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What is a GSM blend and why is it called a Rhone Blend? The G, S and M stand for Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. The Rhone Valley is the original home of GSM blends and of course the reason why it is sometimes referred to as a Rhone Blend. The Rhone Valley has two parts: the Northern Rhone Valley is known for its steep-sloping vineyards, where Syrah is produced. The Southern Rhone is a much larger region and lacks the steep slopes of the north. This is where the GSM blends are produced. Probably the most famous area in the Southern Rhone is Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Wine Folly says these wines will have more red fruit flavors with notes of herbs. While, GSM blends from California or Australia will have darker fruits with notes of clove.Tonight, we are enjoying two GSM Blended wines including:2019 Delas Freres Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit purchased at Costco for $13. It has delicate tannins which is unique for the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation. The nose is classic syrah, with berry fruit, violet and licorice.2018 Skylark Wine Company Red Belly Rhone Blend. This wine was purchased from Wine Styles for $17. It is juicy and creamy black fruits plum, blackberry and crushed cherry fruit coat the entire palate, with intricately woven tannins.We scored both wines a 3 out of 5. Denise would buy both again. I would pass on both. Next week we will explore the differences between Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Chenin Blanc.
What the hell...where the hell...is the Great Southern?! That's what most people say. Which is why Peter got on a plane and braved fires, snakes and Vegemite to bring you this story of what is arguably Western Australia's best kept secret.Remote? Undoubtedly. Rural? Positively. Hugely exciting for the elegant, refined, often under-valued Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Shiraz...even Grenache and Mourvedre?! You betcha. So join us on this thrilling journey of discovery, where we paint a soundscape as well as a taste map, and meet wonderful wine personalities who talk us through weird and wonderful things from cuddles to Wonderbras, emperor penguins, the X-factor, shade cloth, resplendence and knitting. Interviewees include Tom Wisdom, Mike Garland (Plantagenet), Erin Larkin, Guy Lyons (Forest Hill), Patrick Corbett (Singlefile), Matt Swinney and Rob Mann (Swinney), Marelize Russouw (Alkoomi), Larry Cherubino and Sid the dog. Our thanks to the Western Australian government and industry for sponsoring this mini-series, whose final and concluding episode is on Margaret River.Thanks for tuning in. We love to hear from you so please do get in touch! Send us a voice message via Speakpipe. Or you can find contact info, together with all details from this episode including full wine recommendations, on our website: Show notes for Wine Blast S6 E10 - Don't Know Western Australia's Great Southern? You ShouldInstagram: @susieandpeter
Bandol is arguably the most important appellation in Provence at the southeastern tip of France. Although it makes white, this very small region is known for its ageworthy reds and rosés made mainly of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault. In this show I review the long history of Bandol from the Greeks to the real estate agents of today, and talk about the various terroirs in this appellation. I talk about the grapes, why Mourvedre makes such a big difference in allowing the reds and rosés to age, and some ideas of flavors, producers, and how long to age these wines. From the Rosés of Southern France by Liz Gabay, MW and Ben Bernheim Since these are rosés that can age and ones that have more robust flavors, I wanted to do this show in the winter. I think it's good for us to think about different ways to look at pink wine, especially high-quality pink wine! And considering Bandol a multi-season wine is a great step in that direction! ________________________________________________________________ Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________ Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
Mentioned in this EpisodeConnect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Visit www.thisistexaswine.com Help the Show: Subscribe to the newsletter. Donate virtual Texas wine or join the podcast membership at the Gold Medal, Silver Medal, or Bronze Medal Level! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Texas Wine Gift GuideOuting to Hike at Diamond Vineyard in FredericksburgOuting to Mountain Bike at 4R Ranch and WInery in Muenster (North TexasOuting to do yoga at Fall Creek Vineyard with Vino VinyasaFarmhouse 4 Gift Guide Go Texan Gift GuideShelly's Fav Black Tee at The Cause Urban WineryTEXOMA Tee available at Edge of the Lake VineyardCheers Y'all Tee available at Farmhouse VineyardsTexas Hill Country Wineries Hat available through at local wineriesShelly's Fav Rainbow Hat available atWine For The PeopleTexas Wineries for Sale - LINKDon't forget about gift certificates to Texas wine-focused restaurants, tasting rooms and bars!Tickets to Texas Wine Auction - Use code earlybird2025 for $20 off tickets through 12/31/24Texas Wine Education through Hill Country Wine Academy or The Texas Wine SchoolCase of wine that won 2024 Vintner's Cup - LINKSparkling wine from Elisa Christopher Wines and Dry Comal CreekWine subscription club at Ab Astris WineryLibrary Wines from William Chris VineyardsGSM Tasting Flight! Grenache from Edge of the Lake Vineyard, Syrah from Arche Wines, Mourvedre from Blue Ostrich Winery and Vino Tinto red blend from Red River Wines and Provisions.Luxury Blind Tasting with Inwood Estates Vineyards and Vega Sicilia Unico Grand Reserve.Next year, don't miss the 4-bottle bundle from Texas Fine WineNext year, plan ahead to ride the Christmas Wine Train in Grapevine.Check calendars for wineries near you! Don't miss special holiday events and sales.No interview this episode!Gold StarSpecial ThanksNeed lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com! Thanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.
