2024: A Retrospective
My year recounted in notable bottles and pairings.
As we close out 2024, I wanted to sum up the year by noting some key milestones, unveiling @TwoBottleStef (TBS) Uncorked, and sharing my Wines and Pairings of the Year. It will always go without saying, but thank you so much for reading and supporting this little endeavor — I am forever grateful for the community of wine enthusiasts that have not only made me feel seen but have nurtured a real sense of belonging. Wishing you and your loved ones a prosperous new year ahead — looking forward to all the wonderful things to come in 2025! ✌️🍾
NOTEWORTHY MILESTONES
Rediscovering my love of writing in starting The Decanterbury Tales
Traveling to Sonoma with RogueVines
Hosting various tastings
Le Grand Prix du Trousseau Gris 2024: 2 Sseau 2 Glorious
Boujee Foodie Con 2024
Summer Samba: my first private gig!
BYO tasting of Domaine Bize’s sans soufre cuvées
Sipping Surrealism feat. Réne Magritte
Burgundy’s Third Eye feat. ALIG.O.T.E.
Tasting my way through the Alpine wine regions of Austria, Switzerland, & Slovenia through A Year in Alpine Wine, my self-devised deep dive into all their respective regions, appellations, distinct grape varieties, and vinification styles
Designing all the stickers!
stickers designed by me in 2024 (with exception of TBS by @PaddyHams)
📬 Email: Friendly reminder this will likely be cut off in your inbox! This particular newsletter will be best viewed via Substack app or in your preferred browser. Happy reading 🙏
TBS, UNCORKED
When I started @TwoBottleStef in 2021, I began compiling data1 for all the wines opened and shared its Instagram feed. During the final week of the year, I summarized all that data into interesting statistics to see where my preferences (if any) landed after twelve months of popping corks and pours. As an homage to Spotify Wrapped, I shared all this via fun infographics on Instagram stories as TBS Uncorked (2021, 2022, & 2023, respectively). In the spirit of reflecting on 2024, here they are on Substack!
2024 BY THE NUMBERS
345 bottles opened
320 posts shared2
15 countries explored
159 grape varieties encountered
23 Champagne bottles popped
29 wine shops visited
VINTAGE STATS
Most Consumed: 2022 (89)
Youngest: 2024 (1)
Oldest: 1984 (1)
Average: 2019-2020
Non-Vintage: 13%
❧
TOP PRODUCERS
Jolie-Laide Wines (11)
Bedrock Wine Co. (8)
Lustau (6)
Chanterêves (5)
❧
TOP IMPORTERS
Grand Cru Selections (22)
Skurnik Wines (20)
Polaner Selections (17)
Corkhoarder (12)
❧
TOP WINE SHOPS
Leon & Son Wine (49)
WineBid (19)
❧
GRAPES BY THE NUMBERS
STILL
Single Variety
Pinot Noir (21)
Aligoté (18)
Chardonnay (12)
Trousseau Gris (11)
Trousseau Noir (10)
Wine Blends
Chardonnay (10)
Grenache (9)
Syrah (7)
Pinot Noir (7)
Sauvignon Blanc / Riesling / Mourvèdre / Carignan (6 each)
SPARKLING
Single Variety
Chardonnay (18)
Pinot Noir (2)
Wine Blends
Chardonnay (14)
Pinot Noir (12)
Pinot Meunier (6)
Pinot Blanc (5)
Petit Meslier / Arbanne (3 each)
❧
GRAPE DISCOVERIES
CONTINENTAL
Albillo Criollo, Arbois (Blanc), Csókaszőlő, Forcallat Tinta, Gouais Blanc, Sárgamuskotály, Xarel-lo Vermell
ALPINE
Amigne, Blauer Portugieser, Bonarda Piedmontese, Diolinoir, Elbling, Gamaret, Neuburger, Rotgipfler, Scheurebe, Silvaner, Zelen
COASTAL
Baratuciat, Bical, Bual, Erbaluce, Famoso, Fernão Pires, Francisi, Mavro, Muscat Hamburg, Xinomavro, Xynisteri
❧
TOP COUNTRIES
United States (118)
France (92)
Spain (38)
Italy (32)
Austria (20)
Germany (12)
Switzerland (8)
Slovenia (5)
Other (20)
❧
TOP FRENCH REGIONS
Burgundy (26)
Champagne (23)
Jura (15)
Loire Valley (12)
Beaujolais (3)
Provence (3)
Rest of France (10)
❧
COLOR BY THE NUMBERS
STILL / SPARKLING / 🍬 + 💪
White Wine (187): 121 / 51 / 15
Red Wine (101): 95 / 1 / 5
Orange Wine (28): 28 / 0 / 0
Rosé Wine (23): 17 / 5 / 1
Cider (1): 1 / 0 / 0
Sake / Makgeolli (5): 5 / 0 / 0
WINES OF THE YEAR
Ever inspired by my friend John’s yearly roundup, here is a recapitulation of bottles3 that have made a lasting impression on me this year. For context, the criteria was either a bottle of which I’d want to pick up more -AND/OR- one I just haven’t been able to stop thinking about and can still taste in my mind. It took a while to pare down to a solid few, separated by sparkling (6), white/orange (6), and red (15).
