It feels like it's been a month since my last blog entry. In reality it has only been a week. A week without an internet connection makes Jack a dull boy. I spent the holiday in Western New York eating, drinking, and spending quality time with family. A welcome distraction from the transit strike in New York that I left. Luckily I did some Christmas shopping in Manhattan before the WTU walk off.
I didn't waste the opportunity to pick up some New York wines I can't even find in the city. This includes a Cab Franc/Cab Sav blend from Eveningside Vineyards and a VonHeckler Pinot Noir from Warm Lake Estate both from neighboring towns of Niagara Falls. I didn't however pick up the $38 bottle of 2004 Pinot Noir from Warm Lake Estates that boasts the newly established "Niagara Escarpment" designation. Too much money for a wine that I haven't tasted or heard rave reviews about. I also picked up another Konzelmann Riesling from the Niagara Peninsula in Canada to go along with my late harvest Gewurztraminer.
Any regrets that I had about not making it to any wineries out there had been sussed out by Santa's generosity this year. My girlfriend hooked it up big time with a mixed case of reds from Italian Wine Merchants in New York. She took the time to sit down with a "wine portfolio manager" to pick out twelve reds from all around Italy. Along with my "Vino Italiano" book by Joe Bastianich, I should be a virtual expert on Italian wine. So by tomorrow I will be giving my not so expert opinions on the juice I'm schwilling. Until then I have a week's worth of other blogs to read, a couple cases of Canadian Beer to drink, and a suitcase to unpack. Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Was wondering if you had gone on strike too... Back to normal is good. But it is nice to leave home when you come back with great new stuff.
I was also in Western New York and at Konzelmann's. I have a friend who stays just down the street from their little op and he drinks the Riesling a lot. I'm sure you will enjoy it too.
I think your Pinot Noir decision was sound. Me, I'm still comtemplating the purchase of a $45 Vineland St-Urban Riesling from 1994. I got to taste lots of it so I kind of know that I eventually will have to give in to the power of the well-aged Reisling.
Posted by: g58 | December 30, 2005 at 01:20 AM
That is a wise girlfriend...great gift.
Mike is asking 38 for the 04 Pinot? That's quite a bit...but I've been pleasantly surprised by the wines of his I've tasted. The Escarpment bears watching I think.
Welcome back. I spent my holidays in upstate NY (Albany area) drinking mostly LI wines that I took up there.
Posted by: Lenn | December 30, 2005 at 01:50 PM