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A Celebration in a Glass

Alta Alella
Mirgin
Reserva Brut Nature
Rosé Cava 2017
100% Mataró (Monastrell)
Tiana, Spain (closest winery to Barcelona)
Sustainable and organic
Winemaking family: Josep Maria Pujol-Baquests and his wife Cristina Guillen

Pinky rosy salmon with teeny tiny bubbles. Lovely light floral and strawberries hitting my nose. Now for the taste and it’s strawberries, raspberries, a little grape and cherry  but foremost not very sweet, yet crisp and dry. It’s a celebration in a glass.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: doesn’t really do much but bring out the berry a little more

Such a beautiful bubbly glass and a kind, wonderful gift from a friend. This cava born from the Parc Serralada de Marina is true to its organic roots, and only a short clip from Barcelona. I have no idea why I have been remiss from visiting this family run winery in my many trips, and am looking to a future where I can. I’ve had their Bruant (named for a bird in the park) in the past and am just as impressed with the rosé. Love their respect and celebration of the birds in their area which are the monicker for a select few of their bottles. Would love to be in a winery that you could wake up in the morning to these birdsongs and the lush environment that I’m always going on about, but I was raised this way. Respect nature and it will respect you back and give you a gift like this cava.

@vinewinenyc @AltaAlella @avantgardews @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #organic #biodynamic @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Rosé #rose #Cava #Mataró #Monastrell #Tiana #Spain #barcelona

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Loving The Alien

Bodegas Maestro Tejero
El Marciano 2018
100% Garnacha (my favorite)
Vino de la Tierra de Castillo y León
Sierra de Gredos, Navarredondilla, Avila, Spain
Biodynamic and organic (but not certified); wild yeasts
Winemaker: Alfredo Maestro

Deep purple ruby goblet. Scents of dark flowers, deep cherry, black pepper, and sweet ripe yellow plums. First taste is a snappy cherry, orange, pepper, earthy funk, and throw in some cardamon. Sweetness yet then tangy. It’s such an interesting combo on each sip. Going from the fruit, pepper, sweet and earth and back around again. Light and fresh and young

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: more tangy earth

Alfredo Maestro is another one of those amazing self taught winemakers that I keep stumbling upon in my wine wanderings. Started out as an economist with interest in wine, so he picked up some books, started with trial and error and testing on his friends to see where it would go. The less chemicals and more natural/old school he went…the more he and his test subjects knew he was on to something. As the old saying goes…less is more. He also learned to listen to the land, the plants, and revert to an old school tractor known as a horse. So let’s talk about the label on “El Marciano” which means the Martian. The village Navarredondilla atop of Sierra de Gredos is a hot spot for checking out UFOs. According to Alfredo, he found two Martians working in his vineyard and thus the tale was born. So here’s the question, do Martians like wine? And if so have their been sightings of tipsy weaving UFOs in the area? Either way, this wine is fun and fabulous and as the David Bowie song title says, I’m “Loving The Alien”.

@vinewinenyc @alfredo_maestro @josepastorselections @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #organic #biodynamic @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Garnacha #SierradeGredos #Navarredondilla #Avila #Spain #martians #ufos #AlfredoMaestro #DavidBowie

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Where The Wild Roses Grow

Bodega Benito Santos
Mencía 2017
Ribeira Sacra
100% Mencía
Galicia, Spain
Vineyards in DO Monterrei (according to the label and website)
Winery in Ribeira Sacra DO
Sustainable farming

A beautiful shining garnet glass. At first there’s a buttery start that eases into scents of berries. Next are flowers that turn into roses. Reminds me of my mom’s rose garden. She had an array of types, colors, and some antique wild ones. It was planted on a small incline in a horseshoe shape so you could enjoy it just surrounding you and breathe in all the fragrances. One last thing on the tip of my nose is light smoke. Sipping tart and smooth black cherries, strawberries, blackberries, even maybe blueberries and still drinking roses. There’s a dark spice finish yet it’s still light and lively. Delicious elegance.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: juicy cherry and pop of roses

Here’s a little history on the winery’s founder, Benito Santos…he started out working in his grandfather’s vineyards back in the 30’s and became a huge backer of the region’s Albariño. Over the years of hard work, great achievements and awards, he became a member of the Specific Regulatory Council of Rias Baixas (1981). By 1988, he greatly helped in the creation of Rias Baixas D.O. That’s a pretty historic accomplishment. Now Bodega Benito Santos has been passed on to successors, land has expanded and other grapes have been added such as the Benito Santos Mencía from this lovely wine. All the roses that kept blooming from this bottle took my thoughts to my personal favorite rose tune, by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds ft. Kylie Minogue.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @benitosantos1979 @bowlerwine @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Spain #Galicia #RibeiraSacra #Monterrei #Mencia #Mencía #benitosantos #nickcave #kylieminogue

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A Kirkilla By Any Other Name

Ameztoi
Getariako Txakolina 2019
Txakoli D.O.
Getaria, Gipuzkoa, Spain
100% Hondaribi Zuri (native grape)
Sustainable farming and indigenous yeasts
Winemaker: Ignacio Ameztoi (5th generation)

Super light pale straw with some clingy bubbles hanging to the sides of the glass. First pops out light tiny floral bits, next is fresh green apple, a little tart pear, and sea salt. My tongue is tingling from the clean little bubbles. It’s refreshing! There’s citrus that as I drink more evolves into full on lime, and of course again my favorite…salty!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ooooo even more lemon-lime saltiness

The Ameztoi family has been making txakoli since 1820, and it sounds like they have been quite a happy family since they are nicknamed Kirkilla which means cricket. From what I’m reading crickets symbolize joy, happiness and pride. They do have a lot to be proud about with this fresh, fun, take me out on a boat and grill me some shrimps wine. Also their winery, vineyards and grounds are so perfectly situated. The winery is up on a hill over looking the vineyards that reach out to the sea. What an amazing view! I would never get tired of all the green and blue. I can’t believe, I’ve never tried this before, and once again I am kicking myself for never traveling to the Basque Country in Spain. Always wanted to, and said I’d always get around to it and now look at the situation we’re all in. I have way too many Expedia points just waiting to be used. So here we go and no points needed.

Well first off we should start with a Txakoli tasting at Ameztoi and then head to Getaria. Since it’s a fishing village, you know there has to be some fabulous fresh seafood. Anthony Bourdain visited Elkano (Michelin star) for the amazing grilled turbot. That would be incredible, but I would also love to wander the  streets and find some pintxos. Politena looks pretty good and has been around since 1968, and I just noticed a tv tucked in at the bar. That would make my S.O. very happy to be able to catch a soccer match while I’m grazing over all the different selections. Next stop is the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museoa. The lauded designer came from humble roots in Gertaria, where his father was a fisherman and his mother a seamstress. This year is the 125th anniversary of his birth and the museum will be celebrating with the first  international Cristóbal Balenciaga conference, albeit virtually on their site on October 1st and 2nd. They are still open in person too, but with modified hours and safety precautions. Through Jan. 10, 2021, the exhibit ”Fashion and Heritage. Cristóbal,” is still on display and is curated to show the man behind the brand. One last stop on this trip and it’s in San Sebastián. This wine trip is heading to a brewery. Mala Gissona takes it’s name and inspiration from the pidgin phrase, “For Jü Mala Gissona” (you’re a bad man). Pidgin is a blend of Basque and Icelandic and evidently this is what Icelanders called the Basque whalers. These weren’t necessarily bad men but rough around the edges. As you got to know them they’re sturdy, honest and loyal. This is supposed to be the same with their beers or as they say, “A honest and intrepid beer, loyal to its principles”. I think a good end to this venture is a pour of their Apatxe or translated “Free soul. Warrior heart” and once again stuff myself with pintxos.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @txakoliameztoi @dmselections @politenagetaria @cristobalbalenciagamuseoa @malagissona @cheezit #cheezit #wine #beer #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #organic #Getaria #Gipuzkoa #Spain #Basque #Ameztoi

