Author Archives: upstatedowntown

Bargain German Pinot Gris: Villa Wolf

Posted on January 23, 2014 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews I’m always looking for quality, inexpensive wines…with some character (which is the tricky part). And, truthfully, I have found quite a few such bargains at Sipperley’s Grog Shop, a somewhat disorganized, but bustling shop in the center … Continue reading →

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Heritage Zin and Shiner’s Holiday Cheer: A Few of my Favorite Things

Posted on December 28, 2013 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews “Heritage” is a word that’s tossed around a lot these days, especially during the holidays — heritage recipes, heritage x-mas cards, heritage turkeys…etc. But one piece of heritage I’m comfortable with, whether during the holidays or not, is … Continue reading →

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Beaujolais Nouveau? OK, But Do a “Cru” for Thanksgiving

Posted on November 14, 2013 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews I’m not here to bury Beaujolais Nouveau — many have tried to do that already, and to little avail — but I’m not here to praise it, either. Designed for immediate gulping to celebrate the Beaujolais harvest (internationally), the cheap … Continue reading →

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What Wine with Rabbit Pappardelle? A Mercato Test

Posted on October 4, 2013 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Last week was completely exhausting for me — and for many others, too. It was the annual madness of the United Nations General Assembly Ministerial Week, where a record number of world leaders descended on Manhattan’s Turtle Bay, bringing heavy security … Continue reading →

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Gold Galore at 2013 Hudson Valley Wine & Spirits Competition

Posted on September 13, 2013 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Last weekend I had the honor once again to be a judge at the Hudson Valley Wine and Spirits Competition. The tasting started early on a gorgeous September morning at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, where the golden sunshine outside was matched by … Continue reading →

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Mosel Pinot Noir? Aber Ja (from Stein)!

Posted on August 30, 2013 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Germany is rightfully known for its Riesling. Not only is Germany by far the world’s biggest producer of the noble grape; it’s also the international benchmark for Riesling styles and excellence — from delicate, shimmering off-dry Kabinetts and complex, dazzling dry … Continue reading →

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Accolades Pour in for The Dead Rabbit

Posted on July 30, 2013 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Sometimes we call it right here at Upstate-Downtown. Occasionally, we hit a home run. Last February, we predicted big things — and highly recommended — The Dead Rabbit, a recently opened tri-level, 19th century-style Irish/New York drinking establishment on Water Street in the Financial District. … Continue reading →

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Sublime Savennieres: Baumard’s 2001 Clos Du Papillon

Posted on June 28, 2013 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Imagine an “Open that Bottle Night” — a dinner where you open a special wine that you’ve been meaning to drink, yet never do. Now imagine: the crowd that has gathered is composed solely of wine writers, serious wine collectors, wine geeks and wine industry folks. It would be an … Continue reading →

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Hudson Valley Bootlegger Gone Straight

Posted on May 31, 2013 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews October 17, 1932 was a bad day for Dutch Schultz, the legendary mobster, bootlegger and racketeer. After several attempts, Federal agents finally raided and shut down an elaborate bootlegging operation, bankrolled by Schultz, on a Pine Plains, … Continue reading →

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Manhattan Cocktail Classic 2013: In a New York State of Mind

Posted on May 25, 2013 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews At the opening gala of the fourth annual Manhattan Cocktail Classic (MCC) last week, some 3,000 decked-out cocktail enthusiasts and bar professionals descended on the New York Public Library for four floors worth of creative libations (87 different cocktails in total, mixed by world-renowned bartenders), … Continue reading →

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