November 2023

Red Wine #1: Nicole Chanrion Cote De Brouilly 2020:  

Beaujolais stands out from other French vineyards thanks to the readability that characterizes its appellations. No need to remember dozens of names: Beaujolais covers just 12 appellations; Beaujolais, Beaujolais-Villages and 10 Crus that all have their unique and delicious personalities. Perfecting your knowledge of Beaujolais wines is a lot of fun!!!

One of 10 Crus, The Côte de Brouilly appellation, is grown on the slopes of Mont Brouilly and benefits from the mild, sunny climate of the Beaujolais region. Shrouded in mystery, Côte de Brouilly wines have their very own protection… The Notre-Dame aux Raisins chapel that has kept a benevolent eye on harvests since 1854. This charming chapel stands here proudly because this was the place winegrowers used to come to beseech the Virgin Mary to wrap the vines in her protective cloak to keep the mushrooms from harming the harvest. Gamay vines draw their strength from a rich terroir of volcanic rocks and the famous “Brouilly blue stone.”  This outlandish name given to the rocks scattered around this part of the Beaujolais region comes from the blueish glints caused by the stone as it weathers away. Côte de Brouilly wines, with their intense garnet red color, offer a complex palette: aromas of red fruit like notes of fresh plums, combined with floral, peppery and mineral notes. After a few years of keeping, Côte de Brouilly wines boast a delightful potential for aging, with the palate becoming more full-bodied and rounder.

If this is your first encounter with Côte de Brouilly, you are in the best hands with the boss, Nicole Chanrion. When she began her career in the 1970s, convention relegated women to the enology labs and kept them out of the cellars—even her mother thought winemaking was man’s work—but she would not be deterred from her dream of becoming a vigneronne. With six generations of family tradition preceding her, she grew up helping her father in both the vineyards and the cellar. Though she is mild-mannered and slight of build, her determination and conviction have consistently defied all doubts. Ever since taking over the family domaine in 1988, she works all 6.5 hectares, organically, entirely by herself, from pruning the vineyards and driving the tractors to winemaking and bottling, all without bravado or fanfare. In 2000 she became president of the Côte-de-Brouilly appellation, a position of respect and importance among peers. It’s small wonder then that she is affectionately referred to as “La Patronne de la Côte,” or the Boss of la Côte.

“Her Beaujolais is different from the rest, and when I have a glass of it in hand, I cannot imagine a better one. Her’s is superbly winey, if you know what I mean. And forget any prejudice about wimpy Beaujolais. This woman makes macho wine. It is loaded! It is also super complex: mainly it smells of real, live red fruits, especially freshly crushed strawberries” -  Kermit Lynch

Red Wine #2: Nicosia Monte Gorna Etna Rosso 2019: 

Let’s say Mt. Etna is exploding with excitement that we are featuring one of her wines this month given her timely eruption last Sunday. Now you know we #lavavolcanicwine, but they are not all created equal. There is a huge difference between grapes that grow near an active volcano vs a dormant one. Every time “Montebello” (beautiful mountain as the locals call Etna) erupts it produces the “rain of lapilli” which once it hits the ground, adds precious nutrients into the soil. Not to mention every single eruption creates new subsoils that lend elegance, salinity and character to the wines. 

Italy arguably produces the most gastronomic wines in the world and as the holidays are upon us that means food is too. Tack on the incredible grape, Nerello Mascalese, which would be the Sicilian baby of Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir. It hits your mouth with an explosion of red fruit flavors that leads into spice notes of cinnamon and floral dried desert herbs. Depending on your family dynamic, you may not need another volcano at the table, but Etna Rosso is a perfect pairing for Thanksgiving Dinner. 

Founded in 1898 on the slopes of Mt Etna, handed down from Father to Son for five generations, Nicosia is a historic family-owned winery rooted in the land and dedicated to producing great Sicilian wines for wine lovers across the world. Their wines are a tribute to the heart of Sicily. They embody the light and warmth of its Mediterranean climate, the strength of its people, and the untamed, exuberant character of the Etna volcano that has both powerful nature and regenerative strength. The Nicosia “Cru” wines of Etna come from the Monte Gorna estate, located in the Trecastagni area, very close to the wine cellar. They follow the principles of organic farming and sustainability and makes their eco-friendly commitment transparent. Enologist Maria Carella, who produces all of Nicosia’s wines, is considered one of Italy’s great women in wine. She crafted the Monte Gorna with 90% Nerello Mascalese and 10% Nerello Cappuccio, Mascalese’s cousin, lending color and perfume. This is your Italian Burgundy with enough tannin to have a lot of fun with your feasting!

White Wine #1: Brendel Chorus Cuvee Blanc 2019:

If you’ve been to downtown Napa, you may have seen Brendel’s tasting room on 1st street and wondered what lies within, or perhaps you did enter the very cool, hip space and most likely really enjoyed yourself. Well, here’s the 411 on this exciting baby of a project.

Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy, Jr. and Lawrence Wine Estates (Owner of Heitz Cellars) launched Brendel in 2020.. Inspired by purity and edge, the wines pay homage to Napa Valley pioneer Leon Brendel. In the 1950s, Leon bought a small plot of land to make one variety, Grignolino, a grape that could only be found in northern Italy at the time. This vineyard was sold to Joe Heitz with the promise to always preserve a small amount of Grignolino, a commitment that McCoy and the Lawrence family continue to honor. Brendel’s namesake serves as a reminder to keep intentions pure in making wine that stays true to the land, one’s roots, and most importantly, oneself. 

This project is a necessary addition to the dialogue of what the Napa Valley can offer. These wines are vibrant, elegant, and sourced from naturally farmed vineyards. Brendel likes to say that they have a secret ingredient: dirt. Their range of wines are made from some of the best sites in Napa’s most renowned regions, including the eastern side of Rutherford, the highest elevations of Howell Mountain, two diverse sites in St. Helena, and a steep plot in Oak Knoll. Each vineyard is chosen for its quality and unique aptitude, with soil types ranging from volcanic to clay to bring out the best in each grape in their array of wines. It’s, as they put it, good dirt. Heitz Cellar’s Head Winemaker Brittany Sherwood and Associate Winemaker Aaron Huntsberger crafted the inaugural 2019 vintage of Brendel. Additional winemakers and special cuvées will be announced with future vintages. (There is no cleaner, mineral driven Chardonnay coming out of Napa than their Noble One that Brittany makes.)

The blended white wines of Friuli, Italy inspired the creation of this incredibly complex and aromatic cuvée – offering an outstanding blend of flavor and minerals. Much like a chorus, the blend of grapes – while each one is special on its own – work together in perfect harmony to create a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. A fun, fruity and lighthearted blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Chardonnay, 10% Malvasia Bianca and 10% Fernão Pires (all organically farmed), that is unusual and welcoming. Sea spray, oyster shell, apricot and dried herb, with a slaty, flinty persona that will be perfect with food but can definitely sing a solo.

White Wine #2: Ingrid Groiss Gemischter Satz Braitenpuechtorff:

A feature of Viennese vineyards for centuries, the Gemischter Satz is now experiencing a genuine renaissance. A Gemischter Satz is a wine made from a variety of grapes. In contrast to a cuvee, up to 20 different grape varieties are planted in the same vineyard, and harvested and pressed together. You could call Gemischter Satz the cornucopia of wine.

Ingrid is the newest hot-shot winemaker to emerge on the Austrian wine scene. She started by taking over the management and winemaking of her grandmother’s vineyards, and she now makes some of the most compelling whites in the Weinwertal. She started by making wine at home but she was always fighting with her father because he had his own philosophy and she wanted to improve many things. She eventually asked her grandmother to give her one of her vineyards to work and make wine out of it (her first vintage was 2010). She made a deal with her father. She would work this vineyard with her own philosophy and make the wine in her style and he was not allowed to discuss it. Then they all taste all wines together blind and if her wine won, she would run the vineyards and make the wines her way the next year….her wine won. 

Groiss is particularly grateful for the gorgeous vineyards planted by her granny. Most of them are 50 years and older and in these times people put much more focus on which varieties fit on which appellations and on which soil. All of the wine for the Gemischter Satz comes from a plot planted in 1951 by Ingrid’s grandmother. At that time, Grandma Groiss’ dream might have been to have a winery of her own. But that dream didn’t come true...until 61 years later. Ingrid, fighting against her parents and the tradition of selling off all their fruit to the local co-op, founded a winery from her grandmother’s vineyards. Among some of the grapes in this field blend are Chardonnay, Müller Thurgau, Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Grauburgunder, Pinot Blanc, Frühroter Veltliner, Neuburger, Zierfandler, Rotgipfler, Sämling and Roter Veltliner all certified organic. If the Brendel is a Chorus, this is a harmony…

The Braitenpuechtorff is fresh, vibrant, mineral, filled with smells of sweet peas and ripe green fruits like papaya with a zesty, fresh finish of stone fruit and kaffir lime leaf. It drinks as easily as water, yet with the backbone of Chablis and could quite possibly become not only a staple for your holidays but for your household.

Bubbles #1: Bodegas Carlos Serres Rioja Brut Methode Tradicional:

Rioja might be famous for its still reds, but sparkling white and rosé Rioja is beginning to appear on the scene, following some rule changes. The first Rioja Quality Sparkling Wines started appearing in 2020, after a 2017 decision by the technical commission of the Regulatory Council of the DOCa (classification of Spanish wine law). The team led by Rafael Vivanco, a member of the family that owns Bodegas Carlos Serres, to study and develop the regulations for the production of quality sparkling wines. Sparkling wines have been made in the past but had to be labeled under the Cava DO prior to this. The category is still small, and the regulations allow for all Rioja grape varieties to be utilized. Consider yourselves some of the first to try this new sparkling segment of Rioja.

Carlos Serres was a pioneer in Rioja. In 1896 he established one of the first wineries in Haro, the wine capital of Rioja. He was an instrumental figure in promoting the early exports of Rioja wines. Today, the Bodega remains family-owned and operated and is one of only a few centenarian producers in Rioja (100+ years old). The estate is just southeast of Haro and spreads out over nearly 150 acres of premium Rioja Alta vineyards with vines average 30+ years old. Bodega Carlos Serres sets out to remain one of the most internationally-renowned and influential wineries in Spain. 

The fruit for this traditional method sparkler is from the Alta subregion which benefits from a climate with a marked Atlantic influence, ideal for the production of high-quality sparkling wines, as the fruit displays low pH and is perfect for aging. The blend is (sustainably grown) 47% Viura, 35% Chardonnay & 18% Tempranillo Blanco aged 15 months on the lees. Lots of green apple, stone fruit with a subtle white orange blossom character. Perfect company for before dinner tapas.

Bubbles #2: Catherine & Pierre Breton Vouvray Brut La Dilettante NV

We are wrapping up November with our 5th female force to be reckoned with in the vineyard and that is Catherine Breton. She is undeniably an authority on biodynamic farming and natural winemaking with 3 decades’ worth of Loire harvests under her belt. Catherine and her husband Pierre Breton are real life bon vivants vignerons of lore, according to Kermit Lynch. They are passionate about what they do, enjoy sharing it with others, and entertain with a generosity and charm. The Bretons received organic certification in 1991 and recently began the three-year process of seeking biodynamic certification. They’ve become international icons for the natural wine movement in an area where the climate and soil can make organic viticulture difficult.

This 100% Chenin Blanc from Vouvray is made in the work-intensive traditional method. It’s bone dry, thanks to an extremely low dosage, richly honeyed, complex, and mouthwateringly stony from the flinty soil. Their wines, despite the fact that they are totally natural and unadulterated, are so consistently pure and delicious. This bottle can go from breakfast to bedtime and everything in-between.

October 2023

The wickedest wines of the season…

Red Wine #1:Kenwood Jack London Red Blend 2018:  

Our spooky line up begins in the Sonoma Mountain AVA of California. It is located within the northwest area of the greater Sonoma Valley appellation. One of the earlier AVAs to be determined by specific elevation rather than the broad outlines of a valley, the appellation occupies elevations between 400 and 1,200 feet, and only on the north and eastern slopes of Sonoma Mountain. Author Jack London, known for works such as ‘The Call of the Wild’ & ‘White Fang’ made his home in this region, of which he wrote, "The air is wine. The grapes on a score of rolling hills are red with autumn flame. Across Sonoma Mountain, wisps of sea fog are stealing. The afternoon sun smolders in the drowsy sky. I have everything to make me glad I am alive.” Jack London wrote so often about wolves and dogs that his friend George Sterling gave him the nickname “The Wolf”. So, when Jack started building his dream house in 1911, it was only fitting that it would become known as the “Wolf House”. Unfortunately, Jack and wife Charmian never moved in. Construction was nearly complete when a fire began late on the night of August 22, 1913, spreading rapidly and gutting the interior of the house—only the massive masonry walls remained standing by the morning. 

Jack passed away on the sleeping porch of the house on his ranch in late November of 1916. Only a few months later, his widow, Charmian, began to see his ghost. She wrote in her memoirs, “As clearly as ever I had looked upon the man, I saw Jack stepping blithely in the green domain (field in front of the ranch house)…whistling comradely to an unmistakable friend shadowing his heel—Peggy the Beloved, our small canine Irish saint.”

Since 1976, Kenwood Vineyards has been the exclusive producer of wines from the historic lava-terraced vineyards of the famous Jack London Ranch, located on the western slope of Sonoma Valley in Glen Ellen, California. Jack London was a pioneer of sustainable farming in Sonoma over 100 years ago and today the estate continues to be sustainably farmed by the same family. The Jack London Red Blend is made of the best lots of Merlot, Zinfandel and Syrah from the Jack London Ranch to create this haunting blend. The wine reveals a bouquet of intense fruit including plum, blueberry, and blackberry with hints of chocolate and cardamom. 

Besides Jack still roaming around, the vineyard is deemed haunted, looked after by a resident ghost that may or may not be related to the former owners of the property. Legend has it, the original owners lost a daughter at a young age and she continues to live on, in spirit form, wandering about the estate.

Red Wine #2: Babylonstoren Shiraz 2020 : 

Red #2 takes us to one of the oldest “new world” wine regions on the planet, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa. Simonsberg is a mountain that straddles Paarl to the North and Stellenbosch to the South. The area has deep, reddish clay soils that create wines so bold they usually need to be cellared for several years to subdue their massive tannins. The granite mountains are approximately 600 million years old, over 3 times as old as the soil in Napa. However the story of this wine is taking us way back, to 6th century Babylonia.

Babylonstoren. The name evokes romance, splendor, and the legend of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the ancient Middle Eastern home of King Nebuchadnezzar II. Babylon’s Toren, or Tower of Babel, refers to the hill or koppie that rises on this South African wine farm. The Babylonstoren estate was part of the original land in the Drakenstein valley granted to  [ie seized by] Dutch settlers and the initial farm was set up  in 1692 by Pieter van der Byl,  making it one of the oldest  European farms in South Africa. The settling of the Drakenstein valley  was part of the Dutch East Company’s attempt to increase food production, particularly grain, for local inhabitants as well as the growing number of ships who stopped over in Cape Town en route between Europe and the Asia. These early Dutch settlers were very religious and often named their farms after Biblical sites and since the koppie on his new landholding made people think  of the Tower of Babel, it was dubbed, in Dutch, Babilonische Tooren, later Babylonstoren.  As others have pointed out its actually quite an appropriate name for other reasons because it suggests too the linguistic melting pot of the area. Apart from the indigenous Khoi and San peoples the valley was also home not only to the Dutch but also French and German settlers escaping religious persecution in Europe. Whatever its past, Babylonstoren beckons with a present that is, quite literally, one of a kind. I dare you to find something comparable to the Babylonstoren experience, anywhere on earth.

Babylonstoren has a logo that tells a tale: Behold the pipe, representing the lifestyle of the farmer, the flower, representing the garden, and the bird, representing nature. This dark-fruited beauty is 100% Shiraz (Syrah) and full of personality. With layers of blackcurrant, new leather, wood spice and white pepper drink this when you need to ‘warm up’ your soul. Whether you believe this could be the modern day Babylon, we think this example of Shiraz is Biblical!!

White Wine #1:Wavy Wines Sunshine aka ‘The Shining’:

This little pretty literally flew in on it’s broom from California on Saturday to make it’s Florida debut with you, foolish mortals, of the 17 Club! Naturally, we have to have an ‘Orange Wine’ in the mix this month, after all, it’s this style of wine’s time to “shine”.

Don’t try to put orange wines into a casket of what you know, expecting it to be white wine or rosé, doing this will thwart enjoyment. Allow it to be what it is, an aromatic, textural and genre-expanding wine that will take time to get to know. When you want a white wine with some guts to bridge you through white wine season to red wine season, orange wine can do that job sinfully. Skin contact wine (orange wine) is made using white grapes that have their juice and skins mingle together for a significant amount of time. This may seem like a newer trend and you may be reluctant to jump on board, but this is actually how wine has been made way before the wayward sisters were brewing eye of newt and toe of frog. Archeological evidence shows that it was made as far back as 6000 B.C. in what is now the modern-day country of Georgia where the wines were fermented in large subterranean vessels called Qvevri. Northeastern Italy produces ”ramato,” which is Italian for auburn or copper and is a style of orange wine primarily made from Pinot Grigio. Skin-contact wine is also a hallmark of Slovenia’s historic winemaking tradition. 

This bottle of the shining is a magical blend of California grapes…a pinch of Grenache Blanc, a dash of Chardonnay (sourced from one of Heidi’s favorite wineries, Scribe), a smidge of Sauvignon Blanc and a drop of Muscat. Think peach, nectarine, fall potpourri and a hug from a warm sweater. Versatility is the name of the game when pairing this wine with food. Yes, foods with pumpkin spice and everything nice would be killer but that’s definitely not the nail in the coffin. Conjure up some fried chicken, a spicy seafood boil, jerky, baked salmon or some gruesome gruyere or gouda.  We can’t guarantee that you won’t be given ‘the shine’ by drinking this, but we can foresee what you will be eating with it.

White Wine #2 Semeli Mantinia Thea 2019:

Mantinia is a renowned wine-producing region in Greece, is celebrated for its distinctive white wines made primarily from two grape varieties Moschofilero and Asprouda. Moschofilero dominates the vineyards in the region cultivated in southern Peloponnese, specifically in Laconia. Mantinia's vineyards are situated northeast of Tripoli at an elevation of over 2100 ft. The climate is Mediterranean with continental influences making it one of the coldest zones in Greece. Winemaking dates back to ancient times and a 2500 year old vine, mentioned by the ancient travel writer Pausanias in the village of Pangrati and still bearing fruit.

Moschofilero is considered one of the most important ambassadors in the Greek wine industry alongside Xinomavro, Assyrtiko and Agiorgitiko. It’s a greyish/pink skinned grape first mentioned in 1601 and is known for it’s exotic peach and potpourri personality. You went crazy for it when we gave you it’s sparkling version in February this year (remember the Tselepos Amalia Brut…obsessed). This time you are getting the pure, textbook still version from this sustainable, leading Greek winery, Seméli Estate. The winery is located right where Hercules performed his first feat, slaying the ferocious Nemean Lion and well as being the sanctuary of Zeus. And that brings us to the tragic story of Semele and the namesake of this winery.

Semele was a Phoenician princess and one of the many mortal lovers of Zeus. Semele is most often said to have been a priestess in the temple of Zeus in her father’s city. After slaughtering a bull as a sacrifice, she was seen by Zeus as she bathed in the river to wash the animal’s blood off of herself. Zeus was immediately smitten with the young priestess and flew over her many times as an eagle to see her. Eventually, he made her his mistress and visited her often. Hera, who was constantly jealous of her husband’s infidelities, found out about his Theban consort and sought revenge against the girl. She was even more enraged when she learned that Semele was carrying her husband’s child. Hera disguised herself as an old woman and went to Thebes. Outside of her husband’s temple, she befriended the human girl and soon became one of her closest confidants.

When talking about her pregnancy, Semele admitted to the old woman that the baby’s father was the king of the gods. Hera feigned disbelief and asked the girl how she could be sure it was Zeus and not a lesser god trying to trick her. Semele coyly asked the god if he would grant her a favor. When he agreed, Semele asked him to prove his identity by revealing himself to her in his full glory. Zeus tried to reveal the smallest possible amount of his power to Semele, but even that was too much. No human can survive being confronted with the full majesty of a god and Semele was instantly incinerated by Zeus’s own thunderbolts. The girl was dead, but Zeus was able to save the child she carried. He quickly took the fetal child and sewed him into his own thigh until it was time for his birth. After a few months, Zeus opened his leg and gave birth to (probably our favorite diety) Dionysus, The god of wine!

So as you sip this seductive nectar of greek goodness, raise a glass and say ‘Yamas’ (cheers in Greek) to Semele in gratitude for doing what she had to do to give us a wine god.

Bubbles #1: Vol Enchanté Rose Brut Crémant d’Alsace NV :

Alsace has always been in a bit of a pickle. Its perilous location on the border of Germany and France made the area a tug-of-war for centuries. Today if you visit Alsace, you can see how the interventions of two mega empires affected the area through its architecture and the presence of both French and German languages.

It might bring to mind Christmas markets, sausages and white asparagus but it has quite the malevolent past. For centuries, the region has collected its share of creepy and sinister stories, worthy of an Agatha Christie thriller, and legends that have lasted since the dawn of time. For starters Kaysersberg is a village in Alsace where the beloved Bourdain decided to call it quits. Let’s zero in on the village of Ribeauvillé, where this sparkler hails from. 

In the 17th century, Marie Wolf, a young inhabitant of Ribeauvillé , was living happily with her fiancé. But her happiness was not to last because war broke out and her fiancé was killed. Marie then lived as a recluse with her black cat as her only companion, and so the villagers nicknamed her ‘the witch’. One evening when she was out walking on the ramparts of the besieged town, the enemy soldiers fled, terrorized by her prolonged sobs. Grateful, the villagers declared her benefactor and guardian of the town. The story spread in the region and since then, every inhabitant hung a witch at his window to ward off evil. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Bergheim and the surrounding villages were the scene of many witch trials that sent 40 women to the stake. The Maison des Sorcières (Witches’ House) recounts the lives of these Witches and gives a record of their trials. Drinking Game: Take a sip every time you read the word WITCH (your wine witch is loving this!!)

Founded in 1895, the Cave de Ribeauvillé is the oldest cooperative in France. The land covers 650 acres surrounding Ribeauvillé village. The vineyards of Ribeauvillé have been here since the beginning of time. It were the Lords of Ribeaupierre and the Benedictine monks who first made use of the natural resources with its south facing slopes and different topsoils. It is believed that the knight-monk Martin Zahn returning from the Crusades played a major role in the creation of “Clos du Zahnacker”. Purity, finesse, balance, sharpness, precision … each wine from the Cave de Ribeauvillé must be the closest possible to the original expression of its grape variety and terroir. The winery is organic and sustainable. These bubbles from the Salem of France is 100% Pinot Noir made in the traditional method as all Crémants are with 9 months on the lees. Notes of Cox Orange Pippin like apples fill the vessel and red berries fill the palate. These bubbles are not for toil and trouble but for sharing with your fellow gouls and goblins for a beWITCHing time…take a sip!

Bubbles #2: Maloof L'eau Epicée Pet Nat 2022:

We finish our wicked wine line up back in the US within the Willamette Valley, Oregon. This sparkler could be considered both a trick and a treat (with the name meaning ‘spicy water’) but we think it’s nothing but treats.  

Bee and Ross Maloof represent a true yin and yang team - one materials engineer grounded in hard science, and one restaurant professional with a sensory aligned M.O. Bee represents the hard science behind the project.  Prior to playing with grapes, she worked for close to a decade as a materials science engineer within the aerospace industry. As a long-time lover of food and wine, Bee turned her scientific eye from rotorcraft to winemaking during the 2016 harvest.

Ross Maloof broke into the production side of the wine industry initially by traveling to Oregon to visit some friends, and ended up working harvest in the Willamette Valley. Prior to getting his first taste for winemaking, he worked for just over a decade in the Philadelphia dining scene at such wine destinations as Vedge and A. Kitchen.

This ‘Urn’ of spicy water is 70% Riesling, 30% Gewürztraminer (10% skin contact) organically farmed from a 3.5 acre unnamed home vineyard they refer to as Ony’s Roadside Attraction. We are all familiar with the enchanting Riesling grape but if Gewürztraminer is fairly new to you, its origins are traced back to the Alto Adige region in Italy. The grape’s name is derived from the German word “Gewürz,” which means “spice,” reflecting its spicy character and it being a mutation of the Traminer grape. It’s a grape that always conjures up a sense of fall. This sexy sparkler is brimming with pineapple, lemons, ripe oranges and a hint of roasted nuts. Nonetheless, there were very small quantities of L’eau Epicee made, when it vanishes it vanishes.

Bee & Ross were not quite sure what to call this method of achieving bubbleS in 2018 when they first started the project. In their minds, it is not quite a pet nat, as they weren't catching an active ferment at a particular point before it was dry to bottle. Just after the primary fermentation was through, they racked the wine into tank. From there, they thawed out a particular amount of the frozen must they held back at crush, threw it in the tank, stirred it all up and bottled it. They think this is most similar to an ancestral method, hence the back of the bottle stating "Ancestral?" Since then, they’ve adopted a portmanteau of Champenoise, Ancestral, and Petnat... Ancestropetnoise…Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!

Salagadoola mechika boola bibbidi-bobbidi-boo

September 2023

Drinking Down Under

This is our third month of our “Summer Abroad” theme for The 17 Club, and I’m so pleased that we get to explore Australia. Terra’s had the great fortune of visiting Australia and drinking some phenomenal wine that convinced her that Drinking Down Under is way more than pounding cheap “critter” wine (ahem, Yellowtail). Because of the huge labor of getting wine completely to the other side of the world, Australian wine in it’s best form can be hard to come by, but finally this year we’ve found enough amazing stuff here in Florida that we can’t wait to share it with you! And, since Australia is a HUGE place to explore, we’re sticking with all the range of wine in just one state - South Australia.

Red Wine #1: Claymore Wines To Pimp A Butterfly

Hidden away in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia, Clare Valley is a small wine region with a big reputation for its world-class wines. The beautiful Clare Valley is an easy one and a half-hour drive north of Adelaide and well worth the short journey. Affectionately known to locals and visitors alike as the “Gateway to the Outback” and the “Garden of the North, the region is a lovely patch of green with old gum trees and majestic vineyards on the way to or from South Australia’s outback. 

