Chateau Frank Celebre
Thought this Cremant-style sparkling wine from Dr Konstantin Frank was super. Riddled by hand and aged ‘sur lies’, this sparkling Riesling offers apple on the nose and tiny, creamy bubbles. Super enjoyable.
Around ($19.99).
Archives for 2010
17 November 2010 
Thanksgiving Wine+Food Chat w/ Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson
November 17, 2010 By
Thought I’d share this very neat online event with you as you prepare for Thanksgiving:
Andrea Robinson
Master Sommelier and trained chef Andrea Robinson wants to help you find the right wine to go with your Thanksgiving dinner. Tune in Sunday November 21st as Andrea takes questions while streaming live from her home kitchen. The theme of this event is “Bring Your Own Turkey Wine” so if you’re on Twitter, use #byotw to follow the conversation.
Andrea plans to have some special guests in the kitchen to taste pairings. Tune in for wine, food and good conversation among friends.
Access this link to register free for the event: http://bit.ly/dxNheZ
14 November 2010 
Cream of Leek and Celery Soup
November 14, 2010 By
Simple to prepare and tastes like a million bucks – this soup has it all. Perfect first course on a cold winter night or when hosting guests who are vegetarians.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 medium Spanish onion, finely chopped
- 3 celery ribs, finely chopped
- 3 leeks, white and light green parts chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
- 2 tbsp dry vermouth (optional)
- 32 ounce container vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Directions:
- In a heavy saucepan, sauté the onion, celery and leek in the oil for 5 minutes over medium heat.
- Add oregano, salt and pepper and cook for 2 additional minutes – vegetables should be soft a lightly browned.
- Add the vermouth and the vegetable broth and simmer partially covered for 45 minutes over medium-low heat.
- Add the cream and warm for 2 minutes.
- Working in 2 batches, add the soup to a blender and puree until smooth, about 1 minute. ***Be sure to remove the small venting cap from the blender to allow steam to come out and place a kitchen towel to cover the opening. Return the pureed soup to a clean saucepan and gently heat for 2 minutes.
- To serve, ladle soup into bowls.
Serves 6 as a starter or 4 as a main course.
Note: Dress the soup with a light drizzle of heavy cream for an elegant touch.
13 November 2010 
Anthony Road Wine Company – A Seneca Lake Jewel
November 13, 2010 By
Anthony Road Wine Sign
On a recent visit to the Finger Lakes wine region of New York, I had the pleasure of visiting Anthony Road Wine Company at the recommendation of Lenn Thompson of the New York Cork Report. My initial reaction to seeing the beautiful structure the tasting room resides in was – wow, what wines might be waiting for me in such a facility?
Anthony Road Winery was opened in 1990 by Ann and John Martini in a farm shed on their property. It has since prospered into an award-winning Finger Lakes winery. Johannes Reinhardt is the winemaker and comes from a German winemaking family involved in the business since 1438.
Here are the wines sampled during our visit:
- 2009 Semi-Sweet Riesling: Offers cantaloupe and lime aromas with slightly sweet notes and a crisp finish. $14.99.
- 2007 Chardonnay – No Oak: Light, straight-forward wine with creamy finish. Not a buttery Chard for certain. $12.99
- 2008 Cabernet Franc / Lemberger: Perhaps the best example of Lemberger I’ve seen in the Finger Lakes – medium-bodied, cherry on the palate with a dry finish. $17.99.
- 2009 Pinot Noir: Fermented and aged in French oak, this wine offers red fruit, but in the form of ripe strawberries versus the typical cherry found in many Pinots. There are hints of cocoa there that make this wine slightly earthy. $19.98.
- Tony’s Red: Was boasted as the ‘pizza red’ and it was – light and fruity wine to be enjoyed with casual fares on any week night. $8.99.
- 2007 Sweet Dream: Using Vignoles grapes (French-American hybrid), Anthony Road Wine Company is able to create a dessert wine that’s balanced with a nice level of acidity to cut through the honey and ripe peach flavors and long finish. 8.6% residual sugar. $15.99 (375ml).
You can find Anthony Road Winery products online at the winery’s web store, at nearby liquor stores and at the winery located at:
1020 Anthony Road
Penn Yan, NY, 14527
Social media fans can ‘like’ Anthony Road Wine Company’s Facebook page.
12 November 2010 
There’s Nothing to Eat in This House Part 4
November 12, 2010 By
Paprika and Tarragon Chicken and Egg Salad Mini Sandwiches
Mini Chicken & Egg Salad Sandwiches
It’s Friday, the day before my weekly trip to the grocery store, so here we go with the typical “There’s nothing to eat in this house” complaints from my guy. As you’ll see from the picture of this dish, these small sandwiches could be great at a holiday party or for a luncheon.
