The Cheese Shop of Salem

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France, Sicily and Beyond

Free tasting | Friday, November 8, 2019 | 5-7PM


Some French and Italian natural wines, including the new and delicious ‘Puro’ French Malbec, to try with Joe who is visiting from Hangtime! Hey Joe! Let’s go!


France, Sicily and Beyond Line-up:


2018 Il Farneto Rio Rocca ‘Spèrgle’

Who: Marco Bertoni

What: 100% Spergola

Where: Emilia-Romagna, Italy

How: These grapes are hand harvested before undergoing a wild yeast fermentation in tank. Some of the wine is aged for 6 months in 500 liter French barrels.

Farming Method: Biodynamic 

Fun Fact: Spergola is a native grape to Emilia-Romagna that almost became extinct. Marco is passionately dedicated to making this grape known throughout the region and beyond!

Tasting Notes: A smooth body with notes of hay, lemon tart, and sage.


2014 Brana ‘Ilori’ Blanc Irouléguy 

Who: Jean and Martine Brana

What: Gros Manseng and Petit Courbu 

Where: Southwest, France

How: The grapes are hand-sorted and the Brana family use the best ones. Then they are fermented in stainless steel and bottled in the spring.

Farming Method: Organic

Fun Fact: Phylloxera wiped out almost all of the vineyards over 100 years ago in Irouléguy. The Brana’s were some of the first people to replant vineyards here in the 1980’s.

Tasting Notes: Rich and full-bodied with notes of white flowers, quince, and spice.


2015 Gulfi Carjcanti Sicily 

Who: Matteo Catania 

What: Carricante and Albanello 

Where: Sicily, Italy

How: The grapes are fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and barrel for at least a year.

Farming Method: Organic

Fun Fact: 80% of Sicily’s land is composed of hills and mountains.

Tasting Notes: Herbaceous with warm notes of honey and apples.


2018 Céline and Nicolas Hirsch Chenas

Who: Céline and Nicolas Hirsch

What: All Gamay babyaay!

Where: Burgundy, France

How: These grapes were hand-picked and fermented with wild yeasts in cement tanks before aging for 6 months in stainless steel. 

Farming Method: Organic

Fun Fact: Céline and Nicolas met in Alsace where they quickly fell in love and then moved down South to Burgundy.

Tasting Notes: Gulpable and soft with notes of roses and strawberries.


2018 Château de Gaudou ‘Puro’ Malbec

Who: Fabrice Durou 

What: Malbec

Where: Southwest, France

How: These grapes were hand harvested and fermented in a combination of stainless steel and cement.

Farming Method: Organic

Fun Fact: Fabrice and his vineyards are about an hour’s drive from the town Cahors.   

Tasting Notes: Juicy and tart with friendly notes of blackberries and raspberries.