Du Rififi A Beaulieu - Sebastien Bobinet & Emeline Calvez

Du Rififi à Beaulieu- 
Domaine Bobinet

Found: @ Paul Marcus Wine/Oakland

Importer: Percy Selections

This is a wine that can handle its own, however, don't waste it. Puhleez! When paired with smoked fish, salty truffle french fries or bitter greens it really shines. That's the stuff of the Saumur, Loire; never content in just sitting there and looking pretty.  

The limestone and clay soil has delivered to us a delicious and versatile sparkling wine that is at once both delicate and complex -- as well as filled with the soul only natural yeast can yeild (yes, IMHO). This is a Domaine Bobinet invention -- so, no intervention but love and nature.

http://www.selectionaturel.com/producers/bobinet

Bolinas Bounty

A selection from a recent weekend trip to Bolinas; a beautiful, quirky, unincorporated coastal community in Marin County -- as well as part of the Point Reyes Seashore. I packed up these worthy contenders and met one of my dearest friends at a beach house overlooking the coast. After Harper (my dog) hopped in the car, we grabbed a few cheeses from Cheeseboard, fresh fish and vegetables to make sure we had all the right provisions and then made our way down scenic Highway 1.  I think it's hard to find pairings that can compete with such intoxicating beauty of the coast, but, I think for this weekend, appropriately, Premiere Rendez-vous did nicely.  

The saying goes,
"Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink!"

We were reassured by this line up that we would have plenty. And, a good weekend getaway it was! 

                          

Ruby Wine Shop

I went to Ruby Wine Shop, after Josh, from Percy Selections, recommended it. My interest piqued after he proclaimed it a great natural wine store in the City. Lara, graciously came along, even though a newbie to natural wines, she's not new to adventure -- so, together, we made our pilgrimage, on the eve of Easter weekend, to Portrero Hill. When we arrived we realized Ruby is tucked between Chez Maman on one corner, and Chez Maman's slightly more latin brother, Papito, on the other. In between, the conversations are just as likely to be in French as they are to be in English  - and the food delicious.

We arrived around 4:30pm, and Ruby had all the appearances of a small, quiet, eclectic neighborhood wine shop with some real treasures. I spotted Lamoresca right away -- a wonderful wine we discovered at RAW in London last year. It's produced by a small family run winery in Sicily and it boasts, among other things, a cottage on the property for guests. It stood out at RAW and I lamented then, and recently, how I might never taste it again -- until Ruby!

Tim (neighbor), Aran (owner),
Jared (Donkey & Goat Winemaker)

Aran, the owner, was welcoming and chatty in that familiar way where you feel part of the family right away. We bought a Lamoresca and a wine from the Jura to try and settled into a few barstools nestled in the sunny window.

Somewhere between tasting our second glass and bites of pommes frites, brought in from Chez Maman, we noticed the shop was full! On Friday nights, Aran has tastings that are clearly a neighborhood favorite. A large cheese board with fresh baquette was placed in the center of it all and people streamed in to taste. In minutes, our quaint adventure had turned full bacchanal. We were swept up in the lively party and found our glasses never empty. Perhaps, that part was a bit regrettable, but at the time, it seemed, well, completely natural.

When we left we felt fully initiated into the neighborhood; and very sure, that we are not the only people who feel this neighborhood gem sparkles -- and yes, indeed, Josh, a wonderful spot for finding natural wines.

1419 18^th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
415-401-7708/ http://www.rubywinesf.com/

Lara!

Côtes du Jura _Varron - Peggy & Jean-Pascal Buronfosse

I'm slowly coming around to wines made in the Jura. This region makes some of the most versatile -- and from what I can tell, unusual wines out of France.

This Chardonnay is grown in rich clay soil and has lots of wonderful fruit. When the bottle was first opened I felt overwhelmed by what seemed to me to be over-ripe apricot jam suggesting an almost spoiled taste through the mid-palate. But, after about an hour; and with rich, savory foods it really shined. I mean, the bright acid mixed with the beautiful melon and peach flavors made this a silky and exciting wine! I can't wait to try it again and continue to explore The Jura.

A little bit about 'The Jura': It's located in a small region of France between Switzerland and Burgundy. The terrain varies between flat to hills and wooded landscape. The location is considered a cool climate area where the seasons are reportedly extreme  -- snowy Winters, late Springs and crisp Fall days.  There are 5 varietals that make up this region and 6 growing regions.  Because of many unique variables wines from this region can have a greenish tone or very amber ('orange wine'). Also, the flavor components can be very sherry-like, at times.