Podcasts about last bottle wines

This week on Breaking Bread Mike Birbiglia joins us at the table! Two Italian comedians in one booth - what could go wrong?! Tom and Mike share old Comedy Cellar stories, discuss thoughts on the Pope, and whether or not they would feel comfortable sharing a sleeping bag. Enjoy!  Check out Mike's new special The Good Life on Netflix May 27th.  Thank you to Last Bottle Wines for sponsoring this episode. Use the code PAPA at checkout to get 10% off your next order. That's lastbottlewines.com — code PAPA.  ------------- 0:00:00 Intro 0:00:27 Patreon Shoutout  0:00:56 Tom and Cynthia's support of Mike 0:03:04 Mike and Tom's "falling out" 0:04:00 Bread!  0:05:08 Mike's new special and serious topics in stand up 0:09:00 Greg Giraldo and hot takes 0:13:04 Italian upbringing  0:14:47 Comedy Cellar insults  0:17:47 Permission to laugh at serious topics  0:19:33 Touring with topics you're currently going through 0:22:06 Not showing special to father  0:26:45 Advice for being a parent 0:28:52 Last Bottle Wines Ad  0:32:15 TomPapa.com 0:32:53 Dreams that come true and telepathy  0:34:25 Meeting the Pope 0:38:00 Uncomfortable Moment  0:42:25 Therapy and bad breakup 0:47:35 Mike's wife is a poet - Jokes & Poems 0:50:47 Shhh Patreon 0:51:13 Not having more children 0:52:58 Reaction to Catholic upbringing and meeting the Pope 0:57:07 Silly questions  0:58:23 Angry Mike and getting in fights 1:04:04 Writing and 80 year old Mike 1:08:08 The Good Life backdrop painting  ------------- Tom Papa is a celebrated stand-up comedian with over 20 years in the industry. Watch Tom's new special "Home Free" out NOW on Netflix! Patreon - Patreon.com/BreakingBreadWithTomPapa Radio, Podcasts and more: https://linktr.ee/tompapa/ Website - http://tompapa.com/ Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/tompapa Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@tompapa Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/comediantompapa Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/tompapa #tompapa #breakingbread #comedy #standup #standupcomedy #bread Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, we discuss Chappell Roan's recent TikTok video and Instagram post about the downsides of fame, Stacy London and Clinton Kelly's new Amazon series Wear Whatever the F You Want, the death of the world's most famous personal shopper Betty Halbreich, Zoë Kravitz's new film Blink Twice, the quintessential ‘90s jailbait thriller The Crush, that time that Dennis Rodman married himself, and more!  Links: Judith Thurman's New Yorker profile of Betty Halbreich, her memoir I'll Drink to That, and the Celebrity Book Club episode about her memoir. And for the Oprah fans, here is the link to watch full episodes on YouTube, here is the Oprah Winfrey Show podcast, and here is the inspirational video that comforts Chelsea during times of turmoil.  Today's episode is brought to you by Clarins. Get their Double Serum for 10% off, a free 8-piece welcome gift, plus free shipping on your first order when you go to Clarins.com/Outfit and use promo code OUTFIT. As well as, Last Bottle Wines! Every Outfit listeners get 10% off your next order with code OUTFIT. Sign up at LastBottleWines.com and find out why Last Bottle is the most fun way to discover and buy amazing wine. And try our favorite water Fiji Water!

On today's extra bitchy episode, we discuss our new national nightmare, a.k.a. the press tour for Blake Lively's new film It Ends With Us, her spooky haircare line Blake Brown, and of course, her September Vogue cover shot by Baz Luhrmann.  We also chat about our recent excursion to Beverly Hills, Kamala's charming VP pick, the forthcoming Gus Van Sant film about Peter Thiel vs. Gawker, the new teaser for Max's 2025 programming, casting updates for Ryan Murphy and Kim Kardashia's new legal drama, and the fabulous new Elizabeth Taylor documentary Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes. Today's episode is brought to you by Last Bottle Wines! Every Outfit listeners get 10% off your next order with code OUTFIT. Sign up at LastBottleWines.com and find out why Last Bottle is the most fun way to discover and buy amazing wine. And try our favorite water Fiji Water!

It's a slow news week, so we're answering questions that were submitted by listeners on our recent tour. We also discuss the bizarre opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics, featuring robot horses, Lady Gaga as Zizi Jeanmaire, an underwhelming fashion show, this creepy ass torchbearer, the extremely major Les Mis / Gojira performance, and of course, Celine Dion's big comeback and her recent documentary I Am: Celine Dion. Today's episode is brought to you by Last Bottle Wines! Every Outfit listeners get 10% off your next order with code OUTFIT. Sign up at LastBottleWines.com and find out why Last Bottle is the most fun way to discover and buy amazing wine. And try our favorite water Fiji Water!

Mike's pal Walter Hamlin was raised in the 7th Day Adventist Church, so there was NO alcohol. Surprisingly Walter has mad a career for himself in the wine business. Funny how life happens. Mike and Walter chat in the Vintner's Room at Nicholson Ranch about their time working for a small wine wholesaler in San Francisco; Walter's first gig in the bizz at one of Napa's most well-known entities; how Mike handles bachelorette parties at the winery, AND they sip a couple of wonderful wines. It's a good chat!To see behind the scenes follow Mike on Instagram. For your very own set of TallMikeWine Podcast coasters email Mike.Wines discussed on this episode:2018 Domaine Forey Pere & Fils, Vosne-Romanee2014 Two Hands Shiraz, Secret Block, Single Vineyard (secret vineyard) Barossa ValleySupport the showIMPORTANT!! Please "follow" or "subscribe" to the podcast, so you don't miss an episode. If you listen on Apple Podcasts take a moment to rate (5 stars please!) and write a review. They tell me it helps A LOT!

In honor of International Women's Month, my mom, Glennis Beacham, Owner and Founder of Beacham & Company, REALTORS, joins us to discuss current real estate trends, building a company as a woman, and how she got to where she is today..Watch This Episode on YouTube.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY10 for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until May 1, 2022..Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.

Broda, who was last seen on the Season 1 finale of the PLP,  joins us to give an update on his trading journey and give Blayne some much needed advice..Watch This Episode on YouTube.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY10 for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until May 1, 2022..Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

The hosts of The Slap The Ask Show, Lucky Luke and GrowthStockGuru, join Blayne for an hour of trading and laughs!.Watch This Episode on YouTube.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY10 for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until May 1, 2022..Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

BOFO joins Blayne and Ellis for a chat about his trading journey, and Blaynr and BOFO become best friends. This episode was before the Apple challenge.How He Got Started (8:00) Traderview (11) The power of mentors: Mikey Underdog & Herv and (15) Real Simple Ariel's Influence (19:30)Trading the trend (27)Approaching a Mentor (44)Watch this episode on YouTube.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY10 for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until May 1, 2022..Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Champagne Shark joins us on the podcast to discuss his trading journey and long term investing strategy!.Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY10 for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until May 1, 2022..Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Swing Pony and Penny get together to discuss navigating the field of day trading as a woman..Watch This Episode On YouTube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022..Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

MTA educator Boba joins Blayne to discuss with the highs and lows of his trading and how to stay in the game..Watch This Episode On YouTube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022..Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Rhinocorn joins Blayne and Ellis to discuss how to bulletproof your trading account. .Watch this episode on YouTube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022..This episode is brought to you by HelpYouFind.Me (Click this link for 20% off!).Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Santa Aristotle and Kuya from Precise Trading join us to discuss their trading journeys and wisdom they've picked up along the way..Watch this episode on YouTube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022..Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Zack's Trades joins us to discuss his trading strategy and trading journey..Watch this episode in YouTube..This episode features KNACK backpacks! Check them out here and use code PLKNACK for a free packing insert with purchase! Add a backpack and the insert in the cart.  Type in PLKNACK in the discount code in the checkout and the price of the lock will be taken off the order..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022.Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

While visiting a previous place of refuge, a woman tells the story of the meaningful and tragic events that transpired there. Starring Lauren Elyse Taylor, Dimitrije Popovic, Philippe Klaus, and Djilali Rez-Kallah Written by Öykü Çakar-Smith Directed by Jared J. Smith Based on the world of The Phenomenon created by R.K. Katic Produced by Jared J. Smith, Andrew Pomeroy, and Öykü Çakar-Smith Music and Sound Design by Andrew Pomeroy Cover Art by Amanda Pecharsky The Phenomenon is a production of Luciola Creative Find episode transcripts, merch, show information, and more at phenomenonpod.com This episode is sponsored by Last Bottle Wines. Visit lastbottlewines.com and use promo code PHENOM for 10% off your first order.

OBR Investing joins us to talk about how they built their impressive trading community and business empire..Watch this episode on YouTube.Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022..This episode is brought to you by HelpYouFind.Me (Click this link for 20% off!).Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Rob Smith, creator of The Strat trading strategy and Commander in Chief at Sepia Group, explains this trading method and how it can make YOU a better trader..sepiagroup.com.Click here to watch this episode on YouTube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022..Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Radio Silent Play joins us on the podcast to discuss his trading strategy and mentality. He shares his screen with us and walks through plays, so this would be a good episode to watch on YouTube..Off air Radio Silent Play shared two vides with me for manifesting success. I started listening to THIS one every night and THIS one every morning, and they've completely changed the way I trade. .Watch this episode on YouTube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022..This episode is brought to you by HelpYouFind.Me (Click this link for 20% off!).Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Hugh Henne of Pennies: Going In Raw and Jason Spatafora, AKA "The Wolf Of Weed Street" hold a master class on trading and investing strategies..Click here to see my previous interview with Hugh Henne..Click here to see my previous interview with Jason Spatafora and learn my favorite long term investment strategy. (This is not financial advice)..Click here to watch this episode on YouTube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022..Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

@RogeMoose joins us for a delightful discussion about Roths, FinTwit and options..Watch this episode on Youtube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022..Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

William McAuliffe of cryptoadvisory.com joins us to discuss how to make NFTs, the crypto space, and how we worked together to mint my first collection.Will's collections: @etherplayground@readypagerones.Blayne's Collection of NFTs drops Feb. 9th at 6pm EST. Here are instructions for how to set up your wallet and buy the NFTs.BUYING TEZOS, and an intro to Gas and WalletsYou're going to need to buy Tezos so you have the currency in order to buy NFTs. You're going to have to create an account on an exchange. Easiest to do this on Coinbase, both you and I will get $10 if you use this link.Buy XTZ directly by finding Tezos on the list of cryptocurrencies and then clicking the “Buy” button and using your bank account/debit card to fund the transaction.Every blockchain requires a transaction fee to go through and it's called “gas,”Gas fees for Tezos in general are super low..( part of why we chose tezos for the drop) so factor that in as well as any exchange fees you might be charged.CREATING A Temple WALLETCreate a wallet - go directly to templewallet.com Click Install.  Choose your browser. Add extension.Click the + icon to make a “New Wallet.”Create Password. Click seed phrase.Once you do, you'll be prompted to write down your “Seed Phrase” This 12 word phrase is your password THAT YOU CANNOT LOSE.I don't care how you record it, but you need to keep this super secure. No one will ever get in, there is no customer support to “lost password” for this.I made a choice, now what?At this point, you should be at a screen that just has the word “Accounts” on the top, and a long alphanumeric string, starting with Tz. Similar to the one you got for your Coinbase wallet!This is your wallet's address.CONNECTING YOUR WALLET TO OBJKT.COMOkay, now, navigate over to objkt.com, and in the upper right hand corner, you're gonna wanna click the letters “sync.”You should see a pop-up that says Temple wallet.Accept, and the pop-up should vanish.Moving XTZ to your Temple WalletAlright, now you've got your Coinbase wallet, you've got your Temple Wallet, and now you've got everything hooked up to Objkt.com also.Go to your Temple wallet tab, and click the little copy icon to copy the address of your wallet. Return to your exchange in a new tab and click “Send / Receive” at the top right of your screen on Coinbase.Paste the Temple address we just copied into the ‘To' recipient box.Where the big “0.00” you enter the amount you wish to transfer, or you can hit “Send all” to just move all the XTZ you have in that wallet.For the ‘Pay with' field you want to make sure it's set to ‘Tezos' (XTZ)..Watch this episode on YouTube.Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022..The episode is sponsored by BoredDudeNFT.  Find his NFTs here.

10% Project joins us to discuss full time trading, fencing, coaching and peak trading performance.  .Watch this episode on YouTube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022..This episode is brought to you by HelpYouFind.Me (Click this link for 20% off!)48 hours. These are the most critical moments to find you in theevent of an emergency ... or worse. Waiting for the legal processto access your important history or information can take weeks!With HelpYouFind.Me you have your own secure and encrypteddigital “If I go missing” file that can give your most trusted peopleaccess to vital information much sooner than the authorities.Each person you share with has its own access rules andeverything is completely encrypted. Not even HelpYouFind.Mecan access it. This puts you in total control of your data.You can also update your location, submit photos andscreenshots (ie, of your uber ride), and post random informationor notes on the go. It's as easy as texting with a friend.Click this link and use code PennyLane for 20% off a subscription.Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

One of our all time favorite guests, Singles and Doubles,  is back in an episode you don't want to miss! For real..This episode features KNACK backpacks! Check them out here and use code PLKNACK for a free gift with purchase!.Watch this episode on YouTube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022.Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

This week on the PLP we have Thicc Teddy and Montana Trades of The Halt Podcast! We discuss Teddy's love for 1% days and Ant's culinary talents! Please take the time to follow their podcast on twitter and subscribe in Apple iTunes. They do a great job with it!.Watch This Episode On YouTube!.Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022.Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Trading laughs, strategies, mentors and community with White Goodman.Book Map - Recommended by White GoodmanTrading the NewsTrading adviceDividend stocksWatch this interview on YouTube.Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022.Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

100 to 1,000,000 joins us to discuss his trading journey PLUS an encounter with an alien. No lie. Check it out.His Twitch Stream..Watch this episode on YouTube.Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022.Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Rhodesa joins up to discuss trading mentality, staying in the game and waiting for A+ setups..Watch this episode on YouTube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022.Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

EC Trades joins us to discuss all things Crypto as well as some of the hottest names making moves right now!.Click here to check out his services..Watch this episode on YouTube..Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022.Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Young Sosa Joins us to discuss his trading journey and how he found a path to success..Watch this episode on YouTube.Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022.Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Al Hill,  joins us to discuss how and why he started Rose Hill Acquisition Corporation ($ROSEU) with his best friend Juan José Rosas during Covid. He also walks up through what it was like  to IPO on the NASDAQ..Watch This Episode on YouTube.Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022.Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

Shark Trader joins us for the first episode of Season 3 to talk about New Year's goals, manifesting, visualizing trades and working toward success. .Watch this episode on YouTube.Sponsored by Pennies: Going In Raw.Sponsored by Last Bottle Wines, Use code PENNY for 10% off your order, good for a one time use, valid until March 11, 2022.Try WhaleStream  free for 1 week and use code pennylane.Penny Lane MERCH!.To support the Penny Lane Pod, please use our affiliate links!.Benzinga! Click this link to check out our favorite trading tool!!! + 2 Weeks free!Use code PLPOD for 25% off a subscription!TrendSpiderUse code PLP25 for 25% off a monthly or yearly planTraderSyncUse code pennylane to get 15% off our monthly subscriptions, and 55% off our annual subscriptions.WebullFind us on Twitter@Pennylanepod@Penny_Lane_BBMFollow Blayne on Instagram:@blayne_art

On this week's podcast we'll be discussing shopping for wine on the interwebs, startups, and how Stefan Blicker has perfected both with Last Bottle Wines, soooooo... crack open that beer, uncork that wine, and let's get drinking! Make sure you never miss another episode of our brand of drinking fun by visiting  WeLikeDrinking.com/Subscribe  Panel Introductions And What We're Drinking Tonight we're joined by our usual panel members, we have our California Sustainable Winegrowing Ambassador and recovering Wine Blogger, Jeff Solomon, our commercial brewer and snake wrangler, John Ruyak, and I'm your host and certified specialist of wine, Jeff Eckles. Our guest this week is one of the founders of Last Bottle Wines, a purveyor of fine wines that offers a hand picked wine every day to their followers at drastically reduced rates of up to 70% off retail. No club, no subscription, just an incredible wine offered once a day and available until it is sold out. Please help us welcome, Stefan Blicker You can follow Last Bottle Wines on their website at https://www.lastbottlewines.com/ or follow them on Instagram @lastbottlewines  Find the wine we are drinking tonight (2009 Yount Ridge Proprietary Blend) at https://wines.lastbottlewines.com/  Wine, Beer, Spirit, or Pop Culture Reference Eckles - "Crow's Nest" Stefan Blicker Interview Last call That's right, it's time to break out your phones and give us a hand. Follow us on the socials, Twitter, Instagram and our private group on Facebook known as the Tavern. Search up the show on Apple Podcast and leave us a big fat 5 star review. And, if you enjoyed this episode in particular, share it with a friend And, visit We Like Drinking dot com slash pledge to find out more information about becoming a patron of the show and help  You can also find the show notes for this episode with all the links to the stories or mentions we had at http://welikedrinking.com/episodes

Writing a description for a show in which one interviews someone who writes reviews and descriptions for a living can be daunting, but it is made easier when you are a fan. We have loved Last Bottle wines for years, and are now fans of one of the three co-founders Stefan Blicker. Stefan shares his origins […]

Hosts Sandy and Michelle are joined by one of Last Bottle Wines' owners, Stefan Blicker,  to discuss their TEN YEAR anniversary, selection process and how online retailers such as Last Bottle add value to the wine consumer.In TEN years of searching the globe for great value wine, one tends to accumulate some incredible stories. Listen to hear how Last Bottle Wines last buying trip at the beginning of the pandemic turned out (hint, it involves only 36 hours in France, 129 bottles of wine and a mad dash to Paris).Stefan also shares his wine story and how the mission of Last Bottle Wines to select great wines to share at an awesome value was born. For anyone looking for a resource for value wines, this is a great listen - check it out today!Wines To Find Podcast,  Finalist in the 12th Annual TASTE AWARDS  in  four categories. -Best Drink or Beverage Program-Best New Series-Best Single Topic Series-Best Food or Drink PodcastWe have been listed in the Top 30 wine podcasts! https://blog.feedspot.com/wine_podcasts/********************************************Wine Spies:Use this link to get $10 off your first purchase at Wine Spies. www.winespies.com/invites/JoSCw95jDry Farm Wine: Use this link to get an extra bottle of wine for a PENNY, http://dryfarmwines.com/winestofind.SOMM Blinders Gamehttps://bit.ly/3jiyrQIUse Code: WTF20 to get 20% off******************************************************Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/winestofind)

Last Bottle Wines did all the hard work traveling the world  to bring you the best deals..  all you have to do is click. 

To kick off 2020, we have the original wine grape, the one from which so many were derived: MUSCAT! In the show we discuss the three main types of Muscat and the wines and regions that you need to seek out to get a taste of this ancient, delicious, complex grape.  As M.C. Ice requests in the middle of the show...here are the notes!  What is Muscat? Overview A grape from which derives a complicated family of grapes that includes over 200 varieties of all colors It was most likely a Greek grape, brought to the south of France and Sicily by the Phoenicians It's known for its floral perfume and grapey flavor. The grape is spicy with orange notes, and has relatively low acidity Styles range from dry to late harvest to fortified to sparkling Berries are gold, pink, or black and the variation within vines, mean flavors can vary   The main types of Muscat: 1. Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains is the oldest grape Needs a long growing season, disease prone, doesn’t like humidity The most refined, classic Muscat, it is small berried, with a delicate but layered aroma Also known as: Moscato Bianco, came to Italy in the 1300s Common grapes derived from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains: Moscato Giallo, Aleatico (red), Mammolo (red)   2.  Muscat of Alexandria Natural cross of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and Axina de Tres Bias, old black table grape grown on Sardegna, Malta, Greek Islands Not from Alexandria in Egypt!  Mid budding, late ripening, likes heat, big bunches, big berries, great for heat. Susceptible to powdery mildew, bunch rot, bugs, good with drought Less refined than Muscat à Petits Grains: sweet but not complex, less subtle – more geranium notes. Makes sticky sweet wines, rose- or orange-like or like geranium and lily of the valley Also known as Zibbibo in Sicily.  Related grapes:  Catarratto Bianco (Etna), Grillo (Sicily), Bombino Bianco (Sicily, Southern Italy), Schiava Grossa, Malvasia del Lazio, Cereza (Argentina), Torrontés (both clones) 3. Muscat Ottonel:  Bred in Loire in 1852, earliest ripener, planted in Alsace often  paler, with less aroma than the other varieties -- which can produce a softer wine 4. Muscat of Hamburg Black, table grape, low quality in Eastern Europe   Muscat in the Vineyard:  Hard to grow: Crops erratically, low acidity, can be a tough blender Pink, black, red mutations exist around the world Early budding, mid ripening, susceptible to powdery mildew, botrytis, mites, small berries Climate: Prefers warm Mediterranean climates – south of France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Australia Soils: Different types will yield different flavors. Limestone or calcareous rock, along with sand make lighter, fresher versions.  Clays, granites, can yield richer versions.  If the grape is overcropped it loses acidity and aroma and is a boring mess.    Muscat by Place:  France 18,829 acres in France/7620 ha Almost all Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains Rhône: Muscat de Beaumes de Venise (fortified) Roussillon & Languedoc: Vins doux Naturels of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains in Frontignan, Lunel, Mireval, St. Jean de Minervois Rivesaltes: Vin doux Naturel of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains blended with Muscat d'Alexandria in Rivesaltes Clairette de Die Sparkling of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains Corsica: fortified wines Alsace: Muscat Ottonel and Muscat à Petits Grains. Wines are floral, fresh, grapey, and herbal with spice. Dry.    Italy  32,816 acres/13280 ha – Mostly Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains Piemonte: sweet, Asti Spumante (sparkling), Moscato d’Asti (semi sparkling, sweet, good dessert or cheese wine) Trentino Alto Adige: Use Rosenmuskateller: variation of the Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains -- rose aroma, still wine, Moscato Giallo/Goldmuskateller: orange scented dry or sweet wines Valle d’Aosta: Passito style (grapes dried on mats in the sun, raisined and then pressed) Montalcino:  DOC for dry, sparkling, sweet, late-harvest wines of Muscat Sicily: Zibbibo/Muscat of Alexandria for dry wines, Moscato di Pantelleria – passito style from a small historic island.    Spain  Grown all over Spain as Moscatel –Moscatel d’Alejandria Málaga: sweet speciality of the south Jerez/Sherry:  Moscatel used for color and sweetness, can be made alone as a sweet, passito style wine   Portugal Small amount used in white Port and other fortified wines Setúbal makes a fortified wine from it, tasty dry wines    Other Old World places: Germany, Austria, Greece   Australia Rutherglen and Glenrowan in northeastern Victoria Rutherglen Muscat: Four tier quality system -- basic, classic, grand, rare. Like figs, coffee, blackberry, chocolate, delicious, with acidity   South Africa Vin de Constance from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains: Late harvest Probably the descendents of the famed vines of  colonial days in the 1600s  Worcester, Olifants River: Muscat of Alexandria/ Hanepoot for bulk, used for dry, sweet, fortified, table grapes   US: Central Valley for bulk white. Some Orange Muscat which is a relative of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains   Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. 

While I was in Verona at Wine2Wine, I had the chance to speak with Alessio Planeta, President at Assovini Sicilia and Owner at Planeta Winery. For five centuries and through seventeen generations, Planeta has been active in changing and improving agriculture in Sicily. Alessio Planeta has spent his life dedicated to the study of Sicily and figuring out how to make it a significant force in world wine. With his family, Alessio now has six wineries around Sicily, and they have almost single-handedly put Sicily on the map as a quality player.   Planeta continues its mission to show what Sicily can do and what it’s forgotten varietals can bring to the world of wine. They are one of the big reasons we have access to excellent Sicilian wine today.   Here are the notes: Alessio tells us about Sicily, the history of his family, and how Planeta evolved to become a significant force in the wine world, putting Sicily on the world wine map of quality We discuss the quality revolution in Sicily, begun, in part by Diego Planeta, Alessio's uncle Alessio tells us about the amazing conditions of Sicily  -- the diverse terrain, vast number of native grapes, the skilled workers, the excellent climate, that makes it a garden ideal for viticulture We learn about how the innovative nature of the Planeta family. Alessio discusses their desire to find talent from outside the island (including Giacomo Tachis, Carlo Corino, Giampaolo Fabris and Attilio Scienza) the openness to using "international" grapes, and then the slow introduction of the indigenous wines of Sicily created a category for Nero d'Avola, Grillo, Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and others that is booming!  Alessio addresses the fact that people may still underestimate Sicily and talks about the bright future of Sicilian wine   Thanks to Wine2Wine Verona for inviting me to speak and for allowing me the opportunity to meet Gaia Gaja and share this show with all of you!   Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.          

This week, one of the most famous wine producers in the world joins us -- Gaia Gaja from Gaja in Barbaresco in Piedmont, Italy. We discuss the history of her famed family, why their wines are like liquid velvet, and how climate change is forcing new ways of thinking. Her philosophy, outlook, and class show why Gaja has earned its place at the top of the wine world. We discuss: The history of the Gaja family and how they became so important in Barbaresco We discuss Angelo Gaja, his philosophies and how he wound up changing the face of Italian wine by doubting everything, and always looking forward Gaia gives us some insight into how Gaja does things so differently and yield such different, and amazing results  We talk about Barbaresco and Barolo, the nuances of the land, and how those in Piedmont may be best suited to take on climate change. Gaia tells us a bit about Gaja's philosophy of optimism and change helps them take a different outlook on climate change and why biodiversity may be the key to helping things   Thanks to Wine2Wine Verona for inviting me to speak and for allowing me the opportunity to meet Gaia Gaja and share this show with all of you!   Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. 

Tim and Kelly Hightower of Hightower Cellars have been making beautiful wine in Washington State (in the northwest of the US) specifically Red Mountain, for about 2.5 decades. They tell us about the evolution of Washington State wine, their path to owning a boutique winery, and then we discuss some of the reasons Washington wine can and should be so much more popular. This is a real insightful look into the challenges and opportunities of Washington State wine!  Map (C) "Wine for Normal People" book Here are some of the points we hit: Kelly and Tim tell us how they each got into wine at fairly young ages, and what the early years of Washington wine were like  The Hightowers talk about their drive to relocate to Red Mountain. We talk about the terroir of the area -- climate, soils, and terrain and why they are unique. Tim and Kelly tell us the profile of Red Mountain wine and why it is so striking We discuss the business model of many Washington producers and the disconnect between the tasting rooms of the town of Woodinville and the wineries located in the vineyards.  We discuss the role of small and large wineries in Washington State  Tim and Kelly tell us how the market for Washington wine has changed and grown, and how they see great things on the horizon for the state.             Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.      

We have much to be grateful for this year – Patrons, the release of the , and all of you listeners! This is our yearly TG episode. This time we take the traditional pairings and offer some alternatives. You can stick with what you know based on our recommendations or go out on a limb. Either way, we are truly grateful for you, for your tolerance of our Beastie Boys and Hobbit references and for your continued support! Thank you!   Traditional Whites: Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Grigio Chardonnay Gewurztraminer   Alternative whites: Off-dry Riesling or Chenin Blanc Grüner Veltliner or Verdejo from Rueda Spain Fiano di Avellino, Falanghina, or Soave from Italy White Rhône blends with Roussanne, white Priorat (Spain), or pure Roussanne from a winery like Truchard in Napa or from Savoie (Chignin Bergeron)   If you want… Rosé: Go for something New World with more fruit character. The Provence styles are unpredictable so unless you have a producer you love, go New World   Sparkling: I prefer Champagne but Crémant (which we don’t mention but is a great option), Cava or American Sparkling will work, as will Cap Classique from South Africa. I’m less of a fan of Prosecco. I’m a big fan of drinking the bubbly with food rather than enjoying it just on its own.   Traditional Reds: Pinot Noir Zinfandel Syrah Beaujolais   Alternative Reds: Lighter Garnacha, Bobal, or Mencîa from Spain Austrian reds: St. Laurent, Zweigelt, Blaüfrankisch (as long as they are lighter and not too spicy) Lighter styles of Zinfandel like those from the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma (we mention Nalle and Peterson as favorites) or Primitivo (still Zin!) from Puglia Pinot Noir but New World styles from Oregon, Santa Barbara, and New Zealand Cabernet Franc from Virginia, New York, and Loire Merlot, especially Merlot from the Right Bank of Bordeaux     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!      Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices. They offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

Long Island has 3,000 acres planted with grapes and at least 60 wineries. Lieb Cellars has been around for nearly 30 years and this week Russell Hearn, winemaker for Lieb Cellars and Bridge Lane Wines  (who has been there since the start), and Ami Opisso, General Manager and Long Island native, tell us about why Long Island is special, why Lieb is different, and how Bridge Lane is the king of quality wine in alternative packaging (yes, we cover this in detail!).  After discussing all the various accents on this show (yeah, I'm from the 'Island so you'll hear me get mine back when Ami and I tawk!), we dig deep into Long Island. We discuss the history of the region, beginning in the 1970s Russell tells us how bodies of water, well draining soil, and sun exposure create a great environment for grapes We discuss the weather and climate. Long Island is not known for stable, easy climate. With humidity, frost, and sometimes ridiculous quantities of rain, it seems like it couldn't work -- Russell gives us insight into drainage, why it is so important here, and Ami tells us about the true meaning of Sustainability on Long Island, where everything you spray goes directly into your drinking water. Long Island has received some bad press regarding the local government's inability to provide a good environment for wineries. Ami annd Russell tell us the fascinating, insider deal on all of that.  We move on to wine! We talk about... The top reds and top whites of Long Island and what makes them special We talk about why Long Island lacks some of the recognition other emerging East Coast regions often get  Russell talks about the history of Lieb Cellars , since he's been the winemaker since its inception. He tells us why Pinot Blanc is so special to the property Ami discusses Bridge Lane and how the idea to become the first winery on Long Island to produce wine in several alternative formats, including bottles, boxes, kegs and cans came about Russell and Ami tell us, in detail, about different formats (box, can, keg) and the extensive research they did to ensure that neither corrosion from acid nor corruption of flavor would occur in things other than glass bottles.    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!      Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices. They offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   Zola Zola, the wedding company that will do anything for love, is reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience to make the happiest moment in couples' lives even happier. From engagement to wedding and decorating your first home, Zola is there, combining compassionate customer service with modern tools and technology. All in the service of love. To start your free wedding website or registry on Zola, go to www.ZOLA.com/wine  

Sheldrake Point Winery in the Finger Lakes began in 1997. For most of that time, Dave Wieman, vineyard manager, and Dave Breeden, winemaker, have been with the winery. They dish on what it's really like it is to make wine in this ever-changing, awesome region. Here are the show notes: After our weekly plug of the Wine For Normal People Book (if you like the podcast, you will love the book and it's a perfect companion guide to the show!) we break the news that the audio got messed up. Aliens took over the audio for the first quarter of the recording and so M.C. Ice and I step in to do the re-cap! We talk about the history of Sheldrake Point Winery, it's unique location, the importance of Cornell University, and warn you of the hilarity that ensues in this show The Daves talk about how challenging it can be to manage a vineyard in the Finger Lakes and how moisture, drainage, slope, and microclimate make all the difference in making great wine in the Finger Lakes. Dave Wieman talks about whether he ever thinks about what it would be like to make wine in Napa, where things aren't quite so hard.    We discuss the viability of sustainable agriculture in the Finger Lakes and what that looks like in a climate with humidity and rain   Dave Breeden, winemaker (and self-proclaimed "inside Dave") talks about his job as the guy whose job it is not to mess up what nature gave him! He serves all his answers straight up -- from talking about why it makes sense to use once used oak (it's better for the wine AND cheaper), to questioning why Gewurztraminer isn't more popular, to why he loves to dance the tango with Pinot Gris each year.    We discuss the different styles of Riesling, how they are achieved and how Dave Breeden came around to liking the Gamay he works with.    After many laughs, lots of honesty, and some stuff we just had to edit out (sorry), we talk about the bright future of the Finger Lakes and how things are only just beginning.  Sheldrake Point will be at Underground Wine Events on 11/9/19!    Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.

As we always do when we hit a milestone, for episode 300 we reflect on three things we each have learned in the last 8 years. We talk about the process of planning, writing, and publishing the book and possible future wine trends. We thank you for all your support over the years!     Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

Texas is one of the oldest winegrowing states in the US, with vines predating California by 100+ years. The first vineyard in North America was by Franciscan priests circa 1660 in Texas and the industry grew throughout the 1800s. Texas is important in another way, as horticulturist Thomas Munson contributed greatly to finding the solution to  the phylloxera epidemic, which effectively saved the European wine industry from total ruin. After Prohibition decimated the industry in the 1920s, Texas jump started it's wine industry in the 1970s and today it's roaring back. Texas has 400 producers and it is growing and growing.   Jennifer McInnis, General Manager of Bending Branch and Ron Yates, the owner and President of Spicewood Vineyards, are part of a marketing consortium representing five of Texas’ most distinguished wineries: Bending Branch Winery, Brennan Vineyards, Duchman Family Winery, Pedernales Cellars and Spicewood Vineyards. Member wineries produce wines from Texas grapes, that try to express the terroir of Texas Hill County and the Texas High Plains.               Here are the show notes: We start off talking about Texas, an area I admittedly (used to) know very little about. We cover: The breadth and depth of areas. Specifically What are the different areas/are there discreet AVAs? Where are they vis a vis the cities? We talk specifically about Texas Hill Country and the High Plains, which create premium wine in the state. We discuss the role of elevation and the similarities to other growing regions around the world (specifically the Duero in Spain, which Texas High Plains resembles). We talk extensively about climate – how it’s extremely erratic and how growing conditions here are unlike anywhere else with extreme heat, thunderstorms, hail, and unpredictable weather events that change each vintage and make winemaking a true challenge. We talk about the grapes that grow here and how over the last 5-10 years, grapes like Tannat, Tempranillo, and southern Italian varietals that are heat tolerant have thrived. We talk about why many growers in the past bought grapes from Washington State or California. We discuss some of the challenges that Texas has faced with the anti-alcohol lobby and how that has been overcome.   Then we discuss the 5 wineries of Texas Fine Wine and their goals of making excellent wine that is known outside of just Texas. Jennifer discusses Bending Branch(if you’re curious, here’s info on cryomaceration (extreme version of cold maceration)and flash détente, that she references!) Ron talks about Spicewoodand then we discuss Duchman,Brennan, and Pedernalesand their styles.     We wrap by talking about the bright future of Texas wine!   Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

Loudoun County, Virginia is in close proximity to Washington, D.C. -- the farthest vineyards are just over an hour's drive away. But the area has been known more for  big, beautiful farms that are good for weddings rather than as a premier wine region of Virginia. Today, this is changing and Lost Creek is part of that change. About 7 years ago Aimee and Todd Henkle of Lost Creek decided to buy a beautiful property that made mainly sweet wines and change it into a place with elegant, dry reds and whites. Aimee tells her story and that of a region maturing each year.  Here are the show notes:  Aimee is the Chair of the Loudoun County Wineries Association, so I ask her to tell us about Loudoun County. We review:  Where is Loudoun County? How many wineries there are, the terroir types, and what they specialize in We discuss the controversial question of wineries growing grapes v. buying them from the west coast, a challenge that has plagued the legitimacy of Loudoun for years, and how things are changing Aimee tells us how she got into wine from her background in electrical engineering We learn about how the Vineyard at Lost Creek transitioned from sweet wine to dry wine, and how the quality has been improved greatly through vineyard practices We talk about sustainable and organic viticulture and the challenges of farming in this unique mountain area Aimee tells us about their elegant Chardonnay, Merlot and Cab Franc based blends, and why Tannat is a rising start Aimee tells us what she sees for the future of Loudoun County Lost Creek will be at the Underground Wine Event on 11/9/19! Get your tickets before we sell out!.   Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

Anthony Road Wine Company is a legend in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. It’s one of the pioneering wineries of the area, and it makes wines that reflect the soils and climate of the Finger Lakes. Their wines are made from grapes grown in vineyards owned or managed by the Martini Family and carefully selected by Peter Becraft, the head winemaker. Anthony Road is a family run, family owned, and family operated winery that makes outstanding Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, blends, and a variety of reds and rose, as well as some skin contact wines.      This week I speak with Peter Becraft, a man of many talents. He started out his career as a Fine Arts Masters student, working as a casting director for a famed fashion photographer in Manhattan. As with many of our generation, Peter found himself at a crossroad after September 11, 2001. He realized he needed to do something more fulfilling with his life. Previously finding more common ground and excitement in the folks his pastry chef wife Cary hung out with, he pursued a wine shop job in lower Manhattan and immersed himself in the world of wine. Today, he is the head winemaker at the iconic Anthony Road Wine Company in the Finger Lakes on Seneca Lake.    Here are the show notes:  Peter tells us how John and Ann Martini moved from Baltimore in 1973 and set up their farm. He gives us a great lesson on the history of Finger Lakes – what it was like when the Martinis came, and how things have evolved over the last 45 years.   We learn about the role of hybrid grapes and why they are different from and similar to the grapes we know and love (vitis vinifera)   Peter tells us about the climate and the differences between the Martini Family Vineyard and the Nutt Road Vineyard and why microclimate is so essential to winemaking In the Finger Lakes. Peter gets into really nerdy detail, including glacial movement, silt-loam soils, and how the depth and width of Seneca Lake influences the vineyards   Peter then shares his incredible journey from sculptor to winemaker. He tells us how he went from student in Virginia to fine arts Masters student in New York City to winemaker at one of the premier wineries in New York   Peter tells us how he learned winemaking, the importance of mentorship from former head winemaker Johannes Reinhardt and how he approaches winemaking   We discuss the variety of wines in Anthony Road’s portfolio – Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Vignoles (a hybrid), Lemberger, Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Merlot   We wrap with Peter’s view on what makes the Finger Lakes so special – its unity, vision, and collegiality   Peter and Anthony Road will be at the Underground Wine Event on 11/9/19!   You can meet Peter and try his wines at the Underground Wine Event in Washington, D.C. on November 9, 2019!    Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.

Boundary Breaks is located in the Finger Lakes in Central New York. It's the consummate cool weather growing region, where Riesling and aromatic whites reign supreme. Bruce Murray, the founder and creative force behind Boundary Breaks, tells us how he went from newspaper man, to working with Elon Musk, to running a winery so focused on terroir, they don't even have a dedicated winemaker.   Boundary Breaks was founded in 2007 by Bruce on the East side of Seneca Lake. It focuses on Riesling, which range in style from dry and complex to lightly sweet to a true Riesling Ice Wine. In addition to Riesling, small amounts of Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown on the estate. The wines are spectacular with a purity of flavor, and excellent terroir expression. Bruce's life is fascinating and Boundary Breaks, indeed, has broken some boundaries in what can be done in the wine world!    Here are the topics we discuss:  Bruce tells us how his life unfolded to bring him back to the area in which he grew up. He tells me how the Donnhoff Riesling from Nahe, Germany in a Thai restaurant in Vegas changed the course of his life.  We talk about the Finger Lakes, how they were formed, why they are so unique and why the east side of Seneca Lake produces such excellent grapes. We get extra dorky, discussing Boundary Breaks' unique drainage system and why "wet feet" are bad for grapes   We discuss Riesling and how vineyard management is so pivotal to getting pure flavor. We detail each style Boundary Breaks makes -- dry, off-dry, ice wine plus aromatic whites like Gewurztraminer.   We talk extensively about the challenges of growing reds in the climate of the Finger Lakes and how quality has been spotty over the years, but is improving by leaps and bounds. You can meet Bruce and try his wines at the Underground Wine Event in Washington, D.C. on November 9, 2019!    Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today!! _______________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.

Sleight of Hand Cellars is the fulfillment of two dreams. Jerry Solomon was a real estate attorney in San Diego who longed for a small town life and wanted wine to be part of it. Trey Busch was a Walla Walla winemaker who had insane talent but needed a partner to make his dream winery a reality. The two created Sleight of Hand 12 years ago to create exceptional, terroir driven wines that reflect the unique land of Walla Walla and Columbia Valley. Jerry takes us on a journey of the winery, the land, and the beautiful wines they produce!   They will be at Underground Wine Event on November 9, 2019 – don’t miss it! www.undergroundwineevents.com/events   Here are the show notes: Jerry tells us how he and his wife Sandy made the move from San Diego Real Estate attorney to Director of Winemaking at the coolest winery in Walla Walla He talks about the wonderful friendship and partnership between him and Trey Busch, an Atlantan who became a skilled Walla Walla winemaker after working for several excellent wineries We talk about the special role of music at Sleight of Hand and how the winery got its name from a Pearl Jam song Jerry explains why the Columbia Valley, and Walla Walla, in particular, are so special for winemaking. We talk soil (loess, which the Walla Walla folks pronounce "luss" and basalt), sun exposure, latitude and why these wines are so different from those from California We talk about the variety of Sleight of Hand wines from Riesling, Chardonnay, Syrah, and red blends and what makes each so special We discuss why Syrah, in particular, is such a standout in Walla Walla ad why Milton-Freewater Rocks District is so insanely good I ask Jerry if he thinks Washington gets the respect it deserves on the world wine scene and why scores work against Washington wines We discuss why Sleight of Hand wants to stay small We close with how Neil Patrick Harris wound up on the Conjurer label!         Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!!  ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   Coravin  Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!

Eric McKibben grew up in Walla Walla, where his dad, Norm, is a founding father of the most important side of Walla Walla – the vineyard side. Norm is known to have helped grow the Walla Walla industry from a few dozen acres in 1989 to 2800 today, around the idea of impeccable quality in the vineyard. The business is truly a family business. Norm is still involved but Eric is a partner. Eric worked for 11 years in Seattle in the telecom industry, earned an MBA and then returned to Walla Walla in 2003, where he is an active partner at Amavi Cellars and Pepper Bridge Winery. In 2004, he assumed the duty of General Manager at Amavi Cellars. He also taught me pretty much everything I know about Walla Walla and is one of the best advocates for the region there is! If you get a chance to try these wines, you should do it -- they are pure Walla Walla and purely excellent!  Here are the show notes:   Eric tells us about the Missoula Floods and why Walla Walla is such a unique growing region, unlike any other in the world. If you want to see a cool PBS documentary on the Missoula Floods, here it is.    We learn about the early days of Walla Walla -- what was here, how grapes supplanted apples, and who the early players were and what they accomplished. We talk about Jean-Francois Pellet, winemaker and partner for both Pepper Bridge and Amavi, and why he was such a believer in this region when he came from Heitz in Napa for a job interview with Amavi and Pepper Bridge.    We discuss the "bowl" valley that is Walla Walla, the soil types and and the styles that different parts of Walla Walla yield. We do a bit of compare and contrast on Napa v Walla Walla styles   Because it's timely, Eric settles our fears about phylloxera that was recently reported on in the wine pubs   Then we spend time dorking out about the flavors that you'll find in Walla Walla -- Syrahs that taste plush, some that taste like licking rocks. Cabernet that expresses terroir without being too full or rich. Semillon that has beautiful acidity. All of these things and how they are achieved.    Finally we dip into the thorny question of why so many wineries are based in Walla Walla that don't make any wines from Walla Walla fruit only (they blend it with things from other part of Columbia Valley) and what that means for the AVA from a marketing and reputational standpoint.    Amavi and Pepper Bridge will be at this year's Underground Wine Event in Washington DC. For tickets, go to www.undergroundwineevents.com            Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!!  ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   Coravin  Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!   M.M. LaFleur        If you’ve wondered about these clothes, as I have, I’m here to tell you PULL THE TRIGGER! They are beautiful!! The M.M.LaFleur collection is designed by co-founder Miyako Nakamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen. M.M.LaFleur offers personal styling to help you find the best pieces for your body and lifestyle. Right now, new customers can enjoy $25 towards their first purchase or Bento Box with the code WINE. Visit mmlafleur.com/wine for more details and to redeem this gift.

Virginia, on the east coast of the United States, has much history with grape growing, but not all of it was good. Today, however, exciting producers have mastered their microclimates and are making some of the freshest, most nuanced, terroir-driven wines in the United States.   This week I sit down with Elizabeth Smith of one of the top wineries in this lovely state, Afton Mountain Vineyards. We discuss everything from Virginia history with grape growing, to terroir obsession, to the European flare of the region, and why the wines are so darn good.  If you don't know much about VA or you're an obsessive this podcast will be equally fascinating!    Elizabeth and Tony Smith both grew up in Charlottesville and had lifelong ties the Blue Ridge Mountains. After working and raising a family in coastal VA, and even trying their hands at grape growing there (not quite the right terroir!), they decided to move back to their hometown for their second act – winegrowing and making. They bought Afton Mountain Vineyards in 2009 and in this show, Elizabeth shares their story and how they came to make some of the best wine in Virginia.   Elizabeth shares her background and how she went from investment management to property management to winery management (and rocked them all!)   Elizabeth gives us a true education on the Monticello appellation – what matters to quality wine, what is challenging in growing grapes here, and why she and Tony selected the most westerly site in the Monticello AVA to make their elegant wines   We dork out on microclimates, what makes Virginia so unique, and why elevation, and extremely attentive (obsessive) vineyard management is the only way to make great wine in Virginia and why sustainable viticulture is better than organic in a dicey climate like that in the Monticello area.   Elizabeth answers the question: Why does Damien Blanchon, their French winemaker, and so many other French winemakers find themselves in Virginia, and decide to stay (hint: challenge without restriction!)   We talk about the varietals that do well for Afton Mountain (Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and Albariño for the whites, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Tannat, and Sangiovese for the reds) and the flavors they yield from this land. We have an interesting side bar about how Petit Verdot can really suck if not handled well!   We wrap with Elizabeth talking about how far Virginia wine has come in the last 10 years and a BIG teaser on a project Afton Mountain is starting this fall!   Find out more about Elizabeth and her wines at www.aftonmountainvineyards.com and come to the Underground Wine Event on 11/9/19 in Washington D.C. to meet her and taste her beautiful wines!   Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!      Coravin   Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!     Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices. They offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.     Zola Zola, the wedding company that will do anything for love, is reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience to make the happiest moment in couples' lives even happier. From engagement to wedding and decorating your first home, Zola is there, combining compassionate customer service with modern tools and technology. All in the service of love. To start your free wedding website or registry on Zola, go to www.ZOLA.com/wine  

Just 40 miles/65 km north of Cape Town lies a large area that makes the most exciting, sought after wines in South Africa. Swartland (Dutch for 'black land') is full of young, passionate winemakers making wines that respect the hot, dry land from which they derive and are able to create wines of such depth, flavor, and nuance that it’s hard to believe so few know about them. In this show, we tell you about the Syrah, Rhône and Mediterranean varietals, the Chenin Blanc and other stunning white blends coming from this area and why you need to seek it out ASAP!   Overview of the region… Swartland was oncea rural backwater, better known for wheat fields than vineyards Vineyards traditionally grew where wheat couldn’t -- on the northern side of Paardeberge Mountains in the south, the plains of Piketberg in the north, and the smaller Ward of Riebeekberg and Kasteelberg Mountains in the east Lots of old vines on slopes where nothing else grows, hand harvested The climate ishot and dry with very low summer rainfall but with consistent afternoon and evening breezes off the Atlantic Ocean. Growers have less concern about fungus and other diseases. They use the ecosystem to keep the vineyards healthy with integrated pest management, bush training of vines, and dry farming   We dork out on plate tectonics! Swartland has ancient geology. The terroirresulted from a combination of tectonic collisions, ancient volcanic activity and continental separation The soils are the oldest in the world and are a mix of shale, arenite sandstone and granite, schist based terroirs. Malmesbury shale on Kasteelberg Mtn is the dominant soil. vertical layering structure caused by tectonic shifts. Water drains away and vines dig deeper for liquid nourishment   Grapes/Winemaking We talk about the grapes and terroir driven wines of the region Red grapes: Syrah/Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, Carignan, Cinsaut, Tinta Barocca, Pinotage White grapes:Chenin blanc, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette, Palomino, Sémillon, Muscat d’Alexandria, Muscat d’Frontignan, Colombard and Verdelho. Viticulture:A lot of natural, noninvasive methods of farming Winemaking:larger barrels that impart less flavor, less racking and stirring to keep earthy flavors, unfiltered, unfined wines – low input wines The Ward of Riebeekbergnear the towns of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West has vineyards on eastern slopes of the Kasteelberg Mountain make big reds of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay that are complex    We talk about South African and Swartland Wine history We discuss how South Africa lies somewhere between the Old World and New World styles. We discuss the early history in the 1660s, with the arrival of the French Huguenots who planted vineyards. We tell the story of how, in late 1990s, Charles Back of Goats do Roam fame went to Swartland to source grapes and wound up transforming the area by  buying land and hiring Eben Sadie to run his “Spice Route” wines in 1998. We discuss the modern history of the region and why it takes a special person to make wine in conditions withlow rainfall, un-irrigated vines and paltry yields.    Producers and the Swartland revolution We discuss Swartland Independent Producers (SIP), an association that runs the Swartland Revolution celebration every November Their goal: Wines that are a true expression of their origin. Like old world AOPs -- distinctive wines but also making them so as to speak about a sense of place See the list of requirements and the producers here:  https://swartlandindependent.co.za/members/    Top producers AA Badenhorst: AA Badenhorst Family White,  AA Badenhorst Family Red are flagships; Secateurs produced from purchased fruit Lammershoek:Traditional producer Testalonga:“naked” style, funky wines Lammershoek:Libero No. 5 Mullineux: Syrahs and white blends; entry level Kloof Street Porseleinberg  Sadie Family: Columella – Syrah-based blend (famous), Palladius – rich style white; cheaper, co-owned Sequillo range   Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!!  ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   Coravin  Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!

If you think Vinho Verde (pronounced veeng-yo vaird) is just a fizzy summer sipper, we're about to open up a new world for you in this show. You CAN get the run of the mill stuff but with multiple grapes, regions, and producer styles, if you dig deeper this wine has way more to it than you think!   Overview Vinho Verde is not a grape variety, it is a DOC (wine area) It literally translates to  'green wine' but means young wine – wine released 3-6 months after the grapes are harvested This is one of Portugal’s largest regions: 21,000 ha/51,000 acres of vineyards are planted -- 9% of the total in Portugal 19,000 growers – like Champagne, 600 bottlers 85 million liters of wine each year 86% of the wine from Vinho Verde is white   What wine is here?  Red, white, rosé, or sparkling. Can be late harvest OR brandy! If labeled with grape, subregion or quality level (Escolha, Grande Escolha, Superior, Colheita Selectionada Top white grapes: Alvarinho, Arinto, Avesso, Azal, Batoca, Loureiro, and Trajadura Top red grapes: Amaral, AzalbTinto, Borraçal, Brancelho, Espadeiro, Padeiro, Pedral, Rabo de Ovelha and Vinhão Winemaking: The wine was fizzy because malolactic fermentation took place in the bottle as it sat on the shelf! Today, carbonation is added to finished wine to add sparkle Wine style: Light and fresh whites: high natural acidity, with fruity and floral aromas that depend on the grape variety Have slight sparkle with low alcohol   History Vinho Verde produced wine for over 2,000 years, one of the oldest regions in Portugal Celts and Romas came, then Visigoths and Moors During middle Ages: Vinho Verde may have been exported in the 12th century, to England, Germany, and Flanders – especially from top regions of Monção and Melgaço and Ribeira de Lima Maize arrived in the 16th century alog with regulations to maximise production of it New regulations banished vines to the field margins, where they grew up high, forcing the vignerons to pick them from tall ladders Today most of Vinho Verde Region is now using modern methods, which give larger and better yield. EU in 1986 improved technology – more capital, opened up the markets    Location/Land: Vinho Verde is Portugal’s northernmost wine producing region, above 40° latitude  Series of granite-based plateaus within the valleys of the Minho, Ave, Cávado, and Lima rivers  Most of the Vinho Verde region is at or near sea level -- highest elevation at 2,300 feet Climate: Temps go between 46°F (8°C) in winter and 68°F (20°C) in the summer – green landscape, temperate climate Cooler coastal regions like Lima, Cávado and Ave -- more marine influence with cooler average temperatures and higher rainfall inland subregions - Baião and Basto are both warmer Annual rainfall is high – 47+ inches (1200 mm) in the winter and spring months   Subregions: 9, can be on the label with the name Vinho Verde Monção e Melgaço: Best region, but least typical Vinho Verde Inland DOP subregion, along the hillsides of the Minho River’s south bank White: Alvarinho is best. Fresh but fuller than Rias Baixas, occasionally with some oak Reds: Pedral, Alvarelhão    Lima:  Highest levels of rainfall. Granitic soils and a small area with shale-based soil. White: Loureiro grape: citrus fruits, rose notes, can be full like Alvarinho  Use whites Arinto and Trajadura Red: Vinhão and Borraçal – crunchy, crisp fruity aroma   3 Similar regions: Cávado, Ave, Sousa -- Mild Sea winds, irregular topography, low altitude, mild climate, Whites: Arinto, Loureiro and Trajadura with moderate acidity, citrus fruits and ripe apple and pears. Reds: Vinhão and Borraçal grapes (not in Ave but in Cávado and Sousa) Sousa: Espadeiro is often used to make rosé wines.   Basto: inland – HOT with high rainfall High altitude, cold, wet winter, balls hot summer White:  Azal is lemony with green apple notes Reds: Espadeiro, Rabo-de-Anho  Amarante: Inland White: Azal, Avesso -- higher alcohol, more body because of heat Red: Amarante sub-region is famous for its red wines: especially Vinhão variety   Paiva:  Red: Vinhão gets great maturity and produce some of the most sought-after red wines   Baião: Inland/continental On the border of Douro demarcated region, longer season  Whites: Azal and Avesso (best ones from Avesso, creamy, fruity, with acidity) Red:  Amaral    Food Pairing: Salads, Asian cuisine, bacalao (cod) and other seafood, in cream sauce or breaded; pork and potato dishes   Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!!  ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   Coravin  Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!   M.M. LaFleur        If you’ve wondered about these clothes, as I have, I’m here to tell you PULL THE TRIGGER! They are beautiful!! The M.M.LaFleur collection is designed by co-founder Miyako Nakamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen. M.M.LaFleur offers personal styling to help you find the best pieces for your body and lifestyle. Right now, new customers can enjoy $25 towards their first purchase or Bento Box with the code WINE. Visit mmlafleur.com/wine for more details and to redeem this gift.  

If you had no interest in Riesling or in Rheingau previously, this show will change your mind completely and make you jump out of your seat to try Georg Breuer's exquisite wines. Theresa Breuer is a young woman who found herself (sadly, earlier than she expected) at the helm of one of the most respected, highest quality Riesling producers in the Rheingau region of Germany.  I had the pleasure of spending the day with her a few years back and she is brilliant, poised, kind and a genius vigneron and cellar master, but more than anything, at 30-something, she is one of the best fresh faces and ambassadors for what Rheingau wine is, was, and should be.  This show should give you a perspective on why Rheingau is so special and make you understand why a dork like me loves this place so much!  Here are the show notes:  HISTORY Theresa shares Weingut Georg Breuer's nearly 140 years in wine -- from her great grandfather Peter's involvement in the business side of wine, to her grandfather after whom the Weingut is named, to her dad, Bernhard, and then to her.   We discuss Bernhard Breuer's obsession with quality, bringing the reputation of Rheingau back from a less than stellar period, and her involvement in the business.  Theresa shares her (beautiful) philosophies about wine and why it means so much to her. Rheingau Education! I have rarely found anyone who can educate on a region as well and succinctly as Theresa Breuer and we are lucky to have her explain stuff like:  Where is Rheingau and what makes it so unique for wine? The parallels with Burgundy in terms of Grand Cru, Premier Cru, Village, Regional sites and why it is so easy in Rheingau Why Riesling is so dominant in Rheingau and why it does so well here (hint: reflection from the river, slate/quartzite soils, slopes!) How climate change has affected the region, what a hot year like 2019 means for the wine, and what really matters to vintage How oak is used in Rheingau (and it is used, a LOT!) Theresa gives us the deep dive into site specific info. It's fascinating:  Theresa shares detailed and excellent information about George Breuer's sites and the why and how behind the differences in the wines. We discuss their beautiful Grand Cru sites in Rüdesheim – Berg Schlossberg, Berg Roseneck and Berg Rottland and their wholly owned site, Nonnenberg in Rauenthal (in the eastern part of Rheingau Theresa talks about her commitment to organic viticulture and her vision for the wines -- to let the vineyard produce the best wines and to let the Riesling show its home in the glass!  We talk about what makes Theresa's wines elegant and age worthy. We discuss the generational shift in Rheingau and what it does and will mean for wine in the future. Theresa unveils big news: Weingut Georg Breuer bought some land in the (very different, Mittelrhein-type) wine area of Lorch, to the west of their Grand Cru vineyards. They will be learning more about the sites, and making wine from them soon!  Check out the videos on my YouTube Channel -- you will love Theresa even more!    Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!!  ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   Coravin  Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!  

We tackle a wine style that is adored in certain hip, wine "in-crowd" circles: "orange" wine, which is actually white wine made like a red -- there is long contact with the skins and seeds that give the wine a darker, orange-ish color, and VERY different flavors. M.C. Ice and I are not big fans, but we do our best to explain the phenomenon of these whites made with skin contact.   Here are the show notes:   You know it's time to cover a topic when, in Europe, the supermarket chain Aldi sells a bottle of skin-contact wine for less than $8 US!    WHAT THE HECK IS ORANGE WINE?? First and most importantly, it's not from oranges but from grapes!  Made exactly like a red but with longer maceration (the time during winemakig when the grape skins and seeds stay in contact with the juice)  Reds with skin contact are red wines, reds with little contact are rosés; whites with skin contact are “orange”, without contact they are whites Rosés usually undergo less than 12 hours macerating on their skins before the juice is pressed off  Orange wine is the opposite of Rosé Can make skin-contact wine from any grape – length of time with the skins will matter to flavor and the longer the time the more likely the wine is to mask terroir Length of time varies, but maceration is LONG – days, weeks, months Not all are orange so it’s better to call them “skin-contact wines.” WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MACERATING WHITE JUICE WITH SKINS? The wine takes on a darker colored/orange-ish white color, as well as phenols, pigment.  Aromas: Bolder and more intense same grapes vinified as traditional white – like rose v red Flavors: Nutty, oxidized flavor, very sour with a cider note. Can be bold, nutty, like old apples, sourdough bread Textures: Dry, tannic, intense (not very pleasurable sometimes)   Different styles: Lightest ones, are acidic, aromatic wines, with fresh apricot, herbs Medium ones – slight oxidation, some acetone notes, old apple Then full-bodied, boldly tannic, and often smoky, nutty, lots of VA, off notes   Regions:  The Republic of Georgia: Qvervi—underground vessels sealed with beeswax or oil soaked clothes. The practice of skin contact whites likely originated here 6,000 or more years ago (the practice still goes on today, although the Greeks and Romans quickly realized the best wines were those from free-run juice/whites not macerated, which is our "traditional" style today). Rkatsiteli is the main grape Listen to the Georgia Podcast!   Italy: Most prominent in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, often called  ramato “copper-colored” wines from Pinot Grigio but Ribolla Gialla and Tocai Friulano are often used.  Fruili producers who re-started the orange wine movement: Radikon, Gravner Sicilian producers: Cos, I Vigneri    Slovenia: Goriska Brda in Slovenia has a long history of skin contact wine Listen to the Slovenia show!   United States Long Island: Channing Daughters, Shinn Estate California: Some Sonoma   Others: Australia – Sauvignon Blanc, Greece, South Africa, Croatia, France   Food Pairing: Skin Contact wine is versatile with food pairing but it depends on the weight and the treatment of the wine (length of maceration, barrel v. stainless steel, etc).  Serving temps – 50 – 55˚ warmer side   Don't forget to order your Wine For Normal People book today too!!  ____________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   Coravin  Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!   M.M. LaFleur        If you’ve wondered about these clothes, as I have, I’m here to tell you PULL THE TRIGGER! They are beautiful!! The M.M.LaFleur collection is designed by co-founder Miyako Nakamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen. M.M.LaFleur offers personal styling to help you find the best pieces for your body and lifestyle. Right now, new customers can enjoy $25 towards their first purchase or Bento Box with the code WINE. Visit mmlafleur.com/wine for more details and to redeem this gift.    

No, it's not a typo: Martinborough is a quality enclave in the larger Wellington Wine Country of New Zealand, which we discuss in depth in this episode. Simone Madden-Grey returns to tell us about the stunning Pinot Noir, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, up and coming Syrah, and other excellent Wellington wines that must be on your radar!   Here are the show notes: Wellington Wine Country Overview In 2016 three wine regions of the Wairarapa Valley in the lower north island formally launched Wellington Wine Country: Masterton, Gladstone, and Martinborough The area is small -- just 3% of national plantings and 1% of national production, but represents 10% of producers   Location The southern part of New Zealand's North Island 35 miles (55km) north-east of Wellington (1 hr drive), New Zealand's capital city, in a wide river valley between Rimutaka mountain range and eastern Wairarapa hills  Climate/Terroir Semi-maritime, dry climate – rain shadow of the Tararua Ranges with blustery winds Cool spring and autumn seasons, hot summer days with cool nights - long growing season Martinborough Terrace: a crescent shaped area on the edge of a river terrace formed by the Ruamahunga and Huangarua rivers with gravel soils that drain well and stress the vines (in a good way) Mountain ranges and hills Remutaka and Tararua Ranges to the west protect from winds off Tasman Sea Aorangi Ranges, western mountain ranges protect area from cold southerly winds coming in off the Cook Strait and together with the western moutnain ranges, also funnel cool breezes up from the Cook Strait Soil River terraces in Martinborough with pockets of clay and quartz-threaded greywacke (type of coloured sedimentary sandstone formed by river deposits) and volcanic basalt. Alluvial soils can be up to 15m deep in Martinborough Climate Semi-maritime climate with high sunshine hours, cool Springs and Autumns, warm Summers Warm, low rainfall, relatively long, dry growing season, low humidity and low disease pressure Diurnal variation: Summer temps during the day 30˚C (86˚F) to 10˚C (50˚F) at night Frost is an issue, very windy at times throughout the year, particularly in spring   Sub Regions: North to south Masterton: Largest town in Wairarapa,first area grapes were planted in the region. Known for Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir   Gladstone: Just south of Masterton, free-draining river terraces - Shallower terraces than of Martinborough and nearby. Clay pockets – planted Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc with high aromatics.   Martinborough – about 30 wineries: Colonial village is surrounded by small vineyards, family-owned producers – highly respected boutique wineries. Lowest rainfall of any area in the North Island and reliably cool climate for Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling and other aromatic whites.   Te Muna: Southeast of the township with stonier alluvial gravel soils, windier growing conditions and a slightly cooler climate than Martinborough. Escarpment and Craggy Range are here. Wine Style: Red, white, sparkling (usually Methode Traditionnelle), rosé and sweet wines are all produced in the region Pinot Noir: Thicker skins and smaller yields contribute an aromatic, savory, dark fruited profile with good acidity and potential for age. Sauvignon Blanc: leading white grape variety, very important for export. More herbaceous and citrus driven, with mineral notes -- less of the big fruit style of Marlborough Pinot Gris: Trying to coax a spicier, more complex style with pear and white stone fruit characters  Chardonnay: For the last decade growers pick earlier to attain lower alcohol, more natural acidity -- lighter less tropical style.  Varying degrees of new oak and use of MLF, lees contact and stirring, but the goal is elegance Riesling: Good acidity, very lemon-lime in flavor Grüner Veltliner, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Syrah and some Bordeaux varieties The producer list! High-profile small producers: Ata Rangi, Margrain, Dry River, Escarpment, Te Kairanga, Martinborough Vineyard Paddy Borthwick in Gladstone Larger but still good producers: Palliser, Craggy Range Second labels: Martinborough Vineyard’s "Te Tera"  (UK, NZ, Oz only) Palliser "Pencarrow" (UK, NZ, Oz only) Escarpment "The Edge" (UK, NZ, Oz only)   _________________________________________  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!    Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   Coravin  Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!   M.M. LaFleur        If you’ve wondered about these clothes, as I have, I’m here to tell you PULL THE TRIGGER! They are beautiful!! The M.M.LaFleur collection is designed by co-founder Miyako Nakamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen. M.M.LaFleur offers personal styling to help you find the best pieces for your body and lifestyle. Right now, new customers can enjoy $25 towards their first purchase or Bento Box with the code WINE. Visit mmlafleur.com/wine for more details and to redeem this gift.  

In this episode of the Grape Miniseries, we discuss Pineau de la Loire, a.k.a, Chenin Blanc! This white grape is one of the most versatile in terms of wine styles it can make – from floral sparkling, to stunning dry and off dry versions to unctuous dessert wines. Chenin is underrated, not always treated with regard, but it has a pedigree and a class that can’t be doubted. After hearing about all it has to offer, you’ll want to run out and get a bottle ASAP!   Here are the show notes: What Is Chenin Blanc? It’s a high acid, white grape that makes everything from sparkling to dessert wines. When it’s grown poorly, it’s a boring neutral grape that’s used for its acidity but when grown in the right places, it can create a wine with great depth, character DNA: Chenin is related to Jura’s Savagnin – parent + unknown grape French grape scientist – Pierre Galet – Chenin Blanc started in Anjou in the 9thc, moved to Touraine by the 15thc 1520 – 1535 -- Grapes planted at Mount Chenin in Touraine by the Lord of Chateaux de Chenonceau and the Abbot of Cormery   Flavors of Chenin Chenin can express terroir, winemaker ideas, vintage but at its core it has a floral, mineral, honey note. Its nuances are determined by terroir, soil type and style With botrytis the wine is like peaches, honey, apricots, marzipan, quince Dry or off-dry from Loire: apple, chalk that turn into honey and quince – off dry can age New World, especially South Africa: tropical fruit notes, good acidity   Viticulture: Need ripeness and good control over its vigor to get depth and complexity New clonal research is being done to delay budding because the grape is prone to spring frost, increase sugar development Vintage variation: growers decide on a day by day basis what style and dryness of Chenin blanc they could make   Winemaking New World: Can be blended or do well alone, some skin contact to get different aroma, soften with malolactic, lees contact, tropical notes bc of cooler temps of fermentation Old World – fermentation temps – higher (60-68˚f. 16-20˚c) so they won’t get those tropical fruit flavors that come out with cooler temps (50˚/10˚C) – no new oak/toastiness Loire:Made like German white wines – low, slow fermentations in large old oak or stainless steel, no malolactic fermentation, no barriques   Wine regions Loire, France  Sweet appellations:Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux, Quarts de Chaume, Vouvray Dry:Saviennières (Nicolas Joly) – concentration, flavor, longevity, climate change has made dry wine possible in most areas – although some is off-dry, tryig to become a Grand Cru of the Loire Range of sweetness levels, from dry to semi-sweet to sweet: Anjou, Crémant de Loire, Coteaux de l'Aubance, Jasnières, Montlouis, Saumur, and Vouvray Varied:Saumur, Vouvray, Anjou –Vouvray Moelleux wines:Sweet but can be artificially sweetened, so you need a good producer – Vouvray and Quarts de Chaume the best Demi sec: great acidity, with a touch of sugar sometimes seem dry b/c of the acidity Languedoc: Crémant de Limoux, Chenin must account for at least 20% and up to 40% of the blend with Mauzac, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay   South Africa Most in Western Cape: Stellebosch, Paarl and then Swartland, Olifants River Good acidity in a hot climate Swartland Top Producers: Badenhorst, Mullineux, Eben Sadie (blends Stellebosch Top Producers: Ken Forrester, De Morgenzon   United States California: Used it for jug wine because it had acidity, irrigated to the hilt – high yields, 4x as high as in Loire Clarksburg AVA plus, Chappellet in Napa, Leo Steen in Sonoma/Santa Ynez, Foxen in Santa Barbara Washington: Yakima Texas High Plains (a few hundred) Long Island, New York: Paumanok   Other wine regions: Australia,New Zealand, Argentina blended with Chardonnay, Mexico and Canada, and India and Thailand grow it too!   Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!      Coravin   Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!   Halpern Financial   Imagine a path to wealth that just works. A team of experts at your beck and call, technology to keep tabs on your money 24/7, financial education and the personal touch that makes organizing your financial life feel achievable, rather than daunting.Halpern Financial is a fiduciary, fee-only, independent advisor that offers a combination of online tools and personal connection to help clients systematically achieve their goals. Go to halpernfinancial.com/wine for more information!     Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices. They offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

Salta, Argentina contains the highest altitude vineyards in the world and some of the most unique wines. At these heights, UV radiation changes the grapes so in this tiny, remote area, the wines contain flavors and character you won't find from anywhere else! Here are the show notes: ______ Overview: Salta is at 24˚-26˚S latitude in the northwest of the country, 1500 km/930 miles northwest of Buenos Aires Extreme altitude, extreme sunlight makes powerful, structured wines with a savory minerality The area has been most famed for Torrontés, which is widely planted across wine regions, beautiful aromatics History: Jesuit missionaries first planted grape seeds from Peru in the 1550’s, failed with an earlier attempt near Buenos Aires – first vineyards in Argentina. Today many vineyards over 100 years old, mostly in Calchaquí Valleys in the Andes Mountains Location Salta's home of the wine trade is Cafayate The region crosses a bunch of valleys called the Calchaquí Valleys (they span other provinces --  Jujuy, Tucumán, Catamarca) Salta is tiny compared to other Argentina wine regions: The region makes 1% of Argentina’s wines from its 5,200 acres (2,000 ha.) of vineyards Climate: Harsh daytime heat warm days, cool nights with 45˚ F/7.2˚C temperature swings during the long growing season in the Calchaquí Valleys More than 300 days of sunlight a year, wind and ultraviolet radiation – causes mutation inducing properties that magnify color and flavor Sub areas of Salta Cafayate:4 hours south of Salta with alluvial, porous, deep, sandy soils and clay base is similar to the profile of Mendoza.  Molinos department: More than 100 miles from both Salta and Cafayate 8,000ft/ 2440 M to over 10K feet/3000M Wine: Both whites and reds are fruity with pure flavors, and alcohol is high with excellent acidity and balance REDS: Malbec, Tannat, Merlot, Syrah, Cab, Cabernet Franc – all marked by extreme sun – color, flavor Tannat is one to watch -- hard to sell internationally but it is a local specialty Colomé produces a 100% Tannat under its Lote Especial label from its Finca La Brava vineyards, 1,700m above sea level in Colomé, Salta. WHITES: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,Torrontés Torrontés has powerful acidity, floral aromatics – a big, strong white   Wineries Mentioned: Bodega El Esteco:Altimvs and Chañar Punco are top wines from the Bodega   San Pedro de Yacochuya: Founded in 1988 by Arnaldo Etchart and Michel Rolland. Made an international reputation for the area   Porvenir de Cafayate:Oenologist Mariano Quiroga, with the American consultant Paul Hobbs (we had the Amauta Malbec while we were recording the show!)   José Luis Mounier, Finca Las Nubes: a high-altitude terroir expert, Torrontés, Cabernet Sauvignon   Colomé and Tacuil wineries in Los Molinos: Both growing vines at 2,500 meters/8,200 above sea level. Colomé’s Altura Maxima is at 10,000 feet/3,111 meters   ______________________________________  Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!      Coravin  Coravin is the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. You can pour wine in any amount and preserve what’s left of the bottle for weeks, months of even years. Thousands of wine professionals, from sommeliers to winemakers, around the world have tested and trust Coravin with their wines and it will change the way you drink wine too. For a limited time, visit Coravin.com and enter NORMAL at checkout to get $20 off your purchase of $50 of more!     M.M. LaFleur        If you’ve wondered about these clothes, as I have, I’m here to tell you PULL THE TRIGGER! They are beautiful!! The M.M.LaFleur collection is designed by co-founder Miyako Nakamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen. M.M.LaFleur offers personal styling to help you find the best pieces for your body and lifestyle. You can try the collection at home with a stylist-curated Bento Box.   Right now, new customers can enjoy $25 towards their first purchase or Bento Box with the code WINE. Visit mmlafleur.com/wine for more details and to redeem this gift.   Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.

Mendoza is Argentina’s most important and prolific wine region, representing two-thirds of the nation’s wine production. We talk about the effect of altitude and other geographical features that make this area so unique. Then we break down sub regions and discuss the incredible diversity that guarantees there is a wine style for every palate out of this beautiful, mountainous wine region.   Here are the show notes: First we tackle the stats and some history on the region: High altitude vineyards in the Andes Mountains that range from 430-1610 M/ 1,411 – 5,282 feet Latitude: 32˚ - 34˚ south 151K hectares/373K acres 5 large sub-regions: Valle de Uco, Primera Zona, North, East and South Mendoza Zones Mendoza wine blossomed with the railroad coming through in 1885 and industrial wine production reigned for many decades. International markets weren’t a priority until the financial crisis of the late 1990s.   Next, we discuss the unique geography and terrain of the region: We delve into the intense climate, the desert-like conditions, and how irrigation happens thanks to the inventions of the Huarapes and Incas We discuss the altitude for a long time (sorry if it’s too dorky!) – and why it is the most important thing Mendoza has going for it. Most vineyards are 3,000 -5,000 feet above sea level – big diurnals mean grapes can maintain acidity despite intense sunlight Soils: Alluvial with loose sand over clay – areas differ based on what runs down the mountain… Sandy areas – lighter, more aromatic elegance (red fruit) Clay-based soils with lime: Dark, powerful Malbec   We chat about grapes and wine colors of Mendoza Red: 61.2% with the main grapes: Malbec – 40% Bonarda – 17% Cabernet Sauvignon – 12% Syrah – 9% Tempranillo – 6% White: 15.8%: Chardonnay – 21% Torrontés Riojano – 15% Chenin Blanc – 7% Sauvignon Blac 6.5% Rose: 23%     Then we riff on sub regions for the rest of the show!  I. South Mendoza: San Rafael: Malbec, Bordeaux blends – Cab, Syrah, Bonnarda, Chard, Semillon, Torrontés II. East Mendoza San Martin: Lots of coops, lots of Criolla Grande, Cereza, now moving to better wines Lower altitude, a bit warmer, flabbier   III. North Mendoza: also warmer, can be very soft/low tannin and low acid wines   IV. Primera Zona: Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo – 40% of Argentina’s wineries, 881 inn total Maipu –12 districts, 6% of Argentine wine Familia Zuccardi, Rutini and Trapiche have vineyards here Maipu is not quite as highly regarded as Lujan de Cuyo or Uco Valley  Important Subareas: Lulunta: East of Mendoza city, altitude is around 900-930m/ 3000 ft Rich style of Malbec Barrancas: 115 miles/185 km south of Mendoza city.Centered around the small township of the same name. Old region – started in 1880s Slightly warmer climate here and lower lower altitude – 2500 ft/750 m- softer and riper than those from other parts of Mendoza Cab, Syrah, Malbec    Luján de Cuyo –14 districts, 8% of Argentine wine production Just south of the city of Mendoza and on higher ground to the west of Maipú Vistalba and Compuertas north of the river and Perdriel and Agrelo south of it Grapes: Malbec with Cab, Chard, Torrontes Hot, dry, desert-like but moderated by high altitude – average is 3300 ft/1000 m Alluvial soils are the big thing here – rocky, sandy, poor soils, mountain soils – lots of stress on the vine Catena Zapata, Bodega Septima, Cheval des Andes   Important Subareas: Agrelo  Complex Malbec – long-lasting, powerful wines Also Cab, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc In Center of Lujan de Cuyo: Bodega Septima, Pulenta Estate, Catena Zapata, Susana Bilbao   Las Compuertas At opening of the Mendoza River as it emerges from the mountains -- Las Compuertasmeans "the floodgates" Malbec vines are some of the oldest in Mendoza, up to 100 years old. Other grapes: Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay Famous winery: Cheval des Andes   Perdriel  Small sub-region (20 kilometers/ 13 miles) south of Mendoza Some of the oldest vineyardsof Malbec and Cab Wines are subtler and more refined, floral notes   Vistalba (means "view of the dawn" in Spanish) Southwest of Mendoza Malbec, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir Cabernet, Sauv Blanc, Bonarda Slightly higher than the surrounding regions -- better air circulation Wines are often elegant in style Trapiche. Bodega Vistalba     V. Uco Valley (Valle de Uco)-- 14% of all Argentinean wine Hour's drive south from the city of Mendoza, famed wineries Since 2006, cultivated area grown by 65%, double the size of Luján de Cuyo Grapes: 50% Malbec, Cab Franc has potential, Chard, Torrontés Each zone offers a different profile of Malbec and other wines. European investment here – from Bordeaux in particular:Lurton, Rothschild and Rolland Soils: alluvial and fairly uniform: a clay and rock base with a stony, sandy surface Cooler climate, slower ripening, Slightly higher above sea level Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo   Important Sub areas: Tupungato  Vineyards planted nearly 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) above sea level – way cooler here than farther north Northern end of the Valle de Uco southwest of Mendoza. Best -- Gualtallary, a precious corner Violet scented Malbec: earthy, herbal and balsamic Cabernet Franc: elegant Pinot Noir Tunuyán  All about sub-appellations: Chacayes: High vineyards, full but minerally wines Los Árboles: Coolest area, borders Tupungato – Chardonnay is best here Vista Flores: Prized property – (Clos de los Siete – Michel Rolland’s property is here) San Carlos Tunuyán river helps influence vineyards -- sandy alluvial soils with rocks and calcareous stones are irregular and that gives a lot of diversity in style Two important subregions: Paraje Altamira: Fruity, earthy reds with minerality, dusty note. Excellent Semillons (Check out Finca Suárez or Mendel) La Consulta: Many old vines with intense and concentrated reds   Please shop around, try all the different styles and let us know what you like! I promise we will be doing the same!   Thanks to our sponsors this week: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople  And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!      Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.     Halpern Financial   Imagine a path to wealth that just works. A team of experts at your beck and call, technology to keep tabs on your money 24/7, financial education and the personal touch that makes organizing your financial life feel achievable, rather than daunting.Halpern Financial is a fiduciary, fee-only, independent advisor that offers a combination of online tools and personal connection to help clients systematically achieve their goals. Go to halpernfinancial.com/wine for more information!      Zola Zola, the wedding company that will do anything for love, is reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience to make the happiest moment in couples' lives even happier. From engagement to wedding and decorating your first home, Zola is there, combining compassionate customer service with modern tools and technology. All in the service of love. To start your free wedding website or registry on Zola, go to www.ZOLA.com/wine    

This week I speak with Lorenzo Muslija, the co-owner and National Sales Manager for Andis Wines in the Sierra Foothills of California. I had the honor of meeting him and getting to know him when he joined our November 2018 Underground Wine Event and I adore both him and his wines.   Opened in November of 2010, Andis Wines is a boutique winery located in historic Amador County in California's Sierra Foothills. They source from the best vineyards in the Sierra Foothills, hand sort and ferment their wine in small lots and the result is well-balanced, food friendly, terroir-driven wines.  Lorenzo recently became a co-owner of the business and we talk about his fascinating personal story, his love of Sierra Foothills, and what makes Andis unique. Here are the show notes: Lorenzo tells us about his early years growing up in Albania and Italy, his university life as a civil engineer, and how became owner and founder of one of the most popular (French-inspired) restaurants in Florence. We discuss how his love of his children brought him to California and why he felt it was the right choice to study Wine Business Management rather than enology or some other path in the higher education vis a vis wine. We discuss why Lorenzo, the international man of culture, taste, and cuisine, found excitement in working with one of the least developed wine regions of California (Sierra Foothills) Lorenzo gives us the dish on the Foothills and why it’s great and not so great, as well as how Andis is able to do things well in their region. We also discuss how Lorenzo’s Italian sensibilities have helped shape Andis Wines.   We wrap by talking about Lorenzo’s latest venture – how he has become a partner in Andis and what that means for the winery and for this dynamic, wonderful guy!     Thanks to our sponsors this week: Patrons on Patreon  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!      Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.     The Citizenry The Citizenry is a socially conscious home décor brand bringing time-tested craftsmanship to the modern home. They travel around the globe, partnering with master artisans to create designs with a soul, story, and a purpose. With pieces crafted in over 15 countries, their collections are designed to highlight the unique materials and craft traditions of each destination. And even better -- every dollar you spend supports fair wages, safe working environments, and is a direct investment into artisan entrepreneurs. For a special offer, go to CitizenryPodcast.com and enter WINE.

Tom Wark, executive director of the National Association of Wine Retailers (WineFreedom.org) rejoins the podcast to discuss the huge WIN for American wine consumers that has taken place. The Supreme Court of the US, the highest court of the land, has basically decided that states are not permitted to block interstate commerce -- meaning wine shops anywhere in the US are permitted to ship wine to any consumer in the US, unless there is a health and safety reason for them to forbid it (which is pretty hard to prove!)    Tom and I discuss the finer points of the case (https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/18-96_5i36.pdf) and the next exciting steps for us, as wine drinkers, across the US. Here are some of the high level topics we discuss:  Tom refreshes us on what was at stake in the Supreme Court case. We get a bit wonky on the details but it's worth it to listen!   We discuss the ruling and why and how this opens the door for retailers to ship wine legally to all states.   We talk about the future -- potential challenges to shipping laws and how we, as consumers can help with the process.    Go to https://www.winefreedom.org and sign up to find out how when activity is happening in your state that you can help with. A phone call or email could mean that your ability to order that really rare bottle of orange wine from Greece (or whatever other random stuff you want!) is just a click away!    Canadians -- take note of this show. You're issues are similar and you need to see what happens here to model it so you can open up your wine trade too!   Thank you to our sponsors: Thanks to YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople  And to sign up for classes, please go to www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes!      Last Bottle    I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normaland join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.     Halpern Financial   Imagine a path to wealth that just works. A team of experts at your beck and call, technology to keep tabs on your money 24/7, financial education and the personal touch that makes organizing your financial life feel achievable, rather than daunting.Halpern Financial is a fiduciary, fee-only, independent advisor that offers a combination of online tools and personal connection to help clients systematically achieve their goals. Go to halpernfinancial.com/wine for more information!  

Christopher Snowdon is the head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs. His research focuses on social freedoms, prohibition and policy-based evidence. He is a regular columnist for the Spectator Health blog, where his article on March 28, 2019 “The campaign to make alcohol ‘the new tobacco’” caught my eye.    In this show, Chris and I discuss the new narratives that the UK Chief Medical Officers and others in positions of power in public health are pushing out to the public. We dig into the problems with these studies, namely that the claims are relatively baseless and the research is skewed, and we talk about possible trajectories for Neo-temperance and the importance of vigilance and questioning the claims and the motives of these claims.   The show notes are simple this week: his two articles -- “The campaign to make alcohol ‘the new tobacco’” March 28, 2019 "A glass of wine won't shorten your life -- moderate drinking is still good for you" April 17, 2018   More on Chris: Snowdon is author of five books: 'Killjoys' (2017), 'Selfishness, Greed and Capitalism' (2015), 'The Art of Suppression' (2011), 'The Spirit Level Delusion' (2010) and 'Velvet Glove, Iron Fist' (2009). He has also written more than a dozen reports for the Institute of Economic Affairs including ‘Drinking, Fast and Slow’, ‘and ‘Closing Time: Who’s killing the British pub?’. He blogs at Velvet Glove, Iron Fist.   I made reference to the podcast we did about my experience drinking while pregnant. Here's the link!   Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople    Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.

Another in our series of the greatest wines in the world, this dorky, in-depth show goes over the intricate details of Rioja, Spain. The history is just fascinating(especially the ties to France), and the wines are a marvel. Rioja truly is a GREAT. If the podcast is too weedy for you, skip to the end. MC Ice asks me a question about traditional practices in Europe and how I feel about it restricting creativity, and I give a staunch defense of the regulations in an answer he didn't expect!  Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople    Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. Here are the show notes: Overview Rio Oja – river oja I discuss location: in the Ebro River Valley between Obarees Mountains, Sierra de Cantabria in the North, Sierra de la Demanda in the south I mention the great wine houses of Haro: Roda, Muga, CVNE, Ramon Bilbao, López de Heredia to name a few. I also mention Logroño, the capital city of the region with producers: Marques de Murrieta and Ontanon History: Yes, it's weedy, but I find it fascinating so I take you through Rioja's history from Phoenician settlers in 11thc BC to Ancient Romans, monks, the importance of El Camino (not the 1970s car, but the religious pilgrimage!), the Reconquista, colonial times to more modern ones. We discuss the strong ties between Bordeaux, over the Pyrenees, and Rioja and how phylloxera actually served to cement that tie and help Rioja soar to new heights  Geography: We really get dorky here, discussing the River Ebro & its 7 tributaries that create valleys of Rioja We talk about the climate, the microclimates and importantly, the sub regions: Rioja Alta: Just under 50% of vineyards, premium wine Sub valleys: Oja, Najerilla, Iregua  Rioja Alavesa: 20% of wine, similar to Alta Rioja Baja: further south in Ebro Valley, much drier, warmer climate, thanks to the Mediterranean influence 37% of production and growing (young producers) Sub valleys: Cidacos (Bodegas Ontañon, one of my favorites is here), Leza, Jubera, Alhama Grapes: Reds: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo (Carignan), Maturana Tinta Whites: Viura/Macabeo (the Cava grape), Malvasía de Rioja, Garnacha Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, Maturana Blanca, Turruntés de Rioja  Type of Wine: Blends of grape varieties, vineyards and towns. Control Board issues to those wines that meet quality and tipicity requirements: Joven:Guarantees the origin and vintage of the wine. Fresh, fruity. Crianza wines: Minimum of 1 year in casks/oak, 1 year in bottle. For white wines, the minimum cask ageing period is 6 mo Reserva wines: Selected wines of the best vintages with an excellent potential. Aged a minimum of 3 years -- 1 in cask, at least 6 months in bottle. For whites, the minimum ageing period is 2 years, with at least 6 months in casks. Gran Reserva wines: Selected wines from exceptional vintages. Aged a minimum of 60 months -- 2 years in cask, 2 in bottle. Whites: 4 years, with 1 year in cask Viticulture:   We end with a discussion of the restrictions around viticulture and winemaking and how restrictive it is.  M.C. Ice gets me to wax poetic on whether I think we should restrict producers in this way, and I give an impassioned plea as to why I think it is essential.    I heavily relied on the awesome site: https://us.riojawine.com/en/ for information in this pod!  Also, I mentioned a Spanish language podcast I like. Here's the link to Coffee Break Spanish  

When Tracy Nielsen -- Co-Founder & Assistant Winemaker of La Pitchoune -- came to Sonoma from Colorado and wanted to break into the wine business, she struggled. Despite her fantastic personality, life experiences in sales, marketing, and customer service (plus she kicks butt because she was a river raft guide in her home state of Colorado), there was little offer of help or employment. So she and her husband, Peter Joachim Nielsen decided to start their own winery. They hooked up with the Andrew Berge - Master Winemaker, with a degree in agriculture from UC Davis and experience in making wines that express the vineyard in which they grew. The quartet was rounded out by Brett Van Ernst, marketing powerhouse to form La Pitchoune Winery, and they have been wildly successful, making Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rosé and Chenin Blanc in small lots from excellent vineyards.  La Pitchoune means “the little one” in French and the name speaks to small production, small lots, and their small size. This crew has not been around that long but already they’ve received major recognition from the wine cognoscenti and you can find their wines at Michelin-starred restaurants, including The French Laundry and Auberge du Soleil in Napa.  They will be at www.undergroundwineevents.com on April 6, 2019 (please visit the site for other upcoming events!) Here are a few notes from the show with Tracy and Andrew:  We discuss the origins of La Pitchoune and how Tracy and Peter decided to form it. We talk about Andrew's journey from Germany to Minnesota, where he grew up, to Sonoma, where he took a degree in agriculture. Andrew tells us how his more practical, mid-western approach to the wine industry has been an asset.  We drill into terroir and the benefits of a more hands-off winemaking style -- natural yeast fermentation, few additives, letting the land speak through the wine.  We discuss Sonoma Mountain, the small, varied appellation from which very few people make wine.  There is a lot of nerding out about the various vineyards and winemaking Finally, we talk business -- how La Pitchoune approaches customers and how its partnership helps them to succeed in the very competitive wine industry.      Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople    Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

In this mini episode, Jake reviews another TX wine he found at Kroger. Last Bottle Wines: https://lastbottlewines.com/invite/tastinganarchy The Wine: Messina Hof Cabernet Franc 2016 Article Discussed: Review of Messina Hof Cabernet Franc 2014 - Jeremy Wilson

Adam Teeter is Co-Founder of VinePair Inc, the huge online magazine that tells it like it is in the world of wine, spirits, and beer. Adam is a true normal wine person, he is obsessed with wine and trying to remove the elitism often associated with the industry. In this awesome conversation we discuss Adam’s transition from music to wine (and its similarities), and how he built VinePair to truly disrupt wine media.   Show notes: We discuss Adam’s background and how he and Elizabeth are like the same person.   Adam talks about the striking similarities between the record industry and wine. He talks about how his first successful venture in joining wine and music springboarded him to build VinePair.   We talk nitty-gritty industry stuff – certifications in wine, Millennials and wine, the wine industry and how it’s so bizarre from a business perspective, and the goals of Vinepair to break down alcoholic beverages for normal people.   Adam tells us about upcoming trends in the wine industry and media and we discuss how VinePair and WFNP are the beginning of the wine revolution in media.   Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople    Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

In this week’s episode, Jake and Mason are joined by the infamous Car.  Car is the co host of the Friends Against Government Podcast aka FAGcast.  The fellas drink Car’s wine of choice, which is probably poo pooed in many if not most circles.  After enjoying Car’s go to drink, the boys talk a little politics and discuss the effects of Marijuana legalization on the Alcohol industry. If you are looking for a great deal on some top notch wine, use the Tasting Anarchy link to sign up for Last Bottle Wine and get $10 off your first purchase. It also gives Tasting Anarchy a little kickback and helps the boys keep boozing. Last Bottle Wines: https://lastbottlewines.com/invite/tastinganarchy The Wine: Franzia Articles Discussed: Does Daylight Savings Time Cause Auto Accidents? Marijuana Hasn’t Hurt Booze Sales in 3 States Where Weed Has Been Legal The Longest

Danny Glover has had a fascinating life! He moved from a life in music production and writing to a life in the vineyards and in the cellar. A man with an obsession with terroir and a knack for making low-intervention wines, Dan has worked in huge, medium and small wineries, building his skills and repertoire. The first thing you should know is that even though that OTHER Danny Glover is also an African American who has a wine brand, this is the REAL DANNY GLOVER. The one who spends his time obsessing about his wines and his brand L’Objet.   Here are the show notes: 1. We discuss Dan's life in music in LA -- how he wound up getting to California and how the wine bug finally bit him!  2. We talk shop about life in a big winery, all of the things Danny learned and how he became an incredibly talented, self-taught winemaker. 3. We discuss L'Objet and the concept behind it. We discuss Dan's approach to winemaking (including natural yeast fermentation) and why site makes a big difference to him.  4. Danny shares why charity is an important part of his career. 5. Finally, Dan discusses what it's like to be black/African-American i the wine industry and the challenges and stereotypes it has presented in his career.   If you want a really honest look at small wineries, at what it's like to move through the ranks and a great conversation about what lack of diversity in wine means, you've got to listen to this show!    Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople    Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.    

This week we discuss Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean that has a wildness, a culture, and a wine portfolio all its own. From the islands that make luscious sweet wines, to the hot interior churning out fruity reds, to the elegant reds and whites of Mount Etna, Sicily has something for everyone and is on the rise.   Sicily Overview Largest island in the Mediterranean, volcanic– huge with rough infrastructure Harvest lasts for over three months, beginning in the August heat in Trapaniand ending in Mount Etna in mid-November As the author Nicolas Belfrage, “Brunello to Zibibbo”, Sicily has the potential to be “California, Australia, Chile, southern France, Jerez and middle Italy all rolled into one” Long storied history of winemaking traditions there exist since Greek, Roman and medieval times. Number of DOCs: 23: Etna, Marsala, Moscato di Pantelleria (sweet wine), Cerasuolo di Vittoria (DOCG – mostly Nero d’Avola with some Frappato). Also: Catch-all IGT Terre Siciliane (25% of the island’s production) Main white grapes:Cataratto, Trebbiano, Inzolia, Grecanico, Chardonnay, Grillo, Viognier, Caricante, Zibibbo Main red grapes: Nero d’Avola, Syrah, Merlot, Nerello Mascalese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Frappato, Nerello Cappuccio   Leading Sicilian producers: Benanti, Ceuso, COS, Corvo (Duca di Salaparuta), Cottanera, Cusumano, De Bartoli, Donnafugata, Feudo Montoni, Firriato, Florio, Frank Cornelissen, Gulfi, Il Cantante, Morgante, Occhipinti, Planeta, Regaleali, Tenuta di Fessina, Terre Nere   Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople    Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

Barossa is one of the most historic, fascinating places in the new world. Winemaking started with German immigrants in 1840 and there have been ups and downs in the industry since. What hasn’t changed: there has always been a small cadre of winemakers here that have made outstanding fascinating Shiraz and Riesling. We dig into the history of the region, talk about its wines and give you another region in Australia to seek out.     We start with an overview of the Barossa: 56 km/35 miles northeast of Adelaide, 34°S Winemaking began in 1842 550 grape growing families, many with 6thgeneration still working the land Dominated by valley floors and rolling hills, with high altitudes (good for grapes) The Barossa Zone is made up of the Barossa Valley and Eden Valleys, warm and cool climate regions respectively Known for: Barossa Shiraz and Eden Valley Riesling Others: Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro, Grenache, Semillon and Fortified wines, plus GSM blends, bigger whites (Chardonnay, Sémillon, Viognier), Tempranillo and Zinfandel OLD VINES: Many Shiraz vines in the Barossa Valley are several decades old, some 100+ years old NO phylloxera (quarantine laws have helped) here ever so you can get old vines     Barossa ZONE Zone = An area that usually comprises one or more regions. Extremely variable landscape -- elevation, inland locations and the coastal influence – lots of mesoclimates Valley floor is HOT – 95˚F/35˚C and dry, hillsides are cool with great diurnals VERY dry so they irrigate, except old vine vineyards on the slightly cooler western side of the valley –dry farmed     Barossa Valley Land:Flat and hilly -- microclimates Climate: Mediterranean climate: cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers, drought is an issue General style: Very ripe grapes with high alcohol, low acid, short maceration to keep tannins soft extensive oak – usually American with coconut/dill notes Shiraz:black fruit, dried fruit (prune) and mocha aromas, tobacco and an earthiness, black pepper aromas. Medium tannin, high alcohol - 14%–15% ABV. Many old, low-yielding vines with great intensity of flavor, and are believed to be among the oldest producing vines in the world. Henschke, Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley Penfolds, Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley Chateau Tanunda, 150 Year Old Vine Semillon, Barossa Valley Elderton, Command Single Vineyard Shiraz, Barossa Valley Turkey Flat, The Ancestor Shiraz, Barossa Valley Other wines: GSM blends and Shiraz-Cabernet, Cabernet, oaky Chardonnay, Semillon   Eden Valley Land: In the Barossa Ranges: Best sites on moderate slopes with good sun exposure 380 and 500 meters (1200 and 1640ft) high, MUCH cooler than Barossa Valley – longer growing season, more flavor development Climate: Higher altitude: Eden Valley can be 5 – 7°C cooler than the Barossa Valley floor, slows ripening, more acidity. Fall rain and frosts are issues Riesling is the big dog here: lime, apple and floral characters, along with refreshing acidity and minerality, developing more complex toasty notes with age. Can age them Shiraz: Henschke's single vineyard Hill of Grace, Mount Edenstone   The Future: Studying terroir with Barossa Grounds Project: Barossa Grape & Wine Association began in 2008 with annual wine tastings and descriptive analysis of 80 unoaked, single vineyard Shiraz Alluvial sands and rich fertile black soils in Southern Barossa, to the infertile slopes overlaying the limestone and ancient sandstone and schist of Eden Valley – to the red clay loams of Northern Barossa – sparking other regions to do more research into land, a new chapter for Australia Check out https://www.barossawine.com for more info!    Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople    Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   Blinkist: Blinkist is the only app that takes the best key takeaways, the need-to-know information from thousands of nonfiction books and condenses them down into just 15 minutes so you can read or listen to. 8 Million people are using Blinkist right now and it has a massive and growing library: from self-help, business, health to history books. Get the main idea of books so you can decide if they are something you want to read more of or if the gist is just enough! Right now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer. Go to www.blinkist.com/​WINE​ to start your free 7 day trial.  

