@kcarruthers Too bad so many employers actually consider it to be bad, because if their workers aren't miserable, then what are they paying them for? :/

Today I'm having just one #wine, but it has enough aroma and flavor for two: 2011 Istina by Francuska Vinariya, owned by Estelle and Cyrille Bongiraud - a French vigneron couple who moved to Serbia to make wine.

This one is a blend of three local grapes: prokupac, vranac and zacinjak, and as the couple tells it, it's an expression of the of Rogljevo, where they are located. Vinified in Burgundy style and matured for 18 months at minimum, this wine is inky, flavorful and long-lasting. Excellent!

@kurt73 Such a beautiful photo! I kinda want to use it as my phone wallpaper, stunning!

2/2

The Bianco reminds me of Canary Island whites I love - it has that hint of sulphur or gunpowder to it, but balanced with nice acidity and what feels like very very light carbonation - excellent!

Today having two bottles of white(sic) #wine by the great Dario Prinčič: 2019 Bianco Sivi and his regular Bianco. The glass is filled with the former - not very Bianco, innit? ;)

Dario never disappoints, and Sivi (macerated Pinot Gris) is no exception - wonderful structure, strong but not overpowering, perfect with food. Definitely getting a couple more bottles!

1/2

First comparative tasting of 2025 and I'm back to #gamay: Bass Phillip from Gippsland, Australia vs Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Zaccharie, both from 2019.

The Aussie one is surprisingly powerful, with more leather behind the fruity notes. The Beaujolais one is also quite strong, but more elegant I think, with the smoothest silky tannins I've had in a long while. I love them both, but I think I slightly prefer the Thivin. Great start of the year!

#wine

@amake @poswald I haven't, wonder if the sale is big enough to make the plants worth it. They do have some nice stuff, but their pricing is hard to swallow...

@MarkSquiresWine the yen is weak, but I'm reasonably sure 16,500 Yen is closer to about $100 - still not a lot, but more expensive than a large coke :)

@MarkSquiresWine Haha, it was 16,500 Yen, which is peanuts compared to, say, Champagne or Burgundy, but Japanese wines tend to be cheaper on average - my wife audibly gasped when I put it in my basket :)

Got some great Japanese #wine today. Particularly happy about scoring three bottles of Viniqrobe - one Pinot and two Merlots. They are exceedingly hard to get, since they're not only excellent, but also have those lovely unique ballerina labels that people like to collect. Looking forward to all of them.

The Iwadarehara Merlot Cuvée Spéciale on the right is the most expensive Japanese wine I've ever bought, but I'm told it's worth it - we shall see :)

#japanesewine #日本ワイン

@amake Ooh, didn't know about that one, thanks so much for the info!

@amake Beautiful! Too bad Copiapoas are so horrendously expensive - I'd love to add a few to my collection... :(

A bottle of 2022 single vineyard #Tannat from Bodega Garzon in Uruguay I'm enjoying tonight with some cassoulet.

Wonderfully thick, leathery and earthy, with chocolate, tobacco and well integrated acidity that keeps everything balanced and delicious. Wonderful!

#wine

@winedrinker I'm a huge fan of Vinho Verde Alvarinhos by Soalheiro winery, so I wonder how this one compares - wonder if I can find it in Tokyo!

A bit of an unusual occurrence for me - using my Riesling glass to have an actual #riesling - 2020 Laurent Bannwarth Riesling Nature.

Surprisingly zesty, highly acidic, bright and fresh, but hiding a nice mineral finish under all that freshness. I do like it, but I think I might prefer more classic Alsatian Rieslings, petrol aromas and all. Still, this one was enjoyable regardless!

Also, glass cork! :)

#wine

@MarkSquiresWine Wow, this story sounds like something that could be made into a movie. Thanks so much for sharing it here!

Not a comparison today, just felt like having both white and red #wine tonight :)

2021 Hacienda Las Cañas Listan Blanco has everything I love in Silas Canarias wines: minerals, sulphur, long finish... Absolutely beautiful.

2022 Brân is wonderful too - feels very slightly carbonated on the tongue, with wonderful notes of dried fruit, herbs and a bit of tobacco.
Both are great, but Spain wins in this contest for me - lovely, lovely white!

@MarkSquiresWine I already ordered another bottle together with their young wines rose before even finishing this one, and now I have another bottle to look for - thank you for the recommendation!

Normally when I buy #wine I tend to get attracted to old vine ones, but I decided to mix things up and get a bottle of 2021 Young Vines Xinomavro by Thymiopulos - I'm so glad I did! High acidity balanced beautifully by tannins that remind me of black tea, very bright, lively and delicious. Love the cranberry and herbal notes too - really nice!

@MarkSquiresWine True - I do wish I could taste those for myself to see which I liked more. Incidentally (and not directly related to this), a while ago I had a chance to taste two bottles of the exact same Beaujolais, one with SO2 and one without, and it was quite educational too (I strongly preferred the former). Maybe one day I get a chance to try cork vs cap also, here's hoping!