1600

The short of it: dynamic. Captivating. $18. And in stock. The details: Since 1600, the Gregoletto family has faithfully carried forth the wine tradition deeply rooted in the steep slopes about an hour north of Venice. In the stunning green foothills of the Dolomites, they bottle wines with an inextricable link to the past. At Gregoletto, production methods are family secrets that have been passed down through countless generations to present day, as 91 year-old Luigi Gregoletto—whose first harvest dates back to 1947—continues to surprise with his deft skill and humble artisanship.

The Verdiso grape is indigenous to this dramatic, undulating landscape, and while permitted in small quantities in the region’s ubiquitous Prosecco, the variety is rarely ever bottled on its own. The Gregolettos are among the last to do so, creating a still white full of zest and intrigue with a knack for stimulating the palate and mind. The Gregoletto methods—traditional farming respectful of the land, manual harvest, and spontaneous fermentation—yield this low-alcohol bianco with suggestions of tart apple, fresh herbs, minerals, and a clean, saline finish accented by a hint of bitter almond. Sipping it is taking a plunge into Veneto history through brisk, pure, joyful refreshment. #renegadewines #santabarbara #winenerd #sb #sommlife #winetasting #wineporn #seesb #trustyourpalate #montecito #sbcwine #seriousjuice #winetime #winegeeks #winewednesday #funkzone #centralcalifornia #foodiesofsb #zagat #sommelier #thatwinenerd #intothebottle #somm3 #savorsb #collitrevigiani

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Memories

We’ll defer to Terry’s notes as we are on our way to dinner. But if we could say one thing about this wine from Pierre Peters it’s this: each vintage holds a specific memory in mind. 1999: Renegade. Out of magnum. It was raining. 2002: Gary Danko. Corner table with quirky waiter. 2008: yeah… we’re holding off on this vintage for a few more years. 2010? Birthday bottle. Living room couch. Relaxed conversation. And now:

“If Chétillons is regal, which I think it is, then Péters’ bottling is kingly. It is proud, “masculine,” always makes me think of the Chassagne side of the Burgundy Grand Cru whites. If it’s Chablis then it’s Les Clos. This 2010 is conspicuously open for a Chétillons at this stage, showing insanely expressive back palate mineral; the whole wine is fervid and will ambush you with its steel and umami and its icy mass of terroir.” T.T.

Cassis Please

2015 Clos Sainte Magdeleine Blanc is one impressive wine. This blend of Marsanne, Ugni Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulenc, grown on limestone is a magnificent expression that captures the essence of the costal town of Cassis. Nervy salinity, yellow flowers, citrus, peach, honeycomb, balancing acid, this is truly exceptional. It glimmers in your glass. Pair with shellfish, bouillabaisse (for sure!), it will stand up to a roasted curried chicken, and matches well with 68% of the sushi rolls at Arigato. Can you tell we just love this wine? In stock @ $28. #renegadewines #santabarbara #winenerd #sb #sommlife #winetasting #wineporn #seesb #trustyourpalate #montecito #sbcwine #seriousjuice #winetime #winegeeks #winewednesday #funkzone #centralcalifornia #foodiesofsb #zagat #sommelier #thatwinenerd #intothebottle #somm3 #savorsb

Towering

Only in the best years is this wine from this great vineyard bottled as a selection of Ronco della Chiesa. A Grand Cru! The vineyard is located near the cellar, in full exposure, on the steep hillside of Brazzano.

NOTES: Brilliant greenish yellow, very transparent. It reveals intense, clean, pleasing and refined aromas that start with hints of hawthorn, apple and toast followed by aromas of coffee, almond, toffee, pear and plum. Intense, clean, pleasing. This is Friulano at its absolute best: insanely complex, delightful, mind-numbing, a wine you’ll be pondering for weeks. Here’s a little more from AG:

“Nicola Manferrari is one of Friuli’s original trailblazers. Along with Mario Schiopetto, Josko Gravner and Silvio Jermann, Manferrari was just one of a handful of producers in the 1980s who had the vision and courage to follow his convictions. Winemakers like Enzo Pontoni and Edi Kante, each in their own way, followed that same spirit. Still, Borgo del Tiglio remains vastly overlooked considering the quality of what goes into the bottle. So much of what is made in Friuli today is essentially commercial, large-production wine with little personality. In that context, Borgo del Tiglio is a towering presence of true excellence and a shining beacon of what is possible in one of Italy’s greatest but often most underachieving appellations.”

— ANTONIO GALLONI, VINOUS.COM #renegadewines #santabarbara #winenerd #sb #sommlife #winetasting #wineporn #seesb #trustyourpalate #montecito #sbcwine #seriousjuice #winetime #winegeeks #winewednesday #funkzone #centralcalifornia #foodiesofsb #zagat #sommelier #thatwinenerd #intothebottle #somm3 #savorsb #borgodeltiglio

Greco is Greco

Let’s have some fun:

One of Italy’s most famous wine grape is Greco di Tufo. But being strictly accurate the grape varietal is named simply Greco. And it is incorrect to call it Greco Bianco as Greco and Greco Bianco are two distinct varietals from completely different areas in Italy. Greco is typically from Campania, Greco Bianco from Calabria (and Greco Bianco is almost certainly Malvasia di Lipari). So…to keep this short we recommend the Ciro Picariello Greco di Tufo that’s on our shelves ($24) that’s minerally,with orange blossom, citrus peel, green melon, spice, and whiffs of springs flowers. As for Greco Bianco we highly recommend the producer Stelitano. We’re still tracking the importer down and will keep you updated. Enjoy your weekend! #renegadewines #santabarbara #winenerd #sb #sommlife #winetasting #wineporn #seesb #trustyourpalate #montecito #sbcwine #seriousjuice #winetime #winegeeks #winewednesday #funkzone #centralcalifornia #foodiesofsb #zagat #sommelier #thatwinenerd #intothebottle #somm3 #savorsb #olivermccrumwines #ciropicariello

Mornings…

Gamay!

In late 2011, Coteaux Bourguignons replaced the earlier appellation Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire (really? Someone named an appellation greatly ordinary???). That being said, Domaine des Rouges-Queues has created this exceptional Gamay from Burgundy. If you’re into “natural” wines this is for you. If you’re in to great Burgundy for under $40 this wine is for you. Jean-Yves and Isabelle (who met in a Swiss disco BTW) establishes this Domaine in the early 2000s. Sensational Pinots across the board. We have this one in stock plus 6 of their other wines from the Burgundy appellation of Maranges. #renegadewines #santabarbara #winenerd #sb #sommlife #winetasting #wineporn #seesb #trustyourpalate #montecito #sbcwine #seriousjuice #winetime #winegeeks #winewednesday #funkzone #centralcalifornia #foodiesofsb #zagat #sommelier #thatwinenerd #intothebottle #somm3 #savorsb