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Absolutely No Brooding Here

Bodegas y Vinedos Ponce
La Xara 2022
100% Garnacha
Manchuela DO
Organic, vegan, biodynamic, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts
Villanueva de la Jara, Cuenca, Spain
Winemaker: Juan Antonio Ponce

Ruby with some purple blue flashes. Breathing in light violets, cherries, plums both fresh & dried, touch of fresh tobacco, ccaramelized goodness (hence the tobacco), raspberries, and tomato leaves. What I’ve sniffed is in the taste with a grind of peppercorns, a tart tangle of singed citrus zest, blackberries (fresh picked on the side of the road while warm, juice dribbling & all), fresh dandelion & oregano, and an enjoyable lick of iron. This is not a brooding red, but bright, fresh, and a dry tingle.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Smooth and juicy

At 14 Juan was already studying wine, applying his knowledge out in the world, and by 23 he started his own venture & from what I read it was with “11 barrels and a loan”…well and some land already being farmed by his father too. Now he’s known as one of Spain’s top “experts in biodynamic and natural winemaking”. He has a deep affinity for Bobal (he’s been called the Bobal whisperer), but he also has that “Gredos” touch with this lively, elegant, and as said before fresh Garnacha. Each glass just seems to shine more and if you listen closely it will start to whisper its tale since Juan “believes that every bottle tells a story”. This one is filled with love, care, respect and the passion behind his family’s life of wine. Wait…glass is there something else you’re trying to say? Is this really you whispering or is it the “wine” talking? You want me to get up off my butt & take a spin around the room to what…Sofi Tukker? Really? Well then I think it’s time to “Throw Some…” 💃🍷 Happy weekend & shake your tail feather, y’all!

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove  #winetime #organic #sofitukker #Garnacha #Spain #tedwardwines #bodegasponce #docwinebar #docwineshop

 

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“Can You Bottle An Idea?”

Fento Wines
Bico Do Cabo 2022
Albariño
Rias Baixas DO
Organic & biodynamic
Ribadumia, Galicia, Spain
Winemaker: Rebecca & Eulogio Pomares

Shining golden yellow. Breathing in lemons, tiny squeeze of grapefruit, pears, a cooling sea breeze, and ocean wave splashed on mineral rock. First taste and there’s lemons & lemon Pez, firm pears, Granny Smith apples, a little white peach, and a kiss of salt. It’s just fresh, crisp, zingy and has a lot more going on than a lot of other Albariños.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: surprisingly brings out a whole big basket of lemons so pucker up!

“For me freedom is not doing what I want, it is knowing that I can. The starting point was: can you bottle an idea?” – Eulogio Pomares

Taking that first step toward bottling his ideas must have been so exciting while growing up in the Bodegas Zárate wine family (7th generation), and is now their winemaker, but he didn’t just stop there…he’s been called restless which I see as creatively driven. He &  Rebecca (his wife) also have side projects that include Parcelarios (their Albariño vineyard comes from a plot of old vines from Rebeca’s grandmother), and Fento Wines (fern in Galician) which has been around & keeping it natural since 2012, and includes grapes from both Rias Baixas & Portugal’s Dao region (Quinta da Pellada). Then there’s his passion of not only being a champion of Albariño, but also of local reds (Caiño Tinto, Loureiro Tinto & Espadeiro) that needed a bit of his know-how & help with recovery. Overall this man must be the “Energizer Bunny” of Galician wines and is known as one of their top winemakers…so my bet is he finds a very satisfying freedom in every glass of his wine that is poured. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #catsofinstagram #cats #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #naturalwine #worldbyglass #organic #Galicia #Spain #avantgardews #fentowines #vinewinenyc

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Butterfly Kisses

Butterfly Kisses
Movia
Pét-Nat 2022
Chardonnay 50%, Rebula 50%
Organic, biodynamic, dry farmed, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts
Primorska, Slovenia
Aleš Kristančič (father & wine genius)
Lan Kristančič (following in his father & family’s footsteps & who came up with this collaboration with Ethica Wines)

Orangey gold amber with tiny fine bubbles and the color becomes more electric over time. Breathing in lovely brioche, gentle orange blossoms, orange creamsicle, lemon crispness, persimmons, and a mellow delicate blend of all sorts of oranges. Sipping and this is just elegant & delicious…all of the scents with a puff of smoke, bright and clean tingle that adds in more citrus like tangelos & lime, nectarine, apricot, tart yellow plums & yellow cherries, lick of salt, and as time goes a touch of fresh honey. It’s vibrant, crisp, delightful with a flutter of flirtation & a quick butterfly kiss.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Don’t ruin a good thing. Walk away from the box.

Movia dates back to 1820, and the Kristančič family do not see their estate & wine production as a job, it’s a calling or a way a life that intertwines them, their vineyards, and all of nature. Their lands stretch over 30 ha with 25 through the Slovenian-Goriška Brda region & Collio (Italy). Yes, Aleš was born into this wine family but he also studied winemaking at the University of Padua & apprenticed & gained experiences in Bordeaux & Burgundy. His dad though gifted him with some of the most important lessons. As Aleš says on Movia’s site, “Before my father passed the winery into my hands, he made me believe that we-people didn’t invent wine, we just discovered it. And everything starts from here.“ “We believe that wine is the 2nd most important drink that a person consumes…We are aware that the taste that nature itself can give to us is always better than the one with human interventions.” Just check out their Puro sparkling wines as a perfect example. They’re not disgorged, due to their yeasts can live forever, & honestly scare me a little because…well I’m a klutz. There are 2 special ways to open them and enjoy their bright life. Chill it upside down & check out the video to see if you can master it on the first try. I’m just glad this scrumptious pét-nat came with a crown cap. 🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover

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“A New Adventure Each Time”

Domaine la Roche Buissière
Le Rosé 2022
VDF
Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvèdre
Organic, hand harvested, unfiltered & unfined
Rhône Valley, France
Antoine & Laurence Joly

Warm sunset rose orange. This enchanting blend speeds up to my nose where it’s faster than thinking the words as a rapid fire collage of pics. There’s tangelo, strawberries, all the berries, pomegranate, a little red currant, peach, fresh rain on concrete, a teeny herby thing that I’m trying to place…the pics went by too fast….and also light hazelnut. All of the scents are on the tip of my tongue with a touch more manzanilla lick at times (it goes in and out), gooseberries, watermelon cubes, and a little chew of bright sourgrass. There’s a full out fun but also a refinement & class. You can take this bottle anywhere from a backyard grilling party to a swanky night dining under the stars.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: NO

Antoine & Laurence may be the 2nd generation making wine on their land, but Antoine’s father Pierre had been growing vines for quite a while. The grapes were generally sold to a co-op, but he is also one of the early organic growers in Rhône with certification in the 80s (was already working organic since mid 70s). With so much knowledge to share, it must have been exciting to have Antoine and his wife Laurence join in, and to take the vineyards a step farther into the natural winemaking world. And as each new wine will be a potential surprise, I love this quote from their site, “Winemaking does not follow a predefined recipe: each vintage is different, we accompany the fruit towards its purest expression, it is a new adventure each time!” A great way of life to keep you on your toes & raising a celebratory glass when the time is just right. 🍇

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove  #winetime #Rosé #France #worldbyglass #zevrovine #larochebuissiere #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Bottled Emotions

Weingut Claus Preisinger
Puszta Blanca! 2023
60% Grüner Veltliner, 35% Weissburgunder, 5% Muscat Ottonel
Organic, biodynamic, unfined/filtered, spontaneous fermentation
Gols, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee, Austria
Winemaker: Claus Preisinger

Shining yellow brick road with a touch of haze. Oh there are so many scents flying out. There’s cool ripe cucumber, melon, lemon, mango, and of all things dill which makes me laugh because I’m caught off guard, but it’s fun! Next up are limes, fresh raw peanuts like the ones I remember from my granny’s garden. Can’t tell you how much I used to look forward to digging those plants up & shaking the dirt. All of this is followed by green & golden delicious apples, camellia, and dainty roses. There are so many childhood memories floating here. Sipping and all of the scents are right there with the dill & a smidge of mustard seed being more of a pickle brine flavor, limeade, and a salt shake. Oh this is seriously delicious & zingy!

Pairs with Cheez-Its: So mellow

Preisinger’s wines bring out such bubbling emotions for me. Some make my tastebuds happily buzz around like a bee in an apple orchard, others steal a little piece of my heart, and this one makes me giggle like a giddy child from the dancing flavors bouncing all over the place. They’re like him…full of vibrant life. As I’ve mentioned in a past post he’s a surfer/kitesurfer (pic from 510w ago), in tune/connected with nature, has a “less is more” ethic from the soil, vines, & in the cellar. His winery & vineyards are settled near Lake Neusiedl in Gols (where the kite surfing pic is from), and also the area where his band of other like minded winemakers founded their association Pannobile (2024 is their 30th anniversary). Each winegrower creates a red & maybe a white cuvée from their local/indigenous grapes picked at that Goldilocks just right ripeness. It’s still bottled in their name but under the Pannobile label/umbrella, and for those that want to try 1 from each  of the 9, you can buy a case boxed in a true wooden artistic treasure.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove  #winetime #austria #worldbyglass #volkerwineco #clauspreisinger #docwinebar #docwineshop

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My Summer Crush

Weingut Leon Gold
Neon Gold 2023
Trollinger
Organic, biodynamic
Weinstadt, Württemberg, Germany
Collaboration with Super Glou
Owner & winemaker: Leon Gold

Shining garnet stained glass. Breathing in raspberries, strawberries, touch of blueberries, a childhood memory of Froot Loops, orange/lemon/lime rind, tiniest whiff of peat, and a dried herby alpine mix that’s so mellow. Sipping and hello raspberries again with cherries, a mix of ripe and green strawberries (some wild too), that citrus rind again but more gentle yet still very alive, a weird reminder of Hawaiian Punch’s Fruit Juicy Red that I had as a kid on a very hot summer day at Sea World, cranberry, red currants & that savory herb sprinkle again but as before M-E-L-L-O-W with a teeny tiny sliver of white horehound (horehound candy), and a chew of sour grass from the outfield. Chill it a little or a lot. Either way it’s so bright and so darn easy to glou glou.

Pairs with Cheez-Its:  brings out all the tarty party

So childhood dreams can be fulfilled. Leon Gold was first enchanted with the wine ideal very young and followed it through with education, dedication, learning to listen to the sun, moon, & all nature has to whisper, and patience. He lets the grapes have their space and time in the cellar. I can just imagine the pressed fruit calmly chanting “om” and being one with space & time until it transcends and travels into the bottle. It’s not all inner peace & slow pace for Gold. Leon is one of the 3 chosen winemakers for a cool event coming up on 8/28 (tonight) at the restaurant Bachofer’s Terrace in Waiblingen. It’s Wine Speed Dating & I’m not sure if you’re meeting people or just “dating” the wines to find one you may fall for and goes well with their BBQ tapas. I know which one is my summer crush. Cheers!

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #winetime #wineislove #speeddating #organic #Germany #bachofer #superglou #leongold #vinewine #vinewinenyc

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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