Posts Written OnDecember 2011

Sports Bars: Long Island Ale House

By Donavan Hall, Long Island Beer Correspondent A couple of weekends ago I got a text message from one of the guys in my soccer club. He and another coach had decided to head out to a bar for a couple of beers. "We're at Ugly Jacks," said the message. I texted back, "Grumpy Jacks, surely." My phone had been off while I was in the movies so my soccer buddies blamed me for their lack of knowledge about where to go for a beer on a Friday night. "You guys need to get out more," I said. "Or at…

Channing Daughters Winery 2010 Sylvanus

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor This field blend of 60% muscat ottonel, 30% pinot grigio and 10% pinot bianco shows the sweet-fruity and floral aromas you'd expect from so much muscat — apple blossoms, candied lemons and orange peel, and lemon verbena. The palate is medium-bodied and juicy in its lemon-and-orange fruitiness, with some slightly bitter grapefruit pith and a melange of flowers. As it warms a bit, notes of persimmon and brown spice peek from beneath the citrus. The finish shows nice length but a bit more acid would bring focus and clean it up a bit. Producer: Channing…

What We Drank (December 14, 2011)

Here's a sampling of what our contributors and editors are drinking… Donavan Hall: Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout When the days get shorter giving way to the early approach of darkness, and the air picks up a chill, my taste for beer darkens and, instead of a thirst quencher, I want something to warm me up. Brooklyn Brewery's Black Chocolate Stout does just that. At 10% ABV, this one is a sipper, but it's not so big that it doesn't play nicely with others. Last night, I cracked open this bottle and paired it with a selection of cheeses we'd…

Coming Soon at NYCR: A Whole Lotta Stuff

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Things have been a bit quiet here on the site over the past week, mostly because of the arrival of our newest team member, my daughter Anna Helene (that's here right there on the right), born just over a week ago. As I adjust to my new and not-at-all-set writing schedule, our merry band of editors and contributors will be helping fill the void.  And, as we move into the holiday season and near the end of 2011 I wanted to offer a preview of some of the posts we'll be publishing over the next…

Pindar Vineyards 2010 Sauvignon Blanc

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Photo from Pindar.net Edward Lovaas got lucky when he joined Pindar Vineyards in August of 2010. Possibly without even realizing, he walked into what many consider the greatest grape growing season ever on Long Island. I've tasted a few of Edward's first Long Island wines now, and I can say without hesitation that he's not the only one who got lucky. The Damianos family, which owns Pindar and Duck Walk Vineyards, got lucky too. It's too early to make any wide-ranging pronouncements — Edward's reds are at least a year or two away from release…

Southampton Publick House Double White

By Julia Burke, Beer Editor Long Island brewery Southampton Publick House has arrived in western New York and I can't think of a nicer way to ring in the holidays than with this consistently impressive brewery's lineup of interesting and varied styles. Double White pours a glowing sunrise-haze gold color and shows a brief one-finger head and beautiful bubbles. A clean, crisp nose with only a subtle whiff of cardamom and lemon and just a little bit of clementine give way as it opens to bready wheat character and citrusy Belgian yeast esters. The mouthfeel is excellent –smooth, bready, just a…

C’est Cheese! Port Jefferson’s New Beer Destination

By Donavan Hall, Long Island Beer Correspondent A few months back, Alice and I were looking for someplace to go after taking in a movie at the Staller Center. “I wish there was some nice quiet place we could go, have a cheese plate, drink some beer, and relax,” she said. “Let’s try Port Jeff,” I suggested. “It’s been awhile. And you’ve never been to Portside Grill.” Of course, I knew Portside Grill was never going to work on a Friday night. While they would certainly have craft beer on tap, they would be in short supply of quiet. Despite…

What Should We Expect of Wine Writers? Short Visits, Thin Coverage, and Why Specialization Matters

By Evan Dawson, Managing Editor If you wanted to gain an understanding of what a winemaker is trying to accomplish, how long would you need? How many wines would you want to taste? How many steps would you need to take in the vineyard? How many questions would you want to ask? There is no set standard, obviously. But one of the most valuable exercises we have is the in-person visit to the winery. It helps writers get to know the winemaker, and perhaps the owner and the grower and the staff. It helps us comprehend why certain decisions are…

Your Ultimate Guide to Pairing Beer and Cheese

By Julia Burke, Beer Editor and Aaron Estes, Cheese Editor Some say the best match for cheese is wine. We say those people are probably the ones who thought Buttercup should’ve stuck with Prince Humperdinck in The Princess Bride. Beer and cheese is where it’s at, folks and with the holidays approaching, you may want to treat your guests and family to this killer combination. But pairing is always a challenge, and you may be asking yourselves, “But doesn’t all beer go with all cheese? Aren’t they both delicious and snackable? Why should I care about specific pairings?” As your…

Red Newt Prepares to Launch Deb Whiting Foundation with Kick-off Dinner Event this Friday

By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor Seats still remain for what Red Newt Bistro is billing as "the wine and food event of the season." This Friday, December 2, Red Newt Bistro host a special dinner that will raise funds for the new Debra Whiting Foundation. The cost to attend is a $100 donation to the foundation. "Debra was a woman of passion," says Dave Whiting, owner of Red Newt Cellars and Bistro. "We were passionately in love, and she worked, breathed, and lived with a passion. This event is an expression in so many ways of what Debra lived…