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Posts Written OnJanuary 11, 2013

Raphael Winery 2011 First Label Sauvignon Blanc

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Challenging growing season shows here on the nose, which is surprisingly subdued. Light aromas of fresh and candied lemon are joined by subtle notes of minty herbs. Lighter bodied as well, there are mild flavors of citrus and under-ripe melon as well as light grassy-herbal notes. There is also plenty of fresh acidity — but not really enough of everything else to bring balance. Producer: Raphael AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 12.4% Price: $26* (2.5 out of 5, Average-to-Very Good)

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Niagara Icewine Update: We Haven’t Started Getting Nervous… Yet

Niagara ice wine harvest... from 2009

With this weekend’s projected record-warm temperatures, it feels a little weird to be preparing for a weekend of ice wine themed activities across the border. In a region that can usually set its watch to that first big, bone-chilling weather event in early January, Mother Nature has only teased Niagara with a very narrow window for an ice wine harvest so far this year and people are wondering if there will be a full harvest in 2013. “I haven’t started getting nervous yet,” says Jonathan Oakes, winemaker at Leonard Oakes Winery. Oakes is the go-to winemaker in Niagara USA on…

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Fork Finds: Topping Rose House, Bridgehampton, NY

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I used to work in reality television so I’m not really giddy about ‘celebrity ‘chefs. Except for Eric Ripert. He is the second Mr. Tracy Weiss. I also tend to avoid restaurants that are hyped to a level where food bloggers are foaming at the mouth to get in. How can any meal live up to expectations when I’m inundated with wild praise just a few months into opening? Yet, I didn’t let any of my usual rules get in the way of booking a table at Tom Colicchio’s Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton at the first opportunity. His people…

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Evan Dawson Interviewed by Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

evan-interview

Evan doesn’t always like it when we publish items about his tremendous book. I don’t think he minds when the book sells, of course, but he just doesn’t want it to ever seem like we mention it too often. So we don’t. But earlier this morning I saw that he was interviewed by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle and thought it worth sharing. Happy Friday, everyone, and congratulations on the great success with the book, Evan.

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