Wine, Beer and Restaurant Reviews

I'm Calling This "The Summer of Cava" The Great Sparkling Wine of Spain

I've had two fabulous Cavas this weekend. The first was Castellroig Brut that started a wonderful dinner at Prune in New York. 

The second was Poema that I poured for a Bridal Shower in northwestern New Jersey. Both were exceptional.

We have written often about this wonderful sparkling, Spumante, wine called Cava. Summer Wine - Cava the New (Old) Hot Sparkling Wine and A Fabulous Summer Cocktail - Watermelon, Cava, Lime, Agave Nectar

Albarino Wine - Friendly, Flavorful, FashionableLolo Albarino - Rías Baixas, España

We have written a lot about Albariño and since Spring is here and Summer is just weeks away we are back again. This Spanish white wine, vino blanco, is wonderful all year round but we especially love it in the warmer months.

It is very food friendly, pairs well with everything from a full bodied fish stew to sushi. It is also very comfortable with Indian, Thai, Mexican or as we enjoyed this Albarino, Lolo, with Brazilian at Samba, Montclair. 

Samba Montclair, Ceia de Novo Um Novo Favorito

People always ask me, "What are your favorite restaurants in Montclair?" Here is a place that is newly on our list.

I had been hearing a lot of good things about Samba Montclair the quaint Brazilian restaurant on Park Street in Montclair. We first dined here soon after its opening in December of last year.

Since then Samba has just gotten better with refinements in service and the menu. We loved our dinner last week, and having chatted it up we find that we are no alone.

We enjoyed a very nice Albarino, a luscious white wine from Rías Baixas, Spain, called Lo Lo with dinner.

Jacob's Creek Wines Australia Since 1847 - Now New for 2012 - in a Word Moscato

Last week we met Chris Morrison, brand ambassador for Jacob's Creek, with all his classic Australian charm, at a dinner he hosted for wine media at the fabulous Hurricane Club on Park Avenue South, NYC.

I've been a Jacob's Creek fan for a number of years, I especially enjoy their Rieslings. On this night we tasted some of their current red wines and were introduced to two very appealing new Moscato wines.

Wine and Chocolate Pairing - Terroir in Chocolate & Wine with Valrhona,The Modern & TGIC Wines

The 2012 New Jersey Wine and Food Festival at the luxurious Grand Cascades Lodge at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, NJ was - even on a cloudy rainy day - a fabulous event. 

There is much to share about the festival, and we will get to that, but let me start with perhaps the best, a Wine and Chocolate pairing entitled "Terroir in Chocolate & Wine."

Presented by the knowledgeable Lisa Petrucco of world renowned French chocolatier Valrhona and savvy Alex Guarachi of the fine international wine importer TGIC; along with, from the prestigious restaurant The Modern in NYC, famous pastry chef  Marc Aumont and appluaded wine director Ehren Ashkenazi.

I love chocolate and I love wine but have never had the real opportunity to explore them together so intensely.