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Ticket Booked

Finca Casa Balaguer
La Rambla del Peligres 2020
100% Garancha
Organic, biodynamic, hand harvested
Villena, Alicante, Spain
Winemaker: Andrés Carull

Dark cherry with a little violet hues and blue pops. Breathing in and there’s raspberries, a light creamy moment, dark cherries & Twizzlers, tiny delicate roses & irises mixed with red plums, and some oomph earth dragged in with a pinch of white pepper, and something a little green. Rolling it around in my mouth it’s bursting with cherries, raspberries, very ripe & also green strawberries & the greenness of their caps & stem, a drop of pomegranate, blackberry,  boysenberry, violets & their leaves (day 2 a bit of hyssop appears), singed orange peel that has my lips tingling, and as it opens it is so lovely juicy and blueberries join in. Can you tell how much I LOVE this bottle?

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: makes everything more velvet

Finca Casa Balaguer is Andrés Carull & Marta Ribera’s small family winery, and boy is it all natural (my 2nd wine by them). After a surprising encounter with a natural wine during a trip to France in 2008, they were hooked or as they say seduced by its magical power. They only work with local varieties to enhance the true feel and taste of their lands, and keep it biodynamic and organic. And their own words sum their passion beautifully, “Immerse yourself in a world, from which you have no escape. When you enter the world of natural wines, wines made with nothing but fermented grape juice, no additives and no makeup, you won’t want to escape. There is no way back. We can tell you from experience. The lasting memory of these wines is not stored in the mind, but in the heart.” They also say that wine has a way of “teleporting” you so you can “travel by glass” to visit their wonderful part of the world, which is hey, a statement as you can tell…I fully believe. Consider my ticket booked.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #wineoclock #redwine #cheezit #worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #sustainable #biodynamic #organic #Garancha #Alicante #Spain @casabalaguer @selectionsdelavina @cheezits @docwineshop @docwinebar

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More Than Just “Nice”

Weingut Schlossmühlenhof
Das ist Schön
50% Scheurebe, 40% Müller Thurgau 10% Gelber Muskateller
Organic, indigenous yeast, unfiltered
Rheinhessen, Germany
Owners & winemakers: Gabriele & Walter Michel, Nicolas (their son & 6th generation, who has been at the helm since 2015) & his girlfriend Janine

Translucent pale yellow-green. Sniffing bright lime, grapefruit & citrus mix-a-rita, along with firm pears and a little fresh cut grass. Tingling on my tongue is even more lime & zest with the rest of the citrus cocktail trailing along, all the pears and a little apple rolled in with honeysuckle, white peaches, a smidge of an herby bite balancing blend including thyme & a little rosemary (just not BBC’s old gardener sleuths series), and fragrant blossom on the exhale.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: blossom breeze

As the label says, “das ist schön” and yes that (or this bottle) is nice…ok it’s better than nice and is bound to make you smile on these recent hot nights. You know what else is nice…the way the the members of the 5th & 6th generations work together or in Walter & Gabriele’s case, at times kick back & let the younger ones carry on. You’ll also find on their site two more important members that round out their family. They may not be winemakers, but Emil & Cuno (a pair of 4 pawed woofers of varying sizes) contribute to the estate by being two bundles of doggo joy. 🐾

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #wineoclock #instawine #worldbyglass #Germany #organic #winetime  #dasistschön #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @cheezit @schlossmuehlenhof @saviosoaresselections @docwineshop @docwinebar

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There’s No Fungus Among Us

Cantina Pizzolato
HOOPA
PIWI Collection
Pét-Nat
Veneto IGT
100% Johanniter
Organic, indigenous yeasts, vegan friendly, unfiltered
Villorba, Italy
Pizzolato Family: Settimo (father & owner) along with his wife Sabrina and children Federico & Stefania

Shining yellow green stained-glass with itty bitty bubbles. Sniffing and there’s pineapple, mango (that little bit of creaminess too), lemon/lime spritz, a drop of fresh squeezed orange, tangelo, citrus zest & and shake of salt, and a little southern in the heat of the night musky magnolia breeze that turns into wisteria or a little sultry romance. Wooo! Sipping and this is very easy drinking, so be careful. All that citrus is rolled into one shaken cocktail & the lime sings in it. Here comes pineapple & a little mango again with a light tingle, a small celery (cel-ray) crunch, sliver of very ripe just picked from the garden cucumber, and seltzer saltiness…just delicious & crisp.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: makes it even brighter

As far as this PIWI Collection is concerned, there’s no fungus among us. PIWI grapes are from a continuing international project/collaboration on breeding fungus disease resistant vines (this isn’t in a lab but in the vineyards & no genetic engineering) which is wonderful for keeping everything sustainable & organic. The Pizzolatos chose to let the labels tell the story of these wines, not just through the beautiful artwork/mandala labels that also peel back to reveal it also in words. As they say on their site, “For us, each of these wines represents the stage of a journey into a yet unexplored world that we are experiencing day by day. The names chosen for the PIWI wines bring back the imagery of exploration, travel and discovery: “Huakai” represents the journey; “Kontiki” the means used to land at the final destination “Hoopa” and “Hurrah” the moment of rejoicing with the group for having reached the destination.” I highly recommend picking up one of these beauties and joining them on this innovative & delicious natural journey. 🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #wineoclock #instawine #petnat #Frizzante #bubbly #sparklingwine #worldbyglass #Tuscany #Italy #organic #winetime #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @piwiinternational @cheezit @cantinapizzolato @naturalmerchants  @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Giving Back For The Future

HER
Chenin Blanc 2022
Sustainable, grapes sourced from single vineyard site of Worcester
Western Cape, South Africa
General Manager & Winemaker: Praisy Diamini
Consultant Winemaker: Natasha Williams
Viticulturist: Ruth Faro
Logistics: Jody-Ann Appollis
Accountant: Janine Goosen
Production Clerk: Nichole van Wyk
Quality Manager: Verna Ross

Dance that yellow brick road gold. Breathing in pears, peaches, pineapple, a few slices of overripe cucumbers, apricots, and a blend of citrus. Taking a sip and it’s all of the above, along with nectarines, grapefruit squish, lychee, Golden Delicious & a bit of Granny Smith apples, and a few blades of grass.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: so smooth

This is my 2nd bottle by HER, & I want to make sure everyone knows about these incredible women so I’m going to repeat myself. Every single one of them are important to the whole entity. As they say on their site,  “Each of us brings our skills, our heritage, our energy and our expertise. The HER Wines Team is comprised of a group of black women who, by grabbing at opportunity, working hard and relying on each other, have stepped into the world of business, previously unattainable to our families, particularly the women.” They also know the importance of giving back, and are setting aside 2% of their profits toward a scholarship for the driven, talented & passionate children from families that work with the vineyards where HER sources their grapes. Who knows, some of these young ones may be the next big winemakers that we’re all chasing for their next bottle in the future. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #westerncape #southafrica @herwinecollection @wine4theworld @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Living The Dream

Valdonica
COCO 2020
IGT Toscana Rosato Frizzante
Sangiovese 90%, Ciliegiolo 10%
Organic, unlined, unfiltered, not irrigated, vegan friendly
Sassofortino, Tuscany, Italy
Owner: Dr. Martin Kerres

Slightly salmon pink or almost a light hazy sunrise with a few bouncing bubbles. Breathing in nutty brioche toast, ok I keep fighting writing this bc I think I’m nuts but there’s a porcini sniff going on here in a good way (I will never forget my first smell & taste of a real porcini in Cortona while a student. It was orgasmic), a backyard gardening greenness, young not fully ripe strawberries, gooseberries along with a small bit of red currants, fresh picked bunch of daisies & few other wild flowers, and a whiff of smoke later that is so distant. Sipping and it’s tart, crisp & lively, those young strawberries & gooseberries again joined by a few raspberries & tart cherry with a squeeze of lime, salt and a lick of mineral rock, and a little of my guilty pleasure…almond croissant. Very tingly, vibrant, yet juicy in an addictively good way which as I love to say it’s a total party in your mouth.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: nope

Well, I have to say Dr. Kerres is living the dream! Originally from Austria, he was only looking for a summer home, but as he says, “Valdonica happened to me, it was not planned.” There wasn’t even a vineyard there before he took on the task of planting them which he started off with them being totally natural. Now he not only wants to share his wine but the whole experience with all of us. You can stay over in the hotel or the guestrooms, dine in their restaurant or cellar, join their community with the purchase os one of their winery lofts, or pick up a job for a season or life. Just check out their site and I bet you’ll be as tempted as me and will be dreaming of a new existence in all that beautiful nature within a modern flair. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #wineoclock #instawine #petnat #Frizzante #bubbly #sparklingwine #worldbyglass #Tuscany #Italy #organic #winetime #livingthedream #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @cheezit @valdonica @wine4theworld @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Enchanted Reality

Fattoria Corzano e Paterno
Il Corzanello 2021
Toscana IGT Bianco
Chardonnay 26% Sauvignon Blanc 20% Trebbiano 20%, Petit Manseng 13%, Verdicchio 15%, Semillon 6%
Organic, hand harvested
San Casciano, Firenze, Italy
Founded by Wendel Gelpke; now run by the extended Gelpke & Goldschmidt families

The lightest yellow green pale starlight. At first breathing in a little good floral funk that morphs into a little headiness and then lightens up into mellow pears, apples, a light blend of orange, lemon, grapefruit…citrus mix, and lychee. Sipping and all the scents are right there with a mineral conglomerate lick, along with ripe Kirbys (skins and all) green, a touch of light honeydew, honeysuckle, and a shake of salt.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: sharpens everything

This is a story of friendship and families. The Niccolini family held the farm for generations but when it became time to sell… the Marchese wanted his friend Wendel to get first dibs. Now that is a good buddy in my books. Over time he & his sister (Katerina Goldschmidt)’s family took up house, brought in Sardinian sheep (fab for their vineyards & cheese), restored accommodations (perfect for an architect like Wendel), and most importantly began producing wine. Their original aim was to not bounce off in many differing venues but to create the best possible product & be self-sufficient. Look at them now with their acclaimed cheeses & award winning wines. Btw if you want to read a very detailed history of this land’s past-future, please read Susan Gepke-Doran’s tale of going from art historian to farmer’s wife. I love one of her early perceptions, “The estate seemed under an enchantment, a romantic ruin”. It’s a start to not a fairytale but the reality of a  beautiful life.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #Italy #organic #winetime #Firenze #Tuscany #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #fleetstreetwine @corzanoepaterno @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Wine Is A Window

Illimis Wines
Transparency
Sum of the Parts 2021
Cinsault 50%, Pinot Noir 31%, Pinotage 19%
Sustainable
South Africa
Founder & Winemker: Lucinda Heyns

Shining cherry ruby. Lovely scents of cherries (dried & fresh), dark plums, a raspberry cranberry cocktail, and spring flowers with a touch of vanilla frosting or kinda “Milk Bar” Confetti Cookies. Sipping and it’s a jumble of all the cherries & plums, cranberry tang, pomegranate squeeze, a mix of raspblueblackberry velvet, small shave of singed orange zest bite, and a poof of gentle smoke. A light & classy youngster that has their act together.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: nah

As Lucinda Heyns says, “wine should be a window to where its vineyard is rooted” and her way of letting that happen is through minimal intervention and letting the grape tell you its own tale. With this “Sum of the Parts” the fruits blend beautifully together as a synergistic symphony. While becoming fascinated and learning about Heyns’ wines, I found out something to love them even more. She has a big heart. As it says on her site “Life is a gift, and it offers us the opportunity and responsibility to give something back” and she does to the non-profit Horizon House “which is a residential and sheltered-employment centre specialising in the holistic care of people with a primary intellectual disability.” It’s a safe space for them to live, learn skills, and socialize. You can even purchase some of their creations from their bakery and other goods, or if you also want to help, you can give back by donating too.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #SouthAfrica #organic #winetime #redwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #huishorison #illimiswines @illimiswines @wine4theworld @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Just Pour & Enjoy

Andrea Marchetti
Colors
G-Ray 2021
Pinot Grigio 85%, Durella 12%, Moscato 3%
Ramato style, organic, indigenous yeasts, unfined, & unfiltered
Vicenza, Veneto, Italy
Vineyards: Mantova (Lombardia) Pinot Grigio & Moscato from a single vineyard; Brenton (Verona) Durella
Vinified & bottled at Vigne del Pellagroso

