Blanc de Blancs

Paumanok Blanc de blancs

Blanc de Blancs

Country USA
Region Long Island
Producer Paumanok
Size

750mL
Style Sparkling
Practices Sustainable
Grapes Chardonnay
Other Features Screw Cap

100% Chardonnay, hand-harvested early to mid-September. The fruit was loaded directly in the press (whole-cluster pressing) to avoid phenolic extraction. Fermentation temperature was kept cool, around 60º F. The wine was fermented entirely in stainless steel tanks to preserve varietal character. This Blanc de Blancs was produced according to the méthode traditionnelle. It was bottled with a liqueur de tirage (a little sugar and yeast) to induce a second alcoholic fermentation in the bottle. The wine then rested on its lees for a period of over 41 months before being riddled and then disgorged. Upon disgorgement, it was topped up with liqueur d’expédition (a small dose of 5 g/l sugar, wine and sulfites) to adjust the final level of dryness. Light to medium-bodied and very dry, with yeast, citrus and apple aromas and flavors with crisp, refreshing acidity. 12% alcohol. 206 cases produced.

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About the Producer

Founded in 1983 by the Massoud family, Paumanok Vineyards is the 2nd oldest winery on Long Island – and the oldest winery on Long Island still owned and run by its founder’s family. Established by Charles Massoud, a native of Lebanon, and his wife Ursula, a native of the Pfalz, Germany – and member of a winemaking/grape growing family – the estate is now run by their sons. Their eldest son, Kareem, is the winemaker; their son Nabeel is the viticulturalist, and their son Salim runs their administrative functions. The estate takes its name from an Algonquian name for Long Island, which was famously referenced by Walt Whitman in his poem “Starting from Paumanok”, published in Leaves of Grass.

Their 127-acre estate property is planted with 32 ha of Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, and Melon de Bourgogne – densely plated at 1,100-1,400 vines per acre to produce more concentrated fruit and higher quality wines. Their wines are only made with estate fruit and production is limited to under 12,000 cases.

Their terroir is defined by the North Fork’s maritime climate and sandy, loamy topsoil and gravelly subsoil with excellent drainage, similar to Premiers Cru Bordeaux sites. In winter, Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay, which surround the estate, act as giant heat sinks and insulate the vineyards from extreme low temperatures. In summer, they moderate the heat experienced in the city and inland. At harvest, Paumanok often experiences a long Indian summer due to the maritime climate. Sustainable farming and careful canopy management allow the terroir to express itself in their delicately crafted wines. Kareem’s winemaking approach is meticulous and low-intervention, with minimal use of sulfur dioxide.

Paumanok is certified sustainable by Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing (LISW). LISW is the first organization of its kind on the East Coast – modeled after similar organizations on the West Coast, like Oregon LIVE and Lodi Rules. Since 2017, the winery is 100% solar powered by their own solar panels.

Paumanok
New York Wines, Wineries, Wine Making History of New York - Charles Massoud
Click here for Kareem Massoud's interview, "Vineyard Chat" with Jeff Harding

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