September 2020 | 3-Bottle Club
Viñedos Verticales La Raspa - $17 retail Vintage: 2018 Varietals: 80% Muscat of Alexandria, 20% Doradilla Region: Málaga, Spain
This vineyard is the dream come true of two BFFs in Southern Spain — Juan Muñoz (a third generation winemaker) and the well-known enologist Vicente Inat. This region is perched above the sea and is known for its small vineyards with super steep slopes, where the grapes are hand-picked and taken away by donkeys. This wine is kind of magical like that, and a uniquely delicious way to pretend you’re drifting above the Mediterranean.
Drinking & pairing ideas*: Perfect for these first days of fall, where you might be gardening in the hot sun in the middle of the day and need a cold glass of bright, slightly citrusy wine that tastes like the ocean air. Drink it with a simple cheese and cucumber sandwich (not to be overly specific), and soak up this lovely weather.
Special unbroken case price is $168 (that’s $14 a bottle)
Domaine des Pothiers Granit Rosé - $16 retail Vintage: 2019 Varietal: 100% Gamay Region: Côte Roannaise, Loire Valley, France
The Pothiers’ winery is nestled in the Loire Valley right next to Beaujolais and is brimming with history. In 1916, Blaise Pothier was killed in WWI and his sister and her husband took over the estate to carry on Blaise’s legacy. It went through a few generations of family members before settling into the hands of Romain, who’s now determined to modernize the vineyard. One of his first steps is transitioning the vineyards to biodynamic farming.
A quick overview: biodynamic viticulture is all about balance between the vines, the winemaker, the earth, and the stars. All the steps to make wine (think planting, pruning, and harvesting) align to a special calendar. While it’s the oldest chemical-free agricultural method, it’s not without controversy. But we’ll save that for another day. For now, enjoy this refreshing rosé as a result, or age it for a couple years if you’re feeling spicy.
Drinking & pairing ideas: While you're outside partaking in this amazing weather, pour a glass while you grill up some sausages, peppers, and onions. And then pour another one (or two) with dinner :)
Special unbroken case price is $157 (that’s $13.08 a bottle) Aupa Pipeño - $15 retail Vintage: 2020 Varietal: 80% Pais, 20% Carignan Region: Maule Valley, Chile
We call this cowboy wine because it breaks the rules and feels a little wild. Crafted in the beautiful Maule Valley in Chile, it’s a rare red that’s made to be consumed the same year the wine is produced. Pipeño is a term for peasant wine for farmers and used in church services. This 2020 vintage is one of the coolest wines we’ve seen coming out of South America recently, and it’s bringing bright red fruits, spices, and fresh earth.
Drinking & pairing ideas: Drink it chilled with a simple pan-seared steak, some balsamic-marinated mushrooms, or skip the food and drink it with your closest (but socially distant) friends.
Special unbroken case price is $145 (that’s $12.08 a bottle)
*As always, our food suggestions are starting points. Wine is nostalgic and we’re big fans of making what you like, drinking what you like, and not giving a damn if they go together.
We can’t wait to share the wines we have in store for you in October. See you then!
September 2020 | 6-Bottle Club
Viñedos Verticales La Raspa - $17 retail Vintage: 2018 Varietals: 80% Muscat of Alexandria, 20% Doradilla Region: Málaga, Spain
This vineyard is the dream come true of two BFFs in Southern Spain — Juan Muñoz (a third generation winemaker) and the well-known enologist Vicente Inat. This region is perched above the sea and is known for its small vineyards with super steep slopes, where the grapes are hand-picked and taken away by donkeys. This wine is kind of magical like that, and a uniquely delicious way to pretend you’re drifting above the Mediterranean.
Drinking & pairing ideas*: Perfect for these first days of fall, where you might be gardening in the hot sun in the middle of the day and need a cold glass of bright, slightly citrusy wine that tastes like the ocean air. Drink it with a simple cheese and cucumber sandwich (not to be overly specific), and soak up this lovely weather.
Special unbroken case price is $168 (that’s $14 a bottle)
Domaine des Pothiers Granit Rosé - $16 retail Vintage: 2019 Varietal: 100% Gamay Region: Côte Roannaise, Loire Valley, France
The Pothiers’ winery is nestled in the Loire Valley right next to Beaujolais and is brimming with history. In 1916, Blaise Pothier was killed in WWI and his sister and her husband took over the estate to carry on Blaise’s legacy. It went through a few generations of family members before settling into the hands of Romain, who’s now determined to modernize the vineyard. One of his first steps is transitioning the vineyards to biodynamic farming.
