Inevitably along with the arduous task of planning Thanksgiving dinner comes the question, “What wine should we pair with the turkey?” We were fortunate to gain a little insight this past weekend when we prepared an impromptu “pre-Thanksgiving” dinner for some out-of-town friends and family. We decided we would try something different this year, and … Continue reading »
Harvest 2012
It was a beautiful mid-September day. The sugar levels were hovering around 22-24 brix. The team was ready with sharpened shears, the bird netting was carefully lifted from the vines, and finally the harvest began. Although it was a tough year and the yields weren’t as high as we’d hoped, after a few hours we … Continue reading »
Summertime Pests – Part 2
The recent dry, hot weather in July has revealed a few more pests, as well as a few beneficial, predatory insects. First up, the Asian Green Stink Bug, though fortunately I’ve seen only this one, which seemed to just be passing through the vineyard. Hopefully. Officially known as Pentatomoidea, but more commonly known as a … Continue reading »
1990 E. & M. Müller Zweigelt
In rummaging through some old boxes and files, I came across this label from a 1990 E. & M. Müller Zweigelt I brought back from one of my trips to Austria in 1991 or 1992. Sadly in those days, I didn’t keep tasting notes, and can’t really recall much about the wine. This particular bottle … Continue reading »
Summertime Pests – Part 1
Well, summer is officially and finally here, bringing with it the usual host of pests and annoying bugs. First, those pesky Japanese beetles. Because of the warm winter and early spring, the growing season is about three weeks earlier than usual, and the beetles seem to be just as early. Generally I see them around … Continue reading »
Zweigelt early in the season – June 3, 2012
These are photos of the 5 year-old Zweigelt vines in various stages of early growth.
Friends with shovels
What does it take to plant Zweigelt in the Hudson Valley? Posted by Linda Pierro A whole lot of moxie, good weather, and friends with shovels – lots of them. On April 21 we were joined by friends – many who helped plant the first rows of Zweigelt back in 2008 – to be part … Continue reading »
Our first Zweigelt – Vintage 2010
Zweigelt 2010 Hudson River Valley Produced by Cereghino Smith Posted by Paula Cereghino & Fred Smith In August 2010, Bob Bedford and Linda Pierro first showed us their experimental vineyard in Coxsackie, New York. The vineyard faces southeast on a lovely albeit stoney slope with great Hudson Valley views. A lone row of Zweigelt, an Austrian … Continue reading »
Making Zweigelt in the Hudson Valley?
Can two experimental grape growers and two “garagiste” winemakers grow and make Zweigelt wine in the Hudson Valley? Posted by Bob Bedford Origins My love affair with Zweigelt began about 20 years ago, with a trip to track down long-lost relatives in the small town of Graz in the Steiermark region of Austria. I can’t … Continue reading »
