Time sure does fly when you're having fun planning a weekend-long wine jaunt for 30 bloggers and spouses. As early as tomorrow morning, TasteCamp EAST 2009 attendees will start descending on the North Fork of Long Island. The plans have really come together nicely and despite a grey, rainy weather forecast, I think we're going to have a lot of fun. Check back over the weekend and next week for posts about the goings on, but you can also keep up with all the TasteCamp fun on Twitter. Of course, TasteCamp wouldn't be possible without the help of the local…
Posts Written OnApril 2009
The Circle of (New) Life: Red Newt Is Evolving
By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Wine CorrespondentPhoto Courtesy of Dave Whiting Dave Whiting does not simply want Red Newt to survive. He wants it to thrive, and he admits that it's tougher now than ever. "Ten, twenty years ago you could open a winery in the Finger Lakes, open the doors, and be viable as long as the wine was decent," Whiting said after bottling a wine that he thinks will make a serious impact in markets outside New York state. "Now, with more wineries opening and production rising, you have to find ways to differentiate yourself. I don't just want…
Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard 2008 Riesling
By Lenn Thompson, Editor and Publisher Well folks, it would appear that my first official review of a 2008 Finger Lakes riesling is of a wine made and bottled by a Long Island winery. Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard, located in (you guessed it) Baiting Hollow, NY is the first tasting room you come across as you head east on South Avenue/Route 48 and they are often swamped with people on weekend and during the pumpkin-picking season. Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard and its wines reside somewhere in the middle of Long Island wine. Their wines are often good, not great, and…
Run for the Rosés During May in Long Island Wine Country
May is riesling month in the Finger Lakes, but it's rosé season in Long Island wine country. Throughout the month of May, participating Long Island wineries will be featuring newly released rosés in a benefit for the American Cancer Society. Wineries will be offering special rosé tastings, many paired with food prepared by local chefs or accompanied by live music. One dollar from the sale of all rosés during the month will be donated to the American Cancer Society. To see what each participating winery has planned, check out the list over at the Long Island Wine Council website. It…
May is Riesling Month in the Finger Lakes Wine Country
May is Riesling Month in Finger Lakes Wine Country and, while the name could use some work, it looks like a great program. Throughout the month of May, many Finger Lakes wineries, restaurants and hotels will be offering special deals. The goings on are too numerous to list in a single blog post (you can see them here) but here are some of the highlights: Free Shipping on Riesling (All Month)Several Finger Lakes wineries will be offering free shipping on riesling purchases through their websites. Unfortunately, some wineries missed the point here and want you to buy an entire case…
Macari Vineyards 2008 “Katherine’s Field” Sauvignon Blanc
By Lenn Thompson, Editor and Publisher When it comes to Long Island sauvignon blanc, there is a small group of wineries that can be counted on to deliver consisten quality. Macari Vineyards is one of those wineries and puts out one of the region's best sauvignons. This is a wine that I look forward to every spring (when its released) and drink plenty of all summer long, even if I don't eat all of the great local shellfish that this wine is seemingly destined to be enjoyed with. Most of the grapes than went into Macari Vineyards 2008 "Katherine's Field"…
Hudson Valley Wine & Grape Association’s 5th Annual Hudson Valley Wine Competition
The pinot noir flight at the HVWGA's 5th Annual Hudson Valley Wine Competition By Lenn Thompson, Editor and Publisher As I mentioned last week,I was asked to judge the Hudson Valley Wine & Grape Association's 5th Annual Hudson Valley Wine Competition over the weekend, and I have to tell you, I had a blast doing it. I met some great people for the first time, including the Hudson Valley Wine Goddess, Colleen from Brotherhood Winery, Brian Simpson, Tish and the Beer Wench. The wines entered in the competition need to be made with 100% New York State grapes, preferably grapes…
The Thompson Men at the Goat Farm
I turned 34 for Sunday, but my birthday celebration was spread out over two weekends. First, we had dinner with friends at Kitchen — A Bistro, our favorite BYOB place with amazing food, two Saturdays ago. The wine of the night, which was delicious with both my chestnut parpadelle with duck confit and my venison tenderloin, was Roanoke Vineyards 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon. I have one more bottle left and as tempting as it is to open it soon, I don't think this wine is even peaking yet. Then on my actual birthday, we took Jackson out to wine country, not…
Wine Blogging Wednesday #57 Announced: California Inspiration
Even though this is a New York wine blog, non-NY wines do make their way into my cellar, into my glass and ultimately into my mouth. Wine Blogging Wednesday is often the reason, and May's edition (the 57th) of WBW, hosted by my friend Jeff at Good Grape, will force me once again to leave local wines for at least a day. Jeff's theme is a good one: Thematically, this month is intended to be broad while acting as homage to Robert Mondavi, the 1-year anniversary of his passing on Saturday, May 16. Because Mondavi was such an inspiration physically,…
Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards 2007 Sauvignon Blanc
By Lenn Thompson, Editor and Publisher A quick review of a very affordable local sauvignon blanc this Monday morning. I really liked the 2006 edition of this wine for it's light, easy-drinking style and price. Well, Osprey's Dominion Vineyards' 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($13) keeps the price down in the "daily drinking" zone and, despite the vastly different growing 2007 growing season, brings very similar aromas and flavors to the table. Even with the ripe growing season, this isn't a big aggressive sauvignon. Intead, light lemon and grapefruit aromas mingle with golden delicious apple and subtle herbs on a medium-intense nose.…