Posts Written OnOctober 2011

By Evan Dawson, Finger Lakes Editor Get used to this image: sorting lines, rare in the Finger Lakes, will be making regular appearances as wineries deal with fruit that varies wildly in quality. At the new Forge Cellars (a small project run by winemaker Justin Boyette, Rick Rainey, and Frenchman Louis Barruol from Gigondas), sorting will be a routine part of the operation. In this photo, Boyette inspects the fruit with the crew. Rainey's comment is particularly telling: "See you in the wee hours," he said. "Luckily, we have beer!" The commitment to sorting would benefit every winery that doesn't…

By Rochelle Bilow, Finger Lakes Food Correspondent “Come here, you,” Debbie Meritsky cooed, coaxing a brown cow closer to her. It batted its eyes and licked her hand. “Oh!” she said, and added with a sweet-as-pie grin, I’ll take that tongue and eat it!” The cow might have thought she was kidding. Debbie and I had paid a visit to Ever Green Farm in Rock Stream, NY, as part of the day of cooking I’d scheduled with her. I’d asked her the week prior if she was game for an interview and she agreed — under the condition that I…