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Right Here, Right Now!

Terra di Briganti
Benepop Vol. I 2021
Pét-Nat
50% Falanghina, 50% Fiano
Organic, biodynamic, vegan, and indigenous yeasts
Sannio, Campania, Italy
Winemakers: Toni and Romeo De Cicco

Very orange golden and active white bubbles tracing cryptic designs on the surface. So many scents all at once! It’s s blend of creaminess & citrus, bananas (Stuart why are you looking at me like that?), papaya, lemon/lime breeze in with apples and orchard blossoms. Taking a sip and BOOM…again it’s everything! No wonder I keep hearing people love this pet. There’s a creamy feel, citrus soda (not sweet), mango, apple cider, sharp apple/pear with a twinge of bitter bite of skin, fresh, crisp & still fragrant goodness, a touch of white pepper, and a smidge of a stripped young apple tree branch (it just popped out of a childhood memory). This just vibrates of life and fun! Could I please have a fountain of this?

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: oh this is the sweet spot! Buy a box

So this is my 6th Terra di Briganti, does this make me a superfan? Benepop now takes the top spot on my list, unseating my oh so loved, Sciascinoso. I have ordered glasses of that wine so many times I’ve lost count. Well, this is definitely going to be the soundtrack of my summer. There’s so much going on with this beauty, I can’t pick just one song to sum it up. It deserves a whole DJ set from the ageless Norman Cook. This one’s an hour and a half so grab a few bottles and get ready to groove…Right Here, Right Now!

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram  #instawine #winemaking #benepop #worldbyglass #fatboyslim #righthererightnow #minions #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Italy #Falanghina #Fiano #steephillwine @steephillwine @antosicurezza @docwineshop @docwinebar @terradibriganti @cheezit

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Prawns Gone Wild

Jaume Prats
BimBollí 2020
Manto Negro, Fogoneu
Organic, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts, unfined, unfiltered
Mallorca, Spain
Winemaker: Jaume Prats

Orange red/rose streaked sunset. Breathing strawberries, cherries, and while the glass is still really cold there’s an herbal fragrance like thyme & oregano twisted together, then blood oranges, a wisp of hay, a little funk that blooms into a deeper strawberry scented rose, and as it warms up orange zest appears. Sipping strawberries at all stages, from very young and tart to just the right ripe, cherries, a minerally lick of granite with a drop of saltiness and a little sizzle. Some hay pops out, waves & says goodbye, there’s that orange zest again as it opens and a squish of lemon-lime too, and a lingering smokiness in the back.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: I was right to not want to try this pairing. ICK

Can someone please tell me the true meaning of BimBollí? I don’t care if it is naughty, but I have gone down a rabbit hole searching and well, let’s say it’s been interesting (could it be rooted in malespín, or am I the one that is the fool?). Anyway back to this scrumptious wine and Jaume Prats. He embraces grapes of his native Mallorca and naturally nurtures them (via the call vermell) to tell their own wild bottled tale. As for tales or rather tails…I go back to questioning…why is there a prawn joyriding on a scooter? This has to be a fun story, so please someone let me know!

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #petnat #pétnat #winestagram #instawine #Mallorca #Spain #mantonegro #fogoneu #scooter #vespa #prawns #shrimp #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #bimbolli #JaumePrats @jaumet.vi @josepastorselections @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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Historic Passion

Castello di Rubbia
100% Terrano 2013
Carso-Kras DOC
Biodynamic, indigenous yeasts, unfiltered
San Michele del Carso, Gorizia, Friuli, Italy
Owner & winemaker: Nataša Černic

Ruby with a magenta rim. Scents start off with prunes & plums, a tad of an oreo center, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and bit of licorice, and other herbal alpine delights. Ooh I love this..tasting fresh cherries and a cocktail of raspbluestrawberry, red plums, a smidge of hay, a tangy flair and at times rare meaty feel but it’s not heavy. Also on the back there’s a mineral salt goodness that you would find mixed with a rare bloody steak so yeah, order one! And not to be left off, white and black pepper.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: eh goes all super tart so I vote no

