WINE CLUB | CHEESE CLUB

ALL CLUB MEMBERS GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

2018 Annesanti Ninfa Del Nera Bianco

Grapes: Malvasia, Grechetto, Trebbiano
Region: Umbria, Italy
Retail: $20 / bottle or $193 / case of 12

Francesco Annesanti is a one stop shop of passion and meticulous grit. His vineyard sits in a pretty isolated part of Umbria, where he does everything from farming and harvesting the grapes to hand labeling some of his wines on the desk he built himself. For all that rustic nature, his wines are sophisticated but full of personality, and we feel lucky to share this bottle with you.

Drinking & pairing ideas*: Your weekend brunch’s toasted sourdough with smoked fish and a lemony arugula salad with big chunks of grated parmesan. Drink it chilled (but not too cold!).

2018 Berger Zweigelt

Grape: Zweigelt
Region: Kremstal, Austria
Retail: $14 / bottle or $142 / case of 12
Pronunciation: “svye-ghelt” (two syllables, the w turns to a v sound)

Next, we take you to the cooler weather of Austria with a bottle of Zweigelt. The grape was developed in 1922 by a very generous biologist named Fritz (can you guess) Zweigelt when he combined two beloved grapes — Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent — to make this prolific, sweet and sour grape. We’re giving you a liter of it, because life’s short and it’s delicious.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Grilled pork chops with a black peppery berry sauce, or a backyard burger and potato salad if you’re feeling less motivated. Or if you’re not into either of these two suggestions, might we suggest mussels cooked in tomato broth with some crusty bread? No matter your food journey, give it a little time in the fridge before serving — Zweigelt is lovely with a bit of a chill.

2019 Kumusha Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Western Cape, South Africa
Retail: $13 / bottle or $130 / case of 12

We’re excited to share this unconventional Cabernet, expertly made by Tinashe Nyamudoka. When Tinashe first moved to South Africa from Zimbabwe, he didn’t know anything about wine — he barely even drank it. But wine intrigued him, and he started studying it hard while working as a food runner in a Cape Town restaurant. Tinashe is now a sommelier who owns and runs Kumusha winery. He also sits on the board of the Black Cellar Club (BLACC), a non-profit focused on supporting black winemakers and sommeliers around the world. If you’re up for an excellent read, we highly recommend his thought-provoking piece on the highs and lows of the wine world.

Drinking & pairing ideas: We’d love to open this alongside some caramelized, garlicky meatballs, grilled sausages, or a cherry tart for dessert (or brunch — you know we don’t judge).

6-BOTTLE MEMBERS ALSO GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

2020 Teutonic Wine Company Jazz Odyssey White

Grapes: Riesling, Gewurztraminer
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Retail: $18 / bottle or $176 / case of 12
Pronunciation: “reese-ling” “guh-vurtz-tra-mee-ner”

Barnaby and Olga started the Teutonic winery about 10 years ago, with the dream of showcasing German grapes, making Mosel-style wines, and having a ton of fun. But they had zero grape-growing or winemaking experience, so they spent the first few years learning the ins and outs of it all, and bribing friends to help them out on the vineyard. All that work paid off - the team and their operation 30 miles south of Portland is now the most recognized producer of German-style wines in Oregon.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Give yourself the night off. This chilled wine would be scrumptious with some spicy Thai takeout. Trust us.

2020 Evesham Wood Blanc du Puits Sec

Grapes: Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Traminer, Rieslaner, Kerner
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Retail: $17 / bottle or $168 / case of 12

Coming to us from the Eola-Amity Hills in Oregon is this bright, delicate white wine from a bunch of (pun intended) different German and French grape varieties. Russ and Mary Raney started the Evesham Wood vineyard in 1986 with the vision of letting the earth do its thing, including not setting up any irrigation(!). They diligently ran it until their recent retirement, when they handed over the keys to another local Oregon winemaker, Erin Nuccio.

Drinking & pairing ideas: We’re craving Japanese food with this one. Try it with sushi, tempura-d anything, some brothy, gingery soba noodles, and friends.

2015 Clos des Fous Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Cachapoal Valley, Chile
Retail: $17 / bottle or $168 / case of 12
Pronunciation: “cloh dee foo”

Four friends (self described as “crazy guys”) started this Chilean winery, determined to go with their instincts instead of convention. Two of the friends, Pedro and Francois, trained in Burgundy and brought their obsession with French wine back to Chile, where they hunt for “extreme” terroir to grow their grapes. The result is excitingly spirited but refined wine that’s very hard to not love, as are the four crazy guys.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Carne asada or mushroom tacos with pickled onions and chili oil. In the mood for adventure (from the coziest corner of your couch)? Pour a glass and watch “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”.