Steven Kolpan Raves About Hudson Valley Wines on WAMC!

Steve Kolpan, the highly acclaimed wine author, was on WAMC on Thursday, October 21, 2010. He was their promoting his new book, Exploring Wine, and speaking about wine.

Steven Kolpan is Professor and Chair of Wine Studies at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY. Steven is co-author of Exploring Wine, which has sold more than 125,000 copies, and was nominated as Best Wine and Spirits Book by the James Beard Foundation. Steven is also co-author of WineWise, a consumer-friendly guide to the wines of the world, which won both the 2009 James Beard Foundation Award for Best Beverage Book and the 2009 Georges Duboeuf Award for Best Wine Book of the Year. He is also the author of A Sense of Place, a history of Napa Valley's Niebaum-Coppola / Rubicon Winery (foreword by Francis Ford Coppola) that received the prestigious Versailles Award for Best American Wine Book in 2000. He is a contributing editor and the wine columnist for The Valley Table and Salon.com. In 2007, Steven Kolpan was named Wine Educator of the Year by the European Wine Council. He has been a member of Slow Food International for 20 years. Steven Kolpan lives just outside of Woodstock, New York.

During the interview Kolpan did an on-air tasting of wines, including Hudson-Chatham Chelois and Cereghino-Smith Little House. Steven raved about both wines!

Hudson-Chatham Winery 2008 Chelois

Cereghino Smith - 2008 Little House - An American Blend

Holiday 2009 Suggestions

New York State/The Finger Lakes:Chateau Frank Blanc de Bancs or Blanc de Noirs 2002 (about $30)

Thanksgiving Suggestions 2008

Pinot Noir, Millbrook, Hudson River Region, New York State, 2005

Listen to the whole show at:
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wamc/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1716155

Cereghino-Smith Genoa Reserve 2008

I am in love with Paula and Fred of Cereghino-Smith Two really great people who make fabulous wine. There's not enough time in the world to hang out and have dinner with them.

I was down in New Paltz, and I stopped in Tom Edwards' Fox & Hound Wine Shop and I saw this wine I had never seen before from Cereghino-Smith called Genoa Reserve 2008. I thought, wow I have to try that. It had a cool label, and I was so curious.

So last night, we made two fresh pizzas with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, onions, peppers, broccoli and one had sausage added. We had friends and family over, and we tore into the Genoa Reserve.

75% of the wine was from a Sangiovese Brunello Clone grown in Amador County, and 25% was from Lodi County, then barrel age in Canadian White Oak.

It was a big, deep purple wine, with hints of black raspberry, plum, and hints of cassis and prune, with a touch of vanilla. Smooth and big and flavorful, this was an excellent wine that too many people drank too fast! I only had the one bottle!

If you go and try this, you need to buy at least two bottles. One to tear through, because you'll like it so much, and another to have around so you can do it again!

Brookview Winery Pet Parade, Saturday, October 16, 3pm

Brookview Station Winery's Pet Parade has become an annual event. People come form miles aorund to show off their family pets and best friends in wonderful Halloween Costumes. One of the biggest and funnest events of the year! Lots of stuff going on! And great wine too!

3rd Annual Psychic Fair, Saturday, October 16, at Hudson-Chatham Winery, Noon to 5pm

This year’s psychic fair, they'll have three fabulous psychics in attendance to tell you what the future holds for you. Readings are $20 for 15 minutes – and well worth it! Enjoy a wine tasting or a glass of wine before or after your reading for a day you will truly treasure.

Besides their regular amazing psychics – Linda and Francesca – they will be joined this year by Prudence, so waits should be minimal. Come for a reading and a wine tasting – it could be the most fun you have all year – and get you ready for the long dark days ahead.

Tousey Winery to Open Doors on October 16, 2010

Tousey WInery in Columbia County, NY, will open it's doors this Saturday, October 16th, and will be open for business every Saturday and Sunday Noon to 5pm. Kimberly and Ben, pictured above, will be present all weekend, pouring their wonderful wines.

I had the opportunity to taste the new line at the Goold's Apple Festival last week in Castleton, NY. The wines were excellent! Here's some reviews in a nutshell.

The Queen of Clermont - $16 A highly stylized, aromatic light white reminds me somewhat of Long Island's Buke' wines. A slight touch of sweetness follows a wild nose. Light and refrshing. Very, very nice. This will be a very popular wine.

Riesling - $20 Again, a big floral nose starts of this wonderful riesling with a touch of sweetness. Hints of citrus, and nice green apple touch make this a classic riesling. Clean. Refreshing. An excellent riesling.

Rebellion Rose - $14 A very lovely off dry blush. Not too sweet, with just the right amount of flavor and a wonderful color. Almost a rosato rather than a rose, in color. Very, very tastey!

Cabernet Franc - $22 Lots of raspberry, vanilla, and a hint of plum make this a smooth drinking, medium bodied classic dry red. Elegant, with a nice soft finish. This is an easy drinking Cabernet Franc made to go with Hudson Valley dishes and great for entertaining family or friends.

Pinot Noir - $24 This is a medium bodied dry red, with hints of starwberries and cherries - both bright and dark. Hints of mocha and toast. A beautiful, smooth, elegant Pinot Noir.

