Napa’s Pine Ridge Winery Buys Two Long Island Vineyards

Napa is invading the North Fork! Napa-based Pine Ridge Vinery has purchased both Broadfields Wine Cellars (along with both Tasting Room locations) and Charles John Vineyard, both on Long Island’s North Fork. Both of the recently sold properties have released estate-grown wines I’ve enjoyed in the past (1|2) so I’m excited to see what Pine Ridge does with the fruit and what their plans are for their presence in the region. Let’s just hope that they don’t try to make Napa-style wines here, because it just won’t work. As Theresa Dilworth points out in the Newsday story, they could have…

Macari Vineyards Cabernet Franc on the Loose

I swear to you that I’m not stalking Stephen — he just makes such awesome dishes that I check his blog several times a day just in case he posts more than once recipe. Anyway…today I got a special surprise — he paired his latest creation with Macari Vineyards 2003 Cabernet Franc. Of course, I was with Beau when he got a few bottles of the wine to share with wine bloggers as part of his revolution, but I didn’t know how quickly the reviews would start rolling in. I’ve got a couple bottles of this terroir-tastic red (and a…

Wine Blogging Wednesday #16 — Judge a Bottle by its Cover

Have you ever found yourself staring at a wall of wine at th wine shop, with no idea what you should by? Subconsciously or not, a wines label often jumps out at us all in that situation and affects our buying decision. I hate to admit it, but it’s happened to me to. (And the opposite is true, Nena and I often comment on the bad labels we see). Of course we know better — pretty labels often hide ugly wines — but we’re human and wineries put a lot of money and time into designing labels that will make…

New Blog: Finger Lakes Weekend Wino

I’ve just stumbled up on the Finger Lakes Weekend Wino blog and it’s a site that I plan to keep an eye on. I’m always interested in learning more about Finger Lakes wineries and wines…and with a definitely lean toward wine value, this new blog should be an interesting read in the sometimes-expensive NY wine world. The picture above is the view from their vacation home in the Finger Lakes (not sure which one). Hard to beat that, huh?    .

Schneider Vineyards 2004 Syrah and 2004 Cabernet Franc

North Fork Negociants Release First Estate-Grown Wines Several of Long Island’s smallest wine producers are Negociants. Negociants buy grapes from a local grower, then make, age, blend and bottle wine under their own label. This practice is common in many wine-producing regions, particularly in Burgundy, home to many well-known negoicant labels like Louis Jadot and Duboeuf. It’s an attractive endeavor to many winemakers because it can be difficult, from a financial perspective, to plant/grow/maintain a vineyard as well as buy all equipment necessary to make and bottle a finished wine. In the United States, negociant-made wines have the words “produced…

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2001 Pinot Noir

Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars, on Keuka Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region is well known for it’s riesling. In fact, some say that their dry riesling is among the best (if not the best) riesling in the U.S. But what about the reds? I’d never tasted any Dr. Frank reds until I opened this bottle last weekend. My hopes weren’t overly high because I tend not to like Finger Lakes reds — they always taste green and vegetal to me. This one, however, I liked quite a bit. Eyes: Easily recognizable as pinot noir, light-to-medium ruby Nose: Toasty,…

Great Use for Post-Carving Remnants

Stephen Cooks is a fairly new member of my "check it daily" food blogger list. He comes up with some spectacular recipes and he always has great pictures of the final product. And this week, he offers up an awesome-looking way to get rid of those carving party scraps — pumpkin parmesan ravioli with pumpkin cream sauce. What New York State wines would I pair with it? Probably: Channing Daughters Winery 2004 Pinot Grigio or Macari Vineyards Early Wine (the 2005 is coming out next week)

WBW: Waters Crest Winery 2001 Meritage

Fatemah said 250 cases with bonus points for a producer under 1000 cases per year. I drink a lot of wines from small, local producers (but then, you already know that). But I wanted to fine the smallest production wine I could. I think I’ve accomplished just that. The numbers on Waters Crest Winery 2001 Meritage? 50 cases were made. 186 cases total winery production that year. That’s right…I think I showed Fatemah who’s boss *wink* So,  I had the wine and the dual WBW to drink it for. But what to eat along side? I didn’t take pictures (I…

Weekends in November: Champagne, Chopin and Caviar at Pindar Vineyards

As much as I hate the fact that they call it "Champagne," this month Pindar Vineyards is offering tours every weekend that offer an inside look into the making of their (quite good) sparkling wine. Light nibbles and a complimentary taste of the finished bubbly are included. Admission is free. Visit their website or call 631-734-7100 for more information. Technorati tags: food & drink | wine | wine events | long island