2013 was a great year for WineGirl Blog, primarily because I was able to review New Jersey Wines (and even one New York bottle) for an international audience through PJLifestyle. In case you missed any of them, here are my reviews originally published at PJLifestyle:
New Jersey Wines: Challenge Your Assumptions - a wrapup of the Renault Summer Chill Wine Festival, featuring a review of Tomasello's Palmaris 2010 Cab Sav and Renault's 2011 Unoaked Chardonnay.
5 Tips for Novice Winos - drink the labrusca grapes, already!
Valenzano Winery and the Surprising Appeal of the Garden State - I can't lie; Valenzano is one of my unabashed favorites in Jersey. Their tasting room is welcoming and warm, their staff knowledgeable and friendly, and you can sample everything on their list. Take the tour of the barrel room for added insights. I loved the Plum Wine (drinks like an American saki) at their Holiday Wine Trail Weekend event and am looking forward to trying the Dry Hopped Chardonnay next time around.
Cold Soil White: The Finesse of German Wines American Style - a review of Terhune Orchards in Princeton, NJ. A gorgeous farm with a renown bakery (apple cider donuts, anyone?) Terhune also offers up a series of wines, my favorite of which is their traminette/muscat ottonel blend.
Sip Spanish Style Wines White You Walk Leisurely Among the Vines - Laurita Winery's Irish festival introduced me to a Jersey take on some gorgeous Spanish grapes, a wine that drinks like a fine scotch, and one of the most beautiful vineyards in the Garden State.
Savoring Almondberry with My Cousin Vinny - Cream Ridge Winery. Gotta love 'em, especially Tom. Again, a chill tasting room that leaves their entire selection open for the tasting, this warm and friendly winery makes some of the most unique wines in the state.
What Exit for Great New Jersey Wine? Old York, of Course! - Old York Cellars raised $5,000 for Sandy Relief with their What Exit Wines, proving that good wine makes friends of us all.
A Revolution in High Class Winemaking - Unionville Vineyards has the right combination of Revolutionary history and remarkable vinifera, making it one of the classiest wineries in the state.
5 Indispensible Wine-O Tools - Stock your bar right!
Beneduce Vineyards: The Next Big Thing in Jersey Wine - Can I tell you how excited I was to come across this vineyard in the middle of Northern-Central Jersey suburbs? The Cornell-educated 4th generation farmer and his Rutgers-educated sister who run the winery prove the Finger Lakes and Jersey are a winning match.
Give Thanks With these Jersey Wines - Featuring a variety of my favorite wines from across the Garden State.
Mulled Wine: Spice Up Your Holiday Table - Ever drink a Shakespearian-influenced wine that mirrors those served in the time of Elizabeth I? Don't miss this wine from the Lake Erie region of New York State!
About the Author
- winegirl
- A Jersey Girl who loves Jersey wine ...and the fermented fruits of the tri-state area.
Showing posts with label New Jersey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Jersey. Show all posts
Friday, January 3, 2014
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Auburn Road Vineyard - the Full Review
Wait a sec - let me get the last of the Rosalita...
The semi-sweet blush is bright and juicy with a light mouthfeel and pleasantly puckering tannins dancing along the sides of your tongue. Chilled and carrying all the appeal (and none of the sugary nature) of a candy apple, this wine pairs as well with cheeses as it would BBQ, and should frequent your summer dining experiences under the stars as it did ours last evening as we sat watching Shakespeare amidst the vines of Auburn Road Vineyard & Winery in Pilesgrove, NJ.
The evening started as all visits to a winery should, with a tasting. We sidled up to the packed bar in the Enoteca and were quickly welcomed with two logo-emblazoned glasses that were ours to keep with the tasting fee ($5/person for 10 wines on that day's list).
Our favorites included:
Sole - a bright Vidal Blanc containing strong mineral notes and a fruit-forward finish.
Good Karma - a vinifera red blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, this fusion of Italian body and French flavor carries all the tannins you'd expect from a dry red in a light body, making it the perfect wine for grilled chicken or salmon. Slightly too tannic for my husband, the sweet drinker, I find Good Karma to be a great balance between semi-sweet and dry pallates. This is the bottle I can easily share with friends who are the driest of drinkers.
Roxanne - the light dry rose that acts as the base for the Rosalita, this wine offers the crisp tang of grapefruit and is best served chilled.
Kind of Blue - Hammonton, NJ blueberries are used to create this fruit wine that rides the line between sweet and tart
Blessington - the husband's favorite, this wine rings a Concord note, but is actually a sweet red blend of grapes that don't include the labrusca favorite. Chill it for a great summer sipper.
A few of the wines, including Rustica, aren't currently available; I look forward to tasting the 2012 vintages when they are released. The Classico - the motivation behind the creation of Auburn Road Vineyards - is a gorgeous dry red wine. I will readily admit to not being a dry red drinker, but in my humble semi-opinion, Classico is a distinctly American vinifera blend with a healthy balance of tannin and fruit.
