December 2021 | Orange Club
Welcome to the December Orange Club from MYSA Natural Wine!
A note from our founder:
Happy Holidays Friends!
I had a blast putting together this month's wines and hope you love them! (Note, the Litrona forgot to get sent to the photographers, so not pictured here, but oh man I'm so excited for you to have it!
This group is so fun with a liter of Verdejo that's unreal, a Portuguese producer that was the last one we met in person before COVID, plus some gems from Pittnauer and Controvento. Lots of big hitters this month so enjoy or maybe even use as a gift if you forgot someone!
Enjoy and Happy New Year!
Holly Berrigan - Founder, MYSA Natural Wine
- Verdejo 'Litrona' - Microbio
- Moby Dick - Controvento
- Perfect Day - Weingut Pittnauer
- Nomos Vinho Verde - Penho Wines
- Wine Evaluation Sheet
Verdejo 'Litrona' - Microbio
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Catalunya - Spain
Description:
150 year old organically grown grapes make up this fresh Verdejo! Hand harvested and fermented in clay amphora to keep it young and lively! Drink this with caution, it's sips way too easy and the bottle will be finished before you know it! ;) Soft fruity notes with tropical vibes!
Pairings: Fish, Poultry, Soft Cheese
Serving Instructions: 45°- 50°
About Microbio 
Welcome to the República Independiente del Verdejo under President Ismael Gozalo. Many know him for his work at Ossian, one of the more respectable houses in Rueda, where he was the winegrower and maker since founding it in 2004. Ismael’s family owns some of the oldest (between 100-200 years old) ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines, most of which in the town of Nieva, province of Segovia between 800-900 meters of altitud. Characterized by it’s sandy soils, these head trained vines have never seen any chemicals over the different generations that have cared for them. Though outside of the D.O. for never budging to the region’s modern and manipulative techniques, to this day Ossian remains one of the few organic producers in Rueda. Today, under the Pago de Carraovejas umbrella, Ossian continues to make some of the more interesting wines of the region but Ismael took his talent elsewhere, bringing his family’s most prized vineyards with him.
Moby Dick - Controvento
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Abruzzo - Italy
Description:An easy-drinking Trebbiano with two days of skin contact. Tons of fruity notes such as melon, pineapple, peach, and grapefruit. The finish is long with hints of minerality and salt. Melon, honey, and grapefruit with a salty finish.
Pairings: Seafood, Tapas, White Meat
Serving Temperature: 45°- 50°
About Controvento
"This wine is produced thanks to the land rich in stones and its exposure, to the sun, to the sea breeze, and to the meticulous work of man.” — Vincezo Di Meo
Meaning “upwind” in Italian, Controvento is a 5 hectare vineyard in the Rocca San Giovanni region of Abruzzo just kilometers off the Adriatic Sea. Enzo’s farm, situated partially in a valley with the backdrop of the beautiful Adriatic in the distance, is a completely biological organically-run vineyard.
Vines growing seven varietals all on calcareous soil are cooled by the salty sea breeze. The vines are fertilized with only winter green manure and are primed under falling moon. Zero chemicals of any kind are ever used. Enzo’s philosophy of wine making is strict, allowing the grape to flourish in each and every bottle.
Enzo once said that he wanted to make wines like his grandfather did, in the purest possible form. Enzo never fines, clarifies, filters, or uses and So2 and always allows for spontaneous fermentation. - Minum Selections"
Perfect Day - Weingut Pittnauer
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Burgenland - Austria
A unique collabration of varietals, Muskat Ottonel, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gelber Muskateller, and Traminer. Aromas of citrus and elderflower, overall quite tangy. Some of the varietals were aged in barrique while others in amphora. 100% gluggable with a mineral, yeasty finish. Zesty acidity with fruity citrus notes.
Pairings: Grilled White Meats, Stinky Cheese, Pizza
Serving Instructions: 48°- 52°
About Weingut Pittnauer
There is a simple and honest feeling in the wine and spirit of Gerhard Pittnauer which hails from his generosity and humility. Given the reins of his vineyard in the mid-1980’s after the unexpected death of his father, Gerhard, then 18 years old, had to train himself to make wine in the midst of scandal and chaos in the Austrian wine market. He chose to become a student of the broader wine world, and, in realizing the exceptionality of the land he farmed and of the indigenous grapes of the region, allowed himself to experiment with some missteps until he found his thesis. He set forth to ‘grow’ wine rather than to ‘make’ it in the cellar, from the autochtone varietals. He did so without any viticultural doctrine until he found that there was a consistent, common thread in the wines he loved to drink from France and elsewhere. If, he thought, these wines were amazing because of biodynamics, then he must do the same to achieve the pinnacle in his own wine. So he tends 15 hectares, half of which he owns and half of which he rents, alongside his wife Brigitte to create what they call living wines.
All work is done manually from composting to pruning. There is no calendar that drives them. Nothing is rushed: they believe in quality over speed. They taste for perfect ripeness, select the cleanest grapes, and begin the wine in the cellar in response to the conditions of the vintage. They do incorporate a bit of modern technology: a pneumatic press, temperature-controlled steel tanks and pumps, all to ensure the purity and freshness of the fruit remains. They are making wines that excite them with the unique voice of the varietal and the deep limestone soils of the terroir speaking clearly. Gerhard and Brigitte are aware of the evolution of their tastes as well as the vineyard’s. They are students presenting the current findings. Not with proud declaration, but with excited experimental energy to get the best of what they have. So far, it is delicious research. - Savio Soares Selections
Nomos Vinho Verde - Penho Wines
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Vinho Verde - Portugal
Description:
Having met these folks at Vella Terra before COVID, we were STOKED to find out de la Vina was bringing them in! Their take on Vinho Verde is so elevated and delicious, even spending some time in oak and skin contact, we can't wait for you to try it! Lovely aromatic non-traditional Vinho Verde with fresh citrus, including oranges, and lovely acidity.
Pairings: Tapas, Charcuterie, Grilled Meat
Serving Temperature: 48°- 52°
About Penho Wines 
Penho wines are garage wines produced from grapes grown in Quinta de Penhó, located in the Vinho Verde region, in northern Portugal, where family vineyards are located. We take care of the vineyard in an organic way and our goal is to produce the best wine from our grapes. The wine is produced in the most natural way possible, with minimal intervention, resulting in unique natural wines with very low levels of sulphite. - Vella Terra
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!