In this episode, I sit down with Jason Haas, proprietor of the renowned Tablas Creek Vineyard, a leader in California's Rhône varietal revolution. Join us as we explore the fascinating journey of Tablas Creek, founded in partnership with the iconic Château de Beaucastel from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France. Jason shares his deep knowledge of the unique characteristics of Rhône varietals that thrive in California's terroir. Whether you're a Rhône enthusiast or new to these varietals, this episode offers insights into the grapes behind one of the world's most revered wine styles. And a special thanks to Coravin, our sponsor for this episode, for giving wine enthusiasts the chance to explore wines one glass at a time without uncorking the entire bottle. Tune in for an inspiring chat, and don't forget to pour yourself something special! Cheers! If you want to skip ahead: 02.23: How the relationship started between Tablas Creek and Château de Beaucastel 07.15: Why choose Paso Robles wine region for planting Rhône Varietals 10.55: Terroir differences further inland in Paso Robles where more Bordeaux, Spanish varietals and Zinfandel are being planted 13.09: How does the Adelaide AVA region where Tablas Creek is, compare to Châteauneuf-du-Pape 15.17: The best advice recieved from The Perrin Family of Château de Beaucastel 18.00: The Challenges of importing cuttings from Château de Beaucastel and the complications of them passing their quarantine 23.32: Muscardin - the final grape to be imported and soon to be released as a single varietal 25.12: Tasting the flagship red - Espirit de Tablas Rouge 2020 and what each varietal adds to the blend (Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah, Counoise, Vaccarese, Cinsaut) Vinvm (2017 vintage) £50.30 30.12: The benefits of Mouvedre being the lead in the wine 31.31: Vintage differences, the fires of 2020, and five year drought 36.04: Tasting the flagship white- Espirit de Tablas Blanc 2020 and what each varietal adds to the blend (Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette Blanche, Picardan) Vinvm (2019 vintage) £44.05 40.22: Comparing the 2019 vintage to 2020 41.50: Discussing the single grape varietal wines 45.48: Growth of Rhône Rangers in California and the Tablas Creek Nursery supplying them Any thoughts or questions, do email me: janina@eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time, Cheers to you! ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.
