Mano a Vino

Create a Complete Italian Experience with the New Putumayo CD Italia

2009-06-20T11:24:27-04:00

Next time you do Italian whether with a cheap Chianti and pasta with red sauce or a grand outdoor party or picnic complete the ambiance with this wonderful compilation of sweet Italian music.

Putumayo's Italia serves up a delightful assortment of tunes, from romantic folk to lively pop jazz and rock, that please the senses.

You will love it, sample the sounds here Italia.

Italia features well-known singer-songwriters like Giorgio Conte and Gianmaria Testa, Simone Lo Porto, Alessandro Pitoni, Alessandro Mannarino, Marco Calliari, and Rossomalpelo frontman Serge Gaggiotti. Folk artist Lino Straulino and the popular group Bandabardò as well Film score composer Rocco De Rosa are included along with Lu Colombo who has joined forces with jazz guitarist Maurizio Geri.

It inspires images of classic Fellini films like Amarcord and La Dolce Vita . And so it is - "The Sweet Life.

A Perfect Easy Summer Cocktail, Portonic

2009-06-15T21:15:11-04:00

I love to make elaborate, interesting and complex cocktails. But when summer rolls around I prefer something that is easy and easily portable to the pool club.

The Portonic fills the bill. A simple cocktail of white port and tonic. I first discovered it in a Food and Wine article discussing the Portonic found at New York’s Macao Trading Co., Food and Wine Article.

It is delightfully refreshing and so easy to make. The biggest challenge is finding white port, not every liquor store carries it. I found mine at Shoppers Vineyard in Clifton.

At Macao, bartenders Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric serve this clever twist on the classic Portuguese white port and tonic with a garnish of grape and cucumber. Recipe

I found another recipe that used lemon and mint which is also quite nice. Ask Men Portonic Cocktail recipe.

I used Dow's white port, $ 12.99 a bottle and it worked fine.

"Dow's Fine White ages mainly in wood, gaining a rich golden colour and an intense rich nutty aromatic complexity. A certain amount of wine is not wood-aged and is blended in to add freshness and fruit character. On the palate, balanced and smooth, with excellent acidity and a long finish." Winemaker Notes

I also recommend using Schweppes Tonic over Seagrams. Schweppes has a slightly sweeter and more pleasant flavor for this cocktail.

The Spanish Table in Berkeley CA a specialty food and wine store featuring the products of Spain and Portugal writes about their take on the Portonic here, Pink and Gold, "The ‘Portonic’ cocktail originated in Portugal, up in the Douro Valley where the Port grapes grow, during the blindingly hot summer days"

A Great Italian Wine for Barbecue Season - Masserie Pisari - Primitivo

2009-06-15T20:37:45-04:00

We were in Amanti Vino to pick up the June installment of my Goda wine club, two very interesting white wines this month. (review to follow)

Today I needed a red for the Barbecue-Braised Vietnamese Short Ribs with Sweet Vinegar Glaze we were making for dinner, A great recipe from Fine Cooking.

I asked my friend Sue Guerra, who works at Amanti, for a suggestion.

She knows the wines at Amanti well, and I am always happy with her recommendations, but I was surprised when she started to walk toward the Italian section. I was expecting her to suggest something like an Australian Shiraz or a Washington State Pinot Noir.

When she offered a bottle from Masserie Pisari a practicing organic estate in in Puglia in the southern Salento, it made sense. The wine is made of 100% Primitivo, in the US this grape is called Zinfandel which we all know is a great wine for grilled meats.

This wine is not like a typical Cali Zin bursting with strawberry and raspberry. It is delicious and fruity but has herbaceous nutty undertones in a rich balanced wine that envelopes the tounge with delightful flavors. It went great with the ribs.

A Marc De Grazia Selection. At $14.99 it is a great buy.

Read More of Sue's take on Wine on her NJ Monthly Wine Blog

A Great Summer Wine Stickleback White, Found at Amanti Vino

2009-04-26T18:58:28-04:00

Heartland Wines of South Australia produces this wine. I love their Stickleback Red which is an interesting blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Shiraz, 10% Dolcetto, 5% Grenache Shiraz.

I jumped at the chance to try their Stickleback White. We tasted it last night with a curried chicken and were delighted.

Ben Glaetzer, winemaker, has combined 49% Semillon, 28% Chardonnay, 20% Verdelho for the 2007 vintage of this inexpensive delicious wine.

