Wine a Bit

This past weekend I had the opportunity to participate in Southold Farm + Cellar’s En Primeur 2016. For those that don’t know, En Primeur is synonymous with “wine futures” and is a method of purchasing wines early while the wine is still in the barrel. I was thrilled when I learned about this event, as Southold Farm + Cellar produces some of the best and most unique wines in the region. It was a privilege to get a sneak peek of what’s to come.

We sampled three of Southold Farm + Cellar’s 2015 Estate and Farm reds.  With a focus on growing “weird” grapes, these releases are a testament to winemaker Regan Meador's commitment to differentiation. With all three wines piquing my interest, I struggled with where to put my money. At the end, I went with the yet-to-be-named teroldego, as this is where Reagan really took a risk. Commonly grown in northern Italy, this is not a grape grown on Long Island or even heard of by many in the region.

This Saturday, June 27, Jamesport Vineyard will host the North Fork Crush Wine + Artisanal Food Festival. With two sessions (2 pm – 5 pm + 7 pm – 10 pm), guests will sample 100+ wines and food accompaniments from Noah’s in Greenport. While I look for any opportunity to sample the newest Long Island wines, I am equally excited about Noah’s role at this event as it’s one of my favorite North Fork establishments.

Participating Long Island vineyards include Jamesport (of course), Roanoke Vineyards, Harbes, Lieb Cellars, Sparkling Pointe, Coffee Pot Cellars, Martha Clara, Waters Crest, Sannino Bella Vita, Palmer, Raphael, Mattebella and Lenz. Saltbird Cellars will also be there – which will be a treat as they don’t have a tasting room and I have yet to try their wine. And also exciting is that Brotherhood from the Hudson Valley will be there. If you haven’t visited this amazing vineyard, I highly recommend. It is America’s oldest winery and located on a stunning property.

Tickets for this event are still available here: http://www.newyorkwineevents.com/events/north-fork-crush-wine-artisanal-food-festival/.

A night at PAWPAW…

If you are familiar with Chef Taylor Knapp from his First + South days, you know he can cook. But did you know how creative he, or any chef for that matter, could really be? PAWPAW truly surprises you at every turn with 15+ courses of locally sourced and foraged foods.

While Chef Taylor recently left the traditional restaurant scene, he is still not far from the kitchen. Kicking off PAWPAW – a pop-up dining experience – 16 guests can dine together at a communal table inside Bruce’s Cheese Emporium in Greenport. This is part of the fun and what makes the North Fork so special, as you not only get to experience culinary creations you never imagined, but get to dine with new friends.

If you are interested in trying crispy duck tongue, razor clams with puffed pork and green juniper or sunchoke and radish with lamb’s head brother, PAWPAW is the place to be. And I can’t forget to mention the egg yolk sandwich with ramp that ultimately stole the show. It tasted like the best grilled cheese sandwich I’ve ever had.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending Taste the End held at the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead. This event married some of Long Island’s most phenomenal East End restaurants with local craft beer, wine and spirits -- providing an opportunity to sample signature dishes and beverages from 40+ vendors. Add in live music from Acoustic Soul and 45 RPM, this was truly an event not to be missed.

Standouts include Miss Lady Root Beer (on its own or paired with Sag Harbor Rum), Bianca Dolce from Sannino Bella, crepes from Savory Crepe and Merliance Merlot. Oh wait…I cannot forget everything Roanoke  Vineyard poured, the refreshing ‘Pink Lemonade’ from LiV Vodka and the fantastic Bloody Mary from Murph’s. And…I have to say the pizzas from Pizzetteria Brunetti were not only excellent but seriously hit the spot after 2+ hours of drinking!

Lucharitos Taqueria & Tequila Bar just recently reopened after tripling its kitchen space, adding new dishes and more seating for its loyal patrons. This Greenport institution is better than ever!

Lieb Cellars has truly made a name for itself over the past decade. In addition to introducing its Bridge Lane series and merging with Premium Wine Group, Lieb opened a new tasting room on Oregon Road in Cutchogue. It just recently occurred to me that I had never visited the new facility, so made it a point to check it out on my way to The Old Field last weekend.

Typically favoring reds, I was in a mood for white that day.  I am glad I was, as I had the chance to taste the 2012 Reserve Pinot Blanc and 2010 Reserve Chardonnay. I especially enjoyed the Chardonnay and its notes of pear and baked apple.

