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Summertime Love

Succès Vinícola
La Trompa 2020
100% Trepat
D.O. Conca de Barberà
Organic & aged in stainless steel
Catalonia Spain
Winemakers: Mariona Vendrell and Albert Canela

Plummy cranberry cocktail that’s so inviting. First scent out of the gate is smoked salt rapidly followed by raspberries, watermelon, strawberries, and lemon zest. Sipping and again there is that delicious smoke, raspberries, watermelon, young strawberries, a tangy citrus squirt, and a whole wild blackberry. Also a shake of salt and white pepper that balances out this refreshing and crisp summer lightly chilled red happiness.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: oh yeah, pair this baby up. It totally makes everything heighten.

This is your bottle of summer love that originates from Mariona and Albert falling for each other while studying winemaking. I always enjoy a little bit of romance with my wine. Now they’re creating organic beauties like this Trepat that will have your heart singing. Let’s follow those trumpeting pink elephants and find out what groove they’re on. I bet it will be magical and a little bit Dizzy!

@vinewinenyc @succesvinicola @coeurwineco @cheezits #pairswithcheezits #wine #vinho #vino #vin #worldbyglass #cheezit #vinewinenyc #spain #catalonia #葡萄酒 #ワイン  #wineinfluencer #trepat #rosado #rose #rosé #organic #succesvinicola #pinkelephants #DizzyGillespie

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It’s All About the Schist

Le Fief Noir
Ouest Coast
Anjou 2017
100% Chenin Blanc
Certified organic and hand-harvested
St-Lambert du Lattay, Loire, France
Winemakers: Alexis Soulas and Dominique Sirot

Golden starlight twinkle twinkle. Pull the cork and breathing buttercream, butterscotch that fades into pineapple, yellow watermelon (yeah each color/one does smell different), lemon and lemon vanilla wafer. Sipping creamy salty lemon, key lime, kumquat, very mellow papaya, light orangey pops, and honey filled pear. I think I’ve had my weekly allotment of fruit! There’s also dried sage in the end and then bring that citrus back round again with a salt shake. So sweet, calm, and clean and bright that is yearning for some yellow fin sushi with jalapeño.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Raises the citrus

Alexis Soulas and Dominique Sirot became friends and hatched their wine plan in Corsica, but Anjou was where they landed. Back in 2012, they tasted the wine of Domaine des Chesnaies, decided this was the exact place for their project to take root, and after a renaming Le Fief Noir was born. Soil is the key and king here. The black schist of L’Anjou Noir is perfect for Chenin Blanc and also is where their name Le Fief Noir stemmed. Their passion for their wines is evident in the bottle and in their writings online. They have a lot to say, check their website. Alexis Soulas says, “A wine is never entirely finished. It belongs to the one who get it. This is this open field to interpretation, this co-creation, which make our job so beautiful.” I love that any of us can become part of their world and the story of their wine.

@docwineshop @docwinebar @lefiefnoir @wineberryamerica @cheezits #pairswithcheezits  #wine #vino #vin #whitewine #葡萄酒 #ワイン #cheezit #organic @worldbyglass #wineinfluencer #winestagram #instawine #Anjou #Loire #France #CheninBlanc

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Where’s My Plane Ticket?

Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.
Sour Passionfruit
American Sour Ale
Brewed with passionfruit
6.5% ABV
Charleston, SC
Brewing Director: Cameron Read

Hazy golden light orange with a small white head. Immediately breathing in a mix of passionfruit and bouquet of funky flowers flying all over. Well, tongue say hello to a salty citrus tangy blend, and next the passionfruit puree pops out. Ooh then some pineapple crush. It’s juicy and addictive and doesn’t back down. Bring on the summer heat because this refreshing can will keep you cool.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Love it! Makes everything more zippy and zingy.

Well, well, well…this may have me thinking of booking a ticket in the future to my home state. If this sour ale is anything like the rest of Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.’s brews then I’m all in. Also what a restaurant menu (they have a wood-fired brick oven and a Polish smokehouse)…there’s house cured 2 year speck (I ❤️ speck), homemade hotdogs, pizza (like: Peach & Ricotta with House-made cayenne salami, fresh basil & honey), and two of my favorite things in the world…PIMENTO CHEESE and BOILED PEANUTS! I’m starving right now and would love all of that ASAP. Oh and might as well, throw in a few cans of their Sour Sherbet. Yum!

