I have been asked about the availability of  Four Secrets Sparkling Shiraz.  This is available at Stew Lenard's at the Clifton Store.          

You need to ask for it as they keep it off the shelve and exclusive for the AWS Meadowlands crew.  Cost about $16 per bottle, they still have some left.  

Server well chilled!   

We also like to Thanks John and Felicia for the wonderful Pool party this past weekend.   The BBQ and food was fantastic!   And yes the best spots were the ones by pool side... especially this very hot weekend.  

AWS Meadowlands Chapter

We like to Thank everyone who came to the American Wine Society wine bottling, we had a fantastic turnout!   The final product of all 3 of these wine barrels were fantastic!   All cases of wine were claimed by members and friends.   A very enthusiastic and energetic crew... Thank you all for making this event so much fun!

Due to popular demand the following wines are on the list for 2016 harvest from California.  We will be making an Old Vine Zinfandel  & a barrel of  Petite Sirah varietals. We are also fortunate to be using French oak barrels, this helps to give the each of these wine added layers of complexity in aroma and flavor.

All of the grapes will come from Lodi California.  Warm temperatures are predicted through the first part of September, this will help the wine grape harvest in the Lodi region of the San Joaquin Valley to continue to progress nicely according to reports from Stuart Spencer, program manager for the Lodi Winegrape Commission.  The 2016 crops may be of low yield due to on going drought but excellent quality.  So don't miss out and let me know if your like to have any cases from these new batch.  

JOIN US and be part of the wine making process.  This is a fantastic way of learning about wines.   I will send out an email in advance when the grapes are scheduled to come in so that you can part take in the process and learn more about wines from beginning to end.

Thanks to all who participated
Quality Assurance team: John, Felicia, Vince, Grace, Dotty, Lynn, Eileen, Elena, Cherilyn, Carol, Nana, Ismeny, Maria
Case and Bottle Label Management team: Karry, Nancy, Denise, Miriam, Grace, Felicia, Phil
Cork Station Engineers: Rodney, Nana, Dan and company
Filling Station Managers: Tim, Hermis, John, Dan

   

                              Fellow AWS wine makers! 

AWS bottling is this Friday July 29th starting @ 6 PM  Please be there early, so you can to select your cap color and label - remember most of you with smaller case count will get generic labels assign to the barrel.   NOTE:  If you absolutely need to have a custom label, they are available for purchase from Make Wine With Us, but you should get that out of the way early.  Remember, you can always place the labels on at a later  date/time from home.  However, you must pick out a cap!

UPDATE:   The American Wine Society NJ Amateur Wine Competition and the NJ State Fair Commercial Wine Competition has awarded AWS Medowlands  member John a SILVER medal for his 2014 Pinot Noir.   Congratulations!   

July meeting, one of our own AWS member, Vincent Turula did a wonderful and informative presentation on French-American Hybrid wines.    He explained why French cépage hybridized to develop new varieties using wild American species as we will sample several popular white and red varietals of our North American nurture.

Wines Presented on this evening:

-  Leonard Oakes Traminette (2012)

-  Hunt Country Cayuga White (2014)

- Villa Bellangelo Bella Seyval Blanc (2013)

- Three Brothers Stony Lonesome Estates Chambourcin (2013)

-  Johnson Estate Marechal Foch (2014)

- Thousand Island Frontenac (2014)
- Bully Hill St Croix Special Reserve (2012) # 1 

- The Tower Series Norton, Horton Vineyards, Virginia  (2013)  #2

Sparkling wine from Swedish Hill wines - Blanc the Blanc was also a group favorite. 

News and Updates:    

·         No Meeting next month for August.   Next meet will take place on Thursday night, September 22, it will feature Pinot Noir from Willamette Oregon.

·         John and Felicia’s BBQ party is Saturday August 13^th .   Please RSVP if attending!   It’s a big yard so if you could bring a couple of folding or lawn chairs… please do. 

·         AWS bottling is next week on Friday July 29^th @ 6 PM.

a.       Only a few folks replied with ideas and I made their labels. 

b.      For individuals with one or two cases we will have a basic label available for each barrel. 

c.       If you still like to have custom label, you can purchase from Make Wine With US.   

d.      Please let me know if you prefer to leave Labels off.
e.    If you’re not able to make it, and we can place one of the generic labels created. We will use the group labels and caps for those who are not able to make it. 