Coppery smoked salmon that’s a bit electric and over time deepens. Breathing in orange blossoms and other tiny flowers, orange/citrus cocktail, gooseberries & tiny wild strawberries, orange circus peanuts & a fluff of cotton candy, all flying in on a spring breeze with a whiff of salt that has a cel-ray moment at the end. Wow this is delicious and I’m so happy to experience the 2021! Tasting oranges all around with tangerines, lemon/lime, citrus zest-zip-zing-tang, gooseberries, rhubarb,  crab & Lady apple crunch, and blossoms on the exhale that gets salty, herbs on the back like parsley/oregano/cilantro, a granite lick, and white pepper. Ready for the summer party!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: smooth sailing

Each Marchetti wine never fails to grab my attention and make me smile. This man is one creative busy bee as you can see in my previous posts. For more info check out https://worldbyglass.com/a-little-natural-fun-experimentation/

Also don’t over think and dissect this wine like I just did (albeit I love discovering each little bit). Just pour, close your eyes, relax, and let your whole body enjoy it!

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #Italy #Veneto #ramato #organic #winetime #orangewine #pinotgrigio #skincintact #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @vignedelpellagroso @cheezit @andrea_marchetti @steephillwine @antosicurezza @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Lucky Number 7

ILatium Morini
Soave DOC 2021
Garganega 85%, Trebbiano di Soave 15%
Mezzane di Sotto, Verona, Veneto, Italy
Winemaking family: Famiglia Morini

Yellow golden pour. Has my nose headed to a beach vacation with a tropical cocktail? There’s scents of pineapple, mango, white blossoms, pinch of saltiness, lemon & lime, followed with white peaches, and honeysuckle (which I so love and miss the ones from home). Sipping lemon/lime sizzle & a touch of zest on the back, pineapple, mango, firm peaches, that delicious honeysuckle nectar, and a touch of almond. Btw trying this on a lovely night with my windows open. Some neighbor is deep frying onion rings and oh they would be so good with this bottle.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: eh NO

ILatium’s logo of the seven-pointed starflower isn’t symbolic of any of the multitude of historical & religious references, or for a certain ⚽️ player’s  number…it’s actually the Morini family’s latest generation of a mix of 7 brothers & cousins that have expanded & grown the business but kept in harmony with their roots. Their passion for the vines not only makes their winery great, it also ties them closer together as a family. Btw it’s not just wine that’s keeping them happy, there’s also grappa…which I wish I could get my hands on because that would totally make my week! Anyone know where I might find one…anyone?

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #Italy #soave #winetime #veneto #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #ronaldo #futbol #7 #jandamorewines @cheezit @docwineshop @docwinebar @latium_morini

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Love Can Lead To Controversy

Viña Laurent
Polemico País 2022
150 year old ungifted vines, organic
Secano Interior, Valle del Itata, Chile
Winemakers: Damien & Lorena Laurent

Ruby cranberry cocktail. My nose is first hit with blossoms & smoky toasty goodness that lead to ripe & dried cherries with a light creaminess at first that hides later. Sipping lovely cherries, smoke that fades as time goes by and goes a little nutty, tart plums, dried cranberries, and as opens raspberries breeze in along with strawberries, a blackberry bite & a few blueberries dropped in, and an herby bit of thyme and/or smidge of anise. Overall light, chillable (just a little), and even with the name “Polemico”, there’s nothing controversial going on here…just damn good wine!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: yummy

Oh País, how you’ve made me love you over the years. Speaking of love…while Lorena was on vacation in France where as she says, she found her winemaking “prince charming” and now she & Damien are keeping the ❤️ &🍷going in Chile. Their words explain it best, “We seek to do what we like, to express our passion, to make wines with a soul, with our own identity, we do not seek to be pretentious in it, it is simply to look for and interpret what nature gives us. That is why our wines are different every year, every year the imprint that nature wanted to leave us is impregnated and therefore as a result what matters most to us is to share our wines.”

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #Chile #organic #winetime #país #pais #Polemico  #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #zevrovineselections @cheezit @laurent_wines @docwineshop @docwinebar