Tonight, our blind-tasting duo explore uncharted wine, at least for the show. Shiraz is the most planted and #1 grape from Australia. Shiraz is the same grape and wine as Syrah, but for some reason, Australia and South Africa call it Shiraz. It is a big, bold, full-body wine with high levels of tannin and acid. Because of the tannins, it is normally oaked and is a great pair with red meats.In France, Syrah is a single variety wine from the northern Rhone Valley, and is popular in the southern Rhone where it is part of the GSM blend wines. GSM stands for Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.Syrah is also a popular grape grown in the US, mostly in the State of Washington and California. Some of the most popular Shiraz regions of Australia include Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, Clare Valley, Heathcote, Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale, Yarra Valley, Grampians, and Adelaide Hills.While Syrah and Shiraz wines will have many similarities, they will also have some differences. Syrah wines from France, Chile and Washington (State) are more of a cooler climate wine. Australian Shiraz and California, Spain, Italy, and Argentina Syrah are warm-weather wines. Syrah from cooler climates will be lighter in body, with more earthiness and floral notes. Warm weather Syrah/Shiraz will be fruit forward full-body higher alcohol wines. Tonight, we taste: 2021 Yalumba Barossa Shiraz. I purchased this wine at Wall to Wall Wine for $19.99. It comes from the Barossa Valley, Australia. It is plump and fruity, with lucid aromas of black cherry, plum, mint and ground pepper. A full body gentle frame of spicy tannins frames everything, and a nice level of acidity helps wash it all down. Winery is Vegan and started in 1849. 2019 Greg Norman, Limestone Coast Shiraz, $15.50 at Wall to Wall Wine. This wine comes from Coonawarra, McClaren Flat, Argentina. Nose: Bright aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, spice notes. Palate: Medium to full-bodied. Cola, black cherry, mixed berry jam and cloves. Other notes: plum and cherry. Peppercorn, mint, oak. Firm structure and balanced acidity. Area is known for having poor well draining soils. 2022 Yellow Tail Shiraz purchased at Walmart for $5.99. Rich and smooth, with juicy red berries and hints of vanilla and spice. Hints of mocha. Bold and smooth. South Eastern Australia includes all of Victoria and parts of South Australia and New South Wales. Next week The wines we will taste include: 2022 Bourgonge – Maconaise – Macon Villages. This is a Burgundy white made from the Chardonnay grape. Purchased from Costco for $12.79. 2022 Porta 6 Red from Lisbon Region of Portugal. Purchased at Trader Joes for $4.99. 2022 Ruggero Di Bardo from Puglia, Italy. Purchased at Trader Joes for $9.99.
Send us a textTenebres GSM 2022-Trader Joe's Best $7 Wine?This is a Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend from the Languedoc that sells for $6.99.The 2019 vintage was $5.99.A GSM blend is from the Southern Rhone Valley with Chateauneuf-Du-Pape being the best-known and the most expensive version.This seven-buck wine from the Languedoc ain't bad at all!For all the details check out https://cheapwinefinder.com/ and of course, listen to the best value-priced podcast on the planet!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com
kukkula is on the westside of Paso Robles in the Adelaida District with steep, north facing hills. The vineyard elevation ranges from 1500-1900 feet. We are organic dry-farmers with a Rhone-centric bias. Today, we farm 42 acres of vines, all head-trained and estate grown. We're focused on making wines of distinction that are finessed, elegant, terroir driven, and work beautifully with food.Our fruit is fermented using native yeast, with no fining/filtering, and are typically aged in barrel and bottle for 2 ½ - 3 years before being released.Because our terroir is like the Rhône region of France, we are Rhône-centric. Other than Cabernet Sauvignon, we grow Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Counoise, Petite Sirah, and Roussanne.We believe the hard work is done in the vineyard, and if we maintain this discipline, farm organically and without irrigation, we will create wines of intense aromatics, flavors, and color, that are a true expression of place, and the essence of our unique terroir.We believe that if we've farmed well, there is little need to intervene in the cellar. We don't adhere to conventional notions and trends. Rather, curiosity and creativity dictate what goes into our final blends.
Warning: Kiss the Girls by James Patterson is a book which graphically depicts violence against women. Please read and watch with caution.Erin and Maureen discuss Kiss the Girls while enjoying a Mourvedre and Pinot Noir.This may or may not be the wrap up of Season 5, Action Books and Movies.
