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Who Couldn’t Use A Good Smooch

Bacio
Lemon Spritz
Italian lemon & bubbly white wine cocktail
7% ABV
Eco-friendly
Produced & packaged at Cantine Sgarzi Luigi (Fidenza, Parma, Italy)
Born in New York
Founders: Diego Faccioli & Tadas Nikulin

First, follow the directions on the can and “just chill it” then crack, pour, and it reveals a lovely yellow hue with some tiny bubbles & a tad of greenish starlight twinkle. Scents drift up of lemon & grated citrus zest (also reminds me a bit of Limoncello too), a squeeze of lime, and a dash of nose tickling seltzer. Sipping and there’s again lemons & one of my faves a touch of Lemonhead candy, lime squish, a mellow sweetness but not too sweet, mineral rock lick that balances all with a pinch of salt, and that zippy spritz feeling. It’s fresh, crisp, vibrant, and rocking it out of the park.

Pairs with Cheez-Its:  Surprisingly really damn good

Yes, I’ve written about this fun & flirty spritz before, but revisiting now because I sure could use a bit of its spark. As my friend Diego says, “Bacio combines Italy’s winemaking legacy with modern sophistication. Our sparkling wines are a fusion of tradition and innovation, presented in eco-friendly elegance. It’s not just wine; it’s a reimagined experience of Italian luxury.” Just think, all of that magic is consistently packed into these little cans. Close your eyes, sip, and it whisks you away to visions of Veneto, and smacks you with a big smooch (bet all of y’all need one just like I do right now) that will melt away all of the day’s stress. 🇮🇹🍋💋😘

wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #cannedcocktails #instawine #catsofinstagram #pairswithcheezits #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #Italy #newyork #apertivotime #worldbyglass #SpritzLovers #bacchanalwines #Bacio #Baciolife #docwinebar #docwineshop

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“That’s How Strong My Love Is”

Poderi Cellario
È Orange
Nascetta & Moscato
SQNPI certified, biodynamic, hand picked, unfiltered
Carrù, CN, Italy
Winemakers: Fausto & Cinzia Cellario

Tangerine orange-gold. Inhale and my my all the oranges, orange blossoms, tangerine, kumquats & a big ol’ citrus mix, irises, magnolias, apples, smidge of ginger, and 1 straw of hay. Sipping and again ALL THE ORANGES & zest, clementines, the citrus blend again with a twist of lime, papaya, mango, sprinkle of ginger, mineral lick, white pepper, and a pinch of salt. So fresh, freewheeling, and fun!

Pairs with Cheez-Its: NO

At Poderi Cellario they’re keeping it natural for their native & “forgotten vines”, holding onto the traditions passed down, and working in synch with the moon in their cellar (“waning for still wines, waxing for sparkling ones”). Then I found out one other special thing they/Fausto does: “I discovered about twenty years ago that my wife was intolerant to sulphites, this was one of the reasons that pushed us over time to create more and more a wine without chemicals … Genuine, natural. I could not leave her without drinking!” This is a true sign of love, and I can’t think of a better reason to ditch sulfur (or at least keep it minimal). Of course it brings to mind the tune Bryan Ferry covered.

🎶If I was a songbird way up there
I’d go with love most everywhere
I’ll be the moon when the sun goes down
Just to let you know that I’m still around
That’s how strong my love is, that’s how strong my love is
That’s how strong my love is, that’s how strong my love is
I’d be the weeping willow drowning in my tears
And you could go swimming when you’re here
And I’d be the rainbow after the tears are gone
Wrap you in my colours, keep you warm
That’s how strong my love is, that’s how strong my love is
That’s how strong my love is, that’s how strong my love is…🎶

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #orangewine #italy #selectionaturel #podericellario #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Gratitude

Bindi Sergardi
Tenuta I Colli
La Boncia 2023
Chianti DOCG
100% Sangiovese
Monteriggioni, Siena, Tuscany, Italy
Nicolò Casini – Bindi Sergardi & daughters Alessandra & Maddalena

