Hi Wine Friend —
There are so many good reasons to pop open a great bottle of wine this week—Super Bowl Sunday, Galentine’s, Palentine’s, Valentine’s... oh my! So, what are you excited to open? Hit Reply and let me know.
And if you need to stock up, I’ve got you covered: Now through February 14th, I’m offering 10% off when you order 2+ bottles from Flipturn Cellars—no code needed! Just mix and match your faves, and the discount applies automatically: flipturncellars.com/shop
I ship to most states. And if you’re really looking to stock up, I offer 15% off 6+ bottles and 20% off 12+ bottles.
Alright, now let’s dive into some delicious wine tidbits for the week…
Cheers,
Sip Smarter: Your Weekly Wine Lesson
When Fermentation Slows Down
Winemaking isn’t always a smooth ride—sometimes, fermentation decides to hit the brakes. And that’s exactly what’s happening with my 2024 Flipturn Viognier right now.
Fermentation is the process where yeast converts sugar into alcohol, and ideally, it moves along at a steady pace—especially when temperatures remain warm and consistent. But with the cooler winter temps at the winery these past few weeks, my Viognier’s fermentation has slowed considerably—too slowly for comfort. If it stalls entirely (aka a "stuck fermentation"), it could result in off-flavors, unwanted residual sweetness, or even spoilage. Definitely not the outcome I'm aiming for!
So, what’s a winemaker to do? There are a few ways to coax fermentation back on track:
✅ Gently warming up the fermenting wine to give the yeast a little boost
✅ Adding extra nutrients to keep the yeast thriving (which I’m currently trying to avoid)
✅ Introducing a fresh batch of healthy yeast if things get dire (also trying to avoid)
Right now, I’m monitoring temps and giving my Viognier some extra stirring to keep those yeasties happy. Fingers crossed it powers through! 🍷🤞
👉 Want to see what this looks like behind the scenes? Head over to my Instagram to watch the full video from the winery:
Vine To Glass
Discover This Week’s Wine Gem — A Standout Barbera from La Spinetta
This past Sunday, I attended the monthly dinner for the American Wine Society’s Portland chapter, and let me tell you—there were some incredible bottles in the mix. One standout? A 1995 Barbaresco from the iconic Produttori del Barbaresco. But my personal favorite of the night?
🍷 La Spinetta Barbera d'Asti Ca’ di Pian 2010 🍷
Even at 14 years old, this wine was incredibly fresh, with gorgeous aromas of red cherries, rose, lavender, bay leaves, and dried herbs. It struck the perfect balance between fruitiness and earthiness, and when paired with my Braciola di Maiale alla Griglia (grilled pork chop), it absolutely sang.
What Makes La Spinetta So Special? La Spinetta is one of Italy’s most respected producers, known for its bold, expressive wines that still maintain elegance and balance. Founded in 1977 by the Rivetti family, the winery originally made waves with its Moscato but quickly became a powerhouse in Piedmontese reds, especially Barbera, Barbaresco, and Barolo.
What sets them apart?
✅ A commitment to low-intervention winemaking
✅ Sustainable vineyard practices (no herbicides or pesticides)
✅ A deep respect for old vines, which bring extra depth and complexity to their wines
If you ever come across a bottle of La Spinetta, especially their Barbera d’Asti, do yourself a favor—grab it! And if you want to read more about this standout producer, check them out here.
Are you a member of the American Wine Society? If so, hit Reply and let me know—I’d love to connect!
Palate Passport - Creators You'll Love
Meet Wine Vlogger, Cokie
Ever find yourself scrolling Instagram at 3 AM when you should be sleeping? Same. That’s how I stumbled upon Cokie (@cokiesworldofwine) in the wee hours this morning, and I’m so glad I did.
She covers everything from tasting best practices and bottle recommendations to real-deal winemaking insights—all in a way that’s fun, engaging, and zero snobbery.
Oh, and did I mention she’s a Master of Wine candidate? #MajorRespect 🍷
If you’re a wine enthusiast at any level, her IG is a must-follow. Check her out here!
Cork Report
This Week’s Wine News Roundup
- Food & Wine breaks it down 👉 Here’s the Trick To Tell if a Riesling is Going to Be Dry or Sweet
- How Portugal Is Shaking Its Inexpensive Wine Reputation
- US importers stockpile Italian Prosecco as a hedge against possible Trump tariffs
