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Passion Vines Blog

Passion Vines Blog
Wines for Halloween and Day of the Dead Oct 27, 2022

As we head into late October, many of us welcome the start of the holiday season by celebrating Halloween and/or the Day of the Dead. Whether you are planning the perfect costume, a festive party or small get-together, or a simple weekend at home, I invite you to “wine down” with me for a few minutes.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Sip Into Fall Sep 29, 2022

As the temperatures get cooler and the leaves change color, read about some of our favorite wines to sip into fall!

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Wine Tasting and More at The Right Notes Sep 15, 2022

More on The Right Notes - South Jersey's Fight Against MS!

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NJ Lifestyle Magazine: The Right Notes Sep 01, 2022

The Right Notes is South Jersey’s fight against multiple sclerosis, and it will be held on Thursday, September 22 at Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point. This year marks the 8th production of The Right Notes and 10 years since the event’s inception in 2012.

This article was published in the fall issue of NJ Lifestyle Magazine.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Rose with a Kick Aug 25, 2022

At this point in the summer, most wine-lovers will have enjoyed their fair share of rosé. If you’re looking to explore a new twist on a classic wine, I encourage you to try the season’s latest, highly unconventional trend: Jalapeño Rosé.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Natural and Organic Wines Aug 18, 2022

What does it mean for a wine to be classified as “natural” or “organic”? And why are only certain wines vegan, even though they’re all made from grapes? I’ll be exploring these topics in this week’s article, and sharing information on one of my favorite wines of the moment.

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Atlantic City Weekly: The Right Notes 2022 - Honoring Jayne Bray Aug 16, 2022

Our most recent column in Atlantic City Weekly highlights The Right Notes - South Jersey's fight against multiple sclerosis. This year (and always), we honor Jayne Bray.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Why Do I Get Wine Headaches? Aug 11, 2022

What’s the deal with wine headaches? There are a few theories surrounding the main culprit of the dreaded wine headache, and I’ll use today’s article to share my insight. 

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Sunset Wine Pairings Aug 04, 2022

Read our latest article in Shore Local to learn about our favorite wines to pair with a summer sunset.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: How Barrel Choice Affects the Flavor of Wine Jul 28, 2022

In our latest article in Shore Local, learn about the differences between American and European oak, and how they impact the wine-to-be.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: The Ways Wine Aging Impacts Taste Jul 21, 2022

In our latest article in Shore Local, learn about the impact of stainless steel and oak aging on wine.

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Atlantic City Weekly: Michael's Summer Wine Picks Jul 20, 2022

Read our most recent column in Atlantic City Weekly to learn about Michael's favorite summer wine picks.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Summer Wine Must-Drinks Jul 14, 2022

Wine is truly a beverage for all seasons. With a wide range of growing regions and a virtually endless diversity of grape varietals and winemaking styles, you are certain to find something delicious to suit your palate.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: A Loving Tribute to Jayne Bray Jul 07, 2022

Thank you to our friends at Shore Local Newsmagazine for publishing this loving tribute to Jayne Bray, mom of Passion Vines founder Michael Bray, and inspiration to us all.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Alcohol Content in Wine Jul 07, 2022

Over the last several weeks, I’ve used this column to discuss the key structural components of wine. So far, we’ve explored acidity, tannin, residual sugar, and fruitiness. Today, we’ll finish our journey with a discussion of the final structural component of wine: alcohol.

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NJ Lifestyle Magazine: Discover Sauvignon Blanc Jul 01, 2022

We're raising a glass to summer with one of our favorite wines for when the temperature rises and the grills start firing: Sauvignon Blanc

A version of this article was published in the summer issue of NJ Lifestyle Magazine.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Comparing Sweet & Fruity Wines Jun 30, 2022

The next stop on our journey through the structural components of wine is a sweet one – we’re talking sugar. Residual sugar, to be precise.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: The Science Behind Wine Tasting Jun 23, 2022

For the next stop on our journey through the main structural components of wine, we’re discussing tannin.

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Time to Wine Down: Spritzing Into the Summer Jun 17, 2022

Hello, wine friends, and happy summer! Welcome to the second installment of our Time to Wine Down blog feature.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: The Value of a Wine's Acidity Jun 16, 2022

What makes a wine remarkable? While the most important factor in selecting a wine is choosing a flavor profile you enjoy, there are several key qualities that allow wines to age and pair well with foods.

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Atlantic City Weekly: Just in time for higher temperatures, your guide to summer sippers Jun 13, 2022

Read our most recent column in Atlantic City Weekly to learn about our favorite summer sippers!

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Shore Local: Adding CBD to Your Cocktails Jun 09, 2022

What’s the deal with CBD? Learn about adding CBD to your cocktails in our most recent Shore Local article!

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Join Us for The Right Notes, South Jersey's Fight Against MS! May 31, 2022

The Right Notes – South Jersey’s fight against multiple sclerosis – is back and better than ever in 2022!

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Time to Wine Down: Welcome & Welcome Wines May 25, 2022

Hello, wine friends! Welcome to Time to Wine Down, a new Passion Vines blog feature.

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Atlantic City Weekly: Spring Is Here, But There Are No Rules When You Can Enjoy Any Type of Wine May 18, 2022

Read our most recent column in Atlantic City Weekly for tips on sparkling wine, low acid reds, and food pairing.

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Passion Vines Is Turning 14! May 17, 2022

It's Passion Vines' 14th birthday, and we've planned a week of special events to celebrate!

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Grab a Glass of Rose May 05, 2022

It's rosé season! Raise a glass with us and drink pink.

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NJ Lifestyle Magazine: Noteworthy Wines May 02, 2022

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray answers your questions related to wine variety and hue.

A version of this article was published in the spring issue of NJ Lifestyle Magazine.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Sip Something New at Open That Bottle Night Apr 21, 2022

Join us for our upcoming "Open That Bottle" event on May 10!

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Atlantic City Weekly: What You Need to Know about Natural, Organic and Vegan Wines Apr 19, 2022

Read our most recent column in Atlantic City Weekly to learn more about organic, natural, and vegan classifications in the world of wine.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: My Favorite Wines to Sip into Spring Apr 07, 2022

From rosé wines to ready-to-drink canned cocktails, we have you covered for springtime beverages.

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Shore Local Newsmagazine: Tasting Events Spring to Life Mar 24, 2022

Sip and learn with us this spring! Check out our April event schedule today.

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Atlantic City Weekly: Here's Some 'Healthy' Advice for Wine Drinkers Mar 14, 2022

Here's some 'healthy' advice for wine drinkers, from our newest column in Atlantic City Weekly!

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Our Statement on Ukraine and Russian Vodka Mar 10, 2022

Our current statement on Ukraine and Russian vodka.

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Wine Variety and Hues Mar 01, 2022

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray answers your questions related to wine variety and hue.

A version of this article was published in the spring issue of NJ Lifestyle Magazine.

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Are American Oktoberfest Beers Anything Like the Original Festbier? Sep 16, 2020

If you’re a lover of all things fall seasonal beer, I’m sure you’ve noticed various brands take on Oktoberfest beer. In the United States most Oktoberfest beers will appear amber in color, which surprisingly isn’t the color of the beer seen at the yearly festival. So what exactly makes an Oktoberfest a traditional Festbier, and why is it so different from the American brewed versions?

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New Celebrity Tequilas! Sep 14, 2020

If you’ve been keeping up with our blog lately, I’m sure you’ve read through our post about celebrity spirits. On that post, we aimed to cover a celebrity spirit of each type, and unfortunately, we only carried two of the spirits from that list. Well, not anymore! We’ve recently acquired bottles of two more celebrity spirits. 

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Wines to Indulge in This Autumn Sep 02, 2020

If you’ve been outside recently, I’m sure you’ve heard the crickets getting louder at sunset and felt the chill in the breeze. Pretty soon the leaves will begin to change and drop off the trees, and you’ll have to grab a jacket when you leave the house. And, as summer comes to a close the popularity of summer wines will also begin to drop off. But what makes a wine a summer wine, and what wines are perfect to drink during the colder, shorter days of fall? Read on to learn more and to check out some bottle recommendations!

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Say Farewell to Summer with Peach Whiskey Jam! Aug 28, 2020

As many have noticed, the quarantine days have given people more time to explore new hobbies. I have always loved cooking desserts and other sweet concoctions but working from home has certainly allowed me to be more creative and experimental in the kitchen! 

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Pét-Nat Wines: Why the Recent Rise in Popularity? Aug 20, 2020

Have you ever heard of Pét-Nat wines? If not, don’t worry because you aren’t the only one! Pét-Nat is short for Pétillant Naturel, French for “naturally sparkling”. The natural bubbles are made using a method that dates back hundreds of years, which is part of the reason why these wines have been gaining so much attention in recent years. Let’s explore more of the details and science behind Pét-Nat winemaking!

