Manoavino Taste!

Hob Nob Pinot Noir

Wouldn't you know it. I find a cheap Pinot Noir I like and it turns out to be the last bottle in New Jersey.

During our trip to Flemington, NJ we stopped by Little Brothers Beverage Outlet.

I was originally drawn there because they had an incredible price on the Majito Zinfandel Panorama Blend, which I love, but I was out of luck they were sold out. 

I picked up a dozen wines to try including this one called Hob Nob Pinot Noir which I opened with some delicious Chinese take-out, from T.S. Ma.

A Tasteful Experience - Clara Maas Benefit Wine Event

A Tasteful Experience
Monday, November 10, 2008

VIP EXPERIENCE: $150
6 – 7 PM Pre-Event
Early Admission to Main Event
MAIN EVENT: $90
7 – 9 PM
Pleasantdale Chateau
757 Eagle Rock Avenue
West Orange, NJ

Business Attire

Plan to spend a spectacular evening sampling the best food and wine in the region at the gorgeous Pleasantdale Chateau.  Come for the Main Event alone, or extend the experience by attending the VIP Event that precedes it.  Forty-five restaurants, caterers and wine distributors make this an evening to remember. For more information, call 973-450-2277.  or Visit the Clara Maas Foundation Web Site

Kung Fu Girl Riesling

I went to Angelbeck's to grab a wine for a quick dinner at the great new little Middle Eastern Restaurant, Falafel Hut, in Upper Montclair, NJ.

Middle Eastern food offers many wine pairing opportunities. I had a hankering for a Riesling which I thought would go well with the rich yet subtle flavors. 

I picked two out of Anglebeck's well stocked chilled wine section, a wine call Bex, which was a decent Riesling, and one that caught my eye and today my heart called Kung Fu Girl.

Falafel Hut Montclair

Falafel Hut is a wonderful new addition to Upper Montclair.  

Had dinner there tonight.

We loved the food and friendly atmosphere.

Blue Fish Grill Flemington, NJ

My son's travel hockey team took us to the Aspen Ice rink in Flemington, NJ. We decided to make a day of it and tour the charming town there. 

Besides the many factory outlet stores that it is well known for, Flemington also has many attractive shops and restaurants all in a very historical victorian setting.  

After a couple hours of shopping we had lunch at a terrific seafood place off Church Street called Blue Fish Grill and then checked out Little Brothers Beverage Outlet, a great wine store.

Bordeaux Meets Tuscany

In the "New World" of wines, what was once the exclusive style of a particular region can be found being produced in many other parts of the world.

The great Bordeaux red wines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, sometimes Petit Verdot, and rarely Malbec, or Carmenere, are a model that winemakers in other countries, US, Australia, Italy and others seek to emulate.

Here is wonderful example in a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc blend called Villa Donoratico 2005 from the Tenuta Argentiera Estate which is situated on the coast of Tuscany between Livorno and Grosseto, about 100km south-west of Florence.

Wondering What Wine To Drink Tonight

Wondering what wine to have with tonight's dinner? Or maybe you would like to  choose dinner based on that wine you have been yearning to try.

Try out Natalie Maclean's interactive food and wine matching tool. You can search by food or by wine. It is fun and easy to use.  Wine and Food Matcher

 

Exciting California Wine

I met Tom Meadowcraft at the Wine 2.0 event and had an opportunity to taste his fabulous 2005 Zinfandel Panorama Blend.

This an exciting wine that vividly expresses the creativity that is exploding in the California wine world.

Tom's vineyard Magito www.magitowines.com,  "Magito (muh-g-toe), was created to reflect the Spirit of the Magi, an ancient tribe that were revered for sharing their cultural heritage. Their acts, beliefs, and influence encouraged tolerance and greater cross-cultural understanding. Magito means to give, to share, and to enjoy with friends—what better name for a winery!" Winery - I certainly agree.