July 6th Reception will be Followed by Weekly Cooking Demonstrations
Co-sponsored by Metuchen Market Day and the Borough Improvement League

On the first Friday evening in July, Metuchen area residents will have the opportunity to taste a historic wine.

Only one week ago, a wine competition in Princeton was set up to mirror the notorious 1976 “Judgement of Paris” where California wines routed their French competitors in a blind taste test. This time, New Jersey wines were compared with French peers and again judged blind by a panel of international wine experts, including three critics from Belgium and France. The New Jersey wines were ranked so well that the results were almost a statistical tie; a 2010 Chardonnay from Unionville Vineyards placed a close second after the top white, a Joseph Drouhin Beaune Clos Mouches 2009 from Burgundy, France.

“I am ecstatic about sharing this epic moment in New Jersey wine history with Metuchen,” says Janna Morishima, programming director for Metuchen Market Day. “The quality and variety of what is being produced by New Jersey farms, orchards, and vineyards is increasing every year, and this special event gives us a chance to celebrate that, not to mention raising a glass to toast the continuing growth and success of the Metuchen Farmers Market.”

At Metuchen’s July 6th wine and cheese reception, local wine lovers will be able to sample the spectacular 2010 Chardonnay from Unionville, along with a host of other specialities, including Governors Cup-winner The Big “O” (a blend of Cabernet Sauvigon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot); Albariño Spanish-style dry white; and Vat #17 Port, among others. Local musician Steve Kaplan will be entertaining guests with acoustic guitar music, while an exhibit by more than a dozen local artists will be on view.

The event is open to the public and starts at 7 pm on July 6th, in the Old Franklin School located at 491 Middlesex Avenue. Tastings will be available for $5 a glass.

The wine andcheese reception is the launch event for Metuchen Market Day and the Borough Improvement League’s 2012 “Summer House for the Arts” events series. Metuchen Market Day cooking demos will be held every Saturday at 11 am in July and August at the Old Franklin School. These will include:

  • July 14: The Stress Effect by Jamie Checket, a private health coach, on how to use food and behavior to lessen stress;
  • July 21: Let’s Cook Indian by Hema Devarajan, an Indian cooking blogger;
  • July 28: Say Cashew Cheese by health coach Evelyn Fuertes;
  • August 4: Fresh Fruit and French Pastry by Kir Rodriguez, Pastry Chef Instructor at The International Culinary Center in NYC;
  • August 18: Cooking Gluten-Free by Karen McNamara, a former special education teacher, and Allison Inserro, who runs the support group www.allergyfriendsnj.org; and
  • August 25: How to Pack a Bento Box Lunch by Janna Morishima.

For a full roster of Summer House events, visit: http://www.boroughimprovementleague.org/8.html.

Metuchen Market Day is the Metuchen farmers market, held every Saturday in the northeast corner of the Pearl Street Parking lot from 9am through 2pm, and sponsored by the Metuchen Chamber of Commerce. To join the mailing list or get more information, visit http://www.metuchenmarketday.com or become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/metuchenmarketday.

The Borough Improvement League, founded in 1901, is a non-profit organization devoted to community service and preserving the historic Old Franklin School in Metuchen. For more information, visit

http://www.boroughimprovementleague.org or become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/groups/boroughimprovementleague/.