It's Monday, Let's raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It's time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let's begin Exploring the Wine Glass! Last week, I moderated a comparative wine tasting at Vin 13 in downtown Paso Robles. The comparative was between Paix Sur Terre, a local winery. The winemaker and owner Ryan Pease was presenting three of his wines. He, as do I, loves Spanish wines. Within his portfolio, he makes single varietal Mourvedre, Mataro and Monastrell. The tasting paired his three wines along with three Monastrells from Alicante, Spain. During the presentation, I provided some historical background on the variety, characteristics of the vines and clusters and general tasting notes. Together, Ryan and I compared and contrasted the six wines. I discussed the where the names came from and of course we talked about the infamous Graciano Goof of Paso. I hope you enjoy the seminar and if you would like to hire me to do a wine education program for you, even virtually, feel free to reach out on my website or on my social media channels. If you listen to a lot of podcasts, you know that many ask for patreon. We do not plan on doing this, but we do ask you to support the podcast by leaving a review. It takes only a few seconds of your time but means so much to the show. The next best way to support Exploring the Wine Glass is to tell your friends. If you enjoy the podcast, your wine loving friends will too. Finally, don't forget to head to the website, Exploring the Wine Glass.com to read the blog, and sign up for the newsletter so you can keep up with all the happenings. Slainte! Find out more about Paix Sur Terre Find out more about Dracaena Wines Find out more about Vin13 Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | GOOGLE PLAY | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at exploringthewineglass@gmail.com. Please support our sponsor Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES
Alissa Limbocker, from Pangloss Cellars who have a tasting room in downtown Sonoma, started her life in the suburbs of Sacramento and eventually attended college and got on "the path" to what she was raised to believe was a good life. But at some point she realized something was missing. That something turned out to be wine. Hear about her "ah ha!" moment while watching a documentary that led her toward her destiny. Of course a couple of wines are also sipped and talked about. It's a great chat!Give your financial support to the show (many thanks!)Wanna see pictures of it all, and keep track of all the wine Mike sips on and off the Podcast? Follow along on Instagram! For feedback, suggestions of any kind, OR to suggest your own stack of "official" TallMikeWine Podcast Coasters, drop an email.Wines discussed this episode:2023 JB Neufeld Rosé of Mourvedre, Elephant Mountain Vineyard, Yakima Valley2018 Texture Pinot Noir, Wendling Vineyard, Anderson ValleyAlissa's IMDB page.Support 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!
Trader Joe's Reserve Rasteau Cru 2022-What Is A Rasteau?This is a Trader Joe's $9.99 wine that just happens to have a Cru designation.Cru is the top of French wine designations, in Bordeaux, there are First Growth wines, but in the Southern Rhone Valley, this is it.TJ's does not give any info on this wine but it tastes like a GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre).And the interplay between those grapes is delicious.For more info check out https://cheapwinefinder.com/ and listen to the best value-priced PODCAST on earth!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com
Welcome back to another episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today's episode is about an incredible journey from the ball fields of LA to the vineyards of Santa Barbara. Joining us is none other than Mac Myers, a maverick in the wine world known for creating wines of exceptional balance and value.In this episode, we'll dive into Mac's early years, swapping the glove for a corkscrew as a devastating injury shifted his path from aspiring pro athlete to wine prodigy. We'll venture through the aisles of Trader Joe's, where a young Mac's curiosity for wine was uncorked, and follow his palate awakening beyond burgers and fries to a zest for pairing vibrant vinos with heartwarming home-cooked meals.From Mac's self-taught winemaking beginning to becoming a fixture in Santa Barbara and Paso's wine tapestry, we're uncorking the details on some of the most dynamic blends—Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah—and the story behind the flavorful 2023 release that reflects a harmonious blend of passion, place, and persistence.Get ready to hear about the highs and lows of carving out a niche in an industry filled with as much character as the wines it produces. Discover Mac's playful perspective with a game of 'slap, lick, fondle' that will change the way you look at grape varietals.Pour yourself a glass, and let's get into the grit, grapes, and glory of winemaking with the remarkable Mac Meyers on Episode 151, right here on The Black Wine Guy Experience. Cheers!A Massive THANK YOU to MCPRICE MYERSI!!!This episode's wines: 2023 Beautiful Earth Rosé Paso Robles 2021 McPrice Myers Altas Viñas Red Wine SB County 2021 McPrice Myers Sel De La Terre Grenache 2021 McPrice Myers Paper Street Vineyard Cuvée 2021 McPrice Myers The Estate Vineyard Cuvée 2021 McPrice Myers Beautiful Earth Cabernet SauvignonTo learn more about McPrice Myers Wines, click the link!Follow Mac on IG!