Ancestropetnoise

Maloof Wines
‘L’Eau Epicée’ 2019
Sparkling White
50% Riesling, 30% Gewürztraminer, 20% skin-contact Gewürztraminer
Willamette Valley, Forest Grove, Oregon
Minimal Intervention, native yeast, organic
Winemakers: Bee & Ross Maloof (wife & husband)

Hazy effervescent gold with a bit of that contact orange. Sniffing and there’s floral bursts which turn to orange blossoms, orange and Orangina, some salt, a spiciness like coriander, and possibly a little grass. Tasting and yep, it’s orange, tangerine, and Orangina. It’s fizzy, crisp, and dry with salt and blossoms again and a warm spice that’s a little peppery at the end

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: mmmm more crisp and vibrant and lemony

From what I’m reading about how the 2019, came about, I find it best to just quote Ross Maloof’s own words on David Bowler Wine’s site to get all the juicy details.

From Ross: This one is a little bit of a doozy.  We pressed the riesling and the gewurz separately, to ferment in neutral oak. A little under half of the Gewurz was fermented in open bins on the skins until dry, then pressed off into barrels.  From there we essentially made still wine out of all of these lots.  When we pressed the riesling, we took a bunch of the must and put into 5gallon buckets and threw them in our chest freezer.  Just after the primary fermentation of the Riesling was through, we racked the wine(s) into tank.  From here, we thawed out a particular amount of the frozen must we held back at crush, threw it in the tank, stirred it all up real good, and bottled in the middle of the winter to lay down in tirage bins.  Come spring and boom, bubbles! We think this is most similar to an ancestral method, hence the back of the bottle stating “Ancestral?”  Since then, we’ve adopted a portmanteau of Champenoise, Ancestral, and Petnat… Ancestropetnoise.”

I think Ancestropetnoise is going to catch on!

@vinewinenyc @maloofwines @bowlerwine @cheezits #cheezit #wine #sparklingwine #champenoise #Ancestral #petnat #pétnat #organic @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Riesling #Gewürztraminer #WillametteValley #ForestGrove #Oregon #MaloofWines

 

Sexy Time

Mas Del Périé
You F&@K My Wine ?! 2019 (also spelled in many other ways but you get the point)
Vin de France
Le Bourg, Occitanie, France
Jurançon Noir
Biodynamic, organic, native yeasts
Winemaker: Fabian Jouves

Cran-cherry dark cocktail color. Just as I lift my glass there’s intense flowers, berries such as raspberries and strawberries, Froot Loops, and very light Za’atar smashed with Cola. Sipping again those berries but more…strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and cherry jolly rancher. It’s light, fun and of all it’s a playful “sexy time” afternoon wine. Let’s all take a roll. If you need inspiration, just check out the positions on the label

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Dark fruit punch. Oh Yeah!

I want to shake Fabian Jouves’ hand (a big Paul Hollywood handshake). This man is full on bio, organic, etc. and this wine totally sings it. Which brings me to the name and label, “You F&@K My Wine ?!“ Evidently his use of Jurançon Noir was frowned upon by Cahors AOC laws, and that variety isn’t included. So, I applaud his bucking their rules and in my interpretation (I’ve never met the fellow)…a way to giving them the finger by creating this delicious bottle. Let’s also give a nod to De Niro’s infamous scene: Raging Bull

Sidenote: Can you guess how many different films and tv bits are referred to in this post?

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @fabienjouves @zevrovineselections @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #masdelpérié #jurançonnoir #Biodynamic #organic #nativeyeasts #naturalwine #FabianJouves #LeBourg #Occitanie #France #robertdeniro #ragingbull @boratsagdiyev @sachabaroncohen #sexytime #Borat

We Are Family

Cantina Stroppiana
Dolcetto d’Alba DOC 2017
La Morra, Italy
100% Dolcetto
Winemaking Family: Dario (dad), Stefania (mom), Leonardo (son) and Altea (daughter)

Deep beautiful dark ruby glass. First thing that hits your nose are the cherries, followed by strawberries, which then blueberries appear. This is fruity fun. Oh now comes a spice that is warm…I almost have it…it’s like a tiny pinch of holiday style cinnamon/clove. Nice and smooth. Again with the first sip is cherry, plum that’s deep almost prune but not that dried thing darkness. Next sip and all of a sudden strawberries that turn into blackberries with seeds and all. You know the fresh picked ones that are well worth digging through the bramble and thorns and eating fresh as the juice dribbles down your chin. Those type of blackberries. It’s a wine that you can relax to and it’s true velvet with a little rustic earth. This is couture and not RTW.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: makes it earthy warm and more rustic. I love it this pairing!

