New York Oak

“NEW YORK OAK” may appear on wine labels in the near future, thanks to an experiment by the innovative and iconoclastic winemaker at Lakewood Vineyards, Chris Stamp, who is now aging wine in barrels made from white oak harvested in New York State. The concept is the ultimate in “terroir”: using oak from the same basic climate that affects the vineyards. The barrels arrived this fall, but it will be some time before the wines in them will be released. (Wine Press Dec 30)