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Lust For Life

Cantine Polvanera
La Marchesana
Primitivo 2021
Puglia IGT
Organic
Gioia del Colle, Puglia, Italy
Owner & winemaker: Filippo Cassano

Ruby purple loveliness. Breathing in cherries and all the berries, a touch of butter cream frosting, and as it opens a pop of cherry cola. First sip and there’s cherry & pit depth, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries…like I said before all the berries and a fresh picked violet with a hint of cola. It’s a dancer that glides through a tango and then has a youthful kick that can do backflips on the dance floor in socially conscious pleather chaps. Also a bit of zest or as Iggy Pop says, “Lust For Life” (little side note I am a big Iggy fan and had a larger than life shirtless BW poster of him right at the foot of my freshman dorm room bed 😍 Love the lean & lanky ones).

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: smooth and dark

Thank goodness for stainless and Cassano’s love of Primitivo. He lets this little grape show us just how elegant and lively it can be and express the land and environment it resides. Makes me really want to find out where I can pick up a bottle of their Spumante Rosè Brut IGT “A” to see just what song the método charmat brings out. I bet it really sparks! 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #Italy #Primitivo #organic #winetime #redwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #jandamorewines @cheezit @polvaneraofficial @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Pair ‘Em Up!

Kuentz-Bas
Alsace Blanc 2021
65% Pinot Blanc, 15% Muscat, 14% Riesling, 6% Gewurztraminer
Biodynamic, organic
Alsace, France
Owner & vigneron: Jean-Baptiste Adam
Winemaker: Olivier Raffin

Yellow gold and a little green shimmer. Lovely scents of yellow melons, mango, a well shaken citrus cocktail, and pineapple,  All of the scents are their in the taste with pears, Lady apples, kirbys, and fresh basil herby in the back. Crisp, dry and hits the spot.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: oh so smooooth

This young Kuentz-Bas blend just sings of its Alsatian roots, tradition & terroir; and plays well with just about anything from a romantic candle light dinner of seared tuna in a black pepper crust to an afternoon in the sun backyard grilled cheeseburger with a side of onion rings. Actually this domaine got its start from a pairing. First there were the Kuentz from back in 1795 that blended through marriage in 1895 with the Bas family. Now it’s in the hands of Jean-Baptiste Adam (since 2004) and he and his team take great care of their lands and all that inhabit it with their biodynamic ways. If you want a moment of zen, watch this video of them prepping and applying the “Bouse de Corne”. With a workout like that you’ll never need a gym membership. 💪💪💪💪

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #Alsace #France #organic #winetime #whitewine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @cheezit @kuentzbas @kermitlynchwine @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Wine = Resource

Col di Corte
Anno Uno 2021
100% Verdicchio
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi
Biodynamic, organic
Montecarotto (AN), Marche, Italy
Giacomo Rossi & Claudio Caldaroni (winemaker)

Springy light gold with a green sheen here and there. Scents of peaches with a touch of heady magnolia, a blend of citrus popping, and what I think is a little puff of smoke. Sipping those fresh peaches along with pears, a honeysuckle drop, blend o lemon, lime & zest, a squeeze of lovely Valencia too and every time I lean back and exhale there is a flutter of fresh cut grass. So fresh, “so good, so good!”…oh noooo now I have that song stuck in my head. Fully admit it, I can’t stand “Sweet Caroline” and still have nightmares of getting pulled into that karaoke. 

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delightful. Neil has left the building

Have you seen “Natural Resistance” (Jonathan Nossiter’s documentary)? I did a while ago, and revisited it after meeting this wine. Turns out Giacomo was a producer on this film and that experience had a sway in his organic/biodynamic choices. Early on in the film, there’s a great quote by Giovanna Tiezzi (Pācina Wine), “We’re midwives. Our power lies in respecting completely only what nature gives us and understanding nature’s time.” At Col di Corte they definitely let that respect guide them, their lands speak through wine, and acknowledge each harvest’s seasonal bliss or twists & turns on each label in weather symbols. These guys are proud of their collaboration with their environment…their part of Marche, and that they “produce wine with the intention of offering a resource (not a product)” and a delicious one at that. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #naturalwine #instawine #winetime #organic #artisanwine #whitewine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Marche #italy @coldicorte @selectedestatesofeurope @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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What Do You Do In Your Spare Time?

Poggio di Cicignano – Vanempo
Aura 2017
Bianco Toscana IGT
Trebbiano Toscano 45%, San Colombano 35%, Malvasia Bianca 20%
Biodynamic, organic, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts, 5 days skin contact
Montemurlo, Italy
Michele Sacchetti & Laura Fabbri

Deep prehistoric amber sans the mosquito. Give it a bit of time to breathe, and out pour scents of a blend of apples & pears and a bit of their cider, citrus zest, a hint of candied orange peels, dried apricots, tangelos, and a bit of that smell when you roll down a grassy hill. Wheeee! Take a swig and ooh there’s oranges, lemon squeeze, all sorts of citrus zest, tart apple cider, dried apricots, what I first thought was a memory of circus peanuts but actually as it warmed, morphed into one of my favorites of childhood…the taste of Original Pop Rocks without the popping (oh I loved that feeling!), and at last a touch of oregano. Fun, lively and btw is really good with bacon.

