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Bringing The Right Pick

Swick Wines
Wyd? 2020
Bring It.
100% Chardonnay
Willamette Valley
Organic
Conley Vineyard, Yakima, WA
Produced & Bottled by Swick Wines, Newberg, Oregon
Winemaker/Proprietor: Joseph Swick

Light yellow gold with a smidge of green. Scents of pears, honeydew, light cantaloupe, and all mixed with a touch of earth & smoke and finally a tangelo/grapefruit squish. Tasting a mash up of pearpineappledewalope along with a smokiness that sings in good way, followed by crisp and zingy fresh citrus popping around, and the ever tiniest drop of pie spice…like on the exhale. Why can’t more chardonnays taste like this..oh that’s right, they don’t have Joe.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: fuller, richer and deeper…it’s different and I like with and without

Not my best friend’s mama’s grocery store chardonnay. Ok seriously, who didn’t that scar? That smack you in the face overoaked semi-plastic fatty taste had me shying away and picking a red every time they were the only two offered. So glad I didn’t give up on this lovely grape, and the first time I realized not all Chardonnays are created equal was an amazing moment (kind of like when Dorothy opens the door to Oz and it goes all Technicolor). You just have to pick the right winemaker and Mr. Swick is definitely the one for me because man, does he “Bring It.”

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #biodynamic #organic #chardonnay #oregon #WillametteValley #joeswick #wyd @docwineshop @docwinebar @swickwines @swickjoe @cheezit

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The 3 A’s

Bodegas Antonio Montero
Colleita 2020
Ribeiro DO
Palomino 60%, Treixadura 40%
Sustainable, hand harvested, minimal intervention, native yeasts
Ourense, Spain
Family Winery/Winemakers

Pale yellow-green straw. Breathing in delightful pear and apple blossoms, honeysuckle, pears, mild apples, and you should see the smile on my face as I write this..there is a brief hint of pie with a smidge oregano that turns into fresh rained slate. Mmmmm…I’m betting this is going to be good! Sipping pears, again mild apple with a splash of lemon brightness, apricots, oregano, a little grass, and that good old slate is back.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: crisp, bright and delicious

This is a tale of 3 A’s…grandfather, father, and son; and each one carries the family name, Antonio Montero. Ok, so y’all are going to laugh at me, but as the name  “Antonio Montero” kept bouncing around in my head, a quote from “The Princess Bride” kept popping up (it is the 35th anniversary). “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die”. Yeah, I’m ridiculous but this is how my “box of squirrels” brain works, so back to the Antonios. Each generation imparted their touch. Grandfather: Antonio Montero Álvarez took the wine from “just for the family” to selling it to local bars and later outside of their own province. Father: A.M. Sobrino dubbed the winery Bodegas Antonio Montero and the indigenous varieties started winning awards. Finally the latest, Son: A.M. Pozo came on board and they made “Honor Roll of the best White Wines of Spain” and are now taking on the world. I just have one question for them, what happens if a following generation happens to be a girl…Antonia?

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #theprincessbride #Palomino #Treixadura #Galicia #Ribeiro #Spain #naturalwine @soilairselection @docwineshop @docwinebar @VinosAntonioMontero @cheezit

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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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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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🎶No One Can Judge Me🎶

Torre Tusini
Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
100% Lambrusco di Sorbara
Secco
Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Light blood orange cocktail with a tiny blush foam (double check). First sniff and it’s creamy like an Oreo center splashed with creme de cassis, raspberries, and strawberries floating in along with spring daisies, and a tiny butterscotch. First and foremost no matter how much fruit this sounds like…it is dry. Sipping strawberries, raspberries, a wee smidge of boysenberry, a little gooseberries and a squish of all of this in a jam. Again this is DRY and you’ll be so happy it is because it’s fresh and snappy!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delicious crisp and beautiful

Modena, what a city of magic. Is it something in their water (or maybe the famous Balsamic vinegar) that births great artists in multiple fields, such as Luciano Pavarotti, Enzo Ferrari, and Massimo Bottura? While searching around a bit more I discovered it’s also known as “the Italian capital of ‘Beat’ music” which led me to Caterina Caselli and oh what a find! She is absolutely one cool cat. How have I never heard of her before? Check out this video of one of her songs that will have you up on your feet and grooving to the beat like no one’s watching, because “Nessuno mi può giudicare”.

#wine #lambruscodisorbara #lambrusco #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Modena #EmiliaRomagna #Italy #CaterinaCaselli @torre.tusini @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Do I Hear Hoofbeats?

