Great wines

      We opened a Red Tail Ridge 2010 Blaufrankisch tonight. We paired it with Italian sausage and pepper and onions. Usually Jim will pick out the wine, but he wanted a chance to try to figure out what was chosen, so I went to the wine cellar to make my pick.  He guessed it was a Lemberger (Blaufrankisch) because of the black peppery finish, heavy blackberry/current notes and plenty of tannins.  "It is almost woody" he said, wondering if it was crushed with the stems. Because of the peppery notes and acidity, it paired well with the sausage. 2010 was a banner year for Finger Lakes reds, so this would also age well ( oh well too late for that!)
     "Rover" Jon texted me saying he opened the Forge Riesling 2011 tonight. Here are his comments: "Nice and dry.  Mineral flavor (definitely grapes from Seneca Lake). The flavor hits you then ends quick. Very refreshing."
     Which reminds me that this up coming weekend is the "Riesling Release Party" at the New York Wine and Culinary Center (www.nywcc.com). It will be held Friday night starting at 7:00 pm. We are going, will you join us?