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Sipping Langa Style

La Ganghija
Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC 2017
100% Nebbiolo
Sustainable
Treiso, Piemonte, Italy
Winemaker: Enzo Rapalino

Super ruby. Breathing in cherries, plums, earthiness along with smoke, and a bit of warm spice blend peppercorns, clove & more. All of the scents are right there in the taste with more earth, and as it breathes cherries & strawberries pop out more and eventually morph into Jolly Ranchers, and some anise on the sides & oak on the back. This glass is rolling in some depth that dances with brightness.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: yuck no

The last “La Ganghija” I had was back in 2021, and was their Langhe D.O.C. Chardonnay 2018 that was dreamy, unique & delightful. The Rapalinos had eons of generations working/selling grapes, but it took Enzo (and his family) to jump into the business of creating their own wine. Love & enthusiasm for Treiso led to his  dream taking root. Yeah, yeah I know enough with the vineyard references, but this one comes from the source. Their name “La Ganghija” in Piemontese means vine tendril which represents “small but powerful”. Well, this little green coil has now grown to have vineyards that reach from Trieso to Magliano Alfieri and Madonna di Como (Alba). Their family venture has an extended one too known as “Langa Style”. Enzo and 4 other guys from Langhe all studied oenology in Alba, and now bond together as friends and independent winemakers who support each other, promote each others’ wines, and believe it’s better to be colleagues instead of rivals. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #Italy #Treiso #Piemonte #Langhe #Nebbiolo #pairswithcheezits @cheezits @la_ganghija_enzo_rapalino @viaswine @docwineshop @docwinebar

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Wine = Resource

Col di Corte
Anno Uno 2021
100% Verdicchio
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi
Biodynamic, organic
Montecarotto (AN), Marche, Italy
Giacomo Rossi & Claudio Caldaroni (winemaker)

Springy light gold with a green sheen here and there. Scents of peaches with a touch of heady magnolia, a blend of citrus popping, and what I think is a little puff of smoke. Sipping those fresh peaches along with pears, a honeysuckle drop, blend o lemon, lime & zest, a squeeze of lovely Valencia too and every time I lean back and exhale there is a flutter of fresh cut grass. So fresh, “so good, so good!”…oh noooo now I have that song stuck in my head. Fully admit it, I can’t stand “Sweet Caroline” and still have nightmares of getting pulled into that karaoke. 

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delightful. Neil has left the building

Have you seen “Natural Resistance” (Jonathan Nossiter’s documentary)? I did a while ago, and revisited it after meeting this wine. Turns out Giacomo was a producer on this film and that experience had a sway in his organic/biodynamic choices. Early on in the film, there’s a great quote by Giovanna Tiezzi (Pācina Wine), “We’re midwives. Our power lies in respecting completely only what nature gives us and understanding nature’s time.” At Col di Corte they definitely let that respect guide them, their lands speak through wine, and acknowledge each harvest’s seasonal bliss or twists & turns on each label in weather symbols. These guys are proud of their collaboration with their environment…their part of Marche, and that they “produce wine with the intention of offering a resource (not a product)” and a delicious one at that. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #naturalwine #instawine #winetime #organic #artisanwine #whitewine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Marche #italy @coldicorte @selectedestatesofeurope @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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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