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A restaurant chef preparing a dish

Saturday, October 3, 2026 4-6P

Wines with John

Five fantastic wines

The OG is in the house!

John is taking us back to the good ol' days and reminding us that Autumn ins't that bad! He's working his win-izardry with a tasting made for fall. Join him this Saturday from 4–6 PM for five wines that take us beautifully from the last bright days of the season into those cooler fall nights.

He’ll start with a lively Gaillac Blanc from Southwest France, move into the gorgeous deep-pink Tiberio Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, and then head into the reds: old-vine Oregon Pinot Noir, Greek Xinomavro, and South African Cabernet Sauvignon.

It’s a lineup that goes from fresh and vibrant, silky and savory, dark and warming.

Saturday | 4–6 PM. 5 wines. 4 countries. Plenty to discover.

As always, free, friendly & open to the public at The Spirited Gourmet.

Wines with John, October 3, 2026

Labastidie Gaillac Blanc / Le Perle L'Original - 750ml, 2025

This wine is made from the typical indigenous grape varieties of Gaillac, often Mauzac, sometimes complemented by Loin de l'Oeil as well as other local varietals, each contributing its own unique character and freshness. The "perlé" winemaking technique is characteristic of the region and produces a lightly sparkling wine with a fine mousse and moderate juiciness, which adds roundness without masking the wine's natural vivacity. This offers aromas of delicate floral notes enhanced by subtle hints of yeast due to natural effervescence. The off-dry, slightly sparkling character of this wine makes it ideal for accompanying refined aperitifs, tapas from Southwest France, duck rillettes, apple tart, or just casual quaffing.

Tiberio Cerasuolo D'Abruzzo - 750ml, 2025

The Tiberio Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo is wonderfully perfumed with rose petals, wild strawberries and blueberries plus complementary nuances of wet concrete after a spring rain. Seamless, soft textures host vibrant wild berry fruits and a core of zesty acidity. With immaculate form and grace, the 2025 leaves a mineral crunch and a tart citrus inflection. The Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo hails from a single parcel of south-facing vines planted in 2000. What a beauty.

Patricia Green Estate Vineyard / Old Vine Pinot Noir - 750ml, 2023

Vines that were planted in the winery's first vintage owning the property (2000) are now making up some chunk of this bottling while the vines planted in the 1980s and 1990s are in their fully mature glory and providing enormous depth and complexity to this bottling. This bottling now weaves together ripe red fruits, clear minerality and deep structure in the way that only Ribbon Ridge AVA wines can in Oregon.

Thymiopoulos Xinomavro / Young Vines - 750ml, 2022

This wine is a blend of higher altitude parcels around the village of Fytia and the warmer, lower elevation parcels adjacent to the village of Trilofos. Normally known for making powerful, tannic wines that needed extended time in a barrel to tame them, this Xinomavro from Apostolos Thymiopoulos breaks the mold. The nose has complex aromas of cherry, black raspberry compote and red plum. The palate is surprisingly full and mirrors the nose, showing dried cherries, blackberry and red fruit, with a long, juicy, spicy finish, with firm but finely grained tannins.

Knorhoek Cabernet Sauvignon - 750ml, 2022

This wine opens with red berries, cranberries, and cassis aromas, followed by layers of sour cherry, flint, and leather. The palate reveals juicy dark fruits and ripe plums, wrapped in soft velvety tannins for a refined texture. The wine's harmonious balance shines through, combining its youthful exuberance with nuanced complexity. The finish is enduring, leaving a satisfying memory of dark fruit flavors and gentle elegance. This Cabernet Sauvignon captures both the present charm and future potential of the grape, promising a delightful journey of flavors and evolution.