foodwineclick

Spring = Cabin Chores
We co-own a cabin a couple hours north of Minneapolis. Spring and fall are our seasons for doing chores, making improvements, fixing whatever is broken; there might be some fun had along the way. I particularly love the early spring as our section of the lake is often deserted, so much peace and quiet! Whether its an overnight, weekend or vacation week, our traditional 1st night up at the lake includes a super easy Papa Murphy’s Take-n-Bake pizza, salad and a really nice bottle of wine. I like take-n-bake because I can order ahead, pick it up on the drive up and have hot and fresh pizza when I’m ready. I had just been at the cabin the weekend before (more chores) and had enjoyed my usual red sauce based pizza so I was ready for a change this trip. I was also itching to finally open Mimi Casteel’s Hope Well Chenin Blanc.

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Mimi Casteel and Hope Well Wines
Mimi is a deep thinker, a practitioner of the most modern and climate restorative viticulture methods and an eloquent speaker/evangelist on the subject. If you search around a bit, you can find interviews with her on a variety of podcasts as well as articles. Her own Hope Well Wines website has a number of links as well as her thoughts and experiences. Highly recommended, and of course, her wines are unique and well worth exploring!

Hope Well Chenin Blanc Eola-Amity Hills AVA 2021 ($50 sold out, other Hope Well wines here) 13.8% abv
Eye: Medium lemon
Nose: medium plus intensity aromas of apple blossom, quince, green apple, underripe pear, quinine
Mouth: Dry, medium plus acidity, mediium body with a smooth texture, medium alcohol, medium plus flavor intensity, medium plus finish. Flavors of quince, green apple, pear, bitters
Observations: This wine is not all about the fruit. It’s a study in texture with an attractive touch of bitterness, like a salad with radicchio lettuce. Super enjoyable and thought provoking!