Category Archives: American

American, Article, Featured

Give me a Michelin Star!

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Have you ever wondered why your state is not the home of Michelin restaurants? Let’s face it- unless you live in New York City, Illinois, California, Florida, or Washington DC, you’re not getting a front row to these experiences. I have been to Michelin restaurants while in NYC, Florida, and DC, and I have loved every experience, but I always wonder why New Jersey does not have any. Due to the expense of the Michelin guide and the size of the guide around the world, only certain cities where the organization publishes travel guides get taken in to consideration. I guess New Jersey does not make the cut!

When looking at Michelin standards, there are five criteria that restaurants are judged upon: quality of ingredients used, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in his cuisine, value for the money, and consistently excellent dining experience and food. Consistency is so important!

While I am no Michelin inspector, I am a true foodie who has dined at many. Even something as simple as presentation on a plate can be a sign of a higher quality restaurant. With that being said and without further ado, here would be my choices of restaurants in New Jersey that Michelin may want to consider for a star!’;

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Heirloom Kitchen- Old Bridge, NJ

This initially seemed shocking to me as I grew up in Old Bridge and never viewed it as a place with any out of the ordinary dining, but when I dined here at the Chef’s counter for the first time, my mind was blown. This farm to table pays such attention to detail. The plates are beautifu,l and the taste of the ingredients combined is off the charts. I love the open kitchen concept as well. Does the fact that it is BYOB deter a Michelin star? Even so, it attracts more customers as the value becomes even better. I love Heirloom Kitchen and was super excited when they opened a second location in Asbury Park. Well deserved Heirloom Kitchen executive chef David Viana and team!

Elements- Princeton, NJ

Elements is this unassuming, little upscale restaurant above their sister restaurant Mistral. You feel like you’re entering an alternate foodie universe when you step inside. American chef and co-owner Scott Anderson uses fresh, local ingredients along with modern techniques. Each dish is perfectly plated and explained by the waiter. My mouth watered for every single course. The wine pairings you can get perfectly compliment each dish, and they aren’t your average wines that you find in your local liquor store. Be prepared for exquisite tastes and a backstory to be told about each wine you pair. If you are a foodie and you have not dined at Elements, you’re missing out. Run, don’t walk!

Viaggio Restaurante- Wayne, NJ

Robbie Felice, acclaimed chef and James Beard award nominee, has cooked across the country and Europe and brings his talents to Viaggio, coming up with some superior Italian fare. Another unassuming town with an off the charts restaurant! He has now turned his attention to the new Pasta Ramen in Montclair. Fabulous place that may get an addition to this list if the consistency stays!

Nicholas Barrel and Roost- Red Bank, NJ

Nicholas was the predecessor of this restaurant and received a lot of accolades. Nicholas was a little old inside and lacked a modern edge in the ambiance, but it was popular due to its finely executed menu. Many people thought it would have received a Michelin star if it were in New York City. It received Zagat’s highest rated restaurant in New Jersey for 15 straight years. The owners Nicholas and Melissa completely revamped the place into Nicholas Barrel and Roost, boasting a rustic and modern ambiance along with some fabulous food. I have enjoyed brunch, lunch, and dinner there many times, and take pleasure in each delight that each meal type menu offers. The food is delicious and they are consistent with both the food quality and service. The bar is a great place for happy hour and some innovative cocktails. I love the new ambiance and unique, delectable dishes. This place is a must hit, and we couldn’t be happier to have it here in Monmouth County!

Restaurant Latour- Hamburg, NJ

If you live locally to Hamburg or have been to the delightful Crystal Springs Resort in North New Jersey, you will recognize Restaurant Latour as a fine dining foodie heaven. Every beautiful and thoughtful dish is complimented by wine from their extensive wine cellar. Their sommelier is knowledgeable and can help you pair your coursed meal with the top notch wines meant to enthuse your palate. According to the restaurant, they “reflect a unique connection to [their] pristine natural surroundings, bringing the woods indoors in a stunning dining room featuring natural finishings and panoramic mountain views.” And oh the views! Beautiful!

Viaggio
Elements
Heirloom Kitchen
Nicholas Barrel & Roost
Restaurant Latour

I’m sure there are more that could make this list! Comment your thoughts below. Thank you as always and be sure to check out the spots listed above!

Article, breakfast/brunch, dessert, Featured

Sweetest Bakeries at the Jersey Shore

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It’s been a while since I have written! Nonetheless, I am super excited to be writing about one of my favorite things… dessert. I have a huge sweet tooth that rears its sweet little head on weekends, and I am always running to my favorite bakeries for some delicious treats. An oreo here or Entenmann’s cake there is always welcomed, but when I indulge, I want it to be totally worth every calorie. It is Valentine’s Day weekend which is equally about the sweets as it as love, so I am sharing my favorite bakeries down the shore! You may gain a few pounds just from reading this… full disclosure haha.

Simona’s Bakery- Sea Girt, NJ

Ah, Simona’s! I love you and your amazingly creative cupcakes! All of the flavors are so artfully produced and exceptionally creative. Now, you can have all the creativity you want on paper, but the execution is a must. Simona’s delivers every time. I am a cupcake lover. Their cupcakes are exceptional. Some of my favorites are the Cinnamon bun, Nutella (with the vanilla cake), Samoa, and caramel hostess, but there is truly a flavor for everyone.  Simona’s also has cakes, cookies (try their macaroons too).. whatever your heart desires. I also heard they are coming out with cake in a jar…. UMM YES, I will be in shortly.

Cinnabon cupcake, chocolate fudge with sprinkles, caramel hostess, and apple cobbler cupcakes
some cookies…

Chocolate Carousel- Wall, NJ

I love this place. First off, they make some of the best cheesecake I have ever had. These orders must be typically placed ahead of time, but it is so worth the effort! I have definitely been across the board here, gaining pounds left and right eating not only their cheesecake, but cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and shooters. They did my son’s first birthday cake, which was so amazing! They also have festive desserts suitable for any holiday. I love the bakery, and the owner seems like such a doll. I highly recommend this place!

Dessert Shooters
Custom Kid’s birthday cake

Pastry Chef- Tinton Falls, NJ

Pastry Chef is one of my go-to spots. This was one of the first bakeries I was frequenting when I moved down this way. I love bringing cakes from here up north to where I work for all my friends there, and they are my birthday cake go-to. They also did my son’s christening cake. The nice thing about Pastry Chef is that you can walk in anytime and probably find what you need without a preorder. I have bought Christmas and Halloween cakes from there on a dime. The pastries and cookies are great as well and they are so fairly priced. Let me also drop a hint that the mini fudge cake is one of the best thing that your palate will ever come across if you like chocolate. Yea, you can thank me later.

Holiday Cake
Halloween cake

Mike’s Crumb Cake Factory- Brick, NJ

Mike’s Crumb Cake Factory is pretty strictly crumb cake as the name suggests, but the crumb cakes are out of this world and there are so many cool flavors to choose from. You can get a whole cake or single pieces if you do not want to commit to one flavor. It is truly overwhelming the amount of flavors to choose from. They have their common flavors and also seasonal. If you want a specific flavor in a full cake, you may want to preorder. I LOVE the apple caramel crumb cake. It was the first one I ever tried and my taste buds were living their best life. The banana chip and regular apple crumb are great, but they even have some more indulgent flavors like red velvet stuffed with cream cheese as well as cookies and cream. It is cash only, so get to the ATM and head over to Mike’s!

apple caramel crumb cake
red velvet stuffed with cream cheese

Del Ponte’s Bakery- Bradley Beach, NJ

Who can talk bakeries without mentioning Del Ponte’s? It is truly fantastic and they even now have a creamery! Talk about having it all! You can’t miss at Del Pontes. The cakes are great…the cookies are great…and they get the stamp of approval for their cupcakes too. Did I mention great breads as well!? Del Pontes is the full package. They are expanding and opening a new location in Freehold. Check them out and tell me what you loved!

