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Pop Muzik

Domaine Arsac
Pop Color 2022
VDF
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Biodynamic/organic farmed, horses working in the vineyard, compost from their cows, native yeasts
Saint Jean Le Centenier, Ardèche, Rhône Valley, France
Winemaking family: Sebastien & Dimitri Arsac

Lemon yellow with a touch of skin contact orange-ade. Sniffing and there’s lemon, lime, a blend of Valencia & Navel orange. orange blossoms, a refreshing cool mineral rock, and greenery covered in fresh morning dew. Taking a sip and then another and all of the scents are in the sip with a gentle squeeze of light grapefruit, citrus zest with the tiniest touch of thyme on the back, as time passes there’s a bit of green bell pepper, and it all ends in a dry delight. BTW I could see beer drinkers turning to the wine side for this bottle.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: ACK I RAN OUT

This is my 2nd wine from Domaine Arsac, and both have been absolutely delicious & delightful. For those that didn’t read the 1st post on their “Rosé La Chaumette 2023”, here’s a recap on who they are, how they see wine, and their dedication to the land & the whole process. “Wine is an incredible social bond, and in order to introduce it to a wider audience, it is important to have an uninhibited, sharing approach. A glass of wine is a story of the lives of men, of territories, but also a story between friends.” The Arsacs’ shared story on their site took me by surprise. Their history begins with Gaston (the grandfather) and his return to France after being a POW in WWII. Honestly, I can’t even imagine what he saw, went through, and then the feeling of returning to his homeland, getting married and channeling his energy & passion into the farm & vines. The latest generation of Sebastien & Dimitri have followed in their grandfather’s footsteps by adhering to his old school teachings which has led them to becoming organic & practicing biodynamic. I know, I know…everyone says “organic”, but this family really cares about keeping tradition, digging deeper & expanding their natural knowledge for the good of all even in our hectic contemporary times. 🐄🐎❤️

BTW this bottle has given me the gift of M’s “Pop Muzik” stuck on repeat in my head.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #organic #orangewine #France #worldbyglass #Rhone #docwinebar #docwineshop #DomaineArsac #SkinContactWines

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Lighter On Their Feet

Djuce
Core Wines (their house wines)
Crispy White
Trebbiano
Organic & vegan
Abruzzo, Italy

Starlight with a blip of yellow green crayon. Breathing in and as it opens it starts off with Texas toast, then emerges honeydew & other melon balls, pears both crisp & full, fresh cool rained on paving stones that turn into creek rocks, and a smidge of wild chives/onions that I used to pick by the lake as a kid…that fresh sweet but savory green moment. All of the scents are in the sip with crisp green & crab apples, a lemon/lime crisp squish, and garden fresh peeled cucumbers. It’s easy-peasy fresh, crisp and lively.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: scrumptiously delicious

Djuce started popping up in my feeds maybe a week or so ago, so when I saw one in person of course had to try one. They work with organic/natural/biodynamic/like minded European winemakers and pair them with a cool assortment of artists whose work makes it a little hard to toss in recycling because you might want to make a little art shelf to display your collection (this can’s little creature is by Johan Alenius and check out the animation here https://www.instagram.com/p/C748e4ti7hE/?hl=en ). Speaking on recycling & the good it does for the environment…since they are using cans, it also trims back on their carbon footprint. They’re also very portable and can be cracked anywhere like hanging by the pool, hiking in the woods (just remember if you bring it with you, take it back out with you when you leave),  dancing at a concert under the stars, or like me chilling on a hot summer night at home. Anyway, I bet you’ll find your favorite sipping spot. Oh and I know a some of you are still iffy on wine in a can. I’ve had my share of stinkers too, but these are definitely a hit.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #wineinacan #cannedwine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #organic #italy #Sweden #worldbyglass #JohanAlenius #zevrovineselections #docwinebar #docwineshop #djuce

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A Viking With A Cause

Vichingo
Lust For Light 2021
60% Valdiguié, 30% Gamay, 10% Gewurztraminer
Organic & biodynamic
North Coast, California
Collaboration of G.E.O. & Hobo Winery

Shining ruby with light garnet rim. Scents float up of cherry (fresh & dried), plum, raspberry, a white/pink pepper blend, and as time goes by roses. First sip after it has warmed up on this damn hot night is tangy with tart cherries mixed with a lemon squeeze, young raspberries & blackberries, green strawberries, yellow plums, pinch of that pepper blend lingering in the back, light boysenberry pops out over time, and realizing there’s a taste of whittled/stripped green fresh apple tree twig. This is one happy fresh chilled viking.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: kind of goes sour so step away from the box