@eobrewing @BeerBoutiqueNYC @twelve.percent.beer.project @twelve.percent.nyc.metro @hkarlphoto @cheezits #beer #wine #winestagram #instawine #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #sour #sourale #americansourale #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #beerlife  #passionfruit #Charleston #SC #eobrewing #fruitedsour

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Deep Natural Thoughts

Esencia Rural
(Bodega Ecológica Bruno Ruiz)
De Sol a Sol
Airén 2016
Organic, biodynamic and super natural!
Quero, Toledo, Castilla–La Mancha, Spain
Winemaker: Julián Ruiz Villanueva

Deep orangey gold skin contact pour. Reminds me of Tang (you remember the astronauts drink that Buzz Aldrin hated) or even the color of a Cheez-It. Damn this is deep and heady and that was a short sniff. It’s like a Sherry/Manzanilla vibe…nutty, caramel, golden raisins, dried apricots, and grassy. Now this is an explosion of taste wonderment and I find it absolutely intriguing, but I can see where some might get overwhelmed or not “be that into it” because it is intense. There’s nothing wrong with that but like I always used to tell my friend’s kid when he was little, try something at least 3 times before you make your mind up that it’s not for you. There’s tangy orange fresh and dry with splashes of lemon tart, caramel, brown sugar cookies, honey, and hazelnuts. This is a glass to be savored and contemplated on or shared over good conversation and not a glob-glou. Hangout with this wine, let it grow and let yourself settle into it’s personality and get comfortable with it and maybe have some “Deep Thoughts””.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Oh absolutely not!!!! That was disgusting. Shake it off, shake it off

Julián post school in Madrid, came back with a mission to farm organic and take on the artisan mantle. After trying other produce he turned to the vines in 1998, and has around 50 hectares. De Sol a Sol comes from his favorite “El Almendruco” (4.8 hectares) which was planted by his grandfather. This is the land that produces the indigenous yeasts or bacteriology of the flor. He wants to keep his wines super natural, they’re certified organic, dry-farmed, some are old, ungrafted vines, and he loves to work with the local grapes. You also can’t find chemicals in the vineyard or cellar. De Sol a Sol (From Sun to Sun), Airén 2016, is dedicated to all of the hardworking farmers who work from sun up to sun down, which is just a beautiful thought. Here’s Julián’s own words which I found in Cuvee3000’s video, “Only we, the artisans, can preserve the cultural value of each area: vinifications, grape varieties, simplicity, tradition and so on.” That dedication is good enough for me

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @esenciarural @selectionsdelavina @zevrovineselections @zev_rovine @cheezits #pairswithcheezits #wine #naturalwine #cheezit #wineinfluencer @worldbyglass #winestagram #instawine #Airen #Airén #Quero #Toledo #CastillaLaMancha #Spain #JackHandey #deepthoughts #BodegaBrunoRuiz #desolasol #snl

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Can Fix Your Car and Make a Kicking Wine

Rodica
Sparkling Refošk Saignée 2018
100% Refošk
Certified organic, dry farmed, environmentally friendly & energy efficient wine cellar
Truške, Istria, Slovenia
Winemaking family: Rodica, founded by Marinko Rodica

Cranberry with white/very light pink bubbles. Looks like your Thanksgiving cranberry out of the can or homemade sauce with a little doily dancing on top. Letting the first bit of funk dance in and out, then strawberries, tiny roses that float in and wander back and forth, and sweet fresh cut grass that works it’s way in. Next there’s blend of coriander and cinnamon but mellow and not too in your face. For some reason when I hit the roses, all that kept popping into my head were a swirl of Frida Kahlo’s work full of beauty and strength. Sipping strawberry fizz (reminds me of mom’s homegrown not over sweet strawberry jam), raspberry and blackberry smash (seeds and all), and lemon/lime squeeze. Refreshing! A little strawberry Starbust as I get to the end of the glass. Don’t over think it like I have been and just enjoy it like I will the next glass or two. Dancing berries left…dancing berries right….dancing berries in the middle…shake your tail feather!

