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Character Reference

Bodegas Hornillos Ballesteros
Mibal 2021
100% Tempranillo
Ribera del Duero D.O.
Organic, biodynamic, hand harvested
Roa de Duero, Burgos, Spain
WInemakers: Miguel Hornillos y Javier Ballesteros

Dark purple with a ruby rim. Floating up to my nose is a butter cherry vanilla cream start then just good ol’ fresh cherry followed by plums, blueberry & blackberries with a tiny touch of boysenberry, dried cranberry, raisins, and some wild herbs all tangled up. Now all those wafts are dancing on my tongue like a shaken cocktail of cherries, pomegranate, blueberries, raspberry zip, dried berries of all sorts, some brambly bits and as it opens a pinch of espresso. A glass of evening intrigue. Hey, want me to pour you one? What’s the harm? 💋

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: mmmm cozy and juicy

Guess this is kind of a buddy story that ended up a family tale. Miguel and Javier already BFFs came from wine families and became fully related when Javier got hitched to Miguel’s sister. Not sure which came first the wedding or the “garage”, but these two ended up with one cool wine experiment or more apt…it’s a continual experience. Each harvest gives them a new palette to create from, or as they say, “Just as a master chef will never prepare the same dish, our winemakers never act in the same way with each wine and each year. In this way we forge unique wines with their own character.” In my book they get a fabulous character reference from me. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #riberadelduero #Spain #Tempranillo #garagewine #hornillosballesteros @tedward_ws @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Helping Out Dad

Poderi Vaiot
Lupestre
100% Barbera
Barbera D’Alba DOC
Aged in apricot wood casks
Montà, Cuneo (Roero Hills), Piedmont, Italy
Owners: Daniele and Walter Casetta

Deep ruby with blue pops. At first that gentle butter/caramel whiff that waves bye, then cherries, plums, raisins, sultry dried figs, blackberry, and a nice grind of black pepper. Sip and there’s cherry with some oomph & plums, blackberry brambly, dried cherries & blueberries, raisins, a little date (dinner & movie anyone), black pepper, and a teeny smidge of cardamom the more it opens.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: richer, deeper and dried fruit

Daniele and Walter are the 3rd generation of this winemaking family. Their dad Franco taught them early on how to work with the grapes and care for the land. Daniele recounts in one of their winery videos, memories of when they were kids they would “help” out their dad in the cellar. Even if it is true as Daniele says that they may have been adding to their father’s work, it was definitely not a waste of time. Everything he imparted throughout the years has paid off and these brothers are keeping his memory and dream moving forward.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #barbera #barberadalba #Roero #Piedmont #Italy #poderivaiot @soilairselection @poderi.vaiot @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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A Designed Tribute

Adega Alba
Castro de Balar 2020
100% Albariño
Rías Baixas DO
Women run winery, hand harvested
Rarís, Teo, Spain
Owners/winemakers: Adega Gonzalo Martinez along with her sister and mom

Glistening yellow-green. There’s pears, apples & grapefruit at the same first whiff along with scents of apricots, white peaches, salt, slate, and mineral creek rocks. Tasting and again there’s apples, pears, grapefruit, tangerine & a bite of seeds from them all. Did you have a mom that said, “don’t chew or swallow the seed, you might grow a tree in your gut”. Well, I didn’t pay any attention because I loved the bitter bite and look Ma no tree. Now there’s a lemony flair and all the citrus has some zest added to it and a glide of a honeysuckle stamen with a bit of smoke and mineral goodness. So purely delightful and this is one special Albariño.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: it’s just still delicious and a little more bright

The figure on the front of this wine really got my curiosity up. Who is this mysterious creature? Turns out it’s Adega Alba’s version of a petroglyph of a Gallic warrior holding a shield and wearing a dagger. Teo is known for petroglyphs throughout their land….such beautiful and at times seemingly mystical designs and depictions. With each new year, the back label graces another of piece of historic art found around their home, “As a tribute and recognition to the land that feeds our wine”. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #spanishwine #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #petroglyphs #galicia #Albariño #Albarino #riasbaixas #spain #AdegaAlba @soilairselection @castrodebalar @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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All Abuzz

Anne Pichon Wines
“Sauvage” 2020
Ventoux AOP
Syrah 80%, Grenache 20%
Organic, indigenous yeast, night harvest, concrete tanks
Ventoux, Rhône, France
Handcrafted production and bottling from Anne Pichon Estate at Mormoiron, Vacluse
Winemakers and nature lovers: Anne Pichon & Véronique (sister-in-law)

Deep purple with magenta/ruby rim. Sniffing at first buttery vanilla, dark prune & plum along with homemade blackberry jam, dates, all sorts dried figs, dark cherry as it breathes, and black pepper. As it all blends together that buttery turns into a vanilla butter cream with (don’t laugh) at some points those fun cupcake sprinkles. Here goes the first sip and oh this…this is good and better than I even expected (and was told). There’s dates, dried figs (brown and black that remind me of my Granny’s trees and cakes), deep plums & prunes, cherry, dried & fresh blueberries, blackberries & the seeds, a touch of raspberry flair, and a dash of that pepper again. BTW after a glass, go look in the mirror and check out the color of your tongue.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: tart! I like it better without

Anne & Marc (her husband, who sadly passed away) 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 and bug loving book, “Mur-Mur-Ium” (the buzzing song of bees). Aptly named since they even have a beekeeper that’s placed his hives in the vines, which is a sheer delight for me. As I’ve babbled about before, my great-grandfather was a beekeeper and these beneficial creatures fascinate me. I’ve been watching a video “The T Edward Morning Show with Véronique of Anne Pichon” and her description of her brother Marc as a nature lover full of passion and a free spirit was so beautiful; and how they as a family decided to continue with the winery even after his death is so touching. After listening to Véronique’s words, their “Sauvage” wines seem to me to be like a love letter to nature, it’s complexity, strength and beauty. Yeah, I’m tearing up, and am realizing how much this bottle is than just a lovely wine, but a part of this family.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #naturalwine #syrah #grenache #organic #france #rhone #annepichon @tedward_ws @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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A Greener Breeze

Domaine Martin
Océan
AOP Muscadet
100% Melon de Bourgogne
HVE Certified
Saint-Fiacre-sur-Maine, Nantes, France
Owner & winegrower: Dominique Martin (4th generation)

Pale yellow green pour from the can to glass. Nose tickling melon blend of honeydew & cantaloupe. Ok I have to wait a minute. There’s someone upstairs smoking skunk so letting that disperse. When I get back to it there’s pears, apples that I would probably use for baking, and a citrus mix that gently sparks. Oh this can, can get you in trouble because it is so easy to chug since it’s beautifully fresh and crisp. Flavors of lemon & lime pop out with crunchy apple, pears of all sorts, and on the exhale there’s some limestone and my favorite bit of sea breeze salt. Where’s my fisherman’s sweater and cap?

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: mmm more rich

I know wine in a can is so trendy, but Dominique Martin’s decision to add “Océan” is pretty darn cool and not just for being hip. He’s looking at the environmental reasons and bringing all of us a truly fab wine. Check out this excerpt from his blog, “The wine industry is going greener, and cans can be almost indefinitely recycled (compared to only 15 times for a glass bottle). According to waste professionals magazine Circular, almost 70% of cans are recycled and when it’s done efficiently a beverage can can be back on the shelves in 6 to 8 weeks. Transporting and storing cans is also relatively energy efficient.” So y’all remember, every little thing we can do to help the planet, helps all of us. ♻️

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #naturalwine #worldbyglass #wine #Nantes #loire #france #Muscadet #cannedwine #wineinacan @domaine.martin.muscadet @ripewineimports @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Historic Beauty

Villa Wolf
Riesling Dry 2020
No artificial fertilizers, no herbicides or pesticides, hand harvested
Wachenheim, Pfalz, Germany
Winemakers: Patrick Möllendorf &  Claudia Fadda
Owner: Ernst Loosen

Interstellar yellow with green hues. Sniffing a breeze of peaches, apricot, orchard flowers along with honeysuckle, and river rocks like I used to flip over looking for crayfish, and a bit of mineral that reminds me of when I’d step into our spring house. All those scents are there in the taste but with a dry finish, and they’re joined with salt, granite, a blade of gentle green grass, and a zing of citrus blend with lemon and more. This glass has me craving yellow bbq pulled pork and deep fried onion rings.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: yum! Pears pop out

This is one beautiful villa with a longstanding history dating back to the 1700s as the J.L. Wolf estate. Ernst Loosen (Dr. Loosen) had the opportunity to acquire it (1996) and breathe fresh life into the now Villa Wolf. This Italian style villa is architecturally breathtaking and oh the interior is gorgeous! Quite honestly this place deserves to be on @accidentallywesanderson and don’t just take my word for it, watch this video.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #pfalz #germany #riesling @dr.loosen @loosenbrosusa @weingutvillawolf @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Flying Free

Fabrizio Vella
(Cantine Rallo)
Catarratto 2021
Non Filtrato
Terre Siciliane IGP
Organic grapes grown in Marsala, no additives, indigenous yeasts, unfiltered
Sicily, Italy
Winemaker: Fabrizio Vella

Warm golden happiness in a glass. Breathing in golden delicious apple, hyacinth, orange squish and zest, a pinch of an herby blend (thyme, basil & more), lemons, and as it opens a smidge of warm spice. Ooh this tastes really good…there’s a crunch of green apple, lemon/lime twang, a sliver of honey dew, and hmmm…wait…it’s mango (but just a little), then Valencia orange & tangerine mix, and a mix of those herbs again, and a mineral shake of salt.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Just lovely

Oh what is it about Catarratto or this wine in particular? It’s enchanting and alive. How shall I put this so I don’t sound like a nut..when I continue to taste this bottle it’s like a vibrant burst of butterflies flying free to realms unknown. I hope that makes sense. There’s some sort of natural magic in Fabrizio Vella’s wine that probably has a lot to do about his dedication to working with indigenous grapes and the fact that they’re brought up the right way: organic, biodynamic farming & NO ADDITIVES. 🦋

