Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Feb 1, 2012, 11:57 pm
I'll start this post out by saying I know nothing about Touriga Nacional, a native grape of Portugal.  What I do understand is that this grape is used for blends and primarily for port wine and that it is a very small grape with a very low yield, thus making for an expensive wine.  Surprise, Surpr...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jan 30, 2012, 12:37 pm
Sometimes Shirley just picks the wrong time to do one of her signature dishes.  Tonight it was her Southern style BBQ pork ribs. This would have been a perfect dish for Super Bowl Sunday next week, but I'll probably go with the usual pizza and wings for the game. I had no idea on what wine I would ...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jan 26, 2012, 12:53 am
I like football (i.e. American Football) almost as much as Major League Baseball and NCAA Basketball.  So this past Sunday was a big day where the NFL Conference Championships were decided.  My team (Philadelphia) was not part of this season's playoff's, but another favorite team (NY Giants) was p...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jan 19, 2012, 9:58 am
Merlot is another one of many wines that I can 'take it' or 'leave it.'  Not very high on my list of favorites. So, I very seldom have any on hand and very seldom search this wine out when wine shopping.  This past year, I have tried a few from Long Island, where Merlot seems to be king, but was n...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jan 16, 2012, 9:49 am
I got caught at the right time to open one of my few remaining Albariño wines.  Shirley, decided to cook up a broiled salmon steak with some baked Ore-Ida 'Fast Food Fries" and a garden salad for dinner.  Tonight it was a Licia Albariño 2010 ($13). This is a Albariño that I found at one of the ...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jan 9, 2012, 9:29 pm
I have often mentioned that my favorite white wine is Riesling, especially those from the New York Finger Lakes region.  Another that I discovered in the past year that rivals those favorites is the Albariño wines from the Rias Baixas region of Spain.  I now think that it is maybe because I found...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jan 4, 2012, 10:26 am
I very rarely buy, order or drink French wines.  For 'old world' wines I have always enjoyed those from Italy and Spain and paid little attention to wines from France. There have been some I have enjoyed, like Beaujolais, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône and some Bordeaux and one in particula...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Dec 30, 2011, 6:41 pm
I guess saying that 2011 was not as eventful as 2010 would be understating it a little.  Although one must still put up with some of the aches and pains of old age there was nothing very serious to deal with other than a slight weight issue.  Seems I have found the pounds that were lost or misplac...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Dec 18, 2011, 9:32 pm
In May of 2009 I reviewed a Chardonnay from California that I named as the best Chardonnay I have ever tasted, a Clos Du Bois Calcaire.  Since then I have treated myself to some very nice red wines from that same winery.  Most notably the blended Marlstone and Briarstone Cabernet Sauvignon. Since ...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Dec 11, 2011, 11:17 pm
Finally, able to uncork a wine and enjoy a glass or two (or three).  Three weeks and only a few bar pours with a dinner is all I have been able to do since my ulcer started acting up the day before Thanksgiving.  Presently, I am staying away from red wines and trying to ease myself back with some ...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Dec 1, 2011, 11:23 am
While recuperating from another ulcer problem, I've been doing very little on the blog and less on the wine tasting.   Looks like I'll be back in a few days.  In the mean time I have been watching a lot of NFL and NCAA football and reliving some of the old tailgating days out side the old Archbold...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Nov 17, 2011, 10:51 am
Sometimes I believe Shirley just likes to purposely  prepare a dinner that will not pair with any of the wines in the rack on purpose.  But, I also believe she may just be testing me.  Tonight was one her signature dishes, Assyrian Chicken Stew.  This is a recipe she found many years ago and the...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Nov 7, 2011, 7:46 pm
Last week I came home from work at the usual time (10:15pm) just wanting a nice red wine to sip on, with maybe a few bites of cheese or chocolate.  When I got home I found that UPS had delivered just what I was looking for, a Terrazas de los Andes Malbec Reserva 2009.  Suggested retail of $14, but...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Nov 2, 2011, 12:21 am
It's Halloween night and I just want to relax, sip a nice wine, eat a little cheese and sample some of the sweet goodies in the Trick or Treat bowl.  Forget the relaxing, but three out of four is not bad.  Had plenty of goodies, three nice cheeses and a bottle of Damiani Wine Cellars semi-dry Ries...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Oct 30, 2011, 6:28 pm
I've posted earlier that Rioja is my favorite or at least one of my favorite autumn wines.  Don't ask why, I don't really know why, but it is. Last week-end I stopped by one of the many nearby wine and spirits shops to pick up a bottle of Chianti for Shirley's spaghetti sauce and found this inexpen...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Oct 25, 2011, 11:32 am
First, this is the first New Zealand red wine I have tasted in a least four years.  The last was an unimpressive Pinot Noir that, along with some not so favorable press about NZ reds, kept me away from trying anymore.   I have always liked New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc's, but red wines were just not...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Oct 17, 2011, 5:29 pm