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A Tale of Love and Wine

Parés Baltà
Indigena 2015
Penedès, Spain
100% Garnatxa
Organic and biodynamic, indigenous grape
Winemakers: Maria Elena Jiménez and Marta Casas (sisters-in-law)

Deep glistening garnet. Oooo there’s cherry cola with a hint of vanilla or maybe just something creamy hitting my nose. Next are raspberries, Canadian strawberries, the teeny tiny ones I have mentioned in the past. Best bought on the side of the road or just pull over and pick your own. Something floral yet woodsy. How I miss nature. Back to this glass and taking first sip…damn! This is all the berries! What an explosion! Cherry follows, woodsy again, earthy, toasted almonds, black pepper, smooth, graceful and just full on romantic.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: makes it very fruity

Parés Baltà has roots back to 1790, and the current generation is Joan and Josep Cusiné (and their father Joan still helps out). The winemakers are their wives, Maria Elena Jiménez and Marta Casas. Marta did have a bit of history in wine through her grandfather taking her as a child to view his vineyard where he would make a small amount just for the family. As she grew up and went to the University of Barcelona for pharmacy, she met Josep and well…love for him and for wine grew. She did end up getting that degree in pharmacy, but she took it a step further and enrolled in winemaking courses at the University of Tarragona. And then after all that, they got married and still travel the world to experience more wines, or in her own words, “We are wine lovers and so we think we have to keep learning”. Maria, also went to University of Barcelona but for chemical engineering, and after graduating and working in the field, she met Joan. And from what I am reading, it was love at first sight. Much like Marta, she dived into oenology studies, received a second degree from Tarragona, and went on her own world wine experience travels. Imagine if these couples never met. These are wines of love.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @paresbalta @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #organic #biodynamic #garnatxa #Penedès #Penedes #Spain #paresbalta #usawineimports

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Fresh Apple Breeze

Arratzain
Sagardo Naturala 2018
Usurbil, Gipuzkoa, Spain
20 to 30 different native Basque apples
Organic, wild yeasts, unfiltered
Growers: Aitor & José Ignacio Lizaso

This is a super orange pour. First scents are the apples, then cinnamon, sea breeze (don’t laugh, it really does have that), and an unexpected orangieness. Oh wow, this is tart, fresh, and tangy tasting. There’s all sorts of apples, lemon, smoke, dry, and a little bit of super dainty bubbles. Making me crave South Carolina style BBQ.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: evens out the tart

From what I’m reading about Arratzain, it’s not just a cidery, it’s also an inn. If you’re a lucky visitor during harvest, you can also help out. As stated above, the cider is made from 20 to 30 different apples: 60% for acid, 30% for bitterness, and 10% for sweetness. It never ceases to amaze me how many different varieties of apples exist all over the world. I grew up with only 5 different types of apples in our orchard. How I miss being there when all the trees were in full bloom…so beautiful and so fragrant. Another fond memory I have is when apples fell off a tree and started to rot and ferment on the ground, you would see drunk wobbly bees buzzing slowly up and down throughout the trees. BTW don’t google drunk bees. I had no idea what happened if a bee made its way back to the hive drunk. Worse than if I came home toasted to my parents’ house, back in the day.

@vinewinenyc @Arratzain @jpselections @cheezits #cider #wine @worldbyglass #needmorewine #cheezit #vinewinenyc #organic #apple #Usurbil #Gipuzkoa #Spain #Basque #Arratzain #bees

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Here Kitty, Kitty

Vinos Ambiz
La Gatta Mormigliana 2016
100% Tempranillo
El Tiemblo, Ávila, Sierra de Gredos, Spain
Winemaker: Fabio Bartolomei
Organic (just not certified, you’ll see why below)

This is the deepest dark goth purple which fits the label. Starts out with dark funk and grass scents. Very quickly that all turns into deep cherry, dark plum, oddly coriander that become cloves, and then licorice. This wine keeps evolving like crazy. First sip is deep sweet cherry, raisin, prune and plum. Something toasty emerges. There’s a touch of bitter bit at end, like pecan hulls that get left in after you shell them and think it’s all just meat. Here it goes changing again and it’s all fruit. I had been cautioned about this wine because I was told it might be too funky for me. Nope! It has funk but not to the extent I been told. In the end it is smooth and romantic. Not what you would expect from a giant monster cat nightmare.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: super sweet fruit with just a hint of the funk

Fabio Bartolomei is the outsider artist of wine. He has no training in winemaking, and during his start he worked out of garages, stables, etc. If La Gatta Mormigliana is any example of the rest of his wines, he’s freaking brilliant. The name comes from a story his father recounted to him of a fearsome cat with iron teeth and steel whiskers, that would say “Chi vien giù lo mangio” (If you come in, I’ll eat you…). If anyone knows where to find more on this tale, please do reach out to me. Sounds like a good scare. Fabio is also very adamant about making natural and organic wine, but bucks the certification. Here it is in his own words, “I refuse to certify because I believe that the polluters should pay for the damage they are doing to the environment, not the clean farmers”. Because of this, the bottle has a back label with a lengthy list of what it doesn’t contain, what processes it went through and what he didn’t do to it.

Would also like to give credit to the two label artists: Francesco de Aguilar and José Perico. That is one scary cat!

@vinewinenyc @vinosambiz @IndieWineries @francescodeaguilar @joseperico_design.illustration @cheezits #wine #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #vinewinenyc @worldbyglass #tempranillo #FabioBartolomei #ElTiemblo #Ávila #SierradeGredos #Spain #naturalwine

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A Glass and a Dance

Malaparte Vinos
Dindi Blanco 2019 (I think)
Cuéllar, Segovia, Spain
Albillo Mayor (mainly), Jerez, Huerta del Rey, and Verdejo
Natural farming, no pesticides or herbicides, indigenous yeasts and spontaneous fermentation
Winemaking family: Mariano de Frutos (dad), Elisa de Frutos (daughter), Ruben Salamanca (son-in-law)

Color pale golden yellow. Looks refreshing! Smelling a blend of citrus, melon, some vanilla sweetness, then salty smoky, and something greenish like grass. Sipping cantaloupe and honeydew, a twinge of apple, tangy orange, and lemon tart (with a not so sweet yet toasty vanilla savory crust just lingering in the back). As it opens more, it’s sultry but still has a mineral granite lick. Medium body with an acidic finish. In other words, the best of both worlds

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: more melon, more fragrance

Reading up on how Malaparte Vinos, grew from a dream of Mariano de Frutos. Back in 1996, (wow when I typed this, I was thinking that’s not that long ago, but in reality, yes it is…time flies.) he started planting only Tempranillo in a small 3.5 hectare vineyard, but over the years it has branched out to a variety of grapes such as mentioned above in the wine notes. Very glad his dream has been realized and shared with his daughter Elisa de Frutos and her husband Ruben Salamanca.

Mariano’s dream started and is still in Cuéllar, so off we go to check out the town. If you happen to arrive the last Sunday of August, better keep watch of what’s happening around you. Early each morning (the Festival of Nuestra Señora del Rosario lasts 5 days) the bulls are released to do the infamous run through the streets. I think I’ll stick to just visiting the Dukes of Alburquerque castle. Awe inspiring gothic and renaissance architecture are blended in this incredible structure. Quite a fortress, that became abandoned after the dukes left the neighborhood. Much later in 1938, it became used as a prison and later a sanatorium for TB infected prisoners. What a change from being an exalted lap of luxury. As of now though, it has become a vocational school. Can you imagine going to school in a castle! Oh wait, that makes me think of Hogswart. That could be magical.

