Posts Written OnApril 2016

New York #Tastemaker: Anthony Nappa | Raphael & Anthony Nappa Wines

“Tastemaker” is a term typically used to describe a person — either a sommelier or writer in the wine world — who decides what is good, cool or otherwise interesting. With our new #NYTastemaker profiles, I’ve decided to usurp the term to mean someone who actually makes the wines, ciders, spirits, etc. that we love. A “tastemaker” should make something, after all. As a wine lover and a wine writer, I know that I can trust Anthony Nappa, winemaker at Raphael, owner of Anthony Nappa Wines and co-owner of The Winemaker Studio with his chef-wife Sarah. It’s not just that his wines almost always…

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Weekly New York Wine News — April 26, 2016

Cabernet franc vines budding out at Shinn Estate Vineyard NEWS ShipCompliant - 4/19/2016 Big wine industry player ShipCompliant provides its own synopsis of recently recommended changes for New York’s alcohol laws. Chicago Now - 4/19/2016 Chi Town Somm takes a closer look at New York wine, beginning with Long Island, in this first of a three-part series. East End Beacon - 4/19/2016 The Long Island Wine Council had updated it’s website and is taking a new approach to marketing the region. North Fork Patch - 4/20/2016 The LIWC may be bringing new leadership and ideas, but could mean different things…

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Jones von Drehle Vineyards 2014 Rosa Dia

The plans for my 2015 Rosé report are coming along nicely, with wines from wineries all across the east coast (defined for the tasting wineries not in California, Oregon or Washington). This year’s tasting will have wines not only from various New York regions, but also Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan and North Carolina. The response has been humbling. Truly. My tasting report will focus on 2015 wines, but some wineries have sent me 2014 rosé as well, including Jones von Drehle Vineyards 2014 Rosa Dia ($18). Jones von Drehle is a relatively new producer in the Yadkin Valley AVA in North…

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Keuka Lake Vineyards NV KLV Red

Need another reminder that generalizations can be dangerous in the wine world? Look no further than Keuka Lake Vineyards NV KLV Red ($16). Many will look at a wine like this one — without a vintage year on the label — and look elsewhere for something to drink. I get it, often non-vintage wines end up being whatever is left over and the wines aren’t very good. But you know what they say happens when you assume. This is a blend that is mostly cabernet franc, with Leon Millot, pinot noir and a “splash” of Delaware rounding out the blend. It’s…

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Macari Vineyards 2013 Reserve Cabernet Franc

“Reserve” is a term without an official meaning in the American wine industry. It can be used by anyone on any wine. Some wineries only have a “Reserve” line — which means it’s more about marketing than anything else. They’d never admit it, but I’m convinced that some producers even put “Reserve” on a bottle just so they can charge more for it. For a while, here on Long Island, “Reserve” has meant bigger, riper and oakier. Sometimes wineries boast about long a “Reserve” wine is aged in oak barrels on the back label — as if that’s a sign…

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New York #Tastemaker: Nancy Irelan | Red Tail Ridge Winery

“Tastemaker” is a term typically used to describe a person — either a sommelier or writer in the wine world — who decides what is good, cool or otherwise interesting. With our new #NYTastemaker profiles, I’ve decided to usurp the term to mean someone who actually makes the wines, ciders, spirits, etc. that we love. A “tastemaker” should make something, after all. One of the true highlights of my trip to the Finger Lakes last month was meeting Nancy Irelan, co-owner of and winemaker for Red Tail Ridge Winery on the western side of Seneca Lake. Nancy (and correctly so) suggested that if we planned…

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Weekly New York Wine News — April 18, 2016

Spring at Macari Vineyards NEWS Hudson Valley news Network - 4/13/2016 Recommendations on modernizing New York alcoholic beverage laws come down from the working group created in late 2015. New York Upstate - 4/15/2016 Shmaltz’s Brewing celebrates 20 years of “Beer with Shtick” in the Capital District. Examiner - 4/17/2016 William Dowd digs into the Wine and Grape Foundation archives to surface this list of states that receive shipments of New York wines, and the wineries who do the shipping. New York Times - 4/17/2016 Cold-climate wine making continues to gain ground in upstate New York, while Victory View and…

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Waters Crest Winery 2012 Merlot

I keep reading a lot about 2013 Long Island reds lately. I’m sure you have too. Some are even calling it “Long Island’s Best Vintage.” Please take those proclamations with a grain of salt — at least for now. It was a great growing season, no doubt, but nearly every vintage is labeled “the greatest” at some point, either during harvest or once the wines start coming out. Keep in mind that no matter the vintage or its quality, wineries need to sell their wine. It’s to their benefit to laud a vintage as “the greatest ever.” Every year. Before…

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New York Cork Club: April 2016 Selections

Editor’s Note: Okay, so I’m a little late posting this. Most of you have already received your shipments, but here is a bit about my April 2016 selections. I’m really excited about this month’s picks – one Finger Lakes riesling and a sparkling cabernet franc from Long Island. Yes, you read that right – sparkling cabernet franc. Macari Vineyards 2014 “Horses” Sparkling Rose Cabernet Franc is a sparkling cabernet franc that they may so little of that it’s not even on the winery’s website. Luckily, we were able to get a few cases for the club and I think you’re…

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Maryland #Tastemaker: Lisa Hinton | Old Westminster Winery

“Tastemaker” is a term typically used to describe a person — either a sommelier or writer in the wine world — who decides what is good, cool or otherwise interesting. With our new #NYTastemaker profiles, I’ve decided to usurp the term to mean someone who actually makes the wines, ciders, spirits, etc. that we love. A “tastemaker” should make something, after all. Chardonnay. Believe it or not, that’s the grape (and wine) that first sparked my interest in Old Westminster Winery. I was at a walk-around tasting at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD as part of Drink Local Wine 2013 when a…

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