I’m pretty new to this game at 23, but I just wanted to share a couple bottles that I really enjoyed and maybe get some recs!
The first natural wine I ever had was Domaine Breton’s Trinch!, it was recommended to me by one of the employees at a local goat farm that I work with. I enjoyed it with them over some cracked pepper and lemon chèvre and I don’t think there’s a better possible introduction to this world. I subsequently bought all 4 bottles that were at my local liquor store. Following that, there was nowhere to consistently get natural wine in my city until last year when a bottle shop & tinned fish place opened up downtown.
Since then, I’ve tried to grab a bottle or two a month and have been trying each one and taking notes as I go so I know what I’d like to collect going forward. Two have stood out above all others so far:
-Elio Perrone’s “Bigarò”
I walked into the shop and asked for something sweet and red for my girlfriend who is pretty picky about wine and doesn’t like anything dry. I am the opposite and usually hate whatever she brings home. This wine is ridiculously good and simple and will make a wine lover out of anyone. One of my best friends that has a consistent diet of twisted tea, chicken strips, and pizza came over last night and couldn’t stop asking for more. This is the perfect wine for anyone that doesn’t think they like wine, and it’s perfect for enjoying anytime.
-Sonntag Geschlossen’s “Schwimmbad”
After watching Action Bronson and Clovis Ochin eat schnitzel and drink gruner with the one and only Christian Tschida, I immediately went into the store and asked for anything Austrian. The store owner pointed me at two
different gruners, and of course I picked this one because it has a painting of a shark about to eat someone on the label. This wine is so so good and the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and dry. This was one of those where you just cannot get your nose out of the glass because it offers the best scent of honey with a little bit of nuttiness in there. After I took my first sip at like 5:30 yesterday I looked up and involuntarily said “wow…” that was a first. The shop owner also said he has recently gained access to Christian Tschida’s stuff but has yet to pull the trigger. Very exciting news for a small midwestern city!!!!
Let me know what you guys think of these and if you have any recommendations! Both of these are on the sweeter end of the spectrum but I love bourgueils and Cabernet francs and montepulcianos all the same.
by czacc52