Wine Club

Welcome back to Wine Club! As you know we have been on a "pregnant" pause as we adjust to life with babies in our respective homes, but Rachel jumped on the mic this week to give you a quick catch up and hit a few different short topics.  Visit our Instagram @wineclubthepodcast for a full list of the accounts Rachel mentioned in honor of Black History Month. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! On this episode, Rachel is joined by the Wine Club godfather and co-host of the NC Food and Beverage podcast, Max Trujillo. Rachel and Max blind taste 4 wines.  Wines we drank (Spoiler alert!) Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Weingut Staffelter Hof, Riesling Dry "Magnus", Mosel, Germany 2019 Castello di Verduno, Dolcetto d'Alba "Campot", Piemonte, Italy 2018 Hofgut Falkenstein Pinot Noir 2018  

Welcome back to Wine Club! In this episode, Sara and Rachel dish about the WSET Level 3 course and exam. They also share a special announcement! Resources mentioned in this episode:  https://www.vitishouse.com/ https://www.rachelvonsturmer.com/level-3-prep-course 

Welcome back to Wine Club, and Happy Thanksgiving! Sara and Rachel offer plenty of suggestions for wines that will pair with your Thanksgiving menu. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! This episode is all about Cabernet Franc. While often thought of as a blending grape with Cabernet Sauvignon, this grape can absolutely stand on its own as a single varietal. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! On today's episode we answer questions sent in by listeners- everything from how to know if you should age your wine to what is "ullage". Sara and Rachel also throw in some $10 or under recommendations (listed below - all available at Trader Joe's).  Dark Horse Red Blend  Pontificis  Oxte  Macon-Verze If you have questions for a future episode, email us at wineclubthepodcast@gmail.com 

Welcome back to Wine Club! Sara and Rachel had a blast talking to Halsey Merritt not only about her wine career, but also about her creative takes on pairing food and wine.  Halsey is currently the Triangle Rep for Rise Over Run Wine and was previously the manager of Short Walk Wines in Raleigh, NC. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! This episode, Sara and Rachel talk all about the Spanish white grape Albarino. If you haven't met Albarino then now is the time! Warning: you may find yourself planning a trip to Spain while listening to this episode.   

Welcome back to Wine Club! Join us for another "mini bar" episode. These episodes give quick overviews of different wine making regions. In this episode, Sara and Rachel talk all about the picturesque region of Provence. And you can't talk about Provence without talking about everyone's favorite rosé.

Welcome back to Wine Club! On this episode Rachel interviews the founders of Living Liquid, Brianna Burns and Anna Kohler. Living Liquid is a wine travel company offering group trips as well as planning private trips. Brianna and Anna share all about starting their company, their passion in creating space for women in the wine industry, and their favorite travel hacks.  https://www.livingliquidwine.com/adventure-awaits adventure@livingliquidwine.com

Welcome back to Wine Club! Join us for another "mini bar" episode - this time about the historic French winemaking region of Bordeaux. These episodes are quick overviews of different wine making regions.  Chances are you have heard of Bordeaux with its world- renowned Cab Sauv and Merlot blends. Tune in to learn more about this iconic region.  

Welcome back to Wine Club! Join us for another "mini bar" episode - this time all about Jura. These episodes are quick overviews of different wine making regions.  Jura is in Eastern France and boarders Switzerland. It is known for some special, regional wines including vin jaune (yellow wine). 

Welcome back to Wine Club! Inspired by Sara's recent completion of the French Wine Scholar certification, join us for our first "mini bar" episode on Alsace! These episodes are quick overviews of different wine making regions. Alsace is located on the border of France and Germany and is known for Riesling among other incredible white wines. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! This week we are sharing recommendations for "Summer Porch Pounders" - these are great value, non-complex wines that are perfect to refresh you on summer days/nights.  Recommendations from this episode: Rosé Wines: Sparkling Rose ex. Mas Codinas Cava Brut Rose,  Anything from Tavel , Summer in a Bottle, Sauvignon Blanc from Awatere Valley, NZ: ex. Kono  Vino Verde: ex. Broadbent  Pinot Noir from Central Otago: ex. Rabbit Ranch Albariño: ex. Viña Cartin  

Welcome back to Wine Club! Our little podcast turns one this week. Sara and Rachel exchange anniversary presents and reflect on their wine journey over the last year.  @wineclubthepodcast wineclubthepodcast@gmail.com 

Welcome back to Wine Club! You have heard us talk about Todd - our term for obnoxious wine snobs who suck the fun right out of wine. Craig Heffley is nothing like a Todd. As the owner of Wine Authorities in Durham and Raleigh, he makes wine fun and accessible for all of his customers. Wine Authorities specializes in estate grown wines from small, up-and-coming, family- owned wineries from around the world. Turns out Craig may just be the Anti-Todd!  http://www.wineauthorities.com/ 

Welcome back to Wine Club! On today's episode we answer questions sent in by listeners - everything from how to take care of your wine glasses to wine faults vs. flaws.  If you have questions for a future episode, email us at wineclubthepodcast@gmail.com 

Welcome back to Wine Club! This week we have another Old v. New discussion, this time with Syrah/Shiraz.  On this episode: Sara drank Domaine Barou, Petit Colorado, Syrah 2019 Rachel drank Flegenheimer Bros, Out of the Park, Shiraz 2017

Welcome back to Wine Club! We have some exciting wine/life updates at the top of the episode, then we continue on our exploration of Old World versus New World, this time with Chenin Blanc. On this episode, Sara drank Couvéede Silex Vouvray 2019 and Rachel drank Raats Chenin Blanc 2019.  

Welcome back to Wine Club! This week we had the chance to talk with JP Bourgeois, a fascinating wine importer based in Asheville, NC.  On this episode we drank: Domaine Gueneau Les Griottes Sancerre 2019; Loberger Alsace Grand Cru Riesling 2016; Bellula Pinot Noir   Learn more at https://jp-bourgeois.com and follow JP on Instagram at @jp.bourgeois   

Welcome back to Wine Club! This week Sara and Rachel host a friendly competition between the Old World and the New. They taste two different Sauvignon Blancs - one from Sancerre from the Loire Valley in France, and the second from Marlborough, New Zealand. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! This week Sara and Rachel interview Brianna Burns. Brianna holds the WSET Diploma and has 10+ years of experience in the wine industry. She is also an incredible wine educator with a passion for mentoring women in wine. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! In this episode, Sara talks all about the WSET Level 2 course and exam. Tune in for the behind the scenes stories and excitement from the weekend. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! On this episode we get into Spain's most famous black grape - Tempranillo. There is so much to love about this food friendly, wallet friendly wine. Pour a glass and taste along with us.  We drank: Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza 2017

This episode of Wine Club is all about Riesling! If you are like Sara and Rachel, you may have written this grape off as being "too sweet", but really there is a whole range of Rieslings for you to discover. We drank: Weingut Steininger D.A.C. Riesling, Austria and Dr. Hermann "H" Riesling, Germany   

Welcome back to Wine Club! In this episode we talk about Botrytis cirerea, also called Noble Rot. Botrytis is a natural fungus that allows for sweet, concentrated, and complex wines. Fungus/Rot definitely sounds like a bad thing, but this is nature's way of being oh so helpful in the production of some of the most elegant, highly desirable and sought after wines made on earth!

Put on your tacky Christmas sweater, give yourself a generous pour, and listen to the Wine Club Holiday Special! On the final episode of 2020, Sara and Rachel sample wines you might find at your office holiday party (that is if we had been able to host them this year...) and sprinkle in gift ideas for the wine lovers in your life.  Sara drank: Hallmark Channel Jingle Cabernet Sauvignon and Eight Tiny Reindeer Winery Comet & Cupid Cabernet Sauvignon Rachel drank: Hallmark Channel Joy Sauvignon Blanc and Eight Tiny Reindeer Winery Dasher & Dancer Merlot   

Welcome back to Wine Club! On this episode we get into the world's most popular grape: Cabernet Sauvignon. There is so much to say about this incredible grape, and we bounce around from Bordeaux to Napa to Chile. Buckle in!    

Welcome back to Wine Club! In today's episode, Rachel and Sara talk about what wines to pair with your Thanksgiving dinner. Whether you are hosting or being hosted, there are lots of great ideas for how to incorporate wine into your meal.

Welcome back to Wine Club! This week Sara and Rachel have fun pretending they have their own pop-up wine bar and make hard decisions about what would be on the menu. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! In this episode, we talk all about the WSET Level One course and exam. Listen for an exciting plot twist and updates about what comes next in our wine journey! Notable mentions:  Vitis House Wine School  Wine & Spirit Education Trust 

Welcome back to Wine Club! In honor of Halloween, tonight we are telling a spooky story of our haunted mountain weekend. Our special guest and dear friend Jenna joins us to tell the tale. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! In this episode, Sara and Rachel talk about Malbec - an amazing red wine that some may think is newer to the wine scene, but it has been grown in France for thousands of years and became Argentina's flagship grape.  Sara drank: Crios Malbec 2018 Rachel drank: Catena Malbec 2017 Here is the link to the Laura Catena video referenced in this episode. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! Sara and Rachel kick off October with a zinfully bold, beautiful red wine- Zinfandel, and also share some exciting updates on Sara's exam. Sara drank: Josh Cellars Zinfandel Rachel drank: Three Wine Co. Zinfandel 

Welcome back to Wine Club! This week we have an amazing guest - Whitney Pope! Whitney is a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and also holds a foundation certificate from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. She also has an incredible wine blog whitandwine.com  On this episode, Whitney introduces Sara and Rachel to the increasingly popular sparkling wine, Pét-Nat.  Rachel and Sara Drank: http://www.theartisancollection.us/electium-petillant-naturel Whitney drank: Smarazen

Thank gourd, we can finally talk about fall wines! This week on Wine Club, we cover 5 fall recipe ideas and amazing wine pairings for each meal.  Recipes and Wine Pairings:  1) Kielbasa, roast potatoes, creamy herb mushrooms with Chardonnay or Syrah; 2) Black pepper tofu with Zinfandel or Central Coast Pinot Noir; 3) Pumpkin soup, kale caesar salad, crusty bread with Cote du Rhone; 4) Pizza with mushrooms, goat cheese, sage, rosemary, thyme with a Super Tuscan or Chianti; and 5) Sweet & sour butternut squash with Riesling or Gamay

Welcome back to Wine Club! Sharpen your pencils and keep your eyes on your own paper - it's time for a pop quiz! In this episode Sara takes her second pop quiz, including some wine 101 questions and questions sent in by listeners. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! This episode is inspired by many questions we received about how to actually buy wine. We cover where to get it, how to have a plan to avoid being completely overwhelmed by the choices, and a list of 6 great everyday wines to get you started.  Here is Sara and Rachel's list of 6 everyday/table wines that are easily available and budget friendly.  Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc  Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Catena Malbec  Alamos Malbec Marques de Caceras Rioja Crianza (Tempranillo) Dark Horse Red Blend       

Welcome back to Wine Club! This week we have a special guest - Starlina Rose. Starlina is part of the leadership team at Vidrio, an incredible restaurant in downtown Raleigh. Starlina leads Sara and Rachel through a wine tasting, then tells the epic story of how Phylloxera attacked European grape vines in the mid 19th century.  One this episode, we drank Muscar Jeune 2018

Welcome back to Wine Club, and to Part 2 of the Champagne Episode. In Part 2 we get into how Champagne is made, what it pairs with, its tasting profile, and other fun facts about this luxurious beverage.    Sara drank: Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut Rachel drank: L. Aubry Fils Brut Premier Cru

Welcome back to Wine Club! This is our 10th episode, and what better way to celebrate than popping some bubbly! There is so much to say about Champagne that we broke it into two parts. Part 1 explores the geography and history of this special wine making region.    Sara drank: Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut Rachel drank: L. Aubry Fils Brut Premier Cru  

If you like Pinot Noir, then you will love her flirty, fun cousin...Gamay! This week on Wine Club, Sara and Rachel get into this lesser known (but absolutely delicious) wine.  Sara drank: Chateau du Basty, Gamay 2018  Rachel drank: Domaine de Colette 'Vielles Vignes' Regnie' 2017  

This episode is all about Rosé - the beautiful, pink wine that shouts summer!  Sara drank: Ste. Venture Aix en Provence Rosé Rachel drank: Riviera Bistro, Rosé 2018  

Pour yourself a glass of vino and settle in for story time! This episode features Sara's retelling of the iconic Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 AKA The Judgment of Paris.  Notable mentions in this episode: Taber, George M. Judgment of Paris. NY: Scribner, 2005. Wine - A Way of Life (2018) by Steven Spurrier Bottle Shock (2008)   

What the funk is natural wine? Natty wine enthusiast, Nadia Pugh, joined us to talk all about it (and of course taste it).  You can follow Nadia on Instragram @nadwines On this episode, we drank Donkey & Goat Still Kraisey, Merlot 2019 

Some people love it (Sara). Some people hate it (Rachel). No matter how you feel about it, it's the most planted grape in the world and we gotta talk about Chardonnay!  Wines we drank: Barrique Chardonnay, Sonoma County, 2017 Domaine Louis Moreau, Petit Chablis, 2018 Saveurs du Temps Chardonnay, 2018

Welcome back to Wine Club! We had our first interview, y'all. Max Trujillo is an LA sommelier/restauranteur/wine distributor that moved to North Carolina in 2013. He ran restaurants in Raleigh over the last few years as their General Manager & Wine Director, and is also the co-host of the NC Food & Beverage Podcast. 

Welcome back to Wine Club! In the spirit of the 4th of July and summer cookouts, today's episode gets into wines to bring to a BBQ. Warning: This episode will make you hungry.  Sara's list: 1) Vihno Verde 2) Gewürtztraminder (ge-vertz-tra-min-er) 3) Rose 4) Lambrusco 5) Syrah And Rachel's walk on option - Zinfandel! 

Welcome back to Wine Club! In this episode we taste a Super Tuscan (La Maialina "Gertrude") and Sara gets her first Pop Quiz covering some basic wine phrases and etiquette.    Notable mentions in this episode: Wine Folly  Silverdog Vineyard  

Welcome to Wine Club! Help Sara study for her certified sommelier exam by tasting along. In this episode we drank La Crema 2017 Pinot Noir. Today we cover the 4 Steps of Tasting Wine and tales of Rachel's failed Santa Barbara Bachelorette Party.  Other notable mentions in this episode: Baker and Brain Wines Carter Paul Wines  Backcountry Wine Tours in Portland, Oregon       

Join Sara and Rachel as they discover the wonderful world of wine! AND - follow along as Sara prepares to become a certified sommelier!  Everyone is welcome at Wine Club (except snobs).