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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

 

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Brightest Star in the Sky

Clos Santa Ana
Sirios 2016
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Carménère 
organic, biodynamic, native yeasts, unfined & unfiltered
Coluchagua Valley, Chile
Owners: Roberto Ibarra García and Luiz Antonio de Gracia Allegretti

Shiny garnet pour. Scents gently emerge and grow of cherries, wild plums, leather that turns into olives and then cola, throw in a sprig of hay, lavender, and lilacs. Tasting tart and dark cherry, plums, orange zest and a little raspberries start. Next up is a small oak/wooden moment (reminds me of my grandfather’s woodshop) and a little balsamic droplet, tiny hay exhale and a white pepper tingle. Just darn comfortably rustic.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Absolutely NO…BUT is amazing with Picandine’s Pico soft ripened goat cheese. The wine turns into velvet.

Not going to lie, I totally bought this wine due to Sirios (Sirius) the label. Little did I know that it would lead me to one of the coolest animal foster homes in the world. They’ve been known to have around 100 dogs at any given time and that’s not all. You’ll also find cats, horses, geese, goats, sheep, donkeys and the big surprise for me…peacocks! The grounds and the 150 year old hacienda are just gorgeous (check their video). You can even rent a room to spend time with not only the wine and animals, but also too take time to appreciate their art collection. This place is just a little slice of heaven on earth.

#wine #vino #vin #winelife #redwine #葡萄酒 #ワイン #naturalwine #organic #Chile #adoptdontshop #dogs #cats #Sirius #winestagram #instawine  @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits  #ClosSantaAna @louisdressnerselections @vinewinenyc @clossantaana @cheezit

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Everybody Wants To Be A Cat

Domaine de Saint Pierre/Fabrice Dodane
Le Dos D’Chat
Trousseau des Corvées 2019
VDF
Organic, native yeasts
Mathenay, Jura, France
Winemaker: Fabrice Dodane

Dark shiny garnet. Take a breath and here comes strawberries, cherries, blueberries, and raspberries tumbling out and followed by irises, tiny green shoots, and as it grows there’s raisins, pinch of earth, and a tiny zip of lemon zest. Tip back and dancing on my tongue are cherries, plums…and boy is this smoooooth! Keep going and there’s strawblueraspberry with a little blackberry bite, Valencia orange zest, and an earthy underside that plays back on the fringe with a stray strand of hay (and maybe a little pine needle) that wave hello and hide. Now I’m exhaling just a little white pepper (achoo). Give it day of rest and it’ll embrace you with a little bit darker, deeper oomph.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: more berries and soooooo smooooth

This is one happy smooth jazz cat that makes me smile, laugh, and shimmy around the room. He’s not the Cheshire one but more of a whole other clowder. You know like that exuberant, jumping, grooving scene from “The Aristocats”. I’m sure I drove my parents insane playing that song on repeat because you have to know “Everybody Wants To Be A Cat” (Electro Swing Remix by Dave Wave).

#wine #jazz #vino #vin #winelife #redwine #葡萄酒 #ワイン #naturalwine #trousseaudescorvées #organic #Jura #France #TheAristocats #cats @worldbyglass @dave_wave_official #pairswithcheezits #fabricedodane @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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Who Needs an Estate?

The Austin Winery
Malvasia Bianca 2019
100% Malvasia
Grapes sourced from Nogalero Estate Vineyards
Texas High Plans
All native, low intervention
Winery in “The Yard”, South Austin, TX

Hazy golden and a little sediment so give that bottle a twirl as pouring. The moment it hits my nose…BOOM and it’s everything! There’s heady peaches and magnolias, pears, honeysuckle, and tangerine. It’s so fragrant. There’s also a little allspice, salt, and a smidge of smoke. Sip and I’m tasting all of the scents and a bit more smoke. Add to that a little bit of Skittles (taste the rainbow), a tiny bit of super duper ripe cucumber, a citrus back kick that include a lovely Valencia orange & a little ruby grapefruit and as it grows apricots, and a smidge of apple pie spice in the back.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: really good. Don’t know how to explain it

The Austin Winery’s site says they are self-funded and self taught, which I guess makes them the “outsider artists” of winemaking, and I’m a huge fan of outsider artists. Their space isn’t your usual estate, but tucked into a warehouse district in South Austin, and they source the best grapes from Texas vineyards they trust. Back to the art part, they have such a passion for what goes into the bottle, and they also feel the same about the label. I’ll admit, when I saw the jackrabbit on this Malvasia, I was instantly intrigued. Turns out they work with the artist Nic Mathis, who has Synesthesia (I’ve know a few artists with this and their work has all been amazing), which is where you experience one sense through another. I could try to describe his work, but it’s better just to see it yourself, here (I really wish they would make t-shirts from the label art, so if you do I promise to buy some). He’s so damn talented! Actually they all are so talented and cheers to their hard work!

#wine #vino #vin #winelife #葡萄酒 #ワイン #theaustinwinery #naturalwine #Malvasia #Texas #Austin #nicmathis #Synesthesia #outsiderart @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits @vinewinenyc @theaustinwinery @cheezit

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Living Freely in Harmony

Lindenlaub
En Liberté 2020
Pinot Gris Pét-nat
Organic, unfined, unfiltered
Dorlisheim, Alsace, France
Winemaker: Christophe Lindenlaub

Brilliant cloud filled sunset streaked orange with pink undertones…think a beautiful watercolor with tiny crystals. Scents run out and bounce around (like the happy leaping Shiba Inu on the label) of oranges and orange blossoms, lush flowers, and a hint of pink grapefruit. Tasting slightly light fizzy orange/citrus but definitely not my childhood Nehi more Orangina, smoke and white pepper, light peach, a splash of tangerine, and a lick of granite.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delicious and super smooth

Everywhere I look, I keep reading about Christophe Lindenlaub and his abundant energy, positivity, and enthusiasm (he’s even compared to “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”). Is this why his wines are so delightful? Sounds like it’s part of the reason, but I’m betting it’s also due to his patience. He’s “Mr. Natural” and low-intervention, which means he knows how to listen and how to wait which leads to harmony in the vineyards and all the way into the bottle.

#wine #naturalwine #vino #vin #winelife #葡萄酒 #ワイン #PinotGris #petnat #Pétnat @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #Dorlisheim #Alsace #France @vinewinenyc @christophelindenlaub @super_glou @cheezit

 

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A Little Birdie Told Me To Give This A Try

Domaine Brana
Ilori ‘Les Jonquilles’ Blanc 2016
Irouléguy AOC
Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng & Petit Courbu
Biodiversity, HVE level 3 certified (and that means a lot)
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Irouléguy, France
Spirits and winemaking family: Jean and Martine Brana (brother and sister)

Spring flower (daffodil) yellow with a green glimmer. Oh this is lovely. Breathing in pears, musky honeydew but the musk fades and honeydew is still hanging around, just rained on sidewalk/concrete ( I love that smell), a light citrus blend, and pineapple. Sipping and here’s those pears again, honeysuckle nectar, pineapple, a tiny citrus (grapefruit) back pop, and it’s a glass of grace and joyous laughter all at once.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: eh…why ruin a good thing

At Domaine Brana, it’s not just wine but spirits too. Jean and Martine’s father, Etienne, first planted their pear orchard back in the 70s, and embarked on setting up a distillery. By the 80s, he saw the potential in this gorgeous steep diverse terroir to plant vines and a build a winery. Sadly Etienne passed in 1992, and his wife and children carried on his dream. I love their passion for nature and biodiversity, and putting in all the hard work to be HVE level 3 certified. With their 110 nesting boxes, they’ve brought back birds (and buggies) that hadn’t been seen in the area for ages. You can find these feathered friends gracing some of their labels too (just not this 2016).

#wine #naturalwine #whitewine #perfectpairing #vino #vin #winelife #葡萄酒 #ワイン #eaudevie #spirits #Irouléguy #irouleguy #France @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #winestagram @brana_officiel @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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Loving the Flip Side

Face B
Pif Paf
Brut Nature NV
Blanquette de Limoux AOP
Mauzac  & Chenin Blanc
Organic, hand harvested, Méthode Champenoise, bottle aged for 18 months
Calce, Roussillon, France
Winemaker: Séverin Barioz 

Pale pretty yellow. Ooh breathing in sweet wisteria, magnolias, honeysuckle, apples, and creamy mellow pears. Those apples and pears reappear in taste and also a creamy feel. Next comes some honey but not overly sweet because there’s fresh crisp citrus bits with a little hazelnut, and grass.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: it’s an ideal pairing

From what I’m seeing the name Face B comes from the B-side of a single. You remember those…right? Well, can you believe the Smith’s “How Soon is Now” was a B-side? Seriously, it was on the back of “William, It Was Really Nothing” in 1984. See just because it’s the flip side, doesn’t mean it’s 2nd tier. Just like this bottle of bubbly give it a chance and you’ll find that your “B” is really an “A”.

#wine #naturalwine #winelife #perfectpairing #vino #vin #winelife #葡萄酒 #ワイン #Mauzac #CheninBlanc #Calce #Roussillon #France @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #winestagram #thesmiths #methodechampenoise #facebcalce @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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A Golden Island Cocktail

Vinícola Taro
Blanco 2019
Malvasía
DO Lanzarote
Organic, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts
Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Winemaker: Pablo Matallana
Label artist: Carlos Matallana

Pure spun gold. First sniff and something a little wild jumps out to say “hello!”, then follows singed brioche, smoky goodness along with a citrus blend w an IPA grapefruit floating in and out and after time warm honey follows…also some freshly rained on concrete and a salty breeze (yeah it really does, I’m not quoting a cheesy greeting card). Drinking a cocktail of orange, tangerine, and lemon with an IPA twist, melon, pears and apples, serious smoke as time goes by with a kiss of salt, and a granite/mineral (volcanic soil fed) lick. This is crisp yet complex and damn wonderful!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: digging it!

As much as I love this bottle, just looking at it and all I can think is of La Palma’s volcano which is causing evacuations, destruction and terrible air quality. I know Vinícola Taro is from Lanzarote which is fortunately one of the eldest islands (technically dormant) and placed far enough away that so far they are currently safe, but according to El Pais is eventually (far, far in the future) “destined to sink under the effects of erosion”. If you are interested in the birth of the Canary Islands, their growth, and what is currently happening, check out their very informative article/infographics.

#wine #naturalwine #winelife #perfectpairing #vino #vin #winelife #葡萄酒 #ワイン #Malvasía #Lanzarote #CanaryIslands #Spain #cheezit @worldbyglass @el_pais #pairswithcheezits #winestagram #PabloMatallana @matallana_man @taro.vinicola @matallana.pablo @josepastorselections @vinewinenyc @cheezit