Wine Tasting Tip: Clear Your Palate

“A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine.” Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, ‘The Physiology of Taste’ (1825)

As wonderful as wine can be with food, did you know that during a wine tasting it is actually best not to have anything to eat? The reason for this is because ideally you need to have all your senses free of any influence besides the wine. Even the meal you had several hours before your wine tasting can potentially affect your experience.

Of course, this isn’t surgery and we’re not going to ask you to stop eating 24 hours before you visit a winery. Your sense of taste is not going to change so drastically just because you had that onion bagel for breakfast. But here are a few pointers to consider for your next wine tasting.

Many wineries offer some type of food at their tasting room. Some offer crackers to absorb any lingering flavors, but you want to stick to something bland so as not to distract from the wine.

Some, like Hawk Haven, offer cheese plates. We love a good cheese plate with a glass of wine. Generally speaking, wine and cheese are a wonderful combination; however, cheese during a wine tasting can clog your taste buds and suppress the flavors in the wine. Also, not all wines will pair well with all cheeses. Some cheese can make even the best wines taste terrible. A better choice would be to go through the wine tasting and afterwards have a glass of your favorite paired with a cheese plate.

And have you ever had a drink of something right after brushing your teeth, especially fruit juice? Tasted horrible, right? Its best to avoid chewing gum and mints before a wine tasting.

But the wine tasting experience involves much more than just your sense of taste. Your sense of smell is very connected to your sense of taste, and there are many aromas in wine. This is another reason why food can be distracting during a wine tasting. You might also want to go light on the perfume/cologne or any other strong aromas.

These are just suggestions, so please feel free to enjoy your wine tasting however you like, with or without food. The point is to have fun, get a taste of what we’re offering, and hopefully find something you like. Cheers!

Post Sandy – Part 2

I grew up in Delaware but moved to Cape May in 2007. Though I sometimes miss home, I love living here. When my husband and I bought a house close to the bay, I was sure I would be spending every single day on that beach. Every summer begins with a vow to spend as much time on the sand, eating out at the many local restaurants, and enjoying all that Cape May has to offer. Then another summer goes by and I still struggle to think of what to say when guests at the winery ask, “What should we do while we’re here?”

So it was really nice to have this opportunity to experience the area. Last week I shared my travels around Cape May Point assessing the storm damage (or, thankfully, lack thereof), and now I’ll take you to a few places in West Cape May.

The Cove

The Cove Restaurant

The Cove is located at the south end of Beach Avenue and is a great spot to see dolphins swimming out in the ocean and lots of interesting little birds. I had never been to this part of the beach before and couldn’t tell that a major storm had passed through, but my husband likes to fish here and said

The Beach of Cape May

that the sand was a bit higher in many places. Nevertheless, there were many anglers, birdwatchers, and beach goers alike enjoying the beautiful weather (it is cold now but on this day it was in the 60′s). There is a nice pavilion overlooking the jetty, and The Cove Restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.

Going back north on Beach Avenue, there were many people strolling the boardwalk, and even a few joggers. Though the streets and boardwalk were mostly clear of excess sand, the beach did look a little higher, but no damage that I could see.

Martini Beach

Across the street sits a few popular restaurants and hang-out spots, including Martini Beach and Cabana’s Beach Bar & Grill. Still standing, and although Martini Beach has closed for the season (they’ll be back Valentine’s Day weekend), Cabana’s is still open daily except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Washington Street Mall

Carriage Driver Amanda with the handsome Mr. Brutus.

Next we headed for the Washington Street Mall where you can find three blocks of unique shops and restaurants. I think it’s safe to say that almost anyone who has been to Cape May has been shopping here where you can find clothing, jewelry, artwork, freshly made fudge and caramel corn, and so much more. As a local this is one place I do love to visit throughout the year. Another fun thing to do is visit the Carriage Stop and go for a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. This really takes you back in time as you journey past the many Victorian-style houses that populate most of Cape May. The holiday season is perfect for a carriage ride where you can see all the pretty Christmas lights around town.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church

Cape May Fish Market in Washington St. Mall.
You can buy Hawk Haven wine by the bottle here!

Delicious cocktails at the Mad Batter bar

After the Mall we headed down Jackson Street for one of my favorite places for drinks, The Mad Batter at The Carroll Villa. I am mainly a wine drinker but I can’t resist the mixed drinks here like the Taste of Paris martini or the Sexy Lexy. There are also a lot of great craft beers on tap, including beers from local breweries like Cape May Brewery and Tuckahoe Brewing Company. They even have Hawk Haven’s American Kestrel White, a stainless steel fermented Chardonnay. Breakfast here is great, and try the crab cakes or the marinated skirt steak for dinner.

Next door is another bed & breakfast/bar & restaurant, The Virginia Hotel and The Ebbitt Room. We didn’t stop here during this trip but they are still up and running, and definitely worth a visit. My husband and I ate here for our anniversary last month and the food was amazing. It’s another spot I love for drinks as well.

Again, our prayers go out to all those who were greatly affected by the storm. We are SO thankful that we made it through with so little damage.

Please continue to send your favorite places to visit in Cape May (leave a comment below, on our Facebook, tweet us @hawkhavenwinery, or email us at info@hawkhavenvineyard.com). What is your favorite restaurant and what is your favorite menu item? Where do you like to go for a walk? What place is underrated? Next week I’ll share some pictures from other locations in Cape May County including some of your suggestions.

Lynsie

 

 

Cape May Point on Dwellable

A Post-Sandy Tour of Cape May – Part 1

People thought my mom was crazy for coming to visit me the weekend after Hurricane/Nor’ Easter/Superstorm Sandy. Living in Cape May County, two blocks from the bay, even she was sure I must be under several feet of water and sand. Looking at the devastation elsewhere throughout the East Coast, we are more than lucky to have experienced little to no damage. Our prayers go out to the many people who have suffered such great losses as a result of this storm and we hope you will join us in providing relief by donating to the American Red Cross.

Despite Sandy, Cape May is back up and running. My husband and I recently took a trip around to various landmarks and local businesses to see how things were looking, and I was so happy and grateful to find many people out and about and nearly everything open for business. Here are some pictures from our tour of Cape May.

The Red Store of Cape May Point

First stop: The Red Store of Cape May Point. If you haven’t heard of this place, you may already know of the owners if you’ve ever been to Quahog’s Seafood Shack in Stone Harbor. Chef Lucas Manteca and his wife Deanna run this lovely restaurant and the menu is not to be missed. They serve breakfast all day, but they also have a lunch and dinner menu with something for everyone.

I had the shrimp tacos which I’m still dreaming about, and my husband had the Maine Style Lobster Roll filled with chunks of delicious lobster. Like many restaurants in Cape May, this one is a BYO but it is also one of Hawk Haven’s retail outlets, so you can purchase our wine by the bottle at this location.

After lunch we were off to the lighthouse at the Cape May Point State Park. Oddly enough though I have been to the park many times, I had never actually been in the lighthouse. For only a few bucks you can climb to the top, and the occasional landings allowed us to catch our breath while learning some interesting facts about lighthouse operations as well as the surrounding area.

Cape May Lighthouse

At the top is the breathtaking view of Cape May Point. From this vantage you can see the old World War II bunker, Sunset Beach, and the beautiful wetlands where birdwatchers will love to catch a glimpse of all sorts of birds.

There is usually a staff member at the top of the lighthouse who is available to answer any questions about the history of the lighthouse. It’s actually very interesting and the view alone makes this outing well worth the admission price (not to mention you get plenty of exercise).

Cape May Point State Park is open all year from dawn to dusk, and

WWII bunker on the beach

the beach is free and open to the public. There is plenty of parking, clean bathrooms, and pavilions with picnic tables. Call (609) 884-5404 to find out if the lighthouse will be open for tours on the day you decide to visit.

Another fun place to visit in Cape May is Sunset Beach. Located at the West end of Sunset Boulevard is a small beach best known for Cape May “diamonds” and Atlantus, the concrete ship that has been stuck in a sandbar since 1926.

Sunset Beach, Cape May

Watch the ferry come and go, search the sand for sparkly quartz pebbles, and of course view a gorgeous sunset over the bay. There is also a cute little gift shop as well as mini-golf and The Grille with fresh cooked food and outdoor seating. Everything was open during my visit last week.

I have so many more pictures to share with you but this concludes today’s post. Check back next week for my next stops, including The Cove, the boardwalk, one of my favorite places to get drinks (besides Hawk Haven of course), and more! Also, please feel free to share your favorite places around Cape May, with pictures if you have them. If there are any spots you’d like me to feature in one of my future posts, send me an email at info@hawkhavenvineyard.com.

Cheers!
Lynsie

 

Cape May Point on Dwellable

Made in NJ: A Look at Jersey-Made Products

One of the things we at Hawk Haven are very passionate about is supporting our local environment, communities, and businesses. For starters, our award-winning wines are made with 100% Jersey-grown grapes, most of which comes from right here in Cape May County. Our wine pairing dinners feature local chefs and/or locally grown produce. We love the farm-to-table movement and some of the items on our Saturdays on the Crushpad menu are grown right here at the vineyard.

Hawk Haven Vineyard

We are always thrilled to see local businesses thrive, whether it be here in Cape May County or throughout the state of New Jersey. That’s why we’ve decided to do a little research and see what kinds of businesses and manufacturers are around here keeping things Jersey fresh. We think you’ll be just as pleasantly surprised as we were to find out how much of our everyday items are not just Made in the USA, but right here in NJ.

image from http://www.anewscafe.com

So the first business we want to highlight is located in the town of Towaco in Morris County, New Jersey. In 1928 a Camden physician created an all-natural nutricious chocolate syrup by the name of Bosco Syrup. Does anyone remember it? Bosco Chocolate Syrup was very popular in the 1950s-1970s and you can still find it on grocery store shelves today. There are also a few restaurants and delis serving Bosco Chocolate soda. I even read that it was used as fake blood in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, and artist Vik Muniz did a few paintings using the famous syrup.

painting by Vik Muniz

If you’ve had Bosco Syrup, tell us what you thought, share your memories, let us know where you’ve found it. If you see it at the grocery store, buy a bottle and know that you’re supporting a New Jersey business. And if you know of any other New Jersey businesses or manufacturers that you’d like to see on our blog, we would love to hear your suggestions!

Friday Night Supper Club

Join us on Friday nights for a family-style dinner at the vineyard! 

Every Friday Night
June 29th – Sept 7th

 

Live Music 6 to 9pm
Dinner Served at 7pm
Reservations Required
(609) 846-7347

Dinner $32
Wine Flight (optional) $16

Tasting Room open 11am to 7pm

 

Menus

Friday, July 13th
Appetizer: Seafood Bruchetta served over grilled panini
Salad: Carribbean Salad- A spring mix salad with strawberries,
craisins, and candied walnuts,
with honey poppy seed dressing
Entree: Two jumbo lump crab cakes topped with a
roasted red pepper puree
Cucumber salad
Homemade stewed tomatoes
Twice baked potatoes
Dessert: Key lime pie

Friday, July 20th
TBA

Friday, July 27th
Fried Ravioli
Hawaiian Meatballs
Crab Balls
Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Sliders
Pulled Pork Sliders with Asian Slaw
Fresh Fruit Salad
Pasta Salad
Bread Pudding

Menus for August – Sept 7th TBA

Entertainment:

June 29th – Andrew Reeves

July 6th – John Nesbitt
July 13th – Jon Thompson
July 20th – Andrew Reeves
July 27th – Kate Delaney-Chew

August 3rd – Jon Thompson
August 10th – John Nesbitt
August 17th – Jon Thompson
August 24th – Andrew Reeves
August 31st – TBA

Sept 7th – Jon Thompson

Coming Soon: Saturdays on the Crushpad 2012

Last summer at Hawk Haven Vineyard we introduced a new event called Saturdays on the Crushpad to bring more enjoyment to your weekend in Cape May County. With live music, wine, and freshly made gourmet food, Saturdays on the Crushpad was a great success and we are happy to be starting it earlier than ever for 2012.

On Saturday, May 26th we will kick off the first of many Saturdays on the Crushpad which will continue through the fall. We are so excited that we wanted to give you a sneak peek of the new fresh gourmet menu from The Red Store in Cape May Point, a new culinary delight run by the owners of Quahog’s Seafood Shack in Stone Harbor.

So here it is, give or take a few changes that may inevitably occur, and pricing to be determined. Try not to lick the screen.

Winemaker’s Selection Cheese Plate
A tasty selection of four cheeses from our local cheese shop with wine pairing suggestions for each.

Seasonal Quiche
A delectable creation of spinach and goat cheese brought to us by local French baker Michel Gras Atelier of La Patisserie. Served with a side salad of greens picked fresh from Hawk Haven’s own gardens.

Seasonal Gazpacho
Chilled white soup of grapes, almonds, roasted garlic, and cucumber.

Sandwiches

Napa-Style Ham & Cheese Sandwich
A favorite of Hawk Haven owners Todd & Kenna, this sandwich is the perfect pairing to any glass of Hawk Haven wine. Ham, cheese, cornichons, sweet cream butter, and Dijon mustard served on La Patisserie Vienna bread.

Red Store Roast Beef Sandwich
Tender roast beef and sharp cheddar cheese topped with fresh tomato, cucumber, and onions, served on La Patisserie Vienna bread.

Salads

For additional amount add lump crab or grilled chicken

Seasonal Salad
A fresh selection of locally grown lettuces, seasonal vegetables, and fruit with house-made vinaigrette.

Goat Cheese and Beet Salad
A sweet and savory combination of roasted local beets, goat cheese, and candied walnuts over arugula with house-made vinaigrette.

Caesar Salad
Romaine hearts, local cherry tomatoes, shaved manchego cheese, radishes, croutons, and house-made Caesar dressing

The Music!

All Saturday bands play 2-5pm
No Cover Charge!

May 26th Marnie & Nate 

June 2nd TBA

June 9th Gordon Vincent

June 16th Jon Thompson

June 23rd Dale of Hennesey & Jack

June 30th Marnie & Nate

July 7th Gordon Vincent

July 14th John Nesbitt

July 21st Dan Brown Duo

July 28th Dale of Hennesey & Jack

August 4th Tamara DeMent & Jim Maher

August 11th Dale of Hennesey & Jack

August 18th Gordon Vincent

August 25th John Nesbitt

Sept 1st TBA

Sept 8th Gordon Vincent

Sept 15th John Nesbitt

Sept 22nd TBA

Sept 29th John Nesbitt

Oct 6th TBA

Oct 13th John Nesbitt

Oct 20th Kate Delaney-Chew

Oct 27th Kate Delaney-Chew

Check back often for more official menu information and updated schedule of live music. Hope to see you here!

Talks with Todd: 2009 Chardonnay Harvest

 Todd and Lalo harvested the Chardonnay this morning.  Todd is still making fun of me for being such a whiny whimp about my bee sting, so he didn’t even bother to tell me about harvest until this morning.  Above is a picture of some Chardonnay grapes in the lug, along with a few tag-along-drunk bees.

 Above is a picture of Lalo happily harvesting Chardonnay.

I snuck a few tastes of the Chardonnay – delicious!  They are at 21 bricks, which Todd said is exactly what he wanted for the sugar content.  They acidity level is exactly where he wants it too.  I’m very excited; I love Chardonnay!

Signing off from Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery in Cape May County, NJ - Cape May Wine Country ~ Cate Hylas

Talks with Todd: The Booze and the Bees

Last wednesday we harvested the Pinot Grigio.  I decided to to try my hand at harvest, but I think I was more harm than help.

My Grandpa also helped, so we were both in the parking lot by 6:30 a.m. 

 The first step of harvest is to unload the grape lugs from the barn. 

Then we harvest!

Little known fact: if there is even a small puncture in the grape, it can start to ferment on the vine, especially if harvest is late in the season and the sugar content is high.  Todd decided to pull the Pinot Grigio at a fairly high brick count, which means there was a lot of sugar to ferment in the grapes. 

 

So, when the bees buzz around and feast on grapes, they actually get drunk!  Of course, Todd told me this like it was no big deal.  I thought it was hilarious!  Until one of them stung me, which I promptly used as an excuse to get out of the  grass and the bugs and stop harvesting.

 

Pinot and Chardonnay are my favorite grapes to look at; the pinot has such a beautiful maroon color.  Below is a picture of the offending bee…

Signing off from Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery in Cape May County, NJ – Cape May Wine Country ~ Cate Hylas

Wine and Dine: Cedar Plank Salmon with Red-Tailed Rose and Orange Glaze Update

As promised, I tried out my own recipe for Cedar Plank Salmon with Red-Tailed Rose and Orange Glaze.  It was a success.  I changed the recipe based on a few suggestions from my Aunt Jane and Shop Rite’s poor selection of herbs.

Red-Tailed rose and Orange Glaze for Cedar Plank Salmon

2 cups orange juice

2 tps orange zest

.25 cup olive oil

3 tps chervil

1 cup Hawk Haven Red-Tailed Rose

A few orange slices

I brushed the salmon with the glaze and situated some of the orange slices on top.  I think the crisped orange slices were the best part of the whole dish.

Salmon on the Grill

I soaked the cedar plank in warm water with a pinch of salt for about an hour before I put the salmon on.

Me with the Salmon

Cedar Plank Salmon and Hawk Haven Wine

My Grandma is still raving about this meal, so I recommend you try it out.   If I do it again, I may make a few changes.  I’ll probably increase the proportion of the Red-Tailed Rose wine, which has 4% residual sugar, so that the glaze is slightly sweeter.  I’ll also use cilantro.  The chervil was nice, but I like herbs with more kick.

Signing off from Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery in Cape May County, NJ - Cape May Wine Country ~ Cate Hylas