The Story Behind McGregor Vineyard’s Black Russian Red: A Chat With John McGregor

It has been called “unique” and “iconic” – and has developed an almost cult-like following since it first appeared more than two decades ago. McGregor Vineyard’s Black Russian Red is a field blend of two varieties of Eastern European origin – Saperavi and Sereksiya Charni. Finger Lakes pioneer Bob McGregor created the blend in the early 1990’s as an alternative to classic Bordeaux blends that require varieties that are challenging to consistently cultivate in Upstate New York, releasing the first vintage in 1991. Based on its early success, the wine has been produced every vintage since. Today, continuation of the…

Continue Reading

Op-Ed: It’s Time for Gender Equity in the Cellar (by August Deimel, Winemaker, Keuka Springs Vineyards)

Photo credit: Meg Tipton (Editor’s Note: The following op-ed was written by August Deimel, winemaker at Keuka Springs Vineyard) Last month I attended an event celebrating the contribution of alumni from my undergraduate alma mater, St. John’s College, to the wine industry. During a panel discussion that was part of that event, a woman in the audience asked a question that seemed to catch the panel very much off guard. She asked why, of the seven people who were being featured that weekend, there was not a single woman. The panel searched half-heartedly for an answer, but the questioner went…

Continue Reading

Weekly New York Wine News — March 23, 2015

Photo via Peter Becraft, winemaker at Anthony Road Wine Company NEWS Syracuse.com – 3/18/2015 Early report from the floor of the Eastern Winery Expo held Tuesday through Thursday last week in Syracuse. New York Times – 3/20/2015 Walter Channing, Jr, highly accomplished vintner and artist has passed away after an impressive career. A New York wine pioneer who decided to plant Chardonnay in an old potato field in 1982. Inside Scoop SF – 3/20/2015 San Francisco Chronicle wine editor Jon Bonné is saying goodbye to his work in California, and is moving back to New York…we are guessing he was not…

Continue Reading

NY Drinks NY Means that Winter is Over. I Promise!

At this point, winter has been such a relentless bitch many of us will drink anything to keep warm and shut out the dark, grey days. But with Spring fast approaching, I’m here to remind you to be mindful of what’s in your glass. Don’t just slug whatever bottle you have on hand in order to stay indoors. For me – NY Drinks NY heralds Open Season on Spring wine. New, shiny things I have yet to taste. This yearly event brings together three dozen or more wineries from across New York State for a Grand Tasting and … marks…

Continue Reading

NY Drinks NY: Tasting New York In 60 Minutes Or Less

Since I recently moved back to New York state, I looked forward to the NY Drinks NY tasting  for weeks as a way to plunge back in and get reacquainted with New York wine. But then a business lunch ran late and I hoofed it in to Astor Center with barely an hour to spare. Merda! With thirty-five producers, seven wines (roughly) apiece, and 60 or so minutes, I definitely needed an organizing principle. Tracking down my Hudson Valley neighbors seemed a solid place to start. Soon, I found all — three of them? Benmarl Winery, Brotherhood Winery, and Whitecliff…

Continue Reading

Raphael 2014 Sauvignon Blanc

Made without even a splinter of oak, Raphael 2014 Sauvignon Blanc ($20), is a brisk, somewhat lean rendition of North Fork sauvignon blanc. Dominant aromas and flavors of citrus blossom, stony talc and straw are supported by light lemon, lemon verbena and gooseberry qualities. Juicy, citrusy acid keeps the palate crunchy and accentuates the minerally, stony notes. Bottled only a month ago, I plan to re-taste this wine in a month or so and will update this note if needed. Producer: Raphael AVA: North Fork of Long Island Varieties: 97% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Semillon pH: 3.18 TA: 8.4 g/L Barrel Program: None;…

Continue Reading

Weekly New York Wine News — March 16, 2015

The lineup at Southold Farm + Cellar’s En Primeur 2015 last weekend. NEWS Albany Times Union – 3/10/2015 New Bill supports Empire Wine sales and seeks to curb the power of the State Liquor Authority. Press & Sun-Bulletin – 3/11/2015 Adult beverages sold for the first time at the Spiedie Fest in Binghamton with a specially dedicated tent to taste NY products. The Vinguard – 3/13/2015 Long Island is rolling with acres of vineyards – this piece lauds the region as grown up and making sophisticated wines. Stuart Pigott – Rielsing Global – 3/14/2015 Author of THE BEST WHITE WINE ON EARTH…

Continue Reading

The Cork Report | Episode 1: Who Inspired Me? Why Am I Doing This?

So here it is — the first episode of The Cork Report. Nothing major this week, just me talking about some of the podcasts that inspired me and a bit about what I hope to cover and accomplish with it. Shout out to Anthony Ianni for the theme song “First Fall” and to PJ Sedgwick for the killer logo artwork. I forgot to mention them in the track and will need to remedy that the next go-round. I’m still not sure how often I’ll pull these together, but I’m shooting for two per month at least. And I can’t really…

Continue Reading

Introducing “The Cork Report”… Almost

I’ve procured theme music (big shout out to long-time reader Anthony Ianni for providing an original song “First Fall”). I’ve learned just enough Garageband to piece together and introduction. And as you can see, I now have a logo/cover art (thanks to NYCR creative director, PJ Sedgwick). Now I just need to sit down, plug in the mic and click record.  It’s coming soon. I promise. In the meantime, you can also follow the latest The Cork Report podcast updates via Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheCorkReport    

Continue Reading