It has "vibrant straw in colour with flashes of lime green. Masses of citrus zest on the nose with gooseberry, peach and passionfruit hints. Flavours of lemon zest and pear balanced by refreshing, crisp acid and a long, bright aromatic finish." Winemaker

It is perfect for sipping with cheese and olives, great with pistachio nuts, and would be great with chicken or seafood dishes.

We loved this wine and at $8.99 it is a tremendous bargain.

Buy it at Amanti Vino in Montclair, NJ.

This was Delicious, Grilled Chicken Salad with Tarragon Pesto and a Wonderful Gruner Veltliner

2009-04-26T18:57:25-04:00

It was a glorious evening and for our first outdoor dinner of 2009 we made this recipe from Bon Apetite for dinner.

Grilled Chicken Salad with Radishes, Cucumbers, and Tarragon Pesto.

I was low on white wine so I made a quick stop at Home Liquors on my way back from Verona Farms Fruit and Vegetable Market in Verona, NJ, where I bought the ingredients for the salad. At Home I found this great Gruner Veltliner in the cooler for $9.00 bucks. The wine is made by Erich & Maria Berger in Kremstal, Weinland, Austria.

I thought it would go well with the Tarragon pesto. It was perfect.

According to Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Berger’s basic is an excellent 2007 Gruner Veltliner to keep in your refrigerator anytime over the next year (although you’ll need a stopper for it since it is sealed, as so often the case for Austrian liter-bottlings, with a crown cap). Lime, green rhubarb, fresh spinach, nut oils, and a hint of honey inform this refreshing, invigoratingly sweet-tart entry level offering." (08/08) There is something crazily appealing about this wine. Maybe it's the squat green blue container with a twist-off cap, the glass bottle equivalent of your favorite uncle Herb. Or perhaps it is the price: less than $12 for a whole liter of wine. Then again, there is the wine itself, bright, herbaceaous, clean and so very very versatile. Keep one in your fridge for last minute dinner guests, or for yourself. It goes with anything--spicy food, fried food, or no food at all! According to importer Terry Theise: "This is the best of the GrüVe liters in ‘07, and please don’t ignore it just because it’s been around the longest. It has the most density, fruit and substance; it is interesting and delicious and well above its class."

Gruner Veltliner is a great summer wine. If you have not tried it, now is the time.

Tenuta Le Calcinaie Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2007

2009-04-07T21:25:28-04:00

As summer approaches my heart and mind turn to thoughts and feelings of wonderful seasonal dinners accompanied by wonderful Italian white wine.

Wines that compliment and accentuate the fresh flavors of summer cuisine.

A perfect example is this Vernacchia di San Gimignano found at Amanti Vinoin Montclair, NJ.

For those unfamiliar with Italian whites like Vernacchia, let me give you a shorter primer.

Vernacchia or Vernaccia is the grape, one with a lengthy history, it is believed that this grape with records dating back to 1276, was previously originally imported either from the Cinque Terre region (Liguria), or from Spain or Greece. In any case, over the centuries the vines adapted superbly to the soil around San Gimignano, and it is said that by the Renaissance Vernaccia was considered Italy's finest white wine.

San Gimignano is, of course, a city in the province of Sienna, Tuscany. It is in a very beautiful part of Italy and has a very long history.

Tenuta Le Calcinaie is the winery, 3 kilometers from the center of San Gimignano, where this wine is produced.

Simone Santini, the owner of this small and well-run estate says:

"Ever since I earned my degree in wine technology at the Siena Agrarian Institute, I've dreamed of dedicating myself to nature and wine. I was finally able to do this, planting my first vinyard in 1986 and beginning to make wine in 1993."

Since 1995 his estate "produced grapes by biological methods. Then from 2001 they adopted a certified biological process. All efforts go towards a continuing qualitative improvement of the wines we produce: quality above all."

Tenuta Le Calcinaie Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2007

Colour: Pale straw yellow

Nose: Intense, fine, fruity, green apple, white flowers

Flavour: Fresh, fragrant, quite soft, slightly tasty, easy to drink

Serving suggestions: As an aperitif, cold fish hors d'oeuvres

L'ardenza Cottanera Mondeuse Noir

2009-04-06T21:51:30-04:00

Just in the US with Importer Banville & Jones, this fine example of the grand artistry that continues to unfold from Sicilian vineyards may soon appear on a wine list in a restaurant near you.

When it does seize the opportunity to taste this intriguing wine.

Made of 100% Mondeuse, what? Never heard of Mondeuse? You are in for a treat.

Produced by the acclaimed Cambria family, Guglielmo and Enzo Cambria with winemaker Lorenzo Landi at the Cottanera Estatein Castiglione di Sicilia, this wine exudes lucious life.

Mondeuse is a rare peppery red variety mainly grown in the high altitude vineyards of Savoie region of France where it is blended with other grapes. It is also known as Refosco in north-east Italy's Friuli region. While these grapes taste very similar DNA testing has shown them to have no relation. Mondeuse is similar to Syrah and delivers the same rich intense flavors. It thrives in the wonderful climate and soil of Mount Etna.

"Francesco Cambria started Cottanera in the 1960s. The name “Cottanera” comes from an antique building on the northwest side of Etna in Castiglione di Sicilia where there vineyards are located at 700 meters above sea level. The rich mineraly terrroir " Importer

Famed wine critic Gambero Rosso says:

"A ruby-red wine with bright reflexes presenting an immense
bouquet. Both elegant and persistent with a vegetal note
including mature fruit of marasca, cherry and blueberry and
a hint of balsamic and spices. The roundness on the palate,
defined by dense tannins and a note of minerality, makes for
a long pleasurable finish."

It get a great dark cherry fruit with a wide mouth feel, nuts, green moss, cola, sage and thyme. The flavor rolls over the tongue and never stops.

"Concentrated black cherry bouquet. Very full and fruity but not sweet and jammy. A most intriguing wine." Drink 2009-13. Decanter Rating: (15.5 points)

A blog on Art Advocacy

2009-04-01T06:07:00-04:00

I realize this is a bit off topic, but it is a subject dear to our hearts. The arts are a key part of a whole education, effective healing and an overall good life. Yet budgets for the arts are being cut and interest in the arts is waning in the electronic era we live in.

Here is a new blog that we are helping with that I love you to take a look at.

http://artpaperscissors.typepad.com/

The Orange Squirrel - Bloomfield, NJ Restaurant Review

2009-03-28T11:30:55-04:00

We dined at the stylish new Bloomfield restautant called The Orange Squirrel that has "opened" to much buzz and fanfare on the web.

We went on a Tuesday night and just loved, loved, loved the place for many reasons.

That is not to say there are not some flaws, which seem to manifest, as you might expect, mainly on the weekend. The grand opening is planned for later in the spring. We will be back but not on the weekends. We like eating at home or with friends at home on weekends anyway.

Why do we think The Orange Squirrel is great?

We love the space and ambiance. It reminds me of my all time favorite restaurant in New Jersey, Dish which was in Passaic Park. It closed a few years ago after a great run. We still miss Dish.

We love having a bar with good cocktails and a very nice selection of good wines by the glass for reasonable prices.

Two wines we really like were Fratelli Pighin Collio Pino Grigio and Michele Chiarlo Gavi.

We like the young chef and owner, Francesco Palmieri, he is a real character with tremendous artistry in the kitchen.

We love the food, tried many dishes and have already picked what we are having next time. See the menu here.

While we did not experience any problems, people have complained about service, timing, some average food. A friend told me there was a hostess that was absolutely awful, god awfully rude, hopefully she is gone. Our host and waiter Howard, was great in every way.

I say give these folks a chance. I suggest you disregard the complaints and try the place on a week night not Friday or Saturday when the masses attack.

The Orange Squirrel

412 Bloomfield Avenue

Bloomfield, NJ 07003
973.337.6421

http://www.theorangesquirrel.com/

More Reviews

Baristanet

NJ Monthly

Tommy Eats

Brookside Thai Bloomfield NJ Restaurant Review

2009-03-28T11:05:14-04:00

I haven't dined at Brookside Thai in some time, though friends keep telling me to go there. Last time was way back before their renovation which has made the restaurant much more appealing.

Located on what I call the Broad Street Restaurant Row in Bloomfield, Brookside Thai is worth a trip. Had dinner there a couple of weeks ago and got take-out the other night. We were very happy with both.

