NYC Tastes

This past weekend downtown Manhattan turned into one big pink party with La Nuit de Rosé, the world's first festival dedicated to rosé wine. The celebration kicked off on Pier 40 as guests boarded the Hornblower Infinity Yacht on a pink runway; just a small preview of what was about to happen inside. Pink, white and gold balloons covered the ceiling of the #todaywerose corner where Mionetto  Prosecco,  Gloria Ferrer  Brut Rose and  Gratien & Meyer  crémant were pouring bright and bubbly all afternoon. The wine tasting spread out across three floors of the boat, showcasing rosé from 200 wineries around the world. Ultimate Provence  was pouring magnums and jeroboams of their spicy Provence rosé made from a blend of cinsault, syrah and grenache. California winery JNSQ (Je ne sais quoi) won the award for the most beautiful bottle design. Followed by the elegant Chateau Roubine  La Vie En Ros é whose lovey white...

It's beginning to look a lot like Rose season and I'm kicking it off with one of my favorite pink bubbly wines, the Camille Braun Sparkling Brut Rose.  This beautiful cremant comes from the Braun family whose roots in Alsace date back to 1523. It's made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes with aromas of red fruit, cream and biscuit with flavors of ripe strawberry, cherry and honey.  It's absolutely bursting with fruit but completely dry with delicate bubbles a lovely creamy finish. This is the perfect wine for celebrating Spring, Summer or just sitting on the couch.  Corso Wines Domaine Camille Braun 16 Grand Rue Orschwihr, France

The annual grand tasting of NY Drinks NY  took place last week, high atop Rockefeller Center in the gorgeous Rainbow Room. This NYC landmark was absolutely buzzing with local winemakers, trade and professionals seeking out the best of  New York state wine.   There were so many great producers on hand it's impossible to name them all but here are a few of my favorites. Anthony Road Art Riesling - This beautiful Riesling from Seneca Lake was spontaneously fermented using native yeast giving it bright peach, pear and a slightly funky flavor. The entire winery is family owned and operated down to the very last touches, like the beautiful artwork on the bottle painted by winemaker, wife and mother Ann Martini. Dr Konstantin Frank Sparkling Brut Rose - I love pink, bubbly rosés and this might just be my favorite from the NY area.  It's made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes from the 2nd oldest vines in the United States using classic methode champenoise...

Sometimes I am absolutely amazed at the strange situations I get myself into. Like when I decided to check out Rooftop Reds one day after work and ended up wandering around the Brooklyn Navy Yards for an hour; inside old abandoned buildings, up and down strange stairways sometimes leading to nowhere.  Let's just say I got pretty lost trying to find this place but when I finally did it was absolutely lovely.  Welcome to Rooftop Reds- the first commercially viable rooftop winery in NYC. As you can see there are lots of vines growing up here.  The two guys behind this place have developed an urban planter system which will make the production of a completely Brooklyn vintage of wine possible.   Ever think you'd being drinking wine and staring at a view of the Brooklyn Navy Yards sign at the same time?  Neither did I. While the first harvest won't be ready until October 2016 the current wines sold at Rooftop Reds are from their Finger Lakes vineyard and a few ...

I'm skipping New Brew Friday this week in honer of my summertime favorite Rose.  Mr. T and I spent a weekend with friends out in Shelter Island this summer and we kicked things off with a trip to Croteaux Vineyards in the Southold; the only vineyard in the United States dedicated to producing exclusively Rose wines. I find most winery's to be beautiful but this place was absolutely stunning.  The tasting room was located in a 1800's Carriage House that opened onto a small courtyard filled with bright orange umbrellas, lush green plants and a large Cedar tree in the center.  All of the wait staff wore these long flowing dresses that just evoked an intense feeling of relaxation.  Croteaux is also one of the few wineries that don't allow any buses or limos so no need to worry about those loud bachelorette parties either. Croteaux offers tastings of six still roses or three sparkling.  We ended up doing both and they all fit their motto of "Rose on Purpose"; ...

Located just across the Canadian border sits Niagara on the Lake; a picturesque little town filled with all sorts of quaint shops, gorgeous parks and surrounded by a ton  of wineries, one of which is Ravine Vineyard. This 34 acre winery also houses a gorgeous organic restaurant overlooking the hillside. The menu changes daily based on fresh ingredients from neighboring farms and their own certified organic garden.  Last visit began with an Heirloom Tomato Salad with Prosciutto... ...followed by a toothsome Hand-cut Penne with Smoked Ham Hock... ...and a Margarita Pizza from their wood fired oven. It was only lunchtime but any meal with my family is an excuse for dessert so we ordered all three! Pistachio White Chocolate Cake with berry compote and whipped creme fraiche... ...Pecan Financiers with milk chocolate mousse and apricot curd... ...and a Chocolate Raspberry Panna Cotta. Everything was phenomenal from start to finish; the pasta being the standout di...