Sunday School

WINE

Amphora Fermented White Blend “Branco de Talha,” Fitapreta, ’22

Alentejo, Portugal

Fitapreta is the project of winemaker António Maçanita and Sandra Sárriа, based in Alentejo, where they make wines that balance old Portuguese traditions with a decidedly modern approach. Their Branco de Talha is part of that mission, bringing back the traditional wines of the region using local grape varieties and big clay amphorae called talhas. In fact, Fitapreta was one of the first producers to bottle a modern amphora white in Portugal.

“Branco de Talha” literally means “white from the amphora.” The 2022 is a blend of traditional Alentejo varieties including Roupeiro, Rabo de Ovelha, Arinto, Tamarez, Alicante Branco, and Antão Vaz, sourced from vineyards between 38 and 52 years old. The grapes are hand harvested, whole-cluster pressed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts, with the wine spending time in clay amphora before bottling.

The talha gives the wine a little extra texture and an earthy, mineral character, but this is not an orange wine. Fitapreta's approach is focused on preserving the freshness and character of the grapes rather than burying them under heavy skin contact. Expect citrus, green apple, white peach, fresh herbs, and a lovely stony, almost salty quality.

It is fresh, textured, and just unusual enough to make you wonder why we don't put more things in giant clay pots. A little ancient, a little modern, and very much Alentejo.

$15 glass‍ ‍•  $10 glass

CHEESE

Valley Milkhouse Lady Slipper

Oley Valley, PA · Cow–R

Cheesemaker Stefanie Angstadt launched her woman-run creamery just over a decade ago on a historic property in Berks County. Partnering with local dairy famers, she makes a variety of complex cheeses from creamy brie-style to fudgy stilton-style blue, all of them named after native flowers that grow around the creamery.

Today we bring you Lady Slipper, a tomme-style cheese of nutty and brothy deliciousness. French cheese lovers tend to associate tomme-style cheese with its slightly funky earthy gray-brown rind and intensely nutty taste.

The rind of Lady Slipper is washed in local Frecon Farm cider, coaxing out a complex flavor profile. A gorgeous cantaloupe-esque rind and a touch of barnyard funk make this cheese the perfect pairing for a textured, yet refreshing beverage like today’s wine offering.

$9‍ ‍•  $6