Favorite Toys of the Trade: Riedel 'Amadeo' Decanter

All Images: © 2010 Donofrio

Fashion and Function...Riedel always seems to get it right.

Bargain Bins (Wines to try for under $20)

© 2010 Donofrio

2007 Mas Donis "Barrica", Montsant (Catalonia, Spain)

Appellation: Montsant (DO)

Region: Catalonia

Grapes: Garnacha (85%), Syrah (15%)

Food Pairings: Grilled poultry or roast turkey with sausage stuffing. Medium-flavored cured meats and cheeses. 

Montsant is a fairly new appellation in the northeast corner of Spain, not far from Barcelona. It straddles the picturesque wine villages of the Priorat region and shares some of the soil and terrain that has made that region so treasured.

However, what Priorat and Monsant don't typically share is the pricing of their wines. Many of the best Priorat vineyards are on high, steep slopes with nothing but a slippery slate (called licorella) under foot. To farm these vineyards is slow and sometimes dangerous and that is reflected in the high price of many of the wines. Most Montsant vineyards are on gently sloped hills or even cut into flatter terraces along mountain ranges. This type of farming eases the labor requirements and those savings are usually passed on to the consumer. What you get is a Priorat-inspired wine at a fraction of the price...

Tasting Notes:

• 
  
  The color is purple/bright ruby at the core that pushes consistent almost to the rim. The tears have moderate viscosity and fall slightly stained.
• 
  
  On the nose there is a powerful jammy, stewed fruit aroma of red and black plum, red cherry, and deeper black fruit. The dusty-slate character is mixed with sweet and savory oak nuances.
• 
  
  The palate is filled with flavors of ripe, baked cherry and black fruit jam. The smoky oak and delicate floral tones are balanced with hints of cinnamon/vanilla spice. The finish is fairly long, complex, and a touch warm. The tannins are smooth and the refreshing acidity is elevated. Delicious now...

CD

Bargain Bins (Wines to try for under $20)

© 2010 Donofrio

2008 Mauro Molino, Langhe Rosso (Piedmont, Italy)

Appellation: Langhe Rosso (DOC)

Region: Piedmont

Grapes: Nebbiolo, Barbera, Merlot, Cabernet

Food Pairings: Roasted meats, stews, red sauces and flavorful cheeses.

Tasting Notes:

• 
  
  The color is bright ruby/purple at the core and fades to a medium-ruby rim. The tears are moderately viscous with a slight pigmentation.
• 
  
  On the nose there is an earthy, spicy element to the juicy red/black fruit notes. Aromas of red cherry, red plum, and deeper blackberry are enhanced by sweet and savory spice nuances. Interestingly, the wine is matured in stainless steel so the spice elements are varietal traits interlaced with terroir.

• The palate is filled with juicy cherry pie flavors and elements of red/black plum. The acidity is fresh and lively and balances out the smooth tannins and earth component. The finish is fairly long, complex, and balanced. This wine is delicious right now...so why wait?

CD

2010 Harvest Season...Images From Outer Coastal Plain AVA (N.J.)

Top 2 Images: Empty picking bins and fermentation underway in stainless steel tanks.

Fermenting vat awaiting daily punchdowns.

Beautiful colors in the vineyard signal extra work in the winery.

Busy crush pad with fermenting vats, wine press, and baskets.

Punchdowns or pigeage require intense effort to submerge the cap of skins and integrate the juice below.

All Images:
© 2010 Donofrio

Bargain Bins (Wines to try for under $20)

© 2010 Donofrio

2006 Taurino "Riserva", Salice Salentino Rosso (Apulia, Italy)

Appellation: Salice Salentino (DOC)

Region: Apulia

Grapes: Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera 

Food Pairings: Grilled meats and roasts, tomato-based sauces and bold cheeses, pizza w grilled vegetables.

This wine hails from Apulia, Italy (the narrow strap of land that runs the "heel of Italy") and bears the name of the small town that centers production. Bush vine cultivation, known locally as alberello, has long been the tradition here. In recent years, many producers have abandoned that practice in favor of modern, wire-trained viticulture.

