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The Gentle Giant

La Araucaria
Rosado 2021
100% Listán Negro
DO Valle de La Orotava
Organic, hand harvested, cordón trenzado
La Orotava, Valle de la Orotava, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Winemaker: Dolores Cabrera Fernandez

Shining 80s magenta watermelon-orange tint sunset. Scents of plums, strawberries, cherries, figs with some fresh tilled warmth of earth but not overpowering just mellow, and gentle roses & some greenery that play well with everything. Fun sip of tart plum & cherry, green strawberries, smashed blackberries & raspberries, a bit of citrus spark, and a lot of personality that also is grounded on the back in a good way with some bit of earth dark goodness. Just so fresh and very light on its feet. Like a memory of summer that in a way hasn’t ended.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: mmm yeah this really works

There’s a bit of “Girl Power” going on in the vines. During harvest, Dolores has a crew of women to work the vines because she thinks they have a more skilled/light hand for picking the grapes. And what a beautiful land where they work…not just that you get a chance to stare at Mount Teide, but also the artistry of their “braided cord” old vines. There’s another majestic natural sight that you’ll also notice on the label, the Araucaria tree that lives by their winery. It’s like a gentle giant that keeps watch over them, just as Dolores does with her passion for keeping the land organic and spreading the word to others to join her natural way of life.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #naturalwine #rosado #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Tenerife #CanaryIslands #Spain #organic #DoloresCabreraFernandez @josepastorselections @vinewinenyc @bodegalaaraucaria @dolorescabrerafernandez @cheezit

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Character Reference

Bodegas Hornillos Ballesteros
Mibal 2021
100% Tempranillo
Ribera del Duero D.O.
Organic, biodynamic, hand harvested
Roa de Duero, Burgos, Spain
WInemakers: Miguel Hornillos y Javier Ballesteros

Dark purple with a ruby rim. Floating up to my nose is a butter cherry vanilla cream start then just good ol’ fresh cherry followed by plums, blueberry & blackberries with a tiny touch of boysenberry, dried cranberry, raisins, and some wild herbs all tangled up. Now all those wafts are dancing on my tongue like a shaken cocktail of cherries, pomegranate, blueberries, raspberry zip, dried berries of all sorts, some brambly bits and as it opens a pinch of espresso. A glass of evening intrigue. Hey, want me to pour you one? What’s the harm? 💋

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

Guess this is kind of a buddy story that ended up a family tale. Miguel and Javier already BFFs came from wine families and became fully related when Javier got hitched to Miguel’s sister. Not sure which came first the wedding or the “garage”, but these two ended up with one cool wine experiment or more apt…it’s a continual experience. Each harvest gives them a new palette to create from, or as they say, “Just as a master chef will never prepare the same dish, our winemakers never act in the same way with each wine and each year. In this way we forge unique wines with their own character.” In my book they get a fabulous character reference from me. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #riberadelduero #Spain #Tempranillo #garagewine #hornillosballesteros @tedward_ws @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Hands On

Finca Mas Perdut
Mà de Mas Perdut 2021
Penedés DO
Organic, stainless steel, 5 days skin contact, indigenous yeasts
50% Xarel.lo Vermell, 25% Garnatxa Blanca, 25% Macabeu
Santa Oliva, Baix Penedès, Catalonia, Spain
WInemakers: Josep Ma Rosell Gracia & Rebeca Ollé

Amber warmth. Let it breathe…a while. After giving it some space, scents of lilacs, wisteria, orange blossoms float up along with orange & zest, tangelo, earth, and a bit of memory of Yellowstone’s paint pots mixed with fresh cut grass. Sipping a mishmash of all sorts of citrus, a wedge of lime, puff of funky smoke & sprig of hay that fades, tart green apple, salt, and as it grows a back of perfume dancing on the back. Just vibrant and lively.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ick sour

This bottle immediately got my attention with an IG post…the medical illustration of that hand! Once I fancied going down that artistic route, sigh. Turning away from dreams of past and back to the wine and this family. They’re 5th generation growers, and in 2010, Josep went down the winemaking route, later to be joined by Rebeca after these two oenologists fell in love. Grapes aren’t alone on the farm though, there’s also almonds, olives, veggies and they live off their land. Nothing like the satisfaction of growing your own food. I remember working my tail off in our crops and even as a young kid feeling some pride that I watched everything grow from seed to our table. Can only imagine the elation this couple feels after each harvest, fermentation, bottling and finally when the time is just right tasting a glass that sums up their knowledge, passion, and hand in the whole process. Must be absolutely amazing.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #naturalwine #whitewine #skincontact #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Penedès #Penedes #catalunya #catalonia #Spain #organic #fincamasperdut @bonvivantimports @vinewinenyc @fincamasperdut @cheezit

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When Is An Orange Really An Orange?

