Posts Written OnMay 2013

Bellwether Wine Cellars 2011 Sawmill Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir

When I recently posted a picture of a home-cooked meal on Facebook, a friend demanded to know who made the rose that filled the glass next to my plate. That wasn’t rose, friends. That was Bellwether Wine Cellars 2011 Pinot Noir ($30), a pinot that artfully reflects the cooler, cloudier 2011 season in the Finger Lakes without any color enhancement in the form of corot noir, noiret or — if this were California — syrah. If the Bellwether name sounds familiar, it should. Bellwether Hard Cider is well regarded for its often-outstanding lineup of traditionally styled ciders. The winery is a…

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Should More Finger Lakes Winemakers Travel to Europe? Q&A with Hector Wine Company’s Justin Boyette

An artist can only do so much without an understanding of art history. A filmmaker is limited if he or she hasn’t seen the great films of all time. And winemakers, we can assume, are holding themselves back if they’re not familiar with the great wines of the world — particularly the great wines made with the same varieties they’re using. With that in mind, I’m always surprised at how few Finger Lakes winemakers travel to Europe, or to other parts of the world. I’m even more surprised at how many Finger Lakes winemakers reply, when asked what they like…

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Macari Vineyards 2012 “Katherine’s Field” Sauvignon Blanc

Always among the top sauvignon blancs coming from the North Fork, Macari Vineyards 2012 “Katherine’s Field” Sauvignon Blanc ($23) is an early favorite from the 2012 batch just hitting shelves now — and I dare say the best since Kelly Urbanik took over as winemaker. Aromas of grapefruit, sweet lime, green apple and honeydew show ripeness and nary a scent of grass or other ‘greenness.’ Medium-to-fuller bodied but well balanced with citrusy, juicy acidity, the palate offer more lime and grapefruit flavors backed by green apple and a gently glycerin mouthfeel. Finishing lively and focused with a squeeze of grapefruit, it’s…

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Wines from Fox Run Vineyards Help Raise Money for Camp Good Days

In March, two of Fox Run Vineyards’ wines won double gold. Shortly thereafter, three children won the chance to go to summer camp. What the two have in common is the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. The wine competition was held March 23-24, and it was Fox Run’s 2011 Dry Riesling and 2011 Reserve Riesling that earned the medals. The entries from 20 countries and all fifty states were grouped by varietal, one of the most popular being – you guessed it – Riesling. Going to summer camp may not sound nearly as memorable, but then this summer camp is…

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New York Spirits Steal the Show at the 2013 Manhattan Cocktail Classic Gala

Friday night, May 17, was a proud night to be a New Yorker. And it was a proud night to be part of a talented beverage community that calls this fair Empire State home. At 9 p.m., the Manhattan Cocktail Classic kicked off its 2013 run with the annual Gala held in one of the most iconic venues in New York City: the New York Public Library. To ascend the same steps as Dr. Peter Venkman and Dr. Egon Spengler, but while sporting a tux instead of a proton pack, is surreal…especially at night. Inside, a fairy tale-like atmosphere unfolds,…

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Fulkerson Winery 2012 Gruner Veltliner

The nose on this Fulkerson Winery 2012 Gruner Veltliner ($14) isn’t as intense as the best gruners I’ve had from Austria — the region where it is most planted and known — but it does show nice varietal character with its light nose of pineapple, peach and citrus with notes of white pepper and citrus blossom. Bright and citrusy on the palate, it is a bit lacking in concentration, but brings a bit more spice than the nose and a juicy mouthfeel. It’d be refreshing on a hot summer day and was actually a nice pairing with some black bean-cilantro…

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New York Cork Report Named a 2013 Wine Blog Awards Finalist

Earlier this morning, this website was named as a finalist in the 2013 Wine Blog Awards in the “Best Single-Subject Blog” category. After taking a year off from the awards last year — so Evan and I could serve as judges without any conflict — we’re thrilled and proud to be back in the running. If we win, it will be our 4th such award. Voting runs now through Friday and there are some great blogs represented across the categories, including many run by people that I’m lucky to count as friends. If you enjoy NYCR and find us worthy,…

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Hudson-Berkshire Wine & Food Festival This Weekend

People often debate whether “local” is measured by state or by miles. The Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail measures it in miles. Tucked in between the northern-most portion of the Hudson Valley and the Berkshire Mountains, the Trail is home to a handful of wine, beer and spirit producers that cross the New York - Massachusetts state line. If you’ve never heard of them before, they’re offering you an excellent opportunity to check all their members in one spot this Memorial Day Weekend, when they’ll be hosting their inaugural Hudson-Berkshire Wine and Food Festival. The three wineries involved — Brookview Station, Hudson-Chatham,…

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The Summer Session: The Bronx Brewery Bronx Pale Ale

I’m admittedly not a big fan of “summer” beers. Ales and lagers that are part of a summer beer program are usually over-the-top with citrus flavoring and other adjuncts. The malt profile in these beers, whether it wheat or pale malt, often leave a funky aftertaste. I’d much rather reach for a Belgian or domestic wheat beer for hot-weather drinking — but, I am always in the market for a crisp sipper that has a clean finish and complements outdoor activities. As I find beers that fit into the “session beer” category over the warmer months, I’ll review them for…

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5 Questions with… Lisa Donneson, Owner, Bouke and Bouquet Wines

Lisa Donneson founded Bouké in 2007, and produces eight aromatic, fruit-forward, affordable wines. Bouké (her dry wines) and Bouquet (her sweet wines) aim to be “a pleasure for all the senses – the eye, the nose, and (of course!) the taste buds.” Trained originally as a musician, Lisa honed her business skills as a securities analyst and media industry consultant before earning the coveted Diploma from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, and they have two daughters who are in college. What was the first bottle of wine you remember drinking — and…

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