Peter Conway

A Fine Chardonnay from Millbrook of Duchess County

Chardonnay is produced all over the world, and by most measures the most popular grape, yet it has so many flavor profiles depending on where and how it is made.

You have the big oaky buttery style so popular from California, to dry light steely Chablis from France. Tasting them together you might conclude they are totally different grapes, but they are not. There are scores of variations from all points of the globe Australia to Uruguay.

A fine dinner made on the grill in my favorite big cast iron skillet of local chicken and vegetables from the market deserved a perfect wine like this, and the Millbrook Chardonnay was just right.

It is produced in an oaked and unoaked version and in a Proprietors Special Reserve. This was the oaked style and presents a gentle buttery flavor with the crisp apple, apricot, and honeysuckle flavors, but like a French wine has lots of distinct minerality that we love. It paired well with the robust flavors of the brined and browned chicken and the caramelized vegetables.

It was missing the sweet cloying almost candy flavors you find in some lower quality mass produced Chardonnay. Which we can’t stand.

Millbrook Winery has been producing wine in the Hudson Valley since 1985, it has been called “the Hudson Valley’s flagship winery” by The New York Times and “a great place to visit” by The Wall Street Journal.

Read this recent article on the current vintage on New York Cork Report. Millbrook Vineyards’ “Local Juice” — Then and Now.

Millbrook Winery

26 Wing Road
Millbrook, NY 12545
800.662.9463

Chicken from Marbled Meat Shop Cold Spring

Vegetables and herbs from Cold Spring Farmers Market and our own garden.

Family Dinner at The Tomato Cafe Fishkill

Diana’s parents were up from Florida for a week visiting our beautiful Hudson Valley. One item that is on the itinerary for every trip up north is pizza, good New York style pizza, which is tough to find down south.

We suggested “The Tomato Cafe” in Fishkill, a place I’ve wanted to try since we moved here and so we went. When we arrived around 6:00 the restaurant was mobbed. Thursday is “Pizza Special” night.

The menu here offers a wide array of Italian American dishes and daily specials. We enjoyed two salads and three pizzas, some of which came home. I love the playful yet classy design of this restaurant, the staff is super friendly and effective. The food was good.

Our favorite dish was the Pizza Con Carne, their traditional pie loaded with pepperoni, sausage, meatballs and bacon.

We started with a big Caesar Salad, a typical rendition, with pre made dressing, and a Tomato Cafe original, a grilled eggplant salad that was a big bowl of crisp mixed greens topped with grilled eggplant tossed with some pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, house made croutons and olive oil and lemon juice, finished with tasty crumbled ricotta salata. Very good but some of the eggplant was not grilled well enough for me. These two salads were plenty to share among three adults and two hungry college-age boys.

The pizza here is made with good quality ingredients, it makes a difference, it far excels what you find from the national chains. I am partial to true Napolitano pizza cooked with a wood fire in one of those striking dome shaped ovens they use. This was classic NY and my in-laws and the boys loved it.

While the pizzas we had were enjoyable, the pesto pizza to my taste was good not great, the third pizza, BBQ chicken, we thought had too little chicken and a sauce that had too little spicy flavor. I’ll qualify all that by saying we are very demanding diners. Based on other reviews I’ve seen I’d say most everyone loves this place. Besides lunch and dinner they seem to have a very popular brunch.

The Tomato Cafe

1123 Main St, Fishkill, NY

845.896.7779

A Gem of a Wine Shop in Peekskill – Dylan’s Wine Cellar

I’ve been curious by this intriguing wine shop since our first visit to Peekskill almost a year ago. The timing was never right and it looked so high-end. Well the opportunity to check this place out came a couple of nights ago after dinner at the fun new Taco Dive Bar across the street.

We were greeted by the friendly smile of owner Steven Zwick who opened this shop with his wife Maribel Almonte-Zwick a few years ago naming it after their son Dylan. By my estimation Steven is very meticulous and assiduous about selecting wines for his store. I found six that I look forward to tasting very soon. This observation is borne out by their “Best of Westchester 2015” award.

The store is small but very well organized. The main room has wine displayed by predominant varietal Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah what have you. There are great values and premium priced offerings. Periodic discounts and generous half and full case discounts are offered, as well as special discounts for Peekskill Metro-North commuters.

Created in the historic Standard House Dylan’s maintains an old world charm. In the second room wines by country are found and an ample selection of spirits which includes my favorite vermouth Carpano Antica at the lowest price anywhere in the area.

We picked these six wines and I will tell you why.

From left to right, all these wines were under $20, a couple much less than that. We are happy to splurge on an expensive bottle of something great, but for everyday drinking, which we do pretty much every day, we like to stay under $15. Some of these were below that.

The first is a McLaren Vale, 90+ Cellars Lot 37 Shiraz. Mclaren Vale is our favorite Australian wine region, it is a place where people live free, express themselves with joy and make great wine in giant concrete vats. This one is said to have “Inky in color with seductive aromas of spicy dark fruit and perfumed plums. The wine is full-bodied, round, and juicy with subtle trails of vanilla in the finish. You’ll love this wine with savory short ribs, hearty stews, or a juicy cheeseburger off the grill.” Most any Shiraz would be great with these summer and autumn foods and we have high hopes for this one.

