Last week I talked about two of the more popular Italian-style grapes-Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. Today I want to discuss a few more: Barbera, Nero d’Avola, Pinot Grigio and Grillo. We’ll also take a look at one of my favorite Italian-style wines:”Super Tuscans.” New Jersey’s Italian-style wines have contributed greatly to my admiration and appreciation for what Garden State wineries have to offer.
Unlike Chianti and Barolo, Barbera can be produced anywhere it grows well and be called Barbera. Fortunately, it appears to grow very well in parts of New Jersey. Barbera is a medium-bodied red wine, with high acidity, making it very food-friendly (especially with rich dark meats, pasta and stews).
My favorite NJ Barbera:
- Turdo Vineyards Turis Barbera-Definitely my favorite, their Barbera has won a number of awards in recent years; silky smooth.
- Hopewell Valley Vineyards Barbera-Estate-grown, it is delicious!
- Natali Vineyards Barbera-A little lighter, but quite good.
Nero d’Avola
Nero d’Avola is native to Sicily, but Sal Turdo has found a home for it in their family’s Cape May winery. It is their signature grape and anyone who has ever tasted it will know why. Over the years I have tried several Nero d’Avolas from Sicily and I prefer the Turdo version over all of them. It is a full-bodied wine with delicious raspberry and cherry notes and soft tannins. You must try it when available. Good luck finding this wine anywhere else in the U.S. But, why would you need to try?
Grillo
Grillo is another Sicilian grape that you are unlikely to find anywhere else in this country. Turdo Vineyards makes this wonderful dry white wine. Grillo grapes are able to withstand high temperatures and in Italy it is also often used to make Marsala. It goes well with the seafood found off the coast of Sicily, as well as the coast of New Jersey. It would also pair nicely with chicken and many other dishes.
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is one of the most popular wines in Italy, America, and around the world. Though most commonly it is light in body (and color), you can find more full-bodied versions in Italy, especially in the northern regions. It is grown in many states here, as well, including New Jersey. My favorites include:
- Hawk Haven Vineyards Signature Series Dry Pinot Grigio-My personal favorite. It is dry, yet citrusy; crisp and refreshing.
- Hawk Haven Vineyards Pinot Grigio- not quite as dry, but very good and very tasty.
- Sharrott Winery Pinot Grigio-A dry, very food-friendly wine.
Super Tuscan-Style Reds
Super Tuscan is the name commonly given to wines made in Tuscany that are powered by Sangiovese grapes, but blended with a couple of others, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This is another area where Turdo Vineyards excels. Persara, named for Sal’s wife, Sara, is one of my favorite New Jersey wines. It is a full-bodied, silky smooth blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Sal’s son, Luca also makes a wine in this style that is rapidly catching up in popularity. He calls it, Rosso. It is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot-a beautiful expression of these luscious grapes.
Auburn Road also makes a couple of very good Italian-style blends: Good Karma (a delicious, yet very inexpensive blend of Sangiovese and Merlot; and Classico, a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chambourcin. The Chambourcin makes it decidedly NJ, while the blend, aged in oak for 23 months, is a seriously good red blend, that tastes decidedly Italian.
Supporting Local Wineries…
Sharrott Winery is one of the many NJ wineries offering a tasty selection of takeout items to enjoy with your wine. We picked up our allotment this week and brought home two amazing flatbreads for dinner. My favorites, the mushroom truffle oil and the margherita are pictured below. We paired them with the Sharrott Pinot Grigio and Merlot. It is a pleasure to support our NJ wineries, especially when we can enjoy a good meal with good wine, delivered curbside with appropriate social distancing.
The Sangria (my favorite New Jersey Sangria, pictured above) made a great dessert!
Cheers!
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