Hello, strangers! Ithacork is back from a summer hiatus and ready to get our science on! I’ve been working on a series of pieces for the New York Cork Report discussing the science of biodynamic and organic winegrowing. I’m up to my ears in Rudolf Steiner, Nicolas Joly, Maria Thun, Jamie Goode, and a...
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This post is part of Wine Blogging Wednesday, the monthly event where bloggers across the internet drink similar stuff and write about it. This month’s theme: Gamay. Thanks to Frank Morgan at Drink What YOU Like for hosting this month. Sheldrake Point Gamay 2007 Appellation: Finger Lakes Grape: Gamay Noir ABV:12.5% RS: 0.1% Price...
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Tonight at 7PM Ithaca geek haven Pixel Lounge, a unique and interesting gathering of ideas will occur.  According to the website… IGNITE ITHACA is a high-energy evening of 5-minute talks by people who have an idea–and the guts to get onstage and share it with their hometown crowd. Run by local volunteers who are...
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Pinnacle Ridge Winery Chambourcin Reserve 2007 Appellation: Lehigh Valley (Pennsylvania) Grape: Chambourcin (pronounced sham-bor-SAN with that uppity French nasal “in” sound) ABV: not determined (labeled “table wine”), but given Brix at harvest, I would guess around 13% Price Point: $16 Closure: Natural cork Technical Notes: {Brix} at harvest: 23.5-24. pH: 3.95, TA 6 g/L...
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Ithaca Beer Company Excelsior! Le Bleu Style: Wild American Ale with Blueberries Color: A translucent red stream leaps from the bottle, recalling a Lambic almost instantly. Pinkish foam forms with large bubbles and dissipates quickly. ABV: 5.0% Price Point: $17 (Note: this beer was very limited production. I am told that it is sold...
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Note: This is the inaugural article from our beer writer, Richard Pliny! Ithaca Beer Company Excelsior! Alphalpha Style: Double Honey Bitter Color: Amber ABV: 8.5% Price Point: $11 Technical Notes: Brewed with local alfalfa honey and Cascade hops. Like the other Excelsior! Beers, this is bottle conditioned and the last pour includes a bit...
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Hey folks! I am proud to announce a new staff member here at Ithacork. From his first sip of beer, Richard Pliny was captured by the fizzy drink’s allure. Through years of research and experimentation he has sought to understand beer’s secrets, as indeed he still does. Now an amateur brewer and professional scientist,...
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Several wineries and winery representatives have recently appeared on Twitter, and some have been on for a while but have eluded inclusion in my list… until now. @DaWinemaker Tim Benedict (Winemaker, Hazlitt 1852) @3BrosWine 3 Brothers Wineries @Betthefarmny Bet the Farm Winery, a kind of general store in beautiful Aurora, NY. They also make...
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Recently, I had a chance to “help” with (more like “observe”) the Sheldrake Point ice wine harvest. I picked a few grapes then helped get them into the press for a two-part feature I would write for the New York Cork Report. I was given some sample bottles to aid in my efforts, which...
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During the hiatus, I wrote up mini-reviews of some hybrid wines for the New York Cork Report‘s “What We Drank” feature. They were Niagara and Catawba based wines.  I have added them to the growing list in my quest to drink 100 different hybrid grape varieties. The reviews can be found here: Mazza Vineyards...
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