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Beautiful Bunches of Grapes

Christina
St. Laurent 2019
Göttlesbrunn Carnuntum Austria
St. Laurent 100%
Winemaker: Christina Netzl
Organic and carbonic maceration

Dancing purplish garnet ruby. Here comes wafts of roses, and pow! cran-cherry, a little dark plum, some woodsy earth, and cola. While sipping again there’s cranberries, cherries and a jumble of juicy raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries; and also a touch of earth. Smooth velvet feel to this fun, light, and year round slightly chilled wine.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Smooth and good but I think it would be better with heavily buttered popcorn, and why you ask? Because this was tasted while watching the debate.

This is my second Christina wine, and her wines are consistently wonderful due to all her care for keeping it organic and low-intervention. St. Laurent 2019, is another beautiful wine to her list, that is making me fall more in love, and I’m betting it’s due to the carbonic maceration done in their old cellar. The last one I had was her Zweigelt Rosé 2019, and you can read more about it and a very long post about her, why there’s bugs on the label, the winery, and surrounding lands at https://worldbyglass.com/lets-hear-it-for-the-bugs/.

One more thing…remember to chill this wine, but not too much like I originally did. Yep, I screwed up and therefore had to wait a while. You don’t want to have to wait to dive into this glass, do you? So just a little and you’ll be so happy!

@vinewinenyc @Weingut-Franz-Christine-Netzl @christina_netzl @jennyfrancois @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #organic #Carnuntum #Austria #Göttlesbrunn #Zweigelt #StLaurent #ChristinaNetzl

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Flower Freedom

Casal de Ventozela
Contatto 2019
Vinho Verde Region
Minho, Portugal
Avesso 100%
Sustainable farming, skin contact
Winemakers: Fernando Moura and Pedro Campos

Deep gold orange glass. A mixed bouquet of flowers, natural funk that fades really fast, orange peel, candied apple, and salt. It’s light but let it warm a bit and there’s something tawny and nutty. It’s a fresh mouthful with tart light orange and Orangina, apples, peaches, and dry.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: very sweet orange

Casal de Ventozela has a history back to at least 1874, but changed hands in 1978, to José Ferreira Cortinhas. Portugal was still coming back post the Carnation Revolution, which I’m finding incredibly fascinating. Celeste Caeiro is proof that any of us can play a major role in history. She was the Lisbon restaurant worker and pacifist, that started the symbol of this movement. Due to all the military activity, the restaurant where she worked closed for the day, and gave her all the carnations they were going to pass out to customers. She decided to give the flowers to the tanks and soldiers. This one beautiful act spread and others started passing them out and here you have a mostly peaceful culmination of a revolution. Yes, more had to be politically dealt with in the following days and years, and 4 people died on April 25, 1974, but a democracy was on its way.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @casaldeventozela @communalbrands @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Portugal #VinhoVerde #Minho

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Thrill on Blueberry Hill

Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery (Farm Brewery)
Blueberry French Toast Imperial Brown Ale
8% ABV
Goochland, VA

Dark Coca-Cola pour. Once the can is popped, out comes caramel, blueberries, maple, and toasty. The label doesn’t lie, my tastebuds are all over the blueberries or from what I remember as a kid…blueberry syrup (was great on homemade biscuits), toast, maple, cola, and a touch of bitter but in a good way.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: At first sip it takes away the blueberries but even before the next sip they just come back and slap you in the face. So if you want to get slapped in the face by blueberries then go on ahead.

Checking out Lickinghole’s site, and what an idyllic place. It’s a brewery, it’s a farm, and they have their own sustainable water source. They grow most of what they use for their beers and if it’s something they don’t have, they work with other local farmers. They also have a show this Saturday, Oct. 10th (The Trongone Band) which is a start to a series of concerts. All ticket sales go to support the artists, who really need it right now. Prices vary depending on which package you want. Just remember mask up, social distance and wash your hands. Make this a safe event for all.

@lccb_farmbrews @BeerBoutiqueNYC @BeerBoutiqueInc @trongoneband @indiebeer_ @cheezits #beer #cheezit @worldbyglass  #pairswithcheezits #imperialbrownale #ale #lickingholecreek

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Magical Mixture

Bràulio
Amaro Alpino
Lombardy Region
Bormio, Italy
Invented by pharmacist Francesco Peloni
Rested in Slavonian oak barrels
Acquired at D.O.C. Wine Bar after an amazing dinner outside

Served neat. Dark amber more reddish brown color. Take a deep breath in and it’s all sorts of herbs, piney, juniper berries, orange peel, cloves, and the whole forest floor with a touch of briney. Going in for the sip and it’s sweet and bitter at same time. Also tastes just like all of the above listed for scents. It’s better than a ricola and much more healthy. This will cure what ails ya!

Thank you Francesco Peloni for being so into herbs and creating this robust concoction back in 1875. From what I’m reading some of the herbs, plants and berries still used in this magical mixture are gathered on Monte Bràulio in Stelvio National Park, and are dried in the crisp mountain air and then ground before being added to the alcohol. Post mixture they hang out in stainless steel tanks for a few weeks and near the end some mountain water is added. I can’t imagine how strong that must smell. After extraction here’s where the Slavonian oak barrels come in. 15 months later, you have the perfect “secret” recipe and masterpiece.

Oh and obviously, no “Pairs with Cheez-It’s” since I was dining out, but I can pretty much guarantee it would be a big fat NO!

Cheers!

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @amarobraulio.official @cheezits #cheezit #wine #spirits #amaro #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #braulioamaro #bormio #lombardy #Italy #bitter #liqueur #digestif

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Chill It! Chill It Good!

Bojo do Luar
Deu Pinote 2019
Vinho Verde Region
Minho, Portugal
33% Arinto, 33% Alvarelhão, 33% Vinhāo (Wandering where that 1% is)
Organic, spontaneous fermentation with ground chestnut flowers
Project between Savio Soares and winemaker Antonio Sousa

Shining see through deep rosy chilled red. Scents of ripe cherries, plums, and lovely flowers. Delicious raspberries, strawberries, cherry tang, and of all things watermelon Jolly Rancher (my favorite Rancher). It’s juicy, fruity and perfect on this beautiful end of summer afternoon.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Nope…don’t even attempt putting a Cheez-It in your mouth while drinking this wine.

Very intrigued with the use of ground chestnut flowers instead of SO2 for stabilization in this unfiltered wine. I wonder, does it matter which to use, either male or female, or is it a blend of both? Whichever the answer, I’m so glad that Savio Soares and Antonio Sousa saw the potential of working in this manner. Fabulous!

@vinewinenyc #BojodoLuar #AntonioSousa @saviosoaresselections @cheezits #wine @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #cheezit #vinewinenyc #organic #VinhoVerde #Minho #Portugal #Arinto #Alvarelhão #Vinhāo #AntonioSousa

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Respecting the Land of Stars

Domaine Mittnacht Frères
Terres d’ étoiles 2018
Pinot Blanc
40% Pinot Blanc, 60% Pinot Auxerrois
Alsace Region
Hunawihr, France
Organic, biodynamic, indigenous yeast
Winemaker: Christophe Mittnacht

Pale very chilled gold. Tickling my nose are dainty flowers, lemon and lime/citrus, a touch of salt, yellow fruity and it’s fresh and clean. Tilt back the glass and there’s lemon, pears, honey, a smidge of salt, yellow plums, and Froot Loops minus the milk. Keep on drinking it grows more juicy/fruity and even a touch of peach the more it warms.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: a little less lemon but it really doesn’t change the flavors that much

I know I’ve been writing a lot about whether a vineyard/farm is sustainable, organic, biodynamic, etc. Well, it is so important to many of the winemakers I’ve been writing about and it should be to you too for a multitude of reasons. For Christophe Mittnacht and his wife Yuka it is no different, but they were in the forefront of it in Alsace. They were certified organic in 1999, and biodynamic in 2013. They believe in respect the vineyard and therefore respect the consumer. Everything has minimal intervention but when there are times the vines need a little extra help with defending itself from natural enemies, they may be sprayed with nettle tea and other willow and horsetail remedies.

Hunawihr (what a cool name) is also a member of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”, and yes, it is one of the most beautiful villages in France. Their famous fortified church overlooks Domaine’s vineyards, and looks like it’s still existing in an older time when life was lived at a happier, slower pace. I feel like you can just smell the fresh cool air.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @mittnachtfreres @skurnikwines @cheezits #cheezit #wine #vin #vino #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #naturalwine #PinotBlanc #PinotAuxerrois #Alsace #Hunawihr #France #organic #biodynamic

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Always Read the Instruction Manual

Viña Echeverría
Es Pituko
Chardonnay 2018
Curicó Valley, Molina, Chile
Sustainable, aged 15 months in French barrels
Chief Winemaker: Roberto Echeverría Jr.

Golden drop of sunshine with some sediment hanging around. Inhaling melon, mango, apples, and some light oak. As time goes by becomes deeper and richer. This is another one that says to drink in the next 5 minutes so here goes…melon, pear, a little orange acidic twang, and something rich and creamy. There’s even a kick of grass.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: whoa massive creamy oakiness and not sure how I feel about it. I’m on the fence.

The more I learn, and the more I taste… I find more natural winemakers putting instruction manuals on their back label art. Like with this one and last week’s “Es Pituko, Cabernet Franc 2019”, you’re instructed how much to chill, give it a shake before you pour because it’s natural like that, and how fast to drink. My advice, always take a look at the back, or you might miss out on the true way the wine is supposed to taste. The next red you pick up, could be one that might be screaming to go in the fridge.

While I pour another glass of this “Fancy” Chardonnay, here’s another one from Cerys Matthews.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @echeverriawines @tedward.ws @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #chile #molina #viñaecheverria #curicowines #naturalwine #espituko #Chardonnay #CuricóValley #CuricoValley #CerysMatthews

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Satisfying My Sweet Tooth

Timber Ales
Lumberjack Style
Imperial Stout
Aged on Coffee and Maple Syrup
12% ABV
North Haven, CT
Brewer: Jason Stein

Deepest dark chocolate thick (think motor oil-esque) pour with medium milk chocolate looking tiny rim of bubbles. Breathing in dark chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! Also coffee, caramel, and maple. Pretty true to the label. Oooooh this tastes like delicious dark chocolate from Belgium, serious toasty coffee, maple, caramel, and something nutty like Nutella hazelnut. It’s sweet and bitter, and downright delicious. It’s like someone bought me the perfect box of chocolates (not what you pick up randomly at Duty Free), and sorry, I’m not sharing with anyone.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: coffee forward and bitter and still good, but I prefer before the Cheez-It. No one gets between me and my dark chocolate.

Bet you thought I was going to post a particular Monty Python video, but then I remembered this classic by the “Man in Black”.

@timber_ales @BeerBoutiqueInc @twelvepercentbeerproject @cheezits #beer #cheezit @worldbyglass  #pairswithcheezits #timberales #imperialstout #stout #jasonstein

 

 

 

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Where The Wild Roses Grow

Bodega Benito Santos
Mencía 2017
Ribeira Sacra
100% Mencía
Galicia, Spain
Vineyards in DO Monterrei (according to the label and website)
Winery in Ribeira Sacra DO
Sustainable farming

A beautiful shining garnet glass. At first there’s a buttery start that eases into scents of berries. Next are flowers that turn into roses. Reminds me of my mom’s rose garden. She had an array of types, colors, and some antique wild ones. It was planted on a small incline in a horseshoe shape so you could enjoy it just surrounding you and breathe in all the fragrances. One last thing on the tip of my nose is light smoke. Sipping tart and smooth black cherries, strawberries, blackberries, even maybe blueberries and still drinking roses. There’s a dark spice finish yet it’s still light and lively. Delicious elegance.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: juicy cherry and pop of roses

Here’s a little history on the winery’s founder, Benito Santos…he started out working in his grandfather’s vineyards back in the 30’s and became a huge backer of the region’s Albariño. Over the years of hard work, great achievements and awards, he became a member of the Specific Regulatory Council of Rias Baixas (1981). By 1988, he greatly helped in the creation of Rias Baixas D.O. That’s a pretty historic accomplishment. Now Bodega Benito Santos has been passed on to successors, land has expanded and other grapes have been added such as the Benito Santos Mencía from this lovely wine. All the roses that kept blooming from this bottle took my thoughts to my personal favorite rose tune, by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds ft. Kylie Minogue.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @benitosantos1979 @bowlerwine @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Spain #Galicia #RibeiraSacra #Monterrei #Mencia #Mencía #benitosantos #nickcave #kylieminogue

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Let it Grow Free and Wild

Mathieu Apffel
Cremant de Savoie Bulles de Rouzan NV
Savoie AOP
Saint-Baldoph, Savoie, France
Jacquère
Organic, native yeast, no filtration, and has been letting the grass grow as it wants
Winemaker: Mathieu Apffel

Pale yellow with big bubbles. First thing that hits my nose is creamy vanilla, lemon, and super ripe just picked cucumber that I left growing for a tad long in the garden, so not quite a melon but fresh. Sipping and it’s a little creamy, then a citrus zing of lemon and lime, a little crisp green apple, and brioche toast. Fresh and clean and dry

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: gives it more body which is odd but good

This would be good with an Epoisses quesadilla. Yeah, I love stinky cheese. I have a fond memory of it when my S.O. was working/living in Basel and when I visited, we would sit on the balcony and devour it with bubbly and beer. Smells so funky and tastes so good. All I can say was grocery shopping there was so amazing! The array of cheeses puts NYC to shame. I miss Basel!

@vinewinenyc #MathieuApffel @louisdressnerselections @cheezits #wine @worldbyglass #needmorewine #cheezit #vinewinenyc #organic #SaintBaldoph #Savoie #France #Cremant #cremantdesavoie #Jacquère #Jacquere #epoisses #Basel