The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition Sept/Oct/Nov 2018

Dining Out www.theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 58 We offer a wonderful selection of wines from around the world. Each bottle is tasted and approved from everyday affordable Cellar Defenders to Cellar Worthy Classics. 25 Claremont Road Bernardsville, NJ Authentic, Artisanal & Affordable Wine Free In-Store tastings Every Saturday. Sign up online for our informative email newsletter to keep up with all of our events, tastings, new arrivals and special offers. Store Hours Monday - Saturday 10-7 Sundays 12-5 908.953.0900 56degreewine.com 56degreewine@56degreewine.com Delivery & Shipping Available Save 15%Off Your First Order! While there are some constants in wine… champagne for celebrations, rose on a hot summer day, chardon- nay with sea scallops, there are some things that may not be as obvious but certainly do make a season come together in a symbiotic relationship. I think of the upcoming holiday sea- son and the number of different wines that will be dominating the marketplace. Some of these are seasonal things – but others are far more dependent upon the various factors that affect a vintage in differ- ing places. Below are 3 different vintages/appel- lations that you should look for in the upcoming months. Each one is a tried and true, stone cold lock when you consider the following: producer, vintage and the cold weather approaching. 1. Burgundy 2016 – This is a phe- nomenal vintage that follows up an equally compelling vintage (2015). It’s classic chardonnay and pinot noir in every sense… structured, ripe and balanced. Add in the ability to age and you have a true winner. Look for wines like the Domaine Thibert Macon Verze 2016 ($25 per bottle) for a super fresh white and Domaine Vincent Ravaut Ladoix Basses Mourottes 1er cru 2016 ($50 per bottle) for a luscious pinot noir with the ability to age. 2. Southern Rhones from 2016 – The Rhone Valley is one of those few appellations in Europe where ripeness is rarely an issue. The warmth and specific rock-strewn soils (that retain the daylight sun to mod- erate at night) leave plenty of heat to make grapes get in the zone. In 2016, the balance that was created was amazing. Wines from simple Cotes du Rhone (Jean Louis Chave Selections Mon Coeur 2016, $25 per bottle) to serious Chateauneuf du Pape (Domiaine St Prefert Chateauneuf du Pape August Favier 2016 $64) show the greatness of the vintage clearly. 3. Pacific Northwest Wines – This might be a bit of a curveball, but the wines from Washington and Oregon have steadily increased in quality every year for the last decade and there is serious value here. While it’s getting harder to find California cabernet that delivers the whole she- bang without wallet pain, you can still get great wines like the Rasa Vineyards “Occams Razor” Red 2016 ($17) that overdeliver in terms of value. Or even super cool whites like the Ovum Riesling “Memorista” 2015 ($29), a steely, crispy white with out- rageous versatility. So keep your eyes out for these wines/appellations/vintages of the next few months. You’ll be happy you did. Cheers! THE WINES THAT WILL RULE THE HOLIDAY SEASON… By: Joe Bembry, President, 56° Degree Wine, Bernardsville