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“An Oasis Of Peace”

Azienda Agricola Pojer e Sandri
Palai Müller-Thurgau 2024
100% Müller-Thurgau
Natural winemaking
San Michele all’Adige, Faedo TN, Italy
Mario Pojer & Fiorentino Sandri

Light yellow with a green sheen. Sniff and there’s light peaches, grapefruit, grassy wild flowers along with white blossoms, peppergrass, and lemon zest. Sipping lemon, lemongrass, grapefruit,  peach but not overly fruity…kinda dry, kumquat, crabapple, sourgrass & a touch of peppergrass, lick of mineral, and s dash of salt.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Easy as pie

Back in 1975, Fiorentino inherited his family’s vineyards & Mario had graduated enological school, which sounds like a recipe for a perfect pairing… except some thought the lands might not be great. Boy did they prove the doubters wrong with their 1975 Palai Müller-Thurgau, and have continued as they grew from 2ha to so much more. In 1998, they were the first in Italy to market Chardonnay, then in 2002, they “patented the reduction and press vinification process with nitrogen recovery, which drastically reduces the use of sulfites” & started “washing the grapes in a grape jacuzzi” (I just love the image of 🍇 chilling in a jacuzzi), and in 2013, launched their Zero Infinito project which means, “Zero chemical treatments in the countryside, Zero sulfur dioxide, Zero commercial yeasts, Zero fining agents, Zero filtration, Zero antioxidants”. Along with their wines, they also produce grappas, fruit brandies & vinegars; and you can experience it all by booking a tasting or even better staying in one of their apartments on the farm nestled within the vineyards…or as they call it “an oasis of peace”. ❤️

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A Common Thread

Brogalia
La Meirana 2023
Gavi D.O.C.G. del Comune di Gavi
100% Cortese di Gavi
Gavi, Italy
Brogalia family: current generation – Roberto & Fillipo (Piero’s sons), Bruno (Paolo’s son)

Shining yellow with a green sheen. Breathing in light grapefruit/tangelo, firm pears, white peaches, winter melon & a touch of honeydew, honeysuckle blossoms that later blend with jasmine, and a bit of mineral that is like fresh rained on pavers. What I’m sniffing is in the taste along with a splash of lime, white nectarines, and almonds that give it a dry fresh feel yet still fragrant. Simply lovely.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: just don’t

Before the Broglia family bought their estate “La Meirana” from Count Edilio Raggio in 1972, it had a long history dating back to at least June 3rd AD 972 as found on a lease stored in the l’Archivio di Stato di Genova. Two years after becoming the new owners, the Gavi DOC status was created and just in time for their first bottled wine. Later in 1998, it rose to DOCG. Now their lands are 100 ha in total, and 65 ha are vineyards (oldest are from 1950s) all of their celebrated Cortese. All along they have looked for ways to improve and innovate their grapes & winemaking. Along with renovating the winery, they have also worked with the University of Turin in clonal research and the University in Milan on sulfite-free wine production. All of this research and progress not only assists them in growth & higher quality wine…it also helps their neighbors and even all off us that have a chance to sip a glass from one of their classic bottles.

One more bit to add about this “family rooted in the heart of Gavi”, is a quote from their greeting video that sums up their passion and makes me smile. “We are all connected by a common thread, we love our land, we love the countryside, we love drinking wine, warm fireplaces, dogs, and a good bottle of wine.” Now that’s a beautiful life.

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A Balancing Act

Alberto Ballarin
Dolcetto d’Alba D.O.C. 2022
100% Dolcetto
Sustainable viticulture
La Morra (CN), Italy
Winemaker & grower: Alberto Ballarin

Shining ruby glass. Breathing in cherry, (Twizzlers too), plum, raspberries, wild strawberry, violets, blueberry, & a light citrus spark on the end that blooms a bit over time. Scents are in the sip joined now with boysenberry, touch of blackberry, & a smidge of orange zest. Absolutely delicious!

Pairs w Cheez-Its: Big YES

Wondering what’s behind the logo on Ballarin’s bottles. Turns out it was inspired by a photo/artwork by Teddy Locquard, & the thoughts/emotions it invoked from Alberto which made him want his own version that would represent his life best. The design depicts a man seated on a tightrope (I can’t imagine how difficult that would be to not fall off) reading a newspaper along w other personal marks of Alberto. This is from his site & sums it all so much better than I could relay. 

“I was able to see myself in that image, suspended between the choices I had to make and those I had already made. Choices that led me to find my personal balance thanks to the possibility that I was given to live through my passions and to love my job. As the Chinese philosopher Confucius reports ‘Do what you love and you will not work a single day of your life’.”

“I therefore decided to include what I consider the essential elements of my life as a producer:

  • the glass of wine: the symbol par excellence of sharing and for me an emblem of leisure, well-being and pleasure;
  • the book: a symbol of knowledge, but above all of the curiosity with which you have to look at every challenge, as the world of wine and its culture are immense and it is impossible to be satisfied with them;
  • the umbrella: representation of the weather and its instability; quality grape bunches and wine cannot be produced without the right weather conditions. Due to its essentiality it could not be missing from my label.”

