Tingly Tastebud Vibrations

Dio Cocktails
Turmeric Ginger Lemon Mule
Super Natural
13.5% ABV
Based out of NY, NY
Made in Athens, GA
Co-founders: Bronson van Wyck & Nick Bradley

Lovely pour of yellow with a green splash & bubbles. Sniff and there’s turmeric, ginger, sugar cane, lemon, a whiff of white pepper, and a salty breeze. Sipping and wow that is quite a delicious explosion and it’s all there from the sniff with more crisp lemon & zest, a teeny shave of orange, a peppery vibe that grows & a shake of salt. Awesome tingly tastebud vibrations, or as they say “A double dose of spirit with a splash of sin”.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: bleh

Two men of international intrigue…one with a flair for getting the party started & the other with expertise in getting a brand launched (both originally Southerners btw) paired to make intriguing classic & inventive cocktails with a nod to mythology, gods, other worldly pleasures. Dionysus would be totally impressed with these men and their lively libations, since “DIo  is crafted from the world’s finest, all-natural ingredients, offering modern twists on classic cocktails from around the world. Divinely distilled from Herculean-strength spirits, our luxurious libations are sweetened sinlessly . . . so you don’t have to be.”

#cocktails #cannedcocktails #gin #wineinacan #wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #drinkdio #docwinebar #docwineshop

“Luckiest Girl On Earth”

Division Winemaking Company
Pinot Noir “Un,” 2022
Sustainable
Willamette Valley
Urban winery & tasting room in Portland, OR
Co-owners & co-winemakers: Kate Norris & Thomas Monroe

Plummy maroon. There’s scents of dancing cherries, pink & green strawberries, rhubarb but in pie form, red currants, a teeny lemon drop, cardamon & coriander, and faint tomato leaf but this is the first glass. Sipping away on a mix of dark & light plums & cherries, strawraspbosenberry blend, smidge of hoarhound candy, that rhubarb pie again with the spices & red currant, lick of fresh rained on conglomerate rock, blackberry (seeds & all), and a good twang…light on its feet with a growing sophisticated dance that is sure to keep on grooving.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Step away from the bag…why ruin a good thing

Norris & Monroe are both very passionate about wine, the process, knowing when to step back or step in, or as Thomas says, “Winemakers are an integral part of the process, but I equate it to a chef and food. If you over season something, it takes away the nature and beauty of the produce you sourced for your dish.”. You know, just like a good meal a good wine can bring people together in a moment of joy, conversation and sharing which is definitely what “Un” does, and as Kate mentions, she loves to see people truly enjoying their wines to the last drop. One last quote that I found during my deep dive on their site that brought a huge smile to my face is how Kate views her part of winemaking, “That challenge is thrilling, humbling, and rewarding. I’m always asking myself, did I translate what mother nature gave us well? I’m the luckiest girl on earth, getting to make wine.” ❤️🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #PinotNoir #oregon #portland #divisionwine #divisionwineco  #vinewinenyc

Lingering Over The Last Glass

Domaine de La Taille aux Loups (Jacky et J.P. Blot)
Brut Tradition
100% Chenin Blanc
Certified organic, indigenous yeasts, no sugar, hand harvested
Montlouis-sur-Loire, France
Jean-Phillipe Blot

Golden shine with fine bubbles. Sniff and up floats a little croissant or toasty pastry, a zesty bit of lime, lemon cream pie, as it grows there’s also an apple blossom or 2, apple/pear baked, and a scratch of tangelo zest. Sipping…it’s tickling & tingling on my tongue with all of the scents, a crisp & bright clean mineral/stainless elegance, lemon & lime keep dancing but more than just zest with a smidge of kumquat, and on the very back a bit of poached pear or actually maybe quince…yeah, it’s quince. It’s a glass of pure celebration.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Just don’t

