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“Reverse Migration”

Santa Tresa
Rina Russa 2022
Frappato Terre Siciliane IGP
100% Frappato di Vittoria
Organic & biodiverse
Sicily, Italy
Stefano and Marina Girelli (brother & sister)

Bright shining light cherry. There’s scents of cherries & blossoms, lilacs, raspberries, strawberries (and their caps & greenery), a little cola, and light orange zest. Tasting cherries of all sorts & tart ones too, raspberries, young strawberries, drop of blackberry, citrus bend & zest, tart dark & bright plums & pits, and it’s all just full of a lively spirit.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: brings out a smooth depth

Stefano & Marina, originally from Trentino, along with generations of their family in the wine business, fell for Sicily (in particular Vittoria) and as they called it they did a “kind of ‘reverse migration’ of coming from the North to the South, rather than the opposite way round”. Now not only do they have Santa Tresa but also Azienda Agricola Cortese. Brother & sis saw Sicily as a welcoming community built through history of differing cultures/countries that colonized, mixed, meshed and each contributed to the language, dialects, dishes, and the arts of all forms…and also in its wines. They celebrate the local grapes, reignite forgotten ones, work with traditions & still experiment to breathe new life into others, and let the land tell its unique tales through their bottles. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #organic #redwine #frappato #Sicily #italy #worldbyglass #viaswine #docwinebar #docwineshop #santatresa

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What’s In A Name Or A Number

Contini 1898
Flor 2019
100% Vernaccia
Vernaccia di Oristano DOC
Cabras, Oristano, Sardegna, Italy
Contini Famiy

Golden burnt orange amber. Sniffing and it has a headiness that reminds me of sherry, apricots dried & fresh, peaches, dried brown figs & little date thrown in with hazelnuts & almonds, orange blossoms, and a salty breeze. All of the scents are on the sip with honeyhoneycomb, preserved lemon, lime zest, almond biscotti, ginger, a little baked goodness like the caramelized/burnt edges of chewies my mom used to make, and a lick of salt.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: just say no

I was so excited to try this glass! The Continis are so proud of their origins and have a darn good reason to be. They spell it out on their site, “A name and a number define our company and mark the origins of our story. We are proud to be the first and oldest winery in Sardinia, an honor that we owe entirely to our founder, Salvatore Contini, and his wife Anna Maria Dessi.” There’s so much more of their history in this bottle than just the vintage. Sipping this makes me feel a part of their timeless world which is on my bucket list to visit (hopefully soon).

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #organic #sardegna #sardinia #italy #worldbyglass #docwinebar #docwineshop #Contini #Contini1898

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Family…Past, Present & Future

Casa Vinicola Triacca
Perlavilla
Alpi Retiche IGT
Nebbiolo
Sustainable
Villa di Tirano, Sondrio, Lombardy, Italy
Triacca family

Ruby stained glass. Breathing in cherries (fresh & dried), tart plums, red currants, wild flowers & Queen Anne’s Lace, mix of anise, juniper, and a smidge of eucalyptus/cedar. Sipping and it’s light & young with tastes of cherries, red & yellow plums with skins, fruit, pits, and all. There’s also red currants, green & pink strawberries, juniper/pine, horehound, even a little dandelion greens, and black pepper.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: smooooth

Triacca has deep roots that date back to Domenico Triacca purchasing his first vineyards in Valtellina in 1897. Their history in wine could have taken a different path when he was killed in an accident in 1910, but his wife (Orsola) and son (Eugenio) stayed fast and true to Dominica’s plans and vision. Over the years they expanded their holdings, vineyards, estates (La Gatta, La Madonnina, & Santavenere), and headquarters in Campascio-Zalende, Switzerland. Yes, with all this expansion they are a company, but one that is still all about their family, their history, their wonderful wine, and where the future will take them.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #Lombardy #Italy #wineislove #winetime #Nebbiolo #worldbyglass #wineemporium #CasaVinicolaTriacca #Triacca #triaccavini #docwinebar #docwineshop

 

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Naturally Digging Deeper

Domaine Arsac
Rosé La Chaumette 2023
Coteaux de l’Ardèche IGP
75% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 5% Viognier
Biodynamic/organic farmed, horses working in the vineyard, compost from their own cows, native yeasts
Saint Jean Le Centenier, Ardèche, Rhône Valley, France
Winemaking family: Sebastien & Dimitri Arsac

Dainty pale rosé with pink and lightest orange gold warm splashes. Scents start off delicate & gentle of strawberries, touch of cream, lemon squeeze, peaches, biscotti, mandarins & kumquats. It’s an inviting sip of strawberries, peaches & that creaminess with raspberries, cranberry, a citrus sparkle, instead of biscotti it’s more like baguette, and toward the end a salt/mineral almond moment that balances everything.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: absolutely delicious and a perfect pair!

“Wine is an incredible social bond, and in order to introduce it to a wider audience, it is important to have an uninhibited, sharing approach. A glass of wine is a story of the lives of men, of territories, but also a story between friends.” The Arsacs’ shared story on their site took me by surprise. Their history begins with Gaston (the grandfather) and his return to France after being a POW in WWII. Honestly, I can’t even imagine what he saw, went through, and then the feeling of returning to his homeland, getting married and channeling his energy & passion into the farm & vines. The latest generation of Sebastien & Dimitri have followed in their grandfather’s footsteps by adhering to his old school teachings which has led them to becoming organic & practicing biodynamic. I know, I know…everyone says “organic”, but this family really cares about keeping tradition, digging deeper & expanding their natural knowledge for the good of all even in our hectic contemporary times. 🐄🐎❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #organic #Rosé #Rose #France #worldbyglass #Rhone #docwinebar #docwineshop #DomaineArsac #SkinContactWines

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A Musical History

Vallis Mareni
Ombra
Prosecco
Glera
Treviso D.O.C.
Premaor di Miane, Veneto, Italy
Giovanni Gregoletto & family (they date back to 1600s in wine & vine)

Pale yellow/green starlight with tiny active bubbles. Floating up to my nose are scents of gentle pear, lemon/lime, green apples, a light smidge of allspice, and a sliver of white melon. Sipping and there’s again pears & green apples now joined with crabapples, lemon & lime and their zest, and a touch of oregano. It’s bright, fresh, alive, and one classy glass.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: savory deliciousness

So this bottle comes with a soundtrack. Well, it’s more than just that…Giovanni & Giuseppe Gregoletto (brothers)  produced an album “The Music Of Fine Wine” composed by musicians Paki Zennaro & Guido Vianello. It’s a musical history of wine through time, techniques & the steps of winemaking, and the songs are not just based around Italy but they also move across Europe. There’s also a song for Noé or Noah, who they attribute as the “first vine grower in history, a fascinating figure who knew the secrets of the vine and the birth of wine as well as the effects of its excessive consumption.” I had totally forgotten about Noah’s drunken episode, and now I can’t unsee it. Ah well, maybe another glass will help wash that away. 🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #prosecco  #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #docwinebar #docwineshop #omniwines #VallisMareni

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Who Doesn’t Need…

La Petite Robe Rouge
Côtes du Rhône AOC 2020
Grenache 75%, Syrah 25%
Organic
Villedieu, Haut-Vaucluse, Provence des Papes, France
Jacques Cattin & Anaïs Sirop (husband & wife)

Ruby garnet red beauty. Breathing in dainty violets, plums, fresh cherries & dried too, a jam mix of berries like strawberries, blackberries, etc. green pepper, and a bit of earth & fig leaves from my granny’s trees. Sipping and this is smooth, a cherry plum combo, bit of granite, touches of pepper green & otherwise, bit of raisin, dried cherry, plum but none of it is too heavy, and that jam is back in the groove along with a sprinkle of salt on the back.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: juicy fun and more pepper

Everyone needs a little red dress in their life. One that can make you feel sexy, sleek, sassy, and definitely flirtatious. One that gives you that Provence flair, pairs well with so many occasions, and carries a touch of rustic history & romance just like this wine and the people that created this smooth operator. It takes my mind to a simpler time of not so long ago, slow dancing/swaying under the stars & tiny lights strung in the trees to the sounds of Françoise Hardy singing “Mon Amie La Rose” with my heart full of the anticipation of love. ❤️🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #organic #redwine #provence #France #worldbyglass #francoisehardy #docwinebar #docwineshop #LaPetiteRobeRouge #boivinselection @docwinebar @docwineshop

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Going To Italy Via Brooklyn

St. Agrestis
Spritz
St. Agrestis Inferno Bitter, house-made Torino style vermouth & Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin
12% ABV
Brooklyn (Greenpoint), NY
Louis & Matt Catizone, Steven DeAngelo

Dark amber pour with peachy pink active bubbles. Scents float up of tomato plants & leaves, fir, alpine herbs, hyssop, juniper, singed orange/tangerine & other citrus rind, and as opens orange blossoms. Sipping and it’s all of the above with a good bitter bite, anise, the edible center of a peach pit, almonds and all of it mellows out the longer I linger. Takes me back to an old memory of gliding out onto the pond on a summer night watching the stars twinkle like this drink sparkles.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: surprisingly good, mellow & kinda like a touch of RC Cola

Well, I have to give St. Agrestis’ a 10 for being both delicious & fun! It transports me to Italy for Aperitivo time, or if you want to find an authentic one in Brooklyn, head to DOC Wine Bar for cocktails and a snack. Anyway, the tale of how these bottle came into creation, stems from that same longing for the real Italian deal. Louis & Matt grew up in an Italian family (in NJ) that kept traditions of their heritage, and one of these really makes me smile. Their folks sent them to school with not the dull PBJs many of the other kids were stuck with in their brown paper bags, but they got a true treat of “soppressatta on Nonnina’s freshly baked pane with a small bitter Italian soda”. Oh, what I wouldn’t have given in grade school to have that after recess. Cheers to Louis, Matt & Steven for keeping it lively, modern, chic and real in Brooklyn.🥂

#cocktails #spritztime #aperitivotime #cocktailsofinstagram #smallbusiness #wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #aperitivo #friyay #weekend #weekendvibes #worldbyglass #greenpoint #brooklyn #docwinebar #docwineshop #stagrestis @cheezit @docwinebarny @docwineshop

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Finding Paradise By The Stars

Hager Matthias
Riesling Terrassen 2022
100% Riesling
Certified biodynamic (Demeter)
Mollands, Kamptal, Austria
Owner & winemaker: Matthias Hager

Shining medium gold, Breathing in pears, something like an Oreo center, refreshing cool spring house scents from my childhood home, white peaches, smidge of grapefruit but not overly strong, tangerine, Valencia orange blend & blossoms, and apricot. Sipping and this lovely glass that brightens my spirits. There’s pears, apples, apricots, a citrus spark & lemon lime sizzle, honeysuckle, and way in the very back the teeniest ginger winks flirtatiously.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Brings on a citrus rolling wave

Matthias has his head in the stars, oh and also the moon, sun, planets, etc. In other words, he is devoted to biodynamics and follows Maria Thun’s calendar (related to the cosmic rhythm) that guides the farmer/winegrower when to plant, tend, and harvest. This is so much better than me reading my daily horoscope. Anyway, he and his family are very in tune and devoted to their lands & vines…as they say, “For us, biodynamic viticulture means much more than ‘just’ making wine. It’s much more about understanding the context of life”. Wine is also as Mattias’ brother Hermann says is his “challenge” to pair with food that he has accepted with their “gourmet paradise” Weinbeisserei. The restaurant (culinary experience) has beautiful views of the vineyards, wonderfully crafted meals with ingredients sourced from locals or from his garden & his Turopolje pigs (they are really cute), and of course the properly selected wines. I guess they truly have found their paradise. ✨✨

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #biodynamic #austria #riesling #worldbyglass #Weinbeisserei #volkerwineco #hagermatthias #docwinebar #docwineshop @hager_matthias @volkerwineco @docwinebar @docwineshop

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HAPPY FRIYAY!

Hugo’s Cocktails
Ginger Fuji Apple Mule
Vodka, Red Jacket Orchards Fuji apple juice (NY), lemon, ginger, cinnamon, lemongrass
10% ABV
New York, NY
Founders: Cristian Molina & Zach Moore

IPA golden-orange. Very fragrant scents of apples, a ginger/cinnamon blend, lemongrass, and a touch of fresh lemon but not tart. All of the scents are right there in the taste with perfumed blossoms, sugarcane, and a welcome cinnamon burn. Damn good cocktail that is way easy to drink, so sip it slow.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Just say no

Even though Hugo’s was created out of a heavy necessity of having to navigate, survive and make a living during the pandemic, they have a much lighter motto…”Life lived less seriously”. Now that’s something I would love to be doing right now. Well the weekend is almost here so maybe I’ll take their advice and crack another can with friends because these are drinks to be joyfully shared. Happy Friday!

#cocktails #cannedcocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #smallbusiness #vodka #wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #docwinebar #docwineshop #drinkhugos @cheezit @drinkhugos @docwinebar @docwineshop

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Wine Of Joy & Freedom

Azienda Agricola Bugno Martino
Rosso Matilde 2022
Provincia di Mantova Lambrusco IGP
Lambrusco Salamino & Ancellotta
Sparkling Wine
Organic, biodynamic, hand harvested
San Benedetto Po, Mantua, Lombardy, Italy
Raffaella and Giuseppe Merlin

Deep ruby with dark pink bubbles. Scents floating up of cherries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, red currants, a little balsamic reduction, red delicious apples, and violets. Going in for the taste and all of those scents are there with a little puff of smoke, and tiny twist of lemon on the back. Lovely, lively and elegant.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: ick

As many of you know, I just love finding out how people end up making wine. The Merlins tale started with Giuseppe whisking Raffaella off on a romantic weekend only to arrive at a cellar to taste wine, and told they don’t have an appointment. Yikes, so much for romance! Actually, the busy winemaker took pity on them and invited both in if they would help him in the vineyard by sampling the grapes. I’d say that’s a pretty great deal. Then the magic happens, they “went to the cellar and felt the wines”. Just imagine being in the dark with very little candle light and becoming immersed in the whole experience. The seed of an idea or inclination had been planted. When life offered them an opportunity in Giuseppe’s dad retiring from working the family farm, the adventure of planting their own vines had begun. Now, they are all about Lambrusco…their own way or as they say, “Lambrusco is freedom, to be yourself, to free yourself from preconceptions and homologations, to toast with friends, to have a carefree evening. Lambrusco is the wine of joy.” Along with that joy, they’ve also brought along 2 flowering fields of happiness where you’ll find hives of my favorite little buzzers. 🐝❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #organic #bees #Italy #lombardy  #worldbyglass #bugnomartino #SkinContactWines  #docwinebar #docwineshop @cantinabugnomartino @SkinContactWines @docwinebar @docwineshop