Celebrate Hudson @ New Amsterdam Market with NY Wine

If you're in the city this weekend, why not check out the New Amsterdam Market on Sunday, Sept. 13, for some NY wines, meats, and cheeses?! Brooklyn Oenology, Shinn Estate, and Paumanok Vineyards will be among the NY wineries representing. Plus check out Dickson's Farmstand Meats and several other vendors from local farms and establishments.

Apparently Sept. 13 will be NYC's very own Harbor Day, which will celebrate the 400-year anniversary of when Henry Hudson and his crew explored what became New Amsterdam (and later New York) in 1609. Cheers, Hudson!

NEW AMSTERDAM MARKET
Sunday, September 13, 11am - 4pm
South St between Beekman St & Peck Slip
http://www.newamsterdammarket.org/markets.html

North Fork Wineries heart Pups

Over the weekend my parents' puppy escorted us to the North Fork of Long Island for some wine tasting. All the wineries we visited were very dog friendly, and Shea just loved running round the vineyards.

At Bedell Cellars my dad and I liked everything we tasted, including their newly-released First Crush White and First Crush Red. The white is 82% Chard and 18% Viognier, fermented in stainless steel (no oak). The red is 72% Merlot and 28% Cab Franc, mostly fermented in stainless steel as well. Both were young and fresh - very pleasant on the hot day. My dad bought a bottle of the 2007 Chardonnay, which had a really nice balance of crisp apple/pear with a rounded character thanks to 6 months in French oak and battonage, which is the practice of stirring the wine with the leftover yeast deposits from fermentation, called lees, to impart a baked influence. IMO, this wine is an excellent example of well-integrated oak in Chardonnay. Possibly the best part of this tasting was seeing my dad recognize body in white wine and the distinctive smell of Merlot.

At Shinn Estate Vineyards I continued my Rose obsession, thoroughly enjoying their new 2008 dry Rose. Shinn uses sustainable farming practices, which means they use methods that have minimal impact on the farm. They point this out in a little card attached to their wine bags. Shinn also has a really nice Bed & Breakfast attached to it, one of the only such establishments attached to a winery on the North Fork. It reminded me of a place I stayed in the Willamette Valley - The Black Walnut Inn & Vineyard in Dundee, OR. This could very well be my dream situation - a sustainable vineyard with a winery and B&B on the North Fork of LI. Wonder how much $$$ it would go for...

Pellegrini is one of my favorite North Fork wineries. They have a beautiful outdoor area and I always enjoy their Cabernet Franc. I love using it as an example of how well Long Island does Cab Franc. I actually featured their 2005 in my old company's 10th Anniversary 'I heart NY Wines and Cheeses' party last year. But the big coup here was that my mom found another wine to like - Pellegrini's 2008 Gewurztraminer. She is generally solely loyal to Beringer White Zinfandel and Manischevitz Cream White Concord, with the occasional liking to a semi dry Riesling or a dessert wine, and I have been trying very hard for years to expand her palate to include dry white wines. From the Pellegrini Gewurz we got gardenia on the nose and grapefruit on the palate - one of her favorite flowers and one of her favorite fruits. How cool is that?! I was psyched that she bought a bottle, especially given the price tag ($29.99; her regulars usually cost under $10 for double bottles, so this is kind of a big deal).

Overall - it was a fun day for all. Mom and Dad found wines they liked, Shea had a few good runs through the grape vines, and I found the property I want to buy. Ok, let's not get too crazy - I found a great $15 Rose to cap off the end of summer.

Tasting guilt

Do you ever experience tasting guilt? I'm not talking about calories here. I'm talking about when you go to a winery for a tasting (which you inevitably pay for) and then don't buy any bottles. Do you feel guilty? Should you? I do. I try to justify my not buying anything with one of the following excuses: I don't want to travel with wine. It's too hot in the car. The prices aren't justified. It's a recession and I can only afford this 2 oz. taste. I didn't like anything. I'm drunk and my judgment is clouded so I can't tell what I like. Are these acceptable excuses? Or do the workers curse you when you leave?

Today on the North Fork of Long Island I was thankful for the tasting situation at Pellegrini, where they give you your wines on a tray to taste at your own table outside. So in my eyes there is no pressure to buy as I perceive there to be when you are standing at the bar. (Possibly beside the point, we did buy a bottle. Perhaps the wine should just sell itself regardless of the tasting situation?) Of the 4 wineries we visited today, we purchased bottles at 3 of them. At the last one, [insert excuse for not buying here], so we slinked away, hoping they wouldn't notice.

