LENNDEVOURS Turns One Today

It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. My first-ever LENNDEVOURS post was written 365 days ago. Yes faithful readers, LENNDEVOURS celebrates its first birthday today. What a year it’s been. What started out as an extension of my semi-defunct blog "Slingin’ Ink" has become nothing short of an obsession. Never did I think that this little blog would grow into something this fun and this important to me. I feel priviledged to be a part of the amazing food and wine blogging community. Every day it amazes me that so many talented, creative people share the same love of fine…

Windows On Long Island

On April 25th, Nena and I have been invited to go into Manhattan after work to attend Windows on Long Island, one of the Long Island wine events each year. The event is being held at Capitale in Manhattan. Tickets are $125 for regular admission and $250 per person  for  VIP tickets, which include a special preview hour and access to a VIP lounge where vintage wines will be poured. The main event is from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. with the VIP preview happening at 6 p.m. As a member of the press, I’ve been invited to arrive at 6:00…

From Bottling Line to Making Wine

Jamesport Vineyards owner Ron Goerler Jr. and new winemaker Les Howard (right). From Bottling Line to Making WineEleven years ago, Les Howard had a summer job at Pindar Vineyards on the bottling line, spending most of his time packing cases with just-labeled bottles. A month ago, he was named head winemaker at Jamesport Vineyards. He’s come a long way. “Les has seen 11 vintages of Long Island wine. He knows the region and its climate. He knows the grapes,” said Ron Goerler Jr., Jamesport Vineyards’ owner and vineyard manager. “He’s seen it all. And, his talent and experience are things…

The Joys of Engagement

Well. Here I am, sitting at my day-job desk, getting ready to leave for the day (a bit early) and head upstate for Nena’s bridal shower, which is Saturday. Don’t worry, it’s not a surprise. Tomorrow, our day is filled with meetings…with the florist, with the caterer, with the tux shop…even one with the pastors performing the ceremony. Saturday, instead of hanging around during the estrogen-filled gift-giving festival…I’m heading to Cooperstown with whatever guys are around and up for it to check out the Baseball Hall of Fame and maybe a Belgian-style brewery up there. I have to admit…even though…

WBW #7 — Blau-whatish? (Channing Daughters Winery 2003 Blaufrankisch)

When Andrew of Spittoon fame emailed me asking to host an upcoming vintage of Wine Blogging Wednesday, how could I say no? He’s one of the most prolific wine bloggers out there and someone I’ve had some interesting conversations with via email. I knew he’d come up with something clever…and he certainly didn’t disappoint. His theme, "Obscure Red Varietals" is one of the more interesting ones we’ve had to date. I always try to not drink Long Island wines for WBW, and usually it’s easy because the themes don’t work out for L.I. wine anyway. I thought I’d have to…

Women in Wine — Saturday, April 9, 2005

I get a lot of press releases about upcoming wine events, enough in fact that I could devote an entire blog just to them. I refrain from writing about most of them, but this one caught my attention. Women in Wine, sponsored by the Borgata in Atlantic City and Food & Wine Magazine, offers the opportunity to meet some of the growing number of women running the show in the wine world. Most are coming from California, but Jane Delaney of the Ravensvale Group in Greenwich, CT will also be there. I would have liked to see Theresea Dilworth of…

Channing Daughters Winery 2004 Scuttlehole Chardonnay

Last week I wrote about Channing Daughters Vineyard’s 2003 Fresh Red. This week, I turn my tongue to one of their few white wines that are still available. In other words, the 2004 Scuttlehole Chardonnay hasn’t sold out like so many of their small-run creations. Eyes: This wine, which never sees oak in its creation, is a very pale, lemon yellow. Nose: Nena described this wine as "Grapefruity and grassy. Almost like a Sauvignon Blanc with a little fresh pear at the end." I agree with her but would add faint notes of white peaches and some mineral quality as…

Reminder: Wine Blogging Wednesday #7 Is Two Days Away

Wine Blogging Wednesday is this Wednesday, March 9, hosted by Andrew of Spitoon. I know a lot of you are very excited and interested for this one, but in case you forgot, the theme is Obscure Red Grape Varieties. Remember, the key is obscure, but if you’re not sure what qualifies, check out Andrew’s post and the discussion after. This should be one of the more interesting editions of WBW…and, as always, the more the merrier!

Sfida 2003 Rosso (Puglia)

Italian wines are challenging to really get to know. Different regions have different label conventions…and sometimes I find it difficult to decipher them at all. This wine (picture is on it’s way), isn’t like that. No doubt to attract New World drinkers, Sfida 2003 Rosso offers a simple label that tells you right away what is in the bottle…a blend of Primitivo (60%), Sangiovese (20%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (20%). I like trying interesting red blends, and at this price ($9 at Stew Leonard’s), I just couldn’t say no.

Don’t Worry About Winery Consolidation

(This column appeared originally in the 2/4 issue of Dan’s Papers) Don’t Worry About Winery Consolidation HP and Compaq have merged, AT&T recently acquired Cingular Wireless and Verizon is buying WorldCom. Mergers and acquisitions are a part of every day life in the business world. And, no matter how romantic an image it might have, wine is a business. Big business. So, it should come as no shock that the big fish in the wine pond are gulping up smaller fish all the time, including many producers of the wines you see at your local wine shop every day. Fairly…