Ingredients:
- 1 chicken breast, either from leftovers or poached, then cut into bit-size pieces
- Pinch of salt & pepper
- ½ tsp dried tarragon
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 celery rib, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp finely chopped onion
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lightly toasted pine nuts
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 Pepperidge Farm Stone Baked Artisan Rolls, baked and sliced in halves horizontally
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, carefully combine the chicken, spices, celery, onion, mayo and pine nuts. Gently fold in the egg ensuring not to over stir resulting in mushy egg.
- Scoop ½ of the mixture onto each roll.
Serves 2.
This is the 4th installment in the “There’s Nothing to Eat in this House” series (see part 1 here: http://bit.ly/dbucAf part 2 here: http://bit.ly/cJX6t2 and part 3 here: http://bit.ly/aTfRKI).
8 November 2010 
Dr Konstantin Frank – Enjoyable Beyond the Cab Franc and Riesling
November 8, 2010 By
Photo Credit: Finger Lakes Visitors Assoc
Who could visit the Finger Lakes wine region of New York and not visit Dr Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars? Not my party and nor should you.
First, the tasting room in Hammondsport, NY is vibrant with fun energy (did I mention we visited on Halloween weekend?). The staff, especially Colleen, is helpful and knows its pitch. During our tasting, Colleen ensured that we not only enjoyed the wines the winery’s famous for, but some of its less known stars.
Our tasting featured:
- First on the list was the Chateau Frank Célèbre ($19.99). Thought this Cremant-style sparkling wine was super. Riddled by hand and aged ‘sur lies’, this sparkling Riesling offers apple on the nose and tiny, creamy bubbles. Super enjoyable.
- Next came the 2009 Dry Riesling ($14.99) and the 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling ($14.99). The dry Riesling shows tart green apple on the nose and citrus, wet stone in the mouth. The semi-dry Riesling offers a mouthful of juicy ripe pear that lingers pleasantly on the finish.
- We then moved on to the 2008 Rkatsiteli ($17.99). This varietal that originated in Georgia, and is still popular in Eastern Europe, is known for its high level of acidity. To counteract this trait, Dr Frank adds some natural sugar to produce an enjoyable, balanced wine. The in-your-face tropical fruit palate and floral nose would be a good match to spicy food.
- We moved on to the 2009 Gewurztraminer ($17.99). Citrus fruit with subtle honey notes. Nice balance and level of acidity.
- We compared the 2007 Pinot Noir ($19.99) with the 2008 Salmon Run Pinot Noir ($13.99) next. the ’07 is an award-winning wine and shows beautiful purple hues in the glass, bright silky cherries in the mouth with a long dry finish. The ’08 isn’t as bold and bright and has more earthy qualities than the ’07.
- Finally, we sipped on the 2008 Salmon Run Meritage ($13.99). 54% Cabernet Franc/39.5% Cabernet Sauvignon/6.5% Merlot create this French oak barrel aged wine. Was described as a good match for pizza night, and it is. Nothing bold about this wine, just a neat choice for a casual meal.
Planning a Finger Lakes visit? Don’t miss Dr Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars situated in a beautiful area of Keuka Lake at:
9749 Middle Road
Hammondsport, NY 14840
Telephone: 800-320-0735
You can buy Dr Frank wines at the winery, in select stores and through its online store. Want to learn more about this winery? Subscribe to its newsletter.
7 November 2010 
Heron Hill Winery – Finger Lakes Wines Done Well in a Gorgeous Space
November 7, 2010 By
Photo Credit: Heron Hill Winery
Since its first vintage in 1977, Heron Hill has grown from a small 5,000 case winery that only made white wines into an award-winning, dynamic, 20,000 case production facility and entertainment destination for more than 50,000 people every year.
Overlooking scenic Keuka Lake, the winery’s tasting room is a sprawling, beautiful space with neat architecture and a friendly staff. At the recommendation of Lenn Thompson of the New York Cork Report, my tasting party met with tasting hall manager, Tambi Schweizer during a recent visit to the winery. Tambi’s knowledge of her products and her enthusiasm for the wine business is palpable and made my party’s time at the winery all the more enjoyable.
Our tasting focused primarily on comparing various wines of the same varietal against one another with a peppering of other neat finds.
- First on the list were the 2008 Ingle Vineyards Chardonnay Unoaked ($14.99) and the 2009 Classic Chardonnay Unoaked ($12.99). Both wines are light and refreshing with notes of green apple, but the former is super well-balanced with lemony undertones and mineral-infused, longish finish. Both enjoyable, but Ingle Vineyards will only found at the winery (which I did).
- Second, and being sampled alone, was the 2008 Reserve Pinot Blanc ($17.99). Nice all-purpose wine with crisp green apple nose and the right level of acidity that would make it likeable with food or without.
