Channing Daughters, Lagrein Rosato - 2023

Lagrein is a bit of an off-the-beaten-track variety for the East End of Long Island, and Channing Daughters were the first winery growing and making wine out there from this great black grape variety that hails originally from the Alto Adige in Northeast Italy. The name suggests its origins lie in the Lagarina valley of Trentino and it was mentioned as early as the 17th century, in records of the Muri Abbey near Bolzano. Pale ruby pink in color, this wine greets us with hints of forest floor and hazelnut which give way to flavors and aromas reminiscent of red grapefruit, pink peppercorns, honeydew melon, honeysuckle, plums and salty minerals. Dry, medium-bodied with crunchy, zippy, juicy acidity coupled with balanced moderate alcohol and a long finish, pair this wine with charred ramps and compound butter or sunset on Westhampton Beach.