As I sit down to write this month’s newsletter, it is with mixed emotions. Empire State Cellars will be closing at the end December, which makes this the final club shipment. One one hand, it’s obviously saddening to think that the largest New York-only retail shop is closing and that a club that I’ve curated for so…
Harvest season is nearly upon us across New York wine country. In fact, I’ve heard reports of grapes destined for sparkling wine coming in this week. It’s a busy time of year at every winery — and it has been for me too as we worked to finalize this month’s picks. This is a pretty…
Over the years that I’ve been curating this this wine club, it has been my distinct pleasure to share a great many classic wines from classic New York wineries. We have a bit of that this month, but as I was finalizing the selections, it quickly became apparent that we had a lot of new…
Diversity. That’s my one-word summary for May’s Empire State Cellars Wine Club selections — which really are a celebration of New York’s wine diversity. It would be easy to pick four Finger Lakes rieslings every month, add a couple Long Island merlots, a cab franc and a pinot and call it a day. And there…
This morning I’m happy to announce the wines that will be included in the March 2014 shipment of our wine club. If you aren’t familiar with the club, you can learn more here. “Hello New York” Wines Red Tail Ridge Winery 2012 Good Karma: This blend of riesling with 11% unoaked chardonnay blended in is driven by flavors of…
In the midst of the NYCR’s brief hiatus, we still have some work to attend to — announcing wines that will be included in the January shipment of our wine club. If you aren’t familiar with the club, you can learn more here. “Hello New York” Wines Macari Vineyards 2013 Early Wine Chardonnay: I’ve already enjoyed at…
It’s Christmas Eve here at NYCR Worldwide Headquarters and it has just started snowing — two days after nearly reaching 70 degrees. Long Island weather is nothing if not interesting. Our grape growers know that well. Before my wife and I spend the next couple of hours filling in for the North Pole’s most famous…
Thanksgiving wine columns. Editors demand them. Writers write them. Of course, people read them. They must. These “Perfect Thanksgiving Wine” columns are ubiquitous. We don’t like them here, though. We don’t think anyone should worry so much about wine pairings of any sort, for any meal. Wine pairing is often much more about avoiding bad pairings…
It’s not easy to earn unanimous approval of a major policy change in the wine industry, but the issue of alcohol mail restrictions seems to have achieved exactly that. Senator Chuck Schumer is proposing to end the ban that prevents the United States Postal Service from shipping wine, beer, and spirits. After speaking to dozens…
The November shipment of the Empire State Cellars Wine Club will go out to members in a few weeks — but here’s a sneak peak of what is coming.. If you aren’t familiar with the club, you can learn more here. “Hello New York” Wines Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars 2012 Dry Riesling: This wine has…