Passion is a word you may think I throw around a lot. I don’t use it as some romance filled lovey-dovey thing, but a very deep and important emotional term. Nataša Černic and her family have exactly that and you can see it in their wines, pursuit to rebuild what war has damaged, and respect & never forget the history of their land, architecture, people, and native grapes. As said on their site, “San Michele del Carso is our place in the Universe” so what better reason for that passion. You can take a tour of the vineyards, local monuments, remnants of battle, the old castle/grounds, and view the marks that history has left, learn from the past, and see where the future will take them. I bet it’s going to be naturally and artistically beautiful.

wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #redwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #italy #CarsoKras #sanmicheledelcarso #Gorizia #Friuli #biodynamic #organic #Terrano @castellodirubbia @soilairselection @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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How To Love Your Job

Domaine François Chidane
Brut Tradition 2019
Montlouis-sur-Loire AOC
Chenin Blanc
Organic, biodynamic, regenerative agriculture
Montlouis-sur-Loire, Loire, France
Owners and winemakers: François and Manuela Chidaine

Had to wrestle for over 7 minutes to hear that pop! Then poured a glass of warm golden with light bubbles that fade and disappear. Sniffing and there’s apples, pears, guava, and it reminds me of a touch of calvados. Ginger also gently flies out over time with brioche. Sip and there’s pears, a zipping zingy crisp apple, lime, again there’s that ginger (not Mary Ann 🏝), on the back and when you exhale there’s a maltiness like the yeast you sprinkle on popcorn in a pub, and slate, salt, a tad of parsley which all ends in a touch of creamy deliciousness.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings all the lovely bits out so grab a 2nd bag

I think we can sufficiently say, François loves his job. “I am doing a marvelous profession that I have chosen. No one forced it on me. It’s my life! I didn’t want to do anything else…” How many of us wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and can say the same! Imagine getting to wake up to this view and work in harmony with nature all day. Also explains this quote, “I consider the vine as a human being. We must not imprison her and always be respectful towards her.” He’s even branched out to Murcia, Spain with 2 wines (Bullas DO), which greatly intrigues me, but makes sense…his wife Manuela’s family is from there. Now I’m going to have to make this a new mission to track down these bottles, because if they are anywhere as good as this Brut, they are bound to be fab!

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #CheninBlanc #Brut #Loire #France #Murcia #Spain #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #domainefrancoischidaine @polanerselections @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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Nature In A Can

Mad Med
L’Orange 2021
VDF
100% Vermentino
Organic (working on certification), native yeast, unfiltered, 3 weeks skin contact
Provence, France
Grapes selected, vinified, aged & canned by Harry et Max

Hazy rosy orangey gold, kind of like a pink grapefruit. Hovering over the glass and scents start with a poof of smoke that turns into a cocktail of valencia oranges & blossoms, honeysuckle also starts to emerge, mellow pears, salt, and here comes some light tangelo & pluots. Here goes the taste and HELLO! My tongue is loving these flavors. There’s orange & zest with a hint of smoke, pink grapefruit, pears, a touch of honeysuckle with some bitters…say parsleyesque, and of course salt. Portable summertime lively delish that stands up even when it warms while hanging in the yard.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: bleh

Over the past two years, I have stopped my apprehension of “wine in a can”. I will also say this one really took me by surprise because I had been tasting other vermentinos recently and guess which one won out? Yeah, I “can” hardly believe it. Don’t kill me for the “dad joke” 🤣. With heat like we’ve been having, just take my word for it and grab a couple. It’ll make your sweltering day so, so much better! Oh and as Mad Med says, “Chassez le naturel, il revient en canette”.

Note: I have a sneaking suspicion that this may be related to my favorite “party pig” #bobsinglar

wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #vinnature #wineinacan #cannedwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #naturalwine #vermentino #organic #Provence #France #lamongestine #harryetmax #madmed @madmedcans @SkinContactWines @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Now Where Did That Slipper Go?

