Mano a Vino - Eat, Drink, Write - Great Wine, Food, Beer and Places

The New Faces of Craft Beer Weyerbacher Tap Takeover at Twin Light

The flourishing artful production and more importantly delicious consumption of Craft Beer is a huge trend that is growing like wildfire across the country. We really jumped into the flames this past year and are not cooling down any time soon.

I love the big interest that the Millennial Generation (Gen Y) has in craft brews as they grow out of their beer pong days. These bright people are engaged in creating, enjoying and promoting craft beer in a big way.

One of our favorite craft brewers is Weyerbacher Brewing Company of Easton, PA, yesterday we joined a bunch of Millennials, Boomers and some Xers at one of our favorite Tap Houses Twin Light in Highland, NJfor a Weyerbacher Tap Take Over. We drank a lot of very good ale and got to spend some time with the delightfully gregarious and charming Millennial beer geek Natalie Dechico, Weyerbacher's New Jersey Rep.

Natalie will be at an Amanti Vino/CulinAriane beer and food piring event on February 21st 

Wines for Super Bowl 2012

First of all I am not a big football fan, if I want that kind of action I watch Braveheart, but who can resist the Super Bowl, plus my father-in-law is a huge Giants fan and we really should support the home team. On the other hand I really like San Francisco too, the City not the team. 

In any case with all the Super Bowl delicacies that are available one should really pick a worthy wine, a big bold Cabernet or Zinfandel to match up to the action of the day.

If your a true Giants fan you do have many great wines to choose from in New York State and some decent wines from the newly liberated New Jersey wine makers.

San Francisco fans have a world of opportunities as just Napa Valley dwarfs New York and New Jersey combined in terms of wine options.

A Wine Tour de France 2012 - French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF)

This is an event we look always look forward to, The French Institute Alliance Françaises (FIAF) annual Wine Tour de France. Each year FIAF produces a unique series of wine events and 2012 is no exception. 

This year you not only have the opportunity to taste and enjoy the current and historical stories of France's three most prominent wine regions, Burgundy, the Rhône Valley, and Bordeaux; but also learn current trends and critical views on Wine Collecting, the Organic Wine Debate and the controversy around Champagne versus Sparkling.

All this while experiencing some of France's most exciting wines. There are six sessions in all, each presented by noted New York City sommeliers.   

This year there is one more event you won't want to miss, a Special Wine & Chocolate Tasting.   

Find More Info and Register Here 

Le Sughere Maremma by Rocca di Frassinello an "Ideal Italian-French" at Ah Pizz

It was a fun and crazy night. We met up with our friends Stace and Henry at Upstairs for cocktails, wine and small plates. We had a delicious feast but were not quite ready for dessert or to go home.

For whatever reason we had been talking about our favorite pizza places and one thing led to another and before I knew it we were on our way to Ah Pizz.

Needing some more wine we stopped by Angelbeck's and picked up this beauty on Stace's recommendation, a truly wonderful wine from the gorgeous Maremma region on the coast of Tuscany.  We also love wines from Morellino di Scansano in Maremma.

Well, I guess when you put It that way real Chamgagne is really the best

Brought To By Wine.com, Purveyors of Fine Wine and Champagne, Click Twice to See Full Size.

Brought To By Wine.com, Purveyors of Fine Wine and Champagne, Click Twice to See Full Size.

Wine.Com is a great place to find great Champagne. It is also a great source of wine information and ratings that we use this site often.

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Mes Reves Delicious French Cuisine in Bloomfield NJ and Two Lovely French Wines

Mes Reves (My Dream) French Bistro on Broad Street in Bloomfield is just turning a year old. It is the beautiful dream of  Quang Tran, chef de cuisine of Mes Reves and his wife and co-owner Tammie Tran. 

Mes Reves serves a classic French menu made with ingredients from the best purveyors and served with a stylish flair. From the lushly comfortable space, impeccable service and delicious food we enjoyed every moment. And of course the French wine was very good.

Argentinian Wine Documentary "Boom Varietal" Screening and Tasting

As you know we are very enthusiastic about Argentinian wines and culture. Here is an excellent opportunity to experience both.

On Sunday Feb 12th, "Boom Varietal"  will be featured at the NJ Film Fest at Rutgers University. (7pm)  The screening will be followed by a wine tasting where guests can sample many of the wines they see in the film. One of Argentina's most popular winemakers, Hector Durigutti will present.

Samba Brazilian New Montclair Restaurant Review

The owners of Park Street Cafe in Montclair have gracefully revealed their South American personality in a nice new Brazilian restaurant called Samba. 

They have morphed their place that serves great breakfast and lunch to take us to Southern America to enjoy the great cuisine from that part of the world. 

The Samba creation has been open just a few weeks, but Nell and I really enjoyed our dinner there. Other people have been raving as well.

There are some improvements to be made, but we love the diversity of cuisine.