As I sit down to write this month’s newsletter, it is with mixed emotions. Empire State Cellars will be closing at the end December, which makes this the final club shipment. One one hand, it’s obviously saddening to think that the largest New York-only retail shop is closing and that a club that I’ve curated for so many years (with three different shops handling logistics) is coming to an end. (Selfishly, I’m bummed about the store because it’s going to be that much harder for me to find Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley and Niagara wines locally.) On the other hand, this is…
Posts Tagged“empire state cellars”
Empire State Cellars Wine Club: January 2014 Selections
In the midst of the NYCR’s brief hiatus, we still have some work to attend to — announcing wines that will be included in the January shipment of our wine club. If you aren’t familiar with the club, you can learn more here. “Hello New York” Wines Macari Vineyards 2013 Early Wine Chardonnay: I’ve already enjoyed at least half a case of this super-fresh first taste of the 2013 Long Island vintage. It bursts with citrus — think lemons and grapefruit — aromas along with notes of green apple and apple blossom on the nose. Juicy, citrusy and just plain fun on the…
Empire State Cellars Wine Club: November Selections
The November shipment of the Empire State Cellars Wine Club will go out to members in a few weeks — but here’s a sneak peak of what is coming.. If you aren’t familiar with the club, you can learn more here. “Hello New York” Wines Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars 2012 Dry Riesling: This wine has been getting a lot of attention lately and rightly so. Dry but not austere, this riesling shows classic citrus-meets-peach qualities with mouth-watering verve and a vein of of wet river rock on the finish. I’ll be pouring this one before and during Thanksgiving dinner. Red…
Empire State Cellars Wine Club: May 2013 Selections
The May shipment of the Empire State Cellars Wine Club will go out to members in a week or so — meaning that it’s time to announce my selections. If you’re not familiar with the club, you can learn more here. “Hello New York” Wines Bloomer Creek Vineyard 2011 Auten Vineyard First Harvest Riesling: With every new Bloomer Creek release, they solidify their position as a top-tier riesling producer on the East Coast. And, these wines are so well priced that you can drink them now (and buy more), or put them away for a few years if you like your riesling with a…
April 20: The Great Food Truck Derby Comes to Tanger (Riverhead, NY)
On Saturday, April 20, Riverhead’s Tanger Outlets will host A Taste of the East End, featuring the edible Food Truck Derby. Edible East End invites you check out the food trucks from New York City and Long Island as well as local beverage producers, who will be there to tempt your palate with a variety of local libations. Morris Grilled Cheese, the only Slow Food-certified food truck in New York, will have a wide array of the obvious — including gluten-free options — with all the fixings. Korilla BBQ will be serving up Korean BBQ with organic veggies (yes, they have…
Empire State Cellars Wine Club: March 2013 Selections
The March shipment of the Empire State Cellars Wine Club will be shipping in a week or so — meaning that it’s time to announce my selections. If you’re not familiar with the club, you can learn more here. “Hello New York” Wines Sheldrake Point 2011 Dry Riesling: Lithe and lively, this was a favorite when I tasted with winemaker Dave Breeden last summer. Apple and apple blossom flavors are accented by a squirt of lime and a snappy finish. Roasted pork loin wants this wine. So do you. Macari Vineyards 2008 Estate Merlot: With aromas of red cherry, cured meat, sweet herbs and…
Peconic Bay Winery Moves Tasting Room Operations to Empire State Cellars, Re-Focuses on the Wine and Leaves Agritourism Behind
Live music every weekend. A food menu well beyond snacks. Big crowds. North Fork agritourism at its best. That’s has been Peconic Bay Winery the last several summers. Other wineries have turned to agritourism for financial stability and profitability, but few did it better than Peconic Bay. But no more. Later this morning, the winery will announce that it is closing its tasting room to the public, moving day-to-day retail and tasting operations to Empire State Cellars at Tanger Outlet Mall. The Cutchogue tasting room will now be used exclusively for private parties and wine club events. There will be a…
Empire State Cellars Wine Club: January 2013 Selections
The January shipment of the Empire State Cellars Wine Club won’t ship for a few weeks, but — as always — I’m excited to share the selections with you. If you’re not familiar with the club, you can learn more here. “Hello New York” Wines Macari Vineyards 2012 “Early Wine” Chardonnay: In the same vein as Beaujolais Nouveau — but local and far better. This off-dry wine is super crisp with pear, apple and light floral notes. Make sure that you drink it before March to enjoy it at its fresh best Paumanok Vineyards 2010 Festival Red: This blend of merlot, cabernet franc,…
New York Wines in China: Opportunities, Challenges and a Unique Education
Editor’s Note: Tomorrow, Jim Silver, general manager of Peconic Bay Winery and Empire State Cellars, will fly to China as part of a delegation set to represent and eventually sell New York wines there. While he’s there, he will be publishing a travel diary here on the New York Cork Report. I asked him to introduce that diary before he left. Bloomberg reports that the Chinese Gross Domestic Product grew 7.6% in the third quarter of this year over last year. The same report considers that a “drag from inventory restocking…” One has to wonder what they would consider robust growth. Sparing…
Empire State Cellars Wine Club: November 2012 Selections
The November shipment of the Empire State Cellars Wine Club will ship in a couple weeks, but — as always — I’m excited to share the selections with you. If you’re not familiar with the club, you can learn more here. “Hello New York” Wines Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Gruner Veltliner: It’s exciting to include this relatively new grape to New York, and Lamoreaux Landing’s first commercial release of it. Dry and refreshing, it shows aloe, white pepper, lemon-lime citrus, and green herbs — with just a hint of salinity. Roanoke Vineyards 2010 BOND: Some complain about the lack of quality “table wines”…