MARCH 2019 CELLAR CLUB

March 4, 2019

Written by Rose Friedlander

March 4, 2019

Written by Rose Friedlander

To kick off our annual March Mayhem sale we were inspired by the festivities of the Fallas of Valencia. This yearly celebration in Spain occurs every March and in current day is a festival filled with parades, fireworks, and music in the streets of Valencia, Spain during this multi-week celebration. The wines of this month highlight two important regions in Spain for wine, one of them being Valencia. We hope you think of this Spanish celebration and our very own March Mayhem Sale as you enjoy your wines of the month!

Thank you for being a member of
The Cellar Club!

Wine Pick #1:

2016 Bodegas Antonio Arraez
Vividor Bobal Crianza

Utiel-Requena, Spain

Bobal, dark-skinned native varietal of the Utiel-Requena D.O. grows best on the high plateau west of Valencia. Here the hot, Mediterranean climate meets the cooler continental climate so that the fruit has ample ripeness with balancing acidity. Long a blending choice, winemakers are increasingly realizing the full potential of this little bull so rich in dark fruit notes, excellent tannic structure, and fragrant floral and balsamic aromas. This wine, as well as the commitment of its maker, is made for sharing with friends and the enjoyment of life.

Wine Pick #2:

2016 Campos de Celtas Albariño
Rias Baixas, Spain

Galicia, birthplace of this wine, is the verdant antithesis of the common image of hot, sunny, arid Spain. Here, the head-high trained pergolas keep the Albariño grapes from the moisture and potential rot below. Vineyards are near garden-sized, a vestige of ancient traditions of inheritance and all work is done on a laborious and human scale. The only wine they produce, the 2016 earned a 90 point score from Spain's prestigious Penin Guide.

CHEESE PAIRING OF THE MONTH:

Consider Bardwell Danby

Raw goat's milk, firm, aged 6 months
microbial rennet.
Danby started like Consider Bardwell did: only at the farmers market, and not too refined. As they learned, they gained the technique, the passion, and the extra goat milk to turn Danby into something special. Now they find nuances of vanilla, salted caramel, and browned butter, smoothed by time like marble striations. Named for the quarries of Danby, Vermont, this cheese is just as unique to our corner of the world.