(TRENTON) –  New Jersey wines already are known for their high quality. They have garnered much attention at national and international contests in recent years and the good news for New Jersey wine connoisseurs is that the 2019 grape season is one of the best yet in the Garden State.

According to several grape growers and wineries around the state, New Jersey hit the ultimate sweet spot in 2019. Many grapes are testing in the Brix 26 range, considered to be the top measurement for sweetness. Brix is the measure of sugar level in grapes and the perfect ripeness is considered between 25 and 27. The early summer rains combined with the dry period of August and September made for ideal grape growing conditions.

“New Jersey grape growers and wineries do an outstanding job with what they produce every year,” New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher said. “The vintners’ diligence and care for their vines, combined with wonderful growing conditions, made this one of the best years we’ve had for our industry.”

One of the country’s top wine producers with 1.5 million gallons produced in 2016, New Jersey is home to more than 50 licensed wineries.

“The New Jersey wine industry’s outstanding reputation will continue to be enhanced because of the grapes that have been produced this year,” said Tom Cosentino, Garden State Wine Growers Association Executive Director. “We know our growers are excited about this year’s crop and that’s great news for New Jersey wine makers and consumers.”

New Jersey has almost 2,000 acres of farmland dedicated to grapevine cultivation. There are more than 40 grape varieties now growing in the state, from Pinot Noir and Riesling in the North, to Italian varieties such as Sangiovese and Barbera in the South. New Jersey grows a wide range of vinifera vines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to French American Hybrids.

Highly acclaimed wines have received high marks in national and international competitions such as the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

New Jersey has four Viticultural Regions: Outer Coastal Plain, Warren Hills, Central Delaware Valley, and the Cape May Peninsula, which was approved last spring.

Most New Jersey wineries have direct to consumer shipping. For a list of New Jersey wineries and regular events that take place at wineries throughout the state, go to www.newjerseywines.com.

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