Tag Archives: Iowa

January Beer Club: Iowa

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mister-falcon-beer-canBeerClubLogoFair State Brewing Cooperative
Mister Falcon
Hazy IPA
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Made in collaboration with Barrel Theory Brewing, who are well-known for making hazy IPAs, Mister Falcon is DDH Hazy IPA with Strata, Citra and Simcoe Cryo hops. A nice balance of fruity and dank, sweet but not overbearing, low bitterness.

BeerStyles: Hoppy & Bitter
Style: Hazy IPA
ABV: 7.3% alcohol / volume

ABOUT FAIR STATE BREWING COOPERATIVE:
Fair State Brewing Cooperative started on the rugby pitch, where founders Evan Sallee, Niko Tonks, and Matt Hauck first met while playing for rival teams. Later, they formed a friendship and took their love of home-brewing to a greater goal of founding a brewery. The friends believed there was too large of a gap between home-brewer and owning a brewery, and thus decided to build a co-op model to allow consumers to be more involved in operations. On September of 2014, First State Co-Op became the first cooperatively-owned brewery in Minnesota and the third in the country. Learn more about the brewery here, and follow them on Untappd. 

ology-power-hour-beer-canÖlōgy Brewing Co.
Power Hour
Hazy DIPA
Tallahassee, Florida

Power Hour is a Hazy Double IPA brewed in collaboration with Southern Wells Brewing Co. Ölōgy wanted to work with a new experimental curo hop blend along with “M” blend, named for its mango and tropical aroma and palate. Ölōgy blended this with Citra and a small amount of Sabro to give this IPA a huge flavor of tropical fruits and citrus.

BeerStyles: Hoppy & Bitter
Style: Hazy Double IPA
ABV: 8% alcohol / volume

ABOUT ÖLŌGY BREWING CO.:
Ölōgy Brewing Co. is a Micro Brewery located in the Midtown and Eastside areas of Tallahassee, Florida. They are taproom focused to keep a variety of unique and different beers on tap. Follow them on Untappd here.

artisanal-brew-works-peanut-butter-beerArtisanal Brew Works
Multiple Infinities Peanut Butter
Stout
Saratoga Springs, New York

Luscious milk chocolate oatmeal Stout aged on freshly roasted cacao nibs, then finished to taste with peanut butter. This creamy Stout is a decadent treat with a galaxy of flavor.

BeerStyles: Dark & Roasty
Style: Stout
ABV: 9% alcohol / volume

ABOUT ARTISANAL BREW WORKS:
Artisanal Brew Works is an artisanal style beer microbrewery located in Saratoga Springs, New York, owned and operated by High School Teachers, Kurt Borchardt and Colin Quinn. Their goal is to produce a selection of beers that appeal to different segments of the market, while also creating for the most discerning craft beer enthusiasts. Learn more about the brewery here, and follow them on Untappd. 

Humble-Forager-Mixing-back-labelHumble Forager
Mixing with Barrel Theory
Imperial Tiki Sour Ale
Madison, Wisconsin

Zombie cocktail inspired Imperial Tiki Sour Ale.  Brewed with passionfruit and orange juice mixed with a tincture of almonds and a special blend of spices, sweetened by pomegranate, balanced by acidity and bitterness from Calamansi lime.  Brewed in collaboration with Barrel Theory Brewing Company in St. Paul, Minnesota.

BeerStyles: Sour, Tart & Funky
Style: Imperial Tiki Sour Ale
ABV: 10% alcohol / volume

ABOUT HUMBLE FORAGER:
Located just outside of Madison, Wisconsin, Humble Forager Brewery is a distribution brewery created by their head brewer, Austin Jevne. Their mission is to produce thoughtfully crafted specialty beers developed for any adventure. They use high quality ingredients inspired from different parts of the world. Learn more about the brewery here, and follow them on Untappd.

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December Beer Club: Iowa

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BeerClubLogofair-state-main-boss-imperial-stoutFair State Brewing Cooperative
Main Boss
Imperial Stout
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Made in collaboration with Pulpit Rock (IA), this stout is inspired by their love of rum cocktails. Infused with tons of coconut and the brewery’s take on Orgeat syrup (a classic cocktail ingredient with almonds and citrus), there is a subtle tropical twist in this gigantic winter stout. There are flavors of coconut, rum drinks, pithy orange, and nutty dark malts that are sweet, thick and intense.

BeerStyles: Dark & Roasty
Style: Imperial Stout
ABV: 12% alcohol / volume

fair-state-spirit-foulFair State Brewing Cooperative
Spirit Foul
Double Dry-Hopped Hazy IPA
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Brewed in collaboration with San Diego’s Modern Times Beer, Spirit Foul is Fair State’s first ever hazy IPA. Super juicy, tropical, dank, and low bitterness, the breweries use the freshest Strata, Citra and Mosaic hops for its passion fruit aroma. The beer’s soft and signature haze is created using pilsner malt, pale wheat, flaked oats and flaked barley. 

BeerStyles: Hoppy & Bitter
Style: Double Dry-Hopped Hazy IPA
ABV: 6.3% alcohol / volume

ABOUT FAIR STATE BREWING COOPERATIVE:
Fair State Brewing Cooperative started on the rugby pitch, where founders Evan Sallee, Niko Tonks, and Matt Hauck first met while playing for rival teams. Later, they formed a friendship and took their love of home-brewing to a greater goal of founding a brewery. The friends believed there was too large of a gap between home-brewer and owning a brewery, and thus decided to build a co-op model to allow consumers to be more involved in operations. On September of 2014, First State Co-Op became the first cooperatively-owned brewery in Minnesota and the third in the country. Learn more about the brewery here, and follow them on Untappd.

WeldWerks Juicy Bits IPAWeldWerks Brewing Co.
Juicy Bits
IPA
Greeley, Colorado

WeldWerks flagship IPA with huge citrus and tropical fruit character from Mosaic, Citra and El Dorado hops.  Their New England-style IPA has a softer, fluffier mouthfeel with a hop haze.

BeerStyles: Hoppy and Bitter
Style: IPA
ABV: 6.7% alcohol / volume

extra extra juicy bits double IPAWeldWerks Brewing Co.
Extra Extra Juicy Bits
Imperial Double IPA
Greeley, Colorado

This hazy Double IPA is brewed with Citra, Mosaic and El Dorado hops. It is then Double dry hopped with Extra Extra Nelson Sauvin.

BeerStyles: Hoppy & Bitter
Style: Imperial Double IPA
ABV: 8.6% alcohol / volume

ABOUT WELDWERKS BREWING CO.:
Like many other great businesses do, WeldWerks started as a hobby in a garage. In 2009, Co-founder and head brewer, Neil Fisher, began home-brewing with his friends. Once a month, everyone would get together to brew, learn and enjoy each other’s company. By 2014, Neil had entered into the Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines festival; prior to this competition, friend, and no-CEO and co-founder, Colin Jones, made an agreement with Neil, promising to consider opening a brewery if Neil were to bring back a medal. 11 months and two medals later, the first beers were poured at WeldWerks Brewing. Today, all of WeldWerks beers are produced in their downtown Greeley location on their 15 bbl 3-vessel steam brewhouse. They have produced 300+ unique beers in just four years across a nearly infinite range of styles. Learn more about the brewery here, and follow them on Untappd.

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April Beer Club: Iowa

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BeerClubLogoBAStoutTwisted Vine Brewery
Lady Shock-O-Lot
West Des Moines, Iowa

A very deep, dark, rich stout brewed with copious amounts of cocoa nibs and aged in a Templeton Rye whisky barrel.  It is full-bodied with hints of coffee and oak in the nose.  The flavor is complex yet smooth, with definite notes of espresso, chocolate, vanilla, and then finishes with a Port wine-like slightly sweet dryness. Allow to warm in a glass for several minutes before drinking to bring out all the complex flavors.

