Posted on

Happy As A Lark

Domaine de la Chanteleuserie
Cuvée Alouettes 2020
Cabernet Franc
Bourgueil AOC
HVE certified
Benais, Bourgueil, Loire, France
Winemaker: Thierry & Christine Boucard

Chill it…more than just a little bit. Lovely dark ruby with maroon and bluish rim glass. Hover a bit and out floats fragrances of strawberries, raspberries, plums, currants, and buttercream smooth that fades in and out as it warms and turns into a creamy berry scent like a bit of a mixed berry smoothie, and there’s also a touch of green bell peppers, and lively white pepper. First sip and it’s a tart zip and then cherries, red and green strawberries and their caps, raspberries, blackberries, young yellow plums, and a peppery edge. It’s refreshing and begging for a hot day to head down to the river with friends and a cooler full. Who wants to push me on the tire swing? 

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings out a more mixed bag of fruit

Oh this wine and the Domaine are just happy as a lark! You can’t escape it…from their name to this cuvée, and it even greets you with our feathered friend’s melodious song when you pop onto their website. So why is this little birdie so chipper and chirpy? I’m betting it’s due to the Breton (Cabernet Franc) in it’s pure beautiful form, and also the fact that the Boucards respect and care about their land and everything in it. That’s something to tweet about!

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #lark #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Loire #France #CabernetFranc #Bourgueil #chanteleuserie #domainedelachanteleuserie @kermitlynchwine @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

Posted on

A Long Slow Burn Of Strength 💙💛

Odessa Cognac Factory
Brandy V.S.O.P.
Distilled from Rkatsiteli, Aligoté and Pinot, and more
Alembic Charentais copper pot stills and double fractional distillation
Odessa, Ukraine

Beautiful amber golden and clinging to the sides as I turn it in the light. Floating up are whiffs of caramel, buttery shortbread cookies, toffee, dried Smyrna figs, white raisins, and warm holiday spices. First sip and there’s a silky start that turns to a tingling bit of fire but the good type that starts off just lively but if you keep drinking will warm you to your toes. Next up is caramel, a hint of baker’s chocolate, fresh wild honey coating some of those dried figs, ginger, and a little vanilla. It’s comforting like the one you love enveloping you in their arms and keeping you safe, drying your tears, and making you believe all will be ok even if it may be a lie; and it’s also a long slow burn of strength which we all need right now. ❤️🇺🇦

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: JUST DON’T

This where I would normally be going on about the history behind this bottle and the people that made the beauty of this liquid…but…I just can’t. My heart and mind have become overrun by news coming out of Ukraine. How can you escape the footage and why would you turn your back and not see the brutal reality? As I’ve said before, I want to scream! Please someone help! Make this war that should have never gotten to this point stop. There are families and friends being torn apart and some will never see each other again. There are even children with cancer stuck in hospital with no way out. My sister died of cancer as we were both small children. Nothing eases that pain. I can’t imagine how much more the pain the families of these helpless kids is gutting them as they try to soothe their child. THIS IS MADNESS

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: JUST DON’T

This is the port where I would normally be going on about the history behind this bottle and the people that made the beauty of this liquid…but…I just can’t. My heart and mind have become overrun by news coming out of Ukraine. How can you escape the footage and why would you turn your back and not see the brutal reality? As I’ve said before, I want to scream! Please someone help! Make this war that should have never gotten to this point stop. There are families and friends being torn apart and some will never see each other again. There are even children with cancer stuck in hospital with no way out. My sister died of cancer as we were both small children. Nothing eases that pain. I can’t imagine how much more the pain the families of these helpless kids is gutting them as they try to soothe their child. This is madness

I posted yesterday about one thing we can all do, so here it is again. My dear friend Tatyana Okshteyn (Black & White Gallery/Project Space @bwg_ps & who is originally from Ukraine) is putting together an online art benefit the proceeds of which will go to Ukraine to aid artists & their families there. If anyone would like to donate and get some pretty darn cool art while helping this extremely important cause, please visit the site.

100% of net sales proceeds will be donated to artists and their families in Ukraine. Please forward and share this post. Love and Peace must win!