Cantine Madaudo
Sicilia Illustrata series
Ardore di Sicilia 2020
Etna Bianco DOC
Carricante 70%, Catarratto 30%
Randazzo (CT), Sicily, Italy
Madaudo family winery (4 generations strong)

Warm golden hay. Sniffing aromatic waves of lemon, pear, kumquot zest, valencia orange, and a bit of green sprouty spring flowers. Tasting delicious crisp apples & pears, yellow plums, and a tart citrus cocktail with just the right amount of salt.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: NOOOOO

This is my 2nd in the Sicilia Illustrata series and another piece of art to add to my collection. This time it’s a glimpse of Mt. Etna its native grapes, continued activity, and terroir which then led me to the folklore. Hephaestus/Vulcan has his forge there, when Typhoeus/Typhon gets cranky you’ll hear him grouching and throwing fire, there’s also the Cyclops & more; but the tale that I stumbled upon and made me greatly raise my eyebrows is about England’s Queen Elizabeth I. Rumor has it that while the Devil was pulling her to the depths of hell through Etna, she lost a slipper. This is no Cinderella tale though…well…except for the cinders. I don’t think any of the “Virgin Queen’s” suitors are going to be her volcanic Prince Charming. 🌋🥂

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #italy #sicily #sicilia #Mountetna #Etna #folklore #Carricante #Catarratto  #verdeimports #Sambucese @cantinemadaudo1945 @docwineshop @docwinebarny @claudio @cheezit

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Certifiably Bat Approved

Domaine de Petit Roubié
Picpoul de Pinet Château 2020
Picpoul de Pinet AOP
100% Piquepoul
Organic (ECOCERT certification)
Occitania, Languedoc, France
Wine family: Floriane and Olivier Azan

Bright golden with green shimmers. A citrusy blend of lemon and zest pop up toward my nose along with lime & light tangerine, a salty sea breeze, and wet granite. Tasting lemon curd, lemons & zest (makes me think of that Expedia/Ewan McGregor commercial), lime, mandarin oranges, tangelo, pineapple, and a tasty rim of salt. It’s bright and free and sings!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: pretty good

Domaine de Petit Roubié got in way early going organic and ECOCERT certified, which is cool but what’s even better is they are a part of “SOS Chauve-souris” who raise awareness for bats and promote their protection. Petit Roubié has created little homes (nesting boxes) for our fuzzy flying friends, and they pay their rent by swooping in and munching on the insects/pests of the vineyard. I’m betting they would give this Batbnb 5 stars. The Azan’s also have welcomed another dear to my heart to live in the vines…beautiful beneficial bees! Ain’t biodiversity grand! ❤️🦇🐝

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #Picpoul  #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #bats #bees #Languedoc #France @misaimports @vinewinenyc @domainesdepetitroubie @cheezit

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Making It Happen

Casa D’Ambra
Ischia Bianco DOC 2021
Biancolella 50%, Forastera 50%
Indigenous grapes
Forio, Ischia, Campania, Italy
Family winery
Winemaker and owner: Andrea D’Ambra

Pale straw. Breathing in a pretty bouquet of spring flowers, pear & white peach, a tiny spritz of Chanel N°5 that blends back into the fruit, an herbal blend of mint/basil, and mineral bits reminding me of our refreshingly always cool old spring house where the salamanders played. First sip and damn this is good! There’s pears, apples, young yellow watermelon, white peaches, salt a blend of basil/oregano, and at the end a little almond bite with a lick of rock.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: sharpens everything

The Isle of Ischia looks like paradise. Oh, the water surrounding is such a gorgeous mix of shining blue and greens, then there’s the ports, the thermal baths, the mountain area, sunsets, all the natural beauty, and of course the food. Their well known dish “Coniglio all’Ischitana” (yes, this is bunny) was lauded on “Searching For Italy” when Tucci ventured to Ischia (S1 E1) and Trattoria Il Focolare. If you look closely Casa D’Ambra’s wine, “Forastera” is used in the recipe, which makes sense because from what I’m finding they’re related. As usual with Tucci, his meals look like a fun affair, which leads me back to a very appropriate quote from Andrea D’Ambra, “When you are happy drink to celebrate. When you are sad, you drink to forget, when you have nothing to be sad or happy, you drink to make something happen.” Thank you for creating your “Bianco” which definitely made it “happen” for me. 💋

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #trattoriailfocolare #Biancolella #Forastera #Ischia #Campania #Italy #stanleytucci #searchingforitaly @stanleytucci @omniwines @vini_dambra_ischia @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Artistic Expression By Bottle & Street

Lectores Vini
Pomagrana Blanco 2021
100% Xarello
Organic, hand harvested, native yeasts
Penedès, Cataluña, Spain
Winemakers/Owners: Fredi Torres & Marc Lecha

Light gold with just the faintest bit of green. Breathing in fruit filled scents of goodness, biscotti/toasted brioche, lemon, pear, cucumber, a teeny touch of musky melon, and a bit of celery/celery salt that really works and that scent brings back old memories of my college freshman year that was filled with chicken bouillon ramen. I’m talking about those rip that silver packet noodles. Now that brings even more flashbacks from that year and some questionable decisions. Shhh don’t tell my dad. Back to the sip and there’s lemon spark & zap, fresh pineapple, tart apples along with sharp & mellow pear, sorrel from my old garden, smidge of grapefruit, lime, “shake shake shake” of salt, and a little bit of savoriness and celery seed. Delicious and more smooth as time goes by.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Bright and tart. It’s good but I like it better without

You know someone is really in love with wine when they give up a darn well paying job DJing. According to ‘Spanish Wine Lover’, Mr. Torres went from “€1,000 an hour to €1,000 a month leaving behind the glamour of nightlife” to “stink of sulfur and compost”. That is passion and some people might think it’s nuts, but I think he did a good thing giving his hardworking wine talent to the world. Speaking of talent, they picked a good design team (Goho Studios) to work with on their packaging. I love when I find a new bottle, and it leads me to another creative find. Goho, also made a flick on one of my favorites, the street art of Barcelona. Check it out, it’ll give you an insight on it’s history, the zines, shops for cans, the culture, the govt. that at times wipes it out and “penalizes genuine artistic expression”, and most of all the human side of it.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram  #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Xarello #Cataluña #Spain #Barcelona #streetart @SelectionsDeLaVina @gohoestudio @lectoresvini @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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That’s No Drone…

Fento Wines
La Galaxia 2020
Vinho Rosado
Touriga Nacional 60%, Tinta Roriz 30%, Jaen 10%
Organic, hand harvested, unfined, unfiltered
Dão, Portugal (grown)
Wine team: Álvaro de Castro (Portugal); Rebecca & Eulogio Pomares (Spain)

Shimmering light salmon. Scents of strawberries, raspberries, light lemon breeze, and delicate apple tree blossoms that weave in and out…very clean and refreshing. Here’s those strawberries again on my tongue along with lemon/citrus squish, watermelon joy, a lick of granite, and a chew of parsley at the end. It’s so delicious, fun and freeing.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: eh well it’s ok but you’re better off without

This delightful wine is a mashup of two countries. The grapes are from Portugal and raised naturally by Quinta Da Pellada’s Álvaro de Castro (and possibly his daughter Maria) and the team’s Spanish other half are Fento Wines’ Rebecca & Eulogio Pomares & then there’s the label artist their eldest son “Gio”. At age 6, he told his dad he was going to design one and sure enough he did…he’s the one in the UFO pulling up by Álvaro’s vines. Rosés/Rosados always have me yearning for the bright summer sun, but this one has me dreaming of laying out in a field away from all the city lights and gazing up at the night sky…waiting for whatever celestial beings might fly by. Hey Gio, if it’s you, how about stop and say hi 👋🛸.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #rosé #rosado #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #iwanttobelieve #organic #UFO #Spain #Portugal #thatsnomoon #FentoWines @avantgardews @quinta_da_pellada @vinewinenyc @cheezit