| DECEMBER
2004 SELECTIONS
As
we close out another year, and think back on all the great
wines we have sampled over the past 12 months, we are reminded
of what gifts of the soil these wines are, and how far New
York has come in its efforts to fit in among the great wines
of the world. We look forward to another year of excellence
and surprises, and hope that you will continue on this journey
of discovery with us.
from
the entire Vintage New York and CWS Crew! |
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Where is it written that the French in Beaujolais have a patent
on the fresh, fruity, first-taste-of-the-vintage wines called Nouveau? No wine better
represents the first taste of the vintage than Nouveau - literally "New Wine".
Harvested in the fall, and bottled before Thanksgiving, these wines epitomize freshness
and flavor. Nouveau should be drunk as close to the time and place of production as
possible, not shipped halfway around the world in its delicate condition!
Try these three delicious examples of our own, "homegrown" nouveau...
"Macari's 2004 Early Wine, a vivaciously fruity
Long Island chardonnay, is a delicious ... white in nouveau style.
Made by an Austrian consultant, Helmut Gangl, it mimics popular
Jungwein (Young Wine) found in his region, Burgenland. This slightly
fizzy tipple, seemingly sweet but actually dry, delivers a grapefruity
tang and the pepperiness of grüner veltliner, Austria's national
white." HOWARD G. GOLDBERG, The New York Times
Made from 100% merlot grapes, this is an exuberant
wine with a truly interesting palate of fresh berries, crisp acidity
and lush, plummy mouthfeel.
Made from Baco Noir, the slight effervescence
of this wine makes it a vibrant food wine. Gulp it, don't question
it.
Starting with the 2000 vintage, the last four years have been
excellent for the North Fork - with perfect growing conditions through out the
summer capped off by abundantly long and clear fall harvest seasons.
Most New York wineries produced excellent wines from these harvests,
some superlative.
Since 1987, Rivendell Winery in the Hudson Valley has made a specialty of Merlot.
Instead of growing their own fruit, however, through the years they have forged
relationships with some of the finest vineyards on Long Island, arguably the consistently
finest region for growing this popular and noble variety in the East.
In good years, Rivendell designates a small percentage of it's best Merlot lots to be
blended for their Reserve bottlings. These are wines that age longer in premium barrels,
and are selected for complexity, age ability and intensity of fruit character.
Here is a first ever selection of the last three years.
A sweeter red wine just perfect for mulled wine.
"This is the juice that really drives the sleigh"
Infused with a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, organic
cardamom, clove and orange that will warm you to your toes. Sweeten
to taste...
Brotherhood's famous blend of sweet red wine,
spices and herbs.
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