Osprey’s Dominion Winery was voted "New York Winery of the Year" at this year’s New York Food and Wine Classic, held in the Finger Lakes August 9 & 10. Howard Goldberg of the New York Times offered more results in his column yesterday and it’s worth a read.
Posts Written OnAugust 2005
Tasting Table — Ending 08.21.05
Another light tasting table from last week. But that’s about to change this week…lots to catch up on. Freeman Vineyard & Winery 2003 Pinot Noir: B+ Castello di Borghese 2002 Reserve Pinot Noir: A- Castello di Borghese Fleurette (NV): B-/C+ Castello di Borghese 2004 Founder’s Field Sauvignon Blanc Reserve: B Castello di Borghese 2003 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay: B-
Magnificent Merlot From a Marketing Maker
Pindar Vineyards, one of New York’s most popular and widely-distributed wineries (they have great marketing), is known in some circles for its cheap, sweetish blended wines and its always-packed tasting room. But don’t be fooled. If you drink through the varied bottlings, there are a few gems to be tasted. Personally, I’ve long been a fan of the 1999 Rare Cuvee Champagne ($28), despite the use of the term Champagne outside that region of France, and the consistently good Johannisberg Reisling ($15). Before recently, I thought these to be the only real gems buried in the impressively long tasting menu.…
Castello di Borghese Fleurette (NV)
Earlier this week, Nena made our delicious bean burgers again I was in a bit of a wine-pairing quandary. The stong flavors of cumin, cilantro and chiles eliminated subtle, nuanced wine from the equation…but I just didn’t think any of the gewurtz we have would work well with the corn and beans. And, because zinfandel doesn’t do well here on Long Island, (and I haven’t bought any in a while) that wasn’t an option either. So, I went to the ‘cellar’ and grabbed a bottle of non-vintage (but recently released) Fleurette from Castello di Borghese. I knew that it was…
Ben Rothlisbeagle Update
Just a couple pictures of our little guy. He’s doing very very well…and he’s getting the hang of inside vs. outside. We’re proud puppy parents.
Hamptons Wine & Food Festival — August 26 & 27
Next Friday and Saturday, the Hamptons Wine & Food Festival will take place in Bridgehampton, NY. It will feature both local and internationally famous chefs and winemakers who will entertain attendees with live cooking demonstrations, cookbook signings, wine and food tasting seminars, a spectacular Grand Tasting each night and a large showcase of gourmet food sampling provided for your enjoyment. Other special events held during the weekend include an exclusive VIP caviar and cocktail party at a oceanfront estate on Friday night and a festive, multi-bar Mojito BBQ after-party at the main event venue on Saturday night. The festival will…
Wine Blogging Wednesday #13 Announced — Like Wine for Chocolate
For September’s vintage of Wine Blogging Wednesday, our host, the multi-talented, food blogging superstar Clotilde of Chocolate & Zucchini, is asking us to do something we’ve yet to do for WBW — do a food and wine pairing on September 7th. But, Clotilde isn’t asking us to pair wine with simple roast chicken or even seared scallops or goat cheese — oh no.. She’s chosen chocolate cake as our pairing partner, even providing us with a recipe. So get those pairing ideas flowing and get ready to bake or buy your cake. This promises to be a fun, and highly…
WBW #12 Roundup: 43 of You Drank Local — Real Local
I love Wine Blogging Wednesday, the virtual wine tasting event that brings people from around the globe ‘together’ for a day of wine tasting. I love the people I meet and new friends I make each and every month. I love learning about wine regions I’ll most likely never visit. And, I love bringing new wine lovers into the fold and showing them that wine need not be scary. This month, our little tasting group swelled to an all-time high of 43 entries as we filled our glasses with the most local wines possible. Rather than break the roundup into…
A Blind Battle of Two Pinot Noirs
Last night I decided to take a break from compiling over 40 entries for Wine Blogging Wednesday and do a quick blind tasting of two pinot noirs…one from Long Island and the other from the Russian River Valley. Going in, I knew they’d most likely be quite different…most any Long Island winemaker who tries to make California-style wines is doomed to fail. Grapes simply don’t ripen the same here and those who try to make warm-climate wines here usually end up with flabby, lifeless plonk. Yes, I know that not every California wine is made in the "California style" but…
Tasting Table — Ending 08.15.05
As you can see, it was a slow week at the LENNDEVOURS tasting table last week. A bad cold and being busy with our puppy cut into the tasting. But fear not, I’ll catch up. Roanoke Vineyards 2000 Merlot: A- Waters Crest Winery 2004 Chardonnay: B Laurel Lake Vineyards 2000 Cabernet Franc: B-/B Waters Crest Winery 2004 Riesling: -corked- Pindar 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve: B