It might be renowned worldwide for its crisp Rieslings, but thanks to its modulating microclimate of long hot summer days and cool evenings it also creates delightfully elegant and flavorsome Shiraz and Cabernet. We love Clare Valley for many reasons, it has a wonderful sense of community and local characters (much like St. Pete.). There are more than 30 wineries that are all within easy reach of each other, most of which are quaint and family-owned. If you tire of winery visits, the area is full of pubs to dine at in town or meander through the local farmer’s markets. Wine Trip??

Just over 20 years ago, Claymore Wines was humbly established with small volumes of Grenache and Riesling from a single vineyard in Penwortham. Since then, the estate has grown to include additional varietals and 108 acres across three additional vineyards in Watervale. The Claymore team tries to bring together the basic passions of a person’s life - wine, music, and Football to create the ultimate experience. In this case they are paying tribute to Kendrick Lamar’s third studio album ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’. The family at Claymore is as laid back as the sport of football itself and pride themselves on producing premium Clare Valley wines using the best fruit from the vineyards. 

TPAB is is a blend of 55 percent Shiraz and 45 percent Mataro. The blend partner of the Shiraz, comes originally from Spain. There, around Valencia, it is also called Monastrell, in France’s south also Mourvèdre. This late-ripening grape variety is used to heat and brings a lot of color and individual aromatics to the cuvée.

It beguiles with a delicate, complex aroma of rose petals, wild berries and spices, joined by the earthy and leathery tones typical of Mataro. On the palate, the wine shows a lot of melting and fruit extract. Distinct floral notes are accompanied by peppery spice. The tannin is moderate, the acidity is delicate and excellently integrated. The perfect companion to hearty meals, a snack of cold meats and cheeses, grilled steaks with roasted potatoes and green beans or any preparation of lamb. This one is a ripper!!

Red Wine #2: Thorn Clarke Shotfire Quartage Cabernet Blend 2018

Wine lovers are generally of two tribes on Australian wines: those who love Australian wines and those who, let’s say, don’t understand them (yet!). To be fair, we can’t really blame the haters. Encounters with yellow kangaroos and other marsupial-clad wine labels at college parties or backyard BBQs may have scarred some, but let’s hope not irreversibly! We’re not going to talk about the sub $10-retail Australian critter-wine market. Let’s talk about the good stuff, because there is a wealth of it coming from South Australia.

The Barossa Valley is one of the world’s great wine regions and led the way in bringing premium Australian wine to the world. Famous names in food and wine sit alongside hidden gems. Just under an hour from Adelaide and more than 150 wineries, Barossa produces a deliciously diverse range of wines. There’s a rich wine heritage here with sixth-generation grape growers, fiercely proud winemakers and some of the oldest grapevines in the world. Fame can lead to complacency, but not here: Barossa is a region that never stands still. It has a Mediterranean climate with warm-climate vineyards on the valley floor and cooler vineyards up in the surrounding hills, very Napa of them. This diversity is what allows the region to produce everything from delicate white wines to the most powerful reds. 

The 1870s were a very special decade for the Clarke family tree and its roots in the Barossa. One side settled on the fruit farm that would nurture some of the region’s oldest vineyards along with six generations of viticulturists. The other side, meanwhile, discovered a different treasure buried in the bounteous Barossa soil: the region’s first gold mine. Shotfire range respect to one of the Thorn-Clarke ancestors: James Goddard, who discovered the Barossa’s first gold mine. In that mine, the ‘shotfirer’ had the unenviable job of setting and lighting an explosive charge in a bold attempt to expose a vein of gold (and hopefully not bury the shotfirer…) Shotfire Quartage is based on the five traditional red varieties found in the Bordeaux region of France (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec). The Thorn-Clarke winemakers use at least four of the varieties to create the blend each year (occasionally, they can get over excited and use all five) all sustainably farmed. This generous blend boasts a rich deep red-purple color. Aromas of blackberries, satsuma plum and anise fill the glass. On the palate, plush tannins are accompanied by rich notes of cassis and blackcurrant. Together they produce a wine with lavish density, complexity and length. A wine that can be enjoyed now or laid down to age for many years. P.S. besides the usual ‘goes with steak’ pairing, try this with some dark chocolate!!

White Wine #1: Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc

We’re often met with reluctance when we offer chardonnay in our wine club, so we really wanted to bring you a gorgeous, cool-climate chardonnay from Yarra Valley this month that we think would change your mind…but unfortunately supply is too limited in this area and our membership is too big (what a terrible problem to have!). If you have the chance, come into the shop and check out the incredible Yarra-grown Mac Forbes Chardonnay - the little bit we did get will be making a cameo appearance on our by the glass list this month. So, we found something that might be a bit more crowd-friendly - a cool climate sauvignon blanc that tastes more like France than New Zealand, despite being from Down Under.

Shaw + Smith was established in 1989 by cousins Michael Hill Smith (the first Australian to pass his Master of Wine back in 1988) and Martin Shaw in the lovely region of Adelaide Hills in South Australia. (Reminder the south is cooler there because it’s in the southern hemisphere.) With a sustainable practice, they focus on making the classics modern, showcasing their region’s cool climate terroir. This sauvignon blanc is crisp and refreshing, with classic notes of pink grapefruit and a delicate texture from the lees aging which balances the tart into a smooth and easily drinkable wine. The delicate herbaceous notes help it pair well with fish and the tropical fruit undertones make it ideal for late summer quaffing.

Sauvignon Blanc is a classic, but this take on the international varietal is certainly one of the best examples from Australia.

White Wine #2: Henschke Peggy's Hill Riesling 2022

Known as the ‘Garden of Grape and Gums’, Eden Valley is one of Australia’s premier cool climate wine growing regions that has a reputation for producing, among other varieties, the country’s finest Riesling. The Barossa Range lies in the southern Mount Lofty Ranges, a north-south range. Eden Valley lies within the Barossa Range and consists of river valleys and undulating hills covered with large gums, rocky outcrops and Indigenous sites. Eden Valley is a high-altitude region of between 1300-1500 ft, compared with the Barossa Valley's elevation of 600-1000ft. This higher altitude, with its one-two weeks' later ripening pattern, results in more distinctive varietal flavor characteristics and higher acidities, due to the increased continentality. Fortunately how Eden’s name came about isn’t as exciting as the wines: the first vines were planted and named by the surveyors of the area after they found the word ‘Eden’ carved into a tree – back in 1847. There are now around 40 top class wineries across the region, set amongst thatches of gum trees, undulating farm lands and rugged landscapes. They range from recognizable producers such as Henschke and Pewsey Vale to small boutique estates specializing in premium, hand crafted wines.

We are in the presence of of royalty with white #2. Henschke is one of Australia’s leading winemakers and grape growers.  They are recognized for their rich heritage, innovative spirit and commitment to handcrafting exceptional wines for 150 years. The Henschke family’s grape growing and winemaking tradition spans six generations, from outstanding sustainable vineyards in Eden Valley, Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills.  The family has so many accolades including the world’s best vineyards as well as being inducted into the Australian winemaking hall of Fame. Before you roll your eyes at another riesling, it is also a calling card wine for Australia, and if you’re going to have one, it might as well come from one of the best! We wanted to give you a taste of what Henschke can do, but if you have $800 laying around we suggest getting a bottle of their Hill of Grace Shiraz and start there (and invite us). This wine takes its name from a local landmark, Peggy’s Hill, at the top of the range between Eden Valley and Keyneton. It is a single-vineyard Riesling made from grapes grown on a sunny slope in the Eden Valley. This refreshing juice is a perfect reflection of the region's terroir, displaying crisp acidity, minerality, and juicy citrus flavors. On the nose, it offers a lovely bouquet of lime zest (always the forward fruit in Aussie Riesling), lemon curd, and jasmine. The palate is bright, juicy, and clean, with flavors of lemon and lime and a hint of wet stone. An ideal companion to spicy Thai dishes or fresh seafood, this wine is one to savor and enjoy with friends, especially those that say they despise the grape :)

Bubbles #1: Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir Rose

This sparkler brings us to one of Australia's most vibrant cool climate wine regions, Adelaide Hills, South Australia. The region is located in the Mount Lofty Ranges east of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. Stretching in a narrow band approximately 45 miles long, the highest vineyards are sited between 1900-2200ft altitude in areas such as Crafers, Summertown, Piccadilly and Carey Gully. Bordered by the Barossa Valley to the North and McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek to the South, the Adelaide Hills is the cool climate jewel between our warmer lower lying cousins. Adelaide Hills winemakers produce diverse wine styles ranging from delicate traditional method sparkling wines to spicy Shiraz. The common thread across all Adelaide Hills wines is natural acidity and elegance.

Bird in hand is a family winery, literally and metaphorically. Andrew and Susie live on the grounds with their three children, Lalla, Edward and Oscar. Susie oversees the estate gardens and Lalla & Oscar have recently joined the team. As caretakers of a tender ecosystem, their brave vision frames Bird in Hand as a microcosm of the natural cycles of life, where the story in the soil becomes the inspiration for various manifestations of modern art and culture. Sustainability woven into the core of their identity, it is a story with a rich past, a bright future and an endless present, where innovative winemaking goes on against an exquisite natural backdrop. This is an exuberant and youthful style of sparkling, made from a blend of mainly Pinot Noir, with equal amounts of Chardonnay and Shiraz. It's produced using the Charmat method, where the secondary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. A short time on skins (2 hours) gives the pale rose color in the glass. Red berry and peach aromas jump from the glass, and follow through on the palate. This is the perfect breakfast, brunch, with snacks or before dinner refreshment.

Bubbles #2: Davey & Browne Black Bubbles NV

McLaren Vale is one of the great and oldest names of Australian wine. The birthplace of wine in South Australia, it lies just south of the capital city of Adelaide and offers a wide variety of soils which bask under a Mediterranean climate.  Grapes were first planted in the region in 1838 and some vines more than 100 years old are still producing. The region has a distinct climate with four clear seasons. With a dry warm summer, December through to March or April, giving an easy change between summer and winter. It rarely experiences frost or drought due to its close proximity to the sea. The ease of the climate reduces the types of disease pressure more commonly associated with other regions in Australia. Thus, organic and biodynamic viticulture has flourished in McLaren Vale to an extent unmatched anywhere else in Australia. As is typical throughout most of South Australia, Shiraz is king, accounting for over half of the total vineyard plantings, followed distantly by Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon.  McLaren Vale Shiraz is rich and dark, with broad tannins, hints of bittersweet chocolate on the nose, and ripe fruit notes; a style which in previous times was labeled as Australian “Burgundy” because of its elegant texture.  

Davey & Browne represents the culmination of a long, enduring friendship between noted Australian wine luminary Kym Davey, who has a passion for motorbikes, and American wine entrepreneur Andrew Browne (Walla Walla, WA), an avid fly fishing enthusiast. Black Bubbles is a sparkling 100% Shiraz sourced from the Davey Estate Vineyard in the McLaren Vale. The proximity to the St. Vincent Gulf, coincidentally named after the patron saint of winemakers, benefits fruit quality with warmer spring and autumn conditions and cooler summers. Black Bubbles are deep garnet in color with vibrant magenta bubbles. Aromas of concentrated black currant with hints of licorice, spice and dark cherries. Creamy bubbles envelop the plump blackberry mid palate, which is enhanced with hints of savory development. Find a recipe for marsala mushroom pork chops and crack this baby open.

August 2023

Exploring South America

Our second month of our “Summer Abroad” brings us to South America. Chile and Argentina are the top dogs in imported wine down here, though Uruguay, Peru, and Mexico are also exporting some great wines, too. This month, we’ve got some interesting wine from Chile and Argentina - not just Malbec and Cabernet. This is an “up and coming” wine region where producers are competing with the best in the world but you are still able to get more bang for your buck. With significant French wine influence, Spanish culture, and a rugged wild west attitude, South American wines are sure fun to drink.

Red Wine #1:Hacienda Araucano Clos de Lolol Red 2019

Colchagua Valley is red wine heaven and one of South America's most important wine-producing regions, nestled between the Andes and the Coastal Mountain range. The region produces some of Chile's best red wines, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, and Syrah. It’s one of Chile's most promising wine regions, thanks to a mix of favorable environment, climate, soil and skilled winemakers.

Red #1 this month comes more specifically from the Colchagua sub-region of Lolol, but the wines from here are nothing to LOL at! Lolol is located in a valley within the coastal ranges on the west coast of Chile and only 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean.  A significant factor that cools the area is the Humboldt Current, a cold, low salinity current that stems from Antartica and acts as a large natural air conditioner fanning into vineyards (even affecting vines all the way up into Napa Valley). Lolol has been given a DO or "protected designation of origin" status largely due to the Lurton family of Bordeaux, keen pioneers of South American terroir who have a stake in Lolol's future in the form of their Hacienda Araucano winery.

Jacques y Francois Lurton S.A. was created in 1988 by two brothers, sons of Andre Lurton, the famous winemaker of Bordeaux (Chateaux Bonnet, La Louviere, Dauzac…). After lengthy research in several regions of Chile, François  Lurton planted his vineyard on virgin terroir, with poor soil and a healthy, balanced climate. The choice of the Lolol Valley proved to be judicious, thanks to the weather conditions and the granite schist terroir. These vines are 100% disease free (never been damaged by Phylloxera), 100% organic and Demeter certified (biodynamic). The farm is treated as a living organism, with the use of animals as natural pest and weed control. This highly acclaimed red blend is comprised of 36% Carmenere, 25% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot (whew). It is a wine that reveals itself in stages, bringing to light the complexity of this blend. Starting off with both red and black fruits, mint and green pepper which are indicative of Chilean wines, ending with background hints of leather, white pepper and licorice. You can drink this now or put it away for up to 6 years and enjoy with your favorite steak or grilling companion.

Red Wine #2: Ver Sacrum Gloria S Garnacha Los Chacayes Valle De Uco 2019

Los Chacayes is a relatively new wine region in the Uco Valley and home to some of the most exciting new white and red wines of Argentina. Tucked into the Andes foothills in the Tunuyán region, Los Chacayes pioneered by the Lurton brothers, François and Jacques, famed Bordeaux winemakers who decided to invest in Argentina and plant in this virgin land back in 1996 (see Red #1 or better yet taste it to know more about these brothers). The Geographic Indication (GI) of Los Chacayes, which was established in 2017, was formed not on the basis of ‘terroir’, but using the legal boundary. This means that, while it isn’t an enormous area, it is quite a diverse region. There are over 2,300 feet in difference between the highest and lowest altitude sites, which in turn make for climatic differences, with sites ranging from moderately warm to extremely cool-climate. Los Chacayes produces a range of red Mediterranean varieties (Garnacha, Syrah and Mourvèdre) performing particularly well. This area does have a standout style of Malbec, with red fruit and a bold framework, but it is a GI that offers so much more. It’s fun to see what is happening in Los Chacayes with complex white blends, interesting Mediterranean varieties, and new vineyards are being planted all the time. It’s an evolving appellation and a really exciting one to follow.

Eduardo Soler and two friends started Ver Sacrum in 2012 with the concept of growing and vinifying Rhone varietals. Their winemaking ethos focuses on fresh, low alcohol, lighter skin contact, native yeast, honest, and easy drinking wines. They currently make wine from their small vineyard in Los Chacayes, Uco Valley where they have  planted Grenache, Monastrell, Carignan, Roussane, Marsanne, Mencia, Syrah, Teroldego, and Nebbiolo.  Eduardo came into winemaking after returning to Mendoza and reuniting with some of the most adventurous growers of Argentina.  He is also an avid mountaineer who has climbed multiple famous peaks and worked ski patrol in Aspen and Mendoza for many years.  He currently owns and operates a small ski resort 2 hours outside of Mendoza.  The whole purpose of this boutique project was to do something different and bring Mediterranean varieties and a lighter, juicier style of wines to Mendoza. Garnacha is their calling card (they call it the Cinderella of the reds), and Gloria is the crème de la crème. Sappy, floral and feminine but with tension and texture, walking the line between ethereal and electric. The label shows Gloria Swanson, femme fatale and siren of the silent movies, a fitting moniker for this sultry, sexy wine. Feel free to throw Gloria in the fridge for about 15 minutes before letting her do her thing.

“When the old sent their young to found new villages, bringing grape vines to start new vineyards, they gave off by a ceremony called the sacred spring or Ver Sacrum.  Since then, the Ver Sacrum is a symbol of the new tribe, new art, new vine.  We renew this ancient vow, with the audacity create something new.  This is our Ver Sacrum”- Eduardo Soler

White Wine #1: Ver Sacrum Geisha Dragon del Desierto 2021

We are staying in Los Chacayes, Uco Valley, Argentina (see Red #2) for white #1. If you get one red and one white, the Lurton family that made your red also pioneered and named this area (‘Chacayes’ the name given for the little jackal that wanders through the vineyards). This particular part of the Uco Valley has a different altitude from the rest of the valley, being between 350 and 3,600 feet above sea level. This is an up and coming area just recognized as a geographic indication in 2017 with lots of diversity in soils and climate. Its great divergence means that Los Chacayes is suitable for a wide range of varieties. There are some excellent white wines from the region, particularly rhone varietals that make the area an exciting area to follow.

Eduardo Soler and two friends started Ver Sacrum in 2012 with the concept of growing and vinifying Rhone varietals sustainably. The pioneering vintners planted exclusively Rhone and Spanish varietals at 3600 ft in the Uco Valley of Mendoza. This was a pretty bold move considering Argentine powerhouses such as Catena Zapata and Zuccardi were already getting massive scores and $50-$100+ a bottle for pretty much any Malbec they grew in this region. Eduardo persisted, his winemaking ethos focusing on fresh, low alcohol, and lighter skin contact, going against expectations of Argentine wine. Over ten years later Ver Sacrum’s wines are receiving growing critical acclaim, but thankfully they aren’t selling for $50+ a bottle... yet! Although their vineyards are planted at 3600 ft. above sea level, it’s still very dry and harsh at this elevation. They combat this by planting the vines East/West (vs North/South) to get less sun and not cook the fruit. They set out to create something different with more complexity, and that they did. The Geisha Dragon of the Desert is a beguiling co-fermentation of 70% Viognier, 20% Marsanne & 10% Pedro Ximénez (not the same PX as in Sherry). 90% of the wine stays in the concrete egg sur lie for 11 months; the other 10% is aged under flor (oxidatively) in French oak barrels before being back blended with the main body of the wine. The final wine is then aged for a further 12 months in bottle prior to release. The results are extraordinary, an incredibly fresh wine given the winemaking techniques, yet with a texture verging on voluptuous. Think fresh cut white flowers with lemon, dried apricot/peach, and a touch of fresh baked bread. Pair with fatty fishes, sushi or anything greasy! This wine is as shy as a Geisha when you first open her up but let her breathe and the dragon will appear!

White Wine #2: Amayna Sauvignon Blanc 2022

White #2 takes us to Leyda Valley, a small sub-region of the San Antonio Valley wine region in Chile, located just 55 miles west of the Chilean capital, Santiago. This cool-climate region enjoys the effects of the cold Humboldt Current of the Pacific Ocean, and consequently produces bright, vibrant wines. The region is also responsible for excellent examples of Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah. Leyda Valley has traditionally been associated with wheat and barley production, but is rapidly gaining a reputation among wine critics and consumers for high-quality viticulture. The first vignerons appeared in Leyda in the late 1990s, attracted by a terroir that was almost perfect for the production of premium grapes, save for the lack of an abundant source of water for irrigation. A significant investment by a wine-producing family in the area saw the construction of a pipeline five miles (8km) long to channel water from the Maipo River in the south which opened a world of potential in the area.

Amayna is a newish label from the Garcés Silva family, pioneers in Chile's wine industry. With a long lasting tradition which spans many generations, the Garcés Silva family has developed a deep bond with the land, imprinting a unique quality-seal to each of its different agricultural activities. In 1999, the Garcés Silva family planted the first vines in their property in Leyda, thus becoming pioneers in producing Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir with an ocean-view. The word "amayna" in Chile loosely translates to "the calm after the storm" - that ominous yet peaceful feeling that you only experience around the ocean. Their gravity-fed winery and vineyards sit with an unobstructed view just 7 miles from the Pacific Ocean. All Amayna wines are certified sustainable through Wines of Chile Sustainability Code. Tangy aromas of zesty citrus, sea brine and fresh herbs open this Leyda Valley SB that has emerged as one of Chile's most consistently excellent Sauvignon Blancs. Green-melon, thyme and citrus flavors extend across a clean, stony, acid-driven finish. This was made for seafood dishes dressed in olive oil and lemon juice.

Bubbles #1: Alma 4 Sparkling Chardonnay 2019:

Mendoza’s universal success built around plush, fruity, fragrant Malbec is expanded by the wines coming from the Uco Valley, which represent the latest frontier in ultra-high altitude, cool-climate viticulture.  Nestled against the foothills of the Andes, the Uco Valley is vast, spanning three departments and covering an area 45 miles long from north to south and 15 miles wide, roughly equivalent to the planted area of Sonoma County in California. Influenced by the Andes Mountains, the climate in this region is continental, with hot, long summers and cold winters. The average annual temperature is approximately 59 °F. There are also harsh extremities in day and night temperatures, which is great for maintaining a good balance between sugar and acidity levels in grapes. The vineyards are located at 2,800-3,600 feet altitude. The soils are mainly composed of alluvial, sand, and clay, suitable for quality viticulture and flavor intensification in wines. Uco Valley terroir is considered one of the best in the world, recognized by numerous producers, and measured by the highest standards. Many wine producers, attracted by the excellence of terroir, have come from France, Italy, and the whole of Europe to Uco Valley and achieved great success. Vista Flores, the sub-region of the Uco Valley where these grapes come from, is cool enough to be classified as Category II on the Winkler Scale, basically it’s the same climate as Bordeaux, great for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Sparkling wine!

Agustín Lopez, Mauricio Castro, Marcela Manini and Sebastian Zuccardi met at the Liceo Agrícola & Enológico School in Mendoza Argentina when they were 17 years old and they eventually formed Alma 4. Two years later, the quartet vinified 300 bottles of Methode Tradicional wine in 1998, their first year of production. Over 20 years later, they are still making wine together and they currently produce 5 sparkling cuvées from parcels located in the Uco Valley. This sustainable sparkling wine is 100% Chardonnay made in the traditional method from two separate vineyards high up in the Uco Valley. With 30 months on the lees, this Blanc de Blanc shows toasty notes of brioche on the nose with hints of white flowers and lemon peel. It’s also super crisp with touches of green apple on the palate that leads to a creamy, almond croissant finish…#breakfastwine

Bubbles #2: Louis-Antoine Luyt, País Rosé Pet Nat 

He may be a native Burgundian, but Louis-Antoine Luyt has quickly become a seminal voice in the fight for independent, terror driven winemaking in Chile. In a country where wine production is run almost entirely by enormous industrial wineries, L.A. has managed to source fruit and rent vines from independent farmers throughout the Maule Valley.  At 22, Luyt was sick of living in France. With the excuse of polishing up his Spanish, he planned a three month trip to South America. This quickly became a permanent vacation of sorts; needing to find work, he found a gig as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. Working his way up, he eventually became the wine buyer and was introduced to Hector Vergara, who at the time was the only Master of Wine in South America. Hector was opening a sommelier school in Santiago, and Louis-Antoine was amongst his first students.

This gave him the opportunity to taste wines from all over the world, of course with a particularly strong focus accorded to Chilean wine. Louis-Antoine flew back to France to study viticulture and oenology in Beaune. During his studies, he befriended Mathieu Lapierre, and a subsequent five consecutive harvests in Villié Morgan led to a great friendship with the Lapierre family. It was also L.A's introduction to natural wine, a philosophy he became determined to bring back to Chile.

This rosato Pet-Nat is a rare appearance of Luyt's small batch sparkling rosé. Made of organically grown País grapes, the same used in his red pipeño wines. Pais has a long history, particularly in Chile, where it was introduced by Spanish missionaries in the 16th century. It is considered one of the oldest grape varieties in the Americas and played a vital role in the early wine industry of the region. Bottled in the style of a pet-nat, finishing its ferment in the bottle for natural bubbles. Nothing has been added to this wine, not even sulfites. This sparkler is full of lots of great blood orange, strawberry and peach fruit with a dry, saline finish. It goes down way too easy and is the epitome of a “porch pounder”. A perfect partner for shellfish or white pizza!!

July 2023

Cruising the Adriatic

Our “Summer Abroad” runs again July - August - September this year, and of course we’re exploring three new regions of the world! We’re starting on an epic Adriatic cruise, around the eastern coast Italy, stopping in Slovenia for some time on land, and ending up back on the Croatian coast. This is a less explored part of the world, than say, the Mediterranean, but it’s just as gorgeous and just as tasty!

Red Wine #1:La Valentina Spelt Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2020

Italy is known in the wine world for its legion of grape varieties, stunning scenery and outstanding food but some of Italy’s best-kept secrets are located on the country’s central eastern coast. Where the sea meets the mountains, the appeal of the Adriatic coast alone is surely enough to draw us to Italy’s eastern regions, specifically, Abruzzo.  The region is just about a two hour drive east of Rome. It stretches 86 miles along the Adriatic coast and has many rugged mountains, including Gran Sasso, which is one of Italy’s highest peaks at 9554 feet. Some of the best vineyards are on hillsides with views of the ocean in the distance. It has a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine along the coast and an average rainfall of 26 inches per year. Inland, in the Apennines mountains, it is a more continental climate with snow in the winters. 

Abruzzo has been producing wine since the 6th century BC with a heritage from the Etruscans but is probably more exciting now than ever. It’s currently going through a phase of its evolution where it is repositioning itself from being a land of coops to more  family estates, adopting more organic farming, and shifting from varietal minded to terroir focused.

Although the rediscovery of ancient varieties is always welcome, the focus in Abruzzo remains firmly on Montepulciano, not to be confused with the town in Tuscany. It’s a versatile grape, in the sense that it can give pleasure in numerous guises. It can be vinified and aged in stainless steel to give a simple, attractive wine with freshness and transparency of fruit. If cropped low, it can be aged in casks or barriques – even new barriques – to create wines of altogether greater depth, concentration and complexity.

La Valentina is a leading example of the modern renaissance of winemaking in Abruzzo. It all starts with the land, which they have acquired several vineyard sites that are located at higher elevations, have a strong commitment to sustainability and all the estate vineyards have been certified organic since 2016. La Valentina’s winemaking is managed by consulting enologist Luca D’Attoma, one of Italy’s most precise & detailed winemakers, who joined the winery team in 1998. 

