Browsing CategoryNew York

Martha Clara Vineyards Wins Governor’s Cup for 2010 Riesling

Martha Clara Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island has won this year’s Governor’s Cup for best New York state wine, for their 2010 Riesling. There has been many words written about the New York Wine & Food Classic over the years, but this is still great for the great team at Martha Clara — and it virtually guarantees that this wine will sell out. It was chosen from 741 wines submitted by 105 wineries by a group of judges from across the country and the world. Juan Micieli-Martinez, general manager and head winemaker at Martha Clara, just told…

Wineries Say Heavy Rains Will Have Little Impact on 2011 Long Island Grape Harvest

It has been raining for more than 36 hours here at my house and it’s showing few signs of letting up. I don’t measure rainwater totals here, but I can say definiteively that it’s rained “a lot” across the East End of Long Island. Ever since around 20″ of October rain wrought havoc on the 2005 harvest and vintage, many observers pay far closer attention to rain here in Long Island wine country, but they needn’t worry. Sure, this is a lot of rain, but it’s fairly well timed and should have little-to-no impact on the 2011 vintage. “We

Heron Hill Moves to Screwcaps for Most Wines

In a matter of weeks, Heron Hill Winery customers will find many of the winery’s wines closed under screwcap. The winery recently completed the installation of a screwcap bottling line (pictured above) that owner John Ingle described as “not an insignificant investment.” Ingle described the plan for Heron Hill wines in simple terms: The wines that need to be preserved for as long as possible — with no change or evolution that comes from gradual oxidation — will be bottled under screwcap. The wines that Heron Hill considers to be capable of evolving into something greater will be bottled under…

Photos From 2011 Roanoke Vineyards Winemakers’ Smackdown

I spent a beautiful pre-rains Saturday evening at Roanoke Vineyards this past weekend to attend the latest in their series of “Smackdown” events; events where wine industry folks blind taste wines head-to-head while attendees taste along with them. It was great fun to see old friends, make new ones and meet journalist and author George Taber (pictured above center), who hosted the evening. Blind tasting is hard. Very hard. And also extremely humbling. But, the panelist seemed to have fun with it, engaging playful trash talk throughout the evening. Rather than give a blow-by-blow or sip-by-sip account, which I don’t think…

A Different Perspective on “Wine on Tap”: It’s Working. And is Growing.

By Mark Grimaldi, Director, Marketing and Events The subject of wine on tap (WOT) has always been one for debate, especially here on the New York Cork Report. Having been involved with kegged wines since they first started to become commercial a few years ago, I am now even more a proponent, seeing just how successful it is becoming. Some still see it as a downfall for our industry,

Adventures in Home Winemaking: Finger Lakes Oak

By Julia Burke, Beer Editor Yesterday I bottled a Niagara Escarpment 2010 cabernet sauvignon made with New York oak — specifically, oak from the Cayuga Lake area of the Finger Lakes. I’m psyched about the incorporation of one more local ingredient into my wine, and since my source is supplying Finger Lakes oak to both commercial wineries and home winemakers with great success, I thought I’d report on my own experience. Shortly after the 2010 harvest I made a trip to Sheldrake Point Vineyards, where I had a wonderful tasting and conversation with winemaker Dave Breeden. When I asked about…

The New York Cork Report Tasting Table — August 5, 2011

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor These are tasting notes for some wines that have been tasted at the NYCR tasting table but won’t be reviewed in standalone posts. Bouke Wines 2010 Rose ($16): Made with cabernet sauvignon and merlot.Aromas of pomegranate, cranberry and strawberry. The strawberry is more pronounced on the round, medium-bodied palate. Mostly red fruit flavors but a hint of leafy earthiness and cinnamon candy too. Good acidity balances ripe fruitiness well. Channing Daughters Winery 2010 Mudd Vineyard West Sauvignon Blanc ($20): 5% chardonnay blended in. Expressive nose delivers lime, grapefruit, honeydew melon aromas and light hints of…