Joyful Pink - Palaia Donates Proceeds to Breast Cancer

I lost a good friend this past February to breast cancer at the age of 47.  Breast Cancer doesn't care if you are old, young, have insurance or not.  It is a devastating disease that leaves your friends and family feeling helpless. 


I applaud Palaia Vineyards and Winery as they have been donating to breast cancer since they came up with the "Joyful Pink" wine a sweet sweet Rose wine.  


Jan's grandfather's name was Joy Ernest Michael and the bottle features a happy photo of him and his wife on the label which inspired the name of the wine.  The Winery sponsored a team 2 years ago at the Woodbury Commons cancer walk, and raised over $6,000 which was an amazing amount of money.  They sell "Think Pink" t-shirts with the ribbon logo on them and donate from those sales as well.  


"Basically, anything pink in the store, they donate a percentage.  It seemed the perfect way to give something back, and all of us here think that is a very important part of life" said Jan.  Money is tight everywhere, and for everyone, but cancer does not care.  The Young Survival Coalition is the charity they choose to donate to, as the money goes directly to help young girls with cancer. More information is available at  www.young survival.org


So when you go wine tasting at Palaia and purchase the Joyful Pink - feel good about yourself as you are also donating to a great cause.


The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Woodbury Commons is held every year in October.  This year the walk is scheduled for October 17.  Hopefully I will see you there.

What do Riesling and Petrol Have in Common

Last month at TasteCamp East in the Finger Lakes we had the opportunity to taste many Rieslings both new vintages as well as aged vintages.  We had two verticle tastings at Fox Run hosted by Peter Bell their winemaker along with many other opportunities to taste many Rieslings during the course of the weekend.

Wine ranged in age from 2001 to 2008.  As you can see from the above pictures, not only is the range in age but color of the Riesling.  You will notice that the clearer Rieslings are younger, while the older are more yellow in color.

What I noticed mostly in the older Rieslings is the taste of petrol, diesel, home heating oil.  It was present in some younger Rieslings but not as strong. No the wine was not turning.

Fellow blogger Tom Mansell, who is the Science Editor at The New York Cork Report did a wonderful story on the Petrol taste/smell in the Riesling, what it is, and why. I found Tom's scientific reasoning very interesting.  Even I learned something.  Thanks Tom!

Please read Tom's post on the New York Cork Report -  "Pumped Up With Petrol: TDN and Riesling" and gain insight to the smell and taste of Petrol in your Riesling

Hot off the Bottling Line

Sunday I'm in Benmarl Winery and their 2008 Riesling was just off their bottling line.  Straight from bottling line to glass.  I did give it a taste and purchased a bottle to bring home and have a real good taste.

I uncorked the bottle 3 days later.  I might not have given it enough time to rest, but I was anxious.

On the nose I got pineapple with soft peach, apricot and hints of citrus in the background.  The taste was soft and crisp with a little acidity and lime.  Not much other fruit.  However on the finish there was hints of apricot,  with green apple on a long finish.

This wine sells in their tasting room for $16.99.

Interview with Whitecliff Vineyards Michael Migliore on his 2009 Riesling

On Sunday June 25, Michael Migliore owner and winemaker of Whitecliff Vineyards and Winery got the best Father's Day present - he received a call from Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation telling him that his 2009 Riesling had won a Double Gold Medal as well as Best White Wine in the San Francisco International Wine Competition.  This wine competition is HUGE.  It has over 3500 entries from more than 21 countries.

Congratulations to Whitecliff - Michael and Yancey Migliore and their winemaking team.

I happen to be at the winery that day and got the opportunity to interview Michael about his win and the wine.

Oldest Winery in America meets the Oldest Brewery in America

The 2010 Wine & Beer Festival will take place on Saturday, June 26, 2010 from 1pm to 6pm at Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, NY. The event will feature Brotherhood’s famous collection of wines and Yuengling’s amazing assortment of beers along with many other favorite fine craft breweries and some really cool rock and blues bands.

The 2010 Wine & Beer Festival will take place on Saturday, June 26, 2010 from 1pm to 6pm at Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, NY. The event will feature Brotherhood’s famous collection of wines and Yuengling’s amazing assortment of beers along with many other favorite fine craft breweries and some really cool rock and blues bands.



Established in 1839, Brotherhood Winery, officially the Oldest Winery in America, has been creating an amazing variety of wines and champagnes for over 170 years and is home to the oldest and largest underground wine cellars in the country.

Founded in 1829, Yuengling Brewing Company, officially the Oldest Brewery in America, is a family owned company in Pottsville, PA now in its sixth generation spanning over 180 years of continuous operation.

It will be a great day of wine, beer and BBQ.  Tickets for the event are $60 per person and include food, entertainment and unlimited beer and wine sampling.  Tickets are available on the Brotherhood Winery website.

Applewood Winery's Traminette

As you know, I have become a big fan of Traminette. I picked up this bottle of Applewood's Traminette when I attended their Riesling Experience in May.

Unfortunately I don't know what vintage this wine is because there was not date on the label.  I don't want to assume (we all know what happens when we do that) but I would tend to think it's a 08 or 09.

On the nose this wine had nice floral, jasmine and spice. As the wine warms up a bit the floral nose becomes distant and the spice is more pronounced.

The wine had flavors of green apple and lime with hint of spice on the finish.  As the wine opened up, the citrus became more forward and the white pepper in the spice came out on the finish.

This is a nice light bodied wine.  I believe it sells for $14.99 and is available in the Applewood Winery tasting room.

Around the World on the Shawangunk Wine Trail

This weekend the Shawangunk Wine Trail hosts their annual "Around the World in 80 Miles" event.  Each of the 11 wineries on the wine trail transform themselves to another country, decorate the winery and serve a tapas dish from that country paired with their wines.

The event begins at 10am each day and the wineries close at 6pm.  That gives you plenty of time to travel the trail.  Ticket prices are $25 in advance and $35 at the door.  You can purchase ticket on the Shawangunk Wine Trail website until 6pm Thursday.

Here is the list of wineries and what country they will become for the weekend. The wineries that informed me what Tapas they are serving are listed as well.

Stoutridge Vineyards – USA

Palaia Vineyards – Italy

Whitecliff Winery – China - serving Pork and Vegetable Chinese Dumplings

Benmarl Winery - Cuba

Glorie Farm Winery – Mexico - serving Sopa Seca de Fideo

Brotherhood Winery – Morocco

Brimstone Hill Winery – France

Applewood Winery – Tahiti

Adair Vineyards – Russia

Warwick Valley Winery – Germany.

Baldwin Vineyards - Naples -serving Shrimp Greco


Here is a collection of pictures  from past Around the World events.

"The face of Hudson Valley Wine" - Wine Label Competition Winners

On Wednesday at the Roger Smith Hotel I attended the judging of the first ever "The Face of Hudson Valley Wine" wine label competition. Hudson Valley Wine Magazine did a wonderful job creating and executing this competition.  There were about 100 wine labels entered in the various categories.

The judges were: Gorden Kaye, Editor and Publisher of Graphic Design USA; Robert LaValva, Director and Founder of the New Amsterdam Market in NYC; Mark LaRocca, President of LaRocca Branding & Advertising; and Melissa Ifkovits, Wine Sales Consultant for Southern Distributors.

Wineries entered their labels in 7 categories:

• Best Use of Illustration
• Best Limitd Edition
• Best Use of Photography
• Most Recognizeable as a Hudson Valley Wine
• Most Unique Name
• Most Memorable

The competition was the first of its kind for Hudson Valley Wine.  The labels in each category were judged similar to the way wine is judged in a competition.  Judges awarded points on a 1-10 scale based on:

• Originality - How unique is the label? Compared to others in its category?
• Style - Is the label contemporary and in good taste? Include the label’s production value.
• Composition - Are the elements of the label appealing to look at and well-balanced?
• Legibility. - How clear is the label’s messaging?

There are some very creative and interesting labels that are on the bottles of Hudson Valley Wine.   Congratulations go to:   

Best Use of Illustration: Benmarl Winery 2006 Baco Noir (First Place), Hudson-Chatham

Winery 2007 Merlot (Second Place), Brotherhood Winery Ruby Port (Third Place);

Best Limited Edition: Millbrook Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Franc (First Place), Hudson-

Chatham Winery Baco Reserve (Second Place), Brookview Station Winery Hudson River Ridge

(Third Place);

Best Use of Photography: Palaia Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Franc (First Place), Cereghino-

Smith Tarragona (Second Place), Palaia Vineyards 2002 Cabernet Franc (Third Place);

Best Type Design: Clinton Vineyards Embrace (First Place), Clinton Vineyards Cassis (Second

Place) and Hudson-Chatham Winery Pomme Bullé (Third Place);

Most Recognizeable as a Hudson Valley Wine: Benmarl Winery 2006 Baco Noir (First Place),

Hudson-Chatham Winery Hudson River Valley Red (Second Place), Millbrook Vineyards 2008

Chardonnay (Third Place);

Most Unique Name: Cereghino-Smith Eaten by Bears (First Place), Pazdar Winery Hot Sin and

Brookview Station Winery WhistleStop White (tied for Second Place), Clinton Vineyards

Embrace (Third Place)

Most Memorable (overall): Benmarl Winery 2006 Baco Noir (First Place), Cereghino-Smith

Rock ‘n Roll Red (Second Place), Clinton Vineyards Embrace (Third Place).

