Lobster suppers, a Lucy Dacus contest, and Riesling night

Hello from the very recent past. It’s Wednesday afternoon and I’m just about to head out to tonight’s PAIRINGS event at Stockade Tavern, roll of drink tickets in hand.

The theme of the pairing was “Sensations of a New York Summer.” There’s something that feels really good about New York right now. Over the last few weeks we’ve had state-wide celebrations of Pride Month, the Knicks win, and FIFA watch parties gathering fans from all nations. As New Yorkers, we are so good at this stuff.

When preparing our notes for tonight’s intro, Sam Hewitt of Shattered Wine used the word solidarity to describe the work of the winemaker whose red blend topped our New York Sour.

She told me that in the 1970’s, Hermann j. Wiemer was one of the first 20 wineries in all of New York State and the first in Seneca Lake. With three centuries of grape-growing history in his German family, Wiemer not only proved that we could grow European grapes in New York through his own winery, but raised up an entire industry through his support and advocacy of other producers. He didn’t just want to be a success on his own. He chose to be a part of success that would raise up a craft, and regional economy, and hundreds of thousands of people (more?) whose lives would be better for booming local agricultural.

That was it. That sensation that feels so good right now? It’s solidarity.

That thread was pulled through our discussion of the cocktail (calling itself a New Yorker, actually from the midwest) and the music Joe played throughout the night.

If you’re curious to hear more you’ll just have to join us at the next one on August 12, also at Stockade Taverns.

Cheers,

Amy

BLACK DIAMOND ROSÉ SPARKLING CIDER

What is a rosé cider? There may be more answers than you realize.

Ciders can gain a pinkish hue from flowers like hibiscus or rose petals, some are co-fermented or back sweetened with berries or berry juice, and some have some red or rose wine blended into the cider. Some are even rested on grape skins, or very richly colored apple skins transferring the color in a similar way that rosè or red wine get their color.

But the rarest kind of Rosè cider is made from red fleshed apples. These are apples where not just the skin, but the entire inside is red in color. These apples are incredibly rare, and you won’t generally find them in your local grocery or farmers market.

So when you find a Rosè cider made from these kinds of apples it’s pretty rare. One of the best in the cider game to do it is Ian Merwin, apple orchardist since 1980, professional cider maker since 2014, who received his PHD in Pomology and also taught at Cornell.

Ian has created a wonderful cider utilizing 4 different red fleshed apples blended with Wickson Crab cider: Robert’s Crab + Pink Pearl + Redfield + Maia-3204

Coming in at 8% abv, with no added sulfites, and about 1.5% residual sugar. Described as “White peach, red raspberry, and cherries on the nose. Crisp acidity balanced with a lingering refreshing finish” this cider is phenomenal, and relatively guilt free with less than 3 grams of sugar per 6 oz glass.

Want to get a bottle? A fresh drop just happened at Boutique Wines, Spirits, & Ciders at 18 Westage drive in Fishkill NY, for this and other Black Diamond Ciders.

Thursday, July 16

Pinhook Bourbon Tasting Night at Lone Wolf Cocktail Lounge in Kingston — Three Pinhook bourbon pours, a full-sized whiskey cocktail off the event menu, and a side of Lone Wolf's house fries. Reserve on Resy before the seats go.

Sip and Sail aboard the Schooner Apollonia in Catskill — Thomas Cole's favorite Hudson Valley views from the deck of the working cargo schooner Apollonia, with cider poured by Greenpoint Cidery. Sails start Thursday.

Friday, July 17

Catskill Mountain Shakespeare LGBTQ+ Midsummer Social in Hunter — The fifth annual queer night at CMS: pre-show reception with free West Kill beer, Much Ado About Nothing under the tent, then a drag after-party at Fellow Mountain Cafe.

The Wonderful and Frightening World of Riesling, Part 2 at Material in Roscoe — The headiest of rieslings, special dishes from Deli Cat, and krautrock all night long. 6-9pm.

Indelible Ink: Citiot Salon at Beattie-Powers Place in Catskill — Stories, poems and songs on lasting impressions, plus a Sad Tatter flash tattoo pop-up, benefiting Wave Farm. Doors 6, show 7pm.

Lightning Talks at The Spark of Hudson in Hudson — Five minutes, one obsession each: magic mushrooms, fiber arts, the ways humans write language, MC'd by Gigi Danziger. Rooftop drinks at 6.

Midnight Love at Tubby's in Kingston — Slim Corvelli spins soul, jazz, funk, disco and boogie all vinyl, all night, a revival of his brother's long-lost Oakland bar night.

Saturday, July 18

Farming Man Festival at Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery in Altamont — Free entry this year for the craft-bev-and-music blowout: Brooklyn Cider House and Paradox pouring, bands from 2pm, a 21+ twilight orchard hike.

Town Tag Sale in Livingston Manor — Downtown Manor turns into one big sidewalk sale: old vinyl, castoff housewares, new-old treasures, 10 to 4.

Maddie's Secret: Screening + Q&A at Community Theater in Catskill — Boondocks Film Society screens the film with an in-person Q&A with director and star John Early, plus themed food and cocktails. Sells out fast.

Rosendale Street Festival on Main Street in Rosendale — Two days of bands on every corner, food and vendors. July 18-19.

Chatham SummerFest in Chatham — Craftspeople, food trucks, live music and a pet costume contest as the village closes off Main Street. 10am-4pm, free.

Atlantis Wine Fair Kick-Off Party at Brunette in Kingston — Sam Wood of Sunken Forest pours Long Island wine, mbwick handles the food, and the fair itself hits Rose Hill the next day.

BOMBON: Disco Bruja at Tubby's in Kingston — Maldita Vaina spins Caribbean riddims, African electronica and Afro-Arab club sounds. Dembow and Palos til late.

Sunday, July 19

Lobster Supper at Westerly Canteen in Bangall — Their annual lobster-shack night, family-style sides included, ribs or veg if you'd rather, right before they decamp for the coast. Reserve on Tock.

Jamaican Summer Table with Yunique Palmer at Eliza Bistro in Kingston — Guest chef Yunique Palmer will be serving an abundance of their energy in this menu contemplting fire, seasonality and memory, a la carte alongside the regular menu. Stay late for the Sabar drum workshop to close the evening.

In The Wild at Foxfire Mountain House in Mount Tremper — Foxfire's most-loved evening: family-style feast under the trees with candlelight, music, and a tasting hour from natural-wine and farm friends like Swick, Marigny and Wild Arc. Sells out every time.

Reading in the Field at C. Cassis in Rhinebeck — A poetry afternoon in the field: Alice Jun, Gentle Mothh, Chris Crawford, Blush Bullseye, Alex Patrick Dyck and H.R. Webster, reading at 3.

Atlantis Wine Fair at Rose Hill Farm in Red Hook — 50+ wines, ciders and vermouths from New York producers pushing the boundaries of winemaking, with food trucks from Sira and Oyster Party on-site.

Good Dirt Farm & Garden Ramble in Rhinebeck & Red Hook — A choose-your-own tour of community gardens, small farms and pollinator habitats, ending with a raffle at Rose Hill Farm. Sliding scale $5-50.

Summer Aperitivo Afternoon at Catbird Cottage in Accord — Melina Hammer, Pogliani Select, The Catskill Cocktail Club and Edible Hudson Valley host a 'thousand bites' feast on the mossy hillside, with single-estate olive oil and balsamic pairings. 3-6pm, $185.

Monday, July 20

Every End Is a Beginning: HAGS at Lil' Deb's Oasis in Hudson — The first of Lil' Deb's guest-chef farewell dinners, conceptual menus riffing on funeral and ceremonial traditions as the beloved spot winds down. Appreciate these folks being hardcore to the last minute.

Tuesday, July 21

Community Pizza Party at Maison — Pizza in the gallery: a ticket gets you a pie, a drink and a seat, or drop by 6-8pm to shop and hang.

Moth Night at Taghkanic Community Forest in Craryville — An after-dark hang with your flighted, fuzzy friends. 7:30-10pm.

Wednesday, July 22

I Love Lucy Dacus Lookalike Contest at West Kill Supply in Kingston — Rewind's lookalike contest with an acoustic set from Ginger Winn and a ticket giveaway, right across from her UPAC show. Free. If I part my hair down the middle, do I have a shot?

SAM FRIBUSH AT LOVE, VELMA

This is gonna be fun. Imagine Dr. Lonnie Smith with dirt under his fingernails — that's Sam Fribush. Appalachian organ funk by way of Greensboro and New Orleans, greasy B3 soul-jazz that cooks like a juke joint but wandered in off a dirt road. He's making a pit stop in the Catskills on his way up to Newport, and he's got Lee "Scratch" Perry's bassist in tow??? Josh Werner on bass, Chad Taylor on drums, which means this trio has a whole lot more dub and downtown weirdness in it than a tidy organ-trio record would lead you to expect. Good.

Also: last time I was at Love, Velma I couldn't help but notice a significant uptick in tequila varieties. I'm not saying that's a reason to go. I'm saying it doesn't hurt.

If you believe in the mission, the concept, the vibe, just buy the ticket and go.