In this month’s issue of canvas, Cindy Krezel turns her Tasting Notes column to one of my favorite North Fork farms, Sang Lee Farms. The story focuses mainly on greens, but take it from someone who has driven out there (at least 45 minutes each way) just for their heirloom tomatoes–this is a place you have to check out. They also grow delicious, multi-colored carrots that I’ve enjoyed in the past and make some excellent pre-made Asian pestos and sauces as well.
You all knew it was only a matter of time before we put the newest member of the LENNDEVOURS staff to work. Here’s a picture of our new CCO (that’s chief cuteness officer) at his very first LENNDEVOURS tasting Saturday night. Of course he can’t really participate until he’s much older, but we’ll integrate him into the process slowly. Overall, he seemed to enjoy the tasting. Then again, he has me and Nena for parents, would you expect otherwise? And, as you can see, we tasted several of Castello di Borghese’s current releases during this tasting (along with several wines…
I’ve heard an unconfirmed rumor from a couple different unnamed sources that the owner of D’Latte Uncorked, an upscale deli/wine bar in Greenport, is planning to plant a vineyard on the North Fork with tight row spacing, build a winery on the premises and use a local winemaker as a consultant. Does anyone know anything about this? I’m going to call the deli when I get home tonight, but I’m wondering if any of my "insider" readers have heard anything about this endeavor. Either way, check back soon for more information–I hope.
As winter slows and we look to spring, LENNDEVOURS’ Poet Laureate, Christopher Watkins presents a piece about what this time means for grape vines that have been sleeping during the cold months. One LastBy Christopher Watkins One last hurl of winterfor the sleeping vinesto unknowingly withstand; One last morningof vivid, blinding beauty—sunlight caroming off snow slicks—and the dirty days that followas the oily trucks tattoothe banks built upalong the salted roads; One last fire for warmth; One last reminderthat the world’s not at our mercy,that our mercy’s what we plead forat the door of Mother Nature’s busy home—darkened by our…
On Sunday March 11, two of the North Fork’s best–Paumanok Vineyards and the North Fork Table & Inn–will present a special wine dinner featuring three vintages of Paumanok’s cabernet sauvignon. $85 plus tax and gratuity per person gets you the delicious menu below. For more information and to make a reservation, please call the North Fork Table at (631) 765-0177 Local Fluke Sashimi with Ruby Red Grapefruit and Ginger CracklingsPaumanok 2005 Sauvignon Blanc Porcini-Crusted Salmon with Savoy Cabbage and Red Wine ReductionPaumanok 2004 Cabernet Franc Grand Vintage Roasted Sirloin of Beef with Beef Cheek-Bone Marrow Ragout, Organic White Turnip Puree…
Nena and I first tasted this wine during the best meal we had in the Bay Area last summer. In fact, this bottle was a gift from Alder at the end of the meal. But, as you may remember, Nena was pregnant at the time and when we got back to Long Island, I was given strict orders "Do not drink that bottle of wine without me." So into the wine fridge it went. And I had to wait. And wait and wait. I wanted to open this wine on several occasions before this weekend. Nena had dreams about this…
In the wake of some great coverage of the New York Cork Club, I’m happy to announce our March Selections…a steel-fermented favorite and a enchantingly flavorful cabernet franc. First is the 2005 Steel Fermented Chardonnay ($16) from Peconic Bay Winery. When I first moved to long Island less than a decade ago, I was still a wine newbie and had only experience oaky, heavy chards from Australia and California. This was was amazing…it actually allowed me to taste the chardonnay grape for the first time. Fresh on the nose with almost sauvignon-blanc like grapefruit and other citrus, there is also…
Check out this video filmed at Bedell Cellars on the North Fork by Wine Spectator as Eric Arnold picks and sorts grapes with winemaker John Levenberg. Arnold also put together a series of video podcasts at Wolffer Estate, but I’m having a hard time finding any way to get to them other than through iTunes. So, I can’t embed them for you.
