Odds & Ends

I was hoping to combine wine and music with another edition of music in the vines. Unfortunately, mother nature did not cooperate. First, Vino and Vibes got cancelled at William Heritage Winery. Then, on Friday, the forecast was thunderstorms from 4-8 (when music was scheduled at a number of South Jersey wineries). What’s a wine and music lover to do when you can’t go somewhere to drink wine and listen to music? There’s always Spotify and Wine…They pair very nicely. Bluetooth not required.

In the meantime, we had another Zoom Happy Hour on Thursday and enjoyed a Coeur d’Est from Coda Rossa in Franklinville. This is a very good red blend consisting of Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chambourcin. It is also a real bargain, selling for $17!

Bargain New Jersey Wines (Under $20)

Don’t forget when you see the price tags that NJ wines are mostly small boutique wineries, not behemoth wineries who can afford to go cheaper via mass production. Plus, it is still very important to support local businesses (of all types). That said, with prices on many foods and other staples inching up, it might be helpful to revisit some less expensive wines, that neither break the bank, nor skimp on flavor and quality. In addition to the Coda Rossa Coeur d’Est, mentioned above, I recommend the following dry wine bargains that I have recently enjoyed (sweeter wines can generally be purchased for under $20):

• Alba Vineyard Old Mill Red ($12.99 at Wegmans) -Medium-bodied, silky smooth blend of Chambourcin, Merlot, Cab, and Cab Franc.
• Alba Vineyard Red Blend ($10.99 at Wegmans) -Another smooth red blend. This one consists of Chambourcin, Cab Franc, and Pinot Noir.
• Autumn Lake Albarino ($17)-One of the best versions in the state!
• Autumn Lake 2016 Chambourcin ($19) -Very good version with tasty cherry notes
• Bellview Winery 2017 Gruner Veltliner ($17)
• Bellview Winery Solavita ($15)-Good red blend with lots of stone fruit and notes a wild cherry and vanilla. I should add that Bellview Winery has one of the deepest benches of good dry wines under $20.
• Cedar Rose Vineyards Quartz, Edition 2 ($16)-Unique white blend of Gruner Veltliner (35%); Vidal Blanc (29%); Cayuga (23%; and Albarini (13%).
• Coda Rossa Meritage ($19)-Nice blend of Cab, Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot; full-bodied and rich color.
• White Horse Winery 2018 Chambourcin ($19)-One of the best Chambourcins you will find in the state (and beyond).

Speaking of Bargains…

Download your ebook copy of New Jersey Uncorked at the Apple ebook store. Just use the iBook app and the coupon code WineNot and get your instant copy for just $8.99 (less than the cost of any of the bargain wines mentioned above)! While not as tasty, it is quite informative.

Cheers!

Coming Attractions

• William Heritage Member Celebration; William Heritage Winery Vino & Vibes (If at first you don’t succeed…)
• Terra Nonno Redux
• Various venues for Music in the Vineyards Continuing Series (including Bellview Winery, Sharrott Winery, Auburn Road Vineyards, Cedar Rose Vineyards, etc.)

Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a NJ winery recently? Please share your experience in the comment section below. Like what you read and see here? It couldn’t be easier to press subscribe below and get your weekly pour of NJ wine right in your inbox. No spills. No mess.