AWS Meadowlands Chapter

SOUTH AFRICA’S LOVE FOR CHENIN BLANC!

 Chenin Blanc is South Africa’s most planted grape; the country has more Chenin acreage than the rest of the world combined. With its diversity of climates, the country’s Chenin comes in an array of styles: light and crisp, full-bodied and oak-aged, sweet and rich…. Of special note is the emergence of Chenin-based blends; winemakers are embracing the grape’s acidity and structure and layering Rhone white varieties and other grapes over it to yield a complex and unique wine with no Old-World antecedents. Wines of South Africa’s Marketing Manager Jim Clarke, author of The Wines of South Africa published by the Classic Wines Library, will lead a presentation of a dozen South African Chenin Blancs and Chenin Blanc-based wines to familiarize the audience with South Africa’s own, special way with this white grape.

 Friday Sept 24th 6:45pm- 9:30pm Special Pricing: Members $15, Guests $20

Please RSVP so we have we have enough wine.

 

 -----------  NEW CHAPTER FOR JERSEY CITY ---------------

ATTENTION ALL AWS MEMBERS AND GUESTS: A NEW AWS CHAPTER IS HERE! There will be a special wine tasting hosted by the brand-new Jersey City/Hoboken Chapter and will take place at Jersey Wines & Spirits located at 492 Jersey Ave. Jersey City, NJ. 

Tuesday Sept. 14th 6:45pm- 9:30pm Special Pricing: Members $20, Guests $25 

Presenting: THE HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA WINE IN SIX GLASSES.   Join up and help support this fabulous members.  

Please RSVP quick because the tasting is open to only 20 people due to space restrictions. Do not miss out… Feel free to bring friends! Accept our invitation by contacting Teresa at flama95@gmail.com or call 609-664-093

 

-------------  AWS Sussex Chapter News -----------------

 An Evening of Whiskey Scotch, Rye and Bourbon, oh my!

Friday September 10th, 2021 Time: 6:45PM – 9:00PM NJ State Fair Administration Bld. 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 

This month join Members Jeff Grabowski, Esq. and Damon Falcone with a presentation on the process of making spirits. They will explain what the differences between whiskey and bourbon and how it’s made. They will guide you in what to look for in them. Learn why Scotch and Bourbons are not just for Grandpa and Cowboys anymore! Get ready for some excitement and fun with your AWS friends at the fastest growing AWS chapter in NJ

Special pricing, members: $20 and yes guests are also welcome: $25 

Please RSVP to: Russell Ruffino at Email: awssussex@gmail.com Or Call: 201-400-4900

 

 

Here are the featured Sangria's  during last nights event.   All of these are easy to make and perfect for the summer days!  Try it today.    

There are a few basic ingredients that goes into any sangria:  Select a reasonable but non-expensive Wine, add seasonal Fruits, a liqueur to kick it up a notch, a little sweetener and some fizz to give it bubbles.   We have provide a few ideas below to give you a head start.

WHITE SANGRIA

Ingredients

1  c. sliced Strawberries

1/2 c.  Raspberries

1  Mango, cubed

1  Nectarines, sliced

1/4 c.  Agave

1/4 c. Grand Marnier or Cointreau liqueur

1  Apple, sliced

1  Pear, cubed 

1  Orange, sliced 

1  Lime, sliced

1 (750-ml.) bottle dry white wine, chilled (I use a Dry white such as Albarino from Spain)

1 c.  Seltzer chilled

 

Directions:  In a medium bowl, combine strawberries, raspberries, mango, nectarines, agave, and Grand Marnier.  Then refrigerate for 1 to 3 hours to allow for the fruits to marinate with liqueur.   

 

When your ready to serve:  To a large pitcher, add the marinated fruits and add the apples, oranges, and sliced lime.   Pour in your dry white wine and seltzer and give it a gentle stir to combine.   Serve chilled.   

 

 

Notes: You can also use sparking wine instead of seltzer to add bubbles/fizz.  Be fearless and improvise... you can tweak it as you like, it will all works out well in the end. :-)

 

PEACH SANGRIA

1 Bottle of Rose wine ( or white wine ) - group favorite
1 c. of Peach Tree Schnapps
2/3 c. Peach Nectar
2 Peaches, sliced
1 Orange, sliced
1 c. Bing Cherries, chopped
1 can of Sprite (16 oz) to top it off

In a large pitcher add the wine, peach schnapps, peach nectar, sliced peaches and oranges. Give it a stir, cover and refrigerate for a few hrs.   

When ready to serve simply add the sprite and give it a gentle stir and serve.   Easy to make this delicious sangria to share with family and friends; it's sure to bring happy memories of summer days!

MAMAJUANA SANGRIA

1 or 2 bottles of Mamajuana ( Dominican Drink )
2-4 table spoons Sugar (you can also use Honey, Maple Syrup, or Brown Sugar)
2-4 ounces Spiced Rum
2-4 ounces sweet/Dry Vermouth
Add several portions of Anise, Allspice, Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger and let soak in. You can adjust to your taste.
Add herbs Basil and Mint as a garnish
Add Fruits such as sliced lemon, oranges, peach, cherries, apple, blueberries, blackberries, kiwi, melon.

If you like be adventurous, add Hibiscus, Chicory root, Eucalyptus and even a few shrimp. 

Lets ingredients soak for a few hrs in the refrigerator.  When ready to serve add 7-Up, gentle stir an serve.   

Note: If your not able to find the Mamajuana you can use a Red wine or a Port.  Because of the warm spices, this sangria also drinks well during the fall season and early winter. 

RED SANGRIA PALOOZA

·       
· Two bottles of a good table red wine
· Half bottle of brandy. Use the pint bottle, if you what more of a kick use the whole pint
· Fruit, I can’t not say this enough, fresh ripe fruit please. When cutting fruits try to make them all the same size.
· 1 pint Strawberries, hulled and cut up
· 1 Bunch of grapes red seedless, Cut in half
· 1 apple peeled and diced
· 2 peaches not over ripe, Large dice (can’t get good peaches use a couple of snack pack diced peaches in the natural juice, in fact even if you get the fresh peaches add one of these with the juice too, yes this is a secret and now you know it too).
· 1 orange, peeled and cut into sections
· 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt
· 1 /2 bottle of Dark Agave syrup, TO TASTE. make this the last thing you add, do it to taste. You will notice there is no granulated sugar in this recipe; the Agave gives it a richer flavor and a smoother mouthfeel.

These fruits are optional
· 1 /2-pint Blueberries freeze solid before adding

Directions: Prepare fruit and place in a large pitcher, add salt, Brandy and wine mix well BUT gentle you do not want to break the fruit.   After a good mixing now add half the amount of the Agave and mix than taste, add more and taste again, keep doing this part till you get the taste you want.  

After it is done place sangria mixture in the fridge for couple of hours or overnight is best.  When serving pour over ice in the glass.  Don’t put ice in pitcher as it will dilute the Sangria.   For want some fizz top with some sparkling water, or prosecco, I prefer the Prosecco.

Now Pour and Sip slowly and sit back and enjoy with your guests.  Serve with any summer time snacks or meals.

Come and visit the Sussex State Fair, Wine competition award wining winery
@ Make Wine With Us in Wallington, NJ.