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Making My Wish

Celler Pardas
Aspriu Negre 2009
100% Cabernet Franc
Penedès DO
Torrelavit, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Organic & sustainable (but they didn’t know that back then)
Winemakers/Viticulturists: Ramon Parera (oenologist) & Jordi Arnan (agronomist)

Gorgeous deep purple. Breathing in dark cherry, black pepper, chocolate, hazelnut, allspice, and vanilla cookie or should I say whiskey peat. Oh I’m so excited to taste, I’ve been sitting on this bottle for years. Darkness and depth is looming in a good way. There’s tart cherry, coffee and chocolate, black peppercorns, and again a hint of vanilla and plush love. Memories of December Spain visits are flooding in.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: darker, deeper, and a weird sweetness that verges on antique cola candy

You don’t need to let this gift breathe long. Maybe 45 minutes and it is on its way. 2009 was Pardas’ third vintage of Aspriu, and honestly I’m so happy to have been introduced to it by La Vinya del Senyor in 2014. Ramon Parera and Jordi Arnan pride themselves in letting the terroir reveal itself through their wines. This special Cabernet Franc came from a single vineyard “La Barraca”. You can taste their hard work, dedication, and emotional connection with this area, the vines, and the whole environment. As in their quote, “The desire of being reunited with nature, and establishing bonds which fulfill us is only human nature after all, though very often forgotten.” Nothing is forgotten with this bottle. Everything is celebrated.

Even though I can’t travel this year for my birthday, I can feel myself sitting in La Vinya del Senyor sipping a glass of Aspriu, with one of their foie i cep meatballs and like I usually do afterwards, wander into Lurdes Bergada & Syngman Cucala and if I’m lucky find, something beautiful to wear that night. God, I miss Barcelona, Alicante, Cadaqués, well all of Spain. I find when you really get down to knowing the citizens of anywhere and especially Europe and get past the point that they see you as a freaking tourist, but that you want to know their reality, then you can have the most wonderful conversations. We all melt down to the same caring giving family. People talk of Southern hospitality, but I have never seen more kindness than all the good souls from Europe (and yes, NY, we are the big melting pot) that I’ve encountered and happily now call my friends.

Spinning & celebrating to Katy Perry’s – Birthday!

@pardasceller @vinyadelsenyor @vilaviniteca @lurdesbergada_syngmancucala @cheezits #cheezit #wine #naturalwine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #organic #sustainable #biodynamic #katyperry #CabernetFranc #Penedès #Barcelona #Catalonia #Spain #Aspriu

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Float Like a Butterfly

Domaine le Roc des Anges
L’effet Papillon
Cueillette 2019
IGP Côtes Catalanes
Roussillon, France
Biodynamic, sustainable, organic
90% Grenache Blanc, 10% Macabeu
Winemaker Couple: Marjorie and Stéphane Gallet

Light refreshing straw yellow. Post opening tangerine and lemon pop out followed by pear, some salt and ginger. The pears and still here in the first sip along with tangerine, cantaloupe, and light ginger. It’s just silky smooth and fits like an elegant glove that goes all the way up your arm and has those tiny buttons that are just asking to be taken out to the ball.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: makes it all sooooo sweet

Marjorie and Stéphane started from different places yet both in the countryside and a love for outdoors. When they both ended up at agronomy school in Montpellier, a mutual love for horses brought them together. What better way to fall in love, but on horseback. Seriously romantic! Wine love also was thrown into the mix and it grew and after years of learning through teachers, process, curiosity, and from each other, they are now thriving at Domaine le Roc des Anges. It’s rugged northern Roussillon farming, but since they are biodynamic, it brings the best out of the grape. Isn’t it often the case that the more difficult path often produces the best in the end. It also doesn’t hurt that they gently hand harvest when it’s nice and cool. Probably about as gentle as gliding on butterfly wings.

@vinewinenyc #lerocdesanges #domainelerocdesanges #petitpoiscorp #sussexwinemerchants @cheezits #cheezit #wine #whitewine @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #sustainable #biodynamic #organic #naturalwine #GrenacheBlanc #Macabeu #Roussillon #France #igpcotescatalanes #thebutterflyeffect

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No Folly in this Whale’s Tale

Folly of the Beast
Pinot Noir 2018
Pinot Noir 100%
Central Coast, Santa Maria, CA
Sustainable
Winemaker: Ryan Zotovich
Produced and bottled by Winc

Bright and lively cherry color. Just opened and there’s light butter that I’m betting will head out in a bit.  Next scents are cherries, plums, a tiny grind of pepper. Everything is light and fresh. Now on to see how this glass tastes. Full of strawberries, raspberries, cherries, deep plums, some oak and cedar. Also something herbal for the season like rosemary but not smacking you in the face. Snuggly comfy feeling that pairs so well with my lounge wear (honestly as much as I’d love to say it’s La Perla, but it’s TJ Maxx pj pants and a beer t-shirt).

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings out a more rugged feel. more dark

Ryan Zotovich, you have truly made a winner of a wine at an awesome price. I’m so glad that you left the computer science track and returned to your wine roots and ended up at Winc. Folly of the Beast would definitely go well with what I’m reading in your interview when asked, “If you were throwing a dinner party and could invite anyone, who would it be?” Betting your pick “Bill Murray as Steve Zissou” would give this wine his seal of approval.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @cryanzotovich @winc @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits  #organic #biodynamic #naturalwine #pinotnoir #SantaMaria #CA #california #sustainable #billmurray #SteveZissou #HermanMelville #mobydick

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Follow the Moon

Hilberg Pasquero
29.5 Per Alessandra
Barbera d’Alba 2016
100% Barbera
Vino Rosso
Priocca, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Biodynamic, organic, sustainable farming, and native yeasts
Winemaker couple: Miklo and Annette (Hilberg) Pasquero

Dark violet velvet drapery. Breathing in cherry, plum, cinnamon and a warm hug. Post hug you’re gifted a bouquet of wild flowers and something rustic like tobacco or dried apple leaves on the ground. Elegant and touch rugged on my tongue at the same time. There’s silky cherry, rustic plum, blackberries, and leather. The word I absolutely hate to use for wine…it’s sexy…I’d say let’s all take a roll in the hay but none of that funky stuff in this one.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: of all it’s more leather (thwack and SMack) and still smooth

29.5 get’s it’s namesake from the lunar phase cycle which is 29.5 days from New Moon to New Moon. So much of our own existence is governed by these cosmic push an pulls. Throughout history farmers used cycles to decide when to plant, when to grow, when to pick, when to harvest and even when to bottle. Some people think nah, this has to do with pagan traditions, but the more I read about biodynamic farming, it seems pretty sound to me. The days in the cycle have groupings of root, flower, leaf and fruit. Fruit days are supposed to be when time for winemaking is at its best and that period just happens to fall into the fire signs. Since I’m a Sagittarius, does that mean that I may have a winemaking adventure in my future? Or does that just mean I should open a special bottle on my birthday….which is coming up pretty soon…hint, hint, hint.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @HilbergPasquero @vignaioli_selection @cheezits #cheezit #wine #naturalwine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Italy #Priocca #Cuneo #Piedmont #organic #sustainable #biodynamic #Barbera #HilbergPasquero

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One More Beautiful Sunset

Coyote Hole Ciderworks
Sunset Sangria
Cider Sangria
5.6% ABV
Mineral, VA
Naturally Gluten Free, keep refrigerated, not from concentrate

Pale faint yellow reminding me of a sparkling wine with delicate bubbles. Pouring and definitely green apples hit you first, next are strawberries, and as it breathes more here come the peaches, and a touch of some holiday spice. Ooh tingly on the tongue, sweet green apple pie mixed with this before mentioned strawberries and peaches, and a touch of cranberry. This is a holiday sangria cider, but Coyote Hole says it is year round. I can get on board with that too. Very fresh and crisp.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: oh this is good! You know how sometimes you take a lovely slice of cheddar and warm it on top of a slice of apple pie. It’s a lot like that.

