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Let it Grow Free and Wild

Mathieu Apffel
Cremant de Savoie Bulles de Rouzan NV
Savoie AOP
Saint-Baldoph, Savoie, France
Jacquère
Organic, native yeast, no filtration, and has been letting the grass grow as it wants
Winemaker: Mathieu Apffel

Pale yellow with big bubbles. First thing that hits my nose is creamy vanilla, lemon, and super ripe just picked cucumber that I left growing for a tad long in the garden, so not quite a melon but fresh. Sipping and it’s a little creamy, then a citrus zing of lemon and lime, a little crisp green apple, and brioche toast. Fresh and clean and dry

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: gives it more body which is odd but good

This would be good with an Epoisses quesadilla. Yeah, I love stinky cheese. I have a fond memory of it when my S.O. was working/living in Basel and when I visited, we would sit on the balcony and devour it with bubbly and beer. Smells so funky and tastes so good. All I can say was grocery shopping there was so amazing! The array of cheeses puts NYC to shame. I miss Basel!

@vinewinenyc #MathieuApffel @louisdressnerselections @cheezits #wine @worldbyglass #needmorewine #cheezit #vinewinenyc #organic #SaintBaldoph #Savoie #France #Cremant #cremantdesavoie #Jacquère #Jacquere #epoisses #Basel

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The Strength Within

Ruth Lewandowski
Boaz 2017
a Zero cuvée
Carignan 81%, Grenache 11%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8%
Old vines, organic, unfined and unfiltered
Testa Vineyard in Mendocino County, CA
Produced and Bottled in Salt Lake City, Utah
Winemaker: Evan Lewandowski

Color is a dark ruby garnet and when I uncorked it my hand touched the bottom of the cork, my hand looked like someone had melted a purple crayon. Also definitely unfiltered. Sniffing tart cherries, small flowers, and vanilla that may even be a vanilla cola. First sip is again tart cherries and acid. Rustic and rough around the edges in a natural good way. Very fresh yet the longer it breaths plums grow, raspberries pop out, and the longer you wait the more smooth yet still tart creeps in. It’s full body but light enough to be enjoyed on this hot day. The name Boaz which means “strength is within him” in Hebrew fits this wine. It’s strong, stays sturdy, and stands up over time.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: tones back the acid

I’m a big fan of Lewandowski wines, and of Evan’s interesting pick of using the book of Ruth to name his winery and this wine. Ruth has always been a favorite of mine. She’s a smart, strong woman that also protects her own. Watched “Black is King” on opening weekend and you have to give it to Beyoncé, she is that strong, protective, positive woman, that is a force of nature. For me, her song “Bigger” really speaks to this wine in that same Ruth way. Hoping before I post this, they will release the official video. Until then, this edit from Lion King will have to suffice.

@vinewinenyc @RuthLewandowskiWines @evanlewski @zevrovineselections #zevrovineselections @cheezits #wine #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #vinewinenyc @worldbyglass #Carignan #Grenache #CabernetSauvignon #mendocino #saltlake #Utah #RuthLewandowski #beyonce

 

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The Beautiful One

Domaine De Listinconu
Île De Beauté IGP 2019
Sciacarellu, Grenache
Aghione, Corsica (region of France) but it also depends on which resident you talk to. Serious politics are still somewhat afoot.
Winegrower: Paul Vincent Casanova

Delightful light salmon orange color which leads into the very fragrant smell of orange blossoms, salt, violets, and honeysuckle. First sip is orange which builds into apple, pear, again salt, light melon, honey covered strawberries, and raspberries. This wine is damn gorgeous. Why don’t I have a yard and be able to drink this in while grilling some shrimp skewers? Also since I’m dreaming, let’s have a dozen oysters on the half shell.

Pairs with Cheez-its: full on berry. Strawberries popping all over the place

I’m coming up empty on pics of this winery/vineyard. Domaine De Listinconu and their winegrower Paul Vincent Casanova is from Aghione, Corsica (from what I am finding). They are part of Pierre Rougon’s extensive portfolio. According to Rougon’s site they are all estate bottled wines. I just wish I could find pictures of the place. No matter what, let’s hop the boat and head to Corsica.