A quick overview: biodynamic viticulture is all about balance between the vines, the winemaker, the earth, and the stars. All the steps to make wine (think planting, pruning, and harvesting) align to a special calendar. While it’s the oldest chemical-free agricultural method, it’s not without controversy. But we’ll save that for another day. For now, enjoy this refreshing rosé as a result, or age it for a couple years if you’re feeling spicy.
Drinking & pairing ideas: While you're outside partaking in this amazing weather, pour a glass while you grill up some sausages, peppers, and onions. And then pour another one (or two) with dinner :)
Special unbroken case price is $157 (that’s $13.08 a bottle)
Aupa Pipeño - $15 retail Vintage: 2020 Varietal: 80% Pais, 20% Carignan Region: Maule Valley, Chile
We call this cowboy wine because it breaks the rules and feels a little wild. Crafted in the beautiful Maule Valley in Chile, it’s a rare red that’s made to be consumed the same year the wine is produced. Pipeño is a term for peasant wine for farmers and used in church services. This 2020 vintage is one of the coolest wines we’ve seen coming out of South America recently, and it’s bringing bright red fruits, spices, and fresh earth.
Drinking & pairing ideas: Drink it chilled with a simple pan-seared steak, some balsamic-marinated mushrooms, or skip the food and drink it with your closest (but socially distant) friends.
Special unbroken case price is $145 (that’s $12.08 a bottle)
Chiosu Fornelli Biancu Gentile - $20 retail Vintage: 2016 Varietal: 100% Biancu Gentile Region: Corsica, France
Corsica is a sleepy island with a dynamic climate that sits between France and Sardinia and grows incredibly unique, interesting grapes. They’ve been making wine here since 570 BC, and all that practice has paid off. Biancu Gentile is the up-and-coming white Corsican grape, and it’s the type you’d want to bring to a party - fun, a little salty, with lots of depth and great energy.
Drinking & pairing ideas: Try a glass with weekend brunch, some citrusy seafood, or a very fall-ish pear dessert.
Special unbroken case price is $193 (that’s $16.08 a bottle)
Il Negrese Gutturnio Frizzante - $16 retail Vintage: 2019 Varietal: 60% Barbera, 40% Bonarda Region: Emilia-Romagna, Italy
We’re so excited to share this lightly sparkling red wine with you. It hails from Emilia-Romagna in Italy, where you can make your way down “La Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori dei Colli Piacentini”, a lazy road that winds through the hilly countryside, with mandatory (not really, but why would you not?) tasting stops at local wineries.
Drinking & pairing ideas: Light, airy, and a little yeasty from the bubbles, it makes for the perfect aperitivo whether you’re on a picnic, grilling seafood at home, or ordering pizza. Basically, it’s good with everything — just make sure to chill it first.
Special unbroken case price is $157 (that’s $13.08 a bottle)
Cantina Morone NERO Piana Barbera - $19 retail Vintage: 2018 Varietal: 100% Barbera del Sannio Region: Campania, Italy
Giovanni and Eleonora Morone are a brother-sister duo who run their family’s organic farm. On top of making delicious wine, these two bring quite the diverse background. Giovanni is a physiatrist and researcher who specializes in the re-education of robotic walking, and Eleonora studied communication and anthropology at the University of Bologna.
We call this wine “Barbera but not Barbera”, because the Barbera del Sannio grape isn’t related to the Piedmont Barbera you might be familiar with. Confusing? Luckily, the wine gods agree. They’re about to rename this grape to “Camaiola”. But don’t let it deter you from digging into this savory gem now.
Drinking & pairing ideas: If you have a decanter on hand, it’s worth pulling out to give this wine a little space to do its thing. Serve alongside roasted pork with plums or a mushroom tart.
Special unbroken case price is $181 (that’s $15.08 a bottle)
*As always, our food suggestions are starting points. Wine is nostalgic and we’re big fans of making what you like, drinking what you like, and not giving a damn if they go together.
We can’t wait to share the wines we have in store for you in October. See you then!