The more I taste Peconic Bay Winery’s wines, the more I like them. While they aren’t as complex or ‘interesting’ as those made by some other producers, they are consistently tasty and usually much more affordable as every day wines than many L.I. wines. I think they do a particularly good job with whites, with a couple different Chardonnays, two styles of Riesling and a blend of both grapes, their Local Flavor White. This Chardonnay is billed by the winery as having: "…fresh, forward fruitiness and appetite-whetting finish lend an enticing, elegant simplicity to this steel fermented Chardonnay. The malo-lactic…

After missing out on a couple IMBB events, I’m can’t wait to cook up some beans for IMBB #11, hosted by Cathy at My Little Kitchen. Can you believe we’re at #11 already? Simply awesome. Beans are the perfect theme too…so many ideas come to mind. Plus they are healthy (usually), perfect for those still sticking to their New Years resolutions. IMBB is January 23rd…but why not go out and get your Wacky Wine for Wine Blogging Wednesday #5, which is on January 26th!?!?

I’m always on the look out for new (and interesting) wine blogs. This morning, I stumbled upon a fairly new one worth keeping an eye on: cultured wino. From what I’ve read already, I like and can appreciate how Tiffany (the owner/writer) looks at wine and the wine world. "And that’s the problem so many have with wine and wine drinkers. Like jazz, cigars and single-malt scotch, wine comes with the baggage of class — or, rather income. As soon as people get a little bit of change in their pockets and some “exposure to The World,” they start to…

Here’s to a happy holiday season to all of my readers and fellow bloggers around the globe. I hope that your Xmas (if you celebrate) and New Years celebrations are filled with great food and even greater wines. And by all means, post about it so we can all see! It’s been one hell of a fun year, and I’m sure 2005 will be even more so, with LENNDEVOURS’ birthday in the late winter, my 30th birthday in April and, of course, my wedding to Ms. LENNDEVOURS herself, the lovely and tolerant Nena. I guess that will make her MRS.…

(This column appeared in the 12/17 edition of Dan’s Papers) When someone says “Long Island wine,” what comes to mind? Cheap, syrupy-sweet blends and blush? Over-priced plonk from large producers that is more hype than heaven? Well…you’re right, but not completely. While there are plenty of wines out east that fall into those two, less-than-complementary categories, there are almost as many that don’t. Visit the right wineries and try the right wines, and you’ll find delicious, bright Chardonnays that are far from California in style but not quite Burgundian either. Merlot, as you’ve probably heard, does exceptionally well in our…