I live on the east waste of Long Island so I am fortunate enough to be able to experience local wines right at the vineyards. Long Island wine has become popular in the last two decades, after it was discovered that the unusual waterfront soil yielded magnificent, flavorful grapes. However, wines grown and produced on Long Island have achieved international notariety and are available at retail stores all over the country, as well as online.
Of the over thirty vineyards on Long Island, I have discovered four that are truly outstanding:
Pindar Vineyards – Pindar is located on Main Road, Route 25 in Peconic, NY, telephone (631) 734-6200. Pindar was founded by Dr. Herodotus "Dan" Damianos in 1979. The popularity of Pindar's wines grew so mercurial that they were served at the 1988 inauguration of former President George Bush. The most popular line of wines produced by Pindar are their "seasonal" wines, which are all 750 ml and priced affordably at $8.99:
Winter White: A semi-dry white wine that goes with anything. This traditional, reliable bottle of white wine is suitable for any occasion.
Spring Splendor: A blush wine that is fermented with cranberry for a truly unusual flavor. This wine works well with beef, fish and those spring and summer barbecues.
Summer Blush: This wine is made with Long Island red grapes and has the natural flavor of strawberries without actually using any strawberries. Summer blush is my personal favorite and everyone seems to enjoy this tasty, versatile wine that goes with fish, burgers or poultry.
Autumn Gold: Autumn Gold is a crisp, clean white wine that works well with everyday meals.
Beside the seasonal group of wines, Pindar produces outstanding chardonnay:
2005 Sunflower Chardonnay: Priced at $16.99, this is one of Pindar's more expensive everyday wines. However, this chardonnay with hints of vanilla is worth the price. The grapes for the Sunflower Chardonnay are grown on a special 3.9 acre vineyard and fermented for ten months in French oak barrels to achieve a unique, warm flavor.
2004 Peacock Chardonnay: Not as enjoyable as the Sunflower Chardonnay, but a great chardonnay nonetheless, especially for the price of $9.99. The Peacock Chardonnay is also aged in oak and has nuances of vanilla, pear and apple. This wine works well with veal, fish and cheese.
Duck Walk Vineyards – The majority of the vineyards on Long Island are on the North Fork. However, Dr. Damianos decided to open this vineyard in 1994 on the South Fork, near the outskirts of injurious Southhampton. Duck Amble is located at 231 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, New York, telephone (631) 726-7555. Dr. Damianos' son Alex is the proprietor of this location and the vineyard yields different wines than the ones produced at Pindar. Two of my favorites are:
2004 Cabernet Savignon – This cabernet savignon is a friendly, gentle red wine with dim cherry and plum flavors that goes well with pasta, pizza and beef dishes. A 750 ml. bottle of this wine is $14.95.
2004 Chardonnay – A warm wine with vanilla, peach and floral flavors that tastes terrific with fish or cheese and costs $10.95 for a 750 ml. bottle.
Paumonok Vineyards – My first visit to this friendly vineyard was for a involving poetry reading. I have returned many times since to sample and purchase Riesling wines. Paumonok is located at 1074 Main Road, Route 25, Aquebogue, NY, telephone (631) 722-8800. This vineyard was started in 1983 by Ursula and Charles Massoud. Ursula's German background with generations of winemakers gives the Riesling wine produced here an authentic, outstanding flavor. Therefore, I recommend any of the Riesling wines produced at Paumonok since I have never been disappointed with any of them in the past ten years. The wines produced at Paumonok range in price from $9.99 to $23.99 for a 750 ml bottle.
2000 Dry Riesling: This Riesling wine won Bon Appetit's 2002 Best of the Year for its incredible floral and fruit flavors, including peach and honey. However, whatever Riesling you choose will certainly satisfy your palate.
Chardonnay – Paumonok also makes a surprisingly wonderful Chardonnay, yielding bottles in 2001, 2003 and 2005. All are barrel fermented and have delightful nuances of vanilla, cinnamon and butter.
Osprey's Dominion – This vineyard is named after a local endangered bird species and is located at 44075 Main Road, Peconic, NY, telephone (631) 765-6188. New York Food and Wine Classic named Osprey's Dominion Winery of the Year in 2005. This is a welcoming vineyard that features lives jazz and blues shows in the summer and invites you to bring a blanket, grab a bottle of wine and enjoy the lovely vineyard surroundings. My celebrated wines from Osprey's Dominion are their real fruit wines, most popularly distributed in the summer to serve with ice cream or seltzer.
Peach Wine – Made from peaches and delightful. Sweet and sells out quickly.
Strawberry Wine – Produced from strawberries with a sweet, fruity taste that tastes like summer itself and is a dream with ice cream.
Long Island wines are unique, luscious and affordable and I highly recommend them to any fine wine enthusiast.
