Sunday, November 30, 2008

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
WINES NOW AVAILABLE AT
WILDHORSE WINES & LIQUORS
IN VALATIE, NY


We are very pleased and proud to announce that our wines are now available at Wild Horse Wines & Liquors in Valatie, New York.


Valatie, NY 12184
518-758-9750
WHO SAYS APRIL IS THE CRUELEST MONTH?
ASK STEVE CASSCLES ABOUT WINEMAKING IN NOVEMBER



Steve Casccles, our winemaker, and Ralph Cooley III, our manager, moved more than 10 barrels of wine yesterday in the freezing cold. Splashing wine and water around from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at night.

They moved our 2008 Baco Noir insie, our Seyval Blanc (which contains our first fruits from our own vineyard!), as well as DeChaunac and other hybrid and vinifiera.

All while our basket making weekend was going on. The winery never sleeps!
LOCAPOUR IS
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY'S
NEW WORD FOR 2009

Locapour is a word describing someone who drinks wine from a local radius, whatever that self-imposed restriction is, in order to support local farming and economy. The word is based on the word locavore.

A locavore is someone who eats food grown or produced locally or within a certain radius such as 50, 100, or 150 miles. The locavore movement encourages consumers to buy from farmers’ markets or even to produce their own food, with the argument that fresh, local products are more nutritious and taste better. Locally grown food is an environmentally friendly means of obtaining food, since supermarkets that import their food use more fossil fuels and non-renewable resources.

"Locavore" was coined by Jessica Prentice from the San Francisco Bay Area on the occasion of World Environment Day 2005 to describe and promote the practice of eating a diet consisting of food harvested from within an area most commonly bound by a 100 mile radius. "Localvore" is sometimes also used.

The New Oxford American Dictionary chose locavore, a person who seeks out locally produced food, as its word of the year 2007.[6] The local foods movement is gaining momentum as people discover that the best-tasting and most sustainable choices are foods that are fresh, seasonal, and grown close to home. Some locavores draw inspiration from the The 100-Mile Diet or from advocates of local eating like Barbara Kingsolver whose book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle chronicles her family's attempts to eat locally. Others just follow their taste buds to farmers' markets, community supported agriculture programs, and community gardens.

"[The] Locapour trend seems to be accelerating despite the country’s economic woes and dismal outlook, according to a recent report from The Nielsen Company which tracks alcohol beverage sales nationally," saysJim Tresize of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation. "There are several reasons for optimism: Despite the troubling economy, U.S. consumers are generally reluctant to cut back on beer, spirits, and especially wine, making it somewhat recession-resistant compared with other products. American wines have become more price-competitive because of recent changes in currency exchange rates, forcing importers to raise their prices. In tough economic times, Americans are psychologically more inclined to support local and U.S. products, and domestic wines are now growing more rapidly than imports. Wines from outside of California have also been gaining market share, reflecting the locapour trend. Unless the economy really tanks in the next few weeks, it is likely that consumers will consider wine an affordable indulgence for the holidays."

No matter the economic disaster ahead of us, and it seems we get bombarded with our own impending doom daily, locapour is my our word for the year 2009.

POUR LOCAL!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

HOLIDAY GIFT BASKET WEEKEND at
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
Friday, November 28 (12 to 5 pm)
Saturday, November 29 (11 am to 5pm)
Sunday, November 30 (12 to 5 pm)
On Black Friday and through the weekend, visitors can create personalized gift baskets with our selection of wines, syrups, cheeses, chocolates, preserves, honey, pancake mixes, and other gift items. Lots of great ideas for local gifts for the holidays.


Happy Thanksgiving and we'll see you at the winery!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

BREAD AND CHEESE EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS
AT HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY


This weekend just past we held our annual bread and cheese event. The artisnal bakers and cheesemakers sold tons of cheese and bread, and spoke to dozens and dozens of winery visitors about how they make their the incredible delectables.

Rob Roy of Four Elements






On hand were Peter from Real Amazing Live Food Company, Doug from Hawthorne Valley, Rob Roy, a local Ghent resident, who bakes incredible rustic breads under the name Four Elements, and Michael and Jeremy from Riverstreet Bakers, who hail from Catskill with their vast array of breads and other baked treats (scones, fruit cake, etc.).

Doug of Hawthorne Valley and Pampered Cow

Michael and Jeremy of Riverstreet Bakers



It was a great success, and we'd like to thank all of them for making it o special, and spending so much time with our winery visitors. It was a great day for all of us.

Here are some websites:
http://www.pamperedcow.com/
http://amazingreallive.com/
BOB BARLETT OF BARTLETT MAINE ESTATE WINERY VISITS
THE HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY


Bob and Kathe Bartlett are proprietors and vintners of Bartlett Maine Estate Winery. Just this Friday, Bob abd Kathe stoppped by the Hudson-Chatham Winery to pay a visit. It was my first time meeting Bob, who is one of the greatest winemakers on the entire eastcoast, and would be a national treasure if he were living in France or Belgium for the incredible fruit wines he makes. I have been writing about Bob for almost a decade, but this was the first time I had ever met him, and it was a huge thrill.

The only sad part was that he was just pasingthrough quickly, and I had a conference call I had to make. So our visit was cut ultra short. I really hope he come back some time soon, or that we make it to Maine sometime soon.

Either way, it was a major trip to meet Bob and Lathe. I was so thrilled. Theyw ere very nice and unassumign folk. I could have talked with them over wine for hours.

Ah, well.

Bob abd Kathe, thanks forcoming by. Now it's our turn to visit you!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

BREAD, CHEESE AND WINE EVENT
AT THE
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
Saturday November 22, 2008, from 11 am – 5 pm


Cheesemakers and bakers will be at the winery to talk about how they craft their artisanal goodies in Columbia County and other nearby locations in the Hudson Valley. A great way to learn about the differences in the cheeses - and how to pair them with special breads and wines for the holidays or any day!







THE COLUMBIA COUNTY
BUNKO GALS
VISIT THE
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

According to Tricia's Bunko website, "Strictly speaking, Bunco is a game of dice, played in rounds. Players take turns rolling the dice and trying to accumulate as many points as possible to win each round. The game is played at tables of four in competing teams of two."
Recently, the bunko ladies of Columbia County came to the Hudson-Chatham Winery and had themselves a blast.
They were great guests and we thank them for coming by!
Thanks ladies!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

LENNDEVOURS.COM REVIEWS
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
2006 BACO NOIR RESERVE


Just recently Lenndevours reviewed three Baco Noirs from the Hudson Valley - Benmarl, Warwick Valley, and Hudson-Chatham Winery. The article seemes to have been a big hit, drawing wide attention and attracting a large number of reactions in the comments section.

"Last in the grouping was Hudson-Chatham Winery's 2007 Baco Noir Reserve ($19), which has the most structure (both tannins and acidity) of the three and might not be quite tasting its best yet. Similar in color to the Benmarl, the nose offers red cherry, raspberry and caramel-vanilla aromas. Medium bodied and a bit rustic, this small production Baco (85 cases) is youthful and a bit tight. Cherry and blackberry flavors are there, but not expansive. There's also some vanilla and oak, which are a bit front-and-center at this point. There's something I like about this one though. But more on that soon." - Lenndevours.com

Read it for yourself at:

http://lennthompson.typepad.com/lenndevours/2008/11/

three-hudson-valley-baco-noirs.html#comments

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
BACO NOIR RESERVE
NOW AT THE
GREEN GRAPE
IN BROOKLYN, NY



We are very pleased and proud to announce that our Baco Noir Reserve, rcently reviewed on Lenndevours.com, can now be found at the Green Grape, on Fulton Street, in Brooklyn, NY.


For you urbanites, that's Fort Greene, it's the Lafayette stop on the C Train.


This is the first time a Hudson-Chatham Winery wine is available at retail in New York City. We are very excited, and hope you re too!
718.233.2700 765 Fulton Street Fort Greene Brooklyn, NY 11217
Wine Store
Sun-Wed 12 to 9pm
Thu-Sat 12 to 10pm
SCARY THINGS AT
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
PHOTOS OF HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION


These are a little late - so our apologies to those who dresed up for the event. More than a few folks came to our Halloween events dressed in costume, but we didn't get all their photos. (Won't happen next year).


Anyway, it was spooktacular...and we'll do it all over again next year!


Thanks


Carlo and Dominique


Sunday, November 16, 2008

NOVERMBER 2008 EVENTS AT
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

Bread, Cheese & Wine
Saturday
November 22, 2008, from 11 am – 5 pm

Cheesemakers and bakers will be at the winery to talk about how they craft their artisanal goodies in Columbia County and other nearby locations in the Hudson Valley. A great way to learn about the differences in the cheeses - and how to pair them with special breads and wines for the holidays or any day!

Holiday Gift Basket Weekend
Friday, November 28 (12 to 5 pm)
Saturday, November 29 (11 am to 5pm)
Sunday, November 30 (12 to 5 pm)

On Black Friday and through the weekend, visitors can create personalized gift baskets with our selection of wines, syrups, cheeses, chocolates, preserves, honey, pancake mixes, and other gift items. Lots of great ideas for local gifts for the holidays.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
SWEET & SAVORY MAPLE TASTING

FREE!
Saturday, November 15
11 am to 5 pm

Sample an array of sweet and savory foods made wtih 100% natural maple syrup - great ideas for holiday menus or classic fall fare!
SEE YOU AT THE WINERY!

Monday, November 10, 2008

MOTHER NATURE
BLOWS OUR TENT DOWN


Last year, we bought a big, brand new tent for events there at the winery. It was 20' x 13' and very roomy. This year we used it several times to great effect,most notably durin the Sangria Festival and the Psychic Fair.


A month ago the winery was set up for a series of bus tours. On a Sunday we were scheduled to have several bus tours, so we set the tent up, as we always did, several days in advance.



On the day we set it up it was still and quiet. The several days later, on a Saturday, the wind began to pick up. And pick up some more. The tent was tethered, staked down to the ground. It shifted some, and then one line snapped, and then another. All through the night I could hear the wind build and build like we were out to sea in the middle of a gale.


Several times I went outside and reconfigured the tent. It was shifting and creaking. I railed at the winds and the waving tree branches, and cursed like Ahab aboard the deck of the Pequod.


But I couldn't stay out there all night. Eventually I had to leave the tent to its own devices. Dominique and I looked at one another and shrugged. Short of holding the tent down myself, there was nothing I could do. I worrie and tossed and turned as the wind howled and roared.



The next morning I surveyed the wreckage. I asked Dominqiue to help me try and resurect it. It was like trying to raise the Titanic. Everytime we raised one corner, another one would fall down. It was a disaster.



Eventually we scrapped the whole thing. The poles were twisted, bent, snapped. The irony of course was that the weather turned beautiful, and we didn't end up needing the tent at all.




It was eventually deposited at the local dump. One of the fun parts of owning a winery.
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
AT DESMOND HOTEL
PRIDE OF NEW YORK
HARVEST FESTIVAL 2008





It's the end of the 2008 Hudson-Chatham Winery World Tour 2008. We are exhausted. We started out long ago, and eight grueling events, and 30 weeks of three farmers markets a weekend, and we're wiped. But the show must go on.
As festival assignments go, this is easier and posher than most. The event is inside the beautiful Colonial-styled Desmond Hotel, so rain and water and mud are not a problem. And you can always go back to your hotel room to freshen up, provided you have a partner. Also, there's the Gala Dinner, Saturday night. Dominique was turned out beautifully in a black pants suit and shawl, however, I showed up i a beaten up brown sport coat, because I had left all my clothes at home, and I I had was that sports coat. However, I think I pulled it off.


The crowds were packed, the aisles full, and the wineglasses were at the ready. Because of inclement weather, Saturday was not as busy as some were hoping for, but the Sunday buyers were out in full force.

Products ranged from beef and lamb to cheese, ice cream, biscotti, pasta sauces, hot sauces, and many other food items. And they all went great with wine!

We tried to make a good showing.

We literarlly traveled thousands of miles, including a trip to the Finger Lakes, to the Bounty of the Hudson, the Windham Beer and Wine Fest, and so many others, all the way to the Goold's Apple Fest. We lugged hundreds of boxes, set-up and tore-down dozens of tables and stands. And it's been a ball meeting so many people around the state.

Thank you for making this a great first World Tour....and we look to coming back to your town in 2009!

Sunday, November 02, 2008

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
NOW AT
SCHENECTADY GREENMARKET
WINTER MARKET


We are very proud and pleased to announce you can now find us tasting and selling our wines at the Schenectady Greenmarket, Winter Market on Sundays.



Winter Market
Every Sunday from 10am - 2pm
at Proctors Arcade!
Free Parking Downtown on Sundays

With an array of local vendors, the Winter Market has a lot to offer: meat, cheese, wine, eggs, vegetables, fruit, and of course, music, hot food, and cooking classes! Come join the fun and continue to enjoy the area's freshest and finest foods! And if you're feeling adventurous, catch a matinee or a show at one of the local Downtown theatres or take a stroll through the historic Stockade.

Schenectady Greenmarket is more than just a destination;
it's an activity for the whole Community!

buy local . eat local

fresh produce: vegetables, herbs, fruitmeat, poultry, dairy: beef, pork, chicken, eggs, milk, cheesebaked goods: artisan breads, pies, cakes, cookies, pastriescondiments and preserves: jams, jellies, relishes, hot sauces, salsasweeteners and sweets: honey, maple syrup, chocolates and candiescatered meals: soups, stews, sandwiches and entreesflowers and plants: cut & potted flowers, potted herbs, bedding plantshousehold items: soaps, lotions, cleaning products, textilesartisan wares: pottery, wool and knitted goods, etc.

Download our Fact Sheet.


Schenectady Greenmarket
Contact
Barbara Blanchard at 518-374-1956
PO Box 954
Schenectady, NY 12301
email: schenectadygreenmarket@gmail.com
http://www.schenectadygreenmarket.org/