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“Wine, By The Grape”

Pormenor
Reserva Branco 2021
Douro DOC
Rabigato, Malvasia Fina
Hand harvested, indigenous yeasts, unfined, minimal intervention, natural
Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
Pedro Coelho

Light gold that deepens over time. Breathing in pears, apples, lemon/lime & a touch of tangerine, cool salt/mineral breeze, as it opens a deeper part of depth grows. Sipping and there’s apple, pear, a toasty possible bit of smoke, lemon, lime, sorrel, a beeswax & honeysuckle exhale, and the tiniest bit of mellow oak.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: sooo good

Coelho didn’t inherit a winery, but he did have connections to some of the essentials. His dad was a cork producer, his grandfather’s a cooper (barrel maker), and he ended up working in wine finance/marketing until the moment came when he decided it was time to give it a go at making wine. He works with old vines, but doesn’t’ adhere to the past usual ways of vinification…his are fresh & can be drunk young yet can also age. They also don’t hit you over the head with high alcohol content which in my book is a very good thing. There’s a quote on his site, “Wine, by the grape” that kept rolling around in my thoughts. He wants Pormenor wines to tell the stories of his Douro…through his vineyards & grapes, and as long as he keeps making these bottles, I’ll keep listening to their whispers & songs of a place & history that holds a special spot in my heart.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #naturalwine #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #portugal #jdselections #grandcruselections #pormenorvinhos #pormenor #vinewinenyc

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Fun, Friendly, and Chill

Les Vignerons du Castelas
Tranquille Pinard 2023
VDF
Grenache 70%, Syrah 30%
Rochefort-du-Gard, France

Shining raspberry ruby glass. Oh and remember chill it…just a little bit. There’s scents of cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and a little red plum. Taking a few small sips and it’s so light, fresh and easy. Tasting cherries, raspberries, a blackberry here & there, boysenberry, ripe red & dark plums (skins & all), and a light sizzle/burn on the back in a good way that waves hello and then goes back into hiding only to pop back up later. It’s a total glou glou and don’t overthink like I often do…just enjoy.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: I wish but nope

The Castelas co-op is built up of over 40 wine growing families with around 450 hectares. Some farm organic, but all have a deep respect for their vines, the land that nourishes them, and the people that share in their bottles. As for this “Tranquille Pinard” it was born out of a rough time in many of our lives…you know that not so long ago pandemic…”This cuvée was born during the first period of COVID, we were looking for a funny and friendly concept and an easy-drinking, fruity wine that could be drunk chilled.” Les Vignerons wants us all to enjoy the happy moments and even the small things that bring us delight in each day. As it says on the label, “On n’est pas bien là?” and from what I see somewhat translates to “Isn’t this the life!” Santé! 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #redwine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #organic #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #France #SkinContactWines #lesvigneronsducastelas #docwinebar #docwineshop

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You Can Do Good

Renegade Wines
Riverine Red
Syrah 85%, Grenache 15%
Certified biodynamic, dry farmed
West Riebeek, Swartland, South Africa
Owners: Francois Haasbroek and Jaap Pijl
Winemaker: Francois Haasbroek

Deep dark goth ruby velvet. Breathing in cherries, raspberries, strawberries, plums that grow over time, pinch of allspice, and a faint smidge of coffee. All of the scents are there in the taste along with black currants, darker, deeper cherries & plums, a grind of black & white pepper, tad bit of earth, and bit of a greenery herb blend like rosemary, sage, oregano.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: juicilicious

Francois (traditional winemaker) & Jaap (accountant) kicked off Renegade Wines (1st canned wines in South Africa) in 2018 with their first wine “CANCAN” in 2019. Riverine is their latest line with a Chenin Blanc, a Grenache Rosé, and this red blend. Honestly, if someone brought me a glass and didn’t show me the can, I would have assumed it was from a bottle. As I’ve said many times before, canned wines just keep getting better & better, and there’s less waste, saves space, and easy to recycle. There’s another reason to try this line too…bunnies. Notice the cute one on the label? From what I’m learning, the Riverine rabbit is one of the most endangered mammals in the world (maybe 1,500 left), and with every sale of these cans part of the proceeds is donated to the Endangered Wildlife Trust. So hop out to your local store, pick up a few cans & save some rare hares. 🍷❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #wineinacan #cannedwine #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #naturalwine #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #rabbits #bunny #southafrica #redwine #vsiwine #renegadewinessa #riverinewine #vinewinenyc

