Posts Written OnFebruary 2010

Taste Farnum Hill Ciders at Roanoke Vineyards this Friday

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief This Friday from 5-8 p.m. join me at Roanoke Vineyards where Corrie Martin Louisa Spencer from Farnum Hill Cider will be pouring their artisanal, New Hampshire-made apple ciders, free of charge. They'll also be providing some local cheese and cured meats to enjoy with the ciders and, of course, you'll also be able to taste Roanoke's wines as well. I was just there on Saturday and the just-released 2006 Blend One stood out for me. So, if you are a wine lover, beer geek, fermentation nut, or just curious, come taste, nibble on snacks and enjoy…

Damiani Wine Cellars 2008 Riesling

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief Damiani Wine Cellars, on the eastern shorts of Seneca Lake, has built a reputation around its red wines — a unique focus in a region known mostly for its aromatic whites. They do make white wines — and now bubbly — too though, and while most of them have underwhelmed, this Damiani Wine Cellars 2008 Riesling ($16) stood out during my tasting last weekend. The winery sourced the riesling for this wine from one of the region's most experienced and respected growers — Sam Argetsinger. I've tasted a couple other rieslings (1|2) made with Sam's grapes…

Shinn Estate Vineyards 2007 Petit Verdot

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief Tonight, let's take a look at the last of the Shinn Estate Vineyards 2007 reds that I tasted recently (there are at least 3 other un-released wines that I haven't formally reviewed yet) — Shinn Estate Vineyards 2007 Petit Verdot ($35/500ml). Much like malbec, is a petit verdot has spent more time in a leading role in recent years. But, also like malbec, there isn't really enough planted for it to become anything more than a member of the supporting cast in red blends and in small-production, almost-novelty wines like this one. This wine certainly qualifies…

Finger Lakes Sparkling Wine: Looking for Room at the Dance

By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor In the flickering glint of the strobe lights, amidst the pulsing beat and bodies, it was impossible to see the edges of the room. No matter. The party was in the middle, and it centered around Riesling. He was always the magnet, the draw, the energy. Tonight, like most nights, he had brought a few friends. The girls would wink and nod at his entourage, but ultimately they were fighting for the mysterious man who was known for being simultaneously acerbic and sweet. He always gets the girl. That's pretty much the story of…

Owner of 3 Brothers Winery Recovering After Attack; Two Arrested

By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor State police photos Two men are charged with felonious assault after allegedly attacking the owner of a Seneca Lake winery on Saturday afternoon. Police say the attack happened at about 3:30 p.m. Thomas Wulff, 28, and Michael Wulff, 27, of Pennsylvania, are accused of beating Dave Mansfield, owner and president of Three Brothers Wineries & Estates. Mansfield suffered a broken bone in his face and other facial injuries. He was treated and released from Geneva General Hospital. The two men, who are brothers, were part of a large group touring wineries in a limousine.…

New York Wine News & Notes (February 16, 2010)

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief and Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor This week we have three news items of note — one from each of the three main wine regions in the state. Of course, the Long Island item is about beer, not wine. Finger Lakes A Party to Celebrate Finger Lakes Sparklers Finger Lakes producers continue to spotlight their sparkling wine in a new event at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel. Sixteen wineries and one distillery will pour three dozen sparkling wines and sparkling beverages at Bubbly! The Finger Lakes Sparkling Wine Party. The event runs this Saturday night from…

Local with Local (Long Island): Raphael 2002 First Label Merlot and David Page’s Ducq au Vin

By David Page, Chef and Co-Owner Shinn Estate Vineyards and Farmhouse  My wife Barbara and I first met  Richard Olsen-Harbich, currently the winemaker at Raphael, in the early 1990s when we were visiting Jamesport Vineyards to taste his wines for inclusion on our former restaurant Home’s wine list. Not everyone knows that Rich spent several years at Jamesport Vineyards working as the winemaker before moving over to Raphael where he has been ever since. His career in winemaking began a decade before we met him and he was really hitting his stride at Jamesport, so we were happy to see…

What We Drank (February 15, 2010)

It's a holiday Monday, but we didn't want to let the day go by without sharing some of our favorite libations from the past week. This week we have wine, beer and a mixed drink — a fairly typical mix with our motley crew. Andy is down in New Orleans for Mardi Gras this week — so I'll bet he has something interesting to write about next week. Evan Dawson: Oremus 2000 Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos, Hungary Some parents like to buy wine for their newborns to drink on a 21st birthday. It's a nice idea, but how many of…

Cooperstown Old Slugger

By Kevin Burns, Beer Columnist Cooperstown Brewing Company tends to get overlooked from time to time. The Baseball Hall of Fame is the main reason to visit Cooperstown, and when people start talking about craft beer in the area the conversation tends to be about the world-renowned Brewery Ommegang. Despite being on occasion, Cooperstown is making some really solid beer in Upstate New York. The brewery offers five year-round beers and one seasonal specialty. The five year round beers are all linked to America's pastime with names such as Strike Out Stout and Benchwarmer Porter. In my opinion, the brewery's…

Taste Farnum Hill Ciders at Roanoke Vineyards Friday, February 26

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief On Friday, February 26 from 5-8 p.m. Farnum Hill Cider's own Corrie Martin will be at Roanoke Vineyards pouring her artisanal, New Hampshire-made apple ciders with local cheese, cured meats and — of course — Roanoke's wines to boot. You might be wondering why I've chosen this event from Roanoke's packed winter schedule — and why I'm telling you about ciders made in New Hampshire of all places. Simple. I've known Corrie virtually (meaning via this blog and Twitter) for years. So, when she asked me if I thought I could help her put together a…