Fall Into These Transitional Sippers

I’m not one to believe that certain wines are only for certain seasons. A rosé can be perfect when you’ve had one too many Syrahs in the winter. However, as we move into fall (or try to at least), there are a new crop of wines we wanted to highlight that are perfect for the slightly cooler weather. These choices might span geographic regions, from Oregon to Italy, and grape varietals, from a Pet Nat rosé to an Carbonic Pinot Noir, but one thing they all share are dedicated and careful approaches to winemaking.

St. Reginald Parish: Carbonic Pinot Noir 2016

It’s no surprise that Oregon is one of our favorite New World winemaking destinations given that their commitment to experimental winemaking is unrivaled. Enter Andrew Young’s St. Reginald Project and his Carbonic Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. It’s one of the most fruit forward, low tannin Pinot Noirs we’ve encountered with a pronounced herbal Fernet note that adds a welcome earthy complexity. It’s exactly the kind of wine that brought us back to Beaujolais, in the best possible way. Get it while it lasts, as only 75 total cases of this fresh and lively wine are available. Whether it’s a sunny fall afternoon or a rainy day, Oregon is sure to cheer you up.

Domaine Chahut et Prodiges: la p’tite compet’

Gregory Leclerc has only been making wine in the Loire Valley since 2007, though he’s been writing about wine for much longer. On his 6.5 hectare plot in the Amboise hills, Leclerc employs organic farming techniques for five different grape varietals. For this Pet Nat rosé, he uses the slightly out-of-favor Grolleau grape. A deep red hue, with soft bubbles, this is a funky and earthy Pet Nat, driven by yeast, though the fruit also manages to shine through. Most Grolleau today is used in the production of rosés, as the grapes themselves tend not to be too flavorful, but Leclerc’s care shows us an end product that is satisfyingly complex, perfect for a cozy night in, watching Netflix.

Lammidia: 2016 Rosh

Lammidia is another relatively young vineyard in Abruzzo, Italy, less than 20 miles from the Adriatic sea. Situated at 2000 feet above sea level, the vineyard takes an entirely hands off approach to winemaking. No filtering, no fining, no sulphur, no nonsense. It’s all about the grapes and oh do the grapes show! Their Rosh is 93% Montepulciano with a slight co-fermentation featuring Trebbiano. These are commonly harvested grapes but the result is something unique and incredibly delicious. Juicy red fruits, vibrant acidity but a deep and wild earthiness that dances on your palette. It’s best served chilled to reveal the fine balance between fresh and funk. The naturally occurring bubbles as you swirl the wine in your glass add an extra touch of effervescence that make it hard to resist, no matter the occasion.

Stay tuned for next week’s installment as we sip some dynamic, far flung Spanish wines. In the meantime, check out our Instagram for the latest product updates, tastings and other surprises.