The first night we had appetizers of Tod Munn Pla, which is minced king fish and string beans blended with red chili paste, deep fried, served with cucumber sauce and ground peanut and a special Shrimp Roll which was shrimp marinated in fresh cilantro sauce that is wrapped in thin rice sheet, golden fried and served with plum sauce.

I thought the Tod Munn Pla, a favorite of mine, was good, tasty, but a little too firm in texture. The Shrimp Roll was fantastic we really liked that, almost ordered another.

The appetizers and entrees are reasonably priced, we all appreciate that these days.

For our entrees we had Kao Pad Kra-Prow Seafood fried rice with fresh basil, chili, garlic, with shrimp. You can get it with shrimp, calamari or mixed. This was so good.

And we had the Massaman Curry with avocado, that dish was delicious also. It was always favorite of mine at the old Deja Vu in Montclair which made the dish with avocado, since then I have found that most Thai places serve it with out avocado, much my disappointment.

Apparently I am not alone in this see the Chowhound thread Massaman Curry with Avocado evidently avocado is not a traditional Thai ingredient.

With dinner we drank a St Urbans Hof Riesling Qba it is a delicious and very reasonable winr that landed #56 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2008.

It benefits from some air to reveal its floral, apricot and slate aromas and flavors. This is a really great wine for asian food and it can be found in many NJ wine shops.

On our take out night, we had the Kanom Jeeb appetizer,Thai steamed dumplings: marinated shrimp, pork and mushroom served with a special sauce.

Pad Cee-Ew,stir-fried flat rice noodles in black bean sauce with garlic, egg, Chinese broccoli, we chose the beef but it can be had with chicken, beef, or pork.

Pad Puk Boong Fai Dang, stir fried Thai watercress in black bean sauce and fresh garlic.

Pad King chicken sauteed with ginger, black mushrooms, sweet peppers and scallions.

All were very good except the Pad King which I thought was just OK.

Brookside Thai

Authentic Thai - family friendly cooking
380 Broad Street at Pitt Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003

973-566-0057

http://brooksidethai.com

Open Every day

Monday to Thursday
11 am to 10 pm

Friday and Saturday
11 am to 11 pm

Sunday
11 am to 10 pm

(Monday - Friday:Closed 3 pm - 5 pm)

Hesketh Shiraz 2006 Usual Suspects

2009-03-21T14:13:23-04:00

Here is a really exceptional Australian Shiraz that you can find for under $20.00.

I love the names and labels the Aussie's come up with for their wines.

I didn't pick this just because it shares a name with one of my favorite movies Usual Suspects but I bet that Keyser Söze would like this wine and if you have seen the movie you know that we like to keep Keyser happy.

The wine is described as "meaty, lush Shiraz with exceptional balance and flavor.Scrumptious with washed rind cheeses. "

An influencing factor in my choice was certainly the Mclaren Vale origin of this wine. I just love the red wines from that prosperous region of Australia.

Hesketh Wine Company is a small, family owned, Adelaide based producer of high quality wines founded by Jonathon & Trish Hesketh.

They are a very interesting couple Trisha was born in Northern Ireland. She emigrated to Melbourne with her family when she was three. She worked in fashion and flew commercial aircraft. She manned the Cellar Door in McLaren Vale and has worked in PR in New Zealand.

Jon is a native of the area, born and raised in Adelaide to a family with deep roots in the wine industry. He spent some years being educated in France and returned speaking English with a French accent and then spent 8 years learning alternative vocations in Export Trading and Fast Moving Consumer Goods. He says he is forever grateful to late and great Greg Trott (Proprietor of Wirra Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale) for an entry back into the wine industry. Followed this with a stint in New Zealand on the distribution side of the wine business, running Lion Nathan's Distinguished Vineyards.

Along the way they raise four wonderful kids Angus, Ben, Jack and Maddie.

Their wines have garnered many favorable reviews and awards. Press

This wine:

"Shiraz can often be too big and obvious - too much alcohol, too much oak, too much dead fruit, too much of everything. The Usual Suspects simply isn't like this.

It's what McLaren Vale does best - vibrant fruit, complexity, elegance, balance and style. 'Thinking' shiraz that evolves and reveals itself as you progress through the bottle.

The Usual Suspects is named after Hamish Macdonald's artwork, which is a painting of a group of my friends - and this is how Trish tends to refer to them. You'll find more information under the 'artwork' section." Wine Maker

Sun Herald Sydney- Winsor Dobbin - "Splurge"

"McLaren Vale shirazes can be big, alcoholic, aggressive beasts, but this one (with a dash of viognier added) has rather more restraint than most and is all the better for it. It's only 13.5 per cent alcohol and has smoothness and complexity on it's side while at the same time being beautifully balanced and easy to drink. A versatile food wine."

Australian Financial Review - Tim White - 93 Points

"Plenty of cassis and spice and some black pepper, which is unusual for McLaren Vale shiraz. Some peach kernel too. Attacks with cassis and plums, and some more candied peach-like stuff. Perfectly balanced dry tannins balance the sweet fruit and there's subtle oak toastiness too. A damn tasty shiraz. 93/100."

The wine is available In NY & NJ I found mine at Home in Verona.

Greek Delights Bloomfield, NJ Restaurant Review

2009-03-21T13:33:48-04:00

One of our favorite restaurants Greek Delights has moved from the little diner they were in on Park Street to a beautiful new space on Bloomfield Avenue.

They are now at 558 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. With a larger space are they now able to take reservations. Phone 973-783-9100.

Their new space is done in warm soft yellows with beautiful murals of Greek land and seascapes.

It is brightly lit and is large enough to accommodate any size party. No more squeezing into the little booths at the old place.

We enjoyed the Gigantes, large white beans in delicious home made tomato sauce and the Horiatiki salad of fresh, crisp and delicious tomato, cucumber, pepper, onion, feta cheese, and Greek olives in a delightful vinaigrette dressing.

For entrees we had my perpetual favorite Shrimp Mykonos over orzo with fresh tomatoes & feta cheese and the wholesome and heart warming lamb in fillo with potato, carrots, peas & dill.

The prices are reasonable and the quality uncompromised.

Service is as always friendly and swift. Now in their beautiful new space Greek Delights has it all.

Only way to make dinner more perfect is a stop at Amanti Vino for some good Greek Wine.

http://greekdelightsnj.com/

17th Annual Taste of the Nation Princeton, NJ

2009-03-19T20:52:14-04:00

This is an event you should not miss. www.tasteofthenation.org/princeton

In anticipation of another successful Taste of the Nation event, the Princeton chapter is delighted to announce a top tier line-up of restaurants and vendors for their annual benefit to alleviate children’s hunger in

America

. We applaud the restaurants, vendors and sponsors who support this continuing mission, especially at a time when the economy is slow and so many are vulnerable to hard times.

Participating Restaurants and Food and Wine Purveyors:

A Taste of Rubies = Acacia = Anton's at the Swan = Catherine Lombardi Ciao Bella Gelato Company = Crossing Vineyards and Winery = Donna & Company = Due Mari = JL Ivy Restaurant and Tiger Bar = Jack's Café & Taste Appeal Catering = Jones Two Enterprises = elements = Karsay Coffee = Parallel 40 at the Westin Princeton Forrestal Village = Ruth's Chris Steak House = Salt Creek Grille Restaurant = Slow Food Central New Jersey = Steakhouse 85 = Taking Tea In Style, LLC = The Alchemist & Barrister Restaurant & Pub = The Blue Bottle Café = The Blue Rooster Bakery & Café = The Brothers Moon = The Cranbury Inn = The Ferry House = The Frog and The Peach = The Original SoupMan = The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village Take-Out = Tre Piani Restaurant = Triumph Brewing Company =The Nassau Club = Unionville Vineyard = Witherspoon Bread Company Yankee Doodle Tap Room =

Event page at: www.tasteofthenation.org/princeton

Waters Crest Wine Tasting - Jim Waters' North Fork LI Wine

2009-03-01T13:20:25-05:00

Last evening we had a group of friends over to taste some Long Island wines. They include 5 bottles from the award winning Waters Crest Winery operated by Jim and Linda Waters in Cutchogue, Long Island, NY.

I had no real expectations for these wines. Truly good wines from NY or NJ are few and far between in my experience.

The wines we tasted included Waters' 2006 Reserve Cabernet Franc, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Campania Rossa, 2007 Private Reserve Chardonnay and their 2007 Late Harvest Night Watch. As it turned out every wine was found to be quite enjoyable by our guests.

