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Be a Rebel

Weingut Loacker
Santa Maddalena Classico Morit
Alto Adige DOC 2017
Vernatsch 87%, Lagrein 10%, Pinot Noir 3%
Bolzano, Italy
Organic, biodynamic, vegan, and native yeasts
Founded by Rainer Loacker and is now in the hands of his sons Franz Josef, Hayo, and Hannes

Bright cheery cherry ruby color. After pouring my nose is getting some butter at first but let that glass sit a little while and then don’t think of it again. Then comes the cherries, plums, pinch of pepper, sweet spring flowers, rosemary, and some creaminess with a faint sugar cookie with sprinkles. Wow, that was a lot and I’m wondering if the taste is heading the same way, and I’m not disappointed. There’s tart cherry brightness, bring on the funk that plum funk, strawberries, wild blueberries, black pepper, smoke, and as it rolls it’s velvet with a small orange zest kick One more thing to add, do not be an idiot like me. I was preoccupied and didn’t notice there is a glass stopper and wondered why my opener wasn’t going in. Feel free to laugh at me all you want.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: smooth dark cherry mmmm

Rainer Loacker is yes, that Loacker from the wafer world. You remember those addictive little cookies? In 1979, Rainer saw himself as a rebel in the region, since he knew his winery had to be sustainable. The vines even get homeopathic treatment. Rainer’s vision, which at the time was very much not the norm, and as he says in the video (please click and hear his own words) people told him “Organic wine doesn’t interest us.” He was even called out of his mind. Well, look how much times have changed, and how right his decision was. From this bottle alone, I can attest his diligence has created this delicious, delightful wine. Also according to their site, Santa Maddalena Classico Morit 2017, is not only sustainable, but also organic and vegan. By the way, there are two more vineyards in their hands, and they all hold to the same standards. Do it natural, respect those beautiful lands and you have a recipe for success!

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @LoackerWineEstates @APWineImports @cheezits #cheezit #organic #biodynamic #vegan #nativeyeasts #wine #winestagram #instawine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #altoadige #Bolzano #Italy #Vernatsch #Lagrein #PinotNoir #loacker

 

 

 

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Drink Like Royals

Chapel Down Winery
Classic Non-Vintage Brut
50% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 13% Pinot Blanc, 7% Pinot Meunier
Traditional Method
Tenterden, Kent, England, UK
Head Winemaker: Josh Donaghay-Spire

Crisp golden yellow with a lot of active bubbles. Popped the cork and there’s hints of vanilla at first, then apples, honey, and brioche which in some cases like this I love, but for crying out loud, why are so many people ruining delicious burgers with those buns. Go simple and let the contents shine not that overpowering bun. Back to the sparkler, there is a touch of darkness mixed with pear. It’s not herbal or mineral. It just gives it a little more depth. Raise that glass and take a sip of the crisp tart lemon, strawberries, and it reminds me of red delicious apples from home that are mellow and perfect for apple crumble. I know I reminisce warmly about growing up in an orchard, but there were times (especially in high school) where I didn’t want to see another apple. Whether it was in cakes, pies, crumbles, or sautéed with onions and served with pork chops. Now look at me, I love those wonderful flavors especially in anything with bubbles,

Pairs w Cheez-It’s: smooth drinking

This is my first UK sparkler, so I guess this means I’m no longer a virgin. I’ve been trying to track one down for years. I even reached out to one of my old colleagues/friends, Will Lyons for recommendations, but even then it was a hard find. The minute I’d be set to head to the store to grab one, poof! It was gone. Had been searching again recently and found one of these elusive bottles of bubbles, and again, within seconds, sold out. All of a sudden, last week this one popped up. I knew very little about the winery and vineyards, but at this point I didn’t care. Went ahead and paid online and dashed in for pickup. Turns out Chapel Down was on the menu of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding. Heck, if it’s good enough for the Royals then why not for us commoners too. LORDE – Royals

@chapeldown @ParkStreetCompanies @joshdspire @mrwill_lyons @cheezits #cheezit #wine #bubbly #sparklingwine #brut #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Kent #England #UK #PinotNoir #Chardonnay #PinotBlanc #PinotMeunier @lordemusic #lorde

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One Promise Kept This Past Year

Golden West
The Promise
Pinot Noir 2018
100% Pinot Noir
Quincy, Washington State
Winemaker: Charles West

Glistening garnet glass. After uncorking there’s butter then poof gone. Followed by cherry, coriander, some leather, plums, vanilla (hmm), strawberries, and blueberries. Tasting cherries, dark plum, and raisin as I expected but then there’s a little watercress. I swear, it is there. Then some vanilla, thyme, and toasted rosemary.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: doesn’t really change anything

Golden West is the latest of Charles West’s countless projects. This is definitely a man with a creative need to never be still. He managed rock bands touring through Europe. Fell in love with wine on those travels. Later hit the Walla Walla trail and was turned on to making wine. As time went on awards and recognitions piled up. You’ve probably seen the distinct graphics (by Rikke Korff) on his “Modernist Project” from wines like Kung Fu Girl Riesling and Boom Boom! Syrah. Golden West – The New Classic, is his new way of bringing great quality Pinot Noir to the public at a price that won’t kill your wallet. He has totally made his “The Promise” to all of us reality. Wondering what he has been doing over this past year, and what new project or conquest comes next!

Being an 80s child, you have to know what song is now stuck in my head, so passing it along to you too.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @charlessmithwines @KickAssWaWine @we.are.washington @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #PinotNoir #Quincy #WashingtonState #Washington #RikkeKorff #wheninrome #thepromise

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No Folly in this Whale’s Tale

Folly of the Beast
Pinot Noir 2018
Pinot Noir 100%
Central Coast, Santa Maria, CA
Sustainable
Winemaker: Ryan Zotovich
Produced and bottled by Winc

Bright and lively cherry color. Just opened and there’s light butter that I’m betting will head out in a bit.  Next scents are cherries, plums, a tiny grind of pepper. Everything is light and fresh. Now on to see how this glass tastes. Full of strawberries, raspberries, cherries, deep plums, some oak and cedar. Also something herbal for the season like rosemary but not smacking you in the face. Snuggly comfy feeling that pairs so well with my lounge wear (honestly as much as I’d love to say it’s La Perla, but it’s TJ Maxx pj pants and a beer t-shirt).

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings out a more rugged feel. more dark

Ryan Zotovich, you have truly made a winner of a wine at an awesome price. I’m so glad that you left the computer science track and returned to your wine roots and ended up at Winc. Folly of the Beast would definitely go well with what I’m reading in your interview when asked, “If you were throwing a dinner party and could invite anyone, who would it be?” Betting your pick “Bill Murray as Steve Zissou” would give this wine his seal of approval.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @cryanzotovich @winc @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits  #organic #biodynamic #naturalwine #pinotnoir #SantaMaria #CA #california #sustainable #billmurray #SteveZissou #HermanMelville #mobydick

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A Little Slice of Heaven

Meinklang
Prosa 2019
Dry Sparkling Rosé
Burgenland Austria
Biodynamic
Pinot noir

A beautiful glass of deep red grapefruit with bubbles. Inhale and there’s berries, tangerine, orange peel, a touch of pepper, some salt and mineral. Now for the lovely swish and sip. It’s zingy. There’s raspberries, oh and beautiful strawberries as it opens up. There’s a smoothness, citrus zest, grassy, and dry. This is fresh fun happiness which is so welcome right now. Let’s hang out on the porch swing, listen to the cows and maybe gossip a little bit.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: makes it tart but less dry. Brings out lemon

The family run farm and vineyards of Meinklang are located in what looks like one of the most beautiful places on earth, and is located inside the WHS of Neusiedlersee. The whole place runs like the “circle of life”. The vineyard is enriched by the compost they produce on the farm, from the cows (which grace the label), sheep, and horse poop. They also have wild herb ground covering throughout the vineyard, along with stinging nettles and thistles. They take in the importance of cultivating the wildlife, the insects, etc. that all play a part in vineyard and farm. In one part of their vineyard they created what they call eco-islands (27 in all) that break up the continuing vines. Each one has a single fruit tree and black elderberry shrubs, which benefit the critters, bugs, and birds. Ok, how much more can I love this family. They have shrews and hedgehogs! They also let their Pinot Gris run free. No pruning here. They’ve dubbed it “Graupert” which is a word from the Burgenland dialect used to describe someone slightly scruffy-looking. I bet this kind of describes a lot of us working from home right now. Going to have to find out how to pronounce this before my next online office meeting.

Neusielder See – Seewinkel National Park stretches through Austria and Hungary. The lake is incredible and the marshlands are just beautiful. It’s perfect place for birding because 1000s of migratory birds pass through, and it’s a great place for those of us that love toads and frogs. Come on, there’s nothing like sitting outside by a lake in the evening hearing those deep throated sounds. Oh and as for the birds, I had never heard of the Great Bustard before. Yes, all of my birding friends feel free to shame me. Wow, what an incredible bird, especially when it displays for courtship or conflict (video found on youtube from Rainer Raab).

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @meinklang_farm @docwinebar @Meinklang @ @cheezits #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #pinotnoir #austria #biodynamic #GreatBustard #Burgenland #zevrovineselections

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A Basket of Kittens

Fossil & Fawn

Rosé 2019
Oregon
Pinot Noir & Pinot Gris

Deep plummy vibrant salmon color.

On the tip of my nose is salt, orange blossoms, orange peel, tangerine, and I do believe slate. Take a gentle swig and pow what an explosion. This isn’t a shy kitten. It wants to come out and play There’s apple, a touch of tart. There’s cranberries (not the band), strawberries, orange peel, tingle, salt, mineral/stone, and a touch of funk.

Day two makes me want to dress up to go to work in the home office. Ok, so it’s still jeans, but with a spring green silk top with fairywrens on it.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Makes it much sweeter, quite sweet…maybe a touch of honey.

#wine #worldbyglass #pandemic #covid19 #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits  #cheezit #rose #Rosé #pinotnoir #pinotgris #oregon @worldbyglass @SilvershotVineyards #SilvershotVineyards @fossilandfawn @vinewinenyc