Well, this was quite a surprise. Vichingo (Italian for viking) is a collaboration project with G.E.O (the creative, branding & design team of Garrett Morin & Elisabeth Dilk) and wineries/winemakers from Italy, Spain, California and possibly more that I haven’t found. This “lusty” bottle hails from CA & Hobo Wine Co. who are very invested in caring for the planet and all that inhabit it. Not only do they make decisions to work organic, biodynamic, or sustainable; they also consider the effect their packaging and transport into the big picture and their “winery is powered by local renewable sustainable geothermal energy via Sonoma County’s EVERGREEN CLEAN POWER program”. They’re also a member of “1% for the Planet and donate 1% of their gross revenue from all of their brands to non-profit environmental organizations. Since joining, they have donated over $171,459; $150,043 in cash and $21,271 in wine.” The more I hear of wineries, winemakers, distributors/importers, and sellers caring and taking in consideration to their impact & what they can do to help the world gives me hope and lightens my heart for the future.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #organic #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #winetime #wineislove #hobowine #hobowinecompany #vinewine #vinewinenyc

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Naturally Digging Deeper

Domaine Arsac
Rosé La Chaumette 2023
Coteaux de l’Ardèche IGP
75% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 5% Viognier
Biodynamic/organic farmed, horses working in the vineyard, compost from their own cows, native yeasts
Saint Jean Le Centenier, Ardèche, Rhône Valley, France
Winemaking family: Sebastien & Dimitri Arsac

Dainty pale rosé with pink and lightest orange gold warm splashes. Scents start off delicate & gentle of strawberries, touch of cream, lemon squeeze, peaches, biscotti, mandarins & kumquats. It’s an inviting sip of strawberries, peaches & that creaminess with raspberries, cranberry, a citrus sparkle, instead of biscotti it’s more like baguette, and toward the end a salt/mineral almond moment that balances everything.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: absolutely delicious and a perfect pair!

“Wine is an incredible social bond, and in order to introduce it to a wider audience, it is important to have an uninhibited, sharing approach. A glass of wine is a story of the lives of men, of territories, but also a story between friends.” The Arsacs’ shared story on their site took me by surprise. Their history begins with Gaston (the grandfather) and his return to France after being a POW in WWII. Honestly, I can’t even imagine what he saw, went through, and then the feeling of returning to his homeland, getting married and channeling his energy & passion into the farm & vines. The latest generation of Sebastien & Dimitri have followed in their grandfather’s footsteps by adhering to his old school teachings which has led them to becoming organic & practicing biodynamic. I know, I know…everyone says “organic”, but this family really cares about keeping tradition, digging deeper & expanding their natural knowledge for the good of all even in our hectic contemporary times. 🐄🐎❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #organic #Rosé #Rose #France #worldbyglass #Rhone #docwinebar #docwineshop #DomaineArsac #SkinContactWines

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Finding Paradise By The Stars

Hager Matthias
Riesling Terrassen 2022
100% Riesling
Certified biodynamic (Demeter)
Mollands, Kamptal, Austria
Owner & winemaker: Matthias Hager

Shining medium gold, Breathing in pears, something like an Oreo center, refreshing cool spring house scents from my childhood home, white peaches, smidge of grapefruit but not overly strong, tangerine, Valencia orange blend & blossoms, and apricot. Sipping and this lovely glass that brightens my spirits. There’s pears, apples, apricots, a citrus spark & lemon lime sizzle, honeysuckle, and way in the very back the teeniest ginger winks flirtatiously.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Brings on a citrus rolling wave

Matthias has his head in the stars, oh and also the moon, sun, planets, etc. In other words, he is devoted to biodynamics and follows Maria Thun’s calendar (related to the cosmic rhythm) that guides the farmer/winegrower when to plant, tend, and harvest. This is so much better than me reading my daily horoscope. Anyway, he and his family are very in tune and devoted to their lands & vines…as they say, “For us, biodynamic viticulture means much more than ‘just’ making wine. It’s much more about understanding the context of life”. Wine is also as Mattias’ brother Hermann says is his “challenge” to pair with food that he has accepted with their “gourmet paradise” Weinbeisserei. The restaurant (culinary experience) has beautiful views of the vineyards, wonderfully crafted meals with ingredients sourced from locals or from his garden & his Turopolje pigs (they are really cute), and of course the properly selected wines. I guess they truly have found their paradise. ✨✨

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #biodynamic #austria #riesling #worldbyglass #Weinbeisserei #volkerwineco #hagermatthias #docwinebar #docwineshop @hager_matthias @volkerwineco @docwinebar @docwineshop

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Wine Of Joy & Freedom

Azienda Agricola Bugno Martino
Rosso Matilde 2022
Provincia di Mantova Lambrusco IGP
Lambrusco Salamino & Ancellotta
Sparkling Wine
Organic, biodynamic, hand harvested
San Benedetto Po, Mantua, Lombardy, Italy
Raffaella and Giuseppe Merlin

