Posts Written OnJuly 2007

New Wines for New Times

By Finger Lakes Correspondent Jason Feulner In the last few years the Finger Lakes region has attracted a plethora of media attention for its improving wine. This attention hasn’t just attracted tasters and consumers. It’s attracted entrepreneurs as well. The abundance of cheap agricultural land along the beautiful shores of the lakes offer quite an opportunity for those who want to break into the wine business. Despite the fact that the region already boasts over 90 wineries, there is room, at least physically, for many more. Hence, new wineries have popped up all over the place. In this article, Alex…

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Some disappointing news…

I heard this morning that Schneider Vineyards, just south of Sound Avenue in Riverhead will soon be no more. Bruce Schneider put the property on the market a while back and sold it….but to a couple more interested in raising horses than growing grapes. So, laborers have started ripping the vines out, which is too bad. I think they were mostly (or all) cabernet franc and syrah.

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This Week on New York Wine Blogs

Three of my favorite New York-based wine bloggers have done posts recently worth checking out. Starting with my Beaujolais-exploring Brooklynite Neil, who is still digging Castello di Borghese’s 2002 Cabernet Franc Reserve ($32). He says "…the wine was just delicious, medium bodied with pure and clean plummy and blackberry flavors, and undertones of that same pleasant cedar." He contends however that it’s not a great value at $32. Hard to argue with that, but I think CdB’s cab francs are among their best wines. Next up is everyone’s favorite wino…the Finger Lakes Weekend Wino that is. I envy Robin’s ready…

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WBW #35: Do Zoe 2006 Albarino (Rias Baixas)

It’s become increasingly hard for me to find wines under $10 that I enjoy…even as "summer sippers" on a hot day. With that in mind, I was thrilled when  Michelle suggested that her edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday focus on Spanish wines that cost less than $10. But where to begin? Should I look for a cheap Rioja or some other Tempranillo-based wine? Maybe a Cava? Nah. Given the heatwave we’ve been having here on Long Island, something white and refreshing seemed the way to go (not that Cava isn’t refreshing mind you). I wanted to explore Albarino a bit…

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What Can a Foodie Do When Sears Screws Him?

We bought a new refrigerator about eight months ago. We had been very happy with it until died on us about a week ago. It started when we noticed that some things weren’t freezing rock hard in the freezer. Then, day by day, stuff started to thaw and the refrigerator side started to get warmer and warmer as well. After waiting a week for Sears to come fix it, they came last night around 6:30, well after the "between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m." window we were given (I took a day off work to accommodate) and said they couldn’t…

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July 30: Winemaker Dinner With John Levenberg, Bedell Cellars/Corey Creek Vineyards

On July 30th at 6 p.m., Mora’s Fine Wine and Spirts will host a winemaker’s dinner with John Levenberg, winemaker at Bedell Cellars and Corey Creek Vineyards at Bliss restaurant in East Setauket. I’ve met John on a few occasions and he is a young, energetic winemaker with great, diverse experience. He’s also a lot of fun and I’m sure this dinner will be as well. The menu is: Bay Scallop Risotto Bedell Cellars “Main Road White” NV Watermelon and Feta SaladCorey Creek Vineyards 2006 "Domaine CC" Rose Roasted Breast of Long Island Duck with White Bean Ragout and Cabernet…

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Our New Sous Chef…the Next Food Network Star?

Jackson spends a lot of time in the kitchen. He hangs out in his Bumbo chair while Nena and I prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner, so he’s probably seen us cook as much as anything else. And he’s definitely a natural. Here you can see him with his chef’s had (a gift from my parents)  and a side towel.  Nena originally just hoped that he’d sit still long enough to have the frosting next to him when we took the picture. Imagine our surprise when he grabbed the whisk and even picked it up! Can a show on the Food…

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