Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.
Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.
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My wife and I recently crossed the border to visit Hudson, NY, for our anniversary, as is my practice, I reached out to the local tourism board (and a surprisingly large number of friends who had visited there recently) to get tips regarding places to eat and drink. While there were more than enough to choose from, one of my favorite stops was at Left Bank Cider.
Founded by a husband and wife who got into the cider game by saving the “unsellable” apples at local farmers markets and then pulping them in a food processor and squeezing the mash through pillowcases(!), Left Bank has assembled a more traditional pressing and bottling system but still keeps to their foraging roots, taking apples from the lands of local farmers who agree to let them use what they cannot sell.
Many of these so-called “damaged” (and often rare) apples are on display in Left Bank’s hand-crafted tasting room (which, as the name implies, is on the left bank of Catskill Creek, which is a tributary of the Hudson River), but the real fruits of their labors are evident in the wide range of hand-crafted ciders that they make with hyper-local apples that are as fresh and flavorful as any and worth a visit to Hudson on their own.
From the Old Gold that is made in honor of farmer friends named Goold and the similarly-named Mary Ann’s Mead to the wild-fermented Kabbin, the slightly sweeter Cherry Baby, and an apples and honey Spyser, Left Bank has a cider for every taste and offers a taste of the entire Hudson Valley in one cozy spot! Inspired by their poetic business partner, Left Bank’s tasting room also hosts readings and other cultural events, making it a great place to drink, listen, and enjoy the VERY local flavors along with the company of friends new and old.
If you like great food and drink as well as fun and funky shops and beautiful scenery, I highly recommendd visiting Hudson, When you are there, be sure to stay on the Left Bank.