Posts Written OnAugust 2013

Bellwether Wine Cellars 2012 Sawmill Creek Vineyard Riesling

Bellwether Wine Cellars opened its doors today, offering tastes of its 2011 Sawmill Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir and three distinct rieslings. I got to taste all three — two dry, one semi-dry; one fermented with ambient yesasts, two not — and will write about all of them over the next few days. But today, we focus on the Bellwether Wine Cellars 2012 Sawmill Creek Vineyard Riesling ($22), which is likely to be the crowd-pleaser of the riesling lineup. Peach and green apple aromas are joined by a squirt of lime, honey and a bit of apple blossom on a pleasant,…

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HARVEST EAST END 10-Mile Dinner: Cutchogue Edition

While out East, I like to do my drinking at home to keep my evenings automobile free. But when Harvest East End announced their line up of exclusive 10-Mile Dinners and it just so happened they included an event pairing McCall Wines with a personalized menu by Chef Noah Schwartz (of Noah’s in Greenport)? I made an exception, splurged on a ticket and secured one of the 14 seats available at the beachside Cutchogue locale. Organized by the Long Island Wine Council, these salons are spread out between the two forks and Shelter Island to showcase the magic that happens…

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McCall Wines Named “Winery of the Year” at 2013 New York Wine & Food Classic

Yesterday, McCall Wines was named “Winery of the Year” following the 2013 New York Wine & Food Classic, which included included 842 New York wines, 11 Hard Ciders and 22 Spirits from several regions across New York State including Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment and Lake Erie. On its way to being named “Winery of the Year” McCall won double-gold for its 2010 Pinot Noir Reserve and 2007 Ben’s Blend. In addition, McCall was awarded medals for its 2011 Cabernet Franc (Gold), 2008 Merlot Reserve (Gold), 2010 Chardonnay Reserve (Silver), 2012 Marjorie’s Rose (Silver) and 2008 Merlot (Silver).…

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Empire State Cellars Wine Club: September 2013 Selections

The September shipment of the Empire State Cellars Wine Club will go out to members in a few weeks — but here’s a sneak peak of what is coming.. If you aren’t familiar with the club, you can learn more here. “Hello New York” Wines Charles Fournier 2012 “Gold Seal Vineyards” Riesling: Named for a Finger Lakes pioneer and his seminal vineyard, this negociant-made riesling is focused and fresh, showing pear and apricot flavors, nervy acidity and along, slate-y finish. A terrific value.  Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2010 “Red Letter”: The great 2010 growing season resulted some of Long Island’s best-ever <$20 reds, this…

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Keuka Spring Vineyards Takes Home 2013 Governor’s Cup

Keuka Spring Vineyards won the coveted Governor’s Cup when their 2012 Riesling was selected as the top wine entered in the 2013 Wine & Food Classic. The competition was held at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel. A total of 875 wines were entered this year, and although some of the state’s top wineries choose not to submit their wines for this event, the top wine is always a significant prize. Judges from around the world come to evaluate the wines (and ciders and spirits). “We got a call from the New York Wine and Grape Foundation at 12:30pm,” wrote August Deimel,…

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New York Wine Jobs: Sparkling Pointe Hiring Tasting Room Staff

  Sparkling Pointe, Long Island’s only sparkling wine-only winery is looking to hire tasting room staff to fill two separate positions. If you’re interested in applying for either of the jobs below, please contact them at info@sparklingpointe.com [quote] Located along Long Island’s scenic North Fork Wine Trail, Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery exists as the sole producer in New York State dedicated to the exclusive production of Méthode Champenoise Sparkling Wines. Sparkling Pointe is one of the few wineries where guests can sit, relax, and enjoy table service in our elegant Tasting House, VIP Bubble Room, or on the Terrace overlooking…

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Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2010 “Caya” Cabernet Franc

The nose on the Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2010 “Caya” Cabernet Franc ($40) shows a significant dose of oak, which expresses itself as candied, roasted nuts as well sweet cedar, layered over top of chocolate covered cherries and ripe blueberries. Luckily, that oak character is more understated on the rich, concentrated palate, where dark berries and plums mingle deftly with woodsy spice, cocoa bean and vanilla. I miss the savory, herbal edge that cabernet franc should have, but with round, well-integrated tannins, it’s approachable now but should cellar well for at least the shorter term. Producer: Wolffer Estate Vineyard AVA: The Hamptons, Long Island ABV: 13.3%…

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A Visit to the Newly Opened Crooked Ladder Brewing Company

Last month, Crooked Ladder Brewing Company opened its doors at 70 West Main Street in downtown Riverhead. The building’s brick facade sports the brewery’s name above open bay doors, inviting the passerby inside for a tasting. The tasting bar and production facility occupy the same space, so visitors can see people actually brewing what they are about to taste. It’s amazing to see the once-shady dive bar transformed into a local microbrewery and downtown hot pot. The ambiance in the tasting room perfectly matched what was intended by the team behind Crooked Ladder when I visited back in April prior…

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This Ain’t Bordeaux: In the Finger Lakes, Riesling Rules, But You Won’t Find a Clear “Vintage of the Decade”

The industrial wine machine loves an exalted vintage. For consumers, it’s a chance to create a kind of trophy bottle or trophy case. For wineries, it can be a chance to raise prices (though this rarely happens in the Finger Lakes). But in upstate New York, there simply isn’t a consensus about the best vintage for riesling of the past decade. And it’s fascinating to read the comments of the region’s top winemakers. Because there are some deep divides. The New York Cork Report surveyed a wide range of Finger Lakes winemakers and winery owners to get their take on…

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A Toast to the Adirondack Coast Wine Trail and Others

Reports of veraison are finally beginning to arrive from the North Country, and after such wet weather, both the sunshine and this growth stage are welcome news.  It’s not just the grapes that are growing in upstate New York though — so are the wine trails. Recent legislation makes the Adirondack Coast Wine Trail an official part of the New York State Highway map. It’s just a little trail across sixty-six miles of road, linking seven wineries and cider houses, but it is a major development milestone for a new region that adds to the diversity of wine growing in the Empire State.…

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