Posts made in May 2021

Between vineyards and wineries, keeping up with the changes on the ever-evolving North Fork of Long Island, and as well the South Fork, is an adventure.

Each time we travel out east to our favorite destinations, we notice changes and additions that always intrigue and that ultimately gets me on the computer to stay on top of all the new additions. In my desire to stay updated, the first winery that pops up on one of the Long Island wine websites is Bridge Lane Wine.

Coincidence? Yeth. Why……because that’s what this entry is all about!

My first pic of the Bridge Lane tasting room…

A little background:

The taste of North Fork wines have come a long way from those very early days when New York wines were in their infancy.  Today, the region relies on Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with white varietals such as Chardonnay and Riesling to produce its awarding-winning wines.  Although the region continues to produce wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, ‘many vintners are moving to blends.’ just like what we are seeing here in the  Bridge Lane Bubbles blend of Reisling, Muscat & Seyval Blanc.***

***Seyval Blanc is a hybrid grape extensively grown in New York, where it is produced as dry  white wine. It is often touted as having a flavor profile somewhere between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

In all the years we have been patronizing Long Island wineries, we never made it to Lieb Family Winery which was established all the way back in 1992. Produced by the now Lieb Cellars on the North Fork of Long Island, Bridge Lane is named after the farm road adjacent to one of Lieb’s vineyards and is Lieb’s second label. Gonna have to get to Lieb someday soon 🙂

At Bridge Lane…they produce 6 wines – a white merlot,  unoaked chardonnay (my kind of chardonnay), sauvignon blanc, dry rosé, red blend and a sparkler – all in a fresh, light, dry, fruit-forward style.  It’s this ‘sparkler’ that we have defined as our latest wine find at this Bridge Lane winery on the NOFO and it all started with a can of their rose’ wine with lunch at the North Fork Shack just down the road.

Outstanding Burger & Shallot-Dusted Fries at The North Fork Shack in Southold, L.I. N,Y., USA

We frankly had no idea where Bridge Lane wine was located and it was just by chance that we saw it and decided to pull in and check it out live and in person. Something to be said for the adventure in keeping up with the additions…even thought they’ve been there for years.

As Sandy was finding a place to sit, I asked her what wine she wanted to taste and she said “surprise me”. When I walked in and saw all the canned wine choices on top of the rose’ we tasted at the North Fork Shack, I/we had a good feeling based on my/our recent first experience(s) with NOFO canned wines. Specifically, we’ve enjoyed  all the cans of wine we tried at Pindar and felt most of these these “fresh, fruit forward” and young wines were quite enjoyable.

Meet Sweet Scarlett & Alethea @ Pindar Vineyards on the NOFO!

Simply as matter of record, it should be noted  the first cans of wine on the NOFO were developed by Lieb Cellars.

Lieb Cellars Launches Long Island’s First Canned Wines Under Bridge Lane Label

So I was greeted graciously by “Delia”, the “Tasting Room Captain”…and after just a few questions about their canned wines, I decided on BRIDGE LANE BUBBLES! Just the name might have influenced my choice…but either way…it was a prodigious choice 🙂

Say Hellooo to Delia and her invisible smile 🙂

The first word from Sandy after she tasted it,,,”Delicious”! Me? Woah! Nice!

What exactly was so impressive since everything is subjective and everyone’s tastes are different? It’s simple. The splendid taste and, for me in addition to the splendid taste, the fine bubbles. They were subtle and didn’t explode in your mouth. I quickly compared this wine to the best of the Prosecco’s…eccellente…and yes…some champagnes…excellent is excellent in French 🙂

What’s most interesting to me over the years is how the the red blend wines on Long Island have really taken hold of everyone’s taste buds, To see blends taken hold in the world of white wines is only logical.

Our friend John who lives out on the NOFO only likes dry whites. Guess what? He just found a new not so dry white that he now loves!

We bought a few 4-packs and…no joke…every single person who we shared this wine with absolutely fell in love. Do I need to be specific?  🙂

While we were about to leave I noticed a group of ladies about to leave as well. I approached them to ask if they would be kind enough to pose for a pic simply to enhance the story and perhaps just to continue the celebration.

As you can see, they were gracious enough to accommodate. So…to Julie and her friends celebrating Julie’s Bachelorette…I say thank you…all the best and stay safe!

The brand new sitting area at Bridge Lane Wine

It was time now for me to leave and Delia was kind enough to throw me a peace sign. A definite fellow state O minder.

Thanks much Delia…See you again soon!

Each year we find ourselves enjoying a trip north up into the Hudson Valley in Spring & Autumn with our friends Sharyn & Joel because we absolutely love the Arts & Crafts Fair at Lyndhurst in Tarrytown and their scores of exhibitors.

Last year’s Spring & Autumn shows were cancelled because of the Covid pandemic and to say we were looking forward to getting back up this year would be an understatement.

This year, however, was different. Because of Covid the visits were timed in 2 hour intervals for all visitors (one also needed proof of vaccination) and it turned out the only time available for us was the 4PM to 6PM slot.  I believe timing plays a very important role in life. My mantra: Life is Timing…and I’ll get to that shortly.

There were less exhibitors this year, but that doesn’t mean their fashions, accessories and jewelry, functional and sculptural ceramic, glass, metal, fiber, wood, paintings, drawing and printmaking exhibitors were not as impressive as always.

 

Oh yes. let’s not forget about Leprechaun Sheepskin…and sooooo many more!

Besides this fine array of exhibitors, we very much look forward to the long row of gourmet food specialties, tastings from local distilleries, wineries, cider houses, bakeries, chocolatiers and one of my favorites…Dorset Maple Reserve and their wonderful selection and blends of Vermont maple syrups!

 

So…here we are 2 hours later and guess what? It’s dinner time…and we decided to grab a bite before traveling home. We asked the security team for a local restaurant they thought was good and they said there were plenty to choose from and we should have no problem finding one we liked after seeing some menus. Graciously we thanked them and off we went into Tarrytown for dinner. Just a few minutes later we arrive and…OY… most of the restaurants with outdoor seating are full.

Here’s where my “Life Is Timing” comes into play. You look down the street and it’s a virtual restaurant row. There just happened to be an outdoor table for 4 (Sandy, me, Sharyn & Joel) at the Tarry Tavern. I can’t say I was crazy about going to eat dinner at a ‘tavern’ since a tavern is defined as “an establishment for the sale of beer and other drinks to be consumed on the premises, sometimes also serving food; a bar or pub”. 

Nevertheless, we sat down and hoped for the best. Guess what? Cheers to the best!  Say Hello to Henry…The proprietor of Tarry Tavern!

Another definition of love…Bread, Wine and a nice bottle of EVOO…ie…Extra Virgin Olive Oil 🙂

So…Are you ready?

Check out these dishes we just happened to choose:

Classic Iceberg Wedge