WestfieldFoodie.com: Ravioli & Wine Tasting 5 Course Dinner at Stage House - Good Vibes, CoolVines

From WestfieldFoodie.com:

On both September 14th and on the 28th CoolVines is pairing with Stage House Restaurant and acclaimed Chef Eric Hambrecht to bring to you a 5 course wine dinner that features the Italian wines of A.I. Selections and cuisine from that Stage House’s new ravioli kitchen. Click here to see the fantastic new ravioli menus and superior wines that will be presented and paired with each course.

Stage House Restaurant keeps reinventing itself. It gets bigger and better and bolder. The expansive outside bar area has a totally different vibe than the 40th birthday dinner for ten in an upstairs private room. Both experiences are enhanced with a sophisticated yet traditional menu. One night we sat in the Tavern's front dining room and we regularly felt a rumbling from below. Was it the nearby Fanwood train? was it a refrigeration system below our table? or just more good vibes from what is becoming my favorite go-to tavern?

Last weekend I had the pleasure to meet Tom, the owner. He gave my friends a big hello - I didn't realize they were such regulars. Stage House has a lot of regulars. I asked him why they removed the lavender vinaigrette from the menu. The plants were destroyed when the patio was paved. I felt like I was trapped in the middle of a Joni Mitchell song, until I realized I really love the patio. So chalk it up to progress and business: my fresh herb inspired dressing was replaced with a ballsy new concept: all you can eat free bbq.

Get this: you get heaps of free bbq, pay what you feel like paying, and in return they make money on the bar tab and you walk home with a certificate in that amount for the elegant dining room that you may or may not use. Click here for their free bbq ten commandments. Somehow it is win-win and Stage House emerges once again as the place to have fun and eat well. And it's a night to dine alfresco in a cool setting, sometimes with live music without sitting right next to the dirty filthy street, which is always a plus.

Let's add drink expertly and a new ravioli menu as 2 more reasons join one of the special 5 course pairing menus with CoolVines, the most pleasurable wine store in Westfield. CoolVines has regulars too, and their wine purchase information is stored on a database. From this data they can make guided recommendations to the purchaser and remember what wines you loved, even when you can't remember the type or name of the wine yourself. What I thought was a pinot noir with a name that had something to do with happiness proved to be a biodynamic shiraz called Hedonist, that I highly recommend.

At the pairing dinner, learn firsthand from wine guru Damon O'Gara about the selected Italian wines and how they were chosen to complement each course's tastes and textures. I'm more than curious to taste how the oaky Moroder Rosso Conero 2006 will play off the creaminess of the smoked chicken ricotta ravioli. Or how the "ruby red color, intense bouquet and well-structured flavor" of the Vaona Valpolicella Ripasso 2007 might possibly enhance the richness of a butternut squash ravioli in a frangelico pecan brown butter sauce.

If the combination of wine and flavor can bring out the best in each other, I am there. And if it's that good I'll do it twice. I love ravioli and I love wine but the combination of the two promises to deliver. While Stage House is not an Italian restaurant, nor is the chef, and Damon is as Irish as they come, I am betting on this to be a night to venture out into new territory and try something different. The Italians may have invented ravioli and planted the original vines, but I feel this meal will be the reinvention of the traditional and expected, and it's happening right here in our town.

Click here for information and to register.

WF

CoolVines CEO Mark Censits recommends the Palmina Nebbiolo 2005 for TheWeeklyWinePick.com

This week's pick comes from Mark Censits, founder and CEO of the New Jersey-based retailer CoolVines. Mark has long been a fan of wine maker Steve Clifton, who has a knack for teaming up with the brightest talents in California and producing a number of unique and wonderful wines, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir bottled under the Brewer-Clifton label. He and his wife began the Palmina project to produce a range of wines made from Italian varietals grown in Santa Barbara County.

"All of the Palminas are terrific food wines, and unbelievable values. The Nebbiolo in particular has fine tannins and balanced acidity making it a great pair for Italian style dishes," Mark noted. "2005 was the inaugural vintage of the Nebbiolo, which grows best in Piedmont but has now proven its potential in the similar terroir of the Sisuoc and Stolpman Vineyards." This big red retails for under $30.

Years ago Mark combined his passion for wine with his proven track record in business with the launch of CoolVines. He has stores in Westfield and Princeton, NJ, and their website offers an inviting and novel approach to exploring wines online. On the site I was immediately presented with a concise summary of the wine's style, and saw right away where I could drill down for more detailed info. Also, customers can find a wine they like, and by hitting the "Explore!" button receive intelligent alternative suggestions. When I explored alternatives to the Palmina, the site suggested 3 other medium bodied reds of different varietals, new world and old. You can also sign up for their custom wine club to ensure your cellar is always stocked with wines you love. These services go far beyond those of most retailers, and show that Mark and his team have put a lot of thought into meeting the needs of their customers.

Click here to sign up for a free weekly wine pick from the top professionals in the industry.

Green Your Glass: Warren Bobrow writes about where to find organic/biodynamic wine for NJ Life Magazine

I demand wines that are small producer (garage wines) and if they are organic/biodynamic or sustainably produced, that’s a definite plus! Fortunately, there are quite a few wine stores in New Jersey that stock or even specialize in wines that are organic, biodynamic, sustainably produced, and/or handmade.

Westfield and Princeton both house plenty of wine shops, but one boutique, with locations in both towns, particularly resonates with me. CoolVines is this shop. Specializing in finding well-priced, small-producer wines, this store takes a different approach to wine shopping than most of its competitors. Owner Mark Censits firmly believes that wine should be an adjunct to complement food. Given the explosion of BYOB restaurants, both in Princeton and in Westfield, people are much more inquisitive about which wines taste best with what foods. Mark encourages his wine consultants to engage the customer in the story behind the wines, not their scores or how the popular marketing machines spin wine appreciation. CoolVines carries wines that taste great with food, and the engaging staff is well versed in parings. Organic and biodynamic wines are of particular note. Many great sustainably produced wines actually cost less than similar wines produced in greater quantities.

Click here for the full article.

CoolVines in the News: CEO Mark Censits discusses the new wine & spirits tax

Mark Censits, the president and CEO of Coolvines on Elm Street, said the 25 percent tax hike on wines and spirits that is part of the new state budget, will likely impact the cheaper wines. The tax is $5.50 per gallon for liquor and 87.5 cents per gallon of wine, paid by the distributor. He said the cost will not be immediately felt by consumers on any priced bottle of wine, since he and distributors are likely to raise the price on a gradual basis to reflect the new taxes.

Censits said that, given the way the tax is gauged, while all wines and spirits will see an increase, the lower-priced brands will have a larger percentage impact. With wines in his store being priced mainly between $8 and $40, he does not see much of an impact on his merchandise, except for the cheaper bottles he carries.

Distributors are already feeling the impact of the new wine tax, but are gradually raising the prices they use to stores like Coolvines. He said that it will likely be six months before he is paying distributors the new higher prices reflecting the tax. Censits said it will likely be six months before customers will also see an impact on the cost of wine they buy from him.

Read the full article here.

In the News: CoolVines Westfield

from the Shopping in Westfield NJ Blog:

CoolVines - Personalized Selection of Good Wines

Elm Street, between North Avenue and E. Broad Street, in downtown Westfield, is a restaurant row favored by locals and visitors alike. One after another, the interesting and delicious food options tempt, as cafe tables set up outside each boite display menu delights from all over the world.

When you're in the mood to bring your own hand-selected bottle of vino to accompany your meal, stop in first at CoolVines, the well-stocked and well-organized wine shop right there on restaurant row.

The layout of the store clearly marks the products by their qualities, the location of the originating vineyards, and their ingredients. The staff is knowledgeable and also knows when to let the customer simply enjoy the experience of browsing.

CoolVines applies three basic criteria to their offerings;

• "Only the Best" - They hand-select their wines and present only those that represent true value
• "Arranged by Taste" - They guide their customers in the choice of wine to suit one's preference and fit the occasion
• "A Website Driven by Your Preferences" - They provide tools to customers for learning about one's personal palate "signature"

You can find out about local tastings on the CoolVines Website. Or just stop into the store on the way home from the train. And ya gotta love the clever pickup service offered by this trendy shop: You can pay for your wine and continue with your shopping in town. Take one of their wireless valet bells when you leave the store. Pull up to the curb, ring the bell and they'll run your order out to your car!

Is This Why They Call Them SUPER Tuscans?

Re-posted from The Wine Spectator:

Red Wine Improves Sex Lives of Tuscan Women: A study finds those who drink a glass or two a day score higher on a sexual function questionnaire

Light to moderate consumption of red wine may lead to improved sexual function in women, according to a study in the October issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Women who drank one or two glasses of red wine a day scored higher on a questionnaire focused on sexual health and enjoyment. According to the study's authors, members of the departments of Urology and Public Health at the University of Florence, the results help give a clearer picture on the female sexual response cycle.

In the medical industry, most studies on sexual health tend to focus on factors that cause dysfunction. For example, a recent study on erectile dysfunction found that moderate levels of alcohol consumption lead to a 30 percent lower chance of impotence.

"Historically, the aspects of wine and sexuality have been well known since the time of Ancient Greece," said the study's lead author, Dr. Nicola Mondaini, who is publishing a book on the subject next month, titled Vino e Eros. "But the field of female sexual dysfunction is still highly unexplored."

Mondaini and his team write that the sexual response of women is generally considered more complex than that of men. But previous studies, they add, find that adherence to the Mediterranean diet improves cardiovascular health, and this is likely due to the inclusion of a glass or two of red wine per day. Cardiovascular health has long been linked to sexual health.

To see if red wine consumption, as described by the Mediterranean diet, has an impact on women's sexual function, the scientists selected nearly 800 women for the study, ages 18 to 50, who visited the Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, part of the University of Florence. Women who drank more than two glasses per day, smokers and those with sexual disorders were excluded.

Click Here For the Full Article

The CoolVines Experience - Domaine Agape Wine Dinner

"Wine Mania (and some Beer too)" by Faith Bahadurian, Princeton Packet

I am getting more and more emails each week about wine dinners and tasting events in the Princeton area. These events are all the rage, and many of them seem to sell out quickly, even in this economy. I think it’s the “value added” aspect of them. Not only are you enjoying several courses of well-prepared food, but also specially paired wines to go with each course. Often the winemaker is there, too, which adds a lovely personalized aspect to the experience.

Such was the case at a recent wine dinner at Blue Point Grill I was invited to by Mark Censits who owns CoolVines (in Princeton and Westfield). Working with Michael Messenie of Savio Soares Selections (the distributor), they had brought in Isabelle Boxler-Sipp, of Domaine Agape in Alsace, France, where her husband Vincent is “vigneron” (grower).

From the sparkling Cremant d’Alsace through the Grand Cru Riesling, all five wines I sipped that evening were delicious, as was the wonderful dinner Blue Point Grill Chef Steve Murray put out (I especially liked the Icelandic Artic Char and the Chilean Sea Bass).

If you go to Alsace, Isabelle also owns a cooking school in Colmar named Cardamome (her favorite spice), where, she reports, the locals increasingly want to learn to make ethnic dishes, but the tourists, of course, want to learn traditional Alsatian dishes.

Click here to see the entire article.

Wine Heaven?

"Wine Heaven?" by Faith Bahadurian, Princeton Packet

A recent wine club promotion in a national newspaper (yes, I still read paper!) had me tempted to sign right up, to get a case of "deep, rich reds" at bargain prices. But then I thought of how I already have too many bottles at home, languishing, while I give into my thing for gin and tonics, with the occasional margarita thrown in (not, God help me, in the same evening).

Besides, we have some great wine shops in our area, with two right in downtown Princeton, the Corkscrew and CoolVines. And it is nearly summer, a good time to stock up on rosés, which I've grown to appreciate as more good dry ones come on the market. (And hopefully the power drunk EU won't ruin rosé wine for us! The proposal discussed at the link here was fortunately set aside shortly after the article came out; obviously saner heads prevailed...this time.)

So I paid a quick visit to the CoolVines website, clicked on "rosés," and spied a pretty Cielo Prosecco Rosé, described as "A light, effervescent gem from Northeast Italy." Now that sounded festive, however it was out of stock (I'm waitlisted), But you can click on a little button under that that says "similar wines." That brings up another sparkling rosé, a Spanish Cava from Familia Oliveda (pictured here). I dropped by and picked that up and also came home with a still rosé, the French Touraine Pineau d'Aunis.

This is a GREAT website, by the way. You can click on red, white, or rosé, click on the type of body you want (i.e. light, medium, full, sweet, fortified), and then the style, modern or traditional (you know, the new world-old world thing), and the price range. The system delivers all sorts of intriguing results, and I see more wine consumption in my future...and some local shopping.