- Next on agenda were the 2007 Reserve Old Vines Riesling ($24.99), the 2008 Classic Dry Riesling ($12.99) and the 2007 Ingle Vineyard Riesling ($14.99). All three are nice examples of Finger Lakes Rieslings, but the Reserve with its bold juicy citrus bouquet and crisp finish reminded me of the best tastings in Mosel. The Ingle offers the characteristics I enjoy in a Riesling: lemony, tart green apple but with a richness and crisp finish I crave to pair with shellfish.
- Tambi offered a nice treat, the 2009 Classic Muscat ($12.99). Tropical flower nose, tropical fruit flavors. Neat wine.
- We moved on to sweeter Rieslings with the 2008 Classic Semi-Dry Riesling ($12.99) and the 2009 Classic Semi-Sweet Riesling ($12.99). The Semi-Dry is Heron Hill’s most popular Riesling – for good reasons. It’s sweet on the palate, dry on the finish with a nice amount of acidity. The Semi-Sweet is super with its mouthful of juicy pear/peach and its flowery nose – craving spicy Indian food just remembering it.
- Next on the agenda were the Pinot Noirs: 2007 Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir ($14.99) and the 2007 Reserve Pinot Noir ($29.99). The Ingle Vineyard is light in color and offers a silky mouthfeel and cherry/raspberry flavors. The slightly smoky reserve is fuller-bodied, boasts of bright cherries in the glass, on the nose and on the palate. Nice wine.
- Next were the 2007 Classic Cabernet Franc ($12.99) and the 2006 Eclipse Red ($13.99). The Cab Franc is a nice example of a varietal that not all vineyards in the Finger Lakes do well. Food-friendly wine with big mouthful of ripe raspberries and oaky finish. Can’t wait to pair this wine with my porcini risotto.
- Last but certainly not least were the Late Harvest wines: 2005 Late Harvest Chardonnay ($44.99) and the 2007 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc ($17.99). Love late harvest wines, so was excited to try these. Both offer a honeyed and lush ripe fruit flavors but the Vidal Blanc has a nice spicy finish and 13.5% residual sugar level that I loved.
The wines are enjoyable and showcase Finger Lakes favorites in a positive light. Visiting the winery around lunchtime? Don’t hesitate to grab a tasty bite at the Heron Hill Café located on the premises. Ask for the ‘adult grilled cheese’ not featured on the menu, it’s a winner.
To order Heron Hill wines, visit the winery online or better yet, stop by the tasting room located at:
9301 County Route 76
Hammondsport, NY 14840
Telephone: 800-441-4241
Follow Heron Hill Winery on Twitter at www.twitter.com/heronhillwinery or like its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/heronhillwinery.
6 November 2010 
Cremini Mushroom Velouté Soup
November 6, 2010 By
Cremini Mushroom Veloute Soup
This soup is super simple to make and looks like it took all day to prepare. Dress the soup with a light drizzle of heavy cream for an elegant touch.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 medium Spanish onion, finely chopped
- 3 celery ribs, finely chopped
- 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
- 2 tbsp dry sherry or Marsala
- 16 ounce can of beef broth
- 32 ounce can vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream + 6 tsp of heavy cream for garnish (optional)
Directions:
- In a heavy saucepan, sauté the onion and celery in the oil for 5 minutes over medium heat.
- Add the mushrooms to the vegetables and stir mixture. Add thyme, salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes until all the vegetables are softened.
- Add the sherry or Marsala, the beef and vegetable broth and simmer for 45 minutes.
- Add the 1/2 cup cream and heat up for 2 minutes.
- Working in 2 batches, add the soup to a blender and puree until smooth, about 1 minute. ***Be sure to remove the small venting cap from the blender to allow steam to come out and place a kitchen towel to cover the opening. Return the pureed soup to a clean saucepan and gently heat for 2 minutes.
- To serve, warm 6 tsp cream in a small bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds. Ladle soup into bowls then drizzle 1 tsp warmed cream onto the soup in each bowl (optional).
Serves 6 as a starter or 4 as a main course.
Note: Can’t find cremini? Replace with chopped portabella or white mushrooms. For extra richness, add 3-4 veal neck bones to the onion and celery when sauteeing.
5 November 2010 
Red Tail Ridge Winery – Thinking Green on Seneca Lake
November 5, 2010 By
Red Tail Ridge Winery
At the recommendation of Lenn Thompson of the New York Cork Report, we visited 5-year old Red Tail Ridge Winery on a recent visit to the Finger Lakes wine region.
Red Tail Ridge winery is owned and operated by Mike Schnelle and Nancy Irelan (short video), a husband and wife team, who are dedicated to producing fine wine in the Finger Lakes. Red Tail Ridge is the first LEED®-certified green winery in New York. Red Tail Ridge’s “green” features:
- New wine processing building aims for LEED Silver certification.
