- Oranz NV Vino Bianco, Friuli, Italy $21
- Charles Gonnet 2021 Mondeuse Vieilles Vignes, Savoie Chignin, France $19
- Bodegas Ego “Marionette”, Jumilla, Spain $13
- Bodegas LAN 2022 Verdejo, Rueda, Spain $15.50
- Goru Gold’ 2018, Jumilla, Spain $19
- Bodegas Estefania 2021 Tilenus Joven Vendimia, Mencia, Spain $15
———————– (3-bottle Option) ———————–
1. Oranz NV Vino Bianco, Friuli, Italy $21
The Wine
2. Charles Gonnet 2021 Mondeuse Vieilles Vignes, Savoie Chignin, France $19
The Wine
The ‘Vin de Savoie’ region of Southeast France is just across the border from Swizerland on the Western side of the Alps. Within this region, Chignan is one of the most famous wine-growing villages.
3. Bodegas Ego “Marionette”, Jumilla, Spain $13
The Wine
The short duration this wine spends in oak lets the dark fruit aromas, typical of the Monastrell grape, really come through in each sip.
A big wine without pretense. Perfect for happy hour and cheese courses, whether before or after the main meal (or, as in our house, when the cheese course IS the main meal!). Vegan certified. 
The Winery
Santos Ortiz, of Spanish origin, and Ioana Paunescu from Romania, started Bodegas Ego (AKA Ego Bodegas) from scratch in 2011, “con palicos y canicas” as they say in the region. This means that they were short of financial resources, but had an extraordinary talent for creating wines and coordinating financial, marketing and sales departments.
“We launched a Project doing the opposite to what the books tell you or what you see in the industry.”
Aſter almost 6 months looking for a place to set up, they fell in love with a spectacular farm in an area known as the carpenter’s place, an elevated area of bunkers which had everything they wanted – it was high up so they could enjoy the beauty of the landscape while surrounded by their vineyards.
They purchased a vineyard that was well cared for and older than their combined ages. Located just a few kilometers away from the historical city of Jumilla, the winery now has 100 acres of vineyard, housing mostly native varieties like Monastrell (aka Mourvedre).
Since the beginning, Ego Bodegas has taken a contemporary twist on wine-making and combined traditional methods with modern techniques. Their grapes are fermented separately in steel tanks, with capacities ranging from 4,000 to 12,000 kilograms.
Each bottle of wine from Ego bodegas carries the principles on which the winery was founded upon: Ego, Talento, and Infinito.
Ego: The concept of “I”.
Talento: The ability to perform and carry out a task.
Infinito: The power to dream without boundaries.
———————– (6-bottle Option, all of above, plus…) ———————–
4. Bodegas LAN 2022 Verdejo, Rueda, Spain $15.50
The Wine
A bright straw hints at the rich wine to follow, and it does not disappoint – aromas feature ripe fruits (maybe even a bit bruised?), floral notes and a tempting hint of anise. The wine is flavourful and fresh with good acidity and a long fruit-dominated finish.
5. ‘Goru Gold’ 2018 Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain $19
The Wine
Critic’s Notes: “This dark ruby wine has a bouquet of black currant, espresso bean and aniseed. It is soft on impact, then plush tannins set into the palate with flavors of blueberry, dark plum, mocha and oregano that dissolve into a Valencia orange finish. Mike DeSimone” ~ 92/100, Wine Enthusiast
The tasting note are good and helpful, but it’s the label that seems to help this wine jump off the shelf – well, that and its impressive value!
This organic Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) wine hails from the Jumilla region in Spain, another offering from the talented husband-wife team behind Bodegas Ego. After starting in 2011, they’ve expanded their tiny operation so it now covers 86 acres of vineyards, mostly planted to Monastrell. Though our friends in Bandol will take humbrage, it can be argued that Jumilla is home to some of the world’s best Monastrell/Mourvedre wines on a dollar-for-dollar basis!
The Winery
Santos Ortiz, of Spanish origin, and Ioana Paunescu from Romania, started Bodegas Ego (AKA Ego Bodegas) from scratch in 2011, “con palicos y canicas” as they say in the region. This means that they were short of financial resources, but had an extraordinary talent for creating wines and coordinating financial, marketing and sales departments.
“We launched a Project doing the opposite to what the books tell you or what you see in the industry.”
Aſter almost 6 months looking for a place to set up, they fell in love with a spectacular farm in an area known as the carpenter’s place, an elevated area of bunkers which had everything they wanted – it was high up so they could enjoy the beauty of the landscape while surrounded by their vineyards.
They purchased a vineyard that was well cared for and older than their combined ages. Located just a few kilometers away from the historical city of Jumilla, the winery now has 100 acres of vineyard, housing mostly native varieties like Monastrell (aka Mourvedre).
Since the beginning, Ego Bodegas has taken a contemporary twist on wine-making and combined traditional methods with modern techniques. Their grapes are fermented separately in steel tanks, with capacities ranging from 4,000 to 12,000 kilograms.
Each bottle of wine from Ego bodegas carries the principles on which the winery was founded upon: Ego, Talento, and Infinito.
Ego: The concept of “I”.
Talento: The ability to perform and carry out a task.
Infinito: The power to dream without boundaries.
6. Bodegas Estefania 2021 Tilenus Joven Vendimia, Mencia, Spain $15
The Wine
‘Deep red color with blue hints around the edges. Aromas of red berries, lavender and aromatic herbs. Full mouthfeel, with lots of freshness. Vibrant and round on the palate. 100% Mencia.‘ Raul Perez, Winemaker.
Wines made from Mencia are uniquely intriguing. The Mencia grape is one that reflects its place of origin – allowing for a range of wine styles depending on terroir, winemaking techniques, and bottle age.
Pair with a wide range of foods, from grilled meats to roasted vegetables. The wine’s balanced acidity and fruit-forward nature make it a versatile table companion.
The Winery
Bodegas Estefanía was established in 1999 when the Frias family rehabilitated an abandoned creamery located in the village of Dehesas just West of Ponferrada. In 2014, Tilenus became part of the MGWines Group, which brought the funds necessary to prevent the land from being bought by developers.
Bodegas Estefania’s main Brand, Tilenus, is a name taken from the primitive Celtic god of war, “Teleno” (the Celtic version of the Roman god, Mars). The brand pays tribute to the golden years of the Roman Empire when it held sway in Bierzo when the area was enriched by the gold mines of the Médulas.
At the top of the wine label you see a replica of a Roman coin found in one of the vineyards. But aside from its homage to its Roman history, the winery produces wines using traditional technques with a surprising amount of sorting for a wine selling for less than $20.
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