East Coast Wines (Good to the Last Drop)

 

East Coast wines… I know the photo is not beautiful or impressive, right? I kept trying to find a quiet moment with a glass of wine to capture, but somehow the wine kept disappearing. Seriously though, the event the glass commemorated was very impressive. I attended the State of the East Coast Wine Industry Tasting and Discussion on 8/15/17 at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Bridgeton. This was a unique event and it underscored the fact that New Jersey wines have arrived. This was the first time the event was hosted in New Jersey. Thanks to our hosts and organizers (Paul Tonacci, Dan Ward, Grant and Angela Crandell, Tom Cosentino, Susan Bradbury and Tom Payette) this was exhibit A of how good New Jersey wines are. Don’t get me wrong there were many other states along the East Coast represented, with many a fine wine. However, the depth and quality of the wines represented were amazing. Even the sponsors were exceptional: 1892 Ecuadorian Chocolates and Stacy Brody (Founder of Study and Swirl) who leads a venture to train winery servers about the many varietals and the lingo that accompanies the industry via online education.

All right. Let’s get to the good stuff. I sampled some terrific wines over this three-hour period (thankfully interspersed with a delightful array of Italian foods from Villa Barone in Collingswood). The chocolates from 1892 Ecuadorian Chocolates were terrific. But the wines were clearly the stars. My personal favorites among the white wines tasted were the 2016 Autumn Lake Winery (NJ) Albarino OCP; 2016 Heritage Vineyards (NJ) Chardonnay (unoaked) OCP; 2015 Glenora (NY) Dry Riesling – Finger Lakes; and 2014 Barboursville (VA) Viognier Reserve.

My favorites among the dry reds tasted were Amalthea Europa 2010 (NJ); Hawk Haven (NJ) Cab Franc; 2015 Plagido’s Winery (NJ) Coeur d’Est OCP; 2016 White Horse Winery (NJ) Chambourcin OCP; 2013 Barboursville (VA) Cabernet Reserve; and 2014 Pollak (VA) Cabernet Sauvignon Monticello.

I must say I did not taste any bad wines among the many wonderful East Coast wines here and regretted that I could not prudently sample more of this wonderful assortment of wines. Fortunately, in between sampling I had the opportunity to meet and talk to many owners and winemakers. These folks are not only very good at what they do, but generous with their time in sharing their thoughts and insights. Among others, it was great talking to Mark Hernandez (Autumn Lake Winery), Todd Wuerker (Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery); Seferino Cotzojay (White Horse Winery); and Dustin Tarpine (Cedar Rose Vineyards), who shared that he hopes to open by October. It is always great to talk with Tom Cosentino, who does so much to promote New Jersey wines and to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for my presence at this event (Thanks, Tom)! I was also very happy to meet and talk with Paul Tonacci, whose energy and enthusiasm is infectious.

Thanks to all for making this such a wonderful day for East Coast wines!

Cheers!

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