Coda Rossa is a small boutique winery located in Franklinville. They have about 10 acres under vine. I have visited and written about this winery in the past, but much has changed in the past year. They have new owners, a new winemaker, and they have been making changes in the physical layout, as well as offerings in their wines, food, and entertainment. The entertainment and food trucks will continue to be available on weekends during the winter. They have several portable heaters and fire tables to warm you on their long patio that runs adjacent to their tasting room and production facility (see photo below).
Coda Rossa offers a nice selection of dry and off dry wines via traditional tastings, as well as the popular flights. My wife and I selected the following flights:
Dry Mix Flight
- 2013 Pinot Grigio-You don’t see many Pinot Grigios that are almost a decade old. Interesting, but perhaps past its prime.
- 2016 Pinot Grigio-The better of the two (IMO).
- 2014 Zinfandel-Full-bodied, but kind of flat-missing the typical bold ripe fruit on the palate.
Dry Red
- Adoro-A bone dry red clone of Sangiovese (technically a hybrid), with many of the properties of Sangiovese.
- Malbec-A very nice Malbec, with ripe fruit and a long finish.
- Tukulu-An interesting dry blend of Pinotage, Cabernet, and Syrah. The wine is a deep purple color and is named after the dark red soil of South Africa’s cape area.
Vintner’s Select
- Coeur d’Est-A good version of this Outer Plains specialty blend of Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chambourcin. It is smooth, with medium plus body.
- Super Tuscan-Bone dry red blend, based on Sangiovese.
- Meritage-This one was my favorite in our tasting for the day. A wonderful full-bodied blend of Cab, Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. I happened to have a bottle of their 2018 vintage in my cellar (pictured below).
- Bluemoon-A fortified wine with Merlot as a base and utilizing local blueberries from Hammonton. It is sweet, but not cloying with an ABV=18.5%.
I want to give a shout-out to our server and General Manager, Mike, for his knowledge and enthusiasm. I look forward to returning and seeing some of the changes coming into fruition (no pun intended).
Cheers!
Featured NJ Wine of the Week
For my first salute to a New Jersey wine, not part of my highlighted winery (above), I have chosen to salute this beauty from Cape May Vineyards: Their 2019 Red Reserve (Red Wine Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cape Franc, and Petite Sirah). It is a delicious dry wine with dark chocolate notes, wonderful balance of fruit, tannins, and acidity; robust, but very smooth.
Coming Attractions
- Auburn Road Vineyards (Fall 2022)
- Another Featured NJ Wine of the Week
For the New Jersey Wine Lover
You can still purchase and download my ebook, New Jersey Uncorked: A Snob-Free Taste of NJ Wine. Go to the Apple iBook store and be sure to use the coupon code, Fall22 to receive $5 off for this limited time offer.
Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a NJ winery recently? Please share your experience here. Like what you read and see here? It couldn’t be easier to scroll down, hit the “Subscribe” button, and get your weekly pour of New Jersey wine right in your inbox. No spills. No mess. No spam.