Last week I stopped into one of my favorite wine shops, Vinomania,  in downtown Syracuse.  What I like about this store is that it is 'wine' only and offers many selections not found at any of the many other retailers in the Syracuse area, along with some outstanding pricing. When there, I was off...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Oct 13, 2011, 1:12 am
One full week of gorgeous weather in now over.  I got out of work tonight and walked into the chilly and rainy night. At least the thought of opening a nice local Finger Lakes wine at home helped keep the blood pressure under control.  The thought of winter snow storms and lake effect blizzards ha...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Oct 11, 2011, 12:39 am
Sunday October 9th kicked off the fourth annual Regional Wine Week, an event started in 2008 by Jeff Siegel (The Wine Curmudgeon) and Dave McIntyre (Dave McIntyre's WineLine) and hosted by DrinkLocalWine.com. (DLW) During Regional Wine Week, writers across the U.S. post stories about their favori...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Oct 5, 2011, 1:10 am
It's been a lazy Sunday afternoon, watching NFL games and Nascar while waiting for playoff game two between the St. Louis Cardinals and my Phillies.  It's also the coldest day since last spring and I'm in need of a little red wine to keep me going and I have a few I just recently picked up at a loc...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Sep 30, 2011, 10:52 am
After a few near record high temperatures for late September, it has finally (again) cooled down a bit and I began to get a little anxious to open up some of my red wines. Shirley was not in the mood to slave over the stove, so she ran to our local Wegman's and picked up a store cooked roasted chick...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Sep 26, 2011, 11:30 am
Been an OK night at work and the weather is pretty nice with a higher than normal humidity, but after the past few days, the feeling is comfortable. I got home from the day job a little past 10 p.m. and was dreaming of a nice red wine for most of my shift. I usually hate going through the wine fridg...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Sep 22, 2011, 11:14 pm
I took a day off of work to participate in the launch of the 2010 vintage Finger Lakes Rieslings. I had a few in my fridge recently purchased at the Finger Lakes Riesling Fest and was also sent samples of Riesling from six different wineries.  The samples included dry Rieslings from Anthony Road Wi...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Sep 19, 2011, 8:39 pm
The first time I visited Dr. Franks Vinifera Wine Cellars, I picked up a bottle of their Cuvee d'Amour 2007. Easily one of the best Finger Lakes red wines I have ever tasted.  Last month on my first return to Dr Frank's since then, I was not going to leave without their latest vintage, the 2009($30...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Sep 12, 2011, 10:58 am
I haven't been to a tailgate party in 30 years.  I remember tailgating on the hill before  Syracuse University football games back in the early 80's.  A bunch of friends grilling hot dogs and burgers and drinking Utica Club beer, the cheapest beer we could find at the time.  I also remember watc...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Sep 7, 2011, 12:26 am
"Forward and inviting style, with apricot and peach flavors followed by a crisp finish is Herons Hill's most popular Riesling.  This wine which is sourced from many different vineyards and combines the flavors expressed by the Finger Lakes Region. It exemplifies the bright fruit flavors, crisp acid...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Sep 2, 2011, 10:23 am
Tonight Shirley made one of her classic catastrophes. It was meant to be something between a gumbo and jambalaya.  In order to save dinner, I had to choose a good wine.  A smooth fruity wine to cancel out a stew of chicken, sausage and shrimp with okra, peppers, onion and garlic and God only knows...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Aug 29, 2011, 1:06 pm
It's Saturday night and just sitting here waiting for the rains from Hurricane Irene to start coming down.  Fortunately, all we are going to get here in Central New York is about 16 hours of rain with very mild winds. My friends in the D.C. and Virginia Beach area are not so lucky, so I'll wait out...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Aug 27, 2011, 12:23 am
Finally got to do something other than working around the house on my week off.  Shirley, I and our good friend Mark did a little day trip south on rte 54A and then around the South end of Keuka Lake to head North on rte 54.  Just so happens that Keuka Lake is the home of some of the finest wineri...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Aug 21, 2011, 9:44 pm
"The story of Anyela's Vineyards began three generations ago in Eastern Europe and continues today on the hillside high above Skaneateles Lake. The Nocek family combines its viticultural experience with the cooler climate patterns and fertile soil to grow our select grapes. U...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Aug 19, 2011, 11:41 am
The temperature cooled down a bit tonight, but the humidity was terribly high, so when I got home from work I immediately turned on the air in the Man-Cave and decided tonight was a ginger-ale evening or at best a very cold Corona. After a few minutes catching up on today's emails, that insatiable y...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Aug 15, 2011, 10:41 pm
Grilled a few NY strip steaks this past week-end and looked forward to opening a nice red wine for change.  Seemed to be stuck on Finger Lakes white wines all summer.  I did pass on a few nice California reds though and stayed with the Finger Lakes and a Salmon Run Meritage 2008 ($11), a blend of ...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Aug 11, 2011, 1:24 am
Just dawned on me that I have to make room in the wine fridge for the wines I'll be bringing home from the Finger Lakes Riesling Fest on Sunday.  I just finished a nice Finger Lakes Gewurztraminer and was looking forward to a comparison with a few more I have on hand. Tonight, I opened a 2010 Keuka...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Aug 9, 2011, 12:32 am
