Luigi Baudana Langhe Bianco
- Producer: Luigi Baudana (Famiglia di G.D. Vajra)
- Region: Piedmont, Italy
- Varieties: Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
- Alcohol: 14%
Baudana, a family-owned estate in Serralunga d’Alba, Barolo, became part of the Vajra family in 2008. The Vajras, including Giuseppe, Francesca, and Isidoro Vajra, the children of Aldo and Milena Vajra, have managed it as a distinct property. The estate underwent significant changes in the winemaking approach, with a stricter selection process for single-vineyard Barolos. The creation of a new Barolo called Serralunga now accounts for a significant portion of the estate's production. This transformation has elevated Baudana's quality, reflecting a more disciplined approach to barrel selection and a renewed focus on vineyard care and winemaking. The future holds promise for this reinvigorated winery.
COS Frappato
- Producer: COS
- Region: Vittoria, Sicily, Italy
- Variety: 100% Frappato
- Alcohol: 12.5%
Three friends founded Azienda Agricola COS, in 1980: Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano and Giusto Occhipinti. The acronym of their last names is where the name for the winery – COS – comes from! We are absolutely head over heels for the wines of COS. When we can get our hands on them, we get as much as we can! Their wines serve as vessels for their narrative, chronicling the story of their ancient homelands. With humility and over 3000 years of grapevines as their heritage, they have approached winemaking as artists, shaping their unique wine philosophy. For three decades, they've meticulously crafted a history that is poured into each glass, a tale interwoven with their roots and ancestral lands. Rather than succumbing to trends, they've chosen to follow their passions and curiosity, pioneering a world of winemaking that didn't exist in Sicily at the time. They've reintroduced and elevated an already exceptional wine, one that authentically mirrors their identity and history. At Azienda Agricola COS, they abide by the principles of biodynamic agriculture, deeply rooted in Rudolf Steiner's holistic philosophy. They tend to their vines using ancient techniques, maintaining a respectful harmony with nature. Their commitment extends to responsible water use and chemical-free composting. Their choice to embrace biodynamic practices is driven not by trends but by a profound respect for nature, fueled by their passion and love for the vine.
Frappato is a delightful and relatively light red grape variety originating from Southern Sicily. COS’s Frappato is bursting with aromas of fresh red berries, such as strawberries and red cherries. It’s light-bodied with gentle tannins - super easy-drinking and approachable. The perfect pairing for all your favorite Fall dishes. Serve slightly chilled and enjoy!
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Notre Terre Skin Contact Wine
- Producer: Domaine de Courbissac
- Region: Languedoc, France
- Varieties: Muscat, Marsanne, Grenache Gris
- Alcohol: 13.5%
Notre Terre is a little vineyard, over approximately 42 acres, located in the Minervois region of France (western Languedoc). It’s led by a young, female winemaker named Brunnhilde Claux, a highly skilled, experienced winemaker who takes a “hands off” approach to winemaking. She only employs biodynamic farming techniques and harvests each plot by hand, year after year. Her charming, small batch wines are a labor of love and a deep communion with the land. Her skin contact wine is versatile and refreshing with notes of citrus and orchard fruits including zesty oranges and lemons, complemented by the subtle presence of orchard fruits like apples and pears! This light, drinkable skin contact wine from Languedoc showcases the bright and refreshing qualities of Muscat, Marsanne, and Grenache Gris, with a harmonious interplay of citrus, floral, and herbal nuances, creating an enjoyable and well-balanced wine for all seasons!
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Daniel Schweizer Rosa Brunnen (Couriers!)
- Producer: Daniel Schweizer
- Region: Wüttemberg, Germany
- Varieties: Spätburgunder (aka Pinot Noir), Regent
- Alcohol: 13.5%
The Rosa Brunnen is not your typical rosé; it's a Rotling. Instead of a straightforward rosé, it's a blend of white and red wines, combining Trollinger and Riesling from red Keuper soils. These grapes underwent spontaneous fermentation on the mash for 14 days and were then aged on the lees in wooden barrels for 10 months, remaining unfiltered and unsulfured.
Daniel's Rosa Brunnen stands out from delicate and floral rosés. It doesn't hold back; there's a boldness and substance that sets it apart from other wines of a similar hue, like Bordeaux Clairet. The Pink Fountain captivates with its incredibly refreshing character that pours out of the glass. Aromas of citrus, young currants, crunchy cherries, and subtle minty hints create an inviting bouquet. On the palate, it's unmistakably Swiss: juicy, invigorating, with no resistance to enjoying it, far from ordinary or undemanding.
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Mae Son Vino Red Frizzante (Pickups!)
- Producer: Mae Son (Cantina Furlani)
- Region: Porvo, Trento Alto Adige, Italy
- Varieties: Pavana, Rosara, Negrara and Turca
- Alcohol: 11.5%
Matteo Furlani, a third-generation winemaker from Trento, Italy, embarked on a new winemaking venture alongside his established label, Cantina Furlani. In collaboration with export manager Claudio Coronato and Jenny and Francois Selections, he introduced the Mae Son label. This new venture is a heartfelt tribute to family, craftsmanship, and their wines' careful creation. The name playfully incorporates the initials of family members - M for Matteo, A for his wife Annalisa, and E for their children Alessia and Edoardo. This name, pronounced "my son" in English or "maison" (meaning "my home") in French, reveals the personal story behind the label.
Matteo's winemaking journey was nurtured by hands-on experience alongside his father and grandfather on the high slopes of the Dolomites. While deeply passionate about the environment, he furthered his knowledge by pursuing a degree in agriculture and oenology. He took over his family's vineyards in the early 2000s, revitalizing the shuttered Cantina Furlani and embracing biodynamic practices. Matteo's mission is to create joyful, pure expressions of the mountainous terroir, focusing on spumante wines and predominantly indigenous grape varieties.
Cantina Furlani's vineyards span 14 hectares, with a mix of local and well-known grape varieties. All grapes are hand-harvested from steep limestone and clay vineyards. Fermentation occurs naturally with indigenous yeasts, and the wines are aged in stainless steel tanks or 20-year-old barrels. Mae Son's 2022 wines showcase exuberant floral and mineral qualities, offering a delightful and pure taste of the mountainous terrain. These wines vividly reflect Matteo's passion for winemaking and respect for nature.
This light, frizzante wine is meant to be serve chilled! It pairs well with white meat like turkey, chicken or pork and any dish with savory herbs like thyme, oregano and bay leaves! Cheers! xoxo