Wine and Spirit sales resisting recession

PRINCETON: Liquor sales resisting recession

Wednesday, December 31, 2008 4:03 PM EST

By Lauren Otis, Staff Writer

As Princeton-area residents prepared to toast the New Year with hopes for a better 2009, one group of retailers had reason to raise a thankful toast to 2008 — wine and spirits merchants.

Although many customers seemed to scale back by seeking out less expensive bottles, this holiday season and the year in general has been a good one, said area wine, beer and liquor retailers.

”We are down less than 5 percent” in 2008 sales compared to 2007, said Mark Bovenizer, proprietor of Community Liquors on Witherspoon Street. “I’m pretty happy with that. People are celebrating, just not in luxurious style, not with Dom Perignon, but with an American sparkler instead, at a quarter of the price.”

At Community Liquors, “we were doing fine up until September,” he said. After the crash of the financial markets at that point, “a lot of the larger parties, larger purchasers, became smaller purchasers,” he said.

One interesting anomaly was in sales of single malt Scotch whiskeys, Mr. Bovenizer said.

”We sold quite a lot of high-end Scotch,” he said. “I had to reorder before Christmas. It was surprising how much we sold,” particularly bottles retailing for $100 or more.

Apparently the Princeton thirst for single malt whiskey was a large one.

”We’ve never sold so many single malts for Christmas,” said Laurent Chapuis, owner of the Princeton Corkscrew Wine Shop on Hulfish Street. “It is an expensive gift that people can drink over time.

”It is not a one shot deal like a bottle of wine,” Mr. Chapuis said in speculating on one possible reason for the jump in single malt sales.

”It was a very, very good year overall,” Mr. Chapuis said.

Business from regular customers was excellent, and corporate customer business was “in the middle,” neither great nor poor, Mr. Chapuis said.

He noted seasonal champagne sales were “exceptional” with customers who might balk at purchasing a bottle of wine for $40 not having any problem shelling out the same amount for a celebratory bottle of champagne.

”The only drop we’ve seen is in the high-end wines,” Mr. Chapuis said. “We specialize in bottles from $7 to $20. We sold more than ever in that category.”

”I was very pleased with the way the year turned out,” for sales in Princeton, said Mark Censits, president and CEO of CoolVines.

Mr. Censits opened his Princeton CoolVines store, located on the corner of Nassau and Harrison Streets, in August. He already operates a CoolVines store in Westfield.

CoolVines offers a $13 blanc de blancs sparkling wine from France, which is not from the Champagne region, but is a very nice wine for the price, Mr. Censits said.

”We have sold a ton,” he said. “I think people have been really elated to say, ‘wow, you can find a great product for this price.’”

Customers searching for value in their wine and spirits purchases benefit from CoolVines’ emphasis on wine characteristics and not labels, Mr. Censits said.

”That works well for us,” he said. “That is our whole point of difference. We can find great stuff searching beyond the brand names.”

Unlike other merchants, as a wine seller, he did not have to mark down his products to sell them although he spent a lot of time and effort on other types of promotions, Mr. Censits said.

At the Westfield store, “we had just as much bottle sales, but we had an 8 percent decline in revenues,” Mr. Censits said.

At both his locations, “people were trading down from a $50 wine to a $30 wine and $20 wine to $8,” he said. “What just gets clipped off is the very high end of it” for bottles costing several hundred dollars.

”People have been buying the same amount, maybe spending a little less. Overall, it’s been a pretty strong year for us,” said Chris Sletvold, store manager at the Joe Canal’s Discount Liquor Outlet on Route 1 in Lawrence. “Instead of buying one $50 bottle, they are buying two $25 bottles.”

The poor economy “hasn’t affected beer sales; high-end liquor, yes; high-end wine, yes,” Mr. Bovenizer said.

He said sales in December are likely to be down about 5 percent with sales volume affected by not just the economy, but the lack of convenient parking close to his store now that the Tulane Street surface parking lot has been closed.

Mr. Chapuis noted for the holiday season, “we got hurt by the late Thanksgiving and one less Saturday” in December this year.

One Saturday’s sales at this time of year can account for 5 to 6 percent of monthly sales, he said.

Mr. Chapuis said wine merchants shouldn’t lose sleep over outside economic forces beyond their control.

”There is nothing we can do anyhow,” he said. “We can only improve the quality and the selection. I can do only what I can control.”

Mr. Bovenizer said he already is anticipating continuing economic doldrums in 2009, having let go of one full-time employee and cut back on part-time staffing for the new year.

”If there is anything, I am holding my breath a bit as far as January is concerned,” said Mr. Censits.

Let's Try...CoolVines: U.S. 1 News - Nov 5, 2008

What's New in Princeton & Central New Jersey?
Reprinted from the November 5, 2008, edition of U.S. 1 newspaper
Let's Try...CoolVines
by E.E. Whiting

Tucked away on a cozy corner of Nassau Street and Harrison is a new shop specializing in wines and fine spirits. CoolVines is overflowing with choices and to help sort things out, the shop sponsors free wine tastings every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m.

On a brisk Wednesday night, my friend and I arrived around 6 p.m. for a tasting of Rieslings. The shop was buzzing and the wines were a revelation. As many do, I had avoided Rieslings as being too sweet for my taste. However, the beauty of a tasting is to have your preconceptions blown out the door. We started with a dry German wine with a kick of Granny Smith apple at the end that, as advertised, would be the right choice with spicy Oriental food. The other two offerings were each progressively a tad fruitier.

In addition to the wines, the range of unusual beers was entertainment in and of itself and the staff was very knowledgeable about the differences among Belgians, organics, and British and American brews. My personal favorite section was the variety of gins with botanicals to make your head spin without even opening the bottle. To complement the gin, owner Eric Mihan pointed out a specialty tonic infused with herbs. Both ended up in my shopping bag. Also intriguing were the single grower champagnes and sparkling wines. As I am a lover of all things bubbly and different, into the bag they went.

Each bottle of wine is clearly labeled with a tag that classifies the wine, for example, as light, medium or full, as well as a “style” description such as traditional, modern, or dry, and the recommended serving temperature range. Prices run the gamut, as expected, from around $20 per bottle to, well, let’s say sums similar to the cost of dinner for four.

Beyond the wines and spirits, Cool Vines offers gift items such as stemless champagne glasses, hilarious napkins, variously flavored bitters, sake sets, and snacks. A holiday tasting will be held on Wednesday, December 3, which will showcase gift baskets created with specialty chocolates and other goodies.

Other upcoming tasting events include “Hail to the Chief,” Wednesday, November 5, 5 to 8 p.m.; “Thanksgiving Wines,” Saturday, November 8, 2 to 5 p.m.; and “Holiday Gift Wines,” Wednesday, November 12, 5 to 8 p.m.

CoolVines also participates in offsite events. On Saturday, November 8, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the store will sponsor a wine tasting at Queenstown Gallery, 24 West Broad Street, Hopewell, at the opening reception for an exhibit of watercolors by Beatrice Bork. And on Wednesday, November 19, at 7 p.m., CoolVines will co-host a multi-course Italian wine food and wine pairing dinner with special guest Doug Salthouse of Willette Wines at Gennaro’s 47B State Road (Route 206 north). The cost is $85 per person, includes tax and gratuity.

On the evening we went to the wine tasting at the store, a steady stream of visitors came and went, some coming in for the first time, others repeat customers. Cool Vines clearly has an established coterie of clients despite having opened only in August. The conversation around the tasting wines was lively and inclusive. Some folks knew about the wines, others had never tried them and were delighted to discover a new find.

Rums of all sorts, ouzo, gins, and specialty vodkas are there in plenty. Browsing is welcome and more gift items are being unpacked daily. We left with the distinct impression that if you need a special libation, this shop is apt to have it. CoolVines is also available to host private wine tastings, wine dinners, and other events. Parking is plentiful and easily found behind the shop. Stop by for an education, a chat, and a chance to discover more in the world of wine and spirits.

— E. E. Whiting

Cool Vines, 344 Nassau Street. 609-924-0039, www.coolvines.com. Complimentary wine tastings Wednesdays, 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays, 2 to 5 p.m. Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday noon to 8 p.m.

Press: NJ Savvy Living – June 2008

Tag…You’re It

Nope, it’s not a ring of paint chips. It’s the CoolVines way to keep a wine journal. The proprietary system starts in the store where every bottle is tagged with a description and a bar code. After purchase, the tags are easily removed and placed in the journal for future reference. The innovative wine shop also offers wine tastings and touchscreen kiosks for you to record your findings...

Read full article (image file)