·      Please remember to RSVP if you’re able to able to make the meeting.  That helps us gage how much wine and snacks are needed for the events.   Cheers!

UPDATE:   Congratulations to member John.  2014 Pinot Noir 100% was awarded a "Silver" metal.

The American Wine Society NJ Amateur Wine Competition and the NJ State Fair Commercial Wine Competition is this Saturday.      

Judging will take place on July 23rd 10:30 am until about 4:00 pm at the Sussex Fair Grounds Administration Building: 37 Plains Road Augusta, NJ 07822.     Please lets us know if your like to volunteer on the floor.   

You are also invited to the Awards Ceremony and tasting that will take place on Saturday August 6th at 1:00pm in the Richards Building at the NJ State Fair. 

For our July AWS meeting, one of our own members, Vincent Turula will be presenting: 
French-American Hybrid wines.    

Date/Time:  Friday July 22, Starting @ 7-9 PM

Location:    Make Wine With Us @ 21 Currie Avenue in Wallington, NJ

$15 AWS members and $20 Guest

RSVP to WineClub201@gmail.com so we can get a headcount.   

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                       AWS BOTTLING NIGHT is Friday July 29th  @ 6 PM 

If you purchased a case or few cases, all are welcomed.   Please come in and have some fun bottling delicious wines.  This year is noted as a stellar vintage for wines from the Lodi, California region.   I have 2 cases left of the Meritage if interested. 

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August 13th is John & Felicia’s BBQ/POOL PARTY

Please R.S.V.P.  Steininger2004@yahoo.com

  

          AWS Medowlands Members only

The Meadowlands Chapter would like to extend a special thanks to Monika Elling for a great presentation. Monika brought the history and background stories that made these rare and indigenous varietals enjoyable to drink. The lineup of wines were fantastic and unique, each one presented a notable nuance and quality.

Wines Presented on this evening:
  Intro: Four Secrets Shiraz, Sparkling Wine - Stellenbosch Vineyards, South Africa

2014 Patricius Furmint - Tokaj, Hungary
2013 Patricius Muscat - Tokaj, Hungary
2011 Patricius Harslevelu - Tokaj, Hungary
2014 Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc - Stellenbosch Vineyards, South Africa
2010 Credo Chenin Blanc - Stellenbosch Vineyards, South Africa
2015 Vivanco Tempranillo Bianco (Blend) - La Rioja, Spain
2009 Vivanco Reserva (Tempranillo, Graziano) - La Rioja, Spain
2011 Vivanco Graziano - La Rioja, Spain
2013 Patricius “Katinka" Late Harvest (Blend of Furmint, Yellow Muscat and Zeta) - Tokaj, Hungary

                                                            *These wines are accessible: Visit your local Stew Leonard’s Wines

News and Updates:    

·         2016 National Wine Tasting Project: We completed the blind tastings of the Rhone style varietal wines for this year’s AWS National Tasting Project.   Thanks to those who were able to participate.   For our group the results were

3rd place tie.       2010 Derby 'Fifteen 10'   Red Rhone Blend @  $28

3rd place tie.      2010 Tablas Creek "Patelin de Tablas" Red Rhone Blend @ $20

2nd place.       2014 Sculpterra "Heroe" Viognier @   $22

1st place score.      2013 Michael-David 'Earthquake'   Petit Syrah @ $26

The final overall results will be made available via the American Wine Society website sometime after summer. http://www.americanwinesociety.org

·         Long Island New York Winery excursion this past weekend was a blast!   Members from the Meadowlands and KylIx chapters meet at Pelligrini Vineyards, then to Coffee Pot Cellars, then had a delicious lunch at Michelangelo’s.  Afterwards, headed to Shinn Estate Vineyards, and the best for last was Sannino Bella Vita Vineyards.  If you have not visited, I say make a day of it or as an overnight trip at a local B&B.     Thanks to Bonnie and Jay from the Kylix chapter for setting it up.

Remember to save the December 3^rd date for our annual AWS Meadowlands chapter holiday party.  (Saturday night at the Fiesta in Wood-Ridge, RT17 south bound) – More to follow.

Distinct Thanks:  John and Diann of “Make Wine with Us” for their hospitality, Danny Klein AWS RVP.   Our very important friends Art and Dan for pouring,   Denise for food setup and fantastic chocolate treats.  John & Felicia for assistance &  All of our wonderful members for your participation and support.

Cheers,

NJ Meadowlands Chapter

American Wine Society.org