Posts Written OnMarch 25, 2014

Paumanok Vineyards 2012 Petit Verdot

Though still a somewhat rare oddity, varietal petit verdot has become a bit more common here on Long Island — and many of them are delicious in their intensity. Unfortunately, many of them are also quite expensive, up to $100 per bottle, making them less accessible for many customers. Enter Paumanok Vineyards 2012 Petit Verdot ($28) — not cheap, but the rare under-$30 local example. It also might be my go-to burger wine this summer. Want to experience young petit verdot? It’s all here with aromas of blueberry, black licorice, molasses, banana peel, white pepper and violets. All of the…

Spring Fever Hits Hard at NY Drinks NY

The fact I was bundled in down from head to toe while I cruised the block sto Astor Center reminded me (as if I could forget) that it’s still winter. For the third year in a row, NY DRINKS NY presented its Grand Tasting featuring nearly 32 wineries from across New York State. Manhattan in mid-March sits on the precipice of spring meaning new wine releases and desperate hopes for balmy weather, even though the mercury says, “Bitches, we’re still in winter.” Well, I don’t care. My taste buds are firmly planted in backyard grilling, delicate sunshine, snap peas and…

Northern Grape Project Webinar Series

Viticulture and winemaking are not static fields of knowledge. They are continually expanding in scope, breadth and depth. It can take a lot of effort for professionals, hobbyists and curious consumers to educate themselves in the many facets of these studies, and stay abreast of new developments. A webinar series sponsored by the Northern Grapes Project is making it a lot easier for folks to stay in the game without having to leave the farm or winery to do it. I’ve attended a number of these webinars over the last couple of years and have found them very valuable in…