1. Heiligenblunt Riesling
Guys. It’s Riesling season and I really need you to get serious. This Riesling is authentic + charming + trocken (aka dry). The acid is high, but that’s what makes it so food friendly and refreshing. Riesling is the kind of white wine that gives you a warm hug in the cold winter months, due to its luscious ‘n silky food-bodied texture. We who work in the wine world really, really love Riesling and spend a lot of time fighting misconceptions about it being too sweet. It’s not! It can be sweet, but the best Rieslings that are “sweet” are still balanced, high quality and there is a time + place for it. Heiligenblut is a charming little winery in Rheinhessen, Germany, just southwest of Frankfurt. This region is known for its connections to ancient viticulture. Riesling was first mentioned here in 1546 by the botanist Hieronymus Bock! This Riesling is herbal with notes of underripe pineapple, apricot, ginger, and Meyer lemon. The minerality is satisfying and keeps everything in balance and in check. Serve chilled and pair it with fried shrimp, crab cakes, chicken tikka masala, kimchi pancakes with soy sauce dipping sauce, soft cow’s milk and dried fruit. Prost!
2. Karim Vionnet A Nous Red
Born in Lyon to Arabic parents, Karim was adopted by a family in Morgon. His first career was a baker but eventually fell into wine, as one does in this region, and got the natural wine bug by working as a vineyard-hand and winemaker for some of the OG natty wine dudes like Guy Breton and Marcel Lapierre. Technically a negociant (like many of our producers who don't own any vineyards) Karim is responsible for the organic farming and vinification of 5 hectares of plots around Beaujolais, mostly old-ish vines (40- to 60-year-old). He makes a bunch of different Gamay cuvees, all with carbonic maceration, that are insanely good (and sought after). A Nous Red is made in collaboration with Domaine Viret with Syrah and Gamay. Bold, juicy and savory, with hints of wood and leather. Perfect for cold winter nights! Serve room temp or slightly cooler and pair with roasted turkey or Christmas ham.
3. Domaine Fond Cyprès Grenache de Bois Saint Jaume
‘Tis the season to be festive! This is the perfect bottle of delicious red wine to bring to a gathering or enjoy by the fire pit. Generously boasting with brambly red berries, forest floor, blood orange, grilled plum and a hint of leather. You may already know how much we love Domaine Fond Cyprès. You should love them too. They are a hip French winery owned and operated by an adorable couple Laetitia Ourliac and Rodolphe Gianesini, who bought a neglected plot of vines surrounded by woods and olive trees in Escales, a small viticultural area in southern France. In 2004, they converted their vineyards entirely to organic farming and have never looked back. Today they are certified organic. This Grenache is made from 60 year old Grenache vines! That’s quite old in the vine world, meaning it grows with maximum character and depth. Serve room temperature or slightly cooler and pair with BBQ like smoked brisket, ribs, or charbroiled chicken. Grenache loves anything smokey, grilled or charred. Sánte!
4. COZs Pop Vinho Branco
COZs Pop Vinho Branco is a lush, savory white wine made from the Vital grape variety from Serra do Montejunto in Lisboa, Portugal! Very close to the Atlantic coast! Vital is a Portuguese grape variety you may not have heard of or tasted before as it has been historically used as a blending grape. COZs Pop Vinho Branco is macerated on the skins for 3 days then fermented in neutral Burgundy barrels for 11 months. It is such a lovely winter time white wine - dry with a slight oxidized apple vibe, hint of beeswax, nutmeg and soft tannins that feel velvety. Balanced and hella food friendly. Serve chilled and enjoy with soft cheeses, duck fried rice, bacalhau (salted cod!) or grilled octopus. Saúde!