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Pairs With Tryptophan

Tenuta Tascante
Ghiaia Nera 2019
Etna DOC
Nerello Mascalese
SOStain certified sustainable, vegan
Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy
Owners: The Tasca Family; Alberto Tasca 7th generation
Winemaker: Stefano Masciarelli

Color shining stained glass window ruby. At first there’s scents of buttery creamy cherry that leads to crème de cassis as it opens, plums, a little lavender breeze, with a blend of blueberry, blackberry & strawberry love, a bit of cola soda, and a smidge of peat on day one that later waves bye as it heads out the door. Lovely cocktail of flavors of cherry, cranberry, strawberry, blackberry, a hint of citrus peel, light lavender, a sprinkle of black & white pepper, lick of rock, a whiff of smoke, and there’s just so much going on that I didn’t expect in a good way.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: makes it all smoooooth

The Tasca family found a perfect marriage of Nerello Mascalese and their Mt. Etna soil which keeps the vines healthy even if there’s a very rainy year. Their other major ingredient is also their dedication to the hard work of tending the vineyards and harvesting on the volcanic slopes (and boy are they beautiful). Their Ghiaia Nera (black gravel) is an honest lovely invite to experience and learn about them and their part of Etna. In my book, it’s also a light fresh friend that will help rouse you from the tryptophan induced holiday haze we’re entering into until the end of the year. Happy holidays y’all! 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #MtEtna #Etna #Sicily #Italy #NerelloMascalese #Tryptophan #happyholidays @dallaterrawinerydirect @tascadalmerita @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Flying Free

Fabrizio Vella
(Cantine Rallo)
Catarratto 2021
Non Filtrato
Terre Siciliane IGP
Organic grapes grown in Marsala, no additives, indigenous yeasts, unfiltered
Sicily, Italy
Winemaker: Fabrizio Vella

Warm golden happiness in a glass. Breathing in golden delicious apple, hyacinth, orange squish and zest, a pinch of an herby blend (thyme, basil & more), lemons, and as it opens a smidge of warm spice. Ooh this tastes really good…there’s a crunch of green apple, lemon/lime twang, a sliver of honey dew, and hmmm…wait…it’s mango (but just a little), then Valencia orange & tangerine mix, and a mix of those herbs again, and a mineral shake of salt.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Just lovely

Oh what is it about Catarratto or this wine in particular? It’s enchanting and alive. How shall I put this so I don’t sound like a nut..when I continue to taste this bottle it’s like a vibrant burst of butterflies flying free to realms unknown. I hope that makes sense. There’s some sort of natural magic in Fabrizio Vella’s wine that probably has a lot to do about his dedication to working with indigenous grapes and the fact that they’re brought up the right way: organic, biodynamic farming & NO ADDITIVES. 🦋

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winemaking #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Catarratto #butterfly #Sicily #Italy #organic  #fabriziovella @omniwines @ralloaziendaagricola @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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Art The Sicilian Way

Cantine Madaudo
Sicilia Illustrata series
Passione Siciliana
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
2017
Nero d’Avola 60%, Frappato 40%
Vittoria (RG), Sicily, Italy
Madaudo family winery (4 generations strong)

Stained glass shimmering cherry. Breathe and in floats cherries, plums, raspberries, and not fully ripe strawberries. Tasting a tart cherry start then blackberries (seeds and all), a good swish of cranberry juice, tangy plums, a touch of tobacco (no I don’t chew, but I have had my share of cigars), and as it opens dried cherries too. Fresh, awake and alive and a bit juicy but dry at the same time.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: nah

“Sicilia Illustrata” is a beautifully depicted bottle series of 4 wines and 1 Spumante Brut (check them out on their site). Not only do you have a wonderfully crafted wine but also a piece of art from the creatives, Lelio Bonaccorso & Tonino Donato to add to your collection. The blend of the native grapes and the visuals weave and capture glimpses of Sicily, and honestly fascinate me even more to raise a glass to this enchanting island in person. Cheers! 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #italy #sicily #sicilia #NeroDAvola # Frappato #verdeimports #Sambucese @madaudowine @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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What Are The Jobs That Women Can’t Do?

Azienda Agraria Moretti Omero
Grechetto 2020
Umbria IGT
Organic, vegan, hand-harvested
Giano dell’Umbria PG, Umbria, Italy
It’s a total Moretti family winemaking and olive growing affair: Omero (The Founder), Daniela (The Strength), Giusy (The Mind), Lucia (The Face), Quinta (Grandmother)

Medium golden glass. Scents of pears, lemon zest, tiny slices of white peaches, and a little sea breeze salt. Hello! Dancing on my tongue are zesty zingy zaggy lemons and and a smidge of good citrus funky, fresh homegrown Kirby cucumbers (who doesn’t love a Kirby), crisp pears, Italian parsley and a smidge of Marcona almonds.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: mmmm delicious!

Omero’s grandfather (Domenico) launched their family business with a single olive grove post WWI. Now it’s not just trees of my favorite salty snack, but also fully organic vineyards (since 1992). Daniela will tell you it was her idea since she would have to leave her daughters with their dad in the field since her other life was being a nurse. Lucia (the olive expert) & Giusy now grown have joined the company, and Giusy is at the helm. Lucky for us she set aside a career in architecture to return to the place she loved, and brought her intellect, talent (she speaks 4 languages), understanding of branding and the story that goes with it, and passion for the environment. She looks beyond their borders by working with local govt to “introduce a pilot scheme that bans farmers from using pesticides and chemicals in the fields adjoining organic fields. & More widely the ban has been extended across the area to include no chemicals close to schools, hospitals and houses.” Not to leave out one more strong member of the family, Grandmother Quinta, who set the example that women can farm, work the field, and do anything they want, or as they say on their site, “What are the jobs that women can’t do?”

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #organic #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #italy #Umbria #Grechetto @apwineimports @docwineshop @docwinebar @moretti.vino.olio @cheezit

 

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A Magical Harvest

Cantina Marilina
Sikelé 2019
Terre Siciliane IGP
100% Grecanico (darn fabulous ancient grape)
Sicily, Italy
Organic, indigenous yeasts, no fining or filtration
Winemakers: Angelo Marilina and Federica Paternò

Deep golden beauty of a glass. My first Sikelé was a 2017, and 2019 is just as fab! As before the first scents are orange, melon, sweet honeysuckle, and one of my faves sea breeze salt, and in the latest, there’s also a little touch of tangerine and a smidge of spice. As I sip at home, it takes me back to that beautiful day in the sun where one glass is never enough. Delicious flavors of orange, lemon, melon, pear, apple, smoky salt, white pepper, a scattering of almonds, but the best part is the orange blossoms that keep wafting in and out, and in this 2019, there’s also that touch of tangerine again (a little IPAish) that mellows and a few following kumquats. It’s a lovely colorful natural shape shifting dream.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Still brings out more heavenly flowers

I can hardly believe it’s been over a year and a half when I was longing for a “A Day Under the Trees”. Still longing for that chance to visit Cantina Marilina and experience their “Picnic in the Vineyard” tasting. How glorious would that be? For now I’ll have to just have to watch over and over again their 2021 harvest and all the bits of that are a part of it from the land, the vineyard, the people and even the insects that thrive and do their own part in the whole picture. “Let’s try to bring dreams to life . Every year, at the end of the harvest , this is the mood we keep for the following months! 2021 gave us a magical harvest: life, in all its forms, is the basis of our work. Nature is the essence of everything!”

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #organic #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #italy #sicily #grecanicodorato #Grecanico #zevrovineselections @zevrovineselections @docwineshop @docwinebar @cantinamarilina @cheezit

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When You Can’t Stay Away From Your Roots

Sambucese (The Heart of a Native Sicilian) 2020
Catarratto 70% Chardonnay 20%
Terre Siciliane IGT
Sicily, Italy
Made by native Sicilians and the man that brings them together, Charlie Verde

Pale straw and the slightest twinge of green. Drifting in are scents of honeysuckle, fresh rained on slate, and then shortly light lilacs pop up along with a blend of pears, peaches and nectarines. First sip and there’s honeysuckle, pears, peaches and nectarines again and this time very crisp with a spark of grass. Oh, this is a little fun surprise, there’s a tiny pop of Lemonhead candy (but not the sweet part) and some lime zest which is a delicious combination. You’ll be charmed by this youngster by first glass!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: just smooth drinking

From what I’m finding, Charlie Verde couldn’t stay away from his Sicilian roots. Born in Sambuca di Sicilia, he did venture to the U.S. to seek his fortune & future. Time passed, a wife and family were included and it was time to revisit his homeland. Needless to say he felt that spark, the beauty of Sicily and it’s inhabitants and of course the wine. Now, he’s bringing the best of his Sicily to you (more than just wine too!), through Verde Imports, and as they say, “we understand that not only is quality of our products important, but quality of the people we work with, as well”. The honest, hardworking and passionate people that Mr. Verde has chosen are a recipe for delicious success.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Sambucese #Catarratto #Chardonnay #Sicily #Italy #sicilia  #verdeimports @sambucese @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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A Creative Solution

Tenuta delle Terre Nere
Etna Bianco DOC
2020
60% Carricante, 25% Catarratto, 10% Grecanico, 5% Minnella
Organic, sustainable, and vineyards are located on the northern slopes of the Etna volcano, 600-900 meters a.s.l.
Randazzo (CT), Sicily, Italy
Owner: Marc de Grazia

Light gold starlight. Scents grow while sitting for a little of peaches, pears, winesap apples, blossoms/lilac, and a fresh salty seaside bit. Beautiful! Now sipping yellow plums, apricots, ripe soft pears, oddly a little oregano on the edges (it’s good trust me), granite-volcanic fed/mineral, and salt. Now I’m craving unagi and west coast oysters and a mortadella (or if you can’t find it substitute bologna & salami) grilled cheese. Yeah, there’s nothing like a good grilled cheese.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: absolutely delicious

Marc de Grazia is a man with his hands on two sides of the wine industry. He started out as a wine importer and from what I’m reading it was spurred from not being able to find the wines he loved while studying in the US. Now that’s a creative solution! After working with all of these wonderful winemakers, he then became one of the early “pioneers” revitalizing winemaking in Etna with buying the land and creating “Tenuta delle Terre Nere” aka “Estate of the Black Earth”. From eruptions and destruction came this beautiful opportunity to work with unique soils which they continue to research. They’re thinking about what is coming next, and how to adapt since climate change is very real.

#wine #winelover #whitewine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #cheezit #organic @worldbyglass #Sicily #Italy #etna #mtetna #mountetna #naturalwine #pairswithcheezits #winetasting #winestagram @tenutaterrenere @skurnikwines @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Well Designed Enchantment

Il Censo
Praruar 2017
IGT Terre Siciliane Bianca
100% Catarratto
Organic, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts, unfined & unfiltered
Bivona (near Palazzo Adriano [where Cinema Paradiso was filmed]), Sicily, Italy
Owners: Gaetano & Nicoletta Gargano
Winemaker, architect, & artistic creative behind the label: Giampiero Bea

Deep skin contact orange copper. There’s scents of a warm baking spice, oranges and peel, apples, apricots and a nutty almondness. Tasting orange peel and  blossoms, honey, puff of smoke, apricots fresh and dried, lemon, nectarines, Mom’s baked apples, ginger sprinkle, Marcona almonds, a smidge of dried sage and this glass has a smooth depth that I’m going to slow down, linger and let the flavors build.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: nice and smooth

I stared at this beautifully designed label for some time, not knowing what to truly expect, since I’ve had a few Catarratto wines this summer and each is so unique. Some flirt, others leave me wondering and this one leaves me enchanted. Il Censo is one of those stories that an old (some would say ancient) family property was rejuvenated, there’s some replanting, and loving it back to organic life. All it makes me want to do is listen to the stories from this historic estate. What were the tenants of old like? What historic architecture still stands? What was the one moment when Gaetano and Nicoletta knew this is it…it’s time to leave banking and return to the vines? I could go on all night, but I’ll stop. If I’m lucky, maybe one day someone will join me at the table, share a bottle and reveal the tales of long ago.

#wine #winelover #orangewine #vino #vin #winelife #葡萄酒 #ワイン #cheezit #organic @worldbyglass #cataratto #pairswithcheezits #winetasting #winestagram #Bivona #Sicily #Italy #igt #GiampieroBea #gaetanogargano #ilcenso #madrosewine  @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Let Nature Speak and Love it Back

Occhipinti
SP68 Rosso 2019
Terre Siciliane IGT
Frappato 70% Nero d’Avola 30%
Vittoria, Sicily, Italy
Organic, biodynamic, dry farming, guyot and Cordon-spur trained, hand-harvested, and native yeasts
Owner and Winemaker: Arianna Occhipinti

Bright, light Christmas tinsel garnet. Just opened the bottle and there’s buttery that fades, roses, flashy cherry, plums, strawberries and cherry starbursts. Sipping cherries, raisins, strawberries, raspberries, and old school orange that in the holidays, your mom would make you cover in cloves and hang in the kitchen. There’s also white pepper, earthiness/darkness and a smooth dry finish. It’s a bottle full of life that could use a steak with chimichuri sauce.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings out more berries like blackberries and blueberries

This is my second Occhipinti (see post) and Arianna is a true wine whisperer. Her respect for every aspect…from the land and whether it’s on an incline, the climate, the vines, the local yeast, and the list can go on and on…is so reverent. She just listens to nature, gives all of it love and care, and let it also do its own thing. She truly loves Sicily and especially her part of world, and she says it best on her site, “Vittoria, wine, vineyard, dry stone walls. This is my land. Early in the morning the sun rises on the Iblei Mountains, while the sky turns red in layers and the warm light spreads amongst the rows of “Fossa di Lupo”, my district. I love the grapes of these places, Frappato and Nero d’ Avola. I feel myself in their expression, in being harmonic and unequal. I love the strength of the know-how to bring in the past and the future at the same time”. I’ve never met her, but through her words and wines, I feel like I am feeling and experiencing just a touch of her land, and honestly it makes me feel so warm in my heart.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @az.agr.ariannaocchipinti @louisdressnerselections @cheezits #cheezit #wine #winestagram #instawine #redwine #naturalwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #organic #sustainable #biodynamic #Vittoria #Sicily #Italy #Frappato #NerodAvola