Et Voilà Cascina Baricchi Pinot Nero 2014
“ᴡɪɴᴇ ɪꜱ ᴘᴀꜱꜱɪᴏɴ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ, ɪᴛ’ꜱ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ, ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴡᴀʀᴍᴛʜ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴏꜱɪᴛʏ. ᴡɪɴᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀʀᴛ, ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴄᴜʟᴛᴜʀᴇ, ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇꜱꜱᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴄɪᴠɪʟɪᴢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇʟᴇɢᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴏꜰ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ … ” ɴᴀᴛᴀʟᴇ ꜱɪᴍᴏɴᴇᴛᴛᴀ, ᴡɪɴᴇᴍᴀᴋᴇʀ ᴏꜰ ᴄᴀꜱᴄɪɴᴀ ʙᴀʀɪᴄᴄʜɪ. So fitting to showcase this glorious bottle amidst the beauty of our local yearly pick your own tulips in all of its colorful glory. Et Voilà was born out of passion, dedication and curiosity. Need I say more? ᴇᴛ ᴠᴏɪʟÀ ᴄᴀꜱᴄɪɴᴀ ʙᴀʀɪᴄᴄʜɪ ᴘɪɴᴏᴛ ɴᴇʀᴏ 2014 “Here you go” a gorgeous 100% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) metodo classico (traditional method) aged for 72 months on the lees from Barbaresco in the Langhe region. A limited production of 2000 bottles made of which I have 2 (one left LOL). Pours into the glass a deep golden color tickled by the very fine perlage. This newfound favorite sparkler shows exotic notes of caramelized pineapple, blood orange cream tart, grapefruit zest, tart lemon, peach pit, chalky minerals and toasty brioche. The first sip brings underripe strawberries, salted caramel meets apricot almond pastry meets sour lemon candy dancing in a freshly cut white blossom field and sage mint fresh herbs. The freshness and body make it so captivating. I paired this with gochujang cheddar chive pinwheels. Bam! There’s a party in my mouth.
Champagne Deutz Classic Glamour
Visiting Champagne Deutz is like stepping back in time to the romanticism of a period piece with a modern twist. Jean-Marc took me through the house’s journey through history, the close knit multi generational grower relationships, the deeply winding 3 km of cellars that include incredibly romantic candle light cellars and staircases, the decades of vintage champagne and the sprawling vines behind the cellars carved into the chalky soils of the Aÿ region. Dating back to 1838 and one of the Grandes Marques, their finely tuned champagnes have elegance and glamour. The house sources it’s rigorously selected grapes from their 30 hectares plus 300 hectares of growers from the Premier and Grand Cru sites. Classic Brut Champagne N.V. Their classic cuvee is an equal blend of the 3 classic grapes – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier. All three bringing forth their best game to the champagne blend. A bright golden color and lively bubbles dance in the glass. The rich brioche, acacia, lemon curd, citrus, yellow apple, ripe pear, minerals, almond and toast all blend so well together. It has a creamy texture and lively acidity. Delicious Brut which includes 45% reserve wine. It’s such a pleasant wine full balance and finest.
Pianogrillo Flaneur
Oh orange wine, orange wine, where for art thou? ( I know the proper term is skin contact wine but it didn’t sound right in the intro LOL). I have been exploring all kinds of skin contact wine lately from different regions, varietals and maceration duration. One thing remains the same, I LOVE the savory, fresh profile. Flâneur is the creation of Pianogrillo. Made from 100% Grillo, it undergoes a short skin maceration of 5 days following a fermentation in s for 5 days in stainless steel. Why? Well for one you extract the fresh aromatics from the skin and texture and also keep this aromatics fresh in stainless steel. Pianogrillo Flâneur Terre Siciliane Grillo IGT 2020 This is a young lass, full of purity and life. She has a Sicilian edge to her that creates a savory, fresh and engaging experience. The curtains match the drapes 100% – seaweed salinity from the sea, pink grapefruit and orange zest, freshly cut lemons, ripe yellow apple, spring blossoms, white peach, apple, pear, dried herbs( thyme, rosemary) white pepper, bread dough, honey and ginger creamy texture. Its bright, light and lively to drink . It’s so lovely with fried clams, shellfish ciopinno, asparagus quiche or goat cheese tartlets.