#brandy #бренді #vspo #cognac #коньяк #ukraine #standwithukraine #Україна #🇺🇦 #stopwar #зупинитивійну #supportukraine #ятебелюблю #wine #corkscrew #Vodka #art #горілка #horilka #Odessa @odessabrandy

Posted on

Badass, Resilient And Full Of Passion 💙💛

Khortytsa (Хортиця)
Khor Platinum Vodka
40% ABV
Gluten free, corn-based, organic local filter containing schungite, 7 rounds of distillation, one of a kind cap to protect against counterfeits
Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine

Chilled glistening clear pour. Breathing in and it’s fresh, clean and bright with a  little faint citrus zest, and as grows a peppery kick. Sipping and at first there’s a little creaminess that morphs into a light bite of black pepper, something herbal, and a sprig of pine but nothing is overpowering. It turns into a dash of hot pepper with again citrus zest that fades back into that clean crisp herbal tingle. It’s very alive and my lips are vibrating…like a passionate kiss, and I have to say it’s badass and resilient just like Ukrainians.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Oh lord no!

I wish I could be tasting this lovely award winning vodka under better and less heartbreaking circumstances. As to be expected with the current events, Khortytsa had to shut their office in Kyiv and their distillery. How on earth in this day and age is this happening? I just want to open a window and scream! My heart bleeds for them and everyone in Ukraine. ❤️🇺🇦

#Vodka #горілка #horilka #Khortytsa #Хортиця #ukraine #standwithukraine #Україна #🇺🇦 #stopwar #зупинитивійну #supportukraine #Zaporizhzhia #spirits @khortytsavodka

Posted on

Katz In A Glass

Wigle
Eau de Pickle
40% ALC/VOL
Organic regional grains milled onsite
Made from scratch in Pittsburgh, PA
Family Distillery

Perfectly clear glass (tiny pour because this packs a punch). Whoa this is like being in my granny’s kitchen during pickling/canning time! There’s full on aromas of rye, dill weed/flowering/seed, pop of fennel, garlic, mustard seeds, coriander and lest we not forget caraway. Seriously craving a hot pastrami. First sip an tasting all the scents and a pumpernickel everything bagel moment. There’s also celery, an almost ouzo light feeling, but don’t bring the coffee beans because this is Katz in a glass. Oooh you know what would be great is a Cel-Ray chaser, and it would also be so good as a martini with a celery salt rim. Can you tell I’m falling hard for this bottle?

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delicious!

Wigle’s mission statement says it all, “Wigle is hell bent on creating a vital, educated community around the highest quality, most inventive, bursting-with-terroir fermented and distilled products in the world. We’re strong believers of investing in our communities to support the agricultural, social and economic systems of which we are a part. We devote significant resources into innovation and make each one of our dozens of regionally inspired spirits from scratch with organic ingredients. We never purchase spirits from bulk suppliers.” They truly believe in community and particularly in this day and age that’s downright commendable. You can also take a tour of the distillery and leave with a history lesson of Pittsburgh’s Whiskey Rebellion, or take one of their cocktail classes to spruce up your skills. However you connect with them, I hope you take a chance on this dilly delight…just be careful or you may find yourself becoming a bit pickled. 🥒 🍸

#spirits #eaudepickle #wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #whiskey #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #pickles #Pittsburgh #PA  @vinewinenyc @wiglewhiskey @cheezit

Posted on

It’s In Their DNA

Jean Médeville et Fils
Château Boyrein
Graves Blanc 2019
Graves AOC
Sauvignon 60%, Semillon 30%, Muscadelle 10%
Sustainable, HVE (Level 3), hand harvested
Graves, Bordeaux, France
Owned and run by: Jean, Jacques, and Marc Medéville

Pale starlight with green shimmers. Perfumes of magnolias and peaches, along with pear, grapefruit, cantaloupe/honeydew, and as it builds there’s also some hyacinth, roses, and wisteria; and it all works in harmony together. Sipping and it’s fresh peaches and pears, bit of melon, smidge of grapefruit tang, flecks of dried pineapple, lemon spritz, and grass. It’s an easy companion that has one simple request for you…”Please order us a plateau de fruits de mer. I promise I will make it worth your while.”