Coyote Hole Ciderworks only works with fruit from Virginia and to be more specific the Blue Ridge Mountains. All fruit is fresh too. Absolutely no concentrate, and absolutely from local farms, so you know you are supporting the small farmers. And as we all know, right now and honestly always, that is a very good thing!

@BeerBoutiqueNYC @BeerBoutiqueInc @CoyoteHole @cheezits #beer #cider #sangria #whitesangria #wine #glutenfree #cheezit #supportlocal #supportsmallfarms #supportsmallfarmers @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #coyotehole #Mineral #VA #virginia

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Orange is the New Black

Castello di Stefanago
Stüvenagh Orangiosauro 2019
“Mi stai sulle bucce!”
Provincia di Pavia IGP
Fortunago, Lombardy, Italy
80% Chardonnay, 20% Cortese
Organic, hand harvested, ambient yeasts and unfiltered
Winemakers: Antonio and Giacomo Baruffaldi

Jail jumpsuit orange. Raising the glass and there’s orange, tangerine, and oooh barnyard. Waiting for the yard to bail out (not as much on day two).Ok it’s starting to fade and orange blossoms are added, but the hint of dark is still there (on day one), followed by salt and smoke. Sipping orange and orange blossoms, lemon, salt, and a lick of granite. There’s still some earthy darkness, but on day two it’s pretty much gone. Replaced with super light honey. Let it breathe more and it is refreshing, tangy and definitely fun. A fashionable glass of sunshine that would really go well with anything with cloves

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: more light and smooth. I kind of prefer it before the pairing.

This isn’t just an orange wine, it’s a wine that beer lovers would seriously enjoy. Kind of makes sense because on their website it says they partner with Stüvenagh brewery (and their logo/name is on this wine label). Also learning that Stüvenagh comes from the Celtic word for Stefanago. Another fun fact it the brewery is just as organic as the winery. If you want to get a good look as to how magical their lands and castle are, please check out this video. A little more than a minute of your time will take you on a vacation that we are all longing.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @castellodiStefanago @castellodistefanagowines @Stuvenagh @saviosoaresselections @cheezits #cheezit #wine #whitewine #orangewine #beer #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Italy #organic #Pavia #Fortunago #Lombardy #Lombardia #Chardonnay #Cortese

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Your Home, Roots, and Origins

Kumusha
Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Wine of Origin Western Cape
Breedekloof Valley, South Africa
Sustainable, biodynamic, minimal intervention and natural fermentation
Winemaker/blender, greatly lauded sommelier, and “wine whisperer”: Tinashe Nyamudoka

Bright beautiful ruby. Wafts of cherry, plum, strawberries, and  pine needles. Drinking bright cherries, juicy strawberries and raspberries, rosemary, singed orange peel, and coffee laced chocolate. This is one darn easy drinking luscious wine.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: just makes the wine deeper

Tinashe Nyamudoka has one heck of a list of sommelier awards, certifications, panel memberships, wine judging positions; and then to read him modestly not calling himself a winemaker but a blender (master blender though), just wow. He may be part of the collaborative work of his brand, but either way, these wines would not exist if it were not for his experience, expertise and the true heart he puts into each one. Tinashe is originally from Zimbabwe and this is where the name Kumusha is derived. In Zimbabwean Shona it means “your home”, “your roots” or “your origins”. Well he is definitely staying true to the land and grapes roots with his creations. Tinashe, in case you happen to read this, I think I’m on my way to becoming a total fan girl of your work.

@vinewinenyc @KumushaWines @baobabwines @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #CabernetSauvignon #BreedekloofValley #SouthAfrica #WesternCape #sustainable #biodynamic #sommelier #TinasheNyamudoka

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Absolutely All Natural

Crealto
Vino Rosso “Agricolae” 2018
Alfiano Natta, Italy
100% Barbera
Organic (certified) and biodynamic (but not certified, because getting certified costs a pretty penny)
Winemaker: Luigi Armanino

Shining dark velvet ruby. Oh here come the lovely cherry scents, plums, light earth, and berries of all sorts from strawberries to blue berries and cherry Jolly Rancher. Nice powerful feel rolling around in my mouth. There’s cherries, plums (dancing in my head), faint raspberries, and a touch of orange. Natural darkness and rosemary that turns into sweet loving velvety embrace. This will keep all the extended family, friends, and in-laws happy and away from political discussions during the holiday season. Whether online or in person, they will be too busy talking about how much they love this wine.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: nice pair. A little more earthy and more bitter herbs

Crealto’s owners, Eleonora Costa and Luigi Armanino, made a decision in 2013, that I’m starting to see in many natural winemakers. They bucked the AOC panel and went with declassifying their wines, so they can stay true to their vinification path. They also have rooms to stay over and from what I’m seeing a beautiful restaurant with a very reasonably priced tasting menu. Everything is grown by them or either locally sourced and organic. The wholemeal flours and oils are even made on their farm. Just scrumptious all around!

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @ele_crealto  @cheezits @bowlerwine #cheezit #wine #naturalwine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #AlfianoNatta #Italy #organic #sustainable #biodynamic #Barbera #crealto

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Just One More Treat

DuCLaw Brewing Co.
Sweet Baby Jesus!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter
6.2% ABV
Baltimore, MD
Founder: Dave Benfield

Very dark black brown pour with small tan head around 1/4 inch that disappears. The second you pop the can and even before it hits the glass, it’s Incredibly forward dark chocolate, espresso and a little peanuts. Here goes the first sip and baker’s chocolate mixed with dark Belgian chocolate flavors. Roasted peanuts lead into the feel of peanut butter spread and at last again a bitter ending of espresso that is welcome and not too sweet, but nice and dry.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: NOPE! Dreadful! Or as the can says “Sweet Baby Jesus!” Don’t do it!

Ok, I know we’re all stuffed from yesterday’s Thanksgiving feast, but come on you have to have room for just one more treat. This classic can of porter is filled full of a very dark brownie with peanut butter morsels that have been cooked right up to the last second before they get too burned. You know you want one of the end pieces. They’re always the best. Anyway, I’ve had my fill of pumpkin pie, this is exactly what I need.

@duclawbrewingco @BeerBoutiqueInc @independentbeer @cheezits #beer #porter #cheezit @worldbyglass  #pairswithcheezits #chocolate #peanutbutter #thanksgiving #dayafterthanksgiving

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Old Vines Make Fine Wine

Terres Dorées
Beaujolais L’Ancien Vieilles Vignes 2018
100% Gamay
Charnay, France
Organic, sustainable, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts
Winemaker: Jean-Paul Brun

Swirling a deep glistening Gamay garnet glass. Fragrant strawberries, raspberries, and fresh cherries fill my nose and this is a breath of happiness. Once I take a sip, I find all sorts of berry juice from strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and more. There’s also some rugged cherry, and lots of citrus popping. Earth, cedar, and some sage that all say drink this baby NOW!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: juicy fruity

This lovely wine with the very telling name “L’Ancien” comes from some of the oldest vines at Terres Dorées which are anywhere from 40 to 60 years. Nice having a youngster birthed from such aged lineage. Instead of going carbonic with his wines, Jean-Paul Brun has stuck with the traditional Burgundian vinification method where the grapes are lovingly hand harvested, destemmed, and only indigenous yeasts that sprout forth are allowed. Jean-Paul sees this as the way to allow the to Gamay shine and also not to be forgotten the sustainable land where it all started from. Sometimes and more often than not, the natural ways of the past are where we should return.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny #TerresDorées #terresdorees @bowlerwine @cheezits #cheezit #wine #naturalwine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #organic #sustainable #biodynamic #jeanpaulbrun #gamay #Charnay #France #Beaujolais