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A Permanent Home In My Heart

Morgante
Rosso 2020
100% Nero d’Avola
Sicilia DOC
Grotte (Agrigento) Italy
The Morgante Family: Antonio (father), Carmelo & Giovanni (sons)
Winemaker: Riccardo Cotarell

Deep ruby. Breathing in plums, cherries, raspberry, blackberry, a creamy frosting bit lightly floats by joined by a raisin, and a little blend of pine, eucalyptus & thyme. From the first sip it’s a very alive jumble of all the scents with a bigger bunch of blackberry, strawberry,  cranberry, black tea, a dark blueberry or maybe dried strawberry, and wild fennel. This is delicious but it has me craving a Thanksgiving sandwich. Yum!

Pairs with Cheez-Its:  it’s complicated

When I started really learning about wine, Nero d’Avola enchanted me and has a permanent home in my heart. I love that it can be dressed up and on the town with a good rare steak with balsamic reduction, lamb chops, and a good cheese board (drunken goat, pecorino, etc); or you can chill and have it on the front stoop munching on a gyro & sausages from the cart down the street. This wine isn’t a snob but it sure is a star, and it’s just another reason to book a trip to Sicily & find out more about the Morgante Family’s passion & dedication to this lovely grape. ✨✈️🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove  #winetime #Sicily #Italy #worldbyglass #nerodavola #winebow #morgantevini #docwinebar #docwineshop

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“And When The Music Starts, I Never Wanna Stop”

Azienda Agricola Muzic
Ribolla Gialla 2021
100% Ribolla Gialla
Collio DOC
San Floriano del Collio (Go), Italy
The Muzic Family (Ivan, Orieta, Elija, and Fabijan)

Shining straw yellow. There’s scents of round yellow pears, salty river rock breeze, yellow plums & their blossoms, crisp apples (including my fave golden delicious), touch of lemon, a mix of spring flowers, and a brioche toast crumb. Leisurely sipping on this hot evening and those yellow plums & pears again greet me again with a good sprinkling of salt, golden delicious apples, smidge of honeysuckle, and a lemon lime mild sizzle blend with other citrus thrown in like kumquat, tangelo, etc but overall really light. All of the tastes blend easily and if you aren’t over thinking it like me you’d just say what a nice fresh wine that is begging for langoustines and oysters. I think I need to order a dozen 🦪.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: smoooooth

Back in the day, the Muzic family had pretty much been tenant farmers until they gained a chance to purchase the house/farm where they were residing & 5 ha they had also been tending. Four generations on and their vineyards have spread, their wines are racking up awards & acclaim, and they’re part of the Collio Consortium (2024 is their 60th anniversary) that promotes & protects the authenticity & identity of the Collio wines, their historical traditions and native grapes…as they say, “The Collio is a territory in which harmony with nature is found and time is rediscovered on a human scale, marked by ancient rural rhythms.“ Oh and you can tell Muzic is in the “Collio DOC Club” since all the members’ bottles carry the same distinct shape that some call a rocket. 🚀

Here we are at the end of my week of songs, so of course this winery deserves a matching one, and I’m betting you can already guess where this post is headed. 🪩🪩

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #madonna #winetime #Collio #Italy #worldbyglass #wineemporium #muzic #muzicwine #docwinebar #docwineshop

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A Dürerable Experience

La Spinetta
Il Rosé di Casanova
50% Sangiovese, 50% Prugnolo Gentile
Toscano IGT
Organic & sustainable
Terricciola (Pi), Tuscany, Italy
Rivetti family

Copper rose stained glass. First whiff and there’s grapefruit that turns into a tomato leaf blend, roses, cantaloupe, strawberry, and  young raspberry. Sipping and there’s strawberries & raspberries again, a tiny touch of blueberry, grapefruit twang in a good way…”so fresh, so good, so right ba ba ba” (sorry that song has been stuck in my head tonight), light lemon zest, and a mineral rock lick.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: In the famous words of Bill the Cat, “Ack ack ack thppt!”

Such a weighty creature on the label for such a gentle & refreshing wine. Y’all know the distinctive beast that graces many of La Spinetta’s wines. Giorgio Rivetti’s a big fan of Albrecht Dürer, so what better reason to emblazon his woodcut on their bottles. He also picked another work by the artist, “Il Leone di Dürer” to grace their Barolo Campè & Barolo Garretti since “The so-called king of the jungle is the best representation of the king of wines and said the wine of kings.” BTW every time I see that rhinoceros my heart has a longing feeling for not just their wines which are always fabulous but also for Albrecht’s handiwork. I’m a huge fan too and some of you may not know I have a MFA in printmaking and each glance takes me back to the feel of the tools, the smell of the ink in the printshop, and just getting thoroughly dirty but in the most satisfying way. After hours of work there would be nothing better than a long shower and a big glass of a Spinetta wine. Cheers! ❤️🦏❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #Italy #worldbyglass #AlbrechtDürer #skurnikwines #laspinetta #laspinettacasanova #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Family Traditions

Cleto Chiarli e Figli
Vecchia Modena
Premium Honorable Mention
Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
100% Lambrusco di Sorbara
Sustainable
Castelvetro, Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Owners: Mauro & Anselmo Chiarli

Sunset rose with tiny light Pinky (Tuscadero) bubbly foam that later trace active designs on the surface. Nose tickling scents pop up of raspberry, strawberry, light Oreo center, cherry blossoms on a cool breeze, and on the back a little alpine herb but not overly. The moment it hits my tongue and there’s those strawberries again (green, pink & red), raspberries, cranberry, a little young blackberry, sorrel, wild backyard sourgrass tang, and a crisp tingly sizzle spark. It’s a little joyful party in a bottle that has a reminder of a Sour Patch Kid in a good adult way.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: BIG NO

This noble sparkler’s roots stem back to the 1800s, when their founder Cleto Chiarli was making wines for his own restaurant, and it’s just continued to grow in estates, vineyards & prestige. This groundbreaker even created his own wine producing company that was the 1st in Emilia-Romagna. Over the years the family has continued to look to the future, how to push & grow, and only stopped for two years after a bombing in WWII, but they rebuilt and kept the momentum going. I was way too young to drink back in the 70s, but I still remember hearing of crappy supposed “Lambruscos”…Cleto has NEVER been one of them. They have from the very beginning been about keeping traditions & quality which can be found in the commitments the current generation has made. Sure you can take my word for it, or just see the awards they’ve garnered, but the best way you can truly know is to pop a bottle for yourself. Once it hits your lips, you’ll get it, your eyes will brighten, and maybe you might even do a little happy dance like I did on my 2nd glass. 💋

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #Italy #Lambrusco #worldbyglass #dallaterrawinerydirect #cletochiarli #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Lighter On Their Feet

Djuce
Core Wines (their house wines)
Crispy White
Trebbiano
Organic & vegan
Abruzzo, Italy

Starlight with a blip of yellow green crayon. Breathing in and as it opens it starts off with Texas toast, then emerges honeydew & other melon balls, pears both crisp & full, fresh cool rained on paving stones that turn into creek rocks, and a smidge of wild chives/onions that I used to pick by the lake as a kid…that fresh sweet but savory green moment. All of the scents are in the sip with crisp green & crab apples, a lemon/lime crisp squish, and garden fresh peeled cucumbers. It’s easy-peasy fresh, crisp and lively.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: scrumptiously delicious

Djuce started popping up in my feeds maybe a week or so ago, so when I saw one in person of course had to try one. They work with organic/natural/biodynamic/like minded European winemakers and pair them with a cool assortment of artists whose work makes it a little hard to toss in recycling because you might want to make a little art shelf to display your collection (this can’s little creature is by Johan Alenius and check out the animation here https://www.instagram.com/p/C748e4ti7hE/?hl=en ). Speaking on recycling & the good it does for the environment…since they are using cans, it also trims back on their carbon footprint. They’re also very portable and can be cracked anywhere like hanging by the pool, hiking in the woods (just remember if you bring it with you, take it back out with you when you leave),  dancing at a concert under the stars, or like me chilling on a hot summer night at home. Anyway, I bet you’ll find your favorite sipping spot. Oh and I know a some of you are still iffy on wine in a can. I’ve had my share of stinkers too, but these are definitely a hit.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #wineinacan #cannedwine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #organic #italy #Sweden #worldbyglass #JohanAlenius #zevrovineselections #docwinebar #docwineshop #djuce

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Tasty, Colorful & Timeless Expressions

Cantina di Mogoro
Le Giare (The Jars) 2022
Vermentino di Sardegna DOC
100% Vermentino
Mogoro (Mòguru), Alta Marmilla, OR, Sardegna, Italy

Light spun straw yellow. Breathing in apricots, peaches, honeydew, something like a cool/fresh stream running over rocks, smidge of baguette, and as it opens a citrus blend emerges of kumquat, lemon, and more. Taking a few sips and the citrus blend starts, soon  followed by apricots & white peaches, tart pears, even a touch of crabapple, a good lemon/lime squeeze and a shave of zest, s sprinkle of thyme & oregano, along with a bit of fresh cut grass. Absolutely delicious!

Pairs with Cheez-Its: brings out more of an herbiness

Cantina di Mogoro (dates back to 1956) and is still making fabulous wines that truly represent the beauty of Sardinia. Just another reason for me to ask myself (as I did even last week)…why haven’t I traveled there to experience all of this wonderful wine & food in person? I have to stop putting things off! Anyway, I’ve written before about Sardinia’s beautiful woven arts and 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 it 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”, and 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 even have more than 600 of these looms which turns out was “more than one per family.” No wonder it is so important to carry on this beautiful & passionate tradition, and see how their members artistically & creatively grow in modern times. Now, when should I start packing a bag? 🧳❤️

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

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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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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