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Guess It Was Just Destiny

Giacomo Mori
Chianti DOCG 2021
95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo & Colorino
Practicing organic
San Casciano dei Bagni (SI), Tuscany, Italy
The Mori Family

Deep ruby. Breathing in cherries (fresh & dried), something woodsy, dried Mission figs, and a blend of licorice/mint/alpine herbal. All of the sniffs are in the sip with the herbal popping up more along with dark plums, & after a time out there’s raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, Ligurian olive pit, Mediterranean Thyme, and as it continues to open there’s red plums too…yet it is nice & dry on the back.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: yes please

Giacomo Mori set about revamping & jumpstarting his family’s estate & winery in 90s. The estate had been the family for eons, and produced grapes & wine for a local co-op, but Giacomo wanted to take it to the next level. There was replanting, updating some equipment, keeping it natural, no pesticides or nasty chemicals in the vines, and beneficial plants are sown on every other row. Guess what plants they use…Vicia faba or known as broad beans or fava beans which draws it all back to the thing I was determined not to write about…Mr. Lecter because I swear if I had a dollar for every time I hear that quote when someone mentions anything about Chianti. Guess it was just destiny when this bottle found me. 🤣🍷

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“Thread of Tradition”

Cantina di Mogoro
Nero Sardo
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC
100% Cannonau
Mogoro (Mòguru), Alta Marmilla, OR, Sardegna, Italy

Ruby and somewhat inky/lush. There’s scents of cherries, raspberries, plums, red currants, a blend of mild nutmeg, anise and other alpine herbal friends. Sip and again there’s cherries, red currants with a bit more of lemon & orange zest, followed by red plums, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, boysenberry, and a pinch of thyme & some other wild herbs. This is such o delicious easy drinker that in the end feels like an affectionate & comforting hug.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: scrumptious

Cantina di Mogoro (dates back to 1956) & is still making fabulous wines that truly represent the beauty of Sardinia. I’ve written before about this island’s beautiful woven arts & it turns out Mogoro has their own art & craft festival (or artisan might be a better word albeit at times overused), “Fiera dell’artigianato Artistico della Sardegna“ (textiles, clay, metalwork like knives, etc & more) where you can just look or if you’re so inclined can bring some home. The local women also have their own group passing down the history of their looms, “Su Trobasciu”, & I love this description of how they are set apart from other weavers…“In Mogoro the joyful floral explosions, capable of escaping the rigid schematisms more typical of other areas of Sardinia.” Way back in time they used to have more than 600 of these looms which turns out was “more than 1 per family.” No wonder it’s so important to carry on this beautiful & passionate “Il filo della tradizione = the thread of tradition”, & see how their members artistically & creatively grow in modern times.

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“Women’s Dreams”

Benazzoli
Dafne 2022
Bardolino DOC
Corvina & Rondinella
Lake Garda
Pastrengo VR, Italy
Claudia and Giulia Benazzoli (sisters)

Ruby stained glass with purple pops. Breathing in cherries, plums, light roses, a scent that reminds me of my childhood back patio where mom had the hanging baskets of plants (warm sweet & savory with a little earth), raspberries & fresh picked strawberries, a pinch black pepper, and over time there’s a caramelized balsamic reduction. All of the scents are in the sip with more strawberry, raspberry, but now with boysenberry blended in, red currants, lemon/Lime zest zing, and more of a pepper grind. It’s so fresh, light on its feet but can hold their own in a dance off.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: blerg

The latest & 4th gen of Benazzoli winemakers, Claudia & Giulia are proud of their heritage, land, hard work, and wine; and they let you know straight off it’s “Made By Women”. You’ll even find that branded on their corks. This bottle of Dafne is from their line “Sogni di donna”. They worked with Stefano Torregrossa (designer) & Luca Quagliotti (illustrator & tattoo artist) to put their voice & personalities on these labels. “They are imaginary women we call by name, each with its own character, its style, its exquisitely personal taste: Tecla, Agata, Dafne, Giava, Minerva. Each of them tells different aspects of Benazzoli women and their wines.” Each one sports an inner & outer beauty, depth of knowledge, strength, love, their own unique style, and makes me want to get to know each and every one. 🍷

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Alchemy In A Bottle

Castello di Roncade
Prosecco Brut
Glera
Treviso DOC
Roncade, Veneto, Italy
Vincenzo Ciani Bassetti

The palest yellow possible with tiny lively bubbles. Up float delicate scents of apples fresh & dried, pear, a touch of toasted baguette, gooseberries, and a teeny lemon w zest. After a few sips, all of the scents are there and very crisp with a dry spark, a sprig of parsley & another herbal pinch I can’t place along with more of a blend of citrus zest…kind of reminds me a little of Kas.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Surprisingly delicious

Roncade Castle is filled with such a long history that includes nobility, wars, rebuilding & repairing, artistic endeavors, and Baroni Ciani Bassetti who heralded in renovations, vineyard replanting, and their wine business. This villa is also “the only pre-Palladian villa surrounded by medieval walls topped by majestic battlements” and you can stay in the castle or even better…stay in the towers (romantic!). While there take one of the guided tours. The one that jumps out to me is on their winemaking process or as they describe it “perfect blend of ancient practices and modern innovation“ & “alchemy reveals itself in every bottle, demonstrating how our quest for quality continues to evolve while keeping its roots alive.” Now that’s my kind of bottled magic with no genie needed.

