Flowers are popping up, temperatures are rising, and we are both vaccinated! Time for hope and renewal. It is time to renew our commitment to exploring and sharing what we find worthwhile all around us. Time to give thanks for getting through this difficult winter. We’ve been very fortunate. For this week, we have a return to a simple classic, meatloaf, and a salute to a great pairing-good old table reds. I will also open a local bottle and toast to everyone participating in Lenn Thompson’s and Gina Shay’s project (#openlocalwine). Finally, I will highlight a great wine from Spain in my renewed effort to try new wines and grape varieties as often as possible. For those who thought this post was going to be about music- you’re showing your age and you can blame Google’s algorithm for winding up here! That came out of nowhere! (like a Bat Out of Hell)!
Meatloaf
There are probably a couple of dozen versions of this comfort food classic out there. Amazingly, my wife make a version almost identical to her mom’s and mine. ..right down to the sides that are served with it (must have scalloped potatoes). Just ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, ketchup, parmesan cheese, Worcester Sauce, onions, and a variety of seasonings. Simple, yet so good. What could make it better? The wine, silly!
The Wine
I chose two reds from Alba Vineyard (pictured at top of post) which I had recently purchased at Wegman’s.-Old Mill Red and their Red Blend. I have had the Old Mill Red several times before and it remains one of my favorite table reds. It is a medium-bodied, silky-smooth red blend of Chambourcin, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. This is a terrific blend that overdelivers on the goods, especially for the price. I highly recommend you try this one.
Their aptly named 2018 Red Blend is a blend of Chambourcin, Cab Franc and Pinot Noir. The Chambourcin is also the driving force in this blend. It is almost as smooth and delicious as the Old Mill Red and is also a terrific find and a great bargain. The Red Blend, like the Old Mill Red, exhibits cherry notes with smooth tannins and is also a wonderful table red.
Open a Local Bottle
In our house, opening a local bottle happens on nearly any day that ends in “ay.” So the challenge here is which wine to choose from my embarrassment of riches of New Jersey wine in my cellar. I chose Autumn Lake Winery’s 2019 Albarino. I have loved their Albarino since I first tasted it about three years ago in Bridgeton at an East Coast Wine Event. I’m not alone in my love for this wine. It was honored by the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition with a Gold Medal last month. Last night we enjoyed this bottle with some local takeout seafood. It is a dry, but fruity, medium-bodied wine with notes of melon and lively acidity. It pairs beautifully with seafood.
Cheers!
My New Grape Varieties Tried
Recently, I was able to try a few new grape varieties all in one bottle. The bottle (pictured below) is Bodegas Muga Blanco 2019, a white blend from Spain and rated 91 by Wine Spectator. It is a full-bodied, citrusy wine with bright acidity and a long finish. The grapes that comprise this gem are Viura, Garnacha Blanca, and Malvasia de Rioja.
Think outside of the box and try a new style of wine soon.
Coming Attractions
- Recent Tasting at Coda Rossa Winery in Franklinville
- Alfresco Dining & NJ Wine
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