Wine Market
Recommended this week:

Archangelo Valente, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vintage 2008(obtained only through family members)
This Cabernet Sauvignon will take you on a pleasant voyage. Starting with the loving hands of six Italian family members, the pleasure of bringing old traditions to life, and the creation of new memories, you’ll experience the intense flavors of great wine, and the passion of a loving family. "Cin-Cin"

Mark West, Pinot Noir, Vintage 2008
It's hard to beat for pinot noir. It's got the fruity, smooth character of Pinot at an amazing price. This should be your house pinot that you don't worry about opening for any of your guests. A nice balanced, smooth wine.

Columbia-Crest Merlot, Vintage 2006

Top 100 Value of the Year and Best Buy "This bright, satisfying merlot leads with scents of cranberry and red cherry, accented by a touch of herb. Its flavors are fresh and lifted by fine acidity. A balanced wine to pour with lean roast beef." 89 Points
Wine & Spirits
June 1, 2009

From Australia, "The Stump Jump" Vintage 2008
This Shiraz from Australia is excellent. Tasty, fruity, mellow, balanced and very low acidity. It is very reasonable at $7.99 at Costco. Don't let the screw top scare you. It's good. I don't smell corks, caps, or allow wine to breath - I just open it, drink and if I like it, I buy it again. This one is a keeper.
Wine Spectator: "Best Buy - 90 pts"

I am introducing my new Wine Market page so we can all share our experiences with good wines that are reasonable in price but good in taste.

To kick this page off, I am letting you in on a winery in New Jersey with a family history from a very good friend, Sam Valente.

This is his story of family, wine and tradition....

Sam wrote to me in July 2008 and along with his letter he sent this wonderful bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon "2006". We did save it for a special occasion (our 20th Anniversary) and it was laced with romance...... Sam writes:

"It's our 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are squeezed with love and the bottles are filled with joy. It's also been known to create a romantic and happy memory.

It all began when my father, born in Molfetta (aka Muffie) made wine in Hoboken, NJ as far back as I could remember and ended in 1961. That's another chapter for another time.....

Let's talk about today. My son, Michael started making wine in 2001. In 2003 he asked me if I would like to join him in making wine. I said yes and he said great and with that, my brother's son Thomas asked if he could join, that makes 3. The following summer, my son Robert joined us and that made 4.

In September, when the grapes were delivered, my sister's son, Michael, joined us which makes 5, all Valente descendents. We have since added my brother's brother-in-law, Tony, which makes 6. A great guy married to a Muffie. Every year since, we're having more laughs testing the wine as it ferments, eating cheese to cleanse our pallets and arguing who’s in charge. (The Valente 6 is now "7", Sam's nephew Angelo's wife Jane has now been added to The Valente Vineyard. You will see their 3 red-headed children stomping grapes in the photos below.)

We have a small tub set aside for the kids to stomp some grapes. We crush the grapes in September, press in October and bottle in June. We rack the wine every 5 to 6 weeks during the winter and spring until it is ready for bottling. The label is a photo of my father taken in 1927. I usually don't give this labor of love away because I prefer to drink it with family and friends. From one Muffie to another, I had to send you one. There's always an exception and that's you. You are a special person.

Be sure to let it settle on its side for a couple of days after the ride and allow it to breath about thirty minutes before serving.

My son Michael, who got us all started on this journey, is very happy and at this writing expects a little girl in August. Our first grandchild.”

"Tiamo, ala famiglia"

Here are some family photos of the Valente Vineyard….