The Long Island wine trail is filled with amazing flavors, aromas and surprises. In this new series, we take a deep dive into a specific wine with an expert from a local winery.
RG|NY may have opened in 2019, but its history dates back 25 years, when the Rivero González family planted its first vines in the Parras Valley area of Mexico, the oldest wine growing region in North America. Just in time for spring, Jonathan Bomberg, RG|NY’s winemaker, spoke to Northforker about one of their limited-edition wines.
“Our Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon is definitely one of my favorite wines from a production and consumer perspective,” Bomberg said. “The process really represents the new North Fork with techniques drawn from both Loire and Bordeaux.”
THE WINERY: RG|NY, 6025 Sound Ave., Riverhead
THE WINE: 2021 Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon
THE PRICE: $50/bottle
The style: The wine is sourced from the warmest part of our vineyard at the southernmost tip, which develops the fruit past the bright minerality in our Scielo wine and instead helps bring about deeper and more textured notes. Throughout the winemaking processes, the goal is to emphasize that with oak fermentation and aging along with lees stirring. This is a serious white wine in a fuller-bodied expression less common with this varietal in this region.
Flavor profile: On a more subjective note, there is a beautiful and vibrant honeyed floral aroma on the nose shifting towards a textured cream and toast palate.
Pairs with: Any lobster dishes, or lean into the carbs with a basil pesto pasta.
Aging process: This wine is aged in 50% new French oak for 11 months.
Ideal serving temp: Served best with a slight chill (60-65 degrees Fahrenheit).
On the nose: This wine possesses light floral aromas with hints of ripe yellow apple.
To hold or not to hold: Due to the oak aging and lees stirring, this is a wine that will definitely benefit with some cellaring. Aging for three to five years will allow the tertiary nutty flavors to balance the impact of the oak.
Best time to drink: Really any evening that you want to elevate your wine experience, but ideally spring or summer on a cooler evening, sipping while you watch the flowers close for the night.
