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Posts Tagged ‘Fancy Dinner Friday’

This past Fancy Dinner Friday sure felt a whole lot different from other Friday nights we’ve spent together as a family.  No mascots on this night;  instead, this past Friday evening we all felt a bit of anxiety and concern as Hurricane Irene continued to move furiously up the East Coast into our neck of the woods.  In spite of this, though, we still managed to have a pretty spirited chat with our boys that ran the gamut from, “What was your favorite thing you did this summer?” to “What was your least favorite thing?” and “Are you ready to go back to school?” 

As the pasta cooked to al dente perfection and the meatballs simmered in red sauce, Andrea Bocelli played softly in our dimly lit dining room.  It was the perfect setting to reflect on how fortunate we really are to have one another.  All this sense of home and togetherness got me thinking about a couple of wines that had been sitting on my wine rack waiting to be opened on a night just like this one:  Heritage Vineyards kindly sent two wines for my wife and me to try from their 2007 vintage.

I’ve written about New Jersey wines several times.  Some wine lovers may be surprised to know that New Jersey’s Outer Coastal Plain is similar to the Bordeaux region of France.  The soil itself has its differences, but in terms of climate, both areas are very similar.  Because of New Jersey’s climate and geological diversity, there are more than 225 different varietals being grown in the Garden State – ranging from Pinot Noir and Riesling in North Jersey to Italian varieties, such as Sangiovese and Barbera, in South Jersey.  

Heritage Vineyards, located outside the small town of Mullica Hill, NJ is owned and operated by Penni, Bill, and Richard Heritage.  The winery rests on 100 acres of farm land; of which approximately 22 acres are allocated for winemaking, while the remaining land is used for apple, peach and pear farming.  The family hopes to eventually transition its entire farm into wine vineyards and expand its winemaking program.

We started with the 2007 Heritage Station Estate Chambourcin (MSRP: $20.99).  Chambourcin, or “East Coast Zinfandel” as Penni and Bill call it, is a French/American hybrid that has only been available since the early 1960s.  It was planted in the United States in the 70’s and grows particularly well in the northeast and midwest regions.  This winter-hardy, vigorous and disease-resistant grape has found ideal conditions to flourish in New Jersey; and Heritage Vineyards, along with several other New Jersey wineries, are using it to produce some noteworthy wines.

As my wife and I tasted the 2007 Heritage Station Estate Chambourcin we remarked several times to one another how the berry flavors in this wine just jump out and smack you in the face – in a good way.   It’s a flash of juicy blackberry, blueberry and plum, with a hint of green pepper and a touch of roasted nuts.

3 Stars out of 4 for the 2007 Heritage Station Estate Chambourcin.  

Our second wine, was the  2007 Heritage Station Estate Merlot ( MSRP: $19.99).  Unlike the estate grown Chambourcin, which possessed soft tannins and pure berry bliss, the 2007 Heritage Station Estate Merlot was meant for those seeking refuge in the bigger, mouth-filling camp.  In this Merlot, one gets a big juicy mouthful of Jersey Fresh strawberries, along with green pepper, clove, vanilla, leather, black pepper, and licorice.  My wife was sensing some fennel seed as well – but then again, maybe it was the meatballs. 

3 Stars out of 4 for the 2007 Heritage Station Estate Merlot.

For nearly six weeks now, it seems that my family and I have been living under a thick down blanket of endless holiday bliss together.  Now that Kris Kringle and Dick Clark have both said their goodbyes to 2010, we are ready to get back to our familiar Friday night business, otherwise known as Fancy Dinner Friday.

The first Fancy Dinner Friday of 2011 was extra special because of the excitement that was exuding from our youngest son:  his birthday was the next day!  Even if you don’t have kids, imagine yourself as a soon-to-be 7-year-old coming off the high of receiving tons of presents from Santa and your family; and now, only 3 weeks later, it’s going to happen all over again…sans Santa.  Our boy was quite excited about the thought of receiving another pile of gifts, or possibly a few greenbacks to fund his romps to Game Stop or for a future toy shopping excursion.  In addition to this, he was giddy with thoughts of the party planned for the next evening:  a special Hollywood themed party with a first-time V.I.P. showing of E.T., pizza, and a specially requested chocolate cake with peanut butter filling and fudge icing!  What can I say, the kid is just bonkers for REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups; and this cake is like one gigantic Peanut Butter Cup explosion.  Combine that with a cute little space alien (who happens to like Reece’s Pieces) and you’ve got a party!

So on the eve of this most special day, my wife decided that it was time to discuss with our soon-to-be 7-year-old and his older brother something very serious.  Was the topic of tonight’s dinner-table conversation going to be about being thankful for and not taking for granted all of the wonderful blessings that we shared over the holidays?  No.  Maybe, it was to remind our little guy to show appreciation towards everyone that will be at his party, and to say “Thank You” for the presents that he receives.  Nope, not that one either. 

On this special evening, my wife decided it was time to talk about about…DEATH.  Yikes Mom…really?!  In all fairness to my wife, it’s something that we’ve been meaning to discuss with the kids ever since one of our much loved (but aging) cats  needed to make an emergency visit to the Vet recently.  Needless to say, it did not go over as expected.  While our older boy inquired about burying the cat in the backyard and headstones, the ecstatic soon-to-be 7year-old was nearly brought to tears.  New topic Mom…please!  Back to the birthday conversation…

With tombstones in our heads, I thought it was time to grab for another stone that would bring us back to happier images:  like our special birthday boy and that cool old cat I was telling you about – both enjoying their spaghetti and meatballs dinner. 

The 2007 Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Merlot (Sample, MSRP $20 US) is a very pleasing California Merlot that showcases rich, silky-smooth flavors of cocoa, dark red fruits, and spice.  In the winemaking process, the 2007 Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Merlot starts out in stainless steel and is then transferred to a combination of new and seasoned French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels to age an additional 20 months.  This interesting fermentation process gives it added structure and a medium-length finish on the backend. 

3 Stars out of 4 for the 2007 Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Merlot.  It offered a cheerful lift to the weighty conversation, mellowed out nicely with our spaghetti and meatballs dinner, and was even better with the baked macaroni and cheese balls sprinkled with nutmeg that we had later!

If you are a Labor Day traditionalist, you were probably getting a few extra miles out of your flip-flops and slathering on the SPF for one last long summer weekend at the shore.  I, on the other hand, opted to avoid the beach traffic and just hunkered down at the old homestead with some cold brews, wine, barbecue and “left-behind” friends, while wearing all of my white clothing for the last time…well, maybe not the last part. 

We started our long weekend with a traditional Fancy Dinner Friday.  It kicked off with a big bang just like so many others.  However, this time, we were paid a “special” visit by one very unusual looking mascot.

This mascot looked like a cross between one William “I’m not wearing a wig” Katt and the Man of Steel himself – Superman. 

You may remember William Katt for his role as the mild-mannered high school teacher, Ralph Hinkley, in the hit 80’s ABC show, The Greatest American Hero.    

But lovers of horror movies and Stephen King might also remember Katt’s beautiful golden mane in the 1976 movie, Carrie.

Either way, this mascot set ablaze our dining room floor with his golden locks and also brought back a few adolescent memories for me – but I digress…

After the departure of our Fancy Dinner Friday Mascot, my wife and I decided to open a very special Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that I received as a sample ($28 MSRP).

It’s not often that I have the opportunity to cut my teeth into a $28 bottle of red wine, but when I do – I expect fireworks to go off in my mouth and smoke to come out of my ears.  The 2007 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon was everything that a red wine lover should expect when paying a decent amount of tender for a bottle of Napa Gold.  It was big on the palate, yet restrained upfront.  It was regal and majestic with its bold tannins, black fruit, generous spices, and properly adjusted oak.  Everything about this wine was intertwined and calibrated in perfect unison:  it’s the complete package in a classic Napa Valley Cab.  On my handwritten notes I wrote down, “The way it oughta be when asked to ante up $28.”

4 Stars out of 4 for the 2007 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon.  28 bucks isn’t chump change in my world, but you get 100% of your money’s worth with this honest and very serious California Cab.

Man, I sure have missed Fancy Dinner Friday.  I’ve especially missed the pre-dinner excitement that our Fancy Dinner Friday Mascots always bring.  Friday night dinner in our home has become something quite special that our whole family looks forward to each week.  Unfortunately though, we’ve been so busy over the past weeks that we’ve had to take a few rain checks on our customary Friday, not so “fancy”, plate of spaghetti and meatballs.

This past Friday though, the four of us were finally able to settle down into our familiar festivities.  And on this warm summer evening, we also welcomed two new faces to the mix.  The first was an energetic and electrifying pre-dinner visit made by our newest Fancy Dinner Friday Mascot – “Spaceman Storm Trooper”.

Spaceman Storm Trooper got things off with a bang – that’s for sure!  But for some reason, our 6 year-old son was nowhere to be found…hmmm?!

Our other special appearance was made by a bottle of 2007 Boeri “Martinette” Barbera d’Asti DOC Superiore that I received as a sample.

“Martinette” is the name for one of Boeri’s oldest Barbera vineyards.  Both the location and microclimate are very conducive for the production of Barbera grapes.  The Boeri estate uses several steps in making their Barbera d’ Asti.  In July, they first start with the “thinning” of the grapes. Harvest then begins at the end of September where clusters of grape bunches are selected and collected into small wooden crates.  Next, the grapes are then gently pressed. Afterwards fermentation (with the grape skins still on) occurs for about 7-8 days in barriques, where the wine is ultimately allowed to rest for the next 12 months before bottling occurs.

The result is a tantalizing, Super-poli grip of a wine. 

Right out of the gate, this wine absolutely fills your mouth, adhering to your teeth and gums, giving your taste buds a vigorous workout.  This is definitely not the kind of wine that you want to drink prior to your six-month dental exam if you hope to get out in less than 15 minutes.

The 2007 Boeri “Martinette” Barbera d’Asti DOC Superiore delivers an impressive jab of bright red fruit, accompanied by sweet spices through its finish.  I was also picking up a violets vibe and a very interesting slate & stone mineral-like finish.  All in all, it worked absolutely fantastico with a plate of thin spaghetti topped with a mixture of meatballs, grilled Italian hot sausage, and marinara sauce.

3 Stars out 4.  The 2007 Boeri “Martinette” Barbera d’Asti DOC Superiore is a distinctive and  gripping red that can moonwalk alone, but will really have your taste buds pulsating when paired with a variety of Italian foods!

(MSRP $10)