Sparkling
Tarlant NV Champagne ‘BAM!’ Brut Nature
🗓️ July 19, 2024
🔖 Ryan’s birthday with RogueVines
Flatiron Wines
Louis/Dressner Selections (New York) | 🇫🇷 sparkling white
Pinot Blanc / Arbanne / Petit Meslier
aromatic amusement park ・ acidity acrobat ・ BAM!
Pierre Péters [2015] Champagne ‘L’Étonnant Monsieur Victor, Edition TB.15’ Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne
🗓️ October 27, 2024
🔖 Hayley & Erik’s wedding gift
SommPicks
Grand Cru Selections (New York) | 🇫🇷 sparkling white
Chardonnay
eat, drink, & be married ・ multi-vintage marvel ・ champion of Chétillons
Pascal Agrapart 2018 Champagne ‘Avizoise’ Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Nature
🗓️ December 11, 2024
🔖 Côte des Blancs seminar at Jersey Wine & Spirits (🫡 Jay)
Jersey Wine & Spirits
Polaner Selections (New York) | 🇫🇷 sparkling white
Chardonnay
power player ・ Avize-y like a Sunday morning ・ flavor spectrum
Doyard 2008 Champagne ‘Les Lumières’ Grand Cru Extra Brut
🗓️ August 15, 2024
🔖 biodynamic wines with RogueVines (🫡 Ryan)
Flatiron Wines & Spirits
Skurnik Wines (New York) | 🇫🇷 sparkling white
Chardonnay / Pinot Noir
brioche basket ・ Aÿ caramba ・ limited edition lightning
Stéphane Regnault NV Champagne ‘Lydien No. 62’ Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru Brut Nature
🗓️ February 27, 2024
🔖 my annual Dexter Gordon vinyl purchase for my birthday (Take the ‘A’ Train)
Chambers Street Wines
Coeur Wine Co. (New York) | 🇫🇷 sparkling white
Chardonnay
orange creamsicle ・ elegantly soulful ・ energetic finesse
Leclerc-Briant 2018 Champagne ‘Abyss’ Extra Brut Rosé
🗓️ January 12, 2024
🔖 Lauren’s birthday with RogueVines, as an homage to surfing (🫡 Ryan)
Leclerc-Briant
Leclerc-Briant (France) | 🇫🇷 sparkling rosé
Chardonnay / Pinot Noir
cuvée de prestige ・ aged underwater ・ telluric vinosity
❧
White + Orange
Littorai 2022 Chardonnay ‘Mays Canyon’ Sonoma Coast
🗓️ October 19, 2024
🔖 private tasting at Littorai during RogueVines’ Sonoma trip
Littorai
Littorai (California) | 🇺🇸 still white
Chardonnay
vanilla wafer ・ delicate depth ・ Burgundian overture
Les Horées 2021 Bourgogne-Aligoté ‘Plonge et Replonge’
🗓️ August 17, 2024
🔖 Hayley’s bachelorette party
Parcelle Greenwich Village
Grand Cru Selections (New York) | 🇫🇷 still orange
Aligoté
Aligoté all day ・ skin contact, all teed up ・ ethereal texture
Alfredo Egia 2021 Bizkaiko Txakolina ‘Izaki (Creature)’
🗓️ September 18, 2024
🔖 blind tasting with RogueVines
Leon & Son Wine
The Source Imports (California) | 🇪🇸 still white
Hondarrabi Zuri / Petit Courbu (Hondarrabi Zerratia)
textured Txakolina ・ leesy, lemon squeezy ・ savory rusticity
Domaine de la Soufrandière 2022 Bourgogne-Aligoté ‘Aligato Cuvée Zen’
🗓️ December 20, 2024
🔖 Burgundy’s Third Eye feat. ALIG.O.T.E. tasting
Leon & Son Wine
Corkhoarder (New York) | 🇫🇷 still white
Aligoté
total zen ・ supernatural & balanced ・ micro-produced showstopper
Domaine Simon Bize et Fils 2018 Savigny-lès-Beaune ‘Shiro’
🗓️ July 24, 2024
🔖 BYO tasting of Simon Bize’s sans soufre cuvées
Flatiron Wines & Spirits
Grand Cru Selections (New York) | 🇫🇷 still white
Chardonnay
pointed precision ・ Degas’ Dancers in Blue ・ pome & circumstance
Cantalapiedra Viticultores 2022 ‘Majuelo del Chiviritero’ La Seca
🗓️ September 16, 2024
🔖 paired with arroz meloso de bomba roja for our 7th wedding anniversary
Despaña Vinos y Más
José Pastor Selections (New York) | 🇪🇸 still white
Verdejo
serious persona ・ mango skins ・ sur lie symphony
❧
Red
Thomas Winery 2022 Pinto Noir Dundee Hills
🗓️ April 18, 2024
🔖 tasting with RogueVines
Thomas Winery
Thomas Winery (Oregon) | 🇺🇸 still red
Pinot Noir
tightrope walk of elegant & formidable ・ shared conviviality ・ snail mail snag
Domaine Takahiko 2021 Pinot Noir ‘Nana-Tsu-Mori’ Hokkaido
🗓️ March 21, 2024
🔖 dinner with Jay, Audri, & Beomjae
Corima
José Pastor Selections (New York) | 🇯🇵 still red
Pinot Noir
a whole (new) cluster world ・ Yoichi terroir ・ a priori cherry orchard
Stella di Campalto 2007 Brunello di Montalcino ‘Podere San Giuseppe’
🗓️ March 23, 2024
🔖 Stella di Campalto wine dinner with Beatrice Buontempo
Roscioli NYC
Polaner Selections (New York) | 🇮🇹 still red
Sangiovese
generously perfumed ・ seductive Sangiovese ・ ageworthy asset
Bodega Chacra 2021 Pinot Noir ‘Treinta y Dos’ Patagonia
🗓️ June 26, 2024
🔖 grand tasting with Grand Cru Selections
Flatiron Wines & Spirits NYC
Grand Cru Selections (New York) | 🇦🇷 still red
Pinot Noir
velvety tannins ・ mesquite cherry ・ old vine Río Negro
Ar.Pe.Pe. 2016 Valtellina Superiore Sassella ‘Nuova Regina’
🗓️ September 9, 2024
🔖 Nebbiolo Rock Stars Live on the Mezz tasting
Flatiron Wines & Spirits NYC
Skurnik Wines (New York) | 🇮🇹 still red
Nebbiolo
Chiavennasca ・ red rocks ・ spiced cherries & dried roses
E. Pira e Figli 2020 Barolo ‘Cannubi’
🗓️ September 9, 2024
🔖 Nebbiolo Rock Stars Live on the Mezz tasting
Flatiron Wines & Spirits NYC
Skurnik Wines (New York) | 🇮🇹 still red
Nebbiolo
delicately gritty ・ silky & nuanced ・ restrained sophistication
Les Horées 2021 Coteaux Bourguignons ‘Mon Poulain’
🗓️ September 28, 2024
🔖 Sipping Surrealism feat. Magritte tasting
Crush Wine Co.
Grand Cru Selections (New York) | 🇫🇷 still red
Gamay / Pinot Noir
passetoutgrains ・ rounded rusticity ・ smoky elegance
Bedrock Wine Co. 2022 ‘Heritage Red’ Papera Ranch Russian River Valley
🗓️ October 18, 2024
🔖 RogueVines’ visit to Bedrock Vineyard with Chris Cottrell & Emily Rasmussen
Bedrock Wine Co.
Bedrock Wine Co. (California) | 🇺🇸 still red
Zinfandel / 12 other interplanted varieties
crunchy Carignan ・ length & breadth ・ exotic energy
Tidings 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Moon Ridge’ Moon Mountain District
🗓️ October 20, 2024
🔖 RogueVines’ visit with Reid Griggs
Tidings Wine
Tidings Wine (California) | 🇺🇸 still red
Cabernet Sauvignon
intense concentration ・ medley of black fruit ・ understated rigor
Kutch 2017 Pinot Noir ‘Graveyard Block’ Bohan Vineyard Sonoma Coast
🗓️ March 6, 2024
🔖 RogueVines’ tasting with Maxime Picq of Vignobles et Châteaux
WineBid
Kutch Wines (California) | 🇺🇸 still red
Pinot Noir
brooding & savory ・ Ernst Ludwig Kirschner’s Czardas Dancers ・ sandstone soils
Lenoir 1989 Chinon ‘Les Roches’
🗓️ June 4, 2024
🔖 Loire Valley tasting with RogueVines (🫡 Neil)
Vignobles et Châteaux
Vignobles et Châteaux (France) | 🇫🇷 still red
Cabernet Franc
earthy barnyard・ cherished Chinon ・ top vintage
Philine Isabelle 2020 Barolo ‘Preda’
🗓️ July 24, 2024
🔖 BYO tasting of Simon Bize’s sans soufre cuvées (🫡 Jay)
Jersey Wine & Spirits
Polaner Selections (New York) | 🇮🇹 still red
Nebbiolo
inaugural Barolo ・ approachable yet ageworthy ・ old school finesse
Sandlands 2013 Trousseau Sonoma County
🗓️ March 9, 2024 & November 12, 2024
🔖 Le Grand Prix du Trousseau Gris tasting & BYO Sandlands dinner (🫡 Mike)
WineBid & Chambers Street Wines
Skurnik Wines (New York) | 🇺🇸 still red
Trousseau
dark & stormy ・ broody texture ・ sophomore vintage
Scherrer 2018 Zinfandel Scherrer Vineyard Alexander Valley
🗓️ October 21, 2024
🔖 tasting with Fred & Judi Scherrer
Scherrer Winery
Scherrer Winery (California) | 🇺🇸 still red
Zinfandel
Pinot-esque ・ balanced & age-able ・ food friendly
Raúl Moreno 2021 Pinot Noir ‘La Castidad’
🗓️ October 9, 2024
🔖 sherry showcase at Feria en Rama 2024: AlbarizÁrte (🫡 Adam)
High Line Nine
Selections de la Viña (New York) | 🇪🇸 still red
Pinot Noir
ferrous structure ・ en amphora & albariza ・ Burgundian crunch
PAIRINGS OF THE YEAR
Similar to Wines of the Year, these were the wine-and-food pairings during 2024 that still linger as their individual, gustatory symphonies on my palate. Some of these dishes I made at home, while others were enjoyed dining out.
Extradimensional Wine Co. 2021 ‘Close Encounters’ Orange Wine Brosseau Vineyard Chalone
🗓️ January 21, 2024
🍽️ kinmedai (splendid alfosino / golden eye snapper) sashimi with yuzu kosho
Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah!
Extradimensional Wine Co. Yeah! (California) | 🇺🇸 still orange
Chenin Blanc / Chardonnay / Viognier / Roussanne / Marsanne
orange octave ・ mango chutney ・ earthy salinity
Antiquum Farm 2022 Pinot Gris ‘Aurosa’ Willamette Valley
🗓️ February 16, 2024
🍽️ masu (ocean trout), chu-toro (medium-fatty tuna), & o-toro (fatty tuna)
ITO Tribeca
Antiquum Farm (Oregon) | 🇺🇸 still orange
Pinot Gris
white tea ・ engaging tannins ・ gentle citrus
Oremus 2017 Tokaji Late Harvest
🗓️ March 4, 2024
🍽️ burnt honey cake from Scram
Last Bottle Wines
Europvin USA (New York) | 🇭🇺 dessert white (500mL)
Furmint / Hárslevelü / Zéta / Sárgamuskotály
honeyed goodness ・ orange marmalade ・ not too sweet
Kurosawa Sake Brewing Co. NV Junmai Kimoto
🗓️ March 31, 2024
🍽️ Mongolian pork chops with mashed potatoes, pickled red cabbage, & Chinese mustard sauce
CoolVines Jersey City
Pacific International Liquor (New York) | 🇯🇵 still sake (720mL)
Miyamanishiki
rustic & earthy ・ savory heartiness ・ spiced mango & walnuts
Pray Tell 2022 Dolcetto Willamette Valley
