Posts Tagged“featured”

Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2010 “Noblesse Oblige” Extra Brut Rose Sparkling Wine

Wolffer Estate is one of the better-known and recognized brands in Long Island wine. Their standard dry rose is nearly ubiquitous in the warmer months (not to mention their barrel-aged rose and the new “Summer in a Bottle” bottling). Winemaker Roman Roth is also making some of the best merlot-based blends and cabernet franc on the island. What doesn’t get nearly enough attention is the sparkling wine program at Wolffer — including Wolffer Estate 2010 Noblesse Oblige Extra Brut Rose Sparkling ($40). Made from pinot noir and chardonnay, it offers aromas of fresh apple and apple skin with hints of red berries.…

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Keegan Ales Mothers Milk Stout

Keegan Ales began brewing in an abandoned brewery in Kingston, NY around 2003. Since then, their beer lineup (especially the Mother’s Milk) has been a major staple in the Hudson Valley and New York beer scene. They now contract brew some of their beer in Stratford, CT. I like pouring this milk stout from the bottle with some vigor, which creates a nice frothy head and gets all the Oedipus complex out. The stout is mostly black, with a rich brown layer of foam. The nose is more grassy and dusty at first but leads to some sweeter aromas like chocolate…

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Knapp 2013 Dry Riesling

With aromas of lemon drop, peach flesh and pit and a subtle floral quality, Knapp 2013 Dry Riesling ($16) is fruity and forward without being too candied. Thought sweeter than many would expect from a wine labeled “Dry” there is a nice balance between the residual sugar — which brings a bit of mid-palate fullness — and citrusy, juicy acidity that lingers with a distinct lime finish. Peach flavors are ripe and plush with citrus at the edges and a bit of apple skin. This was the surprise of a recent tasting. Producer: Knapp Wines AVA: Finger Lakes ABV: 12% Production: 302 cases…

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For Peter Becraft, a Dream Winemaking Job Starts with a Challenging Vintage

In June, the head job was his. By the end of August, he might have been wondering why nature had served him such a cruel dish for his first solo vintage. But at Anthony Road Wine Company on Seneca Lake, Peter Becraft knew very well to stay patient. He could wait to see what September would bring. He had been waiting years for the chance at a head winemaking job, and he is not the type to stew. That’s probably framing the situation unfairly. Anthony Road has become one of the most significant names in the New York wine industry,…

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Anthony Nappa Wines 2013 Sciardonne

Anthony Nappa Wines 2013 “Sciardonne” Chardonnay ($20) straddles the line between typical no-oak chardonnay and barrel fermented styles. Though it doesn’t see a splinter of oak, it’s still full-bodied and concentrated with fruity aromas of mandarin orange and peach backed by notes of pineapple, dried flowers and a bit of butter. Full-bodied and mouth-filling, the palate shows excellent balance with enough acid to keep it from tasting heavy or tiring and a nice little saline note on the end of a medium-long finish. Producer: Anthony Nappa Wines AVA: North Fork of Long Island Harvest Date(s): October 5, 2013 Vineyard Source: McCullough Vineyards…

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Weekly New York Wine News — January 5, 2015

I’ll Drink to That Podcast – 12/23/2014 Levi Dalton interviews Christopher Tracy – winemaker and a partner at the Channing Daughters winery, on New York’s Long Island. Plus Erin Scala takes a look at the history of wine production in New York state. New York Times – 12/26/2014 The owners of Finger Lakes wine cellars are squaring off against business interests to store liquefied petroleum gas in their neighborhoods. New York Winemakers Fight Gas Storage Plan Near Seneca Lake. Syracuse.com – 12/29/2014 Gas storage plan under Seneca Lake draws letters to the editor and a heated commentary. WXXI News – 12/29/2014 New York…

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Red Newt Cellars 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling

Tasting on the drier side of semi-dry Red Newt Cellars 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling ($15) begins with a burst of citrus on the nose — lemon and lime — with added aromas of flint, citrus blossom, jasmine tea and wet gravel. Ample, but well-integrated, acidity brings verve to a palate that shows a nice bit of concentration on the mid-palate to go along with flavors that closely match the nose. There is a touch of sweetness here, but crunchy, lime-juicy acidity balances it deftly. The finish lingers with notes of lime peel and slate. Producer: Red Newt Cellars AVA: Finger Lakes  ABV: 10.3% Production: 240…

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Finger Lakes Region Mourns the Loss of Top Grape Grower Sam Argetsinger

The Finger Lakes lost one of its most prominent grape growers on Sunday night when Sam Argetsinger died at his home. Argetsinger is the owner of his eponymous vineyard, which rises high above the southeast side of Seneca Lake. “We’re still in shock,” said Morten Hallgren, co-owner of Ravines Wine Cellars, which uses Argetsinger Vineyard fruit to make some of the finest wines in the region. “Sam was a loyal friend, a passionate grape grower, and an Iroquois translator who was so in touch with his environment that you could see it in his fiery blue eyes. A friend like…

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Happy Holidays — We’ll Be Back in 2015!

It’s been a busy 2014 here at NYCR headquarters — as well as our satellite offices throughout New York. At times the site just hasn’t been a priority and we’re sorry about that. Fear not New York wine fans — we’ll be back with a vengeance in 2015, with some new programs, a new look and possibly some pretty big news. In the meantime, the team and I are going to shut things down for the year and enjoy the time with our friends and family over the holidays. Happy holidays!

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Lakewood Vineyards 2012 Riesling

Lakewood Vineyards can always be counted on for good value rieslings — affordable wines that typically over-deliver for the price. Lakewood Vineyards 2012 Riesling ($13) goes even further — offering quality well above its $13 price-tag. Fruity and forward, the nose offers pear, peach and dried apricot notes right out of the refrigerator that turn a bit more musk melon-y as the wine warms. Driven by stone fruit — peaches and apricots — the slightly sweet palate shows a drip of honey and crisp, citrusy edges. Finishing nearly dry with apple and lime notes, this is the kind of Finger Lakes riesling…

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