A wise person this week told me I should do something smart this weekend, ala get some of my mojo back.

Little did he know that I would soon be benched from running, cycling, swimming, etc. due to a migraine followed by a stomach bug, etc.  (There’s a lot you can thank me for by not describing that last “etc.”)

So I did what any sane athlete would do when benched: I went shopping.  I wanted to find the Moore Brothers Wine Company, right across the river from Philly in New Jersey.  Another friend of mine swore by it (really, though, pretty much every friend of mine swears) and now I had some quality time on my hands to investigate.

First impression–It felt Jersey.  It was kind of a business-y strip mall, and when I walked in through the opaque glass doors (kind of like all cars in Jersey are tinted), it was a large room, with plenty of wine racks, and lots of boxes lining the walls.  Somewhat orderly, somewhat not–definitely not glitzy.  BUT as a kicker, it was also as cold as a meat locker. (Jersey does have its stereotypes for a reason).   But I spied with my little eyes a line in front of table, off to the right, that was hosting a four-bottle tasting that might warm me up.

The offerings…plus Rose!

Four bottles in ascending order of alcohol content were lined up in front of two dudes–one of whom was dressed in a sweater and jacket and corduroy trousers (I mean, he came prepared for the inside of this room).  Little did I know he was French (hence, the Euro-layers), but he was also the wine maker, Bruno Lafon from Domaine Magellan.  (Triple Style Points for him).  He used words like “blood orange finish” and “marzipan” to describe his wines…and damned all if they weren’t in there! (The tasting notes were accurate, and not only because his French accent was persuasive. The wine was tasty in the way wines from Provence are. #Terroir and all that jazz.) I made a joke that I wish we had met before I traveled there a few years ago – he could have helped me find some good wines – but his face didn’t break a smile.   (I thought about dropping the fact that I did Ironman France, which is why I was there, but didn’t because, well, he was wearing corduroy). I digress.

I’ll taste these wines later for your benefit, but more about Moore Brothers.

Why was Bruno there?  It’s a very cool part of this wine store: “For over twenty years, we have be sourcing our wines directly through our relationships with artisan wine producers in France, Italy, Germany, California, and Oregon.” They bring the wine maker in because they have relationships with all wines they sell. AND BECAUSE: “The tasting table is always open.” My favorite kind of brothers! (Mine make me bring the wine. I digress again).

Why was it so cellarly cold?  Because it’s wine, and in their words again: “As the representatives of the producers, we take pristine care of their work. All of their wines are picked up at the winery in a refrigerated truck, and from that minute until it goes out the door with a customer, the wine is under perfect temperature control at 56°.”

Summary: I bought the wines (except one.  I think it didn’t pair with my migraine).  Can’t wait to go back- I feel like I have found Platform 9 1/2 of the wine world! Pure magic to have wines from the source, to taste them, and to get to talk about them from the winemakers directly.

My booty. Can’t wait to try it out and share! (Plus, the less I have the more I can go back to Moore Brothers).