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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

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Brightest Star in the Sky

Clos Santa Ana
Sirios 2016
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Carménère 
organic, biodynamic, native yeasts, unfined & unfiltered
Coluchagua Valley, Chile
Owners: Roberto Ibarra García and Luiz Antonio de Gracia Allegretti

Shiny garnet pour. Scents gently emerge and grow of cherries, wild plums, leather that turns into olives and then cola, throw in a sprig of hay, lavender, and lilacs. Tasting tart and dark cherry, plums, orange zest and a little raspberries start. Next up is a small oak/wooden moment (reminds me of my grandfather’s woodshop) and a little balsamic droplet, tiny hay exhale and a white pepper tingle. Just darn comfortably rustic.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Absolutely NO…BUT is amazing with Picandine’s Pico soft ripened goat cheese. The wine turns into velvet.

Not going to lie, I totally bought this wine due to Sirios (Sirius) the label. Little did I know that it would lead me to one of the coolest animal foster homes in the world. They’ve been known to have around 100 dogs at any given time and that’s not all. You’ll also find cats, horses, geese, goats, sheep, donkeys and the big surprise for me…peacocks! The grounds and the 150 year old hacienda are just gorgeous (check their video). You can even rent a room to spend time with not only the wine and animals, but also too take time to appreciate their art collection. This place is just a little slice of heaven on earth.

#wine #vino #vin #winelife #redwine #葡萄酒 #ワイン #naturalwine #organic #Chile #adoptdontshop #dogs #cats #Sirius #winestagram #instawine  @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits  #ClosSantaAna @louisdressnerselections @vinewinenyc @clossantaana @cheezit

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Wine By Candlelight

Domaine de la Bergerie
La Cerisaie 2019
Anjou Rouge
AB certified
Champ sur Layon, France
Winemaking Guégniard family: Founded/bought in 1961 by Marie-Scolastique and has passed through the generations

Deep dark goth cherry velvet with a purple shimmer. Swirl and here comes scents of dried and fresh cherry, plums, fresh green bell pepper, olive pit, a bouquet garni of thyme & rosemary, and lilacs as it opens and later expands to a big bouquet of flowers. Nice juicy sipping here of plums, cherries, and here comes that bouquet garni again with coriander added in, a little oil cured black olives, and then here come running some elegant roses and lavender.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: juicy and smooth

Domaine de la Bergerie was purchased in 1961, through an auction known as vente à la bougie, which ok call me ignorant, but I had never heard of that before. Actually it’s a very cool, fair and civilized way of bidding (dating back to the 15th century) timed by the burning of candles. Each are around 30 seconds and the holders/candelabras are pretty cool. When the last candle is out, the auction is over. How exciting that moment must of been when Marie realized the property was now hers! The domaine has continued to be a family driven venture, and they’re in the 8th generation with daughters Anne and Marie. They’ve also brought a chef into the fold too (Anne’s husband David). So when you visit, you can also dine in his Michelin star restaurant, La Table de la Bergerie.

#wine #holidaywine #holidays #bougie #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Anjou #France  #DomainedelaBergerie #sustainable #organic @domaine_de_la_bergerie @martineswines @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Everybody Wants To Be A Cat

Domaine de Saint Pierre/Fabrice Dodane
Le Dos D’Chat
Trousseau des Corvées 2019
VDF
Organic, native yeasts
Mathenay, Jura, France
Winemaker: Fabrice Dodane

Dark shiny garnet. Take a breath and here comes strawberries, cherries, blueberries, and raspberries tumbling out and followed by irises, tiny green shoots, and as it grows there’s raisins, pinch of earth, and a tiny zip of lemon zest. Tip back and dancing on my tongue are cherries, plums…and boy is this smoooooth! Keep going and there’s strawblueraspberry with a little blackberry bite, Valencia orange zest, and an earthy underside that plays back on the fringe with a stray strand of hay (and maybe a little pine needle) that wave hello and hide. Now I’m exhaling just a little white pepper (achoo). Give it day of rest and it’ll embrace you with a little bit darker, deeper oomph.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: more berries and soooooo smooooth

This is one happy smooth jazz cat that makes me smile, laugh, and shimmy around the room. He’s not the Cheshire one but more of a whole other clowder. You know like that exuberant, jumping, grooving scene from “The Aristocats”. I’m sure I drove my parents insane playing that song on repeat because you have to know “Everybody Wants To Be A Cat” (Electro Swing Remix by Dave Wave).