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Catarratto #butterfly #Sicily #Italy #organic  #fabriziovella @omniwines @ralloaziendaagricola @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Glorious Confusion

Swick Wines
The Flood
American White Wine 2021
fbib.
33% Gewürztraminer, 33% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Gris, 8% Auxerrois, 4% Riesling
Lacewing, Finnigan Hill, Zenith, & High Pass Vineyards | Columbia Gorge, Chehalem Mountains, Eola-Amity Hills, & Lower Long Tom AVAs
Washington/Oregon blend
Organic, unfined & unfiltered, skin contact, indigenous yeasts, skin contact
Bottled & produced Newborn, OR
Winemaker/Proprietor: Joe Swick

Hazy warm orange delight. Whoa this is fragrant! There’s so many different flowers from all over, sweet pears & apples, orange whiffs with blossoms, mango, pineapple, a little smoke & salt, and right there on the back there’s coconut. Every single scent is right there in the taste and a bit more of a citrus tang. It’s got a tropical cocktail feel with white pepper & salt. A glorious bit of confusion, and as it opens, it’s the orange wine gift that keeps on giving.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: NOPE

Ok, who out there doesn’t love a good Swick. Every time you see that telltale label/font you know you’re going to have something delicious and even surprising at times like with this orange “Flood”. They say the name comes from the “Missoula Floods that shaped the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley 10 million years ago”, but in my mind it’s more of the flood or onrush of flavors and nose tickling scents that emerge from each pour. Oh and as it says on the back of the bottle “fbib.”, and sure enough, boy does it ever “bring it”. 🧡

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #naturalwine #orangewine #organic #washington #oregon  @swickjoe @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Intriguing Melody

Cascina I Carpini
Rosato Frizzante Pet Nat NV
Barbera
Organic, holistic, vegan
Pozzol Groppo, Piedmont, Italy
Founder/winemaker: Paolo Carlo Ghislandi

Late sunset warm red and orange electric with tiny bubbles. It’s like breathing in a glass of fun. There’s a squeeze of blood orange, salt rim, a touch of natural funk that merges to a mineral vibe with depth, and raspberries and strawberries grooving together with white pepper, and as it warms and grows  tiny rose blooms. Those strawberries and raspberries are still dancing but this time on my tongue joined with a little young gooseberry pucker & smidge of lemon spritz spark, and that white pepper pinch again. My lips are tingling from this crisp/vibrant party.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: bleh goes too tangy. Leave it solo.

It’s all about watching, listening, and waiting for Paolo Carlo Ghislandi. Before he even chose where he would establish his winery and vineyards he considered the perfect spot, the right grapes, how to get it to work together naturally, and let it guide the path to wine. His site details his vision & process (and boy is it well designed and beautifully written). Just read this little passage because anything I write will not do it justice to his creative eloquence. “In wine I always look for the fruitiness typical of the single grape varietal and the expression of the territory where is harvested. I imagine the must is the assembly of all the strings inside the grand piano case. Experimenting over the years, I noticed there is big difference in the sound output when the “must” is performed using selected yeast rather than indigenous yeasts. The indigenous yeasts, being heterogeneous and different from each other, are able to play from lower to higher tones with all semitones, providing a melody not immediately recognizable, but more complex and intriguing. And that’s why I choose to use only indigenous yeasts and spontaneous fermentations.” ✨

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #petnat #winestagram #instawine #Barbera #winemaking #pairswithcheezits #italy @icarpini @SkinContactWines @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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So Easy To Love

Mad Med
Le Rouge 2021
Dry Red Wine
VDF
Grenache Noir 50%, Carignan 10%, Vermentino 40%
Organic (working on certification), native yeast, unfiltered
Provence, France
Grapes selected, vinified, aged & canned by Harry et Max

Please chill before popping this can. I know it’s sometimes hard to wait, but trust me it’ll be sooo good. Pomegranate cranberry stained glass. At first there’s a butter glazed whiff that fades. Scents then emerge of strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, cranberry, dark cherry, and yummy brioche. Sipping and here’s a cocktail of all those berries & cherry with a granite zing. It’s a fun bunch of juicy and dry all at the same time. Throw it in the cooler and crack it out on a mountain trail while checking out the turning leaves.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: refreshing and deeper

Ok Mad Med, once again you have really surprised me on how good a wine in a can, can be. This red & white grape blend (vin gris?) rocks my world. You make it so easy to love you, and so easy to take you anywhere…well, anywhere that is legal. Still awaiting word on if you’re related to my favorite “party pig” #bobsinglar  Also take note this can is kind of like the Tardis, and you may consume more wine than you realize, so beware of 🍷 goggles.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #vinnature #wineinacan #cannedwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #naturalwine #vermentino #grenache #carignan #organic #Provence #France #lamongestine #harryetmax #madmed @madmedcans @SkinContactWines @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit