Posts Tagged“bedell cellars”

New York State Wine Outlet to Open in Shanghai, China

Over the last 12-18 months the United Kingdom has emerged a potentially important market for New York — and other East Coast — wines. In fact, delegations from the Finger Lakes and Long Island are there right now for the 2012 London International Wine Fair. Now, more New York wineries than ever are looking even further east for new markets — all the way to China. A handful of wineries, including Channing Daughters Winery, Lieb Family Cellars and Pindar Vineyards, already sell or have sold wine in China. But, later today, Empire State Cellars, the New York-only tasting room and shop in Riverhead,…

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Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing (LISW) Announces Formation and Sustainable Vineyard Certification

Most wineries on the East End of Long Island like to talk about being “sustainable” in their vineyard practices and winemaking. There’s discussion about windmills and compost piles and this spray or that application, but let’s be honest, “sustainable” is a nebulous term… at least in the way they are using it, to denote a certain “green”-ness without formal biodynamic or organic certification. Those require strict adherence to defined rules over a set period of time. “Sustainable” is a bit of a “green” grey area without any local definition or certification. It is a term that is decidedly open to interpretation.…

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Bedell Cellars 2010 Syrah

Winemaker Rich Olsen-Harbich did some things differently during his first crush at Bedell Cellars in 2010. He brought his ambient yeast fermentations, of course, but he also made a couple blends by co-fermenting the grapes together — making his blending decisions from the outset. Bedell Cellars 2010 Syrah ($50) is one of those wines, made with 90% syrah and 10% viognier in the model of the Northern Rhone. That squirt of viognier is most apparently on a pretty, effusive nose that shows melon and honeysuckle aromas layered over fresh red berries, plums and a combination of earthy cumin and coriander. The…

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Long Island Vineyards Could See Early Bud Break in 2012

The earliest anyone can remember seeing bud break in Long Island vineyards was mid-April in 2010 — a vintage that ended up being one of the longest and warmest on record. Bud break in 2010 was about two weeks earlier than average. But, after a mild winter and with temperatures currently in the upper-50s and 60s this week — Long Island vineyards coudl see bud break even earlier in 2012. “The potential for an early budbreak this year appears higher than normal. If the weather continues to trend the way it has over the winter season it is increasingly likely that an early…

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EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Bedell Cellars Winemaker’s Dinner at Jewel on March 18

On Sunday, March 18, Bedell Cellars will co-host its next winemaker’s dinner, this one at chef Tom Schaudel’s newest restaurant, Jewel at 5 p.m. The five-course menu will be paired with winemaker Rich Olsen-Harbich’s wines. Schaudel has long been an advocate of and champion for Long Island wines, and it’s great to see a wine dinner such as this so far west on the island. Seats are $85 per person and $70 for wine club members. Call (631) 722-0500 for reservations.     Bedell Cellars Winemaker’s Dinner Menu March 18, 2012 at 5 p.m. Reception 2007 Blanc de Blanc Blue…

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EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Bedell Cellars Winemaker’s Dinner at Jamesport Manor Inn on March 2

On Friday, March 2, Bedell Cellars will co-host a winemaker’s dinner at The Jamesport Manor Inn at 7 p.m. The menu, prepared by Executive Chef Michael Mandleur and paired with wines by winemaker Richard Olsen-Harbich, is below. Seats are $70 per person and $65 for wine club members. Call (631) 722-0500 for reservations.           Bedell Cellars Winemaker’s Dinner Menu March 2, 2012 at 7 p.m. Slow-braised barbeque pork belly with Michigan cherries, hazelnuts and frisee Bedell Cellars 2007 Blanc De Blanc Peconic Bay Oysters on the half shell with lemon granite and cocktail sauce Bedell Cellars…

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Bedell Cellars 2010 Viognier

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor I have fond memories of Bedell Cellars' viognier. Back when my wife and I were dating and exploring North Fork wine country nearly every weekend, it was a favorite in all of its melon and honeysuckle glory.  Then it was gone, removed from the portfolio… because the winery introduced and began to focus on white wine blends like Taste White and Gallery. That's where all of the viognier went.  It remains an important component in those blends, but starting with this wine it's back as a varietal wine — permanently. According to winemaker Rich Olsen-Harbich…

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Bedell Cellars 2010 Chardonnay

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor I appreciate the direction that winemaker Rich Olsen-Harbich is taking the white wine program at Bedell Cellars. I’ve now tasted a handful of his 2010 wines — his first vintage at Bedell — and a few things are clear. First, there is a distinct focus on expressing the vintage over a house style. Second, there is a much more judicious use of new oak. This Bedell Cellars 2010 Chardonnay ($20) illustrates both points well. In some previous vintages, there’s been a sameness to the regular chardonnay bottling and the reserve. That sameness was oak —…

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Bedell Cellars 2008 First Crush Red

By Lenn Thompson, Founder and Editor-in-Chief Too often we get caught up in the idea that every wine has to be mind-blowingly complex, nuanced and age worthy. Sometimes it's good to take a step back and drink a wine that is just plain delicious to drink with your dinner — now, not with any aging the cellar. Bedell Cellars 2008 First Crush Red ($18) is one such wine. You won't find too many 2008 reds released already, but this one doesn't see a splinter of oak in its creation, and it's probably at its best right now. Is this a…

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Bedell Cellars: A Trip to the (Wine) Library

Four library reds at Bedell Cellars Bedell Cellars is one of the true jewels of the North Fork wine industry. You have history — it was founded in 1980 by Kip Bedell who still serves as founding winemaker. You have an influx of new capital — the result of Michael Lynne purchasing the winery in 2000. And you have terrific wines coming out of a state-of-the-art winery and modern tasting room. One thing seems to be a constant through the many changes Bedell Winery has gone through in recent years — quality wines that are among the region’s best. On…

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