Vinska Klet · Bagueri · Pinot Grigio Ramato · Goriška Brda, Slovenia · 2020
The Moment
This is the bottle you open when you want Pinot Grigio with a backbone — not crisp-and-simple, but textured, copper-toned, and quietly complex. It’s for snack boards that turn into dinner, and for the friend who says “I didn’t know Pinot Grigio could taste like this.”
What It Feels Like
In the glass, it’s unmistakable: gold-yellow with copper/bronze reflections — classic Ramato.
The nose is inviting and layered: ripe pear, acacia flower, and grapefruit, with subtle depth behind it — bread crust, a whisper of vanilla, and gentle oak spice.
On the palate, it’s full-bodied and softly mature, opening with juicy red apple and honeysuckle. Skin contact gives it shape and grip, while a clean line of acidity keeps it lifted. The finish is long and persistent, with a lingering vanilla-satin note that feels warm rather than sweet.
Why We Love This Bottle
Because it’s the perfect “bridge” wine — part white, part orange, all table-friendly. It has texture without heaviness, aromatics without perfume, and enough structure to handle real food. A bottle that makes people curious in the best way.
Pair It With (From the Shop)
- Espinaler Octopus in Olive Oil — texture-on-texture; the wine’s grip loves the richness of olive oil
- Espinaler Razor Clams (Brine) — bright, saline pairing that highlights the wine’s grapefruit and mineral edge
- Manzanilla Olives + Water Crackers — briny snack-board perfection; plays beautifully with Ramato structure
Also great with: salmon, scallops, charcuterie (prosciutto), roast chicken, summer pastas, and medium-spice Asian dishes.
The Details
- Grape: Pinot Grigio
- Style: Ramato (skin-contact)
- Region: Goriška Brda, Slovenia
- Skin Contact: ~48 hours
- Fermentation: 80% stainless steel, 20% new barrique (partial malolactic in barrel only)
- ABV: 13.5%
- Serve: ~54°F / 12°C
- Cellar: Drink now, holds well (up to ~10 years)
Category
Still White → Wild & Experimental
(Skin-contact “Ramato” with structure, texture, and a copper hue.)
Provins · Collection Chandra Kurt · Cornalin · Valais, Switzerland · 2021
The Moment
This is the bottle you open when you want a red with edge and character — dark fruit, alpine energy, and that savory, slightly wild streak that makes the table feel a little more alive.
It’s for cool nights, hearty plates, and conversations that get better once the bottle’s been open for a while.
What It Feels Like
The nose is expressive and lifted, opening with black cherry, blackberry, and blueberry, followed by violet and a faint smoky note. Underneath, there’s a distinctly alpine tone — earth, leather, and a subtle saline/mineral snap that makes it feel unmistakably mountain-grown.
On the palate, it’s dry, full-bodied, and fruit-driven, with sweet red cherry and elderberry meeting deeper black-fruit layers. The structure shows up as firm, slightly rustic tannins and bright acidity that keeps the wine energetic rather than heavy.
The finish is savory and persistent, with lingering dark fruit, gentle smoke, and that signature mineral-saline edge.
Why We Love This Bottle
Because Cornalin is one of those grapes that feels like a secret — expressive, a little wild, and completely food-forward. This is Switzerland showing off: mountain fruit, savory structure, and a bottle that brings curiosity to the table without getting complicated.
Pair It With (From the Shop)
- Portuguese-Style Cod — rich, olive-oil comfort meets the wine’s acidity and savory grip
- Small Sardines in Spicy Olive Oil — heat + umami loves structured reds
- Olive Tapenade + Water Crackers — brine + crunch pulls forward the wine’s mineral edge
Also great with: grilled sausages, lamb, mushroom dishes, lentils, or roast chicken with herbs.
The Details
- Grape: 100% Cornalin
- Region: Valais, Switzerland
- Style: Dry red, structured, savory-leaning
- Body: Medium-full
- Structure: Firm tannins, lively acidity
- Notes: Dark berries, violet, subtle smoke, earth, saline minerality
Category
Still Red → Structured & Savory
West Seattle Wine Cellars 