September Sweet Club: Iowa

Posted on August 26, 2025 by mcginnessalex

Fetzer Vineyards
Gewürztraminer
California

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Crafted in an off-dry style, this Gewürztraminer balances subtle sweetness with crisp acidity and vibrant varietal character. An exotic swirl of rose petal, honeysuckle, peach and mango entices the nose, leading to a richly nuanced palate of honeyed apricot, peach cobbler, cashew nuts and pastry. No surprise: the aromatic white hits the mark with spicy foods and sipping on its own alike.

Analysis: 12% alcohol / volume
Residual Sugar: 2.8 g/100mL
TA: 0.62 g/100mL
pH: 3.16
Appellation: California
Accolades:

90 points, James Suckling, December 2020
Best Value, Wine Spectator, August 2020

WINEMAKING NOTES:
“Vineyards along California’s coast dial up the layered aromas in our intriguing Gewürztraminer. This vintage brought cooler temperatures, lengthening the growing season and giving the fruit plenty of time on the vine to develop bright acidity and complex flavors. Fragrant grapes from cooler regions, including Monterey County, were pressed as whole berries, then slowly fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks. The notable absence of oak makes this wine exceedingly fresh, while partial lees contact during aging lends an unmistakable richness to the mouthfeel.” – Margaret Leonardi, Winemaker

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Fetzer Vineyards is built on the belief that wine can—and should—do more than delight the palate. Grounded in the motto, “A good today. A better tomorrow.”, the company focuses deeply on both people and planet, working tirelessly to uplift communities, reduce environmental footprints, and craft each bottle as a force for good. They are a Certified B Corporation pioneering Zero-Waste & Renewable Energy winery using organic & regenerative wine growing practices. Learn more about the winery here.

Two Chicks
Sparkling Vodka Cocktails
Variety Pack
Las Vegas, NV

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This month, our Sweet Club members will enjoy a variety pack of eight sparkling cocktails from Two Chicks.

Included in Variety Pack:

Sparkling Vodka CuTea (2)
Sparkling Lemon Strawberry Kiss (2)
Sparkling Vodka Fizz (2)
Sparkling Cranberry Tartini (2)

Two Chicks
Sparkling Peach CuTea

Savory peach paired with refreshing cucumber tea and a subtle finish of thyme. The perfect polished vodka peach cocktail.

AWARDS:

93 points, PR%F Awards
87 points, Beverage Testing Institute
Silver, PR%F Awards Design Distinction
Silver, 2021 Beverage Testing Institute
Gold, 2021 Beverage Testing Institute
2nd Place, 2021 Canned Adult Beverage Competition
Silver, 2022 Bartender Spirits Awards

Two Chicks
Sparkling Lemon Strawberry Kiss

Pucker up for the fresh taste of lemon, finishing with strawberry bliss. You will enjoy the essence of strawberry fields mixed with lemon, as the hint of basil finishes this vodka cocktail, as the perfect kiss.

AWARDS:

2nd Place, 2021 Canned Adult Beverage Competition
Silver, 2021 PR%F Awards
Silver, 2022 Bartender Spirits Awards

Two Chicks
Sparkling Vodka Fizz

Fragrant with flavors of lush juicy pear, this refreshing elegant cocktail is paired with a silky smooth vodka. The final hint of velvety elderflower blossoms leaves an aromatic kiss on your palate. This cocktail defines relaxation.

AWARDS:

91 points, 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, “Excellent. Highly recommended.”
Great Value, 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge
89 points + Silver, Beverage Testing Institute
Silver, 2021 Beverage Testing Institute
Gold, 2021 Beverage Testing Institute
98 points, PR%F Awards
2nd place, 2021 Canned Adult Beverage Competition
Silver, 2022 Bartender Spirits Awards
Silver, PR%F Awards Design Distinction

Two Chicks
Sparkling Cranberry Tartini

Refreshing, sophisticated vodka cranberry martini with a Two Chicks twist, satisfying your palate with the tartness of cranberry and the zest of lime. They couldn’t resist calling this the perfect Tartini.

AWARDS:

2nd Place, 2021 Canned Adult Beverage Competition
Silver, 2021 PR%F Awards
Silver, 2022 Bartender Spirits Awards

ABOUT TWO CHICKS:
“Two chicks was born out of my passion for encouraging people to embrace on another and connect. I just felt like there wasn’t anything in the market that really embraced the qualities of empowerment, inclusivity, and connection. And I decided to focus on Deliciously Designed™, ready to go drink cocktails, because people tend to connect over cocktails.” — Megan, Founder

Two Chicks offers more than convenient, premium canned cocktails—they champion empowerment, inclusivity, and storytelling through a brand crafted by women who believe in beautiful design, good taste, and meaningful connection. Learn more about the company and the women behind the brand here.

