Prelude to Summer

I am still looking to eat my first NJ strawberry of the year. Wegman's was selling some but I did not buy them. They are not easy to find these days but they can be great. They are much more delicate than the commercial strawberries that we usually get. The season is very short.NJ blueberries are also comin soon. I am also patiently waiting for fresh sour cherries. Visions of sour cherry tarts are in my head.

I'm planning a trip to France, Italy Switzerland and Germany. It sounds like we are doing lots of travelling but the distances are quite reasonable. Will be going to Piemonte region in Italy home of Barolo and Barberesco wines. In preparation I have trying some Piemonte wines. Had a Dolcetto d' Alba which was very good. The grape is Dolcetto. Medium bodied with nice fruit and tannin. Pira Dolcetto d' Alba 2009 $12.

Also tried rosso from Langhe by GD Vajra in Barolo 2007, Nebbiolo grape, about $14. It was OK. Decent flavor nothing really exciting. The Wine Spectator gave it an 88 but we would not be that positive about the wine.
We will be ending the trip in Munich where the beer is excellent. We are looking forward to drinking beer in the beer garden in the center of the old city. We have been to Munich before and really enjoyed the city. It is amazing to see a waitress carry 5 or 6 liter mugs of beer in 1 hand.

My favorite farmer's market starts this Sunday. Located in Summit. I will be able to get fresh fish from NJ which is amazin. NJ has some of the best tuna that I have eaten. The scallops and the clams are outstanding.

Last week we drank a malbec rose from Susana Balbo Crios. It was 2010 and cost $12. The wine looks like cherry juice but it completely dry and has more body than most roses. It is high in alcohol but very enjoyable.When buying a rose, buy the most recent year that you can find. They usually do not have a long shelf life.

Tried a new cava this week. Kila Cava 2008 from Spain, $8. The importer is Jorge Ordonez, Temprinillo Imports. He specializes in spanish wines. A good way to buy wines is look at the importer. Most good importers work with the winemakers to get the best possible wines for their portfolios. Since I love cava from Sant Sadurni D'Anoia this wine had all of the right stuff on the label. It was a very good sparkling wine with all of the fruitiness that I love with cava.