Winery on Long Island (© Photographer: Jimmy Lopes | Agency: Dreamstime.com)

"Perfect weather for grapes -- and lots of it -- has produced the best crop the Long Island wine region has seen in years." That's how Mark Harrington of Newsday decribes the reports he's getting from Long Island vintners across the board.

Of course, winegrowers are known for their hyperbole when it comes to lauding their products, but this year's praise seems to cover the full range of the region's varietals. In past year's there have been promising seasons that were disrupted by flooding, drought, or cool weather arriving early. In 2007, conditions have been near perfect.

We've enjoyed tours of wine country on the North Fork of Long Island's East End. We were there when the fall leaves were changing on a sunny day; just gorgeous. The red varietals for tasting included merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec, petit verdot, syrah, and pinot noir. If it's white wine that suits your taste, you can sip pinot blanc, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling, semillon, pinot gris, and Gewurztraminer.

If you'd like to read the Newsday article cited above go to: LI wineries say harvest is best in years

For plenty more info on Long Island Wine Country go to: The Long Island Wine Council