9/13/2009…Long Island Wine and Gourmet Italian Cooking

The history of Long Island wineries began in 1973, when the first commercial vineyard was planted. This smart investment is what allows New Yorkers today the ability to enjoy locally grown, hand pressed wines. There are now over 50 Long Island wineries and vineyards ranging over 3000 acres of land, covering both eastern forks. Because of this range, the Long Island wine industry has the capability to annually produce three million bottles of wine. Tours and tastings help promote the fresh products created on the vineyards, displaying the variety of grapes that give the area its success. Macari Vineyards is one of the Long Island wineries which show wine enthusiasts what many local wine producers provide.

One of the best compliments to local Long Island wine is gourmet Italian cooking. The natural flavors and simple cooking techniques it involves allow Italian fare to match up nicely with the complex flavors that can be found in wine. In New York, many Italian chefs can offer advice on how to pair specific meals with specific wine varieties because appreciating the flavor of fine wine is engrained in the Italian culture. An example of this is seen in celebrity chef Nick Stellino, who values the importance of every aspect of a meal. The wine appreciation that he exhibits can be attributed to a desirable factor of chefs: to integrate outside cultural influences in their work.Nick Stellino shows this worldly knowledge beyond of the realm of cooking through getting involved in many passionate projects, such as becoming a luxury watch ambassador.

With only a little research, you can find the best combination of delicious Italian cooking and Long Island wine. In New York, the resources available to create this arrangement are numerous. In fact, it’s not uncommon for wineries to hold events that merge them together. Between the creative Italian chefs cooking in New York City and the 51 local producers of Long Island wine, you can effortlessly pair the two. Discover the deliciously matched combination that New York proudly presents.