BeerStyles: Dark & Roasty
Style: Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
ABV: 10.6% alcohol / volume
IBU: 60
Bottle: 16.9 ounce bomber

ABOUT THE BREWERY:
Founded by Brian Sabus, Steve Becker, and Steve Breman, Twisted Vine Brewery has been brewing beer for over five years in the rolling hills of Iowa. In 2015, Jasen Garrett and Paul Galloway joined as partners. All avid home-brewers, they set out with a simple mission to create shockingly good beer, even if it meant bending a few rules along the way. They look to continuously create hand-crafted unique, palatable and unpretentious beers. Learn more about their mission here.

BAStout_Brewhouse

© Photo by Twisted Vine Brewery

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April Bubbly Club: Iowa

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Bubbly Wine ClubGoldschmidt_BlancdeNoir-NV-Bottle-Shot-webGoldschmidt Vineyards
Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine
Sonoma County, California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

Light copper-rose hues; Goldschmidt Blanc de Noir shows vibrant raspberry, bing cherry, and wild flower. A mix of zesty cherry, white peach, and fresh strawberry flavors mingle with medium-bodied bubbles to form a creamy palate. Subtle notes of honeysuckle linger in the finish.

Analysis: 12% alcohol / volume
Varietals: 53% Chardonnay, 39% Pinot Noir, 8% Pinot Meunier
Appellation: 100% Sonoma County
Vintage: NV
pH: 3.20
Dosage: 1.2
Cases Produced: 120

WINEMAKING:
“We make our sparkling wine not only to be lively and lifted in the nose but also to have complexity and longevity. The addition of Pinot Noir adds its characteristic tangy, red berry and orange flavors while the Chardonnay provides the main structure and liveliness. Producing white wine from a red grape is very difficult. We harvest in the cool morning and press very gently, balancing the bright fruit flavors with crisp acidity. By pressing this way we get less color and tannin. Barrel fermenting both the Chardonnay and the Pinot also adds more weight and body. Yeast contact in the bottle for two years brings all elements together with the yeast also providing its own elements of texture and creaminess. This wine will last up to 10 years under proper storage conditions.” – Goldschmidt Vineyards

FOOD PAIRING: Serve with soft cheeses – those with delicate flavors and smooth, creamy textures. In particular, try fresh, soft, and bloomy-rind cheeses made from cow’s milk, like Brie, Camembert, Brillat-Savarin, triple crème, or Chaource.  Try with macadamia nut-crushed halibut or pork tenderloin with fresh rosemary and lemon thyme.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Yolyn and Nick Goldschmidt are owner/vintners, and Nick is the winemaker. The winery offices are located in Healdsburg, California. Goldschmidt Vineyards is a vehicle by which Nick and Yolyn present their innovative way of wine making and wine presentation. There are two brands under their portfolio – the prestigious Goldschmidt Vineyard label and the international Forefathers label. The Goldschmidt Vineyard label is a program designed to showcase single vineyard source wines from both the Alexander Valley and Napa Valley Oakville appellations. The goal is create wines that highlight the distinct characters, benefits and attributes derived from these site specific harvests. Goldschmidt Vineyards Cabernets are crafted with the best possible resources to achieve exceptional richness, quality and balance – the hallmarks of world-class wines.

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October Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese ClubApple Smoked CheddarCarr Valley Apple Smoked Cheddar La Valle, WI

This white cheddar is apple smoked and then hand rubbed with paprika. It has a light smoky flavor that balances very well with the flavors from the paprika. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRING: Merlot and Shiraz grape wines will bring out the mature flavor of the cheese. For beer, reach for a Hard Cider or a Porter when pairing with this cheese. WINESTYLES: Bold, Fruity, or Nectar BEERSTYLES: Dark and Roasty; or Fruity and Spicy
Carr Valley Cheese

Photo by Carr Valley Cheese: Apple Smoked Cheddar

ABOUT CARR VALLEY: Owned and operated by the Cook family, Carr Valley Cheese Company is over one-hundred years old. Nestled amongst the rolling hills and lush pastures of central Wisconsin, they remain one of Wisconsin’s traditional cheese plants, famous for making cheese the old-fashioned way! Carr Valley Cheese has won numerous awards over the years and continues to offer delicious and unique Wisconsin Cheeses. Certified Master Cheesemaker, Sid Cook, has won more top national and international awards than any other cheesemaker in North America. As a fourth-generation cheesemaker, he received his cheesemaking license when he was 16, and now owns and operates four cheese plants and eight retail cheese stores in Wisconsin. As a company, Carr Valley Cheese began in 1902, and today is best known for producing high-quality, artisanal aged Cheddars. Using cow, goat, and sheep milks, Sid enjoys creating new cheeses, and Carr Valley now produces more than 50 original varieties. APPLEWOOD SMOKED CHEDDAR AWARDS:
  • 1st Place 2016 Los Angeles Int. Dairy Competition
  • 1st Place 2005 American Cheese Society
  • 2nd Place 2007 World Cheese Competition
  • 2nd Place 2012 American Cheese Society Competition

Maytag White CheddarMaytag Dairy Farms 7 Year Aged Cheddar Newton, Iowa

This 7 Year Aged Cheddar has a robust cheddar flavor and an assertive tang that can be slightly acidic or even lactic. It showcases dense, fruit notes and a slightly earthy flavor. The aging process takes the cheddar from a smooth creamy texture to a drier, more crumbly style. This is the 2nd most popular cheese in America and is very versatile. Traditional food pairings include apple pie, or a salted caramel for a nice contrast.

HOW IT IS MADE: Made from cow’s milk, Maytag 7 Year Cheddar has gone through the traditional process of “cheddaring” which involves stacking the blocks of cheese on top of one another to press out moisture. The aging process makes the recognizable cheddar flavor of this cheese even more pronounced and concentrated.  Typical “grocery store” cheddars only age 2-3 months, while this cheddar is aged for 7 years. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For Aged Cheddars with earthy undertones, look for the yin and yang. This cheese pairs well with hoppy bitters and dryness, like an IPA Beer and a Cabernet Wine; or full bodied red, stout, or scotch. WINESTYLES: Fruity; Nectar; or Bold BEERSTYLES: Dark and Roasty; Fruity and Spicy; or Hoppy and Bitter
Maytag Family

Photo by Maytag Diary Farms: Maytag Family

ABOUT MAYTAG DIARY FARMS: In 1919 E.H. Maytag, the son of Maytag Appliance company founder F.L. Maytag, purchased a single Holstein cow to provide fresh clean milk to his children. E.H. quickly developed a passion and determination to breed champion Holstein-Friesian cows that could supply milk to the community while also winning blue ribbon upon blue ribbon at livestock shows across the United States.
Cave Wheels

Photo by Maytag Diary Farm: Cave Wheels

Upon E.H.’s death in 1940, his sons Fred and Robert Maytag assumed leadership of the farms and Fred pursued his idea of creating a uniquely American blue cheese made from cow’s milk. Maytag Dairy Farms collaborated with Iowa State University to pioneer the first great American blue cheese that would compete with classic European cheeses such as Roquefort, made from sheep’s milk. The cheese plant and caves were completed a year later, and the first wheels of Maytag Blue Cheese were formed in October of 1941. Fred’s son Fritz Maytag assumed leadership in 1962 and helped guide the small family company for the next 50 years. In 2003, Fritz was awarded the James Beard Foundation Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional, and in 2008 won the Beard Foundation Award for Lifetime Achievement. Fritz now serves as Chairman Emeritus and a director with his brother, Ken Maytag, and their sister, Martha Maytag Peterson. Today, Seventy nine-years after the first wheels of Maytag Blue Cheese were made, the family tradition continues. Each wheel is handcrafted on the family farm in the rolling hills of central Iowa. Maytag Dairy Farm is still owned and operated by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of E.H. Maytag. His legacy is the pleasure and joy taken from good food shared with people you cherish.