There are many benefits to becoming a wine club member. They vary from vineyard to vineyard – but most include special events for members only. I’ve been a member of various wine clubs for years, yet somehow always miss the opportunity to attend these events. I was thrilled that my schedule was clear this past Saturday and I could attend The Old Field’s Pick Up Party.

In addition to picking up the latest wine club shipment (and saving on shipping costs), this was a great opportunity to sample The Old Field’s wines. We also got to enjoy the beautiful property on what turned out to be a perfect night weather wise, meet other wine club members and munch on some delicious appetizers.

While McCall Wines is most known for its Pinot Noir and Merlot, this weekend I was most excited to try their recently released rosé. The 2014 Marjorie’s Rose is made from sustainable grapes and hand-picked. The elimination of oak and sulfites provides a fresh, crisp taste…and less risk of a hangover! I highly recommend if looking for a light, but flavorful, summer wine.

We tried a variety of other wines – and in many cases getting to try side by side – to really get a sense of the difference between each vintage.

As always, a visit at McCall is most enjoyable because of the people. Russell and his wife are typically on hand when I’ve been there in the past. And although I was surprised I didn’t see them, their daughter was visiting and helping out in the tasting barn. The woman pouring our wine (my bad for not catching a name) was great and we enjoyed chatting with her. Between the amazing barn and the equally amazing people, McCall continues to be one of my favorite vineyards.

The Westhampton Farmers Market is one of my favorite markets. This past weekend kicked off the season and I was excited to see Wölffer Estate in attendance. I stopped by to sample their recently released 2014 Summer in a Bottle Rosé.

Located on an historic farm in Southold, Croteaux is the only vineyard in the United States that exclusively produces Rosé wines.

Restaurant Week always draws crowds and in some cases I find the service, the menu and the food to be very limited in terms of options and quality. This was not the case at North Fork Table & Inn. Desperate to get there soon, before it’s sold, I was thrilled to get a reservation with short notice.

The apple wood smoked pastured chicken with brown butter-celery root puree, melted leeks and roasted wild mushrooms was spot on. But the star of the show was the strawberry rhubarb shortcake.

Mattebella Vineyards is a hidden gem – at least in my book as I’ve been to the North Fork countless times and somehow never stumbled upon this treasure.

Upon entering the tasting room, I asked my husband if he could replicate it in my backyard. It’s absolutely adorable, yet elegant, and I felt right at home.

 We were served by a man named John. I enjoyed each of the wines included in the Red flight and even more so enjoyed the wealth of information John shared. It’s not often that you leave a tasting feeling truly educated about the vineyard, the wine and each vintage. John was fantastic. I will go back just to learn more from him!

 An added bonus was the bread and jam included in the tasting. The jam is made by one of the owners and I only wish it was sold commercially as it was delicious.

I’ve been hearing amazing things about Caci North Fork since it opened last summer. Our visit was spur of the moment and ultimately the best stop of our day.

Chef Marco Pellegrini’s seasonal cooking is phenomenal. We started with the Grilled Calamari Skewers with Seasoned Bread Crumbs. Great start to the meal!

A pleasant surprise was when the chef sent out small portions of the Basil Tagliatelle with Cherry Tomato & Imported Fresh Mozzarella on the house. Delicious.

Our entrees were out of this world.  I had the Chicken Rollatine with Apricots, Guanciale & Marsala Wine. It was really unique, incredibly tasty and the perfect portion. My husband had the Grilled Chilean Sea Bass with Lime & Basil Sauce which was cooked to perfection.

Wondering if it was possible for the meal to get any better, dessert was amazing. We ordered the Fior di Latte Gelato with Amarena Cherries and the Ricotta, Orange + Chocolate Torta with Vanilla Sauce. Both were great, but the Torta was a dessert to remember. Typically not a sweet lover, I’ve been thinking about this dessert all week.

I should also mention that they have an extensive wine list, including some of Long Island’s best offerings. I was thrilled to see some options from McCall and thoroughly enjoyed the glass of Merlot I ordered.

Happy 1st Birthday Moustache Brewing Co!

I had been looking forward to Moustache Brewing Co.’s First Birthday Party for a while. My interest in their beer was further peeked when I recently met Matthew and Lauri at the Southold Farm + Cellar.

I was thrilled when I woke up Saturday morning to sunshine and warmth. You could not ask for a better day!