Category Archives: Wine

Chateau Monbousquet 1995: Aging (and Drinking) Nicely

Posted on June 13, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews In our ever faster, more frenetic world, the patience (and pocketbook, for mere mortals) required for stocking a cellar full of age-worthy wines — great Barolo, Burgundy, Brunello or Bordeaux, for example — and then waiting a decade or more for them … Continue reading →

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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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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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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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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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An “Explosive” German Riesling

Posted on December 26, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews My wine tastes and affinities are wide-ranging.  But one constant staple at our table is Riesling. In particular German Riesling, which remains the benchmark for most Riesling styles — and quality — for what has become a truly international grape. It’s also … Continue reading →

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A Hot Posse of Paso Whites

Posted on November 4, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Paso Robles, located halfway between San Francisco and LA along California’s Central Coast, is a happening place…right now!

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Pinot Pleasure…in Germany

Posted on October 13, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Quick: name a German wine. Bet it’s a Riesling. And not for nothing: Germany is by far the world’s biggest producer of the noble grape, as well as the international benchmark for Riesling styles and excellence — from delicate, shimmering off-dry Kabinetts, to … Continue reading →

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Best Hudson Valley Wines (Right Now)

Posted on September 25, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Here at Upstate-Downtown, we’ve been distracted lately by some unruly house guests, namely Irene and Lee. And while we didn’t fare as badly as our neighbors on the west side of the Hudson River, in the Catskills, … Continue reading →

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