12 Days of wine 2022
I live in a wine bubble. I admit it. As a member of the wine media, I hear about wines and wineries that the average consumer probably does not. I receive samples from wineries around the globe, longing to share their story with people like you who read my writing. If you are reading this, you are probably also aware that I like to take a stand for what is good in the wine world, and look to what we can support to make it better, things like sustainability, environmental awareness, and diversity in the industry.
I am privileged to have these wines and the information behind them available to me, and I try to share the details with you. But I am aware that you, dear readers, do not always have the time or energy to track down these wines that are better for people and the planet. It can be hard and time-consuming work to research and find them.
So this year, my goal is to find wines that are out in the general market (ie. Total Wine, or Wine.com) that you can find and feel good about supporting. These are wineries that are likely a little bigger than the ones we normally cover, but it will allow you to find a bottle and make a difference.
These wines will be from around the world, so we are off on a bit of a global voyage also! They will feature wineries that are taking a stand for environmental sustainability or who are working to make a difference in their communities. We will highlight diversity in the people in the business, including female and BIPOC wineries and winemakers.
I started out thinking this would be easy. I would head to a wine website, type in “sustainable” and a country, and have a selection to choose from. On that, I was wrong. This, my friends, just means that you must help all the more in supporting brands that are doing good!
Where are we going on this virtual Global Tour?
We will start our tour in New Zealand, then head around the globe to Australia, South Africa, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile, and then return to the US. You will likely see the top variety from each of these places, as those will be the easiest to find.
Then we will collect flavors for pairing with these wines. Yep, we are doing spoons again, but these will be flavors you can easily turn into a large dish if you like!
So, pack your virtual bag and get ready to journey around the globe, drinking wine for the good of people and the planet!
Here are the wines!
From New Zealand
McBride Sisters Collection Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand 2021 – 13% abv $15.99 Total Wine $17.99 Wine.com
From Australia
Snake + Herring 2019 ‘Redemption’ Syrah, Great Southern, Western Australia -13.5% abv $27.99 Total Wine $ 24.99 Vivino
From South Africa
Releaf Chenin Blanc Western Cape 2021 – 12.5% abv $10.99 Total Wine $9.06 Vivino
From Portugal
Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve Port, Douro Valley, Portugal -19.5% abv $16.99 (375 ml) Total Wine $13.99 Wine.com
From Spain
Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva 2014 -13.5% abv $24.99 Total Wine $27.99 Wine.com
From France
Famille Perrin Cotes du Rhône Reserve 2019, Rhône Valley, France – 14.5% abv $11.99 Total Wine or Wine.com
From Italy
Albino Armani Prosecco DOC Extra Dry, Grave, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy – 11% abv $18.99 Total Wine or Instacart
From Germany
Loosen Bros. Dr. L Riesling 2021, Mosel, Germany – 8.5% abv $13.99 Total Wine or Wine.com
From Uruguay
Pisano RPF Tannat 2017, Progresso, Canelones, Uruguay – 13.5% abv $22.99 Total Wine $19.99 Vivino
From Argentina
Finca Flichman Paisaje de Tupungato 2019, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Tupungato, Argentina – 14.5% abv $21.00 Total Wine $15.99 Vivino
From Chile
Vistamar 2020 Reserva Carménère, Maule Valley, Chile – 13.5% abv $10.99 Total Wine $9.89 Vivino
From the US
Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Blanc 2021 – 12.5% abv $28.00 direct from Winery $26.99 Total Wine $28.00 Wine.com
Shop our Affiliate Wine Shops to find these Wines!
Watch for the 12 Days of Wine 2022 posts beginning December 13th! We will share with you the details of these countries, regions, & wineries. Including why we chose this wine (for the good they are doing on the planet). Plus, a delicious bite that we paired with them.
Want the recipes? You can order our 2nd book, Tempting Spoonfuls – Small Bites Paired with Wines from Around the Globe, on Amazon! Watch our social media sites and check back here for details!
Tempting Spoonfuls: Small bites paired with wines from around the globe
The book contains 12 recipes for creating appetizer spoons, perfect for parties. Each recipe pairs with a wine from one of the wine regions.
Beginning in New Zealand and Australia, west to South Africa before several stops in Europe. There are stops in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany, before crossing the Atlantic to see Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. The final stop is the United States in California.
We discover a bit about each country and a wine that you might find there.
The book is lush with photos of the ingredients and final spoons. It is a feast for the eyes that will inspire you to pick up a bottle of wine (or two) and create some of these pairings for friends or family.
Order the Book or Kindle Version Now on Amazon!
Here’s wishing all of you a wonderful holiday, spent with those you love, maybe sharing some of these recipes!
Check out our 1st book, “Tempting Spoonfuls,” available through Amazon!
Inspired by the flavors and aromas in wines, this book creates “tempting spoonfuls” of flavors to pair with wines.
Robin has always had a love for spoons, with a drawer full of them in all different shapes and sizes. There is comfort in eating something from a spoon and something very sensual also.
Creating a spoon filled with flavors and aromas that will be eaten in a single bite, allowing the flavors to meld and pop in your mouth, is a joyful endeavor, and you are encouraged to make these your own.
The spoons range from savory to sweet, with something for everyone, and while they are paired with wines, they are delicious on their own.
These recipes are wonderful for appetizers and hors d’oeuvres or simple to create something delicious to spoil yourself, much like a pint of ice cream.
Each of these spoons is paired with a specific wine, and you get a bit of background on the wine, its flavors, aromas, and a bit of its story. She also includes other suggestions for wines to pair with the spoon.
The book is a feast for your eyes, with photos of each layered spoonful.
There are also photos of the wines with the elements of their flavor profile surrounding them. Those elements often inspire the pairing.
The goal is to make your mouth water and encourage you to create your own “Tempting Spoonfuls.”
Order the Book or Kindle Version Now on Amazon!
Robin Renken is a wine writer and Certified Specialist of Wine and WSET 3 Certified. She and her husband Michael travel to wine regions interviewing vineyard owners and winemakers and learning the stories behind the glass.
When not traveling they indulge in cooking and pairing wines with food at home in Las Vegas.
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