Wednesday, May 28, 2014

It's Hard to Say Goodbye

This has not been easy.

Back in February, I guess, I realized that I would stop writing this blog. And I've been meaning to write a goodbye post, but it turns out that goodbye posts are difficult. I wrote this thing for over seven years! It's been an integral part of my life. I've learned so much and experienced so much because of writing this blog. Much has changed in my life while doing this - my job, my marriage, friends, my whole self...

How do I say goodbye? What can I write that conveys how grateful I am for having had this experience? Every time I feel like I want to sit down and write goodbye to you all, in the end I cannot pick up the pen. It feels too daunting. Part of me hasn't wanted to say goodby.

But it's been a long time, and I'm too busy to give this blog the kind of attention it needs - other things take priority now. It no longer feels like I do it for myself - if I write it's because it feels like I should. So it's time to stop.

Because I haven't been able to think of the right subject for a final post, because I can't come up with the right goodbye to you all, instead I will close out the Brooklynguy thing with what feels fitting to me - a simple dish and a humble but lovely wine to go with it.

I found a new farmer at my market (Bill Maxwell retired last season, to my sadness). Her asparagus are pretty darn good. I roasted a handful with a little olive oil and a bit of sea salt - that's it. Served next to a piece of blackfish, the sweet moderately-firm fish that eats shellfish. Barely dredged in flour, seared in butter, finished in the oven, topped with a mixture of green garlic, parsley, mint, a small pinch of red pepper flake, and black olives.

This was a nice weekend lunch. It was elevated by this very lovely Chablis.

I like Gilbert Picq's wines. This is a humble villages wine from 2012, a pretty good vintage, it would seem. I spent less than $20 for this bottle. Okay, it was best about 8 hours later, and so maybe would benefit from a couple years in the cellar. But who cares. I loved it with my weekend lunch. It has fresh and airy aromas that provide a glimpse into the briny, stony, floral splendor that a great Chablis offers. The palate is lively and balanced, and surprisingly long and pungent for a humble villages wine. Not every day is a 1er or Grand cru day. Most days aren't, actually. A good villages wine is a wonderful thing, if you can find a good one.

Thank you again for being here with me. I truly enjoyed it and I hope you did too. I'm not going to take the site down because I still enjoy poking through the old posts from time to time.

And now I will say goodbye, and wish you all the best.

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Long time reader as well. I have checked this many times since January hoping to find a new post. I always enjoyed your posts. Now I will have to settle for your notes on cellartracker.

Thanks for all of the time dedicated to creating such enjoyable content.

Anonymous said...

Ditto what the above Unknown said: have checked at least once/day, hope-against-hope. It was a fantastic ride, and I'm deeply grateful for all your insights and your amazing writing (I've gone back and read them all from the beginning). I do wish someday you'd write something more formal about wine. You have incredible sensibilities, and a rare gift of candor without harsh judgment.

Be well, BG.

Unknown said...


I remember when I met you on Levenberg's rooftop BBQ, and when I learned that you were Brooklynguy, for me it was like meeting a celebrity.

The Internet is worse off by your departure, but better because of what you have added over the past seven years.

Jack Everitt said...

But how will your readers meet accidentally at a Swedish restaurant in the Future?!

deetrane said...

Thanks for all the good times, BG!

Ben said...

Brooklynguy, your blog is a wonderful and inspiring thing. You conveyed your relationship with wine and even your experiences in life so powerfully over a long time. Wishing you all the best!

Eric Scholnick said...

Thanks for a great blog. Educational and very enjoyable reading. You have a gift for writing, and I'm guessing you enjoy it when you feel you have the time to do it right, which leads me to believe this will be a hiatus rather than a farewell.

Call that a prediction. Don't know where, don't know when, but we'll see you again, even if less frequently. Come back when you feel like it. Thanks for now.

jason said...

sad to see you leave BG. you will be missed in the blogosphere, but these things happen. if you are stopping, it is for a good reason. keep looking for and drinking the hidden good stuff.

Daniel said...

Dear Brooklynguy, I've been reading your blog for years and I've always enjoyed it a lot. In fact, it's my favorite wine blog! Although anonymous, your posts always were personal in a good way and at the same time highly informative. Thanks a lot and all the best to you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for everything Brooklynguy. I discovered your blog just as I was getting into wine seriously and learned a lot from your well written, humble and informative posts. You're leaving a big hole on the interweb that won't easily be filled. Hopefully one day you feel the urge to take up the blog again one day. Best of luck...

-Wes, Vancouver, Canada

Alfonso Cevola said...

Writing a blog for as long as you have has been a labor of love. I will miss your posts, but we met because of our blogs, so I reckon our friendship will not disappear. Hope to see you next time I'm in Gotham City, amico. (We still need to visit the Noguchi museum when it is open)

thanks for the memories!

Do Bianchi said...

thanks for all the great posts over the years, Brooklyn Guy.

And please don't take down the site! It's such a great reference tool for us. I use it often.

I've really enjoyed your blogging and you've been an inspiration for my own blog.

abbraccio J

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the time and words you shared. Your perspective--openness, humility, appreciation--was a great lens for thinking about wine, and for other things. I have really enjoyed reading your thoughts and experiences here. I hope what's next is great.

Brooklynguy said...

Thank you all for these very kind words.

Unknown said...

Wow, I'm incredibly saddened to hear this. But, at the same time, you need to be doing it for the right reasons. Best of luck, and I'll also be following you on CT.

I wanted to say a really heartfelt thank you for all the writing over the years. I've learned a lot from you, and more than anything else it has been fun to read your writing.

John said...

All the best, your blog is a terrific reference point.

Anonymous said...

Longtime reader but first-time commenter. I have been into wine a very long time and this has always been one of my favourite blogs - because you have an almost novelistic way of conveying your thoughts about food and wine, which elevate it far beyond the often banal tasting notes and general hogwash that dominates most wine writing today. Thanks for everything and I hope you still post (even if infrequently) when you feel inspired - clearly you have many admirers.

Doug M said...

loved the blog, but don't feel bad, there always comes a time when you have to move on to the next thing.

Dimitri said...

Good luck for the future BG!

Thank you for your efforts and for all the hard work you put into this.

Best D

Anonymous said...

Adieu! I used to tune in almost every day. Tastes and preferences bend and change. We corresponded by e-mail a few times and when that stopped--I hope I never said anything that offended you. You were a wine buddy I never met. Like many of your readers, I wish you all the best.

Unknown said...

Don't stop.
And drink this wine, Tons de Duorum Branco 2013, from Portugal.

Thank you

Peter Sousa

Rick said...

Loved your Blog sorry to see you go. But do come back time to time. I'm sure many would greatly appreciate your wisdom.
www.quickstopwine.com

allaboutwine said...

Wow, I'm incredibly saddened to hear this. But, at the same time, you need to be doing it for the right reasons. Best of luck, and I'll also be following you on CT.