The Long Island wine industry celebrates its 50th anniversary this year from when the first winery was established at Hargrave Vineyards in 1973.

Not surprisingly French varietals have dominated the industry with some forays into other grape varieties. The workhorse grape varietals out East have been Merlot and Chardonnay and at one time they had high expectations for Cabernet Franc.

Italian grape varieties don’t have a big presence in Long Island wine country with some white grapes grown, there’s a good amount of Pinot Grigio produced but few if any red grape varietals grown.

Surprisingly since there are many Italian varietals that grow well in cooler weather, and I think would grow well in the cool, maritime climate in the East End of Long lsland.

I suppose that has to do more with marketing than anything else since even novice wine drinkers are familiar with Merlot and Cabernet but not many are familiar with Toreldego or Lagrein to name a coupe of the many indigenous Italian grapes.

On a Sunday afternoon drive out East I was able to find three bottlings of Italian red grapes.

Suhru Wines 28735 Main Road, Cutchogue

The tasting house is in downtown Cutchogue, they have no vineyards, but use purchased grapes.

2021 Toreldago

Opaque black with a purple rim, dark chocolate and slate on the nose, tight fruit with crisp acids, slate notes and dark fruit on the finish.

Pugliese Vineyards 34515 Main Road, Cutchogue

Family owned and established in 1980, they are one of the vanguard wineries out East and the only one that I am aware of that grows Sangiovese.

2022 Sangiovese

Clear medium red, closed nose of red berry fruit and some stinky earth, juicy red fruit with some smoke and graphite notes on the finish. Moderate acids.

Lieb Cellars 13050 Oregon Road, Cutchogue

Established in 1992, they share the same winemaker as Suhru, their tasting room is off the main road.

2020 Toreldago/Lagrein

Opaque black with a purple rim, roasted meat and sweet black fruit on the nose, juicy black fruit with smoke, bitter almonds and wood on the finish, juicy tannins.