Passed down from Dario’s grandfather and his father, Cantina Stroppiana is a full on family affair. Dario learned from his grandfather and then took it a step further with agricultural school, or as he calls it, “the best of both worlds”. Stefania (Dario’s wife) also came from a farming background, but later in life went into nursing and this is how they met. She is now all in working with the vineyard and as she says, “I’ll always be left wondering whether it was me or my vineyards that Dario fell in love with first?!” That makes me smile. Stefania, I’m betting it was you first. Their children also took to different paths. Leonardo went into business communications but knows that it will help with the Cantina. Altea turned to the arts and in particular sculpture (I would love to see some of her creations) and realized her love for the land and is learning and working in all aspects of the winery. Oh, and they both have wines named after them! All of this warms my heart. Family is so important and to be able to work like a well oiled machine altogether is so wonderful. One more thing to add is that they not only cultivate the vines and make their wine, but they also have hazelnuts! Their’s is Tonda Gentile Trilobata which is known as the best hazelnut in the world. Come to think of it, I bet a nice hazelnut cookie would go great with this dolcetto. I think I might have to go dig through the cabinet and find one, pour another glass and turn on some good ol’ happy Sister Sledge – We Are Family

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @cantina_stroppiana @steephillwine @antosicurezza @cheezits #cheezit #wine #redwine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #italy #LaMorra #steephillwine #CantinaStroppiana ##DolcettodAlba #Dolcetto #hazelnut #SisterSledge #wearefamily

Pretty In Pink

Wölffer Estate Vineyard
‘Pink’ Gin
Distilled from their famous Rosé wine with estate grown hand picked juniper berries and 5 other botanicals
Sagaponack, Hamptons, NY
Sustainable farming
Winemaker/Distiller: Roman Roth

Very light pink glow. Pine and juniper berries hit your nose first and then it smells like grappa. First try is on the rocks. It’s a delicate sip, but has a kick that comes back. There’s a feel of a peppermint, but not the taste. Again it’s piney and juniper berries with a slight licorice feel at the end. And of all things, do I taste grape? Now, here goes it neat. There’s sage, pine, some floral bits and that grappa-like thing going on that is tingling my lips.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: turns me into a flame blowing dragon. Try at your own risk.

Not only does it look like a bottle of romance, you’ll know it is once it hits your lips. IWANT design gets the credit for this label melding what went into making this delightful gin. Check out their graceful projects. Quite a nice partnership with other Wölffer wines and cider. Also giving a little nod to my absolute favorite pink…you had to know this was inevitable: The Psychedelic Furs – Pretty in Pink

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @wolfferwine @iwantdesign @cheezits #cheezit #wine #gin #spirits #grappa #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #sustainable #Sagaponack #Hamptons #NY #NewYork #PsychedelicFurs #PrettyinPink

Searching for that Nut

Prairie Artisan Ales
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Sour Ale with pineapples, pecans, cherries and yellow cake
4.9% ABV
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Color golden somewhat fuzzy with very little head. After the pour it’s toasty-cakey and pineapple. Tilt back the glass and take a sip and it’s tart, pineapple smashed with cherries, lemon salt and sweetness, and then toasty after taste but not sure I’m finding pecans. They may faintly be there mixed into that toast. I grew up on fresh ones from my Granny’s trees. I never understood how they were so pricey in the stores. All we had to do was throw a stick up in the tree, and they’d come raining down. We’d spend hours in the living room near the fireplace cracking and picking them. That’s one of my happier family memories. It’s the simple things in life you cherish.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: Hmmm not so sour. More of that cake.

This is a light fun easy drinking sour-gose. Don’t over think it. Just relax, enjoy it, and take the break you deserve in this tipsy topsy upside-down world.

