Wine Skool'D

Prohibition sucked! There was a reason for it but damn did we take it a bit far and damn did it wreck the wine industry, especially in California. In this next Cali series installment I get in to all this craziness.

In Part two of my chat with Buyer/Partner of Ruffian in NYC, Alexis Percival we dive into industry equality, her women's tasting group and how that came into fruition (it's amazing), how natural wine as a term hovers over the industry and the people who are giving the term it's pros and cons. I feel like this convo is hella important as we move into a new wine era.

This is part one of a two part interview with Alexis Percival, Partner/Beverage Director, of Ruffian, one of the best wine bars in New York City (imho) that didn't start out as a "natural" wine bar but are dabbling in it accidentally. We talk about everything natural wine and how it is being perceived in the industry as well as with consumers. We covered so much ground that I am splitting it up into two digestible episodes. Part II we talk more natural wine, industry equality and Alexis's awesome approach to a wine tasting group she started. This is a great snapshot of where we are right with this undefined trend.

In part III our story continues as our boy George C. Yount makes his way to The Napa Valley and, along with a supporting cast, ignites the California wine region.

Part two of my California Wine series where two characters moving west to find their fortunes in the new California territory. It's a weaving tale of trappers and immigrants and wine...and Los Angeles...sort of.

GET READY! This is part one of a series I am dedicating to all things California wine. How it all began and where it is today. How did the grapevine initially make it to California? How did this all begin? Check it. 

Wine made from hybrid grapes have been the laughing stock of the wine world for years but now it seems there is a new idea to get these wines onto the market. Will they taste good? I break down what a hybrid is and freak out a little bit.   Earlier Episodes to add context: Ep 18: The History of Wine in the United States: 'Murica Ep 72: Halloween Edition: Phylloxera The Destroyer Ep 85: Thomas Jefferson's Wine Geekery Ep 86: The Red Flesh Mafia Ep 87: Attack of the Wine Clones

It's the last episode of 2018! I talk about Wine Skool'D in 2019 and react to some wine trends for the new year I've been reading. I talk about Wine Skool'D in 2019 and react to some wine trends for the new year I've been reading. I talk about Wine Skool'D in 2019 and react to some wine trends for the new year I've been reading. 

I go on a bit of a rant here. Jan is back with another question that got me going! Is Robert Parker still relevant? Let's discuss.

Sometimes white wines in the winter are better than they are in spring and summer. WHAT?! Yeah it's cool. Check it.

I answer an email question about what the hell this pH thing is. It is pretty important and kind of confusing. Let's break it down.

It warms your insides and smells like the holidays. Where did this magical concoction come from? Here is how mulled wine became your fave for winter.

Wine is often the last thought when planning Turkey Day and we run crazy buying last minute bottles. Try this trick and you cannot go wrong

Tara Empson is taking the reins at Empson & Co. one of the pioneers in Italian wine importing. We had some wine, told some stories, talked about her new roll, carrying out her family's legacy and how she's leading her parents' vision in to the future.

The wine known as Bull's Blood has a cool story. Check the legend of this Hungarian wine steeped in legend.

Chianti. You've heard of it. You've sipped it. You love it. But want to know what it's all about? It's Damn complicated! I'm gonna break this region down into its more digestible parts so you can win at Chianti.

What is vegan wine? Does it really exist? And what needs to happen to make it so? Let's get into it.

Wine bottles are so familiar to us but how did they get to be the shape and the size they are today? And why? Check it.

Ever had a Kalimotxo? It's also spelled Calimocho or Kalimocho but its a fun wine mixed drink that is all is gaining in popularity here in the US and has been a staple of Spain's drinking culture since before Coca-Cola was invented. The story of its name is the best!

Part III wraps it all up with the South Island of New Zealand. Four regions two of which we see here in the states one of which is truly exciting and a future that looks bright.

Let's get into the North Island. I go over a bit of cool history and dive into the five wine regions and what to look for here in the States.

Part one of my New Zealand series. New Zealand is so much more than Sauvignon Blanc! It has one of the most unique wine stories on the globe! Let's get into a little history and geography with some other fun facts.

Here is your audio step by step guide on how to blind taste wine....Wine Skool'D style. Let's get it wrong!

It may sound daunting but it's a ton of fun! Blind tasting on a wine lover-level is a great way to from natural organizational skills to assess any wine (I go on a rant in this one bt-dubs) Plus a cool game you can play.

Tomcats and turpentine. I had no idea that Gin had such a CRAZY story! I sat down and chatted with Matt Demma, cocktail geek, bartender, gin expert and he Skool'D me on this spirit's crazy story.

Episode 100!! Wine is everything to me and so is this podcast. What's next for Wine Skool'D? Gonna try and take this to another level.

It's not sweet it's dry. It's not Moscato it's Muscadet. These wines are crazy affordable and have a great story.

I sat down with the wine director of the Partisan in DC after he had just got back from an eye opening visit to Greece. We talk about how why Greek wine is on the rise on the US market and how to understand this under appreciated region.

Txakolina is hard to read easy to pronounce and a delight to drink! What is this wine all about? Let's get into it.

Let's wrap things up with the awesomeness of the Roussillon part of the Languedoc-Roussillon. Some of the most exciting wines of this region are in the mountains.

Part two of my Languedoc-Roussillon series I go deep into Languedoc specifically to highlight the best of what's happening there.

Can we talk about the awesome rebellious culture of the largest wine producing region in the world that you have never heard of? Part one of this series is a primer on the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Are wine labels getting you down? How about I breakdown what to look for when gazing at that little critter or all those words that don't make sense.

Climate change and global warming is happening. Deal with it. Here is how it effects wine.

Taking a break after the crazy Pinot Primer series I play a wine game. Wine Wars is a great wine trivia game. I am gonna roll some dice and test my own wine knowledge. Do I get them right? Do I get them wrong? Listen and see!

Now that you are fully informed on crazy this wine grape is and hearing some of my experiences with it let's talk about you! I breakdown the various styles of Pinot Noir from around the world that you will find on the American market.

This is a mini cast. I'm gonna be out of town so won't be able to get Pinot Primer Part II out. So I thought I would throw down on some Pinot experiences that have stuck with me over the years and what revelations I had.

Pinot Noir is from Aliens. Maybe not but damn is it a crazy grape! What is Pinot all about? This is the first in a series where I break down this ancient grape and in the following episodes we'll get into its world domination. Start here!

Grape clones have a very important role in the whole wine thing. As a Star Wars fan I have always been intrigued about clones. Let's go to the Plant Kingdom and break it down before my crazy Pinot Noir episode(s).

There are red fleshed grapes out there. They have a significant historical role. Sometimes they are awesome. Especially a rogue from Eastern Georgia. What? Check it.

Thomas Jefferson was not our first wine geek but he was definitely the most influential. How did TJ fall in love with wine? Check it.

I think kosher wine is misunderstood and I want to set the record straight. This is what I know.

What was wine like in biblical times? Wine played an integral role in the lives of people of this area of the world. How wine was seen in the culture and how it was made are both some pretty fascinating stuff!

Tannins are crazy! And they are confusing! There's a reason why. Let's breakdown what tannins are, why we sense them and what to look for.

Do wine trends stress you out? Let's look at some history to see how to approach them.

Is there a magic hard and fast trick to navigating and understanding a wine list? No. But there are plenty of things you can do to boss out and be confident in your decision. Here are a few tips I came up with.

Leaf, fruit, flower and fruit days are a wonderful idea when it comes to agriculture but when you apply this biodynamic calendar to enjoying wine does the same apply? Well let's look at the moon and see? (I'm not a fan)

Is Montepulciano a grape? Is it a wine? It's both! Sort of. Let me explain.

From monks to hipster-dom the wine known as Pet-Nat is killing it on the trendy "natural" wine market. Have you seen it? Is anyone explaining this new style that is not new at all? Are you curious? Let's break down what this new new/not new new style of wine.

And here we are! The final part in my three part series about the wines and history of Piedmont. The white wines deserve love just like the reds. Let's get into it!

This is a big one! Join me as I break down red wines of this amazing wine region. From Barolo to Gattinara, from Nebbiolo to Pelaverga there is so much to enjoy here!