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Katz In A Glass

Wigle
Eau de Pickle
40% ALC/VOL
Organic regional grains milled onsite
Made from scratch in Pittsburgh, PA
Family Distillery

Perfectly clear glass (tiny pour because this packs a punch). Whoa this is like being in my granny’s kitchen during pickling/canning time! There’s full on aromas of rye, dill weed/flowering/seed, pop of fennel, garlic, mustard seeds, coriander and lest we not forget caraway. Seriously craving a hot pastrami. First sip an tasting all the scents and a pumpernickel everything bagel moment. There’s also celery, an almost ouzo light feeling, but don’t bring the coffee beans because this is Katz in a glass. Oooh you know what would be great is a Cel-Ray chaser, and it would also be so good as a martini with a celery salt rim. Can you tell I’m falling hard for this bottle?

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delicious!

Wigle’s mission statement says it all, “Wigle is hell bent on creating a vital, educated community around the highest quality, most inventive, bursting-with-terroir fermented and distilled products in the world. We’re strong believers of investing in our communities to support the agricultural, social and economic systems of which we are a part. We devote significant resources into innovation and make each one of our dozens of regionally inspired spirits from scratch with organic ingredients. We never purchase spirits from bulk suppliers.” They truly believe in community and particularly in this day and age that’s downright commendable. You can also take a tour of the distillery and leave with a history lesson of Pittsburgh’s Whiskey Rebellion, or take one of their cocktail classes to spruce up your skills. However you connect with them, I hope you take a chance on this dilly delight…just be careful or you may find yourself becoming a bit pickled. 🥒 🍸

#spirits #eaudepickle #wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #whiskey #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #pickles #Pittsburgh #PA  @vinewinenyc @wiglewhiskey @cheezit

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Golden Goodness

Isastegi
Sagardo Naturala
Dry Natural Cider
Blend of over a dozen Basque apples
Basque Country
Euskal Sagardoa PDO
6% ABV
Organic, no added sulfites
Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, Spain
Cidermaker: Migel Mari Lasa

Warm gold with tiny bubbles. Breathing in a multitude of apples bright and tart, stripped apple branches, yeasty, and a bit of dark funk and spice. Wow, this tastes really delightful! Again bright and tart apples joined with green tree buds, cinnamon & funk, and a touch of white pepper. Now that’s a fab mix.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: good like ol’ apple pie

While sniffing around online about the origins of txotx, I found a tale of Adam and Eve. They had already been booted from the garden and wandered upon an apple tree which immediately pissed Adam off. His boiling anger had him giving the tree a full shakedown and the apples rolled into a well, where he then kept on venting by throwing in large stones to smash the fruit. Days later the pair were in serious need of a drink, and of course it’s Eve that realizes, “hey, check out that golden goodness left in the well” and there you have the first cider. Back to txotx, it simply means a small stick used to plug the cider barrels (nowadays you may find a spigot in its place) and when the time is right (Isastegi’s txotx runs from Jan-April), gather your friends to celebrate, pull that plug, and here comes the cider; and you better have your glass ready before it all ends up on your shoes. Cheers!

#cider #wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #apples #spain #organic @dmselections @vinewinenyc @Isastegi @cheezit

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Two Sides Of The Same Coin

Lesehof Stagård
Goldberg 2016
100% Riesling
Kremstal DAC
Organic
Krems/Stein a. Danube, Austria
Winemakers: Urban and Dominique Stagård

Warm golden glass. Floating in are apples & pears and their blossoms too, along with butterfly lilacs, and a little chilled pie (like what is so scrumptious for breakfast. Hey, you grow up in an orchard and fruit’s in every B. L. & D.), and a pinch of salt. Sip and again apples, pears, a little honeysuckle nectar but not really that much, a tiny lime spritz, salt, cardamon, lick of granite, and a smoky exhale.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: bright crisp snap

What a piece of history, the cellar has been around for close to 1,000 years, but the family roots came on board in 1786, as Lesehof Tegernseer. Fast forward to the early 1980s and there’s a name change to Lesehof Stagård after Kenneth Stagård married into the family. Now it’s Urban and Dominique and they took everything to the next level by going organic and biodynamic, and their own words some up everything best: “Unlike the generations before us, we wanted to make wines that not only quench thirst, but should also tell about us, our ideas, our vines and vineyards. We immediately switched to organic farming and defined goals that had to be achieved in slow steps. We wanted to make bold, exciting and authentic wines, wines for which evolution and tradition should be two sides of the same coin, wines that should be fun and others that should challenge. And we wanted Riesling.” Also, I think they have brought a lot of joy to this generation. Just check out their 2020 end of harvest dance https://www.instagram.com/p/CGstlgAHTzW/

❤️

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Riesling #Kremstal #Austria #organic @schatziwines @vinewinenyc @lesehofstagard.wines @cheezit

 

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Ready For A New Adventure

Miles Garrett Wines
Merlot 2018
Willow Creek AVA
Dry farmed, handpicked, organic, natural wine, and animals graze the vineyards
Humboldt County, CA
Winemaker and owner: Miles Garrett

Deep purple with some ruby goodness. This is one of those wines where you take a deep breath and oh this is everything…bright and deep cherries, dark plums/prunes, blueberries, balsamic whiff, vanilla and sugar cookies, an earthy woodsiness, and a little juniper/piney. Sipping and it’s dark and bright cherry, vanilla with a little oak chip, plums, blueberry, blackberry, and a pinch of sugar cookies with just the right amount of that twang to keep it vibrantly dancing on my tongue
delicious! FYI: tasted while watching The Book of Boba (and yes, I ❤️ the series & the ride it’s taking us on. Have heard the complaints and all I can say is…haters gonna hate…and kiss my Bantha).

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: it’s actually a really good fit.

Miles Garrett Wines is a family winery with a small team and also some additional WWOOFers. Call me behind the times, but WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is new to me, so smart, needed and cool. It all started back in 1971 (U.K.), and in the U.S. from 2001. It’s a two way street of sustainable farming education. If you’re looking to learn about sustainable/organic farming while having a roof over your head and meals, they’ll find you a host. Hosts impart their knowledge and as they say “teach the next generation of farmers” and benefit from the help in their farm, vineyard, etc. So if you’re interested, check out wwoofusa.org, and you just might find a new adventure.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #bookofbobafett #thebookofbobafett #Merlot #Humboldt  #CA #California #naturalwine @wwoofusa @vinewinenyc @milesgarrettwines @cheezit

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Bubbles Worth Diving For

St. Donat (Szent Donát)
5BAR 2020
Brut Nature
Sparkling White Wine
Olaszrizling, Furmint
Organic, unfined, unfiltered
Csopak, Hungary
Winemaker: Tamás Kovács

Pale yellow gold with tiny bubbles tracing fictional maps on the surface. From the moment the cap is popped there’s scents of white donut peaches, yellow plum, fresh citrus spritz, a smidge of a real croissant not made in this continent, shake of salt, a little grass (the fresh cut kind). Sip and it’s crisp. There’s citrus pop of lemon/lime mix, and touch of the white donut peach that turns into apples and pears. It’s fresh and exuberant tongue tingling goodness with a touch of yeast. It’s just darn exciting, and I want this for my next birthday, but I think we’ll need a few more since it’s 375ml.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: wow it’s perfect!

So what’s the deal the antique diving helmet on the label? Yeah, I know absolutely nothing about diving, since I am terrified of being eaten by a shark. An ex-aunt (I’m so glad she is an EX) put the whole shark idea in my mind at a very young age, and I’ve spent years trying to get past it. Anyway, back to the bubbly. So happy that the winery/Tamás has a site & blog that answer it all (well, with auto google translate). It’s named 5BAR since it’s fermented to that pressure, “which is just like swimming in the sea 50 meters deep” (my brain immediately thinks 🦈). “I see this as a good balance point, less pressure, less sweeping, lots of fruit left and no foaming so much.” Also explains the small size too, “Half a bottle is often enough for two people.” Well, I’m not so sure about that because, in my world if there’s two of us, “we’re going to need a bigger boat bottle”.

#wine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #sparklingwine #bubbly #champagne #naturalwine #organic #Csopak #Hungary #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits @szentdonatborkuria @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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Just One More

Lapati Wines
Kidev Erti
Tavkveri 2019
Natural sparkling wine rosé
60% Tavkveri & 40% of Chinuri (both from Shida Kartli region)
Natural, organic, & environment friendly, 1 month fermentation in qvervi
Sagarejo, Kakheti, Georgia
Winemakers: Vincent Jullien and Guillaume Gouerou

Pale salmon with active white bubbles dancing in patterns on the surface. Breathing in tiny strawberries and cherries (and an underlying hint of cherry Twizzlers), a little plum, yeasty bread, and all of this is super light. First sip and it’s a tart cherry seltzer, a lemon tingle blended with a little underripe apple, and just a smidge of strawberries (green and ripe). Very, very vibrating on the lips and easy drinking that you don’t have to overthink (so don’t do what I’ve been doing.) Just follow the instructions in its name “Kidev Erti” because it says for you to have “one more”.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: yeah it works. Really doesn’t change much.

I could start with the good ol’ joke, 2 Frenchmen walk into a bar…or in this case into Georgia, but its a bit more than that. Vincent was on the scene first already investigating sparkling, and Guillaume showed up for an art residency. They found mutual conversation and ground (now literally in Sagarejo) and embarked on creating Lapati Wines. They blend Georgian and French/European natural ways of winemaking and even though they’re not certified biodynamic they follow the practices because they respect nature, the environment, and very importantly the final outcome in their wine.

#wine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #naturalwine #organic #Kakheti #Georgia #winestagram #instawine #Tavkveri #Chinuri #biodynamic @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #Lapati @lapatiwines @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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A Bottle of Family Heritage, Dedication & Love

Domaine Barmès-Buecher
Crémant d’Alsace
Brut Nature 2018
48% Pinot Gris, 36% Pinot Auxerrois, 16% Chardonnay
Biodynamic, Méthode Ancienne, hand harvested, no added sugar
Wettolsheim, Alsace, France
Winemaking family: Maxime, Sophie and Geneviève Barmès

Pale straw with very active teeny bubbles. At first my nose tingles and then there’s a light creaminess of pears and golden delicious apples (as y’all know is my favorite), a fresh tiny citrus squish that leans toward green fruit, next up are toasted mellow almonds, a little salt, and as it grows…whiffs of a fresh baked bâtard that go in and out. Here comes the sip. Sparkle, sparkle, zing! It’s crisp and creamy at the same time…a bite of green apples picked right off the tree with a lemon zest, Ya Li pears, nectarines, and a smidge of Marcona almond or macadamia nut on the backside which brings it all together in a glass of dry refined elegance. For the love of all things sacred, please do not use this in a brunch cocktail!!!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: surprisingly fab and brings out the pears

The Buecher and Barmès families had wine roots in the area since the 17th century. Once Geneviève and François married along came the creation of Domaine Barmès-Buecher in 1985. Currently brother and sister (Maxime & Sophie) have joined their mother in honoring the family heritage, values, dedication to keeping everything biodynamic, respecting the terroir, and letting the moon guide them; which is quite admirable and a whole lot of hard work. They’re also keeping their wine team small with only 5 other members (other than themselves), and they look pretty bonded. If you take a peek at their social media you’ll see a recent outing they went on to what looks like an amazing spa day. With perks like that, this is a team/family that I wish I could join!

#wine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #naturalwine #organic #Alsace France #winestagram #instawine #Chardonnay #PinotGris #PinotAuxerrois #organic #biodynamic @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits @barmes_buecher @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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Birds & Bacchus In The Vines

Domaine Des Rouges-Queues
Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc 2018
Vin de Bourgogne
100% Chardonnay
Organic, biodynamic, dry farmed, hand harvested, spontaneous fermentation
Burgundy, France
Winemakers: Isabelle and Jean-Yves Vantey

Shining warm medium gold. Breathe in and a glass of springtime, says “hi did ya miss me?”. There’s apricots, nectarines, pears, a little honeysuckle and as time ticks along there’s a perfume droplet of spring flowers along with a little smoke that merges into the background and ends in salt. Sip and those pears appear, apples and also apricots but now dried and fresh, salt, thyme, a lick of granite, a tiny pinch of white pepper…and it all goes silky.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ooh this is like putting cheddar cheese on a hot apple pie…delicious

Isabelle and Jean-Yves Vantey fell in love with each other and then with Sampigny-lès-Maranges. You know what you do for land you love (and the wild things that live there too)…you care, nurture, and give it your organic/biodynamic best like Isabelle & Jean-Yves. Hence the homage to their feathered friends in their name “Rouges-Queues” and the Redstarts on their labels. BTW Isabelle seems to be quite the nature photographer too. Check out her IG page for a little of their enchanted wonderland, and if you swipe down far enough you might catch Bacchus in the vines.

#wine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #naturalwine #organic #Bourgogne #Burgundy #France #winestagram #instawine #Chardonnay #organic #biodynamic #redstart #bacchus @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #domainedesrougesqueues @isabellevantey @mfwwineco @vinewinenyc @cheezit

 

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Earth Rebirth

Domaine Giachino
Giac’ Potes
Red Savoie Wine 2018
Gamay & Mondeuse
Organic & Biodynamic
Savoie, France
Winemaking family: Frédéric Genton, his brother David, and David’s son Clément

Shining glistening garnet. First out the gate are whiffs of spring flowers and then a touch of mountain herbs and earth. Next up are blackberries, dried cherries and give it a little time as the strawberries and raspberries grow. Pow, pop, wow and the tastebuds are way awake. Those herbs are still there and it’s full of juicy raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, and a pucker up tart cherry accent. It’s very fun and easy to hang out with and as a wise and witty wine woman told me, “If your favorite Beaujolais went to college in Paris and came back all sophisticated and full of backbone, that would be this wine.”

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: bleh

Way back on the night of November 24th 1248, Mount Granier’s massive limestone and mud landslide took out villages, but a church in Myans was saved (as the tale goes) by the parishioners devotion and prayer to their “Black Madonna”. Now from this centuries old tragedy came a rebirth. This terroir is perfect for the vines of Domaine Giachino. Albeit rugged, rocky and a lot of hard work, brothers Frédéric and David have brought their grandfather’s vineyards back to the natural organic/biodynamic ways. They’ve even introduced “natural predators” (wondering if these sport feathers, fur or exoskeletons) to ward off pests. It’s this type of devotion, love and connection they have with the land and vines…it’s well…something pretty special. You’ll know what I mean when you have your first glass, and take the advice on the label and pair it up with a baguette and saucisson (ditch the Cheez-It).

#wine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #naturalwine #organic #Savoie #France #winestagram #instawine #Gamay #Mondeuse @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #domainegiachino @domainegiachino @jeffreyalpertselections @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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The Brave Vignerons

A Los Viñateros Bravos
Granítico Blanco 2020
Moscatel 60% and Sémillon 40%
Organic, biodynamic, hand harvested, native yeasts, old vines, no irrigation
Itata, Chile
Winemaker: Leonardo Erazo

Warm deep golden skin contact goodness. Scents of peaches, nectarines, orange blossoms (heady) that turn into a whole big bouquet by adding in lilacs and a hint of roses, an orange zest zip, and a pinch of coriander floating in on a salty breeze. Pretty, pretty, pretty! Tasting oranges that smack into granite and a bit of smoke. Yeah that’s a very good thing. There’s also a mixed bag of citrus peels, crisp apple crunch, nectarine, and salt. Its tingly and fresh and feels like it’s inviting me to escape what little winter we’ve had and rush into summer.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings out a richer deeper orange

With all of his education, training and traveling, Leonardo Erazo picked a fabulous place for a winery. The Itata Valley has amazing old vines and a history stemming from the Spanish setting down roots literally and figuratively back in the 1550s. The land is already perfect with volcanic and granite soils, which show through the wines, and Leonardo knew to let a good thing just be. He keeps the whole process simple, natural, and as little intervention possible; and I’m betting this is why he was named one of the Top 10 Best Winemakers of South America in 2019. Just take a look at one of his tweets of “vine love”: “Que privilegio y que responsabilidad cuidar estas hermosas parras.” He fits right in with the brave, dedicated winegrowers and makers of old, which is no wonder he named his winery, “A Los Viñateros Bravos”.

#wine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #naturalwine #organic #Chile #Itata #winestagram #instawine  @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #ALosViñaterosBravos @leoerazolynch @ripewineimports @vinewinenyc @cheezit