Podcast appearances and mentions of edna valley

Mike Shirinian and Dave Fansler pull up a couple of bar stools remembering Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. On the plate: From the Elbow Room, the fellas dine on some huge Skull Island tiger prawns “Skullies”. The meal is paired with a bottle of La Lomita Grenache from Edna Valley. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Restaurateurs' on all platforms: --- The Restaurateurs Podcast is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- The Restaurateurs | Website | Email | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Shirinian and Dave Fansler pull up a couple of bar stools remembering Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. On the plate: From the Elbow Room, the fellas dine on some huge Skull Island tiger prawns “Skullies”. The meal is paired with a bottle of La Lomita Grenache from Edna Valley. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Restaurateurs' on all platforms: --- The Restaurateurs Podcast is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- The Restaurateurs | Website | Email | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Shirinian and Dave Fansler back at the big table for another show. On the plate: From the Elbow Room, the fellas dine on some huge Skull Island tiger prawns “Skullies”. The meal is paired with a bottle of La Lomalita Grenache from Edna Valley. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Restaurateurs' on all platforms: --- The Restaurateurs Podcast is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- The Restaurateurs | Website | Email | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to another episode of ‘The Pour with Adam Montiel. Today, we're honored to be joined by a true icon in the winemaking world, Randall Grahm. Known for his innovative and often unconventional approach to winemaking, Randall is the visionary behind Bonny Doon Vineyard and now his latest venture, The Language of Yes.Randall Grahm's journey in the wine industry is nothing short of legendary. He started his career with the ambitious goal of producing "The Great American Pinot Noir" but found his true calling with Rhône varieties. His groundbreaking work with these grapes earned him the moniker "The Rhône Ranger," a title that has stuck with him ever since his 1989 Wine Spectator cover. Over the years, Randall has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year by the James Beard Foundation and induction into the Vintner's Hall of Fame.Today, we are recording from the beautiful Edna Valley, the new home of Randall's latest brand, The Language of Yes. This venture is a continuation of Randall's quest to create wines that truly reflect their terroir. The Language of Yes is all about embracing the unique characteristics of the Central Coast, with small-batch experiments and a deep love of the land guiding its creation.Be sure to visit The Language of Yes to learn more about these extraordinary wines and to make a reservation for a tasting at their Edna Valley location. Until next time, keep exploring, keep tasting, and as always, leave it all on the table.**********The Pour is going to France - and you can join us HERE!***********About ‘The Pour with Adam Montiel':In 2010, Radio Host Adam Montiel combined his longtime love for broadcasting with his, then, new love for wine. He created and produced, ‘The Cork Dorks'. The show was hosted with Adam and his good friend Jeremy West. It was the first of its kind. It began focusing on central coast wineries but as the show grew, so did their ability to travel and meet other winemakers they found everywhere from Napa to Bordeaux that adopted that same Central Coast quality of people willing to share their wines, and their stories. As the area grew, soon Adam's interview's covered everything from spirits, craft beer, cider, cuisine, hospitality, and more. Fast forward to today, the spirit and enthusiasm cultivated with the award winning show, is reborn as The Pour with Adam Montiel, this time independently, and unfettered by corporate authority leaving it even more free to share the journey of making wine more approachable and fun for everyone.  Here, We Taste It. We Spill It. We Leave it All On the Table. This is ‘The Pour' with Adam Montiel.__________Sincere Thanks to those who support The Pour. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Show Credits:Executive Producer: Adam MontielAssociate Producer: Pablo RomeroTechnical Consideration Provided By: Fly with Wine** Save 20% and get FREE Shipping when you shop at Fly with Wine by using the Promo Code: ADAM20 **Original Music, ‘Come Alive' by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner Collective & Still TimeMoonshiner on Spotify HEREFollow Adam on Instagram HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com

Trader Joe's Reserve SLO County Chardonnay 2022- SLO=Real GoodThis is a San Luis Obispo County wine, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, arroyo Secco, and San Luis Obispo Coastal AVA are some of the Central Coasts best.This is a $9.99 New World Chardonnay is a crowd-pleaser wine.SLO County is a "HOT" growing region that is producing sought-after wines.Get your sought-after wine at Trader Joe's for $9.99.For more info check out https://cheapwinefinder.com/ and listen to the best value-priced wine PODCAST!!!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Trader Joe's Grand Reserve San Luis Obispo Coast Pinot Noir 2022-A $13 SLO Pinot NoirSan Luis Obispo County which included Paso Robles, Edna Valley, and Arroyo Secco AVAs got repositioned.The San Luis Obispo Coast AVA was organized in 2022 and included Edna Valley and Arroyo Secco, these are some of the coolest temperatures AVAs in California.Paso Robles, which is also inside San Luis Obispo County is a warmer climate AVA that focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.This is the first vintage I have tasted from the new San Luis Obispo Coast AVA, also known as SLO Coast.For more info check out https://cheapwinefinder.com/ and listen to the BEST value-priced wine PODCAST!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Nathan Carlson, Winemaker and General Manager at Center of Effort Wines blends a family farming background with a passion for winemaking. From Sta. Rita Hills to Napa Valley, his career reflects a commitment to sustainability. Joining COE in 2010, Nathan oversees production, emphasizing site-specific techniques and cohesive teamwork. His influence extends beyond COE, with a role in industry research and global winemaking connections. In the heart of California wine country, Nathan Carlson shapes the legacy of Center of Effort Wines.   Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Nathan discusses the beginnings of his career in Edna Valley A glimpse on Center of Effort as an all-estate winery, emphasizing control over farming practices and winemaking on the property The rich history of the Edna Valley, with a specific focus on Center of Effort's vineyards, some of the oldest in the area dating back to the late '90s The importance of sustainability at Center of Effort, highlighting its role as the first SIP-Certified custom crush facility Exciting sustainability initiatives, including the use of biodegradable stretch film and efforts to reduce plastic waste in winemaking The amazing venture into kegging wines for restaurant partnerships Center of Effort's winemaking style, and the challenges it faced in pursuing organic practices in Edna Valley Take a closer look at their winemaking process focusing on light intervention and the use of native yeast in a custom crush facility An in-depth view of the barrel selection process at Center of Effort, including experimentation with Acacia barrels and their impact on wine production Nathan reflects on the delicate balance between his roles as General Manager and Winemaker at Center of Effort Wines   In this episode with Nathan Carlson Join Nathan Carlson of Center of Effort Wines, as he uncorks the story of their all-estate winery in Edna Valley. Delve into the challenges and triumphs of organic viticulture, sustainable practices, and innovations like biodegradable stretch film and innovative packaging ventures. In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Nathan Carlson, Winemaker and General Manager at Center of Effort Wines. Explore the craftsmanship behind cellar-worthy GSM wines and the art of using native yeast in a custom crush facility. Nathan also shares insights into barrel selection, including experiments with Acacia barrels. Learn about the balance between the roles of GM and Winemaker in this vintage journey through Center of Effort Wines.   Sponsor for this episode… This episode is brought to you by Barrels Ahead. Barrels Ahead is a wine and craft marketing agency that propels organic growth by using a powerful combination of content development, Search Engine Optimization, and paid search. At Barrels Ahead, we know that your business is unique. That's why we work with you to create a one-of-a-kind marketing strategy that highlights your authenticity, tells your story, and makes your business stand out from your competitors. Our team at Barrels Ahead helps you leverage your knowledge so you can enjoy the results and revenue your business deserves. So, what are you waiting for? Unlock your results today! To learn more, visit barrelsahead.com or email us at hello@barrelsahead.com to schedule a strategy call.

San Luis Obispo County native Brook Munro is a composer and musician who works on his craft at night after he manages the wine club at Claiborne and Churchill Winery in the Edna Valley all day. He has scored a number of award-winning films, but his new LP "Harvest in Twelve Parts" is his first work to mix music and wine. He recorded and produced it over the course of the 2021 and 2022 harvests—listen throughout the interview because I weave parts of his tracks throughout. And on that note, headphones are a good idea for this one.

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Rich Table. If you are looking for a restaurant where food is expertly prepared and served  in a a modern, friendly, casual and comfortable space, this is the place for you. And to take your dining experience to the next level, Grant offers recommendations and wine pairings.  Wines reviewed include: 2020 Lady of the Sunshine “Chene Vineyard”,  Edna Valley 2019 AD Beckham “Amphora”, Chehalem Mtns, Oregon 2018 Scribe “Atlas West” CS, Atlas Peak, Napa valley For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Steve Autry, Autry Cellars, Edna Valley, San Luis Opbispo, defining the term “Fining”. Learn more by visiting www.autrycellars.com

A small production winery is all about focus. When you make a few hundred cases, they are your babies. That’s not to say larger wineries don’t feel the same, but in this case you get to know just about every bottle. Steve Autry makes wine under his name in the Edna Valley just shy of [...]

This is our second interview with Nathan, the first was two years ago (Podcast #411) by phone, but this time we are in person at the winery in Edna Valley. While vineyards are common along the surrounding landscape I’m often surprised at how the topography changes in wine country. Driving along Hwy 101 there seems [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Nathan Carlson, Winemaker & GM, Center Of Effort, Edna Valley, defining the term “Wine Wednesday”. Learn more by visiting www.coewine.com

Wonderwall Edna Valley Pinot Noir 2019-Drink Like The Cool KidsThis is a wine with a story to tell.It is an excellent Pinot Noir that costs less than it should.I could retell the story here or you can check out:www.cheapwinefinder.com and listen to the PODCAST for all the details!!!

Beyond the Furrows is KCBX's 12 part series on farmworkers on the Central Coast, and in this week's episode Francisco Martinez reports on the efforts to vaccinate farmworkers as the Delta variant spreads. Literacy for Life in San Luis Obispo is a non-profit organization that partners with libraries throughout the county to teach adult learners English language skills. Ballots are being sent out to all registered voters in California for the recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom, and we'll hear from Santa Barbara County Clerk Recorder Joseph Holland. We'll get an update on the Edna Valley wine industry from June McIver. Finally, explore fresh figs with Fr Ian on Playing With Food.

Are you ready to take a walk through history? While I lived in Virginia I had the opportunity to enjoy the birthplace of the United States and the massive amounts of history that have been rooted in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Follow the trek with me, sip and enjoy! Wine of the Week: 2019 770 Miles Zinfandel 770 Miles Zinfandel is a lovely wine using the red Zinfandel grape from California's Central Valley. Flavors of coffee, blackberries, and red berries. A warm and very lingering finish. The state of California is by far the largest producing state for wine in the USA. Its grape growers succeed in many differing environments up and down the state from the fog-influenced coastal valleys of Sonoma, Napa, and Carneros, to the hot irrigated Central Valley and Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Edna Valley on the Pacific coast and to Temecula on the Mexican border. 770 Miles is the product of experts who have selected, vinified, and blended grapes ideally suited to the Californian climate, selected from across the vineyards of California's Central Valley to create consistent wines in perfect conditions.

How does biodynamics actually work, and why does it matters? Today, we chat with Gina Giugni, a second generation biodynamic farmer and winemaker, who breaks it down for us. Gina started Lady of the Sunshine in 2017, which focuses on regenerative, organic, and biodynamic farming in pursuit of making natural wines that reflect the purity of the place from which they come. Gina also farms the 6.5 acre Chene Vineyard, located in the Edna Valley appellation. Since her takeover in 2018, the vineyard is now a Demeter certified biodynamic vineyard. Gina and her husband, Mikey, run Scar of the Sea and Lady of the Sunshine together out of their winery in San Luis Obispo, CA. We also discuss how to find balance while working with your spouse, and the best antidotes to sitting on a tractor all day! Sponsored Promotions: FREE shipping on SUPERBIRD Palomas using the code FINELINE. 10% off tickets to Steamboat Food & Wine Festival with the code FINELINE10 Interested in sponsoring us? Visit our Patreon page to see the levels of sponsorship or donate here. Show Notes: Rudolph Steiner Peter Proctor Biodynamic Calendar by Maria Thum Monte Waldon Biodynamic Wine Book Sacred Alchemy Store Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics Chamisal Vineyards Biodynamic Preparations --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/finelinepodcast/support

Deron Brewer has been an Edna Valley based entrepreneur in San Luis Obispo CA for 20+ years and now owns Ragtag Wine Co. with his wife Sarah. Ragtag Wine Co. sources from nearby vineyards, most of which are in San Luis Obispo County. This allows the Ragtag Wine brand to be more diligent during growing and harvest seasons. The labels underneath Ragtag Wine also is made through a small batch process, allowing them to take the utmost care while overseeing the development of each grape varietal. They constantly strive for perfection in all they do; a concept that is never quite attainable, yet always deserves their foremost efforts. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/grayson-mask/support

Riddle Edna Valley Chardonnay 2018 is a $6.99 Trader Joe's wine sourced from vineyards in the Edna Valley AVA inside San Luis Obispo County, inside the Central Coast AVA of California. Edna Valley is to the east of the Santa Lucia Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean provides a cool climate ideal for Chardonnay vines.As a Trader Joe's wine, there is no technical information available for the Riddle Edna Valley Chardonnay 2018. I can guess which winery facilities were used to produce this Chardonnay, since one of the largest American wineries owns property in the area. I don't know they made it, but it would seem to be a good guess. The front label says "Estate bottled", which means there was an estate involved.The back label offers no info other than the stuff that California mandates have to show up on a label. No general tasting notes that may indicate oak treatment, no hints at all. The good thing is that Trader Joe's has a history with Edna Valley Chardonnay at value prices.The Edna Valley AVA has a high-quality reputation as a source for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, and several well-respected wineries are residing here. I thought that the Riddle name, along with the puzzle maze on the label, offered clues as to the source of this wine. But the Riddle Edna Valley Chardonnay 2018 does not offer any clues or hints that I can decipher.All the clues we will get will have to come in the tasting portion of the Riddle Edna Valley Chardonnay 2018 review. The alcohol content is ripe but typical for today's California Chardonnay, 14.1%.Riddle Edna Valley Chardonnay 2018 Tasting NotesThe color is butter yellow with a hint of gold. Sometimes the color of Chardonnay can indicate if the wine saw oak aging, and the color says, maybe. The nose is melon, apple, honey, vanilla, lemon, grapefruit, stone fruit, and spring flowers. The honey, vanilla, and rounded fruit aroma would point to some malolactic fermentation and oak use.The Riddle Edna Valley Chardonnay 2018 is a bright fruit-forward Chardonnay with bright acidity and oak flavoring. It tastes like a mix of lemon curd and vanilla, followed by brown butter and tart grapefruit. The mid-palate brings dried apricot, exotic spice, a touch of cream, and a nutty, salty taste.I sometimes think you can pop the top a pour a $6.99 Chardonnay, but the Riddle Edna Valley Chardonnay 2018 needed a little time to open up. The oak influence needed to settle down before this wine started to show its best.The SummaryThe Riddle Edna Valley Chardonnay 2018 is a solid Chardonnay. I wouldn't go as far as to say it was delicious, but it was an interesting wine that was well worth drinking and hit above its price tag.It may not be the most seamless and balanced wine, but it does have its charms and has more depth than the typical value-priced Chardonnay.

This week we feature Winemaker Nathan Carlson of Center of Effort in the Edna Valley defining the term “Dodine”

Zoom virtual tastings are common in this period of our history and, likely you’ll see these events continue once we get the “all clear.” I recently enjoyed such a tasting with Nathan Carlson and Kevin Bargetto of Center of Effort winery near San Luis Obispo. Without a doubt enjoying wines with the makers, adds to [...]

Kathryn and Tug interview Andrew Major: winemaker, wine rep and dad. Have you ever made wine in your garage (or kitchen) and dreamed of being a winemaker? Well, that's what got Andrew hooked. He shares his story about leaving a job as a writer in Hollywood for a new life in the world of wine. He talks about what it's like to sell wine in Los Angeles, the characters he meets and the stories he tells along the way. The Wine of the Week is Major Wines, Albariño from Moro Vineyard in Edna Valley, California 2019. Items we discuss this week: www.majorwines.com www.esterswineshop.com www.thentvs.com Follow THE LONG FINISH on Instagram: www.instagam.com/thelongfinish Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelongfinish Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tlfpod Follow Kathryn on Instagram: www.instagram.com/kathrynweil Follow Tug on Instagram: www.instagram.com/tugcoker Follow Tug on Twitter: www.twitter.com.com/tugcoker

Edna Valley winemakers are part of the bigger SLO region. Initially known as the Paso Robles AVA, designated in 1983. Many winemakers in the neighboring areas had lobbied for years to have their regions recognized, and in 2014 the Federal Government designated 11 more, including Edna Valley.

Saved from the brink of extinction just 50 years ago, Viognier (pronounced vee-ohn-yay), is a white grape that's native to the Northern Rhône in France – mainly the areas of Condrieu and Ampuis. The grape produces effusive wines with a strong aromatic character -- peaches, apricots, flowers, herbs, and ginger are common -- and when made well it has a medium body with a touch of acidity and a pleasant bitterness. This week we continue the grape mini-series (maxi series now?) by exploring this comeback kid and the pleasure it can bring when in the right hands.    History Viognier's parentage is a bit ambiguous, but it is related to Mondeuse Blanche, which makes it either a half sibling or grandparent of Syrah (as MC Ice points out, we could definitely make a word problem out of this – it’s a brain twister to think about, but possible!). The grape is also tied to Freisa and may be related to Nebbiolo, both which are native to the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy.     Viognier was once grown pretty widely in the northern Rhône but the combination of the phylloxera outbreak in the mid- and late-19th century, followed by WWI, the Depression, and WWII drove a lot of growers to cities and left vineyards abandoned. By 1965, only about 30 acres (12 hectares) of Viognier vines remained in France, and the variety was nearly extinct.   In the mid-1980s, interest started to grow both in France and from winegrowers in Australia and California. Growing interest lead to more plantings and today the grape is grown in Condrieu, Chateau Grillet, and Côte Rôtie in the Northern Rhône, all over the southern Rhône for blends, the Languedoc in southern France, as well as in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Israel, Japan, Switzerland, and Spain.   Climate and Vineyard Viognier needs a long, warm growing season to fully ripen, but not so hot it develops excessive levels of sugar before its aromatic notes can develop. Viognier must get ripe to allow flavor to develop and that happens late, often after sugars develop. Viognier is a small thick-skinned berry with good resistance to rot. It does well on acidic, granite soils. Older vines – more than 30 or 50 years old are best for the grape. There are at least two clones of Viognier. The older, original one from Condrieu is highly aromatic and tight clustered. The other is healthier, higher yielding and looks and tastes different according to some. This clone, likely made at the University of Montpellier, is widespread in Australia. Winemaking begins in the vineyard – picking decision is vital: Pick too early and the grape has no flavor, and makes a flat wine. Pick too late the wine is flabby and oily. Must be ripe but not overripe, with lower yields. Although it is likely best to make the wine in stainless or neutral oak with perhaps some skin contact for a few hours before fermenting, the barrel fermentations, malolactic fermentations, and aging on lees can squash the unique flavor and scent of Viognier.   Flavors and Styles Viognier is like peach, apricot, clementine, honeysuckle, chamomile, jasmine, thyme, pine, spice, ginger, crème fraiche, and honey with a full body and can be oily, or sometimes a bit bitter. It is low in acidity. When aged in oak it tastes like vanilla bean and with malolactic fermentation it is creamy and custard-like. It is almost always high in alcohol, with 14.5% ABV being common. The best Viognier from France often doesn’t age, and even loses aromas after a few years in the bottle. Some of the styles from Australia and the US, which have been aged in oak, last a few more years. The grape is often bottled as a single variety but can be blended with Roussanne, Marsanne, and Grenache Blanc. We didn’t mention this in the show, but the wine can be off-dry or even late harvest and sweet. Condrieu and Château-Grillet produce sweet wines in warmer years.   Regions... France Northern Rhône: Viognier is grown as single variety in Rhône appellations Condrieu and Château Grillet on right (west) bank of Rhône River. In Côte Rôtie, winemakers can include up to 20% of Viognier though most growers add no more than 5%. Condrieu Includes seven communes along 14 miles, and makes wines that are usually dry, delicious young, and very aromatic wit structure. The area includes steep hillside vineyards, that face south-southeast to maximize morning sun, not hot evening sun. The soils are granite with a deep sandy topsoil called arzelle. This soil makes the best wine. Yields must be low, and picking must be after the grape has full aromatics. Top producers: Guigal, Rostaing, Delas, Pierre Gaillard, Vernay, Francois Villard Chateau Grillet This appellation is owned by one producer, it is a monopole. It is just 7.6 acres/3.08 ha on granite soil with mica – making the wines higher in acid. Vines are 80+ years old and although the area seems ideal, there have been problems with wine quality. Recently the owner of Château Latour of Bordeaux acquired the monopole; there’s hope for restoration of its former glory.            Côte Rôtie We did a whole podcast on this area, but north of Condrieu is Côte Rôtie, a Syrah appellation that can include up to 20% Viognier in the wine (in reality it’s more like 5%). Viognier helps darken the color of the Syrah in co-pigmentation but it takes up valuable real estate so it’s not used as much as it could be. Other French areas: The southern Rhône, where it is blended, the Languedoc and Ardeche, where it makes serviceable Vins de Pays varietal or blended wines.   Other Europe: Switzerland, Austria, Italy   New World Australia Yalumba was the pioneer producer in South Australia’s Eden Valley in 1979. The Virgilius is their top wine (aged in oak). McLaren Vale, Barossa, Adelaide Hills, Heathcote, Geelong, Central Victoria, and more grow the grape, which is a challenge to growers because it stays flavorless for much of the growing season and then transforms into something delicious – patience is a virtue! One of the best uses for Viognier in Australia is its blends with Shiraz: Clonakilla (Canberra), Yering Station (Yarra), Torbreck (Barossa)   United States California Viognier came in 1980s to California when John Alban (Alban Vineyards in Edna Valley), Josh Jensen of Calera (Central Coast), and Joseph Phelps (Napa), brought it into the United States in small quantities. The plantings and interest grew as a group of producers dedicated to growing Rhône varieties, called the Rhône Rangers, grew in numbers and popularity. Today California has more than 3,000 acres of Viognier. Yields are high compared to France, the wines can often be overblown if grown in too-hot weather but the greatest examples are full-bodied and rich. Top Producers: Tablas Creek, Crux, Qupé, Alban, Calera, Kunde Virginia Viognier is a signature grape of Virginia because the thick skins of the grape work well in the humidity and the diurnals of the mountains mean Viognier can ripen but maintain acidity over a long growing season. The typical VA Viognier has great fruit, slight bitterness, medium body and good acidity. Top producers: Barboursville, King Family, Horton Other US: Oregon, Washington (we mention ABEJA), Texas Around the World: New Zealand, South Africa, South America (Argentina has a lot, Chile some – all young plantings)   Food: The wine is great with dishes that have rosemary, thyme, saffron, and creamy sauces. Expect to spend more than $50 a bottle for good Viognier (we had the 2017 version of the Guigal below. It was US$50).   ___________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!  Get your copy Wine For Normal People Book today!    Wine Access  Visit: www.wineaccess.com/normal and for a limited time get $20 off your first order of $50 or more!  I’m so excited to introduce Wine Access to you. Wine Access is a web site that has exclusive wines that overdeliver for the price (of which they have a range).  They offer top quality wines by selecting diverse, interesting, quality bottles you may not have access to at local shops. Wine Access provides extensive tasting notes, stories about the wine and a really cool bottle hanger with pairings, flavor profile, and serving temps. Wines are warehoused in perfect conditions and shipped in temperature safe packs. Satisfaction is guaranteed!  Check it out today! www.wineaccess.com/normal 

Originally published on October 2, 2017. In this podcast with Clay Thompson and Fredericka Churchill Thompson of Claiborne & Churchill, we discuss their approach and focus on Alsace grapes, and their experience with SIP Certified / Vineyard Team, who have helped them become a more sustainable vineyard.

In this week's episode of Blood & Wine, Brittany and Tyler uncover two chilling cases where the victims were hidden inside the very buildings in which they were murdered: The Murder of Annie Le and The Cleveland Strangler: Anthony Sowell. Featured Wines: The 2018 Weights & Measures Syrah from Edna Valley, California and The Castillo San Simon Cabernet Sauvignon from Spain.

Meringue Chardonnay Edna Valley 2018The StoryThe Meringue Chardonnay Edna Valley 2018 is a $7.99 Trader Joe's exclusive sourced from the Edna Valley AVA which is located south of Paso Robles along the Pacific Ocean coast inside the Central Coast AVA of California. Edna Valley may not be the best known AVA in California but it has an excellent reputation for producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.Single AVA wines rarely sell in regular retail wine shops for under ten bucks or maybe more like under twenty bucks. This is one of the reasons I enjoy Trader Joe's wines. You can explore somewhat off the beaten path growing areas or wines from upscale growing regions and not risk a great deal of money. Most folks wouldn't know to look for Edna Valley Chardonnay, but for $7.99 they can give it a try.Most Trader Joe's exclusive wines don't have much to offer in the way of technical notes, but the Meringue Chardonnay Edna Valley 2018 was featured in this month's Fearless Flyer. Their tasting notes give us some indication of what winemaking techniques were used. What the winemaker did to produce this Chardonnay is very important, since it seems that no 2 Chardonnays are exactly alike. Similarities, yes, alike, no.Processes such as malolactic fermentation and on lees, along with whether they conditioned the wine with oak are extremely important. Did all the Chardonnay undergo malolactic fermentation or just a percentage, did any of the Chard see oak barrel conditioning. New barrels, used barrels, oak chips or no oak? The winemakers can use any of these techniques in any proportion they choose and each decision makes a difference in the flavor of the wine. And we didn't discuss grape selection or other more technical methods, Chardonnay is complicated.Trader Joe's says the Meringue has green apple, lemon and pineapple flavors along with crème brulée and vanilla. All those tastes lead me to think at least partial malolactic fermentation with a good bit of some sort of oak aging. The flavors that come from oak(vanilla) seem to be pronounced, so a decent amount of time in oak barrels or oak staves in stainless steel vats are suggested. The flavors seemed to be rounded rather than tart so a certain percentage of malolactic fermentation probably was used. The crème brulée may have come from "on lees" aging, since the more the lees are stirred the creamier the wine becomes. These are all guesses on my part and made to demonstrate that Chardonnay is complicated, even value-priced Chardonnay.Meringue Chardonnay Edna Valley 2018 Tasting NotesThe color is a wheat yellow with an amber tint. The nose is ripe apples and melon, lemon and vanilla, soft spice and orange blossom honey, and light floral edge. This is a Chardonnay dry, with a firm mouthfeel and rich flavors. It tastes of Golden Delicious apple, grapefruit (not too tart), oak spice, a little French vanilla, and nectarine. The mid-palate adds a light halo of pineapple (that was part of the Fearless Flyer tasting notes, so I don't know if getting that flavor is the power of suggestion, but it's faint but it is there), tart blood orange, and just a hint of cream. The acidity is well-balanced, it allows the flavors to unfold and will get you reaching for another sip. The finish is soft but lasts a long time.The Summary It is $7.99, but the Meringue Edna Valley can hold its own with Chardonnay selling for a good five dollars more. It has complexity and flavor that no sub-ten dollar Chardonnay would be expected to have as little as 5 years ago. This is a Chardonnay that punches above its weight class.   

We're back in Edna Valley for a stop at Center of Effort! Open by appointment, Center of Effort focuses their efforts (see what I did there?) on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Tune in to hear more about their wines, approach and most importantly... our thoughts!! Happy Tasting! -Chenise & Jamie

Hometown Radio 08/30/19 6p:Guest host Tom Franciskovich talks to Amy McKay Edna Valley artist discussing her innovative Hike SLO CAL print series that is currently getting major buzz around the Central Coast

This week we stopped in at Croma Vera Wines, conveniently located in San Luis Obispo proper. Just a quick run down Broad Street before it turns into Highway 227, Croma Vera is the perfect gateway to Edna Valley, or just a great spot to relax after work on a weekday! If you stop in, check out our top picks: the Albariño, for white wine lovers, and the Revelación blend, for you red wine drinkers! Convenience and the unique grapes (Croma Vera focuses on Spanish varietals) are the big draws here. Interested in tasting here for 1/2 off? Of course you are! Stay tuned to our social media this week as we'll be giving away opportunities to taste at Croma Vera! As always, check us out on the interwebs and be our friend on social: www.centralcoastuncorked.com www.fb.com/centralcoastuncorked www.instagram.com/centralcoastuncorked Happy Tasting! -Jamie & Chenise

The third episode of our podcast takes us to Autry Cellars in Edna Valley. We spent some time on a lovely Sunday afternoon getting to know the winemaker and owner. A surprising gem this stop is probably the one that stands out most in our minds, so far. This is a true, authentic, experience. An off the grid, off the beaten path, glimpse into what wine tasting used to be more like- unassuming, not pretentious, focused just on wines. We hope you enjoy this episode! We would love to hear your feedback in thoughts in a review, Facebook or Instagram comment, or an email through our website! Let's connect! http://www.centralcoastuncorked.com Facebook: http://www.fb.com/centralcoastuncorked Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/centralcoastuncorked Happy Wine Tasting! -Jamie & Chenise

We are back with a second episode! That's right, we haven't given up yet. This time we give you an inside look at the tasting experience at Saucelito Canyon in Edna Valley. The specialty here is actually Zinfandel grown in the Arroyo Grande valley, so a little different than some of the other stops in Edna. We hope you enjoy hearing about the wine, and Jamie's Duck Dynasty husband. We would love to cater our visits toward what you want to hear, so connect with us on social media and voice your desires! You can find us on Facebook: www.fb.com/centralcoastuncorked Instagram: www.instagram.com/centralcoastuncorked AND you can also now find us on the interwebs at www.centralcoastuncorked.com Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes! Happy Tasting! -Chenise & Jamie