By Bryan Calandrelli, Niagara Regional Editor What’s this area known for? What’s your specialty? Which white do you do best? These are all questions that I get asked when pouring local wine for newcomers to the Niagara region. I don’t always have time to explain the diversity of soils or the huge difference in how Lake Ontario moderates one mile from the lakeshore to six miles inland to the Escarpment. Nonetheless, people seem to want an answer as to what our signature white grape variety is or will be. It's not an easy question to answer. In the Finger Lakes,…
Posts Written OnSeptember 28, 2009
Sherwood House Vineyards 2004 Blanc de Blanc
By Lenn Thompson, Long Island Editor and Editor-in-Chief At Sherwood House Vineyards in Mattituck, NY, the focus is set squarely on Old World-style chardonnay and merlot. My distaste for regional comparisons aside, their chardonnay is extremely Burgundian and the merlots show restraint and elegance rather than jammy one dimension. Owners Charles and Barbara Smithen purchased their 1860 farmhouse on Oregon Road in 1996 and planted their vines soon after, starting with 5 acres of chardonnay before planing just over 15 acres more with merlot and chardonnay in 1997. Nearly 7 acres of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot were added…
What We Drank (September 28, 2009)
Another diverse and interesting array of wines (and beer) from the writers and editors of the New York Cork Report. From Lenn Thompson: Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 1999 Cabernet Franc You already know that I was in the Finger Lakes last Thursday through Sunday to work the harvest for a couple days at Anthony Road Wine Company. What you probably do not know is that I was lucky enough to score a seat at the invite- and industry-only monthly wine dinner at Red Newt Bistro Thursday night. Each attendee brings a bottle of wine with him or her, and each is…
Brown’s Tomhannock Pilsner
By Kevin Burns, Beer Columnist Our latest beer review comes from the Brown's Brewing Company in Troy, NY. Tomhannock Pilsner poured a clear, golden yellow color with a pen width, white head. The aroma was hoppy with pale malt underneath. T he body has a smooth mouthfeel up front with a fairly low amount of carbonation for a pilsner. The light hops and pale malt from the nose stick out on the palate. The hops start to come on stronger at the end and add a crispness to the beer before dying out and leaving a dry finish. Overall, this…
Martha Clara Vineyards Video: The JuanMaker: Vine Whisperer
To help supplement its own video content, the New York Cork Report is going to start posting more videos created by New York wineries, including the Juan-Maker series from Martha Clara Vineyards. If you're a New York winery and would like your videos to be considered for posting, please let us know.