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winelawn
Aug 29, 2020
Best wine podcast out there. Great for newbies to enthusiasts.
Episode | Date |
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Ep 357: The Role of Alcohol in Wine
53:34
It’s the first show of our 10th year! WOW! And for our double digit birthday, this time we bring you a super dorky one that is so important to understand in wine. I have already professed it the dorkiest show of 2021, and I’m pretty sure I can’t top this so – Voilà! First we have some fun, and challenge you to follow the three wine resolutions/challenges I’ve set forth! They are so easy, even I can keep them:
Here are the show notes on the role of alcohol in wine: __________________________________________ Alcohol levels are largely determined in the vineyard:
Alcohol in winemaking (how it gets into wine):
Sugar + Yeast = Alcohol +Carbon Dioxide (+heat)
alcohol + acid = ester
Mark Smith, CC BY 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0
Alcohol Measurement:
The Perception of Alcohol: Alcohol activates smell, taste, and feel (the burn) receptors
Alcohol Levels and Taxes:
We wrap with some interesting ways winemakers reduce alcohol in wine
Source: Flavourtech
____________________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
To sign up for classes (now for UK and Euro time zones!) please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
___________________________________________________________ Podcast Sources: Beverages 2015, 1, 292-310; doi:10.3390/beverages1040292 https://daily.sevenfifty.com/taking-control-of-alcohol-levels-in-wine/ https://imbibemagazine.com/dry-farmed-wine/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinning_cone https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Wine-equalisation-tax/ https://www.decanter.com/learn/tax-wine-much-pay-uk-ask-decanter-357119/ |
Jan 11, 2021 |
Ep 356: The Historic Champagne Lanson with Hervé Dantan, Cellarmaster
01:03:00
Founded in 1760 as the 4th Champagne house, Champagne Lanson is known for its fresh, acidic style (no malolactic fermentation!). Over its 260 years, it has stayed true to its principles and that original flavor profile. In this show, Hervé Dantan, cellarmaster and Champagne native, gives us a unique perspective. Hervé is the son of grape growers in Champagne, and after graduating from enology school, he did internships in Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Alsace, and in California to learn about regions around the world. At 25 years old only he became one of the youngest cellar master in Champagne. He joined Champagne Lanson in 2013 and in 2015, Hervé Dantan became the Chef de Cave of Champagne Lanson. This podcast is different from others in that Hervé discusses the land and the vineyard. His perspective is so very different from many in the region, who choose instead to focus on the process in the winery. For you as listeners -- meaning dorky normal wine people -- I think you will appreciate the conversation. It's much less marketing and much more meat of how Champagne is truly made. Here are some of the topics we cover:
___________________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! And get an eGift Card for the holidays and Wine Access will donate 10% of the proceeds to one of my favorite charities: No Kid Hungry. It's a great charity that helps end childhood hunger. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
To sign up for classes (now for UK and Euro time zones!) please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! |
Dec 28, 2020 |
Ep 355: The 8 Holiday Wine Gifts for Wine Lovers (plus 5 wine gag gifts to make you laugh)
39:14
It's the end of the year and there's still time to get interesting and USEFUL gifts for the wine lovers in your life. We covered basics of glassware and gadgets in Episode 338, but this pod covers some cool gift ideas that aren't essentials but, rather, nice to haves (or just damn funny to know about in the case of the 5 gag gifts!). Here's the run down of our recommendations (in no particular order so don't read into it!) Disclosure: Some of the products contain affiliate links so I may make a small amount if you buy the products below but no one has paid me or gifted me these products so I'll put them on the list. The Real Gifts 1. Brumate Winesulator and 2 Uncork'd XL wine tumblers with lids, $59.99-$69.99 Why we like it: The cups are akin to the Yeti Tumblers that we recommend in Ep 338 and they will keep the wine at a great temperature too. This is a completely practical gift that the recipient wind up using frequently once they have it.
2. Sipski Silicone Wine Glass Holder for the Bath & Shower $14.99 What is it: As I say in the show, I have no idea why I find myself in the shower with a wine glass so often (M.C. Ice blames it on our kids), but I do. This is a wine glass holder that suctions right onto your shower wall. Why we like it: My main problems with wine in the bathroom are twofold:
The Sipski seems to solve both problems. Know anyone with these pressing issues? This is a perfect gift.
3. The Durand for old bottles and fragile corks $125 What is it: I think their site says it best: The Durand® removes "compromised and fragile corks, whole and intact, from older, valued wines. The Durand has been repeatedly tested on the most challenging corks. It has performed consistently and flawlessly."
Why we like it: I have to admit, I don't drink enough fine, old wine to justify buying this device, but I do know people how own it and they love it. I will admit that I've unwittingly made my own makeshift Durand using a corkscrew and a two-pronged cork puller, but this is far more practical, slicker, and makes more sense! This is perfect for a wine lover who has a big cellar with lots of old bottles
4. CORAVIN, Model Three, $149.95 What is it: Coravin is the biggest innovation in wine since the invention of the corkscrew. Coravin was a sponsor of the pod for a brief time and their founder, Greg Lambrecht, came on to talk about this invention process. He's a biotech guy who figured out how to insert a needle into a cork, take out wine and replace it with argon gas, without introducing oxygen to the wine. Why we like it: It is pricey, but if you know someone who likes to try a lot of different bottles instead of opening one and sticking with it for the night, or if someone is the lone wine drinker in his or her house, this is the best investment going. It works so well and I use it all the time, especially when I teach classes and don't want to open five bottles in a night! It is perfect if you just want a glass of wine on a Tuesday night but don't want the whole bottle. This is the gold standard for any wine lover and you will be much beloved if you gift this!
5. A Wine Access Gift Card (you choose the amount) What is it: Yes, they are my sponsor for the show and they did sponsor this podcast but they didn't put me up to putting them on the list. I could have been more generic about a "wine gift card" but I truly believe that Wine Access has top notch products and that the best gift card for wine you could get someone is an eGift card to their site. Why we like it: I have worked with them for more than a year and I can tell you that the wines are awesome. They have a great team who only selects 1 in 18 bottles they try. They have excellent customer service, can guarantee that every bottle comes directly from the winery (no weird second-hand stuff), and they have perfect temperature controlled storage so every bottle comes to you in perfect shape. I also love the materials each bottle comes with -- pairings, serving temperatures, educational information -- it's all here. So yes, they are my sponsor, but there's a reason for that. They are top shelf and if you get someone a gift card from them, they will thank you a hundred times over. Bonus: If you are pressed for time, this is an eGift card -- it gets there within seconds of you registering it!
6. Murray’s Cheese Shop: Red Wine Lover's Collection Basket, $95 What is it: Being a native New Yorker means I'm partial to all things New York, and Murray's Cheese (the original location is on Bleeker Street in the East Village) is one of those things. A going concern for more than 80 years, Murray's has its own cellar where they age their cheeses, trained staff, and all around exceptional cheeses. Why we like it: This collection has a bunch of great cheeses that will pair with reds (and if you don't want to fork over the $95 plus shipping, you can use their list as a guide and make your own basket!). Another great one for a last minute gift -- it's shipped within two days so it will get to your wine and cheese lover fast!
7. The Outdoor Wine Table, $58.00 at Uncommongoods.com What is it: Another great gift for outdoor wine enjoyment, this is the perfect little table for people who picnic, like hanging out outdoors, or who go to a hell of a lot of sports games to watch their kids play 😂. The collapsible table holds a bottle, two stems and a small cheese plate. Why we like it: A classy gift at a fair price. The only hitch -- it's on backorder so you'll have to order it, print out a picture, and tell your friend or loved one that the gift is on the way! 8. The Wine For Normal People Book ($22/priceless) and/or |
Dec 15, 2020 |
Ep 354: A New Look At Bordeaux's Médoc -- with Château La Cardonne's Magali Guyon
56:58
Magali Guyon has been the technical director/ winemaker of Château La Cardonne in the Médoc of Bordeaux for more than 20 years. Having worked in Bordeaux for some of the biggest names – she is the former winemaker at Château Lynch-Bages – she represents the best of the best in Bordeaux. Château La Cardonne was recently awarded the prestigious Cru Bourgeois Supérieur title as well. In this show, we take a different look at the Médoc (the prestigious Left Bank of Bordeaux) and approach it as a proposition of growing and terroir – not of pretty chateaux and expensive wines. Magali helps us reframe the discussion of Bordeaux to show us that the true essence of Bordeaux is the vineyard and the land.
Here are the show notes/discussion topics: Map from Vins du Médoc
After an in-depth conversation on Médoc, we discuss Château la Cardonne.
Photo credit: Vins du Médoc
The show is a great new way to look at Bordeaux. Forget chateaux: look at the land! *Unless specified otherwise all photos from the Instagram feed of Chateau La Cardonne ____________________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! And get an eGift Card for the holidays and Wine Access will donate 10% of the proceeds to one of my favorite charities: No Kid Hungry. It's a great charity that helps end childhood hunger. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
To sign up for classes (now for UK and Euro time zones!) please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! To get a Gift Certificate for a Wine For Normal People class for your loved one go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! And for a customized, signed bookplate for a gift, send your receipt to hello (at) winefornormalpeople (dot) com |
Dec 08, 2020 |
Ep 353: Women in Wine and the Subtle Symphony of Quiet Misogyny
43:18
This is a transcript of the first part of the podcast. The second part of the show discusses these points in more detail.
Women in Wine and the Subtle Symphony of Quiet Misogyny After mulling over the various scandals in wine lately, and thinking about my position in the wine world, I have a perspective to add beyond just a social media post to call out the behavior of those in the wine business, those who have minimized the situation, and the hollow calls for change that likely won’t happen.
Part I: What’s in the news, and what I have seen… If you missed it, in the past few months, a spate of “scandals” has broken out in the wine world regarding women in wine.
First, it was the #winebitch scandal in the United Kingdom. This occurred when a well-known TV wine personality from the “Wine Show” in the UK and his cronies passed around text messages debasing young female and “softer” male wine influencers. I didn’t see these messages before they were removed from the web, but I’ve heard from those who did that the threads were raunchy, rude rants. They were also far-reaching – covering everything from the lack of value of these people’s contributions to the wine world (one could say that topic is at least ok to discuss although not in the manner raised) to criticizing their looks, children, and families (not even remotely ok).
On the heels of this, an exposé in the New York Times revealed that the highest-ranking men of the cult of Master Sommeliers, as I like to call it and have written about before, have been demanding sexual favors and even raping (young) women in exchange for guaranteed career advancement. I have made the argument for a long time that the Court of Master Sommeliers is an exclusive in-crowd of people who know each other and who dictate membership based not only on skill but on favoritism. Apparently, that favoritism stretches far beyond the run of the mill BS that I had speculated about.
Is this surprising? No. When I worked at the big hulking winery in the mid-2000s, executive assistants who had been there for 35 years told me that the senior executives and owners used to say wildly inappropriate things to them, and kiss and grope them while they were trying to work. Although these women tried (literally) to run away from these predators, this mistreatment was acceptable behavior and the women’s silence was the only way to maintain employment.
I’m not excusing the behavior, but maybe this legacy means we need to take a historical view to understand the issues. Wine in the United States is an old school industry. Its very structure is based on something that was set up in 1933 after Congress’s failed attempt to ban alcohol through a constitutional amendment. Doubting the public could handle itself properly, Congress encouraged states to set up roadblocks and a three-tier system that treats adults as children with choices made for them about what, when, and how they can buy wine, gives certain huge producers and distributors power over markets, and in certain states, despite Supreme Court rulings, denies citizens the ability to procure the wines they prefer to drink.
Further, for those in the industry, if you don’t drink copious amounts with your customers and co-workers, and if you are a woman not willing to be a good old boy and listen to piggish talk and smoke cigars, you’re a pariah. It’s an industry based on power in the hands of the few (like many industries).
The deification of sommeliers, who completely disconnect with the very people they are supposed to serve in pursuit of a title that will give them power, is another outgrowth of this. The conclusion: the wine industry is based on other people who apparently know better than you (whomever you are), making decisions for you that you may or may not agree with. The recent scandals prove that little has changed since the incidents of the “Mad Men” era the women at the big winery told me about. And as more women have entered the industry, the opportunities for this kind of behavior have just multiplied. Sexism in the wine industry is a subtle symphony of quiet misogyny.
As for me, I can’t count the number of times I have been ignored when I am in a group of industry men talking about wine. I am usually invisible to them and generally have no value. When I am with MC Ice in a setting that is not for podcast fans and listeners, men ask him the questions about wine even after he tells them what I do. And although I was too old and not cute enough to be a candidate for sexual harassment when I entered wine (I’m not sad about this, don’t worry!), the invisibility factor and belittlement factor was high with my male colleagues and bosses.
Women in high positions in wine are also guilty of this type of behavior – ignoring those they feel are unimportant or who lack status (men and women at conferences will ignore me until someone else tells them my audience is large and then there’s huge interest on their part, huge disgust on mine). Plenty of women in wine are just about self-preservation. In fact, an article by Jancis Robinson is nothing short of a “there’s nothing to see here” rant about how the younger generation has social media to make “a fuss” as she puts it. She argues that change should come for the economic viability of the wine industry, not for the absolute immorality of the acts of misogyny and inequality. I fear that her stance and that of those who support her show us that many women of the old guard are equally at fault for ignoring what goes on in the real world with normal wine people, AKA, the unwashed masses.
Part II: The Solution -- No, it’s not more women’s only groups or women’s scholarships I don’t really consider myself part of the industry -- I chose to blaze my own path and work with what I consider to be the best sides of wine – producers and wine drinkers – and abandon the business for the very reasons I just described. Because of that I often stay out of these debates. But this is one that I need to discuss. Because like everything else in wine, the issue has been framed in a way that just doesn’t work and won’t bring structural change.
So now I’d like to talk about the fix. Because the fix is not letting the men and women with stale ideas in the wine industry and financial interest steer this ship. And this is what is happening now. The wine industry LOVES to take the issue of the day, elevate it, and sweep it under the rug, or marginalize it so it becomes a splinter group. That’s what I see happening now: women’s initiatives! Let’s create a group to forward the cause of Women in Wine! Let’s make it so that women get promoted and we have our own safe space! Let’s give scholarships to women!
This tack lacks imagination and accomplishes nothing: We’ve already done this and it doesn’t work. The large corporations become sponsors of these “women-first” organizations so the problems they themselves create in the industry can’t be discussed in an open forum. Further, often the events are too costly and in places where the people who would benefit most can’t afford to get to (Napa and New York ain’t cheap). And frankly, once these organizations are off the ground, the women form their own in-crowd and never reach the people who may need the most help; Think of the young woman starting out in wine in Alabama who may be getting harassed but has nowhere to turn, or the sommelier in Omaha who has been told she can’t advance because men won’t take her seriously at a steakhouse. The elite women’s groups and scholarships for the few lucky enough to get them do nothing to help the majority of women.
And while I applaud the people who are trying to lift up other women (unlike many in the old guard who feel they need to keep rising stars down to maintain their own status), we do not and cannot operate in a bubble. These organizations that are supporting women need to take a hard look at how to make change. The only way to make this work is to enlist male allies; not to cloister off in group of women who believe what you believe. Men and women must work together to create a productive solution that doesn’t make this problem a “women’s issue,” thus giving these predators and subtle sexists the power to make the situation an “us” vs. “them” issue.
The organizations for women are already funded and organized, but now it’s time for them to move beyond talk and into action. They should take a page from the LGBTQ community: PFLAG could serve as a great model – chapters exist all over the US to help people work together to understand the issues, foster acceptance, and create safer and more inclusive communities for people of the LGBTQ community. This volunteer chapter structure allows dialog, understanding, and true change and it is not dependent on how much money you have or whether or not you can pay $1,000 for a weekend conference in New York or Napa. With well-known, funded, publicized, and gender inclusive chapters change can happen in any community where women and decent, good men are willing to work to solve the problems in wine.