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September Sweet Club: Iowa

Posted on August 27, 2024 by mcginnessalex

Schmitt Söhne
Riesling Auslese
Mosel, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This Auslese (selected harvest) Riesling is produced from grapes that remain on the vine until extremely late in the year. Individually selected overripe grapes result in a full-bodied, luscious wine with hints of apricot, nectarine and honey. It has intense flavors and a lingering finish.

Analysis: 8.5-9% alcohol / volume
Variety: Riesling
Appellation: Mosel, Germany
RS: 52-56 g/L
TA: 8-9 g/L
Pairing Recommendation: Enjoy with cheeses, fruits, richly seasoned foods and desserts. Or enjoy as a wine cocktail or sipping after a memorable dinner.
Serve: Chilled

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: A perfect cheese pairing for this wine would be Gorgonzola Dolce. Gorgonzola Dolce is a creamy, slightly sweet blue cheese that balances the wine’s sweetness with its mild tang, while the creaminess complements the wine’s rich texture. The fruitiness of the Riesling will also contrast beautifully with the savory elements of the cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Winemaking: Auslese is picked at ultimate ripeness, sometimes two months after harvest season has started. This allows the fruit flavors to develop and ripen. During picking, the grapes are handled very carefully to avoid bruising, letting the natural sweetness shine through. Harvested in the cool early morning, the grapes are brought quickly to the winery, destemmed and placed in stainless steel tanks that help retain the Riesling’s crisp acidity. The wine is kept cool, between 50-65 ºF, during fermentation.

Vineyards:
Schmitt Söhne Auslese Riesling hails from select vineyards along the Mosel River in Germany. Mosel is regarded as the oldest wine-growing region in Germany, believed to have been established by the Romans around 50 AD. It is one of the most northernly wine regions in world. Mosel vineyards are famous for their steep south-facing slopes and blue slate soil, reflected in the balanced minerality of Schmitt Söhne’s Auslese Riesling.

About Schmitt Söhne Wines:
Family-owned and operated, over 200 years ago the Schmitt ancestors settled in the small village of Longuich, along the Mosel River, and began managing vineyards and producing wine. Now in the fifth generation, Schmitt Söhne is one of Germany’s largest and most successful wine exporters around the world. While they have continued to develop their winemaking techniques and technologies, the family has never lost sight of their traditions. Learn more here.

Pacific Rim
Sweet Riesling
Columbia Valley, Washington

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This wine is wonderfully aromatic with notes of honey, pear and orange blossom. On the palate, it is sweet, with bright acidity, pineapple and white peach.

Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume
Variety: 100% Riesling
Appellation: Columbia Valley, Washington
RS: 73.3 g/L
TA: 7.2 g/L
Pairing Recommendation: Ideal with fiery fare – especially Thai, Szechwan, Mexican, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean cuisine. Or enjoy with one of their suggested recipes >

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

PRODUCTION:
The winery picks their Riesling grapes early (20-21 Brix). Using only native yeasts and fermenting at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks – there is no use of oak barrels or malolactic fermentation. They stop the fermentation at about 7% residual sugar, and clean the wine rapidly to retain as much freshness and fruitiness as possible. They leave a fair amount of natural carbon dioxide in the wine to create a lively mouth feel.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
First released by Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard in 1992, Pacific Rim Dry Riesling quickly gained a loyal following among Riesling lovers. Known for its fresh and bright characteristics, the wine was a welcome alternative to over-oaked, one-dimensional white wines. As the American palate evolved in recent years toward wines with greater complexity and crisper acidity, the popularity of Pacific Rim Dry Riesling grew. Demand and enthusiasm for Pacific Rim Dry Riesling continued to gain momentum — and the excitement around the wine inspired a radical idea… the creation a winery exclusively dedicated to Riesling. In August of 2006, a small band of Bonny Doon expats moved to the Northwest from California with a common desire to craft the best Riesling in America… thus, Pacific Rim became its own winery. Learn more about the winery here.

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September Sweet Club: Iowa

Posted on August 25, 2023 by mcginnessalex

Heron Hill Winery
Late Harvest Vidal Blanc Reserve
Finger Lakes, New York

NECTAR WINE STYLE

A very refined and balanced dessert wine. The aromatics are concentrated but not overwhelming with floral notes, pineapple, peach, cantaloupe and honey. The palate is medium bodied with fresh acidity, balancing the sweetness and making this wine a lovely sipper.

Varietal: 100% Vidal Blanc
Vineyard: Keuka Estate
Appellation: Finger Lakes, New York
Analysis: 10% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.14
Total Acid: 9.0 g/L – 0.9%
Residual Sugar: 74 g/L – 7.2%
Fermentation: Stainless Steel – after whole cluster pressing of the fruit, the juice was cool fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks
Malo-Lactic Fermentation: 0%
Production: 152 Cases of 12 Bottles
Winemaker: Jordan Harris

FOOD PAIRING:
A wonderful wine on its own or with medium sweetness desserts like fresh fruit and custard, créme brûlée with persimmon, or a cheese course. If you are feeling indulgent, pair with foie gras.