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Celebrity Spirits – What to Try Aug 12, 2020

Becoming a celebrity has many perks, one of which is having enough money to create your own spirits! Most commonly, celebrities will dive into creating their own tequila brands because the market is ripe for making profits. But, some celebrities will make other spirits like gin, vodka, rum, and whiskey just because it’s their personal favorite and they want to have a drink that’s uniquely them. For this week’s post I have selected five different celebrity spirits that are worthy of your hard-earned money, so read on if you want to learn more! 

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Our Favorite Beers of Summer 2020 Aug 10, 2020

If you’re a committed beer drinker, I’m sure you’ve noticed how many brands come out with seasonal, limited time brews. In the summertime, a lot of brands come out with brews heavy with citrus to give the beer an overall more refreshing taste during the dog days of summer. But among the masses, which seasonal beers are the best to try? We’ve picked a few of our favorites, so follow along to learn more about our top five!

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The Delicious Simplicity of Hard Cider Jul 30, 2020

If you’ve ever sat down at a bar or walked around your favorite liquor store, chances are you’ve heard of Angry Orchard, Strongbow, or even Redd’s Apple Ale. In recent years the popularity of hard ciders has exploded, so let’s dive into how hard cider is made and what makes it unique!

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NEW Summer Cocktails Jul 27, 2020

In the summertime, it’s very common to see many brands coming out with seasonal liquors. With the pandemic going on it’s best if we all stay home as much as possible, so here are some fun mixed drink recipes to bring the beach bar to your backyard! 

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What is Hard Kombucha? Jul 20, 2020

Recently, kombucha has been popping up all over the place with many grocery stores now dedicating a whole section to it. It has become so popular that people have begun brewing and bottling hard versions to sell in liquor stores. But what exactly is kombucha and what makes it so unique?

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Summertime Seltzers Jul 13, 2020

Many people are beginning to ditch sugary sodas for flavored sparkling water as it offers zero sugars, simple ingredients, and oftentimes zero calories. This societal transition to favoring more health-conscious products has hit the alcoholic beverage industry in the form of hard seltzers – spiked versions of supermarket sparkling water with light fruit flavors, low caloric contents, and minimal alcohol by volume. 

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Spotlight: Local Wineries! Jun 29, 2020

Here at Passion Vines, we strive to become a well-known name in the community not only for our stellar customer service, but for being involved in fundraisers, donating product for community events, and even bringing attention to some hidden gems that don’t get the attention they deserve. Local wineries are one of the hidden gems that most people don’t know a lot about, so this week we will dive into four of the local wineries that have product on the shelves here!

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What Exactly is Organic Wine? Jun 19, 2020

With the organic market expanding, you may have heard about organic wines once or twice. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a wine organic or if there are any benefits of drinking organic instead of non-organic wine, keep reading to learn the basics!

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What’s the deal with canned wine? Jun 10, 2020

If you’ve ever wandered through Passion Vines looking for something interesting to try, you might have stumbled across canned wine. But how does canned wine compare to the traditional bottled wine?

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What Makes Rosé Wine Rosé? Jun 04, 2020

If you frequent your favorite liquor store during the summer months (hopefully that’s us here at Passion Vines!) you will most likely see a lot more rosé wines. But what exactly makes rosé wines unique? Why do people go crazy for them in the summer?

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Red Wine Pairings 101 Jun 01, 2020

The overall flavor profiles of red wines tend to be bitter, acidic, and sweet. Bitter tends to be the most prominent of the three, and red wines also tend to be much less acidic than white wines. The sweetness depends on the wine, but most red wines tend to keep this profile at a minimum. Red wines are known for creating fantastic pairings with foods that contain the same flavor profiles (congruent pairing).

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White Wine Pairings 101 May 19, 2020

Wine itself is complex and it is nearly impossible to learn everything about it, which makes wine pairing difficult to master. But don’t be discouraged as understanding the basics of wine pairings can take your dining experiences to the next level!

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A guide to pairing food and wine Apr 22, 2020

In this month's article Michael talks about the do's and dont's of pairing wine and food.

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Meet The Team: Annemarie D'Alessandro Apr 08, 2020

Stockton University Student Annemarie D'Alessandro writes about her time with Passion Vines.

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What's the deal with Tuscan wine ... and more answers to your vino Q's Mar 20, 2020

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray talks about Spanish wine, what vegan wine is and why everyone loves tuscan wine!

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Cocktails by Megan Mar 20, 2020

When life gives you lemons, make a whiskey sour! Or in this case...a PV SOUR!

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South Jersey wine sellers look to expected drop in California wine prices Feb 20, 2020

If you picked up a copy of The Press Friday, February 21st,  you saw the cover story... If you missed it you can read it here!

