My latest column for northfoker was published yesterday — “Uncork the Forks: 5 Under-Appreciated Long Island Grape Varieties.” It’s a quick piece about five grapes that deserve more attention (for one reason or another) in the local wine community. Some are obvious. Others might seem out of place in such a list. But read it and tell me what you think.
When veteran Finger Lakes winemaker Ian Barry started Barry Family Cellars with his family back in 2011, he planned to focus on a core portfolio of riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet franc, while also affording himself the ability tinker and experiment here and there with other grapes and techniques along the way. If any of the wines that resulted from those trials stood out, maybe he’d add to that core group of wines. If my last name were Barry, I’d be pushing for Barry Family Cellars 2014 Pastiche ($22) to join the permanent lineup. It’s one of the best non-riesling Finger Lakes white wines…
The July 2015 wines for the New York Cork Club will ship in a week or so, so I wanted to tell you a bit about them. (If you missed our announcement about the rebirth of New York Cork Club, check it out here.) For July, I’ve chosen two white wines that are as versatile as they are fresh and delicious: Palmer Vineyards 2014 Albarino ($23) — This is a wine that I’ve wanted to include for a couple years now — and now that winemaker Miguel Martin has bottled it in 750 ml bottles, we can! Citrusy and floral, I think this is Miguel’s…
Stainless steel-born chardonnay is rarely a revelation, but Harbes Vineyard 2013 Steel Fermented Chardonnay ($19) is classic North Fork steel chardonnay in all of its easy-drinking, fruit-forward glory. The aromas, begin with straightforward pear and yellow apple notes, but there’s also a faint citrus blossom-herb quality that add just a bit of nuance. Fruity on the medium-bodied, slightly glycerin palate, sweet apples and pears are are backed by some lemon and lime flavors. There is a bit of weight here, but also fresh acidity for balance. The finish isn’t long, but it’s not abrupt either. Producer: Harbes Vineyard AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV:…
Photo courtesy of Roanoke Vineyards Big win for NY wine retailers and a small win for small wineries, Boston nod for the Hudson Valley, and a festival change up on Canandaigua Lake. NEWS Wine-Searcher – 6/17/2015 Overwhelming vote of support for Empire Wine in the New York State Senate, as the State Liquor Authority is barred from enforcing the shipping laws of other states. Finger Lakes Times – 6/18/2015 Business of the Week: Anthony Road Wine Company is a family operation that has been growing grapes for 40 years and making wine for more than 25. Auburn Citizen – 6/20/2015 Winery dogs…
It doesn’t always happen this way. Not every cabernet franc rose tastes like cabernet franc, but Bellangelo 2014 Cabernet Franc Dry Rose ($16) really does. It starts off with the types of bright red fruits that you’ll get from most roses — cranberry and red cherry in this case — but there are also underlying notes of Herbs de Provence and mossy earth that bring a bit of complexity without getting in the way of the fresh fruit aromas and flavors. Brisk and refreshing, it’s lighter bodied and begging to be enjoyed with food. Producer: Villa Bellangelo AVA: Finger Lakes Vineyard: Tuller Vineyard…
Seyval blanc at Hudson-Chatham Winery’s Estate Vineyard Cider in the streets, whiskey at the farm, and wine up on the roof in this week’s New York Cork Report local beverage notes section. NEWS Henrietta Post – 6/5/2015 Blue Toad hard cider takes up new residence in an historic railroad car in Victor, NY. Fort Green Focus – 6/10/2015 Winery in the Brooklyn Navy yard takes rooftop gardening to a new level with top floor terroir. Cornell Extension – 6/4/2015 Good bud survival rates after a very cold winter negated by late spring freeze damage in the Thousand Islands. Dan’s Papers – 6/14/2015 Biking wine and brew…
Enjoy visiting the Roanoke Vineyards tasting room on Sound Avenue, but aren’t a member of their rabidly loyal wine club? You’d better enjoy it for the rest of 2015 — or join the club — because as of January 1, 2016, the winery’s original tasting room is closing to the public. Only wine club members will be able to go there. Roanoke is the first Long Island winery to make such a move — a move that flies in the face of the region’s new focus on agri-tourism and ‘good enough’ wine. From the press release: “With a tsunami in tourism…
The rose reviews continue today with this 100% merlot bottling made by Miguel Martin at Palmer Vineyards. For an all-merlot rose, this one has some character. The red berries you’d expect are there — red cherries and cranberries — but also a bit of red apple and lightly floral overtones. The palate shows nice weight and texture, with bright berry flavor and citrusy acidity. Merlot rose rarely thrills, but this one is satisfying and delicious. Just don’t expect a ton of complexity. Producer: Palmer Vineyards AVA: North Fork of Long Island Price: $20 (sample) (3 out of 5, Very good/Recommended)
For all the wine I have enjoyed, which by any measure is quite a lot, I have visited surprisingly few vineyards. A few in Italy, one or two in California, some in Virginia and New Jersey. But, that has all changed since I took on the Hudson Valley Beat at the New York Cork Report. In fewer than three months I’ve visited four and there are many more on the calendar. For the first three I arrived with an appointment, a planned interview, A reporter’s tour. On this most recent visit, I decided to go undercover, as an everyday consumer off the street.…