The famed estate of Dottor Cosimo Taurino has kept the single-bush cultivation tradition in the vineyard and prefers the innovation to be shown in the winery instead. Six to eight months in small oak barrique, still unusual in this area, is what gives this wine its subtle spice and elegant structure.

Tasting Notes:

• 
  
  The color is medium ruby at the core and fades to a light-ruby, pinkish rim. The tears are viscous and slightly stained.
• 
  
  On the nose there is an earthy, spicy element to the baked fruit notes. Aromas of red cherry, red plum, and deeper black fruit are wrapped by sweet and savory (subtle) oak nuances.

• The palate is filled with fresh-baked cherry pie flavors and elements of red/black plum. The acidity is fresh and lively and balances out the tannin, earth, and oak. The finish is fairly long, complex, and a touch warm. The wine is still fairly tight upon the opening; give it some air and time...

CD

Colts Neck Wine Workshop-Rhone Valley Varietals...Wednesday, October 20

                                                                                                                      

4JG's Vineyard, 2010 © Donofrio

Colts Neck Wine Workshops
4JG's Winery and Vineyards
Wednesday, October 20
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Rhone Valley Varietals: 13 different grape varieties and infinite combinations!  

I will be hosting a fun...and informative wine seminar at 4JG's Winery on October 20. The swill-a-bus for the evening will cover:

• Major wine styles/grapes that have roots in the Rhone Valley (France) and that are also imitated around the world. 
• Wine tasting techniques.
• Sampling wines.
• Food and wine pairing suggestions.

For more information or to make a reservation, consult 4JG's Winery at 908.930.8066 or http://www.4jgswinery.com/.

Colts Neck Wine Workshop-Autumn Wines: Full Whites and Spicy Reds...Wednesday, September 22

                                                                                                                      

4JG's Vineyard, 2010 © Donofrio

Colts Neck Wine Workshops
4JG's Winery and Vineyards
Wednesday, September 22
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Autumn Wines: Full Whites and Spicy Reds

I will be hosting a fun...and informative wine seminar at 4JG's Winery on September 22. The swill-a-bus for the evening will cover:

• Major wine styles/grapes that welcome summer.
• Wine tasting techniques.
• Sampling wines.
• Food and wine pairing suggestions.

For more information or to make a reservation, consult 4JG's Winery at 908.930.8066 or http://www.4jgswinery.com/.

Colts Neck Wine Workshop-Summer Wines 2: Aromatic Whites & Light Reds...Wednesday, August 25

                                                      © Donofrio

Colts Neck Wine Workshops
4JG's Winery and Vineyards
Wednesday, August 25
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Summer Wines 2: Aromatic Whites & Light Reds

I will be hosting a fun...and informative wine seminar at 4JG's Winery on August 25. The swill-a-bus for the evening will cover:

• Major wine styles/grapes that welcome summer.
• Wine tasting techniques.
• Sampling wines.
• Food and wine pairing suggestions.

For more information or to make a reservation, consult 4JG's Winery at 908.930.8066 or http://www.4jgswinery.com/.

Colts Neck Wine Workshop-Summer Wines 1: grillin' & chillin'...Wednesday, July 21

All Images @ 4JG's Vineyard: July 7, 2010 © Donofrio

Colts Neck Wine Workshops
4JG's Winery and Vineyards
Wednesday, July 21
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Summer Wines 1: grillin' and chillin'...

I will be hosting a fun...and informative wine seminar at 4JG's Winery on July 21. The swill-a-bus for the evening will cover:

• Major wine styles/grapes to look for when lighting the grill or relaxing outdoors.
• Wine tasting techniques.
• Sampling wines.
• Food and wine pairing suggestions.

For more information or to make a reservation, consult 4JG's Winery at 908.930.8066 or http://www.4jgswinery.com/.

Colts Neck Wine Workshop-California Wines 2 (Central Coast/Santa Barbara): Wednesday, June 30

4JG's Vineyard, 2006 © Donofrio

Colts Neck Wine Workshops
4JG's Winery and Vineyards
Wednesday, June 30
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

California Wines 2 (Central Coast/Santa Barbara)

I will be hosting a fun, informative wine seminar at 4JG's Winery on June 30. The swill-a-bus for the evening will cover:

• Key areas in Central Coast, Santa Barbara and beyond.
• Major wine styles/grapes grown.
• Sampling wines from both regions.
• Food and wine pairing suggestions

For more information or to make a reservation, consult 4JG's Winery at 908.930.8066 or http://www.4jgswinery.com/.

California Dreamin'

Napa Valley, California.                                         2001 © Donofrio

(Above) A couple images "from the vault." Views of the iconic valley and the vineyards that produce some of the world's great wines...

CD

Spring in Full Swing?

April 27, 2010: 4JG's Winery, Colts Neck, N.J.

© Donofrio

(Above) The cold temperatures of last week and immediate danger of frost are behind most N.J. vineyards for now. A combination of predicted warmer temps and/or windy conditions will give vintners reason for a reserved sigh of relief as the new shoots slowly sprout. Thankfully, it is rare to still get frost after about May 10 in N.J....  

CD

Bud Break in Monmouth County, N.J.

 April 20, 2010:  4JG's Winery, Colts Neck, N.J.

© Donofrio

(Above) The warm spell of two weeks ago was enough to get these Monmouth County vines budding out around April 15...

Bud break is one of the first signs of life from awakened vines in early spring. After their winter dormancy, the vines are eager to push out shoots when the air and soil have warmed sufficiently. The timing of bud break is of great importance in the life cycle of the vine. If it occurs too early in marginal climates, the tender shoots are vulnerable to spring frost. This, unfortunately, will be the problem that many N.J. wine growers will be facing for the next few weeks as they wait out the frost danger. 

CD

Colts Neck Wine Workshop-California Wines 2 (Central Coast/Santa Barbara): Wednesday, June 2

4JG's Vineyard, 2006 © Donofrio

Colts Neck Wine Workshops
4JG's Winery and Vineyards
Wednesday, June 2
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
*Outside Event (Weather Permitting)

California Wines 1 (Napa and Sonoma): Sold Out
California Wines 2 (Central Coast/Santa Barbara)

I will be hosting a fun, informative wine seminar at 4JG's Winery on June 2. The swill-a-bus for the evening will cover:

• Key areas in Central Coast, Santa Barbara and beyond.
• Major wine styles/grapes grown.
• Sampling wines from both regions.
• Food and wine pairing suggestions

For more information or to make a reservation, consult 4JG's Winery at 908.930.8066 or http://www.4jgswinery.com/.

Colts Neck Wine Workshop-California Wines (Napa/Sonoma): Tuesday, April 20

Sonoma Valley, 2006 © Donofrio

Napa Valley, 2006 © Donofrio

Colts Neck Wine Workshops
4JG's Winery and Vineyards
Tuesday, April 20
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

California Wines 1 (Napa and Sonoma)

I will be hosting a fun, informative wine seminar at 4JG's Winery on April 20. The swill-a-bus for the evening will cover:

• Key areas in Sonoma and Napa.
• Major wine styles/grapes grown.
• Sampling wines from both regions.
• Food and wine pairing suggestions

For more information or to make a reservation, consult 4JG's Winery at 908.930.8066 or http://www.4jgswinery.com/.

Outer Coastal Plain AVA (N.J.): 2010 Symposium Report

Dr. Gregory Jones during the "Climate Component of Terroir" Seminar.

   

© 2010 Donofrio

Who: Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association

What: Wine Growing Symposium "Bordeaux-An Old World Terroir with Lessons for New Jersey"

Where: Rutgers-New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Bridgeton, N.J.

When: Sat., March 27, 2010

Why: To share information and discuss the latest research that points to similarities between the Outer Coastal Plain AVA of N.J. and areas of Bordeaux, France...

At the symposium last Saturday, several dozen growers, winemakers, students and enthusiasts eagerly soaked up the latest research to guide Outer Coastal Plain grape growers. The symposium hosted several experts, teachers and consultants who gave lectures concerning "terroir comparisons" between New Jersey and Bordeaux.

