Bellview Winery Summer Concert Series

Bellview Winery’s summer concert series is a great way to enjoy some good local music with Bellview’s good local choice of wines. The cost was $5 at the door. I love that you can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy along with your wine and music. For those less ambitious, there is always a food truck. On our visit last Saturday, Top Shelf was serving patrons. From the size of the lines, they appeared to be doing a booming business. The weather cooperated in a big, beautiful way. The sun on the sign above was a good omen on this day. Anyone living in South Jersey knows that weekends and sunny days have not been experienced together very often thus far this summer.

The music was provided by a group of locals (all from South Jersey towns) named Cold Blue Electric. They played an eclectic mix of covers ranging from classics of Steely Dan, the Rolling Stones, Dire Straits, the Allman Brothers and Santana to funky New Orleans sounds.

But as usual, the wines were the stars of the show. Wines were available for tasting (your choice of eight for $6, with a souvenir glass) outside under a tented area. I tasted the following dry wines (via some sharing with my wife):

• Viognier (a fragrant white with a bit of peach)
• Gruner Veltliner (one of my favorite Gruners and a Silver Medal winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Competition)
• Traminette (I love the floral “nose on this one”; great for a day like this one).
• Chardonnay (a delightful, lightly oaked version which also took a Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Competition)
• Petit Verdot Rose (my favorite at this tasting-darker in color and richer in flavor, thanks to the Petit Verdot, with a beautiful dry finish)-one of the many really good NJ Roses this year. This wine will go with almost anything!
• Chambourcin (my runner-up for the tasting; the aroma itself is seductive, the flavor of the black fruit with a nice acidity and smooth, dry finish. This one recently took a Gold Medal at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Competition).
• Coeur D’Est (An earthy, medium-bodied red)
• Blaufrankisch (a Silver Medal winner at the same San Francisco Chronicle Competition)
• Petit Verdot (a nice full-bodied red)

Bellview Winery has some great special events (from concerts to festivals). I also think their wines deserve more attention (though, as the many recent awards cited above show, they are starting to get the attention and recognition they deserve).

Cheers!

Coming Attractions

• The Book–I am expecting to pick up my copies of New Jersey Uncorked: A Snob-Free Taste of NJ Wine this week. When available (very soon), you will be able to order your copy of the paperback here: BookBaby BookShop. I will add a link to my page very soon. It will include background information about me and about the book. Thanks for your patience and your support!
• Details about my book launch
• Revisits to a few Central Jersey wineries 
• Updates: Changes at a few wineries, status of “up and coming” wineries
• New Jersey Pinot Noir

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