Strub Riesling Spätlese Niersteiner Paterberg 2009 w/ Shrimp, Leek, & Garlic.

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Wine vs Beer: The United States Battle Tuesday, January 29th, 7:00 pm (menu below) Wine vs Beer: The International Throw-Down Tuesday, February 12th, 7:00 pm (menu below) Scholars and historians tell us that ales are the oldest alcoholic beverages produced by man (although some Mead fanatics may dispute that….but who cares about those Viking-loving heathens). […]

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Route du Van Dolcetto Shiraz, 2010, Victoria. This is damn tasty. I need to get back on some Australian wines.

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Ask an Insider is an interview series that talks to the people that make, serve, shake, sip, pump, pour, crush, distill, and bring life to this industry.  (For other interviews in the series, click the Ask an Insider tag at the bottom) Carla Rzeszewski, Wine Director The Spotted Pig, The Breslin & The John Dory […]

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Bonny Doon, Riesling to Live, Ca’ del Solo Estate Sparkling Wine, Monterey, 2006 Fermented to dry in stainless steel before tirage bottling in methode champenoise style, then aged on lees for 30 months. No dosage, so it is beautifully crisp and just what I need to weather the muggy, oppressive, and entirely unloved blanket that […]

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Sancerre (100% Sauvignon Blanc), La Grande Côte, François Cotat, 2010, Loire Valley Sancerre.  Its one of those french words that just rolls off the tongue.  Everyone loves to say it. Just like “Chardonnay,” there is no confusion how to pronounce it…and, therefore, all Americans love it.  Even old Uncle Earl can sound sophisticated when he […]

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In 6 days, The Jewel sets sail on the East River.  Its destination?  Pure, acid-pounding bliss.  Its fuel to get you there?  Riesling, and the downright f’in most rocking line-up of music that wise old waterway has ever seen. Ladies and gentlemen, we, your rambunctious crew of merry making ambassadors from Hearth & Terroir, are […]

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While sitting in Astoria Park, we just realized we are surrounded by bees.  Literally thousands of bees.  It seems we struck right when the clover is hot and heavy, and the bees are juiced. Our strategy for survival?  Opening of bottle of Boony Doon Albarino 2011.  A 100% Albarino blend of 50% grapes from the […]

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So, we drank some grape juice today.  41 different wines, all from the same, magical grape.  I’ll give you one guess… Germany to Austria, Alsace to Canada, and the Finger Lakes to Australia and New Zealand. For the next 94 days, shit. Is. ON.  SOR 2012 begins.

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Eszterbauer “Öröm” Rosé Cuvée, 2011, Szekszárd, Hungary 67% Pinot Noir, 25% Kadarka, 8% Kekfrankos (12% abv) Got some fresh, orange peel-stuffed sausages from the local butcher ready for the broiler and a glass full of Hungary’s finest juice to fuel the chef. It’s not too early to start drinking like its summertime.

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Stoked to hear, hot off the presses of the Beard Foundations Twitter account, that my boss/colleague/compatriot/rebel-rouser/mentor/fearless maniac, Paul Grieco, just won the 2012 James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional. This is awesome, well-deserved news for me and all the other glorious misfits that call Hearth & Terroir home.  Well done, Paul. […]

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Step one: wear a Snuggie on the tasting room’s patio. 

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Arcese (Favorita, Arneis, Cortese, Sauvignon Blanc), Bera Vittorio e Figli, 2010, Piedmont Nearly one year ago today, my wife and I were in Piedmont, one of Italy’s top wine regions.  It was a dream come true, and after years of dreaming and scheming, I had to pinch myself when I drove past road signs with names like “Barolo”, “La Morra”, “Alba” […]

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North Fork Project Chardonnay 2010 (bought at my favorite local wine shop, Astoria Wine & Spirits)  and in this corner, from my local Astoria butcher, Dijon Pork Chops with French Fries and Brussels Sprouts. Let the satisfaction roll.

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Not a bad way for our staff to start the night at Hearth.  Well-played, Matt Stinton.

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