Corsica, the beautiful island with many names throughout history. The Greeks called it Kalliste (which of course makes me think of Khaleesi, the most beautiful and powerful) and also Seirinoussai, which are the Sirens from Homer’s Odyssey. From what I see it is a place that can lure you in, but I don’t think it would dash you, I think you would just want to stay forever.

Starting off in the capital Ajaccio, which is housed between their beautiful beaches and ports on the Gulf of Ajaccio and also mountainous craggy ranges. The bustling city is also well known for it’s illustrious infamous son, Napoleon. You can spend your time viewing the Maison Bonaparte, or you could (I would) head to the harbor and find a beautiful restaurant and enjoy some fresh seafood (think urchins and shellfish with a bottle of wine) under the sun. Wait, let’s add to the order a serving of fresh Brocciu cheese.

Heading now not so far away to Bocognano, where you can have an adventure in the Richiusa Canyon. You can sign up for one of the local tours and hike, climb, zipline, slide, and take a plunge into the river. They also have a fest in December which is right up my alley, the Fiera di a Castagna. Yes, let’s all celebrate the chestnut! The fair is renowned as the most important fete in Corsica, and draws around 20,000 people each year. It celebrates not only the chestnut, but also multiple other local artisan foods, music, and culture, oh and not to forget the wine.

Let’s make one more stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Scandola Nature Reserve. We’ll need to take a little boat trip, and you can grab one at Calvi, Galéria or Porto. You have choices in boats. Larger ones cover more area faster, but the smaller ones can give you a chance to get closer to the cliffs and grottos. The cliffs are a beautiful rusty brick red and riddled with strawberry trees and heather. It’s also home to all sorts of sea birds, ospreys, dolphins, seal colonies and from this video graceful mesmerizing jellyfish. This trip would be a beautiful way to spend an afternoon.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @vinoviawinegroup #DomaineDeListinconu @cheezits #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #wine @worldbyglass #needmorewine #France #Corsica #Sciacarellu #Grenache

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La Vie En Rosé

Domaine La Grange Tiphaine
Rosa, Rosé, Rosam 2019
Methode Ancestrale Rosé Pét-Nat
Touraine Loire Valley France
Grolleau, Côt, Cabernet Franc, Gamay
Winemakers: Coralie & Damien Delecheneau
Organic

Cheery rose colored with a lot of springy bubbles giving a white rim to the glass. Mmmmm breathing in strawberries, roses and other spring flowers. For some reason it’s making me think of  a sweet rosewater cookie. There’s also some summer watermelon and maybe cherry. Upon sipping there’s definitely cherry, strawberry, and some soda that makes my nose tingle. It’s dry but not entirely dry so off dry. Summer sweetness like a watermelon cocktail and then there’s a little kick of balsamic tangy fun. Good grief this is delicious. I’m scared to pair it with Cheez-Its, but we all know it has to happen.

Pairs with Cheez-its: Gives the strawberries some more weight, and the flowers are a little more heady.

Here’s a little more rosé, from the fabulous Grace Jones – La Vie En Rose

@vinewinenyc @lagrangetiphaine @JennyandFrancois @jennyfrancois @cheezits #wine #petnat #pétnat #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #vinewinenyc @worldbyglass #rose #rosé #organic #Grolleau #Côt #CabernetFranc #Gamay #Touraine #Loire #France #GraceJones

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My God, It’s Full of Stars

Domaine Philippe Vandelle
Chainai Ouillée 2018
L’Étoile Blanc AOC
Savagnin 100%
Jura France
l’agriculture raisonnée
Winemaker: Philippe Vandelle

Beautiful shimmering shining straw gold. Inhale and there’s apple, heady flowers like honeysuckle and lily, then melon, and a little smoke. Going in for the sip and there’s fresh apple, melon, again that lovely honeysuckle, a splash of lemon zest, and a lick of salt.

Pairs with Cheez-its: brings out more zest but consistently and gloriously delicious.

Sitting here with my glass and reading about Philippe Vandelle and how he ended up in wine. In his case it’s ingrained in his DNA. Six generations of pure love of the land (l’Étoile) in this family. Passing down grape knowledge such as training, harvesting, the sous voile, and in the case of this particular wine, ouillage. Philippe Vandelle also achieved sustainable agriculture designation by Qualité France SA, which is a lot of hard work. An added treat on their website is a selection of recipes that I bet will pair well with their wines

Let’s start off in l’Etoile, which is said to be named after star shaped fossils (of ancient starfish) that can be found in their limestone-rich land. Oh they are just so beautiful! Way back in the Jurassic Period, this lovely land was covered by the sea. Who knows what other creatures swam above this land.

Off to other parts of Jura…from childhood I have always been fascinated with caves and their inhabitants over the ages, so starting off this travel with the Grotte d’Osselle. They do start in Doubs but continue through Jura. Discovered in the 13th century and people began touring them in the 16th. I wonder what spelunking would be like way back then. Think about the fashion of the times, your feet would probably be killing you. Back to the cave and an early dweller. An ancient bear skeleton was discovered back in 1856, and as the years went on and more were found, it became known as a bear burial place. The stalactites and stalagmites are incredible, and give the caverns a religious moving feeling. Check out the pics on the official site.  Don’t let the bears scare you.

Next dream stop is La Cascade des Tufs. This waterfall looks like something out of a fantasy flick…like you could turn around and find a fairy or Gelfling sideline up behind you. Please take a look at this video, and you will totally get what I’m talking about. The fall is fed by the underground Dard river that flows through the Baume-les-Messieurs cave.

Now for something that’s family friendly fun, in Lons-le-Saunier (Jura’s capital) there’s a special museum for something near and dear to a lot of kids’ hearts, La Maison de la Vache Qui Rit. Yes, there is a museum dedicated to the beloved Laughing Cow. Yep, it’s all about that little cheese and the design/packaging throughout the years. Moooooo!

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @Cave-Philippe-Vandelle-Étoile @APWineImports @cheezits #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #wine @worldbyglass #needmorewine #Savagnin #Jura #letoile #etoile #France #laughingcow #domainephilippevandelle #philippevandelle #mygoditsfullofstars

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Apple Kisses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manoir du Kinkiz
AOP Cornouaille Cider
Brittany France
100% Fresh Apples
Owners Maugane and Hervé Seznec
Cider-Maker Hervé Seznec
Organic and biodynamic

Sparkling very deep orange gold…like antique rose gold. Beautiful bubbles. First sniff and here’s lemon, flowers, tart apple, tangerine, maybe some cinnamon, and good earth funk. Now raise your glass and take a sip. Whoa and wow! Apples (reminds me of golden delicious which is my apple point of reference from childhood but also another richer sweeter apple too), a little celery, and smoke. Opens up to sweet smoothness with a little kick of balsamic.

Pairs w Cheez-It’s: super sweet apple-ness. Glorious. Reminds me of my childhood home, the apple orchard and helping out making cider by hand.

Let’s enjoy another glass along with some Apple Kisses from Alison Moyet.

@vinewinenyc @Manoir-du-Kinkiz #manoirdukinkiz @patrickallenselections #patrickallenselection @cheezits @alisonmoyetofficial @alisonmoyet #cider #wine #worldbyglass #needmorewine #cheezit #vinewinenyc @worldbyglass #Brittany #France #cornouaille #organic #biodynamic #apple #alisonmoyet

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Going Places

Domaine de L’Oubliee
(translates to Domaine of the Forgotten, ok this is haunting and romantic)
Les Valseuses 2018
Vin de France Petillant
Bourgueil France
Chenin Blanc
Organic and vegan
Winemaker Xavier Courant

Glistening pale yellow color with a ton of bubbles. Inhale and it’s citrus, sea breeze, and herbal. It’s hard to just sip this pét-nat. So fresh and lively. It’s tangy and sweet. There’s lemon, pine, herbal, yellow plums, floral which I think is honeysuckle. It’s bubbly sweetness.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Even more heightens the sweetness

So Xavier Courant loves the work Bertrand Blier, and each of his wines are named for Blier’s films or books that speak to the grapes. I would love to know why he picked the infamous “Les Valseuses” for this happy wild pét-nat. John Tutturro’s “The Jesus Rolls”, (yes, it’s the same character from “The Big Lebowski”) which seemed like forever in releasing, is an adaptation of the 1974 film, and appears to now be finally available online. Quite a cast. May have to add it to next weekend’s list.

@vinewinenyc @louisdressnerselections #louisdressnerselections #wine #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #vinewinenyc @worldbyglass #LesValseuses #pét-nat #pet-nat #cheninblanc #Bourgueil #France #BertrandBlier @xaviercourant @Les amis du Domaine de L’Oubliée @JesusRollsFilm @BigLebowskiMovie #thebiglebowski

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True Friendship

Les Tètes
Tète Blanche
Le Pressoir, Touraine Azay-le-Rideau, Loire, France
Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Roussanne
Biodynamic and native yeasts

A drop of golden sunshine. A fresh breeze of citrus, grapefruit, white floral, slate and a bit of toasted vanilla. You know, like those cookies you had when you were a kid. Drink in the citrus, apple, pineapple, a lick of granite, and those beloved toasted vanilla cookie again. Lovely, smooth and a beautiful wine to accompany the new Martin Walker novel, “The Shooting at Château Rock”. Absolutely love his “Bruno Chief of Police Series”. His books always take my brain to France, the wonderful people, the beautiful food, and of course the lovely wine. I highly recommend escaping with one of them.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Makes it more juicy and fruity and tart. Brings out the sharp tart apple

Les Tète Blanche is a wine project created by four friends: Nicolas, Philippe, Baptiste, and Vivien and they say, “Les Tétes is about friendship, and wines you drink with friends.” Which leads me to another group of four friends of a different feather, the infamous “Golden Girls”: Rose, Dorothy, Sophia, and the colorful and amorous Blanche Devereaux. Do any of you remember Blanche’s tropical bedroom? Well, it turns out it has quite a following. I hadn’t even finished typing her full name in Google, and the hallowed bedroom popped up. Turns out the set design team had to keep the bedspread under lock and key while they were not filming. Read more about it here, and raise a glass to friendship!

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @docwinebar @zevrovineselections @cheezits #wine #worldbyglass #lestetes #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #france #loire #sauvignonblanc #cheninblanc #chardonnay #roussanne #goldengirls #blanchedevereaux

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Following the White Rabbit

Château La Franchaie
Lapin Blanc 2018
Winemaker Eric Dubois
Anjou France
Chenin blanc

A glassful of the immortal lyric from Spandau Ballet, GOLD! Then take a deep breath of cardamom, salt, lemon, hibiscus, and some earthy freshly picked daisies.

Get ready to follow the white rabbit, if you dare take a sip. There’s pear, tart apple or crab apple, salt, granite, and deep flowers like honeysuckle. Keep on imbibing and it becomes smoky, heady, decadent and a hint of vanilla. I see beautiful dreams heading my way this evening, or it may take another turn and I’ll encounter the infamous vorpal bunny.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: clean and sharp

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Light Red

Light Red
Vigne del Pellagroso
Lombardy, Italy

Beautiful garnet color. Has a bottle cap, but don’t let that dissuade you. Pop and there’s the tart cherry and a little barnyard that wanders away. Takes a little bit, but is totally worth it. Gives you a touch of the dark side funk. Bring on the funk. Slosh around in your glass, and taste the juicy fruity tangy cherry, tart strawberries, a little funky which dissipates and is refreshing and silky with a touch of good darkness (embrace it you know you want to). I want this and a picnic waiting on me after I finish rowing. Some mortadella and salami, some squishy cheese, some crusty bread, and a slab of butter. Confession there are times during lockdown, I have found myself craving Kerrygold, and eating a good slice of it in the dark. Don’t look at me in shame. You know you all have cracked, and done something like this. 

Pairs with Cheez-Its: makes it even more lively and spirited, and the cheez-its deeper

@docwineshop Claudio Docwinebar #wine #workingfromhome #pandemic #covid19 #naturalwine @worldbyglass #worldbyglass @cheezits #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #docwinebar #docwineshop @VignedelPellagroso #redwine @KerrygoldUSA #starwars #athomewithkerrygold