By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Correspondent I had the opportunity to visit with the new winemaker of Hunt Country Vineyards near Keuka Lake: Jonathan Hunt, son of owners Art and Joyce Hunt. The Hunts declined to say much about the departure of winemaker Chris Wirth, who left the operation last week. "We appreciate Chris' efforts," Art said. "But we've been looking for a way to bring new energy to the winery. Jon has dreamed about this job, and we think it's time." In the interview, Jonathan – along with his wife, Caroline, and his father, Art - explain the following, which…
Posts Written OnJune 2009
Video: Fixin’ a Leaky Barrel at Red Newt Cellars
The fine folks at Red Newt Cellars on Seneca Lake have a video blog series that they call NooTTooB that is often very funny and usually educational to boot. In this video, Tom Higgins, winemaker and co-owner of Heart & Hands Wine Company helps Red Newt's assistant winemaker, Brandon Seager, fix a leaky barrel. They even make a little dough in the process.
Local with Local (LI): Channing Daughters Winery 2007 Tocai Friulano with Prosciutto-Wrapped, Lobster-Stuffed Monkfish
For this month's Long Island "Local with Local" I asked Chef Doug Gulija of The Plaza Cafe in Southampton, NY to create a dish he'd serve with Channing Daughters Winery's 2007 Tocai Friulano, which actually was on his wine list until he ran out a few weeks ago. Chef Doug, ever the seafood guru, has put together this recipe for local monkfish that he stuffs with lobster and wraps with prosciutto. Ingredients: 2 large Monkfish Tails, skinnedLobster Tail, blanched, split from 1 chix lobster3-4 ounces Prosciutto, very thinly sliced 3-4 large spinach leaves, blanched Wondra Flour, as needed Method: Butterfly…
Some Long Island Wine News and Notes (6/11/09)
My ADD-infected mind has gotten away from doing Monday morning wrap-ups of New York wine news that happened the previous week, but there are several things going on here on Long Island that are worth of mention. Maybe this will get me back to doing this every Monday? Who knows, but for now: First, I'm happy to tell you about the release of Jane Starwood's book, Long Island Wine Country: Award-Winning Vineyards of the North Fork and the Hamptons. Jane is the editor of the Long Island Wine Press (a magazine put out by the Long Island Wine Council) and…
Kevin Burns Joins the LENNDEVOURS Team
As often as I write about New York wines, I probably drink as much New York beer. But, when it comes to actual beer knowledge, I don't know a ton beyond my own tastes (I love hoppy IPAs and Saisons). That's why I'm happy to announce today that the beer staff here on LENNDEVOURS has expanded by one with the addition of Kevin Burns. Kevin owns The Foaming Head, a great resource for anyone interested in New York beers, and has worked hard to become an emerging voice on the craft beer scene. Kevin is also currently the bar manager…
Shinn Estate Vineyards 2008 Coalescence
By Lenn Thompson, Editor and Publisher Merriam-Webster Online defines the word coalescence: "to unite into a whole" or "to arise from the combination of distinct elements." Given that, the folks at Shinn Estate Vineyards have chosen an unique, apt name for this blend of 54% chardonnay 23% sauvignon blanc 13% viognier 10% merlot, Shinn Estate Vineyards 2008 Coalescence ($14 at the tasting room). The four wines were vinified separately, and then came together, or "coalesced" into one wine. That 10% merlot, which was actually merlot blanc, gives this "white wine" a mere suggestion of pink. This bottle showed a little…
What We Drank (6/8/09)
The usual suspects contributed to What We Drank this week. I have to say, I'm really enjoying this new feature on LENNDEVOURS, it gives me a great opportunity to write about the non-NY wines that I'm tasting and it gives me a little insight into what the other contributors are drinking. I hope you're enjoying it too. From Bryan Callandrelli: Tolosa Edna Ranch 2005 Estate Pinot Noir Ever since my cool climate obsession started, I’ve had very few California wines. My view was that life’s too short and the world’s too large for bothering with them. So it was interesting…
Local with Local (FLX): Damiani Wine Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc with Grilled, Coffee-Rubbed, Bacon-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Cherry-Wine Sauce
For this, the first installment of Local with Local (Finger Lakes Edition), I've asked Chef Deb Whiting of Red Newt Bistro on Seneca Lake to create a dish specifically for enjoying with Damiani Wine Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc (my review), a fine example of Finger Lakes cabernet franc from a producer that is only now starting to get some attention. She came up with Grilled, Coffee-Rubbed, Bacon-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Cherry-Cabernet Franc Sauce. Here's here thinking behind it and the recipe:I recently tasted a bottle of Damiani Wine Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc and of course immediately started thinking of what…
TasteCamp 2009: An Interview with Megan Witherspoon
By Lenn Thompson Photo courtesy of Dale Cruse When Megan Witherspoon attended TasteCamp EAST 2009, she didn't have a blog. She was simply the better half to Virginia-based blogger John Witherspoon (that's the wine blogging power couple at right). But, not long after the event, she started her new blog, Wine Conscience, one of the few blogs that I read every day. She uses her blog to support and celebrate environmentally friendly winemaking. Megan is a fine artist-turned-corporate workhorse, who maintains her sanity with the help of fine wine. Megan's family also owns, Woodland Vineyard, a small vineyard and winery in…
Jackson and the Giraffe
Nena is upstate this weekend visiting my in-laws…most importantly our newborn niece, Lillian Kathleen Kennedy. So, it's been a "daddy and dude" weekend filled with fun. Yesterday, I took him to Long Island Game Farm and he had a blast feeding and seeing every animal under the sun. I liked this picture, so I thought I'd post it. Wine tasting has been limited this weekend, but I'm planning to taste a few wines tonight. That is, if I have any energy left. This little man is exhausting without Nena's help!