November 2021 | 12 Bottle Club
Welcome to the November 12 Bottle Club from MYSA Natural Wine!
A note from our founder:
Welcome to our November 2021 12 bottle wine club! I have a lovely surprise with some cameos from my co-founder Nic throughout these videos so enjoy those and check out a couple funny bloopers at the bottom if you're looking for a quick laugh!
This month was all about finding wines that I thought could be perfect for Thanksgiving and/or ones that I was stoked to barely get enough of so I had to get them in! There's also an accidental theme here of liter bottles and central and eastern European wines with some amazing stuff from across the continent!
Here's my take on what I'd do with these bottles: I'd bust open the cider while the Thanksgiving prep is underway, then I'd think about having a few options with the meal like the Chenin, Frug and Riseling, depending on what you're into! All of those are going to kill it with your Thanksgiving foods and you can have the Covolo on reserve in case someone in your family is really craving a heftier wine for this! Finally finish it off with the Prosecco and some desserts and be the hero of your Thanksgiving!
- Babic - Josipa Marinov
- Nach - Nestarec
- Zweigelt - Frug
- Barbelino - Gaia
- Covolo Colli Euganei - Vignale di Cecilia
- Cider Revolution - Fruktstereo
- Chardonnay Skin Contact - Christina
- Cerreto - Gismondi
- Prosecco - Masot
- Riesling Trocken 1L - Weingut Schlossmuhlenhof
- Uivo PT NAT Renegado - Folias de Baco
- Chenin - Limited Addition
- Weissburgunder Trocken - Weingut Seehof (some boxes)
- Terraces Red - Roterfaden & Rosswag (some boxes)
- Queen of the Galaxy - Vin de California (some boxes)
- Bloopers
- Wine Evaluation Sheet
Babic - Josipa Marinov
Dalmatia - Croatia
Description:
This native Croatian grape, Babić, produces an elegant food pairing wine here! Six days of maceration and aged for nine months in stainless steel. Herbs on the nose paired with dark fruits. The palate has smooth tannins with nice acidity. Dark fruit along with hints of earth.
Pairings: Lamb, Cheese Tray, BBQ
Serving Temperature: 50°- 55°
About Josipa Marinov
"Josipa’s and Neno’s vineyards are situated just a few meters above sea level on a mixture of karst and crvenica soil. Crvenica (terra rossa) is a type of soil characteristic of the subtropical and Mediterranean karst regions. Hard ground, tight, and with little humus. However, it easily absorbs and keeps the water long enough to allow grapes to survive during the dry, hot, and long Mediterranean summer. This type of land is created by the dissolution of limestone and dolomite and represents its irrepressible residue. It is clayey and mildly structured.
Babić is an indigenous Croatian varietal, grown only in North Dalmatia, especially around the town of Primosten. It is planted in dry stone pools with only 3-4 plants, very hard to farm, and inaccessible to machines.
Josipa’s approach in the vineyard and cellar is not organic or biodynamic, rather than a real traditional way of winemaking, or as she calls it “as our elders did it 100 years ago, with some improvements.” - Zev Rovine"
Nach - Nestarec
Moravia - Czech Republic
Description:Juicy juice! Even a 1-liter bottle may not seem to be enough. From the winemaker, Milan: "Nach is my tribute to the real Moravian reds, wines with lot of fruit and little alcohol so that you can drink heaps of them every day. " . Light bodied and full of fruity expressions.
Pairings: Soft Cheese, Schnitzel, Appetizers
Serving Temperature: 48°- 52°
About Nestarec
Milan Nestarec has quickly become the star winemaker of the Czech republic during the time we’ve been working with him. His wines display so much life, vitality, and originality, that they have become very sought after all over the world in a very short time. We are honored to have been working with his wines since 2014. The wines we are selling now represent the full evolution of his original vision: a full range of wines, from quaffable yet energetic and inexpensive wines like the forks and knives and liter bottlings of Nach and Bel, to the amazingly expressive skin fermented wines, made entirely without additions of sulfur. - From Jenny & Francois
Zweigelt - Frug
Burgenland - Austria
Description:
Certified organic and certified fruity! This wine spent 10 weeks on its lees and was bottled without fining or filtration. It has an elegant medium-bodied mouthfeel with good acidity. Cherry, red plum, figs, and hints of spice.
Pairings: Game, Cheese Board, Pasta
Serving Instructions: 50°- 55°
About Frug
"Frug is a new exciting addition to Jenny&Francois’ labels – wines that come from an exclusive coop between us and carefully selected winemakers. It’s our great joy to bring you wines that are kind to both nature and your budget, and in the case of these easy-drinking Austrians, this friendly concept is emphasized even more by the packaging – a plump 1-liter bottle! That extra quarter of a liter comes in handy (you’ll see) and follows the Central-European tradition of bottling everyday drinking wines in this volume. (Milan Nestarec‘s Běl and Nach are other great examples of this.)
The Wurzinger winery lies in the south-eastern part of Burgenland, almost at the border with Hungary, and was established by the current owner’s grandfather. Josef took it over from his parents in 1991, gradually changing the vineyard management to organic before obtaining the certification in 2014. “Making the shift happen over many years was particularly important to us since we wanted to give our vines time to adapt and maintain the quality and fruitiness of our wines,” as Josef explains why the switch took some time.
The winery focuses on typical Austrian grapes – Gruner Veltliner, a traditional variety that has become almost synonymous with Austrian white wine, present in the country since some time around 1550 and nowadays its most widely planted grape; and Zweigelt for the rosé and red, a (relatively) new but similarly Austria-typical cross of St. Laurent and Blaufrankisch, bred by a local viticulturalist of the same name in 1922.
The name Frug comes from a 1960s dance, which is very shake-your-hips and vibrant like the wine itself, fitting also with the colorful label designed by our Jenny Lefcourt’s brother in cooperation and her husband. It was coined by Toni Silver, an artist and Austrian wine promoter who also connected us with the winery: “My brain always bounces around from the present back to the mid-20th century, as I am a retro kind of gal, so I just started thinking of party-drinking-dancing and started to remember some of the crazy 60’s dances – the Twist, Mashed Potato, the Frug!” Well, there you go: we bet this Austrian liter trio will make you dance as well. - Jenny & Francois"
Barbelino - Gaia
Piedmont - Italy
Description:
This Italian Barbera is deep ruby in color and full of fresh fruit, high acidity, and earthiness. Medium in tannin and perfect for pairing alongside Italian cuisine. Flavors of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry!
Pairings: Pizza, Pasta, Burgers
Serving Temperature: 50°- 55°
About Gaia
This organic estate covers two rolling hills in the Piedmont region of Italy. Half of their land is under vine of the 43 hectares in total.
Covolo Colli Euganei - Vignale di Cecilia
Veneto - Italy
Description:A beautiful blend of Merlot and Cab Sauv. Fermentation and aging in concrete make this red fruity and full of character. Medium-high tannin met with a medium finish. Licorice, hints of tobacco, and dark cherry.
Pairings: Ribs, Steak, Meatballs
Serving Temperature: 55°- 58°
About Vignale di Cecilia
Vignale di Cecilia is a small farm in the Euganean Hills, in Veneto, which has been operating since 1998. It is located in Baone, just below Monte Cecilia, and was founded by the young winemaker Paolo Brunello, part of the Brunello family, historical winemakers of the territory. Paolo, with the initial four hectares of property, has started an experimental journey, which has led him today to an innovative style in the taste of his wines, while respecting the tradition in winemaking.
The vineyards, to which a further four hectares have been rented over time, are planted with merlot, cabernet sauvignon, barbera, moscato and garganega and rest on volcanic soils, of clayey matrix for the red and limestone vines where there are the white berried ones. - Hootananny
Cider Revolution - Fruktstereo
Malmo - Sweden
Description:Dry and fruit forward. Tasty apple and pear tones from the Gloster apples and pears used to craft this cider. Unfiltered and easy to drink!
Pairings: Appetizers, Grilled Chicken, Salad
Serving Temperature: 42°- 48°
About Fruktstereo
"After many years in the restaurant business as runners, dishwashers, waiters, managers and sommeliers we decided to start our own company to spread the word about good produce and especially what we knew the most about, beverages. With the intention of building up a bigger and more long lasting knowledge of natural and more sustainable products we began to import natural wines in 2014 from friends all over Europe.
At the same time we wanted to produce something ourselves and the creation of FRUKTSTEREO was a fact. First year (2016) we produced everything at Hällåkra Vingård, 30 km outside of Malmö, with fruit from the farm and the villages close by. The year after we got our own place in the old harbour area close to the city center of Malmö where we now produce everything by hand from fruit to finished product.
In the beginning of 2020 we decided to divide the different parts of the company and to make it a bit more understandable.
The wines and other beverages we import and distribute throughout SWEDEN is from now on VINSTEREO. These beverages are all from producers, mostly also farming their own land, that share the same ideas and methods as us. A product should be produced in the most sustainable way. From a land without pesticides and with no additives or manipulation during production. This gives authentic products with a clear expression from the origin and with an energetic drinkability.
The other part is our own production at Nubbgatan 5 in Malmö, Sweden. FRUKTSTEREO is from now on the production of Swedish beverages made by Swedish fruits in Sweden or collaborations in other countries together with friends and producers. In these cases made by produce from that country and even produced in that specific country.
We are Karl Sjöström and Mikael Nypelius. - Fruktstereo"
Chardonnay Skin Contact - Christina
Carnuntum - Austria
Description:A fun orange wine from Christina with 24 days of skin contact. Spends 10 months in tank before bottling. Zesty and bright on the nose with notes of parsley with citrus. It has beautiful stone fruits and a bit of heft that makes it perfect for pairing with food!
Pairings: Shellfish, Roasted Vegetables, Grilled Fish
Serving Temperature: 48°- 52°
About Christina
Christina Netzl began her path towards natural winemaking as a young girl of 5 years old, working on her family’s farm and vineyard with her parents and grandparents. Her parents later focused the family business solely on grape growing and winemaking, building the winery up to the 28 hectares they operate today in the Carnuntum winemaking region, located just east of Vienna and north of the Neusidler see.
Christina studied oenology and wine management in London, getting to know wine styles from all over the world. In 2007, she returned to the winery to work with her parents, and after having two children became passionate about organic viticulture. They began the process of converting everything to organics in 2013 starting with soil treatments and elimination of herbicides, followed by eliminating pesticides and 100% organic vineyard management and then finally organic production in the winery.
In 2018 they began the official process of certifying organically. Over the last 10 years working at the winery, Christina has fallen in love with ancient winemaking practices and thus has now launched this natural line of wines we are proud to represent. - Jenny & Francois
Cerreto - Gismondi
Campania - Italy
Description:Looking for a unique varietal that's both very old and local to the Campania area? If so, this wine is for you! Made from Malvasia di Candia grapes, this orange is silky with complex texture and soft tannin. Lively and fresh with aromas of citrus and floral. Ripe flavors of pineapple, citrus, floral, and hints of smoke.
Pairings: Picnic Food, Shellfish, Grilled Fish
Serving Instructions: 48°- 52°
About Gismondi
For several generations, The Gismondi family has been cultivating their 2 hectares of land in Campania. They grow vegetables, olives, and vines as well. The main varietals they work with are Falanghina, Malvasia di Candia, Sangiovese, Merlot and Freisa.
Prosecco - Masot
Veneto - Italy
Description:
This prosecco comes from 20-25 year old vines in Veneto, Italy. Developed notes of stone fruit and hints of floral. Serve well chilled and at your next celebration! Bubbly and dry with notes of stone fruit.
Pairings: Fish, Pasta, Aperitif
Serving Temperature: 42°- 48°
About Masot
The Da Ros family has lived in a small town called Sarmede, in Veneto, for generations. In 2009 the brothers Andrea and Daniele Da Ros decided to found “Masot - Fiabe di vino”, combining everything their grandfather Arturo taught them with their education from the prestigious “Cerletti” school of oenology in Conegliano.
‘Masot’ means “small landowner” and it was for many years a nickname for the Da Ros family. In this way they honor their bond between family tradition and their focus on their respectful stewardship of the land. - Savio Soares
Riesling Trocken 1L - Weingut Schlossmuhlenhof
Rheinhessen - Germany
VIDEO COMING SOON!
A dry and fruity Riesling with developed notes of citrus, peach, nectarine, and spice. Originating from the sun-filled vineyards of Rheinhessen. The perfect wine for spicy cuisine! Citrus and stone fruits with an enticing acidic backbone.
Pairings: Spicy Food, Shellfish, Pork
Serving Instructions: 48°- 52°
About Weingut Schlossmuhlenhof
The Schloss Mühlenhof property is a large estate (nearly 20ha) spread across the slopes above Kettenheim, 3km south of Alzey. This size would seem reasonable, if not expected, considering the estate was started in 1846 and is now hosting the 6th generation. It began as a rye and wheat mill until the 1920s , when the small vineyard attached became the focus for the family income.
The vines of that era have been replaced over time but some on the property are still as old as 45yrs. Now in the hands of Gabriele, Nicolas and Walter Michel, the farm operates ‘organically’ but not by any legal standard. They follow what they call, ‘ecologically healthy’ farming practices, with the intent on capturing the fruity expression of the Rheinhessen style. The vineyards are worked heavily in August to reduced yields (green harvesting), cutting nearly 1/2 of their fruit. Grapes are vinified to preserve freshness while revealing depth and concentration. Considering the size of the harvest, they are experts at doing just that.
The cellar does not abide by natural law. Selected yeasts, electronically monitored steel tanks, pumps and SO2 are used judiciously to hone the wine to purity and freshness. Knowing their soils for so long (mostly limestone combinations), the family does capture a clear minerality and a distinct spirit from each varietal, from parcels as small as .4ha. The Michel’s final act (perhaps their expertise) in the cellar, brings multiple tanks together, each with their strongest asset to form deliciously drinking, full flavored wines with a direct link to the Rhienhessen region. Provided the Michel’s continue in this way, there will be no shortage of this kind of wine along the Rhine, for the generations to come. - Savio Soares
Uivo PT NAT Renegado - Folias de Baco
Douro - Portugal
Description:Full of energy and soft bubbles! Has a short maceration time of four days. Super gluggable with refreshing acidity and smooth on the finish. Serve chilled and alongside oily fish. Fruity goodness with grapefruit, strawberry, and guava.
