Category Archives: Eco-friendly Products

HV Cider Benchmark: “God Speed the Plough”

Posted on January 7, 2017 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews In the ongoing craft (hard) cider renaissance in the Hudson Valley (HV), a structural impediment (and irony) exists: there aren’t enough cider apples to go around. While culinary/dessert apples are widely available — New York is, after … Continue reading →

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Ramp Fest Hudson 2015: Gone in a Flash

Posted on May 8, 2015 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews On one of the most beautiful days of the year upstate (so far), the fifth annual Ramp Fest, a culinary celebration of “the wild onion of myth and mystery”, took place last Saturday (5/2/15) at  Basilica Hudson in Hudson, NY. … Continue reading →

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Cali Vintners Walking the Green Talk

Posted on April 15, 2015 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews The severe drought in California is making not only headlines, but also for some tough, long-term choices. Perhaps this is only a nasty — and lengthy — cyclical drought, and the rains will return, as they have in the past. But that’s not … Continue reading →

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An Alsatian April Fools’ (for the Wine Media Guild)

Posted on April 3, 2015 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews At the Wine Media Guild’s (WMG) recent lunch on April 1, 2015 at Felidia, there was no fooling around: the theme was Alsace, featuring the aromatic, earthy and food-friendly white varietal wines it produces so well — … Continue reading →

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Biodynamic Syrah, Naturally (from Chateau Maris)

Posted on January 27, 2015 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Before going to our friends’ house for a Boxing Day gathering during the holidays, I stopped by Sipperly’s, our local wine shop upstate, for a gift bottle of wine. As I’ve mentioned before, the store’s layout is chaotic, … Continue reading →

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New Zealand Value: Mud House Wines

Posted on December 15, 2014 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews When considering “value wines” for holiday imbibing — highly drinkable wines with attractive price/quality ratios — New Zealand (NZ), especially its copious, often palate-rocking Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs (SB), deserves to be in the discussion. About the size of California, … 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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Spa Therapy: Lavender Fields Forever

Posted on August 11, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews Complimentary beauty products tend to expire on my dresser—unopened.  This lack of curiosity, I attribute partly to my no-fuss, no-frills approach to grooming: other than sunblock and lipstick, my face is naked.  The other reason? I have … Continue reading →

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