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A Conversation Sparkler

STEL+MAR
Sparkling Rosé
Barbera, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Syrah
Grapes sourced from sustainable vineyards, always made with 100% California grapes, and eco-friendly packaging
Lodi, California
Founders: Chris Noll & Justin Dumitrescu
Winemaker: Philip Zorn

Light pinky rose tinged gold bubbly. There’s scents of a tiny orchard blossom blend, small mix of fresh picked strawberries & raspberries, and a gentle touch of a cool mineral river rock. Sipping and it’s crisp, bright & light on its feet with again those fresh strawberries & raspberries, a little cherry blush, drop of citrus sparkle with a twinge of Sprite. This is one happy, friendly glass that is sure to spark a conversation.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: I just can’t

STEL+MAR’s wines are easy drinkers with a good heart. They’re meant to bring people together through what’s inside the bottle & outside like the label art by Stephanie Cheng. Check out her work, it’s pretty impressive and there’s a great IG video of her printing process. For those of you who have never worked with screens, there’s a lot to it depending on how many colors are in the piece. Takes me back to my grad school days so much I can almost smell the ink. Now back to the “good heart” part, each bottle of wine sold gives back part of its proceeds to the National Park Trust and in April donations are doubled. When I was a kid, summer vacations entailed the family packing up the station wagon and driving all over visiting as many parks as possible (man, those hot paint pots stink but are so beautiful). My parents wanted to instill in me awe, respect and a love to want to preserve them, and right now is a darn good time to show how much we need our protected lands and everything that grows, resides, or erupts in them. 🏞️🥂

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #sparklingwine #worldbyglass #nationalparktrust #california #stelandmar #vinewinenyc

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Not Always “Good To Be The King”

Cantina Gallura
Canayli 2023
Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG
Sustainable
Tempio Pausania, Gallura, Sardinia, Italy

Yellow-strawish that heads more to the golden side after time. Breathing in pears, honeydew with a sliver of cantaloupe, smidge of mango & pineapple that grows, musk melon, and a small sprig of hay. Sipping away and most of the scents are right there but ramped up with green apples (fresh & baked), honeysuckle, a little lychee, garden fresh over ripe cucumber, lime squeeze but not super forward,  bell pepper that in the back has a small heat, the way a fried green tomato tastes without the breading or oil…just the essence of it which might also give a bit of almond like bite at the very back. Just freaking delicious!

Pairs with Cheez-Its: brings out a citrus burst

Cantina Gallura’s co-op was founded in 1956, and has over 100 winegrowers that deeply respect their land, their native grapes, traditions & history. Note the rooster on their bottles representing their regions’ namesake (Gallura is derived from Gallus = cock {get your head out of the gutter, you know it’s the fowl). “Canayli” led me to read more on their town Tempio Pausania aka “City of Stone”. Known for their granite, cork (they have a cork machinery museum too), and wine; but what caught my eye was their Carnival “Carrasciali Tempiesu” which is happening now through March 4. It’s a colorful celebration with floats, costumes, masks, dancing, music, and a good ol’ party down time. There’s also the tale of King Giorgio. At first he’s revered & celebrated, marries a commoner (Mannena), and this good cheer continues until Mardi Gras where he is judged for everything that has gone wrong/evil in the town, and his effigy is burned in the town square. Guess it’s not always “Good To Be The King”. 👑

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Italy #sardinia #vermentino #MelBrooks #metropoliswinemerchants #CantinaGallura #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Wine Worthy Of A Dust-up

Domaine Rimbert
Cousin Oscar
“on se l’arrache”
Cinsault, Pinot Noir
VDF
Organic, indigenous yeasts, vegan friendly
Berlou, Saint Chinian, France
Owner & winemaker: Jean-Marie Rimbert