I will soon be on the other side of the bar when I begin working in Wiemer's tasting room next week, but in the meantime I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Have wheels... will travel

I got the keys to my ride! I'm so lucky that my aunt gave me her car. The best part was that she found this old grapes keychain that is probably from the 80's at best. I put it on the keys immediately. How perfect is it?! It's funny to be a driver again after living in Manhattan for over 5 years - I am loving it. I even found a really cool vintage shearling coat in the trunk that is currently airing out; it's going to be perfect for fall upstate! Hopefully I won't become one of those people who keeps a whole wardrobe in their car, but considering the many roles I'm going to have at the winery it is probably inevitable that my car will become an extra closet. Anyway, thanks again, Tantie!

Bed & Laundry

I've found a place to live for the harvest! Starting in September I'll be renting a room in this historic Victorian home just a 10 minute drive from the winery in Dundee, NY. It's got a backyard and game tables inside, but the best part is that the owner does the laundry once a week! So maybe I am a Princess after all...

NY Wine on Sale at Astor Today!

What perfect timing! Today Astor Wine & Spirits is offering all its NY wines for 15% off in-store and online. Here are their top recommendations. Enjoy!

Astor's Top New York Wines

11. Hosmer Dry Riesling, Cayuga Lake - 2007
This tasty Riesling comes from Hosmer, one of the finest Finger Lakes wineries. This is a dry white wine that boasts all the juicy peach fruit and acidity that we love in this regal grape. In the more marginal climes of upstate New York, this white variety does very well.
#10200
Original Price: $12.99
Sale Price: $11.04

10. Schneider Cabernet Franc "Le Breton" - 2007
Schneider's excellent Cabernet Franc shows distinct varietal character, filling the palate with fresh raspberry and redcurrant aromas. Made in a lighter style, it is meant to be consumed young. Tonight, for example - tonight would be great.
#10439
Original Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $16.99

9. Paumanok, Barrel Fermented Chardonnay - 2007
A dry, oak-aged (90% new French) Chardonnay that's creamy in texture and full of pear and white, floral fruit.
#83764
Original Price: $18.99
Sale Price: $16.14

8. Wolffer Rosé - 2008
One of the few wineries on Long Island's South Fork, Wolffer uses Bordeaux grapes (plus a splash of Chardonnay) to create this ultra-fresh, food-friendly rosé. Citrus, strawberries, and a mineral-laden finish will make for a night to remember - even if you're not in the Hamptons.
#13403
Original Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $12.74

7. Ravines Pinot Noir, Finger Lakes - 2007
This lively Pinot is full of cranberry notes on the nose and juicy fruit on the palate. With balanced acidity and little evidence of oak, this light-bodied wine makes a great choice for warm-weather drinking.
#21716
Original Price: $21.99
Sale Price: $18.69

6. Shaw Vineyards Riesling - 2006
This charming Riesling from Seneca Lake has lots to offer on the nose: classic petrol aromas mingling with juicy pineapple notes. The palate is dry with great, juicy, and mouth-watering acidity. A real treat.
#21623
Original Price: $17.99
Sale Price: $15.29

5. Pellegrini East End Chardonnay - 2007
This cool-climate New York Chardonnay has fresh pear and citrus notes. With 70% fermented in stainless steel tanks, it’s a crisp and lovely alternative to California Chardonnay.
#66384
Original Price: $10.99
Sale Price: $9.34

4. Wolffer Chardonnay Reserve - 2006
From the North Fork of Long Island comes this delightful Chardonnay. More Burgundian than New World in style, it shows clean and fresh floral notes. The winemakers have prevented malolactic fermentation, so the acidity is bright and enticing.
#67102
Original Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $12.74

3. Channing Daughters, Rosso Fresco - 2007
The wine has a translucent light red color with purple overtones. It is dry, medium-bodied, balanced, and juicy, showing plum, black cherry, black raspberry, Asian spices, a touch of smoke, and a slight meaty/gamey note.
#18943
Original Price: $17.99
Sale Price: $15.29

2. Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes - 2007
Riesling does very well in the Finger Lakes, and this bottle is no exception. It boasts a beautiful nose of honey and peaches, followed by pear, lemon, and minerality on the palate. Fruit and acidity are in perfect balance, and the finish is silky smooth.
#63123
Original Price: $18.99
Sale Price: $16.14

1. Channing Daughters, Pinot Grigio - 2008
This is made mostly from Pinot Grigio, with a dose of Chardonnay for added body. It's a great white wine from Long Island, and it's a great argument for shopping locally.
#20052
Original Price: $18.99
Sale Price: $16.14