Deep ruby with dark pink bubbles. Scents floating up of cherries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, red currants, a little balsamic reduction, red delicious apples, and violets. Going in for the taste and all of those scents are there with a little puff of smoke, and tiny twist of lemon on the back. Lovely, lively and elegant.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: ick

As many of you know, I just love finding out how people end up making wine. The Merlins tale started with Giuseppe whisking Raffaella off on a romantic weekend only to arrive at a cellar to taste wine, and told they don’t have an appointment. Yikes, so much for romance! Actually, the busy winemaker took pity on them and invited both in if they would help him in the vineyard by sampling the grapes. I’d say that’s a pretty great deal. Then the magic happens, they “went to the cellar and felt the wines”. Just imagine being in the dark with very little candle light and becoming immersed in the whole experience. The seed of an idea or inclination had been planted. When life offered them an opportunity in Giuseppe’s dad retiring from working the family farm, the adventure of planting their own vines had begun. Now, they are all about Lambrusco…their own way or as they say, “Lambrusco is freedom, to be yourself, to free yourself from preconceptions and homologations, to toast with friends, to have a carefree evening. Lambrusco is the wine of joy.” Along with that joy, they’ve also brought along 2 flowering fields of happiness where you’ll find hives of my favorite little buzzers. 🐝❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #organic #bees #Italy #lombardy  #worldbyglass #bugnomartino #SkinContactWines  #docwinebar #docwineshop @cantinabugnomartino @SkinContactWines @docwinebar @docwineshop

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Living Stress Free

Domaine Tatsis
Limnio 2020
Limnio 100%
P.G.I. Macedonia
Organic, biodynamic, native yeasts
Goumenissa, Macedonia, Greece
Winemaking brothers: Periklis & Stergios Tatsis

Ruby stained glass. There’s scents of cherries, raspberries, strawberries, plums, a little vanilla frosting, hyssop, juniper, and a pepper blend. Everything I’m sniffing is there in the taste along with an orange & mixed bag of citrus twang, young pink strawberries with their green caps, white pepper, and an exhale of peat that wanders off. It’s light on its feet with a smooth elegance.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: even bigger berries

This quote greets you on Tatsis’ website, “Companionship with the vine is a lifelong relationship, it is family. Together we grow, vines and people, in good times and bad.” Periklis & Stergios grew up in a wine family (they’re 3rd generation) and that doesn’t only include their human relatives but also their vines, land, and everything else related to their wines. In fact, they love them so much that once their father handed over the reigns, they set about going organic/biodynamic and getting certified. Two things that jumped out to me about Tatsis are this is the best Greek wine I’ve ever had, and their sentiment: “Since 2002 we have been striving to achieve stress-free vines with healthy fruit. In essence, we are fellow travelers in our vineyards with open eyes and ears and help them where there is a real need.” Wow, they really do love their vines if they want to keep them “stress-free”. Oh, if they could only do that for all of us. What I wouldn’t give for a day with no stress. 🤣 If that’s the reason this wine is so wonderful, maybe I should pack up, head to Goumenissa and set up a tent in their vineyard. Cheers! 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #redwine #worldbyglass #organic #winetime #Greece #organic #biodynamic #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #tatsiswinery #DomaineTatsis #docwineshop #docwinebar @dnswines @tatsis_winery @docwineshop

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“Music as an Emotional Tasting Note”

Weingut Weninger
Rózsa Petsovits 2022
Syrah, Zweigelt, Pinot Noir, Blaufränkisch
Grapes are from Austria & Hungary (Syrah)
Biodynamic, hand harvested (take a look at the t-shirts)
Vineyards across the border Hungary/Austria
Horitschon, Austria
Franz & Petra Weninger

Deep shining rose with salmon glints. Breathing in watermelon, strawberry, raspberry, whiff of hay that fades but reappears here and there, plums, cherries, apples, red currants, and a bit of orange zest (there’s a lot in this little glass). Sip and all of the scents are there in the taste, with a squeeze of lime & a shave more of deep citrus zest, and a sweetness that reminds me of the rock candy made from cane sugar my parents bought me as a child on special occasions. It’s bright, light, fresh and joyful.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Zingy