Bright ruby red. Chill it just a little bit and your nose will be treated to raspberries, cherries, a mellow creaminess, black & blueberry blend, red currants, and a happy scent reminder of a warm dry handmade paper from my printmaking days. The sip is delicious but also has more to it than I thought. It’s fresh & juicy with raspblueblackboysenberry, cherry, violets, touch of hoarhound, black & red currants, orange zest, and smidge of cardamom & black pepper. Easy peasy drinking and oh so friendly. Oscar please bring on Spring weather so I can enjoy you outside.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: YES! Brings out more juicy fruit

I love Rimbert’s wines and that he’s so down to earth, by calling himself a “paysan” or in other words, a peasant…a humble farmer who finds joy in the simple natural things in life and his surroundings. Well, he’s also an artist. Just look at the collage art created from 1950s magazines on the label. Evidently the grinning chap is named after his girlfriend’s cousin, “Oscar”. Sounds like he was all the rage with the ladies, and there may have been some dust-ups over who got to claim him as their’s hence the “on se l’arrache!” that translates to “we’re fighting over him”. Those words fit this wine so well because once you and your friends try it, you’ll be tussling over the last glass.🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #France #Cinsault #PinotNoir #jennyfrancois #domainerimbert #docwinebar #docwineshop

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“Bring Me a Shrubbery!”

Quinta do Passadouro
Vinho Branco 2019
40% Rabigato, 35% Códega do Larinho, 25% Viosinho
Duoro DOC
Pinhão, Portugal

Yellow/light golden (deepens over time) with a green shimmer. Inhale and there’s gentle scents of pears & apple, gooseberries, lychee, spring flowers, touch of apple blossoms, and a tiny bit of nose tickling citrus zest. Sip and there’s a blend of crisp pears & apples, white peaches, gooseberries, lychee, honeydew, touch of honeysuckle, a little tangerine spritz & zest, and a cool mineral lick & a pinch if salt. It’s fresh & light yet luscious at the same time.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Nah

Doesn’t everyone need a bit of blue shrubbery (especially “Knights Who Say ‘Ni!’” in their life or at least Anagallis Monelli aka Shrubby Pimpernel. These deciduous perennials don’t need a lot of water and can flourish even in a hot dry summer. My bet is that they reside in or around Passadouro’s vineyards, since their other labels (Vinho Tinto) have displayed critters from their locale. Also the flowers’ name “Anagallis” is also derived from Greek “ἀνα” & ἀγάλλειν which translate into “to delight again” because these pretty blossoms close in the evening only to reopen to for the sun so we can enjoy them over & over just like this Branco.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #portugal #douro #FrederickWildman #QuintadoPassadouro #vinewinenyc

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“Women’s Dreams”

Benazzoli
Dafne 2022
Bardolino DOC
Corvina & Rondinella
Lake Garda
Pastrengo VR, Italy
Claudia and Giulia Benazzoli (sisters)

Ruby stained glass with purple pops. Breathing in cherries, plums, light roses, a scent that reminds me of my childhood back patio where mom had the hanging baskets of plants (warm sweet & savory with a little earth), raspberries & fresh picked strawberries, a pinch black pepper, and over time there’s a caramelized balsamic reduction. All of the scents are in the sip with more strawberry, raspberry, but now with boysenberry blended in, red currants, lemon/Lime zest zing, and more of a pepper grind. It’s so fresh, light on its feet but can hold their own in a dance off.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: blerg

The latest & 4th gen of Benazzoli winemakers, Claudia & Giulia are proud of their heritage, land, hard work, and wine; and they let you know straight off it’s “Made By Women”. You’ll even find that branded on their corks. This bottle of Dafne is from their line “Sogni di donna”. They worked with Stefano Torregrossa (designer) & Luca Quagliotti (illustrator & tattoo artist) to put their voice & personalities on these labels. “They are imaginary women we call by name, each with its own character, its style, its exquisitely personal taste: Tecla, Agata, Dafne, Giava, Minerva. Each of them tells different aspects of Benazzoli women and their wines.” Each one sports an inner & outer beauty, depth of knowledge, strength, love, their own unique style, and makes me want to get to know each and every one. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Italy #veneto #domenicovalentinowine #Benazzoli #docwinebar #docwineshop

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“I’ll Be Home for…”

