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/

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Palaia Vineyards and Brimstone Hill Vineyards join Shawangunk Wine Trail





Debbie Lessner-Gioquindo, the Hudson Valley Wine Goddess, broke the story first. But it is big news indeed. Palaia Vineyards and Brimstone Hill Vineyards have joined the Shawangunk Wine Trail.

You can read the details about it at:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/12453427/Shawangunk-Wine-Trail-Announces-Two-New-Members

And special thanks again to Debbie, one of the really important voices in the Valley!

http://hvwinegoddess.blogspot.com/

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Clermont Vineyards Has Fabulous Sangiovese!





Tony Trigo and his wife Louise has a beautiful farm called Clermont Vineyards, down by Clermont, the beautiful historic home in southern Columbia County. Tony's vineyard, just across the Dutchess County line, has 3,000 vines planted, with Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and many others. He also has Sangiovese.



Tony has been a fixture in the Hudson Valley wine scene for three or four years. More than myself. He's a great guy, with a good sense of humor. A former engineer for that state, Tony spends tons of time babying his vines, and making wine.

Dominique and I first met Tony when we were driving to Dutchess County one day. We saw the grape vines and decided to stop and see if we could find out whose they were. We approached a barn, while it was raining, and Tony was sitting on a small stool, figuring out how he was going to fix a piece of his tractor which needed welding. He sat just inside the barn door, with his baseball hat on at a slight angle. He looked up at us with suspicion. As soon as we told him who we were and that we too were interested in wine, his face lit up, and he couldn't tell us enough about what it was he was doing. He loves to talk about tractors, vines, and wine. And he's knowledgeable too!



He should have his license by the end of the year. Who knows if he'll open up at the end of the year or if he'll wait until next year. But the good news is - Tony Makes Great Wine!

I has their Seyval Blanc which was quite perfume-y, with a lovely cirtus-y nose. It was a wonderful, light, white wine with fresh fruit up front, and really nice, clean citrus-y finish. Excellent!



Just recently, as we were helping Tony navigate the murky waters of licensing with the NYSLA, he gave us a very, very lovely gift. Sangiovese. It was deep and dark. No oak. But wonderful smells of dark raspberries, like jam, and still, there was a small touch of vanilla. The wine was great. It was like plumbs and raspberries in your mouth. But the wine was smooth, with nice acidity and balanced tannins. A nice dry finish. It was incredible. One of the best Sangiovese wine I have ever had form the northeast. When Tony opens, we're all in for a treat.

Join me in welcoming Tony and Louise and Clermont Vineyards!

You can see Tony and his family harvesting from just this last fall:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVuNxTsIFWQ

New winery coming to old Rivendell site in New Paltz?


Jeremiah Horrigan reported in the Times Herald-Record yesterday that the owner of the property where Rivendell use to be plans to open up a similar facility. This is good for the valley but just slightly confusing. Harry Robibero, who owns the site that formerly housed Rivendell plans to open soon. Couldn't Robert Ransom and Susan Wine just stayed there? Confusing. Apparently neither Ransom nor Wine could be reached for comment. Robibero insisted the split with them was amicable.

Nonetheless, we should welcome Mr. Robiero, and feel better in knowing the region will not be losing the cherished site.

Meanwhile Ransom and Wine are continuing their fight to open the new site hey have planned for years, despite two losses in the courts.

Read the full story at:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090213/NEWS/902130373