- Walls contain recycled materials.
- Fieldstone on facade came from vineyard grounds.
- Geothermal heating/cooling system.
- ‘Daylighting’ to cut energy use.
- Use of suppliers within a 500-mile radius.
- Drainage ditches, drain tile and irrigation pond minimize storm runoff.
- Laser-straight rows planted 6 feet apart aid in cultivation and weed control.
- Fencing and nets deter wildlife humanely.
Our tasting was led by self-proclaimed ‘hired gun’ Noel, a knowledgeable wine and Finger Lakes enthusiast.
- We first sampled the 2009 Sans Oak Chardonnay: Typical non-oaked Chardonnay characteristics – ripe pear/juicy apple with a creamy finish. Around $11.95.
- Second, we sipped on 2008 Barrel-Fermented Chardonnay: Nutty peach flavors, creamy nutmeg finish. Around $16.99.
- Our third offering was the 2008 Dry Riesling: Tangy key lime and juicy tropical fruit with dry finish. Wine Spectator: 89 points. Around $18.95.
- Next was the 2008 Semi-Sweet Riesling: Rich, peachy nose with tangerine/cantaloupe flavor. Unctuous finish that lingers. Think – Indian food. Around $13.95.
- A new varietal to me was the 2008 Lemberger: Mouthful of ripe cherries, spicy, slightly chocolaty notes. Around $19.95.
- Finally, we sipped the 2008 Estate Pinot Noir: Nose is in-your-face with bright cherries. Big mouthful of raspberries/ripe cherries with hints of butterscotch. Around $19.95.
The winery even features a charity wine, 2009 Good Karma, where 3% of the per-bottle profit is donated to Foodlink, a regional food bank.
Red Tail Ridge In Stores
Red Tail Ridge wines can be purchased at the winery, by phone at 315-536-4580, via email at tastingroom@redtailridgewinery.com, at many fine wine stores and can be enjoyed at many New York tri-state restaurants and select California dining establishments.
Good wine producer, confident in its pursuit of sustainability, Red Tail Ridge Winery is a must-visit Seneca Lake winery. The cozy tasting room is located at:
846 State Route 14
Penn Yan, NY 14527
315-536-4580
4 November 2010 
Hermann J Wiemer – The Fame and Attitude are Warranted
November 4, 2010 By
Most fans of Finger Lakes wines and Mosel-style Rieslings have heard of Hermann J. Wiemer, and the fame, awards and accolades are well-deserved.
The winery’s history is rich with Hermann J. Wiemer’s mother coming from a family of Mosel winemakers dating back 300 years and a father who was a skilled nurseryman. Hermann J. Wiemer is regarded as one of the pioneers of viticulture and winemaking in the Finger Lakes.
During a recent visit to the winery, I encountered an attitude I had not experienced at any other Finger Lakes wineries that was reminiscent of some French vineyards. The attitude was pure – ‘you’re privileged to be tasting our wines in this space today’. Do I think the attitude is warranted? Mostly, yes for the following three reasons:
Wiemer Building
First, the ‘barn’ housing the winery is fabulous. The winery was designed in 1982 by an award-winning team of Cornell architects. Enclosed within the shell of the 70-year-old scissor-trussed barn is the wine shop, the tasting room and the production facilities.
Second, our tasting was conducted by Michael, a catering company owner from Manhattan who makes weekend trips to Hermann J. Wiemer to share his passion and wine expertise with winery guests. Loved him.
Third, most of the wines are simply great. Our tasting included the following wines:
- 2008 Dry Riesling: What Wiemer’s known for – crisp, light lime floral bouquet with a minerals-laden long finish. Around $17.50.
- 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling: Rich, peachy bouquet and an almost orangey flavor. Unctuous finish that lingers. Think – spicy Thai food. Around $17.
- 2009 Gewürztraminer: Ripe pear with nice spicy finish. Around $22.
- 2008 Frost Cuvee: A blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Cuvee of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, this is an easy-going wine that’d be perfect sipped on a warm summer day at an outdoor party. Not complicated, with peach aroma and a dry finish. Around $12.
- 2009 Late Harvest Riesling: This Spätlese-style wine is full bodied, rich with a 5.9% residual sugar. Mouthful of honey and ripe green apple. Around $23.
- 2007 Cabernet Franc: This wine sees new and old French oak barrels and is bursting with bright fruit and offers soft tannins. Around $25.
Hermann J. Wiemer wines are relatively easy to find at local wine stores, at least compared to some other Finger Lakes wine brands. You can also purchase wines online at http://wiemer.com/shop/ and at the winery’s story located at:
3962 Route 14
Dundee, NY 14837
Click HERE for driving directions
Telephone: 607 243 7971
Make a point to visit this winery when touring the Finger Lakes wine region.
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