RIPE WINE

What is Biodynamic farming?

Biodynamic farming is a holistic and sustainable approach to agriculture that originated from the teachings of Rudolf Steiner. It integrates spiritual and cosmic principles with organic farming practices, emphasizing the interconnectedness of soil, plants, and animals. Biodynamic farmers follow specific planting and harvesting schedules based on lunar and celestial cycles, using natural preparations to enhance soil fertility and overall farm vitality

Let's carry on with our exploration of wines that spark engaging conversations, now delving into Pais.

Pais, also known as Mission in the United States and Listán Negro in the Canary Islands, is a red grape variety with a rich history dating back to the Spanish colonization of the Americas. It is considered one of the oldest grape varieties in the New World, introduced by Spanish missionaries for sacramental and winemaking purposes. In Chile, where it is commonly referred to as Pais, the grape has maintained a presence for centuries, and it is not uncommon to come across centenary old vineyards!

🍷

What is Trepat?
Trepat is a red grape variety primarily grown in the Catalonia region of Spain. Grapes typically have thin skins and moderate acidity, adding distinctive characteristics to the wines. While it is not as widely planted as some other grape varieties, Trepat is gaining attention for its unique qualities and its role in crafting wines with lively red fruit flavors, making it a notable part of the viticultural heritage of Catalonia.

🍷

This week, we're offering our wine recommendations to ignite lively conversations at your festive gatherings. 🍷✨

Chablis is a great gift for its crisp minerality and bright acidity, delivering a pure expression of Chardonnay that showcases the elegance and terroir of the region.

🇫🇷

Orange wine is a fun gift for wine learners, as its unique production method (fermenting white grapes with their skins) creates a vibrant and textured experience, perfect for expanding their palate and exploring the diverse world of wines.

Malbec is a great gift for its versatile and approachable nature, offering a bold and flavorful experience for wine enthousiasts.

🍷

Follow the guide! This week, we will help you find the right gift!

Established in the small village of Wettolsheim, five kilometers West of Colmar, the Ehrhart family has been farming the diverse terroirs of Alsace since 1725.

Philippe and Corinne Ehrhart farm their 25 hectares among 11 different villages with a wide variety of soils, including 4 terroirs of Grands-Crus like Hengst, Brand, Schlossberg and Goldert.

All the terroirs are vinified separately to preserve the typicity of each of them. All wines have been certified as organic since 2010 and biodynamic since 2012. Their kids Florian and Margot joined the family estate and are now the new generation of winemakers.

🍾

Schwaderer Wines is a boutique winery, which was started in 2015 by winemaker Constanza Schwaderer and her sister Mariane. With over 20 years in the wine industry throughout the world (US, France, New Zealand and Australia) Constanza decided to start her own project in partnership with growers with ancestral vineyards, allowing her to work in different regions of Chile.
She walks the fields in the sun kissed Chilean valleys, to find the perfect terroir for every varietal. Mariane is the artistic director of the winery, a radical designer, leading a charismatic branding effort that mirrors the character of this singular wines. Their wines are the product of a deep knowledge of the Chilean terroir, coupled with a curious and experimental spirit.

Located in Val do Salnés, in the heart of Rías Baixas Spain, Lagar de Costa is a family-run winery where three generations of winemakers are dedicated to the care of the star of the area, Albarino! With the new generation at the helm, Sonia and her brother Manuel are making strides with innovations while preserving the essence of the estate.
At Lagar de Costa, the vines grow near the coast, on the lower reaches of the river Umia at an altitude of 0-30 meters above sea level near the town of Cambados.

🇪🇸

Counting down the days to a sparkling New Year! Follow us this week as we highlight the talented women winemakers in our portfolio, celebrating their remarkable contributions to the world of wine.

What about a white vermouth?

This particular vermouth introduces itself with fragrances of citrus, herbs, and aniseed. The palate combines a textured yet light feel, featuring a honeyed undertone that culminates in a bright and fresh profile. Exceptionally balanced, it is perfect for sipping on its own, yet versatile enough to complement various cocktail creations.

Interested in exploring vermouth?

Consider sampling Bodegas Rezabal's new addition to their lineup – a captivating Basque interpretation of sweet vermouth. Crafted from local Hondarrabi grapes, this contemporary twist on the Spanish classic incorporates native herbs and aromatic elements from the region, offering a unique and delightful experience.

❤️

Vermouth is a fortified wine that is flavored with various botanicals, herbs, and spices. It typically has a slightly bitter aromatic profile.

It is a key ingredient in many classic cocktails, such as the Martini and the Manhattan, but can also be enjoyed on its own, over ice, or as an aperitif.

🇪🇸

don't forget sparkling wines, such as Cava or Champagne, which can add a festive touch and pair well with everything from appetizers to dessert.

If you're looking to balance the richness of side dishes, a crisp orange wine can provide a refreshing contrast.

Pinot Noir is an excellent choice, offering a light and fruity profile that won't overpower the meal.
This Pinot Noir, has intense red fruits (cherries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries) typical of Pinot noir, with a refreshing acidity representative of the volcanic terroir. Tannins are supple and soft, and the finish ends with a light menthol note.

🍷 🍷

Pairing the perfect wine with your Thanksgiving feast, our recommendations.

🦃

Having second thoughts?
Give Petit Rouge from Château Gaillard a try! This wine boasts a rich, deep purple hue and presents intense aromas of freshly crushed red fruits like raspberries, strawberries, and black currants. With supple tannins, a touch of freshness, and vibrant vivacity, its structure is best characterized.

🇫🇷

If you're still unsure about which Gamay to choose, we have some recommendations for you.

Here is an excellent Gamay with a perfect balance. It exhibits a garnet red color with purple reflections and offers an intense nose with notes of freshly crushed red fruits and white pepper. The palate is lush, featuring fruity aromas and elegant tannins. It concludes with a refined finish, characterized by mild acidity and light minerality.

🇫🇷

What Gamay are you drinking this week?
Answer us in the comment.

🍷

Come meet our winemakers at RAW WINE!
Nov 12/ 13th - 99 Scott Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237

CAMBRICO - SIERRA DE FRANCIA
Cambrico has a strong commitment to the recovery of the cultural heritage that they preserve through the organic cultivation of the autochthonous old Rufete grape vineyards, promoting biodiversity and respect for nature.

FRES.CO - SONOMA VALLEY, CA, USA
Jack Sporer makes natural wines at a cooperative custom crush facility called Magnolia Wine Services. Fresh Wine Co / FRES.CO sources grapes from Sonoma Valley, and works with growers to transition towards regenerative agriculture.

Are you more Fino or Amontillado?

While both Fino and Amontillado Sherry wines originate from similar production processes, the key difference lies in their aging and oxidation levels. Fino is extremely dry and retains the flor throughout its life, while Amontillado undergoes controlled oxidation, resulting in a richer flavor profile.

🍷

Vino de Pasto, also called natural sherry, refers to white wines sharing some of the same winemaking traditions as classic sherry, with the major difference of not being fortified.

They are fresher, brighter in the glass and are made to be drunk more regularly than classic sherry.

Experience our Vino de Pasto, Matalian and Socaire skillfully crafted by Bodegas Primitivo Collantes. Cheers!

Primitivo Collantes epitomizes the emerging generation of natural sherry winemakers in Chiclana de la Frontera. His strategically located winery along the Atlantic coast of Cadiz benefits from the renowned albariza soil, a white chalky substrate typical of the Jerez region, which not only appears white in summer but also uniquely possesses the capacity to dry without hardening while retaining high moisture levels, gradually nurturing the vines throughout the growing season.

Hailing from a lineage of winemakers in Chiclana, Primitivo Collantes, or Primi, as he's affectionately known, has carved a name for himself in the sherry world by producing captivating wines. As a leading figure in the Vino de Pasto movement, a collaborative effort by passionate winemakers, he champions the idea that Jerez's future hinges on elevating quality, reducing scale, and embracing the region's distinctive character.

☀️

Here is the perfect day to try our recipe for the Spanish 75!

Ingredients:
- 1 oz of Regina Gin
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz of simple syrup
- 3 oz of Rezabal Txakoli blanco

1. Combine the Regina Gin, lemon juice and simple syrup with ice in a shaker
2. Shake until chilled
3. Strain into a champagne flute
4. Add Rezabal Txakoli blanco on top with a lemon twist

Cheers!

Matias Michelini is known for pioneering a lean, electric style of winemaking at 1500 meters above sea level. His creations, such as a Cabernet Franc with red currant, blackberry, and plum flavors, and a Malbec characterized by a fresh, minty nose and pure fruit with mineral undertones, showcase the unique terroir and exceptional quality of Gualtallary's wines over the last dacade.


🍷

Perhaps the most radical of Argentina’s winemakers, Matias Michelini was fondly known as the "green Michelini" for many years and his colorful winemaking still makes him the rebel of the Argentine wine scene. Pioneering a lean style of wine with often electric acidity, Michelini has been at the forefront of Uco Valley winemaking and in particular Gualtallary’s development over the last decade. A firm believer in biodynamic viticulture, Mathias' wines very much start in the vineyard and almost invariably end in concrete.

🇦🇷 🍷 🍇

Lagar de Costa's Albariño is a masterpiece of flavor and texture. Bursting with notes of apricot, orange, cooked apple, and subtle herbaceous hints, this orange wine offers a fresh and tantalizing experience. It embodies the essence of the coastal climate, showcasing a unique interplay between salty, mineral characteristics and the textural depth derived from skin maceration.
On the other hand, "Brisat" by Mas Foraster is crafted from old Macabeu vines, presents itself as a light orange-hued gem. This wine exudes freshness, with delightful aromas of white fruits and zesty citrus notes that dance on the palate. Its gentle tannic structure, thanks to the skin contact, adds a layer of complexity to this bright and vivacious wine.

The Malvasia Bianca orange wine is a true sensory delight with its amber hue, a testament to the skin fermentation process, which imparts a gentle touch of tannin to the palate. This unique wine bursts with expressive aromas, encompassing starfruit, quince, apricot, tangy mango, kaffir lime, gooseberry, coconut shavings, and a hint of cinnamon. Its stunning tension and minerality add to the complexity of the experience, making it a captivating choice for the adventurous wine enthusiast.

In contrast, this Skin Contact by ROARK wine offers a fresh take on skin contact. It exhibits a vibrant structure, a light grip, and a satisfying savory edge that sets it apart. The Marsanne and Grenache Blanc combine seamlessly to create a wine that excites the palate and provides a delightful counterpoint to the more traditional white wines, showcasing the versatility and innovation of modern winemaking.

Orange wine, also known as skin-contact wine, is a type of wine that is made from white grapes but is produced using a process more typical of red wine production. The key difference lies in how the grape skins are treated during fermentation.
In traditional white wine production, grape skins are usually removed from the juice early in the process to prevent color transfer. However, in the case of orange wine, the grape skins are left in contact with the juice for an extended period, sometimes weeks or even months. This extended skin contact gives the wine its distinctive orange/amber hue.
The process of fermenting white grapes with their skins can result in a range of flavors, textures, and aromas not typically found in white wines. Orange wines often exhibit characteristics such as tannins (more common in red wines) and a fuller body.

Masintin, a renowned winery in the ITATA Valley, Chile, presents two exceptional wines, one crafted from Cariñena and the other from Garnacha.

The Garnacha is a remarkable representation of the grape variety, boasting an expressive character with an intense yet elegant fruit profile. Its generous and fresh mouthfeel is complemented by a fine and robust structure, promising the potential for graceful aging.

On the other hand, the Cariñena hails from Truquilemu, one of the Maule Valley's coolest and most secluded regions, sheltered by the surrounding hills. Cultivated by a select group of small viticultores, including the dedicated Waldo Orellana, this wine is derived from 70+ year-old bush vines that are meticulously dry-farmed by hand and horse.
🍷

Masintin, a renowned winemaker from Itata, Maule, Chile, offers a unique and fresh take on the Pais variety, showcasing its earthy typicity and delivering a finely refreshing tannic structure. This Pais wine beautifully balances its complexity with a burst of freshness.

In addition, Masintin's Cinsault is a true gem, boasting an exceptional expression of old Cinsault vines in the Itata Valley. This wine is a delight for the senses, with a captivating fruit-forward profile dominated by the delightful presence of red fruits like raspberry and cherry. What sets it apart is the exquisite minerality derived from the granitic soil in which the grapes are cultivated. Masintin's Cinsault is a testament to the unique terroir of the region, resulting in a wine of outstanding character and flavor.

Meet the visionary winemaker behind Vinos Masintín, Diego Urra Gosselin, who joined forces with three Belgian wine enthusiasts in 2017 to embark on a unique wine journey. Their mission? Crafting small-scale, fruit-centric, and elegant wines from Chile's iconic yet often overlooked regions like Maule and Itata Valley.

Maison Taisne Riocour is a Champagne house established in 1837 and nestled in the Riceys region, is currently in the midst of their 2023 harvest, marking yet another chapter in their storied history. With a meticulously tended vineyard spanning 21 hectares, featuring 18 distinct parcels of both pinot noir and chardonnay, the estate has upheld a commitment to sustainability since 2016, holding the prestigious HVE Level 3 certification, and since 2020, they have been exploring the benefits of biodynamic management on a portion of their vineyard, showcasing their dedication to innovative and environmentally conscious winemaking practices.

🍇