While we love checking out the latest cool things to do in and around NYC, there are some days when we just need to chill! And, hey, a great movie with friends or even a solo night in can be crucial every now and again. We recently discovered a great wine company called Maiden + Liberty that blends French and American wines that we have been loving and just had to share more about it with you!
Started in 2015, by husband and wife duo – James and Alexandra Medwick –Maiden +Liberty features unique and unexpected wine wines, delivering bold flavors. This includes full-bodied reds that combine Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the North Fork region of Long Island, and Syrah and Grenache from the Languedoc region of France, delivering soft tannins and aromas of black cherry, cassis and plum. They also have a full-bodied white blend that’s crafted from Chardonnay and Viognier grapes from the North Fork, and Macabeu and Vermentino from the Languedoc featuring a blend of honeyed peach and apricot, layered with floral notes.
To learn more about Maiden + Liberty and their current collection, we chatted with the founders to hear more about how their winery has become a staple in the Long Island wine community.
Interview with Maiden + Liberty
Weekend Jaunts: Tell us about Maiden + Liberty! How did it start?
Maiden + Liberty: Run by husband and wife duo – James and Alexandra Medwick – the two established Maiden + Liberty in March 2015. Alexandra – who was raised in Pezenas, France near the city of Montpellier in the Languedoc region – comes from a family steeped in the world of wine. Both her mother and father work with wineries in the Languedoc region where her mother is head of a private sales at Daumas Gassac, the first winery to convince people a grand cru level wine could be made in that region. Alexandra’s father also works in distribution for local French winery Domaine de Blanville. James – whose family hails from Manhasset, Long Island – learned the art of winemaking through Alexandra’s friends and family. James and Alexandra met in NYC during her U.S. study abroad in 2006. Shortly after marrying in 2009, they began experimenting to see if the wines from each of their homelands could complement each other and bring forth a wine greater than the sum of its parts. It did, and their unique French-American blends were born.
Weekend Jaunts: What are some blends that you currently offer?
Maiden + Liberty: Right now, we offer two different French-American blends: a red and a white. The red blend sources Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes (66 2/3% of total blend) from the North Fork region of Long Island, and Syrah and Grenache (33 1/3% of total blend) from the Languedoc region of France. It has an ABV of 13.9% and is aged 100% in oak with about 10% of it in new oak. The full-bodied white blend is crafted from Chardonnay and Viognier grapes (75% of total blend) from the North Fork, and Macabeu and Vermentino (25% of total blend) from the Languedoc, with an ABV of 12.8%. It’s aged 75% in stainless steel and 25% in old oak.
Weekend Jaunts: Can you tell us about the blends, how do they taste?
Maiden + Liberty: French-American White Blend: Full bodied and full of complexity. Aromas of honeyed peach and apricot are layered with floral notes. Incredibly long finish.
French-American Red Blend: Full bodied with soft tannins. Aromas of black cherry, cassis (black current) and plum. Smooth, pleasant texture.
Weekend Jaunts: What are the best food pairings for these blends for the summer?
Maiden + Liberty: Our White Blend is great with lobster as well as rich seafood plates. The Red Blend is very food friendly in a versatile way, but is especially good with hamburgers, chicken dishes, and Italian food.
Weekend Jaunts: Where can we currently find them?
Maiden + Liberty: Our wines are currently sold in ten different retail locations throughout the Tri-State area, along with placements on six different restaurant wine lists from White Plains, NY to Manhasset, NY. We are looking to continue expanding first in the north east, then nationwide. You can find a full list of retail and restaurant locations here and we’re also sold online at shop.maidenandliberty.com.
Maiden + Liberty wines are currently sold in 10 different retail locations throughout the Tri-State area, along with placements on six different restaurant wine lists from White Plains, NY to Manhasset, NY,
For more information on Maiden + Liberty please visit www.maidenandliberty.com.
We were provided samples for review. All opinions, as always, are our own.