Wandering Barman
Margarita Made With Mezcal
Ginger Mezcal Margarita
20% ABV
Brooklyn, NY
Mixmasters/founders: Julian Mohamed, Roxane Mollicchi, and Darren Grenia

Yellow-green shimmer pour. Sniffing a smoky ginger fueled cocktail with lime/citrus & zest. Sipping and woof this is good. Right of the bat a sexy bit of smoke gets in my eyes, followed by a lemon/lime with a little agave sweetness, ginger (not Mary Ann) that gives a flirtatious twitch & wink, and a delicate drop of orange bitters. It’s a sweet & savory blend that is simply scrumptious.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: This is a hard NO

Since tomorrow is National Margarita Day it seems appropriate to uncap a bottle by one of my favorite cocktail makers Wandering Barman. Albeit it’s not a national holiday but one created by a tequila lover who also started National Tequila Day that lands annually on 7/24. Yes, it’s been hijacked by restaurants. Heck, even Chili’s & Lifetime teamed up for a “mini movie” or rather a 15 minute commercial, “I’ll Be Home for National Margarita Day” (debuted on 2/19 & airs again on the 22nd). Yes, I’m sure it will be silly, funny, and junk food tv; but honestly who cares because this holiday is an excuse to kick back with one whether it be classic, fruity, or spicy, and remember to find that 🎶lost shaker of salt🎶.

#Margarita #nationalmargaritaday #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktails #Mezcal #wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #organic #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #brooklyn #NY #chilis #lifetimetv #wanderingbarman #docwinebar #docwineshop

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Bad Bunnies

Bodegas Más Que Vinos
Los Conejos Malditos
Tempranillo Carbónico 2023
100% Cencibel (local clone of Tempranillo)
Working sustainably, farming organic, indigenous grapes, and 1 of the first wineries in Spain to receive “Wineries for Climate Protection” certification
Cabañas de Yepes, Toledo, Spain
Margarita Madrigal, Alexandra Schmedes and Gonzalo Rodriguez

Ruby/purple depth. Breathing in cherries, plums, raspberries, blackberries, a swirl of violets, and over time a tiny grind of white pepper. Hopping out of the glass and onto my tastebuds are cherries (fresh & dried), plums, light raspberry, blackberries, dates & a little dried dark fig, black olive pits, as it opens violets grow but don’t over creep, and oddly a drop of black tea & maybe even a little herbal.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: juicy

This isn’t a buddy movie but a winery. Starting back in 1999, three wine loving/making friends (Margarita, Alexandra & Gonzalo) launched Más Que Vinos (wine consulting business), ventured into winemaking, breathed new life into an old family winery, and built a new modern one. From all of this hard work these friends sound like they have the limitless energy of that certain drumming rabbit with sunglasses. Speaking of cotton tails, sounds like their local ones have a penchant for excellent grapes and can gobble up a lot prior to harvest, hence the name “The Damned Rabbits”. These little bandits may be adorable but I can see where their cuteness wanes and may drive a person to find solutions like on this label. 🍇🐰

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Spain #badbunnies #valkyrieselections #BodegasMasQueVinos #LosConejosMalditos #vinewinenyc

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Alchemy In A Bottle

Castello di Roncade
Prosecco Brut
Glera
Treviso DOC
Roncade, Veneto, Italy
Vincenzo Ciani Bassetti

The palest yellow possible with tiny lively bubbles. Up float delicate scents of apples fresh & dried, pear, a touch of toasted baguette, gooseberries, and a teeny lemon w zest. After a few sips, all of the scents are there and very crisp with a dry spark, a sprig of parsley & another herbal pinch I can’t place along with more of a blend of citrus zest…kind of reminds me a little of Kas.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Surprisingly delicious

Roncade Castle is filled with such a long history that includes nobility, wars, rebuilding & repairing, artistic endeavors, and Baroni Ciani Bassetti who heralded in renovations, vineyard replanting, and their wine business. This villa is also “the only pre-Palladian villa surrounded by medieval walls topped by majestic battlements” and you can stay in the castle or even better…stay in the towers (romantic!). While there take one of the guided tours. The one that jumps out to me is on their winemaking process or as they describe it “perfect blend of ancient practices and modern innovation“ & “alchemy reveals itself in every bottle, demonstrating how our quest for quality continues to evolve while keeping its roots alive.” Now that’s my kind of bottled magic with no genie needed.