Estación Yumbel
Tinaja 2020
Moscatel de Alejandria 100%
Really old vines, dry farmed, hand harvested, skin contact, unfined, unfiltered, (uncertified) organic & biodynamic
Secano Interior de Yumbel (Bío Bío Valley), Chile
Husband & wife wine team: Mauricio González Carreño & Daniela Tapia Berardi

Unfiltered warm golden goodness. Scents of orange blossoms (that grow and grow given time), lilacs, Valencia oranges and a salty breeze. Oooh! There’s a zippy zing that has my lips vibrating. Flavors of oranges and zest and blossoms, tangelo, fragrant floral, lemon, some funky fun pineapple, along with smoke, salt, a teeny tiny sprig of rosemary on the back, and lovely lavender.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: NOPE…shudder

Mauricio had a wine degree, worked in the industry but then went in search of the old enchanting vines of Bío Bío. What a beautiful place for he and Daniela to set down roots, make new friends, and raise a family. They’re all old school, low intervention and as you can see on the label this wine is fermented in an over 100 year old tinaja. Oh and Mauricio has another passion, horses (it’s evidently passed down from his father). From what I’m finding he trains majestic Arabians for endurance racing, and as you can see on his IG, he has another mature handsome friend that joins him in the vineyard…and in Mauricio’s own words: “Este caballo que viene para ayudarnos en el trabajo del viñedo, no es cualquier caballo, fue de un gran-super hombre, trabajador como ninguno, sin miedo, luchador y ejemplo para su descendencia. Es un orgullo para mí tenerlo en casa.”

#wine #MoscateldeAlejandria #Moscatel #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Yumbel #biobio #chile #organic #biodynamic #horses @selectionsdelavina @maurogc_ @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Meet Me Under The Mistletoe

Fatalone
Teres Primitivo 2020
Primitivo Racemi 100%
Puglia IGT
Organic, sustainable, solar power, dry farmed
Gioia delle Colle, Puglia, Italy

Brilliant shining stained glass cranberry and cherry cocktail mix. Pull the cork and it’s butterscotch that merges into a basket of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and add in some gentle cherry. As it grows there’s a teeny tiny reminder of my Great-Aunt Parnice’s buttercream frosting. She was such an amazing professional baker and never failed to make me a special December birthday cake of green velvet which were occasionally decorated with my Star Wars action figures. Han and Leia just had to deal with frosting on their shoes. Sipping and oh this is just delicious! I almost don’t want to think and just enjoy. Opened at 58F but could even have a little more chill if it’s warm outside. There’s cherries and it’s full of bouncing berries. You know like strawberries (fresh and a smidge preserves), blueberries, raspberries, a little tart plum (that would go great in a cobbler) with a spark in the back of something herby. Can you tell I’m in full holiday mode?

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: richer with a bit of dried fruit

This is my 2nd Fatalone, and again it’s another “Great Seducer” (check out previous post). It pairs well with kissing the dishy brooding one you’ve had your eye on under the mistletoe…or if that’s not in the picture this year, hang onto the bottle (chill it a little more) till the seasons gets warmer again when you can do a cannonball in the pool. Either way, I am still fascinated with their piping in classical music and nature sounds (wind, rustling leaves, rain, and birdsongs) into their soundproofed cellar for the sake of the micro flora. They believe the soft vibrations will improve its activity. Hey post this hectic holiday rush, I could use a few hours alone sitting in the dark with all that ambiance too. Sounds so peaceful, dreamy and relaxing…and I think I’ll open up a bottle while drifting in the cave too. 🍷

#wine #holidaywine #holidays #Primitivo #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Puglia #Apulia #organic #sustainable #Fatalone @FataloneWines @bonvivantimports @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Where’s My Sequin Dress?

Domaine de la Renaudie
Touraine Chenonceaux AOP 2019
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Terra Vitis and HVE certified
Mareuil sur Cher, Loire Valley, France
Winemaking Family: Charlotte (daughter that is now at the helm), Patricia and Bruno Denis

Light golden straw. Delicious scents of tangerine, grapefruit (not whack you over the head like some IPAs but gentle), apricot, pears, and of all things…Mom’s lemon custard pie, wow what a weird memory (sans the meringue). I’m realizing there are so many of her recipes that I need to reinvestigate and maybe even attempt. Back to the taste and there’s pears, apricot, kumquot, pineapple, honeysuckle and some of that smooth lemon pie filling is still there with a thin slice of fresh zest on top, and a smidge of herb like rosemary on the back and exhale. As it opens it grows into a more sophisticated encounter or rather a date night, and I think I need to switch up outfits from comfy casual. Now’s time for that sequin dress but still rocking my old favorite La Canadienne nubuck knee boots. You never know when you may have to hit the dance floor!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: it’s nice, like a picnic…but I’d rather stay on my date in the sequins

Domaine de la Renaudie’s wines (including this one) have racked up the awards and accolades, but none of that is as important as the care this family has for their land and what they produce. There’s a lovely video of Charlotte giving you the quick tour, and you can see that passion and love in her eyes as she speaks of their soil, climate and her great-grandfather’s special Côt wine. Please check it out because my words do not do it justice, so I will end with their quote, “Like those who came before us, we remain humble and modest in front of Nature, we take the time to observe and respect.”

#wine #holidaywine #holidays #SauvignonBlanc #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass @lacanadienneshoes #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Touraine #LoireValley #France  #domainedelarenaudie #sustainable @charlotte_dnis @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit