Author: thehappyvine@gmail.com

Occhipinti Il Frappato

Occhipinti Il Frappato Terre Siciliane 2021: A Sicilian Sun Kissed Symphony In the glass, Il Frappato 2021 shimmers like a ruby caught in the last rays of a Sicilian sunset. Its youthful vibrancy hints at the juicy secrets it holds. A swirl releases a fragrant melody of ripe cherries, crushed raspberries, and sun-warmed citrus, intertwined with whispers of lavender and rose petals. The wine explodes on the palate with a joyous burst of red fruit, each note distinct yet harmoniously blended. Tart cranberry mingles with sweet Bing cherry, a touch of plum skin adds depth, and a whisper of pomegranate provides a surprising counterpoint. This isn’t just fruit, it’s a Sicilian orchard captured in its prime, kissed by the Mediterranean sun. But Il Frappato 2021 is more than just a fruity charmer. It has a soul, a vibrancy that dances on the tongue. Lively acidity cuts through the sweetness, creating a refreshing tension that keeps you reaching for another sip. Fine-grained tannins, like whispers of cinnamon dust, add textural intrigue without ever becoming obtrusive. As the wine lingers, the fruit slowly fades, revealing a surprising complexity. Earthy notes emerge – sunbaked clay, crushed herbs, and a hint of wild mushroom – grounding the exuberance of the fruit in a sense of place. And throughout, a whisper of minerality, like the sea breeze catching the vines, adding a touch of salinity that makes you long for the Sicilian coast. It’s a liquid poem, a taste of Sicily poured into a glass. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful things are the simplest, and the greatest joy is found in sharing them with the ones you love. A taste of la dolce vita waiting to be discovered.

Christophe Mignon Champagne ADN de Foudre 3 Cépages

CHAMPAGNE WITH ITS FOAMING WHIRLS AS WHITE AS CLEOPATRA’S PEARLS. – BYRON ℂ𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕡𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕠𝕟, ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕒𝕘𝕟𝕖 𝔸𝔻ℕ 𝕕𝕖 𝔽𝕠𝕦𝕕𝕣𝕖 𝟛 ℂ𝕖𝕡𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕤 𝔹𝕣𝕦𝕥 ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖 ℕ𝕍 A pearl of a brut nature champagne from from the Festigny and Le Breuil vineyards of the Vallée de la Marne. Made from the three main varieties, 34% Meunier, 33% Pinot Noir,33% Chardonnay. Organic and biodynamic farming. Hand-picked, stainless-steel fermentation with an ageing of one year in oak tuns before being bottled and aged sur lie for approximately 5 years, no dosage. Harvest in 2015, disgorged according to the lunar calendar, this one 22/10/2021 A toasty brut nature flush with apple, pear, lemon and lime peel, poached apricot, thyme, shortbread, butterscotch, crème fraiche, red berry compote, almonds. baking spice and everything nice on the nose. A tart fruit attack followed by a creamy textural sensation with really fine mousse. Brimming with orange zest, baked orchard fruit, quince jam, red berries, smoke, saline, dried lavender, honeyed warmth and toasted hazelnut toffee with cinnamon and nutmeg which lends brightness to the long and silky finish. I am so happy to have snagged a few bottles of this small production beauty. I adored it the first time I tasted it earlier this year and it continues to wow me with every sip. Just a remarkable champagne, full stop. No pairings today, just sip and marvel in its beauty 🥂

Pinot Pleasure with Dutcher Crossing

A forever love affair of mine with Pinot Noir continues with Dutcher Crossing Dutcher Crossing Placida Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021, Russian River, California 9,084 bottles Planted in 2003 by the Ordaz a family, the 9 acre vineyard 2021 was the first release from Placida vineyard for Dutcher Crossing. A blend of 3 different clones, Calera, Clone 777 and 677. Fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged in French oak barrel for 11 months, 75% in barrels once used. Pours into the glass a shining bright ruby color. A whisper of oak allows the varietal’s character to take its place front and center. Intriguing aromas of pomegranate, cranberry, mushroom, jasmine, forest floor, and black cherry tempt you into the glass to explore flavors of cranberry, raspberry, cherry cola, cocoa, orange peel, wet leaves, black tea, vanilla into a lengthy clove and allspice finish. There’s a fair amount of pleasant acidity and plush tannins in the mid palate with a refreshing wave of bright acidity in the finish.  Roast lamb with a cherry-olive jus, a duck confit is always welcome or stewed wild mushrooms over creamy polenta. Bon appétit

Domaine Plou et Fils Heritage

Domaine Plou et Fils Heritage Méthode Ancestrale AOC Touraine A lovely souvenir from my recent visit to the Loire, from whose family have been vintners since 1508 in Chargé, Amboise. A méthode ancestrale is one of the oldest ways to make sparkling wine. The wine undergo a single fermentation, with a crown cap the wine before it has stopped fermenting; the remaining sugar is converted into carbon dioxide by yeast, creating pressure and effervescence. Distinct somas of tart green apple, pear. apple skin, quince, chamomile and honey, minerals. Zingy acidity is present from start to finish leaving the plate so clean and refreshed. Smooth bubbles with snappy pop to them. flavors of yellow apple, apple skin, minerals and a honey bitter almond finis. What impressed me the most when I tasted this darling with the fine balance between its racy acidity (hello Chenin Blanc shining its bring colors) and fresh fruit character. Paired with a roasted asparagus goat cheese tart to perfection. Also try roasted herbed garlic oyster would also be sinful.

Azimut Brut Nature Cava

🥂ʙᴇ ᴀꜱ ʙᴜʙʙʟʏ ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴅʀɪɴᴋ 🥂 𝕄𝕖𝕖𝕥 𝕞𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕦𝕟 𝕥𝕠𝕦𝕔𝕙𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕒 Azimut Brut Nature Mètode Tradicional Cava In Catalan Azimut is the line between the sun (the energy) and the sea (calm and Mediterranean diet). The Suriol estate is based in Castell de Grabuac, a family of winemakers since the 1500s. Focusing on sustainable, less is more approach, their Azimut wines are all about fun and easy going nature. A blend of 40% Xarel-lo, 30% Macabeu, and 30% Parellada. Aged for 9 months sur lie, zero dosage. A glowing yellow gold color with lively persistant bubbles. Intense aromas of pear, honeydew melon, white peach and apple accompanied by fennel, grass, wet stone and toast. Elegant and lithe, this bone dry cava plays up the the ripe citrus and white blossom. It has a precise, clean mineral driven mouthfeel. Flavors run toward apple, pear and pineapple with a lasting note on herbaceousness, smoke and sourdough. It’s clean and precise in every sense. Paired with a Catalan Red Pepper Coques, a traditional flatbread. It’s fun and easy to make. Delicious!

Elegance of Champagne Diebolt-Vallois

𝐸𝓁𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝐸𝓁𝑒𝑔𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 , 𝒮𝓉𝓎𝓁𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒮𝓉𝓎𝓁𝑒 = 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓂𝓅𝒶𝑔𝓃𝑒 𝒟𝒾𝑒𝒷𝑜𝓁𝓉-𝒱𝒶𝓁𝑜𝒾𝓈 From the Diebolt-Vallois family, an artisanal grower producer, this Blanc de Blancs Prestige is 100% Chardonnay from the Grand Cru villages of Cramant, Chouilly and Le-Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Côte de Blancs. This particular champagne is comprised of base wines from 2009-2015 vintages and aged in large, neutral oak barrels for between 1-7 years. Aged sur lie for 36 months and bottled in February of 2019. This Extra Brut has a final dosage of 4 g/L Side note I had the immense pleasure of meeting Isabelle Diebolt-Vallois at an event hosted by @tyson_stelzer. A lady of class, elegance and grace (post to follow) In the glass the champagne gleams light gold color with a with a persistant stream of tiny uniform bubbles. A buoyant nose of yellow orchard fruits, honeysuckle, chalky goodness, flint, biscuit, orange blossom, burnt honey and orange zest. The soft mousse brims with yellow apple, white peach, pear, lemon curd, saline minerality and cream. The reserve wines bring rich complexity and roundness to the palate of notes peach pit, toasty brioche, smoke and toffee. The long, silky finish on anise, ginger and hazelnut is so clean and bouncy with energy. An enchantress of a Blanc de Blancs to be sure – so bright, succulent and rich, a perfectly balanced bubbly.

World’s End Good Times Bad Times

𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓽 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 – 𝓛𝓮𝓭 𝓩𝓮𝓹𝓹𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷 World’s End is JCP Maltus of Château Teyssier in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux endeavor in Oakville, Napa Valley, California. The World’s End series of Cabernet Sauvignon made from grapes sourced from the famed To Kalon vineyard of renowned grape grower Andy Beckstoffer. These are SMALL production releases that sell out before they leave the winery. Jonathan’s love for rock and roll music inspired the name of this series from artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley and Led Zeppelin – this wine in particular is Led Zeppelin’s song Good Times Bad Times. World’s End was chosen to pay homage to the district of Chelsea in London where Jonathan and Lyn lived for many years. 𝓦𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭’𝓼 𝓔𝓷𝓭 ‘𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓣𝓲𝓶𝓮𝓼 𝓑𝓪𝓭 𝓣𝓲𝓶𝓮𝓼’ 𝓑𝓮𝓬𝓴𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓯𝓯𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝓸 𝓚𝓪𝓵𝓸𝓷 𝓒𝓪𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓽 𝓢𝓪𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓸𝓷 2015 This is a wine that takes your breath away. Deep ruby purple color envelopes the glass with exotic perfumed aromas of sandalwood, Chinese five spice, cedar, fresh tobacco, milk chocolate, dried herbs, blackberry, bing cherry and red plum all entice you to take a sip. That first sip explodes with generous black plum and black currant, chocolate dipped blueberries, wild berry preserves, black licorice, savory meat and earth. The lush tannins wraps around the fruit along with mocha, toasted oak, vanilla and black licorice that lingers for an eternity. The mouthfeel is opulent, bold and rustically powerful yet has a freshness in the bright acidity. This wine is drinking gorgeously now but could stand to age another decade. Classic pairings of beef Wellington, roast venison with rosemary red wine sauce but who wants classic? Let’s kick it up a notch with a grilled sirloin burger with aged gouda and crispy onions, a slow braised venison cheeks in red wine sauce OR roasted portobello mushroom stacks with gorgonzola.

English Beauty of a Rosé Brut from Stanlake Park

Perfectly whimsical pink fizz that pairs with any occasion. A sunny afternoon tea, apéro hour or just because, Stanlake Park Wine Estate Rosé Superior NV is the answer. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this rosé is aged for 2 years sur lie before further maturation in the cellar prior to release. Lively bubbles shimmer blushalicious in the glass. Delicate aromas of red berries, pink grapefruit, cream and biscuit entice the senses. Bright acidity and flavors of raspberry, red currant, strawberry, lemon cream, minerals with a feminine rose petal finish. This refreshing sparkling rosé is such a delight filled with elegance and joy. Pair with smoked salmon frittata bites, mini goat cheese cheesecake topped with fresh berries or ham and apple turnovers.

Eloquence & Oysters

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓬 𝓸𝓯 #𝓸𝔂𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 #𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓶𝓹𝓪𝓰𝓷𝓮 𝓮𝓵𝓮𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓷𝓮𝔁𝓽 𝓵𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓵 Champagne Eloquence 2017 by Marie Courtin is 100% massal selection Chardonnay; from grapes grown in Polisot village in Côte des Bar. Vinified in barriques, disgorged 09/2021 and final dosage to adjust for Extra Brut style. 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓶𝓹𝓪𝓰𝓷𝓮 𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓮 𝓒𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓽𝓲𝓷 𝓔𝓵𝓸𝓺𝓾𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝓑𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓬 𝓭𝓮 𝓑𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓼 𝓔𝔁𝓽𝓻𝓪 𝓑𝓻𝓾𝓽 2017 Liquid gold in the glass with fine lively bubbles. The Kinmeridgian soils are evident on nose – intense minerality followed by lemon zest, tart apple, pear, lemon cream, buttered toast and straw. Dominique Moreau’s champagnes always have an underlying power to their graceful character, both reflecting her style and terroir. Fresh and exuberant with a sharp attack on the palate of of flint, saline, meringue, candied ginger, tart green apple, lemon peel and a warm hazelnut finish wrapped in delicate vanilla. An electric champagne that has a story to tell. No question to pair this Champagne with oysters and a zesty addition of mango jalapeño mignonette. Absolutely spectacular! Mango Jalapeño Mignonette Recipe: 1/4 cup mango, diced very small, or chopped fine 1/4 cup champagne vinegar 1 lime, juiced 1 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon sea salt Fresh ground black pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon jalapeño, seeded & diced small 2 tablespoons red onion, diced small 2 tablespoons fresh scallion or chives, chopped fine Splash of champagne Mix all of the ingredients together and enjoy alongside your locally sourced (if possible) oysters. Bon appétit mes amis 🥂

Poetic Dutcher Crossing Cabernet

𝓑𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝔀𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓹𝓸𝓮𝓽𝓻𝔂 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓫𝓸𝓭𝔂 – 𝓔𝓵𝓲𝓯 𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓯𝓪𝓴 Like ballet, wine is liquid poetry and this charming ballerina of a Cabernet Shiraz is about to whisk you away with its pas de deux from artisanal winery Dutcher Crossing. Grown in the rocky hillsides of Dry Creek Valley, their signature red is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon 18% Syrah, the Syrah adds plushness Cabernet’s rich & bold structure. Aged for 22 months in barrels, of which 50% is new French oak. Only 784 cases made. 𝓓𝓾𝓽𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓒𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓼𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓣𝓪𝔂𝓵𝓸𝓻 𝓡𝓮𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓮 𝓒𝓪𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓽 𝓢𝓪𝓾𝓿𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓸𝓷 𝓓𝓻𝔂 𝓒𝓻𝓮𝓮𝓴 𝓥𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝔂 2017 14.9% abv Pours into the glass a dark garnet tone. Inviting aromas captivates you and draws you in with dark cherry, cassis, blackberry, dried fog, coffee and cocoa enveloped with warm baking spice and leather. The first sip dances across the palate with lush fruit flavors followed by warm mocha, vanilla, dark chocolate, currant leaf, cigar box, raisins into a meaty pepper and clove humming finish that lingers seductively for ages. A lush mouthfeel with fine grained tannins that bolsters the rich full bodied personality. A beautiful crafted wine with a seamless interaction between flavor, structure, and acidity.    Decadent pairing for this gorgeous wine calls for slow braised short ribs, a roast leg of lamb with dauphinoise gratin or portobello aged cheddar burgers.