#wine #jazz #vino #vin #winelife #redwine #葡萄酒 #ワイン #naturalwine #trousseaudescorvées #organic #Jura #France #TheAristocats #cats @worldbyglass @dave_wave_official #pairswithcheezits #fabricedodane @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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Living Freely in Harmony

Lindenlaub
En Liberté 2020
Pinot Gris Pét-nat
Organic, unfined, unfiltered
Dorlisheim, Alsace, France
Winemaker: Christophe Lindenlaub

Brilliant cloud filled sunset streaked orange with pink undertones…think a beautiful watercolor with tiny crystals. Scents run out and bounce around (like the happy leaping Shiba Inu on the label) of oranges and orange blossoms, lush flowers, and a hint of pink grapefruit. Tasting slightly light fizzy orange/citrus but definitely not my childhood Nehi more Orangina, smoke and white pepper, light peach, a splash of tangerine, and a lick of granite.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delicious and super smooth

Everywhere I look, I keep reading about Christophe Lindenlaub and his abundant energy, positivity, and enthusiasm (he’s even compared to “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”). Is this why his wines are so delightful? Sounds like it’s part of the reason, but I’m betting it’s also due to his patience. He’s “Mr. Natural” and low-intervention, which means he knows how to listen and how to wait which leads to harmony in the vineyards and all the way into the bottle.

#wine #naturalwine #vino #vin #winelife #葡萄酒 #ワイン #PinotGris #petnat #Pétnat @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #Dorlisheim #Alsace #France @vinewinenyc @christophelindenlaub @super_glou @cheezit

 

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Magical Cranberry Memories

Domaine Philippe Tessier
Chemin Noir 2020
VDF
100% Pineau d’Aunis
Organic (Ecocert certified), native yeasts
Cheverny, France
Winemakers: Simon (son) Tessier and Philippe (father, who handed over the reigns in 2020)

This color reminds me of those oh so coveted antiques “cranberry glass”. Breathing in cherries, wild plums and a touch of their blossoms, some earth/forest floor that flees, then there’s a little mace and black pepper. Tasting those cherries and plums again joined by cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, squish of lime, orange zest and very welcomed pinch of black pepper. There’s also a little earthy funky with snap of picked by the roadside blackberries and their seeds. You know when you’re rambling through the brambles and getting stuck all over but it’s so worth to just eat in the sun and the juice streaming down your chin. Yet all of it is light and dancing and magical like something brought to you by a wood sprite.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: meh, I like it better without…some of the magic is dampened.

So pleased to meet you Pineau d’Aunis (sometimes called “Chenin Noir” even though DNA now shows y’all are not related). Your personality has jogged so many childhood memories from staring at the “cranberry glass” in my mother’s glassware cabinet (that I was not allowed to even breathe on) to the idyllic days of wild berry picking. Glad that Philippe Tessier decided to experiment and add you to a little plot back in 2011, and his son Simon is tending to you now. As the Tessier family believe, “We defend peasant, artisanal, honest and sincere viticulture. A wine must be the expression of the place where it comes from, the reflection of the climatic conditions of the year and a little of the winegrower”. If you want to find an honest snapshot of the vintages through the years check out their notes on their site: https://philippetessier.fr/notre-savoir-faire#lmv

#wine #winelover #redwine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #cheezit @worldbyglass #pineaudaunis #pairswithcheezits #winetasting #winestagram #Cheverny #Loire #France #domainephilippetessier #philippetessier @zevrovineselections @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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A Little Birdie Told Me To Give This A Try

Domaine Brana
Ilori ‘Les Jonquilles’ Blanc 2016
Irouléguy AOC
Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng & Petit Courbu
Biodiversity, HVE level 3 certified (and that means a lot)
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Irouléguy, France
Spirits and winemaking family: Jean and Martine Brana (brother and sister)

Spring flower (daffodil) yellow with a green glimmer. Oh this is lovely. Breathing in pears, musky honeydew but the musk fades and honeydew is still hanging around, just rained on sidewalk/concrete ( I love that smell), a light citrus blend, and pineapple. Sipping and here’s those pears again, honeysuckle nectar, pineapple, a tiny citrus (grapefruit) back pop, and it’s a glass of grace and joyous laughter all at once.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: eh…why ruin a good thing

At Domaine Brana, it’s not just wine but spirits too. Jean and Martine’s father, Etienne, first planted their pear orchard back in the 70s, and embarked on setting up a distillery. By the 80s, he saw the potential in this gorgeous steep diverse terroir to plant vines and a build a winery. Sadly Etienne passed in 1992, and his wife and children carried on his dream. I love their passion for nature and biodiversity, and putting in all the hard work to be HVE level 3 certified. With their 110 nesting boxes, they’ve brought back birds (and buggies) that hadn’t been seen in the area for ages. You can find these feathered friends gracing some of their labels too (just not this 2016).

#wine #naturalwine #whitewine #perfectpairing #vino #vin #winelife #葡萄酒 #ワイン #eaudevie #spirits #Irouléguy #irouleguy #France @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #winestagram @brana_officiel @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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Best Present Ever!

Domaine de la Charbonnière
Côtes du Rhône AOP 2019
Grenache, Syrah
organic, sustainable, hand harvested and sorted twice
Rhône Valley, France
Family run winery
Winemaker: Veronique Maret

Shining ruby star. Give the glass a little personal time out and then scents of earth climb out along with cherries, blackberries, a bit of strawberries, black pepper, and a pinch of dried sage. First sip and it’s cherries and pits, then poof a big ol’ mix of berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries with caps & boysenberries), pepper (black & white), fresh farm grown red apple skin bite, prunes, and a little smoke exhale. This may be a medium but it’s as comforting as a plush robe. Fall has fully kicked in and it’s time to start snuggling up. Anyone want to join me?

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: smoooooth

Back in 1912, Eugene Maret bought what I think is one of the best presents ever for his wife which is this Domaine. How do you even put a bow on something like this! Sure beats out a Lexus (I’m sure you’ve seen their “December to Remember” ads) and so much better to pass down through the generations. Veronique and Caroline (4th generation) are managing the winery, and Veronique after working with her father, took over as winemaker in 2012. She also breathed in new life by initiating going organic and it sure looks like the critics approve.

#wine #winelover #whitewine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #cheezit #organic @worldbyglass #Grenache #Syrah #Rhône #Rhone #RhoneValley #France #naturalwine #pairswithcheezits #winetasting #winestagram #DomainedelaCharbonniere @baronfrancois.ws @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Loving the Flip Side

Face B
Pif Paf
Brut Nature NV
Blanquette de Limoux AOP
Mauzac  & Chenin Blanc
Organic, hand harvested, Méthode Champenoise, bottle aged for 18 months
Calce, Roussillon, France
Winemaker: Séverin Barioz 

Pale pretty yellow. Ooh breathing in sweet wisteria, magnolias, honeysuckle, apples, and creamy mellow pears. Those apples and pears reappear in taste and also a creamy feel. Next comes some honey but not overly sweet because there’s fresh crisp citrus bits with a little hazelnut, and grass.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: it’s an ideal pairing

From what I’m seeing the name Face B comes from the B-side of a single. You remember those…right? Well, can you believe the Smith’s “How Soon is Now” was a B-side? Seriously, it was on the back of “William, It Was Really Nothing” in 1984. See just because it’s the flip side, doesn’t mean it’s 2nd tier. Just like this bottle of bubbly give it a chance and you’ll find that your “B” is really an “A”.

#wine #naturalwine #winelife #perfectpairing #vino #vin #winelife #葡萄酒 #ワイン #Mauzac #CheninBlanc #Calce #Roussillon #France @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #winestagram #thesmiths #methodechampenoise #facebcalce @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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A Golden Island Cocktail

Vinícola Taro
Blanco 2019
Malvasía
DO Lanzarote
Organic, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts
Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Winemaker: Pablo Matallana
Label artist: Carlos Matallana

Pure spun gold. First sniff and something a little wild jumps out to say “hello!”, then follows singed brioche, smoky goodness along with a citrus blend w an IPA grapefruit floating in and out and after time warm honey follows…also some freshly rained on concrete and a salty breeze (yeah it really does, I’m not quoting a cheesy greeting card). Drinking a cocktail of orange, tangerine, and lemon with an IPA twist, melon, pears and apples, serious smoke as time goes by with a kiss of salt, and a granite/mineral (volcanic soil fed) lick. This is crisp yet complex and damn wonderful!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: digging it!

As much as I love this bottle, just looking at it and all I can think is of La Palma’s volcano which is causing evacuations, destruction and terrible air quality. I know Vinícola Taro is from Lanzarote which is fortunately one of the eldest islands (technically dormant) and placed far enough away that so far they are currently safe, but according to El Pais is eventually (far, far in the future) “destined to sink under the effects of erosion”. If you are interested in the birth of the Canary Islands, their growth, and what is currently happening, check out their very informative article/infographics.

#wine #naturalwine #winelife #perfectpairing #vino #vin #winelife #葡萄酒 #ワイン #Malvasía #Lanzarote #CanaryIslands #Spain #cheezit @worldbyglass @el_pais #pairswithcheezits #winestagram #PabloMatallana @matallana_man @taro.vinicola @matallana.pablo @josepastorselections @vinewinenyc @cheezit