A few fun tidbits: He will not tell anyone what his Proprietary Red Wine Blend. (we got it out of him though) He also has a smart chip that sends a text to the new generation smart phones to verify authenticity.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxWPrFM75pY

Modus Operandi Wines available at Station Plaza Wines.

Here is another cool video about Jason and the Wines:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8-3T5AMT5w

Cheers,

Kevin

The Sambuca blows Romana's away, try it today. It makes an espresso come alive. It's rich and creamy with just the right amount of anis.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Elj2ymh4rU

Available at Station Plaza

 The wine is not at all what you would expect. It’s totally different. The unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc has a beautiful deep gold color of a wine that is older than it’s vintage. This is not your every day Sauv Blanc.  Very, very interesting.  

We tasted these at the StationPlazaWine.com Tasting bar and of the 25 or so people that joined us the most common expression was a widening of the eyes and a smile then a gulp and – wow, that’s different.

The Red Hook Winery Jamesport Vineyard The Electric 2008

The Red Hook Winery Jamesport Vineyard Chardonnay 2008

The Red Hook Winery Jamesport Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Here’s a video from youtube, it takes about 30 seconds to play so just fast forward. Click the photo below to watch:

Cheers, raise a glass to NY,

Kevin

Villa Trasqua www.villatrasqua.it

Their Super Tuscan, Trasgaia was awsome!

Di Lenardo Vineyards www.dilenardo.it

Great desert wine, Pass the Cookies.

Villa Calcinaia www.villacalcinaia.it

Great Chianti Classico’s – we took in a few!

Visitors stroll the beautiful landscaped premises, tour the romantic underground cellars and taste a variety of award winning wines.

You can browse through their “History of Brotherhood exhibit. Learn interesting facts about grape growing and winemaking. Tour the underground cellars while their guides briefs you on Champagne making, barrel aging and more!

2)  Don’t rush your tour. A visit to 1 or 2 wineries in the morning. 1 for lunch, 2 or 3 in the afternoon is ideal.

3)  Taste responsibly — its perfectly OK to spit out a wine, even if you like it and don’t forget to snack between visits.

4)  Avoid wearing perfume, aftershave or sunscreen. It will effect the wine’s bouquet.

5)  Do not chew gum, use mints or cough drops.

6)  If you don’t know the difference between wine varieties, don’t be afraid to ask. Winemakers and tasting room staff are happy to explain.

7)  Bring a notebook to record the wines and what you liked about them.

8)  When you find a wine you like, buy several bottles. Bring a cooler especially during the Summer.

9)  Tour hours may vary from one winery to the next so call ahead. If you’re traveling in a group of 15 or more, you’ll need to schedule your tour.

10)  Remember to bring ID. Winery staff will check if you look under 21.

11)  Make the most of your visit. Check out sites like: www.LocalWineEvents.com , www.newyorkwines.org for special events that may be going on in Wine Country.

Aperitif
It’s always festive to start out with sparkling wine, especially when it comes to the holidays and special occasions.

Champagne
Nothing sets the tone better than Champagne. Champagne matches well with salty food but remember Champagne goes with almost anything so your dinner can have bubbly through the night and forget any other wines.

1. Heidsieck & Co MonopoleBlue Top Brut
2. Domaine Pierre Moncuit Brut Blanc de Blanc
3. Pierre Peters Champagne Cuvee
4. Gaston ChiquetBrut Tradition

Or ring in the New Year with a special bottle:

1. Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon 1982
2. Piper HeidsieckRare 1999
3. Louis RoedererCristal Brut 2000

Or if you feel more International…
     1.  Juve y Camps Reserva de la Familia

     2.  Gianni Russo Prosecco

Fish and Shellfish
There are, so many choices talking about seafood (Type of fish, Kind of sauce, and whether it’s grilled, sautéed, broiled, or steamed). Champagne either Brut, Blanc de Blancs, or Rosé, goes well with most fishes. But we have some wines for you to consider.

Þ Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé
These Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in France generally Light, crisp, herbal, flinty and mineral.
¨

1. Domaine A. Cailbourdin Pouilly Fume Cuvee de Boisfleury 2007
2. Domaine Fernand Girard Sancerre la Garenne 2008

Þ Sauvignon Blanc
New Zealand with there bright and grapefruit flavors are the stars from the other face of Sauvignon Blanc.

1. Gravitas Sauvignon Blanc 2006
2. Cade Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Þ Pinot Noir or Burgundy
Never heard of Red wine with fish? Well Pinot Noir wine from Oregon or California or from France are great matches for several seafood dishes. Remember if there is any red wine involved on the preparation of the food, you’ve got the perfect match.

         1.  Coho Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir 2007

         2.  Maison Champy Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2006

Pork, Game, and Veal
Medium-Bodied red are ideal for any of these foods, or Champagne or White or Rose.

Þ Pinot Noir or Burgundy
Medium-bodied Pinot Noir with good acidity, fruit, and low tannins make a Pinot Noir/Burgundy one of the best choices for most dishes. We at Station Plaza cheer Go PINOT!

1. Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir 2007
2. Maison Champy Chambolle Musigny Les Bussieres 2004

Þ Tempranillo
With Rioja taking the banner for this grape varietals. We would need a medium-bodied Crianza or Reserva with their elegant aroma, rustic flavors and well balanced tannins.

1. Marques de Tomares Crianza 2005

Þ Syrah
Most of the wines with this grape are food friendly. Generally medium-bodied with balanced acid and fruty and rustic flovors.

1. Zaca Mesa Syrah 2005
2. Vasse Felix Margaret River Shiraz 2005

Lamb and Beef
All of the whites and red mention above are good choices and will make the lamb and beef dishes happy. It’s time to match the weight of the meat (and sauce) with the gravity of the wine.

Þ Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux
A big and robust Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa it will be the star. Bordeaux, particularly a first growth, would be unobjectionable and well received, but don’t forget the second label or second growths or actually, any Super Tuscans.

1. Groth Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
2. Fisticuffs Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
3. Chateau Lachesnaye Haut Médoc 2003
4. Château Pontet Canet Pauillac 2003

Þ Malbec
This country is one of the world’s biggest beef producers and produced probably the best Malbec with an inky dark color and robust tannins makes Malbec be consider the Argentine Banner.

1. Catena Zapata Catena Malbec 2007
2. Luca Malbec 2007

Þ Rhone
Medium to Full-bodied Croze-Hermitage with almost 100% Syrah makes this wine a perfect match for is fruity, earthy and mellow tannins.

1. Laurus Gigondas 2006
2. Lemenicier Cornas 2005

Þ Barolo and Barbaresco
Barolo and Barbaresco wines are dark, inky, powerful reds with heavy tannins. Which require aging to soften them. Their grape varietal is Nebiolo.

1. Malgra’ Barolo Marvenga 2003
2. Paolo Scavino Barolo 2001
3.  Cantina del Pino Barbaresco 2004
4. Sottimano Barbaresco Fausoni 2004