Posts Written OnAugust 2007

New York Cork Club: August Selections

As you know, I’m a little behind on several LENNDEVOURS-related projects (I have about half of the WBW #36 roundup done). But I wanted to quickly post about the wines I picked for the August shipment of the New York Cork Club, which is like a mini-trip to Alsace without leaving your house. Because I love Finger Lakes riesling so much, I find it difficult to not pick one every month. I could do so easily…there are that many great ones available. Instead, I’ve been looking for a New York-born Gewürztraminer that  you’ll love. I’ve tasted a lot of them,…

Results from the 2007 New York Food & Wine Classic

I’m not done putting together my thoughts and commentary on the results from the 2007 New York Food & Wine Classic, but you can read some of the high-level results online. Unfortunately (pathetically?) the NYWGF hasn’t updated their site yet with the full results. However, you can see the Long Island results on the LIWC site. As you will see, there are some interesting, unexpected results this time around. Some of them make me wonder just how having California judges make up a majority of the panel affected the results. And more importantly, was that a wise thing to do?…

Sorry for the Blog Silence

I know that it’s been almost a week since I last posted anything here, but there’s a good reason. Not a fun reason, but a good reason. I hurt my back last week and I’m still in quite a bit of pain, so sitting at a computer for longer than 20 minutes is torture. It’s finally starting to feel better, and isn’t anything serious (no disc problems) and I’m hoping to be back to work and to blogging on Thursday. There’s a lot that I’ll have to catch up on here, including: WBW #36 roundup A new "Local with Local"…

Christopher Watkins Live @ Roanoke Vineyards This Saturday at 7 p.m.

Christopher Watkins is a man of many talents. You might know him as our resident poet laureate here on LENNDEVOURS. Or, you might know him as the operations manager and tasting room czar at Roanoke Vineyards. Still other people know him as a poet who has done several residencies to focus and hone his craft. But, do you know Preacher Boy? That’s Christopher’s alter ego and he’s an accomplished roots/blues/americana singer and songwriter. He’ll be taking Chris’ place at Ronaoke this weekend, combining with Will Scott, another accomplished musician to entertain tasting room visitors. Normally, the LENNDEVOURS crew would be…

WBW #36: Getting Naked On Both Coasts

Three years seems like a lifetime in many ways. Three years ago Nena and I were engaged, not married like we are now. Jackson wasn’t even a consideration. We were renting a house instead of paying a mortgage. And, three years ago, I also threw the idea of Wine Blogging Wednesday out into the blogosphere. The food blogs had Is My Blog Burning, so I figured the wine geeks among us might enjoy a similar virtual, international event. Three years later, we’re going strong and seemingly growing stronger with every vintage. Thank you to each and every person who has…

WTN: Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 2006 Gewurztraminer (Finger Lakes)

Riesling might rule the Finger Lakes, but don’t be fooled–it’s not the only game in town. What wines shine in central New York? When I think about it, I think about Alsace–riesling, gewurztraminer and pinot gris all do well. I’ve written about the riesling quite a bit and we’ll tackle pinot gris another day. Today we’re focusing on Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars’ 2006 Gewurztraminer, a fresh, spicy white from one of the regions best-respected producers. Sometimes gewuztraminer can be over-the-top in its floral quality–to the point that it tastes more like perfume than wine. Not so with this terrific bottle.…

“The Dream In Which The Winos Find Their Morals, Draw A Line, And Take A Stand” By Christopher Watkins

The Dream In Which The Winos Find Their Morals, Draw A Line, And Take A Stand By Christopher Watkins In the dream we are sleeping in the last row of Merlot to the west, before the Cabernet Sauvignon; the air is weaving, lush and humid, as if  we’re on the highway making heat a noun, as in, "Look, you can see the heat above the road." Our feet are to the north, towards the buildings, and there’s a red bird chirping loudly at a brown bird by my head. When I sit up, I see the raccoon scat, pocked with…

Broken Chairs + Smashed Glasses= Saturday in Wine Country?

Every since I wrote a post (and a similar column in Dan’s Papers) a few weeks ago about wineries and the drunken idiots who sometimes visit them, I’ve heard from a lot of people–both directly and through other channels. Some have written to me saying that there isn’t a problem at all. Others have recounted some of their own less-than-fun experiences. A few winery owners have even taken offense to what I wrote. More on that later this week I hope. My original point was this: Sure, this stuff happens. Not that much as the Times would have you believe.…