Posted on

Old World Meets New

Viña Echeverría
Es Pituko
Cabernet Franc 2019
Curicó Valley, Molina, Chile
Sustainable, aged 11 months in French barrels
Chief Winemaker: Roberto Echeverría Jr.

Murky rosy ruby with nice sediment. From out of the cloud comes whiffs of strawberries, raspberries, cherries, blueberries, and something toasty. Btw this is a chilled red and as recommended on the label, drink in the next 5 minutes, so let’s see what comes out first…strawberries, tart cherry tart, and all of the above but the toast. There’s dark stony finish, and a little oak and smoke. Also “Es Pituko” means “It’s Fancy!”, so where’s my bow tie? This is going to be a top notch night.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: fruit goes crazy

I feel like I’m drinking a bit of history from all over the world. Echeverría family roots started in the Basque region of Spain, then they transplanted themselves to Chile in the 1750s. 200 years later a taste of France (and pre-phylloxera French vines) was brought to the town of Molina by Roger Piffre de Vauban coming to Curicó Valley. As time went by and their families blended through marriage, offspring, and two wineries. Next Roberto Echeverría brought in a splash of the U.S. through his studies at Cornell and degrees in agronomy, winemaking, and economics; and living and working for a while in D.C. for the World Bank. Feeling the pull and seeing the great possibilities, they returned to Chile and rebuilt and revitalized the family winery. Now Roberto’s sons and daughters are the latest generation that are hands on and just as passionate about the land, their wines, keeping it sustainable, and keeping it natural.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @echeverriawines @tedward.ws @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #chile #molina #viñaecheverria #curicowines #naturalwine #espituko #CabernetFranc #CuricóValley #CuricoValley

Posted on

A Liquid Postcard

Cantine Chessa
C’era Una Volta 2017
Vermentino di Sardegna DOC
Usini, Sardegna, Italy
100% Vermentino
Sustainable farming, indigenous yeasts
Winemaker: Giovanna Chessa

Deep gold skin-contact orangey. Breathing in honey and honeysuckles, smoke, melon, pear, and hazelnut. This is definitely an invitation to an enchanted evening of wonder. Tasting and again honey, smoke/a touch of oak, melon, and ripe pear. There’s also something mineral that I believe is white pepper. This is glorious! We need a choir hallelujah here!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: bright melon and pear and lighter honey

Giovanna Chessa has woven a delightful dream with “C’era Una Volta” which translates to “Once Upon a Time”. She is truly such an amazing winemaker. Loving the four day skin-contact and also that she lets the spontaneous indigenous yeasts work their magic at first in stainless steel and then later in used French barrels, so it lets the grapes sing. Or as Giovanna says, “The bottle is a liquid postcard” that can transport you to Sardegna, and learn the history of the land, the grapes and her story. Also the label captures the beauty and fairytale of this wine. It even won a silver medal at the MUSE Design Awards for Redfish Adv and Sara Pilloni. If you’re inspired and want to find out more about Sara’s art, check it out here.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @Cantine.Chessa @steephillwine @sarapilloni86 @cheezits #GiovannaChessa  #steephillwine #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #italy #Usini #Sardegna #Sardinia #Vermentino #sarapilloni

Posted on

Strawberry Swing

Gulfi
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG 2018
Chiaramonte Gulfi, Ragusa, Sicily, Italy
50% Frappato, 50% Nero d’Avola
Organic and dry farmed
Winemaker: Vito Catania

Deep reddish purple yet glistening light sparkles. Beautiful berry fragrance, cherries, prunes, and delicate tiny flowers. Sipping strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blackberries (ok this is a lot of berries), prune which is more rich as it warms, and some tart yet becomes more velvety. There’s some earth, but also keeps stays light with a dry tingle. Oh, and this is also a wine you can give a little chill.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: berry goodness

The depiction of the passion that Eros and Psyche found in the end of their mythical soap opera tale, is found on almost all of Gulfi’s bottles and branded on their barrels. That same passion comes out in Vito Catania’s wines and his love and dedication to the land. Started with inheriting land from his father, and then over time further expanding. Vito invested a lot of research into the history and vines, and started working with Salvo Foti to sort which would be the best soils for his dream. Now Gulfi has grown to (from what I am finding) 70 hectares. I would so love to find out more about the winery, but their site is undergoing a revamp. Looking forward to when it’s back up, and I can learn more. In the meanwhile, let’s enjoy another modern mythical strawberry romance tale.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @gulficantina @selectedestatesofeurope @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Chiaramonte #Gulfi #Ragusa #Sicily #Italy #organic #coldplay

