Manoavino Taste!

Red Rhone with Chinese - Domaine Mur-mur-ium Sublime Syrah

As we have said in so many posts Rhone is such a versatile food wine. Wherever you go take Rhone along.

This 100% syrah is smooth and easy, it paired perfectly with our takeout chinese. At around 12 bucks it is just right.

Loca Linda, Jolie Folle, Yes We Think So!

At our second tasting of these fun wines, we asked our friends two questions. The answer to both was yes!

The Wine:  Three by Sommelier and New New World Winemaker, Brian Smith, a Malbec, a Torrontes and a Cotes de Provence Rose.

The Food: Classic American from the great kitchen of Neptune Market, Harvey Cedars, NJ.

The Place: Our Friend's, Gail and Marc, Beach House, Lane 89, Loveladies NJ.

On The Way Home From The Beach -Thai Cuisine and French Wine Fall in Love

After a wonderful afternoon on the beach with Diana, and best friends Cathy and Conrad, we decide to try a Thai place in Sea Girt. Of course I came prepared with two wines that I thought might go well with Thai cuisine.  

The Wine: Chateau de Jonquiers Corbières, Grenache Syrah, and Avant-Garde, Sauvignon Blanc, Val D’Orbieu Cooperative $$-$$$

The Food: A feast of delicious Thai cuisine

The Place: Siam Basil, Sea Girt New Jersey

Romantic, Spontaneous, Hangover Cure

We really did plan to have dinner at home Sunday night, had carefully chosen all the ingredients at the Montclair Farmers Market the day before. But then there was that big party Saturday night. Still too hung-over to cook, let’s find somewhere romantic to heal.

The Wine: Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosato, hair of the dog as they say.

The Food: Fiore Di Zucca, Insalata Fungi & Pizzete Nduja, a perfect hangover remedy.

The Place: Trattoria Salute, Montclair, just what the doctor ordered. And perfectly romantic on a balmy summer night.

Wherever You Go, Bring Rhone Along

At a very exciting event, “Rhone Odyssey, a Sensorial Exploration,” I had an enlightening experience that revealed to me the boundless beauty of Rhone Valley wines.  Of course I’ve enjoyed famous Rhone wines like Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and popular Tavel, Gigondas and Beaumes de Venise, but never had fully appreciated the breadth and diversity of Rhone wines, especially those from Southern Rhone Valley.

The Wines:  Over 14 tasted, presented by renowned Sommelier Michael Madrigale $-$$$$

The Food: Exciting international creations by chef extraordinaire Russell Jackson

The Place: The Gymnasium, an event space on Mulberry Street in New York City that took us to Scandinavia, Japan, Mexico and back to NYC.

Red Wine with Chicken? Well Yea, Almost Anytime

The conventional wisdom of white wine with chicken and fish and red with meats is so old school.  Light, Medium, even full bodied red wines are fabulous with inspired and richly flavored chicken dishes. Here is an Italian combo you will love.

The Wine: Castello Monaci Salice Salentino Liante $$

The Food: Country Italian

The Place: Home this night, with are hearts in Salice Salentino, Puglia.

If Malbec is a Sexy Sultry Redhead, Bonarda is Her Mysteriously Alluring Brunette Friend

Everyone loves Malbec, the enticing wine of Argentina. But do you know the second most popular red wine in Argentina?

Not so well known in the states, Argentinean Bonarda is a fabulous wine that we grab every time we see it. Like Malbec the Bonarda grape grown in South America is from France where it is called Douce Noir (Sweet Black). Duriguitti along with a number of other Argentine wineries make fabulous wine from this grape.

The Wine: Familia Duriguitti Bonarda Clasico $$

The Food: Classic American, Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, and Creamed Spinach, as close to homemade as you can get

The Place: Raymond’s Montclair, NJ 

Aglianico Vino Rosso with a Hardy Mushroom Barley Soup

One evening in New York, some years ago, I asked for a wine recommendation at La Locanda a great Italian restaurant on 9th Avenue. Vincenzo, the Sommelier, asked “do you trust me?” Yes, of course I said.

It was then that my love of Aglianico began. One of the three “Noble Grapes” of Italy along with Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, called the wine of Poets and Kings, it is grown in the wild terrain and climate around the volcano Monte Vulture in the Basilicata region of Italy. La Loconda is gone, but my love of Aglianico remains. 

It was a perfect accompaniment to a hardy Italian soup. 

The Wine:  Serra del Prete Aglianico del Vulture Azienda Agricola Musto Carmelitano $$

The Food: Mushroom Barley Soup, Gray and Rogers Italian Two Easy

The Place: Happy Monday Night at Home