New Jersey Wine Industry

I have been asked often over the years if there truly is  a wine industry  in New Jersey. The answer is a mixed response of yes and no. First and foremost lets face it, the climate in New Jersey is not truly the best for growing wine grapes. The growing season is fairly short lived. I mark the growing season from late April to the very beginning of October if you are truly lucky. What tends to do more harm than good is the hot summer temperatures,the spiking humidity and the insane weather changes we have had over the last 15 years and last but not least the sudden late hard frost.
New Jersey is not known for its cool,  less humid nights that a wide variety of wine stock require to mature. There are more then 40 vineyards producing whites such as Chardonnay because it appears to be the best suited for the weather conditions in NJ. I get it, I truly do, but I am so sick and tired of NJ produced Chardonnay.  I would prefer personally to see more vineyards attempting to grow reds such as the French hybrid Chamourcin. Yes, I understand its a sound business choice to create the best chance for the greatest return but sometimes there are options that are overlooked such as the Chamourin.

The other aspect I would like to address about the New Jersey wine industry is this, for many many years an individual would plant a  few hundred  root stock and call it a winery. Well, I guess it certainly would meet the guidelines but it would never become a active producer of wine. You may be asking how can they be selling local New Jersey wine? Think on it and you will come to the realization they would source grapes or  juice almost 100% from California. This gives me concern that what is being pushed out as New Jersey wine is marketing for most part. The State of New Jersey has now had the same concern on what they call the credibility and authenticity of a "New Jersey"wine. It appears changes are moving forward to expand the required acreage to obtain a plenary winery license. Of course this is general in nature and I am not saying wineries are not being honest. They simply are working with the limitations of the weather.

Until next time,

Drink up, but drive responsibily.

... Marcus Padulchick