By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor The NYCR team doesn't necessarily need a special occasion or invitation to eat or drink local, but Eat Drink Local Week starts today — and we're absolutely behind it and hope it encourages more New Yorkers to check out their local bounty. Organized by Edible Manhattan, Edible Brooklyn and Edible East End, this is a great week-long festival with some great participating restaurants offering Eat Drink Local prix fixe menus. The event will also celebrate seven special ingredients and include the Eat Local Challenge Get out there and bask in the glory of your local…
Posts Written OnJune 24, 2011
Influence Wines 2010 Riesling
By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor You may not know who Erik Bilka is, but chances are he’s helped make at least some of your favorite Long Island wines. Bilka, who launched Influence Wines in 2009, has been working at Premium Wine Group — a custom crush facility responsible for several Long Island labels — since 2001. In fact, he was employee #3 when he joined founder Russell Hearn and John Leo. Prior to joining PWG, he worked the 2000 harvest with Alice Wise as a Cornell Cooperative Extension vineyard assistant. Working at PWG, Bilka has worked with many consulting winemakers…