Last of the Summer Wine

Cherries and Rainbows 2019
Sans Soufre Red
Vin de France
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre
Minervois, France
Organic and biodynamic
Winemaker: Robert Eden  (collaboration with Winc’s Ryan Zotovich)
Produced and bottled by Winc

Beautiful dark deep plum ruby color. Oh this is such a mixture in my nose. Starts off darker than I expected and then swirls with signed orange rind, cherries, plums, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. There is still a little earthy funk that I’m betting has a yeast going on. Good grief I haven’t even tasted it yet and there’s all this. Now for the taste…juicy tart cherry and plum, fresh mandarin orange, sage, all that berry stuff from before is all there, and it’s delicious (slightly chilled). There’s also the same dark earthiness lingering in the back. Gives it a good oomph and more depth.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: smooth…everything blends into one unified fruit

The artist that brought this cheerful label to life is Phoebe Tillem. Checking out her site and her fun, whimsical work has been used in many collaborations from sneakers, fashion, murals, and more…with the likes of Mother Denim, Victoria’s Secret, Neiman Marcus, Vans, others and one that stands out to me as pretty special. This year, along with her sister, she started a stationery company named Adelfi. Beautiful work that can add a splash of joy to your life. Check it out!

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @winc @phoebepaints @adelfi.co @chateaumaris @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits  #sorganic #biodynamic #naturalwine #Minervois #France #Grenache #Syrah #Mourvèdre #RobertEden #PhoebeTillem #LastoftheSummerWine

Hazy Fantayzee

Skygazer Brewing Co.
Watercolors – Synergy
Mango, Guava, Marshmallow, Vanilla, Milk Sugar
Berliner Style Weisse Beer
5.5% ABV
Brewed and packaged by Twelve Percent
North Haven, CT

Deep orange gold thick hazy swamp color…kind of like a super healthy full of fiber carrot orange juice. Was not expecting the marshmallow and vanilla to smack my nose that hard at first. Next comes the mango/guava combo. Smells like it reads. I’m also getting a small faint grapefruit waft. This is just dreamy sipping. All of the above from how it smelled is perfectly rolled into one big soup. It’s creamy and tingly with a little lemon too. Sweet but not where it overpowers you. I can definitely keep drinking this whole can. I could see this going really well with super hot Thai food.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Oh no! DO NOT DO THAT! The Cheez-It ruins the beer. Please for the love of all things sacred, do not attempt to pair with Cheez-It.

Tried straight and not blended with their other Watercolors – Synergy – Raspberry, Blackberry, Graham Cracker, Vanilla, Milk Sugar; which is another way advised to try. Maybe next time but this was fabulous all on it’s complex, fun and fruity self. Oh and beware, this is easy to drink and way too fast, so I suggest buying a few.

@skygazer_brewingco @BeerBoutiqueInc @twelvepercentbeerproject @twelve.percent.beer.project @twelve.percent.nyc.metro @hkarlphoto @cheezits #beer #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #skygazer #berlinerstyleweisse #Weisse #fruitedsour #watercolors #craftbeer #NorthHaven #CT

A Welcome Teardrop

Tenuta San Marcello
Lacrima di Morro d’Alba DOC 2018
“Bastaro”
100% Lacrima
Marche, San Marcello, Ancona, Italy
Organic, sustainable, and indigenous yeasts

Winemaker: Massimo Palmieri

Deep ruby luscious purple. Breathing in roses, cherry and also cherry cola, plums, and magnolias. Those heady flowers are dancing on my tongue along with tart cherry, earth, raisins, blackberries, and an orange twinge which makes my brain wander back to those chocolate holiday oranges that pop into wedges. This is a perfect holiday wine. Can go with turkey, chicken, ham, or just about anything. Just make sure there is some stuffing with sage. Oh and remember to invite me too!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: It’s nice and even more smooth

Massimo and Pascale Palmieri opted to depart from Milan in search of a more country, natural life. Finding just the right farm house, they developed a sustainable farm and vineyard. Massimo did have a lot of studying to do, and reached out to a specialist in soil and crops and also an oenologist. Trial, error and reflection on his grandfather’s love of making wine for family and friends, spurred him on to his beautiful bottles filled with heart and emotion. If you want to connect with this slice of land and history, the Palmieri family also have an “Adopt a Vineyard” program. It varies on size and years, but there are great benefits that come back to you. One of those is a discount for a stay in their Farmhouse, and I see a swimming pool!

