A Big Smooch To The Future

Staffelter Hof
Jan Matthias Klein
Kiss Kiss Maddie’s Lips
Rosé Pét-Nat
100% Fruhburgunder (early-ripening variant of Pinot Noir)
Organic
Kröv, Mosel, Germany

Rose plum orange with bubbling activity and natural haze. Oh, also open over a sink with a towel near because they’re might be a chance of a pink bubbling fountain. Wafting up from those bubbles are scents of plums with some creaminess, tree blossoms & roses, and citrus zest blended with a touch of a running down that hill grass stain. Sipping and here comes tart bright plums & that touch of cream again, a swish of pomegranate-blackberry juice, smidge of cedar in the back, touch of kumquat, green wild strawberries, and a kick of wild sour grass that fades in and out…dry, fresh and fun!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delicious and brings out more fruit, who would have thought?

Staffelter Hof just may very well be one of the oldest wineries or companies documented in the world (that is still in business), with a mention of it in legal paperwork back in 862 A.D. It went from an abbey to a winery/farm with the size varying over the years, and adapting with the times by modernizing the buildings (including central heating!). As of the latest generation Jan Matthias Klein (eldest son of Gundi and Gerd) they’re organic (2023 is their 10th year), and expanding into natural wines with also very cool new label art…just like this delicious pet-nat which carries on the family heritage image of a wolf from their coat of arms (albeit frolicking, imbibing & carefree). Oh and look here, Jan & team are adding fungus resistant PiWi grapes to their vineyards. That’s a good move for keeping this historic winery moving forward into their delicious, sustainable & organic future, and for that they do deserve a big smooch! 💋

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #piwi #organic #mosel #Germany #cheezit #PétNat #petnat #naturalwine #vinewinenyc #bowlerwine #StaffelterHof @cheezit @bowlerwine @vinewinenyc @staffelterhof862

Stained Happy Feet

Bodega de Forlong
Blanco 2021
100% Palomino
Organic, biodynamic
El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz, Andalucia, Spain
Alejandro Naváerez & Rocío Áspera

Yellow starlight with blinking green bits. Breathing in blossoms floating out, banana & some of it toasted, apples, light lime, fresh crusty plain bagel, gentle hazelnut, a pinch of dried fennel, and a dash of salt. All the scents are there in the taste along with smoke, apple & pear blend, crisp lemon/lime splash, more of that very welcome sea salt breeze, puff of smoke, mineral lick of rock, mild hazelnut, and ends in the back with a tiny piece of green pecan from my Granny’s backyard.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: gentle and smooth

This is one of those lovely tales of two friends (both with wine degrees) that end up falling in love, rescuing an abandoned farm, and nurturing it back to certified organic life. Sounds like a perfect dream life to me (I’m not jealous…well maybe a little…maybe a little more than a little), but I’m sure it’s also a ton of hard work. Through their own words, you can see how rewarding it all is. “We make wines with love, always with feet stained with Albariza and with a heart that pumps the fruit of their work.” Now, onto addressing Victoria Cerezo Doello’s label art of a serious looking business-fish decked out in a pinstripe suit, pocket square, and briefcase. He’s letting you know that you can pair this bottle with any fancy-schmancy sea loving gastro creation to fish & chips takeaway, or even just a Krabby Patty (just don’t forget the secret ingredient a pinch of King Neptune’s Poseidon Powder). 🐟🐠🦀🦪🦑🦞🍤🦐🌊

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #organic #Cadiz #Andalucia #Spain #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #naturalwine #vinewinenyc @cheezit @forlongwine @laluzselections @vinewinenyc

Like Father, Like Daughter

Ca N’Estruc BI
Xarel·lo Ancestral 2021
Pét-Nat
Organic, biodynamic, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts, unfined & unfiltered
Esparreguera, Catalunya, Spain
Winemaking family: Anna Martí Pitart (daughter), Francisco Martí Badia (father)

Light gold with dainty bubbles. Breathing in pears, a dusting of fresh baked baguettes & a teeny bit of pie spice. Everything is light & gentle as it opens to include white peach, apple, mild honeysuckle, a scattering of spring flowers, and a pinch of dried apricot that blossoms into a citrus blend. Sipping along and there’s a refreshing jumble of the scents along with an exhale of a sprig of hay. The apples & pears mingle beautifully like fresh bites in the orchard with a lime zest zing, and it’s so delightfully crisp that it leaves me with a big ol’ smile.

Pairs with @cheezit: brings out more apples

BI is Anna’s line of small production wines (this one has only 1,222 bottles so grab 1 before it’s gone) from her family’s estate, Ca N’Estruc which has usually passed to the sons through the generations & dates back to 1574. This is also a project & collaboration with her father (which I find absolutely endearing & cool to get to work with your dad). Growing up surrounded by vines, wine & people that respect nature, how could she not end up following in his footsteps while finding her own natural wine path. Her father Francisco is the man that changed the trajectory of Ca N’Estruc by telling his father, that they needed to make better wine. Thank goodness he listened! Oh, and one more thing about Francisco, I had absolutely no idea that he & Quim Vila joined forces around 30 years ago, to open the larger Vila Viniteca (wine store & distribution) on Carrer dels Agullers. That is a must stop every time I go to Barcelona because for a wine lover like me it is exciting & overwhelming in a good way. There’s shelves and shelves reaching the ceiling of bottles from all over. So Anna & Francisco, I may have never met you, but both of you have brought two great gifts into my life…your amazing wines & one of the happiest places (stores) on earth.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #vinnaturel #PétNat #petnat #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #organic #Spain #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #vilaviniteca #canestruc #josepastorselections #vinewinenyc

Bubbling…Morning, Noon & Night

Bernard Vallette
Pét Matin
Sparkling Wine
100% Chardonnay
Biodynamic, Demeter certified, hand harvested, native yeasts
Lachassagne, Beaujolais, France
Agnès Clamens & Bernard Vallette

Warm gold with very active fine bubbles. Breathing in pears, brioche or a memory of mom’s homemade pie crust, sprig of hay, Golden Delicious apples, a lively lemon squeeze that after a bit lime joins in, as time goes by some orchard blossoms & a little magnolia, and a touch of honey dew. Take a sip and again there’s pears & green apples, touch of Nilla wafer, a lemon splash and green smidge of lime zest. It’s crisp, delightful, delicious, and a little seltzer sparky. Makes you just want the bottle to never run out.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: a bright and elegant dance

I love not only this wine, but oh this label! Great retro movie poster style and colors, which has me wondering is there a flick this is referencing? Anyone know? Now as for the type/words, I and Google Translate may be butchering this translation, “When there’s no room in the cellar in the morning, we have to drink”. Yes, just give me an excuse to have a small bit of bubbles with breakfast. I’ll welcome making space in the cave. Also look a bit further down in the small print. Now I really have to chuckle, “There is no explicit mouse in this wine. However, there are scents of wildness that may be considered shocking. No one under 21 will be admitted.” Thank goodness NO MICE! I’m fine with a little wild tumble, but please let’s keep this Mickey free.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #vinnaturel #PétNat #petnat #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #organic #France #Beaujolais #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #naturalwine #BernardVallette #mfwwineco #vinewinenyc

A Wild Frisky Bounce

Clos Kixhaya
“Pet by Nat” 2021
Vin mousseux de France
Méthode ancestrale
Brut nature
100% Cabernet Franc
Natural, biodynamic, sustainable
Chinon, Loire Valley, France
Winemakers: Béatriz Papamija & Étienne Le Blanc

Amber salmon streaked sunset with fine bubbles tracing designs on the surface. Breathing in young strawberries, raspberries, pomegranate, a squeeze of lemon, a sprig of hay, little apple cider tart tingle in a good way & natural forest floor that fades, and a pinch of shortbread cookie. Sipping and there’s a jumble of all the berries including goose, pomegranate, little lemon, a mellow scone moment, and as it opens a bit of Georgia peach with a mineral lick of a rock & a wild frisky bounce. Just delightful!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: step away from the bag, this is a full on NO

Béatriz & Étienne are a very well rounded couple with backgrounds in everything from economics to architecture and now wine. Sure looks like these two can do just about anything when they make a decision, listen to their intuition, and make sure they end up exactly where they feel they should be. Turns out their home base in the wine world is in Chinon and includes not only the 4.5 ha of old 50-90 year old vines (only Cabernet Franc) but also a house & cellar which is perfect for raising a family & a farm (that also benefits the vines). If you want to see some beautiful images of their labor of natural love, pop over to their IG page. I love the pinned video of Béatriz spraying the vines with “valerian flower extract dynamised in water”. I had no idea that what helps us with stress also works for plants. As said, “We love the idea of healing plants with other plants!” 🍇🐇

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #vinnaturel #PétNat #petnat #kixhaya #closkixhaya #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #worldbyglass #organic #France #Loire #Chinon #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #vinnature #naturalwine #loirevalley #loirevalleywines @cheezit  @vinewinenyc @clos_kixhaya @terrestrialwine

Enjoy The Ride

Celler Escoda-Sanahuja
Els Bassotets 2021
Garnacha Blanca 70%, Parellada 20%, Garnacha Gris 10%
Organic, biodynamic, native yeasts
Conca de Barberá, Catalunya, Spain
Joan Ramón Escoda & Mari Carme (husband & wife)

Hazy orange/warm deep gold. Nose tickling citrus blend of lemon, tangerine, kumquat, orange (all with zest) & more, lively wild tanginess with a straw of hay, puff of smoke, a toasty bit of homemade bread, and tart young green apples. Take a sip and there’s a cideresque bit at first, all that tangle of wild goodness hay & toast is there with all that sparky citrus jumble but more depth, a bit of rhubarb, tart pear & green apples, white pepper on the back, and I think a little fresh green bell pepper. Let this baby breathe and enjoy the ride as it grows and looking forward to where it takes me because that pepper is growing.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: surprisingly really good

Oh the description of Joan on his site is too good not to just quote, “He’s not just a winemaker, he’s a grassroots innovator, a radical winemaker, a sentimental husband, a stressed-out father, and an absolute anarchist … absolute rock and roll. If you’ve ever tasted their wines, you’ve got the proof … it’s never banal.” He definitely has a lot going on from keeping the winery very, very natural & sulfite free; then there’s also Tossal Gros (their seasonal, organic restaurant in the winery); oh and did I mention that he & his friend, Laureano Serres, founded PVN (Spain’s 1st natural wine association) & they have a yearly wine fair H2O Vegetal. I’m already winded just thinking of every exciting & inspiring move they’re making…just so naturally cool.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #whitewine #orangewine #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #worldbyglass #organic #Spain #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #ElsBassotets #escodasanahuja @restaurant_tossal_gros @indiewineries @vinewinenyc @cheezit

It’s All About Nothing

NADA
CR 2021
Macabeu 80%, Grenache Noir 20%
Biodynamic, organic
Calce, Côtes Catalanes, France
Winemakers: Raphael Baissas de Chastenet & Oscar Mancillas

Chilled maroon sunset with blue bits. Breathing in plums, cherries, blackberries & deep raspberries, a bit of funk followed by a touch of basil and next an orange & lemon zest, and a whiff of smoke. Sipping and all of the sniffer bits are right there with more smoke or even peat, Red Delicious apples, pear crunch, a mix of red & green strawberries (caps and all), and a shake of white pepper. Just dang delicious!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: juicy bouncy fun

What do you get when you put two guys in a natural wine bar and a few shared bottles of wine…NADA. Yes, it is about nothing…no sulfites, no pesticide, and nothing that might harm the environment and also us. It’s just a celebration of what Calce can produce, and how two winemakers from different parts of the world make their magic work. Ralph’s originally from Perpignan had a start in wine as a kid working with his grandfather but bounced a bit in city life (he has a thing for graffiti) & IT until the vines came calling again. Oscar’s roots come from Ensenada, Mexico & a classically trained background in wine so when these two became friends, it’s easy to see why they creatively clicked. And when you taste their wines, you can feel their exuberance, passion, sense of place, and honestly a lust for life. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #Rosé #chilledredwine #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #worldbyglass #organic #vandalwine #nada #France #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @cheezit @vandal.wine.nada @super_glou @vinewinenyc

A Festive All-Nighter

Bodegas Navarrsotillo
Gaupasa 2022
Navarra DO
Garnacha
Rosado
Organic, biodynamic
Beire, Navarra, Spain
Andrés & Ramón Serrano Arriezu (brothers)

Salmon with s touch of magenta gradation. Sniffing and there’s strawberries, raspberries, a moment of roses, cranberry/pom cocktail, and a watermelon Jolly Rancher. Sipping and tasting strawberry, raspberry, teeny bit of cranberry, boysenberry, splash of watermelon, a lemon squeeze spark and an orange zest crisp. This is a total summer easy drinker, so be prepared for the consequences.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: NO

After pouring a glass, turn the bottle around and get the skinny on its name. “Gaupasa is a Basque word for staying out until daybreak, to maximize time with friends and family especially during a village’s yearly fiesta, wise alternating of excellent food and local wine is key. On the best nights you lose track of time, notice the bakeries have opened, and that it’s time for breakfast.” So anyone ready for a festive all-nighter under the stars with me? We can keep it going till the cows come home! ✨

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #Rosé #Rose #rosado #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #worldbyglass #organic #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Gaupasa #Basque #Spain @navarrsotillo @vinewinenyc @cheezit

Wine = Magical Destiny

Franchere Wine Company
Split Infinitves
Pét-Nat
N/V (2022)
Grüner Veltliner 74%, Chardonnay 26%
Sourced from sustainably farmed & organic trusted vineyards, definitely unfiltered and very natural
Woodburn, Oregon
Owner & winemaker: Mike Hinds

Hazy orange slightly pinky that reminds me of the smoke we’ve been seeing here drifting from Canada. Just opened and sniffing a bit of dragged through the forest floor funk that will head out and a touch of smoke (not from the aforementioned fires), citrusy zest mix, a bit of fresh rain that clears the air and cools things off, apricots, peaches, mellow pears, and a hint of cinnamon. First sip and there’s a delightful natural sizzle, next up are pears along with an exhale of that bit of peat/smoke that fades, lemon & lime kissed, crisp apples, bright peach, apricots, kumquats, and a touch seltzer salty. All of this together blends into a magical mixture of a tangy homemade orchard blend pie that reminds me of my mom’s pastry concoctions.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: eh nah

As I’m learning more about Mike Hinds, I get where he’s coming from with his inspirational moment. Just the right wine encounter can awaken all sorts of emotions. For Mike it was a Vouvray as he says on his site, “’What is this? Why is this so magical with my food? How did this wine come to be like this?’ It launched an obsession.” This led to his path in wine education from working in shops, taking classes, working as a “cellar rat”, and eventually to his own company. Honestly I don’t know if I would have the courage to follow his path, but he  has proved it’s his destiny. Even when I picked this bottle up (it had just been unpacked with no shelf talker) I was told how excited they were about his new pét-nat. Ok, you know I have to mention the label. First off the artwork is gorgeous and I would love to know who is the artist. Secondly, something about this cat really grabbed my heart. Not yet but at some point I may need to add to our 🐈‍⬛ family, so casting that out into the universe.

wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #PétNat #petnat #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #cat #catsofinstagram #oregon #worldbyglass #organic #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @cheezit @francherewine @vinewinenyc

A Chilled Happy Dance Of Life

Les Conques
Nonette 2021
Mourvèdre
Organic
Villemolaque (cellar), Roussillon (vineyards), France
Owner & winemaker: François Douville and family

Strawbluecranberry cocktail color with tiny bubbles. Lovely scents of natural slightly fizzy sizzle depth at first along with smoke & little earth, smidge of balsamic vinegar, and it all grows into a blend of strawberries, raspberries, bright cherry and lemon squeeze. Sipping along and there’s raspberries, strawberries, a whiff of smoke & spritz of seltzer, cranberry, a kick of cherry and a little lemon lick. It’s a zippy & tongue tingling chilled happy dance of life.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: nope

I swear, lately I’ll grab a bottle and not even look at the back label before bringing it home and once I get ready to open and turn it around, lo and behold there’s Super Glou’s logo. They really know how to pick winners. Les Conques totally knocked my socks off if you can’t tell from my description above. Somehow they bottled the essence or interpretation of their enchanted land. Just check out their IG page and you’ll see for yourself (oh and pour a glass of Nonette too for full effect). You’ll find images of truly natural happiness including their Jack Russell, horses, all sorts of beneficial insects & other wildlife, family and the surrounding watchful trees such as cork oaks & something I have never heard of before “arborescent heather” which is my namesake that is usually a shrubbery but evidently has grown to higher aspirations. Enough of my flights of fancy babbling, take a good long well chilled sip and experience it for yourself. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #Rosé #Rose #chilledredwine #winestagram #instawine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #worldbyglass #organic #cheezit #pairswithcheezits @cheezit @super_glou @domainelesconques @vinewinenyc