Under the Table Wines

RED: 2022 GOTA PRUNUS DAO TINTO, DAO, PORTUGAL

Gota started in 2008 as a way to export wines from various unsung regions of Portugal to the wider world. Winemaker Natalia Jessa focuses on Dao and a couple other regions as part of the Gota project, and her Prunus wines caught our eye a while back. This sustainable blend of Jaen, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro Preto & Touriga Nacional has a prominent red cherry note along with light tannins and spiciness. This region is renowned for its cherry, so it’s only fitting that the red has that same fruitiness. Pair with duck in cherry sauce, grilled pork tenderloin, or goat’s milk cheeses.

WHITE: 2021 GOTA PRUNUS DAO BRANCO, DAO, PORTUGAL

[See red note for a bit about the producer.] This sustainable white is a blend of Bical, Cerceal Branco, Encruzado & Malvasia Fina. We were immediately taken by its silky mouthfeel and notes of almond, lemon, and white peach. We timed this pick for a month when the majority of wine club gets white because we love this wine so much. Serve with sole almondine, creamy pasta, or shrimp risotto.

BUBBLY: 2021 ANTECH M BRUT RESERVE BRUT, BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX, FRANCE

The Antech family has been making wine in the south of France since 1860 and started practicing organics in 2020. Limoux is the true home of sparkling wine (no matter what tall tale of Dom Perignon you may have heard), so we hope you enjoy a little piece of history in your glass this month. Made from the local varietal Mauzac, the wine has notes of green & yellow apple, yellow raspberry, and ginger. We picked this wine with New Year’s Eve in mind, so maybe it’s time for blinis and caviar (or fried chicken) to celebrate the end of the year.

ROSÉ: 2024 HAIDER WHAT’S NEXT?, BURGENLAND, AUSTRIA

Eva & Berthold Haider farm several hectares of land in the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park. All farming and winemaking is done in accordance with strict Demeter biodynamic practices, including goats, sheep, and cows roaming the vineyards. We didn’t pick the wine because of its fun package, but the label sure doesn’t hurt. This rosé of Blaufrankisch and Zweigelt is fresh and fruity with notes of red cherry and strawberries & cream. It’ll be darn tasty with latkes & lox, pork loin, or chili.

NATURAL: 2024 CLOS DES MOURRES POMPETTE BLANC, RHONE VALLEY, FRANCE

Ingrid & Jean-Philippe Bouchet bought a small parcel of vineyards in 2009 and started their family winery. They’ve since added a bit more land, but it’s still truly a mom-and-pop operation. They follow biodynamic practices, including planting by the lunar calendar. Their white is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette & Bourboulenc that really caught our eye recently. It has this lovely creamy mouthfeel with notes of ginger, dried flowers, and minerals. A great choice for roasted branzino, gooey cheeses, or pork chops.

• RED: 2023 DME DE LA PETITE ROCHE ANJOU ROUGE, LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE

  The Regnard family got their first vines right after the French Revolution in 1791. They’re still making great wines in the Loire Valley today, where they’re HVE certified (a French certification for green practices in the vineyards) and run by a husband-wife team. The Loire Valley is one of the rare regions in France where white wine reigns supreme, so we always love turning people on to Loire reds. This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc with black & red cherry and rose petal notes and a pleasing chalky mouthfeel. Cab Franc is an unexpected but delicious Thanksgiving wine, but it’s also great for burger night or beef and pepper stir-fry.

• WHITE: 2024 DME DE LA PETITE ROCHE ANJOU BLANC, LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE

  [See red note for a bit about the producer.] Anjou is one of the subregions in the Loire where Chenin Blanc is the main white grape rather than Sauvignon Blanc. This Chenin has layers of stone and citrus fruit notes that keep you wanting another sip. We picked it specifically for Thanksgiving, but you can just as happily drink it with spicy Thai noodles, Indian curries, or soft cheeses.

• BUBBLY: NV BODEGAS TRIDENTE CANTAGRILLOS BRUT, CASTILLA Y LEON, SPAIN

  Bodegas Tridente focuses on ancient, low-yield vineyards in the part of Spain where the Knights Templar once traveled. Their sparkling wine comes from Malvasia planted in the 1920s with a bit of Chardonnay to give the wine more body. Malvasia is one of the most aromatic grapes, so get ready for notes of white flowers and apple blossom to jump out at you along with notes of honey on the palate and a very long finish. Pop open while you put the finishing touches on Thanksgiving dinner, serve to start the meal, or enjoy with lemony shrimp with white beans or a cheese plate.

• ROSÉ: 2024 VON WINNING ROSÉ, PFALZ, GERMANY

  The incredibly high quality of Von Winning’s wines is due in large part to the meticulous nature of winemaker Stephan Attmann. He’s diligent in both the vineyards and the cellar and goes for a low-intervention approach to his winemaking. The purity of fruit in this organic rosé of Pinot Noir is the lovely result of his gentle style. Notes of wild strawberries and watermelon are tempered by a strong minerality that reminds us of seltzer water. It’s a perfect pairing for Thanksgiving or with fish tacos or poke bowls.

• NATURAL: 2022 JULIA BERNET CUVEE U BRUT NATURE, CORPINNAT, SPAIN

  Owner/winemaker Xavier Bernet named his winery for his daughter Julia, where he produces sparkling wines with poise and precision. Xavi is part of a collective of winemakers who have left the DO Cava and formed their own group, called Corpinnat, in order to pursue a more terroir driven alternative. In Corpinnat, all grapes must be grown organically, and Xavi cares deeply about organic farming as well as natural winemaking. This wine is 100% Xarel-lo (one of three grapes used in traditional Cava). He ages it on the lees for two years and in the bottle for an additional year, so you get toasty notes along with crisp apple notes and balanced acidity. Bone dry, these bubbles are great before a meal or anywhere a crisp lager might be good (Mexican and Indian cuisines come to mind).

RED: SERPENTINA TIKTOK O’CLOCK, HVAR, CROATIA

• Importer Boutique Wine Collection created their Love Over Money project for family-owned, estate-driven producer partners interested in celebrating and preserving indigenous varieties. Serpentina is their Croatian partner, and we’re so excited to feature yet another new country in wine club. We’re not telling you that you have to post about this wine on TikTok, but we’re definitely not opposed to that idea. It’s a blend of two Croatian grapes—Plavac Mali and Babich—with a touch of Syrah. The wine is firm with notes of red cherry, raspberry, and spices. It’s a great wine for pizza night, pasta with red sauce, or goulash.

WHITE: SERPENTINA OSEKA I PROTOK, HVAR, CROATIA

• [See red note for a bit about the producer.] Oseka i Protok translates to Ebb and Flow in Croatian. It’s a blend of three indigenous varietals—Posip, Bogdanuša, Maraština Muscat—and the Italian varietal Trebbiano. The wine has layers of minerality, including rainwater, salt, and flint, and notes of pear blossom. Pair with mild Pad Thai, grilled trout, or salty cheeses.

BUBBLY: NV TOMMASI PROSECCO, VENETO, ITALY

• In 1902, Giacomo Tommasi started making wine on a small parcel of land in Valpolicella. Now, four generations later, the Tommasi family owns vineyards across Italy and are one of the most renowned Valpolicella producers. In addition to being the home of great red wines, Veneto is also the home of Prosecco, and Tommasi’s bubbly is just lovely. It has a light, creamy mousse with notes of white flowers and citrus. This delicate wine is best before a meal with light snacks or after dinner with pound cake or fruit.

ROSÉ: 2024 FOSSIL POINT ROSÉ, EDNA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

• Fossil Point was founded with a sharp eye on sustainability. The winery is located close to the rugged coast of central California where the cool sea air and the rocky terrain create great conditions for wine grapes. The rosé is primarily Grenache with tiny amounts of Syrah and Mourvedre. It’s bright with yellow cherry and flint notes. Enjoy with the last summer tomatoes or with grilled shrimp or chicken.

NATURAL: 2023 BRAND WILDER SATZ, PFALZ, GERMANY

• Brothers Daniel and Jonas Brand (rhymes with wand, not land) took over their family winery in 2014. They used their father’s commitment to sound ecological practices as a jumping off point and converted to organic practices with a healthy mix of biodynamics in there as well. They let the flowers and plants grow wild in their vineyards, so everything is a little wild there. This wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Muller-Thurgau, Riesling, Scheurebe & Silvaner. It’s made with the slightest bit of skin contact, so it’s lean and bright and could easily pass for a white wine. Notes of cider and Saison jump out of the glass along with gingery spice and fresh apple. Pair with pork chops & apples, prosciutto and pear panini, or mild cheeses.

• RED: 2023 THREE WINE CO FAUX PAS, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

  Owner Matt Cline oversaw the winemaking at his family’s well-regarded and very popular winery, Cline Cellars, for decades. In 2008, Matt and his wife Erin set out to create their own wine project, primarily focused on three wine grapes: Zinfandel, Carignan, and Mataro (aka Mourvedre). They are deeply committed to sustainability in their winery, and we’ve long been fans of their Contra Costa County Zinfandel. Their Faux Pas is a blend of Carignan, Zinfandel, Petit Sirah & Mataro. It’s loaded with fruit, like blackberry and raspberry, along with notes of spice and dark chocolate, all with a surprisingly light body. We like this wine with a hint of a chill, if you’re up for it. Pour alongside pork tinga, grilled flatbreads, or turkey burgers.

• WHITE: 2023 THREE WINE CO ESCAPADE, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

  [See red note for a bit about the winery.] The Escapade is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Fiano, Chardonnay & Symphony. That last grape is quite aromatic as is Muscat, so get ready for enticing aromas of honeysuckle and citrus blossom. The other grapes give the wine notes of minerals and oranges and a nice weight on the palate. We support you drinking this wine with breakfast for dinner (particularly if French toast is going to show up), grilled chicken with tomato salad, or creamy but not too cheesy pasts.

• BUBBLY: NV EL BAJIO BRUT, VALLE DE BERNAL, MEXICO

  El Bajio is a collaboration between La Competencia Imports and Freixenet de Mexico with a singular focus on bringing Mexican wine into the United States. The winemaker, Lluis Raventos Llopart, comes from two powerhouse wine families in Spain (including last month’s bubbly pick), so you know you’re in good hands. He uses two of the three Cava grapes–Macabeo and Xarel-lo–and blends in Ugni Blanc for a bit more brightness. The wine is textured with a long finish and delightful green notes of apple and lime. Pair with shrimp tacos, lime chicken, or pesto & brie.

• ROSÉ: 2024 LELIEVRE GRIS DE TOUL, COTES DE TOUL, FRANCE

  Although winemaking in the area dates back to Roman times, it wasn’t until 1998 that this pocket of eastern France was categorized as a unique wine region. Brothers David and Vincent took over from their father and continue on his legacy of organic wines that are special to this place. Here, Gamay is one of the key varietals, and many of you may recognize the label from their sparkling Gamay that we carry. This Gamay rosé is almost orange in appearance, but the fruit is all yellow–apple, grapefruit, even tomato. Drink with BLTs (extra points for using yellow tomatoes), grilled sausages, or white bean and cucumber salad.

• NATURAL: 2024 LICORNE MECHANTE LE CRI DU LOUP, MENDOCINO, CALIFORNIA

  Last month, you received a wine from our friends at Populis, and now, we’re featuring their experimental label, Licorne Mechante (“wicked unicorn”). These wines are the natty side of the Populis/Les Lunes family, and we think “the Cry of the Wolf” is a great example of funky but delicious. It’s a blend of Carignan and Zinfandel that reminds us of ants on a log—you know, celery, nut butter, raisins. It has tingly tannins and would be happy with a chill on it. You could double down on the flavor profile and pair with a celery and peanut salad or use it as a jumping off point for soba noodles with Thai peanut sauce or mild cheeses and charcuterie.

• RED: 2022 KATO PINOT NOIR, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND

  Kato’s founder, Adam Torpy, has worked in wine all around the world, and he started this project to highlight the beautiful wines of Marlborough, New Zealand. Kato (translates to harvest in Māori) crafts sustainable, hands-off wines that are clean and pure. We fell in love with this Pinot Noir so much that we first poured it by the glass and are now sharing the goodness with all of you. It has a touch of spice to it with notes of red cherry and wet soil. The fine tannins make you want another sip (and another and another). Pair with lamb or duck with a berry sauce, mild blue cheese, or ratatouille.

• WHITE: 2023 KATO SAUVIGNON BLANC, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND

  [See red note for a bit about the winery.] It takes a lot to wow us when it comes to New Zealand Sauv Blancs because there are just so darn many of them. The Kato stands out with its ripe fruit like pomelo and passionfruit. This is a white for the height of summer. As good with tomato salad as it is with fish tacos or corn with lime butter.

• BUBBLY: 2019 LLOPART CORPINNAT ROSÉ BRUT, CORPINNAT, SPAIN

  The LLopart family traces their winemaking roots back to 1385, but it was in 1887 that they started producing only sparkling wines. They’re deeply committed to sustainability, and they were one of the leaders in creating the Corpinnat DO. This region is within Penedes, Spain (home to Cava), but they have stricter guidelines to ensure incredibly high quality, including that grapes must be 100% organic and that the wines must be aged for at least 18 months. This rosé is a blend of three red grapes: Monastrell, Garnacha, and Pinot Noir. It’s creamy with a light yeastiness to it and notes of plum and yellow raspberry. Pair these elegant bubbles with soft cheeses and/or summer fruits.

• ROSÉ: 2024 GILBERT CELLARS ROSÉ, WAHLUKE SLOPE, WASHINGTON

  Not that we buy wine solely for this reason, but the folks at Gilbert really seem like our kind of people. They started their low-intervention winery as a welcoming place for wine drinkers of all ages, including parents of young kids. They’re building a wine loving community much like we are, and it’s easy to see why people are drawn to these organic, sustainable wines. This rosé is a blend of Mourvedre & Grenache, and it strikes such a lovely balance between flinty minerality and summertime fruitiness. You could drink this wine with just about anything, but it’ll be particularly tasty with peach & burrata salad, sungold tomato frittata, or chevre grilled cheese.

• NATURAL: 2023 POPULIS ROSÉ, ORINDA, CALIFORNIA

  We hosted winemaker/owner Shaunt Oungoulian for our first winemaker party in the wine garden. He and his wine partner Diego Roig run two wine labels, Populis and Les Lunes. They graduated out of their basement where they had been making wines for years and now have a brick and mortar winery to visit. They lease their own vineyards because they believe in working the vines themselves, and the result is often clean, pure fruit. Their rosé is a fun blend of both reds (Zinfandel, Nero d'Avola & Cinsault) and whites (Pinot Gris, French Colombard & Orange Muscat). It tastes like a not sweet version of a cherry Jolly Rancher and seltzer. It’s a great wine to go with sushi takeout, light salmon preparations, or Mediterranean chicken skewers.

• RED: 2023 VIALLET SAVOIE ROUGE, SAVOIE, FRANCE

  • Marcel and Yvonne Viallet started a winery in 1966 in Savoie, and in the 1980s, their son, Phillipe, came to work for them. He saw the potential in this region and founded his own sustainable winery, Maison Phillipe Viallet, in 1985. We’ve never featured wines from this alpine region of France before in wine club, so we’re excited to introduce you to Savoie if you don’t already know it. The red is a blend of Mondeuse and Gamay with notes of red cherry, pencil shavings, cranberry, earth, and cured meat. A light chill would be lovely on this wine (like 30 minutes in the fridge). We recommend enjoying it with charcuterie, banh mi, or alpine cheeses.

• WHITE: 2023 VIALLET SAVOIE BLANC, SAVOIE, FRANCE

  • [See red note for a bit about the winery.] This white is a blend of Jacquere, Chasselas, Chardonnay & Altesse. You can almost smell and taste the clean mountain air and crisp spring water along with plenty of green fruit notes like apple and lime. Pair with a creamy chicken salad, mild jerk pork, or sheep’s milk cheeses.

• BUBBLY: NV CH DE L’EPERONNIERE CREMANT DE LOIRE, LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE

  • Owner Mathieu Tijou and his wife Charlotte decided to strike out on their own rather than inheriting Mathieu’s parents’ winery and took over Chateau de l’Eperonniere from their neighbors in 2007. This part of the Loire is Chenin Blanc country, so Mathieu uses Chenin as the base of his Cremant along with 35% Chardonnay and 5% Cabernet Franc. This dry sparkler has a lovely balance of citrus and tree fruit along with strong minerality. It’s an elegant way to start the party, so consider pairing it with gougeres or other small bites. Otherwise, it pairs nicely with scallops, clams, or oysters.

• ROSÉ: 2024 CHANTELEUSERIE BOURGUEIL ROSÉ, LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE

  • Owner Thierry Boucard and his wife Christine are the seventh generation of his family to make wine at Chanteleuserie. Importer Kermit Lynch discovered “the place where the larks sing” on one of his first trips to France in 1976, and the winery was one of the first in his renowned portfolio (read more about his adventures here). For his rosé, Thierry uses the primary red grape of the region, Cabernet Franc, which gives this wine its outstanding floral aromas. Notes of stone fruits like cherry and peach make this wine a delightful summer sipper. If you’re grilling seafood or light meats, this wine will be your friend, but it’ll also be happy with a light omelette and green salad for dinner.

• NATURAL: 2024 FABIEN JOUVES YOU FUCK MY WINE, OCCITANIE, FRANCE

  • Fabien Jouves comes from an old farming family and became a winemaker in 2006. His winery sits atop some of the highest slopes in Cahors where Malbec is the main varietal (they call it Côt). He’s a bit of iconoclast, as you might have guessed from the name of this wine. I wish I had a great story to tell you about the name, but as far as the importer knows, that’s just what Fabien decided to call it. This wine is a blend of his beloved Malbec with three rather obscure varietals, Jurancon Noir, Gibert & Valdiguie. The light body might surprise you and then the notes of raspberry, cranberry, and rose petal kick in to keep your mouth tingling. You could drink it chilled or as is and pair with turkey burgers, tomato salad, or black bean tostadas.

• RED: 2024 LUBANZI CINSAULT, SWARTLAND, SOUTH AFRICA

  Charlie Brain & Walker Brown, two American men, studied abroad in South Africa in 2014 and fell in love with the country. In 2016, they decided to start a winery there that focuses on sustainability both environmentally and economically. They started Lubanzi, named after a wild dog that followed them for 100 miles on a wilderness trip during that study abroad, with the help of renowned winemakers (including some of SA faves). We poured their Cinsault by the glass last summer and loved it so much that we’re getting it into more people’s hands now. It’s a juicy red with light tannins and notes of overripe berries, and it is fantastic with a chill on it. Stick it on ice when you fire up the grill–sausages, flank steak, or portobellos all work well.

• WHITE: 2023 STORM POINT CHENIN BLANC, SWARTLAND, SOUTH AFRICA

  Owner/winemaker Mick Craven came to South Africa by way of Australia and California. He was drawn to the Western Cape because of its complex landscape, old vines, and promise of possibilities. In addition to his Craven Wine label, which we love dearly, he started the Storm Point label to focus on a white and a red that are made sustainably and with as little intervention as possible. The white is a soft Chenin Blanc with notes of peach skin and lemon curd. Pair this wine with a salad of burrata, pesto, and peaches, or grill pork tenderloin with stone fruit and enjoy.

• BUBBLY: 2023 CLETO CHIARLI VECCHIA MODENA PREMIUM, EMILIA-ROMAGNA, ITALY

  It’s been a while since we’ve featured a Lambrusco, so we’re hoping you’re up for a wine adventure to kick off the summer. In the mid 1800s, Cleto Chiarli helped put Lambrusco on the wine map. His family founded their winery in his honor in 2000 and carry on his legacy of dry, sparkling reds. This wine is 100% Lambrusco di Sorbrara, which is known for its leaner body and bright acidity. Get ready for notes of tart plum and ripe raspberry along with food-friendly acidity. This wine is chef’s-kiss perfection with charcuterie, Italian heroes, or pizza. If you need help opening the bottle, this handy video shows you all the tricks.

• ROSÉ: 2024 WOLF & WOMAN ROSÉ, SWARTLAND, SOUTH AFRICA

  Jolandie Fouché started Wolf & Woman in 2019 to focus on organic, low-intervention wines from her beloved home in Swartland. The name of the winery comes from a Nikita Gill quote that Jolandie’s husband sent her: “Some days I am more wolf than woman and I am still learning how to stop apologizing for my wild.” We were fortunate enough to host Jolandie here in the wine garden and wanted to share her delightful rosé with more of you. This rosé of Grenache is peachy, minerally, and clean on the palate. We recommend it with orzo salad with tomatoes, brie & peach jam toasts, or steamed mussels.

• NATURAL: NV FIO NATCOOL RIESLING, MOSEL, GERMANY

  Fio (thread in Portuguese) is a joint venture connecting two families: the Kettern family, who have been making wine in the Mosel for several hundred years, and the Niepoort family, led by famed Portuguese winemaker, Dirk Niepoort. The intention is to make old school, natural wines that appeal to a wide variety of palates. The Natcool is 100% Riesling from across two vintages, aged for 1-2 years on the lees, some in old oak barrels and some in stainless steel. The resulting wine is a silky yet pithy wine with notes of lemon and quinine. Chill it down and enjoy alongside seared scallops, Indian curries, or baked trout.