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Preserving The Lands

Wither Hills
Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Certified Sustainable
Marlborough, New Zealand
Head winemaker: Matt Large
Winemakers: Andrew Petrie, Patricia Miranda-Taylor

Starlight shimmering light yellow-green. There’s scents of orange & other blossoms, wisteria, lemon, lime, grapefruit, guava, and a mineral salty breeze. Sipping away…lemon, lime, grapefruit, squeeze of tangerine & all the citrus zest, passion fruit, sliver of mango, green apples, super ripe home  grown cucumber, touch of bell pepper, cool mineral river rock lick, shake of salt, and a really teeny pinch of white pepper as it grows & then fades. Oh this glass has me craving a seafood tower like the one we had in Zeebrugge with langostinos, winkles & all.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: it’s complicated

Back in 2000, Wither Hills purchased their Rarangi Vineyard which had previously had not been given the proper care needed, and the wetlands (one of the largest in the region) in the middle of the site had been damaged due to areas being drained for farming & cattle, the water being compromised and invasive weeds popping up. Once it was in the winery’s hands they set off to fix the past wrongs. The cows were shown the door, pests were removed by trapping, native flora were replanted, they implemented careful protection of rare & threatened plants (like the Mazus novaezeelandiae) that were still sticking it out. Now the Rarangi Wetlands Conservation Project has an annual indigenous greenery planting day for members to celebrate that they’re continuing to keep it all sustainable. Now that is commendable and cool.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #organic #sustainable #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #newzealand #distinguishedvineyards #witherhills #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Forever Strong

Azienda Agricola Fabiana
Negroamaro Salento IGP 2020
Total respect for their ecosystem, hand harvested, keeping it local
Faggiano, Salento, Puglia, Italy
Fabiana Baruzzi & mom

Shining ruby with a touch of garnet glints. Scents build over time of black cherries & skins, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries (maybe dried), hint of oak & touch cigar that expands to dark plums over time, little run through the bramble, with a touch of oil cured olive pits, a teeny bouquet of spring flowers & their leaves…and something that reminds me of repotting hanging plants under the warmth of the sun. Going in for the taste and there’s dark cherries & skins, red plums, and now trying again on day two there’s a depth that is wow with fresh & dried raspberry & strawberry, blackberry, little fennel/anise (maybe toasted), blueberries, orange zest, earth grows as we ride along, wild bramble with a bit of tobacco. This wine is romantic in a way you don’t want it to end and want to be selfish with it…well I definitely do.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: juicy bouncy & smooth

This bottle was a surprise shared on my birthday & then another gifted as a present later. Yes, that’s the same day I was & still going through dental insanity & couldn’t do any chewing but hey I could/can still drink wine. This jazzy little bottle pulled me right out of my doldrums because it truly is a wine of celebration of all things local to the Azienda which is important to this family. As I’ve been learning about who they are I’m finding a story of resilience & strength. In one year Fabiana’s father passed from cancer & her brother had to take over the winery while she utilized her business skills marketing the wines, then the unthinkable happened…her brother Michele unfortunately died in a car accident. To be punched emotionally twice in one year is so heartbreaking, but she was determined to keep her father’s memory alive with assistance from her mom. There have been attempts to buy & sabotage their land, crops, steal their grapes, etc, but she is not backing down. Fabiana, you are my inspiration…you are one strong woman & winemaker. Raising a glass to you, your family, and your magical wines. 🍷❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #organic #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Italy #tradizionenyc #agricolafabiana #fabianawines #docwineshop #docwinebar

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Clink Clink

Domaine de L’Oubliée
Le Bruit Des Glaçons 2023
VDF
Chenin Blanc
Organic, indigenous yeasts, hand harvested
Saint-Patrice, Loire, France
Winemaker: Xavier Courant

Shining light gold/yellow with a delicate splash of green. Just poured and there’s a toasty scent that morphs into bees wax with honey, golden delicious apples, firm pears, dry lemon & lime twist, and a bit of greenery. Sip and there’s lemon & lime squeeze joined with zest, another taste and out comes crisp apples & pears, quince, a lfew fresh clover leaves & blossoms, an echo of that honeycomb wax along with a mineral taste like from our old spring house (our natural water source back home as a kid. It was cool year round and the same fresh smell & taste). Such lovely fruit but so deliciously dry, and it’s meant to drink very cold in the morning, in the afternoon, or in my opinion anytime at all.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Amps all of the fruit

My first encounter with Domaine de L’Oubliée’s wines was their Les Valseuses 2018 (back in 2020) where I found out about Xavier Courant’s love for the work of Bertrand Blier. Each of his wines are named for Blier’s films or books that speak to the grapes. This bottle Le Bruit Des Glaçons “The Sound of the Ice Cubes” is named for Blier’s 2010 film (English title “The Clink of Ice”). Charles an alcoholic & depressed writer gets a surprise visitor at his gate early one morning. The stranger greets him through the security monitor with “Hello, I am your cancer. I thought it might be nice to get to know each other a little bit…”. Oh why is it so hard to find Blier’s movies in USA/online?  I am dying (pun intended) to find a copy of this dark comedy streaming somewhere so I can see how they get on with each other, Charles’ beloved bottles (hence the clink clink), and how these “buddies” end up. If anyone knows of such a place PLEASE send me the link, and I’ll share a bottle (or 2) of this dry Chenin Blanc with you while we watch. I promise you it rocks!

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #organic #naturalwine  #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #France #catsofinstagram #cheninblanc #louisdressnerselections #DomainedeLOubliee #xaviercourant  #vinewinenyc

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“It Is Simply Cultural”

Azienda Biologica Bio Vio
U Bastio 2021
Rossese 100%
Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC
Organic
Bastia d’Albenga, Liguria, Italy
Aimone Giobatta Vio & family (Mom: Chiara; Daughters: Caterina, Camilla, Carolina)

Ruby stained glass. Breathing in bouncing raspstrawblueberries (and maybe a few others in the mix), twist of cherry, lemon & orange zest, and a pinch of light earth & cool slate. All I’ve been sniffing are there in the sip that wakes up my mouth & puts a smile on my face. There’s also blackberries (seeds & all), a little chew of wild sour grass from childhood that has kind of a rhubarb vibe too, light earth turns into a savory & pinch of peppery pixie dust including that slate, a tangle of wild herbs that you really don’t need to think about unless you want to dissect like me (marjoram, oregano, and savory) and orange zest

Pairs with Cheez-Its: I think I like it…still making up my mind…but you know what it pairs lovely with Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam

Bio Bio is so much more than just a winery. It’s about family, respect, traditions, the Ligurian way of life, and more. As they say, “Growing organically is neither a technical nor an economic choice: it is simply cultural .” For generations they’ve farmed carciofo spinoso di Albenga, herbs, Taggiasca olives, Brussel sprouts, other leafy vegs, and of course native grapes; and you can experience it all in person by booking a stay at one of their Pigato Biovio Farmhouse apartments. From there you can investigate all they & Albenga have to offer. Later join them in their OrtOsteria René where you’ll find local & home grown seasonal delights (BTW Orto = home vegetable garden) created by Chef Carolina (youngest of the 3 daughters) who interprets recipes passed down from her mom, nonna e nonno. Check out their IG (tagged in pic) and it will have you checking your calendar & booking a reservation as fast as you can. I’m already dreaming of their Farfalle di castagna, funghi porcini, rape dell’orto and another glass of wine. 🍄‍🟫🌰❤️🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #organic #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Italy #winemonger #ortosteriarenebiovio #biovioaziendagricola #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Tingly Tastebud Vibrations

Dio Cocktails
Turmeric Ginger Lemon Mule
Super Natural
13.5% ABV
Based out of NY, NY
Made in Athens, GA
Co-founders: Bronson van Wyck & Nick Bradley

Lovely pour of yellow with a green splash & bubbles. Sniff and there’s turmeric, ginger, sugar cane, lemon, a whiff of white pepper, and a salty breeze. Sipping and wow that is quite a delicious explosion and it’s all there from the sniff with more crisp lemon & zest, a teeny shave of orange, a peppery vibe that grows & a shake of salt. Awesome tingly tastebud vibrations, or as they say “A double dose of spirit with a splash of sin”.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: bleh

Two men of international intrigue…one with a flair for getting the party started & the other with expertise in getting a brand launched (both originally Southerners btw) paired to make intriguing classic & inventive cocktails with a nod to mythology, gods, other worldly pleasures. Dionysus would be totally impressed with these men and their lively libations, since “DIo  is crafted from the world’s finest, all-natural ingredients, offering modern twists on classic cocktails from around the world. Divinely distilled from Herculean-strength spirits, our luxurious libations are sweetened sinlessly . . . so you don’t have to be.”

#cocktails #cannedcocktails #gin #wineinacan #wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #drinkdio #docwinebar #docwineshop

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“Luckiest Girl On Earth”

Division Winemaking Company
Pinot Noir “Un,” 2022
Sustainable
Willamette Valley
Urban winery & tasting room in Portland, OR
Co-owners & co-winemakers: Kate Norris & Thomas Monroe

Plummy maroon. There’s scents of dancing cherries, pink & green strawberries, rhubarb but in pie form, red currants, a teeny lemon drop, cardamon & coriander, and faint tomato leaf but this is the first glass. Sipping away on a mix of dark & light plums & cherries, strawraspbosenberry blend, smidge of hoarhound candy, that rhubarb pie again with the spices & red currant, lick of fresh rained on conglomerate rock, blackberry (seeds & all), and a good twang…light on its feet with a growing sophisticated dance that is sure to keep on grooving.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Step away from the bag…why ruin a good thing

Norris & Monroe are both very passionate about wine, the process, knowing when to step back or step in, or as Thomas says, “Winemakers are an integral part of the process, but I equate it to a chef and food. If you over season something, it takes away the nature and beauty of the produce you sourced for your dish.”. You know, just like a good meal a good wine can bring people together in a moment of joy, conversation and sharing which is definitely what “Un” does, and as Kate mentions, she loves to see people truly enjoying their wines to the last drop. One last quote that I found during my deep dive on their site that brought a huge smile to my face is how Kate views her part of winemaking, “That challenge is thrilling, humbling, and rewarding. I’m always asking myself, did I translate what mother nature gave us well? I’m the luckiest girl on earth, getting to make wine.” ❤️🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #PinotNoir #oregon #portland #divisionwine #divisionwineco  #vinewinenyc

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Lingering Over The Last Glass

Domaine de La Taille aux Loups (Jacky et J.P. Blot)
Brut Tradition
100% Chenin Blanc
Certified organic, indigenous yeasts, no sugar, hand harvested
Montlouis-sur-Loire, France
Jean-Phillipe Blot

Golden shine with fine bubbles. Sniff and up floats a little croissant or toasty pastry, a zesty bit of lime, lemon cream pie, as it grows there’s also an apple blossom or 2, apple/pear baked, and a scratch of tangelo zest. Sipping…it’s tickling & tingling on my tongue with all of the scents, a crisp & bright clean mineral/stainless elegance, lemon & lime keep dancing but more than just zest with a smidge of kumquat, and on the very back a bit of poached pear or actually maybe quince…yeah, it’s quince. It’s a glass of pure celebration.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Just don’t

Many years ago Jean-Phillipe joined his father in winemaking at the age of 16, and now he is at the helm after his father’s passing in 2023. I never had an opportunity to meet him but through this bottle I think I have a glimpse into his dream. Found out that earlier in his life he was a paratrooper, and thanks to his brother was turned on to wine which led to being a wine broker and then his curiosity and passion led him to become a winemaker. In the late 80s, he picked up 8 ha in Montlouis-sur-Loire (Domaine de La Taille aux Loups) and focused not on Vouvray but Chenin Blanc. There were ups and downs but his resilience and determination paid off. He became an acclaimed winemaker, one of the finest in Loire, and a champion of Chenin Blanc. As brilliant of a wine figure he was, there are so many words people use to describe him in tribute..he’s generous, friendly, welcoming, so very kind, wanting to share his knowledge & joy of tastings, and he was so loved by so many. I’m down to my last glass, savouring it and raising it as a salute to Jacky & also J.P. as he carries on the traditions. 🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #brut #sparklingwine #bubbly  #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #organic #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #France #loirevalley #cheninblanc  #skurnikwines #domainedelatailleauxloups #docwinebar #docwineshop