Let’s check out one more place in the nearby town of Iscar, the Museo Mariemma. Guillermina Teodosia Martínez Cabrejas, otherwise known as Mariemma, was one of Spain’s most important and influential dancers and choreographers. Born in Iscar, but due to her father wanting to make a better future for his family, they packed up and moved to Paris. From what I’m discovering about her past, she often danced in the street and was discovered for her talent at the age of 9, and then sent to study with a professional. By the age of 12, she was already performing as a soloist at the Olympia Theater. She passed on her love of dance, knowledge and creativity by teaching at Real Conservatorio de Arte Dramático y Danza de Madrid, and forming her own school: Mariemma Ballet de España. If you want to learn more about Mariemma, check out Daniel G. Cabrero’s documentary, “My Paths Through Dance”. Now I have another museum to check off my visit list whenever I get to travel again.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @malapartewine @steephillwine #steephillwine @cheezits #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #wine @worldbyglass #needmorewine #Cuéllar #Segovia #Spain #Iscar #albillomayor #jerez #huertadelrey #verdejo #Mariemma

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Like the Song of the Summer

Succès Vinicola
Patxanga Rosado 2019
D.O. Conca de Barberà
Catalonia Spain
Trepat 100%
Organic
Winemakers: Mariona Vendrell and Albert Canela

This is a deep and I mean a really deep rosado. Swirling and going in for the first sniff. Juicy cherry and watermelon hit you first. Next there’s salt, plums, strawberries, and something that may be basil. Trust me I’ve had a whole lot of basil lately due to summer. Now for the sip…there’s a tingle on the tongue. Dark cherry and watermelon explosion! Also some citrus tang, salt, and a dash of white pepper.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: the tingle is still there but they intensify this watermelon cherry love gusher

This wine is like a song of the summer, you want to keep it on repeat. Since I’m reading all over that it’s hard to pinpoint the song of this summer, I’m picking a really old fab groove to pair with this lovely glass.

@vinewinenyc @succesvinicola @trumpetwine @cheezits #pairswithcheezits #wine #worldbyglass #needmorewine #cheezit #vinewinenyc #spain #catalonia #trepat #rosado #rose #rosé #organic #djjazzyjeffandthefreshprince #succesvinicola

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We’ve Struck Gold!

Bodegas Barbadillo
Solear en Rama
Manzanilla
Saca de Verano 2018
Palomino 100%
D.O. Manzanilla, Andalucia, Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain

Yes, we’ve struck pure gold in a glass. Breathe in and I’m finding toasted almond, pecan, caramel candy. I smell pralines!  Rich apples are next and a touch of smoky salt. Swish and sip the pecans, caramels, and as stated before…pralines, but with a small burn! Mmmm. Again rich apples and some fresh cut grass.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Does not pair well with Cheez-It’s. Let me repeat myself…IN NO CASE SHOULD YOU PAIR THIS WITH CHEEZ-IT’S!

Not going to lie, I love the label. I’ve found out that Bodegas Barbadillo, for each season, they bottle a small amount of their eight year unfiltered (En Rama) Manzanilla, they also depict one of the wildlife that can be found in the Coto de Doñana. The summer 2018 watercolor (by the artist, Mari Angeles Aris) is the Black-eared Wheatear. This lovely small bird hangs out in the national park from April to August when it continues the trek to Africa.

@vinewinenyc @bodegas.barbadillo @bodegasbarbadillo @skurnikwines @cheezits #pairswithcheezits #wine #manzanilla #sherry #worldbyglass #needmorewine #cheezit #vinewinenyc #andalucia #spain #blackearedwheatear