Posts Written OnNovember 2006

LENNDEVOURS Partners with The Greene Grape Wine Company

Please join me in welcoming The Greene Grape wine company to LENNDEVOURS as a site sponsor. Founded in April 2004, with a store in Manhattan and a store in Brooklyn, they strive to provide everyday wines made with integrity, skill and pride. I first became familiar with the company through an article in a food magazine. Their passion for hand-crafted, affordable wines impressed me and I’m more than excited to have them on board. But the new sponsorship is only a fraction of the excitement this brings. This is a true partnership between LENNDEVOURS and The Greene Grape. I know…

Are There Really “Old Vines” on Long Island?

Tom over at Fermentation has resurrected an interesting discussion that has gone around and around in the wine blogosphere (and media at large) that I thought I’d bring over there to this here blog as well — Old Vines. What does it mean? Should it be a regulated term? Does it matter to you when you see it on a bottle? As far as I know, the only Long Island winery using "old vines" on their labels is Lenz Winery, which uses it on a merlot, chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. I think that the oldest vines at Lenz are around…

Clovis Point Joins the North Fork Wine World

“We immediately agreed that our winery and tasting room would be oriented to serious wine drinkers like ourselves. We did not want to create a gift shop that also sells wine. We also did not want to build a bar that happens to focus on wine sales.” That’s how Hal Ginsburg, one of the proprietors of Clovis Point, describes he and his partners’ vision for their new wine venture. In 2001 Ginsburg and two friends of his – Nasrallah Misk and another who is no longer involved in the project – looked at ten acres of property on Main Road…

Roanoke Vineyards Celebrates its 2nd Birthday

On November 19, Roanoke Vineyards celebrated its second birthday with a tasting of Big Reds…all made by Roman Roth. The wines poured included three different Roanoke bottlings, a Grapes of Roth merlot and Long Island’s most expensive wine, Wolffer Estate Vineyards’ Premier Cru. Unfortunately, I was unable to partake in the festivities. But, LENNDEVOURS reader Sean Reilly covered the event for us. Below is his report. It is certain that 2006 has been a watershed year for the Long Island wine industry. Never before have Long Island wines received such attention and praise from the major wine press. The Wine…

Wineries for Sale — It’s Just a Natural Progression

You’ve probably heard that two more local wine producers – Sherwood House Vineyards and Lieb Family Cellars – have put property up for sale. Dr. Charles and Barbara Smithen, current owners of Sherwood House, are asking $4.1 million for their 36-acre Mattituck property, while Mark and Kathy Lieb are asking $7.75 million for their vineyard house and 47.5 acres of property in Cutchogue.        Houses and property go on the market every day. So what’s the big deal? Well, some onlookers are worried that these newest properties, joining Ackerly Pond Vineyards, Castello di Borghese, Galluccio Family Winery, Schneider…

Wines for the Days After Thanksgiving

You’re read all of the recommendations for what to drink with Thanksgiving dinner. Any magazine or newspaper has run a story already. But what about the leftovers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday? I’ve got a few suggestions. First, remember that most, post-Thanksgiving meals are more casual affairs than the day itself, so you won’t want to serve that special $100 bottle. You probably don’t want to ‘waste’ that wine on your family anyway, right? If you are making turkey sandwiches, try a dry, or even off-dry rose’. With fresh acidity, light-to-medium body and bright berry flavors, it’s a great combination…

Wine Blogging Wednesday Updates

I hate to admit, but I’m a little behind with all the goings on with Wine Blogging Wednesday, so here’s the latest: Kitchen Chick has posted the round up for Ice Ice Baby (WBW #27) Brenda over at Culinary Fool has also announced WBW #28, which will focus on sparklers other than Champagne. As always, if you’d like to host a future edition of the Internet’s premier wine tasting event, send me an email.

Southwestern Thanksgiving Menu at Gilded Fork

For Thanksgiving, Chef Mark Tafoya at The Gilded Fork has put together a creative and unique  Southwestern  Thanksgiving menu that includes stuffed turkey breast, chipotle-laced mashed sweet potatoes, a traditional squash dish and apple-cinnamon empanadas. And, as with all of Chef Mark’s menus, I’ve provided some wine pairing suggestions. Pinot noir and off-dry riesling are the main players with one of my favorite dessert wines, Moscato d’Asti paired with the empanadas. Check out the menu and recipes today.

WTN: Bedell Cellars 2005 Gallery (White Blend)

This week on Appellation America, I have recommended a white wine that I think captures the unique terroir of Long Island’s North Fork as well as any I’ve tasted. 2005 Bedell Gallery ($45), from Bedell Cellars is a complex, richly textured blend of 52% chardonnay, 32% sauvignon blanc and 16% viognier. This is a unique blend for the North Fork, or most anywhere else for that matter. Five separate lots of chardonnay were barrel fermented in French oak with primarily native yeast, and were blended with the viognier and sauvignon blanc. Pale straw yellow in the glass, the aromas immediately…

Harvest Lunch @ Wolffer Estate Vineyards, December 9: Taste the 2006 Vintage

On Saturday, December 9 at 12:30 p.m., Wolffer Estate Vineyards will host a harvest luncheon, where winemaker Roman Roth will offer the first tasting of Wolffer’s 2006 vintage. A traditional harvest lunch will also be served in the cellar. It’s $35 per person for wine club members and $40 per person for non-members. To RSVP call 631 537-5106 Ext. 20. Most everyone I’ve talked to says that 2006 was a surprisingly good harvest, with good flavors. This is a unique chance to taste these just-made wines. Unfortunately, Nena and I have a lamaze class all day on the 9th, so…