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The always-beautiful spot next to the pond at Pugliese Vineyards By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor If you're like me, when you first move to a new wine region, you intrepidly explore it — visiting different tasting rooms every weekend and sampling different things on their tasting menus each time you go. Everything is so new and so exciting. Will that small place down the road have something killer you've never tasted before? Nena and I used to ask that question often. But over time that non-stop exploration slows. You've tasted most of the wines at most of the wineries and…

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor We had picture-perfect weather in Long Island wine country this weekend. In fact, these were some of hte only clouds I remember. This is a shot from the parking lot at McCall Wines where I tasted not only some delicious pinot, but some of the best 2010 sauvignon blanc I've had so far. Story coming later today or tomorrow.  

By Aaron Estes, Cheese Editor I have a problem with Alpine-style cheeses. And when I say

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor These are tasting notes for some wines that have graced the NYCR tasting table recently but won't be reviewed in standalone posts. Channing Daughters Winery 2009 Lagrein ($30): Very peppery on the nose (almost syrah-like) with some rocky minerality and taut red fruits (cherry and cranberry). Silky up front with crunchy red fruit and low tannins. Smoky and a bit spicy — but in an oaky way. Somewhat dilute, but no-doubt food friendly because of the acidity. Rating: 83 Channing Daughters Winery 2010 Rosato di Cabernet Sauvignon ($18): Simple, pure nose of red cherries and…

By Mark Tichenor, Beer Correspondent American beer fans are fortunate; the best and most famous craft brews are available from coast to coast. Still, it's a pleasure to find excellent beers brewed and served on a small scale, with a local ethic. Some of the finest are only available at a singular time and place. That's the case with McBane's Unfiltered Expo Pils, brewed as a collaboration between Joe McBane, owner of Rochester's Tap and Mallet gastropub, and Bruce Lish, brewer at Custom Brewcrafters of Honeoye Falls, New York. Brewed to coincide with the Tap and Mallet's recent Real Beer…

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor It is hot on Long Island this week — really hot — and has been for a few weeks not. Couple that with my wife Nena being pregnant and you get where I am today — more beer filling my glass, both at home and at restaurants. I'm an extremely seasonal drinker — whether we're talking beer or wine. In the winter, I drink far more red wines than white. The opposite is true in the summer. There are exceptions of course (these are personal guidelines rather than rules), including riesling and cabernet franc. I…

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor This Saturday evening, I'll be making the drive down to the Hamptons to attend the inaugural Dan's Taste of Two Forks event at Sayre Park in Bridgehampton. Organized by Dan's Papers (full disclosure: I'm their wine columnist) and hosted by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, the event will bring together top chefs and wineries from both the North and South Forks under one 'roof.' The idea isn't a new one — it isn't that different from the HARVEST EAST END event that launched last fall — but this is sure to be a fun evening and…

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor By any measure, last night's NYCR Artisan Dinner at Luce + Hawkins — featuring the wines of Heart & Hands Wine Company — was a success. The packed house enjoyed an incredible meal prepared by chef Keith Luce and his kitchen team, and I'm pretty sure that everyone came away excited about what Tom and Susan Higgins are doing with pinot noir in the Finger Lakes. I'd like to thank everyone one for coming — especially Tom and Susan who made the trip to Long Island wine country just for this dinner and were on…