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with any rich or blue cheeses. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

VINEYARD INFORMATION:
Keuka Estate – the winery’s on site vineyard comprising of 10 acres of Riesling, 1 acre of Vidal Blanc and 2.5 acres of Cabernet Franc. Most of the vineyard is a relatively gentle east facing slope towards Keuka Lake; at one of the coolest points along the lake due to the gap in the hills behind the winery, which allows cool air to flow through their site, draining down to the lake. The soils comprise of shale and loam, allowing for a very well drained and mineral driven site; these, combined with the cooler temperatures, lead to fruit with wonderful purity, mineral expression and fresh acidity.

VINTAGE CONDITIONS:
Many growers may have been a little worried about drought like conditions through the peak of the summer in July and August, but it did remain cool enough to keep the vines healthy and thriving through the summer.

The season began like it often does with sub-freezing temperatures coming later in May. Luckily most varieties and pretty much all vinifera was delayed from a cool and wet spring, so there was little impact on them. The main variety that was impacted was Concord which is not made at Heron Hill (they do however grow some for juice). Once the season warmed up, it never really stopped. That wet spring gave the vines the water they needed to catch up in the season that was nearly ideal and created almost no disease/pest management issues. It also allowed for slow, steady vine growth that was balanced throughout the entire season.

Harvest remained dry and warm with cool nights. The result was the ability to allow flavors to develop slowly but progressively while maintaining acidity and structure. The fruit that was harvested had significantly higher than normal brix levels and, in some cases, record breaking, while still having high acidity and fabulous concentration and flavors. A great year.

WINEMAKING:
The Late Harvest Vidal was harvested as slightly concentrated fresh fruit from slight dehydration on the vine prior to harvesting at a ripe 27.6 brix with still bright acidity. After whole cluster pressing the fruit, the juice was cool fermented in stainless steel and then continued to age in stainless steel after racking once. The wine was never fined (not necessary) and was simply cold stabilized before being sterile filtered and bottled.

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September Sweet Club Iowa

Posted on August 24, 2022 by mcginnessalex

Nik Weis – St. Urbans-Hof
Riesling
Estate Bottled from Old Vines
Saar Valley, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The nose is fruity and floral, while on the palate the elegant mouthfeel is dominated by fresh and fine flavors of ripe stone fruits, such as peaches and yellow plums. The minerality of the slate soils delivers a salty and spicy character that goes perfectly along with the lively acidity and delicate medium sweetness.

Varietal: 100% Riesling
Analysis: 11.5% alcohol / volume (approx.)
Trellising: VSP and single post trellising
Age of Vines: 40-60 years
Production: Fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks
Serving Temperature: 46.4ºF
Food Pairing: Dishes like Thai curries poultry in piquant sauces, sweet and sour pork or game are delicious accompaniments to this classic Riesling.
Highlights / Ratings:
– Up to 80 years old vineyards in the Mosel and the Saar Valley
– Traditional Mosel style Riesling with a subtle residual sweetness and a radiant minerality
– Wine Spectator: Top 100 the most exciting wines of 2018 (#44)
– Wine Spectator 100 Top Value Wines for 2020 (#90) (JG 2018)
– Robert Parker: 90 pts. (JG 2017)
– Yves Beck: 90 pts. (JG 2019)

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

THE VINEYARD:

Harvesting Single Posts Credits Jon Wyand

Nik Weis is one of the few winemakers in his region to make wine from the Mosel and the Saar Valley. Half of his 111 acre property is located in the Saar Valley, a sub-appellation, where the microclimate is even cooler than in the Mosel area. This means that the difference between warm days and cool nights is more extreme and causes even better conditions for the development of many flavors in the skins of the berries. In comparison to the Mosel Valley, with its rather soft and blue slate soils, the slate in the Saar Valley is either red or grey, causing a distinctive smoky and almost salty minerality.

Old Riesling vine III- Credits Jony Wyand

Old Vine © Photo by Jony Wyand

Another particularity of Nik Weis is the wide spectrum of the age of his vines that goes up to 130 years. Having many old vineyard parcels is another key for making authentic and long-lasting wines since old vines root much deeper into the ground and gather more nutrients and minerals than young vines do; they also have a better water uptake which prevents them from drought and water shortage in warm summers. In addition to that, the grape clusters also change within the years, and for that, old vines produce smaller berries with thicker skins. This results naturally into lower crop yields with a higher aromatic concentration and complexity.

PRODUCTION:
The Riesling Estate Bottled from Old Vines unites all particularities of Nik Weis. It is grown on different kinds of slate, comes from the old vineyards in the Saar valley, and was fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks in order to keep the fine and elegant body.

Nik Weis in front of the Goldtröpfchen vineyards Credit Peter Kunz

Nik Weis © Credit Peter Kunz

Nik Weis – St. Urbans-Hof
Urban Riesling
Mosel, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This Riesling is honest, authentic and made with true origin. It has a complex, smoky and floral nose, and a juicy, fruity, and elegant mouthfeel with minerality that leaves a desire for the next sip. It reflects the traditional taste profile of top quality Mosel Riesling wines, in that it has brilliant fruit and lively acidity.

Varietal: Riesling
Analysis: 10.5% alcohol / volume
Trellising: VSP and partly traditional single post system
Serving Temperature: 46.4ºF
Food Pairing: Delicious on its own, or a perfect accompaniment to light or spicy dishes.
Highlights / Ratings:
– Wine & Spirits: Top 100 Values of the Year | 2020 – Urban Riesling 90 pts.
– Wine Enthusiast: Top 100 Best Buys | 2017 & 2018
– Wine Spectator: Wine of the Week | January 2022
– James Suckling: Vintage 2021 | 90 pts

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Background:

Inspired by the ‘urban lifestyle’ of many cities like New York, London, or Paris, winemaker and globetrotter, Nik Weis wanted to create a wine whose individual character would stand out against the average mass of wines – even in famous cities with genuine character and flair. But how could one combine an urban lifestyle with a rather rural region like the Mosel valley? Luckily, Mosel Riesling is one of the world’s most famous wines and has been consumed in the world’s best restaurants and hotels for more than a century. Nik soon knew that his wine would bring the Mosel ‘zest for life’ to the world’s biggest cities back again.

Today, Urban Riesling has become a well-known and regularly-awarded wine that never forgot about its roots: The soil on which the vines grow consists of blue, highly decomposed slate rocks that give the wines their great minerality- a somewhat salty finish. The temperatures vary from warm during the day to cold at night; this lets the grapes keep their elegant and fruity acidity and makes them produce a wide range of beautiful flavors. The vinification takes place in a minimalistic way in order to make the wines as authentic as possible.

ABOUT NIK WEIS – ST. URBANS-HOF:
Nikolaus (Nik) Weis is the third generation of his family to tend the vines since his Grandfather, Nicolaus Weis founded St. Urbans-Hof Estate in 1947. Nicolaus was awarded the prestigious title “Oekonomierat” (Chancellor of Agriculture) in 1969 for his dedication to the wine culture of the country; his name and title have since become a suffix to the estate’s name. Today, Nik oversees the estate’s 111 acres in the Mosel and Saar Valleys. Since 2000, the Riesling winery has been a member of Germany’s renowned VDP (Association of German Quality Wine Estates). Learn more about their story here.

Drohne-Mosel-between-Leiwen-and-Trittenheim-Credits-David-Weimann_796x395px

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September Sweet Club Iowa

Posted on August 26, 2021 by mcginnessalex

Luca Bosio Vineyards
Dark Red Semi Sweet
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Deep red in color, this wine is full of red fruit aromas with notes of wild berries lifted by its crisp acidity. These sweet aromas of ripe red fruits showcase the authenticity of the Brachetto grape. The Dark Red Semi Sweet wine is made with 100% natural fruit and gluten free.

Analysis: 5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Brachetto
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Pairing: Serve slightly chilled on its own or with antipastos, prosciutto, fish and white meats.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
“Basic Brachetto is playfully fizzy with two atmospheres of pressure and is known for having low alcohol at 5.5%, a natural range of sweetness. After fermentation, the residual sugar remains relatively high, making the wines sweeter than dry wines. Because the extra sugar stops fermentation early, non-fortified sweet reds tend to be lower in alcohol than dry wines.” – Luca Bosio Vineyards

Luca Bosio Vineyards
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Straw yellow in color, the Moscato d’Asti DOCG is sweet and smooth with notes of fruit and flower on the palate.

Analysis: 5.5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato
RS: 130 g/L
Total SO₂: 170 mg/l
Cultivation Area: Santo Stefano Belbo
Vineyard Altitude: 200/300m above sea level
Training System: Guyot
Soil: Clayey-Calcerous soil
Aging: 2 months on its own yeast
Fermentation: 5 days in steel tanks at a low temperature (59° F)
Vinification: Without skins
Pairing: Enjoy as an aperitif or at the end of a meal with fruits, aged cheeses or hazelnut cake.

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Located in the center of the Langhe region of Piedmont, Bosio Family Estates was established in 1967 by farmers Egidio and Angela. After being past down through three generations, and with tremendous success, innovation, and support from the family, the company has now taken the name Luca Bosio Vineyards. Learn more here.

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