Crème de Cassis - $35 I've written about this wine before. This is their classic creme de cassis. One of the best in the valley.

I've written about Tousey before. Click on the two url's below, and see what Tousey is about.

For more reading:

http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2010/04/tousey-winery-in-hudson-valley-taking.html

http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2010/01/east-coast-wineries-cassis-smack-down.html

Goold's Apple Festival 2010 a Big Success!

The Good's Apple Festival was held this last weekend, Columbus Day weekend, 2010, in Castleton, NY. As always, the festival was very well attended, and the weekend was a comeplete success. Above were some very happy festival goers at the Hudson-Chatham Winery booth.

Here's Laura pouring during the mayhem.

Here's a view of Brookview Station Winery's booth during the day. A fun time!

Kimberly and Ben of Tousey Winery. Their first festival! They did a great job!

Art and Joyce Hunt of Hunt Country Vineyards. They are among the most established wineries in New York state, and also among the friendliest and most helpful people in the NY wine business. And most involved. Really fine, fine folks.

David Pazdar and father-in-law from Pazdard Winery.

The folks from Cascade Mountain Winery.

The Hudson-Chatham Winery booth.

Brookview Station Winery.

Catherine Valley Winery was also there!

A great time was had by all! Thanks to the folks from Goold's Orchards, including Sue and Ed Miller, and Karen Gardy! Thanks!

Goold's Apple Festival and Wine Tent 2010 October 9th and 10th

Celebrating our 22nd Year
The Capital Region's Original Apple Festival
Saturday and Sunday October 9th~10th, 2010
9 am ~ 5 pm
Rain or shine No Pets allowed

Adult Admission $8.00~ Kids 12 and under are Free
Plenty of Free Parking

"The 22nd Annual Apple Festival & Craft Show at Goold Orchards....a celebration of the arts, crafts, and agriculture of the Capital Region...again this year there will be Pride of New York and Uncork NY food vendors and wineries. We will have an array of crafters displaying and selling their handmade wares as well as Pride of NY farm producers with their specialty food items. Don'forget to stop by the Schodack Valley Fire Companies Food Concession. Maple Hill Key Club will host the Haunted House this year. This years Festival will be held at Goold Orchards in Schodack, NY on: October 9 & 10, 2010 "

The Brookview Station Winery ~NY Wine Tent
This year's festivities will include their award winning Brookview Station Winery and two other Hudson River Region farm wineries, the Hudson-Chatham Winery , and Cascade Mt Winery . From the Finger Lakes Region their friends from Hunt Country Winery from Branchport, NY along with Catherine Valley Winery from Burdett, NY. There will be entertainment each afternoon at the tent.

Wine Tasting in the Wine Tent is $8.00
Includes tasting with souvenir a glass to take home
There is no charge to shop in the Wine Tent
Wine Tent opens at 10 am.
Open 10 am - 5 pm.
Everyone will be ID'd for proof of age.
Apple Festival Hours
9am - 5 pm Daily.
For Directions to the Festival visit us at http://www.goold.com/
Rain or Shine
Sorry No Pets Please.

Wine Enthusiast Raves About Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail!

Destination: Hudson Valley
A rural haven nestled between New York City and Albany, is becoming a leading player in the farm-to-table movement.
Published on Oct 6, 2010
By Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen

The Hudson Valley, a rural haven nestled between New York City and Albany, is becoming a leading player in the farm-to-table movement. With a host of restaurants offering locally-sourced produce and a new generation of farmers, cheese-makers and winemakers with a commitment to sustainable agriculture, there's a slew of dining options.

If you need to get out of the city and connect with nature, jump in your car, hop on a train, or grab a Zipcar. Head for Hudson (filled with antique stores and restaurants, and home to a Saturday farmer’s market) and then branch out towards Ghent and Chatham, or explore the Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail, which borders Massachusetts. Featuring five wineries, a brewery and a distillery, this diverse collection of artisanal producers also offers handmade cheese, estate grown produce and delicious baked goods.

Read the rest at:

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Web-2010/Destination-Hudson-Valley-New-York/

HUDSON VALLEY WINERIES SHINE AT 2010 RHINEBECK FALL CRAFTS FAIR

The 2010 Rhinebeck Fall Crafts Fair was held this last weekend at the Rhinebeck Fair Grounds in Dutchess County, NY. In the wine and food hall, many Hudson Valley wineries where sampling their wares. And by the looks of things, the result was a lot of happy show goers. This year's edition was definitely a better vintage than last year, which saw rain over last year's weekend.

Long time Hudson Valley vintners Cinton Vineyards was there, though Phyllis Feder had to leave early for another event. Sorry I missed you Phyllis.

Mary Vogel, owner of El Paso WInery, broke her ankle some weeks ago, and was unable to attend the fair. We wish her well, and look forward to her return in the next few weeks.

George of Cascade Mountain Winery is the hardest working wine guy in the Hudson Valley.

Aaron Hacker, or Hudson-Chatham Winery, preparing before the fair opened.

Thousand Islands Winery was also there. Not officially Hudson Valley, but they're eastern New York brethern. Practically family.

Fair faithful David Pazdar and his father-in-law from Pazdar Winery.

It was a great weekend, and there were a lot of tired, happy winery sales folks at the end of it.