23 August 2013 Alba Vineyard – New Jersey Wines Anyone?

Alba Vineyard – New Jersey Wines Anyone?

August 23, 2013 By

Alba SignAward-winning Alba Vineyard is located in the rolling hills of Warren County in Milford, New Jersey. The winery and tasting room reside in an 1805-converted stone barn with an striking wood tasting bar, rustic stonewalls and old oak beams.

During our visit, Caroline, our Alba Vineyard Ambassador, let us sample several Alba wines. She was a gracious host and shared information about each wine and about the history of the winery founded in 1980. Alba is the only winery in New Jersey to only use French oak barrels. Head winemaker John Altmaier uses each barrel a maximum of four times then sells them to a local brandy and cognac maker.

Alba Outdoor Seating

Alba Outdoor Seating

The wines we enjoyed most are:

  • 2011 Dry Riesling ($16.99) – With this dry Riesling, winemaker John Altmaier endeavours to recreate the type of Rieslings produced in Alsace. The wine is rich yet crisp and had me craving Thai food. 100% Riesling.
  • Gewürztraminer ($18.99) – This floral wine with tons of pink grapefruit flavors won a gold medal at the Long Beach Grand Cru. A really pretty nice example of this aromatic varietal. 100% Gewurztraminer.
  • 2011 Chelsea Dry Rosé ($10.99) – Lovely light pink color from the Chambourcin skins, this crisp rosé offers big strawberry aromas and peach/strawberry flavors. Perfect wine to sip on a warm summer afternoon. 46% Cayuga, 46% Vidal Blanc, 8% Chambourcin.
  • 2010 Pinot Noir ($23.99) – Burgundian in style and light in the glass, this Pinot is full-bodied with big cherry flavors and a nice peppery finish. 100% Pinot Noir.
  • 2011 Barbera ($34.99) – This wine took me completely by surprise. Piedmont comes to Jersey? Round, elegant, velvety with great fruit flavor. 100% Barbera.
  • Red Raspberry ($16.99) – Was I just a bit skeptical of raspberry dessert wine? Yes. Was I pleasantly surprised after tasting it? Yes again. The raspberries used for this wine are picked at a local farm in Tewksbury. Simply a huge mouthful of raspberries enjoyable on its own and was super paired with dark chocolates during the tasting. Would be great in a cocktail also and Caroline suggested I replace the water in my favorite brownies recipe with this wine for a chocolate/raspberry combination that’s unbeatable. I’ll be trying that.
  • 2009 Vintage Port ($19.99) – While I’m not a huge Port fan, this Chambourcin-based version is pretty grand. Jammy fig flavors with just a hint of sweetness. Was gorgeous with dark chocolate and would be great with a cheese plate. 100% Chambourcin.

Alba’s Chelsea Cellars is a line of hand-crafted wines made with grapes from Sagemoor Vineyards, one of the most respected growers if the Columbia Valley of Washington state. Alba sources the finest Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Sagemoor to create the Chelsea Cellars wines. To ensure the freshest fruit possible, the grapes are shipped to New Jersey within 72 hours of picking.

The regular tasting is $10/person and the private tasting and tour is $15/person (must include 4 or more guests). Tastings are paired with cheeses, flat breads, seasonal fruits or appetizers.

Alba Vineyard

Store and Tasting Room

Guests are encouraged to buy a bottle and take it outside to enjoy on the beautiful grounds of the property or under the arbor. I suggest you visit Alba before the winter comes, it’s a beautiful place with some of the best wines in the Garden State.

269 Rte 627, Milford, NJ 08848. (908) 995-7800.

The tasting room is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Veronique

Filed Under: Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Culinary Travel Tales, Dessert Wine, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Riesling, Rose, Blush Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
3 August 2013 2012 Ameztoi Rubentis Rose Getariako Txakolina

2012 Ameztoi Rubentis Rose Getariako Txakolina

August 3, 2013 By

AmeztoiI discovered this beautiful pale pink wine with the 2009 vintage and it’s been one of my go-to summer rosés.

This zippy Spanish wine is super dry with a great level of acidity. Strawberry, floral and slate nose. Light fizz on the front of the sip that dissipates into a dry finish. Bright, ripe strawberry flavors make this a great wine for summer sipping or to match up with foods that are a little fatty like salmon or event lamb chops.

Wine&Spirits – 90 points.