Hamptons Wine Trail

Today I set out on the Hamptons Wine Trail to sample the South Fork of Long Island's 3 wineries. This area is most suited to growing Chardonnay and Bordeaux reds - Merlot, Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon - but Pinot Gris/Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc also do well here. I stopped at Wolffer Estate first after loving their 2008 Rose last night with oysters and striped bass at Fresno in East Hampton. It's a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, and Chardonnay. Wolffer is gorgeous and you can do your tasting outside on the patio overlooking their many rows of Chardonnay grapes (pictured). I liked their 2007 Chard, which saw some oak but was still fruity and crisp. They also had a nice 2008 Pinot Gris, with mineral peach and citrus.

Next I went to Duck Walk, always charming with its art-deco labels and offering interesting wines at reasonable prices. It also holds a special place in my heart because when I first visited them in 2004 it was the first case of wine I ever got, the inspiration for my buying a wine fridge, and the impetus for my signing up for the Intermediate class at WSET. Duck Walk is the only producer around of 100% Pinot Meunier, a grape that is often blended with Pinot Noir in the Burgundy and Champagne regions of France. I LOVE solo PM, and the 2007 vintage did not disappoint with its elegant texture and flavors of black fruits and bell pepper. Their 2007 Cab Sauv was also great, with fresh black cherry and a luscious chocolate finish.

The last stop was Channing Daughters, where I really liked their 2008 Sauvignon Blanc and 2008 Rose made from 100% Merlot. The Rose had a yummy watermelon flavor that reminded me of the fresh watermelon limeade I had the day before at La Fondita. Finally, their Rosso Fresco 2007 was amazing - a delicious, light summer red blend that would be great for BBQ's.

If you're out in the Hamptons this summer and the sweet life is a little too sweet for you, check out these 3 wineries and relax with their dry wines! Then let me know what you liked best.

I heart cupcakes and wine

Last night I attended a dream event in Manhattan hosted by Swirl Events and Nine Cakes - a cupcake and wine tasting. This could not have been a more perfect event for me since I LOVE cupcakes (and wine, obvi). The combos were surprising but amazing: sparkling white + carrot cake cupcake; Portuguese indigenous white blend + coconut cupcake; Argentine Torrontes + orange blossom cupcake; Australian Shiraz/Viognier combo + red velvet cupcake.

All the wines were dry or off-dry and complemented the cupcake flavors beautifully. I tried all the combos twice just to make sure of this. Thanks to Swirl Events and Nine Cakes for a fabulous night of wine and cupcakes!

"We've never had a Long Island Princess work at the winery before"

Princess? Who, me? Well, this Princess was considering renting a trailer upstate to live in for the harvest (3br 2ba only $200/month!) until some nice Swedes talked me out of it. Luckily I have a couple of other more respectable leads (one of which includes laundry service) so I will not be WT/homeless/camping out on the winery. Phew!

Seneca Sampler

This week I was upstate for a few days sorting out my affairs for the harvest. After a refreshing boat ride on Seneca Lake, I made some time for wine tasting. I tried several Wiemer wines, getting a deeper sense of their diversity and complexity. I was lucky enough to sample a 2001 Gewurztraminer, which was a bit more muted than the younger, spicier 2007 Gewurz but had a silky, viscous texture and ripe apricot on the palate. Also a treat was a vertical tasting of the 2003 Reserve Chardonnay and the 2007 Chardonnay, which showed how nicely Wiemer's Chard can age, maintaining its citrus fruit flavor and crispness while rounding out the oak influence. I would like to take this opportunity to shamelessly push the new 2008 Frost Cuvee, a mix of Riesling and Gewurztraminer with some Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, blended between the first frost of autumn and the last frost of spring. It has fruit and finesse and a slight sweetness - delish - and is a bargain at $12! This is a great summer wine to drink alone or with a light meal.

On my way out I stopped by a couple of other wineries on Route 14. Fulkerson had a nice Cab Franc for $14, with pronounced vanilla, cinnamon, and bell pepper aromas and flavors. After that I had to check out Pompous Ass Winery, just because the name invites curiosity. I liked their "Highfalutin Red," a blend of Cab Franc and the hybrid grape Marechal Foch. It was only $10 and had an amazing butterscotch finish that I had never experienced before from a dry red wine. I was also amused by their "Kiss My Ass" Red, a sweeter wine that tasted like circus peanuts (the marshmallow candy, not the actual nuts) but improved with a handful of M&M's.