer as to what our signature white grape variety is or will be.  It's not an easy question to answer. In the Finger Lakes,…

Sherwood House Vineyards 2004 Blanc de Blanc

By Lenn Thompson, Long Island Editor and Editor-in-Chief At Sherwood House Vineyards in Mattituck, NY, the focus is set squarely on Old World-style chardonnay and merlot. My distaste for regional comparisons aside, their chardonnay is extremely Burgundian and the merlots show restraint and elegance rather than jammy one dimension.  Owners Charles and Barbara Smithen purchased their 1860 farmhouse on Oregon Road in 1996 and planted their vines soon after, starting with 5 acres of chardonnay before planing just over 15 acres more with merlot and chardonnay in 1997. Nearly 7 acres of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot were added…