Cab Franc Day recap and the first strawberry-season pairings

What we tasted

Cab Franc Day (December 4 in the wider world, but Long Island's producers move it to the first Saturday of June) was the busiest single day I've seen on the North Fork trail this year. Highlights: Lenz Estate Cab Franc, Paumanok Grand Vintage, Macari Bergen Road. All three overdelivered on the pepper-and-plum profile the region does best.

If you missed the day, most tasting rooms are still pouring the flight lineups through the weekend.

Strawberry season is the pairing

Long Island strawberries are peaking now through late June. The pairing to try this week: local strawberries, aged goat cheese from Catapano Dairy Farm, and a chilled North Fork Chardonnay (I like the Lieb Reserve or the Bedell First Crush). Do it on a picnic table at whatever winery you're at — the tasting room staff will not object.

One event to book

Harvest East End tickets go on sale June 15. This is the annual walkabout that draws every serious producer to one field. Buy the general-admission ticket first thing on release day — VIP sells out in the first hour.