Matchbook Distilling Co.
Honeymoon
“Orange Wine”
Sparkling wine from Mango Oranges (via Flavors by Bhumi), with Honey, Milk Oolong & Mallorca Melon Tea
6% ABV
Greenport, NY
Owner/Distiller: Leslie Merinoff

Hazy warm golden with some spritz bubbles. Sniff and oh yes this is natural. There’s oranges with zest and later blossoms, some smoky blend of other citrus too, honeycomb, hibiscus as time goes by, and a little good funkaliciousness. Sipping a delicious orange seltzer snap with a natural vibe. It’s crisp and tingly with a bit of creamy or orange creamsicle feel, still some of that smoke/honeycomb mellowness, and just really super fresh. Make sure it’s really chilled and drink asap.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: oh ick no

When is an “orange wine” really an orange wine? Ok, so this isn’t what we normally think of as that good ol’ skin contact vino. Leslie of Matchbook wanted to use the”O” word on a riesling bottle, but was thwarted by govt. guidelines. Let me just quote from her, “the federal government regulators believe strongly that a drinker seeing “Riesling Orange Wine” would communicate the presence of actual oranges in said bottle of wine. And therefore, the descriptor ‘orange wine’ in the United States has been prohibited…” So when life tells you have to use oranges, don’t just make orangeade…be like Leslie and make a truly fun 🍊sparkler (pssst you can also make some snazzy cocktails with it too).

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #cocktails #naturalwine #orangewine #oranges #sparklingwine  #skincontact #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #greenport #NY #Longisland #matchbookdistilling @vinewinenyc @matchbookdistilling @cheezit

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All Abuzz

Anne Pichon Wines
“Sauvage” 2020
Ventoux AOP
Syrah 80%, Grenache 20%
Organic, indigenous yeast, night harvest, concrete tanks
Ventoux, Rhône, France
Handcrafted production and bottling from Anne Pichon Estate at Mormoiron, Vacluse
Winemakers and nature lovers: Anne Pichon & Véronique (sister-in-law)

Deep purple with magenta/ruby rim. Sniffing at first buttery vanilla, dark prune & plum along with homemade blackberry jam, dates, all sorts dried figs, dark cherry as it breathes, and black pepper. As it all blends together that buttery turns into a vanilla butter cream with (don’t laugh) at some points those fun cupcake sprinkles. Here goes the first sip and oh this…this is good and better than I even expected (and was told). There’s dates, dried figs (brown and black that remind me of my Granny’s trees and cakes), deep plums & prunes, cherry, dried & fresh blueberries, blackberries & the seeds, a touch of raspberry flair, and a dash of that pepper again. BTW after a glass, go look in the mirror and check out the color of your tongue.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: tart! I like it better without

Anne & Marc (her husband, who sadly passed away) Pichon found a perfect place to make wine in an already organic yet left behind domaine that came with quite a romantic name in my bee and bug loving book, “Mur-Mur-Ium” (the buzzing song of bees). Aptly named since they even have a beekeeper that’s placed his hives in the vines, which is a sheer delight for me. As I’ve babbled about before, my great-grandfather was a beekeeper and these beneficial creatures fascinate me. I’ve been watching a video “The T Edward Morning Show with Véronique of Anne Pichon” and her description of her brother Marc as a nature lover full of passion and a free spirit was so beautiful; and how they as a family decided to continue with the winery even after his death is so touching. After listening to Véronique’s words, their “Sauvage” wines seem to me to be like a love letter to nature, it’s complexity, strength and beauty. Yeah, I’m tearing up, and am realizing how much this bottle is than just a lovely wine, but a part of this family.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #naturalwine #syrah #grenache #organic #france #rhone #annepichon @tedward_ws @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Zingy Zippy Bubbles

Azienda Agricola Divella
Blanc de Blanc NV
Dosaggio Zero
100% Chardonnay
Méthode champenoise, organic, female run, hand harvested
Gussago, Franciacorta, Lombardy, Italy
Winemaker: Alessandra Divella

Warm golden with very active tiny bubbles. Sniff and it’s a creamy start with maybe some vanilla sprinkles, gentle brioche, apples, lemony pop, and honeycomb that reminds me of when we would get it fresh from my great grandfather’s hives. Wow now this is a zing! Citrus flying all over the first sip joined by crunchy apples with a somewhat nutty butterscotch hint, a little brioche, wild sour grass from back home tart…c’mon pucker up, and white pepper. Seriously this will wake up your mouth because it’s just darn alive, fresh and dry. As time slides by it develops into something more complex, and I can see beer drinkers that love good sours and ciders being totally all in.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delicious. Smoothes things out

In so many photos of Alessandra, you see a set of one of her most important tools…her hands. In the vineyard, in the pressing in the cellar and throughout the whole process. Those hands nurture and bring out the best in her 2 hectares of vines that are leased, but it’s pretty apparent that she treats them with the care of a good parent. As I keep reading, regionally, she was “one of the first estates to farm organically and the first to be female-led”. That takes a lot of guts, brains and hard work, especially when you were not born into a wine family. I’m so glad she fell for the natural wine route, and has made it her deep passion because her bubbles are a beautiful present to the world.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #naturalwine #blancdeblanc #bubbly #sparklingwine #champagne #organic #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Chardonnay #Lombardy #Italy @super_glou @vinewinenyc @alessandra_divella @cheezit

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Bergerac By Bottle

Chateau Le Payral
Bergerac Rouge 2020
Appellation Bergerac Contrôlée
50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
Organic, biodynamic (Demeter), green fertilizer, indigenous yeasts, and a lot of love
Razac-de-Saussignac, Bergerac, Dordogne, France
Winemakers: Isabelle & Thierry Daulhiac (7th generation)

Elegant maroon/ruby. Very first scent after the pour is butter that starts to fade and at moments gently lingers. Next up to bat are cherries (deep fresh ones and also dried), plums, an earthy warmth, and as time goes by a squeeze of raspberry & blackberry juice. Sipping and boy is this fresh. There’s cherries (again fresh and dried) & plums, a cocktail of blackberries (seeds & all)/raspberries/strawberries/blueberries, and that earthy oomph again with a little black olive pit. It’s a very easy drinker that’s perfect for a fall evening staring up to the stars, sitting near the grill and listening to the sizzle of the fat as it hits the coals from a giant steak and plump sausages. Delicious, romantic, and comforting all wrapped up into one.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: lovely. Brings out all sorts of berries

Ok, here’s my 2nd Chateau Le Payral and their rouge is equally delightful as their blanc, and it’s probably due to how they care and work with their terroir. In 2000 Isabelle & Thierry had a survey of their land, so they could see how best to proceed in the future. What should be planted and where, how should the vines be cared for and more; and that was when they decided it’s time to go truly organic. Wonderfully forward thinking for not just the well being of their holdings but also what will fall into the hands of the next generation and the future of everyone’s environment. Now, I just need to track down one more of their wines ‘La Bise’. If anyone out there knows where I can find it, please let me know! Once again thank you @all_things_food_nyc, Martin Walker, and Chateau Le Payral for helping me on my travel to Bergerac by bottle. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram  #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #redwine #France #Dordogne #bergerac #martinwalker #brunochiefofpolice @martinwalker346 @saviosoaresselections @chateaulepayral

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Deer Santa

Wild Nature Wines
Veneto Bianco IGT
Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay 
Certified vegan, 4 months skin contact, organic for more than 40 years, and biodynamic
Veneto, Italy
Winemaker: Emilio Fidora

Rose amber streaked sunrise glow. Sniffing orange & pear blossoms, honeysuckle (from my childhood home, and I can just see those bee butts wiggling in them in delight), nectarines, strawberries that bring with them a bit of creaminess, raspberries, cherries, and a touch of mineral slate pops out. Oh baby it’s all here on my tongue with a kick of depth! Again those strawberries & raspberries, tiny slivers of peach & nectarine, cranberry zip, a small squish of pineapple, and mineral lick of a rock with a balancing bite of bitter herb (in the back) that’s not fragrant and will have me dabbing my finger through my Penzeys collection searching until I sort it out.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delicious

