hudson-chatham wine blog

2009-12-27T18:24:00.004-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS TO KERI WALSH
AND FINACE MATT NELSON
FROM HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY!

Keri Walsh is on her way to becoming a certified nutritionist, and also teaches Yoga in Albany. She was our first tastingroom manager when we opened on the first day. And she was a stalwart for us for some time. She is like family. Whenever her name comes up we oooh and ahhh, and always covet an email or other communication from her. A visit by her at the winery is a special treat!

Recently she and her longtime boyfriend Matt got engaged, and came to the winery to celebrate!!!! And they brought a bunch of friends.

Here's more photos, and the biggest congratulations ever!!!!

Keri's the third from the left here. Congrats!!!!

2009-12-27T18:14:00.003-05:00

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

CONGRATULATES

DOUG GINN AND ABBY AMBROSE

Doug and Abby have been engaged for some time, but their announcement was just in all the local papers. Doug is the cheesemaker at Twin Maple Farm and the operations man at Pampered Cow in Ghent, NY, while Abby's family owns and runs Scarecrow Farm in Hollowville, NY. If you've been to the Hudson Farmer's Market, you've seen them both working their respective stands. A nice story. We like them both very much! We wish them the best!

Congrats to Doug and Abby from Carlo and Dominique and the family!

2009-12-23T08:20:00.002-05:00

BUBBLY ENDINGS AND BUBBLY BEGINNINGS
Saturday and Sunday,
December 26 & 27, from 12 noon to 5:30 pm.
Happy New Year!

We are hosting our 3rd annual Bubbly Endings and Beginnings event. To toast the outgoing year and usher in the New Year – and to thank everyone who has supported the winery – we are offering our visitors this weekend a complimentary sparkling wine cocktail. Every day is a good day for sparkling wine, but the week between Christmas and New Year’s is especially good, so start it off right at the Hudson-Chatham Winery.

Along with this and our other award-winning wines, the winery will have a great selection of cheeses and 100% natural sauces and spreads to try.The hours for the event are Saturday and Sunday, December 26 & 27, from 12 noon to 5:30 pm. Hudson-Chatham Winery is located 1900 Route 66, Ghent, NY

2009-12-21T11:53:00.003-05:00

Winter Winery Hours Are:

Saturdays & Sundays, 12 noon to 5:30 pm

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,

December 21, 22, & 23

12 noon – 5:30 pm

Our tasting room is decorated for the holidays and filled with all kinds of goodies. We continue our tradition of helping to put together distinctive gift baskets of all-local gourmet products or wine accessories or books of your choosing, complete with baubles and bows.

2009-12-12T05:59:00.003-05:00

NOEL FROM MIKE CASTELLANO

AT KINDERHOOK WINES & SPIRITS

Kinderhook Wines & Spirits is a great store right in the Hannaford Plaza in Kinderhook. He and his wife Jill are good friends, wonderful promoters of the winery, and great people.

Last night was Candlelight Night in Kinderhook. The town was lit up beautifully.

And in the center of town was a large NOEL cut from large blocks of ice, done by our own Mike Castellano.

Congratulations and Happy Holidays to you to Mike!

Best

Carlo & Dominique

2009-12-09T09:50:00.002-05:00

WINTER WONDERLAND AT
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

The snow just keeps on coming up here in Columbia County, turning the farm and the surrounding area into a winter wonderland.

The views are just spectacular and awe inspiring. And of course, it also means snow days from school. Hot cocoa and chocolate chip coookies. Life's not all bad.

Here's Dylan being a hip-hop Santa..."Santa in the house!!!!!"

And of course, here's Dawson as Santa...."Who's your Sanata now!!!!!"

Come and join us before the holidays slip away. And Happy Snow Day!

2009-12-07T12:27:00.005-05:00

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY DELIGHTS

AT UNCORK NEW YORK

SIP, SAVOR AND SHOP AT CITY WINERY

On December 6, 2009, Sunday afternoon, City Winery hosted Uncork New York, Sip, Savor, and Shop. 39 wineries from around New York were there. And Hudson-Chatham WInery was proud to be one of them.

Here's Laura Stearker, our tastingroom manager, there working the event.

Here's David Jackson, our Director of Sales, also working the event.

You'd never guess it, but these are two super sales people, and along with our General Manager, Ralph, are at the heart of our team.

Beth of Beth's Farm Kitchen was also at the event. She's is an incredible woman, and dynamo. Really special and accomplished person. And a great ambasadoor for Columbia County.

Our Paperbirch dessert wines claimed the day, as we sold lots of Cabernet Sauvignon port and lot's of our Bannerman's Castle Amber Cream (sherry). But the real star turned out to be North Cree Toome. We sold a ton of cheese, but we could have sold twice that. Here's hoping we do it again next year.

Uber-Blogger Lenn Thompson of Lenndevours: The NY Cork Report, with wife Nena, and Carlo DeVito.

A great day and congrats to Jim Trezise, President of the NYWGA, and Rory Callahan, who is the head of working the wineries through the NYC Greenmarkets. They organized the event and made it happen. Great job, gentlemen.

2009-12-05T06:20:00.003-05:00

VALLEY TABLE
FEATURES 2007 EMPIRE
FROM
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

2009-12-03T22:15:00.003-05:00

Star-Gazette (Elmira)
Raves About

Hudson-Chatham 2007 Empire

Add sparkle to your holiday table
by Jeff Richards

Elmira Star-Gazette

December 3, 2009

A unique wine endeavor is the 2007 Empire ($21.95) produced by Hudson-Chatham Winery in Ghent, in the Hudson Valley. The owners wanted to create a wine that combined strengths of three different wine regions while capturing the diversity in growing environments, or terroirs, within New York state. The resulting wine blend takes cabernet franc from the Finger Lakes, merlot from the North Fork of Long Island and baco noir from the Hudson Valley. The wine has a predominant black cherry and pepper taste. It is fairly light in body with a fresh clean finish. The wine would pair well with turkey, salmon or pork chops.

Read the article at:

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20091203/LIVING/91109014/1032

2009-11-27T09:05:00.006-05:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AT THE
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

It's that time of year!

We're all dressed up for the hoildays. And this weekened we're opened extra hours.

Friday, November 27 kicks off our 3rd Annual Basket Making Weekend - choose what you want to put in a gift basket, choose the basket, and we’ll wrap it all up for you. We have a great assortment of gourmet items to pair with the wines, so the baskets can be quite varied.

Our hours all weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) are 12 noon to 5:30 pm.

Come on down and visit!

And special thanks D. Curto for her fabulous and tremendous decorations. We feel so honored. Thank you, D!!!

2009-11-25T08:04:00.004-05:00

IT WAS A PARTY!
AT PARTITION STREET WINE SHOP

The crowd was enthusiastic and curious, the food was excellent, and there was plenty of cheer in the air at the tasting last Saturday in Saugerties.

The food was very good. Cheeses from the Hudson Valley. And a four layered caserole of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and studded with cranberries. Wow!!!!

The windows to the shop were very festive and pretty! Also in attendance were the folks from Whitecliff Vineyards (who were just featured in the Wall Street Journal!), and Cereghino Smith as well.

Thanks to Jordan and Suzanne for a wonderful event! And we missed saying hello to Issac!

http://www.partitionstreetwineshop.com/
123 Partition St
Saugerties, NY 12477-1536
845) 246-9463

2009-11-17T07:11:00.003-05:00

PAPERBIRCH ANNOUNCES
THE APOTHECARY COLLECTION

We are proud to announce our new Apothecary Collection of Paperbirch Dessert Wines.

The apothecary dates back to the times of Chaucer. From then to the Victorian era, apothecaries often operated mythical shoppes, which, in addition to ingredients for medicines, sold tobacco, patent medicines, bric-a-brac, and alcohol. The apothecary of the day seemed a magic place, brimming with bottles of all shapes and sizes. The apothecary himself concocted his magic potions and elixirs by hand.

Today, we make our many medal-winning, highly-prized Paperbirch dessert wines by hand as well. And our elixirs taste magical. Now, Paperbirch offers a limited edition line of unique bottles, the Apothecary Collection. These gorgeous hand-crafted European 750 ml bottles are perfect for storing, and perfect for presenting and serving. Each bottle is hand filled, sealed in cork and double-dipped in sealing wax for long-lasting protection, to insure storability and quality. They make an elegant presentation and an excellent gift.

Paperbirch, always identifiable by its distinctive and signature cloth label, is dedicated to the art of fine dessert winemaking. This artisanal approach to an ancient tradition is what makes Paperbirch the best, highest-quality, most delicious dessert wines available.

Apothecary Collection wines:

Highland's Fine Ruby $29.95

Raspberry Fine Ruby $29.95

Cabernet Sauvingnon 2005 Fine Ruby $34.95

Bannerman's Castle Amber Cream $34.95

2009-11-05T07:47:00.002-05:00

HUDSON VALLEY WINE GODDESS

LOVES PAPERBIRCH CABERNET SUVIGNON

2005 FINE RUBY!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Hudson Valley Wine Goddess

Debbie Lessner-Gioquindo
A Dessert Wine for my Sweet Tooth

Here's a style of wine I don't drink to much. I usually am not a fan of sweet dessert wine. However, lately I have acquired a taste for well crafted dessert wine. By well crafted, it's to my taste buds. I don't like it overly sweet and syrupy.This Paperbirch 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Fine Ruby Dessert Wine is from Hudson-Chatham Winery in Ghent, NY. This wine is 18% alcohol.On the nose you get that sweet smell with raisins and alcohol. This wine had nice balance and a soft and silky feel in my mouth. It was not overly sweet. The flavors that came out were cherry and raisins. I really enjoyed this wine after dinner. We had it with apple pie and I think it will go real well with something chocolate.

Posted by Hudson Valley Wine Goddess at 8:18 AM 0 comments

GO TO DEBBIE'S BLOG!

http://www.hvwinegoddess.blogspot.com/

2009-11-05T07:39:00.004-05:00

RURAL INTELLIGENCE RAVES ABOUT
HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
POMME BULLE CIDER

Marilyn Bathany

11/04/2009

Rural Intelligence

At a Recent Tasting, A Local Cider Ruled!

In England, the word “cider” (and, in France, “cidre”) describes a carbonated beverage containing alcohol—as little as 3% in France, as much as 8.5% in England (wine is usually between 11% and 14%). On this side of the Atlantic, a fermented cider is referred to as “hard cider,” to distinguish it from the unfermented, non-alcholic beverage children enjoy. But who wants anything that’s “hard”? Perhaps to skirt this subtle marketing concern, Hudson-Chatham Winery has given its cider a French name, Pomme Bullé—literally, apple bubble.

“Usually in France, it’s an aperitif,” says Dominique DeVito, who, with her husband Carlo, owns and operates Hudson-Chatham Winery. “They drink it when they come in from working in the fields. In both France and England, it’s a working man’s drink—meant to be refreshing, like a beer, just not as filling.”

Because their winery does not have the capacity to bottle carbonated beverages, the DeVitos have their Pomme Bullé made for them from Northern Spy apples and bottled to their specifications at Warwick Valley Winery, an hour south of here in the lower Hudson Valley.
At a recent tasting of three ciders at Little Gates & Company, wine merchants in Millerton, participants compared Pomme Bullé to two other ciders, an apple and a pear, both from a French producer. Hudson-Chatham Winery’s was the favorite, hands down. “That’s what they told me, anyhow,” says Dominique.

“We have always offered cider,” she continues. “It’s been part of our selection from the beginning. We wanted it because we love it ourselves, and because the Hudson Valley has so many apple growers.”

Like ordinary apple cider, Pomme Bullé tastes autumnal but is much less sweet. “There’s no question, it’s more popular at this time of year,” says Dominique. “It compliments fall foods— stews with root vegetables—and seasonal desserts, especially apple pie.” It also is an ideal foil for the savory-with-a-touch-of-sweet traditional Thanksgiving menu.

Read it at:

http://www.ruralintelligence.com/index.php/food_section/food_

articles_spirits/at_a_recent_tasting_the_local_cider_rules/

2009-11-03T10:37:00.003-05:00

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
FEATURED IN
EDIBLE MANHATTAN

Edible Manhattan Nov/Dec 2009
Available on News Stands Now!
Amy Zavatto wrote the story.
Behind the Bottle, Back to the Land to Make Baco
Hudson-Chatham Winery 2007 Baco Noir Reserve, $19.

From the article:
“When I opened this bottle, my husband’s cousin, Alessandro, was visiting from Lombardy, Italy; he grew up helping his dad press, ferment and fill bottle after bottle of rustic reds, so I was curious to see what he’d think. We sat at the dining room table, popped the cork and sipped. ‘You know,’ he said, ‘it really reminds me of a Barbera,’ and I immediately understood what he meant.” With its zippy acidity and medium-light body, DeVito’s 2007 baco noir carries aromas of blackberry and black cherry, and has a wild, brambly quality that added a rustic edge, making me hanker for a long-simmered, tomato-y veal stew.

Read the whole thing at:
http://www.ediblemanhattan.com/november/december-2009/behind-the-bottle.htm

2009-11-03T07:08:00.002-05:00

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY WILL BE AT
UNCORK NEW YORK!
SIP, SAVOR AND SHOP AT CITY WINERY ON DECEMBER 6, 2009

Just in time for the holiday season, New Yorkers will be able to sip New York wines, sample New York foods, and shop for both at City Winery on Sunday, December 6. The afternoon event will also feature a jazz trio led by guitarist Steve Salerno to usher in the Jazz Winterfest celebration of the Long Island Wine Council.

More than 35 wineries from throughout New York State will be joined by farmers and food producers, as well as several local restaurants, to present a taste of New York and celebrate the season. From 2 to 6 pm, consumers may sample over 100 wines from Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Finger Lakes, and other regions, and have the opportunity to purchase those they particularly enjoy.

Joining the wineries are Beth’s Farm Kitchen, Katchkie Farm, McCadam Cheese, Mercer’s Wine Ice Cream, Red Jacket Orchards, Remburgers Maple, and the New York City Watershed Agricultural Council.

Several local-focused restaurants will provide samples of their cuisine, including Cool Fish (from Long Island), whose chef-owner Tom Schaudel will be on hand signing his popular book, “Playing with Fire—Whining and Dining on the Gold Coast”. Other restaurants include locavore favorites Jimmy’s No. 43, North Square, and Palo Santo.

The $45 ticket includes wine and food sampling, as well as a souvenir wine glass, and may be purchased at www.citywinery.com/events/40934. City Winery is located at 155 Varick St., phone 212-608-0555, info@citywinery.com.

The wineries will be showcasing Gold Medal winners from the 2009 New York Wine & Food Classic, with Finger Lakes wineries highlighting their “signature wine”, Riesling.

Participating Long Island wineries include Bedell Cellars, Bouké Wines, Brooklyn Oenology, Castello di Borghese, Duck Walk Vineyards, Laurel Lake Vineyard, Lieb Family Cellars, Long Island Meadery, Macari Vineyard & Winery, Martha Clara Vineyards, Medolla Vineyards, Onabay Vineyards, One Woman Wines & Vineyards, Palmer Vineyards, Raphael Vineyard, Scarola Vineyards, Sherwood House Vineyards, Sparkling Pointe, and Wolffer Estate Vineyards & Winery.

