Posts Written OnApril 2010

Summer Hours: More Finger Lakes Wineries Staying Open Late

  By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor Photo by Morgan Dawson Photography Most Finger Lakes wineries close their tasting rooms by 5 p.m., even on weekends. But a growing group has decided that later hours means better business and more intimate interactions with their customers. "It's a great way to unwind after a long day on Keuka Lake," says John McGregor of McGregor Vineyard. He says McGregor launched the concept of "sunset hours" some time in the 1990s. During the summer the McGregor tasting room extends hours until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. One big factor, according to…

Peconic Bay Winery NV Nautique Esprit de Blanc (2010 Release)

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief The New York wine industry has an unfair reputation among some — a reputation that the wines are overpriced and just aren't good values. I've been hearing this about Long Island for some time now, but I've been hearing it more and more lately about Finger Lakes wines as well — particularly riesling (which is a bit mind boggling really). Often, I hear it from people who, frankly, don’t know what they are talking about, or to soften that a bit, have very limited experience or exposure to New York wines. Are there overpriced wines being…

Brooklyn Uncorked May 5 and Brooklyn Academy of Music

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief One of my favorite annual Long Island wine events — Brooklyn Uncorked — is taking place on May 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. For anyone who is interested in local wines, there is no better chance to taste and experience the diversity of Long Island wine. Plus, there will be great food from NYC restaurants to enjoy as you walk from table to table sampling some of Long Island's best vino. I won't be able to attend this year's event, but it really is a lot of fun and…

Wine Blogging Wednesday #68: Clos Roche Blanche 2007 Touraine Cuvee Gamay

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief I often rely on New York wines for my WBW submissions, but this month's edition, Got Gamay?, (brought to us by Frank Morgan of Drink What You Like) is forcing me to go well beyond my "drink local" angle. There's very little gamay grown in New York, and what is grown and made here has never really impressed me as anything more than gulping wines. I find myself wondering why no one is doing anything interesting with gamay in New York, but I don't know enough about it's viticultural needs to go beyond wonder. I have…

Chateau Niagara Opens Its Doors

Jim and Kathy Baker standing outside the huge doors of Chateau Niagara, their new winery. By Bryan Calandrelli, Niagara Region Editor The story of Chateau Niagara begins like many in this romantic little region. Boy meets girl. Boy marries girl. Couple starts family, discovers local wine. Boy gets girl tipsy, sells her on starting winery. In this particular chapter however, owners Jim and Kathy Baker’s story takes an interesting twist — girl goes on to become tasting room manager at a local winery as Jim stays the course of his career so both can one day open up their own…

Sheldrake Point Vineyard Ice Apple Splash

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief A cidery producing an ice cider isn't odd. In fact, one might assume that most cideries make one, right? On the other hand, the fact that a winery like Cayuga Lake's Sheldrake Point Vineyard, a well-regarded winery known for producing a variety of grape wines, makes one is pretty unique.  In fact, it might seem downright weird until you learn that general manager Bob Madill is Canadian. As winemaker Dave Breeden puts it "You can't swing a dead cat in Montreal without hitting 20 or so ice ciders." Sheldrake Point 2008 Ice Apple Splash ($20) is…

Eve’s Cidery Essence

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief As an admitted wine and beer geek, I really (really) love stumbling upon new libations in unexpected places. I love it even more if it's a style or beverage that is new to me. I picked up a bottle of this Eve's Cidery Essence ($22) at the Ithaca Farmer's Market last summer — after I spent way too much time deciding which of the amazing, mostly ethnic, food stalls to buy lunch from. Essence is an "ice cider" that is made by allowing late harvest juice to freeze partially. As the juice freezes the water is…

What We Drank (April 19, 2010)

 Here's what the NYCR editors are drinking now… Evan Dawson: Villard 2006 Condrieu de Poncins Northern Rhone whites just do not get enough love. Of course, there is a very good argument that Northern Rhone whites are almost prohibitively expensive, and thus price themselves out of the love they deserve. The best bottles fetch Napa Cab-style sticker prices. Too bad. On special occasions, this is a go-to wine region for my wife and me. She loves Northern Rhone whites, and with this outstanding viognier, it's easy to see why. It smells and tastes like a peach puff pastry, but just…

Brookview Station Winery NV Whistle Stop White

By Lenn Thompson, Editor-in-Chief I'm excited to publish this review, not because the wine is going to knock your socks off or something I'd rush out to buy again and again, but because it represents a new category of adult beverages being covered here on the NYCR — fruit wines. Many people scoff at the category without even exploring the wines within it, but I'm enthusiastic to try and learn about anything, including fruit wines in the Hudson Valley — and there are a lot being made there. And you know what, I think this Brookview Station Winery Whistle Stop…