cupcake cake
Italian pastries

Broad Street Dough Co- Freehold/Oakhurst, NJ

Calling all doughnut lovers! Plain jane doughnuts? No problem. All the classics? Great. Crazy, cool flavors? Absolutely. Their twist on cronuts too called triangles! Get mini doughnuts, regular sized, one or a dozen. Try some of the BSDC specialty flavors like the smores galore, the Monmouth, Broadstreet, and the Belmar bliss. I love how some of the names reflect the shore area! Check them out when you’re in the area.

churros, cannoli, glazed, smores…
strawberry field, chocolate glazed cookies dough, triangle with chocolate drizzle, and samoa doughnuts

Abbate Bakery- Matawan, NJ

This bakery is not necessarily down the shore. Matawan is a bit north of there, a quick ride up route 34 or parkway North, but I will make an exception since its only about 25 min from the closest “shore town.” I felt really compelled to add it here for a few reasons. First of all, their baked goods are so fresh and tasty. Pastries are full of flavor. I must say, they have some of the best black and white cookies I have ever had which brings me to the sentimental reason why I love this place. My aunt, who passed a few years ago, loved Abbate and would always bring black and white cookies from here! I grew up in Old Bridge so of course that prompted me to check this place out. Home run. If you’re a cannoli fan, I’d definitely try them from here too.

Cannoli and sfogliatelle with cannoli filling and chocolate chips

Trust me, there are other fantastic places that I did not list, but these are some of my absolute favorites that have not let me down and may have already made a name for themselves. Enjoy!

American, Article, Farm to Table, Featured

Why Farm to Table?

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Farm to Table restaurants are found popping up all over the foodie scene across the country. This concept either sounds tantalizing for the food lovers and local community supporters or nerve racking for the diners who are unsure of ever changing menu options. Here, we are going to talk more about what exactly farm to table is and why you should check them out.

What is farm to table? Farm to table started out as a social movement where restaurants were serving local, fresh food on their menu. It is a way to support local farms and businesses while serving fresh food that does not need to travel too far. Or does it? Let’s answer some common questions and look at why you may want to check out a farm to table spot. 

Chefs befriend local farms or fisherman and take their grub and ultimately serve it for us.  Does the food actually not travel far? Well, let’s not get caught up on that! All meats etc need to get inspected by the FDA so it is best here to focus on the relationships that these restaurants form with local businesses. The travel is a toss up here. It does help the local economy flourish though!

Is farm to table always organic? No way! This is such a  common misconception. It simply means fresh, seasonal, and local. This is why farm to table restaurants are changing their menus with the seasons or sometimes even monthly depending on the restaurant!

Semolina- Red Bank, NJ

As long as it is in season, farm to table offers a wide variety of foods usually served on the simpler side eliminating all the extra dressings and sauces. The food retains its nutrition if it does not travel far.

So the moral of the story is that there may be some misconceptions around farm to table, however, it is worth trying and still has its benefits. Eat some fresh, local foods and help your community!

Article, Featured

Jersey Shore’s Favorite Overrated Restaurants

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It’s been a while since my last piece, but during my writing hiatus, I started thinking about all the great restaurants down at the Jersey shore and the not so great ones too. I spend all this energy praising the good, but it may be time to point out the less than stellar that get away with selling good reputations of themselves. I always get asked where to dine around here; with so many choices, how do you weed out the good ones from the overrated ones? Well, there is always Yelp and now there is this. I am outlining the Jersey Shore’s favorite overrated restaurants for you. People love to recommend these spots, but at the end of the day, there truly is nothing special about each one in my opinion. I have given these restaurants more than two tries, but when the bad trends continue or worsen, you can’t give them the benefit of the doubt any longer. Here we go, don’t hate me too much for this!

