Sunday School

WINE

Rosso Field Blend “Stesso Stesso,” Beulah Violetta Vineyard, ’23

Umbria, Italy

Call it “same same” if you want, but this bottle is anything but predictable. “Stesso Stesso” 2023 from Beulah Violetta Vineyard in Umbria is a joyful field blend that brings together grapes like Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and a handful of lesser known local varieties, all growing side by side and finding their rhythm together.

Beulah Violetta leans into a low intervention philosophy, farming with care and letting each vintage tell its own story. Field blends are a nod to tradition, where everything is picked and fermented together, creating a wine that feels more like a snapshot of the vineyard than a carefully edited portrait. It is a little wild, a little nostalgic, and very alive.

In the glass, it bursts with red cherry, tart cranberry, and wild strawberry, followed by a sprinkle of dried oregano and a hint of dusty earth. There is a gentle savory edge that keeps things grounded and very much rooted in Umbria. Light on its feet but not shy, it has just enough structure to keep you coming back for another sip.

$15 glass•   $10 glass

CHEESE

Fiore Sardo

Sardinia, Italy · Sheep-R

Fiore Sardo, with its origins dating back to the Bronze Age, didn't receive its prestigious DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) status until 1996. This distinction guarantees that the cheese is crafted in adherence to time-honored traditions. For consumers, the presence of this label on the cheese offers the reassuring certainty of savoring a product that is not only delicious but also crafted with genuine care.

The name "Fiore, " meaning "flower, " is a nod to the use of the Cardoon Thistle in its original production methods. This plant contains rennet, a crucial coagulating agent for the cheese making process. Today, rennet is sourced from the lambs within the herd, undeniably enhancing the cheese's flavors. After a meticulous aging process lasting eight months, Fiore Sardo undergoes smoking, further enriching its savory flavor profile. Enjoy this salty, smokey treat with a glass of bold red.

$9 •   $6