Pairings: Grilled Meat, Oily Fish, Pasta
Serving Instructions: 45°-50°
About Folias de Baco
Tiago Sampaio is the innovative young winemaker of Folias de Baco, a project started in 2007 that one could say was spearheaded in his childhood piggybacking on his grandfather through the farms and vineyards, always curious and plucky, willing to experiment at every step of the way.
It was this incurable fascination that led him into agricultural studies at Santo Tirso and then five years of university in Vila Real, but it wasn’t until completing an agricultural engineering course that opened the doorway for his PhD studies in Oregon for Viticulture and Enology. It was here that Tiago picked up on modern philosophies and aesthetics of winemaking, while never forgetting his roots in the Douro and returning to create his estate that has garnered much attention since.
Specifically located in the Alto Douro, in the sub-region of Cima-Corgo – where the land is rough, tough and challenging – you will find his vines clinging to the slopes of schist and granite at an altitude between 500-700m. Tiago is essentially bridging the traditions of his homeland with learned modern aesthetics, creating field blends of both red, white and mixed from indigenous varietals planted some 80 years ago, while carefully attending to his new fixation of Pinot Noir vines that he makes both red and rosé. Tiago has set his sights higher, pushing the boundaries of his curiosity and what some might not expect out of such a traditional region. - Savio Soares Selections
Chenin - Limited Addition
Oregon - USA
Description:Organic and dry farmed in Willamette Valley. This wine is a beautiful expression of Chenin Blanc, its crisp and dry with flavors of orchard fruit and honeyed straw. A great balance of acidity and flavor.
Pairings: Seafood, White Meat, Tapas
Serving Instructions: 48°- 52°
About Limited Addition
Ltd.+ are our personal handmade wines raised from our collaborations with inspired farmers to develop a diverse and sustainable wine landscape in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. These wines are made from alternative varieties through thoughtful farming and winemaking practices. - Constant Crush
Weissburgunder Trocken - Weingut Seehof
Rheinhessen - Germany
Description:Fresh from Rheinhessen with stone fruit notes of peach and pear. Crisp with bright acidity and overall dry on the palate. Light bodied but pairs lovely with green salads topped with roast chicken. Hints of minerality with stone fruit and lemon zest.
Pairings: Roast Chicken, Green Salad, Mild Cheese
Serving Instructions: 48°- 52°
About Weingut Seehof
We, the Fauth family, have been managing the Seehof in the heart of Westhofen for four generations. Our wines tell stories. They always start the same way - in our vineyards. We produce our wines with a lot of passion. This is how elegant and characterful wines are created. A strong piece of home! - Seehof
Terraces Red - Roterfaden & Rosswag
Württemberg - Germany
Description:A unique blend of Lemberger, Trollinger, Regent and Schwarzriesling grape from Germany. Fresh vibes with ruby red color, red fruits, vanilla, super smooth mouth feel with light tannin.
Pairings: Lamb, Mushroom, Soft Cheese
Serving Instructions: 48°- 52°
About Roterfaden & Rosswag
This wine is the collaboration between Weingut Roterfaden and the local Rosswag Co-Op. Rosswag is a tiny village about 30 minutes north of Stuttgart. Rosswag and its neighboring village Mülhausen are viticulture treasures. Both are surrounded by an ancient amphitheater of staggering, towering, steep terraced vineyards. The terraces are well over 1,000 years. Built by hand, they include 23.61 miles of stone walls. The vineyards are also an official nature preserve. As beautiful as the vineyards look, they are profoundly expensive to farm. The majority of work must be done by hand. In the last few decades there have been enormous changes to the way wine is made and sold; financial pressures have seen many younger people heading to the big cities. The local Rosswag cooperative, which farms 99% of the vineyards, has handled the challenges of the new wine market better than most.- Cream Wines.
Queen of the Galaxy - Vin de California
California - USA
Description:
Made with 100% Barbera from California. Low in tannin yet high in acidity. An easy-drinking red that undergoes spontaneous fermentation with native yeast and minimal sulfites added. Fruit forward and lively!
Pairings: Pizza, Burgers, Pasta
Serving Temperature: 50°- 55°
About Vin de California
"Founded 2016 in Los Angeles by Kate and Adam Vourvoulis, Vin de California is deeply rooted in our California history. We make wines from heritage varieties in a totally natural way. Our winery will be opening Spring 2021 in Pasadena CA. - Vin de California"
Bloopers 😜
Wine Evaluation Sheet
Want to have some fun evaluating and taking note on your wine? Check out our natural wine tasting sheets we made special for the club!