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ack ack ack no…think Bill the Cat

Many generations of the Medéville family have had their hands in winemaking stemming back to a barrel maker named Jerome who bought their first château (Château Fayau) in 1826. Over the years they have acquired more vineyards and kept expanding their lands (including Boyrein in 1877). Through the lineage each new family member made their imprint and advancements from agricultural knowledge, winemaking, and most importantly love. As Jean and Marc say on their site, “From our family history we keep the taste of tradition and the passion for wine. Through our DNA, we always look to the future.”

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #hve #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Sauvignon #Semillon #Muscadelle #Bordeaux, #France #CabernetFranc #boivinselections #jeanmedevilleetfils #châteauboyrein @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

Posted on

Traditional Innovation

Château de Laubade
V.S.O.P.
Bas Armagnac AOC
Blend of more than 20 different eaux-de-vie (mainly Ugni-Blanc & Baco)
Sustainable agriculture: organic manure is produced by 600 ewes in the vineyards, barrels are made from trees of their own forests, and more
Sorbets, France
Estate owned by the Lesgourgues family

Golden light amber pour. Breathing very ripe pears and apples and baked ones too and a bit of pie crust, preserved plums, mellow vanilla, and orange & lemon peels. Going in for the sip and it’s sweet like fresh sugar cane, moments of a deeper pear cider, caramel smooth, orange zest & a simmering spice, and as it lingers it’s warming till there’s a vibrating spark on the back of your tongue to nudge you for another sip.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: NOPE!

This little bottle introduced me to a historic Château and a forward thinking family. The Lesgourgues, since 1974, have brought a new creative life into the house and lands working to be as sustainable/green as possible; achieving awards and recognition such as “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant”; and make incredible armagnac. They also cultivate and support artists/artwork and that led me to Jeanne Paquin, who many, many years ago also lived here with her 2nd husband, French diplomat, Joseph Noulens. She was such a trailblazer in fashion! She took black to new heights. No longer the garb of mourning, in her hands it was a fashionable statement. She incorporated music into “défilé de mode” (where would we be now if we didn’t have music on the catwalk?), had an accomplished and successful  fashion house that became an international business, and was the first female designer to receive France’s Légion d’Honneur. In other words just like Château de Laubade, she’s an impressive blend of innovation & classic tradition…which rocks.

#armagnac #wine #spirits #vsop #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #France #laubade #JeannePaquin @baronfrancois.ws @docwineshop @docwinebar @laubade @cheezit

Posted on

Golden Goodness

Isastegi
Sagardo Naturala
Dry Natural Cider
Blend of over a dozen Basque apples
Basque Country
Euskal Sagardoa PDO
6% ABV
Organic, no added sulfites
Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, Spain
Cidermaker: Migel Mari Lasa

Warm gold with tiny bubbles. Breathing in a multitude of apples bright and tart, stripped apple branches, yeasty, and a bit of dark funk and spice. Wow, this tastes really delightful! Again bright and tart apples joined with green tree buds, cinnamon & funk, and a touch of white pepper. Now that’s a fab mix.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: good like ol’ apple pie

While sniffing around online about the origins of txotx, I found a tale of Adam and Eve. They had already been booted from the garden and wandered upon an apple tree which immediately pissed Adam off. His boiling anger had him giving the tree a full shakedown and the apples rolled into a well, where he then kept on venting by throwing in large stones to smash the fruit. Days later the pair were in serious need of a drink, and of course it’s Eve that realizes, “hey, check out that golden goodness left in the well” and there you have the first cider. Back to txotx, it simply means a small stick used to plug the cider barrels (nowadays you may find a spigot in its place) and when the time is right (Isastegi’s txotx runs from Jan-April), gather your friends to celebrate, pull that plug, and here comes the cider; and you better have your glass ready before it all ends up on your shoes. Cheers!

#cider #wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #apples #spain #organic @dmselections @vinewinenyc @Isastegi @cheezit

Posted on

Vivacious Expression

Weingut Tegernseerhof
T- Rosé Zweigelt 2020
Sustainable, hand harvested
Wachau, Austria
Winemaker: Martin Mittelbach (5th generation)

Deep rose with a touch of sunset orange. Let it sit a little and scents float out of strawberries, red plums, raspberries, fresh picked spring flowers (includes the stems, leaves and all), and a few blades of grass. Those strawberries and raspberries reappear in the sip along with blackberries, and of all things watermelon jolly ranchers. There’s also a smooth creaminess, white peaches, a blood arrange tingle and spark, and the tiniest hint of parsley on the back. This is a happy easy sipper that will bring your tastebuds a lot of enthusiastic joy, but it’s also thoughtful and more complex than a typical rosé party down pink fest.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: nah it’s not for me

Martin Mittelbach says it best on his site, “Following ancient traditions, we use our own grape selections, chosen for their agility and vitality. Quality comes before quantity. Our wines reflect our values: they impress through their expression of vineyard and grape variety rather their alcohol or sugar content. Their finesse comes naturally, in our combination of soils, climate, and traditional viniculture.” That’s what you’re going to find in this bottle of rosé…true dedicated quality and a taste of their part of the world. Martin is the conductor that brings this symphony all together, much like how the Austrian conductor, Elisabeth Fuchs directs orchestras in her expressive passionate ways. Check them both out, because I can guarantee it will bring a smile to your day. 💕

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Zweigelt #Austria #rosé #rose #ElisabethFuchs @artisanalcellars @docwineshop @docwinebar @tegernseerhof @cheezit

Posted on

Bringing The Right Pick

Swick Wines
Wyd? 2020
Bring It.
100% Chardonnay
Willamette Valley
Organic
Conley Vineyard, Yakima, WA
Produced & Bottled by Swick Wines, Newberg, Oregon
Winemaker/Proprietor: Joseph Swick

Light yellow gold with a smidge of green. Scents of pears, honeydew, light cantaloupe, and all mixed with a touch of earth & smoke and finally a tangelo/grapefruit squish. Tasting a mash up of pearpineappledewalope along with a smokiness that sings in good way, followed by crisp and zingy fresh citrus popping around, and the ever tiniest drop of pie spice…like on the exhale. Why can’t more chardonnays taste like this..oh that’s right, they don’t have Joe.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: fuller, richer and deeper…it’s different and I like with and without

Not my best friend’s mama’s grocery store chardonnay. Ok seriously, who didn’t that scar? That smack you in the face overoaked semi-plastic fatty taste had me shying away and picking a red every time they were the only two offered. So glad I didn’t give up on this lovely grape, and the first time I realized not all Chardonnays are created equal was an amazing moment (kind of like when Dorothy opens the door to Oz and it goes all Technicolor). You just have to pick the right winemaker and Mr. Swick is definitely the one for me because man, does he “Bring It.”

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #biodynamic #organic #chardonnay #oregon #WillametteValley #joeswick #wyd @docwineshop @docwinebar @swickwines @swickjoe @cheezit

Posted on

Two Sides Of The Same Coin

Lesehof Stagård
Goldberg 2016
100% Riesling
Kremstal DAC
Organic
Krems/Stein a. Danube, Austria
Winemakers: Urban and Dominique Stagård

Warm golden glass. Floating in are apples & pears and their blossoms too, along with butterfly lilacs, and a little chilled pie (like what is so scrumptious for breakfast. Hey, you grow up in an orchard and fruit’s in every B. L. & D.), and a pinch of salt. Sip and again apples, pears, a little honeysuckle nectar but not really that much, a tiny lime spritz, salt, cardamon, lick of granite, and a smoky exhale.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: bright crisp snap

What a piece of history, the cellar has been around for close to 1,000 years, but the family roots came on board in 1786, as Lesehof Tegernseer. Fast forward to the early 1980s and there’s a name change to Lesehof Stagård after Kenneth Stagård married into the family. Now it’s Urban and Dominique and they took everything to the next level by going organic and biodynamic, and their own words some up everything best: “Unlike the generations before us, we wanted to make wines that not only quench thirst, but should also tell about us, our ideas, our vines and vineyards. We immediately switched to organic farming and defined goals that had to be achieved in slow steps. We wanted to make bold, exciting and authentic wines, wines for which evolution and tradition should be two sides of the same coin, wines that should be fun and others that should challenge. And we wanted Riesling.” Also, I think they have brought a lot of joy to this generation. Just check out their 2020 end of harvest dance https://www.instagram.com/p/CGstlgAHTzW/

❤️

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Riesling #Kremstal #Austria #organic @schatziwines @vinewinenyc @lesehofstagard.wines @cheezit