Posts Written OnJanuary 18, 2005

Next Up: Steelers vs. Patriots

Our party Saturday night was a huge success. Great food, great game and great friends (even though some are Jets fans). I’ll have some pictures posted here later tonight. It was a stressful game, but the true believers (such as myself) had no doubt that the Steelers would come through. I plan to send a bottle of wine to Doug Brien later this week, thanking him for being a total choke-job of a kicker. Next up…the hated Patriots. The Pats are so hated that even my Jets-fan friends are cheering for the black and gold this week. I’m sure I’ll…

You Say TomaYto…I Say TomaHto

Beau at BasicJuice beat me to the punch with a nice post on the pronunciation of Meritage. I was just thinking this morning that it was about time I got around to writing about this very topic. Long Island makes some great Bordeaux-style blends, many of which call themselves Meritages and when our friends Paul and Sara were visiting, we took them to several of the better producers on the Island…and we heard both "mer-it-AHJ" and "MER-it-idge" from winemakers, tasting room staff and the general public. Since then, I’ve made a point of asking people when the topic comes up…and…

Tasting Notes: Humanitas 2001 Edna Valley Chardonnay and 2003 Monterey County Merlot

I have to say, I’ve really enjoyed tasting the wines produced by Judd Wallenbrock at Humanitas Wines. Judd mentioned to me that he always tries to "over-deliver" with his wines, and given their cost of $15, I think he succeeds. The Cabernet Sauvignon was very good and we served the Chardonnay and Merlot over the long weekend. Humantias’ 2001 Edna Valley Chardonnay isn’t your typical California Chardonnay. Overflowing with pineapple and honey, it’s imminently drinkable and dodges the flabby oak the region is sometimes known for. If you like some of Long Island’s better Chardonnays, you’ll probably like this one…