Rubilicious color. There’s scents of dark cherry, all sorts of plums, raspberries, a depth that almost goes baker’s chocolate (just opened), and as it opens more a citrus back twang of grapefruit & a few red currants. Sipping away and there’s cherries, a cranberry or two, red & black currants, raspberries, blackberries (fruit, seeds & all bite), white & black pepper, a hint of that baker’s chocolate again, and as it continues to breathe it becomes more juicy.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: deliciously opens everything

This is a family with a long history and also one that is filled with gratitude. Nicolò writes he’s grateful to God & his ancestors, the lands, and most importantly his family: “Today my children work with me and this mixture of blood and earth makes me feel eternal.” His daughter Alessandra is happy she was born into a farming family and is “grateful to be able to live in close contact with nature whose teachings, sometimes hard and difficult, have opened me to different perspectives and filled life with meaning.” Maddalena (daughter) had taken time to explore the world while picking up more work experiences, but returned to her home..as she says, “I celebrate with gratitude the land that has always called me back.” Their words are so refreshing to me since so many in this world as of late have put more emphasis on entitlement. Thank you for making such a beautiful wine and bringing a warmth back to my heart. As I was telling someone this past week, “be kind, be nice & be grateful”. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #italy #broadbentselections #bindisergardi #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Ditch The Suit & Tie

Vigneti Vumbaca
Cirò DOC 2023
Bianco
100% Greco Bianco
Organic
Calabria, Italy
Christian Vumbaca

Yellow with green starlight twinkling and over time starts to head toward golden. Sniffing and there’s lemon, mango, pineapple, a little lychee, pears, winter melon, and a seaside breeze. Sipping away and there’s a lemon/lime/other citrus & their zest sparky blend, white peaches, kiwi, winter melon, light young spring cucumbers, and a pinch of salt along with a mineral lick. Has me pining for a summer picnic.

Pairs w Cheez-Its: Most definitely

Vigneti Vumbaca was born from a passionate hobby. Christian’s mom (teacher) & his uncle (also in the education field “Secretary of the Scientific High School”) decided to purchase 6 ha in Cirò to farm & 2 of those were vineyards. Christian joined them after 15 years in Rome where he was studying & eventually practicing law. On return he took some time in a local winery to learn more of the ropes. Then his family’s dream became his to follow. What’s the saying, “Find a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Now he has 13 ha with 6 that are vineyards homing in on indigenous grapes. I find it so interesting to think of going from working in law, suited up, going to court on a regular basis; and then have an opportunity to take such a beautiful turn to working with your hands, ditching the tie & shiny shoes, feeling/tasting/smelling the earth, lovingly & organically nurturing their vines, and reconnecting with their home & history. I think my favorite quote I’ve found by Christian (on South Philly’s Le Virtù restaurant’s IG) “Making wine is easy when compared to the work that happens in the vineyard. I don’t make Coca-Cola, I make natural wine. Clean tasting and following the path made by hundreds of years of tradition. I make mistakes and I will probably make more. Every vintage is different and it should be. My wines are a reflection of the vintage; weather, drought rain etc are all factors that shape the wines.” Now that sounds like a man who is following his calling & enjoying every bit of it. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #Calabria #italy #omniwines #VignetiVumbaca #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Guess It Was Just Destiny

Giacomo Mori
Chianti DOCG 2021
95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo & Colorino
Practicing organic
San Casciano dei Bagni (SI), Tuscany, Italy
The Mori Family

Deep ruby. Breathing in cherries (fresh & dried), something woodsy, dried Mission figs, and a blend of licorice/mint/alpine herbal. All of the sniffs are in the sip with the herbal popping up more along with dark plums, & after a time out there’s raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, Ligurian olive pit, Mediterranean Thyme, and as it continues to open there’s red plums too…yet it is nice & dry on the back.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: yes please

Giacomo Mori set about revamping & jumpstarting his family’s estate & winery in 90s. The estate had been the family for eons, and produced grapes & wine for a local co-op, but Giacomo wanted to take it to the next level. There was replanting, updating some equipment, keeping it natural, no pesticides or nasty chemicals in the vines, and beneficial plants are sown on every other row. Guess what plants they use…Vicia faba or known as broad beans or fava beans which draws it all back to the thing I was determined not to write about…Mr. Lecter because I swear if I had a dollar for every time I hear that quote when someone mentions anything about Chianti. Guess it was just destiny when this bottle found me. 🤣🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Tuscany #Italy #chianti #winetime #cannonau #worldbyglass #skurnikwines #GiacomoMori #docwinebar #docwineshop