Familia Fernandez Rivera 20 Aldeas
Tempranillo is like a cowboy – rustic, burly and, you guess it, leather and tobacco. Ribera del Duero is home to 100% Tempranillo, oak aged rich, bold and beautiful red wines. Bodega Condado de Haza (Familia Fernandez Rivera aka Château de la Ribera) are a leading first family of Ribera del Duero and today is a 3 generational women in winemaking family. The family’s holdings grew over time to include vineyards in La Mancha and Castilla y Leon. Fully committed to reducing their carbon footprint (solar panels), following all sustainable and organic practices these 30 years vines enjoy the benefits of the El Duero River, sand, gravel, clay and pebbled soils and a cozy barrel ageing of 14 months (a combination o American Oak Barrels 225 liters, American Oak Barrels of 200 liters, American Oak barrels of 500 Liters and foudres). Bodega Condado de Haza 20 Aldeas 2018 Pours into the glass a rich cherry ruby color with a purple rim. Charged with rich dark berries, spice, leather, fresh tobacco leaf, coffee are all complimented by the toasty oak classic profile. Noticeable tannins at the higher spectrum and acidity carries it along. Concentrated flavors of black cherry & raspberry, blackberry bramble, savory dill, bay leaf, leather, vanilla, cedar, anise, cloves and mint lingers every so pleasantly, like that spring breeze that you feel on your face that just makes you smile. Its the type of wine that can benefit from further ageing but also ready to drink now. Its structure has the levels of tannins and acidity to age, not to mention alcohol and bpdy all contribute to the ageable factors. Tempranillo loves oak, especially American. It’s a winemaking style whether to use American or French Oak. Pair with a rosemary rack of lam, cedar smoked burgers or a baked ziti tomato dish.
Peju Blanc de Noirs
Starting Easter apéro with some bubbles (is there any other way #ilovebubbles with a Peju Winery Blanc De Noirs Méthode Traditionnelle It’s bursting with baked apple, lemon zest, pear compote, minerals, toasted hazelnuts and brioche. Tart acidity, fresh peach and nectarine, lemon cheese danish and wet stone finishes it off to perfection. It’s so crowd pleasing, fresh and just plain delicious.
Kante Vitovska
When I think of Friuli Venezia Giulia, fresh, lively and white wines come to mind – Pinot Grigio, Friulano and Glera to name a few. However I was recently introduced to a rare white called Vitovska. This darling originates from Slovenia, but is only found in the northern region of Carso in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. The vines average 20 years old in a rich red earth and limestone soil contribute to its crisp acidity and sapidity. Kante winery is one of the few passionate winemakers who brought this varietal back to life. They makes one of the best examples of Vitovska. In fact Edi Kante was the pioneer behind reviving this almost extinct varietal. Hand harvested then aged for a combination of 1 year in barrique and 6 months in stainless steel. 12,000 bottles made Kante Vitovska 2016 Pours into the glass a lovely greenish gold color. Fresh aromas of asian pear, apple, lemon peel, pineapple, with pronounced seashells & minerals, fennel and jasmin. The palate has a slight grip to it thanks to the short skin contact, along with the vivacious acid. The flavors of lemon, pear, sage, white pepper, candied pineapple, raw almond accompany the aromas and finishes on a doughy note. It’s delicately charming in body yet has an expressive purity of the local vine, it’s just sublime. Pair with a grilled octopus salad, a cheese quiche or crab cakes.
El Vínculo Alejairén Crianza 2019
When you are a multi female generational red winemaking family, it’s inevitable you’ll have dreams to make different wines, isn’t it? They wanted to make white wines but hadn’t found the right formula yet, until a vacation in La Mancha sealed the deal for them. They discovered a beautiful property, 6 hectares of 70-90 year old bush vines Alejairen (Airen) vines. FYI Airen is the most grown white grape in Spain and predominantly used to make brandy. This family wanted to make a dry, single varietal expression. From the Pago de la Golosa vineyard at an average of 700m altitude, aged for 18 months in French oak barrels and an additional 6 months in the bottle. El Vínculo Alejairén Crianza 2019 Pours into the glass a sunshine gold color. Wake up and say hello to warm goodness aromas of citrus, tropical and honeysuckle along with brioche, biscuit and creamy caramel. Rich flavors of ripe apple, roasted nuts, lots of buttery cream, honey, orange zest, grapefruit, minerals, banana, passion fruit and melon along with zingy acidity and mouth coating texture. Such a balanced structure with flavors that just linger for ages. Such a great QPR and a pleasure to drink. This was my first Airén and it won’t be the last. Thanks to @veronicaruizpro for this lovely introduction and to the @familiafernandezrivera This is a fuller bodied wine that would pair well with roast chicken, grilled swordfish or delicious jamon Iberico.
