Pairing Flashcards
Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs, ‘3B’, Filipa Pato, Barraida, Portugal
Made in the champagne style using native Portuguese grapes. Mineral driven, with herbal notes and fresh fruit, and refreshing but dry finish.
39% Maria Gomes, 38% Bical, 23% Cercial
Female winemaker following in father’s footsteps, certified biodynamic, hand harvested, gentle pressing, method chamepenoise, 9 mo. on lees, zero dosage
Charles Gonnet Chignin, Jacqueres, Savoie, France
100% Jacquere from the heart of the Savoie, 50 miles from Italy and Switzerland, 1000ft above sea level. Limestone soil, hand harvested, sustainable practice.
Searing minerality, crisp ripe peach, hint of green almond.
Lustau Don Nuno Amontillado Sherry, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Continuing with the flavors of salinity and nuttiness found in the last wine, a longer aging process and oxidation give this sherry its dark color and bold intense flavor profile. The bright acidity cuts through the richness of the vin blanc, while the oxidative nuttiness enhances the sweetness of the mushroom and plantain ragout.
100% Palomino
12 years in solera, highly acidic, oxidative, nutty, dry
2020 Au Bon Climat Chardonnay, Santa Barbara, California
This chardonnay comes from one of the founding winemakers in Santa Barbara County, Jim Clendenen, who’s been making wines under his own label since 1982. More subtle than many CA chardonnays, this wine has a rich creaminess that’s balanced by a mouthwatering acidity. Notes of ripe apple and pear up front, rounded coconut finish.
100% Chardonnay
Whole cluster pressed, chilled, settled overnight. French oak, mostly Francois Freres, 10% new, complete malo, sur lie 8 mo.
Ellena Giuseppe, Langhe, Italy, 2019
100% Nebbiolo
Talking points: Certified organic, spends 12 months in French oak. Three generations of the family (son, father, grandfather) work side by side making the wines and maintaining the vineyards.
Tasting notes: Lively and pleasant, floral with a soft spice. Notes of macerated red berries and dried rose and violet. Elegant with lasting finish.
70% Corvina, 30% Rondinella
Winemaking family since 1500s, sustainable farming, hand harvested, 6 mo stainless steel
2020 Vina Sastre ‘Roble’ Tempernillo, Ribera del Duero, Spain
Hand harvested, critical sorting. Long maceration, neutral oak just to soften tannins. Practicing organic. Powerful red berry nose is tinged with hints of mineral and spice. On the palate, rich red fruit and smooth integrated tannins lead to a moderate and pleasant finish.
100% Tempernillo
3rd generation winemaker, Jesus is an authority figure in the area, leader and champion of making wines in the most natural way possible. Ancestral wine at the highest level. (Pesus is one of most sought after wines in the region).
2019 ‘Les Grains Copains’ Jurancon Moelleux
An ancient style of wine, dating back to the 13th century. Aromatic and pleasant with a balanced sweetness reminiscent of ripe fruit. The grapes are harvested in late Oct or Nov, when they start to wither on the vines, resulting in a naturally occurring sweetness with no added sugars
100% Petit Manseng
Certified organic, hand harvested, whole cluster. 50 y/o vines planted by wine-maker’s father in Bearnaise Hills, Pyrenees mountains