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“Thread of Tradition”

Cantina di Mogoro
Nero Sardo
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC
100% Cannonau
Mogoro (Mòguru), Alta Marmilla, OR, Sardegna, Italy

Ruby and somewhat inky/lush. There’s scents of cherries, raspberries, plums, red currants, a blend of mild nutmeg, anise and other alpine herbal friends. Sip and again there’s cherries, red currants with a bit more of lemon & orange zest, followed by red plums, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, boysenberry, and a pinch of thyme & some other wild herbs. This is such o delicious easy drinker that in the end feels like an affectionate & comforting hug.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: scrumptious

Cantina di Mogoro (dates back to 1956) & is still making fabulous wines that truly represent the beauty of Sardinia. I’ve written before about this island’s beautiful woven arts & it turns out Mogoro has their own art & craft festival (or artisan might be a better word albeit at times overused), “Fiera dell’artigianato Artistico della Sardegna“ (textiles, clay, metalwork like knives, etc & more) where you can just look or if you’re so inclined can bring some home. The local women also have their own group passing down the history of their looms, “Su Trobasciu”, & I love this description of how they are set apart from other weavers…“In Mogoro the joyful floral explosions, capable of escaping the rigid schematisms more typical of other areas of Sardinia.” Way back in time they used to have more than 600 of these looms which turns out was “more than 1 per family.” No wonder it’s so important to carry on this beautiful & passionate “Il filo della tradizione = the thread of tradition”, & see how their members artistically & creatively grow in modern times.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #sardinia #sardegna #Italy #winetime #cannonau #worldbyglass #omniwines #cantinadimogoro #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Not Always “Good To Be The King”

Cantina Gallura
Canayli 2023
Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG
Sustainable
Tempio Pausania, Gallura, Sardinia, Italy

Yellow-strawish that heads more to the golden side after time. Breathing in pears, honeydew with a sliver of cantaloupe, smidge of mango & pineapple that grows, musk melon, and a small sprig of hay. Sipping away and most of the scents are right there but ramped up with green apples (fresh & baked), honeysuckle, a little lychee, garden fresh over ripe cucumber, lime squeeze but not super forward,  bell pepper that in the back has a small heat, the way a fried green tomato tastes without the breading or oil…just the essence of it which might also give a bit of almond like bite at the very back. Just freaking delicious!

Pairs with Cheez-Its: brings out a citrus burst

Cantina Gallura’s co-op was founded in 1956, and has over 100 winegrowers that deeply respect their land, their native grapes, traditions & history. Note the rooster on their bottles representing their regions’ namesake (Gallura is derived from Gallus = cock {get your head out of the gutter, you know it’s the fowl). “Canayli” led me to read more on their town Tempio Pausania aka “City of Stone”. Known for their granite, cork (they have a cork machinery museum too), and wine; but what caught my eye was their Carnival “Carrasciali Tempiesu” which is happening now through March 4. It’s a colorful celebration with floats, costumes, masks, dancing, music, and a good ol’ party down time. There’s also the tale of King Giorgio. At first he’s revered & celebrated, marries a commoner (Mannena), and this good cheer continues until Mardi Gras where he is judged for everything that has gone wrong/evil in the town, and his effigy is burned in the town square. Guess it’s not always “Good To Be The King”. 👑

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Italy #sardinia #vermentino #MelBrooks #metropoliswinemerchants #CantinaGallura #docwinebar #docwineshop

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“Women’s Dreams”

Benazzoli
Dafne 2022
Bardolino DOC
Corvina & Rondinella
Lake Garda
Pastrengo VR, Italy
Claudia and Giulia Benazzoli (sisters)

Ruby stained glass with purple pops. Breathing in cherries, plums, light roses, a scent that reminds me of my childhood back patio where mom had the hanging baskets of plants (warm sweet & savory with a little earth), raspberries & fresh picked strawberries, a pinch black pepper, and over time there’s a caramelized balsamic reduction. All of the scents are in the sip with more strawberry, raspberry, but now with boysenberry blended in, red currants, lemon/Lime zest zing, and more of a pepper grind. It’s so fresh, light on its feet but can hold their own in a dance off.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: blerg

The latest & 4th gen of Benazzoli winemakers, Claudia & Giulia are proud of their heritage, land, hard work, and wine; and they let you know straight off it’s “Made By Women”. You’ll even find that branded on their corks. This bottle of Dafne is from their line “Sogni di donna”. They worked with Stefano Torregrossa (designer) & Luca Quagliotti (illustrator & tattoo artist) to put their voice & personalities on these labels. “They are imaginary women we call by name, each with its own character, its style, its exquisitely personal taste: Tecla, Agata, Dafne, Giava, Minerva. Each of them tells different aspects of Benazzoli women and their wines.” Each one sports an inner & outer beauty, depth of knowledge, strength, love, their own unique style, and makes me want to get to know each and every one. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Italy #veneto #domenicovalentinowine #Benazzoli #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Alchemy In A Bottle

Castello di Roncade
Prosecco Brut
Glera
Treviso DOC
Roncade, Veneto, Italy
Vincenzo Ciani Bassetti

The palest yellow possible with tiny lively bubbles. Up float delicate scents of apples fresh & dried, pear, a touch of toasted baguette, gooseberries, and a teeny lemon w zest. After a few sips, all of the scents are there and very crisp with a dry spark, a sprig of parsley & another herbal pinch I can’t place along with more of a blend of citrus zest…kind of reminds me a little of Kas.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Surprisingly delicious

Roncade Castle is filled with such a long history that includes nobility, wars, rebuilding & repairing, artistic endeavors, and Baroni Ciani Bassetti who heralded in renovations, vineyard replanting, and their wine business. This villa is also “the only pre-Palladian villa surrounded by medieval walls topped by majestic battlements” and you can stay in the castle or even better…stay in the towers (romantic!). While there take one of the guided tours. The one that jumps out to me is on their winemaking process or as they describe it “perfect blend of ancient practices and modern innovation“ & “alchemy reveals itself in every bottle, demonstrating how our quest for quality continues to evolve while keeping its roots alive.” Now that’s my kind of bottled magic with no genie needed.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Italy #sparklingwine #prosecco #glera #veneto #wineemporium #castellodironcade #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Forever Strong

Azienda Agricola Fabiana
Negroamaro Salento IGP 2020
Total respect for their ecosystem, hand harvested, keeping it local
Faggiano, Salento, Puglia, Italy
Fabiana Baruzzi & mom

Shining ruby with a touch of garnet glints. Scents build over time of black cherries & skins, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries (maybe dried), hint of oak & touch cigar that expands to dark plums over time, little run through the bramble, with a touch of oil cured olive pits, a teeny bouquet of spring flowers & their leaves…and something that reminds me of repotting hanging plants under the warmth of the sun. Going in for the taste and there’s dark cherries & skins, red plums, and now trying again on day two there’s a depth that is wow with fresh & dried raspberry & strawberry, blackberry, little fennel/anise (maybe toasted), blueberries, orange zest, earth grows as we ride along, wild bramble with a bit of tobacco. This wine is romantic in a way you don’t want it to end and want to be selfish with it…well I definitely do.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: juicy bouncy & smooth

This bottle was a surprise shared on my birthday & then another gifted as a present later. Yes, that’s the same day I was & still going through dental insanity & couldn’t do any chewing but hey I could/can still drink wine. This jazzy little bottle pulled me right out of my doldrums because it truly is a wine of celebration of all things local to the Azienda which is important to this family. As I’ve been learning about who they are I’m finding a story of resilience & strength. In one year Fabiana’s father passed from cancer & her brother had to take over the winery while she utilized her business skills marketing the wines, then the unthinkable happened…her brother Michele unfortunately died in a car accident. To be punched emotionally twice in one year is so heartbreaking, but she was determined to keep her father’s memory alive with assistance from her mom. There have been attempts to buy & sabotage their land, crops, steal their grapes, etc, but she is not backing down. Fabiana, you are my inspiration…you are one strong woman & winemaker. Raising a glass to you, your family, and your magical wines. 🍷❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #organic #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Italy #tradizionenyc #agricolafabiana #fabianawines #docwineshop #docwinebar