What I’m Thankful For This Year (Wine Edition)
This is a list of just some of the wine-related things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving season. Feel free to leave comments about the things you are thankful for this year!
The 2007 Harvest. Just like the local winemakers who can’t stop
talking about the healthy, ripe fruit they’ve been given to work with
and the local wine lovers who will enjoy the result of that work, I
too am thankful for the 2007 season. It promises to be one of the best
vintages ever. That means I’ll have plenty to write about for years
to come.
Small Producers. I’m thankful for the tiny, family-run wineries
that may only make a few hundred cases each year. Their intrepid energy
is inspiring and their wines can be as well. I’m talking about places
like Medolla Vineyards, Scarola Vineyards, Diliberto Winery and Waters
Crest Winery. Thank you for keeping the family in family wineries.
Eric Fry. The merlots Fry crafts at Lenz Winery have matched
First Growth Bordeaux in blind tastings, but I’m thankful for the sparkling
wines he makes for Lenz as well as for Lieb Cellars and The Old Field.
Bubbly is great any time of year, but they seem to find their way into
our glasses more this time of year. Cheers!
The Experimenters. Of course wine is a traditional product, but
it’s always great to see innovative and new ideas applied to it. Like
Paumanok bottling some of their 2007 vintage under screwcap closures.
Martha Clara Vineyards making their first Syrah-Viognier blend in the
tradition of the Cote-Rotie region of France. Palmer Vineyards creating
a chardonnay meant to pair specifically with Pipes Cove Oysters. And,
of course all of the unique, interesting blends and techniques being
employed by Chris Tracy down at Channing Daughters Winery.
Grapes of Roth. Winemaker Roman Roth’s private label has already
given us one of the region’s best merlots. But, the German-born winemaker
will add a riesling to the portfolio this spring. It’s a wine I’m very much looking
forward to.
Local Cabernet Franc.
Merlot still gets much of the press in these parts — and deservedly
so. But I’m absolutely and hopelessly hooked on local cabernet franc.
The best ones bring together fruit, earth and herbs — all with just
enough structure. Look for varietal bottlings by Raphael, Pellegrini
Vineyards, Opsrey’s Dominion and Wolffer Estate. The cab franc-heavy
blends from Roanoke Vineyards show the grape off well too.
My Readers. Over the past year or so, I’ve had the opportunity to meet more of you than ever before. It’s always great to meet people who are as passionate about wine (local or otherwise) as I am and I hope to meet many more of you in the coming year.
I’m thankful I found your blog! I’m a local who enjoys all things local! Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
I’m thankful for the Bridgeport/Port Jeff ferry service. How else would I easily get to the North Fork 2 to 3 times per year.
I’m also thankful for the great B&B’s on the North Fork that allow for a great weekend stay. (I’m already booked this upcoming May at Shinn - - - I can’t wait).
And finally.. I’m greatful for the awesome new restaurants that have popped up on the North Fork over the last 4 or 5 years (5th Season, Jedediahs, NF Table, etc); our B&B visits are so much more than just wine tasting during the day now - we have great nighttime dinner destinations as well!
I’m thankful for the return to local, fresh ingredients at many of the up and coming restaurants in Manhattan. I’m tired of the trendy hot boxes with oversized Samurai
I’m thankful for Waters Crest Winery Cabernet Franc! And, of course, Dr. Frank’s Rkatsiteli.
Kathleen Lisson