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Wild Child

Galgo Wines
ÍB Sunset 2023
Garnacha & Jaén Blanca
Organic, unfined & unfiltered
Sierra de Gredos, Castilla-León, Spain
Ezequiel Sanchez-Mateos & Daniel Ramos (producer)

Pomegrante-cherry haze with blue shimmers. Breathing in cherries & blossoms, roses, violets, and pickle juice that fades. First sip and there’s cherries tart & dark, deep fresh & dried strawberries, tingle tangle (it’s a bit of a wild child), red currants, pomegranate, a chew of sour grass, and a lick of pickle while chewing Choward’s scented gum (violet).

Pairs with Cheez-Its:  NOPE

It’s been a while since my last Galgo wine but they are always fun, fresh, and at times like this one frisky. Daniel, has a passion for Garnacha (& so do I!) in particular from Sierra de Gredos where he saved & resurrected a few hectares. From what I’m learning he also has a penchant for Jaén Blanca which he tends to add to his wines like IB Sunset. They’ve also created a 100% Jaén that I’m still on the hunt for and hoping one day to finally get a taste of its natural beauty. BTW did you catch the name of Sanchez-Mateos & Ramos’ Galgo collaboration line, “Ínsula Barataria”? Do you remember where that comes from? Here’s two hints, there’s a donkey on the label & you probably had this on a test long ago. See I knew you’d get it. 📖 🍷Cheers!

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #catsofinstagram #cats #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove  #winetime #naturalwine #worldbyglass #organic #Spain #steephillwine #ReservaYCata #galgowines #vinewinenyc

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My Dorothy Moment

Celler Jan Vidal
Vita Vivet Brut
Xarel-lo 50%, Macabeu 30%, Parellada 20%
Penedès, DO Cava
Organic
Bellvei, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain

Twinkling starlight yellow with a green sheen and lovely little bubbles. Scents pop up of toasted rice (think Bibimbap) mixed with day 2 baguette edges, a lemon/lime spritzed apple & pear blend, and tiny roses & a few wild flowers. Taking a sip and there’s crunchy apples & pears, lemon/lime again that has a little tingly vibration, salt, smidge of dried pineapple, with a toasty melba vibe that’s in the back. Just dry, crisp, and very alive.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: So vibrantly delicious

A good cava is one of my favorite things in the world. It always lifts my spirits and can turn a bad day into a joyous celebration. I remember my first encounter in high school art class. My teacher would often set up a still life, and one of the more interesting parts was the iconic black bubbly bottle (you know the one) & the detail that had to be rendered to depict it properly. No I did not kick it back 🤣, I was way too young so by the time I finally did try it, I honestly was not that impressed & kind of disappointed. When I did finally find a proper glass…oh it was like that moment in “The Wizard of Oz” when Dorothy steps into a Technicolor world. Now, every time I have one it transports me back to Catalunya, and if I close my eyes & allow myself to dream, I can just smell the tapas & remember the taste of good squishy cheese, feel the cool evening breeze, hear the clip of high heels on cobblestone, and feel all stress fade away. 🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #catsofinstagram #cats #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineislove  #winetime #cava #sparklingwine #bubbly #worldbyglass #organic #Spain #barcelona #Catalunya #selectionsdelavina #cellerjanvidal #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Two Creative Gifts

Bodegas Barbadillo
Sábalo 2021
100% Palomino Fino
Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz
Organic
Cádiz, Andalucia, Spain
Winemaker: Montserrat Molina
Barbadillo Family

Warm gold. Inhaling sold crisp apples & pears that grow over time into baked, a mix of fresh spring rained on slate & lick of limestone, lemon lime squish, Lemonheads, and teeny squeeze of Valencia orange. Drinking in apples, pears, singed orange zest, grate of hazelnut & marcona almond, limestone, light handed honey, and young watermelon & rind sprinkled with salt. Delicate, polished, a touch romantic, and very easy to drink.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: bleh

I’m sure most of you have had a wine, sherry, manzanilla, and/or a vermouth by Barbadillo. They’ve been around over 2 centuries, have 16 cellars & 250 ha of vines (they’re 1 of the largest in Jerez), and are still family run after all these years. Their bodega “ is a seafaring winery, always between the sea and the land. Hence, the first wine in this organic range bears the name of the Sábalo, a sea-faring fish, but which defies the river currents on its way to the spawning ground. It is a great metaphor that represents the entrepreneurial and adventurous spirit of Barbadillo.” It’s also a tribute to Manuel Barbadillo (grandfather of the current president, who was not only a winemaker but also a poet so he was bestowed with two creative gifts). You’ll find part of his lovely verses that weave romantic imagery on the label alongside the watercolor of a Sábalo aka Shad.

“¡Ay Sanlúcar, si yo fuera

Si yo fuera marinero

De Sábalos y de lunas

Mi barca sería tu cuna

Y yo tu patrón remero

Y si fuera cantaor

Sanlúcar del Alma mía,

Que copla te cantaría

Junto a cualquier mostrador…”

Oh Sanlúcar, if I were

If I were a sailor

Of shads and moons

My boat would be your cradle

And I am your rowing boss

And if I were a singer

Sanlúcar of my soul,

What song would I sing to you?

Next to any counter…”

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #organic #winetasting #winetime #wineislove #organic #Spain #skurnikwines #bodegasbarbadillo #vinewine #vinewinenyc

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“Work It! I need a glass of…”

Nuria Renom
Can Barceló
Les Cantarelles
Adda 2022
100% Parellada
Vino Espumoso
Organic with biodynamic treatments
Sant Martí del Sarroca, Alt Penedès, Spain
Nuria Renom and Arola Tous-Galí

Cloudy almost sea monkey yellow with VERY active bubbles. Open it over a sink. Don’t be me… Sniff and recommend y’all give it a little time out since it’s pretty natural (think forest floor/Yellowstone paint pots with a bit of hay). It does back off and is joined with a squeeze of lemon oven roasted pears & apples, pie spice, I think a little pastry, salt, and yellow plums. Rolling around on my tongue and it’s so refreshing & lively, all of the lovely lemon & bit of a tart, crisp yellow & green pears, same goes for apples, very young yellow plums but skinless, smidge of nectarine and Lemonhead candy. All in all it’s very bright with a delightful bit of excitement.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: like cheddar on apple pie

Think about doing a shift as a sommelier at a hip bustling bar in Barcelona (Bar Brutal) then after hopping the train back home to vines that need tending & wine that needs making and then put the cycle on repeat. That was Nuria’s life while working with her natural thinking friends’ grapes. Now she & Arola (her partner) have their own farm, Can Barceló, where they have grown their project Les Cantarelles. I believe that all those long hours, traveling back & forth (that must have been so exhausting), and passion have truly paid off…just try this joyful bubbling sparkler and it will exuberantly let you know they worked it, yes they definitely made it, and the glass sizzles with Missy Elliott’s lyrics, “this the kinda beat that go ra-ta-ta-ra-ta-ta-ta, ta-ta-ta-ta-ta”.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #sparklingwine #petnat #PétNat  #winelover #winetasting #winetime #wineislove #organic #Spain #josepastorselections #LesCantarelles #NuriaRenom #vinewine #vinewinenyc

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Drop That Olive And Salut!

Casa Mariol
Vermut Blanc
Macabeu & local herbs
Organic & vegan
Batea, Terra Alta, Spain
Josep Maria & Marta Vaquer Llop (current generation and brother & sister)

Shining yellow with a bit of green blip. Hovering over the glass and scents start off with a cream ’nila feel that leads to Sprite with an herbal swirl of mints (chocolate, wintergreen, spearmint), basil, sage, thyme, a drop of Riccola, touch of an ocean breeze, and a hint of icing (not buttercream). Sipping (btw I haven’t added the olives in yet) and all of the scents explode in the taste with a welcome bitter bite, orange and other citrus zest, and then it all goes mellow and beckons me to relax, kick back and drop that olive in.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Due to the olive incident, I have not had a chance to try. You’ll see later.

This reminds me of my first vermut encounter provided by my friends in Belgium that was ages ago…actually years…and a whole other lifetime.  My young American mouth was not familiar with any sort of vermouth. All of my tastebuds rose to attention and went on high alert. With time and advice from friends, I realized what I had been missing in my youth was adding an olive or two since they bring out more herbs and a dryness, and are so delightful to munch on. Well, they were until last Saturday night. I swear if it’s not one thing it’s another lately. 🤣 Let’s just say I am going to the dentist in a few days to have my hillbilly front tooth repaired. I will say this Vermut Blanc is worth a visit to Dr. 🦷🦷, and again Casa Mariol, I can’t wait to get a chance to visit y’all in person to try the rest of your wines with a new smile. Salut!

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #vermut #vermouth #winelover #winetasting #winetime #wineislove #organic #Spain #vinoslibres #CasaMariol #vinewine #vinewinenyc

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“You Don’t Have To Be A Millionaire”

4Kilos
Motor América 2021
Callet
Organic, vegan
Felanitx, Islas Baleares, Mallorca, Spain
Francesc Grimalt & Sergio Caballero

Shining cranberry plum glass. Sniffing and there’s an earthy/iron start that starts to blend and fade, next up is cherry followed by strawraspcranberry, a touch of a mint/herbal blend, grind of pepper but not heavy, then roses with a touch of magnolia, and pipsissewa. Sip and there’s a tangy start of all the previous berries that becomes more luscious over time, on the back a smidge of an eucalyptus beneficial herby mix, puff of smoke on the waters, an oil cured black olive pit, and a touch of forest floor funk.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: bright

Bring together the mix of Francesc (winemaker & native grape champion [especially Callet]) & Sergio (musician & founding partner & co-director of the Sonar Music Festival) and what you get is 4Kilos (named after what the two invested to launch this project: 4 million pesetas [€24,000]). As Mr. Caballero said, “There’s no need to be a millionaire to make wine; all that’s needed is passion and hard work.” Now to see their passion, hard work, having fun, artwork of all sorts, collaborations, and songs about wine…just check out their site: http://4kilos.com. I got lost clicking through the videos and finding out about their label (12Volts) that features an illustration from Gary Baseman who I have ❤️ forever, and their working collab with Esment (org “that helps people with intellectual disabilities and their families enjoy and improve their quality of life and have the same opportunities as all citizens”) to create their Gallinas & Focas wines. Turns out the name came from a fun brainstorming session with the participants and means “Chicken & Seals”. Why that name…well, “chickens are funny and seals applaud” and then they were able to let their artistic vibes fly to draw what would later grace bottles. 4Kilos are a winery that not just make me smile due to their wines but also to the way they live life to the fullest with joy and a sense of humor. Oh and before I forget…check out the video of the running nun.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #winetime #wineislove #organic #Spain #mallorca #4kilosvinicola #vinewine #vinewinenyc

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How Did I Miss Out?

Casa Mariol
Garnatxa Blanca 2022
100% White Grenache
Organic & vegan
Batea, Terra Alta, Spain
Josep Maria & Marta Vaquer Llop (current generation and brother & sister)

Light yellow that grows as it breathes…kind of like the label. Breathing in gentle orange wrapped in a bit of lime zest & lemon squeeze, pears, green apples, lime blossoms, and a fresh free flowing spring water coolness. Zip…zap and all of the citrus is there in the taste with a bit more zest and as time goes more of that lemon/lime-ade blend, green apples & pears, light honeysuckle, a fun tingle, with a little herby bit of say oregano, flat parsley, and maybe dried basil on the back side with a salt shake.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: NO NO NO please NO

Casa Mariol describes themselves as “one big family” including relatives and their whole team. Not only does this “family” make fab single varietal wines like this Garnatxa Blanca (all of the bottles are dressed in their finest eye catching designs by Mirko Borsche)…they also produce distinctive vermuts (blanc & negre), and have a wine bar in Barcelona. Now here’s the one thing I can’t believe, I have never been to their bar. I’m pretty sure I even walked right by and didn’t realize what a delicious experience I was missing out on according to all the rave reviews. Feeling the wine walk of shame right now and definitely going to have to wander my way there on my next trip. In fact, in order to temporarily absolve myself before I get there, I’m going to track down the rest of their rainbow of bottles. 🌈🍷

Update: I picked up their Vermut Blanc…excited!

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #winetime #wineislove #organic #Spain #vinoslibres #CasaMariol #vinewine #vinewinenyc

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This Is Not That Story

Valdisole Wine
Helios 2019
Nebbiolo
Organic, biodynamic
Corneliano d’Alba (CN), Piedmont, Italy
Giuseppe Amato & Kyriaki Kalimeri

Shining garnet pour. Sniff and it starts off a bit wild but it’s just been opened so over a short amount of time it tames, tart cherries, young raspberries, blackberries, tomato leaf, tiny roses & violets, over time there’s plums of all sorts, red apple, and a rugged bit of peat/earthiness. Tasting and it starts out light & delicious that grows into a richer moment, cherries (tart & sweet), red currants, plums, a touch of peat or smoke, raspstrawblueberries mix, a drop of blackberry, tiny reminder of sugar cane that turns into violets, smidge of green tomato, and touch of grounded earthiness.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: sweeter

You know the usual tales of growing up in a wine family and inheriting land…this is not that story. Giuseppe & Kyriaki’s strength in finding their way in wine is curiosity. She had a background in computers & electrical engineering but that curious spark led her to getting an education as a sommelier & a diploma. He had a great appreciation for cuisine so ended up taking cooking classes and realized the attraction of pairing food & wine so he also ventured into sommelier courses, but that a wasn’t enough. The whole wine experience grabbed his attention and they both jumped full in to buying a vineyard…oh, and it was an online site where you can buy stuff secondhand. The vineyard was a half ha of “abandoned & shabby Nebbiolo”. (Makes me think of people who buy a house for $1 in an old town and when they get there they see the full extent of the repairs needed 🙀.) They’ve expanded, added varying grapes, are keeping it all natural, and I have to say this Nebbiolo is definitely not shabby now. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #organic #naturalwine #Nebbiolo #italy #terrellwines #valdisolewine #vinewine #vinewinenyc @vinewinenyc @valdisole.wine

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Back To The Origin

Mas del Serral de Pepe Raventós
Ancestral
Viñya del Mas 2018
100% Xarel·lo
Natural sparkling wine
No. Bottles 1863
No disgorging, no dosage, brut nature, organic/biodynamic, vineyard work all by hand or horse
Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain

Hazy yellow gold with a little sheen of green (kind of IPAish) with fine bubbles & deepens over time from the bottom up. Sniffing and it’s creamy at first like an Oreo center and later turns into a tiny drizzle of honey on top of sourdough, lovely pears (reminds me a bit of Poire Williams), white peaches, apple pie, and a light citrus blend (like Valencia oranges smooth & Mandarin). Tasting all of the scents are there…especially the pears with a twist of lemon & lime tingle/sizzle on my lips and tongue, there’s even a little Key lime pie, pinch of salt & mineral lick, and smidge of hay that fades fast. Very bright and full of life.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: just don’t

When you see Pepe’s last name you know he comes from a long line of winegrowers and the prestigious winery Raventós I Blanc (documented since 1497 & one of the oldest wine producers in the world). His grandfather Josep Maria championed the creation of DO Cava and passed the torch to Pepe’s father Manuel who was joined by Pepe who like his grandfather had a dream and withdrew from the DO Cava in favor of a being recognized for their Conca del Riu Anoia that would rise to a higher standard. To be included there would be a higher min. paid to growers, vineyards must be at least 10 yrs old, native & organic, smaller yields, and a longer time on the lees (18 month min). Pepe’s project Mas del Serral is a plot within the Raventós vineyard (Clos del Serral) where they return to the ancestral farming traditions. It brings together humans, vines, and animals living & working together in harmony to tell the story of their and their land’s origin. As he is quoted, “What I love is to taste a wine and that it takes us to the place where it was made”. ❤️🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #cava #sparklingwine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #organic #naturalwine #biodynamic #Spain #raventos #masdeserral #vinewine #vinewinenyc

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Mediterranean Answer To Happiness

Curii Uvas y Vinos
Una Noche y Un Dia 2021
100% Giró
Organic, hand harvested
Xaló, Alicante, Spain
Violeta Gutiérrez de la Vega & Alberto Redrado

Ruby with garnet gem rim. Let this baby breathe a bit and floating up are aromas of cherries, tomato leaves (I swear this trend is a coincidence), red apples, blackberries, raspberries, boysenberries, lilacs & violets, and a pinch of anise. Taking a few sips and all of the above (especially the tomato leaves) and it’s smooth over time with a little twang, bit of peat smokiness, pit of a cured Moroccan olive, grassy wild flowers, and it keeps growing so much over time and still has a rustic flair but a vibrant juicy vibe. Delicious!

Pairs with Cheez-Its: meh not really digging it

Just reading about Violeta & Alberto’s family backgrounds it’s no wonder their wine project was born and is smashing. Violeta’s comes from growing up & working with her father in her parents’ winery Bodegas Gutiérrez de la Vega (known for celebrating traditional wines of their land), heading off to enology studies & work in France, and return to Alicante where she will take the reigns of the family winery. Alberto’s family also took him down a tasting route with their Michelin starred restaurant L’Escaleta as a sommelier and in 2010 was honored as Spain’s Premio Nacional de Gastronomía al Mejor Sommelier. Together they keep a tight focus on local grapes and working traditionally, especially like in this bottle of Giró which is an Alicante clone of Garnacha (one of my favorite 🍇). Actually it is their main focus uva, which Violeta is also implementing back at Bodegas Gutiérrez de la Vega. All in all, these two are creating & nurturing bottles of rare magic. Stealing a quote from de la Vega’s site, they are making “Mediterranean wines capable of making the unhappiest of mortals happy”. ❤️ Now that’s a gift for the world.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winelover #redwine #winetasting #winetime #naturalwine #organic #Alicante #Spain #josepastorselections #curiiwine #vinewine #vinewinenyc