I started the tasting with the Chardonnay and just for fun did a blind tasting against a pretty decent French Chardonnay, Les Setilles by Olivier Leflaire. At first taste the votes came in 50-50 on preference. Both wines were very good, the Waters Crest had more body and deeper flavor. The Leflaire had a bit more complexity and was lighter. As we started to enjoy some food the Waters seemed to stand out and work better with the lively cheeses and hor devours that were served. In the end every guest but one leaned toward the Waters Chardonnay.

Next we tasted the three red wines. Overall they were all very good, everyone loved the 2005 Campania Rossa. This wine "is a blend of 73% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. This Red Blend displays eucalyptus and black pepper jump from the glass. With abundant dark plumy raspberry notes, followed by pleasingly rustic earthiness. The flavors are round and subtle and have a good mid palate finish." WInemaker. It went very well with the pungent cheeses and the meats on the charcuterie platter.

I decanted this wine and gave it some time to breath but a couple of us felt that it will be better in a few more years.

The Cabernet Franc was good and enjoyed by all but the second favorite of the reds was the Cabernet Sauvignon. It is described as "Blackberry currant with a slight eucalyptus nose. Aromas of smoked meat with earthy roung integrated tannins and a slight earthy mid palate." I liked the earthy unbridled nature of all the wines.

After dinner a dessert of fresh strawberries, deep chocolate brownies and fresh whipped cream was served and with this I poured Waters' 2005 Night Watch.

It is a blend of late harvest a chardonnay, riesling and gewürztraminer, it is was a wow for everyone. This wine earned double gold in the International Eastern Wine Competition held recently in Corning, N.Y. The contest drew over 2,300 entries from 16 countries and 34 states.

As the night closed there were several more compliments. It is no wonder Waters' wines have won so many awards.

These wines can be found through the winery http://www.waterscrestwinery.com/

A Fine Italian Sauvignon Tenuta Luisa Friuli Venezia Giulia

2009-02-26T07:03:34-05:00

This very fine Italian vino bianco is crafted of 100% Sauvignon by Michele and Davide Luisa of the Luisa family who first established Tenuta Luisa in 1927.

The vineyard located in Corona, Mariano dei Friuli, Gorizia Italy and is the source of many fine wines.

We also like their Pinot Grigio.

The family has succeeded in creating great wines by "interpreting new market trends and cleverly weaving their older generation wisdom with the vigor of the younger ones; including their young children Francesco and Giovanni, the family’s succession into the third millennium." Web Site

This wine has a pale gold color. My wife loved the bouquet that is typical of a great Sauvignon with scents of sage, bell peppers and tomato vines. On the tongue it is balanced and well structured with crisp acidity. We enjoyed the wine with a delicious dish of grilled sausage, with sauteed peppers, onions, mushrooms, potatoes and fresh basil with nicely garlicked broccoli rabe.

New Jersey Monthly's 26th Annual Readers' Choice Restaurant Poll

2009-02-24T20:55:38-05:00

Click to participate in New Jersey Monthly's 26th Annual Readers' Choice Restaurant Poll. It’s your turn to rate the restaurants!

The Readers’ Choice Restaurant Poll is your chance to tell us which are the Garden State’s best dining spots. To take part in the survey, just complete this ballot. THE ENTRY DEADLINE IS March 15. You can name restaurants that are anywhere in New Jersey. Click Here

Alba Vineyard 2007 Estate Barrel Reserve Chardonnay

2009-02-23T20:11:35-05:00

The tenacious NJ vineyard, Alba Vineyard celebrates the release of their 2007 Estate Barrel Reserve Chardonnay in a special event. At the Vineyard Saturday, February 28 & Sunday, March 1 Noon to 5:00 Pm

Alba Vineyard Release

Great wines reflect the complexity and character of great vineyards, as well as the vision, passion and patience of those who farm them. A beautiful 2007 summer ended with one of the driest autumns on record. Yields from our two hilltop vineyards were below two tons per acre, which resulted in a production of just 297 cases. The offering from this small Dijon clone Chardonnay vineyard embodies the vintage’s fully-body character while maintaining its signature elegance. Rich, lush and layered, our 2007 Estate Barrel Reserve Chardonnay combines structure and balance with inviting elements of tropical fruit, citrus and spice. This Chardonnay gains depth and texture from “sur lies” aging in French Oak barrels.

