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Best "Green" Wines

With today's blitz of "think green", it is only fitting that the wine industry would follow suit. Though organic wines have been around for decades, they are certainly gaining more recognition. The grape growers have long sought ways of limiting the use of herbicides and pesticides in their farming techniques. In addition to organic farming, many vineyards are incorporating the technique of sustainable farming. This, simply put, is a code of practices by which the entire eco-system is kept in balance and preserved. This includes the effect on soil composites, water supplies and surrounding environments. 

Some of our favorites at The Chappaqua Wine & Spirit Company include Penny Farthing Chardonnay. This white has delicate flavors of pear and green apple and a crisp finish without the buttery edge found in many of today's California Chards. It also happens to be farmed sustainably. For a more weighty white we recommend Bonterra Chardonnay which shows beautiful bright fruit and gentle underlying accents of oak.

Of course, for the red wine lover our choices are just as alluring. Penny Farthing's Syrah is a rich and satisfying Rhone style with plenty of berry notes and integrated highlights of vanilla and exotic spices.

One producer, Lolonis Vineyards of Mendocino, California took organic farming to a different level by releasing hoards of ladybugs on their vines. These natural predators aid in keeping away aphides without the use of chemicals that might harm the ecology. This has been a practice of theirs for the last fifty years. They produce a Cabernet Sauvignon which is rich and vibrant in fruit with a velvety texture.

Remember to enjoy these eco friendly organic wines as you would any other. "Go Green".

Wines For Passover

Kirk Sprenger's recommendation's - as printed in The New Castle New and Options Weekly

Kirk Sprenger of Chappaqua Wine and Spirits recommends something on the lighter side with turkey, like the kosher Joseph River Chardonnay 2005 for $13.99 from Australia.

“Something not quite as dry, because turkey’s a neutral meat and anything goes will with it,” Sprenger suggested, “is a Golan 2006 from Israel, an Emerald Reisling, which is semi-dry with a little fruitiness and a slight tinge of sweetness to it for $14.99.”

“For those who prefer a lighter-styled red that would go perfectly with turkey,” Sprenger suggested, “I would recommend one of the Borgo Reale. I have two of their wines, a 2004 Sangiovese from Puglia in southern Italy for $14.99 or a 2006 Chianti called Vespertino from Tuscany for $19.99.”

“For reds to go with brisket, I would recommend Teperberg from Israel. It’s 2006 vintage Meritage, a blend of cabernet sauvignon , merlot and cabernet franc from Israel is a bit richer and bolder for $21.99.”

“I have couple of French selections I would recommend also,” Sprenger added. “One from Saint-Emilion, Chateau Tour-des-Agasseaux 2001 vintage, predominantly merlot, richly flavored but a little softer and rounder, featured at $36.99, and Chateau d’ Arsac from Margaux, 2003 vintage, a very big lush full bodied cabernet blend. It’s a predominantly cabernet sauvignon and typical Bordeaux blend for $59.99.”