Honorable Mentions include Stoutridge Vineyards Quimby’s Rosé and Glorie Farm Winery

Jumpin Jazz.

The public will be able to vote for their favorite label in the "People's Choice" at the Shawangunk Wine Trail's Bounty of the Hudson Wine Festival July 24 & 25 at Warwick Valley Winery.  If you aren't in the area there will be online  voting available prior to the event.

Below you will find video of the judges comments along with a photo slide show of the competition.

This weekends Hudson Valley Wine Country Events

Lots of  happenings this weekend in Hudson Valley Wine Country.

Saturday, June 12

Applewood Winery- Who let the Dogs Out? Annual Fundraiser for Warwick Humane Society.  Register your dog for contest, prizes, agility deomonstrations and more.  All proceeds go to the Humane Society.  Registration at 11am - Fee $10

Benmarl Winery - Book signing with Joanne Lesser, Author of Pandora's Bottle

Palaia Vineyards - Straight Shooter 6pm outside on the stage.

Sunday, June 13

Millbrook Vineyards Vineyard Yoga Series - Morning Yoga in the vinyard at 10:30am followed by a picnic lunch and wine tasting.  $35 per person and reservations are required.

Palaia Vineyards - Jade 2:30 outside on the stage.

Whitecliff Vineyards - Book signing with Joanne Lesser, Author of Pandora's Bottle

Millbrook Vineyards & Winery 2009 Tocai Reserve

This is one of my purchases from Millbrook's Tocai Release Party last month.  I brought home a 3 pack to share with my husband since he stood me up for the event.  It was pretty nice of me, wasn't it.

The difference between Millbrook's Tocai and Reserve Tocai is oak.  The oak really softens the mouth feel on the wine.  Instead of crisp I get a smooth delicate mouth feel which is quite nice.

There is lime and citrus on the nose.  I get pineapple, pear and soft citrus on the taste with grapefruit rind on the finish.

I didn't realize that this wine would sell out so fast.  There was only a couple of cases left after the release party.  I apologize if this is something you would have wanted to try.  You never know where you might find a bottle.

Pandora's Bottle - A Wine Fiction Novel

Pandora's Bottle is a new Wine Fiction Novel that is written by Joanne Lessner and published by Flint Mine Press. You may ask "Why would I be writing about a wine fiction novel?"  Well, this wine fiction novel has a few scenes that take place in Hudson Valley Wine Country. Joanne is a native of the Hudson Valley, a 1983 graduate of Newburgh Free Academy.  The BIG confession here is Joanne is my cousin and I had a part in this book being developed, published and I am SO proud of her.


When Joanne told me of her idea for this book, I encouraged her to move forward with her thoughts and ideas.  When the plot moved from NYC to a Hudson Valley winery towards the end of the book, I knew exactly what two wineries she needed to visit for her research. I took her to meet Michael Migliore, owner/winemaker of Whitecliff Vineyards and Kristop Brown who at the time was the winemaker at Benmarl. 


What is this Wine Fiction book about.  Maybe I should ask you "What happens when you pin your hopes on a single event … and it all goes terribly wrong?"


When that event is the uncorking of a fabled bottle of 1787 Château Lafite once owned by Thomas Jefferson, the repercussions are emotional, financial, theatrical and, in every way, unexpected. In this tale of hubris and redemption, aspiration and perseverance.  When Sy Hampton purchases this legendary bottle—which, through a quirk of preservation, may yet be drinkable—he shocks the wine community by choosing to uncork it privately with a female companion, rather than at a special public event. Sy intends the evening to be a quiet reassertion of his virility in the throes of middle age, but for ambitious restaurateur Annette Lecocq, the event offers an irresistible opportunity for much-needed publicity. Their competing agendas are not the only things to collide on the fateful night. Caught in the crossfire are Tripp Macgregor, a waiter on the verge of his long-awaited Broadway debut, and Valentina D’Ambrosio, the beautiful but unworldly working girl from Brooklyn Sy hopes to impress.