Means so much more than the steampunk figure, I assumed. Instead it’s is an elegant representation of a passionate, creative & knowledgable winemaker that is Alberto. 🍷❤️

#wine #vin #vino #winestagram #instawine

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Sparking Up The Holidays

Maison Idiart
Nico
Crémant de Loire AOC NV
Brut Blanc
Méthode Traditionelle
Chenin Blanc (mainly), Chardonnay, Grolleau, & Cabernet Franc
Loire Valley, France
Winemaker: Nicolas Idiart

Light yellow/gold with a splash of green that shimmers in and out and very active small bubbles. Breathing in Ggreen apples & pears, faint touch of lemon/lime, and over time there’s a sprinkle of hazelnuts that really sets a holiday vibe. All of the scents are in the very crisp taste along with the lemon/lime a bit more ramped up that has my lips vibrating, also with I do believe a drop of lychee, and almonds join the hazelnuts in a festive dance. It’s fresh, joyful, sparky, and oh so easy to dress up or down at home or out on the town.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: don’t even try or Santa will leave a lump of coal in your stocking.

This is now my 2nd Maison Idiart bottle. 1st was the Pinot Noir 2022, which was quite a delight and a wonderful introduction to Nicolas’ achievements, his “modern day wine company” that works with select natural growers whose grapes sing from where they are born, and passion for reducing carbon footprints with their “keg wines”. Albeit this is not a wine on tap, but it’s a bottled burst of happiness that I think my and I bet your holidays need right now. Nothing says celebrate like a glass of bubbly and especially one as fun as Nico. 🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #brut #sparklingwine #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #organic #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #France #naturalwine #sustainable #cwdistributing #maisonidiart #docwinebar #docwineshop

 

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Guided By Etna

Sentieri Siciliani
Rosso 2022
Nerello Mascalese 80% & Nerello Cappuccio 20%
Etna DOC
Sustainable
Sicily, Italy
Agronomist: Elisa Trovato

Shining bright ruby. Scents flow out of cherries (all sorts), tart plum, dried Mission figs, drop of cola with a bit of earthiness, juniper berries/pine sap & alpine herbal blend, and fennel pollen. Sipping and there’s the tart plums & cherries again, pomegranate, cranberries, red licorice, shave of orange, mandarin, & kumquat zest, and a smidge of cola again followed by a dry lime tingle.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: NO

Elisa Trovato is an agronomist who is very in tune to her beloved Etna. She started out renting vineyards prior to finding her way to purchasing her current 3 ha of lands & vines: Vigneti Ammirato, Spallarello, and Lu Meo. Each benefit from the gifts Mt. Etna spews and also from Elisa’s care, passion, and sustainable agricultural knowledge. I love this quote about the vineyards from her site, “I go on walks and end up getting lost in them. Fortunately, there is always you, Etna, guiding me.” How wonderful it must be to wake up to a life of traversing her ancient & rich Sicilian paths; and know that she is weaving her own part into their history. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #organic #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Italy #Sicily #naturalwine #sustainable #cwdistributing #SentieriSiciliani #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Revisiting The Past For Good

Terres Dorées
Beaujolais L’Ancien Vieilles Vignes 2023
100% Gamay
Charnay, France
Organic, sustainable, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts
Winemaker: Jean-Paul Brun

Shining garnet stained glass. Breathing in cherries of all sorts, raspberries, strawberries, white pepper, and something herbal like a teeny sprig of mint or cedar. Sip and tasting again cherries (so fresh), raspberries, wild strawberries, & now blueberries, a citrus mix with singed orange zest, touch of earth, cedar/pine sap & an herbal blend (light rosemary, sage, and something alpine). Somebody please bring me a burger or even better…a roasted duck 🦆.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: even more juicy

I love Terres Dorées’ wines, and this lovely bottle 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.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #instawine #winetasting #naturalwine #redwine #worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #organic #sustainable #jeanpaulbrun #gamay #Charnay #France #Beaujolais #louisdressnerselections #TerresDorées #terresdorees #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Win-Win Wines

Maison Idiart
Pinot Noir 2022
Sancerre AOP
Sancerre, France
Winemaker: Nicolas Idiart

Shining crancherry. There’s scents of cherries, plums red & dark purple, light bit of prunes, a scrape of mineral with pinch of salt that grows into something more forest, pomegranate, and bright cranberry. Sipping away a crancherry mix with tart plums, young blackberries, pomegranate, red currants and a sprinkle of dark earth; BUT it’s all so very light, fresh and not heavy at all.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Hell yeah!

Nicolas has quite the achievement in his past. Turns out he graduated Bordeaux University at 19 making him France’s youngest winemaker…pretty impressive. Now he and his “modern day wine company” work with select natural growers whose grapes sing from where they are born and while most are from France there’s also a New Zealand venture. He’s also really into reducing their carbon footprint. Now, I’ve had bad wine in a keg a looooong time ago but this is not that old cringe worthy on tap stuff. Nope, he uses their premium small batch elixirs and as their site says, It keeps the wine more fresh, environmentally friendly, and saves cost on all levels. To me this is a great win-win for all. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #organic #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #France #naturalwine #sustainable #cwdistributing #maisonidiart #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Name Games

Azienda Agricola Trevisana
Gioco Di Vino
????? 2023
Unfiltered Vino Blanco 
Organic, no additives or sulfur, unfiltered, skin contact
Chardonnay
Paese, Treviso, Veneto, Italy

Warm golden pour. Sniff and this is a surprise mix of first scent banana (all I can hear in my head now are the Minions chanting), lemon/lime, mango, dragon fruit, apples & pears, and a waft of light mineral. All of the scents are there with more lemon/lime & zest, Valencia orange, a touch of wild hay that tames down into a little tangerine & clementine, an exhale of tarragon and maybe thyme too or just fresh cut grass, and a shake of salt & lick of slate. It’s fresh, vibrant, happy, and yeah totally party material. 🪩🎉🥳

Pairs with Cheez-Its: hmmm honestly I’m not sure so I say put the box away

This is a small batch winery that also knows how to have fun. Each of Gioco Di Vino’s (English translation “wine game”) labels come with a little puzzle. The key for this one is to connect the dots from 1 through 10, then 24 through 33, then 47 through 52, then 60 through 70, then 72 through 78, then at last 84 through 89; and boom the wine’s name is revealed: “Fermo” which perfectly suits this still elixir. Of course, I recommend using a pencil, in my case put on my spectacles, and maybe try doing it before any of the wine is involved. Cheers!

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #organic #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Italy #naturalwine #sustainable #iwkimporter #AziendaAgricolaTrevisana #GiocoDiVino #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Protect The Bees And They’ll Protect You

Anne Pichon Wines
“Sauvage”
Vermentino 2024
Vaucluse IGP
Organic (Ecocert France SAS), biodynamic, sustainable, indigenous yeast, grapes grown on the slopes of Mont Ventoux
Mormoiron, Vaucluse, France
Winemakers & nature lovers: Anne Pichon & Véronique (SIL)

Pale or rather light yellow greenish starlight. Breathing in a lovely jumble of kumquat, light mandarin, lemon/lime,  little lychee, green pears, and winter melon. Sip and it’s clean, fresh and crisp. All of the scents but maybe slightly more sharpened but with a delicate vibe. There’s also a mashup of gooseberry & tomatillo in a good way.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: kind of fun but would be better with bbq eel

Anne & Marc (her husband, who sadly passed away in 2016) Pichon found a perfect place to make wine in an already organic yet left behind domaine that came with quite a romantic name in my bee & bug loving book, “Mur-Mur-Ium” (the buzzing song of bees). Its village “Mormoiron” also has local lore that long ago when besieged with invaders the villagers came up with a creative way of defense by lobbing beehives at them. Who wouldn’t hightail it out of there with thousands of buzzers swarming you? Anyway, Domaine Mur-Mur-Ium is now in the hands of the Pichon’s sons (Émile & Niels), and Anne’s line of wines, “Sauvage” or “wild” wines seem to me to be like a love letter to nature, it’s complexity, strength & beauty. ❤️🐝

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #organic #bees #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Rhone #France #organic #sustainable #tedwardwines #annepichon #annepichonsauvage #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Blue Skies

Famiglia De Cerchio
Idi Di Marzo
Vulgaris 2022
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
Organic, sustainable, vegan
Abruzzo, Italy
Federico De Cerchio

Dark purple w a cherry rim. Sniff once then twice…out pops cherries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, licorice, smidge of green olives that’s still there lightly on day 2, & a warmth of stewed strawberries w some spice. Sipping the day away & all the scents are there & juicy along w plums, pomegranate & dark chocolate mmmm, a holiday blend of cinnamon, cardamon, etc, lick of slate, & the slender green zippy peppers I used to grow.

Pairs w Cheez-Its: 😍

The De Cerchio family has a long history back to 1910, when Federico’s great-grandfather Vincenzo (who must have been quite a deal maker) purchased 20 ha in Abruzzo (including the Torre Zambra) from the Zambra family & worked out a direct payment plan. Over the years he planted Montepulciano & Trebbiano vines & only sold the grapes. Sadly WWII broke out, he & some of his other relatives fled to the US, but their son-in-law, Laurentino joined the Italian army & became a prisoner of the Nazis who moved him to Germany & later Poland. When he finally got his freedom & returned home (1947) on foot, he was faced with devastation. Not even the tower was left standing. He didn’t let this break him but went to work on rebuilding, replanting, creating their 1st cellar, winemaking, & their 1st Torre Zambra vintage was in 1961. Other plots in Apulia & Sicily were picked up & after his passing his son Riccardo took the helm & also created his new project “Idi Di Marzo” also in Abruzzo. Now it’s in Federico’s hands, who as a typical teen wasn’t so interested in the vines but into motorbikes & other things that go vroom. As he matured he returned to his calling which is also now his passion of staying true to sustainable, indigenous grapes. They’re rebuilding the tower, adding a new winery, & w these expansions “give people the chance to stay where they were born or to move out to where the grass is green & the sky is blue!!!…& training the next generation of winegrowers.”🍷

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winelover #wineoftheday #organic #italy