The Spelt Montepulciano d’Abruzzo represents a fuller-bodied version of this traditional wine compared with La Valentina’s Montepulciano d’Abruzzo in the Classica line. It is made with the first selection of Montepulciano grapes from the vineyards. In addition, all of the wine for Spelt is aged in wood, for a total of 18 months. The name Spelt refers to a type of wheat (faro in Italian) that once grew where the La Valentina winery is located. Expect a rich and layered wine with red with dark berries, chocolate, and spice. The Spelt will pair with everything from grilled meat to pizza & pasta with red sauce. Time for spaghetti night!

Red Wine #2: Grape Abduction Red 1L

“From far off in space, we observed your little blue and green planet, spinning around your great yellow sun at unimaginable speeds – well, at least they are unimaginable to you. And we realized that there was one special place on this planet with the perfect conditions to grow wine fit for the tastes of space: Stajerska, Slovenia.” - Grape Abduction

Of Slovenia’s wine destinations, Primorska and Brda on the country’s southwestern Adriatic coast, are the most famous. But on the opposite, northeastern end of the country, an interesting new scene is growing. Called Styria in English and Štajerska in Slovenian the region is a land of rolling hills between the Alps and the Pannonian Plain. Štajerska (Shh-sty-ur-ska) Slovenia is part of the Podravje wine region, with its wines reflecting the Germanic influence this land has often fallen under. Within the region is a town called Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia, established in 69 AD. The winemaker of Grape Abduction, Peter Gönc, lives there and says Roman artifacts are found every time you put a shovel in the ground.

Grape Abduction is a special project between Gönc Winery and Importer JP Bourgeois.  Gönc winery is a family tradition going back to 1936, when Peter Gönc’s great grandfather built their first wine cellar and planted the vineyard around it in the small town of Dobrovnik in Slovenia. After World War II, his grandfather moved to the city Ptuj where he started working in the Ptujska Klet, or Ptuj wine cellar, as a cellar cleaner and worked his way up to head winemaker and CEO of the oldest winery in Slovenia, now known as Pullus. Peter is the 4th generation of winemakers and winegrowers in the family. Farming is organic, and all the wines receive little to no added sulfites at bottling. Despite this minimal intervention, the wines are even more stable and long lasting, even once open, making them ideal for those of you that like to keep your wines for a few days. Speaking of lasting a few days, this bottle is 1 liter. Yes, you get some extra wine but it goes way beyond that. It’s all about impact. 1 case of 12 wines of 1L bottles is lighter empty than 12 bottles of 750ml. In short, you get more wine, less impact, less carbon footprint, less cost. Unfortunately the US has a stigma that larger format (liters) are the same as jug wine (plonk ) and it’s not the case. Europe understands this and are making high quality wines in liter bottles while being sustainable in every aspect. A win-win for everyone!

Grape Abduction Company Red is 100% Blaufränkisch, aged 7 months in stainless steel. A cosmic ruby red color with pungent aromas of blackberries, cranberries, soft dark spices, and warm currant notes. On the palate, this natural Blaufränkisch is pure, and lively with a very smooth mouth feel and a long, fruity and spicy finish. Serve slightly chilled, with grilled meats, hard cheeses, or a hot July day.

White Wine #1: Live Felluga Friulano Colli Orientali Del Friuli 2021

We are now taking you to the Italian white wine heaven on the Adriatic, Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG for short)! While red wine lovers crush on Piedmont and Tuscany on the western side of Italy, some of the greatest white wines can be found in northeastern Italy. FVG lies in the top-right corner of Italy, between Austria, Slovenia, the Adriatic Sea, and Veneto (Venice!). Although the region is relatively small compared to the rest of Italy, it ranks among the best for producers of white wines.

As they say: “the best wine comes from the hills” and this one is from the Friuli Colli Orientali DOC, Colli meaning hills or slopes in Italian. Vines do very well when planted on the Colli which are protected by the Alps to the North and exposed to gentle sea breezes to the South. Winemaking here dates back to Roman times and today, you can find international and local varieties growing side-by-side including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio. White wines of Colli Orientali del Friuli feature scents of white flowers and ripe apples. On the palate you’ll taste lots of stone fruit and a long tingly finish. Despite the prevalence of international varieties in Colli Orientali, it’s the local varieties that are worthy of interest, enter Friulano- the flagship white wine of Friuli.

Friulano, formerly known as Tocai Friulano before Hungary pumped the brakes on that, is a wine that makes friends easily. When you are in Friuli, you will drink friulano like it’s your birthright. If a region can have a house wine, it’s Friulano. It’s what you will find on tables by the glass, it’s the first choice in homes and restaurants. But it is being overshadowed on the international market by the region’s better-known white wines like pinot grigio. Stylistically, friulanos range from light and crisp to richer and full-bodied, but reliably exhibiting an alluring perfume of pears. If this is your first meeting of Friulano, you are in the best hands with Felluga!

Livio Felluga was a courageous, visionary, enlightened man, always with an eye towards his family, his land, his hills. It is easy to understand how the history of Livio Felluga and of his wine is intertwined with the history of this particular land. It is the story of a man who lived through two world wars and he came back here after World War II to fight to rescue the vineyards and viticulture. Livio Felluga loved Friuli and is considered to be the founder of the Friuli wine tradition. After huge efforts and struggles he saw his dream come true. He died in 2016, at 102 years old and having positioned his wines as some of the best in Italy. His Friulano is a classic example of this amazing grape. Once poured, this wine is in your face with beautiful aromas of yellow peach, tropical fruit and a huge bouquet of flowers. The palate is lush and ripe with apricot flavors that partner with crushed stone and almond. On the finish, the palate is wiped clean by a rush of acidity that keeps the wine fresh. Traditionally enjoyed as an aperitif in Friuli, this wine is a great match with prosciutto crudo, salami and other sliced meats. It also pairs beautifully with fish dishes, lobster rolls and soft cheeses.

White Wine #2: Johannes Protner Riesling Bozja Oka 2021

Even though Slovenia is the most underrated wine destination in Europe, it certainly is trending right now! We are are doing our part to get it out of Italy’s shadow by making a few stops this month around this exciting wine haven. This stop brings us to the Podravje region, specifically the town of Maribor, home to the world’s oldest, still producing fruit, grape-vine. At 450 years old, this vine of the grape, Žametovka, has it’s own museum and only produces 100 eight-ounce bottles of wine per year. We’re pretty sure they are not exporting any of this to Florida, but one of the many reasons to go visit this wine country. 

House Joannes Protner is located five kilometers from the center of Maribor and run by Boštjan Protner and his wife, Mojca, as well as  heavily assisted by their children Martin, Katarina and Ana. The family has been devoted to viticulture for over three decades and now have a total of 18 hectares of vineyards. The family focuses almost entirely on various expressions of Riesling as the grape excels in this terroir and continental cool climate, to deliver an unrivaled Slovenian complex expression. All viticulture on their small family farm is practicing organic and all fermentations are done with native yeasts, with only small amounts of sulfur additions done at bottling (only 7,200 bottles produced).

We were fortunate enough to meet one of the daughters in Miami recently and fell in love with this wine. When the winemaker has a killer tattoo of the word ‘RIESLING’ on his forearm and one of his daughters was awarded the title of Slovenian Wine Queen in 2021, we knew we had to share this with you. Within the bottle, you will find pretty aromas of roses, linden blossoms, apricot and peach. Dry rieslings with raging acidity are fantastic with sushi/sashimi and various Thai curries with spice…..riesling just makes everything nice.

Bubbles #1: Pomalo Pet Nat Rose

We would be remiss if we didn’t take you to the beautiful Croatian coast of Dalmatia while on our trek of the Adriatic. It is in the Dalmatia wine region that the earliest records of viticulture in Croatia were found. Today, winemakers still prefer to follow traditional winemaking methods and preference is given to the production of red wine over white wine. Dalmatia is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful winemaking regions in Croatia. Many of the vineyards are located in breathtaking locations on challenging and steep slopes which are wonderful to see. Many of Croatia’s 40 native grape varieties are grown here, and have been for centuries set up by ancient Greek colonists in the 4th century BC.

Pomalo Wine Co. has a great story. The description of the word “pomalo” cannot be found in any Croatian dictionary. Literally, “pomalo” means to take it easy, to relax, no stress, but also slow down, no worries…The true meaning of ”pomalo” is rooted in the coastal and island lifestyle and the general state of mind of the Dalmatians. Us Americans can use more Pomalo, all the time. The Begović cousins are two phenomenal winemakers from starkly different backgrounds - one based in the northeastern mountains of Slovenia, one based on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia — whom discovered their long-lost relation to each other over their mutual family lineage in the village of Kozice, Croatia. Together, they teamed up and fused their winemaking styles to create and celebrate pure wines of enjoyment, fun and leisure. 

This dry sparkling Rose Pet Nat wine is made from 100% Plavina. When compared to other coastal reds, Plavina is a bit fresher, softer, brighter, more restrained, and livelier, so much so that one would never guess that it comes from a warmer climate on the rocky soils located right in front of the pristine Adriatic Sea! These juicy refreshing bubbles are full of strawberry, raspberry, grapefruit and pair perfectly with sunsets, hammock naps, and straight fjaka (aka doing nothing).

Bubbles #2: Sanctum Volk Pet Nat Blanc 2021

Our trip around the Adriatic ends in Styria, Slovenia. The uneven terrain of carbonate clay soil naturally, in the mid-12th century, attracted French Carthusian monks who settled in this northeast region of Slovenia and planted it with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. Sanctum is a boutique, family wine cellar sanctum and their name implies ‘something hidden and sacred’. The Podkubovšek family, starting with Vlado and his son, Marko, have always cherished and been proud of this local heritage, hence the fact that all of their wines are made in a traditional style, where the vines and the microclimate speak for themselves. All of the grapes are strictly hand-picked on steep marl-rich slopes of up to 45°, and vinified with minimal intervention in the winemaking process.

The Volk Pet Nat Blanc is 100% Pinot Blanc, a genetic mutation of Pinot Noir that also hails from Burgundy. Bursting with aromas of fresh Meyer lemon, minerals, and Asian pear and on the palate, this vivacious bubbly is a fun wine to have on it’s own before a meal or follow suit of the Fox on the label, fire up the grill and throw on some tunes on.

June 2023

Red Wine #1: Robert Biale Vineyards Party Line Zinfandel 2021 

Since we are in the thick of BBQ season, we thought it would be a fun idea to take you on a Zinfandel journey and we will start with the one grown right here in the US. This  grape is American in a way that virtually no other widely cultivated variety is. While the history of wine in the US is relatively short, Zinfandel’s longevity is to be celebrated. By far the vast majority of the old vine vineyards that still exist in California are Zinfandel vineyards. And although the variety is not native to the US, like most things truly American, it came from somewhere else but made its name here.

Zinfandel’s ancestry lies in Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, where it’s known as ‘Tribidrag’, and also genetically identical to the variety the Italians call Primitivo, which is widely grown in Puglia. But despite many waves of migration from Italy to California, Zinfandel actually made it to America by way of Vienna, Austria, where George Gibbs, a nursery owner on Long Island, attained the first cuttings in 1820. By the time the grape arrived in California, it quickly grew in popularity and loved it’s new living environment. The beauty of California and Zinfandel is that it’s truly even more Mediterranean in climate than the Mediterranean. Rarely, if ever, do they get hard rains before harvest, and that’s key to Zinfandel: it can get as ripe as it needs to be without the risk of rot. 

Despite the negativity this grape got in the past for it’s sweet, white style, being super high octane without the acid to balance it out or being “too pleasureable/hedonistic”, Zinfandel gives a vintner the opportunity to craft something that will give you different flavors, aromatics, and textures more than anything else. 

When you work with old vine Zinfandel, you become the caretaker of a piece of history and Robert Biale certainly takes that to heart. From the winery’s inception, the Biale founders have cherished the tradition of historic old vines (some dating to the 1880s!) and prize the small quantity of concentrated and intense fruit that they produce. It all started in the 1940s when 14-year-old Aldo Biale helped his mother make ends meet by selling to insider Napa-ians–along with eggs and produce–some of the family’s homemade Zinfandel. Over the old “party line” phone system, the code words “a Black Chicken” signified a jug of bootleg wine…and kept nosy neighbors and the authorities from finding out about Aldo’s underground Zinfandel operation! According to them this is a new age for Zinfandel. Old vines and historic sites in California that have been overlooked and under-appreciated are enjoying new respect among wine students and wine lovers. Biale Vineyards and their peer group of devout Zinfandel winemakers are taking this old California classic to new heights (The Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel has become a benchmark for the varietal). This Party Line Zin is vibrant & versatile full of dusty strawberry, raspberry and spicy cinnamon. Perfect for all BBQ- from Burgers to Korean!!

Red Wine #2: Indigenous Salento Primitivo

Keeping with the Zinfandel theme, we thought it would be fun to throw an Italian one in there and geek out with us by trying both (side by side). The grape that started off life in Croatia was brought to southern Italy, where it thrived, loving the warm and temperate climates, especially around Puglia. Here it became known as Primitivo, which translates as “early ones” paying homage to the fact that this grape ripens early. Legend says Primitivo was the wine served at the Last Supper…

The next big journey for the grape was to the United States, in the early 1800s, where it was planted, initially on the east coast. Around 1840, Zinfandel made its way to California, where it became very popular during the gold rush. Currently, there are over 43,000 acres of Zinfandel planted in California, notably in Lodi, Paso Robles, North Coast, and the Sierra Foothills. In Italy, there are over 2,500 acres of Primitivo, planted mostly in Puglia. Finally, in Croatia, there are about 170 acres of Tribidrag (it’s local name). 

Differences between Primitivo and Zinfandel are more related to the soils, climate, and winemaking, rather than slight DNA differences. Overall, in the case of both Zinfandel and Primitivo, you tend to see lots of big fruit flavors ranging through all the colors of the berry spectrum – raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry – typically mixed with notes of sweet spices, vanilla, and chocolate. The wines tend to be medium to full-bodied, medium to medium+ tannins, and it tends to have medium+ to high levels of alcohol.  The California versions tend to have a ripe to jammy sweet fruit quality, although good versions will have enough acidity in the wine to maintain balance. Primitivo in Italy, rather than jammy fruit, often have a dried fruit note, kind of like craisin in that there’s also a tartness mixed in. The wines tend to be earthier, more tannic, and often have hints of bitter herbs and licorice mixed in. 

Founded in 2006 by winemaker Giorgio Rivetti. The concept behind the Indigenous private label is simple: real wines produced from some of Italy’s most interesting and extraordinary local grape varieties. The label donning the flower represents the flowers that bloom in the vineyard when you don’t use pesticides, hence this wine is organic. 100% Primitvio from 20-year-old vines, fermented and aged in stainless steel, you are getting a pure expression of the grape. With notes of raspberry jam, licorice and orange peel this is also a perfect wine for grilling. Grab a bottle of both Zin’s this month and let the backyard party ensue…..

White Wine #1: Domaine Landron Chartier "Melon B"

With all the BBQ (meat) chatter with the 2 reds this month, let’s turn the tables and focus on one for the pescatarian/vegetarian folks….and that would be Melon de Bourgogne. Better known as Muscadet, this is the dominant grape of the area around Nantes on the coast of Brittany, where the Loire meets the Atlantic Ocean. Muscadet can have a bracing sea tang, and such an affinity for the shellfish of the Breton coast – the label tells you exactly what to pair with it – that it may come as a surprise that the Melon de Bourgogne is a relatively recent arrival, and its dominance in the region was the result of one terrible winter.

The Melon has a long history but not all in one place. As the name would imply, the variety originated in Burgundy but was removed from the vineyards there in the 16th century, as other varieties proved more successful in that climate. It caught the attention of Dutch distillers who needed large quantities of wine with which to make brandy. The Dutch started planting Melon in vineyards near Nantes, the most convenient port from which to ship the wine to Holland, in the 17th century. At the time the area was planted primarily with red grapes but when the worst winter in recorded history devastated the vineyards in 1709, causing barrels to burst in the cellars and even freezing the coastal waters, the Melon was one of two varieties to survive and it has dominated the region ever since.

Although it was originally a rather neutral wine, Muscadet producers have refined their techniques in order to make wines with their own distinctive attributes. In particular, the wine is left on the lees for the winter between fermentation in autumn and bottling in spring, 6 months as in this case. This allows the wine to develop a fuller flavor and a slight carbonation that gives the wine additional freshness. To an even greater degree than Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, Melon de Bourgogne is a grape that achieves its best expression in the Loire. It is rarely planted elsewhere. As Muscadet, however, it produces one of the friendliest, most refreshing wines in the world — the ideal seaside wine.

If you were fortunate enough to experience the Jo Landron Atmospheres sparkling wine we had in January, then you know you are in for a treat. This crisp, apple, pear and honeydew expression of the grape comes to you from Jo’s brother and his son, Bernard & Benoît. Organic since 2010, they have a patchwork of vineyards mostly situated around the towns of Ligne and Udon. Soils are mostly a mix of decomposed volcanic material; mica schist, granite and gneiss. Muscadet particularly enjoys the diversity of soils and Atlantic breezes resulting in wines of freshness and a signature minerality. Pair with oysters, mussels, shrimp, salmon in sauce or even salads, also a great alternative for Chablis lovers!

White Wine #2: Domaine FL Savenniéres

According to our wine holiday calendar, there are two grapes that need some celebration this month. On your pick-up day, June 17th, it happens to be ‘Drink Chenin Blanc Day’ (you don’t have to ask us twice)!!  Let’s look at it from it’s spiritual home, the Loire Valley. Chenin, also called Pineau de la Loire, may have come to the Loire Valley more than a thousand years ago. Although widely planted in the United States and in South Africa, it attains its highest and most characteristic expression only in a one hundred mile stretch of the Loire Valley between Vouvray, Anjou and Savenniéres. Unlike any other grape except our darling Riesling, Chenin Blanc can be vinified in a range of styles from austere, mineral, and refreshing to rich, honeyed, and sweet, as you know also makes excellent sparkling wine.

Chenin Blanc from the Loire can be tricky as you don’t always know what’s in the bottle as far as sweetness goes, unless it’s from Saviennéres. For most of its history, Savennières wine had been sweet – or at least off-dry. In the latter decades of the 20th Century producers and consumers alike began turning towards the drier style we know today. Savennières now stands out proudly as the only dry white appellation in Anjou's sea of sweet wine. Savennières Chenin Blancs come from schist soils of a mere 200 acres on the north bank of the Loire River on a plateau that stops abruptly, forming cliffs that drop down to the river. The appellation also has a strong streak of organic and biodynamic philosophies. Because the taste of the grape is relatively neutral, It can soak up the taste of Savenniéres’ terroir, especially with dry wines. That’s why they can achieve so many different tastes and why some of the wines age so well.

When Philip Fournier Longchamps established Domaine FL by buying two estates in 2006 and 2007, he had a clear vision. Born and raised in Anjou, he and his son Julien resolved to make Savennières that could age for decades, inspired by old vintages in Philip’s father cellar. The pair work organically in the vineyards, with some plots farmed biodynamically. The aim is to express the terroir to its fullest potential, and consultants in the vineyard focus on plot-by-plot winemaking. The estate chose to eschew malolactic fermentation, the conversion of acids that make you hate some buttery chardonnays, in order to preserve acidity and achieve maximum aging potential as well as avoiding oxidation at all costs, which some Savennieres is know for. You are going to love this example of Chenin Blanc!! Shuck some oysters and celebrate Drink Chenin Blanc Day 2023. That’s not a suggestion at this point, guess it’s a demand ;)

Bubbles #1: Lini 910 Lambrusco Labrusca Riserva NV

If you were at our Bubbles Bash this past Sunday, just know the Lambrusco we poured was the Belle of the Ball that day out of the 8…AND it has a holiday this month too on the 23rd, so WINE NOT?

Before you say “You mean that cheap, sweet red wine that tastes like soda?” Let us begin by saying Lambrusco is not your Grandma’s wine anymore, blame the wine boom of the 1970s for that. Yes, if you are seeking out a sweet version it’s out there but we digress. Lambrusco is awesome and its story is more fascinating than probably imagined.

Lambrusco is actually a family of very old grape varieties native to Italy. Thought to have been mentioned in De Agri Cultura in 160 BC – humanity’s oldest printed farming manual, this crew of grapes might just be the OG.  Most wines are a blend of several distinct varieties, each with a unique taste profile. The best Lambruscos are dry (secco) and barely sweet (semisecco) and are almost always made in a semi-sparkling, frizzante, style. There are about 10 different varieties each adding a different ingredient into the blend. The majority of Lambrusco production occurs in Emilia-Romagna, a region in Italy that is home to many famous delicacies. Balsamic vinegar from Modena, Prosciutto, and Parmesan-Reggiano cheese are all specialities of Emilia-Romagna. 

Lini 910 is a fourth-generation, family-owned and operated winery founded in 1910 by Oreste Lini. Lini has produced some of Emilia's leading wines including the first-ever Lambrusco included in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of Italy. The Lini 910 Lambrusco Labrusca Riserva is a blend of 85% Lambrusco Salamino which lends delightful aromatic qualities of cherries and violets along with the structure (tannin), creaminess and color. 15% Ancellotta which adds deeper color and lifted acidity. This full- bodied Lambrusco delivers notes of underripe wild berries and ripe red fruit and a must with pizza, charcuterie and dare we say even oysters, shucked or grilled. This one just hit the US market so you will be one of the first to try it in the states!!

Bubbles #2: Bodega Tapiz Extra Brut Malbec Rose

As far as sparkling wines go, Argentina is definitely on our radar, as well as other winemakers around the world, particularly from France. This winery happens to have not just a Frenchman as a consultant, but Jean Claude Berrouet.  Monsieur Berrouet was the first permanent winemaker at Chateau Petrus (#IYKYK) in 1964. After 44 crops in one of the most famous wineries in the world, he retired and continued as a consultant for Patricia Ortiz, owner of Tapiz. What is attracting these prevalent winemakers to a “warmer” place to make sparkling wine you might ask? The Uco Valley of Mendoza. 

The Uco Valley is located 55 miles south of the city of Mendoza and has the altitude that is now considered the “new” high elevation region, some vineyards are up to 5,000  ft. Climate is continental: dry with plenty of sun, low rainfall, cold winters and warm summers with a large thermal range. The soil is the holy grail of calcareous clay and limestone, what most French winemakers are used to playing with. Previously considered too cold and too steep for viticulture, Chandon first planted vines in 1992 and others followed. Could this be South America’s answer to the Champagne region??

Tapiz is Spanish for “tapestry”; indicating the different components combined to create the wine, such as it’s high-altitude, fruit, the land, the sun, and the workers. This traditional method sparkler is 100% Malbec, sustainably farmed at 4,430 feet asl. Lots of red fruit particularly strawberry with a hint of earthiness, this Argentinean import is super crushable!

May 2023

Red Wine #1: Limited Addition Red Blend 2021

LTD+ Wines is a project under the Constant Crush umbrella, a consulting team lead by visionaries, Bree and Chad Stock. Bree is a Master of Wine and Chad is an Enologist with lots of viticulture experience under his belt. This project showcases Oregon’s unique and ever-changing grape diversity, while allowing Chad and Bree to explore their penchant for low-intervention winemaking.  

This red blend hails from the Elola-Amity Hills AVA in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. This AVA is a playground for winegrowers, winemakers, and wine lovers just one hour southwest of Portland. Cool air drives the character of the wines by its position due east of the Van Duzer Corridor, which provides a break in the Coast Range that allows cool Pacific Ocean air to flow through. Wines produced from this region offer high acidity, firm structure, and a darker, edgier personality.

An assembly of equal parts Pinot Noir, Trousseau and Gamay, this wine brings all the unrestrained aromatics of these three varieties into a single offering. Vibrantly red fruited with Alpine strawberry, cranberry, rhubarb and a hint of earth beet offered from the Pinot noir and Trousseau. The Gamay noir delivers the structured frame and base notes of violets, musk, star anise and salt licorice. This exciting sipper presents a view into authentic future styles from the Willamette Valley.

Red Wine #2: Szent Donat Magma Kekfrankos

Lake Balanton, Hungary….we’ve been here before back in December of 2021 with the Moric Hidden Treasures, that wine that was a blend of two of our favorite grapes, Riesling and Furmint and literally blew our minds! Well this wine was born on the northern shore of this lake in the wine-crazy town of Csopak, home to the Kovács family and their gastronomically-inclined estate, Szent Donát. St.Donat is the patron saint of vintners in Csopak. He is believed to protect the vineyards against summer storms and hail. St.Donat was a true Roman born in Rome with a strong faith in God. In 173 AD he served as a legionary in the Roman army and protected the borders of Pannonia (today Western Hungary). Once in a battle their legion got trapped. A heavy summer storm interrupted the fight and the legion could finally escape. It is believed that Donat’s prayers made this miracle happen. During his time veteran legionaries started planting the first vineyards in Csopak. Maybe not a coincidence that hail damage is very rare in the area.

There is an affluent, nearly royal sort of air to these towns, and that’s no coincidence. The volcanic Tihany Peninsula from which some of this Kékfrankos is grown and sourced - one of the only growing areas where red wines are permitted within Csopak’s certification - is where some of the wealthiest citizens of Hungary live, and where the Habsburg Imperial Family’s once-summer residence still stands. An area of deep and complex history that produces equally deep and complex wines - especially this rare red cuvée. 

Kékfrankos is Hungary’s most planted grape and is the same as same variety as Austria’s Blaufränkish. While a Hungarian urban legend states that it’s called Kékfrankos since occupying Napoleonic troops purchased wine in Sopron using their ‘blue francs’, then worth more than the local currency. Indeed, in Sopron, its surroundings, and just across the border in Austria and Croatia, you can now use the local currency Kékfrank in numerous outlets. The variety—with its crunchy red and black cherry fruit and spicy kick—is generally a crowd-pleaser and is considered one of the country’s best wine varieties. It’s also appreciated for its ability to express terroir. 

If Loire Cab Franc had a zany, distant Hungarian relative visiting on spring break, it would be in the form of this wine. On the nose: black currant and crushed sour cherries steeped in a mixture of rosemary, thyme and black pepper. On the palate: light to medium body, cranberries and currants. Vibrant acidity. Chill this to just below room temp, decant, and let it open up a bit. Perfect accompaniment with pork, veal, duck, lamb, cheese or a summer vegetable stir-fry. 

White Wine #1: Weingut Hans Wirsching Franken Silvaner Dry 2021 1L

Northwest of Germany's historic state of Bavaria, famous for it’s beer, is a wine-growing region called Franken that boasts a proud viticultural tradition and is one of the most unique regions in the country. The grape Silvaner is regarded locally as the best and most typical wine, and is known as the "King of Franken”, and is one of the only places in the world where it outperforms Riesling. This area is also home to the distinctive Bocksbeutal, an ellipsoidal bottle that is protected by the European Union. More than 40 percent of all Franken wines are bottled in the Bocksbeutal (ours is not)  which is often described as flagon-like in appearance. Needless to say the people of this region are passionate about their wine, thus most of that produced here is consumed locally.

The Wirsching estate dates to 1630, when Hans Wirsching donated a vineyard to the Abbey at Ebrach. Over the next several centuries, the Wirschings continued their love for, and involvement in, the business of agriculture and wine growing. In the late 19th century, the family almost gave up winemaking as the phylloxera louse devastated the European wine industry. It was a young Hans Wirsching who, in 1918 at age 23 and returning from World War I, made the decision to put all his energy into restoring the vineyards. Today they are one of the top producers of Silvaner in Germany.

Silvaner can express its terroir almost as well as Riesling. The aromas often resemble flowers and plants, or melons, yellow plums and apples. With its delicate, earthy and fruity tones and easily digestible acid, Silvaner makes an excellent food match, classically with with the hard to pair asparagus, but also excellent with fish. This example has a slew of yellow-apple and ripe-pear aromas that pull you into this unusually juicy dry silvaner that has a very neat balance of full fruit, discreet tannins and lively acidity. This is also a liter bottle, which means you get an extra glass..PROST!!

White Wine #2: Colli di Lapio Fiano di Avellino DOCG

Ancient Campania: this was the playground of the Roman elite. It’s home to Naples, stunning coastlines and the birthplace of pizza, as well as the creator of Limoncello and the famous Mozzarella di Bufala. All of these culinary delights are wonderful contributions to Italian culture, but in the interior of this densely populated area is the region’s most significant hidden gem, a patchwork of very unique wines.

Fiano di Avellino DOCG is an appellation for white wine, located in the Avellino province within the Campania region. It is regarded as the finest expression of the white Fiano grape and one of Italy's very best white wine designations. The Fiano grape variety dates back more than 2000 years. Its name comes from Vitis apiana, meaning vine beloved of bees. Apparently the grapes were so sweet that bees found them hard to resist.

This wine was appreciated in the Middle Ages. The story goes that Charles d'Anjou, King of Naples, was so enamored with this variety that he had 16,000 Fiano vines planted in the royal vineyards. and it is still one of the key players in the success of the modern Campania wine industry.

After selling grapes for four generations, the Romano family established their winery in 1994, currently lead by matriarch Clelia Romano.  It is a tiny estate, family run; low yields with meticulous supervision of vineyards. This bottle testifies to the acumen and dedication that Clelia Romano and enologist Angelo Pizzi bring to the table, literally and figuratively. It offers up enticing aromas and savory flavors reminiscent of spring flowers, citrus, stone fruits, and incense all wound around a solid energetic core of refreshing acidity and gentle minerality. For those wishing to capture the haunting magic of Italy’s Campania and breathtakingly beautiful Amalfi Coast, Colli di Lapio’s Fiano di Avellino is the wine. No smoke, no oak, no buttery tones or vanilla can be found only natural beauty born of the earth and sky. It’s no surprise that his organically farmed wine has won too many awards to count including the prized Gambero rosso Tre bicchieri over 10 times. Pair this one with buffalo mozzarella, shrimp scampi, Cioppino, fish, spicy dishes, herbs, salads and vegetables.

Bubbles #1: Le Vigne di Alice Rose Prosecco NV

A Brut sparkling rosé from a grower Prosecco producer in the foothills of the Dolomites? Tell us more….

Two women in the northern-most reaches of the Conegliano and Valdobiaddene hills with the Dolomites in their backyard are on a mission to make pure, elegant, natural, mineral Prosecco. Cinzia and Pier Francesca are full-on passion, working full-time in the vineyard and in the cantina (less romantic nowadays, but vital in sparkling wines). In this northern part of the Veneto, Soils are chalky, rocky, lean, and full of minerals. These women are practicing sustainable leaning to organic farming, with trees and other vegetation among the vineyard plots. No herbicides or pesticides in the vineyard, and all weeding is done by hand.

These are pink bubbles with a unique twist: Along with the traditional white grape of Prosecco, Glera, the pink comes from the distinctive variety Marzemino. Besides being Mozart’s favorite, Marzemino lends both aromatics and acidity. Although Marzemino has been grown in the Prosecco zone for generations, Alice is the only producer to use it in a sparkling wine (hence the wine called “Osé” means risqué or daring in Italian). The pink color and floral aromatics suggest sweetness, but in the mouth the wine is dry and completely refreshing. Pair this with someone who dares.

Bubbles #2: Elizabeth Spencer Brut Blanc de Blancs Methode Traditionnelle

Elizabeth Spencer Winery is the realization of a dream by husband-and-wife team Elizabeth Pressler and Spencer Graham, a couple who each enjoyed successful careers in the wine industry and share a love and respect for wine. With a “partners in life and partners in wine” philosophy their wines were built on the importance of strong relationships as well as sustainable/organic farming. You can see their wine stylings on the white side of our shelf with their North Coast Sauvignon Blanc. 

If you’ve been to Napa, you’ve probably driven by the 1872 brick Post Office building on the corner of Rutherford Road and Hwy 29 which ES restored and opened in May 2006 as their tasting room. Elizabeth Spencer Winery became a part of the Boisset Collection of wineries in 2021, and as of last. August, Heidi Peterson Barrett, renowned Napa Valley Winemaker, has joined Elizabeth Spencer Winery as Consulting Winemaker, closely working with Winemaker Sarah Vandendriessche, who joined Elizabeth Spencer in 2010.

With the addition of Elizabeth Spencer into the Boisset Collection portfolio, Jean-Charles Boisset was excited to mark the occasion with a Blanc de Blancs ExS Sparkling wine. It is in celebration and synchronicity that this sparkling wine is from France – a nod to Jean-Charles’s love for his home in the heart of Burgundy with his admiration for Elizabeth Spencer located in Rutherford, the heart of Napa Valley. This traditional method sparkling wine unites the two worlds. This wine is 100% Chardonnay, 20% of the blend was aged in oak to add an extra layer of dimension to the wine. It’s elegant and expressive with aromas of almond and quince, luscious flavors typical of Chardonnay with notes of floral and toasted nuances. You can sip this by the pool on a warm spring evening or enjoy it throughout a meal with something creamy and delicious!

April 2023

Red Wine #1: Mas des Capitelles Faugeres Vieilles Vignes 2020

The Rhône river, like our Mississippi, divides the southern coast of France about equally into east and west. East leads to Provence and then the Riviera and eventually Italy; west, to Languedoc and then Roussillon and eventually Spain. Because more people have heard of Marseille, Saint-Tropez, and Monaco than have heard of Sète, Agde, and Collioure, the eastern half of the coast is blessed, and to an equal degree beset, by visitors and their money.

The western half, Languedoc-Roussillon—a narrow crescent of land that curls tight against the Gulf of Lion from the Spanish border to the Camargue—is not beset by money. Commercial fishing boats outnumber yachts. Tractors outnumber sports cars. Vines outnumber people.

A good rule, if you plan to throw a dart at a map of France and then go live there for a while, and eventually fall in love with it, is to guide that dart toward a good wine appellation. Vineyards are really just farms, in the end, and no traditional culture ever perfected vine-growing and winemaking while growing food incompetently and failing to cook it well. If you were really lucky, your dart landed on an appellation called Faugères, not knowing that it was among the better appellations in the Languedoc, nor even that the Languedoc was the largest wine-producing area with designated indication of origin in the world. With its stony soil and searing summers, it is perfectly suited to bringing wine grapes to a ripeness that more northern regions cannot equal.

The key to understanding Mediterranean wines is ripeness. The simple fact is that here is a climate in which grapes reach full maturity. Think of a puckery green apple versus a sweet finished one, or a green versus a ripe tomato. Those same qualities of generosity, fleshiness, and voluptuousness, rather than the brightness and acidity of less-ripe fruits, are almost universally true of southern wines.

In Faugères, another important factor is the schist in the soil. A bit like Châteauneuf-du-Pape's famous galets, or pebbles, these broken bits of stone conserve the heat of the day in the soil throughout cool evenings. The effects of soil type on a specific glass of wine may be up for debate, but in general schist produces deep color, with flavors tending toward black fruits, and an effect local winemakers describe as "roasted stone," a sort of smoky minerality that contrasts beautifully with the natural velvetiness of mature fruit.

Domaine Mas des Capitelles is located in the heart of the Faugères AOC with 24 hectares of vines consisting of essentially Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and old vine Carignan and Mourvédre. The Laugé family have been making wine for 10 generations and keep everything small scale, organic and biodynamic with an eye towards the future.

The Vieilles Vignes is an assembly made of 50% Mourvèdre, 25% Carignan from vines up to 80 years old and 25% with Syrah. Vinified traditionally with long vatting for more than 30 days, 20% aged in French oak barrels for 14 months, unfiltered and with a minimum use of SO2. The “Vieilles Vignes” vintage has an intense and opaque color with a nose of red fruit (cherry, blackcurrant), dense palate with strong tannins as well as aromas of leather and hummus and a peppery finish. This vintage can easily age well for a minimum of 10 years. The wines of Faugères are made to accompany flavorful food. The reds joust spectacularly with the kinds of dishes you think about when there is a cool spring evening that might call for a fire pit— steaks, grilled vegetables, burgers—but the perfect pairing is a rich, slow-cooked Daube de Boeuf, the classic red wine–beef stew of the region.

Red Wine #2:  Division Gamay Noir “Lutte" 2021

If you’ve been to Portland, you may have walked right by red #2’s winery and not known - it's right off Division Street near two of the city's best restaurants, Ava Gene's and Pok Pok. Division Winemaking Company is a PDX based winery founded in 2010 by Kate Norris and Thomas Monroe. Inspired by the wineries of the Loire, Beaujolais, Burgundy and the Northern Rhone where they first learned winemaking and viticulture, the urban winery creates Oregon and Washington wines including Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay, Rosés of multiple varietals, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Côt, Syrah, and Grenache.

Determined to make approachable and balanced wines through minimal manipulation, Kate and Tom have a passion to work with well farmed terroir expressive vineyards, many of which are organic and/or Biodynamic®, celebrating the varietals they as winemakers love to drink. They represent a new generation of winemakers that are looking beyond the status quo to create unique styles of wine, with a purpose, a story and without barriers.

Both Tom and Kate have been passionate about wine for most of their lives, for Tom it was when he started an entry level sommelier course in college, for Kate is was spending time at her family home in the Loire Valley, France. They both decided to trade cubicles for winery cellars and France proved to be a perfect place for their immersion into viticulture and enology. Starting with no grape farming or production experience, they crafted Pinot Noir, Gamay and Chardonnay at Domaine Sauvat during the 2009 season and harvest, followed by internships in Beaujolais and Burgundy. They each completed an intensive eight-month private viticulture and enology program with both classroom and field study in the vineyards and wineries of Burgundy, Beaujolais and the Northern Rhone.

They (and we) adore Gamay for its uniquely brooding character. This year’s “Lutte” defines that trait and jumps straight out of the glass with a combination of crushed rocks, strawberries, and peppery spices.  “Lutte” translates “fight to overcome” in French in reference to our efforts to bring Oregon Gamay Noir to the attention of wine lovers all over the U.S.

They use the carbonic maceration fermentation approach or variations of this technique for most of the Gamay lots, which they then age in a combination of neutral barrels, stainless steel, and concrete vessels for 8 months before bottling. This is a blend of 4 vineyards: Owen's Vineyard - 51%, Jubilee Vineyard - 23%, Redford Wetle Vineyard - 16% & Methven Family Vineyards - 10%. Only 371 cases of this bright & aromatic wine was made and it is Spring Vibes! White Raspberry, Tangerine, Cremini Mushroom and Rooibos Tea give this wine lots of personality. Perfect wine to share with your favorite people on a warm spring afternoon with a little chill.

White Wine #1: Valados de Melgaço, Alvarinho Reserva 2020

We are very excited about our whites this month!!! We had the pleasure of being invited to an intimate/private showing of a new portfolio of wine that was chosen and headed by a Master of Wine (MW) and you will not see these bottles in heavy rotation. White #1 is a grape that we’ve had from different countries but never from Portugal. We have to say that this is probably the most complex ‘Vinho Verde’ you will ever have. 

The Monçao e Melgaço subregion makes up only a small part of the overall Vinho Verde appellation, but is renowned for the quality of its wines.  Located on granite slopes above the Minho river (which forms the border between northern Portugal and Spain’s Rias Baixas region), the subregion sits in an amphitheater of hills. The effect is to shelter the region from the cooling effects of the nearby Atlantic ocean (day time temperatures go up to 86 deg F) while also experiencing cool nights (12 deg C/55 deg F).  This combination ensures both ripeness and vibrant acidity.

Alvarinho (same grape as Spain’s Albariño) is considered the most important and finest variety of Vinho Verde and Monçao e Melgaço specifically, even though various other indigenous varieties are also cultivated. The salty, dry wines show much of the fruit of the Albariño over the border in Rias Baixas, Spain, but with a little more mineral undertow.  These are elementally savory, bright wines, with a medium or even full body, a far cry from the spritzy, simple Vinho Verde wines of old.  *mouth is watering just thinking about this vinho

Previously selling their grapes, the Meleiro family established Valados in 2013 and today the estate is managed by Artur Meleiro, with the help of two consultant winemakers.  The wine is made within 150 feet of the Minho river (the Spanish border).  ‘Valados’ means ‘parcels’ and the family work 14 separate parcels of vines around Monçao e Melgaço.  They own 4ha (10 acres) (Quinta de Golâes, the original family estate) and buy fruit from another 3ha (7.5 acres).  Valados wines have been widely critically acclaimed since the foundation of the winery, and this is the first time they have been distributed to retailers and restaurants in the USA.

Valados makes 100% Alvarinho (i.e. Albariño) of great concentration and ageworthiness. The ambition of these new-wave Vinho Verde producers is simple: to compete with the best of the cool climate, fresh wines of northern Europe. Valados is well on the way to achieving that goal. This is the flagship wine of the estate. It is a wine of considerable vibrancy, salty complexity and concentration and will continue to improve for 4-5 years after the vintage, developing petrolly, mineral notes. Compared to Spain’s Albariño, expect a less fruity and more salty, savory, mineral style. All we have to say about pairing is Pulpo, Seafood or anything Extravagant!!!

A somm suggestion: save this bottle or buy a second one and open it on Cinco de Mayo - it’s as close as you can get with wine to a margarita - lime and salt and a bit of orange. You’re welcome ;) 

White Wine #2: Sonnenuhr Rotlay Dry Riesling 2020

If you find yourself unwillingly falling in love with Riesling after this one, Terra & Heidi will happily be singing “It’s me, Hi, I’m the problem it’s me” (of course not as tunefully as Taylor). You know our mission is to find the one Riesling that does it for you and this just may be it. 

Heinrichshof, owned and run by brothers Peter and Ulrich Griebeler since 2014, is one of a handful of Mosel properties with a primary focus on making dry (Trocken) Riesling.  While the steep slopes above the Mosel have traditionally been dedicated to sweeter styles, Heinrichshof is adapting to a new era of ripeness, and is making Riesling of thrilling lightness, energy and detail, without any austerity. “It’s Electric”…

The steep slopes of the Mosel, often directed to the South, were ideal for the setting of sundials. In those days, before pocket watches or even wrist watches were available, it was the sundials who pointed out the day's progression to the workers in the vineyards. Several hundred of these sundials, mostly made out of stone, can still be seen along the Mosel valley. Many of them figured so prominently in their locations that they even gave their names to the vineyard sites surrounding them. That's no coincidence as sundials were installed on sun-drenched southern slopes and this is where grapes for premium wines also flourished.  The most famous ones are the Wehlener sundial, the neighboring Zeltinger sundial. Sundial in German is sonnenuhr.

This wine hails from the famous Mosel village of Zeltingen, in the heart of the valley’s most important stretch of vineyards, Heinrichshof works 20 acres of vines, largely planted to Riesling, but with a handful of other varieties too.  Peter and Ulrich’s principal vineyard sites are all in the village of Zeltingen: Himmelreich, Schlossberg and Sonnenuhr. The Sonnenuhr vineyard vineyard runs into the next village, Wehlen, where it produces wines including JJ Prüm’s famous Wehlener Sonnenuhr. 

Viticulture is by hand and relies on minimal chemical usage, and the brothers are working towards organic conversion.  Making good dry Riesling in the Mosel is not as simple as harvesting the grapes and fermenting to dryness.  Season-long viticultural practices such as de-leafing in the fruit zone targets greater ripeness and berry health with balanced acidity.  Before harvest the berries are tasted to ensure that fruit and acidity are balanced, and compared to Kabinett or Spätlese sweet wine grapes, a deeper yellow color of the berry at harvest is sought: this indicates greater ripeness.  Finally, the acidity must not be aggressive.  In the cellar, long, slow fermentation and aging on the lees soften the wines while also contributing the subtle complexity which is a hallmark of the estate.

2020 was a warm vintage (the last in a trio of warm years) but with cooler weather at harvest. This ensured freshness and balance in the wines, which are remarkably easy to drink while maintaining all the tension and elegance typical of Mosel Riesling. The Rotlay in 2020 showcases the cool, understated style of Heinrichshof’s wines: delicate hints of spice, flowers and slatey mineral seduce rather than overwhelm. Speaking of overwhelming, that’s unfortunately what German labels do to consumers but just know dry Riesling from the Mosel doesn’t get any better than this. To say we were overwhelmed with joy when we tasted this is an understatement. Sushi, Thai dishes or admiring the layers of this wine while deep in thought are the best ways to enjoy this stunning bottle. 

Bubbles #1: Chateau de Rouanne Sparkling Brut Nature Rose 2020

If you’re familiar with the term “wine is cyclical” it really is. It is in style, sweetness, trends and winemakers. Our bubbles #1 brings us back to the Mediterranean, the Southern Rhone, home to Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape to be exact and sparkling wine doesn’t typically come to mind. Technically you are not allowed to make sparkling wine under any of the Rhone AOC’s so in order to do so you need to ‘de-classify’ to a lower regulated appellation such as an IGP (protected geographic indication). Does this mean the wine is less in quality/less delicious. Certainement pas!!! This just allows great winemakers to have some fun and show off what they can do by bending the rules as in this case. 

Château de Rouanne is a historic estate with a 12th century medieval castle, situated on a classified Roman site located in the southern Rhône Valley. The name of the estate comes from "Rugius", which is said to be the name of the original Roman owner. The estate totals 177 acres including 153 acres of vines. Château de Rouanne was purchased by Louis Barruol, owner and winemaker of illustrious Château de Saint Cosme, in May of 2019. Louis also makes another wine in our shop, Forge Cellars Classique Dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes where he is also head winemaker/partner. Barruol sees enormous potential in Château de Rouanne, having worked with the previous owners for years as a source for some of his négociant wines. “It reminds me a lot of Saint Cosme when I took it over in 1992. It’s an unknown sleeping beauty waiting for a vigneron to truly love it.”

The vineyard of Château de Rouanne is a unique one-block monopole, planted entirely with 50+ year old vines, which are a selection massale of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The ancient terroir is comprised of limestone and sandy marl soils dating back to the Pliocene epoch. Harvested in the cool early morning hours, the grapes undergo a lengthy pressing followed by fermentation using indigenous yeasts in concrete vats to preserve the character and purity of the terroir. The second fermentation occurs with zero dosage.

Filled with wild strawberry and typical garrigue of the area like fresh thyme, this is a food-friendly sparkler that can literally go with anything from a Pizza to fried chicken :)

Bubbles #2: Wildly Organic Cuvée NV

We are headed down under with this one, South Australia to be specific, Mate. This is where the best wines from ‘Straya come from, a region that enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny days cooled by fresh sea breezes off the Gulf of St. Vincent. Close proximity to the Mt. Lofty Ranges ensures late evening and early morning winds chilling the grapes to retain crisp acidity and structure. Chardonnay thrives in these climate conditions, which create the perfect balance of acidity and fruit development for exceptional sparkling wines.

Winemaker Heather Fraser has a passion for nature and sustainability, and has over 20 years of experience in the industry. She prioritizes her passions in her winemaking, and has been practicing organic winemaking for several years. Wildly is made with 100% certified organic Chardonnay grapes, vegan, crafted with wild fermentation and minimal winemaker intervention.

This sparkler is the epitome of light, crisp, and refreshing. Think lemon drop, pink grapefruit, lemon zest and a big dish of garlicky, buttery seared scallops. *drool

March 2023

Red #1: Sijnn Kingfisher Malgas 2017 $27

You savvy group of wine enthusiasts probably already know this, but the narrower you can drill down into a wine region, the higher the quality gets i.e. Wine of California > To Kalon Vineyard and that’s what we have here. South Africa > Western Cape > Cape South Coast > Malgas > Sijnn Vineyards. A beautiful pioneering wine estate in the middle of nowhere at the end of a long, dusty, bumpy road at the Southern tip of Africa - this is the kind of place you want your wine to come from.

Malgas is a small settlement and wine district about 25km from the Breede river’s mouth, and about 10 miles as the crow flies to the Southern Ocean.  A dry climate and cooling breezes allow organic farming while achieving long hang-times and optimum ripeness, making for rich, compelling wines. The Sijnn (the Khoisan word for the river) vineyards are perched on a gravelly plateau composed of broken slate and rolled river stones.  The climate is temperate and very dry, the soils very poor (90% stone) which forces the vines to delve deep in their quest for water. This gives the wines an intense sense of terroir to complement the ripeness of the fruit. Sijnn is a true unicorn within the Cape Winelands, the only first growth appellation in the region.

David and Rita Trafford discovered the future Sijnn land while on holiday in Malgas in 2000. The soil and landscape reminded them of Portugal and they were immediately intrigued. Three years later they purchased a farm and began planting Mediterranean-style varieties. As a winery, they produce wine in small quantities for limited release. Leading the way is Charla Haasbroek, named Young Winemaker of the Year by Tim Atkin, MW.

The 2017 Kingfisher (named after the South African bird) is a Syrah blend, it is not a wine on their website…we are the only ones that get it (from our amazing source). It’s a matter of time before the recognition transforms the growing region and probably the pricing of these outstanding wines.This is an intense wine full of licorice, dark berry fruit along with some spice and savory notes. Go grab some steak or lamb and have yourself a Braai!!

“I think it’s important for anyone who appreciates the efforts that go into making wine to try and track down a few bottles of Sijnn. There are few projects that epitomize such a soulful, pioneering approach to winemaking.”

— James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

Red #2: Podere Casaccia PRISCUS 2019 $30

It’s that time of year at the shop where we are starting to hear your summer travel plans and where they are taking you. Red #2 is definitely from a place we hear “buzz”ing around. 

Priscus is from the hills of Scandicci, just a few kilometers from the historic and fascinating city of Florence and has very ancient origins. The Latin toponym: scandere = to go up, alludes to the green hill on top of which used to be a stunning medieval castle. Scandicci is part of the Chianti Colli Fiorentino production area, a source of excellent wine. It was produced by noble Florentine families who had country residences in the area.

Roberto Moretti purchased this small property in 1999 and is the result of ancestral passion of land and nature handed down to him by his family of winemakers for generations. The south-east exposure of these biodynamic vineyards are lands of ancient viticultural tradition in which there are vineyards that reach almost 60 years old. From these vineyards they have taken the ancient clones of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Malvasia Bianca and Nera to replant them in the new vineyards. Why did he choose to plant and only vinify native vines instead of more known international vines (cab, merlot)? Italy compared to other wine-producing countries has the largest number of native vines, most of which are unknown to Italians themselves. This enormous wealth of biodiversity is something unique in the world of wine and if it were in the hands of the French it would be flaunted from the winds and become a source of national pride, where as in Italy it goes almost totally unnoticed.

Because the Sangiovese is recovered from 60 year old vines, before the fashion of the dark, strongly tannic style started, these grapes are thinner skinned, paler in color with soft, silky tannins and no bitter finish. Speaking of ‘the blood of Jupiter’ (Sangiovese), this wine is 100% of it. The grapes are harvested by hand based on a number of sensory tests. A pre-fermentation ‘soak’ of the juice and skins takes place for 48 hours followed by a post-fermentation for a couple of weeks for color and flavor all without any added sulfites. Aged in French oak for a couple months and then bottled and sent to us to experience a sensory overload. This one has lots of floral notes of Iris, sweet fresh fruit, aromatic herbs as well as some meaty notes. Priscus is going to be your food pairing dream as it goes with so many types of dishes and don’t be afraid to drink it with fish. Saluté!!

White #1: Emilio Moro Godello El Zarzal 2021 $32

Wine and art go hand in hand. To create both you need to be inspired and passionate about what you do. A wine is a blank canvas and Bodegas Emilio Moro loves to draw what they dream… “they don’t make wine, they create wine.”

Emilio Moro is a winery based in Ribera del Duero that primarily produces red wines from the Tinto Fino grape variety (the local name for Tempranillo). It was established in 1987 when the Moro family pooled resources to purchase a press and cellar, but the family has more than 120 years of winemaking heritage in the region. They landed in  Bierzo in 2016 , but their love for white grapes was born much earlier, in 2013 when the Godello variety managed to conquer them completely. Bierzo managed to make them leave Ribera del Duero and discover the immense potential of the Godello variety planted in a very special microclimate.

Bierzo borders another more well-known wine region in Spain, Galicia. It is three hours northwest of Madrid and two hours from Santiago de Compostela, the incredible 11th-century gothic cathedral. Bierzo is an isolated area with 375 villages surrounded by mountains and climate influenced by the Atlantic making it a perfect place for viticulture.  The grapes most produced are Mencia and Godello - both have made an appearance in the 17 club by the same illustrious wine-making Palacios family. 

Godello wines have big fruit, mineral notes and acidity of albariño (peaches, citrus, apple), but with a bit more body and slightly higher alcohol. This grape had a close brush with extinction in the 20th century, with only a few hundred of its vines remaining by the 1970s. Thanks to a project to rescue this grape variety there are now more than 2471 acres of Godello vines in the area. El Zarzal (the bramble) was harvested early to retain the freshness of the grapes and spent some time in 2,500 liter French foudres to develop nuances and round out any sharp edges. This is a great wine to drink now or grab a couple bottles to put away and see it’s evolution unfold. Perfect accompaniment for a warm afternoon with some Manchego cheese and ceviche.

White #2: Kornell Sudtirol Pinot Bianco "Eich" $27

White #2 has more than seven hundred years of viticulture behind it, the estate has a long history, but the roots of wine growing in the area go back much further. In Settequerce, you encounter traces of the Rhaetians and Romans at every turn. Finds of charred seeds, ladles and bronze vessels, hoes and pruning knives from the 5th to the 3rd centuries BC bear witness to a winemaking tradition and wine culture that go back thousands of years.

Yes, we are back in the Alto Adige region of NE Italy. We can’t stay away and we don’t think you want us to either. We’ve taken you to the localities of Valle Isarco, Andrian, Magré and now Settequerce - a little village that boasts only 900 inhabitants and a castle in the sky known today as ‘pig castle’ now owned by this family (ask Heidi). Imagine spreading palm trees and hardy conifers sharing the same piece of land here. Mediterranean southerlies, known as the Ora, compete with dry downslope winds from the north. A good place for growing grapes and making wine, as the ancient Rhaetians realized more than 2,000 years ago. The warming porphyry rock and steeply rising vineyards catch the sun by day and enjoy cool temperatures at night. With elevations up to 1,800 asl and the grapes enjoying more than 2,100 hours of sunshine per year, these are some of the reasons that keep bringing us back to this fairytale wine land. 

Pinot Blanc (also known as Weissbugunder) is the freshest and fruitiest of the famous white wines from Alto Adige. It’s a white grape mutation of Pinot Noir and mostly found in Northern Italy and Germany. Since the first decades of the 20th century, Pinot Bianco has been the most important Alto Adige white wine where the high elevation allow it to ‘reach’ it’s best expression. It develops it’s typical aromas of fresh apples and pears and keeps its racy, invigorating acidity. This makes the wine an unmistakable representative of its terroir. The vines grow on gravelly, limestone dolomite, making this a Pinot Bianco which takes you by surprise with salty minerality, lending the wine an additionally long finish. These grapes have been in the hands of winemaker Florian Brigl since 1996 who truly pampers them and considers working with them a privilege. May this be Eich (your) new go-to white this spring!

Bubbles #1: Scharffenberger Brut Rosé Excellence N.V. $27

We are staying here in our own backyard (kind of) for these uber-delicious bubbles. Mendocino County California is a cool climate region just north of Napa/Sonoma. It is an area of farmers, artists and winemakers who are free thinkers that value their land, people and independent lifestyle. Within Mendocino, there is Anderson Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) which now ranks with the top Pinot Noir regions in North America. While production is not huge, quality is soaring, as rising-star winemakers join home grown stalwarts in producing sleek, powerful Pinots. It’s unique geography results in a wide diurnal range, with daily high and low temperatures occasionally diverging 40 or 50 degrees. This enables Pinot Noir growers to keep acid development in line with sugar and flavor formation through long, warm Indian summers. It also makes for superb Gewurztraminer and Riesling, giving rise to the valley’s annual Alsatian festival :). In eastern and ridge-top sites there is plenty of warmth to ripen Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Then there’s sparkling wine. With several methode champenoise sparkling houses, Anderson Valley is bubbly paradise - can we just pop this bottle already??

Scharffenberger Cellars has defined premium California sparkling wine since 1981. Founder John Scharffenberger harnessed his background in biogeography to draw similarities between the Anderson Valley’s seasonal growing temperatures with  Champagne in France. In 1981 he struck an agreement to purchase Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from the Valley Foothills vineyard in the Anderson Valley, only 4 miles from where the winery is today. Unparalleled grapes, artisanal craftsmanship, and the age-old techniques of méthode traditionnelle resulted in classic sparkling wines from an emerging California region. The early successes of these wines allowed for the expansion of the brand, building a state-of-the-art winery, and put the Anderson Valley and Mendocino County on the viticultural map.

Scharffenberger only produces sparkling wines and farm from sustainable and Fish Friendly certified vineyards. The Brut Excellence Rosé is a blend of 55% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir. Winemaker Jeff Jindra, in order to get the desired color & flavors, vinifies a Pinot Noir separately and blends in about 5% to the cuvée. This practice is not allowed in France anywhere to make a rosé sparkling wine UNLESS it’s done to make one in Champagne. We have basically no rules or regulations when it come to winemaking here in the US and we love they are taking a page out of Champagne’s playbook. The wine spend 2 years on the lees (Champs only has to be 12 months for NV) and is as Scharffenberger describes “Bold yet elegant, like a linebacker that does ballet.” You’re going to love this one…

Bubbles #2: Bisson Glera 2021 $25

“I was six. A school friend invited me to participate in the grape harvest in his parents’ vineyard.  I quickly walked along the rapid mule track with my heart pounding, not from fatigue, but from emotion. I collected many bunches and made myself useful for manual pressing. The reward was a beautiful basket of grapes. When I returned home, I found no one.  I took advantage of it, pressed the grapes in a large vase and hid it. Every day I repeated the operations I observed in my friend’s cellar.  When the fermentation ended, I poured the wine into the bottle with a colander and could not resist the temptation to taste it.  My mother noticed my breath, cornered me, and I confessed.  The punishment that followed could have been there, but my first wine was born.”

-Pierluigi Lugano

Fast forward, Pierluigi Lugano, the master vignaolo behind Bisson Glera, doesn’t much care to follow conventional wisdom to this day. For many years now, Lugano has worked with his good friend Eli Spagnol of Torre Zecchei in the elite Valdobbiadene district of the Veneto, tailoring the production of a racy, vivid, beautifully brisk Prosecco (Glera is the grape used in Prosecco). In Italy, for a wine to be classified as DOCG Prosecco, there are certain boxes a wine needs to check, such as grape variety and quality, carbonation method, and carbonation level.  Lugano’s wine checks all of those boxes, but he can’t label his wine Prosecco because he decided to put a crown cap on his bottle instead of a mushroom shaped cork with cage (remember, rules?).

Furthermore, for a bottle to be considered “spumante” there needs to be a particular amount of pressure within.  Bisson Glera meets this standard, but again, Lugano’s persistence in using a crown cap means his wine can only be legally labeled “frizzante.”  It might be easy to label Lugano as a hollow contrarian, but I assure you this is not the case. This wine set out to classify itself as something different, unique to the traditional Italian sparkling wine which has become terribly predictable and homogenized in the mainstream market. Bisson Glera is exponentially drier than normal prosecco and is brimming with complexity and minerality.  And yet, this beauty maintains that familiar freshness and fruitiness that helped the world fall in love with prosecco in the first place, and proves that Pierluigi is truly a rebel with a cause.  

February 2023

Red #1: Habit Wine Company Cabernet Franc 2021 $30

Habit Wine Company has a special place in Terra & Heidi’s hearts. It’s a wine that brings us back to our studying days and one that really got us thinking, especially about Cabernet Franc and how it can present itself in places other than the Loire Valley.

The Place: Happy Canyon, AVA, Santa Barbara, CA. We have to say we have a soft spot for all wines from this part of California! It’s a unique place, cooler than Northern Cali due to its transverse geography that channels the cool Pacific air directly into the valley, thus creating a long growing season that makes for super balanced grapes. Cool climate grapes tend to do exceptionally well like Pinot Noir & Chardonnay. Loire Valley varietals can also be championed and winemakers love to cultivate them because they can keep the abv lower and the style more elegant.

The winemaker: Jeff Fischer. You might know him as the voice of interplanetary stoner boyfriend extraordinaire Jeff Fischer on TV’s American Dad, but the real Jeff Fischer is a vineyard living, grape picking, seriously committed winemaker. His label—Habit Wine, is sold at prominent wine shops and appears on lists at noted restaurants nationwide, including Eleven Madison Park, Alinea, Republique, Gwen, and COI, just to name a few. Born out of a love of Santa Barbara County fruit, each of the wines at Habit are personal to the winemaker. “I honestly only make wines I would like to drink”. 

Fischer’s wines focus on high acidity, lower alcohol, and strive to showcase varietal. All of the vineyards are sustainably or organically farmed and managed by the same Vineyard management team that he closely works with. The fruit is hand picked and hand sorted, and fermentations take place with both native and indigenous yeasts. This wine is a stunner! Bright fruit, earth, spice and everything nice :)

Red #2: Herdade do Rocim Alentejo Alicante Bouschet 2020 $28

This wine takes us to Alentejo, a Portuguese region situated on the South of the Tagus River and North of the Algarve region, the far-south of the country. It covers about a third of the country and is very sparsely populated, known for its olive oil and cork production (yes this region supplies most of the world’s wine corks) as well as its beautiful architecture. While not thought of as traditional wine country, due to its hot and dry climate and the landscape usually thought as filled with olive trees, there are many parts of the region that produce great quality wines that are now on the maps of the best Portuguese and even world wines!

The history of wine production in the Alentejo region is thought to have been started by the Romans. You can still find leftovers of the traditional winemaking processes used by the Romans in the Alentejo winemaking way, like the fermentation being made in clay pots. Speaking of history, let’s talk about this grape. Alicante Bouschet is a member of the ‘teinturier’ grape variety, and the name is derived from the French verb, ‘to dye or to stain.’ While the vast majority of grapes (including red) have clear pulp, tenturier grapes have purple. Born from a cross between Petit Bouschet and Grenache in the late 19th Century in the South of France by Henri Bouschet, the wine has adopted the Alentejo region of Portugal as its home.

Beginning in 2000, Herdade do Rocim is headed by Catarina Vieira and she believes that Alentejo has the unique conditions required to produce world-class wines. The property is comprised of 120 hectares, including 70 vineyards and 10 olive groves. ROCIM's mission is to produce wines in a sustainable way, with respect for the social, cultural and natural matrix of the region (checks all of our boxes). 

The Herdade do Rocim Alentejo Alicante Bouschet is small production, only 9400 bottles produced. Foot-trodden in stone vats which is very common still in Portugal, organic and vegan. Because of the dark pulp and phenolic skins this wine presents in a rich, vanilla, and dark fruit style filling the glass with opulence. A wine that’s very gastronomic, we can’t wait to hear what you pair with it!!

White #1: Nunzio Ghiraldi Il Gruccione Lugana $30

Have you ever had a wine from Lugana? Probably not, unless you have been to northern Italy or are some crazy Italian Wine Scholar (which is totally cool). Lugana DOC is a small denomination that straddles the border between Lombardy and Veneto and produces only white wines from the high-quality Turbiana grape variety, also known as Trebbiano di Lugana. The area lies south of Italy’s largest lake, Lago di Garda, partly in Veneto and partly in Lombardy. Picture turquoise waters of the lake a few steps from the farm, the temperate breezes that blow from the nearby mountains crowning the lake, this Mediterranean region is certainly a sight for sore eyes. 

It would be unfair to call Lugana “under the radar.” After all, it was the first DOC designated in Lombardy in 1967. The wines are also especially loved in Germany (a major export market) and by any tourist who has visited Lake Garda and asked for a white wine. These wines are made mostly, if not entirely, from Turbiana. This grape is genetically identical to Le Marche’s signature white wine grape, Verdicchio. However, in the unique soil and climate of Lugana (clay), the variety has taken on a personality all its own, and it is therefore considered a different biotype. Turbiana in Lugana creates a fuller and richer expression than, for instance, the lean, fruitier versions of Marche’s Verdicchio. One of Turbiana’s most compelling attributes is its ability to maintain a high level of tartaric acidity (ask us about ‘wine diamonds’), which gives it the unusual ability to be fresh and zippy in youth, yet capable of aging for more than a decade.

For Nunzio Ghiraldi, the wine maker, the vineyard has become his life following in his grandfather’s footsteps who started this project in 1953. This bottle, known as the “Bee-eater” is the wine that best represents the essence of the company and their way of understanding Lugana starting from the essential soil-vine combination. The nose expresses fine and elegant citrus and ripe fruit notes, hints of thyme and sage. On the palate it gives an exuberant flavor resting on an important but balanced acid shoulder. On the finish, notes of almond and spicy hints complete its character.

3 ways to enjoy this wine:

1. You are roasting vegetables – Something about Lugana’s slippery, playful texture makes it an ideal partner with roasted vegetables, especially zucchini.

2. You need to change-up your Italian white wine perspective – Are Vermentino, Pinot Grigio, Friulano and Soave feeling a little tired to your palate?

3. You are looking for a white wine to play the same role at the table that you usually reserve for Chablis – While there are a few notable differences between the two wines, they can occupy the same spot in a wine connoisseur’s arsenal: delicate yet full, fun and zippy, evocative of white flowers and apples, with a complexity that sneaks up on you.

White #2: Chateau Lagrange Les Fleurs du Lac 2020 $26

Pedigree, Pedigree, Pedigree…. Château Lagrange, Third Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Julien (1855 classification), is usually renowned for its red wines. During the blind tasting of white wines from Bordeaux, however, the château stood out with this impressive Bdx Blanc. Bordeaux’s red and dessert wines get so much press that many people don’t realize that the celebrated region produces dry whites as well.  These wines – which often go by the name Graves, Pessac-Léognan, or Entre-Deux-Mers rather than Bordeaux – occupy a small but longstanding space in Bordeaux’s portfolio.           

Long before critics and consumers oohed and ahhed over Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc or Hunter Valley Semillon, the Bordelais were blending the two varietals to great acclaim.  The same British kings and dukes who made St. Julien and Pauillac famous served Bordeaux blanc at court. However today, white varietals make up only 15% of Bordeaux’s annual harvest. As a result white Bordeaux is a relatively rare commodity in wine shops and on restaurant lists, at least here in the United States. Given the low production, much of Bordeaux blanc’s annual production is quite good; some of it is even excellent.  And in the right vintage from the right chateau, it can go toe-to-toe with the greatest white wines in the world. 

Bordeaux blanc’s most distinctive feature is its age-worthiness.  Few white wines can be aged with greater confidence (German Riesling and probably Vouvray to name two). This beauty named’ The Flowers of the Lake’ wears a pale yellow-green robe that shines with a thousand lights. On the nose, it emanates a noble and seductive bouquet of exotic yellow fruits, yellow flowers, toast, vanilla, brioche and honey. Intense, powerful and energetic, the palate is full of extract, grip, energy and length. An impressive white from the Grand Cru Saint-Julien Château Lagrange. Aged 6 months in French oak barrels (20% new). 75% Sauvignon Blanc, 6% Semillon, 19% Sauvignon Gris. 100% delicious with lobster, shrimp ravioli or buttered scallops.

Bubbles #1: Ktima Tselepos Amalia Brut NV $29

Moschofilero-Mantinia. The promise of an exotic wine experience is all in the name, especially when the experience is coming from Greece. The ordinary consumer looks for something familiar when studying a Greek wine label. First of all, it’s the name, itself: Moschofilero-Mantinia sounds like Muscat. In fact, it kinda tastes and smells like Muscat. So we’re good, right? Well, yes and no. Muscat is not exactly a household name, but, at least, for those who know about it, there is an expectation of bright and intense floral aromas, as well as a tangy crispness, regardless of whether it’s made in dry or off-dry style.

But the rub is that Moschofilero-Mantinia and Muscat are not at all related and, while Moschofilero-Mantinia can be remarkably floral and tangy, it can also be many other things: rosé (this grape has greyish skin like pinot gris), sparkling, full-bodied, racy, rich, light, frothy –or as dry and bitter as a dried grapefruit peel; an exotic experience that’s -  all in the name. The wine from Moschofilero is considered a genuine descendant of the vineyard of ancient Arcadia, as in the texts of the historian and traveler Theophrastus it is described as the "tobacco wine of Arcadia”. The hub of the late-harvested Moschofilero variety in the Peloponnese and the Mantinia Plateau in particular. High on the cold, mountain terrain of the area, the Moschofilero-Mantinia works miracles, yielding still and sparkling whites.

Tselepo wines is known as the “Charmer of Moschofileros”. Yannis and Amalia Tselepou, looking for the right location, chose the clay hills on the outskirts of the historic Mount Parnonas to plant the vineyards and establish the Tselepou Estate in 1989. Yiannis Tselepos graduated from the oenology department at the University of Dijon, France, and after wandering oenologically for two years in wineries in Burgundy, he settled in 1981 in Mantineia, whose wines he has been vinifying continuously ever since. Fascinated by his first contact with the Moschofilero variety, he is the first of the younger generation of winemakers to bring it out of obscurity and highlight it by bottling it as a single varietal. The main philosophy of the estate is the study and highlighting of all the possibilities of the Moschofilero variety, as well as its promotion both in Greece and abroad. If this is your first introduction to the grape, you are in good hands and it’s also adorned in bubbles!

Amalia Brut is made in the traditional method is an elegant sparkling wine with light lemon-green color and fine bubbles with intensity and persistence over time. The wine stays on its lees for 9-12 months before disgorgement and emanates citrus flowers and honey with a touch of brioche and rose notes. Super fun pairings would be raw seafood, sushi, fruit salad and we are dying to try this out with Moroccan cuisine, chicken tangine please!

Bubbles #2 Sauro Maule SGASS Sparkling 2021 $32

Wine must intrigue, excite, amaze and amuse…at least that happened to us when we tasted this one. Sauro Maule is a project that comes out of the Veneto, Italy and we can proudly stand by their winemaking philosophy of passion is wine, but also the earth, nature.

“Making wine following the principles of "organic" or "natural" is not just a whimsical idea. Rather it is a journey through emotions, ideals, strengths, and sometimes a bit of luck. It is a journey made of hard work, study and a bit of madness. Every year everything must be repeated, but as Nature teaches us, the result will never be the same. Each year is a new story, each year you discover something new and learn little details that could make a big difference in winemaking for years to come.”

Sparkling wines are their way to express the joy of their exceptional land and this one definitely incites some J-O-Y! This pet-nat is a blend of Garganega (you’ve had this in the Soave wines) the local grape variety on the volcanic hillsides of Gambellara accompanied by Durella, a typical and autochthonous variety in the Lessini Hills, characterized by a marked acidity, a characteristic that makes it particularly suitable for sparkling wines. It was love at first sip for us with the citrus, green apple and minerality jumping out of the glass. You can certainly pair this one with food but we think the best pairing for this is fun ;)

January 2023

Red #1: De Levende Roby Red 2021, $27

January is a time of renewal and cleansing and although you may not be participating in ‘dry January’, you may have more awareness of what you are consuming and we are here to help you out with this super clean wine. 

De Levende is a collaboration between Brett Pallesen of Soil Expedition, a California-based purveyor of naturally produced products (mostly wine), and Alex Pomerantz, wine maker at Subject to Change Wine Co. Fred’s Roby Red is a homage to Brett’s grandfather. He grew up in Texas in a tiny town of 500 people called Roby.

“In 1962 he took my grandmother and my mom - she was two years old- and moved from Texas to La Verne, CA in eastern LA county. He secured a job as a landscaper for the county of Los Angeles and, 30 some years later, retired as the head of Parks and Recreation. He has a park named after him in La Verne (Marshall Canyon), Fred Palmer Park.” Now he has a wine named after him too!

This wine is made as a bit of a throwback, a little like his grandpa Fred and how wine was made in the Northern Cali 70+ years ago. This vintage is roughly 1/2 Merlot from Gambino vineyard and 1/2 old vine, own rooted Cabernet Sauvignon from Rhodes vineyard down the street, both from Redwood Valley, CA. The vineyards were fermented separately in neutral barrels, blended in June and bottled in July. As with all the De Levande wines, bottled without any additions.

This is a juicy wine that has slightly ripe fruit and great structure, It’s also ‘healthy’ enough that if you finish the bottle in one sitting (which is easy to do) it won’t be a “guilty pleasure”.

Red #2: Celler Vall Llach Embruix 2020, $27

We have been trying to bring you a wine from Priorat since the inception of the club and we couldn’t find the right fit until now. If you’ve never had a wine from Priorat, or even heard of it that’s understandable as it’s a pocket-size region but perhaps the most remarkable Spanish wine you’ve never tried.  

Located in Catalunya, Priorat is a very small (4400 acres), isolated wine region named after a priory (religious order, more on that in a minute). It’s one of only two wine regions in Spain to qualify as a DOCa (Rioja being the other), the highest quality level according to Spanish wine regulations. Priorat produces a measly 1% of Rioja’s 150k + acres yield. This small but mighty region is a red wine lovers Mecca and commands huge respect around the world accounting for the most exuberant and expensive Spanish wines. The wines, despite the alcohol & boldness, are not heavy but light and fresh due to the elevation and unique environment. One of the most terroir-driven wines in the world with it’s soil "llicorella" - a free-draining, nutrient-poor soil made up of partially-decomposed slate and quartz, nothing else tastes like Priorat!

Priorat has been linked to wine since ancient times. In 1194, King Alfons of Spain sent his knights to find a place for the Carthusian monks to settle in Catalunya. They found a beautiful place at the foothills of the Montsant Mountains (Scala Dei). They met a shepherd who told them of the supernatural events that took place over one of the tallest pine trees at the foothills of the mountain, angels could be seen ascending into heaven by staircase….rest is history. The monastery was built, Cartuja de Escaladei (monastery of stairs to God) and since Priorat has been considered a mystical place.

And that brings us to our wine. Vall Llach’s Embruix (pronounced Embroosh), means “bewitching” in Catalan and the name, along with the symbol of a full moon on the wine’s label, is testament to the winery’s interesting biodynamic winemaking. From its founding in the early 1990s, by famed Spanish singer Lluís Llach and notary Enric Costa, Vall Llach winemaking has been governed by a commitment to rigor and quality. The winery lies in the tiny village of Porerra, in southern Catalonia, in the highly-acclaimed D.O.Q. Priorat. 

Embruix is a typical Priorat blend of 37% Grenache, 32% Carignan, 23% Syrah & 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep cherry red in color with a garnet rim, this wine contains aromas of dark fruits, cured cherry with an overlaying herbal sage and black licorice aspect, light powdery cocoa notes and violets. Slightly more crisp red fruits on the palate but the wine drifts a touch weighty overall. Prepare to become bewitched with this hauntingly beautiful wine.

White #1: Bodegas Ordonez Nisia Las Suertes Old Vines Verdejo 2020, $30

Another new grape to the 17 club is Verdejo. We’ve had the beautiful Torres ‘Celeste’ on this shelf and by the glass in recent history and if you were fortunate enough to taste that one, you know you are in for a treat with this more serious example of the variety. 

Verdejo is one of Spain’s most historic white grapes, as it has been in production since the Roman times, several thousand years ago. It is believed that it came to Spain around the time of King Alfonso VI, when there were large movements of people. Research has shown that Verdejo arrived in Spain from North Africa, and probably had a period of adapting in the south of Spain before moving up to Rueda.

It is the grape that put the little region of Rueda on the world wine map and now D.O. Rueda is one of Spain’s finest white winemaking regions. 

When the capital of Castilla y León was in Valladolid, the wines of Rueda (and those of Toro) were celebrated by the Spanish medieval court. After over fifteen years as the lead producer of quality Verdejo in Spain, Ordóñez chose Puras, Valladolid, as the best appellation within Rueda for growing Verdejo. This isolated corner of the D.O. is home to sandy soils intermixed with river stones that were deposited tens of thousands of years ago when the Duero river was several hundred miles wide. This single vineyard, Nisia Las Suertes is named after Finca Las Suertes – a 6Ha. parcel of ungrafted vines planted originally in 1886. This spectacular pre-phylloxeric (a rarity) vineyard is planted with the original clones of Verdejo that are indigenous to Rueda. In many cases, bulk oriented vineyards will yield up to 15 tons per hectare – Finca Las Suertes yields 1 ton per acre. The incredible small berries and bunches produce wines with intense concentration which produce a serious, austere wine that marries perfectly with sur lie ageing - think white Burgundy. Nisia Las Suertes is one of the few wines in Rueda that champions the original qualities of the authentic Verdejo from Spain.

White #2: Bodega Bouza Vinedo Pan de Azucar Riesling 2019, $30

A dry riesling from Uruguay….YES PLEASE! Let us begin by saying we are very fortunate to be bringing this wine to you. We heard from a wine journalist, Julia Coney, who traveled to Uruguay a few years ago that there was riesling there and she brought home as much as she could because they weren’t exporting it and well, it was fire!! Ever since we have been looking for it, seek and you shall find. When our distributor told us that she was only getting 5 cases of this barely-in-time-for-17-Club-pickup-wine, we had to bite. 

Uruguay borders Argentina to the east on the south Atlantic ocean and for a country of only 3 million people makes some incredible wine. Most people just think about the grape Tannat when they think about wine from here but there’s so much more. High quality Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling, all showing unique characters which can not be found any where else.

Uruguay has a coastal Mediterranean climate with a Mediterranean continental interior. The soils are of clay, calcareous limestone, decomposed granite and schist. This mixture of Mediterranean sun, cool ocean influence, old vines, excellent drainage make wines unlike any other place in the world, wines that are fresh. Wine has been made here since the 19th century thanks to the immigrants from Spain, Italy, Germany and France. While Argentina is known for being influenced by the likes of Paul Hobbs and Michel Rolland, consultants known for pushing ripeness and producing California style wines, Uruguay decided to make Uruguay wines and not California wines. The wines are lean, savory and driven by refreshing acidity rather than oak and fruit we find in Argentina.

Just outside of Montevideo city, Bouza winery was founded in 1999 by Elisa and Juan Bouza with winemaker Eduardo Boido, the goal being making premium, small-production wines that reflect the terroir and vintage. Bouza’s Pan de Azúcar (sugar loaf) in Maldonado is one of the most exciting new vineyards in Uruguay and this Riesling proves exactly why. This vineyard is located in the south of the department of Maldonado, just 7 km from the sea, in the area where the Sierra de las Ánimas and Sierra de Carapé meet, and a short distance from where the Atlantic Ocean and the Río de la Plata meet. 

With only 390 cases produced and pretty sure we have the only allocation of this in Florida, we are beyond psyched. The wine is brimming with coastal vivacity and vigor. The nose is full of lime leaf, petrol and white peach, while the long finish plays out with mouthwatering acidity and zesty aromatics. One for oysters! *drool

Bubbles #1: Kobal Bajta Blaufränkisch Rosé Pet Nat, $25

Our first sparkler brings us to the country of Slovenia, a new region for the 17 club. Slovenia is a small European country with a long history of wine production. Not surprising given the country is also bordered by four of Europe's most long-established wine producing nations: Croatia to the south, Hungary to the east, Austria to the north and Italy to the west. Despite the cultural and political turmoil that has besieged the Balkan states over the past century, Slovenia has maintained its wine industry, one which has been particularly successful since the country gained independence from former Yugoslavia, in 1991.

Wine production in Slovenia is becoming a unique art. More and more boutique winemakers are investing all their energy in their wines and this one is no exception. Kobal is a small boutique winery from northeast Slovenia, near the Austrian border. Styria region, situated near the town of Ptuj in Haloze sub-wine region. The wine culture in this town has almost 2000 years of history. They are doing everything right in our book with sustainable vine growing and production being environmentally friendly. Owner and winemaker, Bojan Kobal, is the true scientist of his craft. The amazing variety of styles of wines he produces shows that there is nothing he cannot do, like making a delicious juicy Blaufränkisch Pet-Nat.

It’s believed that Blaufränkisch was drunk during the middle ages, although it doesn’t receive mention in published history until 1862. Unlike grapes from Italy, France, and Spain that have found success in growing areas across the globe, Blaufränkisch has, for the most part, stayed close to its original home. Aside from a few acres planted in both old and new world regions, Blaufränkisch is mainly cultivated in Austria and is thought of as the Pinot Noir of Eastern Europe. It’s a food-friendly red wine, parent of Gamay and full of elegant black fruits.

The grapes that comprise this bottle were hand-picked are allowed to “bleed” for about 4 hours, followed by a natural fermentation that is closely monitored by the winemaker. Once the sugar level reaches the desired level, the wine is bottled with wild microflora and continued fermenting in the bottle. We know you’re going to enjoy drinking this alive bottle full of creamy raspberries and strawberries.

Bubbles #2: Jo Landron Atmospheres Sparkling Brut, $28

This sparkling wine is one of a kind, hailing from the Pays Nantais region of the Loire Valley, France where usually the only grape seen here is Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet). In true 17 Club fashion, not the case here. Its vineyards sit on the Atlantic coast of Brittany, near the city of Nantes, stretching the whole area from the coast to Anjou. Think cool, wet maritime climate. Perfect for crisp and light white wines and of course, bubbles!

Winemaker Jo Landron is too modest to take much praise for his expressive Muscadets but this effervescent guy might be the best vigneron in the region. He would be more inclined to credit the diversity of his terroirs, situated on the upper slopes of Sèvre River near Nantes. He worked alongside his father, Pierre, for a number of years and took control of the domaine in the 1990s. Jo began converting the estate to organic and biodynamic practices, earning certification in both forms of viticulture. These labor-intensive farming practices illustrate Jo’s commitment to expressing the purity and exquisite minerality of the area.

Atmosphères is known as The ‘fairy’ of the winery: delicate and persistent with extremely pure, crystalline features. A blend of 36% Folle Blanche -an obscure variety found exclusively in the west of France known for making tangy white wines. Rounding out the mix is 33% Pinot noir and 31% Chardonnay. The label indicates party bubbles but this is seriously tasty stuff, a traditional-method wine of great character and length. With 24 months on lees, then bottled with a low 5g dosage, it's a wonderful combination of racy citrus and stone fruit, and richer Pinot Noir red berries, with just a hint of smoky, bready yeastiness. French bubbles not from Champagne don’t really get any better than this.

December 2022

Red #1: Anne Amie Pinot Noir Winemaker’s Selection 2021 $27

A classic we’ve only briefly explored, Oregon wines are a phenomenal way to get world class wines at a farmer’s price. And while their pinot noir might be a classic, this winery actually was started as anything but. In months past, we’ve introduced you to a grape called Muller Thurgau that is rarely found outside of Germany and her neighboring countries. This is the grape that started the property, and Anne Amie still farms its Old Vine Muller planted in the late 70s. But, when current owner Dr. Robert Pamplin took over in 1999, he leveled up the property with a bet on pinot - the classic heart of modern Willamette Valley. He named his new winery after his two daughters and started pursuing excellence.

We love Oregon Pinot because it’s so food friendly, and this time of year, we’re all doing a lot of eating. Willamette Pinot stands out because its so similar to Burgundy - the French standard for all things pinot noir. Yes, Anne Amie uses Burgundian clones (this is a combo of Dijon and Musigny clones, among others), but the climate and terroir, and the simple, traditional winemaking style allow the wines to reach a perfect balance of fruit and earth. This wine shows ripe, juicy strawberry alongside the rich, earthy smell of just dug earth. A hint of cherry cola and a brambly wildness make this a super easy to drink wine that will enhance meals of lean beef, mushrooms, roasted carrots, or grilled salmon.

From the label to the wine inside the bottle, Anne Amie represents tradition and care. They pursue the Burgundian model, the tradition of good wine made in a responsible way. These are carefully made wines, fermented in small batches with only indigenous yeasts. The winery is Salmon Safe and LIVE certified and they’re even working on becoming a carbon neutral facility. This is a wine you can feel good sharing with your family and friends as you celebrate the holidays and look forward to the year ahead.

Red #2: Somos Wines Tintito 2021 $26

We are truly bringing you an international experience with this wine. With influence from across the world, the wine is made in Australia and really showcases what a new world country can do without the strict wine making regulations of the EU in place. 

Winemakers Mauricio Ruiz Cantú and Ben Caldwell met while studying oenology and viticulture at the University of Adelaide in 2010. They both had one of those quarter life crises (have to laugh) that propelled them to abandon their career plans in computer engineering and games technology, opting instead for the glamorous life of barrels, bottles, and bins.

Following graduation, Mauricio returned to his native Mexico with a small shipment of Barossa Shiraz he made for fun and named it Juguette, a Spanish word for toy.  His market was primarily friends and family but sold a bit in distribution to help fund his trip home. The wine turned out to be a big hit, prompting Mauricio to reach out to Ben as he was looking to grow his brand. This peaked Ben’s interest, and with little but a virtual handshake, Mauricio spent most of the next year in Mexico establishing a distribution network while Ben tended to the vines and wines back in McLaren Vale. And thus, Somos was born in 2015, focusing on alternative varieties and making wines as naturally as possible. Somos is a brand deeply rooted in South Australia but with a bit of Latin American flair, and it is quickly rising the ranks of Australia’s best new producers. Somos was a finalist in the Young Gun of Wine’s annual winemaker awards in both 2020 and 2021.

Tintito is designed to be a savory yet fruit-driven Mediterranean style red. While the blend changes every year, the 2021 vintage saw the addition of Uva di Troia (a native grape from Puglia, Italy) for the first time, which brings another layer of complexity to the blend, with a beautiful backbone of chalky tannin. 

This natural, organic, vegan wine is a very cool cosmopolitan blend of 69% Grenache (Spain, Italy), 12% Uva di Troia (Italy), 10% Pinot Meunier (that other Champagne grape) &  9% Mencia (Spain). Only 917 cases were made of this wine so it’s pretty special and speaking of pretty, the label is easy on the eyes as well. While we can’t buy you an international plane ticket, this is the next best thing to a trip around the world.

White #1: Hendry, Napa Valley Albariño 2021 $29

When you think about Napa Valley, the Galician grape Albariño from NW Spain isn’t the first thing to come to mind, but maybe it should be. This unassuming family-run estate is one of Napa’s best-kept secrets. We also love a story that involves a heroine as this one does. 

Margaret Munn and George W. Hendry married in 1932. At the time, they lived in Point Richmond, California, and George, an agronomy professor, divided his time between teaching at the University of California campuses of Berkeley and Davis. In 1939, after the birth of their sons George O. and Andrew, George and Margaret purchased the Hendry Ranch, and moved to Napa.

Proud of the fact that they have owned and farmed their land for more than 80 years, no one deserves more credit for this accomplishment than Margaret Hendry. Like the history of many famous wineries left to a woman to run and conquer, this is no exception. On April 15, 1944, just 5 years after they had purchased the property, her husband George Whiting Hendry died suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack. The ranch was left to Margaret, and their two sons George O. and Andrew, who were still young children at the time. For the next 30 years, the resilient and resourceful Margaret single-handedly maintained and managed the ranch, raised her two children, and cared for her ailing father. 

Now run by George’s Nephew, the lessons learned in more than 70 harvests provide him and his team with a level of knowledge and a connection to the land that is rare in Napa. The Hendry Ranch is composed of 114 acres of vineyard situated in the hills north west of Napa. This latitude in the valley experiences substantial marine influence, and allows them to grow 10 different varietals, each carefully distributed among their 47 vineyard blocks. Known for their subtle use of oak, and restraint in ripeness, their wines are crafted to highlight the terroir of the vineyard and not manipulation in the winery.

The morning marine layer that arrives paired with the cool afternoon breezes off the San Pablo Bay in the afternoon ensure the grapes get evenly ripened while maintaining acidity. This dry, crisp yet pretty and floral expression of the variety will be your go to for your holiday oysters. Better yet, if you don’t already celebrate it, this could be your inspiration to pull off a feast of the seven fishes…

White #2: Terra Costantino "deAetna" Etna Bianco 2018 $27

Well, we can’t stay away from Sicily but to be honest we haven’t had an Etna Bianco since the inaugural month of the club (we still dream about that one). Let us explain why we can’t stay away.  Sicily is a magical & mysterious place. Compared to mainland Italy, Sicily feels like another country. It’s hotter, wilder, slower & more dangerous. It’s the largest island in the Mediterranean and considered one of the world’s most diverse melting pots. It’s been inhabited by the Siculians, Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Germans & Spanish and didn’t become part of Italy until 1860. Wine is one of Sicily’s greatest contributions to the world and it’s wine culture is ancient and was covered in vineyards long before the Greeks got there. Thought to be brought from the Phoenicians but Greek legend has it that Dionysus (god of wine) brought over vines and planted them in Naxos. Speaking of gods, Sicily is truly one of their playgrounds with the likes of Scylla, Demeter, Persephone and we supposedly can thank them for us having seasons. 

Then there’s Mt. Etna, a place full of history. Here the cultivation of the vines has a millennial tradition and it is confirmed by Greek mythology. At 11,000 ft. above sea level, Mt. Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. Its circumference is 93 miles. Due to its size about 1/3 of Sicilians live on its slopes and still believe that the volcano is a living being in the form of a mother/father. As of 2001, eruptions happen every year with the last major eruption in 1992. The largest eruption in modern times was in 1669. It was several eruptions over the course of a few weeks killing 20,000 (remember that dangerous part). 

The name Etna comes from the greek word Aitne and translated to mean “I Burn.” In Greek mythology Aitna was the goddess of the volcano, who would want to drink volcanic wine that didn’t have a goddess? The Greeks called the wine of Etna “nectar of the gods” and enjoyed drinking it during symposia (which means ‘drink together’). Etna’s vineyards are some of the highest in the world and exposed to extreme weather conditions. Soil is key made of lava, ash and sand incorporating lots of minerality. Etna even has it’s own DOC (regulated/protected area) within Sicily recognized in1968. It is at high risk of collapsing into the sea due to gravity and potentially triggering a devastating tsunami, so we need to keep drinking it while we can!

Terra Costantino is a small, boutique family winery that has a 40 year long history, which allowed them to deeply understand the uniqueness of this terroir. They decided to represent it through organic farming, being the first to do so on Etna in 2000. They cultivate 10 hectares of vineyards in Viagrande at Contrada Blandano, 1650 f.a.s.l. This place is filled with history, here wine has been produced since the Roman and Greek age. 

"deAetna" Etna Bianco is a blend of 80% Carricante, 15% Catarratto and 5% Minnella, all white grapes native to Etna. Think lemon zest, salt, pineapple and green apple. “The name DeAetna, inspired by the title of a Latin pamphlet dated 1494, expresses the sacredness of the oenological universe. Written in dialogue form, the text tells of the ascension to the top of the volcano by a Venetian writer, Pietro Bembo, after returning from his stay in Messina at Constantine Lascaris’s home. The description and study of Mt.Etna and its activity assign to "DeAetna" classical and historical mysticism giving the Sicilian wine the most intellectual moment of the encounter at the table. “ *mic drop

Bubbles #1: Domaine des Aubuisières Vouvray Brut NV $26

The holidays call for Chenin Blanc and they also call for bubbles so we killed two turtle doves with one stone here. Chenin Blanc is one of those grape varieties that seems to offer something for everyone and since we are around everyone this time of year it’s the perfect plus one. Chenin Blanc tends to remain vibrant with orchard, citrus, and stone fruit notes that are cut through with mouthwatering acidity and a spine of minerality. At the table, Chenin Blanc’s naturally bright acidity makes it an excellent foil for richer foods. That "zippiness" cuts through butter and cream and perks up everything from flaky fish to poultry. “But I’m having prime rib/brisket”…no problem this Chenin sparkles which means it’s going to pair with EVERYTHING from beginning to end (so you’re going to need more than 1 bottle). 

Vouvray is the appellation within the Touraine region of the Loire Valley and nowhere in the world is more synonymous than here for Chenin, the grape’s birthplace. It’s the only grape produced here so you know it’s going to be refined and focused. The Domaine des Aubuisières covers 33 hectares on the best terroirs of the Vouvray appellation. Bernard Fouquet, a quiet-spoken man behind the wine, is making some of the most serious Vouvray of the last few vintages. He is now regarded in France and the international press as one of the top three Vouvray producers. No one succeeds better than Bernard in capturing the mineral tones unique to Vouvray’s soil, with the marvelous balance of explosive fruit and titillating sensation of the Chenin Blanc grape. This traditional method sparkling Vouvray is going to be a guest that gets an invitation again next year and if you really like it’s company, it has a still sibling on our shelves that also has a shining personality!!

Bubbles #2: Marques De Gelida, Cava Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Reserva 2017 $24

There are too many styles of cava from Spain and we are definitely on board to discover them as they are not all created equal. Things are moving and shaking in the world of Spanish sparkling wine as a new classification system designed to showcase the range and diversity of cava was announced last May. This basically means regulations have tightened and producers are going to have to level up if they want to play. Things like longer aging time before release (some longer than NV Champagne) and having to use organic grapes for certain classifications. Cava is about to blow up and we will be able to say we knew them when….

The producer behind this cava has a VERY clever name, Vins el Cep which roughly translates to wines from the vineyard ;). You may or may not know that we primarily carry ‘grower’ Champagne: A grower-producer who makes Champagne from estate-grown fruit as opposed to a house that purchases fruit from other growers or producers. This approach often shows more intimate care and terroir in the finished wine than mass-produced styles. Vins el Cep epitomizes the concept of "grower" sparkling wine. They were the pioneering producer of organic and biodynamically farmed sparkling wine in Spain. Today, the winery produces wine exclusively from estate owned vineyards - not a single berry or liter of purchased must or wine enters the cellar.

Maite Esteve, the matriarch of the company, is the paradigm of the concept of a vigneron. She is a grape grower, winemaker, CFO, label designer, marketer, director of sales, etc. aka Boss Babe!

A blend of 40% Xarel·Lo  20% Macabeu  20% Parellada (all typical Cava grapes) &  20% Chardonnay. Aging is a whopping 24 months on the lees and zero dosage, which means it’s bone dry. This certified organic, vegan sparkling wine, Gelida Blanc de Blancs, is a perfect example of the style of cava Maite loves - fresh, bright, mineral, high acid, and focused.

November 2022

RED #1: Cuvelier Los Andes, Blend Colección Valle de Uco 2015 $25

We knew nothing of this wine until owner, winemaker Baptiste Cuvelier walked through our door three weeks ago and blew Heidi away with his range of Argentinean wines. Baptiste and his family have quite the resume - he’s a winemaker and shareholder at Château Léoville-Poyferré (2nd Grand Cru classé of Saint-Julien, one of the best of Bordeaux) and now has this cool project in the southern hemisphere. 

The Cuvelier family has been in wine since 1804, now blending “French know-how, with the Argentine experience and the Mendoza terroir.”

Located in Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Bodega Cuvelier Los Andes is part of the prestigious and recognized CLOS DE LOS Siete. Currently, this region has the highest concentration of high-altitude vineyards in the world. It is a valley formed by high peaks, with a wide temperature range that provides a high quality of raw material. (Wine Education Tip: Hillside slopes, altitude, and the temperature shifts provided by hills and altitude help wine grapes retain their acidity while fully ripening leading to higher quality wines!)

In 1998, Michel Rolland, Advising Oenologist of Château Léoville Poyferré and Château Le Crock, offered the Cuvelier family the opportunity to invest in their Andean project. Bertrand and Jean-Guy, seduced by the Mendoza region and by the "Clos de los Siete" project, decided to launch Cuvelier Los Andes, with the aim of implementing their Grand Cru Classé de Bordeaux production techniques in the Uco Valley and developing wines of excellence and suitable for aging in a very Bordeaux style, aiming to create Malbec-based assemblages that can be proudly presented as the Argentine cousins of Château Léoville-Poyferré.

The vineyards were planted from 1999 to 2006 and cover 55 hectares with a density of 5,500 vines per hectare. Malbec is the majority, completed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. The entire vineyard is worked “low yield” organically and biodynamically. (Wine Education Tip: while it may not be obvious, it’s preferable to have vines with less fruit - you can’t make as much wine, but what you do make is much better!)

The Blend Colección we have here is a Bordeaux-style blend of 62% Malbec, 20% Cabernet, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 8%Syrah. Cuvelier Los Andes is the perfect expression of the finesse of a great Bordeaux blend combined with the power of a great Argentine wine. 

RED #2: Gavalas Kotsifali 2019 $25

Remember how much we all missed Heidi in September? She was in Crete exploring a unique world of wine (and beaches, and parties, and Greek food, and so on…), so to say Heidi is beyond excited to bring this wine to you is an understatement! 

Crete is a place full of Minoan palaces built 3,500 years ago, Byzantine temples, Venetian and Turkish forts, crystal-clear lacy shores, but also snow-clad mountain tops rising 8,200 feet high. Chestnut and oak forests, exotic palm groves next to beautiful beaches, fertile plains with maturing vines gleaming in the summer sun, hills covered with thousands of olive trees and then there’s the people and their extreme hospitality….ready to go yet?

Beyond all of this the island has a legendary place in winemaking history and it was probably the jumping off point for winemaking across Greece. The Minoan civilization (2000-1400 BCE) imported Egyptian winemaking techniques in the neolithic period and palaces such as Knossos even had their own vineyards. Archaeological findings and historical sources have proven that the Cretan vineyards have never ceased to produce wine from the Minoan times to the present day.

Crete has a warm climate but the majority of planting is above 1600 feet (Wine Education Tip: here’s that elevation again), which helps to cool the vines and preserve a little acidity. There are 11 indigenous varieties grown on Crete and the one you are going to enjoy is Kotsifali. Kostifali is the benchmark red variety of the celebrated vineyards of Crete, defining the style of the dry reds coming out of one of the most significant wine-producing regions of the Aegean Sea. Since red grapes are much more important on the island than whites, Kotsifali can be considered as the real soul of Crete. Kotsifali originates from the word “kotsifi” a little blackbird that shows a particular preference for the variety’s grapes. Blackberry, plum & raspberry are the heart of this grape which is fleshy as well as soft and mellow. 

Gavalas is one of the most revered wineries in Crete. Emmanuel Gavalas planted the first vineyards in 1906 just south of the city of Heraklion and today all the vineyards are certified organic. It was customary to bury a barrel of this wine when a child was born in order to serve it years later at their wedding. We don’t recommend that, instead open it now with your Thanksgiving turkey or better yet, lamb…Yamas!!

WHITE #1: Pinot Grigio Kellerei Andrian 2020 $25

We often joke about how boring pinot grigio is, so you know that if we are going to bring you a Pinot Grigio, we are bringing one with personality (think our pink version from the summer!) With a different twist but just as much personality, enter Kellerei Andrian. Hailing from one of our favorite places (and probably now yours too), the Italian Alpine region of Trentino-Alto Adige. A unique terroir for unique wines: high mountains, wide valleys and a cool climate characterized by warm early morning sun and cool nights from the Mount Gantkofel winds.

Cantina Andriano was founded in 1893 and was the first cooperative in Alto Adige. (Wine Education Tip: Wait, is it Cantina Andriano or Kellerei Andrian?!? Trentino Alto Adige is a region split between Germanic and Italian culture - hence the two names in two languages!) The vineyards are protected to the west by Mount Gantkofel which is made of dolomite rock and calcareous stone. This fertile calcareous clay soil is typical of the area and leaves its footprint in the wines’ character. The grapes are harvested in mid to late September from the northeastern portion of the Andriano vineyards. This cooler parcel is ideal for growing the white varietals of Andriano and the higher altitude and cooler climate is responsible for the acidity and elegance that characterizes this wine.

Yes, it’s light and white, but there’s also so much flavor here. This is a smooth, refined Pinot Grigio with aromas of pear, white melon and citrus finishing with spicy apple and tart lemon curd. Minerality abounds and offers the sense of some cool Dolomite mountain air. This is going to be your Thai dish, shrimp scampi, or I just want to have a glass of something good wine.

WHITE #2: Elvio Cogno, Langhe Nascetta di Novello Anas-Cëtta $31

Warning: Major Delicious Cork Dork Moment! We are back in Piedmont, Italy and we have an enological discovery that wants to become the great white of the Lange. The most unusual and even most typical native variety of Novello, yet perhaps least-known, is not Barolo, as many believe; it is Nascetta, a white Piedmontese variety that emerges from a troubled, though fascinating, past. For a long time, this was a forgotten wine, made from just a few, meager rows of vineyard. It nearly went the way of extinction. It was a true enological discovery, its lost fate saved only by the foresight of several producers, including Elvio Cogno. This is a Timorasso-like story. 

In 1877, the scholar Giuseppe of the Counts of Rovasendalo defined Nascetta as “a very delicate grape and exquisite wine” in his Saga of a Universal Viticulture. In 1895, comparing it to the fineness of Moscato. His colleague Giovanni Gagna coined today’s name “Nascetta,” saying “it should to be used together with Moscato bianco and Favorita.” Nascetta was used as a wine for Mass, a sweet wine made from slightly dried grapes, and able to withstand time.

The Nascetta vine is, by nature, delicate and unstable. It is difficult to cultivate and unpredictable in yield, going from abundant to sparse production. Over the course of the 20th century, more productive varieties and, most of all, nebbiolo for making Barolo were favored over Nascetta until this variety almost completely disappeared. 

In 1993, Elvio Cogno and Valter Fissore, together with other producers from Novello, accepted an unusual invitation. In the presence of the journalist Armando Gambera, they uncorked a few bottles of Nascetta from 1986. It was love at first sip. “The Nascetta astounded everyone for its fine and elegant profile. Notwithstanding the years, it had evolved towards passito notes and resisted oxidation,” says Valter Fissore. “It was completely unique, and almost resembled a Sauternes. It was a white wine without equal in the Langhe.” After this legendary tasting, Elvio Cogno and Valter Fissore were convinced that Nascetta was destined for a great future. Experimentation began immediately: in 1994, he helped with the first harvest. 

Today, Nascetta is recognized as one of the great white wines of the Langhe. The principal characteristics of this wine are its versatility and adaptability to different wine making styles. Whether in stainless steel or wood, the variety maintains its typical characteristics and is capable of expressing its territory, while allowing the producer to leave his or her signature.

Anas-Cetta by Elvio Cogno is distinguished for its brilliant gold color, fruit of an attentive extraction. On the nose, it has notes of citrus and exotic fruits, while on the palate it reaches a notable savoriness with hints of sage and rosemary. It is ready to drink but can withstand aging, providing the excitement of a great white made in a land of reds. 

BUBBLES #1: Face B, Pif Paf NV $33

Our first sparkler is an O.G. in the bubble game. Blanquette de Limoux is an appellation for sparkling wines, made using a second fermentation in the bottle, from an area of southern France in the Pyrenean foothills. Limoux is the main town there, and for centuries it has lent its name to the local sparkling wines. ‘Blanquette' is a local name for the Mauzac grape variety, from which these wines are predominantly made. The Mauzac blend component is complemented by varying proportions of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay (Mauzac + Chenin in this case).

Domaine Face B is made up of 4 hectares of vines in the territory of Calce headed up by Séverin Barioz. Calce, a small village of 220 souls in the Pyrénées Orientales, is also home to splendid terroirs, multiple and contrasting (limestone, marl and schist), perched 200 meters above sea level above the plain and almost all of the winegrowers in the village work organically/biodynamically. Face B is no exception. Only 15,000 bottles are produced each year and we are the chosen few to get our hands on this juice made with respect and love!

“The B Side of a vinyl is not the Side of the hits, but it's the Side of the nuggets that we like to show our friends. Side B is also the realization of a second life, the one that maturity and perseverance offer us.”

Notes of honeycrisp apples are swept over a field of long grass. With a bright palate full of dry and creamy bubbles, this is an elegant, integrated, and distinct Blanquette, perfect for the fall.

BUBBLES #2: Szigeti, Méthode Traditionelle Burgenland Sekt Brut Blanc de Blancs Gustav Klimt 2017 $29

You’ve seen this producer before in The 17 Club (sparkling grüner!) but definitely not this bottle (which is drop dead gorgeous). Peter Szigeti is a winemaker after our own hearts, his life’s work is to make grapes sparkle!! And sparkle they do!

Gols, Burgenland (Austria), was gifted by nature with one of the most extraordinary vineyards in Europe, the Pannonian Basin. The character of the wines here are shaped by the almost relentless influences of the warm Pannonian climate. The 100% Chardonnay grapes are particularly expressive with sophisticated, multi-layered bouquets. Chardonnay is one of the traditional grapes of the Champagne region of France  - it reflects a freshness of fruit while accepting nuance and complexity from aging.  

Szigeti seeks to produce wines in a fresh style with clear varietal expression. This bottle of ‘Gustav Klimt Adele’ Blanc de Blancs Brut shows notes of green apple and citrus with a refreshing salty minerality. Expect lots of toastiness from aging twenty months on the lees (Wine education tip: that’s a decent amount of time to spend on the dead yeast cells - the minimum in champagne is only 12 months! The longer the wine spends on its lees, the more complex, toasty, and cozy the wine gets - all at the expense of the winery!). The portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer on the label is from Klimt's golden phase. The original painting lives today at the Neue Galerie in New York. Just like the uniqueness of this original painting that has captured the hearts of so many, this wine is also prized and limited - only 35k bottles were produced for the whole world. 

October 2022

In the spirit of ghouls and goblins, we’ve found some wines that remind us of haunted tales to make your October extra spooky.

Red #1: Bootleg Red Blend 2017 $38

Don’t let the skeleton on the label confuse you – our first wine is a thriller, not of blood and gore, but of intrigue and crime. Have you ever wondered how so many incredible European grape vines made it across the ocean and into American vineyards to produce the world class wine we make here today? It was generations of winegrowing rogues who smuggled vine cuttings from renowned French and European vineyards and replanted them in California to elevate American wine to world class status. They literally would bring vine cuttings in their suitcase, like you can see on the label’s x-ray design. Definitely not legal, but boy are we sure glad someone was willing to risk it for us!

In this spirit, Bootleg embraces the unconstrained, especially in their winemaking. Though the recipe may change from year to year, Bootleg's exuberant, bold and complex blends challenge convention while remaining anchored in celebrated vineyards like Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, Knights Valley, and Diamond Mountain - all of which are present in this blend. It’s easy to break all the rules if you have access to the best of the best grapes! 

Opulent yet refined, Bootleg deftly balances hedonistic pleasure with structure, nuance and finesse. And, particularly apropos for October, since Bootleg uses high quality mountain fruit this wine has scary aging potential…

Red #2: Devil's Corner Tasmania Pinot Noir $20

Devil’s Corner, on Tasmania’s East Coast, is one of the wildest and most relentless environments on Earth. People say you are a product of your environment and Devil’s Corner believes the harshest conditions yield the greatest results. The name comes from intrepid sailors who, while navigating Tasmania’s Tamar River, discovered a treacherous bend and named it Devil’s Corner. Yet, just beyond the tumultuous reach, they found an amazing sanctuary where still waters rewarded their impressive navigational efforts. 

Brown Brothers is one of Australia’s leading family-owned wine companies and they’ve been making wine for over 120 years! We’re glad they were willing to take the risk of farming on the rugged, wild, eastern coast of Tasmania to make these gorgeous wines.

There’s nothing dangerous about this luscious, full-bodied pinot noir other than it is awfully quaffable. Supple and silky on the palate with tart cherry, wild raspberries, savory herbs, lavender, and sweet cake spice flavors on the palate. 

White #1: Domaine du Clos des Fees "Les Sorcieres" Blanc 2020 $30

This wine comes from a magical place – very isolated, very beautiful, very wild, very romantic – a place that fairies would live, if they existed. But don’t they…? That’s what the winery’s name means: in French, a clos is a small parcel of vines surrounded by walls. And “fee” is a fairy, an "imaginary female being who possesses supernatural powers" that she uses with the help of a magic wand. The wine we’ve chosen from you is even more mystical and mysterious than just fairies - it’s The Witches (Les Sorcières), the winery’s most famous wine. 

Clos des Fées is relatively new in the wine world, beginning in 1998, when Herve and Claudine settled in Vingrau, on the high cool slopes of the northern edge of Roussillon in the south of France. Herve recognized the quality potential of the cool high sites of these magnificent limestone-based vineyards sitting well above the valley floors where most producers work in easier and more fertile soils. The vineyards of Vingrau and the higher slopes could not be more complex, different, or difficult, to work than those on the lower flat land. Buying up old and often abandoned vineyards from these high slopes, Herve has gradually amassed dozens of tiny plots, of which many are magnificent mature vineyards spread throughout these cooler slopes. With a large team of vineyard workers, they work approximately only 2 hectares of vines each throughout the year, producing tiny yields of perfectly ripe fruit which also retain excellent freshness and acidity. Vinifying gently and using minimal SO2 during the winemaking process the resulting wines show remarkable finesse and freshness behind perfectly ripe fruit that shows its origins from these fresh limestone based soils.

The Witches white wine is a blend of rolle (vermentino), roussanne, and macabeo direct pressed, cool fermented, and aged on its lees for a fruity, zippy little wine, not quite unlike a witch zooming about on her broom on Halloween.

White #2: Azores Wine Company Branco Vulcanico 2020 $30

The Azores are a tiny island chain in the northern Atlantic Ocean that currently belong to Portugal. These islands were formed by volcanoes, and the local myth is that upon their arrival to the islands, humans brought their sins along with them. The sins conjured ghostly figures down from the top of the mountain—the eruption of the volcano. Volcanoes, spewing scalding hot orange and black magma, destroying everything in their path, could not be more evil, scary, or haunting both in myth and reality. However, after their wicked assault, something magical happens - the land absorbs the lava into the soil and creates some of the best winegrowing terroir on earth. This is why Antonio and his two partners were so eager to scoop up the land that now constitutes the Azores Wine Company. In fact, grape vines are the only crop to speak of here, as other plant life has a difficult time surviving the rugged landscape.

The Branco Vulcanico is a blend of Arinto dos Açores and Verdelho grapes. Partially from the grapes and partially by growing immediately adjacent to the roaring ocean, this wine takes on a particularly seaside character. On the nose, tropical but intensely maritime, with pineapple and passion fruit interwoven with seaweed, wet stone and sea spray. Salty and intensely mineral driven on the palate, with a surprising depth of fruit that is balanced by the minerality and focused acidity through the middle. It’s prized at restaurants for its gastronomic appeal.

Bubbles #1: Monte Rio Cellars "Skull" Sparkling 2021 $23

Not so scary, except for being scary good, we love the little skull on this interesting sparkling wine from California. A collaboration between Patrick Cappiello of Monte Rio Cellars and his good friend and fellow winemaker Pax Mahle, Skull Wine Company is actually a nod to Patrick’s days spent skateboarding and living the “punk-rock” scene. Skulls and skeletons have been used to represent the counter-culture ideology of punk and rock cultures, ranging from scary and menacing to comic and ironic.

Like his Monte Rio Wines the Skull bottlings are produced from all sustainable and/or organically farmed vineyards, made naturally with only native/ambient yeasts, fermented in a combination of cement & stainless steel before being aged in neutral wood. Very low amounts of sulfur are added, typically at bottling when this wine is force carbonated. Made from a blend of Pinot Gris, Savignon Blanc, Vermentino, and Verdelho, this fun wine is perfect to crack while handing out candy to the neighbors. It’ll help you keep your edge!

Bubbles #2: Kuentz-Bas Cremant d'Alsace Tradition Brut NV $27

Alsace, France, is known as one of the most haunted regions of the world because of the extreme terror and loss of life at the German/French border during World War II. Additionally, the winery of Kuentz-Bas is located near the hill of Bollenberg, site of witch trials reminiscent of Salem here at home. Because of these veiled portals to the other worlds, most wines from this area are grown and made in the company of spirits of those long since departed.

Maison Kuentz-Bas was first established by the Kuentz family in 1795, and the domain as we know it today was forged through a marriage that joined the Kuentz and Bas families in 1895. Nestled in the town of Husseren-les-Châteaux, it sits at one of the highest points in Alsace, and the vineyards stretch out from the village over an area of ten hectares. More than two hundred years of tradition and vineyard pedigree have made these wines perennial favorites, with the grand crus of Eichberg and Pfersigberg earning the highest esteem. However, when the family sold the property to famed vigneron Jean-Baptiste Adam in 2004, many wondered what direction the new team would take. Adam, like the estate’s former owners, has a reputation for being an advocate of Alsatian terroir, and he is the fourteenth generation to continue a family winemaking tradition that began as early as 1614. Eager to restore Kuentz-Bas to its former glory, Adam lowered yields significantly and reverted to natural methods, following organic and biodynamic approaches to vineyard work. 

This sparkling crémant is a blend of Pinot Auxerrois and Pinot Blanc made in the traditional method. Notes of ripe stone fruits, balsamic, and wildflowers make for a charming, sparkling quaffer, and its great price means you can find more everyday reasons to celebrate…like being undead…

September 2022

We’re wrapping up our summer abroad tour in Italy. But this isn’t spaghetti and chianti Italy - this is the true Italy, with gems from all corners of this gorgeous country. The regions and wines are vast — Italian wine is notably complex — so adding a puzzle onto your order this month may help you put the pieces together ;)

Red #1: Masseria Setteporte’s Etna Rosso (2019) $27

What better way to kick off fall than with the smoky, spicy red of Masseria Setteporte’s Etna Rosso? This ruby-colored wine is as red as the volcanic soils its grapes thrive in, on the southwestern slope of Sicily’s active volcano, Mount Etna. Hailing from Etna DOC, this Sicilian winemaking region is steeped in ancient tradition. While the Portale family closely preserves the region’s winemaking history, family member Ferdinando Portale revolutionized their winery by turning their vines from saplings to espaliers – from shrubby bushes of Nerello grapes to terraced vines. 

The drinker can almost picture the steep, sun-trapped vineyards that thrive 2,000 feet above sea level. With the adaptation of their vines, the Portale family was able to expand their vineyards to 67 acres underneath the volcano that so richly influences their terroir. With aromatic notes of cranberry and herbs, the palate explodes with flavors of pomegranate, cherry, nutmeg, and earth. This red is dry with a subtle kick of acid and medium in body, made from two Etna varietals: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Enjoy with mushroom risotto, a tomato-based sauce over pasta or red meats.

Red #2: Michele Satta Bolgheri Rosso (2020) $29

Talk about building your dreams from scratch. Manifestation has become a trending word in modern day society, but no winemaker has coined the term quite like producer Michele Satta. Satta has literally pioneered Bolgheri DOC wine from its more recent beginnings: when the small, coastal Tuscan town became an appellation in 1984. Hired by local farmers as he began his studies at an agricultural university, he eventually bought his own plot of land and built his own cellar. His goal was to honor the opportunities and lessons given to him by his original employers, while exploring grapes that he thought best described the uniqueness of Bolgheri; he touts proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea, nestled amongst hills at every turn, as the most defining terroir characteristic in his vineyard.

After years of evaluating which vines were most suitable, handpicking which grapes he thought best, and studying every aspect of his vineyard from how low the birds fly to which vegetation grew best alongside his grapes, Michele Satta settled on eight grapes that - to him personally - convey the Bolgheri mindset. The Bolgheri Rosso is a combination of the five black grapes that Satta thinks is best: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Teroldego, all hand harvested from four different vineyards on his property. Sipping his red blend will feel like you uncorked this after a day’s work with him in his fields: tastes of bursting red and black fruits, notes of leather and tobacco, with a healthy dose of tannins. We think it’s no question that Michele Satta is the original explorer of Bolgheri DOC wines – the American Dream? Nope, the Italian Dream!

White #1: Le Vigne di Zamó, Colli Orientali del Friuli Pinot Grigio Ramato $29

The Fruili region of Italy is known across the globe for its white wines, and this Pinot Grigio made by the Zamo family is no exception. Brothers Pierluigi and Silvano rented vineyards around Rosazzo Abbey, an abbey dating over a thousand years old, in this northeastern corner of Italy. Since the late 1970s, this family estate has grown to 35 hectares. The Zamos give credit to the range of terroir on their estate for its beautiful wines: the hillsides of Rosazzo by the abbey, the quaint and ancient town of Buttrio, and the high slopes of Rocca Bernarda. 

This isn’t any simple Pinot Grigio, however – this is Pinot Grigio Ramato, a style made historically in Fruili. When the skins of this white grape are steeped with the fermenting liquids, the resulting color is a beautiful, coppery hue. Ramato comes from the Italian word “rame,” translating to “copper.” You may know this style as “orange wine.”

This Pinot Grigio Ramato’s nose is intensely floral, followed by flavors of tropical fruits. Creamy notes of bread and vanilla are thanks to its maturation on the lees. It’s slightly tannic, due to its soaking with its skins. The winemakers like to harmonize their three different terroirs using certified organic methods, like utilizing manure and humus in their vineyards. Surrounded by medieval towns, ancient abbeys, and hills that have seen vines for lifetimes, the Zamos family says it best: “Making wine is a sign of civilization and it strengthens the link between man and his land, his origins and tradition.”

White #2: Abbazia di Novacella, Alto Adige Valle Isarco Kerner (2020) $25

Looking for a wine with incredible history? To sip on while picturing stony, green mountain sides in the Alps? Cue up The Sound of Music and uncork this bottle. Dubbed one of the prettiest wineries in the world and the second oldest winery in Italy, Abbazia di Novacella sits nestled in the northern region of Alto Adige, at the base of the Alps. The Augustinian Order of Canons Regular founded this abbey in 1142, and the monks have supported themselves through winemaking, apple and vegetable farming, and a small viticulture school through its history. 

This grape, Kerner, is just as interesting as the estate is itself. The Kerner grape is a cross between Riesling and Schiava, originally created in 1929. As you’ll find sipping through this bottle, this varietal has the aromatic and floral impact of a Riesling with the lightness and delicacy of an easy Pinot Grigio. The abbey’s Kerner has become their most popular and internationally acclaimed wine, reflecting the terroir of the valley it’s grown in: spunky acidity because of the region’s warm days and cool nights, a saltiness from gravelly deposits formed from the Alps’s glaciers a millennia ago, and a rich complexity because of their late harvest. Notes of dried apple rinds, Alpine herbs, and white flowers make this northern Italian wine unforgettable.

Bubbles #1: Enrico Serafino, Alta Langa Brut (2017) $30

Enrico Serafino, the winery’s namesake, started its classic sparkling method production in 1878, in the same underground cellars they use to this day. Alta Langa DOCG is a brut sparkling wine from the Piedmont region, Italy’s first traditional method sparkling wine made in the 19th century. Through 140 harvests and counting, winemakers at Serafino’s estate have grown grapes in Barolo, Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato; these vineyards, underground cellars, and towns amongst them were deemed UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2014.

Enrico Serafino wines were present for transportation on the first railway built between Switzerland and Italy, served to 19th century royal Italian families, and given to President Woodrow Wilson on his first European tour post-WWI. These bubbles may be new in age in comparison to the line-up you’re trying this month, but by no means is it boring. Made with 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, the wine borrows the fruitiness and structure from Pinot Noir and the smooth creaminess from Chardonnay. If you don’t look at the label, you might just think you’re drinking champagne!

Bubbles #2: Denny Bini (Podere Cipolla), Lambrusco dell'Emilia Festa $21

The region of Emilia in northern Italy is undergoing a pet-nat revolution. What are pet-nat wines and why do you keep hearing about them? Translating to “naturally sparkling,” this style of bubbles is the oldest way of making sparkling wine and is made from a single, continuous fermentation. Emilia has a small but growing pocket of pet-nat producers, among them being winemaker Denny Bini. 

Denny Bini combines the brambly, punchy style of Lambrusco – an Italian sparkling red wine – with the “metodo ancestrale,” trend, resulting in the “Festa” bottle that’s known for its fun, funky, and party-like twist. He uses organic and biodynamic farming methods and only native yeasts in his winemaking; his work is so careful that he only produces a small number of bottles each harvest, so you know they’re going to be perfect! With a touch of Emilian bitterness and sour berries, earth, and herbs on the palate, this natty Lambrusco is perfect for family-style dinner or your next pizza party.

August 2022

We continue our summer abroad here in Spain. Think ancient olive trees, a Seville Orange-banked riviera, moorish castles, garlic and tomatoes on every menu, and a steady flow of some truly fabulous wine…

Red #1: Vinyes Singulars Sumoi Barmei 2019 - $30

As you know, we’d rather give you something to challenge your intellect than a bottle you might have had before, and this is the perfect example. I don’t have to tell you that it’s been hot as Hades here in Florida this summer, and while we all like a good red wine, it can sometimes feel just too hot to enjoy one!! Let me introduce this little baby as a great option for the heat of summer - a lighter bodied red wine that you should absolutely serve with a chill. There is still a backbone of structure - tannins, tons of flavor, and refreshing acidity that will help this wine pair with a meal, but it’s light and refreshing enough for even the hottest summer nights.

This wine is from Penedès, in Catalonia, not far from Barcelona, in the region where Cava is made, from a traditional, indigenous grape called Sumoll. (Fun fact: the wine is called “Sumoi Barmei” because the winemaker’s 6 year old kid, who is also responsible for the art work on the label, couldn’t pronounce Sumoll Vermell correctly, and they thought it was too cute!). In Catalan "Vermell" means light red, like this wine. The strong family values is one reason we love this winery. Ignasi Segui, the current owner and winemaker, is part of a long tradition of wine. His family has been making wine on this property since 1405!! Now, they grow multiple crops, all organically, and care for their land so it will be pristine for another 600 years!

Red #2: Descendientes de Jose Palacios "Petalos" del Bierzo 2020 - $30

Who is José Palacios and why do we care about his descendants? José was just a regular old guy who was so loved by his children and grandchildren, who happened to become superstar winemakers, that they named their winery in honor of him. He died shortly after their very first harvest together. Alvaro and his nephew Ricardo have separate passions for wine, but passion is almost an understatement. Ricardo is Spain’s foremost expert on biodynamics, believing that in caring for the land you benefit from even better wine. He was the one who translated Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamics “bible” into Spanish so that his whole country could benefit from the knowledge. Alvaro is a master winemaker - having made with with his family in Rioja, then creating groundbreaking wines in Priorat, and finally settling in to the final, most prestigious challenge of mastering the unique grape of Mencia.

“I’ve said this a number of times before, but sometimes you have to repeat yourself: Descendientes de J. Palacios is the most coherent, moving, thrilling and consistent wine project in Spain. Period.”

- Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate

The Palacios men focus on a grape called Mencia, in their home of Bierzo in the very northwest of Spain. When starting their project, they had their pick of Bierzo vineyards, though why this area wasn’t already more well known is beyond me. The climate, geography, and soil composition make this a region destined to make good wine. But they were able to pick the best of the best - a small plot near the tiny village of Corullòn which boasts steep, old-vine vineyards, and very poor, schist soils (which is better for growing good wine grapes!). They see the land as comparable to Burgundy in France, and produce wines rivaling the grand crus there. This wine, the “Petalos,” while it’s their “entry level” wine, is perhaps the most difficult wine of theirs to make. It is produced from over 300 plots along old hillside and hilltops vines along Bierzo’s western edge, all managed by a full time viticulure team — just to make this one wine! They perfect it to have estate’s signature finesse and restraint, while keeping the wine approachable to all wine lovers. This is an exceptional, highly rated, totally delicious wine of more obscure origins.

White #1: Gramona Gessamí 2020 - $22

We’re back in Penedès for another odd beauty with extraordinary history. The Gramona family has been making fabulous sparkling wines in this area since the early 19th century, with a winemaking history five generations long! They always focus on making the best wines of excellent quality, which as you’ve now learned, comes from a profound respect for the land. They farm organically and biodynamically, and now are producing quality still wines as well as their famous bubbles. With their still wines, they focus on the mediterranean aspect of their region, leaning into the hot, dry summers, mild winters, and mineral rich soils, perfect for making delectable wines.

The Gessamí is a beautiful reflection of a mediterranean garden at the peak of bud break. Bursting with floral notes and satisfying with its refreshing coastal orange palate, this wine is something to marvel at. It’s made from a blend of international grape varietals, predominately muscat (it’s not sweet!), with some Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurtztraminer for good measure. The nose is incredibly aromatic, and you’ll find that the palate matches suit, with a rip of fresh acidity to help this pair beautifully with food, especially veggies, rice, and seafood. We tried this one a year or so ago and have been dying to have a chance to bring it to you, our dear wine club members! We hope you enjoy!

White #2: Bernabeleva Camino de Navaherreros Blanco 2020 - $20

I’m particularly partial to this label with the motif of a girl riding a bear because of The Golden Compass, my favorite book of all time. This area, near Madrid, was an ancient Celtic hunting ground with the countryside dotted with stone carvings that were believed to be bears. Because of this the estate was named Bernabeleva or “bear’s forest.” This winery is another biodynamic, low intervention, sustainable producer, and the quality is again reflected in the bottle. While the winery is most known for its elegant, high elevation garnatcha, this white wine is a blend of abillo and macabeo, two indigenous white grapes that are then aged on their lees to create that rich, indulgent palate. These are also old vines - averaging 50 to 90 years old. As a vine ages, it stops producing as much fruit, so while potentially less lucrative, the berries that are left are so rich and flavorful that the quality of these vines far surpasses their younger relatives.

This is a perfect food wine and really over delivers for the price. Full bodied yet refreshing, excellent minerality, and a depth that pulls this out of its price range, make this a sought after white wine. The winemakers fight against commercialization, choosing to focus on making refined, reflective, and traditional winemaking in old oak barrels to protect the amazing aromatics of this wine in particular.

Bubbles #1: Alta Alella Cava Brut Nature Mirgin Gran Reserva - $25

The rosé version of this wine was one of our most popular pours at our June Bubbles Bash. We we never bring you wines that we’ve previously had on the racks, preferring to offer you something totally new, but we just LOVED the wine and wished we had brought it to 17 Club. So, we bring you it’s paler sister - the blanco version of the bubbles we so love! Some of you may be familiar with this winery - several of our guests have had the great fortune of getting to visit the property while on vacation in Spain. I’m envious of their travels, but this wine will as good as transport you to the exotic hillsides of Barcelona, just a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean Sea.

Organic viticulture, a family winemaking affair, and beautiful cascading views…what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, fabulous bubbles! And these truly are. With prolific teensy tiny bubbles and a rich leesy backbone, this wine is as good as a fine champagne. Alta Alella insists on aging their “Mirgin” Gran Reserva for at least 30 months. Can you imagine making an amazing product, and then not letting it into the market for 30 months!?! That’s two and a half years that they let this wine sit, not getting paid, just to let the wine get better and better. That’s dedication! This sparkling wine is made from two indigenous cava grapes: Pansa Blanca and Mataró. It’s a brut nature meaning they leave no residual sugar in this wine. The taste and quality of the wine makes it a great option for a special occasion or celebration, and the price of the wine makes it perfect for dinner, chats with friends, or movie night with popcorn. Yum!

Bubbles #2: Paco & Lola Cava - $28

The producer of one of Heidi’s favorite Albariños and one of the most iconically branded wines, Paco and Lola wines are as delicious as they are cute. Paco and Lola is a young, progressive co-op of likeminded growers; growers focused on sustainability and a modern sensibility. Historically, they’ve mastered the art of making Albariño, a refreshing white wine from the Rias Baixas region of northwest Spain, but here they are producing quality cava grapes for this delightful spritz! This is a typical cava made with the indigenous grapes of Xarel·lo, Macabeo and Parellada, but with the clean winemaking, the youthful energy of the growers, and the strong name of Paco and Lola behind them, this Cava will knock the rest out of the park, and look good doing it. I love to see companies like this putting the environment first, as the by-line of their organization. In fact, Paco and Lola is leading the way toward fulfilling the 17 Goals established in the United Nations General Assembly as part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, including non-discrimination, gender equality, and sustainable environmental practices. It’s a brand you can feel real good about supporting!

July 2022

We are starting our Summer Abroad with a Tour de France. French wines are obviously iconic and beloved, and this month, we’ll be exposing you to some of the great diversity found in this famous wine growing country. We want you to get a taste of the stuff you know and love and discover a few new gems along the way. Let’s ride….

Red #1 - Le Petit Saint Vincent, Saumur-Champigny (2019) $27

We start our tour de France in Anjou-Saumur, Loire Valley’s largest, most diverse, and most dynamic region, in the west of France. This is a region of exquisite castles and green rolling hills. And, between the sub-regions of Anjou and Saumur, this region delivers every style of wine the Loire offers. Saumur on the east side of the region is the Loire’s center for sparkling wine production but we are not talking about bubbles right now. Our red comes from the commune within Saumur called Champigny meaning "field of fire.” Here, the limestone soil is hard and iron-rich which is the perfect bed for the one grape that is found here: Cabernet Franc. This grape is often thought to be native to the Loire Valley but it was actually brought here by missionaries from the Basque region of Spain, its ancestral home. Saumur-Champigny is known for a light, bright, and elegantly floral expression of its only grape.

It is a region where reasoned (meaning the wine grower will only intervene in the vineyard if it is a necessity) and organic cultivation has existed for a long time and all the wine-growing estates have adapted their operation in favor of this type of viticulture and care for the environment. 

Domaine Le Petit Saint-Vincent has succeed for 4 generations by discovering and sharing the pearls of Saumur-Champigny with the public. The estate maintains old vines on nearly 12 hectares, producing wines that are surprising in particular because they are both mineral & fruit driven at the same time. This wine is full of red fruits and earth and is a great match for steak, chicken, and lamb.

Red #2 - Migot Cuvée Gamay 2020 $27

Moving east across the country, perhaps stopping in Paris for a quick respite, we arrive at the edge of Alsace. This part of the country is a little more bucolic and quaint compared to Loire’s sprawling splendor. This wine is going to be probably the first one you’ve ever had from this tiny place that is a western extension of Alsace in NE France. This is the Lorraine, a region with a viticultural history that goes back to Roman times. Ask anyone from the 15th to the 17th centuries: this region was the bomb, thanks to the Dukes of Lorraine and the Bishops of Toul. The 20th century, however, was not quite as good to Lorraine. The tragedies include: the rise of the railways and with them competition from the cheaper wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon, phylloxera, two world wars (in which parts of Lorraine were, literally, the front lines) and Champagne finally enforcing its geographic limitations (prior to this, many grapes from nearby Lorraine went right into Champagne) cutting off a huge market for the grapes and wines. And thus the more important wine-growing regions of the Lorraine (Côtes de Toul, Moselle and Vin de Pays de la Meuse) have spent the last few decades in the shadows. The Côtes de Toul, where this wine comes from, is even unknown to people living in France, as most of the wine made there stays there. Well, we’re super excited to have made the discovery and to get to share it with you!

"Finally, there are relatively few serious growers here. Camille Migot, the winemaker, is most certainly serious. He is a young dude; his first vintage was 2013. Migot’s family has been working the vineyards around here for some 13 generations. Thus he has some pretty concrete ideas of what he will and won’t do. The estate, only five hectares in size, is certified organic and the vineyard work is impressive. If these sites aren’t famous, they are loved. You can feel it (and you can taste it). Every grape is hand-harvested and Camille is part of the younger generation looking past the “technologies” of the past few decades and returning to something more basic and wholesome.” 

This is Gamay, a grape we’d normally find in Beaujolais, but this is not your typical “village” or “cru” wine with fruit punch and banana notes. It’s much more rustic, earthy, and leathery and has a little more weight on the palate. As always, gamay pairs well with almost all food. 

White #1 - Domaine Henri Bourgeois Les Baronnes Sancerre $28

We head back for another taste of the prestige of the Loire in a familiar wine region - Sancerre! We love Sancerre!!! We also have been in a Sancerre drought as of late, as quantities are limited, prices have skyrocketed, and quite a few of the ones we could get weren’t up to par, for us anyway. When we came across this one, even knowing we already have a Loire wine this month, we had to bring you back again. 

Sancerre is a wine-producing appellation (or region) located on the eastern side of France’s Loire Valley, in northwestern France, and wines from this region are commonly called Sancerre as well.  Sancerre is the more subdued, elegant sister of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Sancerre’s detailed flavor details are producer-specific, meaning that a producer’s harvest and vinification choices have a lot to do with the wines’ final flavor profiles. However, generally speaking, sauvignon blanc tends to show flavors of citrus and crushed rocks, marked by ample amounts of zesty thirst-quenching acidity. You’ll also get some fresh green, grassy notes.

The Bourgeois family's art of wine is based on the heritage of their ancestors (10 generations!), on the technicality of their wine making, and the attention to detail in the vineyards. The grapes are grown on the clay-limestone slopes located on the hills west of Sancerre that gives “Les Baronnes” a balance of freshness and tension. Classic pairing of Sancerre is chèvre but you can drink this without any food. It’s a great way to start a gathering, a meal…or a morning ;)

White #2 - Château Pesquié, Ventoux Quintessence Blanc $28

Now, we’ll loop down to the south and take a deep dive into the Rhone Valley with this one. We’ve been here via reds but never a white. This is the land of blending, where up to 22 grapes, both red and white are authorized. 

Château Pesquié is located at the foot of Mont Ventoux, in the south-east of the Rhône Valley, just on the edge of Provence, where many excellent rosés can be found. The terroir (sense of place) of the Château is first and foremost one of the coolest microclimates in the south of the Rhône Valley (a generally very warm region). It also has great mineral diversity with mostly limestone soils. The estate has been organic certified since 2007 and is now practicing bio-dynamic farming.

Pesquié works with around ten grape varieties. The complexity of its wines owes a great deal to their blending strategy. The Quintessence is 80% Rousanne and 20% Clairette, both grapes native to the south of France. They both lend lots of aromatics, florals, honey and minerality to the cuvée. This is a richer wine, so save this one for your white meats, buttery fish with cream sauces or even your cellar for several years.

Bubbles #1 - Maison Yves Duport - Bugey Originelle Reserve Brut NV $26

Now, we’ll follow the French border north towards Switzerland to another smaller wine region just northeast of the Rhone to bring you some bubbles that are bougie…from Bugey! Nestled in the Jura mountains in the Savoie wine region of France, Bugey is a spectacular and unique wine region. They are most known for their off-dry sparkling red wine called ‘Bugey Cerdon’ (hopefully you were lucky enough to try it when we had it in the shop!). This region doesn’t make a lot of wine and they certainly don’t export a lot, so when we can get something from here, we jump at the chance! 

This is alpine country and wines from Savoie have long been simply ski chalet wines but, today, the situation is changing. Thanks to the modernization of winemaking techniques and the enthusiasm of local vintners, the wines offer compelling flavor profiles and great aging potential. If you love crisp white wine, this is the place for you. 

This 12-hectare domaine has been built by four generations and is farmed using organic and biodynamic methods since 2007. Most of the plots have a clay-limestone soil facing south-south-east overlooking the last natural banks of the Rhone.

The Originelle Réserve is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and Aligoté (native Burgundian grape) and 20% Pinot Noir. It was made using the traditional method (second fermentation in the bottle) to create lots of fine, creamy bubbles. Expect lots of freshness, green apple, lemon with touches of grass and brioche. It’s a perfect refreshment for the blistering heat we are enduring, as you imagine yourself skiing sunny slopes instead!

Bubbles #2 - Barton & Guestier Cremant de Bordeaux Brut $25

Finally, we zig zag back west to include something from the classic wine region Bordeaux in this Tour de France. But we’re surprising you, because it’s not a red! BDX has a sparkling wine appellation, Crémant de Bordeaux AOC, specializing in traditional method bubbles. The Barton & Guestier  hails from the Entre-Deux-Mers (between two seas) region between the Garonne and the Dordogne rivers. 

Barton & Guestier was founded in 1725 by an Irishman, Thomas Barton, who settled in Bordeaux to start his company, which today is the city’s oldest wine house still in activity. They have grown to ship wine to over 130 countries around the world.

Crémants are sparkling wines made in the traditional, or champagne, method from the grapes native to the particular region. In Bordeaux, the native varieties are mainly cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc for reds and sauvignon blanc and semillon for whites. This crémant is a very fun blend of 60% Cabernet Franc and 40% Semillon aged for 12 months on the lees to give it that classic, biscuity quality. We love how this shows both baked apple and fresh yellow apple at the same time as well as lemon and fleshy white peach. This one goes down way too easy!!!

June 2022

Red #1: Coca i Fito “Jade” $25

This wine comes from one of Terra & Heidi’s favorite places in Spain…Montsant. If you’re  unfamiliar, it’s understandable as it’s not seen in the marketplace as much as Rioja or other  more well known Spanish wine regions. Montsant is a wine region in Catalonia, northern Spain.  The DO Montsant is a land where the landscape and the wine have gone hand in hand over the  centuries and where even the old vineyards, cared for as real treasures, have a history in  capital letters. Montsant rings the famous DOCa region of Priorat (the highest wine region designation  in Spain), and adopted the name from the Monsant mountains surrounding the appellation. Likewise, this wine is similar to Priorat, but often more approachable and more bang for your buck. After all, the climate and geography are very much the same; it is the soil that is the difference. The Montsant does have older vines, and that might be its claim to fame over the Priorat. The main grapes in this area are Grenache, Carignan, Grenache Blanc and a few other varietals, similar to Priorat but the wines tend to be a little more restrained than those of the latter.  

Coca i Fitó is an innovative, dynamic winery and creator of unique wines formed by the  brothers Toni and Miquel Coca i Fitó. This project began in September 2006 when the brothers  Coca and Fitó, who at that time had a small vineyard in the Montsant DO, decided to start  making what would be their first wine, the “ Coca i Fitó Fitó Negre.” We’re big fans of their project and also have their ‘Carinyena’ on our top shelf and it is truly a gem of 100% carignan. We were fortunate enough to also have Miquel Coca i Fitó visit us in the shop a few months ago and brought many  examples of their collection. What a doll he is and his wines are all IMPRESSIVE!! We had to share this special bottle of Jade with you that is a blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 25% Carignan. Everything about this wine is beautiful, including the label. We know you are going to  enjoy this structured, energetic, fruity and powerful bottle of juice. 

Red #2: Varvaglione, Salice Salice Salentino $25

A land seduced by timeless dolce vita, sandy beaches with blue water, divine food and wine, culture and history and so much more, that is where this wine comes from. It’s none other than Puglia, the heel of the boot of Italy. The Puglia wine region has a wide variety of terroir that is expressed in wines giving rich aromas and flavors. Because of this, wines from here have a strong character and distinctive identity.  Besides, Puglia is one of the top olive oil producer regions in Italy with the quality and quantity of extra virgin olive oil. Yes, it is a dream place, covered with vineyards and olive groves creating spectacular landscapes. 

The Varvaglione wine company has been operating since 1921, for three generations, and is one of the emerging realities in the Apulian wine scene. We really love what this producer is doing, so much in fact we have 2 other wines of theirs in the shop….the “12 e  Mezzo” rosato which you may have enjoyed by the glass recently and the "Papale Linea Oro" Primitivo di Manduria (Italian Zinfandel) which is one of Heidi’s favorite reds in the shop. We tasted the Salice with the importer a few months back and wanted it immediately for The 17 Club, and it has taken months for us to bring it to you but it’s here now! We know you love big, bold reds, and this is certainly one! This Salice is made of 100% negroamaro, which is a grape indigenous to this region. It is intense, fruit driven with notes of cocoa, vanilla and coffee aromas. We hope you enjoy this harmonious, balanced, and elegant wine as much as we do…(P.S. It goes with red meat AND shellfish!!)

White #1: Ktima Mitravelas Assyrtiko 2021 $25

We’ve brought you this grape before but this time it’s from its homeland of Greece, however not its ‘spiritual’ home of Santorini. This wine hails from Nemea in the Peloponnese where agiorgitiko (a red) is the signature grape. This one though is a white – the refreshing varietal, assyrtiko. Minerality and lemon notes are part of the grape’s DNA but it has the unique ability to ripen and not lose acidity so expect lots of mouth-watering freshness in this bottle. It’s simply perfect for summertime! 

The Mitravelas Estate is the oldest modern winery in Nemea, founded in the center of the city by the Mitravelas brothers in 1913. Konstantinos Mitravelas took control of the estate from his father, Andrew, in 2003, and he updated both the vineyards and cellar. Since, he has  focused on producing quality wines and the results have been fantastic. Mitravelas' vines are planted on the hillsides of Nemea in limestone soils at an altitude of 450-500 meters, right in the sweet spot of the appellation. 

The Mitravelas 100% Assyrtiko is a wonderful introduction to one of Greece's most noble white  grapes. Light gold in color, the wine emits captivating aromas of kumquat, beeswax, dried  flowers and peach. On the palate, it is broad and textured with an integrated acidity and flavors  of orchard fruits and herbs that lead into a refreshing finish. 

White #2: Forlorn Hope Nacré $31

Our second white this month is a new varietal for The 17 club, at least as a single varietal. You’ve  had this grape in the Auney L'Hermitage Graves Blanc from January (Bordeaux is its native home). It also has a home in Australia, but this one is coming out of Napa Valley, California. 

Semillon is an important white grape of Bordeaux, including the prized dessert wine,  Sauternes. Wines can be surprisingly rich and when oaked, can taste similar to Chardonnay.  Typical flavors include lemon, beeswax, yellow peach, chamomile and saline…..YUM. 

Winemaker Matthew Rorick is a one-man operation in the winery, tending each fermentation  and guiding the wine's cellaring through to bottle. Each of the Forlorn Hope wines is a window  into the vineyard in a particular vintage; vital to this is a partnership with growers who share the  vision of achieving balanced ripeness on the vine that requires no further adjustment, additions  or manipulation in the winery during fermentation. The result yields wines that are an honest  and natural representation of site and vine.  

“The name Nacré means mother-of-pearl and represents the wine’s affinity for pairing with  oysters, but also nails the smooth, opalescent texture of Semillon. Known for its waxy,  unctuous mouthfeel, rich and ripe fruit, and honeyed aromas, it is luxurious in every way, like  sleeping in satin pajamas underneath satin bed sheets moments after bathing in a million skin softening bath oils and slathering your entire body in Crème de la Mer (just like J-Lo). Grown in  the heart of the Napa Valley, Nacré spent five years aging in bottle before release, now drinking  remarkably fresh at press time (probably thanks to all that Crème de la Mer) and no doubt has at LEAST another decade of aging in it (cute experiment if you are extremely patient: grab three  bottles, one to drink now, one to drink in five years, & one to drink in ten). Vanilla bean,  chamomile, beeswax candle, fennel hit of springtime green. The fanciest pina colada made  with all-natural ingredients at a chichi cocktail bar. Decant, please!” - grape witches

Bubbles #1: Azienda Agricola Flavia, Terre Siciliane Catarratto Tìade Spumante $27

If you haven’t noticed, we really love wines from Sicily and we know you do too, heck the  whole world does as they’re having a major moment. Honestly, it’s more of a movement. We’ve brought you to this island a couple of times, including our inaugural month of March ’21 with that delicious Cottanera Etna Bianco which was made from the grape Carricante. This month we are bringing you Sicily’s other white grape, Cataratto…but in bubbly form. If you attended our Bubble Bash last weekend, you know our goal is to give you every possible grape in every possible sparkling way imaginable. Oops we did it again :) 

Giacomo and Flavia, two young wine producers of the fourth generation of the historic Rallo family are interpreting the values of Giacomo’s great grandfather—spreading the culture of  good wine and quality products of their territory by completely dedicating themselves to the  creation of native Sicilian wines. The passion for work, excellent intuition and commitment have led to the production of natural wines, unfiltered and with very low sulphite contents.  

This thirst-quenching bubbly comes from the northern slopes of Etna. Grown in a vineyard  particularly suited to the production of sparkling wine-based grapes, at an altitude of around 300 to 400 meters, the sandy-volcanic soils allow the grapes to fully express their terroir. This is  a cool climate area with good temperatures, both day and night, and excellent sun exposure. The grapes are organically treated, hand-harvested, and native yeast fermented. 

You can expect floral aromas, notes of orange blossom, jasmine, aromatic herbs, and citrus, as well as a transcendental Mediterranean experience. 

Bubbles #2: Coelho Winery, Bubbles Willamette Valley $29

This is from a very small producer in Oregon with Portuguese roots. Dave and Deolinda Coelho are the driving force behind the winery that they founded in 2004. Deolinda handles the financial side of the business, while Dave handles all the operations, including fixing a lot of  broken things and cleaning up behind everyone. Hands-on every day since the beginning, somehow, these two manage to run the business without killing each other! Their Portuguese hospitality shows in everything they do. 

Each one of the handful of people (9 total) working at their winery have been involved in some  part of the bottle you’ll soon enjoy: from cultivation to harvest, from production to quality  control, from the bottle to the glass. They are connected to every element of the wine’s  creation. This is significant as this type of intimacy between a wine and a vineyard/winery isn’t  very common. 

This bottle of bubbles contains your classic sparkling wine grapes of a 60/40 blend of  Chardonnay & Pinot Noir. On the nose, wafts of perfumed tangerine and grapefruit tease the  senses. Upon first taste, the familiar fragrances and flavors of a citrus melody open the palate  to more advanced flavors like honey, wheat, and caramel. This wine pairs well with peppered  cod -or swordfish- beside a shredded asparagus salad drizzled with a blood orange vinaigrette.  Sounds like the perfect summer bubbles to us!

Bonus Rosé: Maçanita Rosé $20

In honor of national rosé month, just like we did last year, we’re offering a very special bottle of rosé that you can add on to your monthly pick up! And special this is! It hits all the markers for the type of wine we love, woman winemaker, unique, delicious, and the icing on the cake is their importer supports many charitable initiatives! We love good people!

The winemaker, Joana Maçanita, is a dynamo. Her energy, intense focus and passion  for every facet of life are infectious—and nowhere is this more apparent than in the  wines she makes. Her dedication to her craft is eclipsed only by her talent, and her  project in the Douro Valley is a perfect showcase for her full-speed-ahead, accept-no substitutes style. Working with her brother Antonio, Joana sources from old vineyards  spread across the three subzones of the Douro Valley. In search of freshness and  minerality above all else, Joana uses classic Douro grape varieties, sourced from plots  planted at high altitudes. The wines that result are balanced, elegant, and an expression of true Douro terroir. 

Maçanita’s Touriga Nacional em Rose is an exuberant, juicy glass of summertime, crafted from the “Queen of Portuguese grapes,” Touriga Nacional. Most often made  into ripe, rich reds, it shows off a different side in rosé form. The Touriga expresses its  floral and mineral personality in refreshing fashion. Minimal maceration and careful, slow cold fermentation yield a wine classically Touriga, yet completely new. 

Saturated rose-pink. On the nose, fresh crushed strawberries, bing cherries and cherry  blossom aromas leap from the glass. On the palate, juicy and fresh, with beautiful  texture and balance. Sour and Bing cherry, fresh and macerated strawberries, and a  touch of white pepper spice, all in abundance! Maçanita Touriga Nacional em Rose is a wine made for warm weather celebrations!

May 2022

Bubbles #1: Henri Champliau Crémant de Bourgogne $27

This guy makes such good wine that he can get dry wine drinkers to fall in love with sweet wine - he makes the “Wild Miss” pink bubbles that we all die for here and that we use to teach people what breakfast wine is (hint: it’s wine you should drink at breakfast). But this wine isn’t sweet - it’s a classic dry crémant from Burgundy. It’s basically as close to champagne as you can be without being Champagne. You’ve heard us talk ad nauseum about sparkling wine styles, so instead we’ll do a quick refresher on Burgundy as a region. Burgundy (Bougogne) is in northeast France and is almost exclusively known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - the same grapes the champagne region grows. Within Burgundy, there are different regions, the three big ones are Cote D’Or, Cote Chalonnais and Cote Maconnais. Cote D’or is the most exclusive and expensive, and Cote Chalonnais is where you can find the best value, especially on red wines. Narrowing further, this winery is in Mercurey which produces some excellent value pinot noir, which is primarily what this wine is made from. 

Bubbles #2: Contratto Millesimato Brut Metodo Classico $29

Ahhh, how we wish we were the girl on this label, lapping up this delightful sparkling wine spilling over the edge of a gorgeous coupe. The wine inside is as iconic as the art on the label. It’s a classic blend of pinot nero (Italian for pinot noir) and chardonnay (just like Champagne!) and made in the traditional champagne method, but in Piemonte, Italy. And while I fancy myself a decent writer, I can’t state the importance of this winery better than the importer, Skurnik: “To wander through the caves at Giuseppe Contratto’s masterpiece of a winery in Canelli is to shake the living hand of almost 150 years of tradition of Italian sparkling wine. The very first bottles of Italian method champenoise were made here, as was the very first vintage dated Italian method champenoise— Metodo Classico Extra Brut in 1919. The underground cellars, dug out manually when the winery was renovated in 1899, took ten years to complete, and are more than 100 feet underground. They are far more impressive than anything in Italy, and rival the most spectacular in Champagne. At one time, wine was leaving from these cellars to destinations all over the world. Contratto was supplier not only to the Vatican, but also to the House of Savoy (the Italian Royal Family), as well as to the British monarchy.”

White #1: Michael Gindl Flora $26

I had the great opportunity and pleasure to meet this Austrian winemaker last week down in South Florida and he’s a true gem. He’s basically the entire winemaking operation although now he has a part time “helper” - sometimes. How he’s able to make the variety and the quality of the wine he makes is a mystery to me. Michael, whose friends call him Mickey, is incredibly laid back. Wearing approach shoes (with socks, of course), a graphic tee, and plaid shorts showing off his european-colored legs, this guy would swoop in, tell you a bit about his wine, and then casually crush a game of pool while telling jokes in a language that’s not his own. He makes things look easy. He loves wine and making really amazing versions of it, but what really lit him up was talking to him about his animals. He farms biodynamically and sustainably. Flora is his most popular wine in Norway where he has a kind of cult following, and we’re about to make it a heck of a lot more popular here too. It’s a blend of cool climate grapes Riesling, Sämling 88 and Gelber Muskateller, but what it tastes like is a peach blossom dripping with fresh juice. It’s pretty and fresh, and basically springtime in a bottle. This wine would pair well with sweet fleshed white fish or with a spicy, hot bratwurst right off the grill. 

White #2: Luneau Papin Muscadet La Grange $25

It’s about time we introduce you to this beautiful wine! Muscadet is not muscat or moscato, it’s not sweet, and it’s not from Italy. Muscadet is what they call the wine made from a grape called Melon de Bourgogne, where ironically it has not been grown since before the 16th century! No wonder people think wine is hard to learn!! All you need to know about this varietal is that it comes from the Atlantic coast of the Loire Valley in France, a place where the seabreeze is fresh and the oysters are plentiful. And you know what grows together goes together, so this is a classic oyster pairing. If you like Albarino, pinot grigio, or picpoul, you’ll love this delightful crisp white! Also, great people make great wine and the Luneau family are great people - they’ve been making Muscadet since the 80s, this is an organic wine from a single parcel right in their front yard! The vines are 40-50 years old and they’re really changing the name of the game, elevating this simple grape to greater levels. 

Red #1: Inconnu No Gods No Masters Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 $35

Everyone loves a good Cabernet, and to our dismay, they love it just as much in the hot, humid days of a Florida summer. Alas, we decided to give the people what they want ;) This is a cab that’s worth it!!! It’s not made on a bunch of new French oak so it’s got a nice freshness that keeps it summertime quaffable, but it’s still rich and smooth and dark-berried and just perfectly cab. Winemaker Laura Bissell believes in keeping her wine so simple it’s poetic - hand made, organic, and nothing unnecessary. The quote on the bottle says it all: "It's a hard world for little things" (from the film Night of the Hunter)

Red #2: De Toren La Jeunesse Délicate Red (NV) $28

An anomaly of anomalies, La Jeunesse is a malbec-heavy Bordeaux blend from South Africa that is suggested to be served chilled. Here’s why that’s all so interesting: Malbec was one of the original (main) Bordeaux grapes but wasn’t super popular because it needed more sunshine than Bordeaux could provide to get it nice and ripe, and so it flourished in its new home of Argentina where it is now most famous as a big, bold smooth red. Bordeaux varietals like Malbec aren’t super common in South Africa, but they’re doing something right with this blend! The bottle suggests that you serve it chilled but it’s just as good as it warms up in your glass and allows you to experience more of the black fruit and warm chocolate notes of the wine. Also, Bordeaux blends and malbecs are wines I usually recommend to folks who want big BOLD reds. This one has a slightly different style - it’s even called delicate in its name! But, that’s not to say this isn’t for those big bold red drinkers. It’s still bold, wicked smooth, and has that nice kick of spiciness that people love in a good malbec. This would go delightfully with lean meats on the grill 

April 2022

Bubbles #1: Unico Zelo "Sea Foam" Fiano Pet Nat 2021 $25

This isn’t a pet nat in the funky sort of sense, but rather in the fresh, crushable sense with the added benefit of the easy open cap! But yes, it’s vegan, low intervention, and sustainable, too. Terra loves Australian wine, and Heidi was psyched to find such a cool one to share with the group. This is the bubbly to move you into the warmer months - a hint of salinity is refreshing when aligned with the tropical flowers and crisp fruit notes. Winemaker couple Brendan and Laura Carter use traditional Italian varietals, like vermentino and fiano in this case, and put the environment and their farmers at the center of everything they do. Happy beach drinking! 

Bubbles #2: Mas de Daumas Gassac Rosé Frizant 2019 $30

The Languedoc, where this wine is from, is like a precious secret of France. At the south-southwest of France, near the north tip of Spain, and bordering the Mediterranean, it embodies all of the charms of Provence and other Mediterranean wine regions, but often at a fraction of the price. Once considered a wine “lake” because it’s less appellated status than other, more prestigious, wine-growing regions of France, there are some true gems making distinct wine from this iconic terroir. This sparkling wine is like a snapshot of the region, and of the Gassac valley, in particular. Made of an interesting blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Mourvèdre, Pinot noir, Sauvignon, Petit Manseng and Muscat, it’s almost like a little field blend capturing the perfect essence of this place. When you take a sip, close your eyes and see if this bottle transports you.

White #1: Luis Seabra "Xisto Ilimitado" Branco 2019 $28

One of our most popular wines from the club was a red blend from Portugal. Almost all still wines from this country are blends of indigenous Portuguese varietals, and this bottle is no exception. This is a white blend that is also focused on the terroir of the region - it’s this winery’s version of a village-level burgundy. Whereas our Rosé bubbles this month highlight the flora of terroir (the plantlife that influence a wine’s distinctiveness), this wine highlights the soil component of terroir. The grapes for Xisto Illimitado are grown on primarily mica schist soils. Schist is known for producing big bold reds (like that Portuguese red blend we had a few months ago), and for acidic, mineral-driven white wines. Schist is fairly similar to slate, which is the primary soil for much of Germany’s laser-focused riesling. You’ll notice in this bottle a rich density, a punch of lemon fruitiness, and flinty minerality that allows this wine to be an excellent companion to a good meal. 

White #2: Suavia Monte Carbonare Soave Classico 2019 $30

Two months ago, when we highlighted natural wines, we gave you a taste of a grape called garganega in white #2, the Meggiolaro Saro. That one was light and pleasant and will be an interesting comparison to this other 100% garganega that is white #2 this month. You probably haven’t heard of garganega outside this wine club, because most of the time, you’d be drinking it in a wine called Soave. As with much of Europe, wines are called after their region rather than their grape. Not only is this a Soave, from the region of soave in northwest Italy, but it’s a Soave Classico - the smallest heart of the most distinct wine growing region for this grape, and beyond that all the grapes are from a single vineyard. “We always say that this wine ‘is like a bit of earth in a glass,’ and it’s true. In the Monte Carbonare vineyard, the vines sink their roots deep down into the black earth; pure volcano. This gives the wine personality: forthright and truthful, with a sharp mineral nature. It tastes of rain on flint, on the black stones of the dry walls, and of that good fragrance that the countryside releases when dampened by the first rain.” (Suavia’s website).

Red #1: Suerte del Marques "El Esquilon" Listán Negro 2017 $30

Another exploration of terroir, in red #1 we go to Spain’s Canary Islands, precisely to the northern side of the island of Tenerife, off the coast of Morocco. Here, the soil is volcanic, the terrain is high elevation pointy mountains, and the land is so remote that even that nasty bug phylloxera that almost destroyed the world’s vineyards back in the 1800s didn’t make it here. Again, the strong focus on terroir will transport you to this craggy island with a lighter body, notes of smoke, herbs and spices, and tons of minerality. Believe me, drinking this bottle is a hell of a lot easier than physically getting to this island, and definitely more enjoyable than the plane ride, too.

Red #2: Jaffurs Syrah Santa Barbara 2019 $30

On the other end of the tasting spectrum, we’ve got a big, dark, full bodied red for you. Santa Barbara is another of our favorite wine regions of the world, but it’s fun to get a syrah from here instead of pinot or chardonnay. Jaffurs focuses on Rhone varietals (like syrah) and purchases their grapes from some of the best vineyards in Santa Barbara County, including Stolpman and Bien Nacido. From the winemaker, “Exhibiting cherry, wild berry and violet aromatics, this wine is full and fruitful in the mouth, with underlying espresso and pepper flavors.” Syrah is one of those grapes that everyone loves, and too many people end up forgetting. We’re super excited to bring a new world syrah back to the front of your mind and the best of your tastebuds!

March 2022

Bubbles #1: Breathless Brut $30

Bubbles #2: Melanie Pfister 'Breit' Crémant d'Alsace Extra Brut 2018 $32

White #1: Kelley Fox Willamette Valley Blanc 2020 $30

White #2: Antonella Corda, Nuragus di Cagliari 2020 $25

Red #1: CVNE Rioja Reserva 2017 $27

Red #2: Donatella Cinelli Colombini Fattoria del Colle, Rosso di Montalcino 2017 $30

February 2022

Red #1: Autour de l'Anne MDXV VDF Red 2019, $29
White #1: Domaine Bourdy Cotes du Jura Chardonnay 2017, $29
Bubbles: Los Chuchaquis Albariño "Champelli" Pet Nat 2020, $27
Red #2: Elios Modus Bibendi Nero d'Avola Rosso 2018, $33
White #2: Meggiolaro Saro Garganega IGT Veneto 2018, $28

January 2022

Red #1: Viña Cobos Cocodrilo Corte Red Blend 2018, $30
White #1: Manni Nossing Muller Thurgau 2013/2015, $30
Bubbles: AT ROCA Classic Penedes Reserva 2016/2018, $25
Red#2: Beurer Rotgut 2020, $25
White #2: Chateau Auney L'Hermitage Graves Blanc 2018, $30

2021 Wines