Carlo DeVito owner of Hudson-Chatham Winery and publisher by day wrote this review of the book "“Joanne Sydney Lessner has carefully crafted a well-wrought, fun, and fast-paced book detailing the highs and lows of the wine world. A great read.” 
               —Carlo De Vito, author of East Coast Wineries and 10 Secrets My Dog Taught Me


To read an excerpt of the book click here.


If you would like to meet Joanne and purchase a copy of the book she will be at Benmarl Winery this Saturday, June 12 1p-3p,  Whitecliff Vineyards and Winery, Sunday June 13 1p-3p and Cornwall Wines and Spirits Saturday, June 26 3p-6p.  Otherwise books can be purchased directly from the Flint Mine Press website.


Here's some pictures from researching Pandora's Bottle.

2009 Adair Vineyard Rosalais

I have to be honest here, the Rose type of wine isn't something I seek out.  I try to be open minded with everything, honest and try new things.

The Adair Vineyards Rosalais is made with 50% Dechaunac and 50% Fronenac.

When I opened the Rosalais and had a sip I decided that this wine needed to be chilled. It tasted like warm strawberries that could benefit from a little chilling.  I gave it a while in the chiller - another glass was poured.  One thing I will say to describe this wine is Strawberry!  Strawberry everywhere, but not sweet, sugary strawberry. If you've ever made strawberry jam and crushed the strawberries just prior to adding the sugar, that's the strawberry flavor that this wine has.  However, there is a slight hint of sweetness as in the finished strawberry jam product on the finish.  If you like strawberries and strawberry wine, this Rosalais is for you.

This wine is only sold in their tasting room and various farmers markets they attend.

Whitecliff Vineyards 2009 Traminette

Traminette is becoming one of my favorite summer whites.  There are four wineries in the Hudson Valley that I know of that grow and produce this wine.  Whitecliff, Palaia, Benmarl and Applewood.  I do have a Traminette from Applewood chilling for a review later.

For now let me give you a little background on Traminette.  Traminette is a hybrid grape that is the the Gewurztraminer family.  It is a result from the cross of Joannes Seyve 23.416 and Gewurztraminer.  The cross was made in 1965 by H.C. Barrett of the University of Illinois.  In 1968 seeds from the cross was sent to Cornell's grape breeding program where they were planted.  In 1971 the vines produced their first grapes.

Onto the wine...Whitcliff's 2009 Traminette.  This Traminette had a slightly lychee nose with hints of pink grapefruit.  The wine is slightly acidic. Flavors of honeydew melon and passion fruit make this wine very refreshing.

Whitecliff's wines are available locally in many wine shops and the Traminette sells for $15.95 in the tasting room.

Vineyard Walk with John Graziano

When I attending Millbrook's Tocai Release Party winemaker, John Graziano took us on a walk through the vineyard.  It was nice to see that may people on this vineyard walk were new to the experience.  John was very informative from the history of Millbrook Vineyards & Winery (it was a former dairy farm), the grapes grown on the property to the frost conditions we received in the region the week prior.

When I first put the video together it was 14 minutes.  I would lose all of you if I posted that version. Here is the edited version to the best of my video ability.  This video will also be available on Hudson Valley Wine TV

Glenora Wine Cellars - TasteCamp East

One of the surprise I had at TasteCamp was at the Seneca Lake Wine Tasting at Fox Run Vineyards.  Glenora Wine Cellars was participating and I almost walked by their barrel.  A few years ago - well, like 6 years ago we did a tasting at the winery and had dinner at the restaurant.  We weren't impressed.  Honestly,  I haven't tasted their wines since.  Even though I see them at the Hudson Valley Wine Fest, I walk by.  Really an oversight on my part and one should NOT behave like that.  It could have been a bad growing season I tasted 6 years ago.

In any event, I did hesitate for a minute, but thought I needed to give them another try.  Boy was I amazed on how the quality of their wine has improved.

The two wines I tasted were the 2009 Pinot Blanc and 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon  Mason Vineyard.

2009 Pino Blanc had a bouquet of pears with a hint vanilla which was from being barrel fermented.  It was in the oak just enough to give it a nice soft balance.  On the taste was soft pears with citrus mid palate.   This was a nice dry wine with .35% of residual sugar which is not very much. This is a nice summer wine and they only produced 243 cases.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mason Vineyard - 2007 was the exceptional year for growing grapes and cabernet sauvignon is one of the last varietals to ripen.  There was strong blackcherry on the nose. The wine had a nice balance of tannins with flavors of blackcurrant and blackcherry and hint of vanilla on the finish..