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Happy As A Lark

Domaine de la Chanteleuserie
Cuvée Alouettes 2020
Cabernet Franc
Bourgueil AOC
HVE certified
Benais, Bourgueil, Loire, France
Winemaker: Thierry & Christine Boucard

Chill it…more than just a little bit. Lovely dark ruby with maroon and bluish rim glass. Hover a bit and out floats fragrances of strawberries, raspberries, plums, currants, and buttercream smooth that fades in and out as it warms and turns into a creamy berry scent like a bit of a mixed berry smoothie, and there’s also a touch of green bell peppers, and lively white pepper. First sip and it’s a tart zip and then cherries, red and green strawberries and their caps, raspberries, blackberries, young yellow plums, and a peppery edge. It’s refreshing and begging for a hot day to head down to the river with friends and a cooler full. Who wants to push me on the tire swing? 

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings out a more mixed bag of fruit

Oh this wine and the Domaine are just happy as a lark! You can’t escape it…from their name to this cuvée, and it even greets you with our feathered friend’s melodious song when you pop onto their website. So why is this little birdie so chipper and chirpy? I’m betting it’s due to the Breton (Cabernet Franc) in it’s pure beautiful form, and also the fact that the Boucards respect and care about their land and everything in it. That’s something to tweet about!

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #lark #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Loire #France #CabernetFranc #Bourgueil #chanteleuserie #domainedelachanteleuserie @kermitlynchwine @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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It’s In Their DNA

Jean Médeville et Fils
Château Boyrein
Graves Blanc 2019
Graves AOC
Sauvignon 60%, Semillon 30%, Muscadelle 10%
Sustainable, HVE (Level 3), hand harvested
Graves, Bordeaux, France
Owned and run by: Jean, Jacques, and Marc Medéville

Pale starlight with green shimmers. Perfumes of magnolias and peaches, along with pear, grapefruit, cantaloupe/honeydew, and as it builds there’s also some hyacinth, roses, and wisteria; and it all works in harmony together. Sipping and it’s fresh peaches and pears, bit of melon, smidge of grapefruit tang, flecks of dried pineapple, lemon spritz, and grass. It’s an easy companion that has one simple request for you…”Please order us a plateau de fruits de mer. I promise I will make it worth your while.”

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ack ack ack no…think Bill the Cat

Many generations of the Medéville family have had their hands in winemaking stemming back to a barrel maker named Jerome who bought their first château (Château Fayau) in 1826. Over the years they have acquired more vineyards and kept expanding their lands (including Boyrein in 1877). Through the lineage each new family member made their imprint and advancements from agricultural knowledge, winemaking, and most importantly love. As Jean and Marc say on their site, “From our family history we keep the taste of tradition and the passion for wine. Through our DNA, we always look to the future.”

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #hve #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Sauvignon #Semillon #Muscadelle #Bordeaux, #France #CabernetFranc #boivinselections #jeanmedevilleetfils #châteauboyrein @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Traditional Innovation

Château de Laubade
V.S.O.P.
Bas Armagnac AOC
Blend of more than 20 different eaux-de-vie (mainly Ugni-Blanc & Baco)
Sustainable agriculture: organic manure is produced by 600 ewes in the vineyards, barrels are made from trees of their own forests, and more
Sorbets, France
Estate owned by the Lesgourgues family

Golden light amber pour. Breathing very ripe pears and apples and baked ones too and a bit of pie crust, preserved plums, mellow vanilla, and orange & lemon peels. Going in for the sip and it’s sweet like fresh sugar cane, moments of a deeper pear cider, caramel smooth, orange zest & a simmering spice, and as it lingers it’s warming till there’s a vibrating spark on the back of your tongue to nudge you for another sip.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: NOPE!

This little bottle introduced me to a historic Château and a forward thinking family. The Lesgourgues, since 1974, have brought a new creative life into the house and lands working to be as sustainable/green as possible; achieving awards and recognition such as “Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant”; and make incredible armagnac. They also cultivate and support artists/artwork and that led me to Jeanne Paquin, who many, many years ago also lived here with her 2nd husband, French diplomat, Joseph Noulens. She was such a trailblazer in fashion! She took black to new heights. No longer the garb of mourning, in her hands it was a fashionable statement. She incorporated music into “défilé de mode” (where would we be now if we didn’t have music on the catwalk?), had an accomplished and successful  fashion house that became an international business, and was the first female designer to receive France’s Légion d’Honneur. In other words just like Château de Laubade, she’s an impressive blend of innovation & classic tradition…which rocks.

#armagnac #wine #spirits #vsop #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #France #laubade #JeannePaquin @baronfrancois.ws @docwineshop @docwinebar @laubade @cheezit

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Vivacious Expression

Weingut Tegernseerhof
T- Rosé Zweigelt 2020
Sustainable, hand harvested
Wachau, Austria
Winemaker: Martin Mittelbach (5th generation)

Deep rose with a touch of sunset orange. Let it sit a little and scents float out of strawberries, red plums, raspberries, fresh picked spring flowers (includes the stems, leaves and all), and a few blades of grass. Those strawberries and raspberries reappear in the sip along with blackberries, and of all things watermelon jolly ranchers. There’s also a smooth creaminess, white peaches, a blood arrange tingle and spark, and the tiniest hint of parsley on the back. This is a happy easy sipper that will bring your tastebuds a lot of enthusiastic joy, but it’s also thoughtful and more complex than a typical rosé party down pink fest.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: nah it’s not for me

Martin Mittelbach says it best on his site, “Following ancient traditions, we use our own grape selections, chosen for their agility and vitality. Quality comes before quantity. Our wines reflect our values: they impress through their expression of vineyard and grape variety rather their alcohol or sugar content. Their finesse comes naturally, in our combination of soils, climate, and traditional viniculture.” That’s what you’re going to find in this bottle of rosé…true dedicated quality and a taste of their part of the world. Martin is the conductor that brings this symphony all together, much like how the Austrian conductor, Elisabeth Fuchs directs orchestras in her expressive passionate ways. Check them both out, because I can guarantee it will bring a smile to your day. 💕

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Zweigelt #Austria #rosé #rose #ElisabethFuchs @artisanalcellars @docwineshop @docwinebar @tegernseerhof @cheezit

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Bringing The Right Pick

Swick Wines
Wyd? 2020
Bring It.
100% Chardonnay
Willamette Valley
Organic
Conley Vineyard, Yakima, WA
Produced & Bottled by Swick Wines, Newberg, Oregon
Winemaker/Proprietor: Joseph Swick

Light yellow gold with a smidge of green. Scents of pears, honeydew, light cantaloupe, and all mixed with a touch of earth & smoke and finally a tangelo/grapefruit squish. Tasting a mash up of pearpineappledewalope along with a smokiness that sings in good way, followed by crisp and zingy fresh citrus popping around, and the ever tiniest drop of pie spice…like on the exhale. Why can’t more chardonnays taste like this..oh that’s right, they don’t have Joe.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: fuller, richer and deeper…it’s different and I like with and without

Not my best friend’s mama’s grocery store chardonnay. Ok seriously, who didn’t that scar? That smack you in the face overoaked semi-plastic fatty taste had me shying away and picking a red every time they were the only two offered. So glad I didn’t give up on this lovely grape, and the first time I realized not all Chardonnays are created equal was an amazing moment (kind of like when Dorothy opens the door to Oz and it goes all Technicolor). You just have to pick the right winemaker and Mr. Swick is definitely the one for me because man, does he “Bring It.”

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #biodynamic #organic #chardonnay #oregon #WillametteValley #joeswick #wyd @docwineshop @docwinebar @swickwines @swickjoe @cheezit

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The 3 A’s

Bodegas Antonio Montero
Colleita 2020
Ribeiro DO
Palomino 60%, Treixadura 40%
Sustainable, hand harvested, minimal intervention, native yeasts
Ourense, Spain
Family Winery/Winemakers

Pale yellow-green straw. Breathing in delightful pear and apple blossoms, honeysuckle, pears, mild apples, and you should see the smile on my face as I write this..there is a brief hint of pie with a smidge oregano that turns into fresh rained slate. Mmmmm…I’m betting this is going to be good! Sipping pears, again mild apple with a splash of lemon brightness, apricots, oregano, a little grass, and that good old slate is back.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: crisp, bright and delicious

This is a tale of 3 A’s…grandfather, father, and son; and each one carries the family name, Antonio Montero. Ok, so y’all are going to laugh at me, but as the name  “Antonio Montero” kept bouncing around in my head, a quote from “The Princess Bride” kept popping up (it is the 35th anniversary). “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die”. Yeah, I’m ridiculous but this is how my “box of squirrels” brain works, so back to the Antonios. Each generation imparted their touch. Grandfather: Antonio Montero Álvarez took the wine from “just for the family” to selling it to local bars and later outside of their own province. Father: A.M. Sobrino dubbed the winery Bodegas Antonio Montero and the indigenous varieties started winning awards. Finally the latest, Son: A.M. Pozo came on board and they made “Honor Roll of the best White Wines of Spain” and are now taking on the world. I just have one question for them, what happens if a following generation happens to be a girl…Antonia?

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #theprincessbride #Palomino #Treixadura #Galicia #Ribeiro #Spain #naturalwine @soilairselection @docwineshop @docwinebar @VinosAntonioMontero @cheezit

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Romance, Spice & All The Surprises Are Nice

Domaine Philippe Vandelle
Poulsard 2020
Côtes du Jura AOC
100% Poulsard
Jura, France
l’agriculture raisonnée
Winemaker: Philippe Vandelle

Glimmering strawberry cocktail (a little chilled). Those same strawberries are waving hello to my nose along with raspberries, a little blueberries, cherries, and let it open and there’s a pinch of spice with some forest goodness. All those berries are there again but this time they’ve brought cranberries with them, a smidge of citrus zest, and a puff of salty smoke that fades only to gently return. Even with all the fruit, It’s so light, refreshing, crisp and clean.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: bursts of juicy cherry

2nd Vandelle and again you can taste where it’s born, and thank goodness this poulsard has it’s chance in the sun and not blended away. Feels like that spark of first falling in love. It’s kind of like when you meet that special person and it’s all new. There’s romance, spice and all the surprises are nice. Y’all know Valentine’s Day is soon upon us, and I can vouch this bottle would be better than that yearly bon bons default. 🍬

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Poulsard #Jura #France #cotesdujura #naturalwine #domainephilippevandelle #philippevandelle @APWineImports @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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The Beauty Of The Blend

Budwood
Red Bluff 2020
Contra Costa County
Montepulciano 50%, “hodgepodge” field blend 50%
Sustainable, own-root vines, dry farmed
Clarksburg, CA
Winemaker: Matt Cline

A glass of chilled shining ruby. Fresh scents emerge of strawberry and bright cherry…next up as it opens is a mellow cherry Twizzler smell or raspberry jelly beans (light and not overpowering), and at last a tart tingle. Oh this is delightful to sip (don’t gulp even though you want to because this is waaaay easy to drink). There’s cherries, strawberries, cranberries, a pinch of dark like a cherry pit and a splash of tart with a blade of grass. This is a joyfully juicy, zingy, and big beautiful blended kiss! 😘

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: darn perfect

Matt Cline has had his hands in the vines for decades such as Cline Cellars, Trinitas Cellars, and Three Wine Company (with his wife Erin), and through it all he has been dedicated to a love for old vines. Contra Costa’s history of these ancient growths stems back to Italians, Spaniards, and other immigrants bringing over their rootstock that wasn’t hit by phylloxera. Budwood is Matt’s project celebrating these historic grapes and the old steamboat named “Red Buff” ‘that carried farmers and grapevine budwood through CA’s Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta’. Also side note, he’s the grandson of Valeriano Jacuzzi…yes that Jacuzzi family.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #sustainable #Montepulciano #redblend #fieldblend #dryfarmed #dryfarmwines #Clarksburg #CA #contracostacounty #MattCline @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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One Sleek Intriguing Fox

Bodega Bravo Escós
Pas Dels Caus 2019
Priorat DOQ
Garnacha Tinta 85%, Cariñena 5%, Syrah 5% , Merlot 5%
Sustainable practices and being converted to organic
Torroja del Priorat, Catalonia, Spain
Founder: Luis Bravo
Winemaker: Pep Aguilar

Deep beautiful ruby. Breathing strawberries, raspberries, cherries, tiny wild flowers, and with time there’s something a but figgy with a little soft landing of creaminess. Sliding into sipping dark and light cherries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and of course strawberries and their green caps. Also finding granite, a little herbal touch and pepper at the very back. Spend a good bit of time hovering around your glass and it becomes so silky and the term I kinda hate to use…sexy. Maybe I should just say this is one sleek fox!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Nope!

Many of you are thinking that I just picked this bottle for the fox on the label…well that part comes after. It actually was more for the Priorat DOQ I spied on the back which has rarely steered me wrong and it definitely didn’t with this bottle. As for the fox, well, there was something familiar like an artist’s hand that I couldn’t quite place while I was shopping. Squirrelled it away in the wine fridge to revisit in a bit, but it kept popping back in my mind like the fox had burrowed holes and was playing whack-a-mole with my memories. Finally it hit me, the eyes! No not on our furry friend but check out the fig leaves. The figs are staring back and the leaves have their ears alert to hear any secrets. This has to be the work of Annita Rivera (Plástica)! Her work is enchanting, magical and can cast quite a spell. If you want to see another of her lovely labels check out my post from July 2020.

#wine #Priorat #redwine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #fox #Catalonia #Spain #organic  #cynthiahurleyfrenchwines @aka_plastica @bodegabravoescospriorat @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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🎶No One Can Judge Me🎶

Torre Tusini
Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
100% Lambrusco di Sorbara
Secco
Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Light blood orange cocktail with a tiny blush foam (double check). First sniff and it’s creamy like an Oreo center splashed with creme de cassis, raspberries, and strawberries floating in along with spring daisies, and a tiny butterscotch. First and foremost no matter how much fruit this sounds like…it is dry. Sipping strawberries, raspberries, a wee smidge of boysenberry, a little gooseberries and a squish of all of this in a jam. Again this is DRY and you’ll be so happy it is because it’s fresh and snappy!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delicious crisp and beautiful

Modena, what a city of magic. Is it something in their water (or maybe the famous Balsamic vinegar) that births great artists in multiple fields, such as Luciano Pavarotti, Enzo Ferrari, and Massimo Bottura? While searching around a bit more I discovered it’s also known as “the Italian capital of ‘Beat’ music” which led me to Caterina Caselli and oh what a find! She is absolutely one cool cat. How have I never heard of her before? Check out this video of one of her songs that will have you up on your feet and grooving to the beat like no one’s watching, because “Nessuno mi può giudicare”.

#wine #lambruscodisorbara #lambrusco #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Modena #EmiliaRomagna #Italy #CaterinaCaselli @torre.tusini @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit