Posts Written OnFebruary 01, 2010

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief My lukewarm feelings towards barrel-fermented chardonnay are well documented, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the qualities that a cool growing climate bring to the category. Lucas Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay ($14) shows great balance from start to finish, which is something worth noting in any wine. The nose is decidedly oak-inflected with toasted marshmallows and hazelnuts layered with pineapple, mango, roasted apple fruit aromas. Medium-bodied with a bright, fresh attack that brings sweet apple and pineapple fruit, this wine turns creamy and vanilla-tinged on the mid-palate before getting nutty as it ends on a medium-length…

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief With all of the details ironed out and all the moving parts in place, I'm exited to announce the second in a series of Taste Live events I'll be moderating for Finger Lakes Wine Country (FLWC) in conjunction with their newly launched TasteLive page. The first in the series, centering on Finger Lakes cabernet franc, was a success and I think this one is going to be even better. Why? Well, for one we're tasting four sparkling wines, which is always fun. Specifically, we'll be tasting: Chateau Frank 2002 Blanc de Blancs Goose Watch Winery NV…

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief More local than usual, this week's WWD offers a different kind of diversity… Lenn Thompson: Peconic Bay Winery 2007 Steel Fermented Chardonnay Yesterday was Jackson's third birthday, so we had family in from upstate New York as well as Pittsburgh for a weekend of festivities. Of the course of a few nights, a lot of bottles were opened and enjoyed, but this one was the one I chose for WWD. Why? Well for one, it was a magnum which is just plain fun for entertaining. There's just something celebratory about opening a large-format bottle (if we're…

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief Just a quick post this morning to send some kudos over to our Niagara editor Bryan Calandrelli for his cover story in the latest issue of Edible Buffalo. The story is titled "Liquid Assets — Ice Wine" and it tells a tale of Bryan's own experience picking grapes for ice wine, a bit about ice wine in general and of course the present and future of Niagara USA's ice wine industry. It's definitely worth a read. Check it out. And, look for some video here on the NYCR. Rumor has it that Bryan picked for ice…

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief Of the red wine hybrids, baco noir is among my favorites. And, based on the few examples that I've had from the Hudson River Region, it seems like a variety with a real future there, especially if more wineries plant it and really focus on it. The region needs a signature red variety and it doesn't seem as though any vinifera is ready to step up. Hudson-Chatham Winery is a relatively new winery but its already established itself as one of the more quality-focused producers, one that is embracing what the region can do best rather…