I jumped for joy when I saw this bottle. My first one of theirs was Prosecco Rosé Brut DOC 2019. It was scrumptious and I love their label art and am still searching for the artist’s name. Wild Nature Wines are essentially that. They have two estates in Veneto (Venice and Verona) where they live in harmony with the all sorts of four-legged and winged neighbors such as owls, foxes, rabbits, pheasants, and this stately European fallow deer (Dama dama) that stole my heart. Each wine gets their own unique familiar drawn entwined with the environment and growing as one. This family truly cares about every aspect of their environment, so how can they not be making such impressive wines. BTW I know it may be a little early to be writing Santa, but I truly hope he will put a case of these deers in my stocking.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #orangewine #organic #naturalwine #worldbyglass #wineinfluencer #deer #Italy #Veneto #Venice #Verona #pinotgrigio #chardonnay #WildNatureWines @SkinContactWines @wildnaturewines @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Flying Free

Fabrizio Vella
(Cantine Rallo)
Catarratto 2021
Non Filtrato
Terre Siciliane IGP
Organic grapes grown in Marsala, no additives, indigenous yeasts, unfiltered
Sicily, Italy
Winemaker: Fabrizio Vella

Warm golden happiness in a glass. Breathing in golden delicious apple, hyacinth, orange squish and zest, a pinch of an herby blend (thyme, basil & more), lemons, and as it opens a smidge of warm spice. Ooh this tastes really good…there’s a crunch of green apple, lemon/lime twang, a sliver of honey dew, and hmmm…wait…it’s mango (but just a little), then Valencia orange & tangerine mix, and a mix of those herbs again, and a mineral shake of salt.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Just lovely

Oh what is it about Catarratto or this wine in particular? It’s enchanting and alive. How shall I put this so I don’t sound like a nut..when I continue to taste this bottle it’s like a vibrant burst of butterflies flying free to realms unknown. I hope that makes sense. There’s some sort of natural magic in Fabrizio Vella’s wine that probably has a lot to do about his dedication to working with indigenous grapes and the fact that they’re brought up the right way: organic, biodynamic farming & NO ADDITIVES. 🦋

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Catarratto #butterfly #Sicily #Italy #organic  #fabriziovella @omniwines @ralloaziendaagricola @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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From Vineyard To Your Glass

Vinica
Morgia Lafesta 2016
Terre degli Osci Rosso IGT
Tintilia 50%, Aglianico 50%
Ripalimosani, Molise, Italy
Organic, indigenous yeasts, dry farmed, green manure, hand picked, not filtered, & NO chemicals
Owner: Rodolfo Gianserra, Agronomist & winemaker: Pierluigi Cocchini, Company’s administrator: Giuseppe Tudino

Dark plum with a ruby rim. Breathing in plums, prunes, dried and fresh cherries, tiny pops of blueberry, a poof of that iron smell of a very rare bloody steak, and a faint scent of lilac. First sip and this is damn elegant and rustic in a good way and now “Leather and Lace” is stuck my head (at least it’s a well loved song). There’s cherries, that iron taste that makes you want to embrace the wild side, blackberries, dried cranberries, and an earthy depth that doesn’t take it all over but just enhances all the flavors. It’s a beautiful dance of the two grapes.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ooh tasty love
Side note: Really really good with @milkbarstore Chocolate Birthday Truffle Crumb Cakes

For those of you that may have not seen my post from 3/15/21, let me introduce or reintroduce you to Vinica or VI.NI.CA. …established in 2007 by the above 3 guys, & the name came from Rodolfo’s 3 kids: Vittorio, Nicholas & Carola. I love all I’m reading about how they took abandoned land & created this beautiful pure farm/vineyard of 220 hectares (30 hectares for the vineyards, the rest are farm & woodland). They say the only ingredient they have added is healthy grapes. Well, I’m sure they aren’t thinking of the other ingredients of hard work & love. Also there’s more to love than just their grapes, olives, and all the vegetables on their farm. This family cares also about how the wine gets to you and what trace is left behind on this world. Instead of traditional corks, they have found 2 innovative ways to preserve their wines. For their white, rosé & oranges they use Stelvin screw caps, and their reds are protected with ArdeaSeal (evidently has links in it’s project stage to MIT). These final steps in the bottling process ensure their motto ”from the vineyard to your glass”. 🍷❤️

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #stevienicks #donhenley #winestagram #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #Tintilia #Aglianico #agricolavinica #Molise #Italy @agricolavinica.it @steephillwine @antosicurezza @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit