Cherry, Spice and Everything Nice: The New, All-Natural, Organic Wine at Cibo Matto

Exciting news from the wine bar at Cibo Matto. Now introducing the 2012 “Helluva” Pinot Noir from Donkey and Goat in the Anderson Valley. This is a cutting edge wine, unfiltered, unrestricted, and as natural as it gets! We added this exceptional wine to our grand list of wines because it has a wonderful and complex flavor, it pairs perfectly with our signature dishes like the herb-crusted organic salmon, veal piccata and antipasto, and it furthers our commitment to using only tasty, all natural, and organic ingredients.

We have the opportunity to taste new wines every week from purveyors and when we asked for “all-natural and organic”, the Helluva was, by far, the best. The folks at Donkey and Goat describe it poetically as…”on the nose cherry, spice and forest floor dance out of the glass and tickle the olfactory. The mouth is equally nimble as more fruit flavors laced spice skip across the palate. This is a light-bodied, feminine wine that illustrates the beauty of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir.” Ooh La La!

Another helluva good wine from Donkey and Goat that we carry is the 2011 “Five Thirteen” blend described as having “gamey notes that dance with crushed free berries, herbs, cola, leather and floral hints. The palate shows off the wine’s stuffing with chewy tannins, respectable acidity and lingering flavors of cranberry and cassis.” Man, I could read these poetic descriptions all day.

So, why unfiltered? We believe those small particles left inside hold a lot of flavor and aroma that keep it authentic. You can taste and smell it immediately. Plus, it’s kind of fun to swish your glass around, and bring that flavor to the top while trying to impress your dinner partner.

Also, it’s foot stomping good! Literally! To crush the grapes to perfection, they use the tried and true method of pigeage à pied. Foot stomping. Yes. It made a great comedy skit for Lucy and Ethel, but it’s taken quite seriously by Donkey and Goat, a company that believes in biodynamic farming and sustainable agricultural practices, which pair perfectly with our own passion for organic, locally produced, and all natural foods.

And for that, we are proud and honored to serve to you this delicious “Hellava” pinot noir.

p.s. The name “Donkey and Goat” was inspired by the idea that donkeys are hardworking but stubborn, which was a problem until farmers discovered that donkeys’ ideal best friends are goats, who somehow calm down the donkeys attitude, creating a perfectly balanced partnership.