Women are hurt and outraged but they should heed the warning: it is never right to close ranks and push people to the margins who want to help and who are willing, during our darkest times, to stand up for us and with us to help fight the darker elements of sexism. This is not a “women’s issue.” This is a cultural change that must happen in the wine industry and it can’t be done with scholarships and conferences of women alone. It must be a joint effort from everyone who is willing to be educated and to advocate for fairness.
Until we address the problem and come up with an innovative, inclusive solution, the engine of sexism and discrimination will continue in wine, stifling creativity, destroying the self-esteem of outstanding people, and holding the entire wine industry back from progress it deserves. _______________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
And to sign up for classes (now for UK and Euro time zones!) please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! |
Dec 01, 2020 |
Ep 352: The 2020 Thanksgiving Episode -- American Wine Edition
36:01
2020 has been unlike any other, so we are recommending some different things for this year’s annual Thanksgiving show. This year has been tough for everyone, but small, family-owned wineries have been hit pretty hard by fires, lack of tourism, and in some cases, rough harvest conditions. Thanksgiving is the quintessential American holiday, so for this year, especially, we’re recommending that we show support for great American, family-owned wineries and their wines that pair perfectly with any kind of Thanksgiving food you decide to eat.
We start out with a few important announcements:
Here are the show notes:
We then spend the show traveling the country from west to east, recommending wines from all the top quality regions:
We are so grateful for you and we hope you open something fantabulous to celebrate that you are making it through this year, no matter how hard it has been!
Elizabeth and M.C. Ice
_______________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
And to sign up for classes (now for UK and Euro time zones!) please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! |
Nov 23, 2020 |
Ep 351: Severine Schlumberger of Domaine Schlumberger and the very French side of Alsace
53:25
Séverine Schlumberger joins us for the third installment of our mini-tour of Alsace (first installment was Ep 343). To provide a counterpoint to Phillippe Blanck of Domaine Paul Blanck (Ep 250), the Schlumberger family is more devoutly French in attitude and Séverine tells us a different story of her family’s heritage, attitudes, and how Domaine Schlumberger developed and grew to become one of the largest family-owned domaines in Alsace. Founded by Nicolas Schlumberger in 1810, Domaine Schlumberger produces all estate-bottled wines from southern Alsace. The Schlumberger vineyards are among the largest in Alsace, and one of the largest blocks of contiguous vineyards in all of France. The Schlumberger domains operate and vinify 140 ha/346 acres of vines, half of which are spread over 4 Grands Crus, which have been in the family since 1810 -- Kitterlé, Kessler, Saering and Spiegel. The vineyard is sustainably managed, 30 ha is biodynamically farmed, and the Domaine is working on organic certification for the whole property.
Séverine Schlumberger, co-owner of the Domaine, is part of the 7th generation running the estate. Here are the show notes:
First we tackle history, as it is so essential in Alsace…
Next we address the estate:
Finally, Séverine tells us her wish for the future: that Alsace wines become as popular on wine lists and in shops as Bordeaux or Rhône, and that wine lovers recognize that every white wine style made exists is in Alsace and is readily available. I’m doing my part in drinking Alsace, I hope you are too!
My favorite quote from the show... “For me the luxury of a wine producers is not to drive a Ferrari or to dress Chanel, it’s to be able to skip a wine if the vintage is not good enough, and that’s exactly what we’re doing…and the only reason we can do that is because we are family owned. If you belong to a big financial group, it’s over” *All photos from https://www.domaines-schlumberger.com
________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
And to sign up for classes (now for UK and Euro time zones!) please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Don't forget the bookplate offer for the book: |
Nov 16, 2020 |
Ep 350: Alsace's Famed Domaine Paul Blanck with Phillippe Blanck
01:02:37
Building off Episode 343 on Alsace and the Alsace class I taught, Phillippe Blanck of the famed Domaine Paul Blanck joins to talk about his family’s 420-year history in wine, the uniqueness of Alsace and its sites, and how we need to reorient wine to tasting and sensation versus elitist words. You will learn volumes about Alsace, terroir, history, and taste from this wise, very tuned-in, wonderful man.
The Blanck wine story starts in 1610 when Phillippe’s Austrian relative, Hans Blanck acquired vines in Alsace. 420 years later, Domaine Blanck continues the legacy. Phillippe operates the Domaine with his cousin Frederic. Frederic is the king of the vineyard and cellar and Phillippe is the master communicator and business person. With just 24 ha/59 acres of land, Domaine Paul Blanck makes some of the most distinctive, terroir driven, yet affordable wines in Alsace. And Phillippe tells us all about it.
Here are the show notes:
This was a great show. I encourage you to check out the Alsace class that I taught. It’s on YouTube and free for all. *All photos from the Domaine Blanck website.
________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
And to sign up for classes (now for UK and Euro time zones!) please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
|
Nov 10, 2020 |
Ep 349: Mas Martinet - A Founding Domaine of Priorat with Sara Perez, Owner
57:17
There are five founding estates of the Priorat region of Spain. Mas Martinet was the first and in this show, brilliant, philosophical owner Sara Peréz discusses its history, philosophy, and how she sees the land and wines of this magical, mystical region. This woman is a role model for us all -- she has found true happiness in her part of the world, her work, and her life! Here are the show notes:
Sara Peréz's overarching message is that Priorat is a place of mysticism, with elements in the land and the soil that you can't find anywhere else. It is a place that needs to be experienced and that can bring you great peace and calm, as can the wines when they are made in concert with the land. I can't wait to go visit! _____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
And to sign up for classes (now for UK and Euro time zones!) please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today! |
Nov 03, 2020 |
Ep 348: The Mâconnais of Burgundy
52:12
The Mâconnais is the southernmost area of Burgundy, known for excellent Chardonnay. Although it's often overshadowed by the other parts of Burgundy and only given credit for AOC Pouilly-Fuissé, this picturesque and historic Chardonnay-dominated region has some of exciting appellations you should seek out to see what Mâcon is capable of (hint: a lot, at great prices to boot!)
Here are the show notes: Mâcon location:
History
Source: Vins de Bourgogne Mâcon Location/Land
Source: Vins de Bourgogne
The Appellations Mâcon Appellation
Pouilly Fuissé
Top Producers: Olivier Merlin, Jean Rijckaert, Chateau Fuissé, Verget
Pouilly-Loché
Pouilly-Vinzelles
Saint-Véran AOC: A top appellation and a great value
Top Producers: La Soufrandiere, Domaine Cordier Source: Vins de Bourgogne
Viré-Clessé - High quality appellation
Top Producers: Domaine de la Bongran, Domaine Andre Bonhomme, Domaine des Heritiers, Chanson
Source: Vins de Bourgogne Here is a great video on the Mâconnais from Vins de Bourgogne
_________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
|
Oct 27, 2020 |
Ep 347: The Grape Miniseries -- Viognier
43:02
Saved from the brink of extinction just 50 years ago, Viognier (pronounced vee-ohn-yay), is a white grape that's native to the Northern Rhône in France – mainly the areas of Condrieu and Ampuis. The grape produces effusive wines with a strong aromatic character -- peaches, apricots, flowers, herbs, and ginger are common -- and when made well it has a medium body with a touch of acidity and a pleasant bitterness. This week we continue the grape mini-series (maxi series now?) by exploring this comeback kid and the pleasure it can bring when in the right hands.
History Viognier's parentage is a bit ambiguous, but it is related to Mondeuse Blanche, which makes it either a half sibling or grandparent of Syrah (as MC Ice points out, we could definitely make a word problem out of this – it’s a brain twister to think about, but possible!). The grape is also tied to Freisa and may be related to Nebbiolo, both which are native to the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy.
Viognier was once grown pretty widely in the northern Rhône but the combination of the phylloxera outbreak in the mid- and late-19th century, followed by WWI, the Depression, and WWII drove a lot of growers to cities and left vineyards abandoned. By 1965, only about 30 acres (12 hectares) of Viognier vines remained in France, and the variety was nearly extinct.
In the mid-1980s, interest started to grow both in France and from winegrowers in Australia and California. Growing interest lead to more plantings and today the grape is grown in Condrieu, Chateau Grillet, and Côte Rôtie in the Northern Rhône, all over the southern Rhône for blends, the Languedoc in southern France, as well as in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Israel, Japan, Switzerland, and Spain. Climate and Vineyard
Winemaking begins in the vineyard – picking decision is vital:
Flavors and Styles
Regions... France Northern Rhône: Viognier is grown as single variety in Rhône appellations Condrieu and Château Grillet on right (west) bank of Rhône River. In Côte Rôtie, winemakers can include up to 20% of Viognier though most growers add no more than 5%. Condrieu
Chateau Grillet
Côte Rôtie
Other French areas: The southern Rhône, where it is blended, the Languedoc and Ardeche, where it makes serviceable Vins de Pays varietal or blended wines.
Other Europe: Switzerland, Austria, Italy
New World Australia
United States California
Virginia
Food: The wine is great with dishes that have rosemary, thyme, saffron, and creamy sauces.
Expect to spend more than $50 a bottle for good Viognier (we had the 2017 version of the Guigal below. It was US$50).
___________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
Oct 20, 2020 |
Ep 346: Port Wine
59:06
Port is an historical, complex, and sometimes confusing wine, but it is more than worth your time to learn about. M.C. Ice go over everything from the vineyards of the Douro, to the history of this wine (with geopolitical implications), to how it's made, and the array of styles. There's something for everyone in the world of Port and after this show, you should be able to figure out which is for you! Here is the written primer to go along with the show... The Basics: What is Port? Port is a Portuguese fortified wine, meaning you add distilled grape spirit, or brandy, to the wine at some point during production. A wine is technically only Port if grapes are from the Douro Valley in northeast Portugal and winemaking takes place there or in the area surround the city of Porto on the Atlantic Coast. There are tons of styles and flavors of this wine – there’s something for everyone.
Douro Valley: The Vineyards The Douro Valley wine region follows the path of the Douro River as it comes out of Spain into Portugal. The region goes west through rugged, remote, steep and terraced granite mountains of northern Portugal, past the city of Porto into Atlantic Ocean. There are three official zones of the Douro Valley: the Baixo (lower) Corgo, the Cima (higher) Corgo and the Douro Superior
Land and Climate The Douro has hot, dry summers and steep rocky hillsides bordering the Douro River and its tributaries. The thin, poor schist and granite soils force the grapes to dig deep into schist to look for water and force humans to build terraces to do viticulture: 2/3 of vineyard are on slopes with 30%+ grade. The Grapes
History of Port: Most of the information on Port was on Taylor Fladgate’s excellent site.
Winemaking: The Steps
Ageing & Port Styles Ports differ because of the quality of the vineyards/grapes, the makeup of the blend, and the ageing regimens they go through. Age softens the bitter, astringent tannins and with time older Ports become brownish in color, soft in tannin, and full of interesting aromas and flavors.
Port is classified by how long and WHAT it’s aged in: Wood or bottle
Styles of PortFruity, dark colored Ports: Ruby, LBV
Food Pairings with these fruity Ports: Brie with Ruby, cheddar with Reserve, tangy cheese with LBV (goat). Chocolate desserts for all that have sweetness.
Nutty, dried-fruit, woodsy flavored Port:
TYPES of Tawny
Food pairing with Tawnies: Cheese wins the day -- hard, aged cheeses like Pecorino or Parmesan and nut or cream-based desserts (Pecan pie, caramel or fruit based desserts,). Older Tawny pairs well with all that stuff, plus crème brulee, and honey- and nut-based desserts. Like most really old wines, really old Tawny should be consumed solo, chilled.
Bottle Aged Port:
Food Pairing with Vintage and Crusted Ports: Blue cheese – Stilton or Roquefort are the traditional pairings for Vintage Port, as are nuts and dried fruit. A fine, old Vintage Port should be enjoyed alone.
Serving Tips:
Famed shippers (AKA Producers)
_____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
And register for current classes at: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes |
Oct 12, 2020 |
Ep 345: CVNE -- A Rioja Legend with CEO Victor Urrutia
58:19
In the show, I welcome Victor Urrutia, the CEO of the Compañia Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE) one of the most famed bodegas in Rioja, which has been around since 1879. Victor is part of the 5th generation of a family that has run CVNE (said coo-NAY) for 141 years. We discuss the storied history of this classic, traditional, high quality bodega, and probe into a dozen other Rioja-related topics. Victor and I cover many subjects, and I was thrilled to have him - it’s been really hard for me to find Spanish producers to come on the show and he comes from one of the most historic, classic, and outstanding bodegas in Rioja (I drink A LOT of CVNE!). Here’s a high level of what you’ll find in the show:
We end with a few business questions about how Spain invested to become such a force in the modern wine world, the future of Rioja if Alavesa (which is located squarely in Basque country) was to separate from the larger region, and the plans for CVNE, which involve never being satisfied and always doing better (an excellent goal).
This is a lively, unique look at Rioja. Take a listen then try these wines – I have been a pretty loyal drinker for years and I can promise that if you like Rioja, these will wow you!
And register for current classes at: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes _____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
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Oct 05, 2020 |
Ep 344: Wines for Transitional Weather (Spring and Fall)
41:06
During transitions to cooler or warmer weather, what should you drink? I am a firm believer that we should drink wines appropriate for the seasons: crisp, acidic wines for warm weather & fuller, more alcoholic ones for cool temps. This show covers both!
And without further ado, here are the "slides" for which M.C. Ice spent the better half of the podcast making fun of me! These will serve as the show notes this week.
Transitional Whites and Rosés:
Transitional Red Wines:
During the show I mention the class I taught on Alsace. You can find it here: The Wine For Normal People YouTube channel And register for current classes at: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes _____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
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Sep 29, 2020 |
Ep 343: The Exquisite Wines of Alsace with Thierry Fritsch of the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace (CIVA)
01:03:02
Thierry is a lively and fascinating guest. He shared so much about the region and the innovations in the works! Below are the show notes:
To learn more about Alsace, visit: https://www.vinsalsace.com/en/
During the show I mention the class I’m teaching on Alsace. You can register for that at www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes if you’re reading this before September 25, 2020 and catch it on my YouTube channel afterwards! _____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
|
Sep 22, 2020 |
Ep 342: Jane Anson on her book "Inside Bordeaux", a fresh look at this classic region
56:47
In this show award-winning writer, the foremost authority on Bordeaux, and one of the nicest, most talented people in wine, Jane Anson returns to the show (she was also in Ep 155 and Ep 165). This year she launched her opus, Inside Bordeaux, a must-have book that she took 3 years to research and write. It provides a comprehensive look at the region’s true strengths – it’s terroir, farming, grapes, and land, rather than pretty buildings and rich people.
The book came out in May and was published by UK merchant Berry & Bros & Rudd and you can find it at specialty retailers all over the world (click this link to learn where).
Here are the topics we cover in the show:
If you love Bordeaux and want to learn more this book MUST be on your shelf!
Links to things Jane mentions in the show:
I hope to see you in my live online wine classes. Register here: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes _____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
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Sep 14, 2020 |
Ep 341: The Grape Miniseries -- Gamay
43:36
This week we return to our grape miniseries to cover an old Burgundian variety, one of the 20 kids of Gouais Blanc and Pinot, that emerged around the 1300s. We cover its fascinating history; we talk about how it survived defamation by Dukes, centuries later became one of the most popular wines in the world (Beaujolais Nouveau), fell from grace and now is securing its place as a serious, multifaceted grape that makes complex, interesting wines (especially in its ancestral home of Beaujolais, France).
Here are the show notes: The Gamay grape and its ideal terroir
Gamay Wines
Winemaking – the problem of carbonic maceration
Most Gamay is grown in France, where it is the 7th most planted red variety Beaujolais:
Other parts of France:
Other areas with Gamay include:
For more information on Beaujolais, the Beaujolais appellation web site is wonderful (this is not sponsored, I just love the site!) _________________________________________
Don't forget to sign up for my live online wine classes: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes _____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
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Sep 08, 2020 |
Ep 185, The Remake: 7 Types of (Non-Winery) Wine Clubs
37:10
Of all the shows in the catalog, one has always stuck out as not really fitting in so this week we’re scrapping the old and we’re replacing it with something that is related but more timely, relevant and just plain better!!
This week we discuss the pros and cons of the seven main types of wine clubs. We list a few specifics, but try hard to concentrate on various types of clubs and what you can expect from each. Here is the run-down... Wine clubs claim to do a few things for their customers:
We spend the bulk of the podcast going through the categories of wine clubs:
I talk about my experience working as a consultant for a now defunct wine club (that was discussed in the OLD episode 185, so it wasn’t relevant anymore!) and how it has informed my view of clubs, in general.
The bottom line: Make sure you are asking the right questions: Questions to ask:
As a last note, once you sign up, make sure you stay vigilant – changes can happen and you may not notice! Lots more detail than just this, but these are the major points!
Don't forget to sign up for my live classes: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes _____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
|
Aug 31, 2020 |
Ep 340: UK Wine and its Past, Present, and Future
52:51
Although limited in availability, English wine is rising in popularity. Climate change, bedrock soil that's similar to Champagne and Chablis, and growers with know-how have changed England from a producer of mainly plonk wine into a viable wine nation, with sparkling wine leading the charge.
Access in the US is limited, so admittedly this is more of an academic exercise, but in the show we discuss the history, as well as the present, and bright future of UK wine.
After discussing the history (details which can be found here), we get into details of climate, regions, and styles of wines. Here are the show notes: Climate and land
The grape varieties planted:
Significant UK Wine Regions: Sussex
Kent
Essex
Surrey
Hampshire
East Anglia
South West England
UK Wine's Future:
Top producers: Nyetimber, Chapel Downs, Ridgeview (Sussex), Gusborne, Harrow & Hope, Wiston Estates, Camel Valley Vineyard & Winery, Cornwall
_____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
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Aug 24, 2020 |
Ep 339: Puglia, Italy -- New World Wine From an Old World Country
46:05
In this show we tackle the heel of Italy’s boot (and the area that covers a part of the calf!): Puglia (pool-YA), or as some in the English speaking world call it, Apulia. (BTW -- the show we mention that is hysterical and has a character that says something often that sounds like pool-YA is called "W1A" and is one of our favorite shows!).
Puglia is spans 500 miles/800 km of the southeast coast of Italy. It juts out into the Adriatic and Ionian Seas but despite its proximity to marine air, the viticulture areas are surprisingly dry with little rain or humidity. Warm, sunny summer months have historically meant that Puglia is unencumbered by weather issues faced in more northerly areas.
This could have meant great quality wine, and in Greco-Roman times, that may have been true but in the modern era, not so much. The area became a major source for heavy red and white bulk wines that were shipped to producers in other parts of Italy and in France to beef up their vintages in years where Mother Nature provided less than ideal growing conditions.
Today, Puglia is in a transition from a bulk wine area to a quality wine area, and things are moving quickly. As New World wines rose to popularity and prominence in the 1990s and 2000s, Puglia’s producers realized they had more in common with parts of South Australia than with Veneto or Piedmont. They welcomed help from New World winemakers and since then the area has been modernizing and making better wines – the proof is in the new DOCGs and DOCs (restricted, delimited winegrowing regions) that have been created in the last 10 years.
The geography of Puglia ranges. Here’s the overview with the most important grapes:
Every grape imaginable is grown in Puglia, but the main ones of interest that are unqiue to the area are:
Producers I like: A Mano, Cantele, Due Palme, Felline, Masseria LiVeli, Masseria Monaci, Taurino, Tormaresca (part of the Antinori family).
Taste some of these wines and let us know what you think!
_____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
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Aug 18, 2020 |
Ep 338: Glassware and Gadgets Revisited
50:06
We haven't done a show on this topic for a long time, so here's the 2020 update. We cover what to look for in glassware, decanters, wine fridges, wine openers, preservation systems and more. This is the skinny on what you need and what you don't (and why!).
Our picks are all on the Wine For Normal People store (where I make a tiny bit through affiliate money), but here's the list with some buying tips:
Are there other gadgets that are fine? Absolutely, but this is our best of the best -- the ones that we find useful and necessary! Let us know if you have additions. _______________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
|
Aug 11, 2020 |
Ep 337: Feudi di San Gregorio and the Unrivaled Wines of Campania, Italy
01:05:56
Feudi di San Gregorio is the largest winery in Campania region of Southern Italy. The winery has fought to bring the region to prominence in the minds of wine drinkers looking for reds and whites unlike any others in the world (that you HAVE to try!).
Campania was the premier winemaking region in Italy in Ancient Roman times, but after the fall of Rome the producers chose to be grape growers/merchants, rather than winemakers. Although some made headway, it was after a large earthquake hit and destroyed much of Campania in 1980, that reinvestment in wine truly began.
To support local industry, along with another family, the Capaldo family began Feudi di San Gregorio in 1986 in the town of Sorbo Serpico in the province of Avellino. One son of the family, Antonio Capaldo grew up around wine but then he pursued business, leaving Campania to obtain a Masters in Management and Economics at the London School of Economics and a PhD in Economics and Finance from a joint program between LSE and University of Rome. By age 32, he was working at McKinsey (a top consulting firm) and made partner. On that very day, he quit consulting and got to work for his family’s winery in Campania, putting his skills and vision to work. To my great delight, Dr. Antonio Capaldo, with his brilliance and razor-sharp humor, joins me to discuss the beautiful wines of Campania, one of my all-time favorite regions in Italy. He is the Chairman of Feudi di San Gregorio and shares his insights on the region, its appellations, what makes the land and grapes special, and the bright future Campania has ahead of it.
Some of the areas we mention: Check out the beautiful wines (with their beautiful, mosaic labels) of Feudi di San Gregorio. They are everything we describe and more!
________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
|
Aug 04, 2020 |
Ep 336: Santorini, Greece and it's divine white of Assyrtiko
38:40
Santorini is one of Greek wine's guiding lights. The wines from this ancient volcanic island are unlike any other – exhibiting fullness, smoky minerality, and acidity that you won’t find elsewhere. The whites of Assyrtiko are among the best Greece has to offer. The fascinating history and legacy of viticulture will transport you to this lovely Mediterranean paradise. In this show, we take you on the ultimate armchair travel destination: the island of Santorini, a Greek paradise! Here are the show notes:
Types of wine
Producers we mention: Hatzidakis, Estate Argyros, Gaia, J Boutari & Son, Vassaltis, Venetsanos, Domaine Sigalas, Gavalas, Santos
________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon:
|
Jul 29, 2020 |
Ep 335: The Grape Miniseries-- Gewurztraminer
44:36
That's right, no umlaut for my show notes on this grape. I consider Alsace the true home of this grape and the place we should be looking for the most spectacular versions. For that reason, I stick with the French way of spelling it 😉 Gewurztraminer (guh-VERTZ-tra-MEEN-ah)is one of the most distinctive grapes and makes one of the most overtly perfumed, full-bodied whites in existence. The lychee, rose, citrus, incense, and smokey notes can be intoxicatingly fantastic or WAY too much. Here are some quick show notes on the grape's past and regions where it's grown.
Aromas and Flavors
DNA/Parentage
In the vineyard
Regions:
New World:
To wrap, we discuss good food pairings: spices like ginger, tamarind, coriander, and salty things like soy sauce or tahini are great with Gewurztraminer.
We decide that Gewürztraminer is like our dog, Ellie. Very cute, awesome when awesome, but kind of a diva about everything!
Go and try some great versions of this wine! I promised MC Ice we would get a Grand Cru of Alsace to try so I could prove that there IS a version out there he would like. I will keep you posted!
________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon: |
Jul 22, 2020 |
Ep 334: Hungarian Wine Overview with Zoltan Heimann of Heimann Winery
01:03:23
Zoltán Heimann of Heimann & Fiai Winery helps present the wines of Hungary.
He keeps me on task with the proper pronunciations (very hard and the reason it’s taken me so long to cover this country, honestly!), and gives us an overview of what we can expect from Hungary and its wines, before focusing in more on his beloved region of Szekszárd (sex-ARD), known mostly for its famous Kadarka red wine. The Heimanns have a long history of farming in Hungary, and Zoltán has a global view from his education at Geisenheim in the Rheingau Region of Germany (one of the best wine schools in the world). He has a lot to teach us about Hungarian wine – its history, its geography, its grapes, its wines, and its future, which he is helping drive.
A few things for clarification:
These show notes are more about pronunciation and help with the regional names than anything else. If you listen to the show, you’ll need to refer to these (maybe often!).
After a conversation about history, Zoltán talks about how Hungary is in the Carpathian Mountain basin with the Danube River dividing the country and the Tisza River near Tokaj in the east.
Image: Topographical map of Hungary We talk about the main grapes of Hungary:
We move to the major wine regions
Image: Balaton, the largest lake in Europe
To wrap up, Zoltán and I discuss the potential for Hungary, the new generation, and all we have to look forward to from Hungary. ________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon: And get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
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Jul 14, 2020 |
Ep 333: Richard Betts, Former Master Somm, Shows What Moral Fortitude REALLY Looks Like
01:07:36
After studying geology and gaining a BS, an MS and nearly a JD, Richard Betts discovered a love of wine. He served as the wine director at The Little Nell in Aspen from 2000 to 2008, and while there, in all his spare time, in 2003, Richard was the 9th person to ever pass the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Masters Exam on the first attempt. Richard co-founded the wine labels Betts & Scholl in 2003 and Scarpetta in 2006 and founded Sombra Mezcal in 2006. Today, Richard runs Komos Tequila and Superbird Paloma (in a beautiful can), My Essential Wines, and the wine from Barossa in South Australia, “An Approach To Relaxation.”
Richard is the New York Times best-selling author of “The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert” and “The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Whiskey Know-It-All.” And after nearly two decades as a Master Sommelier, and feeling disillusioned by the lack of evolution in the organization, Richard has altered the wine world forever, by being the first person to resign as a Master Sommelier. He is here to tell us about his journey and his decision. Here are the show notes:
To editorialize: Richard is a hero in the wine world. He has left an indelible mark that screams “I value integrity over status and exclusivity.” His moral compass, intelligence, and down-to-earth style and, ultimately, its lack of fit with the Court should have us all questioning why we give so much deference to those with the credential, when it is a reductive look at one’s ability to take an exam well, not to be the best wine professional s/he can be.
Bravo to Richard. He is a hero and a model for us all. Here is a link to his resignation letter.
_______________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon: And get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today! |
Jul 07, 2020 |
Ep 332: Tahiirah Habibbi from the Hue Society Is On a Mission to Diversify Wine
51:18
Tahiirah Habibi grew up in north Philadelphia, graduated from Penn State University and began working in hospitality, while taking wine classes at night to begin her journey of becoming a sommelier and pioneer. In 2012 Tahiirah opened the St.Regis, Bal Harbour. She later moved on to leadership positions at Michael’s Genuine and Baoli. Frustrated with the lack of diversity in the industry she believed her skills could bridge the intersection of wine and culture.
In 2017, she launched The Hue Society as a safe space for the community to learn, commune and find resources in one place. Tahiirah has been featured in Ocean Drive as one of the top 5 female sommeliers, VinePair, Upscale Magazine, David Banner Podcast, and Imbibe Magazine to name a few. With a decade as a sommelier in some of the top end restaurants in Miami, Tahiirah is an accomplished wine professional yet she has struggled every step of the way to gain recognition, and to cope with the overt and covert racism that exists in the industry. She discusses her difficult experiences, including the incident that prompted her viral video describing how the Court of Master Sommeliers requires all candidates to call them “Master” and what that means to her and other black and brown people who take the exam. Watch Tahiirah's video from Instagram about her experience with the Court of Master Sommeliers here.
After we discuss the issues, Tahiirah uses her never-ending positivity and her penchant for action and problem solving to explain why she founded the Hue Society, which aims to provide a safe space for black wine lovers to come together, learn about wine, and enjoy the process without feeling the need to assimilate. She discusses the Roots Fund, founded this year with Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy, to help fund people of color on their journeys into wine professions and how we can support her mission and vision by being more proactive about forming more multi-racial communities of wine lovers. Discussing these issues and hearing this perspective is an essential step in changing wine so it reflects more of what the world looks like, not just what wine has traditionally represented. If you listen with an open mind, there are many important ideas Tahiirah shares in this show.
To learn more about The Hue Society and the Roots Fund, please click here. Tahiirah's article in Wine Folly is here.
_______________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon: And get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today! |
Jun 30, 2020 |
Ep 331: Carnuntum -- Austria's Newest, Oldest Quality Red Wine Region with Christina Netzl
56:37
Carnuntum is a small wine region in Austria with only 2% of the wine growing area, but it packs a punch in quality. A short drive from Vienna, Carnuntum is an old Roman hub, with a rich history and its wine is only just making an impact on the international wine scene. Christina Netzl, from Weingut Netzl joins – a producer who is largely responsible for putting this region on the map and making its red wines, especially of Zweigelt, so well-known and respected. Here are the show notes:
Christina tells us about the very long, drawn out process of getting a Districtus Austriae Controllus (DAC) designation for Carnuntum.
Christina tells us about the importance of Netzl working the land organically, how she is thrilled when she travels that people even know Austria makes wine, and the challenges she has had both as a woman, a young person, and a daughter taking over a family business. A really fascinating look at an up and coming, (yet old and well-established) region!
_______________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week:
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine site with fantastic, hard to find wines -- you won't regret it!
Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon: And get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today! |
Jun 22, 2020 |
Ep 330: Journalistic Integrity in Wine with Don Kavanagh of Wine-Searcher
01:06:47
The question comes up again and again in wine: who can we read that is trustworthy and who reports on the truth? We know it isn't the glossy magazines and many industry wonks are all in the pocket of high end producers and beholden to them so they can stay in the "club" and continue to drink expensive wine in their elite circles.
There is one guy, however, that you can trust. And that is Don Kavanagh the editor of Wine-Searcher's journalistic arm. He has spent the past 25 years either working in the wine trade or writing about it, in his native Ireland, the UK, and New Zealand. He is far from an insider and his dedication to telling things as they are -- as a true observer of situations rather than a judge, jury, or partisan -- is clear in all that he writes and publishes. Don is a truly normal person. Unlike people who were graced with expensive bottles at his parents' dinner table, he worked his way through the wine trade, working in the UK and learning about wine (while also laying bricks, doing construction and being a bouncer), setting up his own shop in New Zealand, and then attending journalism school before launching a successful career at newspapers, wine trade publications, and now Wine-Searcher. I really relate to his story, having grown up in a home without luxuries myself and having to work many jobs to pay the bills.
Don's commitment to honest representation of facts led him to doggedly pursue the 2018 scandal in the Court of Master Sommeliers in which a board member gave away the answers to portions of the exam. This led to all candidates being de-certified and was a big enough story to hit the international news. While the Court turned to its friends in the wine trade to quickly sweep the scandal and all of the implications it had under the rug, Don kept asking hard questions. He was the single voice in the wine trade that wouldn't let it go. To date, the Court of Master Sommeliers has still never answered his questions nor have they discussed the changes they would make to the exam that would fix some of the problems Don's stories highlighted.
We discuss the issues with the wine industry at large, the certification culture that has emerged, the elitism, and how advertiser dollars drive what gets published and what stays quiet (we mention this disturbing yet honest article by Richard Hemming, Master of Wine “Why Wine Writers Don't Hold The Trade To Account”?).
We discuss how the industry can be fixed, and come to a few conclusions.
Don is one of the best guests I've ever had and I personally love this show!
_______________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: To sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! And get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine club, which is the REAL DEAL!
|
Jun 15, 2020 |
Ep 329: Muscadet - The Overlooked White of the Loire
39:06
The wine world often looks at Muscadet with disdain for its lighter body and subtlety of flavor. But for white wine lovers who care less about showiness and want something with the interplay of acidity with nutty, bread flavors and soft textures, this historic wine is a thrill. There is far more to this wine than there used to be, as it has continued to improve since the 1980s and seems to get better every year.
This week we discuss this westernmost area of Loire Valley, which lies along the banks of the river and its tributaries. We review Muscadet and the grape Melon -- its storied history – from being a defiled grape in Burgundy (it was outlawed in 1567!), to finding its place in the Loire (albeit with a strange name), to moving from just a grape to be distilled to a legitimate wine that, at the top end, can age more than a decade. Here are a few of the show notes that you may have missed:
The grape, the wine, the appellations:
There are 4 main appellations:
Top Producers: Pierre Luneau-Papin, Domaine de la Pépiere, Jo Landron, Stéphane, Orieux, Domaine du Fief aux Dame, Domaine de l’Ecu Other areas we mention:
_______________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: To sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! And get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine club, which is the REAL DEAL! |
Jun 09, 2020 |
Ep 328: The Wines of Lebanon
39:39
With a history that stretches back perhaps 9,000 years to 7,000 B.C., Lebanon contains some of the original winemaking areas. In spite of political turmoil, violence, and opposition to wine (and all alcohol) and winemaking, this country has always found a way to keep production alive. Its unlikely location and small size may seem, at first glance, to be an impossibility for quality wine but the geography and the fortitude of the people here have created a unique and enduring wine culture.
In the show we discuss the long history of Lebanon in wine -- from the Phoenicians, to the Greeks and Romans, monks, and then to the French, who had such a huge influence in their 30 year tie to this region between World War I and World War II. Below are some notes on the climate, the spellings of the regions, and the producers we mention:
Top Producers are:
Most of these wines are around USD$20! They are worth a try!
_____________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: To sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! And get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range). Check out their awesome wine club, which is the REAL DEAL! Wine Access is fantastic and satisfaction is guaranteed! Give them a try -- you won't regret it! |
Jun 03, 2020 |
Ep 327: Wine Ingredient Labeling Pushes Forward in the EU -- with Barnaby Eales
33:07
I know this topic may seem wonky, but consider a world where you could look at a wine label and see if there was extra, unwanted sweetness or if the wine was packed with chemicals (actual picture of big hulking winery, below).
Barnaby Eales, international wine journalist takes us through the European Union's ultimatum to producers, the machinations they are going through, and the likely outcomes of transparency in wine. From the impact on top conventional producers (it should be great -- they can finally stand up to "natural wine" producers and say their products aren't loaded with chemicals) to the producers that may have to cop to a list of additives a mile long (industrial wine, I'm looking at you!), we go over the ramifications of this initiative, the complications behind it, and the benefits transparency brings to us all. Barnaby's article is here: The EU Moves on Wine Ingredient Labeling
______________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
May 26, 2020 |
Ep 326: The Best Spanish Wines You've Never Heard of -- Jumilla and Yecla
38:53
Tucked into a small corner of southeast Spain is one of the greatest sources for delicious, multi-layered, and decadent reds you’ll find. In the province of Murcia, at latitude 39˚N lay two regions of Monastrell (Mourvèdre) production that have quietly churned out wine for more than 3,000 years: Jumilla (joo-ME-yah) and Yecla (YAY-clah). Today, these regions are magnificent but receive so little press that we can get exquisite bottles that have the fullness, richness and depth for less than US$20.
In the podcast, we take you through the wine history of the region --from the early days with the Phoenicians to the Romans and then the Moors, and then a few strange brushes with the phylloxera root louse that at first propelled the region’s wines, then decimated the land and ultimately saved this area from a fate of nasty bulk production to make it a quiet haven of powerful reds.
We discuss the conditions in Murcia, discuss Bullas, a small Denominacíon de Origen and then we move to the big guns of this area: Jumilla and Yecla.
Jumilla Jumilla is the best area quality in Murcia and also makes the most wine. Vineyards are spread across a wide valleys and plateaus surrounded by mountains. A few geological and climate facts:
Jumilla is one of Spain’s oldest DOs – its historical legacy as a high-quality wine producer is well known in its native land. It now makes whites, reds, and rosés, although the reds are the flagship for the region.
Monastrell represents 85% of the vines planted and 80% of any blend must be this grape. The character of the wine is superb: it tastes like dark fruit, earth, and minerals with a brambly, gamy character. With age, these flavors mellow to be more like dark soil, coffee and spice.
Although it isn’t prevalent, Jumilla makes rosé from 80% Monastrell too -- in the best versions it’s similar to the rosé of Bandol, in Provence, France with some acidity and tannin and, from a careful producer, the opportunity to potentially have a longer life than 1 year.
Modern technology, good farming and a consistent climate mean there isn’t a lot of vintage variation here although the region does have aging classifications similar to Rioja:
Yecla Towards the end of the show, we discuss the smallest and northernmost wine zone in Murcia, Yecla. This area is landlocked by other DOs: Jumilla DO to the southwest, Almansa DO to the north, and Alicante DO to the east. It’s 50 miles (80km) inland and represents a transition from more coastal Mediterranean influences to hotter, arid continental conditions.
Yecla is similar to Jumilla in that its altitude allows the grapes to maintain acidity at night, creating balance in the wines.
If you haven’t tried these wines yet, get on it. They will become your new go-to and a total revelation for your palate (and wallet!).
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
May 19, 2020 |
Ep 325: The Greats -- Alsace Riesling
52:16
Alsace Riesling is, without a doubt, one of the greatest white wines of the world. With its rich body, effusive flavor that ranges from flowers to fruit to nuts and spice, and acidity to keep it in balance, this liquid gold has been famed for centuries. It was the wine that got me into wine, my "aha" wine but even without that, I would still love the wine. Alsace has a rich history (it's been the ball in a ping pong match between Germany and France for centuries), and a complex geology and climate.
Alsace is a land of paradoxes. It labels wines by grape and bottles in tall German-style but its wines are distinctively French in their elegant, silky, voluptuous style. It is one of the most northerly growing regions in the world at (47˚ - 49˚ north latitude) and yet the summers are hot, dry, and sunny due to its location in the rainshadow of the Vosges Mountains. It is a small area, yet it contains 13 soil types, and more microclimates than can be counted. There is wonderful wine to be had from Riesling -- from the basic wines of the plains to crémant (sparkling) to unctuous sweet wines (Vendanges Tardives and Selection de Grains Nobles) but the Greats of Alsace are the top wines of the Grands Crus.
These 51 sites are not all exceptional, but those that are make wines of unparalleled aroma, flavor, and texture that still have the pointed acidity you'd expect from Alsace. When you get a great Alsace Grand Cru Riesling, it is a memorable experience that you never forget. Here are a few details that may have been hard to catch from the show:
Geology and Climate deets:
We discuss the classifications of Alsace:
Alsace Grand Cru examples discussed:
Producers mentioned:
*All photos courtesy of Vins d'Alsace __________________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
May 14, 2020 |
Ep 324: Chile's Cool Climate Wines of Casablanca, San Antonio Valleys
33:05
Cool climate wines are in high demand, as many of us seek wines that are on the lighter side but still have fruit and ripeness. We usually turn to places of high latitude for that, but on this show we tell you about an unlikely region for some of the best and yet most affordable cool climate wine around: the Casablanca Valley, San Antonio, and Leyda Valley -- all in a small area at 33˚south latitude!
Here are the show notes: Both located in the far western coastal areas of the Aconcagua wine region, Casablanca and San Antonio are in mountainous coastal country that experiences cool to cold breezes due to the Humboldt current coming up from Antarctica. There are a handful of producers that make wines from these areas, but thankfully most of them are widely distributed so we have a chance to try these acidic yet fruity wines with little hunting around.
Valle de Casablanca
The Geography/Climate
San Antonio Valley and it's Zone, Leyda Valley
The Leyda Valley is sub-region or zone of San Antonio
These wines are all worthy of your time and attention! Go and get some! ___________________________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
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May 04, 2020 |
Ep 323: Dao Region of Portugal -- The Burgundy of the Iberian Peninsula
38:59
Located in north-central Portugal, just a three-hour drive from Lisbon, Dão is a small quiet region with outstanding, elegant, and distinctive wines. Named for the Dão river which carves a path through the rugged, old granite hills here, the region is the original home of Portugal’s top red grape, Touriga Nacional.
Made up of tens of thousands of growers and small plots, just 5% of the land area of this region is planted to vines, 80% of which are red grapes. The hot, dry climate of this distinctive region is made possible by its unique position on a plateau sheltered on 3 sides by granite mountain ranges – the Serra da Estrela, the Serra do Caramulo, and the Serra da Nave.
Mountains protect the area from the capricious Atlantic and continental storms, and the provide altitude which means the grapes can cool down at night, hoarding precious acidity. The granite subsoil also helps boost the acidity of the wines, making them fresh and bright, rather than dark and brooding as is often the case in the Douro wines.
There are seven subregions can be on the bottle: Alva, Besteiros, Castendo, Serra da Estrela, Silgueiros, Terras de Azurara, and Terras de Senhorim, but you will rarely see them (at the time of this show in 2020, at least). What can you expect from the wines? Reds produce medium bodied wines with spicey, peppery, and red fruit notes. They can be earthy or even barnyard like with an excellent balance of alcohol and acidity. This is the new style of Dão, for which it has become known, and along with its myriad plots, this lightness and elegance is why some refer to the region as the Burgundy of Portugal. Older styles were harsh, tannic, and lacked both fruit and acidity – rustic to say the least. The grapes used here are:
Touriga Nacional Styles: Whites used to be oxidized and like a day old apple but with better winemaking they are now refreshing with citrus, mineral, and nut notes with great acidity. The best are exclusively made of Encruzado, with its floral notes and oily textures it is a white to seek out. Malvasia Fina, Bical, and Arinto are also used in whites. Rosé and Sparkling wines can also be found in the Dão. Great producers to see out are:
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
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Apr 28, 2020 |
Ep 322: The Hudson River Region of NY with Fjord Vineyards
46:21
Spanning a large portion of New York, just about an hour north of Manhattan, lies one of the oldest winemaking regions in the US: The Hudson River Region AVA. This week Casey Erdmann and Matt Spacarelli of Fjord Vineyards join to talk about the Hudson River Region and the innovative things they are doing there. To start the show, MC Ice and I give a quick overview of the area:
Then I discuss the region with Casey and Matt. Matt grew up in the region and his family owns the historic Benmarl Winery where he is the head winemaker and GM. He gives us great insight and detail around the region -- its history, its challenges, and its opportunities. We have a lively discussion around French-American hybrids (we may or may not discuss how they taste like burnt hair), and what their role is for wine regions. Finally we discuss Fjord Vineyards which was founded in 2013 so the couple to make wines of Vitis vinifera from local parcels that express the terroir of the region. They make balanced, sustainable wines of Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, and Cabernet Franc that reflect where they are grown and are delicious!
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
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Apr 21, 2020 |
Ep 321: The Greats -- Côte Rôtie, Rhône Valley
50:58
One of the greatest wines of the world is the Syrah-based Côte Rôtie, from the northernmost appellation in the northern Rhône. Named "roasted slope" after the sun that bathes the south-facing slopes, the region is less than 25 miles south of Lyon near the town of Ampuis, and is at the cool-climate limit for growing Syrah. On the right bank of the Rhône, across 3 communes of Saint-Cyr sur Rhône, Ampuis, and Tupin-Semons, the vineyards are on extremes slopes at 180m/590 ft and 325m/1070 ft above sea level. This week we explain what makes these wines, from this tiny, historic area, so very fascinating and why they truly are one of the greatest wines in the world.
I think the best thing to do in the show notes this time is to list the things that are hard to catch on the show. Rather than a lengthy recap, this time I'll list the regions and producers mentioned!
Sub areas Ampuis: The area that lies above Ampuis town contains the best sites. The Reynard River serves as the geological dividing lie between the schist soils of the northern part of the appellation, and the granite soils in the south. Schist:
![]() Granite:
The village of Tupin has no single vineyards but makes some great wine The Village of Verenay is the next village upstream from Ampuis, and producers full, rich, long-lived wines. The vineyards of interest are Grandes Places, and Vialliere (10 hectares makes it quite variable in quality) St Cyr is in the far north of the AOC, past Verenay. It was added in the 1960s and is on schist but not as good as the wines near Ampuis. Top Producers TRADITIONAL: Domaine Gilles Barge –most traditional practices,Domaine Bernard Levet MODERN: Guigal, Gerin, Bonnefond Middle ground:
Top Vintages: 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2009-10, 2012, 2015-19 _______________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
Skylight Frame 1. Connect Skylight to a power source and it powers up. I love mine! You will love yours too! To get $10 off your purchase of a Skylight Frame just |
Apr 14, 2020 |
Ep 320: The Grape Miniseries -- Carignan (Mazuelo)
41:37
Carignan or Mazuelo, as it's known in its native Spain, is a complicated grape that gets a terrible rap. But the truth is, in the right hands and growing in the right conditions, this grape can fashion powerful wines that are pure hedonistic pleasure! Carignan has a long history. The grape is likely from Aragon in northeast Spain, but it spread around the Iberian Peninsula. It’s current Spanish name, Mazuelo comes from Mazuelo de Muñó, a town in Castilla y Leon in northwest Spain. Carignan may have originated in its namesake town of Cariñena, which is a Denomiacíon de Origen (DO) that grows mainly Garnacha Tinta. From these parts of Spain, Mazuelo spread to Catalunya in northeast Spain and then during the reign of the Crown of Aragon to the area it ruled. The grape:
The grape became commonplace in France after three incidents: phylloxera in the late 1800s, a frost destroyed the other “workhorse” grape, Aramon in 1956 and 1963, and the independence of Algeria of 1962 brought French-Algerian winemakers into the Languedoc-Roussillon region who brought their trusty workhorse grape. The over vigorous nature of the grape made it produce rustic, flavorless wines with rough tannin and high acid. It contributed majorly to the wine lake of the EU (low quality wine that was subsidized by the EU and then needed to be dealt with because there was no demand for it). Nearly half the Carignan in the Languedoc was grubbed up in the 1990s and today no one is planting it, as the only value in it is in grapes that are more than 50 years old.
When the vines are old, the soil is poor, and the climate is hot, Carignan makes wines that are full of dark cherry fruit, blueberries, violet and other floral notes. It’s full-bodied with (sometimes dusty-feeling) tannins and great acidity, and moderate alcohol. Winemakers have to be careful to ensure the fermentation gets enough oxygen or the wines can take on a burnt match/reductive note.
Where does the grape grow?? Old World: France: 80% of the Carignan plantings are in the Languedoc-Roussillon – and make ordinary Vins de Pays (countryside) wine. Some appellations: Minervois, Corbières, Faugères, Fitou, Languedoc, and St-Chinian each have a certain amount of Carignan specified in their AOCs and use carbonic maceration to soften the tannin and produce fruitier notes in their Carignan. The best wines come from old vines, as is the case in all areas.