We finally cover Oregon State in the United States -- home of much Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and lots of other great emerging varietals. The state has some challenges, but it's a fascinating place and an essential part of the American wine landscape.   Thanks to our sponsors this week (see info below for more on them!)     Here are the show notes:  Oregon Overview: 4th in production after, CA, WA, NY. (third if you only consider vitis vinifera!) Oregon produces more than 39 different varietals, grows 82 The number of vineyards in Oregon has nearly doubled since 2005 70% of Oregon wineries produce fewer than 5,000 cases a year  Location, Soils: Most winegrowing is at 45˚ north latitude – same as Beaujolais, “Burgundy”, Côte d'Or is at 47˚N Soil is important:  Marine Sedimentary: Willakenzie Volcanic (Basalt): Jory, Nekia Windblown Loess (Silts): Laurelwood Wine Types: Pinot Noir is 58% of all plantings, 59% of production Other major varieties: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon   Regions Willamette Valley AVA 71% of wine production Largest AVA, nearly 600 wineries Grapes: Pinot, Pinot Gris, Chard, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Cab, Gewurz, etc. Sub AVAs: Chehalem Mtns, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Yamhill-Carlton District, Ribbon Ridge (in Chehalem Mtns)    Southern Oregon AVA = Rogue Valley + Umpqua Valley   Umpqua Valley AVA: drainage basin of Umpqua River, not mtns Warmer than Willamette, cooler than Rogue Tempranillo, Pinot, Pinot Gris, Cab, Chard, Riesling, Gruner Rogue Valley AVA   Warmest, driest region Three valleys – different terroir    Columbia Gorge AVA Straddles Columbia River of Oregon and Washington Wide variety of grapes: Syrah, Pinot, Chard, Gewurz, Zin, Cab, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sangiovese   Columbia Valley AVA Portions of northeastern Oregon Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley AVAs are within Washington state. - The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater is in both states Syrah, Merlot, Cab, Sangiovese, some Rhône stuff   Snake River Valley AVA Principally located in Idaho, encompasses two large counties Eastern OR Different climate – cool, low rainfall, short growing season Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay   Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople    Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.

Petite Sirah, a red grape that’s a cross of the Rhône varieties Peloursin and Syrah is a plummy, powerful, and tannic grape that provides the vital support function of a blending grape in many wines, especially Zinfandel. This week we discuss the grape as an important blender and what it does as a standalone variety (spoiler alert: it’s not always great!).   Here are the show notes: We give an overview of the grape, discussing the dark color, strong acidity and tannin, full bodied nature of the grape and how it makes savory, meaty character, dense blackberry flavored, sometimes chocolaty wines We talk about the origin story and get dorky about clones v. hybrids (and M.C. Ice throws in mutants for good measure) Then we discuss why Petite Sirah is really not grown in France and why it’s so important in California, its adopted homeland We hit on top spots for varietal Petite Sirah – parts of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, especially We briefly cover where else Petite Sirah is grown (the US and its PS… I love you campaign, Australia, Israel, mainly) and the top producers: Turley, Ridge, Robert Foley, Quixote, Robert Biale, Alta Colina, Peterson, Crux Finally, we get the inside farmer perspective from Oded Shakked of Longboard Vineyards. I asked Oded for his ideas on Petite Sirah, which are traditional and helpful, and M.C. Ice and I discuss the highlights of my conversation with Oded and why most winemakers like the grape better as a a back-up singer, rather than lead vocals! Feel free to chime in and give us a black eye if you love P.S. -- we can take it!    Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU!The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople    Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   Blinkist: Blinkist is the only app that takes the best key takeaways, the need-to-know information from thousands of nonfiction books and condenses them down into just 15 minutes so you can read or listen to. 8 Million people are using Blinkist right now and it has a massive and growing library: from self-help, business, health to history books. Get the main idea of books so you can decide if they are something you want to read more of or if the gist is just enough! Right now, for a limited time Blinkist has a special offer. Go to www.blinkist.com/​WINE​ to start your free 7 day trial.  

In May 1971, with a partnership of family and friends, Stuart Smith bought a vineyard on Spring Mountain, which today is Smith-Madrone Vineyards and Winery. He was 22 years old and had just received his B.A. in Economics from UC Berkeley and was taking classes towards his Master's in Viticulture at UC Davis. 48 years later, Smith-Madrone is going strong and Stu is full of ideas, opinions, and perspective! Here are the notes: Stu tells us how a 22 year old viticulture student took a trip to Napa and wound up buying what would become Smith-Madrone We discuss what Napa was like in the 1970s v. today We chat about what drew Stu to Spring Mountain and the effort it took to restore this pre-phylloxera vineyard area, atop Spring Mountain, to a modern vineyard and winery We discuss why Smith-Madrone grows what it does -- including Riesling Stu talks about why Smith-Madrone has stayed small And finally Stu shares his theories on why organic, biodynamic and conventional farming are all incredibly problematic types of agriculture Thanks to Smith-Madrone, whose wines I love and who joined us for Underground Wine Events, DC!    Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople    Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

This is an enormous moment that could improve the lives of wine drinkers in the U.S. and have great effects for importers, distributors, and wine lovers who live in/represent winemaking nations!! The United States Supreme Court has agreed to take on the question of whether or not citizens can receive shipments of wine from retailers anywhere in the US. Guest Tom Wark, Executive Director of the National Association of Wine Retailers (www.winefreedom.org), tells us the how, why, & the implications for everyone from importers to drinkers. THIS IS NOT a partisan, political podcast. Sadly, members of all political parties have reasons for denying us the right to have wine shipped to us. We only talk about the ramifications for consumers and retailers, we do not discuss red v. blue.    Don't forget to go to www.winefornormalpeople.com to register for classes and attend the Raleigh event on 10/28!    Here are the show notes: We discuss the Graholm case and why it didn’t resolve the question of retailer shipping to consumers in 2005. Then wevdiscuss Tennessee Wine & Spirits Retailers Association v. Byrd and what we hope changes with this decision to be rendered this spring!  We use Michigan as an example of how the current system of allowing states to block interstate wine shipping has failed wine lovers. We talk about the significance of the US Supreme Court taking n wine, again. I ask Tom the million dollar question: Does interstate shipping of wine actually harm local retailer business? Tom talks about what’s going on behind the scenes. We speculate: What is the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) preparing in their fight  What states are doing to prepare for this case  We talk about the big question: Are most retailers in favor or against open shipping laws? Tom mentions www.winefreedom.org as the single most important vehicle to enact change and help with this case! Sign up today!   Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople   M. Gemi M.Gemi is redefining the luxury Italian footwear market by taking all the things we love about the industry—unparalleled quality, family-owned workshops, and personalized, concierge-level service—and leaving behind the luxury price tag. Many brands that once represented the epitome of quality craftsmanship have abandoned Italy in order to maximize profits—all at the expense of quality, their customers’ wallets and the very craftspeople who helped build their businesses. M.Gemi is Italian luxury made the old way, sold the new way. The result is the highest-quality, handcrafted Italian shoes at a price that clients can feel good about. Go see for yourself how amazing these shoes are at www.mgemi.com/wine for fifty dollars off your first pair.       Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

In honor of International Sherry Week, we have Andrew Sinclair of the iconic brand of Fino Sherry, Tio Pepe. We discuss the wonders of Sherry, the challenges it faces, and how and why we all need to incorporate this beautiful wine into our rotations!   Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople   Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   Here are the show notes: Andrew Tells us the unbelievably the serendipitous way he came to the Sherry trade We discuss the Sherry success in the UK and how the US Market is lagging We discuss the vineyards, the beauty of this dry white wine, Spanish culture and how it ties in with Sherry We discuss terroir of Sherry and specifically how Albariza soil is so important to making excellent grapes for the wine (and draw lots of crazy parallels to Champagne) We discuss the grapes: Palomino (90% of vineyards) PX – White grape, for sweet wine Moscatel – very small amount, white grape We talk about how Sherry is made How the terroir of the bodega is equally as important to land in making Sherry How dry Sherry is highly manipulated after fermentation The two families of Sherry Biological – free run juice, very delicate, light fortification, flor (the yeast blanket, images www.sherry.wine) Oxidative – pressed, more structure, take more manipulation We discuss Fino flavor descriptors: Umami, deep almond nuttiness, fresh brioche or bread character, all from the yeast. MOST Sherry is bone dry, light wine that is 15% alcohol We cover food pairings with Fino/Tío Pepe Sherry: Smoked fish, raw oysters, anything with fat, spice or acidity goes well too. Tapas and Andulucian cuisine – anchovies with vinegar, calamari, seafood, jamón Iberico, roasted Marcona almonds in olive oil. Fish and chips Sushi, sashimi, Korean or fermented food –kimchi We discuss the elaborate process of making sherry Mixing wines from different harvests, non-vintage product but dynamic blending in the solera. Increcdibly complicated, incredibly consistent We wrap with how you should enjoy a Fino: Serving temperatures – as cold as you can humanly get it – freezing, on ice, freeze the glassware Long stemmed white glasses, frozen glass with Fino served in an ice bucket Can remain open for 9-10 days and you can see it oxidize – starts to turn yellow/brown on the rim   To learn more about Tio Pepe and González Byass, go to: http://www.gonzalezbyassusa.com/brand/pepe/

We couldn't hit every food, or every wine, but this sampling was done at our kitchen table -- as an experiment with Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Indian foods. We had some great pairing moments and some colossally bad ones (I didn't realize things could go SO wrong with wine and Asian food, but here's your warning)! Enjoy! Use the flavors/pairing ideas to apply pairings to things with similar sauces and wines with similar flavors:   Chinese Fried rice: Off-Dry German Riesling, Arneis, Pinot Grigio (Fuller style, ours was German but a Pinot Gris from Alsace, France or Alto Adige, Italy will work too) Spring roll: Absolutely nothing. This was an epic fail. Lo Mein: MVP was Dry German Riesling , Pinot Grigio (Fuller style) or Pinot Gris was good Chicken and broccoli in a brown sauce: MVP was DRY German Riesling, also Arneis, off-dry German Riesling Beef and broccoli in a brown sauce: Pinot Grigio (fuller style) was the only thing that worked ok. You need a heavier white that isn't too aromatic to work here. Pinot Noir was a disaster.    Thai Eggplant in a basil sauce: MVP was Chablis -- it magnified the basil and made the dish sing, Roero Arneis wasn't bad either Yellow Curry and Vegetables: MVP was Dry Riesling -- it cut the spice but didn't detract from the flavor. Our full Pinot Grigio was good and made the spice taste smooth too.  Pad Thai: We forgot to mention this in the show because it was forgettable. The off-dry Riesling was just BARELY ok. Nothing goes well with Pad Thai that we had on our table. Let me know if you find something different! Scallion pancake: Off-dry Riesling, Gewurztraminer   Sushi/Japanese (small sample set here) Spicy tuna roll: Dry and off-dry Riesling were best Yellowtail with jalapeño: NOTHING Avocado/Vegetable roll: Off-dry Riesling   Indian Masalas: Off-dry Riesling Curry/Korma: Off-dry Riesling Lentil dishes (dal): Gewurztraminer Saag Paneer (Spinach): Off-dry Riesling, some richer dry Rieslings Pretty much everything: Off-dry Riesling, some dry Rieslings   As I said, this is just a small focus group of two, but we wanted to provide some guardrails on pairing for you. There were some really terrible moments, but the stuff we found was actually delicious!   Thanks to our sponsors this week:  YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople     Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   The Great Courses Plus  Who doesn't want to learn!? The Great Courses Plus makes you smarter and more well rounded. With thousands of outstanding video lectures that you can watch or listen to any time and anywhere, The Great Courses Plus is an easy way to stimulate your brain and make you smarter! For a free trial, support the show and go to my special URL www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/wine       

Dry wines of the Douro Valley of Portugal are a fairly new player on the international scene. We discuss the history of the region, the wines, and why you need to drink them if you don't already! Overview: Mostly Port production with great dry table wine World’s largest mountain vineyard with 85,000 growers Region named after the river that rises as Duero in Spain, turns south to border with Portugal, flows west to the Atlantic Demarcated in 1756 – one of the world’s oldest delimited wine regions but only a DOP for dry wine since 1979   Climate/Soil: Climate: Continental – hot summers, wet winters Steep slopes, elevations, different terroir all over the mountain -- small-scale variations between the different vineyard sites. To make viticulture work here – needed to build terraces to hold up schist and plant vines  Three sub-regions: Eastern – Baixo or Lower Corgo: 1/3 of the region. Damp, heavily planted, low quality port Cima or “Upper Corgo: 45% of the region. Top for Port production, less dry wine here Douro Superior/Upper Douro on Spanish Border: Dry, flat, least developed area. No soil! Steep slopes, hot in the summer   Dry Wine History: 1940s, when Fernando Nicolau de Almeida, an oenologist with Ferreira, visited Bordeaux during the war and wanted to make dry wine: Created Barca Velha 1952 from grapes grown at the Quinta do Vale de Meão in the Douro Superior Some oenologists isolated the key grapes: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão and Tinta Barroca. Led to the development of Ramos Pinto’s flagship wine, Duas Quintas Reserva. 1990s- Table wine became popular with entrance into EU Funds for research, modernization - Temperature control huge, now grapes planted specifically for table wine No more port shipper monopoly on exports – estates could make and sell their own wine Very good mid-price to entry level reds made by Quintas Shippers both are making dry stuff well – Dirk Niepoort, especially In 2001 UNESCO recognized this site as World Heritage Site, good for enotourism   The Wine: Usually a blend of up to 30 varieties Whites: field blends-- minerally, herbal, lemony, acidic Reds: Improvement because of earlier picking, use of larger, used oak making better reds –fresher Field blends are common but reds usually Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão Flavors: Fruit: Sweet, lush fruit (cherry) to dark fruit – blackcurrant. Spicy berry Other notes: Herbs, spice, dusty, smoke, licorice, leather, earthy Good tannin, good acidity   Thanks to our sponsors this week: YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help! Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople   Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.  

Acidity is one of the key components of wine, along with tannin, alcohol and sugar/dryness. This is a completely dorky look at acidity -- what it does, why it's important, and then dive into different types of acid and why it matters. Here are the show notes:  The Basics: It’s one of the four elements of a wine’s structure: acidity with tannin, alcohol, sugar/dryness It makes wine tart or sour  All wines are acidic (whites and reds, dry and sweet), but the degree varies from a real and perception perspective Acidity is in both grapes and in wine and it changes with winemaking Euphemisms: bright, crisp, racy, nervy   What acidity does  Influences wine color  Balances sweetness, tannin/bitter sensation, aromas, mouthfeel Low acid wines – no body, weak, flabby, brown in color Protects the wine from spoilage, helps it age – stabilizes because spoilage bacteria can’t grow in high acid environments Food and wine Great with acidic food – makes it smoother Contrasts/cuts the fat and lightens the dish up Sweet wine needs acidity Climate/place Cooler climates have grapes with higher acidity. Slow ripening will preserve acidity Warmer climates need to add acid BACK through a winemaking technique – acidification Acidity is a HUGE harvest consideration   Dork Out Section About Acid Types of Acid – in grapes: Tartaric (unique to grapes), Malic (fades fast), Citric (in small concentrations). In wine: Succinic, acetic (volatile acidity), lactic (milky acid) We discuss pH v Total Acidity and the relationship between them Malolactic fermentation: bacteria convert sugar and malic acid into lactic acid. Softer acidity than strong malic, wine is less acidic post MLF Acidity Measurement pH – Strength of the acid – 0 – 14, water is 7. Wines are usually from 2.9 -4.0. pH scale is logarithmic, meaning a wine with a pH of 3.0 is 10 times more acidic than a wine with a pH of 4.0. Total Acidity/Titratable Acid – total of ALL Acids present, important to look at both   Acid is important -- pay attention and you'll see just how much!   Thanks to our sponsors this week:   YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help!Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople     Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.     Casper is a sleep brand that makes expertly designed products to help you get your best rest, one night at a time. Casper products are cleverly designed to mimic human curves, providing supportive comfort for all kinds of bodies. You spend one third of your life sleeping, so you should be comfortable. Casper offers two other mattresses: the Wave and the Essential The Wave features a patent-pending, premium support system to mirror the natural shape of your body The Essential has a streamlined design at a price that won’t keep you up at night USE THIS OFFER!!  Get $50 toward select mattresses by visiting Casper.com/wine and using WINE at checkout. Terms and conditions apply.

