Wine, Beer and Restaurant Reviews

Here are Some Great Value Wines that We Served for a Happy Birthday Party

I served as sommilier at a very festive 50th birthday party a couple of weeks ago.  We  served some great wines that everyone loved, so I thought I would share them with you.

We found these wines at the Total Wines in River Edge NJ, and all are great values. The theme was "New Wines to Explore." The whites were grapes many people have never tried, the reds were all New World wines from the Southern Hemisphere.

Friends Enjoyed This Wine Recomendation - Charming Gruner Veltliner by Laurenz V.

We always love it when friends and fans tell us they enjoyed one of our wine suggestions. Here is an e-mail we got this week. Have a wine you liked? Please share.

"This is how Will and I are enjoying the wine! Quite a beautiful pairing. Looking forward to getting together with you on the 15th for sure! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday."   Anne

The wine Charming Gruner Veltliner by Laurenz V. Perfect for all types of Asian cuisine.

Thanksgiving Wines 2011, What We're Thinking About - Dinners and Wines from around the World

Mano a Vino started back in November of 2005 with a humble post on our Thanksgiving wines that year. They were all by women in wine, noted female wine makers who have continued to be iconic in the field. Thanksgiving 2005 Wines By Women. The wines we chose for that day are just as good today.

When it comes to T'day our first thought is Champagne or other dry sparkler to start and Pinot Noir. In 2007 we suggested these two. But there are so many other wines to consider.

Riesling, Gruner Veltliner & Cotes du Rhone are some of the wines that come to mind. The style and influence of your Thanksgiving menu should have a lot of influence on your wine selection.

Perhaps you would like to share your favorites in a comment below.

Gruner Veltliner Exciting - Pinot Grigio Boring

Slowly but surely we are suceeding in our conquest to win Gruner converts in the land of New Jersey. Already a big hit in NYC, Gruner Veltliner is showing up in more and more places in NJ.

Last night we served this popular favorite  "Grooner" brought to the USA by Austrian wine queen Monika Caha. When a couple of guests were offered Pinot Grigio or a Gruner, their face lit up and said "Gruner of course, I was not expecting to find that here."  But of course I replied.

Follow Grooner Girl on Facebook and Twitter.  Watch the video below.

Gruner Veltliner a Wine to Enjoy this Spring and Summer

Ok, can I make a suggestion? Something different for your spring and summer wine enjoyment. Pass by your Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or Albarino and try a Gruner Veltliner from Austria. Call it Gruner or "Grooner."

We have been preaching the word of Gruner for years now and have yet to find an unhappy convert. It is delicious food friendly wine. They are not as easy to find, but the good news is there is a whole new flock arriving in NY and NJ this year. So tell your wine store, "Get me some more great Gruner!"

The bottles we suggest include.....