Posts Written OnSeptember 16, 2011

Assistant winemaker Zander Hargrave (l) and winemaker Greg Gove processing chardonnay this morning at Peconic Bay Winery. By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Peconic Bay Winery harvested about 3.5 tons of chardonnay this morning from their Oregon Road vineyard — all intended for sparkling wine. The fruit came in at 18 brix on average. According to winemaker Greg Gove "The fruit is nice and clean. Charlie Hargrave is my hero." Hargrave is the the winery's vineyard manager. The fact that the fruit was clean — after a growing season that presented several challenges — speaks to his diligence and acumen. This…

By Evan Dawson, Managing Editor and Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor It's not exactly Bordeaux's En Primeur, but in some small way, there are echoes of the vintage launch events that are celebrated around the world. Finger Lakes winemakers have never coordinated their efforts enough to create such an occasion. It has taken the energy of Finger Lakes Wine Country to shepherd the region, and the result is the forthcoming Riesling Hour, scheduled for next Thursday at 6 p.m.   Will it work? Hard to say. Unlike other regions, this event does not serve as the actual release or first tasting…

By Julia Burke, Beer Editor Baltic porter is a beer style with a little mystery. Made as dark as the North Sea and strong enough to withstand the journey across its treacherous waters during the Industrial Revolution, this style owes its lineage to both the milder English porter and the robust Russian Imperial stout. Traditionally done with lager yeast for a long, cold fermentation, this porter at its best is intense but smooth. I often find Baltic porters a little too sweet and thick for my taste, but I can never turn down a great porter, so I’ve kept trying…

By David Flaherty, New York City Correspondent Like most great ideas, I am guessing it was born over a round of beers. But one thing I am sure of is that it wasn't born over a round of mass-produced swill. It had to be craft, and craft all the way. Today, for the fourth year in a row, NY Craft Beer Week is locked, loaded and sprung tight like a crossbow waiting to fire. And this year is bigger, badder and tech-friendlier than ever before. Josh Schaffner and his crack crew (including the talented Amy Litt and Chris Cuzme) have…