Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. An international wine collection with six brands and ten items packaged in a new exciting premium 3L wine cask from the Octavin Home Wine Bar ™. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Definitely a good party wine. MORE >>

The wine was tasted from bottle; it was not presented as a barrel sample. The importer, Well Oiled Wine presented the wine to my office in the Spring of 2008. The PLCB order arrived in August of 2008 on the first container of this wine to the United States. Think it couldn’t happen? He awarded it 96 points. Big mistake. MORE >>

The East End has 49 wine producers and many were on hand at The Astor Wine Center to pour some of their samples. Wölffer Estates 2006 Fatalis Fatum 42% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, 27.5% When Steve Bate drove to the North Fork of Long Island for the first time, he was surprised at the working farms and vineyards in operation there. MORE >>

received some samples from San Ynez-based Rusack vineyards, who are focused on producing outstanding handcrafted wines. The Reserve Chardonnay 2008 had excellent concentration of fruit and ripe, succulent flavors, while the 2008 Chardonnay had New World Finesse and good structural integration. MORE >>

While there I let the girls buy up all the fruit and veggies along with some free range meat and eggs they wanted while I hunted around for some wine samples. I don't often go with Shirley and Pam to the Saturday morning Central New York Regional Farmer's Market, but I made an exception today. did stop at one and tasted their 2007 Meritage. MORE >>