Style: Rosé

Grape Type(s): Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza

Region: Pais Vasco, Spain

Around $20

Filed Under: Hondarribi Beltza, Hondarribi Zuri, Rose, Blush Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

2011 Burgans Albariño

July 21, 2013 By

2011 Burgans AlbarinoThis wine is offered by Bodega Martin Codax, one of my favorite Albariño-makers. It was recently given 90 points by Wine Enthusiast and I can see, and taste, why.

In the glass, this wine is golden with greenish hues – very pretty. The aromas are of lush, juicy peach and apricot. The flavors are of ripe tropical fruits with floral and citrusy notes that carry on a long finish. Crisp with a great food-friendly level of acidity.

Pairings: Light fish, grilled seafood, aperitif

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Albariño

Region: Rias-Baixas, Spain

Price: $14.99

Filed Under: Albarino, White Wine Tagged With: , , , , ,
16 July 2013 WITS Virtual Wine Tasting 2013

WITS Virtual Wine Tasting 2013

July 16, 2013 By

I’ve detailed the concept of virtual wine tasting in previous posts and I try to participate in several of them each year. Last night was the Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS) and a virtual tasting of three California wines was hosted from my friends at WineTwits.

For those of you who are new to virtual wine tastings, this is what the concept entails:

  • Buy a bottle of the wine varietal or brand being featured.
  • Invite friends to come over to share the experience with you, or snuggle in your pajamas in front of the computer.
  • Sip and share your wine feedback with other tasters globally using the designated hashtag on Twitter and Facebook!

The virtual tasting was well-attended and the three wineries whose wines we sampled were very active with the virtual tasters. Cheers to Wente Vineyards, Garnet Vineyards and Renwood Winery for interacting with us to the extent they did. I’ll follow up and make tons of new wine friends today as a result of last night’s event.

Here are my tasting notes from the featured wines:

2012 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay

LSK1042_MF CH 07 1upFor those of us who enjoy moderately-oaky Chardonnay, this is a nice option. 50% of this wine was barrel-fermented in French oak and the other 50% was fermented in stainless steel tanks creating a wine that’s not overly oaky/buttery and has some fruit freshness to it.

Aromas of Asian apple and lychee jump out of the glass. In the mouth, the 2012 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay is medium-bodied with Meyer lemon and tropical fruit flavors. Finish lingers with some oaky notes and a nice level of acidity.

Pairings: Roast chicken, salmon, pasta in light creamy sauce

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Region: Livermore Valley, CA, USA

Price: $13

2011 Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir

garnetGarnet pinot noirs have amassed rave reviews over the years and the 2011 Monterey County Pinot’s no exception. While it’s a bit more transparent in the glass than I would have suspected, it doesn’t lack in aroma and flavor. On the nose, it’s more jammy strawberry than the typical cherry one might expect. In the mouth, it’s velvety and the cherry is prominent with hints on vanilla and oak.

Pairings: Roasted duck, chicken or turkey, mushroom dishes

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Monterey County, CA, USA

Price: $14.99

2010 Renwood Winery Premier Old Vine Zinfandel

Renwood.Zin.OVAmador_catalogAt 15.5% alcohol, this is a big, beautiful baby. This style of Zin is right up my alley. It’s a huge mouthful of dark, ripe berries with mocha and pumpkin spices notes. This wine screams for a hot grill and meat…and my glass.

Pairings: Barbecue ribs, grilled beef or lamb

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 92.5% Zinfandel, 5.8% Syrah, 1.7% Souzao

Region: Amador County, CA, USA

Price: $19.99

For those of you on Twitter, search for #WITS2013 and see all the fun conversations folks had during the virtual tasting. You’ll likely find interesting wine fans to connect with.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Chardonnay, Other Neat Things, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , ,
10 July 2013 Dinner with Jacob’s Creek…at My Home

Dinner with Jacob’s Creek…at My Home

July 10, 2013 By

Jacob's CreekThis year, 4th of July was celebrated with beef and beefy red wines at my home. My guy grilled a whole beef tenderloin and I baked my Cabot Creamery Seriously Sharp Cheddar Mac N Cheese.

