Posts Written OnSeptember 2009

Another diverse and interesting array of wines (and beer) from the writers and editors of the New York Cork Report. From Lenn Thompson: Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 1999 Cabernet Franc You already know that I was in the Finger Lakes last Thursday through Sunday to work the harvest for a couple days at Anthony Road Wine Company. What you probably do not know is that I was lucky enough to score a seat at the invite- and industry-only monthly wine dinner at Red Newt Bistro Thursday night. Each attendee brings a bottle of wine with him or her, and each is…

By Kevin Burns, Beer Columnist Our latest beer review comes from the Brown's Brewing Company in Troy, NY. Tomhannock Pilsner poured a clear, golden yellow color with a pen width, white head. The aroma was hoppy with pale malt underneath. T he body has a smooth mouthfeel up front with a fairly low amount of carbonation for a pilsner. The light hops and pale malt from the nose stick out on the palate. The hops start to come on stronger at the end and add a crispness to the beer before dying out and leaving a dry finish. Overall, this…

By Lenn Thompson, Long Island Editor and Editor-in-Chief Just a quick note to check in from the beginnings of the 2009 Finger Lakes grape harvest. After a couple hours spent at Fox Run Vineyards yesterday afternoon, with Morgan and Evan, bottling some sparkling wine and a delicious industry/winemaker dinner at Red Newt Bistro, I spent the day at Anthony Road Wine Company harvesting a small block of pinot gris just down the hill from the tasting room. I don't know the total tonnage (will find out tomorrow morning when we sort) but the 6-man crew picked all morning and for…

By Lenn Thompson, Long Island Editor and Editor-in-Chief Why are these two men, Peter Becraft (assistant winemaker) and Johannes Reindhart (winemaker) of Anthony Road Wine Company, smiling? Is it because their 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling won the Governor's Cup, awarded to New York's best wine? No, although the wine did win the Cup. Is it because they've finished bottling some amazing TBA-style wines, one of which Johannes considers the wine of his life? No, although they have and he does. No, they are smiling because they know what I'm in for this weekend and know that I don't. Not really anyway.…

By  Bryan Calandrelli, Niagara Regional Editor In a month I will be participating in my third vintage here in Niagara County wine country. I’ve been lucky enough to gain access to several local winemakers and have gone from having zero experience in making wine to having made six wines in the last two years. As I start to bottle some of these wines, and no I still haven’t bottled my 2007s, I plan on sharing my adventures – and misadventures – here on the New York Cork Report. While I am by no means an expert in chemistry, viticulture, sensory…

By Lenn Thompson, Long Island Editor and Editor-in-Chief The LENNDEVOURS/New York Cork Report team has grown by yet another New York wine lover today. Please join me in welcoming Julia Burke to the site, focusing mainly on the Niagara Escarpment region, but also chiming in on beer on occasion. Julia has lived in the Buffalo, NY area for over ten years. She discovered the Niagara Escarpment wine scene entirely by accident and soon became completely immersed in the world of wine, leaving behind her previous aspirations of moving to Cambodia to live in a yurt. She looks forward to making…

Syrah clusters hanging in there as harvest approaches at Lucas Vineyards By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes EditorPhotos by Morgan Dawson Photography Lucas winemaker Jeff Houck is unaware of this, but he was born with trace amounts of sodium pentothal in his blood. You know it better as "truth serum." He's incapable of even trying to mislead you about the wines made by Lucas Vineyards on the southwestern part of Cayuga Lake. He's an FBI agent's dream — were he ever to commit a high-profile felony, that is. Easiest conviction ever. I didn't know this, of course, until I asked why…