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…

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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…

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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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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.

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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.

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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…

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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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Shinn Estate 2003 Merlot Best With Thanksgiving Dinner According to NYT

Like I said the other day, every wine writer has to do a "what wine works best with Thanksgiving dinner" story or column and Eric Asimov of the New York Times is no different. What I love seeing, however, is the wine Eric and his tasting panel chose as the best pairing wine of their tasting — Shinn Estate Vineyards 2003 Merlot (See my review). Both that merlot and their "Red" (a merlot-heavy blend) are terrific food wines. Of course, co-owner David Page is a well-known chef (he and Barbara Shinn also own Home restaurant in Manhattan), so that the…

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Update from Barb Smithen @ Sherwood House Vineyards

Barb is one of my favorite people out East, and when I asked her for an update on their plans and the vineyard sale, she responded quickly with: "We want to do more traveling and (as) you know, we bought a house in Antibes (France).Ten years is a long run and we’ve fulfilled our dream 20 times over. But, we still are continuing business as usual. In 2008 our blend is coming out (merlot,cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot) and our Rose will be released this April. I will be working that much harder to keep our standards as high as…

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