The East end of Long Island is surrounded by an array of wine vineyards unknown to many. With open doors and no reservations necessary, these vineyards make it possible and accessible to sample and enjoy their love and hard work. The Hamptons have a reputation of being overpriced and I’ll agree on that for the most part, except when it comes to wine. Here is one way of coming out to the Hamptons and being able to indulge.
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It has been a month now since I re-entered into life in the States. Though three months isn’t that long of a time, my transition from Paris to Southampton, NY was a bizarre one. Who would have thought hearing people speak English around you would feel strange. In Paris everything was at my doorstep and now here I am out east on Long Island in driving distance of everything. The one thing that is in full source here are the wine vineyards. Long Island is not typically known for great wine. They are developing more and more over the years. The varietals that strive are Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. And that is what I am trying to accomplish here, bringing pride back to Long Island Wine Country.

Pindar is a vineyard that has been in the North Fork of Long Island for 15 years. Usually they are dressed in a tacky label, and because of this I have always over looked it. What can I say, I like visuals. While walking the ailes of the local wine store I came upon a label with the Pythagorem Theroem across it, a2 + b2 = c2. It was called Pythagoras. My mom is a math teacher, though I’m not a math wiz, I always did enjoy algebra. Because the label was so different from any other Pindar wine I was shocked to find out it was in fact the same vineyard. That’s lesson number one, don’t judge a wine by its label.
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Admittedly, its largely to the work of dedicated bloggers like Lenn Thompson that I owe my continued fascination with New York State wines. New York’s white wines, from the fertile Long Island soils and the Germanic climate, have a unique and distinctive character that quite frankly, puts Californian whites to shame. This Chard shows off tropicality with mineral structure, making it a perfect aperitif or a between courses palate cleanser. Along with the rounded touch of malolactic fermentation there’s a perfectly balanced element of wood that integrates well on the palate, leaving a hint of tinned-pears on the finish.

Seeing as the United States is playing against South African on the 30th of September, in the white wine department I will have to concede a handful of points the America for this fine Estate.