The second is a Primitivo from Puglia, Italy. We love this wine that is argued to be the same as Zinfandel. We drank a lot of it during our last trip to Italy that took us to Puglia, and a lot since then, but the last three we have tried, purchased in Hudson Valley wine shops have failed to thrill. We pray this one breaks our bad luck streak, we will let you know.

The third Diana picked for the colorful graphics of the label. Her dad who is visiting in a few days loves Tempranillo, this one from Ribera del Guadiana, was under $10 why not give it a try. I think I’ll put together some tapas including some of the great chorizo that they make over at Marbled Meat Shop.

Wine number four, an Inzolia, another love we brought back from Italy. It is produced on the island of Sicily and barely anywhere else. It is hard to find on this side of the Atlantic and we grab it whenever we see it. Firriato is a great winemaker there and we are looking forward to tasting this soon.

Lat night we tasted and absolutely loved the fifth wine, Loveblock. Ever hear of Kim Crawford of New Zealand? The man who helped make NZ Sauvignon Blanc and international sensation? Well a few years ago he sold his winery for a ton of dough, and it continues to make great wine. See our recent review here Hello Again Kim Crawford. This wine is the result of Erica and husband Kim Crawford’s recent work and it is spectacular, perhaps one of the best Sav Blancs we have ever tasted, and we have enjoyed many of the best.

Last but not least is a curious Italian wine from the Basilicata region, a dry Muscat. The grape is most often used for sweet wines we enjoy and we look forward to tasting it in a dry variety. Basilicata, is way down in the southern extreme of Italy, and is the site of the great volcano Mount Vulture. The volcanic soil is great for wine grape growing and the sunny climate is just perfect as well.

In closing I should mention that Dylan’s carries a nice selection of New York wines too. We like that.

Check back for more discussion on these wines. And do go buy some at Dylan’s Wine Cellar.

Dylan’s Wine Cellar
50 Hudson Ave.
Peekskill NY 10566
Phone: 914-930-8003

South of the Border, Down Peekskill Way

South of the Putnam-Westchester border that is, you will find fabulous Mexican fare, cocktails and beer at the newly opened Taco Dive Bar by the river, near Riverfront Green and the Peekskill Train Station.

Restauranteur Louie Lanza, has another winner with this fun and fabulous place, and to that we say muy bien, gracias!

We started with a cocktail and a beer and the instantly fresh house made guacamole, pico de gallo and chips.

The menu is small plate appetizers and salads, and a bunch of delightfully creative tacos which we devoured. Up until now our favorite places for Mexican were in Mexico or our beloved Taqueria Autentica down in Bloomfield, NJ. We thrilled to now have Taco Dive Bar as well.

Lanza brings 25 years of experience creating successful restaurants in New York City, and as they say “If you can make it there…” It shows, this place is perfect at every point, the staff is friendly, engaging and effective. Thanks Emily and Zachary (Hope I got your names right)!

This place rocks! The music is loud, but that drowns out the trains blairing horns.

Many beers, standards and originals, several on tap many more in bottle and can. Great cocktails, and a good selection of wines, if that’s your pleasure.

Food is delicious and creative, Brisket taco was crispy onions was Diana’s favorite. Gluten free is indicated.

Lanza and his wife Joni have a farm in Garrison and source as much as possible locally. I hear that their first restaurant in Peekskill, Hudson Room, has been a great success. I’m embarrassed to say we have not been their yet, but will be soon.

Taco Dive Bar

55 Hudson Ave, Peekskill, NY – 914-788-TACO

We Enjoyed a Tasting at this New Hudson Valley Winery

Named after himself and his grandson, Rafael, who hopefully will become winemaker here someday, Brunel & Rafael, founded just 3 years ago, is the newest on the Shawangunk Trail. Set on a small farm property the just opened tasting room is in a century old house, the winery in younger outbuildings, it is a peaceful place. Read More

A Beautiful Morning – Poem by Solomon Bright Dankwa

i have been awoken.
with my eyes still closed.
by the rising sun
from an unknown island
where the grave of my saint lies

The rays of the the sun,
bows upon my spirit
with pleasure
leaving some kind of enthusiasm in me
like a rose left with a smile.

As i open my arrogant eyes
just to see a beautiful sun
rising from defeat
at a far distance where i could not touch.

i was statued like i was electrocuted
but a smile spread over my visage
just to experience a beautiful morning.

Solomon Bright Dankwa

The Stockade Cucumber Lime Bitters Saketini Perfected

With a little more tweaking we got this one just right.

A saketini with the delicious Stockade Farm and Apothecary Cucumber Lime Bitters.

