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Light Of My Life, Fire Of My…

Domaine Moutard-Diligent
Qu’est-ce que c’est Aligoté
Bourgone Aligoté 2021
AOC Bourgone
Sustainable, as hands off as possible, unfiltered,
Molosmes, Burgundy, France
Winemaker: François Moutard & family

Light hazy gold. Breathing in tangerine rind & a light citrus flair, then honeysuckle & orange blossoms waft through with pears, slate and a shake of salt. The taste is same as the scents but with a touch more citrus(maybe tangelo). It’s clean, fresh and happy easy drinking. Oh and check out the quote from the back of the bottle. “Aligoté, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Ah-lee-go-tay…” Sound familiar 😏

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: funky but good

Domaine Moutard-Diligent is built of not only passing from parent to child through the generations. The current generations are also working together with their cousins and each member has a gift from their experiences, educations, and passions. Some contribute their wine/farming knowledge, others have organization & business skills, having a head for numbers, promotion, marketing, branding, and the open mind to travel, learn and spread their brand to the world. As François says on their site, “We play off each other and the advantage of being a family, that is what makes us trust each other, each person in their own skilled role”. What a wonderful family to be a part of where everyone works together to form a smooth running machine filled with creativity, love, and distinguished wine, champagne & spirits. Oh yes, they make an assortment from whisky, marc, gin, etc. and the one that I want to get my hands on is their 100% Champenoise Vodka. So if any of you can point me where I might find one, please, please let me know! 🍸

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #champagne #Burgundy #France #Aligote #vodka #spirits @famillemoutard @communalbrands @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

 

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Créé Avec Passion

Croix d’Irval
Premier Cru Extra Brut
Pinot Meunier (primarily), Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Sustainable, indigenous yeast, hand harvested
Coulommes la Montagne, Marne, Champagne, France
Owner & winemaker: Jean Servagnat

Golden with tiny very active bubbles tracing geographic patterns on the surface. Once the cork is popped elegant & rich/savory fragrances flow out. There’s biscuits/scones (maybe even almond scones), a soft blend of cherry, raspberry and dark plums almost heading toward dried, and a warm toasty vibe. All of the scents are in the taste joined with a squish of citrus, Marcona almonds, and a savory dry toasty depth that makes you feel special. Comfortably festive and romantic!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: crisp & delightful

Créé avec passion (created with passion) greets you when you first visit Croix d’Irval’s site. Reminds me of a quote by Elle Woods (“Legally Blonde” don’t judge I can see you shaking your head….)if you want to see why see below*. “On our very first day at Harvard, a very wise Professor quoted Aristotle: ‘The law is reason free from passion.’ Well, no offense to Aristotle, but in my three years at Harvard I have come to find that passion is a key ingredient to the study and practice of law — and of life.” Jean Servagnat has incredible passion for Pinot Meunier. He’s one of the few growers in Champagne making that grape his home grown star in his own label bottled creations. Hey, he even left a life in finance to follow that dream, and when you taste his bubbly, you’ll know what a wonderful thing that is for the rest of us that have a chance to experience his artful collaboration with nature.

*After 9/11, due to my job, my office was temporarily relocated out of state due to our building being damaged…very damaged…and holed up in a hotel for a very long stretch. “Legally Blonde” was one of the happy movies accessible to us, and I kept it on repeat. Was a good end to the day(s) of wondering where life would take us and you know what…I still love it.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #champagne #champagnepremiercru #bubble #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #ellewoods #aristotle #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Marne #France #JeanServagnat #CroixdIrval @steephillwine @antosicurezza @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Cheers To A Warmer New Year!

Dr. Lippold
Moselle Riesling Brut 2018
Organic, sustainable, hand harvested
Ürzig, Moselle, Germany
Owner & winemaker: Dr. Enno Lippold

Pale starlight with fine bubbles. Sniffing dainty lemony cream, pears, a little green grass, and toasty wheaty goodness. All those scents are there in the taste and the lemon grows and is joined by a little Lady Apple as it breathes. Clean, crisp and sparky.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: perfect!

I know we’ve all been complaining about this bone rattling cold weather…at least I have. Who would have thought that a well chilled sparkler would warm my spirits, but this delicate yet rambunctiously joyful celebration of riesling totally did the trick. Oh, and it would be really scrumptious with unagi nigiri on a cozy evening in or a festive celebration out. 🥂

Cheers to the New Year & to Dr. Lippold!

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #sparklingwine #brut #instawine #naturalwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #Riesling  #Moselle #Germany #France #DrLippold @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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Waiting For The Rain

Domaine du Possible
En Attendant la Pluie
Tout Bu, or not Tout Bu
VDF Rouge 2021
Grenache 70%, Mourvèdre 30%
Organic, hand harvested, indigenous yeasts
Lansac, Roussillon, France
Winemaker: Loïc Roure

Deep ruby/magenta with blue electric pops and rim. Sniffing cherry, strawberry starbursts, red Twizzlers, and blood oranges & zest that has been singed. Ooh this is yummy sipping…dark cherry, strawberries, those Twizzlers again & a cherry jolly rancher with a touch of licorice that leads to a welcome herbal bitter bite. This is so chuggable chilled or not.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: meh

I asked a friend to recommend something delicious, something with character, and boy is Loïc Roure a character. Just from his labels, you can already see he makes the best of what the world throws at him and has fun doing it. Right there in print is “En Attendant la Pluie” aka “Waiting for the Rain” which at times he’s had to do and source grapes from other vignerons/friends he respects and live up to his standards. From this blending of grapes and friends leads to “Tout Bu, or not Tout Bu” “Drank (drink) all, or not to be drunk” (from my poor translation which I’m sure is a mess) and I say double thumbs up to drinking it all. Then there’s the name “Domaine du Possible” and he’s one of those winemakers that has proven all is possible, because he wasn’t always following the vine but previously worked for Amnesty International before getting bit by the natural wine bug. And one more thing about him that makes me smile are the pics from his cellar that’s covered in rocking stencil art & marks of his love of music. He’s definitely très cool!

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #redwine #frenchwine #instawine #naturalwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #Roussillon #France #DomaineduPossible #LoïcRoure #LoicRoure @louisdressnerselections @vinewinenyc @cheezit

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A Natural Find In The Park

Sagmeister
Furmint 2017
100% Furmint
Organic, biodynamic, hand harvested, spontaneous fermentation
Fruška Gora, Srem (Syrmia), Serbia
Owner & winemaker: Ernő Sagmeister

Yellow with a touch of springy green. Breathing in and so light at first. There’s pear, green apple a little bit of the leaves too, mango, faint lemon, and a touch of cream. First sip and whoa this is no shrinking violet. Pineapple, guava. Light Coconut round pears, mature apples, lemon & zest & even Lemonhead candy, a sliver of oak, and a salty shake. Definitely has oomph to go along with the dry so it checks all the boxes

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Don’t even

I find it so fascinating that Sagmeister’s has vineyards growing in midst of the oldest national park in Serbia, “National Park Fruška Gora”.  Ernő’s devotion and enthusiasm for the old traditions & organic ways, along with the vines being in this “untamed area where nature rules and wild animals are often seen” (side note to my feathered friend lovers, it’s a great place for birding!) can’t help but bring him successful and unique wines. Oh, and if you’re lucky to get your hands on one of these wines, you have Steep Hill & Fearless Finds working together to thank. 💋

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #naturalwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #serbianwine #Serbia #fruskagora @steephillwine @antosicurezza @fearless_finds @sagmeisterwine @vinewinenyc @sagmeisterwine @cheezit

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Creative Perfect Pairing

Podere Sottoilnoce
Valtiberia 2020
Vino Bianco Frizzante
70% Trebbiano Modenese, 30% Trebbiano Di Spagna
Biodynamic, organic, indigenous yeast, minimal intervention
Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Owner & winemaker: Max Brondolo

Warm golden sunshine with tiny bubbles. Breathing in a gentle creamy vanilla start that morphs, next up are pears, green apples, a smidge of berry, and musky touch that fades on day 1 and leads to light melon, and a smidge of anise. On the tip of my tongue it’s dry, with crisp pear & apple, lemon/lime squeeze, a bit of berry, that spice/anise is still there but joyously light & fresh, and a bit of almond on the back

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: oh this is gooood

As I said in my previous post, Max Brondolo is a Renaissance man. Earlier in life, he had an successful and cool career in advertising/communications/digital media. I wonder how it felt to start his new life in wine which seems to be an old love. Must be exciting, freeing and satisfying to start a 2nd act by working & growing in many ways with nature…to channel and pour a new creativity into these bottled moments in time that you share with family, friends, and the world. Have to also write about the artist whose paintings grace his labels. Something about these birds just pulled me in and I went down the google rabbit hole. Denis Riva is brilliant. It has been a while that I’ve found a “new to me” artist that pulled up such emotions that I can’t even put into words what I’m feeling. Please take a look at his website. I don’t know what brought these two creatives (Max & Denis) together but they are a perfect pairing.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #naturalwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #Trebbiano #emiliaromagna #Italy #italianwine #terrellwines @derivadr @vinewinenyc @poderesottoilnoce @cheezit

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Small & Natural Celebration

Les Vins Pirouettes
Le Brutal De Jean Marc
Gewurtraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling
Organic, biodynamic, indigenous yeast, no sulfur added, unfined & unfiltered
Rosheim, Alsace, France
Cultivated and vinified by Jean-Marc Dreyer

Hazy electric orange with that’s heading toward magenta as it breathes…so mid 80s robe. Do any of y’all remember “Merry Go Round”? Breathing in and ooh so much at once…there’s a blend of citrus, pinch of allspice that mingles well with the rest, orange blossoms along with a bundle of spring flowers, some funky fun, and a shake of salt & puff of smoke. Sip and there’s blood orange and tangelo sizzle, tart plums, apricots dried and fresh, a super tiny piece of dried pineapple (I ❤️dried 🍍), pinch of spice, dash of salt, and that good natural punk funk again.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: mmm more rich

This wine is a 2 in 1. 1st part is Les Vins Pirouettes, a project/collaboration started by Christian Binner with enologists Xavier Couturier and Pierre Sanchez to assist small growers to celebrate their grapes and the organic/biodynamic, and this beauty is a collaboration with Jean-Marc Dreyer. 2nd part you’ll see noted on the label, “Brutal Wine Corporation” which is another natural movement. It’s an international group of winemakers (including Pirouettes) that share an “open-source label” with signature font, colors & a Grim Reaper slashing SO2 (on Jean Marc’s it’s a Reaper Stork: symbol of Alsace and believe me it is eye-catching). To be a part in this group you must be 0/0, organic/biodynamic, and can only have 1 “Brutal” experiment a harvest. So with this bottle, you’re drinking a wine with a membership in 2 wine groups of integrity, creativity, lively & free fun, and devotion to the small winemakers and their artistic creations. This wine also led me to discover Barcelona’s “Bar Brutal” and I can’t believe in all my travels I didn’t even know it was there. Next time around it is definitely on my list!

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #orangewine #skincontactwine #JeanMarcDreyer #brutalwines #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #organic #Alsace #France @jennyfrancois @christian.binner @barbrutalbarcelona @lesvinspirouettes @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Protect & Preserve

Montecariano
La Madonna del Cariano Veneto 2020
Veneto IGT
Corvina & Corvinone 45%, Pelara 20%, Molinara 20%, other varieties 15%
Sustainable, hand harvested
San Pietro in Cariano, Verona, Italy
Owners are mother & sons: Mariella Gini, Marco (winemaker) & Matteo (business side)

Very pale yellow/green starlight…maybe it’s divine. First sniff and it’s fresh rained on slate followed by something floral like orchard blossoms, light white peaches, jasmine, and for  a bit musky in a good way. Kind of sexy for a madonna (not Ms. Madonna). Sipping peaches & full pears, that bit of musk/spice again, apricot, yellow tart plum, minerally river fresh, and a pinch of parsley. It’s a vibrant non bubbly blanc de noir with depth or oomph and is like an album you want to keep on repeat and never let it end.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: it’s smooth but I prefer without

Mariella Gini always had her eyes on the land, whether it be her studies in archeology or return to her family’s in San Pietro, Cariano. They have strong feelings about the integrity of their soil, vineyards & history. She spells it out best, “I work with my sons Matteo and Marco – explains Mariella Gini – to protect this land, wanting to escape the rulebook. My intention was to preserve some natural grape varieties such as Pelara, Oseleta, Molinara, Teroldego, Croatina next to the tradional ones, Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, because for us the product must be a reminder of its land “. After even a single glass of their wine, I know their land has made a huge imprint on my tastebuds and my heart. Oh, if you want to see a video on the life of one of their special grapes & their “extraordinary story”, just click. He’s a cute little character.

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #frenchwine #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #worldbyglass #Verona #Veneto #petnat #Italy #Madonna @soilairselection @montecariano_wines @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Meet Me Under The Walnut Tree

Podere Sottoilnoce
Franzes 2019
90% Lambrusco Grasparossa, 10% Lambrusco Sorbara
Biodynamic, organic, indigenous yeast, minimal intervention
Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Owner & winemaker: Max Brondolo

Maroon/ruby with bluish purple rims. I gave this wine 2 tries, once at 58F and next chilled. First go round and breathing in dark cherries, blackberries, earth that grows into tiny yet fragrant blossoms, and a pinch of bell pepper. Sipping cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and a bit of blueberry, a mix of bell pepper, balsamic, white pepper, olive pit that weaves back and forth in the fruit and hides at points and flirts with earth. Just light and elegant. Now chilled and starts out with very floral of blossoms, magnolia, and all scents the same as before but even more alluring. Again same with the taste…just a bit more sleek and a welcome fine tart spark. I like it better chilled…so chill it good!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings out lavender and more juicy

Max Brondolo is quite the Renaissance man which I will get to in my 2nd post about another wine of his, “Valtiberia”. For now I’m just falling for his beautiful land (6 ha) that are filled with old (some abandoned) and new vines, buzzing bees, various plants & animals (including deer & pheasants) that share the neighborhood, and a stately walnut tree that gives the place its namesake. I can just imagine lying beneath and staring up through the branches, smelling a mix of the soil & greenery,  feeling a cool breeze on my face, and hearing an old very familiar Keane song stuck in my head.

“Underneath the walnut tree
Where you said you’d wait for me
And I waited a long, long time…”

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #naturalwine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #organic #Lambrusco #emiliaromagna #Italy #keanemusic #italianwine #terrellwines @vinewinenyc @poderesottoilnoce @cheezit

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Love Is In The Air

Weingut Maximin Grünhaus
Schloss Riesling 2021
VDP. Gutswein
Practicing organic but not certified/sustainable
Mertesdorf, Ruwer Valley, Germany
Winemaker: Maximin von Schubert

Shining gentle golden glass. Sniffing light melon, crisp pear, light cucumber, a touch of tangerine/grapefruit, and a tiny pinch of pie spice. Mmm sipping and it’s fresh and dry. There’s crisp pear blended with green tart apple and ooh a little tingle, honeydew, and a touch of kirby peel. Now this is a riesling I can really get into.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delicious and clean fruit

I just love finding out the history of lands and this estate is filled with a king, a kaiser (not a roll), an abbey, and the part I love most…the dowry (maybe if I had one of those I’d finally be hitched). When Conrad von Schubert asked for Ida Von Stumm’s hand in marriage, he not only ended up with her but also the whole estate. Passed through the generations, it’s now with Maximin von Schubert, and he and his wife & kids are doing a beautiful job caring for the land, vines & castle. Oh and back to weddings, you can also book your own at stately Schloss Maximin Grünhaus and celebrate with one of their special sparklers. I think that would be a perfectly romantic day (hint, hint)! 💍

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #JohnPaulYoung #loveisintheair #organic #Germany #Riesling #maximingrünhaus #ruwer #mosel @loosenbrosusa weingut_maximingruenhaus @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit