Posts Written OnMarch 30, 2009

Red, With Envy: Assessing 2007 Finger Lakes Reds

Evan Dawson, our intrepid Finger Lakes wine guy, working the bottling line at Fox Run Winery By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes CorrespondentPhoto by Peter Bell Men — married men, especially — are all too familiar with the unforeseen blunder, the deleterious effects, of saying something like this: "Honey, you look really nice today!" What begins as a compliment is quickly met with, "And what do I look like most days?" This is essentially the problem facing Finger Lakes wineries regarding the 2007 reds. The palpable excitement is met with caution, especially from business owners and marketers. Many would love to…

Save the Date: Long Island Wine Event to Benefit Ben Sisson’s Family (May 8)

Back in January, I was saddened to report that Ben Sisson had died unexpectedly. There have been a lot of emails going around about how the local wine industry could celebrate his life and also raise a bit of money to help out his family. Details will be available soon, but for now just know that an event will take place on Friday, May 8 from 7-10 p.m. at Bedell Cellars. There will be food and a silent auction of local wines and other items, with all proceeds going to the Friends of the Sisson Family fund. Organizers will have…

Raphael 2008 Naturale (White Blend)

I'm not a "natural wine" disciple by any means. Just like I don't go out of my way to drink organic or biodynamic wines. First and foremost, I want the wine in my glass to be balanced and to taste good. I don't advocate over-manipulation mind you. We've all had those over-extracted, over-oaked wines. Parker likes them, but I tend not to. But, if your Gewurztraminer got a little too ripe and maybe lost a little too much acid before harvest, I don't begrudge you adding a little during the winemaking process. I'm not Parker, but I'm not Feiring either.…