Wine (the British View) and Food (the vegetarian kind)
Brit Wit and Long Island Wine
Oz Clarke is one of Britain’s most prominent writers wine journalists—actually, make that wine personality since besides publishing on wine in books and newspapers, he is a broadcaster on the BBC and the popular host of all sorts of wine events in England.
His newest book, just being released in this country, is Let Me Tell You about Wine: A Beginner’s Guide to Understanding and Enjoying Wine. I have not seen it yet but based on my reading of his previous books, the key word there is enjoying He seems to take a sensible and relaxed approach to drinking, the kind of guide with whom you can have a good time.
Clarke is currently on an American book tour and makes his only stop in Long Island Wine Country at Bedell Cellars. He will speak on understanding wines and proper tasting techniques in a lecture titled “Wine Words—What it takes to be a Taster,” followed of course by a book signing. Each guest get tastes of Bedell Cellars Musée and Gallery wines. Clarke’s three current books will be on sale: Let Me Tell You About Wine ($19.95); Oz Clarke’s Pocket Wine Guide ($14.95); and Oz Clarke: Grapes & Wines ($24.95). No charge for the event.
Sunday, October 17th Bedell Cellars, 36225 Main Road, Cutchogue, www.bedellcellars.com
Best Fall Vegetables in the Hamptons
Our farmstands are starting to look a bit different than they were in mid-summer, and the choices are wonderful. Here are the top fall vegetables grown in Eastern Long Island.
The cruciferous family looks better and tastes better in cool weather: broccoli, brussel sprouts (spiraling around the stalk) cabbage, cauliflower.
Fall or winter squash: butternut, acorn, spaghetti, carnival. Pumpkins also. There are dozens of others, less common but delicious, with exotic names like turban, banana and delicata.
Belgian endive, grown under soil or straw from cut roots of chicory. Leeks, similarly grown.
Root vegetables: carrots. celeriac, beets, turnips, salsify, and good old potatoes in all colors and varieties.
Check out the Long Island Farm Bureau has listings of farmstands and farmers markets:
http://www.lifb.com/FINDAFARMSTAND/tabid/57/Default.aspx