Monthly Cheese ClubDon’t let your Wine Club go home alone! Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!

If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club!  Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely!  Click to learn more >

October Beer Club: Iowa

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BeerClubLogoConspicuous BeerAdventurous Brewing
Conspicuous Pilsner
Bettendorf, Iowa

Dry hopped Pilsner with Citra and Mosaic hops. Featuring the crisp bite of a pilsner, with added fruitiness from the hops.


BeerStyles: Crisp and clean
Style: Pilsner
ABV: 8% alcohol / volume

Maximum DisguiseAdventurous Brewing
Maximum Disguise
Double IPA
Bettendorf, Iowa

A hazy Double IPA with Incognito Citra, Lupomax Citra, Lupomax Mosaic and Citra T-90 hops. This beer was Adventurous’ first foray into incognito and Lupomax, both new hop products. The body on this beer is thick and the flavor intense.

BeerStyles: Hoppy and Bitter
Style: Double IPA
ABV: 9.5% alcohol / volume

ABOUT THE BREWERY:

Starting their operations in 2018, Adventurous Brewing has been a very well received brewery operating on a small scale. Just recently, in June of 2020, they upgraded their 1/2 barrel system to a 7 barrel system, allowing for a greater level in their overall production. As Adventurous continues to scale up, they plan to focus their efforts on creating New England Style IPAs, high ABV Pastry Sours, and Imperial Stouts.  Adventurous Brewing is excited to begin the build of their taproom in Bettendorf, Iowa soon.

Adventurous Brewing LLC

Photo by: Adventurous Brewing LLC

 

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August Beer Club: Iowa

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Memba Berries
Marto Brewing Co.
Member Berries
Sioux City, Iowa

Oh I memba! Kettle sour brewed with raspberries, blackberries, and cherries. Featuring a medium mouthfeel with moderate acidity, while remaining balanced with a massive amount of the three fruits. Contains lactose.

BeerStyles: Sour, Tart & Funky
Style: Fruited Sour
ABV: 6.8%

Smell of Money
Marto Brewing Co.
Smell of Money – DDH Sabro
Sioux City, Iowa

Smell that? That’s the smell of money, and hops are expensive! This Hazy double dry hopped DIPA (Double India Pale Ale) showcases double dried Sabro hops with notes of coconut, apricot and citrus.

BeerStyles: Hoppy & Bitter
Style: Hazy Double IPA
ABV: 7.9%

 

ABOUT THE BREWERY:
Marto Brewing Co. is an Iowa craft brewery and taproom featuring world class beer and wood fire food. They have a passion for brewing a wide range of beer styles, and will experiment with just about any flavor in search of the next best beer. At Marto Brewing Co., you will find the classics alongside new modern styles, but their favorites reside in their hazy IPAs, wild fermented sours, and massive barrel-aged stouts.  Marto’s lineup changes often, with some tried and true staples that are always on tap. You don’t want to miss their selections!

Smell of Money and Member Berries

August Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubStella Rosa BlueberryStella Rosa®️ Wines
Blueberry
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Stella Rosa Blueberry is their winery’s newest flavor, and is a proprietary blend of several red grape varietals. The wine is combined with flavors of natural blueberry distillates & purées, making it undeniably irresistible. Its sweet and succulent blueberry taste will elevate your mood and your wine-tasting expectations.

Region: Piedmont, Italy
Analysis: 5% alcohol / volume

Food Pairing Recommendations: This flavor pairs well with fresh fruits, BBQ chicken, charcuterie, cheesecake, and cinnamon roll coffee cake.

Blueberry Frosé

Photo credit: Stella Rosa Wines

BLUEBERRY FROSÉ
Cool off this summer with a refreshing frosé! Check out this fun way to switch up Stella Rosa Blueberry Wine.

INGREDIENTS:

1 bottle Stella Rosa Blueberry
2 1/3 cups frozen blueberries, divided
¼ cup lemon juice
2 oz. vodka
fresh blueberries (for garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.Pour wine into ice cube trays and freeze for 6 to 8 hours until almost frozen solid Note: wine will not freeze completely
2. In a blender, pulse together wine ice cubes, vodka, 2 cups frozen blueberries, and lemon juice.
3. Divide frosé among 4 glasses. Garnish with a handful of fresh blueberries and enjoy!
© Recipe courtesy of Stella Rosa Wines

Stella Rosa WatermelonStella Rosa®️ Wines
Watermelon
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Stella Rosa Watermelon is a new, and exclusive, addition to the winery’s semi-sparkling collection. Featuring a proprietary blend of several white grape varietals, including White Moscato (an indigenous grape variety from Piedmont, Italy), and a touch of Barbera for color. Its crisp, refreshing taste showcases the natural flavors of watermelon, created using a distillation process of Italian fruits grown in southern Italy. The semi-dry character is a perfect compliment to Brunch and light appetizers.

Region: Piedmont, Italy
Analysis: 5.5% alcohol /volume

Food Pairing Recommendations: This flavor pairs wonderfully with light salads, such as Greek or Caesar, as well as salty appetizers like Edamame or Jalapeño poppers. For dessert, you can pair it with coconut cream pie!

Stella Rosa Watermelon

Photo credit: Stella Rosa Wines

SPICY STELLA ROSA RITA

A little sweet, a little spicy! Try this fun cocktail at home with this month’s Stella Rosa Watermelon Wine.

INGREDIENTS

For Drink:
5 oz. Stella Rosa Watermelon, chilled
1½ oz. Jose Cuervo Tequila Blanco
¾ oz. lime juice
2 oz. watermelon juice
1 jalapeño, sliced
For Rim:
1 tbsp. Kosher salt
1 tbsp. chili powder
Lime wedges

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place jalapeño slices in a jar with tequila and let sit for 15 minutes for the spice to infuse the tequila.
2. Remove the jalapeño slices & set aside.
3. Mix salt and chili powder together on a separate plate. Smear the rim of the glass with a lime wedge then dip it into the salt-chili powder mixture to coat the rim.
4. Add a handful of ice to the glass.
5. In a cocktail shaker, add the juices & infused tequila; shake vigorously.
6. Strain the mixture into the glass.
7. Top off with Stella Rosa Watermelon, garnish with a Watermelon slice, and enjoy!
© Recipe courtesy of Stella Rosa Wines

Stella RosaWINEMAKING:
The grapes are harvested, pressed, centrifuged, and then held as a cold juice at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. The juice is fermented at various intervals throughout the year, which allows the wine to remain fresh and delicate throughout the entire fermenting process. The Stella Rosa family uses this technique to capture the fresh flavors of natural blueberry distillates & purées for their Blueberry wine, and an off-dry Rosé, busting with fresh flavors for their Watermelon wine. Both Stella Rosa Blueberry and Watermelon contain natural carbonation. The juice is fermented in Charmat-style, pressurized tanks, and as the alcohol is created, so is the carbonation. Once the desired sweetness is achieved, the wine is centrifuged and bottled. The alcohol level stays at approximately 5% and contains 6-10% residual sugar. Its natural acidity and low pH strike the perfect balance with the wine’s natural sweetness. 

