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, October 14, 2009

Pazdar's Cerise Chocolat - Simply Surprising and Awesome!!!


I tasted something the other day I was extremely skeptical about. A cherry-chocolate wine???!!!

And I have to admit, the only reason I tasted it was that my wife had tasted it several weeks before and told me I had to try it.

It was a dessert wine from Pazdar. I think David is a very good winemaker. He's actually an exceptional winemaker. While he is very well known for his fun and exotic wines, the real truth is, David can make a mean varietal. I've had several classic varietal wines form him. He sells them quietly. But promotes his more iconic wines at fairs, which differentiates him from other wineries.

The most recent wine I tried was Cerise Chocolat - luscious cherries with a hint of rich dark chocolate. I swear...it's true. I was shocked. It is an excellent, excellent wine.

INTERNATIONAL GOLD MEDAL WINNER
You have to try this stuff!

Goold's Apple Festival 2009





Last weekend was the 2009 Goold's Apple Festival. We eneded up with nice weather and happy fest goers.

There were lots of crafts, fresh apples, food, and great food!

Many New York State wineries were there, including Brookview Station, Pazdar Winery, Hunt Country Vineyards, Catherine Valley, and Cascade Winery.




It was a great festival and thanks to Sue, Ed and Karen at Goold's Orchards!

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Millbrook VINEYARDS & WINERY Hosts 19th Annual Harvest Party

Millbrook
VINEYARDS & WINERY
Hosts 19th Annual Harvest Party
October 10, 2009
A Four-Course Luncheon
Featuring Signature Dishes from
NYC’S MYRIAD RESTAURAUNT GROUP -
NOBU, CENTRICO, and TRIBECA GRILL

Millbrook Vineyards, (http://www.millbrookwine.com/), the Hudson River Valley 's premier wine estate, is pleased to announce their 19th Annual Harvest Party, on Saturday, October 10th from 12-4 PM. The party will feature a four-course meal paired with Millbrook’s finest wines. This year’s feast will feature signature dishes from three of The Myriad Restaurant Group’s best known restaurants – Centrico, Nobu and Tribeca Grill. Preparing these courses will be Tribeca Grill’s Executive Chef Stephen Lewandowski. Guests will enjoy the autumnal meal outside at tables under a large tent bordering the 30 acres of grapevines - the centerpiece of the bucolic 130-acre property.The Myriad Restaurant Group is made up of a diverse roster of restaurants including such nightspots as Centrico, Corton, Nobu, and the famous Tribeca Grill. The common thread uniting all Myriad restaurants is an emphasis on excellent food, superior service and genuine value. Founder, president, and celebrated restaurateur Drew Nieporent opened his first restaurant, Montrachet, in 1985 and teamed with actor Robert De Niro to open Tribeca Grill in 1990. In attendance at this year’s Harvest Party will be Martin Shapiro – managing partner of Tribeca Grill and founding partner in Myriad Restaurant Group.

The Harvest Party, which costs $135 per person, is so named because it is held during the middle of Millbrook's grape harvest. Attendees will see some of the estate's vines full of plump clusters that are about to be picked, others newly stripped of their grapes (which get taken to the winery's cellar to be pressed and fermented). In fact, in years past it has not been uncommon for winemaker John Graziano to arrive at the event after a morning spent harvesting rows of vines. Call (845) 677-8383 ext. 17 for reservations.Millbrook has a long tradition of having notable chefs prepare the meal for the Harvest Party, including Charlie Palmer (Aureole), Marcus Samuelsson (Aquavit), Michael Romano (Union Square Cafe) and Peter Kelly (Xaviar’s/X2O). The 2009 Harvest Party lunch menu will be as follows:

Wine & Cheese ReceptionHudson Valley Cheeses, Grapes, Bread2008 Millbrook Unoaked Chardonnay2007 Millbrook Pinot Noir2007 Millbrook Merlot Proprietor’s Special Reserve
First CourseCentrico’s Seafood Ceviche with jalapeno, cilantro and lemon confit.2008 Millbrook Tocai FriulanoSecond CourseNobu’s Black Cod Miso – Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Signature Dish that has been duplicated around the world.2007 Millbrook Chardonnay "Proprietor's Special Reserve" Third CourseTribeca Grill’s Braised Short Rib with truffled celery root mousse, brown butter carrots and porcini mushrooms.2007 Millbrook Pinot Noir "Proprietor's Special Reserve"
2006 Millbrook Cabernet Franc "Proprietor's Special Reserve" Fourth CourseGala Apple Tart with pumpkin cinnamon crème fraiche.Coffee

Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, founded in 1985, was the first vineyard in the Hudson River Region of New York dedicated exclusively to the production of vinifera grapes. Millbrook's 30 acres of vines, first planted by owner John Dyson in 1983, include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Tocai Friulano grapes. The winery produces 10,000 cases of wine per year, and its wines have received accolades from Wine Spectator, The New York Times, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Hugh Johnson's Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine, and Bon Appetit.

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For more information, contact:Stacy Hudson845-677-8383 (ext. 17); http://us.mc365.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=shudson@millwine.comMillbrook Vineyards & Winery26 Wing Road , Millbrook , NY 12545http://www.millbrookwine.com/