Posts Tagged“wine”

Bedell Cellars Named #7 Hottest Small Brand

I got an email yesterday that Long Island’s own Bedell Cellars was named the #7 hottest small brand by Wine Business News. While the story itself isn’t all that interesting (I’ve been talking about Bedell’s quality and shift towards more blends for a while now), it is obviously nice to see a North Fork producer on this list. It also shows just how boutique a region this is. In the overall world of wine, Bedell Cellars is a small producer, but it is definitely not one of Long Island’s small producers–in terms of wine production, quality or notoriety. Certainly, they…

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WBW #29: Shinn Estate Vineyards 2004 Cabernet Franc (North Fork)

I don’t mean any offense to Jack or anyone else who believes strongly in biodynamic farm practices. Really I don’t and I think that there are some great wines being made with biodynamic-grown grapes. Anyone who has tasted any can see that. But I don’t buy into the benefit some of the more ‘hocus pocus’ techniques. Maybe it’s the former scientist in me. I was a biology major after all. I’m all for organic and sustainable farming. The benefits to the land, environment and those living there are obvious and much more provable. In my mind, biodynamic gets a little…

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Meet Mickey Mouse. Drink New York Wines.

I just got an email telling me that Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort’s Blue Zoo restaurant will soon be pouring six, count em six, New York wines. So, now you can take your kids to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse…and then enjoy some some delectable Finger Lakes and Long Island wines with dinner. The wines chosen by Blue Zoo’s team are: Atwater Estate Cabernet Franc Heron Hill Ingle Vineyard Riesling Heron Hill Semi-Dry Riesling Sheldrake Point Riesling (my review) Raphael La Fontana Wolffer Estate Selection Chardonnay I’ve had all of these wines with the exception of Atwater’s cab…

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WTN: Channing Daughters Winery 2004 L’Enfant Sauvage Chardonnay (The Hamptons)

You’ve heard me say over and over that Long Island is a cool-climate wine region. That’s nothing new. But the South Fork, also known as the Hamptons, is actually even cooler, with a growing season that is typically ten or so days shorter. Some have said that this makes it  better suited to white wines than red. I’ll open that can of worms another time, but there are some stellar whites made on the South Fork.Channing Daughters Winery, one of three wineries in the Hamptons region is doing some of the most exciting things with white wine on the entire…

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WTN: Kinkead Ridge 2004 Cabernet Franc

As someone who was born and raised in western Pennsylvania, four things come to mind when I think about neighboring Ohio: Bad drivers Sea World Cedar Point amusement park The much-hated Cleveland Browns. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I was raised to loathe our neighbors to the west, but they definitely weren’t looked upon fondly. Now, after tasting the wines of Kinkead Ridge Estate Winery, there is at least one thing I can say that I love about the Buckeye State. Located just outside of Ripley, Ohio, Kinkead Ridge Winery grows only vinifera grapes in their…

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Clovis Point (Jamesport, NY): Current Releases

Last week I wrote about Clovis Point, one of the North Fork’s newest wine labels, but I didn’t say much about the wines themselves. And many of you didn’t like that too much. I must have gotten at least ten emails saying "what about the wines, Lenn?" So, here’s a brief rundown of the wines Clovis Point currently has available on their website: Clovis Point’s 2004 Chardonnay ($13.50). This wine was fermented mostly in stainless steel with just a little barrel-fermented chardonnay and Gewürztraminer added. With bright fruit, super-subtle barrel notes and nice balance at this price point, this was…

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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…

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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…

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New North Fork Winery: Clovis Point (Jamesport, NY)

It looks like the North Fork is home to yet another winery — Clovis Point. I had heard something about this a while back, but didn’t know they were finally open (meaning they just got their license) and selling wine. (Thanks, Sean, for the tip.) Clovis Point is named for sculpted tools found near their vineyard that were used by the earliest inhabitants of Long Island’s North Fork over 10,000 years ago. Clovis Point was founded in 2001 when proprietors Hal Ginsburg, Mary Bayno, Nasrallah Misk, Jonathan and Renae Pine, and Richard Frey bought ten acres of farm land on…

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A North Fork Gallery Worth Seeking Out

I consider myself fairly sophisticated and cultured, but a trip to an art gallery — and just an art gallery — isn’t necessarily my cup of tea (or glass of wine.) I need a fine meal either before the gallery or after (or maybe both) to entice me. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, right?        But, there’s a new Gallery on the North Fork that I’m willing to visit — and open — any time. In fact, I plan to several times over the course of the next few months.       Bedell…

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