Posts Written OnJuly 2006

Yes Way, Rose’

Over the past few days, several of you have emailed me asking about Long Island rose. What are my favorites? How are the 2005 bottlings? Because I aim to please, keep your eyes on LENNDEVOURS over the next week or so as I talk about Long Island rose — a surprisingly interesting topic. Some winemakers use the saignee method to bleed of juice to concentrate their reds, resulting in a rose. Others make rose for rose sake. Other’s use blends of red and white grapes. Thankfully, there are lots of bone dry versions to drink, and many of the ones…

We’ve Made it One Year — Happy Anniversary, Nena

Nena, I can hardly believe that it’s been a year since our wedding on that little covered bridge in Schoharie, NY. That day is largely a blur in my mind, but it remains one of the most special days in my life. In twelve very short months, we’ve added a third member of our family, bought our first house and done more home improvement than I ever thought I was capable of. We’ve grown both as individuals and as a couple, learned from our mistakes and disagreements and always come out on top. We’ve enjoyed many a great time with…

Tasting Room Tips

There is no better way to spend a summer afternoon than sipping your way through wine country. With over thirty wineries making nearly every style of wine imaginable on Long Island, everybody can find at least one wine that they’ll love. Even if this weekend is your first visiting the wineries, it’s easy to taste like a pro and get the most out of your experience. These are just a few tips I always offer to people heading out East — and they apply to any winery in any region. Bring Friends and Have Fun. Wine is absolutely best enjoyed…

Extra Copies of Wine Advocate 165?

I don’t subscribe to Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and I can’t buy a "back copy" until the issue I want, the current one that covers New York wines, actually becomes a back copy. So what do I do? I’m stuck asking for advice and yes, even begging. I need to get my hands on a copy…even if just for a day so that I can read it, make notes on it and give it back to the rightful owner. Any suggestions? UPDATE: Thank you to the readers who helped me get my hands on the goods! I can’t thank you…

Corks of the Forks: Local Flavor from Peconic Bay Winery

This week on Hamptons.com, my column "Corks of the Forks" focuses on Peconic Bay Winery, a winery that makes a wide range of wines — which is good and bad. Sure, they appeal to one of the wider range of wine drinkers around and I’m no wine snob, but I’ve long felt that their sweet, entry-level wines detract from the higher end stuff because the good stuff is buried at the end of their tasting room list. But, I’ve long loved their steel fermented chardonnay…and at $13 it’s a bargain that is nearly impossible not to like. Read more.

WBW #23: Ravenswood 2002 Monte Rosso Zinfandel

Wine Blogging Wednesday #23 is here, hosted by Joel from Vivi’s Wine Journal. The theme is BBQ wines and many of you will be surprised that I’m not writing about a New York wine today, though I did drink a couple during the dinner party in quesiton. Everyone knows Ravenswood —  probably for their zinfandels. And, despite my affection for Long Island’s balanced, nuanced wines, I love good California zinfandel. So, when Nena and I were in Sonoma, we made our final winery stop at Ravenswood. When we walked in, my heart sank a little. Looking at the tasting sheet,…

July 8: David Rosengarten at The Lenz Winery

Join TV personality and cookbook author David Rosengarten this Saturday at The Lenz Winery for Celebrating the Multi-Ethnic Flavors of the American Grill. He’ll be doing a cooking demonstration, making Greek Swordfish Kebabs, Indonesian Shrimp Satay, Chicken Tandoori and Spanish Lamb Chops along with a selection of Lenz wines The event starts at 5:30p.m. in the Lenz Courtyard. Tickets are $60 per person. Call the Lenz Tasting Room at 800-974-9899 or 631-734-6010 to make your reservations. I can’t make the event (it’s my anniversary) but this should be an interesting event. Check it out.

Happy 4th of July

All of us at LENNDEVOURS — that being Nena, Ben and Lenn — hope all of our U.S. readers have a happy, fun and safe Independence Day. We’re planning a low-key day here around the house doing yard work and relaxing. But, we’re going to head down to Port Jefferson this evening for fireworks I think. Don’t forget to enjoy some BBQ wine today and blog about it tomorrow for Wine Blogging Wednesday #23.