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @tenutasanmarcello @steephillwine @AntonioSicurezza #steephillwine @cheezits #steephillwine #cheezit #wine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Lacrima #lacrimadimorrodalba #Marche #SanMarcello #Ancona #Italy #organic #sustainable

A Celebration in a Glass

Alta Alella
Mirgin
Reserva Brut Nature
Rosé Cava 2017
100% Mataró (Monastrell)
Tiana, Spain (closest winery to Barcelona)
Sustainable and organic
Winemaking family: Josep Maria Pujol-Baquests and his wife Cristina Guillen

Pinky rosy salmon with teeny tiny bubbles. Lovely light floral and strawberries hitting my nose. Now for the taste and it’s strawberries, raspberries, a little grape and cherry  but foremost not very sweet, yet crisp and dry. It’s a celebration in a glass.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: doesn’t really do much but bring out the berry a little more

Such a beautiful bubbly glass and a kind, wonderful gift from a friend. This cava born from the Parc Serralada de Marina is true to its organic roots, and only a short clip from Barcelona. I have no idea why I have been remiss from visiting this family run winery in my many trips, and am looking to a future where I can. I’ve had their Bruant (named for a bird in the park) in the past and am just as impressed with the rosé. Love their respect and celebration of the birds in their area which are the monicker for a select few of their bottles. Would love to be in a winery that you could wake up in the morning to these birdsongs and the lush environment that I’m always going on about, but I was raised this way. Respect nature and it will respect you back and give you a gift like this cava.

@vinewinenyc @AltaAlella @avantgardews @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #organic #biodynamic @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Rosé #rose #Cava #Mataró #Monastrell #Tiana #Spain #barcelona

Forever Learning and Always the Artist

Artisan Wines – DI Franz Schneider
Zweigelt Neusiedlersee
DAC Reserve 2015
100% Zweigelt
Halbturn, Burgenland, Austria
Sustainable farming
Winemaker & owner: Franz Schneider

Velvet dark deep ruby. Breathing in oak, plum, deep cherry, berries, and candy cola. First sip and cherry combined with dark goth plum. It’s sweet but not overly. There’s also some woodiness and coffee, with of all things juniper berries thrown in to the mix.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: juicy and less wood

Franz Schneider, his wife Ulrike Schmied, and their adorable twins make up this picture perfect wine family. At an early age, the twins are even getting their taste of the business and learning the grapes through homegrown fresh grape juice. Zweigelt Neusiedlersee DAC Reserve is made from their oldest Zweigelt, planted back in 1972, and Franz selects only the best of the harvest. From what I’m reading it sounds like he is constantly learning and adapting with each vintage and thus the name “Artisan” suits well. Whatever knowledge he keeps gleaning, it’s working in this beautifully refined bottle. Also a side note, there’s recipes on the site that you might like to pair with their wines. Just click on the pics to get the full instructions for a wonderful meal. The pumpkin risotto looks perfect for this time of the year.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @artisanwines @steephillwine @cheezits #steephillwine #cheezit #wine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Zweigelt #Halbturn #Austria

Tweet Tweet

Michel Nartz
Cui Cui
Crémant D’Alsace
Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Riesling, Pinot Gris
Alsace, Dambach-la-Ville, France
Sustainable
Winemaker: Laurence Nartz

Sparkling golden glass with tiny bubbles. Inhaling creamy vanilla, orange peel and tangerine but super light. There’s some natural funk, but I just opened this and it rapidly fades away. It’s clean, dry and a little nutty. Sipping apple that has a slight cider feel, also a citrus combo, then it goes all mellow, creamy and some toastiness with vanilla. This is crisp and regal and is making my day!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: brings out the toast

The happy little birds on the bottle give this lovely sparkler its name “Cui Cui”, and from what I’m finding is the way they chirp in France. As for the contents of this bottle, Laurence Nartz is the fine winemaker responsible for this delightful bubbly. Her parents Gaby and Michel Nartz founded the winery, but have now left the winemaking part to her. They’re focused more on the vineyards and their 17th century home/bed and breakfast which is also listed as a historic monument. Oh would be so lovely to go for a tasting and stay for the evening learning more about their wines, land and the old town Dambach-la-Ville and their medieval walls.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny #MichelNartz @communalbrands @cheezits #cheezit #wine #cremantdalsace #sparklingwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #LaurenceNartz #Pinot Blanc #Auxerrois #Riesling #Pinot Gris #Alsace #France

Where’s My Burger?

Château d’Oupia
Les Hérétiques 2018
Pays d’Hérault IGP
Languedoc, France
Carignan 90%, Syrah 10%
Sustainable farming
Owner: Marie-Pierre Iché
Winemaker: Laurent Battle

Beautiful shining ruby just like those famous slippers. Inhaling buttery that goes away to develop into flowers, cherries, raspberries, plums, and earthy dried pine straws. Sipping dark cherry and dried cherries, raspberries, blueberries and a smidge of pepper. This is screaming for a really good fatty burger, or maybe that’s me screaming for that burger. Where on earth is it? Oh, and don’t forget that side of salt and pepper fries to go with that…Sugarburg any chance you’re delivering at this hour?

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: makes the wine more bold and structured.

Marie-Pierre Iché and her mother are now in charge of the Château (along with winemaker Laurent Battle), but Marie-Pierre’s father, André Iché, paved the way for them. As others in Languedoc were just selling their harvest for basically nothing to a co-op, he decided to invest in more sites that he knew would in the end produce in his favor. Being the only independent winemaker around, he took full  advantage of the wonderful terroir and produce quality yet affordable wines. The tales I’m reading, this was an amazing man who had a deep romance with his land, not just for the soil but also the historical beauty that surrounded him. Raising a glass to him and his family, who continue his dream!

