Posts Written OnJune 2010

New Company Aims to Put Finger Lakes Wine in NYC Restaurants

By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor "The butcher and the baker were the first chefs, if you ask me." So states chef Marc Meyer of Cookshop in New York City. Then, on the restaurant's website, he explains that his passion runs deep for "sustainable ingredients, humanely raised animals and the support of local farmers and artisans." The result is a clever, impressive menu comprised often of local ingredients. And so you might be wondering: How about the wine? Not local. Like most New York City establishments, Cookshop had a very nice wine list that lacked New York state producers.    But…

Hermann J. Wiemer 2008 Magdalena Riesling Dry

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Maybe it's because I work in marketing and understand why a winery would want to create of differentiation and exclusivity — and often charge more for it — but I often find myself taking a "prove that it matters" stance when I see a wine labeled as a single-vineyard one. I'm not saying that single-vineyard labeling is the same as "reserve" labeling. I'm just saying I'm skeptical and need to be convinced. Luckily, I'm convinced more often than not in the Finger Lakes. As Evan wrote about over a year ago, several wineries there are…

Wine Bloggers Conference 2011 Coming East: Charlottesville, Virginia

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor The wine bloggers are coming east — and it's about time. The Wine Bloggers Conference 2010 in Walla Walla, Washington concluded on Sunday with organizers announcing that next year's conference will take place in Charlottesville, Virginia July 22-24, marking the events first non-West Coast location. Virginia beat out Paso Robles in California and New York's Finger Lakes region to be awarded the conference. I applaud the folks behind the event for breaking out of their West Coast rut and bringing the conference to the East Coast. I think it's an excellent choice and know that…

NYCR Named “Best Single-Subject Wine Blog” at Wine Blog Awards 2010

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Friday afternoon during Wine Bloggers Conference 2010 in Walla Walla, Washington, the New York Cork Report was awarded its second consecutive Wine Blog Award in the "Best Single-Subject Wine Blog" award.  I'm not very good at writing these kinds of posts — I prefer to write about New York wine instead of myself and the team — but we are honored and humbled to be recognized by our readers and wine-blogging peers. It's always great to get positive feedback about something you're so passionate about. Thank you for voting for us. As the captain of…

A Diamond in the Rough: Exploring Rochester’s Beer Scene

By Julia Burke, Beer Editor Think “great beer towns” and Rochester, NY may not immediately come to mind — but perhaps it should. I’ve heard whispers of Rochester’s status as a craft beer diamond-in-the-rough for years, from bar customers, tasting room guests, and fellow beer lovers, so a spontaneous trip east seemed like the perfect opportunity to make a stop and find out what all the fuss is about. Rohrbach Scotch Ale was one of my early “gateway” beers, so I made the brewpub my first stop of the day. Friendly bartender Dana peppered me with samples, the best of…

Les Howard Leaves Pindar Vineyards to Assume Winemaking Duties at Raphael

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Well that didn't take long. Less than three weeks after Rich Olsen-Harbich left Raphael to lead the Bedell Cellars winemaking team, Raphael found his replacement — North Fork native Les Howard. Only 35, Les has been working in the local wine industry for more than 15 years. He started at Pindar Vineyards as a cellar hand. It was there that Mark Friszolowski, then Pindar's winemaker, told him that he'd make a good winemaker and the rest is history. After five years at Pindar, Howard also worked for Osprey's Dominion Vineyards, Wolffer Estate Vineyards and Bedell…

Tierce Release Party Scales Down: Searching for the Right Formula for Successful Wine Events

By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor Photo by Morgan Dawson Photography Friday night, three Finger Lakes wineries will release two new vintages of their cooperative wine, Tierce. But if the goal for the wine is still the same — Fox Run Vineyards, Red Newt Cellars, and Anthony Road Wine Company each contributing to a singular expression — the release party will be far different this time around. The cost per person has been cut from $75 to $25. The menu will feature carefully selected hors d'oeuvres instead of a long and formal dinner. Winemakers will talk about the components and…

Raphael 2007 Naturale Red

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Now that Rich Olsen-Harbich has joined Bedell Cellars as head winemaker, this the kind of wine that I'm going to miss from Raphael, where he made wines for 14 years. That's nothing against the next winemaker at Raphael, whoever that may be. The wines will be different. They have to be. Raphael 2007 Natural Red ($26) is the first — and perhaps last — release of Naturale Red and I know that it is a wine Rich is extremely proud of.  After one of the warmest growing seasons ever recorded on Long Island, the 100%…

The New York Cork Club’s June 2010 Selections

By Lenn Thompson, Executive EditorRavines photo courtesy of Mark Moskal This month's New York Cork Club selections can be considered a brief exploration of dry rose in New York State. Before I say a bit about the two wines, first let me point you at more information about the New York Cork Club (NYCC). The quick and dirty of it is that we've partnered with BacchusWineOnline.com to build a wine club that features only wines made in New York — making more accessible to people around the country. We can't ship to every state, shipping laws being what they are…

Paumanok Vineyards 2009 Chenin Blanc: “An Interesting Accident”

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor As someone who has tasted several vintages worth now, it's almost impossible for me to understand why the Massoud family, owners of Paumanok Vineyards, are the only ones growing and making chenin blanc on Long Island. It ripens and performs consistently in the vineyard, not requiring unique or special treatment — outside of the regular challenges of growing grapes in a maritime climate, of course. The winemaking Massouds, first Charles and now his son Kareem, have been working with the grape long enough to understand how to get the most from it in the cellar…