Many years ago Jean-Phillipe joined his father in winemaking at the age of 16, and now he is at the helm after his father’s passing in 2023. I never had an opportunity to meet him but through this bottle I think I have a glimpse into his dream. Found out that earlier in his life he was a paratrooper, and thanks to his brother was turned on to wine which led to being a wine broker and then his curiosity and passion led him to become a winemaker. In the late 80s, he picked up 8 ha in Montlouis-sur-Loire (Domaine de La Taille aux Loups) and focused not on Vouvray but Chenin Blanc. There were ups and downs but his resilience and determination paid off. He became an acclaimed winemaker, one of the finest in Loire, and a champion of Chenin Blanc. As brilliant of a wine figure he was, there are so many words people use to describe him in tribute..he’s generous, friendly, welcoming, so very kind, wanting to share his knowledge & joy of tastings, and he was so loved by so many. I’m down to my last glass, savouring it and raising it as a salute to Jacky & also J.P. as he carries on the traditions. 🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #brut #sparklingwine #bubbly  #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #organic #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #France #loirevalley #cheninblanc  #skurnikwines #domainedelatailleauxloups #docwinebar #docwineshop

“Friendship Is A Slow Ripening Fruit”

Supergay Spirits
Two Fruits
Cosmo
Sustainably sourced & packaged
12.5% ABV
Based in Brooklyn, NY
Distillery in PA

Hazy pink grapefruit pour. At first there’s fragrant scents of pink/orange jelly beans that grow into a natural fruit blend of nectarines, orange/citrus sparkle, and light cranberry with a lime squeeze. Such an easy sipper & tasting nectarine, cranberry, an orange/lime/kumquat (spelling) swirl with their zest singed & twisted in the edge, a small reminder of chewing sugar cane as a kid on holidays…but not too sweet & just dry enough on the back. FYI one can holds two cocktails, so beware of cocktail goggles, or you know…just go with it and see what present you end up unwrapping. 🎁

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Just don’t.

Two Fruits is Supergay Spirits’ line of cocktails but it’s more than that. They care about sustainability in all aspects of their production, less waste (recycle it!), and work with local producers (when available) like in this can with their Supergay Vodka (Yonkers, NY) & Heimat Nectarine Liqueur (Hudson Valley, NY). Another thing to add about Supergay is they “only use 100% organic and ethically sourced”ingredients in their spirits, and are “queer owned and operated and we donate a percentage of profits to local LGBTQI+ organizations.” That’s a big plus for me. Another plus is Two Fruits was founded by friends…who doesn’t need supportive friends who you can share your dreams & drinks. As they say on their site in a quote attributed to Aristotle, “Friendship is a slow ripening fruit.” ❤️🏳️‍🌈

#cocktails #cannedcocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cosmo #wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove #winetime #friyay #weekend #weekendvibes #worldbyglass #supergayspirits #twofruits #docwinebar #docwineshop

The Things You Can Do In Your Parent’s Basement

LaRuraL
Parellada 2022
100% Parellada
Organic (CCPAE since 2015), indigenous yeasts & grapes, no additives
Santes Creus, Alt Camp, Tarragona, Catalunya, Spain
Xavi and Andreu Padró (brothers)

Bright orange gold. Breathing in oranges, orange blossoms, irises & roses, tangerines & zest, fresh pineapple, cantaloupe, and a touch of  musk melon. Taking a sip and ding ding ding it’s all of the scents with a bit of lime zest spring in its step, golden apples fresh & baked, round pears, apricots, candied pineapple like from mom’s fruitcake & also dried but not overly sweet, all of the flavors linger & swirl, and at the very back green apple peel.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: ok

The Padró family were growers but didn’t get into winemaking/selling until Xavi & Andreu decided it was time to show the world what their family’s grapes could do. When I think of two brothers hanging out in their parents’ basement, the image that comes to mind of boys/young men playing D&D or video games, but with these two…they were on their way to creating magical elixirs. Starting out they worked with an enologist but it wasn’t quite the right fit, and they followed their heart or should I say their tastebuds to inspirations of likeminded & knowledgable souls that helped guide their way. Their celebrated wines also carry eye catching labels by their friend & artist, Fran Rodríguez aka lacabezaenlasnubes. His imagery is surreal and filled with emotions or memories that seem frozen in time. Check him out and please do pick up one of LaRuraL’s wines because they are inside and out a portal to an enchanting world.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #organic #naturalwine  #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #lacabezaenlasnubes #josepastorselections #Spain #LaRuraL #vinewinenyc

Imagine Better

Gérald Vallée
Mercies-Vallée
La Closerie Imaginaire 2023
Sauvignon Blanc
Touraine AOC
Organic (Ecocert certified now), hand picked
Touraine, Loire Valley, France
Gérald Vallée & family

Light shimmering gold. Scents start popping out of lemon, lime, tangerine, grapefruit, kumquat, Valencia oranges along with orange blossoms, mineral river rocks, and an old favorite of Orangina. Sipping and there’s a good squeeze of the scents including the rock, pineapple, little scrape of mango with green apples & pears, and a blade of grass.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Easy as pie

Gérald Vallée’s father Claude passed along the love and devotion for their vines (Domaine de la Cotelleraie) and when he took over in 1997, he realized to move forward with his wines, he had to focus more. They had for years cultivated their grapes along with other farming, but he would be the 1st generation to be “devoted itself solely to wine.” This led him toward heading to the organic side in 1999, growing not only in ha but also together in rhythms, setting up “rigorous work schedule of plowing, digging, hoeing and treatment with sulfur or copper from spring to avoid the use of chemical weedkillers, fertilizers and other pesticides”. Well, obviously it has paid off. He’s known & acclaimed for his cabernet francs, so was a bit of a delightful surprise to see this sauvignon blanc that even on the label calls for us to imagine something better for the world…to follow him to a better way of wine life through nature. Oops now I have that classic John Lennon song stuck in my head, so I’m passing this earwig on to you. 

“You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one”

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #organic #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #France #loirevalley #zevrovineselections #DomainedelaCotelleraie #MerciesVallée #docwinebar #docwineshop

Let Them Speak & Listen

Dönnhoff Estate
Riesling Trocken 2023
Oberhäusen, Nahe, Germany
Dönnhoff family: Cornelius Dönnhoff (current & 4th generation)

Twinkle twinkle little light yellow green star. Sniffing pears, lemon, mild apples, honeydew, a slightly musky mango, as it grows Valencia orange with a clean stainless smell, roses and a few other flowers that make you smile. All of the scents are there in the elixir rolling around on my tongue, but the mango is oh so clean with a dry lime zest/citrus sizzle that crisps more the further back and makes me crave west coast oysters….actually the more I taste…I’d prefer warm very crisp thin bacon and as time goes by maybe even a sourdough BLT.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: so lovely and gentle

The Dönnhoffs’ heritage in Oberhausen an der Nahe is well over 250 years with the earliest mention of vines in 1761. Cornelius’s great grandfather Hermann paved the way for their winery and lands as they are now with his first wines back in 1920s. As one would expect they grew but only just enough so they could devote their time and space to care for them properly. As they say “The vineyards speak for themselves. You have to listen to them.” and if you pay attention they will give you the best wine. ❤️

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #catsofinstagram #cats #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Germany #skurnikwines #DonnhoffEstate #docwinebar #docwineshop

Do I Need A Decoder Ring?

Fabien Jouves
H@*T€ Côt de Fruit 2023
100% Malbec
Organic
Cahors, France
Winemaker: The man, the legend…FJ

Deep purple with a maroon rim. Breathing in cherry, blackberry, dark plums, a drop of blueberry that swirls into boysenberries, touch of vanilla followed by warm holiday spice, and an earthy depth but not poop wine (you know what I’m talking about). Sipping bright cherry, raspberry, young strawberry, red & black currants, sprig of wild sour grass, rhubarb, and as it breathes there’s more layers that keep emerging so enjoy the ride.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: NON NON NON

Let me just simply say, I love Fabien Jouves’ wines. He’s a master of Malbec (Côt), cares more about keeping it biodynamic/natural than following the wine rules, and has a way with words…especially on his labels such as “Soif d’Ailleurs” (translates to “Thirst for Elsewhere”), “You F&@K My Wine ?!”, and “Haute Côt(e) de Fruit” taking a jab at “Hautes-Côtes-de-Nuit”. Leads me to wonder why this one is spelled a bit differently “H@*T€ Côt de Fruit”. I’ve searched, asked & had some answers about labeling, but so far the spelling is still a mystery. If you’re still reading at this point, and have any inkling as to this moniker…please satisfy my curiosity by revealing the secret. Do I need a decoder ring? 🤔 Whatever the reasoning, I hope he keeps them coming because oh do they make me smile.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #biodynamic #organic #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #France #malbec #cahors #zevrovineselections #masdelperiefabienjouves #fabienjouves #docwinebar #docwineshop

 

Why Rush? Just Breathe…

The Central Coast Group Project
Obscure Object of Desire 2014
Viognier
Santa Barbara, CA
Grapes locally sourced from organic/sustainable vineyards, unfined & unfiltered
Winemaker & owner: Scott Sampler

Shining electric orange amber. Let this baby breathe a while and then scents appear of tangerines, orange rinds, a sherry/calvados mashup, hazelnuts that morph into coconut,  teeny bit of pineapple, and a few little orange blossoms. Sipping all of the scents with a touch of honey & an alcohol burn, followed by pickled watermelon rind, and candied orange peel.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: NO

Scott Sampler is definitely a Renaissance man…a lover of the arts, filmmaker, has great appreciation of food & wine (& wine coolers), and he melds all the fields together in CCGP (and his other wines “L’Age d’Or” & “Scotty Boy”). You know, I almost didn’t give this wine the time it needs to be appreciated and that would have been a great mistake. The world so often keeps everything running at full throttle and sometimes special events just get overlooked and rushed through. This is not one of those moments. “Obscure Object of Desire” as other CCGP wines have lengthy maceration/fermentation times and are made to age. So take some time to spend with this glass as you would with a dear old friend you have not seen in years…I guarantee you will be having a long & beautiful conversation.

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This Is Not My Grandfather’s Wine

Terra di Seta
480 slm 2018
Chianti Classico DOCG
Sangiovese 95%, Cabernet Sauvignon 5%
Organic, Kosher, sustainable agriculture
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Vagliagli, Tuscany, Italy
Daniele Della Seta (husband) & Maria Pellegrini (wife)

Ruby stained glass. Scents float up of plums, prunes, dried & fresh cherries, raisins, smooth & expressive violets, a classic bit of leather book binding with a dash of tobacco that morphs into crunchy raspberries & smoke, and a dash of cloves, fennel, warm spice/pepper blend. All of the scents are in the taste along with dried figs, pomegranate, red currants, dark olives, fennel, and a modern light gentle dry dance that echos classical footsteps.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: a good bitter dried fruit richness

Must be wonderful to work side by side with the one you love, and also love your work. Maria’s from a winemaking family while Daniele’s background is in biology and from what I’ve found they both have their hands in every aspect of their organic farm, winery & wine tourism farmhouse “Le Macie” that looks like a place you would never want to leave (there’s an infinity pool & some of the apts have AC!). They also are “the only winery in Italy whose entire wine production, from its grapes – since 2008 – is supervised by strict Kosher certification”. Long ago when I was a kid, the only Kosher wine that my grandfather used to pick up to have with the holiday fruitcake was let’s say a certain Concord grape concoction that I bet many of you had the same reaction to it as I did 🤮. I can happily say “Terra di Seta” is definitely not my grandparents wine…it’s heavenly.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting  #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #italy #Tuscany #viaswine #TerradiSeta #docwineshop #docwinebar