ABOUT STELLA ROSA:
It all started in 1917, when the Riboli family founded Los Angeles’ historic San Antonio Winery. Back then, Los Angeles was the prime location for wine growing in all of California. For some time, the wine industry reigned as one of Southern California’s most economically significant and popular industries of that time. After surviving Prohibition and about a century later, the Riboli family has continued its artisan winemaking tradition through four generations. From within the tasting rooms of San Antonio Winery, customers repeatedly requested a sweeter, light, refreshing wine. The Riboli family took this unique opportunity to create a new semi-sweet, semi-sparkling wine style, which today, they are a leader of. And so, Stella Rosa was born.

our-story-mapMADE AND IMPORTED FROM ITALY:
To create the Stella Rosa wines, their family chose the region of Asti, a province in Piedmont, Italy, as the source for its aromatic grapes. The area of Asti has particular significance to the Riboli family, as it is the birthplace of their family matriarch, Maddalena Riboli. Their first Stella Rosa wine was Moscato D’Asti, which has become a flagship of this line. Soon after, Stella Rosa Rosso was created – the brand’s first semi-sweet, semi-sparkling red wine blend, and first wine of its kind to be brought to America from Asti. The rapid phenomenal successes of these two wines began the lineage of Stella Rosa, which now boasts over 20 distinctive flavors.

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with strong cheeses, such as a blue cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

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Sweet Club

August Bubbly Club: Iowa

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Bubbly Wine ClubDSC_0588-EditPOE Wines
NV Ultraviolet Sparkling Rosé
Napa, California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

NV Ultraviolet Sparkling Rosé is a base of 85% Coombsville Cabernet Franc Rosé, made from the grapes that go into POE’s Ultraviolet Cabernet Sauvignon. The remaining 15% is French Colombard from Mendocino.  This sparkling rosé has aromatics of lemon blossoms and strawberry, the palate shows lovely minerality and fine bubbles, with underripe strawberry, peach, and orange peel, with a lingering bright grapefruit on the finish.

WINEMAKING:
POE had been making Champagne method sparkling wines for six years, when they decided to make a playful, fruit driven California sparkling wine, by utilizing the Charmant method.  As opposed to fermenting in the bottle, POE takes their sparkling base and instigates a second fermentation in stainless steel, utilizing yeast and sugar.  This is the same process as the Champagne method, but in a different vessel.  The fermentation is kept cold, and lasts seven weeks.  After a few months of rest, they bottle under cork.

ABOUT POE WINES:
Samantha Sheehan founded POE in 2009 after being inspired by the wines she tasted in Burgundy and Champagne.  The goal was not to replicate Burgundy, but rather create alluring, vineyard specific, age-worthy wines revealing the beautiful terroir of California.  There is minimal intervention, judicious use of sulfur, and never any additives. POE produces traditional Champagne method sparkling wines, Rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a nouveau from Pinot Noir.  Each wine is made in very limited quantities, and sold directly from the winery and to high-end restaurants around the country. 

Owner/Winemaker Sam Poe Sheehan

POE Vineyards© POE Wines

Bubbly Wine ClubBodkin Sparkling Sauv BlancBodkin Wines
Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc
Healdsburg, California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

Bodkin Wines is proud to release the fourth cuvée of California’s first Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. This unique and stylish twist on Sauvignon Blanc has a core of racy crispness driven by lively acidity, accented with lemon-lime aromas (no cat grass — no worries) and citrus-passion fruit flavors. The pronounced citrus tones team with a note of toasted hazelnuts to accent the enchantingly plush mouth feel of the wine. The wine is called Cuvée Agincourt in reference to the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years War. In 1415 where the English army comprised largely of archers armed with Bodkin pointed arrows beat back a French army much more numerous and comprised of the nation’s high nobility.

