7 minute read
On the Vine - Long Island WInes
from INK MAGAZINE
By By Art LiPuma, “The Wine Seller” Art LiPuma, “The Wine Seller” SeaSide Wine & Spirits, Old Saybrook SeaSide Wine & Spirits, Old Saybrook
Great Grapes Make for Great Wine Long Island Wines
Long Island, New York is an area originally created with the help of an ancient river carving out the center while glacial activity helped form the land millions of years ago.
With the glacier moving over thousands of years, this helped in creating the formation of the land and a ridge by melting and slowly reforming, while drying up the river. Thousands of years later, creating more sand and rocky soil, the glacier started to melt again creating yet another ridge while reforming more land, in turn receding and pushing ocean water into what was once the dried-up river. A gap was formed between the ocean and the land creating the formation of Long Island as we now know it.
Long Island has been producing wine since 1973, however, in terms of the wine industry throughout the world, this is fairly new. Most of the farmland for growing the vines are composed of fine sand, clay, and windblown dust resulting in the conversion into silt.
There are three major viticultural areas also known as “AVA 's." The North Fork is one of them with 20 wineries, two thirds of the total of 30 in all of Long Island. The first grapes that were planted for commercial production were; Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir.
The first winery was planted by Alex and Louisa Hargrave. Although vineyards have been planted since 1973, they were starting to get noticed in the '70s and '80s with their popularity peaking in the '80s and '90s.
The surrounding waters have a lot to do with climate control when it comes to growing grapes. The relatively warm summers which extend long into the fall, are conducive to growing rich, full wines. The area is somewhat protected from wind through the winter months resulting in less damage to vines.
By 2012 the vineyards started to adapt sustainable wine practices figuring the best way to preserve the wineries would be to grow and make the wine in a more natural way without harmful chemicals as a result of protecting the environment. Although there are 30 vineyards, a few of the better known ones are Wölffer Estates, Bridge Lane Wines, Lieb Cellars, Pindar Vineyards, Channing Daughters, Mc Call Wines, and Pellegrini Vineyard.
Wölffer Estates, a vineyard that was once a horse farm was established in 1988. Over their 55 acres, they grow Chardonnay, Trebbiano, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Vignole, and Petite Verdot. This Vineyard is located in the Hamptons where the vines benefit from a cool ocean breeze and a long growing season. Another interesting note: Wöllfer also owns property in Mendonza, Argentina and Mallorca, Spain where they make wine from these vines. Their most famous wine, however, comes from Long Island called Summer in the Bottle Rosé.
Lieb Cellars produces some great wines that are dry with forward fruit and crisp finish. Their portfolio includes a mildly oaked Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot, and a Rosé spakling wine.
Bridge Lane wines are made from the vines from Leib winery which is considered their second label wine. The grapes are also sourced from other parts of New York State. There are six different wines produced by Bridge Lane Including a sparkling wine, Rosé, White Merlot, an unoaked Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and a red blend. These wines are light and refreshing and conveniently come in cans as well.
Pellegrini Vineyards was created in 1982 by Bob and Joyce Pellegrini. These award - winning wines have become very popular, not just on the North Fork of Long Island, but also including Connecticut, producing an unoaked Chardonnay, Gewurtztraminer, Encore, Merlot and a Rosé.
Channing Daughters on the South Fork produces over 24 grape varietals making a vast number of different wines. Unique to the others is that they have vineyards in all three appellations.
McCall Wines have produced wines since 2007 and all are sustainable. They are the biggest grower of Pinot Noir on Long Island, and also grow a good amount of Merlot. Pindar Vineyards, owned and operated by the Damianos family, are big landowners with over 500 acres. They grow more than 17 different varietals producing over 70,000 cases of wine per year.These are just a small sample of the vineyards on Long Island and make it definitely worth the trip to explore all the wineries this island has to offer.
Cheers! Art LiPuma
Tuesday Night Trivia
Live Trivia is back! Little Pub has partnered with DJ Trivia to bring socially distanced live trivia nights back to the Shoreline. These socially distanced live trivia nights will be held in our enormous dining room complete with air sanitized by bipolar air ionization filters. All tables and teams will be socially distanced. Reservations suggested. Space is limited. Tuesday Nights 6:30-8:30. Little Pub Old Saybrook, 1231 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 (860) 339-5591 more info at www.littlepub.com/oldsaybrook
Bottomless Brunch
It’s a Bottomless Brunch Weekends at Little Pub
Guests can order from our regular bottomless brunch menu or choose from a Daily Special Brunch menu featuring Lobster Benedict, Beef Tenderloin and Eggs, and other dishes while enjoying endless Mimosas and Bottomless Bloody Mary’s.
All Egg Dishes feature Farm Fresh Eggs from the happy hens in The Little Pub Chicken Coop, and all honey used comes from the Little Pub Honey Company apiaries.
Reservations suggested. Space is limited. Saturday and Sunday 11:30AM3PM. Little Pub Old Saybrook, 1231 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 (860) 339-5591 more info at www.littlepub.com/oldsaybrook
Live Music is back at Little Pub
There will be dancing again. Live Music is back at Little Pub every weekend Memorial day to Labor day. We’ve booked dates with Rock Bottom, Jamie’s Junk Show, and other local favorites. Socially distanced, under the tent or inside as weather permits.
Jamie’s Junk Show at Little Pub Wednesday May 5th Cinco De Mayo Rock Bottom at Little Pub Saturday 5/29 Memorial Day Weekend Afternoon Saturday 5/29 Memorial Day Weekend Dance Party Susan Powell Fine Art, Madison CT Journeys: A Group Exhibiton May 1st - 31st, 2021
Our new show, Journeys, is a group exhibition featuring paintings by 18 award-winning artists. Their artist's vision takes us to far away places, as well as exploring intimate observations closer to home. Light and atmosphere, a cityscape view from a rooftop in Paris, the experience of warm sunlight on a winter's day, the gentle stillness that accompanies a sunrise, hiking on a path along the dunes, watching crashing waves, are particularly poignant as we haven't been able to travel easily this past year. It's also a wonderful welcoming celebration for these hopeful spring days. This exhibit offers a varied selection of subjects including landscapes, seascapes, still life, figurative, and city scenes. The gallery is located at 679 Boston Post Road, Madison near the fire station. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm. Private appointments are also available anytime, including on Sundays.
For further information, please call (203) 318-0616, email us at susanpowellfineart@gmail.com and visit our website at www.susanpowellfineart.com to see works in the show.
IMAGE: Katie Swatland
THE NEXT CHESTER FIRST FRIDAY May 7th, 2021, 5 - 8 pm
Listen to the sweet sounds of Arrowhead and Friends six feet apart on the porch or in the gallery while enjoying some of the oldest and the newest paintings of home and travels by Leif Nilsson, weather and Covid 19 restrictions permitting.
CONCERTS IN THE GARDEN
Seasonal concert series of eclectic international and local singer songwriter artists from cool jazz to blue grass. $20 suggested donation - BYOB and picnic Outdoor Bistro Style Seating in the Amphitheatre Rain or shine!
From Our Garage to Yours ANTONINO
AUTO GROUP
