The United Grapes of America - New Jersey - Tomasello Winery Rkatsiteli

From the plans of the southern Caucasus in the Republic of Georgia Tomasello Winery.  The winery is one of the country's oldest, opening right after Prohibition was repealed (license #68). Three generations of Tomasellos have operated the winery, producing an assortment of vinifera, labrusca, hybrids, and fruit wines - can you say New Jersey blueberries. And Outer Coastal Plain Rkatsiteli ($12). We had hoped to share this wine during our Discovering Georgian Wines for #winechat tasting, but the
to the outer coastal plain of New Jersey, the ancient Rkatsiteli has found a home at
logistics of online ordering failed us. Oh well. This wine starts with typical floral aromas, and continues with some apricots and spice on the palette. The wine seems drier than the Horton Vineyards and Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars - although the sugar levels are similar.  Not as acidic either, but just enough to balance the equation. Kudos to Tomasello Winery for producing a truly unique wine.

StarChefs.com: The United Grapes of America

New Jersey Wineries Coming of Age

Check out this article on the state of New Jersey wineries. Apparently they are flourishing; time to head to the Garden State.

Jack Tomasello checks Cabernet Sauvignon grapes Sept. 8 at Tomasello Winery in Hammonton.

Photo by: Michael Ein

New Jersey Governor's Cup

While browsing the Garden State Wine Growers Association website, I noticed that they had posted the winners of the 2007 Governor's Cup competition. Congratulations are in order to Unionville Vineyards and Alba Vineyard for winning the Governor's Cup for their Unionville's NV Port and Alba's Blueberry wine and Chambourcin wine. According to the winery, the Unionville Port "...was produced from Marechal Foch (92%) and Chambourcin (8%) grapes. Aged grape brandy was added to stop fermentation and to bring the alcohol level up to 18.5%. After pressing, the wine was left to age quietly for at least three years in old oak barriques. This traditional dessert wine tastes of ripe raisins with hints licorice and dark cherries.".

Last year we visited Alba Vineyard and posted a review here. In short we loved their wines and location; their Delaware Dolce was our favorite. The are now recipients of two Governors Cup medals, one for their Blueberry wine and one for their 2005 Chambourcin. The chambourcin "is a good example of this grape's potential in our New Jersey vineyards. It exhibits strawberry and Bing cherry nuances in the perfumed aroma and rich flavors. Aging in small oak barrels gives this wine attractive overtones of mocha, vanilla and roasted nuts. Serve with full flavored dishes; we especially like it with grilled beef or roasted lamb." The Blueberry wine "is produced from only the highest quality fresh berries and fermented in a way that maximizes color and flavor concentration. No grape juice, flavoring, or distilled spirits are used. It is delicious as a dessert wine or it can be served as an aperitif or a fruit wine cordial."

Finally, another of our favorite New Jersey wineries, Silver Decoy Winery, was named winery of the year. We hope to be able to taste these wines the weekend of August 11/12 at the Jersey Fresh Wine & Food Festival.

Alba Vineyards - Delaware Dolce

We've been drinking alot of dessert wines lately and one of our favorites is Alba Vineyard's Delaware Dolce. The wine consists of 100% Delaware grape, named from the surrounding Delaware County or Delaware River. Alba Vineyard's Delaware grapes are grown in their vineyards just 2 miles from the Delaware River. This grape is a native Labrusca that we will discuss in next Monday's Wine 101 posting.

The Delaware Dolce reminds us of the great Tokaji Aszu wines. In fact, it has won medals at several international wine competitions such as the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, and the Taster's Guild International. The wine's nose is a combination of pineapple and honey; whereas the flavor is fruity, primarily apricot. At the finish, the muskiness of the Labrusca grape is barely distinuishable. Instead the finish is balanced between sweetness and acidity of the wine. At $19.99, the Delaware Dolce is very affordable as compared to the Tokaji or other premium dessert wines.