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #Italy #sparklingwine #prosecco #glera #veneto #wineemporium #castellodironcade #docwinebar #docwineshop

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A Glass Of Pure Pleasure

Château Haut Monplaisir
Partie de Plaisir 2022
Malbec
Comté Tolosan IGP
Organic, sustainable
Cahors, France
Cathy & Daniel Fournié and their daughter Mathilde

Dark red maroon with a ruby rim. Sniffing cherries dried & fresh, plums/prune/raisin smash, blackberries, warm spice blend of black pepper grind, smidge of toasted coriander & something I can’t name at the moment; and at last a little woodsy tangle. All of the scents are in the taste with the cherries even a bit more chewy in a good way, black currants, a mineral lick & a little raspberry flirt that winks, plays coy, hides and comes back out every once in a while, and it all goes sleek, elegant, with a sophisticated & glass raising smile.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: Most definitely

Back in 1998, Cathy & Daniel took over her father’s vineyards and headed into their Cahors venture with open eyes, a willingness to learn from observing their land, plants & fruits, and also from the wisdom of other acclaimed & seasoned Malbec experts. 2012 marked their official stamp of organic, and not long after in 2015, Mathilde jumped on board the family wine wagon which from this bottle’s name sounds like a “fun party/time” or it could be a nod to a Claude Chabrol flick. Honestly though on Valentine’s Day my heart says it’s all about finding that joyous moment of pleasure and sharing it with the one you love or at least “the one you’re with”. ❤️🍷💋

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #organic #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #lovetheoneyourewith #worldbyglass #France #malbec #cahors #baronfrancois #chateauhautmonplaisir #docwineshop #docwinebar

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Creature Of The Night

Quinta do Passadouro
Vinho Tinto 2019
55% Tinta Roriz, 25% Touriga Francesa, 10% Touriga Nacional, 10% Field Blend from old vines
Duoro DOC
Pinhão, Portugal

Inky maroon with purple pops. Sniff and a little oak dances through & mingles with wildflowers, blackberries, black currants, plums, and a pinch of warm spice & anise. Tasting and there’s dark cherries joining the blackberries, black currants & plums & a red currant or two with a not quite ripe tart raspberry, licorice, and the teeny tiniest of tomato leaf appears & then tells you you didn’t see them…or shhh they were never there it’s all an illusion. Everything smooths out into an elegant, graceful sip. You know…this wine pairs well with a lot, but honestly I want it all to my self solo.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: this is one of those moments of YES!

My first encounter with Passadouro was when I was browsing wine in Montreal and a little Oryctolagus cuniculus hopped in my way. Yes, I was pulled in by the label but not just because of the little Portuguese bunny, but also the artistic details from the drawing & the distinctive zipper-like cut in the design. The next one to flutter in my path was a native game bird, the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) on their Tinto 2012. Now this 2019 red may just be my favorite yet with the sleek, stealth, and agile creature of the night…the Genetta genetta. I wonder if they are part of the natural pest control for their vineyards since they are carnivores. Back to the vineyards/grapes, another reason why I have fallen for these vinhos is their consistent yet somewhat varied blends. They always start with the 3 same grapes: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa, & Touriga Nacional but may not be the same percent depending on the harvest and sometimes (like this one) it’s rounded out with a field blend of old vines. Hands down this bottle is not only a work of art, but it’s also simply delicious. 🍷

#wine #vin #vino #vinho #wein #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #pairswithcheezits #cheezit #winelover #winetasting #wineoclock #wineoftheday #wineislove #winetime #worldbyglass #portugal #douro #FrederickWildman #QuintadoPassadouro #vinewinenyc