Wineries from the Hudson River Region include Benmarl Winery, Brotherhood Winery, Hudson-Chatham Winery, Millbrook Winery, and Silver Stream Vineyard.

Finger Lakes wineries include Anthony Road Winery, Chateau Frank and Dr. Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, Chateau LaFayette Reneau, Damiani Wine Cellars, Heron Hill Winery, Keuka Lake Vineyards, Shaw Vineyard, Standing Stone Vineyards, Wagner Vineyards, and White Springs Winery.

Wineries from other regions include Coyote Moon Vineyards from the Thousand Islands, and The Winery at Marjim Manor in the Niagara region.

Mercer’s Wine Ice Cream is a unique blend of New York milk and New York wine first created in 2003, and is now sold in many states as well as France, the Netherlands, and China. McCadam Cheese, another product of New York milk, has won numerous national awards for quality, including “Best Cheese in America” in Wisconsin. There will be wide range of other foods for sampling, along with recipes using local ingredients created by the restaurant chefs.

The “Uncork New York!” celebration is sponsored by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation in conjunction with other organizations focused on local wines and foods including City Winery, the “edible” publications, Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association, Long Island Wine Council, Pride of New York (Department of Agriculture & Markets), and Wine & Food Associates.

2009-11-02T08:15:00.004-05:00

HALLOWINE FESTIVAL A BIG SUCCESS

AT HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

It was a dark and stormy night as I drove up the long, gravel driveway. Jack'O'Lanterns dotted both sides of the road, glaring ghoulishily from the darkness. The vines of the trellises looked like long, spindley arms, with long, bony fingers, and the coupla flickered with what looked liked flashed of blue light.

The begining of a horror novel? Nope. It was Hallowine 2009 at the Hudson-Chatham Winery.

Here's some pics.

If anyone else has some you would like us to post, please send to:

info@hudonchathamwine.com

2009-10-26T00:06:00.003-04:00

DOMINIQUE WINS THRID PLACE

AT SCHENECTADY FARMERS MARKET

HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST

Dressed as Mrs. Bachus, Dominique won third place at the Schenectady Farmer's Market Halloween Costume Conest yesterday, Sunday at Proctor's in Albany.

Congrats to Dominique and to all the folks that have made the summer market such a great success!

Thanks

2009-10-22T11:03:00.004-04:00

Schenectady Curlers Visit
Hudson-Chatham Winery

Dorothy, Bette, Helen, Jim, Lisa, and Sue of the Schenectady Curler's Club visited at the winery last night! We were so glad they had such a beautiful night for the tasting. They were such a fun group!

Thank you, too, for your encouragement and support of the winery. We hope you enjoyed the wines last night, and that the people you share them with do, too.

And keep on curling!

To visit the Schenectady Curling Club online:
http://www.schenectadycurlingclub.org/

Best wishes and good fortune,
Dominique & Carlo De Vito

2009-10-19T18:12:00.003-04:00

2009 PSYCHIC FAIR AND

HARVEST A LOT OF FUN

AT HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

This past Saturday, we hosted the 2009 Pyschic Fair in Ghent, and it was a smashing success. We also introduced our new pasta sauce and our new cheese spreads. Everything went very well, and it was one of our most widely attended events. Special thanks to Linda and Francesca. A tremendous event!

Above, Ali, Jaime, Krissy and Jenn, some of the seasonal goers, took time out to enjoy a glass of wine and relax. Meanwhile, below, it was back to picking, crushing, pressing and storing of this season's wines on the crush pad. The boys were back at work, joined by Rob Shields, a friend from New Jersey.

We had a lot of fun and got a lot done!

Thanks all!

