Posts Written OnJanuary 08, 2010

By Julia Burke, Niagara Escarpment Correspondent “I learned from the school of hard knocks,” chuckles Don Demaison when I ask him about his viticulture education. It’s no joke – after purchasing a farm with a vineyard full of hybrid and native vines, trying to make it as a commercial grower, and ultimately selling the farm only to buy it back and convert it to a vinifera-only vineyard, Demaison’s journey has not been easy. Taste his wine, however, and it’s clear his extensive experience has paid off: he’s producing excellent fruit for his own use and for other Niagara winemakers, and…

  Rising from the ashes: crews continue work on new Dr. Frank tasting room By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor The shell of the new spillover tasting room and special event building at Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars has taken shape. With crews working every day on the project, it's on schedule for a spring opening, and could end up opening right around the one-year anniversary of the fire that destroyed the previous building on April 22, 2009. "That was a big shock," says Frederick Frank, President of Dr. Frank Wine Cellars. "We were all saddened. We lost business as…

By Kevin Burns, Beer Columnist Captain Lawrence Brewing Company might just be the best brewry in the state, with the best brewer at the helm. Even though owner/brewmaster Scott Vaccaro only founded Captain Lawrence in 2006, he has already racked up an impressive collection of awards. He released this Rosso e Marrone to the world on February 14, 2009 and it has already become one of the country's most decorated beers, winning a 2009 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal as well as being named Wine Enthusiast's Best Beer of 2009.  I took a trip down to Pleasantville last week to speak…

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief This week, we have a bunch of mini-reviews that, as always, come directly from my tasting notebook with minimal editing. Bedell Cellars 2007 Taste Red ($35): Nose of sweet cherry, vanilla, brown spice, black pepper and subtle violet note. Core of sweet cherry and plum on a medium-full palate. Tannins are a bit astringent at this stage, but nice spice, vanilla with dusty chocolate, menthol/pine and a slightly earthy edge.  (3 out of 5 | Recommended) Bouke 2008 Bouquet Dessert Wine ($36): Chardonnay and gewurztraminer. Floral nose with intense ginger aromas with fresh apple. Sweet, but…