Posts Written OnJuly 2010

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Photo from Food & Wine I'm out of town and don't have all the details just yet, but, the winemaking carousel continues to turn on the North Fork, but with a big-name, non-local twist. Robert Foley, the well-regarded Napa Valley winemaker has agreed to join Macari Vineyards as consultant winemaker. He'll be joined by current Macari consultant Helmut Gangl, who makes the winery's dessert wines and popular "Early Wine" chardonnay, and new winemaker, Kelly Urbanik formerly of Bedell Cellars. While Foley is known best in wine circles for his work at Pride Mountain Vineyards and…

Black currants being harvested at Good Farm. Photo courtesty of Carlo DeVito, Hudson-Chatham Winery It's easy to forget that fruit winemakers don't have the same schedule that grape winemakers do… but Carlo reminds us with this picture and a note saying: "While many wineries' busy time of year is fall, many fruit winemakers are out already toiling at this time of year. Currant and raspberry season are at their high point. In the Hudson Valley, where cassis is one of the fastest-growing categories, and with good reason, Hudson-Chatham, Tousey, Brookview Station, and Clinton Vineyards are all in the middle of…

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor As I mentioned last week in my review of this wine's sister wine — the Hermann J. Wiemer 2008 Magdalena Riesling — the best way to taste the Wiemer single-vineyard rieslings is to do so side-by-side. That's the best way to taste the clear differences born in the vineyards. Briefly stated, the HJW Vineyard is in a much cooler spot than the Magdalena Vineyard and it's as apparent in the glass as it is on any temperature chart or weather map. Citrusy on the nose, the Hermann J. Wiemer 2008 HJW Vineyard Riesling ($39) shows…

By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor By Evan Dawson, Managing Editor We recently had a seriously disappointing wine experience at a celebrated Finger Lakes location: Belhurst Castle on Seneca Lake. Really, I should say that it was disappointing and bizarre, because I'm not sure I can recall ever seeing something like this before. It was a Saturday night, Fourth of July weekend, and I was part of a large post-wedding group that wanted to hang out at a place with a solid wine list and good atmosphere. We arrived at Belhurst at about 11 p.m., where we found their gorgeous…

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Here are seven wines that have crossed the NYCR tasting table in recent weeks but will not be reviewed as part of a stand-alone post. As always, these are notes almost verbatim from my tasting notebook: Bouke 2009 Bouquet Rose Wine ($15): Intense watermelon Jolly Rancher with sweet strawberry and just a little rose petal on the nose. Watermelon and cherry candy with an interesting gingery not. Off-dry and while not sugary, could use a bit more acid to lift the freshness. Rose petal peeks in again on the finish. Rating: 79 Channing Daughters Winery…

By Julia Burke, Beer Editor At long last, after months of worry and deliberation without a pint of local beer to diffuse the tension, a beloved brewery was returned to its fans this week when Buffalo’s Flying Bison Brewing Company reopened its doors. Only six months ago, the home of numerous local staples, including Rusty Chain, Aviator Red, and Buffalo Lager was on the brink of closing its doors for good — but after lengthy debate with investors, Flying Bison owner and brewmaster Tim Herzog (pictured right) accepted a buyout offer from Utica producer Matt Brewing Company to save the…

By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor Finger Lakes wine industry pioneer Bill Wagner has passed away at the age of 83. His family, which owns the business, has not released a cause of death. Wagner was part of a small group of industry leaders that insisted on planting and growing vinifera wine grapes in the 1970s. Wagner Vineyards has grown to have a strong portfolio of production, which includes several dozen bottlings of 20 varieties.  "I had nothing but the highest regard for him," said Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation. "He was a true pioneer,…

By Julia Burke, Beer Editor While discovering several great beer spots on a trip to Rochester last week, I was given a sample bottle of this house IPA (they had run out of the draught version) at The Old Toad after two of the bartenders raved about it. I had never heard bar staff talk about a house beer with such enthusiasm, but barkeep Rob Adamthwaite assured me it was a must-try: “We went through six kegs in the first week!” Made by Custom Brewcrafters in Honeoye Falls, NY in commemoration of the beloved pub’s 20th anniversary, OT 20 features…