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Dear Daily!

(NEW YORK)

Dear Daily,

Greetings from Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials in Millbrook, NY! To get the midsummer mood started on Friday night, Millbrook’s own Kevin “Pebbles” Smith hosted a private dinner at his home to welcome all the equestrianistas to town and kick-off the weekend with a toast. “We’ve been doing this every year since the horse trials began, and each year it gets bigger and bigger,” said Smith. ”I’ll drink to that!” Equestrian icons and the genius team behind Fitch’s Corner–Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels– as well as Kellogg’s daughter Fernanda Gilligan and her entourage of friends including Ryan Jones and Casper Ouvaroff, Ralph Lauren’s Jeff Caldwell, Chris Schumacher, Jessica Zaganczyk and Francie Leidy all raised their glasses.

Hermes sponsored a jump.

The main house at Fitch's with a cross country rider

Me on one of the fleet of 4 wheelers. Ariba, ariba!

Saturday morning, we woke to sunny skies and horses jumping fences on the world-class course at Fitch’s. Dressage and stadium jumping governed the day’s activities. We walked and watched before heading headed to Fitches market to try on a pair of Hunter boots. Next door at the Hermès booth, les Selles were on full display. “I already have an Hermès saddle, they really are the best,” said Nick Meyers. ”But I’d take another in a heartbeat!” That night, everyone hit the Blue Jean Ball to dance the night away to DJ Joe Cool. Natasha Blogett and her friend Tarajia Morrell boogied down late-night.

Les Selles Hermes

Sunday’s Spectators Luncheon with celebrity chef Dorcas Summerhoff of The Farmer’s Wife was the weekend’s highlight as Cece Cord, Gloria and Craig Callen, and Chris Spitzmiller dined on mahi-mahi, filet of lamb, green beans with parmesan, and orzo salad. To honor Farnum Collins, master of Millbrook’s Hunt, the hunt itself (complete with hounds) made a cameo. Afterwards, it was trophy time as Mrs. Fernanda awarded the weekend’s top riders. Out came the Hermès orange boxes wrapped in brown bolduc ribbon and the Tiffany blue boites. Pimm’s Cups were flowing and although it rained briefly, the sun made its way out. Well, until next time, and as they say at Fitch’s–ride it if you can!

XOXO Kate Schelter

Chris Schumacher with Mrs Fernanda Kellogg (Mrs Fitch's!)

Kirk Henckels (Mr. Fitch's) and friends

The antique car parade

Barn beauty, Miss Jessica Zaganczyk

We asked New York City-based wine consultant Jaime Dutton a few questions about wine to help us get through the summer.

Sipping Champagne from coupes. Brideshead Revisted (1981)

What’s the best wine trick to instantly make a meal more “summery?”

Put a pretty ice bucket on the middle of the table with a bottle of red, white and rose in it.

Also, mix a nice white wine with some sliced peaches, a lemon wedge, fresh mint and a little bit of sparkling water and you have a delicious, summery drink.

Best wine to pair with lobster or fish?
White – a crisp, bright (meaning with fresh acidity, not heavy or buttery) Chardonnay from Macon (Domaine Chene, Heritiers de Comte-Lafon) or a Bourgogne Blanc (Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey, Thierry Matrot). I also love a great Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in the summer – Quincy (Domaine Mardon), Pouilly-Fume (Domaine Alain Cailbourdin) or Sancerre (Domaine Bailly-Reverdy) are all regions where you can find delicious summer whites.

Red – I would suggest a lightly chilled Beaujolais like a Fleurie, Morgon or Brouilly. These wines are all 100% Gamay and there are many great Beaujolais producers that are making very delicious, fruit driven wines – nothing better with grilled fish. As for producers look for Jean-Marie Foillard, Marcel Lapierre, Chateau Thivin – they are all delicious, especially when served slightly chilled.

Beer and Veuve with my mom's lobster dinner on Cape Cod for July 4th.

Best wine to pair with grilled steak?

For summer evenings on our terrace I like a Syrah from the Northern Rhone (Christophe Curtat – Saint Joseph Rouge, Alain Graillot – Crozes-Hermitage) or a Cotes du Rhone (Domaine de la Remejeanne, Domaine Escaravailles). These are simple wines––we enjoy them at home and they are great in the summer.

Best wine to give as a summer weekend house gift?

Something that you love to drink. I think Rosé is a nice gift. You can never drink enough Rose in the summer. Another idea is the fixings for a Kir Royale––a bottle of Creme de Cassis and a bottle of a dry sparkling wine (Champagne or Cremant de Bourgogne) or a bottle of Bourgogne Aligoté. A little bit of Cassis in the bottom of the glass, topped off with the white wine and you have a delicious, refreshing and lovely drink.

Great simple summery recipe accompanied with wine?

Pesto pasta and summer squash served with a lovely glass of Chateau Thivin, Cote de Brouilly 2007.

Dom or Veuve?

Dom of course – but the price difference between the two make it a hard comparison. The best way to go with Champagne is “grower-Champagne” not the big brands (check out the Champagne that is imported by Terry Theise). From the Champagne houses, I always reach for Pol Roger or Nicolas Feuillante.

Champagne coupes in Brideshead Revisted (1981)

What is your favorite drinking glass for wine or champagne?

Champagne – I like the old-school crystal Champagne Tulips (coupes), they are so classic, elegant and pretty.

House wines – we like to drink out of the Spanish tumblers that we picked up in the Basque Country. They are shallow glasses, but perfect for a little glass of wine.

Classic champagne coupe.

Email Jaime Dutton at jdwine@gmail.com

How cool is this gorgeous settee, covered in muslin and then gloriously graffitied on by Pamela Bell’s children and their friends?! I am so inspired by this. Click here to view the New York Times slideshow.

Photo: Phil Mansfield for The New York Times

Photo: Phil Mansfield for The New York Times

Wimbledon whites aside, pink is the new yellow when it comes to tennis. Penn makes a ball that supports breast cancer research and the Beverly Hills Hotel sells balls in their signature salmon decorated with their green logo.

Click to purchase

Click to purchase

Brainy, colorful, pithy art direction; lovely, listenable, lyrical tunes.

I love this video for the song Any Fun by Coconut Records (Jason Schwartzman), featuring Chloe Sevigny. I also love Chloe’s hair, her Baja top, smiling (in general), and having fun. (Shout out to CJS for showing this to me. Fun-ie!)

Click on the images below to watch it. The video is by William Strobeck and Mark Gonzales.