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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

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Bottled Sunshine

Cellers de Can Suriol
Azimut Brisat Orange 2022
Parellada 40%, Sumoll Blanc 10%, Garnatxa Blanca 20%, Moscatell 30%
Organic, biodynamic, true devotees to nature
Grabuac, DO Penedés, Catalonia, Spain
Owner & winemakers: Assís Suriol & his family

Orange deep gold pour with a bit of haze. Scents start popping out of oranges & greenery, tangerines, apricots, whole bunch of orchard blossoms, and a few sprigs of grass. All of the above scents play well in the taste along with even more tangerine & orange blossoms, pineapple, light yet heady flowers, and a little salty smoke. So fresh, friendly and a little bit frisky.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: smooth operator

“The secret of Can Suriol is to understand that the true creator of our wines is nature.” – Assisi Suriol…such true and beautiful words. Brisat Orange is from their Azimuth line, that includes not only their organic/biodynamic grapes but also some from their neighbors, so it’s a collaboration of skin contact joy. The Suriols really do care about the imprint they make on their environment even while having natural fun…they give back by composting, using solar powered electricity, and sourcing their bottles as local as they can…and now their bit of bottled sunshine has caused a not so awfully old,  oldie to get stuck in my head, and glued a big smile on my face & in my heart.

🎶 I got that 🌞 in my pocket
Got that good soul in my feet…
I can’t stop the feelin’ So just dance, dance, dance 🎶
💃🕺

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #sunshine #winetasting #sparklingwine #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Catalonia #organic #orangewine #penedes #spain #docwinebar #docwineshop @cansuriol @jennyfrancois @docwinebar @docwineshop

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Like Father, Like Daughter

Ca N’Estruc BI
Xarel·lo Ancestral 2021
Pét-Nat
Organic, biodynamic, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts, unfined & unfiltered
Esparreguera, Catalunya, Spain
Winemaking family: Anna Martí Pitart (daughter), Francisco Martí Badia (father)

Light gold with dainty bubbles. Breathing in pears, a dusting of fresh baked baguettes & a teeny bit of pie spice. Everything is light & gentle as it opens to include white peach, apple, mild honeysuckle, a scattering of spring flowers, and a pinch of dried apricot that blossoms into a citrus blend. Sipping along and there’s a refreshing jumble of the scents along with an exhale of a sprig of hay. The apples & pears mingle beautifully like fresh bites in the orchard with a lime zest zing, and it’s so delightfully crisp that it leaves me with a big ol’ smile.

Pairs with @cheezit: brings out more apples

BI is Anna’s line of small production wines (this one has only 1,222 bottles so grab 1 before it’s gone) from her family’s estate, Ca N’Estruc which has usually passed to the sons through the generations & dates back to 1574. This is also a project & collaboration with her father (which I find absolutely endearing & cool to get to work with your dad). Growing up surrounded by vines, wine & people that respect nature, how could she not end up following in his footsteps while finding her own natural wine path. Her father Francisco is the man that changed the trajectory of Ca N’Estruc by telling his father, that they needed to make better wine. Thank goodness he listened! Oh, and one more thing about Francisco, I had absolutely no idea that he & Quim Vila joined forces around 30 years ago, to open the larger Vila Viniteca (wine store & distribution) on Carrer dels Agullers. That is a must stop every time I go to Barcelona because for a wine lover like me it is exciting & overwhelming in a good way. There’s shelves and shelves reaching the ceiling of bottles from all over. So Anna & Francisco, I may have never met you, but both of you have brought two great gifts into my life…your amazing wines & one of the happiest places (stores) on earth.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #vinnaturel #PétNat #petnat #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #organic #Spain #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #vilaviniteca #canestruc #josepastorselections #vinewinenyc

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Enjoy The Ride

Celler Escoda-Sanahuja
Els Bassotets 2021
Garnacha Blanca 70%, Parellada 20%, Garnacha Gris 10%
Organic, biodynamic, native yeasts
Conca de Barberá, Catalunya, Spain
Joan Ramón Escoda & Mari Carme (husband & wife)

