Happy 2023! I can't express how excited I am to introduce wine club and share incredible wines with you throughout the year. This is truly a dream come true. This month, I pulled out all the stops and picked out four bottles that really stood out to me. For our red, I chose Le Bateleur Cabernet Sauvignon from Three of Cups Winery in Washington State to pair with our monthly recipe feature, Red Wine and Herb Braised Chuck Roast. Our white is a Torrentes from the Cafayette Valley that shows a fruitiness that you don't often find with this varietal. And of course, when choosing wines for this month (our launch month!), I couldn't resist adding two sparkling wines to celebrate the New Year and toast to the beginning of Darling & Darling Wine Club. I know you'll find all four of these wines to be delicious and expressive, but these sparkling wines will truly be the showstoppers. Please let me know what you think! I'm so happy you're here.
Cheers,
Sheena
Three of Cups Le Bateleur Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
This month's featured recipe pairing is Red Wine and Herb Braised Chuck Roast
Region: Red Mountain AVA, Washington. Nestled in the Yakima Valley, Red Mountain’s unique geographical location allows it to take in more sunlight hours than any other area of the Columbia Valley. The mountain gets it namesake from a grass known as “cheatgrass” that changes the color of the mountain to a bold red in the Spring. Red Mountain wines tend to be terroir and structure driven, which results in big, rich, meaty wines.
The Wine: Le Bateleur is the Magician card in a tarot deck. It points to the talents, capabilities and resources at one's disposal to succeed, and encourages you to tap into your full potential. True to its namesake, this wine brings out the best of Cabernet Sauvignon and showcases a quintessential expression of this grape. Dry, full-bodied, with velvet tannins and medium acidity. Notes of cherry, blackberry, boysenberry, chocolate, leather, cedar, and dried herbs. Perfect for pairing with red meat like ribeye steak or elk medallions.
Benguela Cove Cuvee 58 Method Cap Classique Brut NV
Region: Walker Bay, South Africa. Walker Bay is located on the south coast of the Western Cape. The long summer days and very cool Atlantic breezes make this region ideal for growing slow-ripening grapes known to produce incredible white and sparkling wine. Cap Classique is the South African classification for sparkling wine made by the traditional method (think Champagne).
The Wine: A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Dry, expressive bubbles, with notes of green fruit, tangy lemon, and toast, and a perfect touch of minerality. Pairs well with oysters, seafood pasta, hard cheeses like pecorino, and Cacio e Pepe.
Obsidian Wine Co “Pezsgo” Sparkling Pinot Noir 2021
Region: Carneros, Napa Valley CA. The Carneros Valley overlaps both Napa Valley AVA and Sonoma AVA. Because of its cool and windy location, it is ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The Wine: Pétillant Naturel, Pet Nat, or Farmer’s Champagne, made with Pinot Noir. This is truly a rare find! Light, fresh, and effervescent with notes of pink apples, cranberry and a clean finish. Pairs well with anything cranberry, chevre, black pepper crusted salami, and, oddly enough, Triscuits.
Fun fact: A portion of the proceeds of this wine go toward the winery’s "Pezsgő for People" campaign to support Ukrainian refugees.
Bodegas Etchkart Torrontes Cafayate 2021
Region: Salta, Argentina. Salta is located in the north of Argentina, where vineyards are planted on steep mountainsides, sometimes reaching altitudes up to 9840ft above sea level. Vineyards are exposed to full, hot sunlight and cool nights, allowing them to fully ripen and produce juicy fruit flavors. Torrontes is the signature grape of Argentina.
The Wine: This is a wine that you can easily sip by itself. Dry, medium bodied, high acidity, with bold notes of ripe peaches and cantaloupe and a hint of lime zest. It’s like sipping summertime. Pairs well with a spread of brie, rice crackers, and fresh fruit.