🗓️ May 19, 2024
🍽️ Korean-style short ribs
Leon & Son Wine
Pray Tell Wines (Oregon) | 🇺🇸 still red
Dolcetto
generous brambly fruit ・ light tannins for rich foods ・ delicately balanced
Jérôme Bretaudeau 2021 Muscadet ‘Gabbro’ Clos des Bouquinardières
🗓️ June 4, 2024
🍽️ Rhode Island-style lobster roll from Scale Fish Market topped with microgreens
Leon & Son Wine
Grand Cru Selections (New York) | 🇫🇷 still white
Melon de Bourgogne
flinty minerality ・ electric lime ・ tart pear
Straka 2022 Welschriesling ‘Ready Steady Go!’ Pét Nat
🗓️ July 21, 2024
🍽️ fregula fish chowder
Chamber Street Wines
Winemonger (California) | 🇦🇹 still white
Welschriesling
scoville sidekick ・ aromatic acid trip ・ lemon verbena
Makatzak 2021 Getariako Txakolina ‘Narrasti’
🗓️ August 3, 2024
🍽️ boquerones & piquillo-guindilla relish on toast
Vanderbilt Ave Wine Merchants
Mufson, Faron, & Brand (Washington DC) | 🇪🇸 still white
Hondarrabi Zuri
green strawberries ・ weighty body ・ inaugural vintage
❧
Matthias Orsett 2022 Vin de Pays Suisse ‘Les Fuseaux’
🗓️ October 2, 2024
🍽️ hibachi-style chicken & shrimp over fried rice
Leon & Son Wine
Zev Rovine Selections (New York) | 🇨🇭 still red
Gamaret
umami magic ・ spiced & crunchy tannins ・ Gamay alternative
Kamara NV Assyrtiko ‘Nimbus Ritinitis’ Retsina Traditional
🗓️ October 5, 2024
🍽️ various Thai dishes
Bangkok Supper Club
Zev Rovine Selections (New York) | 🇬🇷 still orange
Assyrtiko
pine resin ・ ancient recipe ・ orange cloud
Christian Tschida 2022 ‘Himmel auf Erden II’ [Weiss] Maischevergoren
🗓️ October 8, 2024
🍽️ li'l smokies in blanket
Leon & Son Wine
Jenny & François Selections (New York) | 🇦🇹 still orange
Scheurebe / Muscat Blanc
herbal pomelo ・ touch of tea ・ tangy funk
Lulu Vigneron 2018 Côtes du Jura ‘Cha-Cha’ Savagnin Sous Voile
🗓️ October 9, 2024
🍽️ salted caramel panna cotta from Razza
Flatiron Wines & Spirits
Shiverick Imports (New York) | 🇫🇷 still white
Savagnin
very sherry ・ Vin Jaune-ior ・ sophisticated & oxidative
Abavas NV Rabarbers Brut [Rhubarb Sparkling Wine]
🗓️ October 12, 2024
🍽️ cinnamon coffee cake
🇱🇻 sparkling rosé* (🫡 Michele & Kevin)
Latvian rhubarb
discovery in Iceland ・ lightly salted raspberries・ rhubarb pie
Jolie-Laide 2023 Gamay / Cabernet Franc Rosé Barsotti Vineyard El Dorado
🗓️ November 15, 2024
🍽️ grilled cheese & tomato soup
Jolie-Laide Wines
Jolie-Laide Wines (California) | 🇺🇸 still rosé
Gamay / Cabernet Franc
for rosé skeptics ・ subtle minerality ・ inviting fruity perfume
Nathan Kendall 2023 Pinot Blanc Finger Lakes
🗓️ December 24, 2024
🍽️ nai yóu xiā (walnut shrimp)
Leon Son & Wine
Nathan Kendall Wines (New York) | 🇺🇸 still white
Pinot Blanc
fruity tang ・ mixed nuts ・ creamy texture
Domaine Les Aricoques 2022 Roussette de Savoie ‘Pan! Le Blanc’
🗓️ December 24, 2024
🍽️ tuna tonnato with yuzu kosho & smoked dulse
Jersey Wine & Spirits
Corkhoarder (New York) | 🇫🇷 still white
Altesse / Jacquère
Savoie faire ・ alpine blend ・ bright & fruity
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Cheers,
Stefie aka ‘Two Bottle Stef’ 💁🏻♀️✌️🍾
These statistics only include bottles that I purchased myself (or was gifted) and were subsequently documented as posts on TBS’s Instagram feed during 2024.
At the time of publication, this figure includes the 11 remaining “posts” from 2024 in my Instagram queue scheduled to be published.
Unlike with TBS Uncorked, other bottles (i.e., outside of those documented on TBS’s Instagram feed) were also considered and may have been included in final list.