Matthiasson Ribolla Gialla
Matthiasson Wines Ribolla Gialla 2019 13% Ribolla Gialla originates from Friuli Venezia Giulia region in Northern Italy but is also being found in other regions, such as Oak Knoll in Napa Valley at Matthiasson Wines. Steve and Jill Matthiasson Since 2008 they organically and sustainable harvest their 7 rows of vines, making skin contacting wine that begins with a 2 week whole cluster fermentation using ambient yeast, open top tanks with punchdowns. The wine is then aged for 18 months sur lie, no racking. 3 000 bottles produced. Pours into the glass a brilliant gold color. The intense aromas of yellow field flowers, lemon curd, lemom marmalade, dried tangerine peel, baking spice, pepper and stony minerality. The creamy mouthfeel has a vivacious acidity, supple tannins and great depth to its structure. length at 13% alcohol The beauty of skin contact wine is that it such a versatile food pairing wine thanks to the acidity, tannins and flavors – for your next happy hour serve it with cured meats and strong cheese platter, egg rolls with sweet and sour sauce or scallop ceviche.
Ronco Severo Friulano
As the first sip coated my mouth I was left with wonder, who and what is this wine all about? I kept going back to smell the aromas, taste it again, my brain was racing, my senses alive. That was my reaction the first time I tasted a Ronco Severo’s wine – it was visceral, a WOW moment. Thanks to dear wine loving friend @ for introducing me to this remarkable producer. ℝ𝕠𝕟𝕔𝕠 𝕊𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕠 𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕦𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕠 𝟚𝟘𝟙𝟠 𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕦𝕝𝕚 𝕍𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕫𝕚𝕒 𝔾𝕚𝕦𝕝𝕚𝕒 Ronco Severo is a man who represents nature. What does that mean? What you will find in one of his bottles are as pure as a wine can get. No chemicals, pesticides, synthetics of any kind following biodynamic practices to the letter. His use of ambient yeasts promote the purity of his beloved local grapes of Friuli Venezia Giulia. The 40 year old Friulano vines are hand harvested later in the season in order to promote greater concentration, depth and character. Did I mention this was a skin contact wine? Yes my friends, the must undergoes skin contact in oak vats with zero temperature control. The wine is then aged for 24 months on the lees in Slavonian oak casks. No fining, filtering or clarifying. 4 500 bottles produced. Pours into the glass a deep golden color. Intense aromas of white blossom, bread dough, stone fruits, mango, pear and nuts. All the elements are balanced, between the bright acidity, the flavors of raw almonds, marmalade, mango, orange and lemon zest, bread dough, freshly picked sage, ginger, grass and honeysuckle. The mouthfeel is so generous with a delicate tannin structure and rich in texture that just lingers on the palate. It’s such a wonderful food pairing wine. Period. Let your senses guide you.
Concours Mondial Feminalise 2022
Now that I have had a moment to gather my thoughts, I’d like to share my first experience at Concours Mondial Feminalise. It is an International #womeninwine only competition held yearly in #paris . Women in wine from all over the world gather to taste over 4 900 wines, spirits and saké which is no easy feat to organize. It’s truly an event of camaraderie, shared wine passion and a celebration of women in wine. What struck me was the high quality of the wines tasted, the professionalism of the servers and tasters as well as the organization was all top notch. As convivial as the event was, when we were tasting it was all business – focused, quiet and efficient. A huge shout out/thank you to all of the organizers, the servers and all the women from around the world who participated in the event. Thank you so much/merci beaucoup for making my first experience such a memorable one. It was such a wonderful opportunity to connect with so many wonderful women in wine. Cheers/Santé to all of the fabulous #womeninwine Looking forward to #concoursmondialdesfeminalise 2023!