Until last weekend it wasn’t obvious, but winter is upon us. And while most of the farm stands are boarded up for the season, just about all of Long Island’s East End wineries, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants remain open. Believe it or not, this is one of the best times to visit Long Island wine country. The summer crowds are a memory, the rush of harvest season is over and the 2005 vintage is resting comfortably in barrels and bottles before release. Tasting room staff can spend more time with you, it’s easier to get a reservation at the…

This post has absolutely nothing to do with food or wine — at least not directly — but I’ve been far too silent as my beloved Steelers march on in the NFL playoffs. Heading into the playoffs, I was luke-warmly confident, despite my often blind faith in the black and gold. We had a great year (yes, I always speak as if I’m on the team) but there were some missteps along the way…and there are some damn good teams in the AFC. But, after watching them demoralize the Cincy Bungles (sorry Jens, and that wasn’t a dirty hit) and…

Today is your last day to vote for all of your favorites in the 2005 Food Blog Awards, hosted by Kate over at the Accidental Hedonist. LENNDEVOURS has been nominated in the "Best Blog Covering Wine, Beer or Spirits"  category, and is joined by Fermentation A Good Beer Blog The Scotch Blog Vinography   GO VOTE TODAY  

Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars is one of the best-known wineries in New York’s Finger Lakes region — mostly because their rieslings are top notch and among the best (if not they best) produced in the U.S. Salmon Run is Dr. Frank’s second label and the bottlings top out at about $13 per bottle, making them among the best every day drinking values I’ve encountered. This Salmon Run 2002 Meritage ($13) is a blend of merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon, and while I couldn’t dig up any information on where the grapes came from, listing "New York" on…

As Tom mentions, the number of new wine blogs is "daunting." It’s seemingly impossible for me to add any new blogs to my list of usual reads. But, on his suggestion I clicked on over to Walk the Wine. It’s going to work it’s way into my regular reading routine. Plus, JD is just across the Long Island Sound from me in CT and has links to the Connecticut Wine Trail. Perhaps we’ll do some tasting together one day after a short ferry ride. So go over and see what JD has going on…and add him to your must-read list.…

This afternoon, Nena and I are heading to Killington, Vermont for a long weekend with friends. Of the six people going, only two ski (I’m not one of them) but we’re certain to have a great time in the winter wonderland. So, there probably won’t be much activity on LENNDEVOURS until Tuesday. But, you should definitely take my New York Wine Survey while I’m gone. Take it now.

Harold Watts, 73, Ternhaven Cellars’ founder, owner and winemaker, has sold his five-acre vineyard in Cutchogue to someone who is expected to build a house there and keep the acreage planted in vines. He’s keeping his property and winery in Greenport, but isn’t planning on making wine anymore. As I wrote last July, Harold is one of Long Island’s true garagistes. For more information (but not much) check out this piece in Newsday. (I like seeing that Mr. Harrington refers to Harold as a garagiste six months after I did). Stay tuned for an interview with Harold…I’m trying to track…