Judging from the information shared during the symposium, it seems pretty clear that growing Bordeaux varietals in N.J. can be sustainable and the wines crafted from them can certainly achieve high quality in well-chosen sites.

Confirmation of the quality potential for me came by way of the tasting table. I was pleasantly surprsied at the jump in quality I recognized from several new releases from N.J. wineries who are making wines with Bordeaux varietals.

Tasting Notes/Seminar Notes coming soon...

• 
  
  Optimizing New Jersey Viticulture for Quality Wine Production
• 
  
  Dr. Lawrence Coia
• 
  
  President and co-founder of Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association
• 
  
  Owner of Coia Vineyards (Vineland, N.J.)
• 
  
  The Concept of Terroir: What New Jersey Can Learn from Bordeaux
• 
  
  Dr. Kees van Leeuwen
• 
  
  Professor at University of Bordeaux
• 
  
  Consultant for Chateau Cheval Blanc
• 
  
  Similarities and Differences in the Regional Climate and Soil Characteristics of New Jersey and Bordeaux
• 
  
  Dr. Denyse Lemaire
• 
  
  Professor at Rowan University
• 
  
  President of American Association of Geographers
• 
  
  Climate Component of Terroir-Structure and Suitability for Sustainable Wine Production
• 
  
  Dr. Gregory Jones
• 
  
  Professor and Research Climatologist at Southern Oregon University
• 
  
  Crafting Bordeaux Style Wines in New Jersey
• 
  
  Dr. Catherine Peyrot des Gachons
• 
  
  Enologist and consultant
• 
  
  Ph.D. from University of Bordeaux 

 CD

Bargain Bins (Wines to try for under $20)

© 2010 Donofrio

2007 Can Blau, Montsant (Catalonia, Spain)

Appellation: Montsant (DO)

Region: Catalonia

Grapes: Mazuelo (40%), Syrah (40%), Garnacha (20%)

Food Pairings: Braised Pig, Flank Steak, Most Grilled Meats and Roasts

Montsant is a fairly new appellation in the northeast corner of Spain, not far from Barcelona. It straddles the picturesque wine villages of the Priorat region and shares some of the soil and terrain that has made that region so treasured.

However, what Priorat and Monsant don't typically share is the pricing of their wines. Many of the best Priorat vineyards are on high, steep slopes with nothing but a slippery slate (called licorella) under foot. To farm these vineyards is slow and sometimes dangerous and that is reflected in the high price of many of the wines. Most Montsant vineyards are on gently sloped hills or even cut into flatter terraces along mountain ranges. This type of farming eases the labor requirements and those savings are usually passed on to the consumer. What you get is a Priorat-inspired wine at a fraction of the price...

Tasting Notes:

• 
  
  The color is bright purple at the core and fades to deep ruby. The tears are viscous and stained.
• 
  
  On the nose there is a jammy, stewed fruit aroma of red and black plum, red cherry, and deeper black fruit. The dusty-slate character of the licorella is also detectable underneath.
• 
  
  The palate is filled with flavors of cherry compote and black fruit jam. The pronounced earthiness is also tasted behind the fruit and is balanced with hints of spice. The finish is fairly long, complex, and a touch warm. The tannins and acidity are both elevated, hinting that short-term aging might be beneficial...

CD

Bargain Bins (Wines to try for under $20)

© 2010 Donofrio

2007 Juan Gil, Jumilla (Murcia, Spain)

Appellation: Jumilla (DO)

Region: Murcia

Grape: Monastrell (aka...Mourvedre, Mataro)

Elevage: 12 months, French Oak

Food Pairings: Grilled Meats (Flank/Strip Steak, Lamb, Venison), Medium and Strong Cheeses

When looking for value-priced wines in the sub $20 retail category, I often find myself stuck in the Spanish aisle of my favorite retailers. In part, sipping the wines from that rustic, culturally-diverse peninsula always conjures up images of Hemingway and the "lost generation" for me; I picture sharing a bottle with "papa" and a few "ex-pats" on a hot Andalucian afternoon in an outdoor cafe.

But, aside from my emotional connection to that country and their culture,  there is also a great deal to be said for the drastic improvements in Spanish wines over the past decade and the current levels of consistency found in the lower and moderately-priced wines. Juan Gil Monastrell is one of those wines for me. It's also widely available...

Tasting Notes:

• 
  
  The color is deep purple at the core with full intensity and dark, stained tears.
• 
  
  The nose is filled with dark black fruits like plum, cherry and blackberry. Beneath the fruits, aromas of savory black pepper and a touch of smoke and vanilla.
• 
  
  The palate is rich, warm, and long with intense red and black fruits and a firm backbone of oak. The finish is warm (15% Alcohol) with a touch of bitter astringency that will soften with time, decanting, or the right food.

CD

Polaner Selections-Annual Portfolio Tasting

© 2010 Donofrio

Polaner Selections Annual Portfolio Tasting

March 16, 2010

Gotham Hall, NYC

Great event and some rockstar wines. Check back shortly for tasting notes...CD

Laurita Winery (New Egypt, N.J.)

© 2010 Donofrio

2010 New Jersey "Grape Expectations" Symposium

© 2010 Donofrio

Dessert Wine of the Year

2007 Bellview "Cristallina"

2010 "Grape Expectations" Symposium
Forsgate Country Club
Jamesburg, N.J.

On Feb. 27, a diverse panel of expert speakers and many scores of wine makers and wine lovers flocked to the Forsgate Country Club in Jamesburg, N.J. for the annual information exchange known as Grape Expectations.

The viticultural and enological symposium, now in its 26th year, is sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Extension and also receives support from the NJ Wine Industry Advisory Council and Garden State Winegrowers Association. The event is designed to present the latest information, news, and legislation to professionals and amateurs involved with any aspect of the grape growing or wine industry in New Jersey.

The day was packed with focused seminars, wine tastings, and lively discussions among growers and wine makers. The seminar topics included:

• Vine Spacing: Is the Trend Toward High Density Planting Going to End?
• Crop Management Resources for 2010.
• Disease Control, A Grower's Perspective.
• Monitoring and Management Considerations for Grape Berry Moth and Other Insects.
• Governor's Cup Review.
• Sangiovese: A Sexy, Seductive, and Sensual Grape Variety.
• Judges on Trial.
• Wine Grape Research Update at NJAES.
• You, the Wine Business and Social Networking.

During the Governor's Cup Review seminar, Jim Quarella of Bellview Winery (Landisville, N.J.) discussed how he made his 2007 Vidal Blanc "Cristallina." This luscious, golden wine was the 2009 Governor's Cup winner for Best Dessert Wine. It was produced from surprisingly young estate vines on his southern New Jersey vineyards.

Using late-picked Vidal grapes and a commercial freezer to extract water and concentrate the grape must, Quarella was able to start fermentation with over 33 brix. After a fairly long, cool ferment, the wine was chilled, clarified, and filtered prior to bottling. The finished wine contained an alcohol level of 13.5 percent and a whopping 10 percent residual sugar.

It is a wine of medium-gold color with thick, full viscosity. The ripe aromas of dried apricot, pineapple, honeysuckle and white flowers dominate. On the palate, the wine is intense, full, and oily in texture. The robust flavors of tropical and exotic fruits persist into a long, pleasing finish. The high alcohol is balanced  by the broad melange of fruit intensity and the final attack of fresh acidity.

This is undoubtedly one of the best wines ever produced with grapes grown in New Jersey. It should be the benchmark for others looking to produce wines of similar style in the Garden State and should serve as the example to those still unconvinced about the future potential of the nation's fifth-largest wine producer.

CD

Chocolate Espresso Martini

© 2000 Donofrio

Chocolate Espresso Martini

by Craig Donofrio

Ingredients:

For Each Drink

-1.5 oz. Godiva Liqueur

-1.5 oz. Stolichnaya Vanil Vodka

-1 Tbsp. Bailey's Irish Cream

-1 Tbsp. Monin Caramel Syrup

-1 oz. Espresso (preferably good, hot, and with crema or schiuma)

-1 Creative Garnish

Method:

• Rim a frosted martini glass with powdered sugar/cocoa powder
• Combine all ingredients except espresso into shaker with ice
• Shake well to combine all ingredients
• Dump in espresso and shake again
• Strain into martini glass
• Garnish rim with biscotti, tuile...get creative!
• ENJOY!

Colts Neck Wine Workshop-Spanish Wines: Tuesday, March 23

© 2010 Donofrio

Colts Neck, N.J.

Colts Neck Wine Workshops

4JG's Winery and Vineyards

Tuesday, March 23

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Spanish Wine 

I will be hosting a fun, informative Spanish wine seminar at 4JG's Winery on March 23. The swill-a-bus for the evening will cover:

• Key and Emerging Regions in Spain
• Major Wine Styles
• Sampling Spanish Wine
• Food and Wine Pairing Suggestions

For more information, consult 4JG's Winery at 908.930.8066 or http://www.4jgswinery.com/. 

Travel Story-The Road From Cobano

© 2009 Donofrio

Montezuma, Costa Rica

The Road From Cobano...a travel story about the Nicoya Peninsula in western Costa Rica and the tiny coastal village of Mal Pais.

Why Are Some Wines So Expensive? And...Are They Worth It?

© 2010 Donofrio

"The taste is remembered long after the price has been forgotten."

-a wise sommelier/salesman

New Jersey Vineyards Covered With Snow

© 2010 Donofrio

4JG's Vineyards & Winery

Colts Neck, N.J.

A thick blanket of snow covered most N.J. vineyards as the Garden State Winegrowers Association hosted their annual "Wine and Chocolate Lover's Weekend" on Feb. 13 and 14. Hundreds of wine enthusiasts descended upon participating wineries across the state to taste new wines and boutique chocolates. Visitors to 4JG's Vineyards & Winery in Monmouth County enjoyed a serene, wintery view along the long driveway to the tasting room.

With more snow than most in recent memory, this winter will test N.J. grape vines against the harsh, northeast elements. Vitis vinifera, the supreme wine grape species, has European origins and is sometimes thought to be particularly vulnerable in the severe cold...More on that soon...

CD

More Photos of 4JG's

Jambalaya...and Go Saints!

According to Merriam-Webster...

Jambalaya

Main Entry: jam·ba·laya
Pronunciation: \ˌjəm-bə-ˈlī-ə\
Function: noun
Etymology: Louisiana French, from Occitan jambalaia
Date: 1872
1 : rice cooked usually with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimp, or oysters and seasoned with herbs 2 : a mixture of diverse elements

I will use the "Jambalaya" category in this blog to post random thoughts, half-baked ideas, short stories and photo essays that may not have a drop to do about wine...Bon Appetit!

Speaking of jambalaya, today is also a landmark day in the history of Louisiana and its festive, iconic port of New Orleans. Super Bowl XLIV, scheduled to begin at 6:28 p.m. tonight, will pit the New Orleans Saints against the Indianapolis Colts.

Looking back to 2005, after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, displaced thousands of residents, and even attacked the Superdome, who could have predicted that the Saints would become the embattled city's greatest unifying force?

Although several hours before kickoff most still see a Saint's victory as unlikely, who among us can really harbor any ill-will against this team and their city filled with hopes and dreams of the impossible? A win for the Saints tonight could be the paramount event on New Orlean's road to social and psychological recovery. On the other hand, even a loss should be cause to rejoice; sometimes God shows his best vision through the martyrdom of his Saints...

CD

Coming Soon...

© 2010 Donofrio

Welcome to Domaine Donovino. Between now and March 1, I will be writing, photographing and uploading new content for the official launch of this blog and http://www.donovino.com/. Please check back soon for wine reviews, restaurant reviews, BYO restaurants, wine photography, interviews, and more...

In Vino Veritas!

Regards,
Craig Donofrio