Tonight started out like any normal night around my house.  Day off, pleasant weather and a great night for grilling on the patio.  Shirley prepared a chicken breast marinated in Italian dressing and roasted carrots and yams. Of course, the magic is in the grilling and that's my job.  Choosing th...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Aug 1, 2011, 5:55 pm
I posted this article a few hours ago and been told by Pam & Shirley that I have my dates confused about last year and that I am beginning to show my age, after all the memory does go first.  In the first post (since deleted) I mentioned the fact that I was unable to attend last years Finger Lakes ...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jul 28, 2011, 10:41 am
The weather finally cooled down enough on Sunday to enjoy a day on the Patio standing over the grill.  Just the three of us, but decided to have a little party of our own.  We grilled up some free range beef tenderloin steaks, chicken legs coated in Shirley's own bread crumb mix, shrimp on the bar...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jul 25, 2011, 10:00 am
It's Friday night and I find my self getting a little ahead on the reviews.  Normally, I like to drink four or five or more wines per week and then pick one for a weekly review.  This past week though, I am finding that it may be damn difficult to chose one, so I've been drafting a few to publish ...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jul 23, 2011, 11:04 am
I've been wanting to try the Dr. Konstantin Frank Rkatsiteli (Ar KATS see telly) ever since I first heard of it.  Why I waited till now, who knows?  But finally I have one to taste. Not widely known about in western markets, this ancient white grape variety is broadly distributed across eastern E...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jul 20, 2011, 9:28 pm
Still blistering hot and still uncorking some nice Finger Lakes wines to help deal with the heat and still dining on summer salads, but added some corn on the cob to change it up a notch, I guess. I am just interested in the cold wine.  I lowered my white wine zone in the fridge from 49F to 43F to ...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jul 20, 2011, 9:19 pm
Close to 100F today, but feels like 120F.  Can't remember last time we had this long of a heat wave in Central New York. What it does mean though, is I get to chill some Finger Lakes Riesling to enjoy in the air-conditioned family room and that all outdoor yard work is cancelled till another day. A...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jul 19, 2011, 8:30 pm
This past Sunday, Shirley, Pam and I along with two good friends attended the Finger Lakes Wine Fest in Watkins Glen, NY. My day started with a pace car ride around the 2.5  mile road track at Watkins Glen. This was my first time around any NASCAR race track. I now have a little(very little) of wha...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jul 15, 2011, 10:45 am
It's been a lot of fun traveling the world through wine this past month.  This is something I wanted to do for the year and I will continue as long as I can find the wines.  I have a few more to try this month and then maybe a long break enabling me to get back to many of my favorites produced rig...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jul 13, 2011, 10:09 am
Still hot, making it just right to empty my fridge of white wines just in time for the Finger Lakes Wine Fest next weekend.  But, Pam put a kink into that plan by bringing home pizza and wings for tonight's dinner. I am not breaking one of my personal wine rules:  "Red or White wine with anything ...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jul 10, 2011, 10:41 pm
Very hot day today in Central New York,  so Sunday dinner turned out to be a couple of organic or free range hot dogs and a tomato/cucumber salad.  Decided to try a white wine from Turkey, that Shirley bought last March at 67Wine in Manhattan. An Angora Sultana de Denizli from Turkey($12).  Needl...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jul 7, 2011, 1:56 am
Wine from Algeria! Who would'a thunk. Ok, for some reason I may have missed this in Geography class.  When I think of Algeria, I think of desert, sand, sun and boiling hot!  Just right for growing red grapes, right?   Well think again young man(that's me) and go back to school(wikipedia.com). In...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jul 3, 2011, 8:51 pm
Got home from work on this very humid night and just wanted a nicely chilled white wine to sip on while playing on the PC.  For some reason, the door on the wine fridge was open and both levels where reading 64F, so I was forced into pulling out one of my reds.  And the winner was: a Hosmer Winery...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jun 27, 2011, 5:48 pm
A few weeks ago I read a very nice review on the New York Cork Report about a Long Island dry Rose` made with 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc.  It's only been about three years since I started to appreciate Rose` wine and they have all been 100% Finger Lakes Cab/Franc.  This Long Island wine sou...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jun 25, 2011, 5:17 pm
On our last visit to NYC, I was able to visit my new favorite NYC wine store, 67Wines at 179 Columbus Ave and 68th. Shirley found this shop a few months ago on her last visit to NYC with Pam.  She knew I was looking for wines from obscure regions that were no where to be found here in Central New Y...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jun 23, 2011, 11:44 pm
This evening Shirley asked for a red wine for one of her recipes of pork chops and mushrooms, so I gave her one of the wines we found on our vacation to New York City, a Domaine Monte de Luz Tennat 2009 ($16) from Uruguay.  This is the first wine from Uruguay that I had an opportunity to taste and ...
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Joe S. posted an article on Why Wine Blog - Jun 22, 2011, 12:06 am
Just home from New York City and happy to be back on the PC to do my updating. I still have problems with the lap top. I figured I'd keep this blog as more of a personal blog than a wine blog, but if I am going to post about a NYC vacation, you know there has to be some mention of wine consumed and ...
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