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Cocktails by Megan Jan 24, 2020

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Cocktail is the perfect after-dinner drink! 

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What is a 'reserve' anyway? Jan 16, 2020

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray answers questions Italy's popular wine varietals Nebbiolo and Barolo, and what it means when you see "reserve" on a wine label. 

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Do wine scores matter? Dec 17, 2019

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray answers questions about wine varietals such as Pinot Gris, Pinotage and Wine Scores - Do they really matter?

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To decant or not to decant? Nov 29, 2019

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray answers questions about wine vintages, decanting and wine to get you through the holidays! 

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The Right Notes rasies 110K for those living with Multiple Sclerosis Oct 31, 2019

SOMERS POINT — The Right Notes, South Jersey’s fight against MS, an annual fundraising event presented by the Donovan Financial Group of UBS Financial Services and benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, set two records: It raised $111,528 and had 400 guests in attendance.

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MS fundraiser The Right Notes to feature Brazilian jazz quartet Oct 17, 2019

SOMERS POINT — The seventh production of The Right Notes, presented by the Donovan Financial Group of UBS Financial Services, will be held Thursday, Oct. 17, at Greate Bay Country Club. This year the wine tasting will kick things up a notch by adding the Nilson Matta Quartet as the entertainment for the evening.

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There's more to the wine biz than just drinking Oct 15, 2019

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray talks the wine business, Sauvignon Blanc and more!

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The Right Notes returns to Greate Bay Oct 14, 2019

The seventh production of The Right Notes, presented by The Donovan Financial Group of UBS Financial Services, will be held from 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point.

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Hitting the Right Notes for a great cause Sep 16, 2019

This month Michael answers questions about our 7th annual fundraiser for MS, The Right Notes! 

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Wines of the summer Aug 16, 2019

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray talks about Summer wines, what's popular, his favorite refreshing whites and more!

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Clearing up confusion over organic wines Jul 25, 2019

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray answers questions about organic wines!

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Talkin' Canned Wine Jun 28, 2019

A special edition 'you ask and I'll answer' where Michael asks the questions as he sits down with Matt Allan, founder of West & Wilder!

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A look at upcoming wine trends for spring and summer May 27, 2019

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray talks about 2019 summer wine trends!

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You ask, our wine expert will answer Apr 22, 2019

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray answers questions about popular virtals such as Pinot Grigio & Cabernet!

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With spring come pastel colors and delightful rosé wines Mar 18, 2019

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray answers questions about Rose & wine pairings for your dinner party! 

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How to see your way through a blind tasting Feb 21, 2019

Have a wine question for Michael? Check out At The Shore's monthly "You Ask And I'll Answer" article. This month Michael discusses blind tastings! From determining what varietals to feature to how to begin the challenge!

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A drinkable twist on New Year's resolutions Jan 29, 2019

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray answers questions wine and how he is going to expand his knowledge! This blog also has some questions for you!

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Jackson Glassey: Starting Scotch Part 3 Jan 04, 2019

I started off obsessed, took a short detour growing disenchanted, and, now, I’ve reached an optimum level of scotch excursion and experimentation. 

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Ho ho ho and a bottle of wine Dec 31, 2018

Michael's latest wine column in 'At The Shore', he continues to answer YOUR reader questions! This time, full body dinner wines, wine events and sparkling wine! 

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Jackson Glassey: Starting Scotch Part 2 Dec 17, 2018

"I was regularly attending Whiskey Wednesdays at our Somers Point location, constantly learning about different types of scotch and the processes involved in crafting them."

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The Power of Wine & Community! Oct 03, 2018

How would you like to taste over $1,000 worth of wine for only $89!? This month we take a break from our traditional Q&A to discuss the most comprehensive charitable wine tasting in South Jersey – The Right Notes!

 

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Joe Nuphut's Internship Aug 29, 2018

"Over time after becoming more comfortable with the tasks that were asked of me, I was able to contribute more and really felt like I developed a role on this web team."

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Q&A on Burgundy, French wine, and more! Jul 19, 2018

In this month's "you ask and I'll answer" Michael answers questions about Burgundy, French wine law, bad wine at a restaurant and some random quick-fire answers to questions! 

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Stockton University Intern, Brooke Sovern Jun 25, 2018

"Life as an intern"

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Wine price points, varietal alternatives and more Jun 21, 2018

In this month's 'you ask and I'll answer', Michael Bray answers questions about varietal alternatives, product recommendations and price point. 

 

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Whisky Wednesday Jun 12, 2018

"If you haven’t already, stop by Passion Vines in Somers Point and see for yourself.  Trust me: it’s worth it."