Posted on

Life, Music and a Turntable

Lo-Fi
2019
Santa Barbara County
Buellton, CA
60% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Chardonnay
Organic, indigenous yeasts, and naturally occurring malolactic bacteria
Winemakers: Mike Roth and Craig Winchester

Golden glass full of skin contact. Breathing in melon, flowers/honey, pear, salt, some richness and smoke. First taste is  honeydew and other melons, grass, pear, lemon, a little honey, salt, smoke, and gets heady as it breathes.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: as I would expect less tang, but not expected…there’s less honeydew, but it’s not a “honey don’t”. Still fun.

Mike and Craig started out Lo-Fi as a project aside from their winemaking day jobs. So glad they decided to share it with the rest of the world and not just keep it for their friends. They are all about natural and also good ol’ vinyl which is definitely reflected in their very cool labels and their tasting room which is unfortunately not open at the moment (but they do have wine to go). Here’s a quote from their site, “Wine is like life and music. Both are filled with resonance, distortion, simplicity, modesty, intimacy and ingenious integrity of the natural processes.” I also love and appreciate that they have used stainless steel and neutral French oak barrels for this wine. Oak and I have a love hate relationship when it comes to some California chardonnay (and blends). The light smoke/oak touch in this wine are just so perfectly suited. I could drink this all day, while spinning some old tunes that fit like a glove.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @LoFiwine @lo_fi_wine @cheezits #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #wine @worldbyglass #needmorewine #organic #SantaBarbara #CA #california #SauvignonBlanc #Chardonnay #tweaker #DavidSylvian #Waxplotation

Posted on

A Kirkilla By Any Other Name

Ameztoi
Getariako Txakolina 2019
Txakoli D.O.
Getaria, Gipuzkoa, Spain
100% Hondaribi Zuri (native grape)
Sustainable farming and indigenous yeasts
Winemaker: Ignacio Ameztoi (5th generation)

Super light pale straw with some clingy bubbles hanging to the sides of the glass. First pops out light tiny floral bits, next is fresh green apple, a little tart pear, and sea salt. My tongue is tingling from the clean little bubbles. It’s refreshing! There’s citrus that as I drink more evolves into full on lime, and of course again my favorite…salty!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ooooo even more lemon-lime saltiness

The Ameztoi family has been making txakoli since 1820, and it sounds like they have been quite a happy family since they are nicknamed Kirkilla which means cricket. From what I’m reading crickets symbolize joy, happiness and pride. They do have a lot to be proud about with this fresh, fun, take me out on a boat and grill me some shrimps wine. Also their winery, vineyards and grounds are so perfectly situated. The winery is up on a hill over looking the vineyards that reach out to the sea. What an amazing view! I would never get tired of all the green and blue. I can’t believe, I’ve never tried this before, and once again I am kicking myself for never traveling to the Basque Country in Spain. Always wanted to, and said I’d always get around to it and now look at the situation we’re all in. I have way too many Expedia points just waiting to be used. So here we go and no points needed.

Well first off we should start with a Txakoli tasting at Ameztoi and then head to Getaria. Since it’s a fishing village, you know there has to be some fabulous fresh seafood. Anthony Bourdain visited Elkano (Michelin star) for the amazing grilled turbot. That would be incredible, but I would also love to wander the  streets and find some pintxos. Politena looks pretty good and has been around since 1968, and I just noticed a tv tucked in at the bar. That would make my S.O. very happy to be able to catch a soccer match while I’m grazing over all the different selections. Next stop is the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa. The lauded designer came from humble roots in Gertaria, where his father was a fisherman and his mother a seamstress. This year is the 125th anniversary of his birth and the museum will be celebrating with the first  international Cristóbal Balenciaga conference, albeit virtually on their site on October 1st and 2nd. They are still open in person too, but with modified hours and safety precautions. Through Jan. 10, 2021, the exhibit ”Fashion and Heritage. Cristóbal,” is still on display and is curated to show the man behind the brand. One last stop on this trip and it’s in San Sebastián. This wine trip is heading to a brewery. Mala Gissona takes it’s name and inspiration from the pidgin phrase, “For Jü Mala Gissona” (you’re a bad man). Pidgin is a blend of Basque and Icelandic and evidently this is what Icelanders called the Basque whalers. These weren’t necessarily bad men but rough around the edges. As you got to know them they’re sturdy, honest and loyal. This is supposed to be the same with their beers or as they say, “A honest and intrepid beer, loyal to its principles”. I think a good end to this venture is a pour of their Apatxe or translated “Free soul. Warrior heart” and once again stuff myself with pintxos.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @txakoliameztoi @dmselections @politenagetaria @cristobalbalenciagamuseoa @malagissona @cheezit #cheezit #wine #beer #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #organic #Getaria #Gipuzkoa #Spain #Basque #Ameztoi

Posted on

A Tale of Love and Wine

Parés Baltà
Indigena 2015
Penedès, Spain
100% Garnatxa
Organic and biodynamic, indigenous grape
Winemakers: Maria Elena Jiménez and Marta Casas (sisters-in-law)

Deep glistening garnet. Oooo there’s cherry cola with a hint of vanilla or maybe just something creamy hitting my nose. Next are raspberries, Canadian strawberries, the teeny tiny ones I have mentioned in the past. Best bought on the side of the road or just pull over and pick your own. Something floral yet woodsy. How I miss nature. Back to this glass and taking first sip…damn! This is all the berries! What an explosion! Cherry follows, woodsy again, earthy, toasted almonds, black pepper, smooth, graceful and just full on romantic.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: makes it very fruity

Parés Baltà has roots back to 1790, and the current generation is Joan and Josep Cusiné (and their father Joan still helps out). The winemakers are their wives, Maria Elena Jiménez and Marta Casas. Marta did have a bit of history in wine through her grandfather taking her as a child to view his vineyard where he would make a small amount just for the family. As she grew up and went to the University of Barcelona for pharmacy, she met Josep and well…love for him and for wine grew. She did end up getting that degree in pharmacy, but she took it a step further and enrolled in winemaking courses at the University of Tarragona. And then after all that, they got married and still travel the world to experience more wines, or in her own words, “We are wine lovers and so we think we have to keep learning”. Maria, also went to University of Barcelona but for chemical engineering, and after graduating and working in the field, she met Joan. And from what I am reading, it was love at first sight. Much like Marta, she dived into oenology studies, received a second degree from Tarragona, and went on her own world wine experience travels. Imagine if these couples never met. These are wines of love.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @paresbalta @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #organic #biodynamic #garnatxa #Penedès #Penedes #Spain #paresbalta #usawineimports

Posted on

Let’s Take a Joy Ride!

Terra di Briganti
Sciascinoso 2019
Sannio DOP
Casalduni Campania Italy
Sciascinoso 100%
Organic, biodynamic, vegan, and indigenous yeasts
Winemakers: Toni and Romeo De Cicco

It’s a glass of deep ruby purple Ring Pop. Letting you know, I tried this wine at two different temps. First was from my red wine fridge. Taking a sniff and it’s cherry with funk…spicy funk, dark berry, and earthy. Sipping and there’s pucker up tart cherry, blackberries, light and tangy. Second try was nicely chilled, and what a different wine! Breathing in sweet cherry, something floral, beautiful strawberries, and it’s still a little earthy. Tasting bright cherries, blackberry, plums, smooth fruit with a little tangy tingle zingy. There’s that touch of earth again and a dash of white pepper. Super fresh and soooooooo good chilled. For some reason my lips feel like they are vibrating. Do it! Chill it! You’ll be so happy.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: both tries and I come up with the same result of no changes

Out of the four Briganti wines I’ve tried, this is the most playful and carefree. Fits their fun label of two people on a motorcycle with a sidecar taking a sunny joyride. Let’s hit the road with them and Hendrix.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @TerradiBriganti @steephillwine #steephillwine @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #italy #sannio #Sciascinoso #Casalduni #Campania #organic #biodynamic #vegan

Posted on

A Day Under the Trees

Cantina Marilina
‘Fedelie’ Bianco Frizzante NV
Ancestral Method
Terre Siciliane IGP
Noto, Sicily, Italy
100% Moscato
Organic, indigenous yeasts, no fining or filtration
Winemakers: Marilina, Federica and Angelo Paternò

Orange gold with tiny natural bubbles. Starts with tiny toasty scents but ditches out and turns into orange soda (not Orangina), citrus peel, lemon, and that candy called something like ginger chews. Mmmm sipping orange fizz, honeysuckle, and pear cider-esque, with a dash of salt, tingly bubbles and a hint at the finish bitter. Fabulous pét-nat.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: pairs deliciously well and brings out the pear cider

This is my second wine by Cantina Marilina, and I’m just as impressed as the first (Sikelé 2017). This time though, I’m taking more time to look into the family behind the vines. Angelo Paternò worked for many years in the wine industry until he settled in Noto (a very sunny and windy area) and built his own cellar and vineyard. Working alongside him were also his daughters Marilina and Federica Paternò. As you can see from this sweet video on their site, the next generation is already pitching in too. They’re also very into keeping everything organic and natural. Keeping the fruit trees within the vineyard, using recycled paper for their labels, recyclable glass bottles, and real corks. Staying sustainable, the old fashioned way. Would love to one day visit and sit under their olive trees. You can relax with either their basket of a bottle of wine, pane cunzato, some of their jam, cheese and a Sicilian salad; or you can opt for a tasting of 4 wines, homemade bread and their olive oil, cheeses and salami, their homemade jams, Sicilian salad and scacce. Absolutely mouthwatering delicious!

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @cantinamarilina @zevrovineselections @cheezits #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #wine @worldbyglass #needmorewine #organic #italy #sicily #noto #moscato #petnat #pétnat #terresiciliane

Posted on

A Delicate Harmony

Ampeleia
Unlitro 2019
Toscana Rosso IGT
Roccatederighi, Maremma, Toscana, Italy
40% Alicante Nero (aka Grenache), 25% Mourvedre, 15% Carignano, 15% Sangiovese, 5% Alicante Bouschet
Biodynamic, unfined, and unfiltered
Founders: Elisabetta Foradori, and her friends Giovanni Podini and Thomas Widmann
Winemaker: Marco Tait

Bright ruby garnet. As expected cherry is the first thing that hits your nose. Next is smoke, plum, salt some tiny flowers with a kick of funk. As it opens throw in a dash of spice and singed orange peel. When it hits your tongue you already know first thing is again cherry. Again smoke and some bio funk is still lingering. After letting it settle a bit there’s tangy fruit and definitely orange. It’s a natural light red, that you’re happy it comes in a liter format, because you’re going to want more than one glass. My second visit with this bottle, ok I chilled it. Don’t be insulted. It’s bleeping hot. It’s much the same but a little more body. I love it and it’s still  an easy picnic or pizza wine, but just elevated. Less tang and more velvet

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Tangy and smoky

You might remember the incredible winemaker Elisabetta Foradori, from a previous post about her family’s winery Agricola Foradori and her devotion to natural/biodynamic wine. She and her friends Giovanni Podini and Thomas Widmann, started Ampeleia back in 2002. From what I am reading on their site, Thomas Widmann left them in 2009, and there is a “it takes a village” style team that help with all the aspects of how a winery runs. Also not to be left out is Marco Tait who has been their winemaker from day one. He has a beautiful section on their site I just discovered. It’s a personal blog of sorts with musings on the passion and hardwork put into this biodynamic winery, the vineyards, learning to listen to the earth, trust the grapes, and more. At the end of one of the entries, this Goethe quote sums it all up: “It is so pleasant to explore nature and ourselves at the same time, without causing violence neither to Nature nor to our spirit, bringing us both, together, to a balance, to a delicate harmony”.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @ampeleia @bowlerwine @cheezits #cheezit #wine @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #italy #toscano #tuscany #maremma #roccatederighi #organic #biodynamic #ampeleia #AlicanteNero #Mourvedre #Carignano #Sangiovese #AlicanteBouschet #ElisabettaForadori #MarcoTait

Posted on

Heavenly Honey (and Peaches)

Weingut Clüsserath-Weiler
Trittenheimer Altärchen Riesling Kabinett 2009
100% Riesling
Trittenheim Mosel, Germany
Winemaker: Verena Clüsserath

Spun gold glassful. Inhaling flowers, fresh apricots and just picked peaches, a touch of grapefruit and then at last mineral. The peaches are really here in the first sip. Reminds me of the ones from back home, we’d pick for mom to make cobbler. Next is honey and melons, again the slightest touch of grapefruit dryness and mineral. Makes me think of something the gods would have drunk out of a goblet while one of us mortals were feeding them cheese and grapes. Kind of makes me feel a little decadent but stops before it gets too heady (thank goodness). It’s a delicious ethereal beauty.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Less honey and more peaches

Here’s another ethereal beauty to enjoy: Mazzy Star – Fade Into You (Live)

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @WeingutCluesserathWeiler @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #magellanwineimports #weingutclüsserathweiler #Riesling #Trittenheim #Mosel #Germany #mazzystar