Manoavino Taste!

Primitivo in a Dazzling New Light

When I spotted this wine at Astor Wines in New York, I had to buy it, loved the label and the magical images it aroused in my mind. A wonderful wine made by 5th Generation wine makers who bring the best of the modern to decades old traditions including “music therapy in the cellar.”

The Wine: Fatalone^® Teres Puglia Primitivo

The Food: Pancetta, Arugula, Tomato Pasta with fresh herbs, my own recipe

The Place: Home, with Sweet Memories of a Trip to Puglia

Hot Summer Night Relief - Asian Cold Noodles and a Cool New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

A perfect combination for a hot summer evening.

The Wine: Highfield Wines Rain Sauvignon Blanc $$

The Food: Cold Buckwheat Noodles With Ginger and Miso

The Place: Lounging on Our Deck 

Summer Wine CocktailsSparkling Sweet & Salty Lime Mint Cuke

This is cocktail is too delicious for words, fresh garden salad flavors with a sweet and salty twist.

The Wine: Cavicchioli 1928 Sparkling, became a delicious cocktail

The Food: Grilled vegetarian delights from Matt's Farm Market in Belmar NJ

The Place: Home after a beautiful day at Sea Girt Beach

The Great Wine List at Lavagna Trattoria Italiana, NYC

There’s lots to love about this East Village restaurant, but I love the wine list the best. It reads like a map of Italy covering over 20 regions from Abruzzo to Veneto.

The Wine: Azienda Agricola Laura Aschero Pigato, Liguria and Terre Del Principe Pallagrello Nero “Ambruco”, Campagnia

The Food: Excellent and Authentic Italian

The Place: Lavagna Trattoria Italiana East Village, NY, it was a trip to Italy

Summer Wine Cocktails - Sparkling Champagne with Lychee

Another great summer wine cocktail by Beth Jacques.  Sparkling wine and exotic fruit and their juices make a real splash at summer get togethers.

The Wine: Champagne with Lychee

The Food:  Asian small bites an obvious choose, would also work well with mild French cheese or bacon wrapped dates.

The Place: Anywhere sunny! 

Yunnan Kitchen New York with Two Special Côtes du Rhône

The Lower East Side of New York City abounds in dining adventures, Yunnan Kitchen is one that is now a favorite of ours. Enjoyed many dishes, “Dian Cuisine…a crisp and colorful fusion of flavors.” And two excellent Rhone Wines.

The Wines: Cave Des Vignerones D'estezargues, Plein Sud, Viognier/ Roussanne and Domaine des Romarins, Côtes du Rhône, Grenache/Syrah/Mouvedre $$

The Food: A southwest Chinese feast in three courses

The Place: Yunnan Kitchen, 79 Clinton, NYC

Ani Ramen House - With a Surprising Pairing a Red Bordeaux

I would never have thought to pair a red Bordeaux wine with Asian food, but some times you have to let your imagination run wild. Contemplating dinner at the new Ani Ramen House I was thinking that authentic Ramen has rich rustic flavors and so a rich rustic wine was in order.

The Wine: Chateau Macay, Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux, France $$

The Food: Exciting, authentic, delicious Ramen and other delights

The Place:  Ani Ramen House, Montclair NJ