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A Glass Of Pure Pleasure

Château Haut Monplaisir
Partie de Plaisir 2022
Malbec
Comté Tolosan IGP
Organic, sustainable
Cahors, France
Cathy & Daniel Fournié and their daughter Mathilde

Dark red maroon with a ruby rim. Sniffing cherries dried & fresh, plums/prune/raisin smash, blackberries, warm spice blend of black pepper grind, smidge of toasted coriander & something I can’t name at the moment; and at last a little woodsy tangle. All of the scents are in the taste with the cherries even a bit more chewy in a good way, black currants, a mineral lick & a little raspberry flirt that winks, plays coy, hides and comes back out every once in a while, and it all goes sleek, elegant, with a sophisticated & glass raising smile.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Most definitely

Back in 1998, Cathy & Daniel took over her father’s vineyards and headed into their Cahors venture with open eyes, a willingness to learn from observing their land, plants & fruits, and also from the wisdom of other acclaimed & seasoned Malbec experts. 2012 marked their official stamp of organic, and not long after in 2015, Mathilde jumped on board the family wine wagon which from this bottle’s name sounds like a “fun party/time” or it could be a nod to a Claude Chabrol flick. Honestly though on Valentine’s Day my heart says it’s all about finding that joyous moment of pleasure and sharing it with the one you love or at least “the one you’re with”. ❤️🍷💋

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A Beautiful Dream

Domaine François Villard
L’Appel des Sereines 2022
IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
100% Syrah
Certified organic (Ecocert)
Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, France
Owner & winemaker: François Villard

Ruby red. Sniffing cherries, blackberries, something soft & gentle like violets, grind of black pepper, and a pinch of toasted coriander. Sip and there’s dried & fresh cherries, blackberries, red currants, and again the black pepper. It’s so full of a life, juicy and very mouthwatering. Somebody please bring me a 🍔

Pairs with Cheez-Its: delicious

François’s path into wine started as a chef & over time he became a sommelier which then led to the siren’s call of the vines. Fortunately he had good friends already in the business to show him the ropes and eventually an education & certificate in agriculture with a focus on all things wine (growing & making). Early on he built his skills, grew with experience, and then found his organic & elegant groove over 42 ha. When you check out his site you’re greeted by a pic of his infectious grin that’s so full of life & joy just like the one on my face after a glass of “L’Appel des Sereines”. My bet it is because he has found his own way to happiness. As he says on his site, “My dream would be to produce great wines for aging that we could drink immediately”…well I think that dream is already here. 🍷

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A Family Growing Together & Branching Out

Domaine Labbé 
Abymes 2023
Vin de Savoie AOC
100% Jacquère
Sustainable
Savoie, France
Alexandra and Jérôme Labbe (cousins)

Lovely yellow shine. Sniff and there’s scents of apples, pears, lemon/lime squish, cantaloupe, and a mineral whiff from a spring house. Tasting apples & pears, a lemon/lime spark with zest, honeydew, a dash of that mineral again but very mellow, tiny drop of honeysuckle/greenery, and a lick of limestone. It’s clean & bright with a dry light tongue tingling touch.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: yes please

Roger and Marc Labbé (the fathers of Alexandra [Marc’s daughter] & Jérome [Roger’s son]) started out farming with a little bit of this & a little bit of that such as cows, their products, and the grains that feed them. There was one more ingredient to their mix…grapes, but they were at first an only weekend & spare time endeavor. As time moved along those little fruits formed Domaine Labbé, and this is where the cousins came into the picture by taking the reins in 2004. They’re hard working and are keeping it naturally sustainable with letting the grass grow in the rows & indigenous yeasts do their magic in the cellar. A & R also added a splash of red into their portfolio with introducing a little Pinot Noir & Mondeuse into their lives. They’ve also branched out to a second venture, “Terres de 1248”. Sparked by their love & respect of nature this 1.45 ha hope to be organic approved by their 2025 harvest. All I have to say is cheers to that and their passion for their vines. 🥂Looking forward to the future & tasting the new wines.

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

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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! 🍷

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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.

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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. 🍷❤️

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