NJ Wine Potpourri #3

In a previous post I compared oaked wines vs unoaked wines (especially with regard to how each one influences the taste of wine). Today I’d like to discuss the importance of acidity in wine. I’ll share some examples of several wines with lower or higher acidity and my favorite NJ wines of that variety. Then I’ll share my New Jersey Wine of the Week.

Acidity in Wine

First let’s talk about what acidity tastes like and where you taste it in your mouth. Acidity is that zippy, crisp quality (when done right) that you taste and feel on the sides of your tongue and cheeks.

Acidity in wine is important. It helps wine taste fresh and actually helps it stay fresh, as it slows the types of chemical reactions that cause wine to go bad. Acidity is also important in pairing wines with foods. Wines higher in acidity are generally considered to be more food friendly. Below I will give a few examples of those wines that tend to be lower in acidity and those that tend to be higher in acidity. That said, wines too high in acidity can be a little difficult to enjoy, while those too low in acidity are thought to be “unstable” (likely to develop faults or go bad).

Low Acidity Wines (they tend to have a little more body)

• Dolcetto-Though I believe Turdo Vineyard has made a Dolcetto in the past, they have not recently.
• Gewurtztraminer-Hawk Haven Vineyards (pictured below) and Beneduce Vineyards make excellent versions.
• Viognier-William Heritage Winery makes an excellent Viognier, as does Unionville Vineyards.
• Zinfandel-Zinfandel grapes are not grown in New Jersey (to my knowledge). California is a gold mine for this grape.

High Acidity Wines (they tend to have a little less body)

• Albarino-My favorites in NJ can be found at Autumn Lake Winery, White Horse Winery, Hawk Haven Vineyards, and Cape May Winery.
• Barbera-My favorite NJ version is made at Turdo Vineyard.
• Blaufrankisch-This is another wine that seems to do very well in NJ and there are several that make excellent versions, including Beneduce Vineyards, Bellview Winery, Autumn Lake Winery, and Sharrott Winery.
• Cabernet Franc-Cab Franc is one of the most popular wines made in the Garden State. One could even make a case for it being our Signature Red Wine. Among my favorites: William Heritage Winery (Norman’s Vineyard); Hawk Haven Vineyards; Cape May Winery;  Unionville Vineyards, White Horse Winery, Bellview Winery; and Working Dog Winery.
• Pinot Noir-My favorites in NJ are from Turdo Vineyards, Cape May Winery, Willow Creek Winery, Unionville Vineyards, and Beneduce Vineyards.
• Riesling-While not the Finger Lakes, New Jersey makes some very good Rieslings. Try Beneduce Vineyards, Alba Vineyards, Unionville Vineyards, or Hawk Haven Vineyards.

Note: Obviously, like most things, acidity levels aren’t either low or high in acidity. Many wines fall somewhere in the middle. The ever popular Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay tend to fall within the medium range. In addition to the type of grape, the terroir and winemaking techniques play a huge role in how much acidity a wine has.

My New Jersey Wine of the Week

My pick for my NJ Wine of the Week is William Heritage’s 2022 Reserve Malbec. This is a member only wine, another reason to consider membership if you are not already a member. It is estate grown Malbec.

William Heritage 2022 Reserve Malbec (pictured below) is one of the best Malbecs (outside of the Mendoza Region of Argentina) I have had in a long time. It is medium to full-bodied, with smooth tannins, dark cherry notes, and a long delicious finish.

Coming Attractions

• Autumn Lake Winery
• Unionville Vineyards
• Plagido’s Winery

Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a NJ winery recently? Please share your experience here. Just scroll down, press the “Comment” button, and add your comment(s). Like what you read and see on these pages? It couldn’t be easier to scroll down, hit the “Subscribe” button, and get your weekly pour of NJ wine right in your inbox. No spills. No mess. Subscriptions are FREE and I will not share your email info with anyone.