By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor It is my personal opinion that there is way too much chardonnay planted on Long Island. I know all the reasons why its there — easy to grow, customer demand, etc. — but chardonnay is never going to be why people visit the region or demand Long Island wines on a restaurant list. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it. I will also highlight Long Island chardonnay wines that are delicious, which they can be. Especially when the right clones are grown in the right place and the wine is made by the…
Posts Tagged“Review”
Macari Vineyards 2010 “Katherine’s Field” Sauvignon Blanc
By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Almost since its inception in 1995, Macari Vineyards, located in the North Fork town of Mattituck, has been a top producers of Long Island sauvignon blanc. The 100% stainless steel “Katherine’s Field” bottling in particular — named for owner Joseph Macari Sr.’s wife Katherine — is a consistent and refreshing wine. That wine’s release is always one I look forward to every spring or early summer — but this year I was even more curious about it. It’s the first Macari sauvignon made by Kelly Urbanik, who joined the winery almost a year ago after…
Influence Wines 2010 Riesling
By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor You may not know who Erik Bilka is, but chances are he’s helped make at least some of your favorite Long Island wines. Bilka, who launched Influence Wines in 2009, has been working at Premium Wine Group — a custom crush facility responsible for several Long Island labels — since 2001. In fact, he was employee #3 when he joined founder Russell Hearn and John Leo. Prior to joining PWG, he worked the 2000 harvest with Alice Wise as a Cornell Cooperative Extension vineyard assistant. Working at PWG, Bilka has worked with many consulting winemakers…
The Grapes of Roth 2009 Riesling
By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor Another impressive 2009 riesling from New York? Yes. And this one is from Long Island. Because he mostly works with Bordeaux reds and chardonnay locally, people wondered what German-born winemaker Roman Roth (Wolffer Estate, Roanoke Vineyards) would do with local riesling. When Roth introduced his private label, The Grapes of Roth, several years ago, he started with a merlot, but introduced his first riesling not long after. And of the three rieslings he’s made under the GoR label, Grapes of Roth 2009 Riesling ($22) might be his best yet. Roth purchases the fruit for this…
Chatham Brewing 8-Barrel Super IPA
By Julia Burke, Beer Editor I made my first visit to Chatham Brewing recently and based on what I tasted I know it won’t be my last. This small, neighborhood-friendly brewery has a dynamite lineup with balance and great flavor across the board. Craving hops, I brought home a growler of this baby. This double IPA pours a rusty amber-copper haze into a pint glass with a fluffy one-to-two-finger head and good lacing. The nose surprised me at first with intense citrus, as in someone-just-peeled-an-orange fresh citrus fruit. As the beer warmed up slightly it reveals an elegant malt profile;…