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @chateauoupia @louisdressnerselections @sugarburgbk @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits  #sustainable #naturalwine #LesHérétiques #France #Languedoc #Syrah #Carignan

Loving The Alien

Bodegas Maestro Tejero
El Marciano 2018
100% Garnacha (my favorite)
Vino de la Tierra de Castillo y León
Sierra de Gredos, Navarredondilla, Avila, Spain
Biodynamic and organic (but not certified); wild yeasts
Winemaker: Alfredo Maestro

Deep purple ruby goblet. Scents of dark flowers, deep cherry, black pepper, and sweet ripe yellow plums. First taste is a snappy cherry, orange, pepper, earthy funk, and throw in some cardamon. Sweetness yet then tangy. It’s such an interesting combo on each sip. Going from the fruit, pepper, sweet and earth and back around again. Light and fresh and young

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: more tangy earth

Alfredo Maestro is another one of those amazing self taught winemakers that I keep stumbling upon in my wine wanderings. Started out as an economist with interest in wine, so he picked up some books, started with trial and error and testing on his friends to see where it would go. The less chemicals and more natural/old school he went…the more he and his test subjects knew he was on to something. As the old saying goes…less is more. He also learned to listen to the land, the plants, and revert to an old school tractor known as a horse. So let’s talk about the label on “El Marciano” which means the Martian. The village Navarredondilla atop of Sierra de Gredos is a hot spot for checking out UFOs. According to Alfredo, he found two Martians working in his vineyard and thus the tale was born. So here’s the question, do Martians like wine? And if so have their been sightings of tipsy weaving UFOs in the area? Either way, this wine is fun and fabulous and as the David Bowie song title says, I’m “Loving The Alien”.

@vinewinenyc @alfredo_maestro @josepastorselections @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #organic #biodynamic @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Garnacha #SierradeGredos #Navarredondilla #Avila #Spain #martians #ufos #AlfredoMaestro #DavidBowie

An Ancient Grape for Modern Times

Winzerkeller Auggener Schaf
Gertie and Max 2019
Produced & Bottled for Willie Glückstern Selections
Gutedel QbA Trocken
Markgräflerland, Baden, Germany

Pretty dainty straw yellow. Inhaling melon, grapefruit (but not overly strong…this ain’t an IPA), nuttiness, and vanilla. Sipping lemon/citrus, pear, melon, and dragging a honeysuckle stamen over my tongue. There’s also something mineral and some almond going on.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: this is the best ever pairing. They are meant for each other. Nothing changes except the sweetness is heightened

For all of you thinking this bottle was picked for it’s cute label, well sorry to disappoint you. This was picked for the delightful wine it truly is and the Gutedel grape is it made from. Gutedel (also known as Chasselas in other places) can be traced back 5000 years ago being cultivated by the Egyptians. Spread from there to the Romans and Greeks and then transported to France and Germany and elsewhere and is still spreading even to the UK from what I’m finding. For the best I’d stick with Markgräflerland.

Back to the label, yes the vineyard mice are enchanting…so enchanting that I googled mice wine thinking others may have used them in their art. Well, don’t google it. You won’t like what you find. It’s horrific. It’s something you can’t unsee. Just stick with enjoying another glass of Gertie and Max. I’m on my second hoping it will help me forget.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @auggenerschaef @bowlerwine @cheezits #cheezit #wine #whitewine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #gertieandmax #gutedel #chasselas #trocken #Markgräflerland #Baden #Germany #WillieGlückstern #williegluckstern

Hopping Down that Trail

Stillwater Artisanal/AZ Wilderness
Stillwater Is Nothing Big Bunny Is Everything Stout*
*AZ Wilderness approves this message
Imperial Chocolate Milk Stout
8% ABV
Brewed & canned in Stratford, CT
Stillwater Brewer and Owner: Brian Strumke

Dark deep chocolate espresso with a half inch tan head. Wow the aroma of chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! Both milk and dark. Also espresso and a toastiness. Drinking in more dark chocolate but there is milk too. It’s also kind of like a baker’s chocolate cookie which I love to eat. Deep coffee/espresso and I’m talking good espresso that you get in Italy or even at Cafe Zurich in Barcelona. They make a fabulous one. Back to the beer…I’m getting a bit of hazelnut too. Absolutely delicious, and I don’t want to put my glass down.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: surprisingly it only makes it a bit bitter, so if you like it bitter, then go for it.

This is my second Stillwater. First was their Extra Dry Sake Style Saison which is a complete polar opposite to the Bunny but they both are consistently fabulous. This chocolate bunny is not like the type you get in your Easter basket, but I wouldn’t mind it if it was. It’s a much greater quality. It’s like trying to compare one of those minis that you get around Halloween to a great Belgian dark chocolate truffle. Awesome collaboration with AZ Wilderness too. Now, I have to track down one of their non-collabs around here.

@stillwater.artisanal @azwilderness @BeerBoutiqueInc @twelvepercentbeerproject @cheezits #stillwater #brianstrumke #beer #stout #chocolatestout #chocolatemilkstout #cheezit @worldbyglass #nomad #pairswithcheezits #stillwaterartisanal #arizonawildernessbrewing #CT #AZ