Weekly Wine Show

Incredibly fun discussion to kick off the first Court of Wine with amazing panelists: Liz Barrett - https://whatsinthatbottle.com/ Sarita Cheaves - https://www.vinemeupdc.com/ and https://soundcloud.com/swirl-suite Sandra Everingham - https://www.risingwinescollective.com/   Recorded 24 August, 2022   We discuss news and topics from the following articles:   Author: W. Blake Gray Publication: Wine-Searcher Date: July 18, 2022 Title: Direct Wine Shipping Comes Under Fire URL: https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2022/07/direct-wine-shipping-comes-under-fire   Author: Paul Vigna Publication: Pennlive.com Date: July 15, 2022 Title: Wine Enthusiast decision has more than a few states feeling left out URL: https://www.pennlive.com/food/2022/07/wine-enthusiast-decision-has-more-than-a-few-states-feeling-left-out.html   Author: Press Release Publication: Wine Industry Advisor Date: July 26, 2022 Title: Woodbridge® Debuts First-to-Market Wine Sodas  URL: https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2022/07/26/woodbridge-debuts-first-to-market-wine-sodas   Author: Harpers Editorial team Publication: Harpers Date: July 15, 2022 Title: Friday read: Why bulk is the hot ticket in the face of climate change URL: https://harpers.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/30467/Friday_read:_Why_bulk_is_the_hot_ticket_in_the_face_of_climate_change.html

After more than two years away, I (Tony) am coming back to podcasting with my Wine in the News style show. I had intended it to be a spin-out from this podcast (which would also change), but with Betty not wanting to host a podcast currently, I will be renaming Weekly Wine Show to Court of Wine and will host the show here so back episodes can remain available. I hope you enjoy the new format! Cheers!

This week we hit our 200th episode which is a huge milestone for us. We've made the decision to end Weekly Wine Show. It's a big decision and in this episode we reflect on our past four years and talk about what is next for us. In this episode we discuss: Why did we start Weekly Wine Show? One of the main reasons was we wanted to expand our knowledge of wine and thought a podcast was an interesting format for that learning. Did we accomplish what we wanted? Yes, we've learned so much and made so many connections through the podcast. This helped us lay the foundation we needed for what is next. Why are we stopping now? We've been putting out content non-stop for almost four years and it's time for a little break Also, we originally started out this podcast to help beginners like us but we can no longer call ourselves beginners. So since it has fulfilled its purpose, we feel its time to move on. What's next for us? Although we are ending this podcast, we will be releasing multiple new podcasts and new content in 2020.  By the end of Quarter 1: Court of Wine podcast! If you are looking to be a guest on the show make sure you fill out the guest form on the website. Spring of 2020: An mostly interview style podcast gathering stories of people's wine journey's who have been bitten by the wine bug. Late 2020: A wine history podcast focused on interesting stories told in a storytelling format. Although we will next be releasing new content for a little while, we will be active on social media (mostly Instagram and Twitter) so follow us if you haven't already. We will be providing news and updates so you are in the loop when new content is launched. Also, if you are still subscribed to Weekly Wine Show in you podcast player you will get promos for the new podcasts before they launch. Thank you all for you love and support. There is no way we would have keep releasing episodes for almost four years without you. We are excited with what 2020 has in store for us and our wine journey. So thank you for listening and it;s not goodbye, it's see you later. Cheers!   

*Note: If you’re just here looking for that offer link Tony mentioned, feel free to skip to the last paragraph.  Have you tried any wine clubs? We've tried a couple wine clubs or club-like retailers and were not thrilled but over the last year we've been testing out Naked Wines. If you've wondered whether a wine club could be valuable and worthwhile, Naked Wines might be your answer. SPOILER ALERT: At the end of this episode, we're going to share an offer from Naked Wines that they give its members to share the service. You'll get a big discount on wine and we get a little bit too if you sign up, so feel free to consider this episode like advertising. That being said, if you've listened to Weekly Wine Show for any length of time, you know we have only accepted advertisements for a couple of episodes. We're extremely picky about what brands we represent and we need to be willing to spend our own money on that item or service if there's a chance our words would influence others to do the same. And in fact, over the last year or so, we've sent over $500 of our own money the way of Naked Wines, and now we're ready to tell you about our experience.    So what is Naked Wines and how does it work? Naked Wines is a "customer-funded wine business". Club members, who they call "angels" pay a deposit of $40 per month in their naked wines account. This money sits in the Angels' account as a balance until they use it to purchase wines. But while it's there, Naked Wines uses it to fund winemakers up-front to be able to make wines, many wines which otherwise might never be. The interesting part of this funding model is many winemakers work for other people and don't get to put their name on the label. They may not have the funds to invest in their own grapes, barrels, storage, and all the other costs involved in making wine, much less their cost of living while those wines are being made. The situation might be even a bit dire, like the story of winemaker Katie Jones. If you want to hear more about her story check out the video from Naked Wines.  So far, according to their website, they have funded 159 independent winemakers in 14 countries. These direct relationships with winemakers results in lower costs for us because they benefit from economics of scale for buying wine bottling supplies. Also, since they're the considered the winery, there isn't the markup from a distributor and a retailer. They call it "wholesale prices". So what do we like about Naked Wines? First of all, you pick the wine you get, how much, and when (Not like other clubs that send to you on schedule). You order this wine from your house (you don't even have to put pants on) making it super convenient. Second, these are real, top-quality winemakers, some we've actually met or been to their "day job" winery. Also, there are a wide range of wines from all across the globe and pretty affordable prices like a Premier Cru Chablis ($24) and a vintage Champagne ($35). The wines overall have been top quality and of all the wines we've try there has only been a couple of wines we didn't love. They'll also let you know what wines to age so we have several bottles sitting in the cellar waiting for the right time to drink. Another feature that makes Naked Wines unique is the money-back happiness guarantee.  They will refund you for any wine you didn't love.  We actually haven't taken the initiative to use this for the couple of bottles that weren't to our taste, but even so they proactively gave us an $11 refund to highlight the guarantee and encourage us to use it. They want happy customers.  Lastly, you're positively impacting winemakers, giving them a chance to make wines with their own name on the bottle or maybe to make something lesser known that wouldn't fit with their day employer's winery. Also, there website allow us to interact with winemakers and read their stories. What don't we like about Naked Wines? To start, when we signed up in late 2018, we were required to buy a case of wine in order to join. That first case we bought with the promotional offer was priced at their non-member price. This felt a bit deceptive and we almost didn't join. After a few weeks, they gave us the option to buy a smaller 9-bottle pack so we didn't have to invest as much money just to give them a try. Once we bought that first case, they put us on a "waiting list" to get into the club. We don't remember a believable explanation for why there was a waiting list, it seemed like an attempt to fake exclusivity. Also, they send emails about promotional packs that feel a bit spammy and over time you learn to give them a glance and archive or delete them. We imagine some people like the promotional packs, they just haven't been appealing to us. Before deciding to do this episode we also looked up naked wines on the Better Business Bureau. They have an A+ rating from the BBB, but only get 2 out of 5 stars from customer reviews. There were several pages of reviews and the vast majority seem to be people who somehow don't realize they will be charged $40 per month and were unhappy with it despite the fact you can get your money back or people who are unhappy with their wines and didn't take advantage of the happiness guarantee. What are some tips for getting the most value? First, if you are struggling to find wine they have wine advisors you can call. Once you start receiving wine make sure you are rating the wines you try because this feeds into their recommendations. It also helps to follow winemakers you like in the app or the website so you can get updates on when they release new wines. Also, every month they offer a free promotional bottle (one they choose) to compete a case if you order any 11 bottles of your choice. So make sure to buy 11 bottles at a time do you get the free bottle. If the promotional bottle doesn't appeal to you, check the other options in their bottle picker. If all else fails, use that happiness guarantee. Get you money back and pick out something different. Like I said, they want to make you happy. If you're in the same boat we were in and want to try out Naked Wines, you can get $100 off $160 purchase for new members using our link. Remember, if you become a member they will be investing $40 a month into Angel account to use to purchase wine. If you sign up we receive $40 in credits to buy more wine and support our hobby. So this is a win - win - win situation. Cheers!  

With the holidays just around the corner, we have some sparkling wine recommendations to take the guess work out of selecting wines. Big thanks to our friends at Palm Bay International and Taub Family Selections for providing us with samples for this episode. Although these wines were provided to us, the opinions and tasting notes in this episode are our own.   Budget Friendly Wines Villa Marcello Millesimato Prosecco DOC Brut NV - priced around $17. Villa Marcello Prosecco DOC hails from the province of Treviso, one of the finest growing regions of Prosecco. Grapes: 85% Glera, 15% Pinot Bianco Light aromas and flavors of apple blossom, lemon, and dried hay This wine doesn’t have bread or yeasty notes - it’s fruity and floral, very delicate and elegant wine Pere Ventura Tresor Brut Cava - priced around $16.  This Cava is a Reserva which means it’s aged 15 months on the lees the same as non-vintage Champagne  Light aromas of nectarines, fresh sage, minerality and yeasty notes Flavors of nectarines, fresh sage, white flowers and minerality Although we get a hint of breadiness in the nose, this wine is still very crisp and fruity We enjoyed this wine with a nice aged Gouda cheese but also would go with appetizers, hard cheeses, fried foods, and Asian cuisine Something different Ackerman Crémant de Loire Sparkling Cuvée 1811 Blanc Brut - priced around $22.  The name of this wine comes from its beginnings. Ackerman was established in 1811 in the small town of Saumur in the heart of France's Loire Valley by Jean-Baptiste Ackerman. Blend of 70% Chenin Blanc, 20 % Chardonnay, 10% Cabernet Franc and each variety is made into wine separately in view of maintaining its typical features up until blending at the end of winter. This wine has light aromas of golden apples, white flowers and a hint of breadiness We got flavors of golden apples, peaches, lemon oil and white flowers Very fruit wine that we thought it paired really well with blue cheese We think that this is a unique blend of grapes that people might not be as familiar with. Altemasi Brut, Trento DOC - priced around $24. The Trento DOC appellation is renowned for producing some of the finest sparkling wines in Italy and is known as the Italian alternative to Champagne  100% Chardonnay wine made in the traditional method that is aged on the lees for at least 15 months Light aromas of apples and bread almost like apple pie This wine has flavors of lemon, green apples with a hint of breadiness So when people think of sparkling wine from Italy they mostly think of Prosecco and Prosecco is super popular right now. So if you are looking for something different from Italy this would be a great option.  Splurge Wines Boizel Brut Réserve Champagne NV - priced around $50. 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier The still wines from the year are blended with 30% of reserve wines kept from the previous two harvests, for consistency Post second fermentation, the wine is aged for three years on its lees, in bottle Intense aromas of bread dough, golden apples and honeycomb This wine has flavors of honeysuckle, green apples, lemon and a hint of bread We love the smell of this wine and the complex flavor profile Enjoyed this wine with Camembert and aged Gouda cheeses Champagne André Jacquardt Brut Nature Expérience 1er Cru Blanc De Blancs - priced around $100. 100% Chardonnay wine 60% Vinified in stainless steel, 40% vinified in older Burgundy oak barrels. No malolactic fermentation. Five years aging on the lees before disgorgement. Aromas of red apple skins, bread, rose and minerality It’s the driest of the wines in this episode and has high acidity with flavors of pink lady apples, rose, lemon, and a funky yeasty flavor This wine is crisp, fruity, floral and complex  A special treat for a special occasion

This week we are talking about Brachetto d’Acqui.  Brachetto d’Acqui is a DOCG in the Piedmont wine region of Northwest Italy. Wine Recommendations Risata Brachetto d’Acqui 2016 - priced around $16. Risata is a larger producer in the area - in fact they produce the #1 seller of Moscato d’Asti in America Aromas of candied red berries and orange It’s sweet with medium plus body, medium acidity with flavors of red berries and apricot preserves This wine has enough acidity to stand up to the sweetness but not syrupy It’s very lively, bright and a real treat It paired well with dark chocolate so this wine can handle more intensely flavored desserts   Rinaldi Brachetto d’Acqui 2016 - priced around $30 This sweet wine has aromas of black cherries and strawberries It’s medium body, medium acidity and flavors of dried apricot and red berries This wine was lighter in flavor, more delicate than the previous wine We would recommend pairing with milk chocolate, fruit tarts and creme brulee.  Sources: WIne Folly  Wikipedia  Wine-Searcher  Book: The Oxford Guide to Wine  

This week we are talking about Lebanon and its wine. Check out our wine recommendations for some amazing wines.   Wine Recommendations Massaya Terrasses Baalbeck 2012 - priced around $28. Blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre Aromas of blackberries, pepper, cedar and bitter coco It’s dry with medium acidity and tannins with flavors of similar to aromas with the addition of mushroom or earthy notes The tannins provides a wonderful texture to the wine We thought this wine was at its best paired with food like a hard or semi hard cheese   Château Belle-Vue La Renaissance 2007 - priced around $45. This wine is a blend of 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon Very deep inky colored wine with aromas of blackberries and black cherries, dusty earth, and eucalyptus notes It’s dry with medium plus acidity and tannins with flavors of dark berries, coco and spice Great textured wine with a lot of structure with a nice long finish   Sources Wines from Lebanon Tim Atkin  Wine-Searcher  209 Lebanese Wine 

Every couple of months we take a pause on our normal format and talk about four wine we’ve enjoyed recently and want to share with all of you.    Wine Recommendations Seaglass Unoaked Chardonnay 2017 - priced around $12. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, this Chardonnay did not undergo malolactic fermentation Light golden color wine with aromas of pineapple, apple, white flowers and tangerines It’s dry with medium plus acidity, light body and flavors similar to aromas Crisp, light and refreshing wine great with light pastas, grilled fish or salads.   Perticaia Umbria Rosso IGT 2016 - priced around $15. This wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Colorino, and Merlot with aromas of sour cherries with a hint of earthiness It’s dry with medium plus acidity and tannins with flavors of sour cherries, earth and black tea The tannins give a lovely smooth texture to the wine with a pleasant finish Great food wine to pair with salami, cold cuts and pasta   Las Nietas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013 - priced around $25. This wine has aromas of cherries, baking spices a hint of earth It’s dry, light bodied with light tannins, medium plus acidity and flavors of cherries, red berries and rose This wine is delicate but needs a little time to open up with some oxygen for the flavors to really shine The new oak was perfectly done with just enough to give it some complexity but not overwhelm the wine and keep all those lovely red fruit flavors.   Les Lunes Wine Zinfandel 2016 - priced around $30. From Venturi Vineyard in Mendocino County California These vines were planted in 1948. This wine has aromas of red fruits and baking spices It’s dry with medium plus acidity and tannins and flavors of red fruits like cherries and cranberries as well as a little earth This is a leaner style Zin than what you would get from other places in California like Lodi. Really fresh tasting, fruit forward wine with bright acidity

This week we are talking about Wiener Gemischter Satz!   Wine Recommendations Mayer am Pfarrplatz Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC 2016 - priced around $26. Blend of Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Rotgipfler and Zierfandler Pale Lemon color wine with aromas of lemon, tangerine, white flowers and a chalky minerality It’s dry with medium plus acidity and flavors of lemons, apricot, white flowers and minerality Great crisp white wine with a lovely aromatic nose   Sources Austrian Wine  Book: Oxford Guide to Wine Wine's Latest Runaway Hit? You've Probably Never Heard Of It. 

This week we are talking about Tokaji wine region in northeast Hungary. Wine Recommendations  Kiralyudvar Pezsgő Henye Sparkling 2015 - priced around $29. Medium golden colored wine  Aromas of golden apples, pears and fresh baked bread It’s dry with medium plus to high acidity with flavors of lime pith, toast and apple Great with a double cream brie cheese Crisp, fruity and bready and even with some age still have quite a bit of acidity   Megyer Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2013 - priced around $50. Winery Direct selection from Total Wine Deep gold hue with aromas of golden raisins, honey, dried apricots and dry hay This is a very sweet wine with flavors similar to aromas  This is a real treat and great with buttermilk blue cheese or a great dessert on it’s own Sources Wine Folly  Wine-Searcher  Book: The Oxford Companion to Wine Book: The World Atlas of Wine

This week we are talking about the Wagram wine region which is a viticultural region on the banks of the Danube River in northeastern Austria.   Wine Recommendations Wimmer Czerny Familien Wagram Roter Veltliner 2017 - priced around $22.  This wine has a Pale lemon color white wine with aromas of golden apple, lemon, honeysuckle and minerality It’s dry with medium light body, medium plus acidity and flavors similar to aromas - lemon peel, honeysuckle and minerality This wine is fruity and crisp with some beautiful floral notes and a nice long finish Josef Ehmoser “Wagram Terrassen” Gruner Veltliner 2018 - priced around $18.  Aromas of lemon, lime, peach, orange blossom and minerality It’s dry with medium acidity and flavors of peach, minerality, white flowers and lemon rind on the finish Fruit, crisp and a really lovely long finish  Food pairings: Appetizers, spring salads, delicate fish and other similarly light dishes   Sources: Austrian Wine  Wine-Searcher 

Time for another Wine in the News! Check out the articles below that inspired the topics for this episode.   Wine producers and US importers delay price increases - by Leslie Gevirtz, October 25th, 2019 Dan Berger, On Wine: The imminent glut: The state industry is facing a major wine surplus - by Dan Berger, Sep 26, 2019 California Wineries Plan Price Hikes - By W. Blake Gray. October 7th, 2019 Carbonic Maceration Breaks Out of Beaujolais - By Vicki Denig, October 28th, 2019 Sustainable Packaging Likely to Become Battleground for Premium Alcohol Producers, Says GlobalData - By Press Release - October 21, 2019 The sommelier cheating scandal just won’t go away - by Wine Curmudgeon, September 12th, 2019  

This week we are talking about Getariako Txakolina or also known as Txakoli de Getaria.   Wine Recommendations Gaintza Txakolina 2014 - priced around $20.  This is the traditional wine of the region Slightly fizzy wine with aromas of green apple, lime and crushed granite It’s dry with medium plus acidity, medium light body and flavors similar to aromas Crisp, tart, fruity and refreshing wine We loved this wine and it would pair great with seafood, salads, sushi  and light vegetable dishes Ameztoi Rubentis 2018 - priced around $22. Very light salmon color Rose with aromas of strawberries and pink lady apples It’s dry with a medium light body with medium plus acidity with flavors similar to aromas plus lemon This rose is its own style of rose - more tart, less floral, very crisp It’s like a Rose influenced white wine Sources: Getariakot Txakolina Wine-Searcher Jorge Ordonez Selections Wikipedia

This week we are talking about the Mosel wine region in Germany.   Wine Recommendations Hild Elbling Sekt NV - priced around $20. This wine comes from the Upper Mosel area This wine has a pale lemon color with light aromas of lemon, apple, minerality and a hint of bread It’s dry with medium plus acidity and flavors of lemon rind, apple peel and minerality This wine is crisp, intensely fruity and what I want in a sparkling wine Great with cheese and cured meats   Julian Haart Riesling “1000L” 2017 - priced around $22.  This wine has a little more sugar than would allow them to be legally called “Trocken,” or dry. It’s made from Fuder(s) or the traditional 1,000 liter barrel of the Mosel  This wine has light aromas of lime, beeswax and wet rock It’s dry with medium acidity and flavors of lemon, grapefruit and minerality This has a nice round, soft texture thanks to that barrel aging Also, it’s fruity and not super complex but tasty wine  

This week we are talking about Chilean wine. Check out our wine recommendations below!   Wine Recommendations Vina Aquitania Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - priced around $20. Aromas of red fruits - cherries and strawberries, earth and some spice It’s dry with medium acidity, medium tannins, full body and flavors similar to aromas - red fruit, earth and spice fruit -forward wine, very approachable cab that still taste very fresh even after a few years of age Really well made, good quality Cabernet Sauvignon Errazuriz Max Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2014 - priced around $ 16. Pale lemon color with aromas of peaches, minerality and a hint of white flowers It’s dry with medium plus acidity and flavors of nectarine, minerality, white grapefruit, some salinity and a white flowers on the finish A really clean, crisp and refreshing wine and a fantastic Sauvignon Blanc  To be honest we think they should be charging more for this wine, it’s one of the best Sauvignon Blanc  I’ve had Errazuriz Max Reserva Chardonnay 2013 - priced around $16. Aged for 10 months in French oak Medium gold color with aromas of lemon meringue pie It’s dry with medium acidity and flavors of lemon curd, grilled pineapple and white flowers with a long creamy finish The oak is very restrained We haven’t had an oaked chardonnay we’ve like this much in a long time Also priced around $16 which is seriously under priced for the quality of wine you are getting.   Sources Wine Folly: The Best Wines from Chile  Vinepair  Wine Folly: Chilean Wine  Book: The World Atlas of Wine Book: The Oxford Companion to Wine Wikipedia Vine Connections

It's time for another four wines episode! Every couple of months we talk about four different wines that we've been enjoying and want to share with all of our wonderful listeners.   Wine Recommendations Domaine Bourgogne-Devaux Hautes Côtes de Beaune 2015 - priced around $25. These Pinot Noir grapes come from 50+ year old vines on average and is aged in barrel (10% new) Light garnet hue with aromas of cherries, earth a d a hint of baking spice It's dry with a light body, medium acidity and light tannins with flavors of cherries with a strong damp earthiness and rose notes What I would expect from a red burgundy - complex, not as fruity as New World Pinot   Broc Cellars Amore Rosso 2017 - priced around $28.  100% Sangiovese wine Light garnet hue with aromas of red fruits of cherries and cranberries It's dry with medium acidity, light tannins and flavors similar to aromas. We would describe this wine as light, fresh and fruity There are pizzas on the label so their taken the guesswork out of food pairing.   Browne Family Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2015 - priced around $32. This wine comes from the Columbia Valley in Washington state 100% Cab Franc, Aged: 22 Months in 35% New French Oak This wine has aromas of dried black fruits, dried sage and star anise It's dry, full body, medium plus acid and medium tannins with flavors of blackberry fruit leather, cedar and forest floor This wine is deep, intense, and bold. Not very fruity but lots of complex, interesting flavors Pair with food off the grill, beef stews or chili   Camins del Priorat 2016 - priced around $20. From producer Alvaro Palacios  The wine is a blend of Garnacha, Carignan, Cabernet and Syrah. Aromas of blackberry, black plum and vanilla This wine is dry, full body, medium acidity, medium tannins and flavors of black cherry, black plum and vanilla Deep, intense wine that would be great for cool weather    

This week we are talking about the Cahors AOC wine region located in south-west France about 100 miles east of Bordeaux.   Wine recommendations Matayac Cahors 2016 - priced around $13. Aromas of blueberries, black cherries and black pepper It’s dry with medium plus acidity and medium plus tannins with flavors of black and blue berries, and a touch of flowers Juicy, ripe wine with some floral notes with nice structure perfect for pairing with food Chateau Les Croisille Cahors Le Croizillon 2015 - priced around $19. Aromas of red berries like strawberries and raspberries, dusty earth and black pepper It’s dry with medium acidity and tannins with flavors of red plum, allspice and roses This wine is a little mellower in terms of acid and tannins than the previous wine Other otherwise very similar that the previous wine - very food friendly approachable red wine.   Sources Wine-Searcher Wine Guy Crocus Wines

This week we are talking about Cannonau di Sardegna which is a DOC covering the entire island of Sardina.   Wine Recommendations Cantina Santa Maria La Palma Le Bombarde 2016 - priced $14. Blend of Cannonau and Monica di Sardegna This wine has aromas of cran-cherry, dusty earth and black plum It’s dry with medium acidity and tannins and medium body with flavors of red fruits and earth This is a juicy, fruity wine with the right balance of acid, tannins and body Food pairings: ideal with red meats, game and mature cheeses.   Costera Argiolas 2016 - priced around $17. Aromas of red fruit, dusty earth and a touch of flowers It’s dry with medium acid and tannins with flavors of cherries, raspberries and earth Lighter in flavors and aromas than the previous wine but still very fruity     Sources Wine Folly  Wine-Searcher  Decanter  Italian Wine Central  Grape Collective  Book: Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavors   

This week we are talking about the Fitou AOC. Fitou is a small wine appellation in southern France that is a part of the larger Languedoc-Roussillon wine region area.   Wine Recommendations Maison Carrel Sous la Montagne Fitou 2016 - priced around $25. Deep purple color wine with aromas of candied strawberries like red Australian Licorice It’s dry with medium plus acidity and tannins and flavors of red fruits, rock, violets and kalamata olives Very fruit forward wine that smells sweet It’s young, wild and rustic - like a horse that hasn’t been tamed - we would recommend pairing with food or let it age for a few years to mellow it out.   Gérard Bertrand Fitou 2009 - priced around $20. Thanks to age this wine has the color of coca-cola like a brown-amber color This wine is also very sweet smelling of dried strawberries and raspberries as well as balsamic and walnut It’s dry with medium acidity and tannins with flavors of dried figs, molasses, balsamic reduction We could smell this wine all day long so intoxicating Wines like this makes us want to buy a bunch of wine to age and is definitely worth more than the $20 we paid for this wine Sources Wine Searcher https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-fitou Wine Folly: Languedoc Roussillon Wine Region  Languedoc Wines  Fitou AOC  The Guardian: Fitou Wine 

This week features our interview with viticulturist and winemaker Philippe Langner of Hesperian Wines our of Napa Valley.    Wines from Hesperian Wines - note that these wines were provided as samples to us but the opinions below are our own. Anatomy No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - priced around $33 Bordeaux-style blend of mostly Cab with a little Merlot and Syrah Aromas of black currents, red plum, blackberries, earth and leather it's dry with medium plus acidity and tannins with flavors similar to aromas - dark fruits, leather, with a little vegetal note on the finish This is a big, bold wine with structure bout a lot of juicy, ripe fruit 2015 Hesperian Cabernet Sauvignon - priced around $100. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Deep purple color with strong aromas of fennel and dark fruits it's dry with medium acid and tannins with flavors of fennel, dark fruits and a herbal quality it's a less fruity cab and more herbal and mellow drink now through 2035 2015 Hesperian Cabernet Sauvignon Kitoko Vineyard - priced around $150 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of dark fruits, violets and dusty earth it's dry with medium acid and tannins and flavors of dark fruits, leather and a hint of baking spices Bold but refined Cab that is good to drink now or if you're willing to wait will continue to evolve until 2035    

Below are the articles we reference in this week's episode.    TTB Publishes NPRMs to Repeal Standards of Fill for Wine and Distilled Spirits Bordeaux Vintners Convicted of Fraud, but Fellow Winemakers Cry Foul France Is Changing Key Wine Regulations Food colouring found in blue wines Winery Lawsuit Ramps Up the Drama

This week features our interview with Fin du Fresne the winemaker at Chamisal Vineyards and Malen Wines out of the Central Coast area of California.   Wine Recommendations - We received these wines as samples but the tasting notes and opinions are ours. Malene Wines 2017 Rosé - priced around $22. A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Rolle, and Syrah Aromas of strawberries, watermelon, minerality and a touch of flowers Dry, fruity and crisp with flavors similar to aromas with a creamy texture 2018 Old Vine Rosé of Grenache - priced around $35. Light salmon colored wine with aromas of red berries like strawberries and cherries as well as minerality and a touch of lavender This wine is dry with medium plus acidity with flavors similar to aromas - red berries, minerality and lavender Everything we want in a Rose - intensely fruity, crisp and delicious 2018 Rosé of Mourvedre - priced around $35. Aromas and flavors of minerality, strawberry, watermelon and lavender A dry style Rosé that is very light in aromas and flavors Chamisal Vineyards 2017 Stainless Chardonnay - priced around $18. Medium golden colored wine with aromas of pineapple, golden apples and apricots it's dry with medium acidity and flavors of lemon, minerality and apricots A really great options for summer - fruity, ripe, crisp wine 2017 Monterey County Chardonnay - priced around $24. Light lemon color aromas of toasted oak, lemon and melon It's dry with medium body and acidity with flavors of lemon meringue pie, pineapple and apple Rich and creamy texted wine Although it's oaked and some of those flavors are there, the fruit is the star of the show 2017 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay - priced around $35. Light lemon colored wine a light nose of lemon, white flowers and pear it's dry with medium acidity and flavors of toasted oak, pear and apple Subtle aromas and flavors with a lovely creamy texture 2017 Edna Valley Pinot Noir - Priced around $45 Garnet colored wine with aromas of fresh cherries, a little earth and sweet baking spices It's dry with medium plus acidity with flavors of cherries, earth, baking spice and a bitter note on the finish very juicy, vibrant tasting wine with a fair amount of complexity.    

This week features our interview with David Eakle of Pope Valley Winery out of Napa Valley.   Wines featured in this episode - these wines were sent to us as samples. 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - a really wonderful representation of a warmer style SB with lots of stonefruit and tropical aromas and flavors, and is also a refined and delicate wine - so a great pairing with light seafood dishes. 2016 Sangiovese - great crowd pleader wine. This is your pizza pairing wine. Sangiovese is the grape of Chianti, and although this wine is not a Chianti, it tastes like it would pair with similar foods. We enjoyed it best when it was decanted for about an hour. 2016 Petit Verdot - This is a very intense, bold and savory wine with a lot of complex flavors and aromas going on.        

This week we are talking about the Dogliani DOCG and the Dolcetto grape.   Wine Recommendations: Poderi Luigi Einaudi 2017 - priced $26. This wine is from a blend of Dolcetto grapes from the vineyards of the Einaudi estates which surround Dogliani Aromas of red licorice and spice It’s dry with medium acidity and medium tannins with flavors of red fruits, earth and a bitter almond note on the finish The aromas of this wine are almost candy like and we love the mix of complex fruit, earth and spice flavors in this wine. This wine gave us Beaujolais vibes but still it’s own unique thing. Anna Maria Abbona Sorì dij But 2016 - $17. This dark violet wine has aromas of dark cherries and blueberries and earth  It’s dry with medium acidity and tannins with flavors of dark fruits, earth and that bitter note on the finish that Dolcetto is known for. This wine is deeper more intense and complex than the first wine we talked about Both of these wine do not see any oak which was a surprise to us Recommended food pairing: marinated grilled skirt steak Sources: Italian Wine Central  Piemonteland  Wikipedia  Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani  Somm Select 

It’s time for another four wines episode. Every couple of months we talk about four different wines we've tasted recently and want to share with our listeners.    Wine Recommendations Famille Hugel Gentil 2016 - priced around $12. This white blend has a light lemon color with aromas of lemon pith, nectarines, white flowers and minerality It’s dry with medium plus acidity and flavors similar to aromas - stonefruit, lemon and white flowers This was is very aromatic - fruity and floral and a really light, crisp and tasty wine   Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling 2017 - priced around $14. Light lemon color with strong aromas of stonefruit, lemon and honeysuckle It’s medium sweet and medium acidity with flavors of peach, apricot, and tangerine Ripe, fruity wine with just the right amount of sweetness and low alcohol for spicy foods This wine has a lot of food pairing options: Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and Indian as well as German-inspired dishes like sausage and schnitzel, Mexican dishes like Chile Verde and enchiladas, and desserts like fruit tarts and pies   Cantina Colli Euganei Extra Dry Prosecco 2017 - priced around $16. This sparkling white wine has a pale lemon color with aromas of lemon and white flowers This wine has a touch of sweetness with medium plus acidity and flavors of lemon rind, white flowers and pink lady apples Crisp, fruity and floral, an all around lovely wine that we believe would pair with a lot of different food options   Les Hauts de Trintaudon 2010 - priced around $15. This wine comes from the left bank of Bordeaux from Haut-Medoc region and is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot This wine has a deep garnet color with aromas of dusty earth, dark fruits and pepper It’s dry, full bodied, medium acidity and tannins with flavors of black cherries, vanilla, and black pepper The tannins in this wine are silky smooth and although it has some age on it this is still a juicy, fruity wine Food Pairings: pair with fat meats like Beef and lamb as well as earthy mushroom dishes    

This week we are talking about the Orvieto DOC which is an Italian wine region located in western side of Umbria in Central Italy.   Wine Recommendations La Carraia Orvieto Classico 2017 - priced around $11. Light lemon color with light aromas of lemon, minerality and stonefruit It’s dry with medium acidity and medium intense flavors that are very similar to aromas  This wine is light fruity and crisp  So refreshing and great for a hot summer day which we’ve seen more and more of this summer   Rocca Delle Macie Orvieto Classico 2018 - priced around $9. Light lemon color with medium intense aromas of lemon, bee wax, white flowers and minerality It’s dry with medium plus acidity and medium intense flavors of lemon, grapefruit, and peach This wine is very fruity, crisp and just a really delicious wine   Sources: Wine Folly  Wikipedia  Italian Wine Central  Winebow  Orvieto Consortium Vinepair  Umbria Tourism  Book: Oxford Companion to Wine

This week we demystify the topic of aging wine. Check out the links below to read more about aging wine.   Sources used for this episode: Wine Enthusiast: What Really Happens as Wine Ages?  Vinepair Guide to Aging Wine The Wine Cellar Insider: Complete Guide to Properly Cellaring Wine and Aging Wine  Wine Folly: Deciding How long to Age Wine  Wine Folly: Four Traits of Wine that Age Well  Wine Spectator: Is It Worth It to Age Wines Anymore?  Wikipedia: Aging Wine Also check out Ep 095 to hear our interview with Steve Lutz of Lenne’ Estate. He talked about is thoughts on aging Willamette Valley

This week features our interview with Theodora Lee or also known as Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards. She is the owner and founder of Theopolis Vineyards in Yorkville Highlands of Anderson Valley.   Wine Featured in this episode - These wines were sent to us as samples by Theopolis Vineyards. 2016 Yorkville Highlands Symphony  - priced around $22 Light lemon color white wine Aromas of peaches, mango and white flowers It's dry with light to medium body, medium acidity with light flavors similar to aromas - white flowers and peaches Very floral tasting wine with a long beautiful finish Great to pair with seafood, spicy food, Southeast Asian food or just sipping on the summer day. 2016 Estate Grown Rosé Of Petite Sirah - priced around $25 This wine has a interesting deep orange/pink hue Aromas of fresh cherries, cranberries and roses this wine is dry with a light body, medium plus acidity and flavors pretty much the same as the aromas. This Rosé is very different from most rose wines we've tried - it's more intense with different flavor profile thanks to the Petite Sirah. Pair on a hot day or with foods like grilled meats, flavorful vegetarian fare,  seafood, spicy foods and tomato laden Italian cuisine 2017 Yorkville Highlands Pinot Noir - priced around $42 A light garnet color This wine has aromas of earth, cherries and cranberries it's dry with a light body, medium acidity, light tannins and flavors of cherries and earth This is a delicate and beautiful Pinot that gave us Willamette Valley vibes Pair with pork, salmon, tuna, and roasted mushrooms 2016 Estate Grown Petite Sirah - priced around $39 Deep purple colored wine Aromas of black cherries, black plum and sweet baking spices it's dry with medium plus acidity and tannins, full bodied, with flavors of dark fruits, spice and dusty earth Smells sweet and fruity but taste more savory and the tannins give this wine a really lovely texture. A very lush and fruity wine and a great option is you are looking for something big and bold. barbecue, stews, braised and grilled beef, pot roast, veal, wild game, oxtails, charcuterie, lamb, sausage or dark chocolate  

This week we are talking about summer food and wine pairings. We were brainstorming ideas for episodes and we came up with the idea of picking four different foods we eat mostly in the summertime and pair with some past favorite wines.   Food and Wine Featured in this episode: Hamburgers Tony's Pick: Harney Lane Old Vine Zinfandel, Lizzy James Vineyard Betty's Pick: Isabel Mondavi Cabernet Rose Grilled Veggies Betty's Pick: Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rose - NV Tony's Pick: Shaya Arindo Rueda Brats Tony's Pick: Domaine J. Laurens Les Graimenous Brut Crémant de Limoux Betty's Pick: Cartograph Wines Green Ranch Riesling 2017 Corn on the Cob Betty's Pick: Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay 2016   Tony's Pick: Medeiros Branco 2016   Sources: Wine Folly Tutorial on Burger and Wine Pairings The Kitchn's 5 Tips for Pairing Wine with Vegetables Serious Eats Ask a Sommelier: Best Wine to Pair with Sausage Chicago Tribune's How to Pair Wine  Montreal Gazette's Pairing up Ketchup and wine 

Time for another Wine in the News episode! Check out the news articles below to read more about these topics.   Federal Interprovincial Shipping Restriction Eliminated After 91 Years by Mark Hicken published in Wine Law.CA on June 24th, 2019 US Supreme Court Ruling Should Boost Digital Wine Sales by Bill Swindell published in The Press Democrat on June 26, 2019 RUEDA TO CREATE ‘SUPERIOR’ CLASSIFICATION FOR OLD-VINE VERDEJO by Patrick Schmitt published in The Drinks Business on June 10th, 2019 Is Oak Over? by Jamie Goode Published in Vinepair on June 12, 2019 Is it Time For a New Natural Wine? by Christina Pickard, Published in Wine Enthusiast on June 12, 2019    

This week we are talking about Bulgaria a country in Southeast Europe.   Wine Recommendations - Big thank you to Grapes & Barley Imports for providing the wines for this episode. All but one of these wines are from the Thracian Valley.  Bulgariana Rose 2017 - priced around $13. This rose wine is made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes Aromas of strawberries, raspberries, watermelon and minerality Its dry with medium acidity with flavors similar to aromas - lots of berry flavors Light in aromas and flavors but everything I want in a rose - fruity, crisp, really refreshing   Rough Day Chardonnay 2016 - priced around $9. This is an unoaked style of Chardonnay Aromas of tropical fruits like melon and apricots as well as some lemon aromas It’s dry with a light to medium body, medium plus acidity with flavors similar to aromas - mostly tropical fruits This wine is a light crisp unoaked chardonnay that perfect for summer   Bulgariana Pinot Noir 2014 - priced $15. The grapes for this wine come from a subregion of the Danube Plain in North-east Bulgaria Aromas of cherry flavored cigars, salmai, and coffee Its dry with medium body, medium plus acidity, light tannins with flavors of cherries, tobacco, coffee and dirt This pinot is a more fuller body style and less fruit than Pinots from other places. Not your delicate Pinot Noir like Burgundy or Willamette Valley - this Pinot has some teeth   Bulgariana Gamza 2016 - priced around $12. Made from the Gamza grape - which is a dark skinned variety used to make red wine found in Central Europe and the Balkan area. It’s also known as Kadarka Aromas of dusty earth, spice with a hint of black cherries and black plum It’s dry with medium acidity and tannins, full body and flavors similar to aromas - dark fruits, spices and dusty earth Very deep full wine that is not very fruity but a great texture to the wine with smooth tannins   Rough Day Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 - priced around $10. Aromas of black cherries, blueberries, dusty earth and spice This wine is dry with medium acidity and tannins, full body and flavors of earth and dark fruits This wine is all about the fruit - its very juicy, really approachable wine with smooth, satin like tannins   Winemaker’s Selection Un Double Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah 2012 This is a part of Walmart’s private label program 50% of each Cab Sav and Syrah Aromas of dark fruits like black cherries and black plum as well as pepper It’s a dry, full bodied wine with medium acidity and tannins with flavors similar to aromas - dark fruits and spice This wine is very juicy, ripe, lush wine that is big and bold We pair this wine with an aged cheese and it really shined with some fatty food   Check out the website for Grapes & Barley Imports to learn more about where you can purchase these wines. Sources Wine Folly  Bulgian Wine  Wikipedia  Book: The World Atlas of Wine

It's time for us to recommended so amazing wines we recently tasted. Cheers!!!   Hunky Dory Tangle 2016 - priced around $15.  This wine is a white blend of 58% Pinot Gris, 38% Gewurztraminer and 4% Riesling Aromas of peaches and apricots, white flowers and a hint of lychee It’s dry with medium acidity, light body and flavors similar to aromas - stonefruit, white flowers and lychee Dry aromatic, light white wine for summer with enough acidity to pair with dishes like Pad Thai, curries or seafood dishes.   Unculin Bierzo Tinto 2017 - priced around $19.  This deep red wine has aromas of candied cherries, raspberries and strawberries almost like red licorice and dusty earth It’s dry with medium plus acidity, light to medium tannins, full bodied with flavors of red fruits, black pepper, mushroom and earth Very sweet smelling wine but it’s a dry, rich and more savory tasting wine   Famille Perrin Gigondas La Gille 2016 - priced around $24.  We received this wine as a press sample From Gigondas which is one of the nine Crus in Southern Rhone area of France Reds from this area are sometimes referred to as a cheaper alternative to Châteauneuf-du-Pape Famille Perrin is one of the leading organic wine growers of the Southern Rhône Valley Blend of Grenache and Syrah This wine has aromas of dark fruits like black plum and blackberries as well as earth and baking spices It’s a dry, full bodied wine with medium acidity and tannins with flavors of black fruits, vanilla, earth and dark coco If we would have found this at a wine tasting, we would have totally purchase this. Very complex, well made and great balance and harmony between those velvety tannins and acidity Pair with dishes like meaty stews, braised dishes and lamb shanks, as well as burgers and sausages   Coturri Carignane 2016 - priced around $29.  It’s technically a blend of mostly Carignane with Syrah and  Petite Sirah Aromas black cherries, black plum and baking spices It’s a dry, full bodied wine with medium plus acidity and tannins with flavors of black cherries, black plum, blueberries and  vanilla Loved the depth of fresh fruit flavors with great balance and complexity that keeps you coming back for another sip Recommended Food pairings: Roasted meats. Miso glazed tofu steaks.

This week is the final week of our Greek wine series and we are talking about the area of Central Greece.   Wine Recommendation Hermes White Dry Wine - priced around $11. Light aromas of lemon, peach and minerality It’s dry with medium plus acidity and flavors of lemon rind, white peach and minerality This wine is a light crisp simple patio wine, if you are looking for something fruity and light on a hot summer day, this is your wine Pair with lighter seafood and vegetable dishes You can purchase this wine at Total Wine    Sources Wine-Searcher Wine Folly 

This week we are talking about Southern Greece which is defined by its hot Mediterranean climate so most of the vineyards in these areas are grown on the sides of mountains in higher elevation. Southern Greece includes the Kefalonia, Peloponnese and Crete areas.    Wine Recommendations Lyrarakis Plyto Psarades Vineyard 2017 - priced around $20. Aromas of lemon, nectarine, minerality and white lilies It’s dry with high acidity and flavors very similar to aromas This wine needs food so this is your summer food wine and stands up really well to a salad with vinaigrette Once we added food to the mix this wine became amazing Also could pair with cream sauces, seafood and cheese Boutari Moschofilero 2017 - priced around $14. Medium intense aromas of melon, clementine,  jasmine with a hint of salinity It’s dry with medium plus acidity with flavors similar to aromas Another great summer wine - light and crisp Paired great with roasted corn and tomato salad Also great with pairs with delicate dishes such as sushi, salads or fresh fish   Sources: Wine Folly  Wine Searcher 

This week we are continuing our series on Greek wine regions by talking about the Aegean Islands wine area.   Wine Recommendations Domaine Sigalas 2017 - priced around $20. Aromas of peach, minerality and Lemon It’s dry with medium plus acidity, light body with flavors of white peaches and lemon rinds Tony thinks there is a touch of tannins but I disagree Crisp and fruity very appropriate for summer and reminds me of Verdicchio wine from Italy Food pairings: Shellfish, Crab and Lobster and of course Mediterranean dishes   Gavalas Winery Santorini 2010 - priced around $25. Aromas of pear, minerality and honeysuckle This wine is dry, medium plus acidity, medium body and flavors of honeysuckle, pear, minerality and lemon rind on the finish This wine is older for a white wine and has a deep gold color. If you get an older vintage of this wine you need to decorate it for a while. The first day we tried this wine we didn’t like it and had some weird flavors. But the second day and some exposure to oxygen we ended up loving this wine. It still has quite a bit of acid and you can’t tell by tasting this wine that it’s eight years old Food pairings: seafood, white meat and light cheese   Sources Wine-Searcher  Wikipedia  Greek Wine Insider  Vineyard's Greek Wine Map  Wine Folly  Book: Oxford Guide to Wine  

This week we are talking about Northern Greece. This is week two of our Greek wine series. Part one was a general overview of Greek wine history and information so be sure to listen to that episode if you haven’t already.   Check out Wine Folly's article for a great map of the Greek wine regions   Wine Recommendations Alpha Estate Malagouzia Turtles Vineyard 2017 - priced around $19. Very aromatic wine with aromas of peach, honeydew, papaya, orange blossom and beeswax It’s dry with a light body, medium plus acidity and flavors similar to aromas - tropical fruits, floral and that beeswax again Love this wine especially not that we are finally getting some warm weather after a long winter. This definitely reminds me of summer - It’s light, fruity, crisp Reminds me of a warmer climate Riesling with those beautiful intense fruity aromas Food Pairing: Excellently married with green salads, baked vegetables, pasta, low fat fishes and a wide variety of Greek seafood   Domaine Costa Lazaridi Amethystos Rouge 2015 - priced around $20. This wine is a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 70%, Merlot 20%, Agiorgitiko 10% It has aromas of red cherries, raspberries and a strawberry licorice smell as well as a little smoked meat and dusty aromas It’s dry with medium plus acidity, medium tannins, full body and flavors similar to aromas - red fruits, earth and meat. the nose on this wine is super fruity and candy like which is really fun This wine is approachable and we believe who appeal to a lot of folks the Merlot really helps to soften the tight structure Cabernet Sauvignon tends to have as well as add more fruit flavors and aromas According to the producer, In the right conditions it can age past 2025 Food Pairings: red meats like lamb but also red sauce beef casserole or soft mature cheeses like brie or Camembert.   Sources Wine Folly  Wine-Searcher  Greece Is  New Wines of Greece  Greek Wine Federation  Wine Sofa 

This week kicks off a series of episode exploring Greece. This episode is an introduction to Greece and Greek wine history. In the following weeks, we will dive into some of the major wine areas of Greece.   Source for this episode: Book: The Oxford Companion to Wine

This week we talk recent wines news. Below are the articles that inspired this episode's topics.   California wine's new paradigm: Bright, juicy, translucent reds Esther Mobley March 21, 2019 San Francisco Chronicle   Southern Oregon growers fight Willamette Valley wine purity proposals By Pete Danko  – Staff Reporter, Portland Business Journal Mar 21, 2019   Texas wine group wants to keep California grapes out of their bottles Lynn Brezosky April 25, 2019 San Antonio Express News   Nine Spanish producers to leave the Cava DO Richard Woodard, February 1, 2019 Decanter   The Danger of Biased Drinking Studies By Liza B. Zimmerman | Posted Saturday, 02-Mar-2019, Wine-Searcher   The campaign to make alcohol ‘the new tobacco’ by Christopher Snowdon 28th March 2019, Spector Health   Very Good Dogs Sniff Out TCA Taint, Rescue Wine February 14, 2019 Wine Spectator  

This week we explore of the country of Georgia and it's unique and amazing wines.   Wine Recommendations Dila-o Rkatsiteli-Mtsvane 2016 - priced around $16. This is an Amber or "Orange" wine style, but made in a lighter style with only 1 month of skin contact. It is a perfect introduction to the style. Aromas of honey, tropical fruits like melon and apricots, spice and white flowers It’s dry with light body, light tannins, medium plus acidity and flavors of lemon drop, white flowers, apricots and slightly herbal Great acidity so it will be awesome with food It has the sour beer quality to it that we often get from orange wine Food pairings: Salads, Salmon and Poultry   Tchotiashvili Vineyards Mtsvane 2015 - priced around $28.  Another orange wine but this one is a very deep amber color Aromas of honey, juniper, dried apricots and cigar ash This wine is dry with medium plus tannins and acid - the most tanninc non-red wine we ever had Flavors of meat (hot dog water?), dried herbs, hint of apricot with eucalyptus on the finish If you were blind tasting this wine, you might not know it was wine at all - the combination of flavors and tannins levels really confused us We’ve used the the phase “never had a wine like this before”, it hasn’t been more true than in regards to this wine It paired really well with southwest inspired roasted corn salad we made Decant and enjoy lightly chilled   Tchotiashvili Vineyards Saperavi 2015 - priced around $28. A deep purple colored wine with aromas of blackberry jam, coriander, dust and mint It’s dry with medium tannin and acid, full body with flavors of fresh blackberry and grilled meaty/savory component We argued whether this wine was more fruity or savory, Betty compared it to Zin It’s fresher in the taste than the nose and it’s bold and complex but still approachable   Sources: Book: The World Atlas of Wine Wines of Georgia  Wine-Searcher  Wikipedia 

It’s time for another four wines episode. Every couple of months we talk about four different wines that we really enjoyed and we're excited to share with all of you.   Pehhcora Pecorino IGT Terre di Chieti 2015 - priced around $12. Aromas of oranges, geraniums and minerality It’s dry with medium plus acidity and flavors of orange oil, white flowers and wet rocks Really delicious, crisp, fruity and floral wine Complex but not too serious and great for lighter foods Food pairings: grilled fish, fresh cheeses and white meats.   Mansion Creek Cellars White Blend 2015 - priced around $28.  Aromas of jasmine, apricots and orange blossom This wine is dry with medium body, medium acidity with flavors of grapefruit pith, apricot, and orange blossom A real lovely blend with a slightly creamy texture   Quinta do Ataíde Douro 2015 - priced aorund $26. We received this wine as a press sample Aromas of stewed blackberries, black plums and black currants, dusty earth and black licorice This wine is dry, fully body with medium tannins and acidity with flavors similar to aromas with a hint of prunes on the finish This wine is dark and luscious wine Really fantastic wine for sipping or pairing with red meats and strong cheeses, as well as Portuguese Wild Boar Stew  (if you can’t find boar, pork will do)   Massolino Barolo 2014 - priced around $53 This was also provided as a media sample to us This wine has aromas of plum, stewed black cherries, and dried Italian herbs It’s dry, light body, with medium acidity and tannins and flavors of of dark fruits, dried herbs and a bitter wood on the finish The tannins give this wine a lovely texture There is a lot of complexity in this wine and we think this wine either needs to be aged or enjoyed with food Pairing Option: Creamy truffle risotto, medium-mature cow’s milk and goat’s milk cheeses and red meats  

This week we are talking about Monterey County wine region. This area is part of the larger Central Coast AVA that stretches from San Francisco to Santa Barbara County. There are approximately 46,000 acres of wine grapes making it one of the larger growing area in California.   Wine Recommendations Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay 2016 - priced around $22. Aromas of golden apples, vanilla, melon and toasted marshmallow It’s dry, fuller bodied, with medium acidity with flavor similar to aromas Like the balance of acid, fruit and those oak aging flavors although it is fuller bodied the wine, it doesn’t feel like a heavy wine This is California Chardonnay done right   Birichino Malvasia Bianca 2016 - priced around $17. This wine has intense aromas of stone fruit, white flowers and orange It’s dry with medium acidity, medium body with flavors like the aromas- stonefruits, white flowers and orange oil Very unique and interesting wine, very fruity and intense wine   Hahn Pinot Noir 2016 - priced around $15. This wine has a light nose of red berries - cherries, strawberries and raspberries as well as sweet baking spices like Allspice as well as some savory, mushroom aromas It’s dry with medium plus acidity, light tannins, light body and flavors very similar to aromas just more intense fruit and mushrooms notes We did really enjoy this wine but we think it’s best with food. This Pinot has quite a bit of acidity and needs some fat to cut through it and really elevate the wine - maybe something earthy with mushrooms or lentils It's a great Pinot for under $20 Sources: Wikipedia  Wine-Searcher  Monterey Wine Country  Book: American Wine

This week we are talking about the small AVA in California call El Dorado. El Dorado is a sub-appellation of the 2,600,000-acre Sierra Foothills AVA which is one of the largest appellations in California. If you want to learn more about the Sierra Foothills, check out episode 160.   Wine Recommendations RPM Wines 2014 El Dorado Gamay Noir - priced around $33. Light Garnet colored wine with aromas of dried cherries, balsamic and a hint of coriander It’s dry with light to medium body, light tannins and medium plus acidity with flavors similar to aromas as well as a bitter component to the finish, almost like radicchio This wine is starting to show it’s age but still is fruity We loved the candied cherries aromas, the nose in more intense than the flavors of this wine Although it’s not an intense flavored wine, more delicate, we think this would compliment food really well and could still be aged if you are looking to see how the aromas and flavors continue to develop over time.   Skinner Mourvèdre 2015 - priced around $30.  For this wine we got aromas of red berries, dust, violets and graphite It’s dry with medium body, medium tannins and medium plus acidity with flavors similar to aromas, red fruit - cherries, strawberries, sandy dirt, violets with a hint of mushroom This is a really approachable wine and is more fruity in aromas than in taste We think this wine who do well with food: Beef and lamb dishes, Chili, Hard Cheese, dishes with earthy flavors like Mushrooms or lentils, Had a hard time finding the 2015 online but the 2014 and the 2016 is available on Skinner’s website.   If you are looking for some additional El Dorado wine recommendations check out our past episodes listed: Episode 54 on Viognier  Episode 98 - Four Wines January 2018  Episode 113 - Four wines May 2018  Episode 145 on Orange Wines  Sources used for this episode: El Dorado Wines  American Winery Guide  Book: American Wine by Jancis Robinson and Linda Murphy

This week we are talking about the Sierra Foothills The Sierra Foothills is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. The total area of the appellation is 2.6 million acres within eight counties, making it one of the largest AVAs in the state of California.   Cruse Wine Co. Rorick Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 This wine has aromas of melon, pineapple, nectarine, white flowers, beeswax and a hint of toasted nuts It’s dry with medium plus acidity, medium body and flavors of lemon, white flowers and stone fruit It a well crafted and balance Chardonnay, it’s crisp, fruity with a really lovely texture Priced around $3   Forlorn Hope Heinzelmann Picpoul 2015 This wine gave us aromas of green apple, pear, yeast and a hint of white flowers It’s dry with high acidity and flavors of lemon rind and pith, white flowers and yeast Very tart, too acidic on it’s own - most people probably need to pair this with food But we thought it was delicious, crisp, fruity with a hint of those yeasty flavors - a great sparkler fifty cases produced Priced around $45

Below are the articles referenced in this week's episode.   Millennials Now Ruining Wine As Well By W. Blake Gray Posted Friday, 18-Jan-2019, Wine-Searcher Sensory tests suggest 'liking' wines made with native grapes a learned response March 6, 2019, Source: Penn State, featured in Science Daily The mysterious case of the cork-tainted carrots Esther Mobley Feb. 7, 2019, San Francisco Chronicle SAUVIGNON BLANC ‘SUFFERS FROM AN IMAGE PROBLEM’ 8th February, 2019 by Lucy Shaw, The Drink Business Constellation Brands to Discontinue 40% of Wine & Spirits Portfolio BY LESLIE GEVIRTZ, February 21, 2019, Wine Enthusiast  

The day this episode is being released, March 15, 2019, is the 3rd year anniversary of this podcast. On March 15th 2016 is when we launched the first three episodes of the podcast. We’ve tried a lot of wine and learned a ton along the way. So we thought we would take a trip down memory lane and reflect on some of our favorite moments and learning from the past three years.   We did an episode similar to this way back in episode 43 if you want to go back and listen.

This week we are talking about Alexander Valley AVA.  Alexander Valley AVA is a Californian American Viticultural Area located in the northern end of Sonoma County. It is the largest and most fully planted wine region in Sonoma with 14,449 acres of vines out of 32,536 acres of land.   Wine Recommendations Alexander Valley Vineyards Rose 2017 - priced around $15. Bright pink rose wine with aromas of strawberries, watermelon, raspberries and minerality It’s dry, unoaked style rose that has a light body, medium plus acidity with flavors similar to aromas - strawberries, watermelon and minerality Love the intense aromas and flavors This is everything I want in a rose - crisp, fruity, refreshing, takes my mind to summertime   Broc Cellars Carignan 2013 - priced around $30. Red wine with aromas of cran-cherries, cloves and dusty earth It’s dry with medium acidity, tannins and body with flavors of cherries, mint and leather Very approachable, interesting, unique wine - not a lot of old vine Carignan out there in California   Sources Wikipedia  Alexander Valley Wine Growners  Wine-Searcher  Book: American Wine by Jancis Robinson and Linda Murphy  

This week we are talking about Santa Barbara County and it’s wines.  We touched on this area in a couple of past episodes, specifically episode 50 on Central Coast Pinot Noir and episode 53 that featured our interview Clarissa Nagy of Nagy wines.   Wine Recommendations Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay 2014 - priced around $28 Deep golden color with with aromas of stonefruit, melon, ripe bananas and vanilla cream This wine is dry, full bodied with medium acidity and flavors similar to aromas - tropical and stonefruits and that creamy vanilla flavor Very cream, soft texture and the oak flavor is there put not strong which we appreciated - it’s just the right amount Also, you can tell this Chardonnay comes from the cooler climate that other parts of California because it has that acidity to balance out the fuller body and texture of the wine. Priced around $ 28 You can purchase this wine at Total Wine    Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 - priced around $25. This wine was given to us as a sample Aromas of dark fruits - blackberry, black cherry and black plum as well as some green pepper notes It’s dry with medium acidity and medium silky, smooth tannins with flavors of dark fruits, vanilla and a hint of a vegetal notes Love the tannins in this wine - provides a great sensory experience You can also tell this wine is from a cooler part of california but the fruit aromas and flavors are ripe but don’t have a cooked or jammy quality to them. You can purchase this wine from Mucas & Lewellen's website      Sources Santa Barbara Vintners  Book: American Wine Wine Searcher  GuildSomm  Los Olivos AVA 

It’s time for another four wines. Every couple of months we talk about four random wines that don’t fit in an upcoming episode.  All four of the wines  featured in this week’s episode were sent to us as press samples. But regardless if we purchase the wine or get it for free we always give our honest opinion and only talk about wines we really enjoyed.   Valdo 1926 Cuvee NV - priced around $14. This is a sparkling wine is made from 90% Glera, 10% Chardonnay Fresh aromas of tropical fruits - starfruit, papaya, and pineapple as well as some floral notes It’s off dry with medium plus acidity and flavors very similar to aromas - tropical fruits and flowers This wine is everything I like about sparkling wine fresh, fruity and crisp. The bubbles give this wine a soft and luxurious texture and it has just the right amount of sweetness Pair with wine with brunch, fresh fruits or dessert like a fruit tart   Maryhill Viognier 2017 - priced around $19. Aromas of pear, melon, nectarine and pineapple It’s dry with medium plus acidity and medium light body with flavors of grapefruit, pineapple, and nectarine This wine is great if you want something crisp and light. It went great with Indian food but it does have 14% ABV so watch the spice level on your dish You can purchase this wine right from Maryhill's website   Tintonegro Uco Valley Malbec 2017 - priced around $17. Tinonergo mean black wine in Spanish which is fitting Malbec from Mendoza is known for its dark, blackish color Aromas of dark fruit, dusty earth and a hint of baking spice It’s dry with medium acidity and medium, smooth tannins with juicy, ripe flavors of dark cherries, blackberries and black plum If you are looking for a fruity and approachable wine this is a winner. Enough acid to pair with food and enjoyable on its - the best of both worlds. Food Pairing Option: Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce   Watermill Estate Mourvèdre 2012 This wine has aromas of dark fruits , dusty earth, rose and Chinese 5 spice It’s dry with medium acidity, medium tannins and medium body with flavors of dark fruits, rose, salty mushrooms, with a hint of bitter greens on the finish A Lot going on in this wine - floral, savory, herbal Great great balance of acidity and tannins Don’t see a lot of varietal wines made from Mourvèdre so if you are looking for something unique this is a great option.    

This week we are talking about Montefalco Sagrantino . Montefalco Sagrantino is a wine and one of two DOCGs in the Umbria region, which is located in central Italy.   Wine Recommendations Raìna Campo di Raìna 2013 Hand harvested grapes Ageing: 24 months in large oak barrels, 12 months in stainless steel, 12 months in the bottle. Very ripe and juicy dark fruit aromas as well as anise and cigar It’s dry with medium plus acidity, medium plus bordering high tannins that hit in the front of your mouth but are smooth and flavors of dark berries and a slight savoriness like mushrooms This is a young, very fruity, intense wine that I would recommend pairing with food Also decant this wine for at least a couple of hours. We did not like this wine at first taste but with some oxygen it really opens up and become something special Priced around $39   Colpetrone 2010 Aged for 12 months in French oak and then another 26 months in the bottle before release Aromas of jammy dark fruits like blackberries, black currants and plum as well as anise and dry dusty herbs This wine is dry with medium acid and tannins some dark fruit flavors but not as intense as the aromas and flavors of leather and mushroom We thought this wine was perfect aged, still some fruity flavors and aromas and the time has smoothed out the acid and tannins enough to drink without food but still can stand up for bold food choices I couldn’t stop drinking this wine and this is a situation in which patience pays off. Right now you can get the 2011 vintage for around $27     Sources: Wikipedia  Wine Folly Forbes  The World Atlas of Wine Tenute del Cerro 

This week we are featuring my interview with Alan Baker and Serena Lourie, the founders and Owners of Cartograph Wines out of Healdsburg, CA.   You can check out more information about Cartograph Wines at their website   Wine Recommendations - These wines were sent to us as samples. 2017 Green Ranch Riesling - priced around $29. Hands down one of the best dry Rieslings I've ever had. Very fruity with flavors and aromas of citrus and stonefruits Healthy level of acidity making it a perfect pairing partner with seafood, pork or Thai dishes Delicious and worth you hard earn cash   2017 Starscape vineyard Gewurztraminer - priced around $29. I am a sucker for Gewurztraminer wine and this one delivers Very aromatic, fruit and complex with flavors and aromas of lychee (of course it's Gewurz) along with citrus, stonefruit and floral notes Complex, great acidity and a finish that won't quit Pair with Asian dishes and you won't be disappointed   2016 Cartograph Estate Pinot - priced around $68. Coming to you straight from the Russian River Valley, this is Cartograph first Estate Pinot Lots of red fruits: cherries, raspberries with hints of orange blossoms and a slight herbal quality Also the perfect balance of acid and tannins that coated my mouth and inviting me in for another sip (or glass or two) I think pairing this with a mushroom based dish will really make this wine sing    

This week we are talking about Côtes du Rhône white wines and the Grenache Blanc grape. In the cold weather months we tend to focus on lots of full bodied red wines and sometime we needs a break from the reds. We love white wines and winter is the perfect time to talk about medium to full bodied whites which is why we are talking about whites from Côtes du Rhône.   Check out episode 31 and episode 44 to learn more about Côtes du Rhône and for more great wine recommendations.   Wine Recommendations Domaine de la Présidente Cotes du Rhone Grands Classiques Blanc 2015 - priced around $13. Nose of white flowers, paypa and minerality It’s dry with medium body, medium plus acidity and flavors of white flowers, lime and pineapple This wine is bordering on high acid so best to pair with food If you are looking for a white wine to showcase white Cote du Rhone wines this is it. It’s got ripe fruit, floral aromas and flavors, balance of body and acid - rich, not too light but not fat and flabby You can purchase this wine at Total Wine by clicking here   Domaine de la Présidente Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne Blanc Prestige 2015 - priced around $15. Nose of mango, apple and orange blossom It’s dry with medium body, medium plus acidity with flavors very similar to aromas - white flowers, tropical fruits, apple The nose of this wine is intoxicating smells very fruity and fresh given its age Plus, it has a great texture and weight to it without being too heavy, the blending with Viognier keeps this wine from becoming flabby. This wine can age 3-5 years after release so if you pick up a younger vintage and are willing to wait it will continue to develop and transform for the better over time You can purchase this wine at Total Wine by clicking the link here    Sources: Book: Wine Grapes Wikipedia  Rhone Wines  Wine Folly  The Wine Collar Insider