VARIETY: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
ALCOHOL: 11.5%
DOSAGE: Brut

ABOUT BODKIN WINES:
Bodkin Wines was founded by Chris Christensen, an Iowa native, in 2011. His passion for aromatic wines and winemaking led him to create America’s first Sauvignon Blanc with bubbles. In 2013, Andrew Chambers, an Oregon native, joined the brand and they purchased 24 tons and made 1,100 cases of their award-winning Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc. Since that time, Bodkin Wines has produced over 15 varietals of wine, eleven of which were scored at 90 points or higher by Wine Enthusiast. They are consistently growing, year after year, but are determined to keep their presence small and unique. Bodkin Wines is still 100% owned by both Chris and Andrew, two guys living and working hard in Sonoma County.

ee5774_c9f6ce12a8fe4898b27246fed2853b0b_mv2
Screen Shot 2020-07-20 at 6.38.33 PM© Bodkin Wines

July Beer Club: Iowa

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Manzana LinTrabanco
Manzana Lin Sidra Natural
Gijón, Asturias, Spain

Manzana Lin is a special, limited production release from Trabanco. This single-site cider is made of Lin apples sourced from the San Pedro de Anes orchard. The juice is fermented with indigenous yeasts and in accordance with the guidelines for “Sidra Natural,” producing a low-alcohol cider that is tart and lacks carbonation. Sidra Natural should be served cold in a wide glass and poured from great height to break up the residual carbonic gas. Only a small amount (one sip’s worth) should be poured into the glass at a time.

BeerStyles: Fruity and Spicy
Style: Sidra Natural (Cider)
ABV: 6%
Apples: 70% Lin with a blend of local apples sourced from the San Pedro de Anes orchard.
Vinification: This cider has been fermented with indigenous yeasts and in accordance to the guidelines for “Naturally Fermented Quality Ciders.”

ABOUT THE CIDERY:

Like most families from the Asturian countryside, the Trabanco Family made their own cider from their own apples, but in 1925 Emilio Trabanco decided to turn this household hobby into a family business; creating Trabanco Cider. Using the best apples of selected varieties and following traditional methods, Trabanco Cider quickly became known throughout the region as the premier natural cider from Asturias. Not much has changed since then, the Trabanco family is still using traditional methods, augmented with modern technologies, to produce exceptional Asturian ciders. From a very young age, all of the members of the family are involved in the production process, from the apple picking and weighing, to operating the press. The family business continues to grow, as their inheritance is passed from one generation to the next.

Asturias Map

Asturias Map by Paul Dangel

Trabanco Orchard

Trabanco Orchard. Photo by Steven Alexander

Isastegi CiderIsastegi
Sagardo Naturala
Tolosa (Isastegi), Spain

Sagardo Naturala, or “natural cider” is from the Basque Country in Spain, where basque ciders have been produced for over 2,000 years.  Golden-green hue in the glass, Isastegi’s Sagardo Naturala has ripe notes of apple on the nose, but lead to an acidic, malted apple on the palate. The finish is crisp and fresh. This cider goes through a completely natural fermentation process in large wooden barrels and is bottled fresh without filtration. Sagardo Naturala is more bitter than most ciders, with only mild residual carbonic acid. It should be served cold in a wide glass and poured from great height to break up the residual carbonic gas. Only a small amount (one sip’s worth) should be poured into the glass at a time.

BeerStyles: Fruity and Spicy
Style: Sagardo Naturala (Natural Cider)
ABV: 6%
Apples: A blend of over a dozen native varietals
Vinification: After fermentation in kupelas (old, large, oak cider barrels) the cider is bottled fresh and without filtration before each shipment.

ABOUT THE CIDERY:

Isastegi is an old family estate located in the town of Tolosa in the Basque Country of Spain. The estate was originally covered by pastures for cattle, with only a few apple trees for the family to make a small amount of cider for itself. In 1983 they decided to switch from livestock to cider output and started selling their cider to the public. Over the years the demand for Isastegi cider has increased and the family’s country house has adapted to the changes. Pastures were replaced by orchards, while renovations added new state-of-the-art pressing and bottling rooms and a larger spaces for the kupelas (old, large, oak cider barrels). Isastegi prides themselves on their local focus and adhere to the strict guidelines of Basque Ciders by using only local apples with no added carbonation or sugars.

Basque Country

Map by Paul Dangel

Isastegi

Isastegi Cidery