This post has been sponsored by Macari Vineyards. All opinions expressed are my own. Please enjoy responsibly!
Our journey through LI wine country continues as we stop by Macari Vineyards to enjoy a variety of their famous blends alongside a flaky, savory Spinach Strudel.
Savory Spinach Strudel and Macari Vineyards
Today, I’m going to talk about a wine region that is quite close to my heart…both physically and metaphorically. Today, this wine region is beset by floods, harsh winds, icy air, and belts of punishing rain. In fact, as I’m typing this, the wind is battering against my office window, and the swollen river is nearly at my doorstep having entirely defied the new ‘sea wall’ at the end of my block. You might be thinking this is a mere spot of bad luck, except, well, it’s not. On the contrary, this is a fairly regular occurrence – for some it’s actually part of the charm.
Naturally, I’m talking about Long Island, a wine region that is barely four-decades in the making, with the first seeds of its first vineyards having been planted in 1973, just as the rest of the Island’s farms were about to begin shuttering, downsizing, or selling off due what would become a thoroughly subsidized drive for rapid development and creeping urbanization – a push which continues to this day. Combine that with notorious Nor’Easters, regular flooding that rots away crops, recurring draughts that can starve even the hardiest of vines, extreme winters, extreme summers…and you wouldn’t be faulted for thinking the Island’s nautical climate is a place that wineries would seek to avoid. Yet, despite all of this, as noted by the Wine Industry Advisor in a January 30th article of this year “Long Island wines have earned their place among the top tier of American wines.”
Perhaps even more tellingly, the Long Island wine region has begun to stand on its own, free of comparisons to other more traditional, more established regions, as noted by connoisseur Lenn Thompson in a March 20 article of this year written for the Cork Report, noting that “The greatest development in the Long Island wine industry over the past five to 10 years is a turn away from these comparisons. You almost never hear them anymore. And the winemaking reflects that, too.”
This cuts to a point that I made at the beginning of this local wine tour of the island – that Long Island wines are fascinating precisely because they are such an unlikely success story.
With that said, what about some real examples? Naturally, that brings us to today’s wines, three bottles from Macari Vineyards, a Mattituck based winery.
First up, we have a 2013 Merlot Reserve. The wine introduces itself with herbaceous aromas, which mature into potpourri tinged with a decided earthiness, which intensified deeper into the glass. On sampling, the aromatics lace notes of spiced plum and ripe cherry, which is carried on copious tannins, with a medium finish. For pairing, think meaty entrees such as herbed roasts, grilled flat irons topped with blue cheese, beef based shepherd’s pie, or if you’re in the mood for something relaxed a maple bacon burger with cheddar cheese.
Next up we have the Macari Dos Aguas 2014, which is a Bordeux-style red blend, merlot, cabernet franc, Malbec, and cabernet sauvignon. The wine greets with a smoke and spice bouquet set over dark fruit essences. On the palate, the wine is quite rich, featuring sliced cherry notes and juicy ripe plum. The wine is complexly textured, boasting a silky mouthfeel set over chalk-like tannins, which create a lasting finish. For pairing, think things like lamb shoulder prepared with fennel and aioli, or fillet mignon and mushrooms braised in a whiskey pan sauce with potato and onion fritters. In other words, think substantial, meaty entrees as with the merlot from before.
Finally, we come to the Sauvignon Blanc 2017. As is characteristic, the wine greets with immediately citrusy aromatics perforated by blossom and white fruit notes. On the palate, this crispness manifests in the form of complex and ‘dry’ minerality, almost powdery so, set against consistent citrus and white fruit notes, with hints of pineapple and lime in the background. Tart at times, with a very smooth texture, this wine was a pleasant experience from start to finish.
For pairing, you have quite a few options. You can go by the book and think of delicate white bodied fish prepared with herbs and oil, or you can think leafy green salads with mild vinaigrettes and crumbled goat cheese, baked clams, fresh oysters, or mild shellfish in general. Or, as a starter, you try out today’s recipe – Savory Spinach Strudel, which features raisins, walnuts, cheddar cheese, and fresh baby spinach wrapped in layers of crisp filo dough, which would pair excellently with this particular bottle as an appetizer.
Savory Spinach Strudel
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 1 strudel 1x
Ingredients
- 4 tbs. butter - melted
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup raisins - chopped
- 1/2 cup walnuts - chopped
- 1/4 red onion - sliced thin
- 4 sliced sharp cheddar cheese
- Sea salt
- 4 sheets of filo dough
Instructions
- Preheat Oven 350 degrees F.
- Lay a sheet of filo dough on a dry kitchen towel and cover the remaining filo with a damp towel. Brush the sheet on the dry towel with butter and repeat this process with the remaining sheets of filo, leaving a border of one inch on all sides.
- Break the pieces of cheese and place on the filo leaving a one-inch border on all sides, followed by the chopped nuts, then the raisins, sliced onion and finally the spinach. Starting on the wide end of the dough begin to roll the filo closed.
- Place on a non-stick baking pan or parchment paper with the seam side down and brush the remaining butter over the top. Sprinkle the top with sea salt.
- Bake 25 – 30 minutes or until the strudel turns a beautiful golden color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 slices
Overall, I am convinced that Long Island’s wineries, no matter how unlikely a success story, have well earned its place amongst the top tier of American wines. Now, don’t forget to cheek back in during the coming weeks as we continue our tour of New York.
Cheers!
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Claudia Lamascolo says
This spinach strudel looks fabulous and I bet it went perfectly with this wine. I need to try this recipe and get me a bottle of vino ASAP! perfect Catherine!
Karyl Henry says
I've never heard of Macari wines. I'll have to look into them, because I love to discover new varietals. I love that this spinach streudel has just a few ingredients and is easy to make. Perfect for entertaining
Gloria says
I used to work for a winery....and yes going on tours are fun. I have not heard of this winery, but I will look for it next time I am in the LCBO. I am always game to try a new kind.
Noel Lizotte says
I love learning about local wines. Here in Ohio we have a tremendous number of small vineyards making wine also.
I think my favorite photo in this post is the one with the sunset. How relaxing!
Jyothi (Jo) says
I love red wine and love to pair it with so many favorite dishes of mine. I've never heard of Macari wines. But they look too good
Veena Azmanov says
I love this post with all this information. I've never heard of these wines before. I love learning about wines. Saving this for later. Looks good.
Mahy Elamin says
I have never tried this wine, but it sounds really incredible. This is really interesting information and thank you for sharing this post.
Dan Zehr says
I love delicious wines. I want to try this wine with your recipe. This is an interesting post for me and interesting to read.
Marisa Franca says
We are very fond of wines -- especially trying some from small vineyards. They sound wonderful and your savory spinach strudel is something that we'd love to taste. Would be a great addition to a wine party.
April says
This seems like such an exciting wine adventure! I have never had a strudel with wine but your post makes me want to try it! 🙂
Jenni LeBaron says
I've never heard of Macari wines, but I've been hearing great things about NY wines overall so I will keep an eye out for it!
Lauren Vavala says
I love the little sweet bursts from the raisins in this spinach strudel! Such a delicious recipe to serve with wine!
Melissa says
That pastry looks incredible, so flaky and I love how full it is ( I hate when you get a pastry and it is half stuffed!!!). I would love to try the wine with the Maple Bacon Burger, good suggestion! We are more laid back wine drinkers here 😛
Gloria says
Well if it involves wine I am in. Love the flavours in that strudel. Reminds me of spanakopita...and I LOVE that.
Natalie says
Wow all that food and wine look so delicious. I think I never tasted NY wines but I surely like to now. You did great pairing. Informative post that's for sure.
Aleta says
Oh my goodness these strudels look absolutely delicious. I love anything wrapped in filo dough, especially spinach! Thanks for the delicious recipe, can't wait to make these beauties!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
I don't know a lot about wines, but I sure like drinking them 😉 I have never been to NY though, let alone tried their wines. On my bucket list for sure!
Courtney says
That strudel sounds really fantastic, as does your wine tasting experience. Love your picture of the vineyard, what a beautiful setting.
Krista Price says
Wine and strudel? You're speaking my language! The strudel recipe sounds incredible and now I definitely want to check this wine out!
Charity says
My husband and I love to winery hop on vacation. We go to Manhattan to see shows every year, but we've never ventured to Long Island. Now we have a reason to vist. Thanks!
Michele says
Loved reading your post all about the different wines. I would love to take a tour and try all of the wines with that amazing looking spinach strudel. Delicious! I will definitely consider doing this the next time I take a trip to New York.
Donna says
Wow! Your writing makes me want to jump on a plane and go visit this winery right now!! And your shots...well let's just say I am craving a nice glass of wine and some of that strudel (and the rain....I am so jealous of the rain!!!)
Eileen Kelly says
Macari is right around the corner from my sister in laws family! A favorite vineyard of mine! Okay, this spinach strudel, amazing! The flavors are terrific and it is easy to make! I have the ingredients and a bottle from Macari, it is Kismet! Making this for the family!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
I'm always on the look out for a good wine, even though we have so many right here in the Willamette Valley. I'll definitely have to look for one of these next time I'm at the store.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
What a beautiful vineyard! I don't drink but that wine sound amazing. Will have to recommend to some friends.