Summer 2015 is cooking away, and it’s a great time to let the SJ Hot Chefs cook for you!
We are focusing on the wonderful wines South Jersey has to offer for Summer: whites, rose’s— all just in time for the SJ Hot Chefs Farm to Fork Week.
Just a quick note: a wine buddy of mine came up with the greatest line about us consumers and our wine choices, he said “Most wines age in the back seat of the car on the way home from the wine store.”
Here’s to liking what we like. And in the hot season, this writer does dig some pink wines on summer days & nights. These are great wines to enjoy with your spouse at the beach or on the front step, just talking about the day. Summertime-the wine drinkin’ is easy!
And here’s the current WinedUp SJ Wines Version:
Wine: Leda
Producer: Amalthea Cellars, Atco, NJ
Region: Outer Coastal Plain, Southern NJ
Vintage: NV
Grape: Outer Coastal Plains blend
Alcohol: NA
Amalthea continues its clever naming of wines after the Moons of Jupiter. I love Louis Caracciolo’s Cab Francs and Europa Bordeaux series, but Leda is an easy drinking wine made for Jersey summers.
There is a strawberry nose, quite fruity, and the gentle acids balance this wine out to a clean finish.
It’s a great opening wine: I like it with gazpacho, light pasta dishes & seafood, About $16 at the winery and select NJ retail stores such as Wineworks, Medford Wines & Spirits, and Trainos.
Wine: Viognier
Producer: Amalthea Cellars, Atco, NJ
Region: Outer Coastal Plain, Southern NJ
Vintage: 2012
Grape: Viognier (Rhone varietal)
Alcohol: NA
This wine shows Louis’ passion for French varietals such as this rather unknown white grape originally from the Rhone Valley. I get hints of pineapple and citrus from the nose, and there is a little bit of fragrant herbs and a bit of honey there too. Intoxicating, like a fine perfume. Give this wine a try–you’ll gladly put away your Pinot Gris and Chardonnays. This is a nice first course food wine, it will stand up to creamy pasta dishes, and gently dressed salads as the acids are balanced enough to cut through these dishes and cleanse your palate. This is a grape showing lots of promise her in SJ. About $21 at the winery in Atco.
Wine: Dry Rose
Producer: Heritage Vineyards, Mullica Hill, NJ
Region: Outer Coastal Plain, Southern NJ
Vintage: 2012
Grape: Grenache, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol: 11%
This nice dry rose comes from a stellar lineup of estate grown grapes. Mostly Grenache and Merlot, I enjoy the subtle acidity. The nose is varied with strawberry, cherry, a bit of lavender in the nose. It’s all the the flavors of summer. It’s been a favorite of ours to take to local fireworks, picnics and the next-door neigbor’s porch. Heritage Vineyards is a fun & lively place with lots of great wine & food events.
About $15 at the winery, sometimes you catch it on sale for around $13, This a great sangria base too.
Wine: Cuvee Blanc, 4th edition
Producer: Heritage Vineyards, Mullica Hill, NJ
Region: Outer Coastal Plain, Southern NJ
Vintage: NV
Grape: Chardonnay 88%, Sauvignon Blanc 6% , Albarino 2%, Chenin Blanc 2 %, Pinot Gris 2 % (all steel tank fermented and aged)
Alcohol: 11%
Heritage makes a lot of great red wines: Cab Sauvignon, Merlot & Syrah. I do love the Heritage Cuvee wines-simple, great drinkers for every day. Especially summer. This particular wine is 88% Chardonnay, there is something wonderful about un-oaked Chardonnay. The Heritage winemaker shows a deft hand with the steel tank fermentation and aging which allows all the natural flavors of this cuvee to shine through. This oft maligned chardonnay grape more than stands on its own with peach, pear and citrus in the nose. Well executed and goes well with pasta, seafood, chicken and veal dishes.
About $15 at the winery
Wine: Traminette
Producer: Bellview Winery, Landisville, NJ
Region: Outer Coastal Plain, Southern NJ
Vintage: 2013
Grape: Traminette
Alcohol: NA
This is one that not many of us know well. Traminette is a French-American hybrid originally developed by Dr. Herb Barrett in Illinos, and later the Cornell grape breeding program developed it for productive yields. It is hardy enough to withstand cold NJ winters.
This wine drinker gets a note of hops in this wine—along with some melon, and pear. It has a crisp, spicy sweetness that goes well with seafood and Asian inspired cuisine. Give it a try, it’s different that most white wines we know. About $14 at the winery and Hops & Grapes, Glassboro.
Wine: Roxanne
Producer: Auburn Road Vineyard & Winery, Pilesgrove, NJ
Region: Outer Coastal Plain, Southern NJ
Vintage: NV
Grape: NA
Alcohol: NA
You don’t have to put on the red wine, Roxanne! Sorry couldn’t resist that, love 80’s music.
Roxanne is a dry rose that has the color of the sky before sundown on the beach. In the glass, I get strawberry, cherry and grapefruit. This is an easy drinker, unpretentious and refreshing and elegant in its simplicity. Auburn Road has a great bunch of summer events. Check out the website for details. About $14 at winery.
For more information about NJ local wines:
www.newjerseywines.com
About this column: I’m a male, over 25 and I drink mostly reds and interesting whites. But I do love my roses in the summertime! I taste all these wines. Every time I think I know a lot about wine, I learn how much more there is to learn and I like that. I have no affiliation to the wines/spirits wholesale or retail business, so this will always be TheWineUp and not the pitch. All opinions are my own.
Please send your questions and comments to thewinedupinSJ@gmail.com
Looking forward to the next glass!
