Fun tasting this weekend!
Friday we will have open some white wines from Spain, a rose from Etna Sicily, a organic Mencia grape from an iconic wine marker and a delicious rose sparkling wine from Portugal!
On Saturday, we will continues with our local spirit tasting, we will showcase three upstate New York spirits: a Bitter and Sakura Gin (cherry blossom) from Buffalo + a Vodka from Albany!!
Tasting time: 6:00 to 9:00pm
See below for full tasting information:
Friday:
Can Sumoi, Penedès Xarel-lo (2018)
- Geography: Catalonia, Spain
- Appellation: Penedès
- Features: Organic, Biodynamic
100% Xarel-lo fermented with indigenous yeasts in tank. Twice-weekly batonnage for a further 3 months in tank before bottling. No additives; unfined and unfiltered.

Bodegas O’Ventosela, Ribeiro Blanco Gran Leiriña (2018)
- Grapes: Treixadura, Albariño, and Godello
- Geography: Galicia, Spain
- Appellation: Ribeiro
Bodegas O Ventosela is a family firm born in 1980 in A Grova (Ourense), when Juan Miguez Montero decided to develop and market his own wine from the knowledge accumulated during a lifetime in contact with the sector. In this winery are born the brands O Ventosela, name of the town of Juan, and Viña Leiriña, which takes its name from a small vineyard in Carballeda de Avia. Later, the Gran Leiriña, the pride brand of the winery, will be on the market. In 2006, an important modernization plan was implemented, including the construction of the modern facilities of Ponte San Clodio, Leiro, where the firm is currently located.
- 90% Treixadura, 5% Albariño and 5% Godello
- The flagship white, grown on granite in the estate vineyard of Finca Traveselas
- Free-draining soils and southeastern exposure yield highly concentrated grapes
- Pressed after a brief maceration, fermented in stainless and rested in tank a further 8 months
Filipa Pato, Bairrada 3B Método Tradicional Rosé (NV)
- Geography: Beiras, Portugal
- Appellation: Bairrada
- Features: Biodynamic
Because the winery does not agree with the description sparkling, they designate the wine by the Traditional Method. Waiting that the country decide for a specific name such as Spain with Cava and Italy with Franciacorta

Murgo, Etna Rosato (2018)
- Grapes: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio
- Geography: Sicily, Italy
- Appellation: Etna Rosato
- Features: Sustainable
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The slopes of Etna, now known for excellence in white and red wines of the great native grape varieties, also imbibe rosés with a unique volcanic guise which are a definite must-try. Graci is definitely one of the most historical and popular wineries, and produces, in very selected and limited quantities, a rosé that cannot fail to engage fans of this extraordinary terroir. As a matter of fact, the grapes used for this rosé come from the winery’s best performing vineyards, grown on the northern slope of the volcano. These vines produce gems like Arcurìa, an Etna winemaking masterpiece, from altitudes above 600 metres above sea level with vines trained in the traditional bush-vine method supported by espaliers. The soil, rich in stone, iron, nitrogen, and which is obviously densely volcanic, do the rest: this is the prelude to an irresistible and timeless rosé, which you will never tire of drinking.
Vinified in concrete and aged for six months in stainless steel, Etna Rosato di Graci immediately reveals its rosé character and verticality. Given that the wine is produced using soft pressing and without skin maceration, it is of a beautiful bright salmon pink colour. A delicate look that the nose confirms, of sleek refinement: plum and peach are a counterpoint to the more wild strawberry notes and the ubiquitous and explosive volcanic minerality. It’s a different type of rosé, timeless in its specificity. Indeed, with its perfectly balanced and extremely pleasant taste, this wonderful Nerello Mascalese is extraordinarily full-bodied and fresh, which is, given its extremely delicate vinification, surprising for its velvety and warmly caressing verticality, which is never overly pungent.
Bodegas y Viñedos Raúl Pérez, Ultreia Saint Jacques Bierzo (2017)
- Grape: Mencía
- Geography: Castilla y León, Spain
- Appellation: Bierzo
- Features: Organic
Ultreia Saint Jacques is a red wine produced by the winery Raúl Pérez in the D.O. Bierzo.
This winery is a personal project of the renowned oenologist from León, Raúl Pérez. Since he worked in the winery Castro Ventosa, which caused a true revolution in El Bierzo, Raúl Pérez has not stopped. His latest wines Ultreia “ir más allá” reveal a career in constant evolution.
Raúl Pérez make wines almost in a traditional way. Wines that are very expressive, powerful and elegant at an affordable price.
Ultreia Saint Jacques is a wine made from 100% Mencía, from very old vineyards planted on clay-calcareous soils. Harvested is carried out manually. Once the grapes arrive at the winery, they ferment in oak barrels with a capacity of 3,000 to 5,000 litres, without temperature control. Aged in old used French oak vats. It is not filtered or clarified.
Ultreia Saint Jacques is a fresh, elegant and fruity wine. This wine is a tribute to Raúl Pérez to his roots, his land.
Saturday
Albany Distilling Company, ALB Vodka (NV)
- Producer: Albany Distilling Company
- Category: Spirit — Vodka
- Geography: New York, United States
The Albany Distilling Company is a modest operation, producing craft spirits one small batch at a time. It is located in downtown Albany, not far from the site of the city’s original 18th century distillery. Owners John Curtin and Matthew Jager are proud to be a part of New York State’s rich heritage of spirit production.
Made from American corn and distilled six times before being meticulously blended and run through charcoal filters, ALB Vodka is clean and crisp with a touch of sweetness. Neutral enough to be shaken into a cocktail and smooth enough to drink on the rocks.
Lockhouse Distillery, Ibisco Bitter Liqueur
- Producer: Lockhouse Distillery
- Category: Spirit — Liqueur — Bitter
- Geography: New York, United States
Lockhouse Distillery is the first distillery to open in Buffalo, New York since Prohibition. Marking a return to the aesthetics and values that made Buffalo great, Lockhouse is dedicated to crafting fine artisinal spirits with a focus on high quality production and local ingredients.
Lockhouse Ibisco Bitter Liqueur – Campari-red in color with a distinct orange peel overtone to go along with an ample sugar character. On the palate, the sweetness hits first, a simple honey/syrup character, before the bitterness grips your palate like a vise. Bitter orange peel, traditional bitter roots, and some sour cherry notes. As the finish emerges, notes of rhubarb and grapefruit start to emerge, ending things on a lingering note that’s more bitter than sweet.
Aroma – Grapefruit, Hibiscus, Chamomile
Taste – Candied Grapefruit, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Gentle Bitterness
Ibisco bitter is very cocktail friendly.
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Lockhouse Distillery, New York Style Fine Gin 83 Proof (NV)
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As a New York Style we distill this Fine Gin with a reduced juniper content to let all the other herbs and botanicals grab your attention. Try it in a classic cocktail or a new age twist!Aromas: Garden Sage, Orange, Cardamom
Tastes/Notes: Orange, Light Juniper, Cinnamon, Marshmallow Sweetness
Aging: Mellowed 1 Week in a Stainless Tank
Alcohol: 83 proof, 41.5% ABV, 750mlLockhouse Distillery, Seasonal Sakura Gin (NV)
- Category
- Spirit – Gin – Flavored
- Geography
- New York, United States
