Best of 2021
Travel - Kiawah Island, South Carolina - Great beaches, golf, food and it is quite reasonable.
Food- Vacchiano Farm meats
Wine - Wines from Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Tablas Creek, Denner and many wines from Tuscany. A bit of prejudice as I get wines directly from these wineries.
Bakery- Breadstand, Maplewood, NJ
Breweries -Untied, New Providence, NJ and Maui Brewing Company, Maui
Pizza in an exotic location -Hana Farms pizza, Maui
Best new dish - Taro Hummus at Hana farmer's market
Trends for 2022
According to CellarTracker, California wines were by far the most consumed wines by people on Cellartracker. I have noticed that I have gravitated to California and Oregon wines over the past few years. Lately I have made an effort to buy more Bordeaux, Burgundy and and Italian wines. The pricing on the European wines looks good compared to the better California wines.
In 2022 I will be more conscious of the alcohol content of wines and trying to keep the abv 14% and under. That being said I don't want to be too dogmatic on the issue as there are plenty of enjoyable wine over 14%. Checkout Denner wines.
Another thing that bugs me these days is the elitist attitude of most wine critics. When I discuss expensive wines I can be considered in that group but does anyone get impressed about vertical tastings of $1000 bottles or all of these fancy wine dinners for thousands of dollars. Vinous is getting very annoying in that regard. Their latest series of 3 dinners and tastings for La Festa Del Piemonte 2022 is $3250 per person. End of story.
Wineries have no shame either. Cliff Lede has a wine Poetry 2018 that has gotten excellent reviews. If you want it you must buy 6 bottles for $1860. Eric Asimov in the NYT has the right attitude . Search for wines that are made by smaller companies that are not taking shortcuts in trying to make a good wine. Not all small wineries make good wine but follow your nose just like you would try to find a good restaurant. A neighborhood pizzeria or Olive Garden.