The great grape of Piedmont has a lot in common with the great grape of Burgundy, but it may be even more selective about site and growing conditions. In this show, we tell you what to look for in a great Nebbiolo, plus places outside of Piedmont doing a good job with this finicky grape!   Here are more detailed show notes:  Nebbiolo Overview Parents of Nebbiolo likely are extinct 1268 earliest mention – called Nibiol 13th, 14thcenturies – one of the oldest, most widespread grapes in Piedmont In the 15th century, the penalties for chopping a Nebbiolo vine were stiff! Name – from nebbia or “fog” – thick bloom covering ripe berries, like they are covered in fog. Could also be b/c fog covers piedmont hills Four clone types: Nebbiolo Lampia – most widespread, more highly valued for the quality Nebbiolo Michet –virused form of Lampia Nebbiolo Bolla – declining because it’s too productive and dilute in flavor Nebbiolo Rosé – has evolved into a different grape, not a clone, but still blended in   Nebbiolo in the Vineyard: Early budding, VERY late ripening, can’t plant anywhere spring frosts are an issue Always given best hillside sites -- south and southwest facing Fussy about soil – really thrives only on calcareous marl north and south of the town of Alba, and on the right bank of Tanaro Not adaptable, doesn’t travel well Best vintages experiencedry weather during September & October Nebbiolo warmth to develop get sugar/alcohol and fruit flavors to balance high acidity and tannins Like Pinot Noir in ability to express terroir so differently – cru in Barbaresco/Barolo divided because it can pick up subtleties   Wine Character and Flavors: Light color, turns orange very fast High in acid and tannin PERFUMED!! Aromas – tar, dried cherries, licorice, violets, roses, decaying leaf, woodsmoke, earthy   Oak effect on Nebbiolo Small French oak barriques v. traditional large Slovenian oak casks, orbotti Small barrels = faster-maturing wines with less character. Most producers today use a mixture of the two, depending on the particular vintage, vineyard   Blending Can be used to add color and/or soften the grape's harsh tannins. Common blenders: Barbera, Bonarda, Croatina, in Roero: Arneis DOCG regulations for Barolo and Barbaresco call for the wine to be a 100% Nebbiolo.     Where is Nebbiolo Grown: Piemonte: Grows 3/4 of all Nebbiolo   Outside of Barolo and Barbaresco: Gattinara, Ghemme, Roero: 75-95% of Nebbiolo in Ghemme and Gattinara. Blended with Vespolina, Croatina, and Bonarda Other Piedmont DOCs to look for: Carema, Langhe Nebbiolo, Nebbiolo d’Alba – at least 85% Nebbiolo, often 100%   Lombardia – Nebbiolo called Chiavennasca Doesn’t ripen well often so the tannin and acidity are too high in these wines – Valtellina/ Valtellina Superiore   Lower part of Valle d’Aosta (a different province) – subalpine and in poor years there is harsh acidity and tannins   Outside Italy: Languedoc, France: Mas de Daumas Gassac, some in their top red blend Switzerland: 2 producers use it United States: California – 150 acres/61 ha in Paso Robles, Santa Cruz Mtns, Sierra Foothills, Amador, Moneterey, Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara. Thus far, producers have had a hard time finding the right sites for Nebbiolo Other U.S.: Washington State (Yakima), OR, VA, PA, TN, NM, in Canada – BC, Mexico Argentina: Mainly in  San Juan, Mendoza Some in Chile, South Africa, New Zealand, growing in popularity in Australia   And thanks to this week's sponsors! 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     Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.

Is there still a place where you can get top wines of a region for an affordable price? YES! The Maipo Valley of Chile has some of the best Bordeaux-style reds & Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. You'll learn all about what's here, including top producers.   Show notes... The overview... First we give an overview of the Maipo, also known as the  'Bordeaux of South America', where rich, fruity Cabernet Sauvignon is its most celebrated wine style. Maipo's location: just south of the capital of Chile, Santiago Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon is king but also some Carménère, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc Chile's Cabernet Advantages: low costs, lack of vine pests (we mention phylloxera, if you don't know what it is, here's a great link to learn more about this vine-killing pest)  and diseases and its dependably dry, warm summers with plentiful and regular supply of water from the melted snow of the Andes.   We dig into climate, soil, and geography... Geography: The area is at the northern end of Chile's Central Valley. Sandwiched between the Coastal Range in the west and the Andes Mountains in the east Climate:  Mediterranean with lots of sub-regions Soils: Sandy and gravel to the east, more clay to the west. Colluvial (sedimentary rock from mountains), alluvial (sedimentary rock deposited by rivers) We talk History... First vineyards in 1540s In 1800s viticulture expanded as entrepreneurial Chileans, rich from mineral mining traveled to France, returned home and made grand wine estates in the French style: Cousiño Macul, Concha Y Toro and Santa Rita founded then Much for the 20th was a slow down in quality and consumption By the mid 1990s: international interest, investment in modern equipment and vineyard techniques has made Maipo's Cabernet, especially, a global superstar   Dork out: Subregions There are three: Alto Maipo, Central Maipo and Maipo Bajo. Alto is the most famed. Alto Maipo (or Upper Maipo) Most prestigious of Maipo's viticultural areas. Sub-areas: Macul, Puente Alto, Pirque, Alto Jahuel and Huelquén -- some of the world's best Cabernet Can have a minty or eucalyptus note Puente Alto and Pirque are top areas of the Alto Maipo (like Pauillac in Bordeaux).  Pirque  South of Puente Alto, and the differences between these two regions is small Colluvial, volcanic soils --free-draining, stony nature, Dry area -- stresses the vines, more-concentrated berries with good tannin Puente Alto -- most expensive Cabernet in Chile Alluvial soil means lower vigor, concentrated berries. Tannin with minerality   Top Wines:   Concha y Toro Don Melchor ($125); Concha y Toro-Mouton Rothschild joint venture, Almaviva ($140); Santa Rita Casa Real ($85) and Errazuriz’s Viñedo Chadwick ($400, The Berlin Tasting of 2004 put it against Chateaux Lafite, Latour and Margaux of Bordeaux and Italians Sassicaia and Tignanello. 36 European judges voted Vinedo Chadwick as the top wine) Central Maipo (sometimes called Maipo Medio) Warmest and driest of the three Maipo Valley sub-regions, requires drip irrigation Vineyards along the Maipo River, alluvial soils. Soils are more clay-based and fertile -- less-refined wine Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon but Carmenere does well with warmer temps   Maipo Bajo (or lower Maipo) Includes the towns of Isla de Maipo and Talagante More winemaking than viticulture: Undurraga, De Martino, Santa Ema wineries make wines with with grapes from all over the country. Some viticulture near the river, cool breezes so Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc do well here, some Cabernet   What to expect...Maipo Cab flavors Chilean character: blackcurrant, licorice or herbaceousness. Maipo specifically: herb, eucalyptus with freshness and good acidity, moderate tannins   Traditional producers: Carmen, Santa Rita, Concha y Toro and Cousiño Macul. Less conventional producers: Viña Antiyal, Haras de Pirque, El Principal, Portal del Alto.   Here's a snap of the bottle I mention in the podcast:     Mine was a 2016!   And thanks to this week's sponsors! 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     Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy. Zola, the wedding company that will do anything for love, is reinventing the wedding planning and registry experience to make the happiest moment in couples' lives even happier. 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We share the story of Spain's Albariño/ Portugal's Alvarinho. From ancient fame, to near extinction, and then triumphant resurrection, this grape is one of our favorites -- aromatic, acidic, complex yet delicious! It's a must in your wine rotation. We also discuss Underground Wine Events, Washington D.C. on November 3. Go to www.undergroundwineevents.com to get your tickets before we sell out! $59 per person! Here are the show notes:  Albariño/Alvarinho  Spanish/Portuguese name for aromatic, high quality vine In Spain considered to be among the oldest varieties of the northwest   History The regular: Romans, Cistercian monks, big fame in the 14th and 15th centuries with the discovery of the New World /colonies And its own quirks: Trade wars and export bans in the 19thcentury led to overcapacity and vineyard abandonment, and some issues with drugs Phylloxera devastated vineyards, during the replanting in the early 20th century, Albariño began to emerge as the region’s star, with new generation of skilled winemakers – many of them women   Spain Rías Baixas called “Green Spain”, Moderate year-round temperatures, damp Atlantic-influenced climate but lots of sunshine for ripening granite and alluvial soil Rías Baixas, “Lower Rivers”—referring to the four estuaries in the region’s southwestern edge. Albariño 96 percent of plantings. of Producers: Approx. 180   Portugal – Alvarinho Grown in northwest Portugal over the border in Galicia in NW Spain Great diversity – probably an old variety   Some in CA, Oregon, Australia thought they were growing it but it was the French grape Savagnin   In the vineyard Moderately vigorous, controlling yields is important Thick skins so they can withstand damp climate Trellising system is important – can reduce or increase yields, help with reducing mildew issues but can encourage overcropping too Most all grapes are hand-harvested   Winemaking Temperature control in modern, stainless steel tanks Wild yeast fermentation is common Sometimes oak matured or aged for years on the lees (dead yeast cells) in stainless before release, for texture and increasing the aging potential of Rias Baixas wines.   Wine Flavors: Peach, apricot, melon, pineapple, mango and honeysuckle. Sometimes a salty marine note. High in acidity with alcohol levels of 11.5–12.5%.   DO Rías Baixas - five distinct sub-regions: Ribeira do Ulla: Inland, newer area Condado do Tea: inland, warmer, drier area, less fruity, earthier  Val do Salnés: on the Atlantic coast, northern half of the region, features the most coastline. crisp, aromatic “melony”, salinity, minerality acidity and freshness Soutomaior: Smallest sub-regions O Rosal: Peachier, softer style   And thanks to this week's sponsors! 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     Last Bottle I love this service!! Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world and traveling to Europe several times each year to eat with, stay with, drink with, walk the vineyards with the people who make the wines. Offer a range of prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 and the wines range from the lesser known kinds like Albariño and Bläufrankish to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.      

This week: The Greats Barolo and Barbaresco of Piedmont, Italy. These two wines are both 100% Nebbiolo, and are fragrant, tannic, acidic, and outstanding. We cover the similarities and key differences between these greats and why each is a force in its own right.   Here are some key show notes:  Barolo King of Wines and Wine of Kings Production Zone in Province of Cuneo: Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, parts of Cherasco, Diano d’Alba, Grinzane Cavour, La Morra, Monforte d’Alba, Novello, Roddi, Verduno Production must be on hillsides: no valley floors or humid, flat areas nothing with northern exposure – mandated by 2010 law  The soils and mesoclimates vary slightly, subtle differences but also winemaking plays a big role Until mid 19thc Barolo was SWEET -- 1835, Paolo Francesco Staglieno published a winemaking manual about how to make wine stable for transport – fermenting dry was one of the ways. The Barolo wars: Traditionalist v Modern  Modern: “international style” fermentation is 10 days (less tannin), age wine in new French oak barriques (smaller, more oak flavor). Very different flavors – fruitier, more new oak, doesn’t age as well. May illegally put in Barbera, Cab, Syrah… unproven as of yet Modernists producers: Elio Altare, Domenico Clerico, Robero Voerzio, Angelo Gaja, Renato Ratti    Traditionalist: Extended maceration, long cask aging, less fruit requires age and patience. Traditional producers: Giacomo Conterno, Bruno Giacosa, Giuseppe Mascarello, Capellano, Marcarini, and Giuseppe Rinaldi    Barolo wine aromas/flavors: Classic: light in color, smells like tar and roses, very aromatic – dried fruit, mint, leather, licorice, plum, tobacco, herbs, truffles Standard Barolo must be aged for three years — two in cask and one in bottle.  Riserva: Aged for five years upon release — three in cask and two in bottle. Barolo Chinato -- digestif   BARBARESCO Barbaresco -- immediately to the east of Alba – communes of Barbaresco, Trieso, Neive plus part of San Rocco Seno d'Elvio Vineyards on Tanaro river, go up northeast of Alba, closer to the river (the Tanaro), with higher fertility in the soil Slight maritime climate – warmer, drier, milder than Barolo Barbaresco Communes: Barbaresco: 45% of Barbaresco production, largest wineries  light in color and body, well structured and aromatic. Best cru: Asili, Martinenga, Montefico, Montestefano and Rabajà  Neive: 31% of Barbaresco's production Powerful and tannic expressions of Barbaresco if closer to the commune of Barbaresco, to the east, more sand, lighter wines Albesani, Santo Stefano, Bricco di Neive, Gallina Treiso South of Barbaresco, highest altitude sites in the area, constant breezes, great diurnals lightest in body, perfumed, higher acidity Pajorè is best site San Rocco Seno d'Elvio: floral with finesse   Barbaresco History Cantina Sociale di Barbaresco was founded in 1896 by Domizio Cavazza: he died early in 1915, not until the late 1950s that Barbaresco was reignited -- with Bruno Giacosa and Angelo Gaja leading the way Local parish priest, Don Fiorino Marengo, founded Produttori del Barbaresco cooperative cellar, the best co-op in Europe Wines Grapes ripen earlier, less tannic, need less aging Aromatic – spicy, perfumed, floral with rose and violet, cherry, truffles, licorice, fennel, leather tar Normale: 2 years of aging, 1 in wood Riserva: four years of gaining, two in wood  Best producers and vineyards: Gaja, Bruno Giacosa, Ceretto, Produttori del Barbaresco, Roana, La Spinetta, Rizzi, Marchesi di Gresy, Punset    BAROLO V BARBARESCO: Size: Barbaresco is smaller and more consistent Altitude: Barolo is higher than Barbaresco Weather: Barbaresco gets less rain and bad weather. Tannins: Barbaresco is better at an earlier age and lighter body than Barolo. Barolo is a better bet to hold for long periods. Soils: in Barbaresco, the roots of the vines do not have to go as deep as with the thinner soils found in many parts of the Barolo zone -- less aggressive tannins for many Barbaresco.  On or the other is NOT BETTER: they are DIFFERENT    Thank you to our sponsors this week: YOU! The podcast supporters on Patreon, who are helping us to make the podcast possible and who we give goodies in return for their help!Check it out today: https://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople     Vivino You can use the Vivino app to scan and keep track of wines NOW -- Shop through their web store, which has great prices and a huge inventory! It can give you suggestions based on bottles you’ve liked in the past.  Use their premium service to get 30 days free shipping Visit www.Vivino.com/WineForNormalPeople to stock up       Last Bottle.    Last Bottle Wines finds great wines and offers them at a one time discount. Last Bottle Wines: Is a fun way to discover the best wines at the lowest prices Maintains relationships with producers in the most prestigious wine regions around the world to ensure we get the best wines at the best prices when the opportunity arises Offer a range of varietals and prices from low end to high end $9 to $99 Visit: http://lastbottlewines.com/normal and join to get a $10 instant credit to use toward your first order. Invite your wine drinking pals and they’ll get $10 instantly and you get $30 when they make their first buy.   The Great Courses Plus  Who doesn't want to learn!? The Great Courses Plus makes you smarter and more well rounded. With thousands of outstanding video lectures that you can watch or listen to any time and anywhere, The Great Courses Plus is an easy way to stimulate your brain and make you smarter! Learn Spanish like me! For a free trial, support the show and go to my special URL www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/wine        ______________________________________________ Addendum: the Cru of the regions Barolo Barolo: Bricco Viole Brunate Cannubi Cannubi Boschis Rue San Lorenzo Sarmassa Via Nuova   La Morra: Arborina Brunate Cereguio Gattera Giachini Marcenasco Rocche dell’Annunziata   Castiglione Falletto: Bricco Rocche Fiasc Mariondino Monprivato Parussi Pira Rivera Villero Monforte d’Alba Bussia Cicala Colonnello Dardi Ginestra Mosconi Munie Romirasco Santo Stefano   Serralunga d’Alba Falletto Francia La Serra Marenca Marenca-Rivette Margheria Ornato Parafada Vigna Rionda   Barberesco  Barbaresco’s Cru: *Asili Ca' Grossa Cars Cavanna Cole Faset *Martinenga Montaribaldi Montefico Montestefano Muncagota Ovello Pajé Pora *Rabajà Rabajà-Bas Rio Sordo Roccalini Roncaglie Roncagliette Ronchi Secondine Tre Stelle Trifolera Vicenziana   Nieve's Cru's Albesani Balluri Basarin Bordini Bric Micca Bricco di Neive Canova Cottà Currà Fausoni Gaia Principe Gallina Marcorino Rivetti San Cristoforo San Giuliano Serraboella Serracapelli Serragrilli Starderi     Treiso's Best Cru's *Pajorè Ausario Bernadot Bricco di Treiso Casot Castellizzano Ferrere Garassino Giacone Giacosa Manzola Marcarini Meruzzano Montersino Nervo Rizzi Rocche Massalupo Rombone San Stunet Valeirano Vallegrande     The Cru of Barolo... Barolo: Bricco Viole Brunate Cannubi Cannubi Boschis Rue San Lorenzo Sarmassa Via Nuova   La Morra: Arborina Brunate Cereguio Gattera Giachini Marcenasco Rocche dell’Annunziata   Castiglione Falletto: Bricco Rocche Fiasc Mariondino Monprivato Parussi Pira Rivera Villero Monforte d’Alba Bussia Cicala Colonnello Dardi Ginestra Mosconi Munie Romirasco Santo Stefano   Serralunga d’Alba Falletto Francia La Serra Marenca Marenca-Rivette Margheria Ornato Parafada Vigna Rionda