Come celebrate the release of this wonderful Estate wine this weekend. Chef Ed Coss of The Milford Oyster House will be preparing a smoked trout mousse to accompany our 2007 Estate Barrel Reserve Chardonnay. The Milford Oyster House, just a short drive away, specializes in fresh seafood. Open evenings on both Saturday and Sunday, a perfect end to your Alba visit would be a romantic dinner at The Milford Oyster House.

Reservations for our 2007 Estate Barrel Reserve Chardonnay release are not required or accepted. Wine tastings with samples of wine, artisan cheese, crackers and a souvenir etched Alba wine glass that is yours to keep, will be available throughout the day for $5 per person.

Alba Vineyard
269 Route 627
Village of Finesville
Milford NJ 08848
Phone: 908-995-7800
Fax: 908-995-7155

Email: AlbaVineyard@enter.net

Web: www.AlbaVineyard.com

HOURS

Sunday through Friday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saturday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Food and Wine Classes at the Adult School of Montclair

2009-02-22T08:19:44-05:00

The Adult School Of Montclair starts the spring semester this week with Wine and Cheeses of France on Friday February 27th.

16 wonderful courses on food or wine fill their catalog this season. Topics from raw gourmet to meat loaf secrets, see the full listing by clicking here.

Wine and Cheeses of France is being taught by Montclairian and owner of one of my favorite wine shops, Amanti Vino, Sharon Sevrens.

Sharon brings incredible passion and knowledge to her classes.

"It's party time! Learn to savor and appreciate the wines and cheeses of France. Explore a range of wines, and learn the nuances of pairing them with artisanal cheeses. Each session will focus on a different wine region." Class Info

Adult School of Montclair

Phone and Fax

Standard Mail
Adult School of Montclair
100 Chestnut Street
Montclair, NJ 07042

E-Mail
info@adultschool.org

La Carraia Orvieto Classico a Very Pleasant Italian White Wine

2009-02-22T08:00:00-05:00

Orvieto is one of my favorite towns in Italy. It is a short drive off the Autostrada A1 when traveling from Roma to Firenze.

It has one of the most beautiful Duomos in Italy and is home to many great local trattorias and of course the popular wine that bears its name, Orvieto.

Orvietto is a usually a DOCwine made with Trebbiano toscano, 40-60%; Verdello, 15-25%; Grechetto and/or Canaiolo bianco and/or Malvasia toscana, 20%; other local white varieties, up to 15%.

Here is a very pleasant Orvieto priced at around $10.

The La Carraia estate & winery, owned by Odoardo Gialletti and Riccardo Cotarella is located between Baschi and Orvieto, in the southwestern part of Umbria.

"The winery made its debut in 1988 with this Orvieto Classico DOC, which is the result of a meticulous selection of clones with low productivity and particularly interesting aromas.

Still today, Odoardo Gialletti and his sons Mauro and Marco make the rounds of the various vineyards overseeing the work of maintenance to ensure the quality that is, before anything else, the result of a love for nature and the work of man." La Carria

This wine is made of Grechetto 40%, Malvasia 30%, Procanico 30% it has a pale yellow color. The nose has the scent of Mediterranean flowers. It has bright dry gentle flavors, lemon, quince and almond. It is best young, drink the 2007 now. A great alternative to Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon. Great with seafood, cheese and light chicken dishes.

"Orvieto Classico is one of the best known white wines from Central Italy. It boasts a long history that dates back to medieval times, when it was the favorite wine of the Papacy, and even reaches back to the time of the Etruscan, a population who inhabited the area thousands of years ago. It is a classic Italian white, made from native varietals - 40% Grechetto, 30% Trebbiano and 30% Malvasia - grown in vineyards surrounding the historic hilltop town of Orvieto. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve its hallmark freshness, the wine is refined in tanks and in bottle for a few months before release." Winebow

I found this delicious wine at Home in Verona for $8.99, it is available at other wine shops around NJ.

If you find yourself in Orvieto be sure to stop by Trattoria Del Moro Aronne.

Gourmet’s Academy Awards® Cocktails

2009-02-21T21:13:44-05:00

Gourmet Magazine has created an exciting collection of cocktail recipes as a tribute to this year’s Oscar® nominees, some of the most talented actors of our time. Click Here to see them

I particularly like the Mikey Rourke. A reviving drink of Tequila , Blood Orange Juice with a dash of Bitters.