Manoavino Taste!

A Sangiovese Rosé from Australia - Robert Oatley

Sangiovese is one of my favorite grapes especially in its hybrid known as Brunello. From these grapes come some of the world's finest wines lovingly made in the prestigious vineyards of Tuscany, Italy.

I have enjoyed Sangiovese from other parts of the world, but a Rose of Sangiovese on first blush, no pun intended, seemed like sacrilege.

It is not that I don't like Rosé wines, I do. I especially  like unusual Rosé wines like Crios de Susana Balbo Roseof Malbec or Il Mimo Rosato Di Nebbiolo. It just seemed that Sangiovese is to nobile. I was wrong.

T.S. Ma Chinese - Restaurant Review

T.S. Ma of New York has opened a small restaurant in Upper Montclair. Located on Bellevue Avenue, east of Valley, in the location that formerly housed Il Forno Bakery.

Good Chinese is always welcome in New Jersey and T.S. Ma comes very close to filling the bill.

We enjoyed the take out we had the other night.   

Updated 10/14/08

TS MA continues to deliver great food, they have added some new things to the menu.

Just had lunch at the NY restaurant on 9th ave between 37th and 36th. Great lunch specials.

 

Fatty Crab - Exciting Pan Asian Cuisine in a Funky Yet Polished Setting

After a exhilarating walk on The High Line. What? You ask, what's The High Line? Yea, I get that often. It's a spectacular new park built on the old railroad high line on the West side of NYC. Make a point of going there. You will love it.

Anyway, back to the restaurant review. Spotted this place the other night while walking down Hudson Street. It is fairly unassuming from the outside. But step in and you will be transformed. Pulsing lounge music fills the air, at the moment it was one of my favorite bands, Gotan Project, a new age Tango band, out of Paris. The sparkling interior of deep reds, yellow rich wood and brick, engulfs you like a womb. The staff in casual urban attire are immediately at your service.  

Created by  Zak Pelaccio, chef of 5 Ninth, Fatty Crab is a small restaurant that to my taste is perfect in every way, except for one thing.

Mapuche Sauvignon Blanc 2008 an Amanti Vino Wine of the Month Selection

Drank this wonderful Sauvignon Blanc with a dinner of grilled swordfish and a corn, radish, avocado salad last night.

It is a tremendous value at under $10 with no compromise in quality.

"Named for the indigenous tribes that populated the Chile and Argentina centuries ago. The wine is classic new world Sauvignon Blanc showing notes of white peach, grapefruit, chopped jalapeños and minerals."  Amanti Vino

Enjoy Talmadge Cheese Market in Montclair, NJ

My wife, Diana, has been buying cheese here since they opened in the spring, I had an opportunity to check the place out for myself this past weekend.

I love this market, such a great selection of interesting cheese, meats and other goodies.

The proprietor Allin Tallmadge knows his cheese and is happy to let you sample and give advice. We came home with 3 exceptional wedges.

Anthony Road, Sheldrake Point, Montezuma win top N.Y. wine awards

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports on recent

Three Finger Lakes wineries earned the top honors at the 2009 New York Wine & Food Classic competition, which ended today.

Anthony Road Wine Co.’s 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling won the Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice that is awarded to the “Best of Show” of the entries in the 24-year-old competition. The wine was also voted Best White Wine, Best Riesling and Best Medium Dry Riesling. Anthony Road is in Penn Yan. Read Article Here

Pennsylvania Wines, I Never Imagined There Were So Many Vineyards in the State

Thought I would share this recent press release with you.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (August 11 , 2009) – Don’t look now, but the battle for regional wine supremacy in Pennsylvania is heating up.

  It’s a friendly battle, of course, waged by the more than 130 wineries scattered throughout the state, as each tries to prove why their respective wine trail offers the best Pennsylvania wine experience. Pennsylvania’s 11 wine trails – groups of wineries located within close proximity to each other – are popular attractions for day-trippers hoping to combine several winery visits while sampling the local culture between stops. Now, after a winter of preparation and wine-making, vintners across the state are welcoming the summer surge of visitors.

Julie & Julia Has Inspired Me

Just saw the this great Nora Ephron film. 

If you love food and enjoy a laugh see this.

Got me bloggin in earnest again.

http://www.julieandjulia.com/