2009-10-19T07:23:00.002-04:00

MARTHA STEWART.COM
HIGHLIGHTS

WORLD ATLAS OF DOG BREEDS

All-American Dog Breeds
What do the Australian shepherd, olde English bulldogge, and Catahoula leopard dog have in common? They're all breeds that originated in the U.S. If you haven't heard of them, that may be because only 14 of the 44-odd all-American breeds are recognized by the American Kennel Club (though some are in the process of being so). This and lots of other information is available for your discovery in the World Atlas of Dog Breeds, the latest edition of which lists more than 420 internationally recognized dog breeds and varieties and provides detailed history, personality, traits, and care and training requirements for each one.

All photographs by Isabelle Francais unless otherwise noted.

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/all-american-dog-breeds

2009-10-19T07:16:00.003-04:00

USA TODAY RAVES ABOUT
DOMINIQUE DEVITO'S
WORLD ATLAS OF DOG BREEDS

Pet Talk: Let's unleash a conversation about books
By Sharon L. Peters, Special for USA TODAY

World Atlas of Dog Breeds (TFH Publications, $99.95). OK, I know, the price is staggering (I've seen it for $70, if that helps), but whenever I leave this new edition lying about and a friend with only mild interest (or less) in dogs arrives and thumbs casually through it, I've lost that person for hours. A truly comprehensive guide to dog breeds, not only those recognized by the American Kennel Club but also those of other registries, like the American Rare Breed Association and Canadian Kennel Club, it provides an astonishing amount (plus good photos) about each breed, including its history, general demeanor and needs And there's even a thumbnail of fast facts, including energy level, trainability and compatibility with kids.

Because the descriptions aren't written by breed loyalists (who are often behind the books devoted to a single breed), the descriptions don't hyperventilate; thorough, everything-you-should-know details provide a clear-eyed look at each breed. Also, the mystery of why in certain regions you see so many of a certain-looking dog (that you've never seen when you've watched the Westminster Dog Show on TV) is unveiled — it's actually a breed.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2009-09-22-pet-talk-dog-books_N.htm

2009-10-19T07:13:00.002-04:00

Register Star

Peter Pan coach grounded

A Peter Pan coach carrying Connecticut daytrippers bottomed out during a visit to the Hudson-Chatham Winery on Friday afternoon. (Karrie Allen/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers)
Sunday, October 18, 2009 2:14 AM EDT

A coach bus bottomed out entering the driveway of the Hudson-Chatham Winery on Route 66 in Ghent Friday afternoon, causing a delay in traffic and for the passengers from Connecticut, a slight delay in their plans. According to the bus driver, their first stop was the winery and then lunch and then a stop at Love Apple Farm. The bus driver quipped that it looked like he hadn’t been the first to bottom out as evidenced by previous ruts left in the road in front of the driveway. A New York State trooper was on scene directing traffic and Robbie Speed of Speed’s Garage in Mellenville helped the bus back out of the driveway. Around 12:30 p.m., the bus was ready to roll again.

Photo and text by Karrie Allen.

2009-10-17T10:30:00.003-04:00

HUDSON-CHATHAM

MARINARA PASTA SAUCE

Hudson-Chatham Winery introduces our new Marinara Pasta Sauce this weekend.

Come on down and taste the sauce!

Fresh tomatoes, basil, and herbs and spices. A delicious accompaniment for pasta, chicken, vegetables or many other dishes.

And it's local!

Come on down and taste it!

2009-10-17T10:13:00.002-04:00

LENNDEVOURS RAVES ABOUT
HUDSON-CHATHAM EMPIRE

Lenndevours recently reviewed Hudson-Chatham Empire.

A great review and nice comments stream.

Empire continues to garner notice across the state.

Only 20 cases left!!!!

Read the whole review at:
http://lennthompson.typepad.com/lenndevours/2009/10/hudsonchatham-winery-2007-empire-red-blend.html

And thanks Lenn!