South Jersey wines in red, white and blue

The recent showdown between New Jersey wines and their French counterparts at The Judgement of Princeton puts to rest the notion that “nothing good can come from New Jersey.” Our local wines scored a statistical tie with French wines that cost much, much more.

I could stand here and say, “I told you so.” But that would be gloating.

So instead, to celebrate Independence Day in true American fashion, I give you the best South Jersey Wines in red, white and blue:

Red Wine

2010 Lumiere, Bordeaux-style red blend, Bellview Winery, Landisville. 2012 Double-Gold Winner Garden State Wine Growers Association. This award winning wine demonstrates the exceptional quality of the 2010 vintage. With aromas of dark fruit and earthy undertones, this red fills the palate with ripe raspberries followed by a long finish of dark chocolate. $34.99

2009 Merlot, Amalthea Cellars, Atco. A silky red that put the French wines to shame at The Judgement of Rittenhouse earlier this year! Aromas of bright red fruits with a hint of peppery spice. Flavors of cherry and plum with a burst of olive on the finish. $18.99

Cranberry, DiMatteo Vineyards, Hammonton. 2012 Silver Medal Winner at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. This smooth wine is made from 100% New Jersey cranberries. Light bodied and fruity, this wine can be enjoyed year-round as a mixer or served with your traditional holiday dinner. $11.95

White Wine

Unoaked Chardonnay, Sharrott Winery, Blue Anchor. 2010 Silver Medal Winner at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. A light-bodied white with aromas of green apples and minerals and a flavor profile to match. Finishes crisp and clean. $16.99

Jersey White, semi-sweet white wine blend, Heritage Vineyards, Mullica Hill. With aromas of ripe yellow peaches and crisp red delicious apples, this white blend exhibits flavors of fresh summer fruits, orange peel, and a refreshing semi-sweet finish. $10.99

2011 Viognier, Bellview Winery, Landisville. 2012 Silver Medal Winner Garden State Wine Growers Association. With aromas of apricot and tangerine, this white opens with flavors of kiwi, pear and honeydew melon. Fermentation in French oak barrels add structure and complexity, imparting a smooth, round fullness in the mouth. Finishes with caramel and lychee. $15.99

Blue Wine

Note: Only South Jersey can carry this category so well. With the Blueberry Capital of the World (Hammonton) in our back yard, we are lucky to enjoy authentic blueberry wines!

Blueberry, Tomasello Winery, Hammonton. For over a decade, Tomasello Winery has produced 100% pure blueberry wine from cultivated high bush blueberries grown in Atlantic County. The wine is semi-dry with soft and perfumed hints of blueberry. Makes a great mixer! $10.00

Blueberry Table Wine, Wagonhouse Winery, Swedesboro. The best fruit makes the best wine, so what better place to pick blueberries than the blueberry capital of the world? Fermented dry and then lightly sweetened, off-dry to semi-sweet, this is a wine drinker’s fruit wine. $10.99

Red, White and Blueberry Sangria, Valenzano Winery, Shamong. Technically this wine isn’t blue, but it does have blue in the name! A refreshing blend of red cranberry, white cranberry and blueberry wine. Serve over ice with sliced fresh fruit. The perfect party wine! Valenzano donates $1.00 from every bottle sold to Operation Troop Aid. $9.99

For more information about wine events and purchasing wine from South Jersey, visit VintageSouthJersey.com

 

Jersey Bites is a collaborative website of food writers in New Jersey. They write about restaurants, recipes, food news, food products, events, hunger relief programs, and anything else that tickles their taste buds.