I still find it incredible that so many small towns in South Jersey are home to so many good wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Take Atco and Berlin. The distance between Amalthea Cellars in Atco to Berlin Brewing is less than five miles. I took advantage of this fact this week, first visiting Amalthea Cellars and then an enjoyable tasting at Berlin Brewery. What a fun day!
Amalthea Cellars
Amalthea Cellars is located in Atco. I have written about this winery several times in the past and for good reason-it is a terrific winery. They have a beautiful, but homey, historic tasting room, lovely grounds, and they make wonderful wine. It has been quite awhile since I have visited and done a tasting. I decided to change that. I went with my “go to” red wine tasting, while my wife did the white wine tasting. Here are the wines we tasted:
Reds
- Cantina Mas-a blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Malbec. It is available only via their plastic jugs (about 5 liters). This blend changes with the seasons. The current blend (like others that I have enjoyed) is amazing and as good a buy as you can get.
- Green Dragon* 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon-Delicious fruit-forward notes of cherry with velvety smooth tannins.
- 2018 Cabernet Franc-a tasty medium-bodied version with strawberry notes.
- 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Clone II-This estate grown Cab is deep in color and has notes of cranberry and clove, with a very smooth finish.
- 2018 Legends Edition Europa IV**-A terrific blend modeled after Chateau Cheval Blanc. It is a full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (66%); and Merlot (34%). It has luscious notes of raspberry and a very smooth, long finish.
- 2018 Legends Edition Europa I-Another great entry in this storied series. It is a full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%); Merlot (20%); and Cab Franc (5%).
Whites
- Vidal Blanc Reserve-Floral notes and some subtle notes of grapefruit. This is an oaked version.
- Green Tavern Sauvignon Blanc-The fruit is sourced from Yakima Washington, aged in French oak.
- Green Dragon Tavern Chardonnay-a beautifully oaked version, well balanced with stone fruit and citrus notes.
- Leda-a terrific dry Rose with a soft, smooth mouthfeel and delicious strawberry notes. If there is such a thing as a winter Rose, this fits the bill.
- Elara-A very nice white blend of Chardonnay and Riesling.
*Green Dragon wines are made sourcing wines from around the world.
**Amalthea’s Europa Series is made with only estate grown grapes and is the winemaker’s (Lou Carraciola) attempt to mimic the various blends of specific chateaux in the Bordeaux Region in France. If Lou didn’t make any other wines, these wines would be more than enough to cement his reputation as a classic New Jersey winemaker.
Our take aways from this visit are pictured below (from left to right: Leda Dry Rose, Elara, Green Dragon Cabernet Sauvignon, Europa IV, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Clone II, and Green Dragon Chardonnay.
Berlin Brewing Company
Berlin Brewing Company is located on Route 30 in Berlin. It is fairly small, but there is enough room to separate yourself from others, if you choose to do so. Fortunately, we went at a good time, when it was not very crowded. We were able to sit apart from the large tables at barstools along the windows. Surprisingly, there was a live acoustic group playing cover songs by the Grateful Dead and similar artists. They were quite good and did not inhibit quiet conversation.
There were seven brews on tap (including a Mango Seltzer and a Champagne Pop). I tried four of their brews via a sampler ($9):
- Pike Pils-A much better than average Pils, with more body and taste than the typical Pils.
- Batters Eye-PA A very good IPA (not over the top with hops, but still true to the style, with plenty of taste).
- Miss Leading (Amber IPA)-Clever and appropriate name, as amber brews and IPAs are not usually said in the same sentence. It was the most potent in the tasting (7.5% ABV).
- Bedlam in Belgium (A Belgium-style brew, with the unmistakable Belgian yeast; 5.7% ABV.
My favorites were the Pils and the Batters Eye-PA. They are open on Thursdays and Fridays from 5:00-9:00, Saturdays from 12:00-8:00, and Sundays from 12:00-5:00.
Cheers!
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