Posted on

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

Posted on

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

Posted on

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

Posted on

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

Posted on

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

Posted on

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

Posted on

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

Posted on

Do You Believe In Magic?

Domaine de Thalie
Plutonic 2020
Saône-et-Loire IGP
Gamay 50%, Syrah 50%
Organic, biodynamic, sustainable, hand harvested
Bray, Saône-et-Loire, France
Winemaker: Peter Gierszewski

Ruby stained glass with purple glints and rim. Breathing in cherries, plums, a woodsy forest filled earthiness, and a slight bit of cherry blossoms/lilacs waft  out later and flow back and forth. The more it breathes the better it gets. Very happily tasting juicy cherry, cherry jolly ranchers, & also tart cherry zing, strawberries, blackberries, plums (tart & mellow blend), and a tiny grind of black pepper with a pinch of coriander (or wait is it ajwain? Nope it’s coriander). Refreshing and a good summer red that still has a backbone and can stand up to whatever you throw at it, so give me a burger or a fried chicken sandwich or queso fundido. This may sound crazy but how about give me all three! Restrain yourself from guzzling the whole bottle because trust me you’re going to want to do it.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: yep it goes with everything including this bag

This is the Domaine that Peter built, and boy did he pick the right place (terroirs). Of course, he didn’t go into this without a wine education and the garage wine route. This man knows his stuff and knows how to listen to nature, follow its lead, snd have patience. It’s like he has a hand in a bit of moonlight magic too. Hard to explain until you experience his wine…then you’ll know exactly what I mean, and your senses will be enchanted. ✨

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #syrah #gamay #Plutonic #saoneetloire #France #kylieminogue #magic #domainedethalie @communalbrands @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

Posted on

Let Nature Be The Artist

Johannes Zillinger
Revolution
Ancestral Pet Nat NV
Gruner Veltliner (mostly), Riesling (15-20%)
Organic/Biodynamic (Demeter)
Niederösterreich, Austria
Winemaker: Johannes Zillinger

Shiny golden with tiny active white bubbles. Floating upward are scents of apples, light young firm peaches, a little something hazelnutty that turns into baguettes and a pinch of baking spice. Sipping tart apple, whiff of smoke that comes and goes, lemony spark kind of like Kas Lemon soda, yeasty goodness like the bread we’ve all been making for the past 2.5 or whatever years, good shake of salt & small bit of white pepper.It’s just vibrant, crisp, and keeps your mouth alert.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: bleh

Johannes Zillinger’s dad raised him right…the organic way (since 1983) and “viewing the vineyard as a habitat”, so when his time came to shine, Johannes took it another step further with bio certification. From the moment you pop onto their site, his ideals and passion about it are emblazoned right there on the home page and throughout the site, so I’m just going to let his words tell the tale. “Being ORGANIC is not a trend, it’s a lifestyle and we have been living it for over 35 years. Avoiding all sorts of chemistry is our philosophy. Regarding the environment, natural water, nutrition and particularly in terms of wine. A healthy soil is the key to remarkable and exciting wines. Especially if no boundaries are being set for the development of wines in our beautiful cellars.” And he also let’s nature be the artist which I love that sentiment, “The most beautiful pictures are painted by nature; with minimalistic wine making in the cellar we frame those artworks.” BTW does anyone know who creates his gorgeous labels? Each one is has a circular view of a natural moment with a white line work butterfly floating in on a black label except this “Revolution” Pet Nat. Hey, you know me, I’m always curious in artists in all forms. 🥂

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #petnat #sparklingwine #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #biodynamic #artist #Niederösterreich #Austria @blisswineimports @vinewinenyc @johannes.zillinger @cheezit

Posted on

Flying On A Flirty Red Breeze

Sentiviño Wines (side project involving Cume do Avia and Galgo Wines [Ezequiel Sanchez-Mateos])
La Brisa Tinto (Castes Tintas) 2019
Mencia 40%, Garnacha Tintorera 40%, and the remaining 20% is made of Brancellao, Sousón and Caíño
Biodynamic, organic, hand harvested, unfined, unfiltered & vegan friendly
Galicia, Ribeiro, Spain
Winemakers: Diego y Álvaro Diéguez

Deep ruby with maroon highlights. Before I forget to mention, give this one a little chill, but not too much…kind of like the Goldilocks spot. Pull that cork and like a genie emerging from the bottle scent of a little bit of Walker’s Shortbread that goes all peppery (and that includes black pepper and fresh bell pepper), cherries, raspberries, and some forest vegetation and earth. Oooooh this is good! Sipping cherries, raspberries, blackberry from the roadside eaten in the sun with juices dripping down my chin. There’s also pomegranate, tart plums, pepper, and some earthy smoke. It’s just freaking fun and I want some good BBQ with it. Pull me some pork!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: just enhances it all

Ezequiel Sanchez-Mateos is at it again with another beautiful project and this time teaming up with Diego y Álvaro Diéguez (1 of the 2 pairs of brothers of Cume do Avia). As I’ve said before, I truly think Sanchez-Mateos has the best job in the world, getting to travel, work with cool people, and live wine life to the fullest. This time these vines live in fragmented vineyards/individual plots with varying treasures to be found (Sabrego, schist, shale, quartz, etc). When you think about it, it’s like these artists are being given an amazing palette to blend and blur and drip and in the end create their liquid form of art and it’s beauty all flies in on this flirty red breeze. 🍷💋

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram  #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Spain #Ribeiro #Galicia #redwine #cumedoavia #galgowines #SentiviñoWines @steephillwine @antosicurezza @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit