I recently participated in a tasting offered by the Garden State Winegrower's Association about New Jersey Blaufrankisch. The program was over overseen by Tom Cosentino and David Furer. Noted wine grape geneticist Dr. José Vouillamoz, best known for his foundational contribution to Wine Grapes, led a Zoom presentation for a limited number of US wine media about the grape Blaufränkisch/Lemberger on Friday, April 30, 2021 on behalf of Garden State Wine Growers Association. In addition to his talk about the history of the grape, Dr. Vouillamoz also conducted a tasting of five New Jersey Blaufränkisch wines with the assembled media. Just thrilled they called me media, because I have been called much worse.
Blaufränkisch (German for blue Frankish) is a dark-skinned variety of grape used for red wine. Blaufränkisch, which is a late-ripening variety, produces red wines which are typically rich in tannin and may exhibit a pronounced spicy character. DNA profiling has shown that Blaufränkisch is a cross between Gouais blanc (Weißer Heunisch; male parent) and Blaue Zimmettraube (female parent; the offspring of Blauer Gänsfüsser). Historical sources of grapevine classification have provided very solid evidence that the geographic area of origin of the variety is Lower Styria (today Slovenian Styria). In America the grape is also known as Lemberger, Blauer Limberger or Blue Limberger and is grown in Pennsylvania, Washington state, Michigan, New Jersey, Idaho, New York, Colorado, Ohio, Virginia, and California.
Scott and Jim Quarella
Bellview Winery is a winery in the Landisville section of Buena in Atlantic County, New Jersey. A family produce farm since 1914, the vineyard was first planted in 2000, and opened to the public in 2001. Bellview has 40 acres of grapes under cultivation, and produces 8,000 cases of wine per year. The farm was named by the great-grandfather of the current owner, and is of Italian origin. Bellview Winery is in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA, and produces wine from Blaufränkisch (Lemberger), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cayuga White, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Fredonia, Ives noir, Merlot, Muscat Ottonel, Niagara, Petit Verdot, Pinot gris, Syrah, Tinta Cão, Touriga Nacional, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, and Viognier grapes. Bellview also makes fruit wines from apples, blueberries, cranberries, and dandelions. It is one of only a handful of wineries in the United States that produces wine from dandelions (Taraxacum officinale). Bellview is also the only New Jersey winery that uses Tinta Cão and Touriga Nacional, which are red vinifera grapes indigenous to Portugal that are often used to make port. The winery was a participant at the Judgment of Princeton, a wine tasting organized by the American Association of Wine Economists that compared New Jersey wines to premium French vintages.
Jim Quarella, is the fourth generation to farm their land. He founded the winery, and his son Scott is also overseeing the winery for the next generation.
This unique. medium-bodied, dry red wine incorporates bold plums and cherries with notes of vanilla and violets. There's also a hint of the telltale spiciness Blaufrankisch is known for. But it is not as pronounced as in some other versions of wines made from this grape. The palate explodes with cherry and fig flavors. Big and rich. Lovely layers of fruit and nuance come through. Some tannins. Very nice acidity allowing a long lasting flavor of the fruit that lingers, and lingers. This is a wonderful, easy drinking red wine. A sure crowd pleaser. Always fond of Scott and Jim's wines. This is an absolute winner. Perfect for afternoon lunch, for sipping, or with light meats or pasta.
Great job gentlemen. Impressive.