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Paumanok’s chenin blanc was an ‘interesting accident’
A bottle of Paumanok Vineyards chenin blanc. (Credit: Vera Chinese) Paumanok Vineyards’ chenin blanc is one of the great mysteries of the North Fork wine world. Why? Because despite all the success the...
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At Macari Vineyards, fermentation in an egg
Macari winemaker Kelly Urbanik Koch in front of the concrete eggs. (Credit: David Benthal for northforker) Step into most any Long Island winery — where the wine is actually made, not the tasting room...
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Influence Wines 2014 Malbec is our ‘Wine of the Week’
A bottle of Influence Wines’ 2014 Malbec served at PeraBell Food Bar East in Riverhead. (Credit: Lenn Thompson) When I have dinner on the North Fork, I always try to drink local wine – and not just...
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Moustache Brewing Co. ‘Sailor Mouth’ IPA is our ‘Wine of the Week’
Moustache Brewing Co.’s Sailor Mouth IPA (not pictured here) is our ‘Wine of the Week.’ (Credit: Vera Chinese) This week’s wine of the week isn’t a wine at all – it’s a deliciously juicy IPA from a...
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Uncork the Forks: The truth about winter in Wine Country
Winter is not typically the busy season for Long Island Wine Country. (Credit: Vera Chinese) Other than that recent big snowstorm, we’ve had a relatively mild winter thus far. It’s been my kind of...
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An examination of ‘other’ local grapes: Uncork the Forks
A bottle of Palmer Vineyards Albariño. Pioneered on the island by Palmer Vineyards’ winemaker, Spanish-born Miguel Martin, this Iberian white grape seems well-suited to Long Island because the weather...
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Macari Vineyards 2013 Reserve Cabernet Franc is our ‘Wine of the Week’
Though the precise rules vary from region to region, “Reserva” in the Portuguese or Spanish wine industries means the wine was aged for at least three years in the cask and bottle, at least one of...
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A look at Anthony Nappa Wines 2014 Bordo
A bottle of Anthony Nappa Wines Bordo. (Credit: Katharine Schroeder) When Anthony Nappa, winemaker at Raphael and owner of Anthony Nappa Wines, released his label’s 2010 Bordo — the traditional Italian...
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Five truths about Long Island Chardonnay
Our Lenn Thompson sampled nearly 40 bottles of Long Island chardonnay for this story. (Credit: Lenn Thompson) For the last five years of the decade I’ve spent writing about wine, I’ve largely ignored...
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Bridge Lane 2014 Chardonnay is our ‘Wine of the Week’
A bottle of 2014 Bridge Lane Chardonnay . (Credit: Lenn Thompson) I don’t always agree with wine scribes who write long pieces about “demystifying” wine. There is something romantic about wine if you...
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6 reasons for North Forkers to visit the Finger Lakes: Uncork the Forks
Rick Rainey, co-owner of Forge Cellars, surveying his future vineyard site on the eastern slopes of Seneca Lake Over the past several years, my family has fallen head-over-heels in love with the Finger...
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John Oliver pokes fun at Long Island wine
John Oliver drinks a bag of Long Island chardonnay. British funnyman John Oliver turned his characteristic snark on the Long Island wine industry this week, grimacing while chugging a bag of North Fork...
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Waters Crest Winery 2012 Merlot is our ‘Wine of the Week’
A bottle of Waters Crest Winery 2012 Merlot. (Credit: Lenn Thompspn) I keep reading a lot about 2013 Long Island reds lately. I’m sure you have too. Some are even calling it “Long Island’s Best...
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Storing wine? Here are a few useful tips: Uncork the Forks
Storing wine on its side helps preserve the cork. (Credit: Vera Chinese) Over the weekend I got sucked into a Facebook discussion about where and how to best store wine once you bring it home from the...
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Anthony Nappa Wines 2014 La Strega Malbec is our ‘Wine of the Week’
Anthony Nappa Wines 2014 “La Strega” Malbec. (Credit: Lenn Thompson) Rustic. It’s a word I’ve seen used to describe several of winemaker Anthony Nappa’s eponymous lineup – particularly the red wines....
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Local wines should be on local menus: Uncork the Forks
Kudos to Love Lane Kitchen for carrying all local wines. (Credit: David Benthal for northforker) Local wine people — both inside and out of the industry proper — have long lamented how few local...
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Harbes Vineyard 2013 Proprietor’s Reserve Red Blend is our ‘Wine of the Week’
Harbes VIneyard. (Credit: Lenn Thompson) The Harbes Vineyard tasting room – my personal favorite part of the Harbes ag empire, save maybe the sweet corn – opens for the season on Friday, just in time...
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Raphael 2013 First Label Merlot is our ‘Wine of the Week’
Credit: Lenn Thompson Read wine descriptions or reviews — or talk to a winemaker or tasting room staff member — and you’re bound to hear about how well a wine will age. Something along the lines of...
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With LI Wine, don’t talk, just act: Uncork the Forks
Our Lenn Thompson says that when it comes to making changes to the Long Island wine region, the industry should show, don’t tell. (Credit: Randee Daddona for northforker) The internet is a place of...
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Uncork the Forks: Just how much do wine ratings matter?
(Credit: Vera Chinese) Almost from the first wine review I ever wrote more than a decade ago, I’ve struggled with how to handle ratings and/or scores. When I first started, I used a simple A-through-F...
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