Really the two best places for Carignano/Mazuelo are Italy and Spain... Italy: The grape here is called Carignano and 97% is planted on the island of Sardegna, where it has been called Bovale Grande or Bovale di Spagna. Because of the name difference, it was only recently discovered that this grape is Carignan. The grape grows well in the hot, dry south-western corner of Sardinia. The best co-op is Santadi, which makes soft, supple, fruity, and rich wine from the Carignano del Sulcis DOC. Rocco Rubine and Terre Brune are great wines from the co-op. Spain: Mazuelo is found as a dwindling part of the Rioja blend
In the old world you can also find the grape in Croatia, Cyprus, Turkey, Malta, Morocco, Tunisia and Israel.
New World In the New World, the grape is found in Uruguay, Australia (South Australia), Argentina, Mexico, and South Africa.
Chile has great promise for the wine as well – especially with the ancient, dry farmed Carignan in Maule Valley.
There seems to be hope for Carignan as younger producers have taken an interest in giving it the attention it needs to make good wine. The grape has great potential!
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
Apr 06, 2020 |
Ep 319: How to Get Great Rhône Wine with Serge Doré, French Wine Importer
01:05:32
Serge Doré is a fan favorite and he returns to tell us about the place in France where he feels most at home: the Rhône. He's been in wine for decades, since he got his start in his native Quebec, and has been a wine importer and wholesaler out of Chappaqua, New York for almost as long as he's been in wine. To order any of the wines he mentions or those you find on Serge Dore Selections , go to Grapes The Wine Company We've learned about life as an importer and about the business of wine in Bordeaux from Serge, and this time he tells us about the Rhône. If you are unfamiliar with the area, I'd check out the Rhône overview show first. This show goes into detail on regions and Serge regals us with stories of meetings with famous producers, and the spectacular wines they make.
The show notes this week are primarily a list of the many producers Serge mentions in the show.
Big Northern Rhône Names:
It's from the southern Rhône but here we also mention a Roussanne wine in this converasation of whites: Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf Du Pape Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes
One great nugget Serge shares on Condrieu: It's good the year it is released, not after. Also, don't forget Hermitage Blanc -- it's stunning. Southern Rhône
We discuss fewer producers and more about the differences in Cru:
Serge tells us the trick to getting good Cotes du Rhone: which is buy a brand, not something you’ve never seen unless you know the importer or producer! If you want the Estate Côte du Rhône he imports: Domaine de Dionysos. Serge tells us the most important thing about the Rhône and maybbe about wine in general these days: “It depends on who makes the wine and the attention they pay to the wines” And according to Serge this is getting easier as the younger generation is looking to focus on quality not quantity! Go togo to Grapes The Wine Company to order any of the wines Serge discusses!
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
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Mar 30, 2020 |
Ep 318: High Altitude Wines
38:29
High altitude wines are often discussed in the wine world, but what REALLY defines high altitude? There are a lot of features that would make a region qualify but the keys to determining “high elevation” are latitude and altitude and their cross section. At lower latitudes, elevations are way higher than at higher latitudes. Places at elevation share characteristics like cool nighttime temperatures, dryness (no mold or disease), later harvest dates, a good amount of wind, and higher levels of UV radiation.
Among other things, we discuss this study (BMC Plant Biol. 2014; 14: 183. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4099137/) which discusses the genetic adaptation and metabolic changes that happen in high altitude grapes. Catena Zapata, Adrianna Vineyard -- Mendoza, Argentina The upshot: thicker skins that protect against the heat of the day and the cool of the night produce wines with greater body, flavor and aromatics. Wines can be lower or higher in alcohol depending on the latitude, but the similarity of these grapes is that they taste like fresh, newly picked fruit becuase of the fresh acidity retained because of cooler temperatures at night, wind, and the long growing season.
We mention some examples of these vineyard areas. In Europe, we mention:
In the New World
After some discussion, we conclude that “higher” does not automatically mean “better” and that although altitude is short hand for a fresh wine, unless it’s on a slope and at elevation, you can’t always rely on that heuristic!
Don't forget to sign up for online classes: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
Mar 24, 2020 |
Ep 317: Valpolicella and Amarone from Veneto, Italy with Filippo Bartolotta
58:14
Filippo Bartolotta joins us again to explain the wonders and changing nature of the Valpolicella region in northeast Italy. Filippo tells us about the geological underpinnings of the region, how the winemaking styles developed here, and what's gone on in modern history. We cover things you many of you have asked about in the past, like...
And finally, the producer list:
Check out Filippo's website for cooking classes and luxury custom tours of Italy!
Don't forget to sign up for online classes: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
Mar 18, 2020 |
Ep 316: Women of Bordeaux with Caroline Perromat of Ch Cerons and Sylvie Courselle of Ch Thieuley
49:47
From Eleanor of Acquitane who married Henry Plantagenet of England in 1152, uniting Britain with Bordeaux and kicking off a lifelong relationship between the two nations, to Caroline de Villeneuve, owner of Château Cantemerle who fought tooth and nail to be included in the 1855 Classification, to Madame Labat whose vision and marketing genius gave us Petrus to Baroness Philippine de Rothschild of Château Mouton-Rothschild and Corinne Mentzelopoulos of Château Margaux women have played a role in Bordeaux for centuries. And in this show we have two women of the current generation. They are here to celebrate women in wine.
On this show I talk with Sylvie Coursell of Château Thieuley, whose estate is in the Entre deux Mers and has been in her family since it was acquired in 1950 and who runs the estate with her sister, making lovely red, white, and sparkling wine. And also Caroline Perromat of the historic Graves estate of Château de Cerons. The property has been around since the 18th century, has groundings in the aristocracy of Bordeaux, and is well known for beautiful reds, whites, and especially botrytis affected sweet wines, which rival those of Barsac and Sauternes. Caroline tells us about the transformation of Bordeaux culture in three generations. Château de Cerons has kept its aristocratic beginnings but with Caroline and her husband Xavier at the helm, changes have been made. What are three ways this historic property has changed?
Cool fact Caroline shares: The famous more tangerine flavored Cerons sweet wines from Château de Cerons is actually grown side by side with the grapes for the fresh whites. The difference between the grapes: picking times only!
Sylvie Courselle of Château Thieuley runs the estate with her sister in Entre-Deux-Mers, the home of excellent, fresh white wines and bright, fruity reds. What are Sylvie's 3 points: 1. There used to be far more white than red in Bordeaux, now there is a mere 9% of whites here. 2. The new grapes that have been introduced for climate reasons (Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa for reds and Alvarinho, Petit Manseng and Liliorila for whites) will give winemakers flexibility that they crave -- she and her sister feel inhibited by the AOC system, so much that they planted Chardonnay and Syrah so they could make wine from them (they are label Vin de France, the general appellation for French wine). Experimetation in anticipation of climate change has been happening for years, so these grapes are the best options based on research. 3. Sylvie believes that in the next generation, the conversation around women and wine will be a non-issue. She feels the playing field has equalized and that we won't be talking about this in 10 years (I gotta disagree with her, but I love the optimism!).
Cool fact from Sylvie: Château Thieuley is named for its soil types of clay "tiles" that surround the estate. Sylvie tells us that many of the Bordeaux chateaux are named in a similar fashion, if they aren't named for the people who founded them. A great show to salute two fantastic women in wine, this women's history month!
_____________________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal
|
Mar 09, 2020 |
Ep 315: The Grape Miniseries -- Mourvedre/Monastrell
38:37
The grape miniseries continues! This time we cover the grape known as Monstrell in Spain, Mourvèdre in France, and Mataro in other parts of the world. Difficult to grow and make, when treated well the wines from this grape are unlike any other -- herbal, gamy, powerful. The key things to know about Monastrell/Mourvèdre:
Where can you find it? France:
Spain (called Monastrell)
California
Other US: Washington State, Oregon, Arizona, TX, Virginia, Chile, South Africa
Australia
A link to where I'll be for upcoming Wine For Normal People book signings: www.winefornormalpeople.com _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
Mar 02, 2020 |
Bonus Sponsored Ep: Vanessa Conlin, MW, Head of Wine for Wine Access
40:42
This bonus episode is sponsored by Wine Access.
They stake their reputation on every bottle they select, and it shows! Wine Access offers some wines on their site and their email offers are amazing, so sign up today. Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more!
This episode is with Vanessa Conlin, Master of Wine, and the Head of Wine for Wine Access. She has had a wonderful and unexpected career: While pursuing a career in opera, she discovered a love of food and wine and pursued wine education while continuing her music studies.
Eventually, she chose wine over music working in wine in New York. She has been the head of sales and marketing for several prestigious Napa wineries including Arietta Wines, Dana Estates, and Realm Cellars.
Vanessa holds the WSET Diploma, and was the recipient of the Niki Singer Memorial Scholarship from the International Wine Center. She is a newly minted Master of Wine!!
Some of the topics we cover:
We wrap up by discussing the changes in the industry and how important direct to consumer channels like Wine Access are! Check out Vanessa's favorite picks on www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! |
Feb 28, 2020 |
Ep 314: Ribera del Duero, Spain -- a Study in Power and Elegance
54:36
Ribera del Duero makes some of the most outstanding Tempranillo in the world. Located in the northwest of the Spain, about two hours north of Madrid, Ribera del Duero has been making wine for 2,600 years but its modern story is one of a dynamic, changing region that is improving every year. This is an exciting region and an example of Spain's willingness to change, improve and go the distance to produce excellent quality wine. Here are the show notes:
Top Producers: Aalto, Alión (owned by Vega Sicilia), Alonso del Yerro, Emilio Moro, Pago de Carraovejas, Pesquera, Dominio de Pingus, Vega Sicilia , O Fournier, Hacienda del Monasterio Links:
And don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
Feb 25, 2020 |
Ep 313: The Cote Chalonnaise, Burgundy's Hidden Gem
54:30
The famed parts of Burgundy make wine that most of us can only read about in books and articles. But Côte Chalonnaise, just south of those famed parts, is a treasure trove of great whites and reds. Although it has been praised throughout history, in recent times it has been overlooked by Burgundy lovers, despite the fact that in many years it makes wine that isn't so different from its neighbors to the north. As a quick overview, the region takes its name from the commune of Chalon-sur-Saône, near the Saône River. It is sandwiched between the Côte de Beane and north of the hills of the Maconnais, and here Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and the white Aligoté grape grow on soils strikingly similar to Côte de Beaune, which is a mere 3 miles away.
The Côte Chalonnaise is between the Dheune and Grosne Valleys. With a continental climate, it rolls over gentle hills with many areas that possess the very same limestone prized (and 3-5 times more for) in the Côte de Beaune.
With max’ed out demand for the wines of the Côte d’Or (where the best Pinot is from) and the wines of the Côte de Beaune (the most famed Chardonnay wines, also with excellent Pinot), prices for wines from these areas of Burgundy are simply outrageous. Although the wines of the Côte Chalonnaise are not always as elegant as those from the regions to its north, they are still outstanding wines and better yet, they are wines that we can afford that allow us to taste the land of Burgundy without paying 6 months mortgage for a single bottle.
In the rest of the show, we discuss specific appellations. Here are the notes:
Regional: Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise
Cremant de Bourgogne: Although not exclusively made in Chalonnaise, this is the area in which the sparkling wine was first made.
Village: Bouzeron: The only appellation to make wine from the Aligoté grape, which is acidic, aromatic, and silky when made well.
Rully: The whites of Chardonnay are the best in Côte Chalonnaise and are very often better than comparable wines from the Côte de Beaune for a way better price. Rully is adjacent to Bouzeron and makes excellent Pinot Noir too. The whites of Chardonnay are usually fermented or matured in oak. The best Crémant is made here as well
Mercurey: The Côte Chalonnaise was once known as the Région de Mercurey, because the area is so large and important. Divided into two parts, there are lots of sub valleys on either side which make research necessary to get good wines. 25% of vineyards are classified as Premier Cru, but these are more legitimate than other communes, because Mercurey does regular reviews, to make more stringent conditions than the appellation's other wines (the maximum yields are closer to those of the Cote d’Or). 90% of the wine is flavorful, earthy, spicy Pinot Noir with chewy, rich tannins, great acidity, and mineral notes.
Givry: Similar to Mercurey, Givry’s production is 90% Pinot Noir. Also like Mercurey, the excellent limestone based soils allow the best Givry producers make wines similar in style to Côte d’Or for a fraction of the price. This is a small area but it has 38 Premier Crus and that means the significance of those climats isn’t always earned – do your research before you buy!
Montagny: With only whites made from Chardonnay, limestone soils are vital to adding minerality in the wines. The wines are generally barrel fermented for depth and complexity. They are rich and full.
The challenges with Montagny: 2/3 of the production is from the local co-op in Buxy . Although they make quality wine, they have a strangle-hold on producers and there are fewer independent domaines here. The other issue: during World War II the appellation was deemed to be ALL Premier Cru and that isn’t really right. Although some producers volunteered to limit the top sites to the best portion of their climat, many didn’t so the proportion of overpriced, improperly classified Premier Cru wine in Montagny is high.
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
Feb 17, 2020 |
Ep 312: Filippo Bartolotta explains the Essential Nature of Vintage and Italy's Anteprima System
56:09
Filippo Bartolotta is a teacher, writer, and a wine storyteller. He has had a long career in wine writing for Decanter magazine, helping launch Vinopolis, the largest wine museum in the world, training journalists, experts, and trade on communication, sensory analysis, wine history and anthropology. Since 2010 he has held a Road Show entitled "The Amazing Italian Wine Journey" which each year, among other places, sees him in the White House kitchens and in the halls of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. He has worked with celebrities and even hosted Barack and Michelle Obama in Tuscany. Filippo and his wife have a cooking and wine school of cooking, MaMa Florence, in Florence, and he runs and agency that provides premium travel experiences throughout Italy. Filippo is an excellent communicator and our conversations are always full of ideas that sometimes explain and sometimes question conventional wisdom. Today he joins me to talk about the relatively new movement of Anteprima in Italy, which, as you’ll hear, is a purely Italian take on the famed en Primeur of Bordeaux (which we will also explain). We discuss the systems of France and Italy, En Primeur and Anteprima respectively and discuss how each country's approach to futures and vintage somewhat mirrors their cultures, and their orientations. We touch on vintage, the importance of small producers in Italy, and offer some golden nuggets on how to take advantage of good and bad vintages. If you've ever wondered about futures or vintage this is a can't miss show!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
Feb 11, 2020 |
Ep 311: Monty Waldin -- Biodynamics, Organics, Sustainability Expert AND Host of the Italian Wine Podcast
44:47
Monty Waldin is a British broadcaster, author, and winemaker with
Monty has winemaking experiences in both hemispheres, has had a tv show called “Chateau Monty” (2008) in which he chronicled biodynamic winemaking in the Roussillon of France, he is a contributor to the Grape Collective, Decanter, and contributes the entries on organics, biodynamics and sustainability for the Oxford Companion to Wine. He’s also the host of the Italian Wine Podcast and a pretty awesome dude.
A busy guy! In this episode Monty takes us through his journey into wine and clarifies for us the differences between organic and biodynamic wine. He chronicles some of the modern history of biodynamics in Europe and talks about why he sees it as a feasible path for many producers.
We then discuss:
We wrap by discussing Monty’s AWESOME podcast, “The Italian Wine Podcast” in conjunction with VinItaly. He talks about how he got into Italian wine, biodynamics in Italy, and ultimately whether we are in a better place in wine than we were when he first started. Thanks to Wine2Wine Verona for inviting me to speak and for allowing me the opportunity to speak with the famous Monty Waldin!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
Feb 03, 2020 |
Ep 310: The quality revolution of Alto Adige, Italy with Karoline Walch of Elena Walch
44:02
Elena Walch is a winery with an essential role in the quality revolution of Alto Adige, Italy.
Alto Adige is in the northeast corner of Italy and has unlimited variety and wines that offer delicate, unique flavor profiles. Located south of the Alps, in the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains (where the ice mummy was found!), vineyards here are planted on steep slopes, river valleys and some warmer plains. The vast differences in microclimates and soils in this sloping terrain make wines that have ample fruit but beautiful acidity that keep them crisp and bright.
In the 1980s and early 1990s a very important figure emerged in Now, her daughters, Julia and Karoline Walch, the fifth generation are taking over and today we have Karoline to tell us this amazing story and talk about Alto Adige, the small, gorgeous region in northeast Italy that makes beautiful cool climate wines. The estate is dedicated to terroir-driven wines. In this show, Karoline Walch talks with me about Alto Adige and the
Thanks to Wine2Wine Verona for inviting me to speak and for allowing me the opportunity to meet Karoline Walch and share this show with all of you!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more! I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).
Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal |
Jan 27, 2020 |
Ep 309: Tranquil Vale of Hunter Valley, Australia on Boutique Wine, Bushfires, and Climate Change
47:14
Connie Paur Griffiths is winemaker and vigneron at Tranquil Vale Vineyards in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia joins to educate us about this fascinating region, discuss the bushfires that have threatened it, and to talk about the challenges facing wine and climate in Oz's future.
Connie shares how her parents found Tranquil Vale advertised in an Australian paper, while living in London, and took a chance on a total lifestyle change. From there, they moved their lives and two kids, including then 8 year old Connie to the hot Hunter Valley, 2.5 hours from Sydney to begin their adventure. They learned to make wine and grow grapes and have won multiple awards for their Semillon, Chardonnay, and Shiraz. Tranquil Vale makes 3,000 cases of wine and is a family-owned and run boutique producer.
Connie tells us about this unlikely place, which is the oldest wine region in Australia. Hunter Valley characteristics include:
The main grapes of the area are:
The second half of our conversation focuses on the bushfires of 2019-2020 and the havoc they have wreaked, but also on the endemic climate, infrastructure and land management issues that Australia will likely need to deal with to prevent the kind of historic fires we have seen this year. A fascinating perspective, and a thought-provoking conversation!
Thanks to Connie for reaching out to us and sharing her story!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today:
And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes! |
Jan 21, 2020 |
Ep 308: The Reality of the Australian Fires with Paracombe Wines of Adelaide Hills
40:06
There may be no better representative to speak to us about the devastation of the 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia than Kathy Drogemuller of Paracombe Wines in Adelaide Hills in South Australia. Started in 1983, Paracombe Wines started after the Ash Wednesday bushfires when Kathy and her husband Paul bought an old dairy farm and began making wine. Today it is truly a family business, making handcrafted wines. Kathy tells us her story, what is special about the high-altitude vineyards of Adelaide Hills and the diversity of grapes that can grow there and then she gives us great perspective on the large-scale fires that destroyed much of her beautiful region. She shares what has happened with the fires, why it has happened, and gives us a perspective on how a region copes with fire we discuss a bit about animal life, and the importance of knowing that there are still people who are open for business. The show is a great opportunity to discover a quality Australian region and to get an idea of what is really going on in Australian wine regions regarding the most destructive wildfires in Australian history. Kathy gives us the true, somewhat sad picture but gives us great hope with her optimism, her assurance that the wine community is pulling together, and her genuine belief that something good will come from this tragic situation.
The easiest way to help is to request wines from Adelaide Hills, Australia from your local wine shop or restaurant. You can also donate to the following causes:
Special thanks to Leighton Walker in the UK for helping connect me with Kathy!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today:
And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
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Jan 13, 2020 |
Ep 307: The Grape Miniseries -- Muscat (the Granddaddy of them all)
42:15
To kick off 2020, we have the original wine grape, the one from which so many were derived: MUSCAT! In the show we discuss the three main types of Muscat and the wines and regions that you need to seek out to get a taste of this ancient, delicious, complex grape. As M.C. Ice requests in the middle of the show...here are the notes! What is Muscat? Overview
The main types of Muscat: 1. Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains is the oldest grape
2. Muscat of Alexandria
3. Muscat Ottonel:
4. Muscat of Hamburg
Muscat in the Vineyard:
Muscat by Place: France
Italy
Spain
Portugal
Other Old World places: Germany, Austria, Greece
Australia
South Africa
US: Central Valley for bulk white. Some Orange Muscat which is a relative of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. |
Jan 06, 2020 |
Ep 306: Planeta and the story of modern Sicilian wine with Alessio Planeta
54:46
While I was in Verona at Wine2Wine, I had the chance to speak with Alessio Planeta, President at Assovini Sicilia and Owner at Planeta Winery. For five centuries and through seventeen generations, Planeta has
Here are the notes:
Thanks to Wine2Wine Verona for inviting me to speak and for allowing me the opportunity to meet Gaia Gaja and share this show with all of you!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
|
Dec 18, 2019 |
Ep 305: Gaia Gaja on the Past and Future of Barbaresco and Piedmont, Italy
42:04
This week, one of the most famous wine producers in the world Her philosophy, outlook, and class show why Gaja has earned its place at the top of the wine world. We discuss:
Thanks to Wine2Wine Verona for inviting me to speak and for allowing me the opportunity to meet Gaia Gaja and share this show with all of you!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. |
Dec 09, 2019 |
Ep 304: Hightower Cellars, Red Mountain, Washington, and an Honest Look at WA Wine
59:18
Tim and Kelly Hightower of Hightower Cellars have been making beautiful wine in Washington State (in the northwest of the US) specifically Red Mountain, for about 2.5 decades. They tell us about the evolution of Washington State wine, their path to owning a boutique winery, and then we discuss some of the reasons Washington wine can and should be so much more popular. This is a real insightful look into the challenges and opportunities of Washington State wine! Map (C) "Wine for Normal People" book Here are some of the points we hit:
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
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Dec 02, 2019 |
Ep 303: Alternative Wines For Thanksgiving Pairing
35:42
We have much to be grateful for this year – Patrons, the release of the , and all of you listeners! This is our yearly TG episode. This time we take the traditional pairings and offer some alternatives. You can stick with what you know based on our recommendations or go out on a limb. Either way, we are truly grateful for you, for your tolerance of our Beastie Boys and Hobbit references and for your continued support! Thank you! Traditional Whites:
Alternative whites:
If you want… Rosé:
Sparkling:
Traditional Reds:
Alternative Reds:
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices. They offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
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Nov 19, 2019 |
Ep 302: The Insider View of Long Island Wine with Lieb Cellars and Bridge Lane Wine
01:08:45
Long Island has 3,000 acres planted with grapes and at least 60 wineries. Lieb Cellars has been around for nearly 30 years and this week Russell Hearn, winemaker for Lieb Cellars and Bridge Lane Wines (who has been there since the start), and Ami Opisso, General Manager and Long Island native, tell us about why Long Island is special, why Lieb is different, and how Bridge Lane is the king of quality wine in alternative packaging (yes, we cover this in detail!). After discussing all the various accents on this show (yeah, I'm from the 'Island so you'll hear me get mine back when Ami and I tawk!), we dig deep into Long Island.
We move on to wine! We talk about...
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices. They offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Zola, the wedding company that will do anything for love, is reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience to make the happiest moment in couples' lives even happier. From engagement to wedding and decorating your first home, Zola is there, combining compassionate customer service with modern tools and technology. All in the service of love. To start your free wedding website or registry on Zola, go to www.ZOLA.com/wine
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Nov 13, 2019 |
Ep 301: Sheldrake Point Winery -- Refreshing Candor (and wine) in the Finger Lakes
39:27
Sheldrake Point Winery in the Finger Lakes began in 1997. For most of that time, Dave Wieman, vineyard manager, and Dave Breeden, winemaker, have been with the winery. They dish on what it's really like it is to make wine in this ever-changing, awesome region. Here are the show notes:
Sheldrake Point will be at Underground Wine Events on 11/9/19!
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. |
Nov 05, 2019 |
Ep 300: A Past, Present, and Future look at Wine, for Normal People
49:45
As we always do when we hit a milestone, for episode 300 we reflect on three things we each have learned in the last 8 years. We talk about the process of planning, writing, and publishing the book and possible future wine trends. We thank you for all your support over the years!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
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Oct 29, 2019 |
Ep 299: Texas Wine Country with the Wineries of Texas Fine Wine
58:04
Texas is one of the oldest winegrowing states in the US, with vines predating California by 100+ years. The first vineyard in North America was by Franciscan priests circa 1660 in Texas and the industry grew throughout the 1800s. Texas is important in another way, as horticulturist Thomas Munson contributed greatly to finding the solution to the phylloxera epidemic, which effectively saved the European wine industry from total ruin. After Prohibition decimated the industry in the 1920s, Texas jump started it's wine industry in the 1970s and today it's roaring back. Texas has 400 producers and it is growing and growing.
Jennifer McInnis, General Manager of Bending Branch and Ron Yates, the owner and President of Spicewood Vineyards, are part of a marketing consortium representing five of Texas’ most distinguished wineries: Bending Branch Winery, Brennan Vineyards, Duchman Family Winery, Pedernales Cellars and Spicewood Vineyards. Member wineries produce wines from Texas grapes, that try to express the terroir of Texas Hill County and the Texas High Plains. Here are the show notes: We start off talking about Texas, an area I admittedly (used to) know very little about. We cover:
Then we discuss the 5 wineries of Texas Fine Wine and their goals of
We wrap by talking about the bright future of Texas wine!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
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Oct 21, 2019 |
Ep 298: The Transformation of Loudoun County, Virginia -- The Vineyards at Lost Creek
47:12
Loudoun County, Virginia is in close proximity to Washington, D.C. -- the farthest vineyards are just over an hour's drive away. But the area has been known more for big, beautiful farms that are good for weddings rather than as a premier wine region of Virginia. Today, this is changing and Lost Creek is part of that change. About 7 years ago Aimee and Todd Henkle of Lost Creek decided to buy a beautiful property that made mainly sweet wines and change it into a place with elegant, dry reds and whites. Aimee tells her story and that of a region maturing each year. Here are the show notes:
Lost Creek will be at the Underground Wine Event on 11/9/19! Get your tickets before we sell out!.
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
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Oct 15, 2019 |
Ep 297: Anthony Road Wine Company -- a Legend in the Finger Lakes Region of New York
01:10:03
Anthony Road Wine Company is a legend in the Finger Lakes Region of This week I speak with Peter Becraft, a man of many talents. He
Here are the show notes:
Peter and Anthony Road will be at the Underground Wine Event on 11/9/19!
You can meet Peter and try his wines at the Underground Wine Event in Washington, D.C. on November 9, 2019!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. |
Oct 08, 2019 |
Ep 296: Boundary Breaks of the Finger Lakes, Where Terroir Reigns Supreme
51:05
Boundary Breaks is located in the Finger Lakes in Central New York. It's the consummate cool weather growing region, where Riesling and aromatic whites reign supreme. Bruce Murray, the founder and creative force behind Boundary Breaks, tells us how he went from newspaper man, to working with Elon Musk, to running a winery so focused on terroir, they don't even have a dedicated winemaker.
Here are the topics we discuss:
You can meet Bruce and try his wines at the Underground Wine Event in Washington, D.C. on November 9, 2019!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. |
Oct 01, 2019 |
Ep 295: Sleight of Hand- Washington State's Wine Magic
01:10:58
Sleight of Hand Cellars is the fulfillment of two dreams. Jerry Solomon was a real estate attorney in San Diego who longed for a small town life and wanted wine to be part of it. Trey Busch was a Walla Walla winemaker who had insane talent but needed a partner to make his dream winery a reality. The two created Sleight of Hand 12 years ago to create exceptional, terroir driven wines that reflect the unique land of Walla Walla and Columbia Valley. Jerry takes us on a journey of the winery, the land, and the beautiful wines they produce!
They will be at Underground Wine Event on November 9, 2019 – don’t miss it! www.undergroundwineevents.com/events
Here are the show notes:
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!! ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more! |
Sep 24, 2019 |
Ep 294: Walla Walla, Washington's Fathers of the Vine -- Eric McKibben of Pepper Bridge Winery and Amavi Cellars
42:44
Eric McKibben grew up in Walla Walla, where his dad, Norm, is a The business is truly a family business. Norm is still involved but Eric is a partner. Eric worked for 11 years in Seattle in the telecom industry, earned an MBA and then returned to Walla Walla in 2003, where he is an active partner at Amavi Cellars and Pepper Bridge Winery. In 2004, he assumed the duty of General Manager at Amavi Cellars. He also taught me pretty much everything I know about Walla Walla and is one of the best advocates for the region there is! If you get a chance to try these wines, you should do it -- they are pure Walla Walla and purely excellent! Here are the show notes:
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!! ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!
If you’ve wondered about these clothes, as I have, I’m here to tell you PULL THE TRIGGER! They are beautiful!! The M.M.LaFleur collection is designed by co-founder Miyako Nakamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen. M.M.LaFleur offers personal styling to help you find the best pieces for your body and lifestyle. Right now, new customers can enjoy $25 towards their first purchase or Bento Box with the code WINE. Visit mmlafleur.com/wine for more details and to redeem this gift. |
Sep 16, 2019 |
Ep 293: Afton Mountain Vineyards Proves Why Virginia Wine is So Unique
50:43
Virginia, on the east coast of the United States, has much history with grape growing, but not all of it was good. Today, however, exciting producers have mastered their microclimates and are making some of the freshest, most nuanced, terroir-driven wines in the United States.
Elizabeth and Tony Smith both grew up in Charlottesville and had lifelong ties the Blue Ridge Mountains. After working and raising a family in coastal VA, and even trying their hands at grape growing there (not quite the right terroir!), they decided to move back to their hometown for their second act – winegrowing and making. They bought Afton Mountain Vineyards in 2009 and in this show, Elizabeth shares their story and how they came to make some of the best wine in Virginia.
Find out more about Elizabeth and her wines at www.aftonmountainvineyards.com and come to the Underground Wine Event on 11/9/19 in Washington D.C. to meet her and taste her beautiful wines!
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices. They offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Zola, the wedding company that will do anything for love, is reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience to make the happiest moment in couples' lives even happier. From engagement to wedding and decorating your first home, Zola is there, combining compassionate customer service with modern tools and technology. All in the service of love. To start your free wedding website or registry on Zola, go to www.ZOLA.com/wine
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Sep 09, 2019 |
Ep 292: The Secret, Stunning Wine of Swartland, South Africa
43:20
Just 40 miles/65 km north of Cape Town lies a large area that makes the most exciting, sought after wines in South Africa. Swartland (Dutch for 'black land') is full of young, passionate winemakers making wines that respect the hot, dry land from which they derive and are able to create wines of such depth, flavor, and nuance that it’s hard to believe so few know about them. In this show, we tell you about the Syrah, Rhône and Mediterranean varietals, the Chenin Blanc and other stunning white blends coming from this area and why you need to seek it out ASAP!
Overview of the region…
We dork out on plate tectonics!
Grapes/Winemaking
We talk about South African and Swartland Wine history
Producers and the Swartland revolution
Top producers
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!! ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more! |
Sep 05, 2019 |
Ep 291: Vinho Verde (has so much more to it than you know!)
33:04
If you think Vinho Verde (pronounced veeng-yo vaird) is just a fizzy summer sipper, we're about to open up a new world for you in this show. You CAN get the run of the mill stuff but with multiple grapes, regions, and producer styles, if you dig deeper this wine has way more to it than you think!
Overview
What wine is here?
Winemaking:
Wine style:
History
Location/Land:
Climate:
Subregions: 9, can be on the label with the name Vinho Verde
Monção e Melgaço: Best region, but least typical Vinho Verde
Lima:
3 Similar regions: Cávado, Ave, Sousa -- Mild
Basto: inland – HOT with high rainfall
Amarante: Inland
Paiva:
Baião: Inland/continental
Food Pairing:
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!! ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!
If you’ve wondered about these clothes, as I have, I’m here to tell you PULL THE TRIGGER! They are beautiful!! The M.M.LaFleur collection is designed by co-founder Miyako Nakamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen. M.M.LaFleur offers personal styling to help you find the best pieces for your body and lifestyle. Right now, new customers can enjoy $25 towards their first purchase or Bento Box with the code WINE. Visit mmlafleur.com/wine for more details and to redeem this gift.
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Aug 26, 2019 |
Ep 290: Theresa Breuer of Georg Breuer Represents Rheingau, Riesling, and the New Face of German Wine
58:24
If you had no interest in Riesling or in Rheingau previously, this show will change your mind completely and make you jump out of your seat to try Georg Breuer's exquisite wines. Theresa Breuer is a young woman who found herself (sadly, earlier This show should give you a perspective on why Rheingau is so special and make you understand why a dork like me loves this place so much! Here are the show notes: HISTORY
Rheingau Education!
Theresa gives us the deep dive into site specific info. It's fascinating:
Theresa unveils big news: Weingut Georg Breuer bought some land in the (very different, Mittelrhein-type) wine area of Lorch, to the west of their Grand Cru vineyards. They will be learning more about the sites, and making wine from them soon! Check out the videos on my YouTube Channel -- you will love Theresa even more!
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!! ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!
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Aug 19, 2019 |
Ep 289: Orange (Skin Contact) Wines
44:00
We tackle a wine style that is adored in certain hip, wine "in-crowd" circles: "orange" wine, which is actually white wine made like a red -- there is long contact with the skins and seeds that give the wine a darker, orange-ish color, and VERY different flavors. M.C. Ice and I are not big fans, but we do our best to explain the phenomenon of these whites made with skin contact.
Here are the show notes:
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MACERATING WHITE JUICE WITH SKINS?
Different styles:
Regions:
Food Pairing: Skin Contact wine is versatile with food pairing but it depends on the weight and the treatment of the wine (length of maceration, barrel v. stainless steel, etc).
Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!! ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!
If you’ve wondered about these clothes, as I have, I’m here to tell you PULL THE TRIGGER! They are beautiful!! The M.M.LaFleur collection is designed by co-founder Miyako Nakamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen. M.M.LaFleur offers personal styling to help you find the best pieces for your body and lifestyle. Right now, new customers can enjoy $25 towards their first purchase or Bento Box with the code WINE. Visit mmlafleur.com/wine for more details and to redeem this gift.
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Aug 13, 2019 |
Ep 288: Martinborough, NZ and the Glory of Wellington Wine Country with Simone Madden-Grey
46:03
No, it's not a typo: Martinborough is a quality enclave in the larger Wellington Wine Country of New Zealand, which we discuss in depth in this episode. Simone Madden-Grey returns to tell us about the stunning Pinot Noir, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, up and coming Syrah, and other excellent Wellington wines that must be on your radar!
Here are the show notes: Wellington Wine Country Overview
Location
Climate/Terroir
Soil
Climate
Sub Regions: North to south
Wine Style: Red, white, sparkling (usually Methode Traditionnelle), rosé and sweet wines are all produced in the region
The producer list!
_________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!
If you’ve wondered about these clothes, as I have, I’m here to tell you PULL THE TRIGGER! They are beautiful!! The M.M.LaFleur collection is designed by co-founder Miyako Nakamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen. M.M.LaFleur offers personal styling to help you find the best pieces for your body and lifestyle. Right now, new customers can enjoy $25 towards their first purchase or Bento Box with the code WINE. Visit mmlafleur.com/wine for more details and to redeem this gift.
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Aug 09, 2019 |
Bonus Sponsored Ep: Greg Lambrecht, Inventor of Coravin
37:24
Although sponsored by Coravin, this is the same as any other interview show! Don't miss it! Greg Lambrecht is the inventor, founder and board member of Coravin™ along with a number of other medical device companies. Greg holds a Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He holds numerous patents in the fields of gynecology, general surgery, cardiology, and orthopedics.
Here are some of the topics we cover:
For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more. |
Aug 07, 2019 |
Ep 287: The Grape Miniseries -- Chenin Blanc
59:18
In this episode of the Grape Miniseries, we discuss Pineau de la Loire, a.k.a, Chenin Blanc! This white grape is one of the most versatile in terms of wine styles it can make – from floral sparkling, to stunning dry and off dry versions to unctuous dessert wines. Chenin is underrated, not always treated with regard, but it has a pedigree and a class that can’t be doubted. After hearing about all it has to offer, you’ll want to run out and get a bottle ASAP!
Here are the show notes: What Is Chenin Blanc?
Flavors of Chenin
Viticulture:
Winemaking
Wine regions Loire, France
Languedoc: Crémant de Limoux, Chenin must account for at least 20% and up to 40% of the blend with Mauzac, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
South Africa
United States
Other wine regions: Australia,New Zealand, Argentina blended with Chardonnay, Mexico and Canada, and India and Thailand grow it too!
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!
Imagine a path to wealth that just works. A team of experts at your beck and call, technology to keep tabs on your money 24/7, financial education and the personal touch that makes organizing your financial life feel achievable, rather than daunting.Halpern Financial is a fiduciary, fee-only, independent advisor that offers a combination of online tools and personal connection to help clients systematically achieve their goals. Go to halpernfinancial.com/wine for more information!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices. They offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
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Jul 30, 2019 |
Ep 286: The Extreme Altitude Vineyards of Salta, Argentina
40:44
Salta, Argentina contains the highest altitude vineyards in the world and some of the most unique wines. At these heights, UV radiation changes the grapes so in this tiny, remote area, the wines contain flavors and character you won't find from anywhere else! Here are the show notes: ______ Overview:
Location
Sub areas of Salta
Wine:
Wineries Mentioned: Bodega El Esteco:Altimvs and Chañar Punco are top wines from the Bodega
San Pedro de Yacochuya: Founded in 1988 by Arnaldo Etchart and Michel Rolland. Made an international reputation for the area
Porvenir de Cafayate:Oenologist Mariano Quiroga, with the American consultant Paul Hobbs (we had the Amauta Malbec while we were recording the show!)
José Luis Mounier, Finca Las Nubes: a high-altitude terroir expert, Torrontés, Cabernet Sauvignon
Colomé and Tacuil wineries in Los Molinos: Both growing vines at 2,500 meters/8,200 above sea level. Colomé’s Altura Maxima is at 10,000 feet/3,111 meters
______________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!
If you’ve wondered about these clothes, as I have, I’m here to tell you PULL THE TRIGGER! They are beautiful!! The M.M.LaFleur collection is designed by co-founder Miyako Nakamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen. M.M.LaFleur offers personal styling to help you find the best pieces for your body and lifestyle. You can try the collection at home with a stylist-curated Bento Box.
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I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. |
Jul 22, 2019 |
Ep 285: Mendoza, Argentina and it's many facets
51:15
Mendoza is Argentina’s most important and prolific wine region, representing two-thirds of the nation’s wine production. We talk about the effect of altitude and other geographical features that make this area so unique. Then we break down sub regions and discuss the incredible diversity that guarantees there is a wine style for every palate out of this beautiful, mountainous wine region.
Here are the show notes: First we tackle the stats and some history on the region:
Next, we discuss the unique geography and terrain of the region:
We chat about grapes and wine colors of Mendoza
Then we riff on sub regions for the rest of the show! I. South Mendoza:
II. East Mendoza
III. North Mendoza: also warmer, can be very soft/low tannin and low acid wines
IV. Primera Zona: Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo – 40% of Argentina’s wineries, 881 inn total Maipu –12 districts, 6% of Argentine wine
Important Subareas:
Luján de Cuyo –14 districts, 8% of Argentine wine production
Important Subareas: Agrelo
Las Compuertas
Perdriel
Vistalba (means "view of the dawn" in Spanish)
V. Uco Valley (Valle de Uco)-- 14% of all Argentinean wine
Important Sub areas: Tupungato
Tunuyán
San Carlos
Please shop around, try all the different styles and let us know what you like! I promise we will be doing the same!
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Imagine a path to wealth that just works. A team of experts at your beck and call, technology to keep tabs on your money 24/7, financial education and the personal touch that makes organizing your financial life feel achievable, rather than daunting.Halpern Financial is a fiduciary, fee-only, independent advisor that offers a combination of online tools and personal connection to help clients systematically achieve their goals. Go to halpernfinancial.com/wine for more information!
Zola, the wedding company that will do anything for love, is reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience to make the happiest moment in couples' lives even happier. From engagement to wedding and decorating your first home, Zola is there, combining compassionate customer service with modern tools and technology. All in the service of love. To start your free wedding website or registry on Zola, go to www.ZOLA.com/wine
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Jul 15, 2019 |
Ep 284: Lorenzo Muslija from Andis Wine in Sierra Foothills, California
01:02:57
This week I speak with Lorenzo Muslija, the co-owner and
Opened in November of 2010, Andis Wines is a boutique winery located in historic Amador County in California's Sierra Foothills. They source from the best vineyards in the Sierra Foothills, hand sort and ferment their wine in small lots and the result is well-balanced, food friendly, terroir-driven wines. Lorenzo recently became a co-owner of the business and we talk about his fascinating personal story, his love of Sierra Foothills, and what makes Andis unique. Here are the show notes:
Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
The Citizenry is a socially conscious home décor brand bringing time-tested craftsmanship to the modern home. They travel around the globe, partnering with master artisans to create designs with a soul, story, and a purpose. With pieces crafted in over 15 countries, their collections are designed to highlight the unique materials and craft traditions of each destination. And even better -- every dollar you spend supports fair wages, safe working environments, and is a direct investment into artisan entrepreneurs. For a special offer, go to CitizenryPodcast.com and enter WINE. |
Jul 09, 2019 |
Ep 283: US Wine Lovers Victorious In the Supreme Court Case with Tom Wark
46:41
Tom Wark, executive director of the National Association of Wine The Supreme Court of the US, the highest court of the land, has basically decided that states are not permitted to block interstate commerce -- meaning wine shops anywhere in the US are permitted to ship wine to any consumer in the US, unless there is a health and safety reason for them to forbid it (which is pretty hard to prove!)
Tom and I discuss the finer points of the case (https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/18-96_5i36.pdf)
Go to https://www.winefreedom.org and sign up to find out how when activity is happening in your state that you can help with. A phone call or email could mean that your ability to order that really rare bottle of orange wine from Greece (or whatever other random stuff you want!) is just a click away!
Canadians -- take note of this show. You're issues are similar and you need to see what happens here to model it so you can open up your wine trade too!
Thank you to our sponsors: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normaland join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Imagine a path to wealth that just works. A team of experts at your beck and call, technology to keep tabs on your money 24/7, financial education and the personal touch that makes organizing your financial life feel achievable, rather than daunting.Halpern Financial is a fiduciary, fee-only, independent advisor that offers a combination of online tools and personal connection to help clients systematically achieve their goals. Go to halpernfinancial.com/wine for more information!
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Jul 02, 2019 |
Ep 282: Greece Overview
58:36
Greece is among both the oldest and among the newest wine nations Here's a rundown of the topics we covered: Geography: We go over where the heck Greece is and what’s here that’s good for grapes!
History
Classification:Before we launch into the regions and wines, we tell you about the classification
The Regions and Grapes Northern Greece: Epirus, Macedonia, Thrace Thrace –isbordered by Turkey and Bulgaria in the North, Aegean in the south, makes mostly international wine varieties
Epirus: NW Grecian mainland, mountains are essential to high quality.
Central Greece: Central Greece, Thessalia Central Greece (this is where Athens is): Hot and dry, more white than red
Thessalia (Thessaly): Borders Greek Macedonia, Central Greece, the Aegean Sea – Mediterranean climate with continental influences. Best areas are in the mountains that surround the region
Southwestern Greece: Ionian Islands, Peloponnese Peloponnese: Where Sparta and Olympia were this is a peninsula on the southern edge of mainland Greece. Best areas are on the eastern side of the Peloponnese, at altitude
Ionian Islands: Ruled by Venetians in Middle Ages – today tourism = shrinking vineyards
CRETE Crete: Largest Island (150 miles long), on the southern edge of Aegean. Hottest vineyards in Greece.
Aegean Islands
To sum up:
______________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsor this week: Imagine a path to wealth that just works. A team of experts at your beck and call, technology to keep tabs on your money 24/7, financial education and the personal touch that makes organizing your financial life feel achievable, rather than daunting.Halpern Financial is a fiduciary, fee-only, independent advisor that offers a combination of online tools and personal connection to help clients systematically achieve their goals. Go to halpernfinancial.com/wine for more information!
Thanks to And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Most of the info for this show came from the Official Wines of Greece Web site: https://winesofgreece.org/ |
Jun 24, 2019 |
Ep 281: 30 Years of Tablas Creek with Jason Haas
52:38
Jason Haas from Tablas Creek returns (he was in Ep 162) to give Here are some of the things we chatted about:
We wrap with: What’s in the next 30 years? Please check out Tablas Creek. Many consider them the best winery in America. It's a hard point to argue once you have their wines!
Thanks to
And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
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Jun 18, 2019 |
Ep 280: Provence, France
53:12
Provence, France is a multifaceted wine region. Although it makes mainly rosé, there is much to explore here. To start, not all of that rosé is created equal. And there are whites and reds you may not be aware of, that are just stunning. This podcast is a surprising, dorky, deep look at this beautiful wine region. Climate and terroir
Blends, not varietal wines:
Provence rosé appellations
Côtes de Provence: 90% Rosé, 6.5% red, 3.5% white
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence: 82.5% Rosé, 5.5% White, 12% Red
Coteaux Varois en Provence: 85% Rosé, with red and white
Bandol Wine: Nearly 70% is red wine with rosé, small amt of white
Bellet Wine: Equal amounts of white, red, rosé
Palette: Red, white, rosé made east of Aix-en-Provence in hills
Coteaux de Pierrevert: Cool climate red, white and rosé wines are mainly made from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsaut, Clairette and Rolle Cassis Wine: White is 75% of production, with red and rosé
Thanks to
And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
Podcasts referenced: Ep 160: The Rosé Story with Ian Renwick Ep 227: Derek Van Dam, CNN Weatherman on Weather and Wine Ep 277: Bordeaux -- An Insider View with Serge Doré |
Jun 10, 2019 |
Ep 279: Greg La Follette of Alquimista Cellars and pioneer of Sonoma, CA Pinot Noir
49:35
Greg La Follette is known in the wine world as a founding father of California Pinot Noir. A former seminarian and biochemist with degrees in Plant Biology and Chemistry, he was an early AIDS researcher at the University of California San Francisco before earning his masters degree in Food Science and Technology at the University of California Davis. Greg has worked for BV, started La Crema and Hartford Court for Jackson Family Wine (Kendall-Jackson), started Sonoma Pinot cult brand Flowers and his own brands LaFollette (which he sold) and now Alquimista. Greg has consulted all over the world – in northern California, Oregon, Europe, South America, and Australia. He is widely considered an expert on Pinot Noir. Here are a few things we chatted about:
Alquimista's wines are spectacular. Check them out! __________________________________________
Thanks to
And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
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Jun 03, 2019 |
Ep 278: The Art of Vegetarian Food Pairing
49:48
At the request of UK listener, Peregrine (great idea, thanks!), we discuss vegetarian food pairing, an art that's just as easy or hard as with any dish. The difference is that in the veg world, we pair with sauce and seasoning and the complexities are many --and we dig into many of them! We discuss my three step pairing process and how it applies to vegetarian food:
We discuss MC Ice's favorite rule: What grows together, goes together
We talk about the best pairings for spice:
We talk TexMex and Mexican:
Finally we discuss how salad has become so varied it's hard to make a good match. We leave you with some ideas:
Thanks to our sponsor this week:
And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!
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May 27, 2019 |
Ep 277: Bordeaux -- An Insider View with Serge Doré
55:27
Serge Doré has been an importer of small French family made wines Here are some of the things we discuss:
I had a great time listening to Serge's take on Bordeaux and how it has changed over the years. I hope you love this very lively, honest conversation too! Learn more about Serge's wines here
Thanks to our sponsor this week:
For the latest class schedule, please visit: https://winefornormalpeople.com/classes
Other shows referenced: Ep 276: Familie Aubert, with Amelie Aubert, the 7th Generation of Bordeaux Winemaking
Ep 262: Serge Doré, Outstanding French Wine Importer
Ep 250: Amazing Innovation in Champagne with Thibaut Le Mailloux of the Champagne Council |
May 21, 2019 |
Ep 276: Familie Aubert, with Amelie Aubert, the 7th Generation of Bordeaux Winemaking
39:49
The Aubert family has lived in Saint-Émilion on the Right Bank of Bordeaux since 1750 and has a long and successful history as producers of some of Bordeaux’s finest wines. Alaine and Bernadette Aubert own over 600 acres of vineyard property, making them one of the largest family producers on the Right Bank. They run the estate with the help of their three daughters Cécile, Amélie and Héloise, with Amélie the 7th generation of the family to take over the reins of the family’s winemaking responsibilities. The estate centers around the old family home of Château de Ribebon, a magnificent 18th century building that was once a hunting lodge for King Louis XIV, beautifully preserved, on a terrace overlooking the Dordogne River. Thanks to Serge Doré Selections for making this show happen! Chateaux list: (you can get these at www.winelibrary.com please call them to special order these wines except the Cab Franc!)
Here are the topics we cover:
Thanks to our sponsor this week:
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May 13, 2019 |
Ep 275: Lane Tanner, the Pinot Czarina of Santa Barbara County, California
54:36
When I was visiting Santa Barbara County, I got to sit down with the Pinot Czarina herself, Lane Tanner. She is famed for her deep knowledge of Pinot noir winemaking in Santa Barbara, having arrived as only the second woman winemaker in the county in 1981. Since then, Lane has built a reputation as one of the top Pinot specialists in California and she is a pioneer and icon in SB County. She has had a long career and today, she is the winemaker and partner with Will Hentry Ep 259) in Lumen Wines, making exceptional single vineyard Pinot Noir, with great Chardonnay, Grenache, Grenache blanc and Pinot Gris to boot. Although accomplished, Lane is a total package – confident, strong, but kind and willing to share her story with us. We became fast friends and I can't wait to introduce you to her and her story in this show! Here are the topics we hit on:
We hope to have an Underground Wine Event next year in Santa Barbara! Stay tuned for details!
Thanks to our sponsor this week:
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May 07, 2019 |
Ep 274: Christopher Snowden on how moderate drinking is still good for you and why wine is NOT the new tobacco
54:18
Christopher Snowdon is the head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs. His research focuses on social freedoms, prohibition and policy-based evidence. He is a regular columnist for the Spectator Health blog, where his article on March 28, 2019 “The campaign to make alcohol ‘the new tobacco’” caught my eye.
In this show, Chris and I discuss the new narratives that the UK Chief Medical Officers and others in positions of power in public health are pushing out to the public. We dig into the problems with these studies, namely that the claims are relatively baseless and the research is skewed, and we talk about possible trajectories for Neo-temperance and the importance of vigilance and questioning the claims and the motives of these claims.
The show notes are simple this week: his two articles --
More on Chris: Snowdon is author of five books: 'Killjoys' (2017), 'Selfishness, Greed and Capitalism' (2015), 'The Art of Suppression' (2011), 'The Spirit Level Delusion' (2010) and 'Velvet Glove, Iron Fist' (2009). He has also written more than a dozen reports for the Institute of Economic Affairs including ‘Drinking, Fast and Slow’, ‘and ‘Closing Time: Who’s killing the British pub?’. He blogs at Velvet Glove, Iron Fist.
I made reference to the podcast we did about my experience drinking while pregnant. Here's the link!
Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. |
Apr 29, 2019 |
Ep 273: The Grape Miniseries -- Tannat
45:32
Tannat is one of the gems of southwest France – a tannic, acidic, flavorful grape that makes wines packed with complexity (and huge health benefits!). This show takes you from the origins of the grape to the changes it needed to survive in modern times to the glory it’s achieving in Uruguay and its potential in California. A dorky show but a fascinating one, nonetheless!
Overview:
Origins:
Vineyard/Grape character:
Winemaking/vineyard management to soften:
Flavors:
French Tannat
Uruguay
California
Food: Needs high protein and high fat to the table to soften the high tannins Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make
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To start your free wedding website or registry on Zola, go to www.ZOLA.com/wine
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Apr 22, 2019 |
Ep 272: The Greats -- Rioja, Spain
52:33
Another in our series of the greatest wines in the world, this dorky, in-depth show goes over the intricate details of Rioja, Spain. The history is just fascinating(especially the ties to France), and the wines are a marvel. Rioja truly is a GREAT. If the podcast is too weedy for you, skip to the end. MC Ice asks me a question about traditional practices in Europe and how I feel about it restricting creativity, and I give a staunch defense of the regulations in an answer he didn't expect! Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. Here are the show notes: Overview
History:
Geography:
Grapes:
Type of Wine:
Viticulture:
I heavily relied on the awesome site: https://us.riojawine.com/en/ for information in this pod! Also, I mentioned a Spanish language podcast I like. Here's the link to Coffee Break Spanish
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Apr 13, 2019 |
Ep 271: The SoNapa Problem with Oded Shakked of Longboard Vineyards and Jim Morris, the Sonoma AND Napa Wine Guy
38:45
Napa and Sonoma are the two most famous places for wine in the United States. On a map, they are right next to each other and they seem really interchangeable. But looks can be deceiving. The truth is, that they are an hour drive apart and worlds away in climate, geography, grapes, cost, marketing, and culture.
This week, Oded Shakked, winemaker and owner of Longboard Vineyards and Jim Morris, the Sonoma Wine Guy, who now works for a Napa winery help me parse the differences. This podcast should help make everything a whole lot clearer when people talk about Napa versus Sonoma!
Here are the show notes:
Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
Blinkist is the only app that takes the best key takeaways, the need-to-know information from thousands of nonfiction books and condenses them down into just 15 minutes so you can read or listen to. 8 Million people are using Blinkist right now and it has a massive and growing library: from self-help, business, health to history books. Get the main idea of books so you can decide if they are something you want to read more of or if the gist is just enough! Right now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer. Go to www.blinkist.com/WINE to start your free 7 day trial.
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Apr 06, 2019 |
Ep 270: La Pitchoune Winery, Outsiders Who Broke Into Sonoma Wine and Rocked It
44:20
When Tracy Nielsen -- Co-Founder & Assistant Winemaker of La Pitchoune -- came to Sonoma from Colorado and wanted to break into the wine business, she struggled. Despite her fantastic personality, life experiences in sales, marketing, and customer service (plus she kicks butt because she was a river raft guide in her home state of Colorado), there was little offer of help or employment. So she and her husband, Peter Joachim Nielsen decided to start their own winery. They hooked up with the Andrew Berge - Master Winemaker, with a degree in agriculture from UC Davis and experience in making wines that express the vineyard in which they grew. The quartet was rounded out by Brett Van Ernst, marketing powerhouse to form La Pitchoune Winery, and they have been wildly successful, making Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rosé and Chenin Blanc in small lots from excellent vineyards. La Pitchoune means “the little one” in French and the name speaks to small production, small lots, and their small size. This crew has not been around that long but already they’ve received major recognition from the wine cognoscenti and you can find their wines at Michelin-starred restaurants, including The French Laundry and Auberge du Soleil in Napa. They will be at www.undergroundwineevents.com on April 6, 2019 (please visit the site for other upcoming events!) Here are a few notes from the show with Tracy and Andrew:
Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
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Mar 31, 2019 |
Ep 269: From Doctor to One Woman Winery--Kerith Overstreet of Bruliam
51:23
Kerith Overstreet is a triple threat: Bruliam Wines co-founder and winemaker, medical doctor, and mom to three teens. After retiring from general surgery to pursue pathology and then medicine to raise a family, she tried her hand at winemaking with one barrel. She quickly found she had the chops for it and her fourth baby, Bruliam Wines was established in 2008. Since then, Kerith has completed her enology courses at U.C. Davis and she is a one-woman show. She does EVERYTHING herself and the lovely single vineyard Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and chardonnay benefit from it. www.undergroundwineevents.com for tickets! Here are some of the things we cover in the show:
You can get her wines at www.bruliamwines.com
Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
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Mar 25, 2019 |
Ep 268: Adam Teeter of VinePair, the Online Wine Mag that is Disrupting Wine Media
01:02:47
Show notes:
Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
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Mar 18, 2019 |
Ep 267: Leo Hansen of Leo Steen Wines, The Dane who Mastered California Chenin Blanc
42:00
Originally from Denmark where he grew up as the son of a chef and hotelier in the happiest country in the world, Leo Hansen started in the hospitality world at the ripe old age of 12 and hasn’t stopped since. First he was a certified European sommelier working for a Michelin starred restaurant and that brought him to the US where he immersed himself in the world of New World winemaking. In 2004 he started Leo Steen Wines, which concentrates on divine Chenin Blanc (AKA Steen in South Africa, but ironically a family name as well!) but also makes Cab Franc, Chardonnay, and Grenache. He has been in California for 20 years but he maintains a European palate and focuses on traditional European winemaking techniques like foot treading, natural yeasts, lower alcohols and less new oak. He’s the perfect balance of professional winemaker and sommelier and a fascinating guy all around.
And a few show notes:
For more info on Underground Wine Events, go to www.undergroundwineevents.com
Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
Blinkist is the only app that takes the best key takeaways, the need-to-know information from thousands of nonfiction books and condenses them down into just 15 minutes so you can read or listen to. 8 Million people are using Blinkist right now and it has a massive and growing library: from self-help, business, health to history books. Get the main idea of books so you can decide if they are something you want to read more of or if the gist is just enough! Right now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer. Go to www.blinkist.com/WINE to start your free 7 day trial.
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Mar 11, 2019 |
Ep 266: Danny Glover- From LA Musician to L'Object Wine
43:49
Danny Glover has had a fascinating life! He moved from a life in music production and writing to a life in the vineyards and in the cellar. A man with an obsession with terroir and a knack for making low-intervention wines, Dan has worked in huge, medium and small wineries, building his skills and repertoire. The first thing you should know is that even though that OTHER Danny Glover is also an African American who has a wine brand, this is the REAL DANNY GLOVER. The one who spends his time obsessing about his wines and his brand L’Objet.
Here are the show notes: 1. We discuss Dan's life in music in LA -- how he wound up getting to California and how the wine bug finally bit him! 2. We talk shop about life in a big winery, all of the things Danny learned and how he became an incredibly talented, self-taught winemaker. 3. We discuss L'Objet and the concept behind it. We discuss Dan's approach to winemaking (including natural yeast fermentation) and why site makes a big difference to him. 4. Danny shares why charity is an important part of his career. 5. Finally, Dan discusses what it's like to be black/African-American i the wine industry and the challenges and stereotypes it has presented in his career.
If you want a really honest look at small wineries, at what it's like to move through the ranks and a great conversation about what lack of diversity in wine means, you've got to listen to this show!
Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
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Mar 04, 2019 |
Ep 265: Sicily, Italy
41:01
This week we discuss Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean that has a wildness, a culture, and a wine portfolio all its own. From the islands that make luscious sweet wines, to the hot interior churning out fruity reds, to the elegant reds and whites of Mount Etna, Sicily has something for everyone and is on the rise.
Sicily Overview
Leading Sicilian producers:
Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
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Feb 18, 2019 |
Ep 264: Barossa, Australia
44:30
Barossa is one of the most historic, fascinating places in the new world. Winemaking started with German immigrants in 1840 and there have been ups and downs in the industry since. What hasn’t changed: there has always been a small cadre of winemakers here that have made outstanding fascinating Shiraz and Riesling. We dig into the history of the region, talk about its wines and give you another region in Australia to seek out.
We start with an overview of the Barossa:
Barossa ZONE Zone = An area that usually comprises one or more regions.
Barossa Valley
The Future: Studying terroir with Barossa Grounds Project:
Check out https://www.barossawine.com for more info!
Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Blinkist is the only app that takes the best key takeaways, the need-to-know information from thousands of nonfiction books and condenses them down into just 15 minutes so you can read or listen to. 8 Million people are using Blinkist right now and it has a massive and growing library: from self-help, business, health to history books. Get the main idea of books so you can decide if they are something you want to read more of or if the gist is just enough! Right now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer. Go to www.blinkist.com/WINE to start your free 7 day trial.
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Feb 09, 2019 |
Ep 263: Oregon Overview
39:19
We finally cover Oregon State in the United States -- home of much Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and lots of other great emerging varietals. The state has some challenges, but it's a fascinating place and an essential part of the American wine landscape.
Thanks to our sponsors this week (see info below for more on them!)
Here are the show notes: Oregon Overview:
Location, Soils:
Wine Types:
Regions Willamette Valley AVA
Southern Oregon AVA = Rogue Valley + Umpqua Valley Umpqua Valley AVA: drainage basin of Umpqua River, not mtns
Rogue Valley AVA
Columbia Gorge AVA
Columbia Valley AVA
Snake River Valley AVA
Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. |
Feb 02, 2019 |
Ep 262: Serge Dore Outstanding French Wine Importer
54:37
Serge Doré has been importing high quality, outstanding value wines from small French family wineries for decades. His passion, discerning palate, ethics, and intelligence make him a model for how importing should be done. He shares his story with us!! First, here's where you can find Serge and his wines:
And here are a few of the many topics Serge and I cover in the show: 1. Serge answers the big question: What exactly does an importer do 2. Serge discusses how he got into the profession and his experiences in building his business -- the joys and struggles (he tells us how importing can be very ugly for some of these small wineries when they hook up with the wrong people). 3. We discuss the wonderful family wineries Serge works with all over France and what it means to have their products sold in international markets, especially the U.S. 4. Serge tells us why French wines are often a better value than US wines 5. We discuss up and coming French regions that we should look out for and Serge offers advice for people who have a palate for New World wines but who would like to expand into French wines
Serge is passionate, kind, smart as a whip, and a fantastic person. I think you'll learn an incredible amount about importing, the wine business, and the struggles of small wineries by listening to this fascinating show. One of my favorite guests of all time!
Thank you to our sponsors this week: YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make
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Jan 27, 2019 |
Ep 261: The Grape Miniseries - Petite Sirah
35:30
Petite Sirah, a red grape that’s a cross of the Rhône varieties Peloursin and Syrah is a plummy, powerful, and tannic grape that provides the vital support function of a blending grape in many wines, especially Zinfandel. This week we discuss the grape as an important blender and what it does as a standalone variety (spoiler alert: it’s not always great!).
Here are the show notes:
Feel free to chime in and give us a black eye if you love P.S. -- we can take it!
Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies
I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines:
Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.
Blinkist is the only app that takes the best key takeaways, the need-to-know information from thousands of nonfiction books and condenses them down into just 15 minutes so you can read or listen to. 8 Million people are using Blinkist right now and it has a massive and growing library: from self-help, business, health to history books. Get the main idea of books so you can decide if they are something you want to read more of or if the gist is just enough! Right now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer. Go to www.blinkist.com/WINE to start your free 7 day trial.
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Jan 20, 2019 |
Ep 260: Wines of Jura, France
40:49
Located between Burgundy and Switzerland, this tiny wine region has been gathering major attention from wine dorks. From offbeat whites to nice, light reds, we give you the scoop on this obscure region with growing clout!
YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make
Jura Overview
Geography
Grapes and wine styles:< |