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Romance, Spice & All The Surprises Are Nice

Domaine Philippe Vandelle
Poulsard 2020
Côtes du Jura AOC
100% Poulsard
Jura, France
l’agriculture raisonnée
Winemaker: Philippe Vandelle

Glimmering strawberry cocktail (a little chilled). Those same strawberries are waving hello to my nose along with raspberries, a little blueberries, cherries, and let it open and there’s a pinch of spice with some forest goodness. All those berries are there again but this time they’ve brought cranberries with them, a smidge of citrus zest, and a puff of salty smoke that fades only to gently return. Even with all the fruit, It’s so light, refreshing, crisp and clean.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: bursts of juicy cherry

2nd Vandelle and again you can taste where it’s born, and thank goodness this poulsard has it’s chance in the sun and not blended away. Feels like that spark of first falling in love. It’s kind of like when you meet that special person and it’s all new. There’s romance, spice and all the surprises are nice. Y’all know Valentine’s Day is soon upon us, and I can vouch this bottle would be better than that yearly bon bons default. 🍬

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Poulsard #Jura #France #cotesdujura #naturalwine #domainephilippevandelle #philippevandelle @APWineImports @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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The Beauty Of The Blend

Budwood
Red Bluff 2020
Contra Costa County
Montepulciano 50%, “hodgepodge” field blend 50%
Sustainable, own-root vines, dry farmed
Clarksburg, CA
Winemaker: Matt Cline

A glass of chilled shining ruby. Fresh scents emerge of strawberry and bright cherry…next up as it opens is a mellow cherry Twizzler smell or raspberry jelly beans (light and not overpowering), and at last a tart tingle. Oh this is delightful to sip (don’t gulp even though you want to because this is waaaay easy to drink). There’s cherries, strawberries, cranberries, a pinch of dark like a cherry pit and a splash of tart with a blade of grass. This is a joyfully juicy, zingy, and big beautiful blended kiss! 😘

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: darn perfect

Matt Cline has had his hands in the vines for decades such as Cline Cellars, Trinitas Cellars, and Three Wine Company (with his wife Erin), and through it all he has been dedicated to a love for old vines. Contra Costa’s history of these ancient growths stems back to Italians, Spaniards, and other immigrants bringing over their rootstock that wasn’t hit by phylloxera. Budwood is Matt’s project celebrating these historic grapes and the old steamboat named “Red Buff” ‘that carried farmers and grapevine budwood through CA’s Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta’. Also side note, he’s the grandson of Valeriano Jacuzzi…yes that Jacuzzi family.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #sustainable #Montepulciano #redblend #fieldblend #dryfarmed #dryfarmwines #Clarksburg #CA #contracostacounty #MattCline @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Keep It On Repeat

Tenuta Belvedere
Coccìnea 2016
Provincia di Pavia IGT
100% Croatina
Natural wine, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts
Montacalvo Versiggia, Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardia, Italy
Winemakers: Federica and Gianluca Cabrini

Deep ruby darkness. Let it breathe just a bit and scents of dark plums, prunes, dried cherries, raisins, a tiny bit of dried pineapple, whiff of pinesap, and earthy hillside…just rich enough. Wow, the taste, is…this is so much or should I say a powerful embrace filled with emotion. Again there are dark plums/prunes, dried figs, a pinch of black pepper, cherries and dried ones too, strawberry caps and some grass, piney pops, blackberries with seeds for the bite, and blueberries. It’s a lovely harmony of field and forest.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: deeper darker harder velvet tang

My first Tenuta Belvedere wine, was WAI 2018, Sparkling Rosé and it was a glass of bright, fun “summer love”. Coccìnea 2016, is also full of love…but it’s comforting and passionate at the same time, and creeps up on you as you sip away. Kind of like a Mark Eitzel song, the way his voice floats and wraps around you filled with such warm emotion. Yeah, the more I think about it, dim the lights and put his song “An Answer” on repeat, pour a glass and it’s a perfect romantic pair.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #redwine #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Croatina #lombardia #Italy #naturalwine  #markeitzel #steephillwine @antosicurezza @docwineshop @docwinebar @belvederewine @cheezit

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Biodynamic Cool

Mas Théo
‘L’imprévu’ 2016
VDF
Syrah (mostly), Grenache & Mourvèdre
Organic & biodynamic
Drôme Provençale , Rhône, France
Winemaker & farmer: Laurent Clapier

Ruby rimmed purple (and later so is my tongue). Breathing in deep and tart cherries, plums, strawberry preserves, and a tiny whiff of what I remember as a kid…the outside of a licorice jelly bean which then fades into herbal mix of juniper, fennel and good funk. Tarty tang and dark cherries again just dancing on my tongue, and in a little bit they’re joined by dried brown Turkish figs, forest floor earthiness with a twinge of pepper and juniper that opens into blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Everything melds together like a beautifully woven tapestry.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: perfect

The vineyards are only one part of Laurent’s organic/biodynamic big picture. Mas Théo has 5 different terroirs over 173 acres which give him an opportunity to diversify. They also have lavender, olives, truffle oaks, and hay which is very important because Laurent uses it as a trade with cattle farmers. Oh it’s not for beef to put on the table, but for manure to go back into nourishing the land. He also acquired the Caves Cathédrales to house his winery…a very smart move since the average temp year round is 57F. One more cool thing about the Caves (and Laurent) is that there is plenty of space, in fact enough to share, such as in space for others to age their bottles and room for new/young winemakers to create their own wines. Now that’s very, very cool in so many ways.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #vinnaturel #vinbio #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #biodynamic #organic #Syrah #Grenache #Mourvèdre #Rhône #rhone #france @tedward_ws @vin_mastheo @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Something Special Going on Here

Weingut Claus Preisinger
Puszta Libre! 2020
Zweigelt, St. Laurent
Organic, biodynamic unfined, unfiltered, spontaneous fermentation
Gols, Burgenland, Neusiedlersee, Austria
Winemaker: Claus Preisinger

Beautiful deep ruby that needs a good chill. Starting with a long whiff of smoke and salt joined with cherry, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, orange zest, and a little all spice. Pace yourself because this is another one of those easy drinkers…like can potentially get you in trouble if you keep chugging easy, so beware of “wine goggles”. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you take a sip. There’s tart cherry along with a lemon spark of fresh followed by black pepper. Next up is juicy strawberry (like when you wait for them to hit that dark almost overripe red color and pick it and eat it in the garden), plums, blackberries, blueberries and white pepper on the back along with a bit of smoke. Just lively and lovely!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings out the citrus zip and blueberries

Everything I’m finding about Claus Preisinger…he is so full of vibrant life (heck he’s a surfer/kitesurfer!) and in tune/connected with nature, and has a “less is more” ethic from the soil, the vines, and in the cellar. The winery and vineyards are settled near Lake Neusiedl, and this very modern architecture popping out of a peaceful lush countryside just somehow beautifully works, feels right and kind of looks magical. He really has something special going on there and knows it, as he said on “The Living Vine”, ‘I don’t have to go to an office; don’t have any traffic jams; am outside in nature and the vineyards as much as I want (and the vines demand); I just look across the landscape and feel the weather. All of this is a privilege that I appreciate (more and more).’ 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #redwine #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Zweigelt #StLaurent #organic #biodynamic #glouglou  #Austria #Neusiedlersee #ClausPreisinger @c__laus @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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When You Can’t Stay Away From Your Roots

Sambucese (The Heart of a Native Sicilian) 2020
Catarratto 70% Chardonnay 20%
Terre Siciliane IGT
Sicily, Italy
Made by native Sicilians and the man that brings them together, Charlie Verde

Pale straw and the slightest twinge of green. Drifting in are scents of honeysuckle, fresh rained on slate, and then shortly light lilacs pop up along with a blend of pears, peaches and nectarines. First sip and there’s honeysuckle, pears, peaches and nectarines again and this time very crisp with a spark of grass. Oh, this is a little fun surprise, there’s a tiny pop of Lemonhead candy (but not the sweet part) and some lime zest which is a delicious combination. You’ll be charmed by this youngster by first glass!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: just smooth drinking

From what I’m finding, Charlie Verde couldn’t stay away from his Sicilian roots. Born in Sambuca di Sicilia, he did venture to the U.S. to seek his fortune & future. Time passed, a wife and family were included and it was time to revisit his homeland. Needless to say he felt that spark, the beauty of Sicily and it’s inhabitants and of course the wine. Now, he’s bringing the best of his Sicily to you (more than just wine too!), through Verde Imports, and as they say, “we understand that not only is quality of our products important, but quality of the people we work with, as well”. The honest, hardworking and passionate people that Mr. Verde has chosen are a recipe for delicious success.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Sambucese #Catarratto #Chardonnay #Sicily #Italy #sicilia  #verdeimports @sambucese @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Magical Mixture

St. Agrestis
Negroni
St. Agrestis Inferno Bitter, house-made Torino style vermouth & Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin
24% ABV
Brooklyn, NY

Dark reddish amber pour. Breathing in a mash of delicious herbal goodness (a touch of Ricola), orange peels, and a little juniper berry. Holy crap this is GOOD! My mouth is tingling. All the scents are there. Sweet and bitter herbal (this time not Ricola) mashup, sweet sipping vermouth, singed orange peels and juniper berry. And a small comforting burn that is not harsh but refreshing. This magical mixture packs a punch of joy and celebration. Has me craving a hefty slice of fresh baked right out of the oven gingerbread.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Don’t even think about it!

So glad to have a friend point this Negroni out to me because somehow this is one of the few bottled cocktails I have missed. Once again it’s a #shoplocal (which I ❤️) Brooklyn born concoction and their dream team is formed of brothers Louie and Matt Catizone and their gin-perienced friend, Steven DeAngelo (Greenhook Ginsmiths). There’s only one regret I have about picking up this little bottle…I should have picked up the “Negroni Fountain” which is their 1.75L Bag in a box. Perfect for a party pop up!

#cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #spirits #bitters #vermouth #gin #wine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #cheezit @worldbyglass #Brooklyn #NY #pairswithcheezits #winetasting #winestagram @st_agrestis @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Glub Glub Glub, Glou Glou Glou

Person Wine Co.
Carboniste
Mackerel 2020
Pét Nat Extra Brut
Pinot Grigio
Minimal influence
Napa, California
Winemakers: Dan and Jacqueline Person

Pale gold pour with green undertones and super active bubbles. Pop, pop, pop and out of the bubbles come whiffs of apples, brioche, a squeeze of lemon and a basket of ripe pears. Tickling my tongue are lemons and limes smashed with red apples, pears and nectarines. Oh yum there’s also a edge of full on my granny’s butter poundcake yet it’s still crisp, and a little green bitter tinge on the back with some lime zest. Oh you light and happy fishy, you are such an easy drinker and will have me going glou glou all night!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ugh NO!

Dan and Jacqueline want to welcome all y’all to their “Sparkling Revolution”. Carboniste isn’t trying to masquerade as a champagne copy but instead embrace its California roots, weather, terroir & beautiful fruit. They’re also keeping the wines young, modern, clean, fresh, and fun…kinda like the aquatic friends on their bottles. Side note: I’ve been googling to find out who is their label artist (No luck! Well, whoever you are nice work!) and hilariously every other image is Han Solo in Carbonite. OMG there is a life-sized statue made from the original “Empire Strikes Back” molds and it’s signed by Harrison Ford! Yes, I am swooning now, and it can be mine for only $49.999.99 on eBay, but then think of all the bottles of bubbly I could get for that $$$. I guess I’m a grown-up now if wine is now more important than Star Wars. 🥂

#wine #PétNat #petnat #PinotGrigio #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #starwars #hansolo #napa #California #sparklingwine #Californiawine @carbonistewine @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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One Sleek Intriguing Fox

Bodega Bravo Escós
Pas Dels Caus 2019
Priorat DOQ
Garnacha Tinta 85%, Cariñena 5%, Syrah 5% , Merlot 5%
Sustainable practices and being converted to organic
Torroja del Priorat, Catalonia, Spain
Founder: Luis Bravo
Winemaker: Pep Aguilar

Deep beautiful ruby. Breathing strawberries, raspberries, cherries, tiny wild flowers, and with time there’s something a but figgy with a little soft landing of creaminess. Sliding into sipping dark and light cherries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and of course strawberries and their green caps. Also finding granite, a little herbal touch and pepper at the very back. Spend a good bit of time hovering around your glass and it becomes so silky and the term I kinda hate to use…sexy. Maybe I should just say this is one sleek fox!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Nope!

Many of you are thinking that I just picked this bottle for the fox on the label…well that part comes after. It actually was more for the Priorat DOQ I spied on the back which has rarely steered me wrong and it definitely didn’t with this bottle. As for the fox, well, there was something familiar like an artist’s hand that I couldn’t quite place while I was shopping. Squirrelled it away in the wine fridge to revisit in a bit, but it kept popping back in my mind like the fox had burrowed holes and was playing whack-a-mole with my memories. Finally it hit me, the eyes! No not on our furry friend but check out the fig leaves. The figs are staring back and the leaves have their ears alert to hear any secrets. This has to be the work of Annita Rivera (Plástica)! Her work is enchanting, magical and can cast quite a spell. If you want to see another of her lovely labels check out my post from July 2020.

#wine #Priorat #redwine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #fox #Catalonia #Spain #organic  #cynthiahurleyfrenchwines @aka_plastica @bodegabravoescospriorat @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Don’t Forget To Have Fun

Gabernik 23
Rose Piquette (Pikola)
Sparkling Wine
55% Blaufrankisch, 35% Riesling, 10% Pinot Noir
Sustainable, dry farmed
Štajerska, Slovenia
Small family owned winery passed down from father to son
Owner: Janko Bogatic
Winemaker: Nicholas Gee

Color electric cran-raspberry with a big pale pink poofy foam. Popping out of those bubbles are nose tickling raspberries, pomegranate, faint lemon, apricots and their blossoms, and dainty tiny roses. Tilt the glass and take a taste and it’s fresh, zippy and fun…like a last bit of summer memories. There’s watermelon juice, raspberries, those tiny roadside wild strawberries from Canada that I so love, pomegranate cocktail with a little limoncello splash, lilac, and seltzer. You’re not going to want this bottle to end.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: not bad but better solo. Let those flavors fly!

This wine is a reminder to have fun (and not to always be over thinking everything…like I can have a tendency to do), and if I could pair a painting with this wine, it would be Will Cotton’s 2010, “Cotton Candy Katy”…you know the one that was Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” album cover. I just LOVE Cotton’s confectionery dreams so c’mon join me and let’s head over to Candyfornia!

#wine #holidaywine #holidays #Piquette #rose #sparklingwine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #katyperry #snoopdogg #willcotton #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #sustainable #Blaufrankisch #Riesling #PinotNoir #Slovenia #gabernik23 @vsiwine @gabernik23 @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit