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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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Glub Glub Glub, Glou Glou Glou

Person Wine Co.
Carboniste
Mackerel 2020
Pét Nat Extra Brut
Pinot Grigio
Minimal influence
Napa, California
Winemakers: Dan and Jacqueline Person

Pale gold pour with green undertones and super active bubbles. Pop, pop, pop and out of the bubbles come whiffs of apples, brioche, a squeeze of lemon and a basket of ripe pears. Tickling my tongue are lemons and limes smashed with red apples, pears and nectarines. Oh yum there’s also a edge of full on my granny’s butter poundcake yet it’s still crisp, and a little green bitter tinge on the back with some lime zest. Oh you light and happy fishy, you are such an easy drinker and will have me going glou glou all night!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: ugh NO!

Dan and Jacqueline want to welcome all y’all to their “Sparkling Revolution”. Carboniste isn’t trying to masquerade as a champagne copy but instead embrace its California roots, weather, terroir & beautiful fruit. They’re also keeping the wines young, modern, clean, fresh, and fun…kinda like the aquatic friends on their bottles. Side note: I’ve been googling to find out who is their label artist (No luck! Well, whoever you are nice work!) and hilariously every other image is Han Solo in Carbonite. OMG there is a life-sized statue made from the original “Empire Strikes Back” molds and it’s signed by Harrison Ford! Yes, I am swooning now, and it can be mine for only $49.999.99 on eBay, but then think of all the bottles of bubbly I could get for that $$$. I guess I’m a grown-up now if wine is now more important than Star Wars. 🥂

#wine #PétNat #petnat #PinotGrigio #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #starwars #hansolo #napa #California #sparklingwine #Californiawine @carbonistewine @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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One Sleek Intriguing Fox

Bodega Bravo Escós
Pas Dels Caus 2019
Priorat DOQ
Garnacha Tinta 85%, Cariñena 5%, Syrah 5% , Merlot 5%
Sustainable practices and being converted to organic
Torroja del Priorat, Catalonia, Spain
Founder: Luis Bravo
Winemaker: Pep Aguilar

Deep beautiful ruby. Breathing strawberries, raspberries, cherries, tiny wild flowers, and with time there’s something a but figgy with a little soft landing of creaminess. Sliding into sipping dark and light cherries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and of course strawberries and their green caps. Also finding granite, a little herbal touch and pepper at the very back. Spend a good bit of time hovering around your glass and it becomes so silky and the term I kinda hate to use…sexy. Maybe I should just say this is one sleek fox!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Nope!

Many of you are thinking that I just picked this bottle for the fox on the label…well that part comes after. It actually was more for the Priorat DOQ I spied on the back which has rarely steered me wrong and it definitely didn’t with this bottle. As for the fox, well, there was something familiar like an artist’s hand that I couldn’t quite place while I was shopping. Squirrelled it away in the wine fridge to revisit in a bit, but it kept popping back in my mind like the fox had burrowed holes and was playing whack-a-mole with my memories. Finally it hit me, the eyes! No not on our furry friend but check out the fig leaves. The figs are staring back and the leaves have their ears alert to hear any secrets. This has to be the work of Annita Rivera (Plástica)! Her work is enchanting, magical and can cast quite a spell. If you want to see another of her lovely labels check out my post from July 2020.

#wine #Priorat #redwine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #fox #Catalonia #Spain #organic  #cynthiahurleyfrenchwines @aka_plastica @bodegabravoescospriorat @docwineshop @docwinebar @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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🎶No One Can Judge Me🎶

Torre Tusini
Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
100% Lambrusco di Sorbara
Secco
Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Light blood orange cocktail with a tiny blush foam (double check). First sniff and it’s creamy like an Oreo center splashed with creme de cassis, raspberries, and strawberries floating in along with spring daisies, and a tiny butterscotch. First and foremost no matter how much fruit this sounds like…it is dry. Sipping strawberries, raspberries, a wee smidge of boysenberry, a little gooseberries and a squish of all of this in a jam. Again this is DRY and you’ll be so happy it is because it’s fresh and snappy!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: delicious crisp and beautiful

Modena, what a city of magic. Is it something in their water (or maybe the famous Balsamic vinegar) that births great artists in multiple fields, such as Luciano Pavarotti, Enzo Ferrari, and Massimo Bottura? While searching around a bit more I discovered it’s also known as “the Italian capital of ‘Beat’ music” which led me to Caterina Caselli and oh what a find! She is absolutely one cool cat. How have I never heard of her before? Check out this video of one of her songs that will have you up on your feet and grooving to the beat like no one’s watching, because “Nessuno mi può giudicare”.

#wine #lambruscodisorbara #lambrusco #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Modena #EmiliaRomagna #Italy #CaterinaCaselli @torre.tusini @docwineshop @docwinebar @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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Do I Hear Hoofbeats?

Estación Yumbel
Tinaja 2020
Moscatel de Alejandria 100%
Really old vines, dry farmed, hand harvested, skin contact, unfined, unfiltered, (uncertified) organic & biodynamic
Secano Interior de Yumbel (Bío Bío Valley), Chile
Husband & wife wine team: Mauricio González Carreño & Daniela Tapia Berardi

Unfiltered warm golden goodness. Scents of orange blossoms (that grow and grow given time), lilacs, Valencia oranges and a salty breeze. Oooh! There’s a zippy zing that has my lips vibrating. Flavors of oranges and zest and blossoms, tangelo, fragrant floral, lemon, some funky fun pineapple, along with smoke, salt, a teeny tiny sprig of rosemary on the back, and lovely lavender.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: NOPE…shudder

Mauricio had a wine degree, worked in the industry but then went in search of the old enchanting vines of Bío Bío. What a beautiful place for he and Daniela to set down roots, make new friends, and raise a family. They’re all old school, low intervention and as you can see on the label this wine is fermented in an over 100 year old tinaja. Oh and Mauricio has another passion, horses (it’s evidently passed down from his father). From what I’m finding he trains majestic Arabians for endurance racing, and as you can see on his IG, he has another mature handsome friend that joins him in the vineyard…and in Mauricio’s own words: “Este caballo que viene para ayudarnos en el trabajo del viñedo, no es cualquier caballo, fue de un gran-super hombre, trabajador como ninguno, sin miedo, luchador y ejemplo para su descendencia. Es un orgullo para mí tenerlo en casa.”

#wine #MoscateldeAlejandria #Moscatel #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Yumbel #biobio #chile #organic #biodynamic #horses @selectionsdelavina @maurogc_ @docwineshop @docwinebar @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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Recipes Run In The Family

Social Hour Cocktails
Prizefighter
Ragtime Rye Whiskey, Massenez Crème de Pêche, Faccia Brutto Fernet Pianta
11.5% ABV
Brooklyn, NY
Cocktail makers and shakers: Julie Reiner & Tom Macy

Pineapple gold with a good thick white head at first pour which leads to vibrant scents of whiskey, herbal bitters, a little Ricola, and a pineapple and peach smash. First crisp sip and my tastebuds are greeted by whiskey with a mellow butterscotch, pear, lovely white peaches, a little dried pineapple, a tiny cola, mild bitters and a shake of white pepper that balances everything. This is damn good! Oh and I have this one on the rocks, but hey if you’re lacking a glass just kick it back straight from the can. Heading to a family holiday party? Stash a few of these in your bag…especially if it’s a full on “Griswold” happening (Squirrel!!!!).

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: it really doesn’t do much and that’s a good thing

This is my second cocktail from Social Hour Cocktails and yeah, they totally brought their “A game”. The more of these canned goodies I try, I think I may have to branch out from the usual Cheez snack and take it up a notch. From what I’m reading, the Macy family was all in for their “Social Hours”. Tom’s father even created the perfect snacks to pair (John Wm. Macy’s Cheese Sticks). He whipped up the recipe in the 70s in CA before making his way to NYC and baking them from his EV walk-up apartment. Looks like delicious, fun, and portable creations run in the Macy family.

#cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #spirits #bitters #Aperitivo #holidayparty #wine #vino #vin #葡萄酒 #ワイン #cheezit @worldbyglass #Brooklyn #NY #pairswithcheezits #winetasting #winestagram #RagtimeRye #facciabrutto #JohnWmMacys @socialhourcocktails @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit

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Meet Me Under The Mistletoe

Fatalone
Teres Primitivo 2020
Primitivo Racemi 100%
Puglia IGT
Organic, sustainable, solar power, dry farmed
Gioia delle Colle, Puglia, Italy

Brilliant shining stained glass cranberry and cherry cocktail mix. Pull the cork and it’s butterscotch that merges into a basket of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and add in some gentle cherry. As it grows there’s a teeny tiny reminder of my Great-Aunt Parnice’s buttercream frosting. She was such an amazing professional baker and never failed to make me a special December birthday cake of green velvet which were occasionally decorated with my Star Wars action figures. Han and Leia just had to deal with frosting on their shoes. Sipping and oh this is just delicious! I almost don’t want to think and just enjoy. Opened at 58F but could even have a little more chill if it’s warm outside. There’s cherries and it’s full of bouncing berries. You know like strawberries (fresh and a smidge preserves), blueberries, raspberries, a little tart plum (that would go great in a cobbler) with a spark in the back of something herby. Can you tell I’m in full holiday mode?

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: richer with a bit of dried fruit

This is my 2nd Fatalone, and again it’s another “Great Seducer” (check out previous post). It pairs well with kissing the dishy brooding one you’ve had your eye on under the mistletoe…or if that’s not in the picture this year, hang onto the bottle (chill it a little more) till the seasons gets warmer again when you can do a cannonball in the pool. Either way, I am still fascinated with their piping in classical music and nature sounds (wind, rustling leaves, rain, and birdsongs) into their soundproofed cellar for the sake of the micro flora. They believe the soft vibrations will improve its activity. Hey post this hectic holiday rush, I could use a few hours alone sitting in the dark with all that ambiance too. Sounds so peaceful, dreamy and relaxing…and I think I’ll open up a bottle while drifting in the cave too. 🍷

#wine #holidaywine #holidays #Primitivo #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine @worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #Puglia #Apulia #organic #sustainable #Fatalone @FataloneWines @bonvivantimports @docwineshop @docwinebar @cheezit