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Always Remember, Support & Love

Castello Conti
Spanna 2019
100% Spanna (Nebbiolo)
Colline Novaresi DOC
Organic
Alto Piemonte, Italy
Winemakers & sisters: Elena, Anna & Paola Conti (2nd generation)

Lovely bright ruby. Let this bottle breathe and scents emerge of a mix of cherries, plums, mountain herbs with that touch of Ricola, some earthiness, and as it opens orchard blossoms with a toasty or oaky bit, and a whiff of petrol that turns into a dried fruit vibration. First swig and here come dark plums & cherries, herbal bitter bite that smoothes, raspberries & strawberries, and then goes deep and dark again yet isn’t heavy and cycles round & round.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: mmmm juicy and yum

This bottle ended up into my hands last year by chance or maybe providence, through a “UKRAINE 6 PACK” put together by @vinewinenyc and all revenue was donated directly to Jose Andrés’ World Central Kitchen (for me, he is one of the most inspiring people we have in the world today and his energy and giving kindness is never ending). Who would think that it’s almost a year since the war in Ukraine escalated last February into the beast it has become. Some of you know that I have deep feelings about this tragic & devastating war. As we all get bombarded with 24 hour news/entertainment/sports cycles it’s easy to let the magnitude of this war slide out of our minds since it is so far away. My hope is that we all remember those giving their lives for their country, the innocents losing their homes, the brutality inflicted on the citizens tortured & murdered on their native soil, families huddled underground in train stations, and also the resilience of the Ukrainian people. They still need our support whether it be through @wckitchen or https://arthubonline.com/t/gifts-supporting-ukraine or any of the many deserving legit organizations out there. 🇺🇦 Slava Ukraini!

#standwithukraine #Україна #🇺🇦 #славаукраїні #kyiv #stopwar #зупинитивійну #supportukraine #ятебелюблю #castelloconti #wine #вино #love

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A Long Slow Burn Of Strength 💙💛

Odessa Cognac Factory
Brandy V.S.O.P.
Distilled from Rkatsiteli, Aligoté and Pinot, and more
Alembic Charentais copper pot stills and double fractional distillation
Odessa, Ukraine

Beautiful amber golden and clinging to the sides as I turn it in the light. Floating up are whiffs of caramel, buttery shortbread cookies, toffee, dried Smyrna figs, white raisins, and warm holiday spices. First sip and there’s a silky start that turns to a tingling bit of fire but the good type that starts off just lively but if you keep drinking will warm you to your toes. Next up is caramel, a hint of baker’s chocolate, fresh wild honey coating some of those dried figs, ginger, and a little vanilla. It’s comforting like the one you love enveloping you in their arms and keeping you safe, drying your tears, and making you believe all will be ok even if it may be a lie; and it’s also a long slow burn of strength which we all need right now. ❤️🇺🇦

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: JUST DON’T

This where I would normally be going on about the history behind this bottle and the people that made the beauty of this liquid…but…I just can’t. My heart and mind have become overrun by news coming out of Ukraine. How can you escape the footage and why would you turn your back and not see the brutal reality? As I’ve said before, I want to scream! Please someone help! Make this war that should have never gotten to this point stop. There are families and friends being torn apart and some will never see each other again. There are even children with cancer stuck in hospital with no way out. My sister died of cancer as we were both small children. Nothing eases that pain. I can’t imagine how much more the pain the families of these helpless kids is gutting them as they try to soothe their child. THIS IS MADNESS

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: JUST DON’T

This is the port where I would normally be going on about the history behind this bottle and the people that made the beauty of this liquid…but…I just can’t. My heart and mind have become overrun by news coming out of Ukraine. How can you escape the footage and why would you turn your back and not see the brutal reality? As I’ve said before, I want to scream! Please someone help! Make this war that should have never gotten to this point stop. There are families and friends being torn apart and some will never see each other again. There are even children with cancer stuck in hospital with no way out. My sister died of cancer as we were both small children. Nothing eases that pain. I can’t imagine how much more the pain the families of these helpless kids is gutting them as they try to soothe their child. This is madness

I posted yesterday about one thing we can all do, so here it is again. My dear friend Tatyana Okshteyn (Black & White Gallery/Project Space @bwg_ps & who is originally from Ukraine) is putting together an online art benefit the proceeds of which will go to Ukraine to aid artists & their families there. If anyone would like to donate and get some pretty darn cool art while helping this extremely important cause, please visit the site.

100% of net sales proceeds will be donated to artists and their families in Ukraine. Please forward and share this post. Love and Peace must win!

#brandy #бренді #vspo #cognac #коньяк #ukraine #standwithukraine #Україна #🇺🇦 #stopwar #зупинитивійну #supportukraine #ятебелюблю #wine #corkscrew #Vodka #art #горілка #horilka #Odessa @odessabrandy

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Badass, Resilient And Full Of Passion 💙💛

Khortytsa (Хортиця)
Khor Platinum Vodka
40% ABV
Gluten free, corn-based, organic local filter containing schungite, 7 rounds of distillation, one of a kind cap to protect against counterfeits
Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine

Chilled glistening clear pour. Breathing in and it’s fresh, clean and bright with a  little faint citrus zest, and as grows a peppery kick. Sipping and at first there’s a little creaminess that morphs into a light bite of black pepper, something herbal, and a sprig of pine but nothing is overpowering. It turns into a dash of hot pepper with again citrus zest that fades back into that clean crisp herbal tingle. It’s very alive and my lips are vibrating…like a passionate kiss, and I have to say it’s badass and resilient just like Ukrainians.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Oh lord no!

I wish I could be tasting this lovely award winning vodka under better and less heartbreaking circumstances. As to be expected with the current events, Khortytsa had to shut their office in Kyiv and their distillery. How on earth in this day and age is this happening? I just want to open a window and scream! My heart bleeds for them and everyone in Ukraine. ❤️🇺🇦

#Vodka #горілка #horilka #Khortytsa #Хортиця #ukraine #standwithukraine #Україна #🇺🇦 #stopwar #зупинитивійну #supportukraine #Zaporizhzhia #spirits @khortytsavodka