Hudson River Valley Wineries

This blog is dedicated to news, events, profiles and reviews of fine food and wine in the Hudson River Valley. We especially feature and spotlight the burgeoning wineries of the Hudson River Region. We accept and will relay information about releases, events, festivals and any toher happening related to food and wine in the Hudson River Valley. Send pertitnent information to hudsonriverwine@yahoo.com

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Location: Catskill, NY, United States

Carlo DeVito has traveled around the US, France, Spain, Chile, Canada, and Italy. He has been a publishing executive for more than 20 years. He shepherded the wine book program of Wine Spectator as well as worked with Kevin Zraly, Oz Clarke, Matt Kramer, Tom Stevenson, Evan Dawson, Greg Moore, Howard Goldberg, and many other wine writers. He has also published Salvatore Calabrese, Jim Meehan, Clay Risen, and Paul Knorr. He has also publisher such writers as Stephen Hawking, E. O Wilson, Philip Caputo, Gilbert King, James McPherson, Michael Lewis, David Margolick, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., John Edgar Wideman, Stanley Crouch, Dan Rather, Dee Brown, and Eleanor Clift. He is also the founder of Hudson-Chatham Winery, co-founder of the Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail, and former president of the Hudson Valley Wine Country. His the author of more than 20 books including The New Single Malt Whiskey, Big Whiskey, and the forthcoming The Spirit of Rye. https://carlodevito.wordpress.com/

Monday, August 21, 2006

Baldwin Vineyards, Rivendell Come Up Big at New York Food & Wine Classic 2006

The 2006 New York Wine and Food Classic was held August 15-16. Herman J. Weimer won the Governor's Cup and Dr. Konstatin Frank won Best Winery. But Hudson River Valley Wineries didn't go away empty handed in this prestigious and high competitive show.

Baldwin Vineyards Strawberry Wine won for Best Specialty Wine of the show...and took home Gold! And they won gold for their raspberry wine too! Baldwin also took a silver for their wine Trilogy.

Rivendell took home Double Gold for their 2005 Dry Reisling. And they took home gold for their 2003 Soho Merlot and for their 2005 Rose'of Merlot. The Soho Chardonnay and Reisling also took silver medals.

Warwick Valley Winery won gold for Doc's Hard Apple Cider.

Benmarl's 2005 Baco Noir took a silver.

Brotherhood also took home a silver for their 2003 Cabernet Sauvingon

Millbrook's Special Reserve Chardonnay 2004 also garnered a silver medal.

Clinton Vineyards was the only other winner, with a showing with a Bronze.

Congrats to all these wineries!!! And congrats to all the wineries in the Hudson River Valley.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

A Few Reds to Rave About at Bounty Festival


A few wineries brought their dry reds to the Bounty of the Hudson festival. There is no hiding the fact that Dom and I favor dry reds over all else. Despite the withering heat, and the sunny atmosphere, we were drawn like moths to the flame - the flame being a sparkling ruby red glass full of wonderful berries and tannins. Here are just a few highlights.

Bemarl Baco Noir - A wonderful wine. This was a big hit with us. One of the few Baco Noirs we really enjoyed. This is truly a wonderful red wine. And it easily won our hearts for best label as well. Find this elegant, medium, dry red. Cherry, pepper. Excellent.

Rivendell Merlot - We love many Rivendell wines, but this merlot was a lovely surprise. A nice, dark ruby color, with excellent mouthfeel. A dry, red wonder.

Cascade Mountain Vineyards Coeur de Leon Rouge - Made from Leon Millot, this is a very nice dry red. Very drinkable. Good for sipping. Great with food. A nice surprise.

Glorie Red Monkey - A nice, light red. A fun surprise. A fun wine to be enjoyed with grilled chicken or even grilled tuna. Congrats to Doug Glorie.

Sorry we couldn’t mention more. Dominique and I could only drink so much.

Enjoy!

Hudson Valley Whites Sparkle at Bounty Festival


There were many good wines at the festival. And with the height of summer, the many wineries were showing their summer whites. Each winery showed only three wines each. Especially with the high heat, the whites shone brilliantly. Here are a few of our many favorites.

Adair Seyval - Certainly one f the best Seyval Blancs in the whole Hudson Valley.

Stoutridge Glen Vidal Blanc - Stoutridge Glen innagural wine is a grea first step. Bright, crisp, clear.

Alison Seyval Blanc - Another one of mine and Dominique’s favorite Seyval Blancs.

Whitecliff Vineyards Vidal Blanc - A wonderful, bright, light Vidal Blanc.

Soho Cellars Chardonnay - A crisp, clean chardonnay. Very nice drinking Chardonnay.

Baldwin Strawberry - Not a white, but there were a number of very good dessert wines. But this was our clear single favorite.

I am sorry I could not mention more. All were real winners.

Bounty of the Hudson a Success

The Bounty of the Hudson Festival, recently held at Adair Vineyards, was hailed as a success by local press and by participating wineries. The only thing hotter than the sales, was the weather.


Doug Glorie said, “This is my first one. I’m not sure how it rates with the others, but we’ve been very happy with our sales.”

“Saturday was hot, and there was no breeze,” said Susan Wine of Rivendell. “But it was busy. It was very good. And today was busier than we thought it would be. Very good. We’re very happy.”


Stephen Osborne and Kimberly Wagner made their debut with their Vidal Blanc. Stephen was very enthusiastic about the festival. “I think this has been great,” said the enthusiastic vintner. “I always love these things.”

All complained of the heat…but were buoyed by the experience and the crowds.

On Sunday, several bands entertained the crowds and a slight breeze flowed through the tents and across the lawn.

Hats off to those wineries that braved the weather and put on a good show for the merry samplers.