For each cocktail:

2 oz well chilled sake – Momo Kawa Silver

1/2 oz sweet white vermouth – Cocchi Americano, Carpano Bianco or Atxa bianco

8 drops of Stockade Cucumber Lime Bitters

Stir over spring water ice, server up with a slice of cucumber and lime and a couple more drops of bitters.

Fabulous!

Three Delightful Cocktails with Stockade Cucumber Lime Bitters

We have been a big fan of Stockade bitters since we discovered them back in May at the Cold Spring Farmers Market. A new crafter out of Kingston, NY began producing a whole line of homegrown herbal elixirs, tinctures, bitters, kombucha and fresh pressed juice just a few months ago.

We love their Orange Clove Bitters, and just tried their new Cucumber Lime Bitters in these three cocktails.

This may be the most perfect “dry” vodka martini I have ever tasted, good premium vodka stirred over ice and about 8 drops of Stockade Cucumber Lime Bitters in place of the vermouth.

Most people I know like their martini’s “dry” meaning little or now vermouth. Which is really because they have been served martinis with poor quality or spoiled vermouth. Bad vermouth tastes like pain thinner, who would want that in their cocktail. A very good vermouth like Dolin Blanc makes the vodka come alive, as did even more so, this bitter. It has a light open airy taste with subtle scents and flavors.

You see cucumber and lime in a lot of Asian cuisine and I bet these bitters would be perfect in Japanese, Thai or Vietnamese dishes, but what really came to mind was using these bitters for a Saketini. Yes! Easy simple.

Use a moderately price Sake like Momo, no need for the expensive stuff, but don’t go cheap. We used Momo Kawa Silver, craft made in Oregon by Greg Lorenz. Don’t use the creamy Nigori. I just put the sake in the freezer for a couple of hours to get it nice and cold then add about 8 drops of the bitters, more if you like, garnish with a line and cucmber slice or a leaf of mint. Note: stirring over ice dilutes the sake to much so I use the freezer to make the drink cold.

These were both great but the absolute winner was this one, made with Sake, vodka, Employees Only Grenadine and Stockton Cucumber Lime Bitters.

This requires some careful measurement, 2 oz sake, 3/4 oz premium vodka, 1/2 to 3/4 oz grenadine — Must Be Employees Only, you can buy it online. Stir this vigorously over ice and pour straight up or over a big rock, add 6 drops of the bitters and there you have it. Garnish with a lime, and if you like more tart, squeeze just a little lime juice in. Your guests will love this.

Stockade Bitters are more subtle than some, you can use them liberally, they come in a good sized bottle for the price so you are free to bitter on!

Look for Stockade Farm & Apothecary at the Cold Spring Farmer’s Market in Cold Spring, NY and the Woodstock Mower’s Market in Woodstock, NY!

ArtWare for Good News from Rwanda

From an ocean and hemisphere away Diana reports great success with her work in Rwanda,

Her company ArtWare for Good has a program called Walls That Unite that combines art and education to create change in the world through the universal language of art.

For the last week she has been in Rwanda with her friends and partners Nancy Uslan and Jeanine Polizzi for the culmination of a recent projects for the Kabwende and Bisate Schools there.The project engaged 5th grade students of the Bullock School in Montclair, NJ and students of Monmouth University to create an art installation and literacy project. Together they wrote and illustrated stories that were published in a book that was distributed to 2,000 children in Rwanda.

The stories were inspired by each letter of the alphabet that were also made into art that became part of a tile wall mural that was brought across the sea and mounted at the schools.

The project was a tremendous success, a life changing experience for all involved.

ArtWare for Good

Like a Kid in a Candy Shop at Suburban Wines

This past weekend I went on an expedition south and east in search of new booze purveyors. My trip took me to Hudson Valley Beverage in Mahopac, NY which was a disappointment and Suburban Wines and Spirits in Yorktown Heights which was an utter delight.

I felt like a kid in a candy shop, so many intriguing wines and liquors to choose from. It is without a doubt the best wine and liquor store in the 20 mile radius from our home base of Garrison Landing.

I am still getting used to this separation in New York. Wines and Spirits under one license and beer and malt liquors under another. In New Jersey you can get both in the same establishment.

Suburban celebrates “vive la différence.” Yes I am stretching the meaning of that phrase to make a point. While you can get the standards, I walked away with my purchases in a Barefoot Wine box, but none of that for me, I like the exciting different and unique finds, and here there are many.

A new Garrison friend suggested I try Suburban as we discoursed on the wine and things. I told him how much I like Viscount and Mid-Valley, but he smiled and said wait till you see Suburban. Frankly the thought of driving down into the congested roads of Yorktown was not encouraging. I enjoy being here in the quiet realm of Putnam, try to avoid leaving at all cost. But leave I must and am so glad I did.

You see Suburban is a place where they call their staff with titles like Wine Maven, Whiskey Fanatic and apt names they are. For even as traveled and seasoned in the world of wines and spirits that I am, I found many new and exciting things here.

Can’t wait to get back for more.

Suburban Wine & Spirits
379 Downing Drive
Yorktown Heights NY 10598
Phone: 914-962-3100