I had been wondering where the name “Vanempo” came from (btw it’s a well designed logo), and turns out it comes from a combo of two words, “Avanza and Tempo” which pretty much means “spare time”. Well, Michele & Laura originally started this wine adventure in their “extra time” as a passion project. As Michele says, “I’ve always believed in beautiful things, and beautiful things arise from a child’s dreams.” They launched those youthful dreams, and turned them into a full fledged bio certified winery reality, filled with “hands off” celebrated wines. Now, that’s so much more then a side gig. Been working my way through their line up, and all the ones I’ve tried so far have been pure natural magic. ✨

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #orangewine #worldbyglass #organic #Toscana #Italy @steephillwines @antosicurezza @vanempo @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Pairs With Pina

Bodegas Altos de Montanchez
Vegas Altas Orange 2021
Cayetana 50%, Pardina 50%
Organic & biodynamic
Extremadura, Spain
Winemakers: Juan Sojo and Ángel Luis González

Deep warm orange amber. Breathing in and there’s so much at once! Starts with orange creamsicle, orange blossoms that goes earthy with a light touch of smoke, a bit of caramel, dried apricots, and mandarin oranges & zest. All of the scents are there in the taste with a bit of grass, a spice moment of ginger along with tarragon, and as it warms up apple/pear cider.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: smooth operator

Sounds like these two winemakers were thrown together in oenology school and their blend of specialties in farming (Ángel) and science (Juan) creates a perfect mix in their creation of their wines. Their grapes are sourced but they are really selective and particular about when they are harvested under the moon in September…or in other words just at the right bio time. Not to forget they are the only organic winemakers in Extremadura, and they have an extra ingredient of “patience”. Also I’d like to add about this particular bottle, I don’t normally pair a wine with dance/theater but this goes so well with Pina Bausch. The structure, the romance, the passion and the strength…so damn good. Please check it out alongside a viewing of Wim Wenders 2011, “Pina”.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #orangewine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #organic #Extremadura #Spain #WimWenders #pinabausch #AltosdeMontanchez @selectionsdelavina @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Graceful Composition

Georgas Family
Retsina of Mesogia
Black Label
100% Savatiano
Biodynamic, organic, hand harvested, unfined, unfiltered, skin contact & fresh local pine resin
Spata, Attica, Greece
Family winery in the hands of latest generation: Dimitris Georgas

Yellow gold that deepens over time. Tickling my nose upfront is citrusy (lemon, tangerine, valencia orange) pine, yellow roses, wafts of wintergreen, eucalyptus and a bit of Ricola. It totally clears your sinuses in a good refreshing way. All of the smells are in the taste and it really wakes up my mouth, and the citrus blend becomes more prevalent. It’s a unique and delightful glassful that is full of surprises, and right now I’m thinking there’s some smoked piggy this would match well with and heck even a hot pastrami on rye.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: NO

Filled with tradition, the Georgas Family winery has been passed through the generations. The latest, Dimitris, originally followed another path with degrees in geology, oceanography, and environmental management, but returned after inheriting from his father. My guess is that his studies had a bit of influence on where their vineyards, wines, etc. are now with organic and biodynamic. So, the more good retsinas I try, I’m discovering they are at times fun & delightful and also can be structured & full of depth but always bursting with creativity. In this bottle it’s reverberates and vibrates like a Zoë Keating composition filled with passion and emotion. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram  #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #savatiano #Spata #Greece #Retsina #organic #biodynamic #zoekeating @georgas_family @eklektikon @docwineshop @cheezit

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Flying Through Time

Vína Herzánovi
Pét-Nat Rosé 2020
Cabernet Moravia, St Laurent
Biodynamic, indigenous yeast, unfined
Kobylí, Moravia, Czech Republic
Owner & winemaker: Jakub Herzán along with sister Zuzana and girlfriend Sandra

Shining electric 80s magenta rose. One sniff and…swoop!…I’m transported back home (as a kid) on a hot summer day. It’s that smell of wild berries picked in the heat and the stems/brambles around them, tomato leaves and also field flowers that share that earth/greenish smell, and a sprinkle of warm spice. Sip and hello, I’m instantly back in my apartment (and the adult me but I still know how to have childlike wonderment & fun) it’s a delightful fresh raspberry and blackberry cocktail blended with cranberry, a dash of peppercorn, a spritz of lemon and a tongue vibrating tingle. Well, you can definitely time travel with this bottle without a “Folding”.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: nah

