Caterina Dei is an artist, a singer. She studied music in Siena, performed on stage in Milan, and recorded albums. She still sings, but we know her through her work at her family winery in Tuscany’s Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Dei. (Check out our Blog post Marvels on the Margins: Part 2 - Vino Nobile di Montepulciano! for more info on the region)

Caterina says that her love and labor in one sphere has deepened her love and appreciation of the other, and that that shouldn’t be a surprise. In her words: "Music and wine speak the same language — the language of the senses." Her wines are devoted to harmony and beauty, and you can taste both in this 2021.

Bairrada is one of Portugal’s many small, relatively unknown regions. In some ways, it’s quite Burgundian — there is one dominant red grape variety (Baga) and one white (Bical); the wines made here are generally quite balanced in terms of alcohol, acidity, and body; there’s a bustling trade in sparkling wine, though these bubbles are overshadowed by the still options; and there’s a lot of limestone in the soils here in Central Portugal.

If there’s ever a moment to pop a luxurious bottle of pink bubbles, Valentine’s Day makes a pretty compelling case. And nothing delivers quite like Laherte Frères’ stunning Rosé de Meunier. Based on the ripe, juicy 2022 vintage, this 100% Pinot Meunier is a beautiful, savory, deep magenta-colored charmer bursting with fresh wild strawberry and tart cherry tones wrapped around a finely chiseled, mouthwatering mineral core.