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Stockton University Intern, Savannah Wolfe Jun 01, 2018

"Overall, working for Passion Vines has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience! I will miss working with such an amazing team!"

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Jackson Glassey: Starting Scotch Part 1 May 26, 2018

Join our own Jackson Glassey in his "Starting Scotch" series...

"Take what I’ve written here with a grain of barley; I’m just a guy with a sudden onset of scotch mania who wanted to document his early experiences with the drink. You have been warned."

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Dry roses, sweet vs. fruity and more Apr 19, 2018
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Wedding toasts, food wine, Shiraz and more Mar 21, 2018

In Michael's latest wine column in 'At The Shore', he continues to answer YOUR reader questions! This time, Syrah vs. Shiraz, "food wines" and a champagne toast!

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You ask and I’ll answer … Feb 12, 2018

In Michael's second 'At The Shore' wine column of 2018, he answered the first round of reader questions, including organic wines, where to start, and great-value California Cabernets!

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Oh, the places we will go… Jan 17, 2018

In Michael's first Press of AC 'At the Shore' column of 2018, he rounds up some wine resolutions from the area's top oenophiles, and invites everyone to let us know what YOU want to explore wine-wise this year!

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Hidden treasures in the wine aisle Aug 18, 2017

Michael Bray details some of the greatest opportunities to experience great value in older vintages from awesome producers, which he lists and explains!

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Summer Wine Trends! Jul 20, 2017

Sometimes the bouquet of a wine will remind us of the season, and other times we simply need something to appropriately quench our thirst on a hot day! Just like food pairings, there are seasonal “weather pairings” and here we look at five hot summer wine trends.

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Chardonnay & Pinot Noir – There’s no Place like Burgundy! Jun 09, 2017

An explanation about Burgundy, from history to classification to varietals! 

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Understanding Piedmont, Italy May 12, 2017

An explanation about what makes wine from Piedmont, Italy so unique!

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Sip, Savor and Spring into these wines Apr 14, 2017

Michael explains the unique style of wine that the spring season brings, and includes a list of delicious, quality wines for springtime enjoyment. 

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Decoding The ‘Old World’ Mar 13, 2017

‘Old world’ refers to (European) wine producing countries such as: France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Germany. This post offers an explanation of this term via "Old World 101" and provides essential facts to further one's understanding of the old world of wine. 

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“Excuse me, do you have organic wine?” Feb 10, 2017

All about Organic Wines- the different types and what they mean- including how to spot one for yourself!

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Where will your (wine) curiosity take you in 2017? Jan 23, 2017

Whether you’re an at-home aficionado, bartender, server, or a twenty-one-year-old about to take your first sip…this blog post suggests FIVE goals that will cause you to explore the world of wine in a way that will create deeper understanding, appreciation and fun!

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Bubbly Q&A Dec 27, 2016

No occasion calls for something sparkling more than New Year’s Eve! From amateurs to experts, we’ll all be grabbing something with bubbles to celebrate. So, before you purchase something to “pop” – here’s some Q & A to help make your last (wine) decision of 2016 a remarkable one.

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Beaujolais Day is Here! Nov 13, 2016

 “Beaujolais Day” in France (Thanksgiving day in America) is here! An in depth look at the region of Beaujolais with some quality recommendations. 

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Understanding Tempranillo [tem-prah-NEE-yoh] Oct 17, 2016

A guide to all things Tempranillo [tem-prah-NEE-yoh] including history, and some of our personal recommendations. 

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“Wine on a mission” to cure Multiple Sclerosis! Sep 09, 2016

Michael Bray discusses Passion Vines mission to cure MS, and local events that help do so! 

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Macedonian Wine Country Hits the Jersey Shore! Aug 15, 2016

Discusses Macedonian wine country and the best availability at the  Jersey shore! 

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Sparkling Wine Leads Consumption! Jul 15, 2016

Michael discusses all things sparkling wine, discusses some local favorites, and provides fantastic recommendations. 

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Summer Styles Jun 17, 2016

Summer at the shore is one of my favorite times of the year, and it all comes down to weather and wine. For everyone from beginners to serious oenophiles, the change in season is an opportunity to experience a wine or varietal that is more congruent with the season. Whether you’re in your local wine store or favorite restaurant, be sure to check out this list of the best summer styles!

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All sizes are 750mL unless otherwise noted.
Vintages, ratings and product packaging (images) are subject to change at any time.
All pricing and availability are subject to change.
Artwork does not necessarily represent items for sale.

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