Hazy orange/warm deep gold. Nose tickling citrus blend of lemon, tangerine, kumquat, orange (all with zest) & more, lively wild tanginess with a straw of hay, puff of smoke, a toasty bit of homemade bread, and tart young green apples. Take a sip and there’s a cideresque bit at first, all that tangle of wild goodness hay & toast is there with all that sparky citrus jumble but more depth, a bit of rhubarb, tart pear & green apples, white pepper on the back, and I think a little fresh green bell pepper. Let this baby breathe and enjoy the ride as it grows and looking forward to where it takes me because that pepper is growing.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: surprisingly really good

Oh the description of Joan on his site is too good not to just quote, “He’s not just a winemaker, he’s a grassroots innovator, a radical winemaker, a sentimental husband, a stressed-out father, and an absolute anarchist … absolute rock and roll. If you’ve ever tasted their wines, you’ve got the proof … it’s never banal.” He definitely has a lot going on from keeping the winery very, very natural & sulfite free; then there’s also Tossal Gros (their seasonal, organic restaurant in the winery); oh and did I mention that he & his friend, Laureano Serres, founded PVN (Spain’s 1st natural wine association) & they have a yearly wine fair H2O Vegetal. I’m already winded just thinking of every exciting & inspiring move they’re making…just so naturally cool.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #whitewine #orangewine #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #worldbyglass #organic #Spain #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #ElsBassotets #escodasanahuja @restaurant_tossal_gros @indiewineries @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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698 Bottles Of Wine On The Wall

Cal Xurriu
Xanduné 2020
Chardonnay
Biodynamic, indigenous yeasts, unfined & unfiltered
Sant Sadurnì d’Anoia, Alt Penedès, Catalunya, Spain
Winemakers: Agustì Costa & Paula Sandoval

Orange coppery with rose tints drifting in sort of like a sunrise. Sniffing and there’s orange, a little grapefruit (not strong but gentle), lemon & zest with a lime nose tickle, salt breeze, a natural depth or a little good darkness like what you smell while crabbing on the east coast waterfront when I was a kid. (Have you ever been chased by fiddler crabs? Those little guys are feisty.) There’s also a light wave from a magnolia, rained on slate, something a little green like young acorns or raw green peanuts. Sip and tasting orange & back to that citrus mix with a lively natural tang vibe & a smidge of orange bitters, smoke, salt, a lick of limestone, crab apples, on the exhale green strawberries (stems, caps & all), and after time a splash of orange tea.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ack berg no

When I saw the shelf talker state, “Chardonnay fermented on the skins producing a head turning wine that will have you questioning everything you know”, I knew this bottle was coming home with me, and yes it made my head spin in a good way. Agusti & Paula are bucking Penedès old time convention of growing large vineyards for bulk cava. Their plots of choice are small, very natural & sometimes hidden within other bits of growth. I can only imagine the excitement of hiking to check on the vines progress. They know this land is shared with native plants & animals: wild goats & boars, who can wreck havoc on any vineyard! Their choice is to hope and ask “please don’t come” because  “Life is about sharing”. From what I can find, this man truly loves being embraced by the whole of nature and has a deep gratitude to care for the parts he is gifted to farm. Good grief, this is bringing happy tears to my eyes. BTW there are only 700 bottles & I’m so happy for my 2.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @cheezit @super_glou @calxurriu @vinewinenyc

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Cafe Culture

Escabeces
Vila Abellus
2020
DO Tarragona
100% Cartoixà Vermell (Xarel-lo Vermell)
Rosado
Catalunya, Spain
Winemaker: René Barbier

Orange freshly polished gleaming copper. Oh this does a delightful dance on your nose…there’s tangerine, orange & citrus blend, a little apricot in the mix too, bees wax with a tad bit of honey, funkalicious moment that airs out & orange blossoms float in, salt, green stripped twigs, and fresh rained on cobblestones or pavers. Sipping and all that citrus again ranging from Valencias to Mandarins back to a lemon zest & more, apricots, honeysuckle, very light white peach with a sliver of crab apple, salty mineral lick, a touch of greenery, and an exhale taste of spring flowers & blossoms w a little fun bitter bite on the back. Btw it’s really good with a mortadella wrapped hotdog (no mustard please).

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: mmmm smooth

When I saw the shelf tag of this wine mention “people hanging out in Barcelona cafes”, I just had to snag this bottle. Yeah, yeah you may think it’s overrun by tourists, but trust me there’s some divine little gems (some hidden & some not just like here in Brooklyn). It’s one of my happy places, and memories of it helped keep me sane during the lockdown. There’s nothing like wandering the streets in December, finding one of those cozy cafes with the heat lamps & blankets so you can enjoy a lovely glass of wine (or beer) outside, people watch, and sometimes like in all the times I’ve gone…you can find a new friend. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #worldbyglass #Catalunya #Spain #rosado #Escabeces #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @cheezit @skurnikwines @vinewinenyc

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Rocking & Rolling With The Next Generation

Raïmones Wines
Engrescada Sparkling Orange 2020
Marina, Pansa Blanca (Xarel-lo)
Organic, hand harvested, wild yeast, unfiltered
Penedès, Catalonia, Spain
Winemakers: Montse Carbó, Jordi Jané & Marti Sadurní 

Neon sign on the fritz zingy tangerine orange gold…frrrzzp…white bubbles…frrrppp. Sniffing and there’s Mandarin orange that has a mellow cream soda bit, peachy keen mango flow, a touch of gingersnap with a pop of lemon, and a natural wildness of Queen Anne’s lace. Whew that was a lovely lot. Now onto the taste…apple cider, lemon/lime crisp, tangelo & singed rind, orange blossoms, splash of pineapple into the mix, seltzer & salt, touch of light comfy cardamon, and a green grassy herb on the back. This truly is a bottle of unedited enthusiasm 🤸🏻‍♀️or wheeeee (engrescada).

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: crisp and clean

Ok this one is so fun! These 3 friends/winemakers are the offspring from La Salada, Mas Candí and Raimon Sadurní. Now how cool is it that the kids are “keeping the band together” or in their case the project rolling along, and cultivating & keeping the rare Marina growing. Now as for where they came up with their name…well, here’s what they say on IG:

“Where do you think “Raimones” come from?

a) Two of our partners are called “Ramon” 👬

b) “Raim” means grape in catalan, while “Ones” means waves. RaimOnes, grapes really close to the Mediterranean sea 🍇🌊

c) We like Rock and Roll and its our little tribute to the “Ramones” band 🎸🤘

Or maybe the three of them are correct…😜”

My bet is all 3 because these winestars are definitely rocking. 🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #sparklingwine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #worldbyglass #organic #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Spain @cheezit @raimoneswines @wearenomadic @vinewinenyc

 

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Oh Those Dancing Bubbles

Bujonis
(produced and bottled by Bodegas Sumarroca)
Cava Brut
Parellada 41%. Xarel·lo 27%, Macaque 23%, Chardonnay 9%
Sustainable, estate bottled, family run
Subirats, Alt Penedès, Catalonia, Spain

Cool straw with bouncing bubbles. Smells crisp all around of apple, pineapple (smidge), and citrus blend, with wet granite, and a tiny crumb of buttery brioche. First sip and it is so ALIVE! Again crisp, green and red delicious apples that wake up your cheeks, a squeeze of lemon and zest, and a lick of mineral rocky seltzer. Just so bright and refreshing.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: pretty good. Kind of like how cheddar and apples meld

One of my favorite things in the whole wide world is to kick back with a glass of cava. In fact, it’s a ritual of mine in the evening. There’s just something about all those dancing bubbles of a good crisp pour that takes my mind well…on vacation. It gives me that same feeling as the first day we’ve set down in Spain and are about to start a new adventure. It’s the simple things that sometimes awaken the best memories. ✈️🥂❤️

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #Cava #sparklingwine #brut #winestagram #vinblanc #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #AltPenedes #Penedes #catalunya #catalonia #Spain #bujonis @bsumarroca @vinoslibres @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Special Enough For A 2nd Look

Lectores Vini
Pomagrana Red 2021
100% Trepat
Conca de Barberà
Organic, hand harvested, native yeasts
Penedès, Cataluña, Spain
Winemakers/Owners: Fredi Torres & Marc Lecha

First and very important…chill this baby! Deep shining rose with blue pops. Creamy plush scent start that heads into raspberries, strawberries, pomegranates, cherries, and nice shake of white pepper. This is a lovely flavorful fruit cocktail of strawberries, raspberries, pomegranate, and a citrus splash of lemons & blood oranges. It’s juicy with a little granite/cement floor and shall I say flirty “you hoo, hey there!”…that makes me give a 2nd over the shoulder glance, turn around and go back for more. It’s just delicious, not too sweet/just the right fit, and easy drinking,

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: makes it even more juicy

Well I got my wish…the 2nd Pomagrana. It’s a whole different beast (ok beast really isn’t the right word because it’s more of a glammy, fun beauty). Mr. Torres & Lecha bring their talent to the party again (see Artistic Expression By Bottle & Street), and also the design work of Goho Studios. The labels for the Red & Blanco gracefully guide you to the secrets that await, and I’m going to have mention Goho Estudio’s film “BCN Rise&Fall” again, because just like these wines, you’re going to want to revisit it again. I always love giving art/wines a 2nd gander to find something special I might have overlooked. Check it out, bc it’ll give you an insight on Barcelona’s street art history, the zines, shops for cans, the culture, the govt. that at times wipes it out and “penalizes genuine artistic expression”, and most of all the human side of it.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram  #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Xarello #Cataluña #Spain #Barcelona #streetart @SelectionsDeLaVina @gohoestudio @lectoresvini @docwineshop @cheezit

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Artistic Expression By Bottle & Street

Lectores Vini
Pomagrana Blanco 2021
100% Xarello
Organic, hand harvested, native yeasts
Penedès, Cataluña, Spain
Winemakers/Owners: Fredi Torres & Marc Lecha

Light gold with just the faintest bit of green. Breathing in fruit filled scents of goodness, biscotti/toasted brioche, lemon, pear, cucumber, a teeny touch of musky melon, and a bit of celery/celery salt that really works and that scent brings back old memories of my college freshman year that was filled with chicken bouillon ramen. I’m talking about those rip that silver packet noodles. Now that brings even more flashbacks from that year and some questionable decisions. Shhh don’t tell my dad. Back to the sip and there’s lemon spark & zap, fresh pineapple, tart apples along with sharp & mellow pear, sorrel from my old garden, smidge of grapefruit, lime, “shake shake shake” of salt, and a little bit of savoriness and celery seed. Delicious and more smooth as time goes by.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Bright and tart. It’s good but I like it better without

You know someone is really in love with wine when they give up a darn well paying job DJing. According to ‘Spanish Wine Lover’, Mr. Torres went from “€1,000 an hour to €1,000 a month leaving behind the glamour of nightlife” to “stink of sulfur and compost”. That is passion and some people might think it’s nuts, but I think he did a good thing giving his hardworking wine talent to the world. Speaking of talent, they picked a good design team (Goho Studios) to work with on their packaging. I love when I find a new bottle, and it leads me to another creative find. Goho, also made a flick on one of my favorites, the street art of Barcelona. Check it out, it’ll give you an insight on it’s history, the zines, shops for cans, the culture, the govt. that at times wipes it out and “penalizes genuine artistic expression”, and most of all the human side of it.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram  #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Xarello #Cataluña #Spain #Barcelona #streetart @SelectionsDeLaVina @gohoestudio @lectoresvini @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit