Posts Written OnJanuary 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…

February is Long Island Winter Wine Month

Despite this year’s warmer-than- usual weather (and much less snow than in recent ones), February is traditionally a slow month for the Island’s 30ish wineries. The Long Island Wine Council is out to change all that this year with their Winter Wine Month Passport promotion. For $25 (or $40 per couple) you’ll receive a passport that entitles you to special discounts and promotions at Long Island’s finest wineries, restaurants, B&Bs and attractions. Most of the wineries involved are waiving their tasting fees, offering at least 10% off of all wine purchases (with savings up to 20% depending on the number…

Tasting Notes: Humanitas 2003 Monterey County Cabernet Sauvignon

With all that has happened recently in Southeast Asia and East Africa, many of us are thinking about how we can help be it with money, time or a donation of good to help survivors get their lives back together. Even in the wine world, wineries are hosting events to raise money and one of my favorite wineries on Long Island even produced a wine to benefit a 9/11 non-profit organization. Recently, however, I stumbled upon what can only be considered the ultimate in wine world charity, Humanitas Wines. They don’t just donate a portion of profits or host an…

Over The Barrel…With Lenn Thompson: The Holiday Season That Was

(This column appeared in the 1/14 issue of Dan’s Papers) Happy New Year, Long Island wine lovers! As you can probably imagine, I sampled a lot of wines between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. Dinner parties, office parties, nights out on the town, quiet nights at home… they’re all great opportunities to try new and exciting wines. Sure, some were flat, lifeless and noteworthy only in their mediocrity. But there were a half dozen that stood out – wines that I’d gladly drink again and again and again. Peconic Bay Winery’s whites are some of the first that I tried when…

Steelers vs. Jets Playoff Game on Saturday

As some of you may or may not know, I was born, raised and educated in Western Pennsylvania, spending my first 18 years just outside of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township before attending college 70 miles north and then grad school in the city limits. If you know anyone from the Pittsburgh area, you probably know that the Pittsburgh Steelers are like a religion that just about ALL of us practice on Sundays. Not unlike the rest of the ‘burgh, my family is insane when it comes to our beloved Steelers…and the Steelers love doesn’t fade…regardless of where you move. Need…

February 5th: Shinn Estate Vineyards’ “Shinn Dig #2”

On Saturday, February 5th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. , Shinn Estate Vineyards will host their second Shinn Dig event at the winery in Mattituck, NY. They will welcome Hannah Gray, director of the icehouse gallery in Greenport, NY. She will screen several short food and wine inspired films by local artists, Eva Saks and Vicky Jensen. For $45 ($10 goes to support the icehouse gallery’s  "filmmakers without borders" project) you can enjoy a casual evening of candlelight, their delicious wine, wild boar stew, artisan cheese and breads…and, of course, the short films. Shinn’s owners, David Page and Barbara…

Tasting Notes: Dr. Pauly Berweiler Bernkastler alte Badstube am Doctorbert 2002 Riesling Kabinett (Germany)

I tried to find some background information on this German Riesling, but I wasn’t able to find much beyond what FineWine.com had to say: "Dr. Pauly’s Riesling displays his typical intense-lime fruit with a vibrant, aromatic character and a clean, pure and crisp finish." I’m not sure where they got their notes, but I think maybe we were drinking different wines. Maybe this is a case of mistaken identity…or a perfect example of how some wine notes are complete and utter garbage.