April 20th Picks: Garnacha Blanca & A Pristine Sake

JD Arredondo’s Pick 

Yamana Junmai Ginjo Sake "The Earth" (720ml)

"The Earth" is an incredible Sake that is part of the Yamana Brewery's Shizen Shu collection, all made with organic rice and additive-free yeast. "The Earth" is made with Nojoho Rice, a strain of rice that was lost after World Wark II, but has since been revived. It is medium-bodied Sake with deep flavors of strawberry, banana, and delicate nuttiness making this a great Sake to pair with fuller flavored fish like Tuna or Mackeral, or with Pork dishes. Serve chilled or at room temperature. 

Dee Duff’s Pick 

Terroir Sense Fronteres Brisat de Montsant 2022

This sister project to Terroir al Limit focuses on conveying the enormous potential of the Montsant region. Brisat, meaning skin fermentation, derives its name from the extended maceration, which enhances its texture and savory notes. Whole clusters of Garnacha Blanca from the clay and sand soils on the hillside vineyards are fermented with indigenous yeast for 4-6 days in stainless steel tanks, then undergo a further 6 months aging in stainless steel. The end result here is a wine of both structure and finesse, with underripe white peach, dried apricot, and orange peel, followed by lingering notes of fennel, and white flowers, with a refreshing salinity.