WINE CLUB | CHEESE CLUB

Spring in the vineyards is a pretty charming time. The buds start sprouting up, showing off a bit, and the birds hang around debuting their soundtrack for the grape shoots as though its their one chance at stardom.

Spring is also serious work time (and nail biting time) for winemakers — it’s the season that can make or break an entire vintage. Right now, everyone on the vineyard is busy pruning, pulling leaves, and worrying about unexpected weather that can ruin the delicate state of the vines. But with all that, spring is still the season that winemakers have been lusting after all winter. The days are longer and full of sunshine, and it’s more fun to feel productive with a long list of things to get done, rather than be stuck waiting for Mother Nature to do her thing.

Some days, we feel fickle like the vines (it’s too cold in Seattle! why is it so warm in March! too much rain! where did all this wind come from! when is summer!). But this year, let’s raise a glass to being more like the winemakers. Busy, but happy. Knowing there’s work to do, but soaking up the progress we make. Drinking wine, because it’s always a good time to drink wine. And maybe with a little less dirt under our fingernails.

- The Halfseas Team

ALL CLUB MEMBERS GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

2020 Cellar Frisach L'Abrunet Blanc

Grape: Garnacha Blanca
Region: Catalunya, Spain
Retail: $17

Just a couple hours south of Barcelona and snuggled between rolling hills is Terra Alta, home to this wine that demands attention. You’ve probably had red Garnacha (Grenache) a million times, but it’s a treat to get to taste 100% white Garnacha — especially from this Spanish region that’s been renowned for producing it since the 1800s. They also grow a grape called “Garnacha peluda”, which means “hairy Grenache”. Welp, you know you’re a true wine lover when even a grape described as “hairy” is confusingly appealing (and anyway, don’t worry — hairy just refers to the leaves).

Drinking & pairing ideas: This is a big white wine that goes deliciously with a pretty impressive spectrum of food, including braised pork shoulder or even a rich meat like lamb (a feat for a white!). But we’d have a hard time turning it down with cumin-roasted salmon and a garlicky caesar salad with loads of herbs.

2020 Alois Lageder Schiava

Grape: Schiava
Region: Alto Adige, Italy
Retail: $21
Pronunciation: “skee-ah-vah”

Alto Adige (also known as South Tyrol) sits on the Italian-Swiss-Austrian border just north of Lake Garda, and as you can imagine, is a beautiful mix of cultures and castle-dotted mountain views. The Alois Lageder winery has been in the family since 1823, nestled in the sleepy village of Magrè. Like most winemakers in the tight-knit region, they function as a co-op with local grape growers who focus on unique local varieties like Schiava that tell the story of their home in a glass.

Drinking & pairing ideas: We’re looking at you, ambitious charcuterie board that we meant as an appetizer but ended up having as our entire dinner. For a good time, serve this bottle slightly chilled.

2020 Roucas Toumba Pichot Roucas VDP

Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Carignan
Region: Rhône Valley, France
Retail: $18

Eric Bouletin is the very tall (6’ 4”) winemaker behind Roucas Toumba. He’s gentle, but tough — when asked about his vineyards, he said, “I would like to say how lucky I am to have such an ungrateful and severe land.” He spends six days a week working his grape vines and olive orchard, and then he spends his day off working in the veggie garden with his little son. Eric is a humble, passionate dude who tries to do right by the earth, and we’re excited for you to get to taste that in this wine.

Drinking & pairing ideas: This is the type of bottle we want to open on a whim during a casual lunch on the weekend with a soulful sandwich — think meatballs or BBQ brisket.

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

2019 St. Innocent Freedom Hill Pinot Blanc

Grapes: Pinot Blanc
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Retail: $23

We’re bursting with some PNW pride over here. Mark Vlossek named his Salem winery after his father, John Innocent Vlossak (and his badass middle name), who sparked his love of fine wine. This lush, fresh bottle is one of those that’s ready to drink now. Now. Doctor’s orders.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Any and all seafood would pal up, but some buttery shrimp (scampi, anyone?) or crab cakes with a crisp salad would be especially drool-worthy.

2020 Domaine Emile Balland Le Beaux Jours Rosé

Grapes: Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir
Region: Vacqueyras, France
Retail: $21
Pronunciation: “vak-kay-ross”

Now for our second bottle this month from a tall winemaker — an unintended and odd sub-theme! Emile Balland is young for all the accolades he’s earned, but it runs in his blood. Both his parents were also winemakers in Sancerre and taught him their craft. Don’t let that cloud his talent though. This bottle brings some serious value for the money.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Take the night off and go for some Mediterranean takeout. We’re craving spiced, grilled meat with perfect rice, fresh veggies, and lots of pita and yogurt sauce.

2020 Itxas Harri Beltza

Grape: Grenache, Tempranillo
Region: Navarra, Spain
Retail: $20

Ignacio Ameztoi and Iñaki Guelbenzu are best friends bringing us this refreshing bottle of low-alcohol red from northern Basque Country in Spain. Navarra is almost mythical — it sits along the Camino de Santiago trail and even during medieval pilgrimages, religious French travelers couldn’t resist a long stop in Navarra for delicious wine and the freshest local ingredients. We don’t blame them.

Drinking & pairing ideas: It would be so perfect with steamed (or grilled, if your grill is feeling antsy) artichokes with herby aioli and lemony roast chicken. A bit of a chill on this bottle would only make it that much better.

Looking for past lineups? We got you.

REMINDERS

• As always, our food suggestions are just starting points. Wine is nostalgic and we’re big fans of making what you like, drinking what you like, and not giving a damn if they “go” together.

• Email us at info@halfseaswine.com to buy more single bottles or a 12-bottle case with special pricing.

• Come see us at Halfseas, your charming little neighborhood wine shop tucked inside Brimmer & Heeltap. Open Wednesday through Sunday 12 - 9pm.

• Wine pairs best with friends. Tell your friends.