Posts Written OnAugust 31, 2009

Southampton Double White

By Kevin Burns, Beer Columnist Our latest beer review comes from the Southampton Publick House on Long Island. Wheat beers are usually my favorite style for the summer, and Belgian wheats are known for the citrus, so it's not surprising that the brewers tout this Southampton Double White as "a stronger version of the classic Belgian white ale style." The Southampton Double White poured a hazy, light golden yellow color with a pen-width white head. The aroma had mostly wheat with strong citrus and spice notes. The body is smooth on the palate but crisp around the edges. There is…

Merlot Verasion at Bella Vita Vineyard

By Lenn Thompson, Founder and Editor-in-Chief I made a quick stop at Bella Vita Vineyard last week to pick up some white merlot I made there last year and did a quick stroll through the vineyard with co-owner and winemaker Anthony Sannino. The small block of cabernet franc along the driveway was hit hard by the dreary, wet weather this spring — very little fruit on the vines at all. But the merlot (seen above) wasn't too bad and the cabernet sauvignon actually looked a little over-cropped at this point. I'm putting the finishing touches on a pre-harvest report that…

SURU 2008 Riesling

By Lenn Thompson, Founder and Editor-in-Chief It makes perfect sense that Russell Hearn, winemaker at Pellegrini Vineyards and co-founder (with his wife Susan) of the new SURU label would buy riesling grapes from the Finger Lakes to make his first SURU riesling.  It is where the best rieslings in America are grown and made, after all. And, if the wines I've already tasted from the 2008 vintage are any indication, it could be a banner year for Finger Lakes riesling. SURU 2008 Riesling ($15) stays true to its Finger Lakes beginnings. It is a delicate, focused wine with light floral…