As any of you on the eastern seaboard are aware, we’ve been having some seriously hot and humid weather the last week or two. It’s supposed to reach 90+ today…which isn’t common for Long Island this early in June. I bring this up because that very heat wave has forced me to move all of the wine that doesn’t fit in our wine fridge into our BEDROOM of all places — because we keep that room cooler (via A/C) all day. Luckily, Nena is very patient with my wine pyschosis and there is room behind our door to store the…

(This column originally appeared in the 6/10 issue of Dan’s Papers) In a recent issue of Wine Spectator, columnist Matt Kramer wrote a thoughtful piece discussing large wineries versus smaller ones, concluding (convincingly) that smaller really is better. Though Kramer doesn’t define what a “small” winery is, you can take my word for it – most, if not all, Long Island wineries qualify. Of course, being a small winery doesn’t automatically mean your wines are any good. Anyone who has tasted wines from some of our lesser local wineries can attest to that. After all, doing the wrong things in…

I know. I know. This obviously isn’t my white pinot for Wine Blogging Wednesday #10. It’s been a busy couple of weeks and I’m a bit backed up on my tasting note posting, including these notes on a pretty nice chardonnay from Laurel Lake Vineyards in Laurel, NY. In the past, I’ve found Laurel Lake Vineyards’ wines to be hit and miss…partially because I’ve gotten more than a couple corked bottles from them. But, this wine is a clear exception. Eyes: Light gold with medium legs Nose: When cold (right out of the fridge), it has a delicate nose of…

Tuesday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m. the Stony Brook Center for Food, Wine and Culture will play host to author Christy Campbell, author of "The Botanist and the Vintner — How Wine was Saved for the World" at Stony Brook’s Manhattan Campus, located at 401 Park Avenue South at 28th Street, 2nd Floor. Admission is free and includes a wine tasting and, of course, you’ll get to hear Mr. Campbell discuss his book. Autographed copies will be available for purchase. While free, seating is limited, so you need to call Ginny Clancy, Program Coordinator, at 631.632.9404 to reserve your seat.…

 (This column appeared originally in the 6/3/05 issue of Dan’s Papers) I was invited to a Memorial Day party last weekend and, as usual, volunteered to bring wine (along with my famous-in-some-circles grilled chicken wings). Because not many of the party’s attendees drink wine and those that do usually stick to light, fairly innocuous whites, I knew I had to leave my favorite BBQ wine – cabernet franc – at home. But I also knew Palmer Vineyards in Aquebogue was releasing four new whites, so I figured I’d take those with me after doing a private tasting. The folks at…

Do you support direct wine shipments? Anyway, if you live in New York, Connecticut or Michigan,  Free the Grapes has made it beyond easy to contact your government officials and make your voice heard. From the looks of it, their online forms generate both emails and faxes to various people. I know I just did it…so you should too! Free the grapes…and the wonder beverage made by fermenting their juice!