Winemaking has long been considered an art rather than solely an agricultural venture. So much of what makes a wine great is a blend of the winemaker’s experience, knowledge and personal taste. Two wine-makers can produce wines from the same row of grapes that may have completely different profiles. The burgeoning craft spirits industry is similar in that the smaller batch artisanal ingredients being used can transform a spirit that could’ve been basic into something with a depth and character of its own.
In a village with many great options for purchasing wine and spirits, Greenport’s North Fork Craft Wines has carved out a place of its own in the market by finding these unique wines and spirits. There’s something for everyone and the shop’s staff have the experience and hospitality to help guide their customers to the right selection.
1) Chenin Blanc (canned), Lubanzi ($7)
This crisp canned chenin blanc is a great representation of winemaking and love for South Africa. Not satisfied with simply making great wine, the founders partnered with The Pebbles Project, a nonprofit that provides health and education resources to the families who live and work on South Africa’s vineyards.
2) A Land of Muses Gin, Matchbook Distilling Co. ($44)
Greenport’s Matchbook Distilling Co. was content with guests creating their own gin in the distillery while selling other pre-made spirits — until they developed this gin. The distillery describes the nose as “reminiscent of Almond Joys and tropical fruit salad,” with locally grown lemongrass and lemon balm rounding out the flavor profile.
3) Coquillage, Bedell Cellars, 2021 ($20)
This 100% chardonnay wine named Coquillage, which means seashell in French, is crisp and clean from being fermented in stainless steel, but it’s the aging process — which involves adding North Fork seashells — that gives it the minerality to make it so unique.
4) Rozaki, Tsikrikonis 2020 ($27)
The rozaki grape is known for incredibly high yields, but what makes this version unique is how the family-run vineyard pared back the growth of this varietal to reduce the yield but create a higher-quality wine.
5) Magliocco, BOCCAFOLLE, 2018 ($25)
This red wine is from southern Italy’s Calabria region and, unlike many of its counterparts, never touches oak. The wine is instead vinified into stainless steel tanks and then continues aging in the bottle itself.
6) Chinon Morilly, Zulu Vins, 2020 ($37)
This cabernet franc from the Loire Valley differentiates itself by achieving spontaneous fermentation, followed by maceration for 14 days in cement tanks. The result is a crisp and light cabernet franc that’s a good choice year-round.
7) Griffo Cold Brew Liqueur ($34)
With espresso martinis as popular as ever, it’s all about creative ingredients setting your recipe apart. This cold brew liqueur is a smooth alternative to using a shot of espresso.
8) Chardonnay, House of Brown, 2021 ($20)
This chardonnay is produced by the sister label to Napa Valley’s first Black-owned estate winery, Brown Estate. Their eye-catching contemporary labels celebrate women of all colors and their boutique portfolio has something for every taste.
9) Brut, Sparkling Pointe, 2018 ($30)
Aged for two years, this brut from Sparkling Pointe in Southold comprises 52% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir, and 18% pinot meunier and rivals many imported Champagnes.