Vína Herzánovi is a small family winery now in the hands of the 2nd generation that believe less is more and treat their environment with genuine care so nature can do a lot of the nurturing. Love that they have a dream of one day having a horse to help out in the vines instead of some big green tractor. I also think there’s also a touch of ✨magic✨ in this bio bottle, since it took me traveling through space and time. BTW needless to say it pairs incredibly well with “Paper Girls”. If you haven’t gotten around to reading or watching, just pop open this Pét-Nat Rosé, pop your favorite mixtape into your Walkman, and keep your eyes peeled for the purple glow.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #PétNat #petnat #Rosé #rose #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #80s #Moravia #CzechRepublic #StLaurent #Cabernet #naturalwine #biodynamic #PaperGirls #Danzig #cliffchiang #briankvaughan @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @vinaherzanovi @jennyfrancois @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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Historic Passion

Castello di Rubbia
100% Terrano 2013
Carso-Kras DOC
Biodynamic, indigenous yeasts, unfiltered
San Michele del Carso, Gorizia, Friuli, Italy
Owner & winemaker: Nataša Černic

Ruby with a magenta rim. Scents start off with prunes & plums, a tad of an oreo center, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and bit of licorice, and other herbal alpine delights. Ooh I love this..tasting fresh cherries and a cocktail of raspbluestrawberry, red plums, a smidge of hay, a tangy flair and at times rare meaty feel but it’s not heavy. Also on the back there’s a mineral salt goodness that you would find mixed with a rare bloody steak so yeah, order one! And not to be left off, white and black pepper.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: eh goes all super tart so I vote no

Passion is a word you may think I throw around a lot. I don’t use it as some romance filled lovey-dovey thing, but a very deep and important emotional term. Nataša Černic and her family have exactly that and you can see it in their wines, pursuit to rebuild what war has damaged, and respect & never forget the history of their land, architecture, people, and native grapes. As said on their site, “San Michele del Carso is our place in the Universe” so what better reason for that passion. You can take a tour of the vineyards, local monuments, remnants of battle, the old castle/grounds, and view the marks that history has left, learn from the past, and see where the future will take them. I bet it’s going to be naturally and artistically beautiful.

wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #redwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #italy #CarsoKras #sanmicheledelcarso #Gorizia #Friuli #biodynamic #organic #Terrano @castellodirubbia @soilairselection @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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How To Love Your Job

Domaine François Chidane
Brut Tradition 2019
Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC
Chenin Blanc
Organic, biodynamic, regenerative agriculture
Montlouis-sur-Loire, Loire, France
Owners and winemakers: François and Manuela Chidaine

Had to wrestle for over 7 minutes to hear that pop! Then poured a glass of warm golden with light bubbles that fade and disappear. Sniffing and there’s apples, pears, guava, and it reminds me of a touch of calvados. Ginger also gently flies out over time with brioche. Sip and there’s pears, a zipping zingy crisp apple, lime, again there’s that ginger (not Mary Ann 🏝), on the back and when you exhale there’s a maltiness like the yeast you sprinkle on popcorn in a pub, and slate, salt, a tad of parsley which all ends in a touch of creamy deliciousness.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings all the lovely bits out so grab a 2nd bag

I think we can sufficiently say, François loves his job. “I am doing a marvelous profession that I have chosen. No one forced it on me. It’s my life! I didn’t want to do anything else…” How many of us wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and can say the same! Imagine getting to wake up to this view and work in harmony with nature all day. Also explains this quote, “I consider the vine as a human being. We must not imprison her and always be respectful towards her.” He’s even branched out to Murcia, Spain with 2 wines (Bullas DO), which greatly intrigues me, but makes sense…his wife Manuela’s family is from there. Now I’m going to have to make this a new mission to track down these bottles, because if they are anywhere as good as this Brut, they are bound to be fab!

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #CheninBlanc #Brut #Loire #France #Murcia #Spain #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #domainefrancoischidaine @polanerselections @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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Certifiably Bat Approved

Domaine de Petit Roubié
Picpoul de Pinet Château 2020
Picpoul de Pinet AOP
100% Piquepoul
Organic (ECOCERT certification)
Occitania, Languedoc, France
Wine family: Floriane and Olivier Azan

Bright golden with green shimmers. A citrusy blend of lemon and zest pop up toward my nose along with lime & light tangerine, a salty sea breeze, and wet granite. Tasting lemon curd, lemons & zest (makes me think of that Expedia/Ewan McGregor commercial), lime, mandarin oranges, tangelo, pineapple, and a tasty rim of salt. It’s bright and free and sings!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: pretty good

Domaine de Petit Roubié got in way early going organic and ECOCERT certified, which is cool but what’s even better is they are a part of “SOS Chauve-souris” who raise awareness for bats and promote their protection. Petit Roubié has created little homes (nesting boxes) for our fuzzy flying friends, and they pay their rent by swooping in and munching on the insects/pests of the vineyard. I’m betting they would give this Batbnb 5 stars. The Azan’s also have welcomed another dear to my heart to live in the vines…beautiful beneficial bees! Ain’t biodiversity grand! ❤️🦇🐝

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #Picpoul  #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #bats #bees #Languedoc #France @misaimports @vinewinenyc @domainesdepetitroubie @cheezit