Auburn Road Vineyards and Winery offers the Enoteca - a beautiful dining area boasting a patio that looks out into the vineyards and offers enough green space for live performances, of which there are many. With dinners on Friday nights and light fare all around, this is the place to cap your wine ride or hang out on a relaxing summer day/evening. For the oenophile, Auburn Road's Enoteca offers the kind of space you're looking for when you're out to contemplate the wine you're drinking.
To compliment our bottle(s) of Rosalita, we ordered one of the artisan cheeses from the Italian Market in Philly, a crusty loaf of Italian bread with olive oil, a bowl of the soup du jour (yellow pea with roasted red pepper) and the Coco Bar for dessert (think a high-end Klondike with a coconut infusion). Everything was fresh, delicious and a perfect match for the wine.
An excellent performance of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) by the Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company provided excellent theatrical accompaniment to thoughtfully crafted wines. What a fabulous show put on by three talented actors and a staff of dedicated professionals. If you have the chance, catch this show! Watching Shakespeare unravel among the vines was a transcendent cultural experience I will forever cherish.
Auburn Road Vineyard and Winery is the quintessential experience for wine drinkers seeking an American twist on vinifera grapes. With an environment as welcoming as the wine, Auburn Road is already a Jersey Wine classic.
The semi-sweet blush is bright and juicy with a light mouthfeel and pleasantly puckering tannins dancing along the sides of your tongue. Chilled and carrying all the appeal (and none of the sugary nature) of a candy apple, this wine pairs as well with cheeses as it would BBQ, and should frequent your summer dining experiences under the stars as it did ours last evening as we sat watching Shakespeare amidst the vines of Auburn Road Vineyard & Winery in Pilesgrove, NJ.
The evening started as all visits to a winery should, with a tasting. We sidled up to the packed bar in the Enoteca and were quickly welcomed with two logo-emblazoned glasses that were ours to keep with the tasting fee ($5/person for 10 wines on that day's list).
Our favorites included:
Sole - a bright Vidal Blanc containing strong mineral notes and a fruit-forward finish.
Good Karma - a vinifera red blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, this fusion of Italian body and French flavor carries all the tannins you'd expect from a dry red in a light body, making it the perfect wine for grilled chicken or salmon. Slightly too tannic for my husband, the sweet drinker, I find Good Karma to be a great balance between semi-sweet and dry pallates. This is the bottle I can easily share with friends who are the driest of drinkers.
Roxanne - the light dry rose that acts as the base for the Rosalita, this wine offers the crisp tang of grapefruit and is best served chilled.
Kind of Blue - Hammonton, NJ blueberries are used to create this fruit wine that rides the line between sweet and tart
Blessington - the husband's favorite, this wine rings a Concord note, but is actually a sweet red blend of grapes that don't include the labrusca favorite. Chill it for a great summer sipper.
A few of the wines, including Rustica, aren't currently available; I look forward to tasting the 2012 vintages when they are released. The Classico - the motivation behind the creation of Auburn Road Vineyards - is a gorgeous dry red wine. I will readily admit to not being a dry red drinker, but in my humble semi-opinion, Classico is a distinctly American vinifera blend with a healthy balance of tannin and fruit.
Auburn Road Vineyards and Winery offers the Enoteca - a beautiful dining area boasting a patio that looks out into the vineyards and offers enough green space for live performances, of which there are many. With dinners on Friday nights and light fare all around, this is the place to cap your wine ride or hang out on a relaxing summer day/evening. For the oenophile, Auburn Road's Enoteca offers the kind of space you're looking for when you're out to contemplate the wine you're drinking.
To compliment our bottle(s) of Rosalita, we ordered one of the artisan cheeses from the Italian Market in Philly, a crusty loaf of Italian bread with olive oil, a bowl of the soup du jour (yellow pea with roasted red pepper) and the Coco Bar for dessert (think a high-end Klondike with a coconut infusion). Everything was fresh, delicious and a perfect match for the wine.
An excellent performance of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) by the Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company provided excellent theatrical accompaniment to thoughtfully crafted wines. What a fabulous show put on by three talented actors and a staff of dedicated professionals. If you have the chance, catch this show! Watching Shakespeare unravel among the vines was a transcendent cultural experience I will forever cherish.
Auburn Road Vineyard and Winery is the quintessential experience for wine drinkers seeking an American twist on vinifera grapes. With an environment as welcoming as the wine, Auburn Road is already a Jersey Wine classic.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Kiwi-tastic at Cream Ridge Winery
In his book Inventing Wine Paul Lukacs cites balance, length and depth as the three factors that we use to gauge wine. Perhaps. Then again, just as everyone has a different definition of balance, length and depth, everyone has their own reasons for getting into wine. Personally, I'm into wine for the sensory rush of a tasting, as well as the social and even intellectual curiosity of the experience. Simply put, if Lukacs rates on balance, length and depth, I rate on flavor, personality and vibe.
Man, there are some gorgeous vibes at Cream Ridge Winery.
A few weeks ago, my husband and I were fortunate enough to attend Cream Ridge Winery's 25th Anniversary celebration. A lovely 2-day affair featuring live music, BBQ and tastings inside and out, this event was the perfect example of the fun you can have at a winery on a weekend afternoon. Families with kids on picnic blankets, bridal shower parties, couples young and old soaking in the springtime sun - these are good vibes.
A tour of the facility was given by founder Tom Amabile. Knowledgable and sweet, Tom not only gave us the history of the vineyard, insight into the tanking and bottling processes, and great tips on corking, we were also introduced to his lovely wife Joan who passed through to announce that more family had arrived, including their cousin Vinny. (It's a Jersey thing.) After giving Tom a helping hand with some extra chairs we were treated to a taste from the tank - the Eastern White, a sweet Niagara clear, clean and crisp from the steel tank where it sat ready to be tapped.
Known for its fruit wines, Cream Ridge has an extensive list of reds and whites as well. The Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc were both flavorful, light-bodied whites in their own right and the Muscato Amabile put the Barefoot stuff you find on the rack to shame. The Cab Franc, Chambourcin and Red Zin were just as dry in their own right with some powerful tannins.
Favorites included the Raley's Red - their Chambourcin blended with NJ blueberries. The Chambourcin's tannins and the fruit balanced nicely creating a unique red that could serve as both a table wine as well as a sipping sensation for dryer drinkers.
The Cherry - the description reads pie and that is no lie. This Governor's Cup winner is meant to be savored; not too sweet, nor to tart, this is a just-right cherry wine that begs for a summer afternoon.
Both the Cranberry and the Blueberry hit acidic and fruit nodes like a tightrope walker at Barnum & Bailey's. Walk the line with these fine wines.
AlmondBerry - There's a reason we left with 2 bottles. This fantastic blend of raspberry and white wine with almonds is legendary for a reason. Sweet with a slightly tangy finish. Sipping with appetizers or savoring for dessert, this wine will become one of your best cellar friends.
Javaberry - Blackberry, chocolate and espresso make for a menage a trois for the tongue. Wow, what gorgeous coffee flavor. Drink this and you'll never waste your time with an Irish coffee again.
Kiwine - Premiering at this event, this kiwi-infused Niagara blend is sweet, light, tropical and begs to be served at your upcoming summer party along with the Frozen Sangria (we loved the Red - a perfect sweet/tart blend!).
Pineapple - Ok, so we've been before. This gorgeous stuff wasn't available at the fest (they were in the process of restocking) but we were able to snag a bottle from the back when we checked out. What gorgeous stuff - and you won't find anything else like it around here. It's pineapple in a glass - tangy, fruity wine. Drink it out back, with a Hawaiian pie. Don't miss this!
Visit Cream Ridge for the experience. The festival was $5, but we've been in the past and the tastings on a non-event day have been free. You will not leave empty-handed and you'll have one heck of a good time!
PS - Turn left out of the winery and head to Allentown for a fun afternoon of shopping and dining. Turn right and hit up the back 9 at the local golf course.
Man, there are some gorgeous vibes at Cream Ridge Winery.
A few weeks ago, my husband and I were fortunate enough to attend Cream Ridge Winery's 25th Anniversary celebration. A lovely 2-day affair featuring live music, BBQ and tastings inside and out, this event was the perfect example of the fun you can have at a winery on a weekend afternoon. Families with kids on picnic blankets, bridal shower parties, couples young and old soaking in the springtime sun - these are good vibes.
A tour of the facility was given by founder Tom Amabile. Knowledgable and sweet, Tom not only gave us the history of the vineyard, insight into the tanking and bottling processes, and great tips on corking, we were also introduced to his lovely wife Joan who passed through to announce that more family had arrived, including their cousin Vinny. (It's a Jersey thing.) After giving Tom a helping hand with some extra chairs we were treated to a taste from the tank - the Eastern White, a sweet Niagara clear, clean and crisp from the steel tank where it sat ready to be tapped.
Known for its fruit wines, Cream Ridge has an extensive list of reds and whites as well. The Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc were both flavorful, light-bodied whites in their own right and the Muscato Amabile put the Barefoot stuff you find on the rack to shame. The Cab Franc, Chambourcin and Red Zin were just as dry in their own right with some powerful tannins.
Favorites included the Raley's Red - their Chambourcin blended with NJ blueberries. The Chambourcin's tannins and the fruit balanced nicely creating a unique red that could serve as both a table wine as well as a sipping sensation for dryer drinkers.
