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Kiffe, Vin Rouge | Vallée du Rhône, France; red, grenache noir, syrah, carignan: “Kiffe is a French expression that represents contentment and pleasure, a fitting name for this delightful wine. From the label's design to the taste of the wine, Kiffe brings pure joy. Drinking this wine is akin to experiencing the excitement of the Krewe of Endymion parade. Despite the evening start time, people arrive early in the morning to secure a good viewing spot for the colorful, lit-up floats. The wine's festive label, featuring an adorable robot, reminds one of a parade float character. This medium-bodied red wine is a well-balanced blend of 79% grenache noir, 18% syrah, and 3% carignan, grown in stony soil by Vignerons d'Estezargues in southern Rhône. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented naturally with native yeast, followed by a 10-day maceration period. The wine is then left on its lees for 7 months in cement, culminating in a bottle of pure bliss. The flavors of spiced plums, savory strawberries, and herbs combine to create a harmonious taste that brings pure happiness.” - Kenda Waugh
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Venturini Baldini, Montelocco Rose Lambrusco | Emilia-Romagna, Italy; sparkling, lambrusco salaminot: “Sipping on the perfect bottle of bubbles while enjoying the colorful Mardi Gras parade is high on my list of musts. Venturini Baldini, an esteemed winery that has been producing wine since 1976, calls their wine ‘the new generation of lambrusco wines.’ The winemakers' love and dedication to producing high-quality wines is evident in this sparkling lambrusco, which features ripe, juicy strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and nuts. I would enjoy these beautiful pink delicate bubbles while taking in the sights at the Krewe of Muses parade. They are an all-female krewe whose throw is a highly coveted hand-decorated high-heel shoe. The wine is fresh, lively, and savory on the palate and would be the perfect accompaniment to a shrimp po’ boy on French bread.” - Kenda Waugh
- Fond Cyprès, Cyprès de Toi Rouge | BLanguedoc-Roussillon, France; red, syrah, grenache noir, carignan: Fond Cyprès is a small, family-owned winery located in Escales, France, in the Corbières AOC. The estate is run by Laetitia Ourliac and Rodolphe Gianesini, who are passionate about producing wines that express the unique terroir of their region. Corbières sunshine, syrah whispers, grenache sunbeams paint black cherry, plum and peppercorn intrigue. Crisp acidity keeps the party lively, leaving echoes of juicy fruit and sun-kissed earth on a lingering finish. Pair with classic French bistro salad, grilled peach and skewers and vanilla ice cream for dessert.
- Volk Pinot Blanc Pet Nat, Sanctum | Podravje, Slovenia; sparkling, pinot blanc: “Whoever said ’never judge a book by its cover’ clearly never laid eyes on this wine label! I mean, come on, there's a wolf in sunglasses grilling a steak and jamming out to tunes with wine in hand — it's like a Mardi Gras party in a bottle! But wait, it gets even better. This 100% pinot blanc from Sanctum winery in Lower Styria, Slovenia is the real deal. They're all about tradition and letting the grapes and climate do their thing - no funny business. And boy, does it show. Hand-picked on steep, marl-rich slopes, these bubbles burst with toasty lemon, juicy pear, and a hint of coconut. Sip it on its own or pair with some juicy grilled meat.” - Kenda Waugh
- Dürnberg, Falkenstein Zweigelt | Weinviertel, Austria; red, zweigelt: With roots dating back to the 12th century and regulated by the Falkenstein Mountain Court from the 13th to the 17th century, Dürnberg Winery embodies centuries of viticulture. Positioned at the crossroads of old and new wine culture, their wines showcase unmistakable aromas, deep spice, and cool characteristics, thanks to an exceptional terroir with lime-rich soils and a favorable microclimate. The result is wines with fine aromas, pronounced fruit, and vital acidity. Dürnberg sun-kissed zweigelt. Juicy berries, black cherry bursts, whispers of violet & peppercorn spice. Garrigue whispers, thyme and sage waltz with gentle tannins. Bright acidity keeps the party lively, echoes of juicy plum & sun-drenched earth linger on a velvet finish. Pair with rich forest mushroom soup, crisp crostini, and marinated beef strips with toasted sesame seeds.
- Franc Kačičnik, Skinzy' | Štajerska, Slovenia; white, blaufrankisch: Carter Mollenhauer, a dynamic husband-and-wife winemaking duo, passionately craft exceptional Chilean wines in the Maule Valley. Edgard Carter's viticultural expertise and Karine Mollenhauer's finesse result in limited selections authentically capturing the Itata Valley's terroir. Their hands-on, sustainable approach reflects deep respect for the land, promising an authentic, sensorial journey through Chilean winemaking. Upon opening, a quick dissipation of reduction reveals wild plum, boysenberry, and scrubby herb notes. Sticky tannins create a tight structure with a granitic grip. Juicy cherries, strawberries, and blackberry aromas lead to a vibrant palate with earthy minerality, peppery spice, and grippy tannins. The lingering finish offers flavors of juicy fruit and dusty earth, making it perfect for adventurous palates and pairing it with grilled meats or hearty stews.
- Carter Mollenhauer, Aurora Cinsault Itata Red | Itata Valley, Chile; red, cinsault: Carter Mollenhauer, a dynamic husband-and-wife winemaking duo, passionately craft exceptional Chilean wines in the Maule Valley. Edgard Carter's viticultural expertise and Karine Mollenhauer's finesse result in limited selections authentically capturing the Itata Valley's terroir. Their hands-on, sustainable approach reflects deep respect for the land, promising an authentic, sensorial journey through Chilean winemaking. Upon opening, a quick dissipation of reduction reveals wild plum, boysenberry, and scrubby herb notes. Sticky tannins create a tight structure with a granitic grip. Juicy cherries, strawberries, and blackberry aromas lead to a vibrant palate with earthy minerality, peppery spice, and grippy tannins. The lingering finish offers flavors of juicy fruit and dusty earth, making it perfect for adventurous palates and pairing it with grilled meats or hearty stews.
- Voštinić – Klasnić, Ikons | Moslavina, Croatia; white, škrlet, graševina: Tomislav Bolfan, a visionary winemaker, embraces strict organic farming and native yeast fermentations. His unconventional approach captures škrlet's unique character, prioritizing authenticity and terroir essence over conventional labels. This Croatian natural white winecdelights with juicy tropical and stone fruit flavors, delicate floral and citrus notes, light acidity, easy-drinking tannins, and a medium-length, refreshing finish. Ideal with grilled seafood or vibrant salads.
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