At first I thought I’d be writing about Franz’s grandmother Rózsa Petsovits since this bottle of deep rosé is named after her, but then I found out about “Sound of Terroir” their music project. Franz gathered musician friends with a proposal or challenge to “visualize the different taste of Blaufränkisch grown on 3 different grounds” (Sopron [Steiner], Mattelburgenland [Dürrau], & Südburgenland [Saybritz])  and express what they tasted & how it made them feel. Oh and they also had to come up with instruments made from the vineyard or cellar materials. With trial and error they sorted out using bottles, barrels (designed a barrel-zither), and even a hose-trumpet. Not sure how much wine was consumed, but from that tasting they began to sort songs that paired with each bottle and then adapt them to work with these new musical instruments. Next up they had to find a performance space since the cellar didn’t work for pretty obvious reasons, so they ended up at the Liszt House which is pretty appropriate and cool. All of this played out pretty fast over a few days too, so pretty amazing wrangling a whole orchestra with homemade instruments and filming the performances. They pulled it off, and you can check out the videos on their site. Franz and friends had achieved as quoted, “Music as an Emotional Tasting Note”.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #organic #biodynamic #austria #Hungary #winemusic #Liszt #dnswines #WeingutWeninger #Weninger #vinewine #vinewinenyc @vinewinenyc @franz_weninger @dnswines

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This Is Not That Story

Valdisole Wine
Helios 2019
Nebbiolo
Organic, biodynamic
Corneliano d’Alba (CN), Piedmont, Italy
Giuseppe Amato & Kyriaki Kalimeri

Shining garnet pour. Sniff and it starts off a bit wild but it’s just been opened so over a short amount of time it tames, tart cherries, young raspberries, blackberries, tomato leaf, tiny roses & violets, over time there’s plums of all sorts, red apple, and a rugged bit of peat/earthiness. Tasting and it starts out light & delicious that grows into a richer moment, cherries (tart & sweet), red currants, plums, a touch of peat or smoke, raspstrawblueberries mix, a drop of blackberry, tiny reminder of sugar cane that turns into violets, smidge of green tomato, and touch of grounded earthiness.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: sweeter

You know the usual tales of growing up in a wine family and inheriting land…this is not that story. Giuseppe & Kyriaki’s strength in finding their way in wine is curiosity. She had a background in computers & electrical engineering but that curious spark led her to getting an education as a sommelier & a diploma. He had a great appreciation for cuisine so ended up taking cooking classes and realized the attraction of pairing food & wine so he also ventured into sommelier courses, but that a wasn’t enough. The whole wine experience grabbed his attention and they both jumped full in to buying a vineyard…oh, and it was an online site where you can buy stuff secondhand. The vineyard was a half ha of “abandoned & shabby Nebbiolo”. (Makes me think of people who buy a house for $1 in an old town and when they get there they see the full extent of the repairs needed 🙀.) They’ve expanded, added varying grapes, are keeping it all natural, and I have to say this Nebbiolo is definitely not shabby now. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #organic #naturalwine #Nebbiolo #italy #terrellwines #valdisolewine #vinewine #vinewinenyc @vinewinenyc @valdisole.wine

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Back To The Origin

Mas del Serral de Pepe Raventós
Ancestral
Viñya del Mas 2018
100% Xarel·lo
Natural sparkling wine
No. Bottles 1863
No disgorging, no dosage, brut nature, organic/biodynamic, vineyard work all by hand or horse
Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain

Hazy yellow gold with a little sheen of green (kind of IPAish) with fine bubbles & deepens over time from the bottom up. Sniffing and it’s creamy at first like an Oreo center and later turns into a tiny drizzle of honey on top of sourdough, lovely pears (reminds me a bit of Poire Williams), white peaches, apple pie, and a light citrus blend (like Valencia oranges smooth & Mandarin). Tasting all of the scents are there…especially the pears with a twist of lemon & lime tingle/sizzle on my lips and tongue, there’s even a little Key lime pie, pinch of salt & mineral lick, and smidge of hay that fades fast. Very bright and full of life.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: just don’t

When you see Pepe’s last name you know he comes from a long line of winegrowers and the prestigious winery Raventós I Blanc (documented since 1497 & one of the oldest wine producers in the world). His grandfather Josep Maria championed the creation of DO Cava and passed the torch to Pepe’s father Manuel who was joined by Pepe who like his grandfather had a dream and withdrew from the DO Cava in favor of a being recognized for their Conca del Riu Anoia that would rise to a higher standard. To be included there would be a higher min. paid to growers, vineyards must be at least 10 yrs old, native & organic, smaller yields, and a longer time on the lees (18 month min). Pepe’s project Mas del Serral is a plot within the Raventós vineyard (Clos del Serral) where they return to the ancestral farming traditions. It brings together humans, vines, and animals living & working together in harmony to tell the story of their and their land’s origin. As he is quoted, “What I love is to taste a wine and that it takes us to the place where it was made”. ❤️🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #cava #sparklingwine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #organic #naturalwine #biodynamic #Spain #raventos #masdeserral #vinewine #vinewinenyc