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Bottles of Discovery, Emotion & Growth

Azienda Vitivinicola Gianni Doglia
Ruché 2021
Castagnole Monferrato DOCG
Sustainable (members of The Green Experience)
Castagnole delle Lanze, Italy
Family run winery: Gianni Doglia and his sister Paola

Garnet with a maroon touch stained glass. Breathing in blueberries, tart cherries, wisteria & butterfly lilac intwined, blackberries & raspberries, and after a good rest butterscotch weaves in and out. Sipping and all of those tastes are here along with juicy plums, more cherries (fresh, dried & even the pit bite),orange zest, touch of anise and a tiny bit of warm spice. As all of these flavors roll around it reminds me of the taste of a fountain Dr. Pepper in my teenage days of working at the record store in the mall. Those were good times.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: lovely, sweeter & sharper

Castagnole delle Lanze…so beautiful & historic…who wouldn’t want to fall for this land and put down roots here (FYI in May they have an annual Barbera Festival! Now that’s my type of fun)? I can see why Gianni & Paola’s grandfather wanted to make the vineyards his, produce their own wine, and pass it on to future generations. Now, they’re part of Piedmont’s “The Green Experience” keeping everything sustainable, protecting biodiversity & more, which looks like it has really paid off. Big congratulations to Gianni for being crowned Gambero Rosso’s Viticoltore Dell’Anno 2022! 👏🏻🦐🥂👏🏻 As they say on their site, “every vintage, every harvest, every bottle that comes out of the cellar is a discovery, an emotion and an extraordinary opportunity for learning and growth”. Would be so cool to experience that up close and personal, and you can by booking a picnic in their vineyards with a guided tour to learn about their world & history through Gianni & Paola’s eyes and their infectious smiles. That sounds like a naturally perfect day.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #naturalwine #sustainablewine #instawine #winetime #redwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #castagnoledellelanze #piedmont #Italy #Ruché #ruche #monferrato #unesco #gamberorosso @gianni_doglia_wines @fleetstreetwine @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Share Some Memories

Casa Favöt
L’È MA L’È 2020
100% Pinot Nero
Vino bianco frizzante
Natural wine, sustainable agriculture
Oltrepó Pavese (PV), Italy
Owners: Fraschini Family

Super pale starlight with a tiny bit of green & teeny bubbles clinging to the glass. Sniffing something stirring old memories…it’s not exactly an almond croissant but more of a brioche or cookies from my childhood that I can’t find anywhere. They were in an assorted box from I think Nabisco (in the 70s) that my parents brought out on special evenings, and the biscuit had a fireplace imprinted on it. I would always save them for last because I didn’t know when I’d get them again. Ok back to the scents, baked pears, a mixed apple roundness with a bit of homemade cider, whiff of hazelnut, a bit of Kirby cukes, and white peaches. Sipping crisp pears, tart apple/crab apple & some smooth cider,  a sliver of almond in the back, lime twist, super young yellow plums, of all things a smidge of garden fresh yellow banana peppers, a little sizzle, and a touch of salt. After sipping over time, it’s really beautiful on the exhale.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ooh goes a bit floral and sweet

Back in December was my first encounter with Casa Favöt with their rustic and charming 13PV, and learning about how their wines ended up being more than just something only for their family but darn good enough to share with the world. L’È MA L’È (It is but it is) isn’t a wine you want to sit on and squirrel away, but of the moment. As they say, “That moment in which these bottles are drunk, because you know when a good bottle is opened and drunk at the table with friends, relatives or simply acquaintances, the moment even if ‘it is as it is’ immediately becomes a happy moment and pleasant memory.” Keep sharing, making those warm memories, and please pass me another glass of this lovely wine.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #naturalwine #sustainablewine #instawine #winetime #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #oltrepopavese #Italy #PinotNoir #frizzante #usawineimports @casa_favot @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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What Do You Do In Your Spare Time?

Poggio di Cicignano – Vanempo
Aura 2017
Bianco Toscana IGT
Trebbiano Toscano 45%, San Colombano 35%, Malvasia Bianca 20%
Biodynamic, organic, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts, 5 days skin contact
Montemurlo, Italy
Michele Sacchetti & Laura Fabbri

Deep prehistoric amber sans the mosquito. Give it a bit of time to breathe, and out pour scents of a blend of apples & pears and a bit of their cider, citrus zest, a hint of candied orange peels, dried apricots, tangelos, and a bit of that smell when you roll down a grassy hill. Wheeee! Take a swig and ooh there’s oranges, lemon squeeze, all sorts of citrus zest, tart apple cider, dried apricots, what I first thought was a memory of circus peanuts but actually as it warmed, morphed into one of my favorites of childhood…the taste of Original Pop Rocks without the popping (oh I loved that feeling!), and at last a touch of oregano. Fun, lively and btw is really good with bacon.

I had been wondering where the name “Vanempo” came from (btw it’s a well designed logo), and turns out it comes from a combo of two words, “Avanza and Tempo” which pretty much means “spare time”. Well, Michele & Laura originally started this wine adventure in their “extra time” as a passion project. As Michele says, “I’ve always believed in beautiful things, and beautiful things arise from a child’s dreams.” They launched those youthful dreams, and turned them into a full fledged bio certified winery reality, filled with “hands off” celebrated wines. Now, that’s so much more then a side gig. Been working my way through their line up, and all the ones I’ve tried so far have been pure natural magic. ✨

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #orangewine #worldbyglass #organic #Toscana #Italy @steephillwines @antosicurezza @vanempo @docwineshop @docwinebar

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🎶She Put Love Above Everything🎶

Azienda Agricola Luretta
Castello di Momeliano
Boccadirosa 2019
Malvasia Aromatica di Candia
Colli Piacentini DOC
Organic
Gazzola, Piacenza, Italy
Owner: Lucio Salamini

Orange light amber. At the start smelling a bunch of spring flowers that as it opens goes honeysuckle & roses, vibrant oranges & their blossoms, a blend of dried citrus peels, fresh lime zest, ginger, and oddly a poof of Lemonhead candy right after you open the box. Sipping and it’s just sweet enough with lemons, Valencia and Mandarin oranges, tangerine, ok…don’t laugh but a few Fruity Pebbles, a shake of salt, and a lovely drop of honey. It’s a beautiful start or end to an evening.

Malvasia Aromatica di Candia may have its origins in Greece, but the Salamini family’s is something truly special that is like nothing I have ever tried before. As they say on their site, “Malvasia is often produced in sweet or sparkling versions. But according to Luretta, this traditional method could not exalt all the potentialities of such a rich and intense grape. For this reason, since 1992, we have been producing Boccadirosa, a unique still white wine, which has not been modified for thirty years. Why? No need for change.” Boccadirosa aka Rosemouth, please never change, I beg of you! You are a classic elegant beauty…and as the lyrics go:

“They called her Bocca di rosa
she put love, she put love
they called her Bocca di Rosa
she put love above everything.”

❤️🌹👄❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #orangewine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #organic #Malvasia  #Boccadirosa #Italy #usawineimports @cantinaluretta @docwineshop @docwinebar

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The Duck Is Magic

Luís Pato
Baga Rosé Espumante Bruto
Amoreira da Gândara, Barriada, Portugal
Winegrower & maker/Baga Whisperer & Champion: Luís Pato

Stained glass amber/orange (or some might say pink grapefruit cocktail) with a magenta glow and tiny active bubbles tracing designs on the surface and as I glance am I nuts or does one look like a standing duck. I swear this is my first glass. Scents of strawberries & raspberries with a splash of faint orange peel & cloves/holiday spice. First sip and woooweee! Tingling & tart strawberries, raspberries, red currants, a little squeeze of lemon way in the back, and a mineral lick. Crisp, light and delightfully dry.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: surprisingly refreshing & not exactly what I expected

Loving this lively sparkler from the Duck Daddy himself, Luis Pato. I’ve tasted and written about many different forms of his & his daughters’ bottled flock; and each are so unique, delicious, and filled with a spark of life that runs throughout. Some flap their wings in joy, others soar, and then there’s always that duck that walks its own path and leads you down a good wild side. They’re serious about their Barriada land & grapes, as Luís says in the trailer for “Pato Pathos” celebrating his 40th harvest in 2020, “We always have to innovate, always do better, we cannot stop in time.” Well, they’re also serious about having fun and a good laugh, which you can see from Luís’ signature expression of hands/palms up by his ears & tongue out in silliness in pics and on his “Pato Rebel” bottle. There’s even a t-shirt which if I can find out where to buy one, will proudly wear because in all ways, the Duck is magic!

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #rosé #sparklingwine #luispato #duckman #Portugal #baga @luispatowines @wine_in_motion_usa @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Always Remember, Support & Love

Castello Conti
Spanna 2019
100% Spanna (Nebbiolo)
Colline Novaresi DOC
Organic
Alto Piemonte, Italy
Winemakers & sisters: Elena, Anna & Paola Conti (2nd generation)

Lovely bright ruby. Let this bottle breathe and scents emerge of a mix of cherries, plums, mountain herbs with that touch of Ricola, some earthiness, and as it opens orchard blossoms with a toasty or oaky bit, and a whiff of petrol that turns into a dried fruit vibration. First swig and here come dark plums & cherries, herbal bitter bite that smoothes, raspberries & strawberries, and then goes deep and dark again yet isn’t heavy and cycles round & round.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: mmmm juicy and yum

This bottle ended up into my hands last year by chance or maybe providence, through a “UKRAINE 6 PACK” put together by @vinewinenyc and all revenue was donated directly to Jose Andrés’ World Central Kitchen (for me, he is one of the most inspiring people we have in the world today and his energy and giving kindness is never ending). Who would think that it’s almost a year since the war in Ukraine escalated last February into the beast it has become. Some of you know that I have deep feelings about this tragic & devastating war. As we all get bombarded with 24 hour news/entertainment/sports cycles it’s easy to let the magnitude of this war slide out of our minds since it is so far away. My hope is that we all remember those giving their lives for their country, the innocents losing their homes, the brutality inflicted on the citizens tortured & murdered on their native soil, families huddled underground in train stations, and also the resilience of the Ukrainian people. They still need our support whether it be through @wckitchen or https://arthubonline.com/t/gifts-supporting-ukraine or any of the many deserving legit organizations out there. 🇺🇦 Slava Ukraini!

#standwithukraine #Україна #🇺🇦 #славаукраїні #kyiv #stopwar #зупинитивійну #supportukraine #ятебелюблю #castelloconti #wine #вино #love

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Festive Redemption

De Stefani
Redentore
Refosco 2021
100% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
Veneto IGT
Sustainable, Biodiversity Friendly, indigenous yeasts, no added sulfites (which they are very proud of and I applaud)
Fossalta di Piave, Veneto, Italy
Alessandro De Stefani (4th generation)

Deep royal ruby. Sniffing and there’s cherry with a creaminess at the start, then all of a sudden blackberries bounce out, and after a good bit of air a raspstrawberry blend, licorice, pinch of cedar/pine needles, and as it continues it’s softer and more gentle. Now tasting those blackberries again with a little boysenberry, dried & tart cherries, Baker’s chocolate bite, a single pine needle that winks and then disappears, and a little dried fig too w a touch of balsamic reduction. A glassful that’s dry, rich and perfect for my evening with a good book.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: surprisingly smooth and beautiful

The Redentore line of De Stefani wines honor Venice’s yearly “Festa del Redentore” that celebrates the end of the 1575-57 plague (who wouldn’t want to celebrate post such an horrific time of illness, death & grief). Started as a religious festival/feast and a promise to God to build a the Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore (Church of the Most Holy Redeemer), it’s now a beautiful weekend (3rd in July) that is filled with fireworks that people will talk about for ages, incredible food, music, boat parties & historic ships, festive decorations, and a city filled with joy and of course wine. 🍷 If you want to get a quick glance of 2022’s locals and tourists partying down, check out Venezia Unica’s clip.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #redwine #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #organic #Veneto #Venice #Italy #FestadelRedentore #Redentore @destefaniwinery @bonvivantimport @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Always Moving Forward

Antonelli San Marco
Contrario 2015
Umbria Rosso IGT
Sagrantino
Organic
Montefalco, Italy
Owner: Filippo Antonelli (5th generation)

Deep ruby and just the perfect color that would make a gorgeous ring. Scents float up of deep cherries along with a bowl of strawberries, raspberries & blackberries, a bit of orange rind fresh & singed with a touch of roses so let’s say cassis, and a small bundle of alpine herbs. Sipping and again there’s dark cherries with a holiday orange/peel that take my memories flying of youthful December vacation days filled with freedom, also blackberries (seeds and all), raspberries & strawberries, some deep plums & their skins, and at last a pleasant herbal bite. Delicious!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: darkens and sharpens everything in a very good way

Antonelli San Marco’s lands have quite a long history way before Francesco Antonelli purchased the estate 1883…all the way back to medieval times. Ever since it first became part of the Antonelli family, each generation has constantly worked to turn it into the best it can be and move forward with continued success…from replanting, making “improvements for the tenant farmers’ welfare” (in days long gone), turning to organic in 2009, and now including cooking classes in traditional Umbrian recipes. Just think, you can go visit a historic spot, taste their wines, book an apartment in their “Casale Satriano”, learn some regional dishes, take a dip in the pool or if it’s too cold out just sit by the fireplace, listen to it pop & crackle and enjoy a cozy moment with one of their bottles. Sounds pretty heavenly to me! 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #redwine #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #organic #Umbria #Italy #Montefalco #antonellisanmarco @omniwines @antonellisanmarco @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Expanding Education

Fondazione Edmund Mach
Müller Thurgau 2020
Trentino DOC
San Michele all’Adige, Italy
Winemaker & professor: Enrico Paternoster

Shining straw yellow/green. Scents immediately pop up of fresh sliced honeydew & cantaloupe, a citrus blend, lovely magnolias & a breeze of butterfly lilacs…just refreshing. Sipping and here comes bright citrus that sizzles on the back, mix of melons, cucumber, mellow & crisp pears, white peaches, and honeysuckle. It’s crisp yet luscious…it’s a glass of spring (which I so need right now) that’s sealed with a flirty kiss.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: pretty good

When I opened this bottle, I didn’t know the education that came with it. Turns out it all started back in 1874, with a different name “Istituto Agrario di San Michele all’Adige”. Now as “Fondazione Edmund Mach” they are still researching & conducting experiments, nurturing indigenous grapes, developing the best ways to farm & protect the vines and other fruits while still ensuring the quality of their land & wine, and you can also get a PhD with them. Actually the deeper I dig through their site, the more impressed and somewhat overwhelmed I get because they are truly innovative, dedicated and award winning (2022, The Bernard Blum Award for their research for the “Shindo Trap” that captures a detrimental & invasive stink bug by vibrations & pheromones instead of using pesticide. Now how cool is that!). Pulling myself away from this rabbit hole of wonderment, and reminding myself to just kick back, and enjoy this bottle because it’s one of their special, delicious & elegant gifts to the world.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #naturalwine #sustainablewine #instawine #winetime #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #bioresearch #Trentino #Italy #müllerthurgau #mullerthurgau @viaswine @fondazionemach @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Like Father, Like Son(s)

Casa Favöt
13PV
Pét-Nat
Croatina, Barbera
Natural wine, sustainable agriculture
Oltrepó Pavese (PV), Italy
Owners: Fraschini Family

Deep ruby/purple with only a tiny bubbly tingle. Sniffing and there’s a balsamic whiff at first that fades and turns into dark plums, dried cherries, and blackberries. It’s rustic and charming…kind of like it can be your comfy jeans & tight t-shirt you love to kick back in or a night on the town in sequins. Light tingly on my tongue with lively cherry, raspberries & blackberries, as it opens strawberries and blueberries shine, and then there’s a little edge of bitter bite to even all out. Fun fruit and still dry. Has my lips vibrating.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: it’s ok but better without, so NAH

As they say, “like father, like son…”while actually this time it’s like the whole family. Before Casa Favöt became known for their wine, everything produced was mainly for their family until Alfredo Fraschini decided to try his hand at it and realized, “hey, this stuff is really good”. Off to the market they went, and off to wine studies for his son Emilio, who is now in charge and has also included his wife and sons (Giulio & Enrico who are also studying to keep the tradition moving forward). It’s like each generation is born already passionate for their Oltrepó Pavese roots. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #naturalwine #sustainablewine #instawine #winetime #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #oltrepopavese #Italy #Croatina #Barbera #petnat #pétnat #usawineimports @casa_favot @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit