at first opened a dry Riesling, but was astonished to find it loaded with acid and lacking any of the fruit or floral I was looking for to pair with the chicken. My second choice was a 375ml bottle of white Merlot that was given to me by winery owner Dave Mansfield when I visited his Three Brothers Winery in May. MORE >>

Getting time to clean out the old wine fridge. After two months of laying around, drinking coffee, tea, water and gatorade and laying off the good stuff I am beginning to feel the need for a long day of wine shopping, but the fridge is full and I will just have to do my part in making room for more. Here the grapes for Frascati are grown. MORE >>

have since tasted a Monthaven Chardonnay (California) and this past week the Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand). Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. The Chardonnay was not impressive. Light and fruity with little oak was not what I expected from a CA Chard. MORE >>

Treleaven Meritage 2007 produced and bottled by King Ferry Winery in King Ferry NY was exactly what was needed for the steak. King Ferry Winery was founded in 1984. The winery now produces approximately 10,000 cases of wine per year. Spicy but soft in the mouth with some fruit and berry and a nice dry and long finish. MORE >>

Other than ordering on line, it is very difficult to find New York wines other than Finger Lakes and Adirondack wineries in the local shops. This past week-end, my pal Mark and I were able to taste two Rieslings from the Brotherhood Winery located in Washingtonville (Hudson Valley) NY on the Shawangunk Wine Trail. Enough history. MORE >>