 

Char- Red Bank, NJ

The atmosphere and decor at Char is chic and trendy and definitely invites people in with the dim lights and beautiful bar area, but what about the whole experience? Char charges New York city prices for sub par steaks and seafood. I’ve eaten here many times to be served cold food, terrible oysters, bland soups, under cooked vegetables, and inconsistently executed steak that I would feel no shame feeding to my dogs. I actually don’t have dogs, but I am sure you get the idea. Char is clueless on how to run an efficient kitchen. Ouch, the truth hurts, doesn’t it? Don’t waste your money here. If you want a great steakhouse, do yourself a favor and go to the city. If you’re looking for a spot at the Jersey Shore, you’re better off visiting Shipwreck Point in Point Pleasant.

 

Langosta Lounge- Asbury Park, NJ

How in the world do people rave about this place? They offer up a decent happy hour, but that is where the good times end. I’d like to start by pointing out that when a restaurant serves bread in multiple dishes that so eerily resembles the Hawaiian Sweet rolls that you can buy in your local Shop Rite, we have a serious issue. I am paying $8- $18 for a meal with bread that I can buy in a pack for $3. I personally like to eat things that take some sort of execution when I go spend money at a “nice” restaurant. After all, dining out should be an experience unless you are heading to the Applebees down the road. Additionally, every time I go to Langosta Lounge, they have a portion of their menu sold out or unavailable. This is bad inventory management in the kitchen! Service is also not good. Drinks forgotten and slow service is a bad combination. I don’t want my glass of wine when I am finished with my meal, thank you very much! At that point, you should just cancel the drink order and not charge me. For a restaurant on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean, you go in here hoping for a fabulous experience; all you will get is overpriced food, slow service, and bad food. Langosta Lounge, please stop being complacent because your location is so great. It won’t carry you forever. For an eclectic menu executed consistently each time, go to Barrio Costero in Asbury Park downtown. You will enjoy the experience much more.

 

Nicholas- Red Bank, NJ

When I read a review comparing Nicholas to fine dining restaurants in new York City, I almost fell off my chair. I recently dined at Jean Georges in NYC and have been to multiple fine dining establishments and Nicholas does not compare. It is almost unfair to give them this kind of reputation to live up to when the whole experience falls a tad bit short. The atmosphere is drab and food is OK. The dishes are plated well and have the fine dining “look” but the taste was average to me! Service was OK as well. They do try here to be fine dining, and probably rank among one of the closest shore restaurants to achieve this, but are not comparable to to New York City or other fine establishments, trust me. You can probably have an equal experience eating their bar menu for less money. Save your money and just go to the city! If you can’t make it through the Lincoln tunnel and need a more local fine dining experience, check out Larimar in Spring Lake.

 

Avenue- Long Branch, NJ

You walk in to Avenue and automatically oh and ah at the magnificent atmosphere, modern elegance, and of course the gorgeous view of the ocean, but outside of that, there is nothing special here. The food is sub-par, the service has been repeatedly slow and poor, and the prices are a pathetic attempt to mimic some of the best in New York City. The only reason why Avenue makes it is because of the superb location and the Jersey Shore tourists. From the pretentious hostesses all the way down to the miss on the so called French food, stay away from this used to be good restaurant turned disappointment. If you want some good French food at the Jersey Shore, check out Pascal & Sabine in Asbury Park. Atleast the bang is worth your buck there.

 

Well, I hope that was not too harsh, but I am not looking to fudge the truth here! There are plenty of great restaurants around, so try not to get caught up in the whirlwind of the Jersey Shore’s favorite overrated restaurants!

Article

Jersey Shore Gems to Round out your Summer

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Summer is not over yet, but the days are counting down now that we have head in to August! With so many great restaurants to choose from, it is hard to dine at all the ones you want to, and also hard not to repeat the ones you are already in love with. Take the leap of faith and dine at these gems to round out your summer. Some new, some older, all of these picks are promised to please in all categories!

Reyla- Asbury Park

Reyla is brought to you by the team of the fabulous Barrio Costero (also a gem!). This Eastern Mediterranean tapas restaurant opened in the place of the previous Cibo e Vino and is everything you want from the decor and the unique dishes and spices used in the food. Pulling from cuisines from Turkey, Morocco, Lebanon, Greece, and other surrounding countries, this restaurant is a hit with nothing else like it in Asbury or neighboring Shore towns. Some of my favorite dishes are the shakshuka which is baked quail eggs with sausage in a tomato puree served with pita bread, the lamb and beef kofte, lamb tangine, and the crudo of the day for the fish lovers which is always fresh and delicious.

lamb and beef kofte at Reyla

The cocktails are carefully curated and made to perfection. Try out the HeyReyla. The wine list is also superb; I fell in love with the Domaine de Fontsaint red wine on the list. At a modest $32/bottle, this wine easily tastes like one of the smoothest hundred dollar reds I’ve had in the past. Spectacular! Be sure to check out Reyla!

Anjelica’s- Sea Bright

A beautiful mix of modern and old school Italian, Anjelica’s hits the mark on any Italian food cravings you may be having. The restaurant itself is small and quaint, but in a good way, almost like stepping in to a tiny, charming restaurant within Italy. The other plus is that it is situated on Ocean Ave right across from the beach. You can smell the fresh ocean air as you walk toward the restaurant.  Anjelica’s is not new to the scene; they have been around since 1996, and it is no wonder why they have lasted this long in an area with plenty of competition.

fra diavolo at Anjelica’s

The fra diavolo is such an amazing staple on their menu. The specials and seafood are also so fantastic. Just order what you’re in the mood for, and I promise you can’t go wrong! Make sure to bring your favorite bottle of wine too! Cheers!

Larimar- Spring Lake

Larimar is bringing fine dining to the Jersey Shore! I love when fine dining restaurants pop up at the shore especially ones that are as consistent as Larimar. I have been here for brunch and dinner several times and have had the same quality of food and service each time. Speaking with the owner’s wife was fabulous and gave such insight in to the love and care that they put in to their business and food. Owner John Paulus started his restaurateur career in New York City and worked the front of the house at many notable NYC restaurants including Jean Georges.

campanelle at Larimar

While all of the menu is fabulous, the pastas here standout and are fresh and homemade; the spaghetti nero and the campanelle are my two favorites that hit the spot each time.

The blue and white colors and sofa style seating is both romantic and alluring. Make sure you check out Larimar in the charming town of Spring Lake!

The Poached Pear- Point Pleasant

The Poached Pear is another BYOB establishment offering upscale dining at the Shore. Consistent and elegant, the Poached Pear’s mission is to bring people together over food. According to the restaurant, the goal is to “offer familiar dishes presented in innovative ways.”

pistachio panko crusted salmon at Poached Pear

Some of my favorite appetizers here are the duck confit ravioli and the pear pizzetta which is bosc pear, gorgonzola, walnut, radicchio, and port wine reduction, finished with citrus EVO. For entrees, the ahi tuna is always a winner for me, however the pistachio panko crusted salmon is also one of my other favorites. You just can’t go wrong on this menu!

Additionally, the pastry chef Teah Evans definitely knows how to whip up some mean desserts for that after dinner sweet tooth you may have, so make sure you leave some room!

 

Some other can’t miss spots that deserve a more than a mention are Barrio Costero in Asbury Park, The Grand Tavern in Neptune City, and farm to table restaurant Alycia’s Bistro in Freehold. Enjoy!

Wine Feature

Dreaming Tree Sauvignon Blanc 2016

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The Dreaming Tree Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Region: Sonoma County, California

Vivino app rating: 3.8/5

Average Price: $13

Have you ever heard a song that brought you back to a particular moment or time in your life? That happens to me all of the time, but this is also what The Dreaming Tree Sauvignon Blanc does for me; it can metaphorically be my music. It brings me back to the beach, waves crashing, and me sitting in total silence appreciating the view and serenity, just me and my glass of wine. This sauvignon blanc is fresh and crisp with tropical fruit aromas of passion fruit and kiwi. It has a clean finish with hints of grapefruit, pineapple, and lime. It’s so refreshing and hits the spot especially on those warm days when I don’t feel like drinking my typical red! 

You’re probably familiar with Dave Matthews; musician by day and winemaker by night, his other passion outside of music is making and drinking wine. He and Sean Mckenzie joined forces and these two friends set out on a journey to discover the amazing flavors that give the California wine region its unique and special characteristics.

Pair this fairly priced sauvignon blanc with spicy foods for the balance between spice and crisp, green vegetables, or oysters especially if you’re using them as an aphrodisiac. 😉 I am fussy about my white wines and really enjoy this sauvignon blanc. The Dreaming Tree Sauvignon Blanc 2016 is a great bang for your buck and will hit the spot. Cheers!

 

Wine Feature

Caparzo Brunello Di Montalcino 2012

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Caparzo Brunello Di Montalcino 2012

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Wine Spectator: 92 points

Vivino app rating: 3.9/5

Average Price: $34

So there I was, sitting at an Italian restaurant in the mood to change up from my normal Cabernet choice to a nice Brunello. I actually ordered a 2011 of the Caparzo Brunello when the waiter brought me a 2012. I nicely asked the waiter if they had the 2011 available as they showed on the wine list, and he said no. I decided to keep the 2012 bottle and give it a chance, but I was nervous since the 2011 was a great year. I secretly looked up the 2012 ratings to see that they were lower than the 2011; I did my signature eye roll and felt I made a mistake. To my surprise, the Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino 2012 was great too, and I have to say that my worries were unfounded! 

For those of you that are not as familiar with Italian wines, Brunello is made one hundred percent from Sangiovese exclusively in Montalcino. Brunellos in general are big and intense. “Chianti on sterioids?” Possibly. Aged in large oak casks, this brunello is a deep garnet color and sports aromas of wild berries and tobacco. You can really taste the tobacco on the long finish as well.

Pair this fairly priced Brunello wine with lamb, steak, or Italian tomato-based dishes to maximize the flavors between food and wine.

 

Article

Don’t judge a Wine by its Screw Cap!

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The stereotype these days is that no good wine has a screw top cap; only the cheap ones will sport a screw cap. Let’s face it, you’ve probably never paid $100+ or even $50 for a pretty good bottle of wine and did not use a wine opener. Corks have been used to seal wine since the 1400’s in Europe whereas screw caps are a more recent development only being used since 1964. The corks can tell a lot about a bottle of wine, and a bottle lacking one does not tell a good story. Or does it?

 

A few years ago, I found myself not willing to even look at the bottles with the screw caps due to the total misconception that it was a cheap wine. The truth is, there are a lot of good wines with a screw top cap. If you travel to certain countries such as Australia, screw caps dominate the wine there; additionally, a lot of Malbecs out of Argentina also have these screw caps, yet countries such as Spain mandate a cork. Why? While in some countries it is purely just preference, there are other factors that come in to play here.

 

Younger wines that are meant to be drunk within a year will typically sport a screw cap. Winemakers like using the screw caps because it really seals the wine and prevents oxygen from entering the bottle. This is why you see some lighter wines or whites like Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc with screw tops. The screw cap allows these types of wine to keep their fresh and crisp flavor. A perfect example of a great wine with a screw top cap is the Meiomi Pinot Noir; this wine is a lighter bodied red and very fruit forward. It stores well with the screw cap since it is meant to be drunk within a four year time period unlike the bigger wines which should be aged for optimal taste for up to about twenty years.

 

Bolder and bigger wines designed to age such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah tend to benefit from a little oxygen which is why the cork really works here. This can also help oxidize the tannins making the wine smoother and helps soften the bite on some.

 

While a lot of winemakers are still very against the use of screw caps, it is still becoming increasingly popular. To put an end to the myth, the screw cap top in place of the cork doesn’t necessarily indicate a cheap wine. At the end of the day, what matters most is the taste.

Wine Feature

Michael David Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

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Michael David 2013 Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Lodi, California

Wine Enthusiast: 91 points

Vivino app rating: 3.9/5

Average Price: $19

Get freaky with the Michael David Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon! Ok, maybe that was corny, but this wine is no joke. The label could throw some people off since it is loud and possibly not as refined as other distinguished and notable wines, but this Cabernet is sure to hit the spot, especially for its affordability. The Freakshow cab is like a $50 wine dressed up and marketed at a $19 price point. 

 

This Cabernet is bold, yet refined and provides spicy aromas, deep color, and a smooth finish. There is a hint of fruit too that just makes this wine so well rounded.

The winery states,

Known for taking the road less traveled, Michael David Winery has always stood apart from the crowd. Whether it be their outlandish brands and packaging or their quirky personalities, Michael and David are definitely on a stage of their own and this wine showcases just that. The fruit for this brute of a Cab comes from the original “super freak,” Michael Phillips’ vineyard located only a medicine balls toss away from the winery.

This wine pairs well with sharp cheddar cheeses, steak, and any other cabernet friendly foods!

The Vivino rating is low in my opinion. I go on record and say this wine deserves a 4.1/5. But again, who am I? I discovered this bottle on one of my yearly ski trips to Vermont, and it was just a bottle I had to go back for. I love trying new wines, but the Michael David Freakshow has definitely become a staple in my wine cellar.

Article

Spring in to Spring with my top Wines for the Season!

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The weather is finally breaking! I am so excited for spring! I love waking up to the birds chirping and love coming home to unwind with my favorite wines for the spring. As you all know, I am a definite cabernet fan, however the change in the weather sometimes calls for something lighter! Below are my favorite wines for the spring season. You can thank me later!

BUBBLY & SPARKLING:

Bele Casel Assolo Prosecco– inspiring, fresh, and crisp! This prosecco is tasty and goes well with most foods. Formerly labeled as Prosecco di Valdobbiadene DOCG, it has received more awards than any other wine from the region: The non-vintage of this wine won the Los Angeles International Wine Competition Silver award in 2010 and 2009. It receives 86 points from Wine Enthusiast. Average price: $15

Banfi Rosa Regale Sparkling Red- raspberries and cranberries make up this sparkling red. It is smooth on the palette and offers a crisp acidity. This is such a festive sparkling wine! It is tasty and fresh and pairs well with spicy foods, seafood, and chocolate. Average price: $19

WHITES:

Conundrum White Blend 2014- what a beautiful blend of whites! It offers flavors of honeysuckle, peach, apples, and lemon. It mimics a mixture of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Semillon and Muscat Canelli. Maybe that why this wine is called “conundrum.” The blend is a secret! Average price: $22

Relax Riesling 2014– affordable and the perfect riesling! Not too sweet and not too dry, this riesling is fruit forward with aromas of apples, peaches, and a hint of citrus. Coming from the Mosel valley in Germany, this has always been one of my overall favorite white wines! Average price: $10

REDS:

Walt ‘La Brisa’ Pinot Noir 2012– I love this wine! Pinot Noir is a great wine to have in the spring if you are a red lover; it is on the lighter side, but still has some qualities that the bolder reds have. The winemaker states, “The WALT “La Brisa” Sonoma County Pinot Noir articulates the signature characters of Sonoma: vibrant and opulent with an underlying brightness and length to the palate. Teeming with ripe red berries and spicy toasted aromas, the wine is lush and persistent on the mid-palate while long-lasting and delicate on the finish.” Give this one from Sonoma county a try! Average price: $37

Paltrinieri 2013 Radice (Lambrusco di Sorbara)– Hmmm, Lambrusco, a brightly colored grape made in northern Italy. Lambrusco is not my go to wine at all, but it is good and light and totally worth it if you are craving a red wine in the warmer weather. Wine Enthusiast states, “The lovely fragrance recalls crushed blue flower and wild berry. The refreshing, frothy palate doles out pink grapefruit, candied cherry and nectarine alongside brisk acidity.” Average price: $21

 

Obviously, there are many great wines for spring. There are some amazing whites out there as well as some rosĂ© wines that are spectacular as well. I could probably write up a ten page article on this topic, but these are some of my favorite go-to choices. Feel free to comment below with your favorites! Cheers!