Since I had a nice lineup of Jacob’s Creek’s current release, I decided to focus the party around their wines. Here’s what we tasted:

  • 2010 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz ($14) – This wine smells and tastes the way it looks: blackberry, chocolate/mocha with a little black pepper. It was perfect for the beef and the pepper sauce I served with it. I just enjoy that big mouthful of dark jammy berries.
  • 2011 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon ($10) – Purplish red in the glass, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers ripe blackberry and red current aromas with some astringent notes. Nicely balanced, fresh with vanilla notes. Can’t beat it for the price.
  • 2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir ($13) – Nice berry aromas with a bit of pumpkin pie spice. Bright cherry flavors with a little oak on the finish. Baby tannins stood up to roasted s’mores nicely.
  • 2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Dry Riesling ($12) – Citrusy aromas with fresh, green apple flavors. Lovely crisp, wet stone finish. Perfect to cut through the richness of my mac and cheese and stood up to its spicy Panko topping.
  • 2012 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay ($15) – For fans of Chardonnay without a ton of oak and butteryness, this is a good option. It offers a floral, citrusy noseful and nectarine aromas with a great level of acidity. This was poured around the time we enjoyed my Red, White and Blue Cake.

I know I should have poured American wines of this very American holiday, but I enjoyed the lineup very much and look forward to pairing up those heavier reds with my grilled meats this summer.

Cheers,

Veronique

These wines were provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as they’re truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah / Shiraz, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
20 June 2013 2011 Ravines Dry Riesling

2011 Ravines Dry Riesling

June 20, 2013 By

2011 Ravines Dry RieslingI’m certain that if you’ve read me regularly, that you know what a fan of Ravines Wine Cellars and Finger Lakes Riesling I am. The 2011 Ravines Dry Riesling I poured over the weekend reminded me of why I love the wines from Ravines so much.

On the nose, there are lovely aromas of Asian pear and Meyer lemon. In the mouth, the lemon turns to lime and the pear to crisp apple flavors. The finish offers the perfect level of acidity and crispness.

It was delicious with the rich lobster I served at my 4th Annual Food & Wine Chickie Lobsterfest.

WS 90 points.

Pairings: Shellfish, seafood, grilled fish, spicy Asian food

Style: White wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Finger Lakes, NY, USA

Price: $17

Filed Under: Riesling, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
5 June 2013 2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

June 5, 2013 By

2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon BlancThis dessert wine is strikingly golden in the glass and offers ripe, juicy peach aromas. There’s a rich, coating mouthfeel, honey and fig jam flavors and a nice level of acidity on the finish of this little beauty.

The 2007 Echeverria Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc held up nicely to the caramel panna cotta but it was paired with at a recent dinner I attended.

Pairings: Cheese course, stone fruit or caramel desserts

Style: Sweet / Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Curico Valley, Chile

Price: $19.99 (375ml)

Filed Under: Chile, Dessert Wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
30 May 2013 2010 Selbach Oster Riesling Kabinett

2010 Selbach Oster Riesling Kabinett

May 30, 2013 By

WinesPerhaps it’s because we’ve vacationed in Mosel and visited and stayed at an inn that poured Selbach-Oster, but I just enjoy these wines tremendously.

I uncorked this German Riesling at a recent lobster dinner in Canada and it was a super pairing. On the nose it’s floral with wet stone aromas. Although a Kabinett, which tend to be slightly sweet, this wine is drier than I expected (for which I was grateful) with green apple tartness and peach lusciousness flavors. The finish is crisp on this well-balanced Mosel Riesling.

Pairings: Shellfish, seafood, grilled fish, spicy Asian food

Style: White wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Mosel, Germany

Price: $23

Filed Under: Germany, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
22 May 2013 2009 Marquis de Chasse Sauternes

2009 Marquis de Chasse Sauternes

May 22, 2013 By

SauternesGolden in the glass, the 2009 Marquis de Chasse Sauternes offers typical aromas of honey and dry apricot. In the mouth, it’s rich with ripe pear and honey flavors with a little nutmeg notes on the finish. Sweet yet well-balanced – very pleasant for such a young Sauternes.

Pairings: Cheese course, foie gras, most desserts

Style: White wine

Grape Type(s): Semillon,  Sauvignon Blanc,  Muscadelle

Region: Bordeaux, France

Price: $24 (500ml)

Filed Under: France, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
14 May 2013 2010 Albert Mann Cremant D’Alsace

2010 Albert Mann Cremant D’Alsace

May 14, 2013 By

2010 Albert Mann Cremant D'AlsaceWarmer weather’s among us and for me, that calls for bubbles. If you like French Champagne but not the cash outlay, try Cremant D’Alsace.  This Alsatian wine offers bright aromas of juicy pear and lemon zest and crisp apple flavors. Simply a super bubbly with tons of creamy, moussy bubbles great for any occasion.

Pairings: Fish, seafood, pasta with light creamy sauce, or as an aperitif

Style: Sparkling wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris and Riesling

Region: Alsace, France

Price: $20

Filed Under: By Country, France, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »