By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor Photos courtesy of Les Degustateurs Tom Leahy didn't know how he had come to own a bottle of 1985 Lucas Riesling from the Finger Lakes. It had slumbered in his cellar for years, though he had no memory of it as a purchase or gift. It was just there, hanging out among some of the most highly sought White Burgundies, and aged Vouvrays, and vintage Champagne. Leahy might have considered it to be like a Dan Brown book on a shelf filled with Steinbeck. Who could blame him? Nor did Leahy know what to…
Posts Written OnJanuary 2011
Finger Lakes Red Wine of the Year: Ravines 2007 Meritage
By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor After we had selected the Ravines 2007 Meritage as Finger Lakes Red Wine of the Year, we heard a remark from the adjoining room. "That's nearly a perfect wine." It came from Jim Silver, Peconic Bay General Manager and our host for the tasting. He was not speaking in context, as in, "For a Finger Lakes red, that's a very good one." Silver, a lover of the Old World in particular, was praising the wine as one of distinction and class. "It's pretty exciting to see a wine like that come out of the…
Jamesport Vineyards 2007 Petit Verdot Reserve
By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor In recent years, a handful of North Fork wineries have released varietal petit verdot wines, almost always from superior vintages because it is one of the last varieties to ripen each year. Jamesport Vineyards 2007 Petit Verdot Reserve ($100) is the producers first 100% petit verdot and is by far the most expensive of the local lot. And there is a lot to like about this intense, powerhouse of a wine. Brooding, dense black fruit aromas dominate the nose — black currant, blackberries and blueberries — with black licorice, vanilla and black pepper accents. Despite…
Reaction Flowing In to Wine Council Proposal
As we get them, we're adding comments from industry members regarding the ideas put forward by Carlo DeVito regarding the creation of a New York Wine Council. From Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation: "I
Swedish Hill Winery 2007 Optimus
By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Many red blends from the Finger Lakes are heavy on the cabernet franc — the red grape that many (though clearly not all) believe grows best consistently in the region. Ian Barry, winemaker at Swedish Hill Winery, is one winemaker who believes strongly in Finger Lakes cabernet sauvignon, so it probably isn't a surprise that his Swedish Hill Winery 2007 Optimus ($22) 42% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot and 25% cabernet franc — all grown in the Finger Lakes. I'm not ready to hop on his cabernet sauvignon bandwagon, but this Bordeaux-style blend does help make…
Winery Owner Calls for Creation of New York Wine Council, Millions More in State Support
By Evan Dawson, Managing Editor Carlo DeVito, owner of Hudson-Chatham Winery in the Hudson Valley, spent a long time studying the numbers. To him, they told a grim story — New York wine continues to grow as an industry, but New York State offers less support each year.But in other wine-producing states, government support is growing to match the industry. Virginia's state government offers far more support, and DeVito noticed that even Ohio is squashing New York when it comes to state investment. Armed with the numbers, DeVito met on Monday with members of the state assembly, Senate and Governor Andrew…
Long Island’s First Nano Cask Festival Offers Rare Opportunity to Taste Hard-to-Find Local Brews
By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Here on Long Island, we're blessed with craft breweries like Southampton Publick House and Blue Point Brewery. Each makes some terrific beers — ones that I'm happy to drink anytime I see them at a restaurant or pick up at my local beer shop. But, there's something even more exciting going on in the local beer scene — the rise of nanobreweries. It seems like every few months I hear about a new smaller-than-micro brewery popping up on the Island, places like Barrier Brewing Company, Blind Bat Brewery, Barrage Brewing Company and Rocky Point Artisan…
A Trio of New York Cheeses Impress at NYCR Wines of the Year Tasting
By Aaron Estes, Cheese Editor Photo by Morgan Dawson Photography As you know by now, the NYCR team gathered a couple weeks ago for the 2010 Wines of the Year tasting. As a member of the editorial team, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the group this year. In addition to the wine, several beers were put forth for a Beer of the Year tasting. It was a great assortment of flavors and styles which provided a perfect vehicle for some cheese pairings. That's where I come in. As I've mentioned before, I think that beer and cheese is…
The New York Cork Report 2010 Wines of the Year: Niagara Region
By Bryan Calandrelli, Niagara Region Editor There was really no telling what my fellow NYCR editors were going to think about my Niagara Wines of the Year finalists — but I did know a couple things going in. I knew that I was the only wine editor who had tasted most of the wines. I also knew that I had chosen a diverse lineup so I didn
Captain Lawrence “Smoke From the Oak” Rum Barrel Aged Porter
By Julia Burke, Beer Editor This unique series by Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, a riff on experimental barrel aging, has produced some fantastic brews including an NYCR Beer of the Year Finalist. This bottling, aged in rum barrels, pours a lovely cappuccino/camoflage-colored one-finger head with attractive and resilient lacing. The body is burnt-ember black and thick but not syrupy. Like all Smoke From the Oak beerslike all the Smoke From the Oak beers it's a beautiful package. The nose is lightly smoky and just a touch hot, with a roasted meat/garrigue aroma as well as notes of coffee, chicory and…