I can’t believe that I didn’t sign up for this before today…but I’m joining the Eat Local Challenge, brought to the world by Life Begins at 30 and Locavores For more information, visit the announcement site. Everyone has heard a lot about the "eat local" movement amongst foodies world wide. But, honestly, I never gave it that much thought. I honestly think it really hit me when we were in Jamaica for our honeymoon…that eating local is important…for at least two main reasons:

I don’t always agree with Howard Goldberg’s opinions when it comes to Long Island wine — but that’s true of any wine writer and his/her readers. Regardless, I read him every Sunday in the New York Times. But yesterday, Howard got it 100% right. He highlights Roanoke Vineyards in Roanoke Landing, NY and owner Rich Pisacano’s three current releases. I’ve written before about his 2000 Merlot several times (1|2|3) and I suggested it in an email to Eric Asimov (also of the NY Times) after he had less-than-great things to say about the reds in his mis-guided tasting. I’ve only…

Here at LENNDEVOURS, we aim to please and while the LENNDEVOURS Reader and NY Wine Interest Survey is still underway, one thing is already clear: you guys want to see a bit more food/cooking included. Mrs. LENNDEVOURS has been saying that for a while…I guess I should have listened to her. With that in mind, I give you the return of the "In Our Kitchen" category. It was never really gone…it just wasn’t housing any recent posts. Saturday night, the missus and I teamed up to create a delectable (and healthy) summer dinner of grilled chicken thighs that were rubbed…

As you can see, it was a busy tasting week in the Thompson household, mainly because I was behind in my tasting after our wedding and honeymoon. It’s hard work, but someone has to do it. Pindar 2001 Merlot: B- Pindar 2000 Merlot Reserve: A- Wolffer Estate 2002 Reserve Merlot: B- Long Island Meadery Blueberry Mead: N/A Long Island Meadery Strawberry/Raspberry Mead: N/A Long Island Meadery Peach/Apricot Mead: N/A Wolffer Estate 2002 Reserve Chardonnay: B Pellegrini Vineyards Finale Bin 1331 (Ice Wine): B+ Wolffer Estate 2004 Late Harvest Chardonnay: B Pellegrini Vineyards 2001 Cabernet Franc: B+/A- Wolffer Estate 2001 Brut…

Honey wine, better known in some circles as mead, is one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in the world — dating back thousands of years and pre-dating both beer and wine (grape wine that is). But despite it’s long history, mead remains a relative unknown among "serious" wine drinkers, often thought of as a beverage consumed solely by people at medieval reenactments and festivals. While it’s true that mead is the drink of choice at such events, it’s an increasingly popular choice for people living in 2005 as well. Search the Internet, and you can find literally hundreds (maybe thousands)…

Sunday afternoon, Nena and I were feeling a bit restless…summer-time cabin fever really. It was a beautiful day and after spending the morning unpacking our wedding gifts and finding room for the various wine glasses, serving dishes, etc…we wanted to get out and enjoy the day. So, we hopped in the car and headed out east to the wineries (shocking, right?)…with no particular plan in mind. For as long as we’ve been visiting Long Island wine country, we’ve heard about the cheese shop in the region — the Village Cheese Shop on Love Lane in Mattituck. And, until Sunday, we’d…