____________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! Subscribe and give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at Blackwineguy.comFollow MJ @blackwineguyThank you to our sponsor, GrenacheFest. The Second Annual Grenache Festival in Walla Walla, Washington, will be held on November 8th, 2024. It will feature a seated comparative seminar, followed by live music, food, plenty of Grenache wines, and tons of fun.For more information, go to GrenacheFestFollow GrenacheFest on IG GrenacheFest Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dan and Nick. Nick Goldschmidt winemaker and owner of Goldschmidt Vineyards, returns to California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. Nick has been on CWC a few times. The first in this series was this episode recorded on May 19, 2018. His most recent appearance was here on October 19. 2022. Nick was born in New Zealand but left the country as a young adult. “At the age of 20, I saw my destiny as somewhere other than New Zealand,” he explains. Dan Berger usually brings a cellar wine for tasting, but since Nick has brought something better, they will taste that instead. It is his Boulder Bank Sauvignon Blanc. They are tasting it at room temperature, so it is not cold. It has grapefruit and lime flavors. It would go well with seafood and salads. Three decades a winemaker. Nick has been a winemaker for more than three decades. He was a winemaker at Simi for 14 years. They are owned by Louis Vuitton and later by Constellation, who gave him the job of supervising still wine produced around the world. That is how Nick got to work with many iconic brands in many countries. In 2008 he started his own winery. He also consults for 16 vineyards in 6 countries. He describes his passion as preserving small family-owned business. He likes helping them with a route to market and a sustainable business model. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. He lived in Chile during the dark times of the Pinochet dictatorship, and sometimes the government would cut off all the electrical power. So they learned how to make wine with no electricity, “unplugged.” He makes wine with his daughters and it was cool to have a project to work on together during her teen years. They taste a Merlot, which Nick and Dan describe. They also will taste a Cabernet. Nick says that about 50% of what they produce is Cabernet, and another quarter is Sauvignon Blanc. Then they do some others, such as Merlot. In his own vineyard he has planted Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot and Malbec. He has also planted Zinfandel and Petit Syrah. They also make a Carignane and a Mourvedre, available only at the tasting room. Dan appreciates that Nick's wines always have good structure and balance. International Winemaker of the Year Nick is very modest about having been named International Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.
Dan and Carol. California Wine Country welcomes Carol Shelton, famous for Wild Thing wines with wild yeast, and for much more. CWC has the day off today so for today's podcast edition, this is a replay of the May 31, 2023 episode. Carol Shelton makes varietals beside Zin, although she is known as the Queen of Zinfandel, and she is back on California Wine Country today, with Steve Jaxon, Dan Berger and Harry Duke. She has been on California Wine Country several times, most recently on this episode of February 15, 2023. Dan Berger introduces Carol Shelton by saying that every time she enters a competition she wins gold medals. She just entered the North of the Gate competition and won 6 double golds and best of classes, best of show red and Carol was named winemaker of the competition. Every grape entered has to have been grown north of the Golden Gate. Dan likes the competition because it's a smaller more local competition and the judges all know each other. What is Wild Thing? They are tasting Carol's 2022 Wild Thing Chardonnay. Wild Thing was originally the name of her Zinfandel, because she adds no yeast to what is there naturally. Dan says that it has good structure due to its acidity. It has tropical fruit in the aroma, but it is tart and will go with food. Carol says that the fruit profile comes from some Viognier and some Roussanne which she blended in. Next tasting is another gold medal, her signature wine called Wild Thing Zinfandel. Mendocino has some of the oldest Zinfandel in California. In the Ukiah area, it is warm but not too hot. This wine has explosive blackberry fruit. It is blended with some Carignane and Petit Syrah that is also grown on the property. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. Carol came to California in high school and attended UC Davis. Her mother encouraged her to follow her interest in sciences and to look into food sciences. She took the Introduction to Wine class and found the connections to history, culture, food, sensory data, chemistry, microbiology were everything she loved. Eventually she got her degree in Fermentation Science in 1978. (The degree is called Enology today.) Their tasting room is at 3354 Coffee Lane, they are in the back behind a few others, in the same business park with Moonlight Brewing. They are open daily from 11 am to 4 pm. Mention California Wine Country on The Drive to get a free tasting in Santa Rosa. Barbera d'Oakley They make Barbera d'Alba or Barbera d'Asti, different blends made in different towns in Piedmont. Barbera is a dry red wine popular in northern Italy. The vineyard is in Oakley, California, it is at the edge of the delta, at the San Joaquin River. The vines are over 100 years old. 75% Barbera, 10% Zin, 10% Merlot, and 5% Carignanne. It won a slew of medals. It has a dark color and vibrant aroma. The next tasting is Coquille Rouge, which is all red Rhone varieties, grown at Oakley. Mourvedre, Grenache Noir and Petit Syrah, Carignane and Alicante Bouchet.
Trader Joe's Reserve Santa Ynez Valley GSM 2022-Rhone Valley By Way of Santa Barbara CaliforniaA GSM wine and this is an MSG wine, is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.It is the classic Red Blend of the Southern Rhone Valley in Southern France.This version is from Santa Barbara County AVA about 100 miles north of Los Angeles.Is it Good, Bad, or Indifferent, check out https://cheapwinefinder.com/ and Listen to the BEST value-priced wine podcast on the PLANET!!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com
Cline Family Cellars "Ancient Vines" Contra Costa Mourvedre In this episode, Rob and Scott discover a classic value from a surprising place, a Californian Mourvedre by Cline Family Cellars. So come join us, on The Wine Vault.
Professor and wine writer Andrew James joins for a fantastic discussion about his newest book: Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvedre! Tune in to learn about the fascinating region, their culture, and the special wines they make. Follow him on Instagram at @andywine2021 and check out his book: Here's a link to his book! If you enjoy this content and would like more of it, please sign up for Our Patreon!
The vulva, quite often erroneously referred to as “vagina” or many other names, is the external part of the female genitalia. This complex organ is comprised of the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule of the vagina, bulb of the vestibule and the Bartholin glands. The vulva is made up of mucous membranes, several glands, and highly innervated and sensitive skin and hair follicles. This makes it one of the most anatomically and physiologically intricate body parts.Vulvar health is dependent on many aspects of a woman's health, including:The presence of urine or fecal incontinenceMenopause and its changesMenstrual abnormalitiesSystemic or local dermatologic conditionsAll of these can have a negative impact on the vulva. Vulvar disorders are usually reported to or noted by providers from various disciplines (e.g., dermatologists, gynecologists, urologists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants). Unfortunately, many providers overlook the vulva, which often is seen as a conduit to the cervix, where the routine pap smear is performed upon.As a society, we still seem uncomfortable using the term vulva when referring to the female anatomy. In fact, most women are embarrassed to report their own vulvar problems and instead go to the pharmacy to find self-treatments that often cause more harm than good.About Our Guest:Deeannah Seymour founded pH-D Feminine Health to provide trustworthy health and wellness products to women who struggle with feminine health issues. Unsatisfied with expensive, inconvenient, and ineffective solutions for vaginal wellness - and armed with a biology background and 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry - she sought holistic ingredients backed by research.Resources Mentioned:Boric AcidpH-D Feminine HealthConnect with Deeannah:WebsiteFacebookInstagramThe hashtag for the podcast is #nourishyourflourish. You can also find our practice on the following social media outlets:Facebook: The Eudaimonia CenterInstagram: theeudaimoniacenterTwitter: eu_daimonismFor more reproductive medicine and women's health information and other valuable resources, make sure to visit our website.Have a question, comment, guest suggestion, or want to share your story? Email us at info@laurenawhite.com.Support the show
Why is Bandol the only appellation to lead with Mourvèdre? What would surprise you about the northern Italian grape and wine Barbaresco? What would it be like to spend half a day picking grapes in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Andy James, author of Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Andy James' terrific new book, Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you'd like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why is Bandol the only appellation to lead with Mourvèdre? What are Andy's favourite pairings for Mourvèdre Rosé? What was it like to spend half a day picking in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard? Who are some of the famous past residents of Bandol? What did Andy learn from interviewing famous Italian winemaker Angelo Gaja? How have Barbaresco and Barolo wines changed over the decades? What can you expect from Domaine Le Galantin Bandol Rosé? Why does Andy like Lehmann's Synergie and RIEDEL's Winewings glasses? What's the tasting experience like for G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera? How can you pair G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera with food? What controversial take does Andy have on decanting? Which fascinating book can you read to learn about the history of Burgundy? Why is a thermometer Andy's favourite wine gadget? Which English writer would Andy love to share a bottle of breakfast Champagne with? Key Takeaways Andy's explanation of why Bandol is the only wine region to lead with Mourvèdre was fascinating. As he said, there's a salinity and freshness in the wines, good Mourvedre has to see the sea. I enjoyed his description of the northern Italian grape and wine Barbaresco and the changes it's experiencing. He painted a terrific picture of what it's like to spend a day picking grapes in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I want to hear from you! What's your opinion of what we're discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn't answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621 About Andy James Andrew James is a Canadian who received a doctorate in 20th century English literature from Ulster University. He is currently a professor in the School of Commerce at Meiji University in Tokyo. He is the author of a monograph on Kingsley Amis and numerous essays on literature, biography and literary theory, but he is also a wine lover. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/250.
