Even though September will certainly provide an extension to the summer season, one cannot help admit that summer is waning and although Autumn brings bounties unique and adored, the days at the sea will be difficult to eclipse, indeed.
We piled the boys, the boogie boards, the footballs, and other goodies into the car and made our way to the historic, and often wrongly disrespected New Jersey shore!  After setting up in a nice spot, that offered plenty of sun and an eagle’s eye caretaker view of the boys in the ocean, Mr. Moretti made a cameo appearance. 

Mare per l’anima

The Gentleman in the Green Hat… Ah……….

As we packed up for the day, naturally we went in search of the ocean’s bounty to bring home for dinner.  Thanks to the wonder of modern technology (of which I’m still amazed) one “Siri” inquiry later, and I had directions to a local Seafood Market that was a mere mile away from my current location.  As a result, we had a glorious dinner that night, fresh, briney, and delicious. 
The perfect foil to the dish, was the 2011 Fontana Candida Frascati.  I’ve written up the 2010 version of this wine earlier this summer, and the 2011 is the equal of that review. The wine is so light, crisp and refreshing, yet with a delicate body carrying lemon, citrus, floral and limestone aromas and flavors.  It paired perfectly with the oysters and the clams – and also the butter poached New Jersey Halibut that I made along with the pasta.  90 points, only $9.  What are you waiting for?

NJ Oysters on the halfshell – NJ Topneck clams to be steamed with pasta

2011 Fontana Candida Frascati
After dinner, what can I say? We had the yearning for something rosso… and I had some Gorgonzola Dolce and Cacio di Roma to nibble so we opened a wine crafted by my friend, Emiliano Falsini. The 2007 Moris Farms Avvoltore fit the bill perfectly.  It’s dark, blackish red in the glass.  Fresh aromas pour from the glass: ripe cherries, dark chocolate, flowers, leather and spice.  In the mouth the wine is round, full bodied, ripe and balanced. Flavors follow the aromas and the acidity keeps things lively. This is a serious wine, and will benefit from a year or two in the cellar.  While it’s clearly Italian, I believe it will appeal to Napa Cabernet lovers in particular.  92 points, about $30. 

2007 Moris Farms Avvoltore is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet, & Syrah

Ci vediamo!

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