The Cherry - the description reads pie and that is no lie. This Governor's Cup winner is meant to be savored; not too sweet, nor to tart, this is a just-right cherry wine that begs for a summer afternoon.
Both the Cranberry and the Blueberry hit acidic and fruit nodes like a tightrope walker at Barnum & Bailey's. Walk the line with these fine wines.
AlmondBerry - There's a reason we left with 2 bottles. This fantastic blend of raspberry and white wine with almonds is legendary for a reason. Sweet with a slightly tangy finish. Sipping with appetizers or savoring for dessert, this wine will become one of your best cellar friends.
Javaberry - Blackberry, chocolate and espresso make for a menage a trois for the tongue. Wow, what gorgeous coffee flavor. Drink this and you'll never waste your time with an Irish coffee again.
Kiwine - Premiering at this event, this kiwi-infused Niagara blend is sweet, light, tropical and begs to be served at your upcoming summer party along with the Frozen Sangria (we loved the Red - a perfect sweet/tart blend!).
Pineapple - Ok, so we've been before. This gorgeous stuff wasn't available at the fest (they were in the process of restocking) but we were able to snag a bottle from the back when we checked out. What gorgeous stuff - and you won't find anything else like it around here. It's pineapple in a glass - tangy, fruity wine. Drink it out back, with a Hawaiian pie. Don't miss this!
Visit Cream Ridge for the experience. The festival was $5, but we've been in the past and the tastings on a non-event day have been free. You will not leave empty-handed and you'll have one heck of a good time!
PS - Turn left out of the winery and head to Allentown for a fun afternoon of shopping and dining. Turn right and hit up the back 9 at the local golf course.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
let them ...drink wine
T-minus two hours-ish until Downton Abbey graces the screens of PBS viewers across the nation once more and here I sit, sipping a gorgeous Blackberry Wine from Buckingham Valley Vineyards.
It seemed only appropriate to pull something sweet and dark for the occasion. Apparently the series that homages the dusk of the British Empire has inspired a call for more than one sweet after dinner drink. According to WinesfromSpain.com the airing of Downton Abbey has inspired a 15% increase in sherry sales across London. Ironically, the spike in sherry sales has also been impacted by the opening of bars devoted to the sweet stuff. With names like "Capote y Toros" the bars are influenced by those of a similar nature in Andalucia, Spain, the birthplace of the sweet stuff. Not quite as popular in Jersey, Renault Winery is the only one I know of that has a sherry in their list.
The wine of Downton, however, is most likely claret - "a now uncommon dark rose" that once was the most common wine exported from the Bordeaux region of France. Originally a spiced red wine, claret eventually became an unspiced, dry dark red Bordeaux associated with the British upper class. Today, French wine makers are looking to re-fashion claret as a light, sweet, fruity wine akin to its Plantagenet roots. When it comes to Jersey, Tomasello Winery offers an American Claret, a semi-dry red table wine.
During the Downton era, wine was a commodity of the rich. Today, thanks to the prevalence of local wineries and the renaissance of the American wine-making industry (which has struggled to make a comeback since the repeal of Prohibition) wine is becoming as popular at middle class dinner tables as it once was in the great halls of now-defunct castles. Perhaps, therein lies one of the greatest appeals of Downton Abbey is the understanding that we, too, can live like royalty - at a fraction of the price.
Cheers!
It seemed only appropriate to pull something sweet and dark for the occasion. Apparently the series that homages the dusk of the British Empire has inspired a call for more than one sweet after dinner drink. According to WinesfromSpain.com the airing of Downton Abbey has inspired a 15% increase in sherry sales across London. Ironically, the spike in sherry sales has also been impacted by the opening of bars devoted to the sweet stuff. With names like "Capote y Toros" the bars are influenced by those of a similar nature in Andalucia, Spain, the birthplace of the sweet stuff. Not quite as popular in Jersey, Renault Winery is the only one I know of that has a sherry in their list.
The wine of Downton, however, is most likely claret - "a now uncommon dark rose" that once was the most common wine exported from the Bordeaux region of France. Originally a spiced red wine, claret eventually became an unspiced, dry dark red Bordeaux associated with the British upper class. Today, French wine makers are looking to re-fashion claret as a light, sweet, fruity wine akin to its Plantagenet roots. When it comes to Jersey, Tomasello Winery offers an American Claret, a semi-dry red table wine.
During the Downton era, wine was a commodity of the rich. Today, thanks to the prevalence of local wineries and the renaissance of the American wine-making industry (which has struggled to make a comeback since the repeal of Prohibition) wine is becoming as popular at middle class dinner tables as it once was in the great halls of now-defunct castles. Perhaps, therein lies one of the greatest appeals of Downton Abbey is the understanding that we, too, can live like royalty - at a fraction of the price.
Cheers!
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