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Posts Tagged“merlot”

The First Batch of North Fork Red Wine Vinegar

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My first batch of AVA-designated red wine vinegar has been siphoned off and bottled. I haven’t actually used it in any cooking yet, but I can tell you this — the flavor is so much more intense than anything you’ll buy at any supermarket or even specialty shop. For my next batch, which will be ready in time for holiday gift giving, I’m going to use only merlot from the North Fork of Long Island AVA. I know that I’ve been a bit lax posting lately, but that’s only because real work has gotten in the way. Stay tuned for…

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Winners From the New York Wine and Food Classic

This week, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard’s 2005 Dry Riesling ($16) defeated 702 other New York wines to win the Governor’s Cup, awarded to the events best wine. Dr. Konstantin Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars was named New York’s "Winery of the Year" based on the number, and level, of medals its wines won. Sponsored and run by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation (NYWGF), a nonprofit statewide trade organization based in the in newly opened New York Wine and Culinary Center. Howard Goldberg reported in the New York Times, "The wine industry and influential wine periodicals treat the contest as…

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WTN: Wolffer Estate Vineyards 2002 Estate Selection Merlot (The Hamptons, Long Island)

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I’ve written about the wines of Wolffer Estate several times, so I probably don’t need to provide much background here. Just know that despite vineyards that have slightly more chardonnay in them than merlot, Wolffer, and winemaker Roman Roth are devoted to Long Island merlot. They are a founding member of the Long Island Merlot Alliance and also create Long Island’s most expensive merlot — their Premier Cru Merlot ($125). One can easily argue the merits of both a $125 bottle of Long Island wine and the LIMA, but today we’re talking about Wolffer Estate Vineyards’ 2002 Estate Selection Merlot…

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WTN: Grapes of Roth 2001 Merlot ($50)

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Later this month, Roman Roth, the winemaking talent behind the wines of Wolffer Estate, Shinn Estate Vineyards and Roanoke Vineyards, will show off his garagiste side. Translated from French garagiste literally means “garage owner," but in the world of wine, it’s used to describe a winemaker who produces small lots of high-quality, handcrafted wines – sometimes right in his or her own garage. And while Roth didn’t make his private label — Grapes of Roth — in his garage, he’s embraced the garagiste philosophy, crafting fewer than two hundred cases of his 2001 Grapes of Roth Merlot ($50). Roth grew…

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WTN: Shinn Estate Vineyards “Red” ($14)

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I have an announcement to make: I have a new favorite local red wine for every day, food-friendly drinking. Shinn Estate Vineyard’s non-vintage Red ($14) is a blend of 75% merlot and 25% cabernet sauvignon, isn’t the most complex local merlot. It isn’t the richest, deepest pour either…but it’s ideally suited for food Light-to-medium bodied, this wine actually has some pinot noir-like qualities despite the grapes involved. Light ruby in the glass, the nose is mainly raspberry and strawberries, with just the most subtle hints of spice. The palate is juicy red berries, hints of oak character, and terrific food-friendly…

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Merlot With a Mission — Lieb Family Cellars Produces Wine to Commemorate 9/11

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Lieb Family Cellars has teamed up with September’s Mission – a nonprofit foundation that funds educational and cultural programs in remembrance of the victims of 9/11 – to help the many families affected by the tragedy. To commemorate the three-year anniversary of 9/11, the Mattituck winery has produced 6,300 bottles of a special 2002 Merlot, which is available at its tasting room for $9.11 and is also available for resale to wine shops and restaurants in New York State. By donating 91.1 cents from each bottle sold to September’s Mission, winery owners Mark and Kathy Lieb hope to raise close…

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From the Vine: The Making of Mr. Merlot

  I’ve been lucky enough over the past several years to attend some noteworthy wine tasting events at various venues on our beautiful North Fork. They are always deliciously wonderful experiences and I’m always on the lookout for bigger and better events. So when I was invited to Bedell Cellars in Cutchogue for its “17 Years of Merlot” tasting, I knew this would be a benchmark experience for this still-young region. After navigating the Riverhead traffic to get to this 50-acre former potato farm, my fiancée Nena and I were a little hungry and beyond eager to begin tasting. A…

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From the Vine: 17 Years of Bedell Cellars’ Merlot

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A few weeks ago, when my wine editor at Dan’s Papers asked me if I wanted to to go Bedell Cellars to attend a special event celebrating 17 years of Merlot, I jumped at the chance. Kip Bedell, founder and winemaker, is known throughout L.I. wine country as “Mr. Merlot” and in tasting 17 vintages, he has certainly earned the title. Even the early vintages, made when he admits he knew “only a fraction of what he does now” about grape growing and winemaking, were delicious. I’ll not give away too much information here, I do have to write an…

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