June Wine Club

sarah35558
Jun 13
6 min read

Bora Tier

2023 Caruso e Minini Inzolia “Zolì” I want to dive into this bottle of wine the label is so cute and so perfect for the beginning of summer. Hailing from Southern Italy, i desperately want to drink this on the Sicilian coastline.

The Winemaker’s Story

Caruso e Minini is a family-run winery nestled in the sun-soaked hills of Marsala, on Sicily’s western tip. With roots tracing back to the late 1800s, the estate blends generations of tradition with modern innovation. Today, Stefano Caruso and his daughters, Giovanna and Rosanna, lead the charge, crafting wines that honor Sicily’s indigenous varietals like Inzolia, Nero d’Avola, and Frappato .

Tasting Notes

The “Zolì” is a 100% Inzolia wine, showcasing a brilliant straw-yellow hue with golden reflections. On the nose, it delights with aromas of ripe peach, white flowers, and a hint of citrus zest. The palate is crisp and refreshing, offering flavors of green apple, pear, and a touch of tangerine, culminating in a smooth, lingering finish .

Food Pairings

This versatile white pairs beautifully with:

Seafood dishes: Think grilled branzino or shrimp scampi.
Vegetable-forward plates: Roasted fennel or a fresh tomato salad.
Cheese: Creamy ricotta or tangy goat cheese.
Aperitifs: Perfect for sipping before a meal or alongside light appetizers.

Cheers to la dolce vita—one sip at a time! Semeli Mountain Sun Rosé

Sticking with our Meditterean vibes, we've jump-skipped just over to Greece with this summertime rosé. Looking for a rosé that dances between elegance and playfulness? Enter the Semeli Mountain Sun Rosé, a Greek delight from the heart of the Peloponnese. Crafted by the esteemed Semeli Winery, this wine is a testament to the region's rich winemaking heritage and the family's commitment to quality.

Winemaker's Craft

Semeli Winery, established in 1980 by the Kokotos family, has become a beacon of Greek winemaking. Under the guidance of winemaker Yiannis Flerianos, the winery produces wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Nemea region. The Mountain Sun Rosé is made from 100% Agiorgitiko grapes, handpicked from high-elevation vineyards at 600–700 meters above sea level. This altitude ensures slow grape ripening, preserving the wine's freshness and aromatic complexity .

Tasting Notes

The 2023 vintage of Mountain Sun Rosé presents a pale pink hue with rose highlights. On the nose, it offers complex aromas of fresh red fruits like cherry and mulberry, intertwined with hints of passion fruit and subtle sweet spices. The palate is rich and refreshing, with a balanced sweetness and pronounced acidity that leads to a crisp finish .

Food Pairings

This versatile rosé pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Consider serving it with Greek starters like tzatziki and dolmades, or enjoy it alongside grilled seafood, light pasta dishes, or fresh salads. Its balanced profile also complements white meats and vegetable pies.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a sunny afternoon, Semeli Mountain Sun Rosé offers a taste of Greece's vibrant winemaking tradition. -BONUS PAIRING! Enjoy this and over 40 other wines at our Annual Rosé Partay on National Rosé Day, June 14th. See you soon!

Le Mistral Tier

Barbacan Rosato Alpi Retiche 2022: Alpine Elegance in a Glass This is in my top 5 wines of all time, not just for a rosé but for any type of wine . I could drink this every day for any occasion. We get a limited amount every year and I am so happy to share this with you all.

Looking for a rosé that’s as adventurous as it is elegant? The Barbacan Rosato Alpi Retiche 2022 is your ticket to the Italian Alps in a bottle. Crafted by the passionate Barbacan team—Angelo Sega and his sons Luca and Matteo—this wine hails from the Valtellina region in Lombardy, where vineyards cling to steep, terraced slopes at 700 meters above sea level. Here, amidst the rugged terrain, they cultivate Chiavennasca (the local name for Nebbiolo) and a selection of ancient indigenous varieties like Rossola, Pignola, and Brugnola, all grown organically without chemicals.

The 2022 Rosato is a blend of 70% Chiavennasca and 30% ancient local varieties, showcasing the winery's commitment to preserving traditional grape varieties. The wine undergoes spontaneous fermentation with a brief 24-hour skin contact, followed by aging in concrete, resulting in a wine that is both fresh and complex.

Tasting Notes

In the glass, it presents a pale salmon pink hue with delicate copper highlights. On the nose, aromas of fresh strawberries, red currants, and watermelon mingle with subtle floral notes of rose petals and a hint of minerality. The palate is crisp and refreshing, offering flavors of wild berries, citrus zest, and a touch of herbs, with vibrant acidity and a clean, dry finish.

Food Pairings

This versatile rosé pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Consider serving it with:

Pasta with meat sauce: The wine's acidity complements rich tomato-based sauces.
Grilled meats: Lamb chops or sausages enhance the wine's structure.
Classic Pizzoccheri: A traditional Valtellina dish of buckwheat pasta, potatoes, and cheese.
Seafood: Grilled red shrimp or lobster tails highlight the wine's freshness.

Why You'll Love It

The 2022 Barbacan Rosato Alpi Retiche offers exceptional value, delivering an authentic taste of the Italian Alps. Its balance of fruit, acidity, and minerality makes it a perfect companion for a variety of dishes, whether you're enjoying a sunny afternoon or a cozy evening by the fire. Finca Torremilanos Clarete 'Ojo Gallo' 2022: A Bold Rosé with a Rich Heritage

If you're seeking a rosé that challenges conventions and offers a deeper, more complex experience, look no further than the Finca Torremilanos Clarete 'Ojo Gallo' 2022. Hailing from the esteemed Finca Torremilanos estate in Ribera del Duero, Spain, this wine is a modern take on the traditional clarete style, which blends red and white grapes to create a unique, darker rosé. I love wines that stratle the line between dark rosé or light red. Put me down for bottle of this on a hot summer night.

Winemaking Tradition

Finca Torremilanos, established in 1903, is one of the pioneering wineries in Ribera del Duero. The estate is certified biodynamic by Demeter, reflecting its commitment to sustainable and natural farming practices. The 'Ojo Gallo' is a field blend of Tempranillo, Viura, Garnacha, Bobal, Monastrell, Albillo, and Malvasia. These grapes are co-fermented in cement and aged for eight months in used barrels, with minimal intervention—no added sulfur and no fining—to preserve the wine's authenticity and expression of terroir.

Tasting Notes

The 2022 vintage presents a deep rose color with vibrant cherry hues. On the nose, it offers aromas of ripe red berries, earthy undertones, and subtle spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with flavors of black cherry, wild herbs, and a touch of minerality. The wine's structure is soft and creamy, with a bone-dry finish that invites another sip.

Food Pairings

This versatile wine pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Its depth and complexity make it an excellent match for grilled meats, such as charred chicken thighs or lamb chops. It also complements hearty dishes like turkey, prime rib, sweet potatoes, and stuffing, making it a great choice for holiday feasts

Why You'll Love It

Its unique blend of grapes and minimal intervention winemaking result in a wine that is both traditional and innovative, earthy and elegant. Otskhanuri Sapere, Kiketi Farm Wine – 2021: A Georgian Gem with a Bold Personality We've recently started working with a new importer and they have a fabulous Georgian wine book. We are more than excited to start sharing more Georgian skin contact wines made traditionally in an qvevri (egg-shaped clay vessel), along with incredibly unique reds from the region.

The 2021 Otskhanuri Sapere from Kiketi Farm Wine offers a captivating journey into the heart of Georgia's centrally located Imereti region.

A Glimpse into Kiketi Farm Wine

Nestled in the village of Kiketi, just 25 km from Tbilisi, Kiketi Farm Wine is dedicated to producing natural wines that honor traditional Georgian methods. Situated at 1,250 meters above sea level, the winery benefits from the region's cool climate, which slows fermentation and imparts unique flavor profiles to the wines. Their commitment to quality is evident in their use of indigenous grape varieties and minimal intervention winemaking techniques.

Tasting Notes

The 2021 Otskhanuri Sapere presents a deep ruby color, characteristic of this ancient Georgian variety. On the nose, it offers aromas of ripe red fruits, including cherry and pomegranate, complemented by subtle earthy undertones. The palate is marked by lively acidity and vibrant fruit tones, leading to a long, rich finish. With its high acidity, this wine has excellent aging potential, allowing it to develop greater complexity over time.

Food Pairings

This versatile red wine pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. Consider serving it with: