By David Flaherty

At 8 pm, amidst the sweltering steam bath of NYC, the Half Moon set sail on the East River. Aboard were 27 cases of German Riesling, 2 kegs of Gotham Project Riesling, about 40 tons of ice, 3 local bands, 1 German wine queen and 225 thirsty acidhounds. The Summer of Riesling sold-out boat cruise was underway.

Stepping aboard, the guests were greeted with a glass of Gotham Project Riesling from upstate NY in the Finger Lakes.  From here on out, it was all German Riesling as the month of July has been devoted to the motherland.

While the musical stylings of The Nouvellas, Baby Brother and Grand Rapids played at the rear of the top level, the party-goers crammed the front of the ship a la Leonardo DiCaprio on the Titanic.

The NYC skyline proved the main draw and mouths sat limp and stunned as the sun began its descent through the sky. Reds, oranges and, eventually, purples danced over the buildings like watercolors on an artists palate. If only Bob Ross could have been there to set up his easel…

But the highlight? The Statue of Liberty. After sunset, the Half Moon dropped anchor in front of her majesty's sandaled feet and we just drifted. The sounds of rock music surrounded the boat like a glowing halo while my colleagues from Hearth and Terroir and I feverishly poured Riesling below deck at three separate bars. It was a fantastic frickin night.

And one that only could be held in New York City…

Here is what was poured:

Trocken, von Buhl Deidesheimer Herrgottsacker, 2009, Pfalz
Trocken, Schloss Schonborn Estate, 2009, Rheingau
Trocken, Keller, 2010, Rheinhessen
Trocken, Donnhoff, 2010, Nahe
Feinherb, Zilliken Saarburger, 2009, Saar
Kabinett, Merkelbach Urziger Wurzgarten, 2010, Mosel
Kabinett, Hexamer Meddersheimer Rheingrafenberg, 2009, Nahe
Kabinett, Schloss Johannisberg, 2009, Rheingau
Spatlese, von Hovel Oberemmeler Hutte, 2004; Mosel

For more pics, check out this great sideshow from Metromix