@prairieales @BeerBoutiqueNYC @cheezits #beer #wine #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #sour #sourale #gose #PrairieArtisanAles

A Good Heart

Fondazione Villa Russiz
Les Enfants 2017
Venezia Giulia IGT
Bianco
Capriva del Friuli (GO) Italy
Pinot Grigio 50%, 25% Pinot Bianco, 20% Ribolla Gialla and 5% Sauvignon Blanc
Sustainable farming

A glistening pale gold glass. There’s nose tingling melon, pear, clean salty air, a touch of musky, and citrus/a little grapefruit. Lovely tastes of peaches, pear, sweet apples, honey, and it’s creamy with a mineral/slatey end.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: less creamy and a bit of citrus tart

This is a wine with a good heart that gives back. In 1868, the French Count Theodor de la Tour married Austrian Countess Elvine Ritter de Zàhony and her father gifted them his estate in Russiz (in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region). Theodor saw the potential for a vineyard and set off to work bringing in French cuttings which were also rumored to be in bouquets of flowers he would bring Elvine. She had other aspirations, and founded a school for girls who were often left behind since elementary school was only for boys. She also championed care for homeless and orphaned young girls too. WWI came about and Villa Russiz was turned into a military hospital, and sadly Elvine passed away. Another Countess who happened to be a nurse in the hospital picked up where she left off. Countess Adele Cerruti not only continued but expanded her work with taking on reconstructing the Villa post war. Currently Fondazione Villa Russiz houses “the Casa Elvine” Group Home that takes in minors and fills all their needs from having a computer lab, a clinic, a kitchen on each floor, and gives them the feeling of a true secure home environment. All of this is funded by sales of their wines. Not going to lie, I’m tearing up a little learning about this wonderful place.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @villarussiz @wilsondaniels @cheezits #cheezit #wine #whitewine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #sustainable #villarussiz #PinotGrigio #PinotBianco #RibollaGialla #SauvignonBlanc #caprivadelfriuli #italy

A French Brooklyn Twist

Forthave Spirits
Marseille Amaro
Brooklyn, NY
Purchased in 2018 and just opened
Co-founders and herbal mixmasters: Daniel de la Nuez and Aaron Fox

A neat pour of dark burnt amber. Before the glass even gets near my nose pine and eucalyptus appear. Get a little closer and there’s coriander, cloves, mint, and catnip tea (yes, I drink this, it’s good for your gut). Here comes the first sip and it’s a powerful beautiful statement of pine, gingerbread, cinnamon, cloves, singed orange peel, honey and vanilla. It’s not a dessert or a holiday in a glass, but it could be a combination of both with a warm comforting feeling enveloping you, or shall I even say a hearty hug.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: blurgh! don’t do it and ruin your lovely evening

Not going to lie, when I saw the bottle and design, I knew I had to bring it home with me. Kept putting off for that special occasion to open it, and here we are still in the middle of this pandemic mess. What better time than now! Just look at that Plague Mask on the label. Our N95s are no where near that dramatic. That giant herb filled beak is not what I would want to see my GP wearing during a doc appointment. This Marseille Amaro is built off the historical recipes attributed to the Four Thieves tale, who during a plague outbreak, were stealing from the sick and dead, but had come up with a “secret” vinegar herbal concoction that kept them safe from infection by warding off the fleas. The other more plausible tale is Richard Forthave’s vinegar remedy based on botanical research. Whoever got there first, Forthave Spirits’ contemporary version, I’m sure is far more delicious and aromatic than anything from ages long ago. Absolutely love it, and glad I have many more glasses for future evenings.

@vinewinenyc @forthave_spirits @cheezits #cheezit #wine @worldbyglass #worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Brooklyn #NY #NewYork #Flatbush #Bushwick #Marseille #bitter #liqueur #digestif #spirits #amaro #forthavespirits

We Could All Use a Heroine (or a Sidekick) Right Now

Iconic Wines
Sidekick 2018
Cabernet Sauvignon
Lodi, California
Sustainable farming
Winemaker: Birk O’Halloran

Deep ruby shine. Inhaling cherry and dried cherries, plum and prune, flowers, and of all things pine sap like the same smell from the small forest near my grandparents home. There’s a deep richness and some smoke. Wow, first sip and it packs a delicious punch! There’s deep sweet cherries, dark plums, raspberries and blackberries. It has some rustic earthiness, then juicy, and here comes the velvet, and at last a small touch of licorice. Fabulous!

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: dried fruit explosion

Iconic Wines was started by Birk O’Halloran and Karl Antle (college buddies), and according to their website, Birk made his career by “drinking his way up the supply chain.” Honestly from what I’m also seeing, he did this with a lot of hard work and picked up influence both from California and European styles. They have two lines, Heros and Sidekicks. Sidekicks are the best bang for your buck. Made from locally sourced grapes from different vineyards that they rely and trust. I can vouch for this reasonably priced wine. If I didn’t know the original sticker, I would have thought it was a lot more $$. On top of such a fab wine, just check out their labels by artist Cliff Chiang. He’s known for working with Lucasfilm, DC Comics, GQ Magazine, ACLU, etc, and very importantly his and Brian K. Vaughan’s comic book series “Paper Girls” which has been green-lit on 7/23/20, by Amazon for a television adaption (exciting!). In short, the wine and the labels are totally kick ass.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @iconicwine @cliffchiang @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Lodi #California #CabernetSauvignon #hero #heroine #sidekick #papergirls #cliffchiang

Bubbly Berry Breeze

Evil Twin Brewing
Evil Water
Blue Raspberry
Hard Pastry Seltzer
Made with red raspberries and butterfly pea flower
4.5% ABV
Ridgewood, New York
Founder, owner, brewer: Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø

Sea foam green-blue tinted bubbly water. Smelling candied raspberries, just like the “blue raspberry” popcorn I used to get as a kid at the mall. Ok this will be fun, that was my favorite treat. Loved when mom would get me a kid sized one for behaving and putting up with trying on clothes for school. Back to the taste…again candied raspberries and seltzer. Not overly sweet just very berry and crisp. Makes me want to be out on a lake with the sun beating down…on a boat just cruising along sipping this very chilled refreshing can and feeling the breeze on my face.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: better than I expected. It knocks back the berries.

Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø’s story is of a man who can’t sit still. Constantly taking on one creative project or job to the next. Starting out in Denmark as a teacher and beer tasting traveler, to opening a beer shop, collaborative brewing, becoming an importer, and opening a bar in NY. Now he’s put down brewery roots also in NY with Evil Twin and is still very much into collaborations. He’s definitely proof if you have a dream and put your mind to it you can make it a reality.

@eviltwinbrewingnyc @BeerBoutiqueInc @twelvepercentbeerproject @cheezits #beer #cheezit @worldbyglass #pairswithcheezits #hardseltzer #HardPastrySeltzer #seltzer #jeppejarnitbjergsø  #EvilTwinBrewing

 

A Gift Through Generations

Fattoria San Lorenzo
…di Gino… 2018
Le Marche Region
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
Montecarotto, Ancona, Italy
100% Verdicchio
Organic and biodynamic, and 6 months on the lees
Winemaker and owner: Natalino Crognaletti

Put a ring on it golden with an orange tinge. Crisp pops of tangerine, a little salt, pears, and dried apricots; all on the tip of my nose. It tastes a lot like it smells with the pear, citrus and smokey salt with addition of crisp apples; and as it warms up peaches and honey. Oh this is so lovely. It’s like when you get a new book from your favorite author (mine is Martin Walker), and as you turn the pages and get further in it just keeps getting better and better.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: makes all the flavors more bold

Natalino Crognaletti has a wonderful way of choosing names for his wines. “…di Gino…” is named in honor of his father who passed down the farm/winery to him. Others are for a dog, hares, the sun, and what I thought was maybe another word than “gattina” for kitten due to the image on the bottle, but as I searched, I discovered “La Gattara” pretty much means “cat lady”. Ah, “cat lady” a moniker I know well. Maybe this should be the next one I try. I digress. Back to “…di Gino…” which is made from the local Verdicchio clones that Gino selected for the vineyard after it was handed down to him from his father Enrico. This beautiful land is in the province of Ancona which is known for their towns of medieval fortresses. The town Montecarotto is one of these romantic medieval towns but it also has other more modern cultural interests. Their MAM Museo d’arte Moderna e Mail Art appears to be the only public mail art museum in Italy. A recent exhibition called “Le Disobbedienti” which is a tribute to Artemisia Gentileschi, Frida Kahlo, Charlotte Salomon, Berthe Morisot, Suzanne Valadon and Elisabeth Vigèe Le Brun; that included work from 150 artists from all over the world. Would have loved to have seen it in person.

@docwineshop @docwinebarny #FattoriaSanLorenzo @natalinocrognaletti @indiewineries @BrunoChiefOfPolice @cheezits #cheezit #wine #worldbyglass @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #lemarche #marche #Montecarotto #Ancona #Italy #Verdicchio #organic #biodynamic #NatalinoCrognaletti #mailart #martinwalker