A Guide to Affordable New Jersey Red Wine

To outsiders, New Jersey is known for many things. Many of these things aren't necessarily flattering to the Garden State. However, keep in mind that there is no such thing as Tony Soprano. New Jersey has many things to offer that aren't outwardly apparent. Among them is wine. The state has a rich Italian heritage of wine. Jersey is the fifth largest wine producing state in the United States, right behind New York. Most of the wine produced in Jersey is from the northwestern area of the state. It has rich and fertile ground, perfect for winemaking. Below is a list of five of the best wines from New Jersey. This list isn't without bias. I am a lover of red wine, and I go out of my way for red. The list is comprised of the best and most affordable red wines from the Garden State. Cheers!

Cabernet Sauvignon, Westfall Winery, Montague, NJ ($18)

Westfall's cabernet is recommended for those who don't care for reds. One of the biggest complaints about red wine, especially cabernet, is that it is too harsh. This cabernet goes down smoothly with a light, fruity aftertaste. Westfall's winemaking began as a hobby, but quickly turned into a full-time business when in 2000, Loren and Georgene Mortimer bought the historic Westfall Farm and converted it into a winery in 2002.

Chambourcin, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington, NJ ($15.95)

Chambourcin is a hybrid grape variety from France. The wine that comes from it, particularly Hopewell Valley's, is bottled in steel, rather than oak barrels. Much like the cabernet above, it is an excellent "starter" for those that don't like red wine. Because of the steel barrel fermentation process, it isn't a strong oak or acidic flavor, but rather a more pure, fruity flavor. Hopewell Valley is a fairly new winery that opened in 2002 by Sergio and Barbara Neri. According to the winery's website, the Neri family has been making wine in Tuscany for generations.

Cranberry, Dimatteo Vineyards, Hammonton, NJ ($9.99)

Yes, this is a Cranberry wine. It is made with local cranberries, and it is a perfect compliment to a holiday dinner. Cranberry wine is a nice, tart, almost refreshing break from typical red wines. Be sure to get your bottles early as Dimatteo warns against selling out. Dimatteo Vineyards opened for business after Frank Dimatteo III and his father decided to go for it after having a lifelong hobby of winemaking.

Cynthiana, Valenzano Winery, Shamong, NJ ($14.99)

Valenzano's Cynthiana is an oaky, smooth, complex dark red wine. The Cynthiana grape is specifically American and grown primarily in the Ozarks. It has a distinctive spicy flavor. While the previous wines may be good introductory reds for those who prefer white wine, the Cynthiana from Valenzano is a gift for red wine lovers. Tony Valenzano, Sr., like the majority of the aforementioned winemakers, began making wine as a hobby, but in 1996 it became a full-time business. Now Valenzano winery is one of New Jersey's biggest wineries.

Villard Noir, Tomasello Winery, Hammonton, NJ ($17.99)

The villard noir grape is another hybrid French grape. One of the parent grapes is the increasingly popular pinot noir. It is similar to the pinot noir, but it is less costly than most pinots. Much more than pinot noir, however, it has a stronger cherry aroma and finish. It is an excellent, and in many ways, superior alternative to pinot. The Tomasello Winery has been in New Jersey since 1933 and the third generation of the Tomasello family currently operates the winery. It is one of New Jersey's oldest wineries and with the excellent Villard Noir, it will surely be around for many generations to come.

www.dimatteowinery.com
www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.com
www.tomasellowinery.com
www.westfallwinery.com
www.vallenzanowine.com