WINE CLUB | CHEESE CLUB

We all have friends with big personalities, whom we seek out at certain times. For instance, the one who’s bright and cheery, or the constant optimistic, who we choose when we want to keep the vibe light and bright. This month, we present wines with personality, to help create the perfect vibe — for whatever the mood may be. Enjoy.

The Halfseas Team

ALL CLUB MEMBERS GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

2021 Love and Squalor Mother Shucker White Blend

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Retail: $22
Personality: Salty, sassy

Plucked from the briny waters of the Pacific Ocean and borne to the crowded tables of Oregon’s celebrated restaurants, this wine is inspired by the exalted oyster and dedicated to the Pacific Walrus – the foremost connoisseur of the shelled miracle.

The Pacific Walrus is vulnerable due to climate change and offshore drilling. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this wines will be donated to protect their habitat.

A quick trip to the Goodwill thrift store led to the rediscovery of J.D. Salinger’s book Nine Stories (in a pristine 50’s paperback version, no less!) and the lead story: For Esme, with Love and Squalor. So, there it is — passion and poverty are two of the building blocks for any worthy endeavor.

Drinking & pairing ideas: The perfect pairing for our treasured seafood and shellfish.

2021 Trere Lona Bona

Grape: Sangiovese
Region: Emilia Romagna, Italy
Retail: $20
Personality: Bright, cheery

Morena Trere runs her family’s winery with passion and flair, ably aided by her son Max. The Trere Farm was founded around 1960 by her father. Less than an hour southeast of Bologna, her 50 hectares (translated: 1 hectare = ~2.5 acres) of hillside vineyards slope gently towards the ancient town of Faenza. She grows a variety of native grapes, and makes deliciously forthright wines. Wines for drinking and pleasure, the perfect accompaniment to the most refined cuisine in Italy.

The label art aims to give a visual impact with the purpose of recognizing that the wine itself is the product of an art. An art coming from the earth and passing through the wise and passionate hands of those who produce this wine. Hence the choice of a distinctive and recognizable style, which immediately speaks of art, and therefore about the art of wine. Lôna Bôna, from the Romagna dialect, Luna Buona (good moon).

Drinking & pairing ideas: Pizza night!

2021 Ca'del Baio ‘Bric del Baio’ Nebbiolo

Grape: Nebbiolo
Region: Langhe, Italy
Retail: $22
Personality: Classy, chic

For four generations, the Ca' del Baio company has been a family affair, as is tradition in the Langhe. From father to son, the Grasso family has guarded their vineyards, almost a single body that surrounds the farmhouse, integrated over time with marriages and acquisitions.

Today Giulio and Luciana, together with their daughters Paola, Valentina, and Federica, manage with passion and competence the various business sectors, from agronomic care to the vinification of the grapes, from the reception in the cellar to the marketing of wines.

Drinking & pairing ideas: A perfect pair to a simmering all-day-long Bolognese, naturally.

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

2021 Les Bras m'en Tombent Blanc, Cuisine en Famille, Vin de France

Grape: Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne
Region: Rhône Valley, France
Retail: $24
Personality: Flirtatious

"Cuisine en Famille" is above all a story of meeting, a story of heart — that of Claire and Adrien. Inseparable and in love since school, Claire and Adrien learned the work of the vineyard in France and abroad. After their studies, they returned to their native land to work on their respective family estates.

"Cuisine en Famille" is their business project: buying organic grapes from winegrowers to create their own wine with the main concern being ethics and respect for the work of the winegrower. The grapes were grown on terroirs from the left bank of the Côtes du Rhône. The vines are organic. This is a fresh white wine with mineral and white flowers notes. Fresh attack, nice balance between acidity and fatness, long finish on citrus fruits and minerality. Les Bras m'en Tombent means “my arms are everywhere.”

Drinking & pairing ideas: Enjoy it simply as an aperitif, or accompanied with seafood or grilled fish.

Château de la Font du Loup Côtes du Rhône

Grape: Grenache
Region: Côtes du Rhône, France
Retail: $24
Personality: Cool, hip

Casual, yet elegant, this is 100% organically-grown Grenache. Think intriguing spicy red fruit notes with soft tannins. Anne-Charlotte Melia Bachas is a skilled winemaker creating gorgeous, higher-end wines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but she also knows the value of a wine that is delicious, priced, and styled for enjoying anytime. Thank you, Anne-Charlotte!

Drinking & pairing ideas: Perfect for a wide variety of pairings from slow-roasted pork or veggies, even a spiced golden curry.

2021 Poggio Anima Asmodeus

Grape: Nero d’Avola
Region: Sicily, Italy
Retail: $20
Personality: Dark, mysterious

In the Book of Tobias, an ancient Hebrew text, Asmodeus is the Demon of Lust. It is said that when Cain killed Abel, Adam and Eve separated for 130 years. During this time, Adam was tempted by Naamah and Lillith, two demons of prostitution. Asmodeus is the offspring of the relationship between Naamah and Adam. Of all of the varietals of Italy, Nero d’Avola is as lustful and pleasurable as it gets.

There is an everyday dichotomy between good and bad in the world. Looking for balance in all things (including wine) is a vital quest for many. The Eastern ideology of Yin Yang is the core of this ‘balance’ in the Poggio Anima concept. Fusing this Eastern belief with Western philosophy is apparent when you look at the contradiction of red and white (wines), good vs. evil (demons vs. angels) and modern ideas with old world winemaking practices (catchy, fun packaging with classic old world wine).

The white wines are named after religious archangels while the reds are named after fallen angels. Each wine was specifically named for the persona of the grape, region, or style of the wine. Each wine hails from one variety, a single-vineyard and representing its indigenous place of origin.

Drinking & pairing ideas: This would be utterly delicious with a big ol’ BBQ bacon cheeseburger.

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.