When I found out this wine/winery was created by a car mechanic that wanted a change in life (1998)…well as you can see, I just had to buy it. As you read above, this is no motor oil but a bottle of dancing love. Marinko Rodica and his family have a great care for their beautiful land, the vines, the creatures, and the world around them. They also mostly work with indigenous grapes such as this Refošk, and as I read more about this beautiful grape, it has health advantages too. Supposedly some part of it can help with atherosclerosis, has a component of aspirin, and can help digestion. Who knew? Evidently the Slovenians do and they have a yearly festival in Marezige celebrating the wine and all the great foods, etc. to go with it. It’s on hiatus till next year due to well, you know the world we’re still living in, but you can still check out the experience and plan next year’s trip.

@vinewinenyc @rodicawines @vinum.slo.cro @cheezits #Saignee #wine #vinho #vino #vin #PétNat #petnat #bubbly #sparklingwine #organic @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #cheezit #vinewinenyc #winestagram #instawine #wineinfluencer #Refošk #Truške #Istria #Slovenia #bluesbrothers #raycharles

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A Lovely Reliable Old Friend

Domaine de La Pinardière
Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie 2019
100% Muscadet (Melon de Bourgogne)
Sustainable agriculture
Vallet, Loire Valley, France
Owner/Winemaker: Christophe Olivier (4th generation of this longstanding wine family)

Shiny golden with a light green hue. Scents of seaside saltiness then open to green apples, a mix of pretty pears, and granite. Sipping in pears, golden delicious apples that when you bite in are juicy and crisp all at once, a minerally lick of a rock, shake (or two) of salt, and a spark of lime zip. So fresh! Exhale and there’s a little salty peatiness in the back of your mouth. Smooth…Oh this is an old friend that stays consistent each time I meet you, and you always make me crave shrimp, langoustines, and oysters…but then when am I not craving those.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ooh clean and lovely

I first met this wine on a night on my own. Walking home, I passed a bustling oyster bar and noticed the window seat open, and that never happened. My S.O. was living in Switzerland, and I was missing him and decided to treat myself but not break the budget. The sun was dimming, and this little glass transported me to France. It became a stop on evenings when it was still too warm to go home and this glass of muscadet was a delightful partner with a handful of oysters. Tonight, this wine is just the same as it was in the past and all of these memories and emotions come flying back. It’s amazing how time flies, places close, people move…sigh…but so happy to have some things not change.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny #DomainedeLaPinardiere @BaronFrancois @cheezits #pairswithcheezits #wine #cheezit #whitewine #organic @worldbyglass #needmorewine #winestagram #instawine #wineinfluencer #Muscadet #MelondeBourgogne #Vallet #LoireValley #France

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Spring on a Wing

Wild Nature Wines
Prosecco Rosé Brut DOC 2019
Millesimato
90% Glera, 10% Pinot Noir
Certified vegan, organic for more than 40 years, and biodynamic
Veneto, Italy
Winemaker: Emilio Fidora

Salmon rose pour with delicate white bubbles. So alive and romantic! Breathing in a salty fizz, laid back strawberries and cherries, light cherry blossoms, red delicious apple peels, and a dreamy breath of Spring. This is a beautiful mouthful of cherries, strawberries, cranberry, and salt. The tingly bubbles also have a spritz of lime, and an apple roundness, a smidge of cinnamon on the back, and as time goes on all of a sudden a cherry jelly belly drops in. It’s a total party!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Makes it even more crisp if that is possible

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, and even this regal and funky pheasant on this label. Each wine gets their own unique familiar drawn entwined with the environment and growing as one. I don’t know who the artist (anyone know?) is but they are truly talented. Talent also runs in this family, and innovation. Emilio’s grandfather (Guido), made history bringing on the organic over 40 years ago (Veneto’s oldest organic estate); and then Emilio decided to embark forward in the steps toward biodynamic and now they are certified bio and vegan and living up to their name.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @wildnaturewines @SkinContactWines @cheezits #pairswithcheezits #Millesimato #wine #vino #cheezit #Prosecco #Rosé #rose #sparklingwine #bubbly #organic #naturalwine @worldbyglass #needmorewine #winestagram #instawine #Italy #Veneto #Venice #Verona #Glera #PinotNoir #WildNatureWines

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Am I In The Back Of A Bakery?

Evil Twin Brewing
Cookies ’N Cream ’N Chocolate ’N Chili ’N Cookies
Imperial Pastry Stout
12% ABV
Queens, New York
Founder, owner, brewer: Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø

Super deep dark brown with tiny caramel head that quickly flees. Oof direct hit to the nose here of massive chocolate cookies and fresh baked brownies, chocolate croissants, brown sugar, and vanilla. This smells so good! Am I in the back of a bakery? First sip and wooooowheee! Full on dark and sweet chocolate, coffee, ice cream sandwich with extra cookies, and a pinch of spicy pepper that grows as you drink, but not too much. Just helps even everything out.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: I thought I would hate it but it’s fine. Brings out more deep chocolatey bursts.

Dang Evil Twin is always so darn good in any style beer they create. I grabbed this Imperial Pastry Stout when it was still blazing outside, but today is the perfect day for it on a lazy rainy weekend. Perfect sipping while I’m relaxing post a crazy week, and it has turned on the radio that lives in my head to a favorite Tom Waits (Ice Cream Man) and the memories that go with it.

@EvilTwinBrewing @BeerBoutiqueInc @twelve.percent.beer.project @twelve.percent.nyc.metro @hkarlphoto @cheezits #beer #wine #winestagram #instawine #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #imperialstout #imoerialpastrystout #craftbeer #beerstagram #beersofinstagram #beerlife  #jeppejarnitbjergsø #EvilTwinBrewing #tomwaits

 

 

 

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Rugby Pandamonium

Vinovalie
Les Valeurs Sures
Les Blousons Noirs 2018
100% Malbec
AOP Cahors
Saint Sulpice, France
Wine co-op; Cellar master (for Cahors): Hervé Froment

Inky dark ruby with blue highlights (natural not dyed). After pulling the cork, it’s buttery at first, and then start rolling out of the pour are vanilla, cherries, plums, and a walk around a lush dark velvety forest. Hmmm this is really friendly and enchanting. Sipping and white pepper says “hello”, then dried and dark fresh cherry, blueberries, plum and prunes, and a few blackberries wave back. It’s smooth with a tiny upstart fight, but after a bit there’s a light little brown sugar brittle. This is one scrumptious Malbec.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: smooth lovely sailing

Who out there loves rugby and of course a good scrum? Well, I sure do; and Vinovalie sees their co-op in team terms. As they say, “Vinovalie is all about collective performance. As in rugby, success is in the quality of the pass – through mutual dialogue and shared exchanges”. They draw on everyone’s diverse experience and knowledge to get the best from their lands and vineyards, and work forward to the best in bottle goal (or a try). Les Blousons Noirs is one cool panda sporting a very apropos biker jacket. Rugged on the outside and warm and sweet on the inside. Hey, that sounds like a description of many players I know. All I can say is grab a glass and let’s head to the match!

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @vinovalie @steephillwine @cheezits #pairswithcheezits #wine #cheezit @worldbyglass #needmorewine #winestagram #instawine #Cahors #saintsulpice #France #Malbec #LesValeursSures #LesBlousonsNoirs #panda #rugby

 

 

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Get Up! Get On Up!

Domaine Julien Prével
Sec Machine 2019
Pét-Nat
100% Chenin Blanc
Organic and hand-harvested
Montlouis-sur-Loire, France
Winemaker: Julien Prével

Cheery gold with a fun and fine foam. Right on the tip of my nose is a little malt yeast (like what you’d find at an Athens, GA bar popcorn machine, and if you haven’t tried it…do!), Meyer lemon, mellow apples, grass, and wet rocks after a good hard rain. Sipping and still a pinch of that malty yeast, apples, pears, hay, and baking spice blend. Ooh next there’s a good lemon squeeze to wake it up and smack me in the face alive and vibrant. So, there is also a banana bit, and I have a love/hate relationship with that flavor. It’s a Bavarian weissbier banana, so it’s a love for me. This sparkler is made for all sorts of beer lovers, and as it opens it’s a massive easy drinker. Oh, one more note all of a sudden…on the back end there is some yellow cake (not uranium). Who doesn’t love cake?

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Yes! Everything heightens and it’s a party!

I’m so glad Julien Prével didn’t go into the academia/teaching realm as a profession and ended up in wine. We wouldn’t have this lovely “Sec Machine” if life had taken a different route, and I wouldn’t have this classic stuck in my head for days! Let’s all get up and “Shake your money maker”!

@vinewinenyc #domainejulienprevel #JulienPrevel @TerrellWines #terrellwines @cheezits #wine #vinho #vino #vin #PétNat #petnat #bubbly #sparklingwine #organic @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #cheezit #vinewinenyc #winestagram #instawine #CheninBlanc #Montlouis #Loire #France #jamesbrown