Posts Written OnJanuary 2010

The New York Cork Report Welcomes Andy Freedman as its New New York City Correspondent

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief As we prepare to move to a new Web platform and site in 2010, the New York Cork Report is seemingly ramping up its coverage of New York wine. As of today, we again have a correspondent based in New York City, Andy Freedman. NYC foodies already know Andy (or should) as half of the husband-and-wife team behind the prolific site Wined & Dined. Andy has lived in New York City since 2004. A corporate attorney-by-day and avid eater, drinker and food blogger by night, Andy fits right in with the other obsessed food-and-wine geeks at…

Perseverance Pays Off for Niagara Grower

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…

After Fire, Dr. Frank Tasting Room On Schedule for Spring Opening

  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…

Captain Lawrence Rosso e Marrone

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…

New York Cork Report Tasting Table: January 8, 2010

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…

Lenz Winery 2006 Gewurztraminer

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief Gewurztraminer is a relatively rare grape on Long Island, but Lenz Winery winemaker Eric Fry has an affection for it — which is a good thing. He makes one of the region's best, always in a dry style. Sometimes gewurztraminer can get too floral, even for those of us who love the grape, but this Lenz Winery 2006 Gewurztraminer ($20) isn't like that. The nose is all lychee, ginger and spices like cardamon and nutmeg, backed by pineapple and a zesty grapefruit edge. Medium bodied, the palate features good-but-not crunchy acidity that frames sweet pinapple-citrus fruit…

Q&A: Vinny Aliperti, Winemaker Atwater Estate Vineyards, Co-owner/Winemaker Billsboro Winery

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief Vinny Aliperti started his winemaking career here on Long Island at Wolffer Estate, known back then in 1997 as Sag Pond Vineyards, working with winemaker Roman Roth and winemaker Rich Pisacano just as the new winery was being constructed. He spent spent three years there and then moved, with his wife and "youngins," to Geneva, NY to take a job with Hermann J. Wiemer as an associate winemaker for the 2000 harvest. In early 2001 he joined a new winery, Atwater Estate Vineyards, as assistant winemaker and since 2003 has served as head winemaker there. In…

Finger Lakes Wineries Struggling to Find Balance With Marketing, Online Media

Members of the Finger Lakes wine community discuss the marketing of the region and its wines. By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor Photo courtesy of Amy Cheatle, Damiani Wine Cellars Last week, the well-read wine blog Dr. Vino determined, by reader vote, the wine person of the past decade. And the winner? Eric LeVine. You'll be forgiven if your response is, "Who?" Finger Lakes consumers and marketing directors might not have heard of LeVine, but it's much more of a problem if they've never heard of his product. LeVine is the creator of the massively popular CellarTracker, which allows consumers…