Author Archives: upstatedowntown

Sauvignon Standard: Dry Creek Vineyard

Posted on March 31, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews In step with spring’s early arrival, I find myself gravitating towards Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc It’s not everybody’s cup of tea, often likened to cat’s pee in its natural, sometimes “wild” (sauvage) pungency. But when not over-cropped, over-oaked … Continue reading →

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Hot Off the Press: The Ramps Cookbook…

Posted on March 22, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews …and we’re in it! Our photographs of harvesting and preparing ramps at our upstate farmhouse (taken by Christopher) and glimpses of his secret backwoods foraging spot (pages 2-3); and, my ramps recipe, Wok-Braised Ramps, (pages 26-27), are featured … Continue reading →

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Rite of Spring: Ramps Return

Posted on March 19, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews On St. Patrick’s Day, tender, emerald green ramp shoots finally peeked out of my special upstate patch, a happy harbinger of spring — and good eating to come. I’ll check back in a couple of weeks to … Continue reading →

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Spring Into Hudson Valley Delicious

Posted on March 14, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews Winter 2012 is going out with a whimper—actually, with this week’s temperatures hitting the lows 70s—more like a whisper…  But, hey, all the more reason to step out during Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, which spans seven New … Continue reading →

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Great Quaff Under $10: Chapelle-St-Arnoux Ventoux

Posted on March 10, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews It’s hard to find a decent wine with some character for under $10…but not impossible. Across a couple of vintages, I have discovered that the Chapelle-St-Arnoux Ventoux is a consistent, tasty quaff, and a gem of a value wine.

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Cantine Valenti: Stylish Wines from Etna

Posted on February 24, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Few places in the wine world are as exciting as Sicily. An island of vines since antiquity, and a vintner’s sun-drenched terroir dream, it has experienced a remarkable revolution toward quality wines in recent years, leaving behind the reputation of cheap bulk wines that … Continue reading →

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Tivoli Bread & Baking Scores with Multigrain

Posted on February 5, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Ace baker Mike Gonella, owner and quarterback of Tivoli Bread and Baking, our go-to bakery upstate, got into the spirit of Super Bowl Sunday today, fashioning his famous multigrain bread into a carb-based football likeness.

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Margaux Meets the (Wine) Press

Posted on January 30, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews At its traditional January Bordeaux lunch last week, the Wine Media Guild (WMG) of New York sampled multiple vintages from two estimable Margaux chateaux, Chateau Rauzan-Ségla and Chateau d’Issan, (second and third growths, respectively, in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification). The lunch, organized by … Continue reading →

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Chris Matthews on…Chris Matthews (and JFK)

Posted on January 18, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Sharing a name with a media celebrity can, well, suck. And ever since Chris Matthews, the political pundit, author,  journalist and one-time staffer for Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill,  hit the air waves with his political … Continue reading →

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Wine Country Comer: Paso Robles

Posted on December 30, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews Reminiscing about 2011’s favorite epicurean discoveries, Christopher and I championed our respective “Best …” lists.  One thing we could easily agree upon: how much we enjoyed discovering Paso Robles wine country… 

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