Our goal in life is to find high QPR wines to share with you all, and in Monastrell, we think we have found a QPR Superstar! Two of the wines we tasted were $10.99, and they way, way, way outpunch their price. Stop wasting your money on overpriced California Cabs, and discover this wine which gives you much more bang for your buck! Also known as Mourvèdre, Mataro, and a million other names, Monastrell is the Spanish name for this wine, and if you love big red wines, you are in for a treat. Monatrell is the “M” in GSM blends, but it can more than stand up on its own. To say that we were pleasantly surprised is an understatement. In this episode, we learn about some of the background of this wine, where it is from, and what makes it so special. We also talk about the potential for creating a Wine Camp, where one of our cheers with be “Monastrell, Monastrell!” so let us know if you are in or out and we'll send you the permission slips! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Bodegas Sierra Salinas Mo, 2020 Ego Bodegas Goru Verde, and 2019 Bodegas Volver Tarima Hill Old VinesContact The Wine Pair Podcast - we'd love to hear from you!Visit our website, leave a review, and reach out to us: www.thewinepairpodcast.comFollow and DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewinepairpodcast/Send us an email: joe@thewinepairpodcast.com
Tonight we open a Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre from France! We also toast National Days. Plus, a review of Rewind lager, an introduction of my new book and the premiere of The Confession, a Super 8 film never before seen on the Internet.
Carlisle Winery "Radiant Ridge Vineyards" Mourvedre In this episode, Rob and Scott experience the triumphant Radiant Ridge Vineyards Mourvedre from Carlisle Winery. So come join us, on The Wine Vault.
Mentioned in this EpisodeConnect with the Podcast: Facebook: @texaswinepod Instagram: @texaswinepod Email: texaswinepod@gmail.com Visit www.thisistexaswine.com Help the Show: Subscribe to the newsletter. Donate virtual Texas wine! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! Texas Wine In the NewsVinePair: The States With the Most Wineries in 2023Fritz Westover won the The 2023 ASEV-ES Distinguished Service Award! Press ReleaseFritz Westover's podcast: Vineyard UndergroundTina Danze for the Dallas Morning News: 4 Texas wines, beers and ciders we're drinking this summer. (possible paywall)Uplift Vineyard Aglianico wins Silver at Decanter Wine Awards - Press ReleaseJoin me for a Texas Wine Club Blind Tasting Experience in Dallas! RegistrationSouthern Living: 4 small Texas towns that go big on wineVinePair includes CL Butaud Ramato in The 15 Best Orange Wines for 2023Texas Wine Lover Tempranillo Tasting ResultsCongrats to Slate Theory and William Chris for inclusion on the Vine Pair list “The 30 Best Rosé Wines of 2023”Finger Lakes International Wine Competition ResultsTexas Wine Club discount code: use code THISISTEXASWINE to get $100 off your first shipment!Interview with Evan McKibbenFind Evan here: -Pedernales Cellars -Broken Grape - Texas Wine and Agricultural Experiences -Agricultural Experiences at Lost Draw at Johnson City Special ThanksThanks to Texas Wine Lover for promotional help! For the latest information on Texas wineries and vineyards, visit Texas Wine Lover. Don't forget to download the Texas Wine Lover app too!Wine & Food FoundationI'm so happy to be part of the community of wine and food lovers at The Wine & Food Foundation! Get more information about upcoming events, wine education classes, and membership options here.Need lodging in Fredericksburg? Check out my home Cork + Cactus! Find Cork + Cactus and many more great rentals at Heavenly Hosts.com!
Dan Berger and Carol Shelton. Carol Shelton makes varietals beside Zin, although she is known as the Queen of Zinfandel, and she is back on California Wine Country today, with Steve Jaxon, Dan Berger and Harry Duke. She has been on California Wine Country several times, most recently on this episode of February 15, 2023. Dan Berger introduces Carol Shelton by saying that every time she enters a competition she wins gold medals. She just entered the North of the Gate competition and won 6 double golds and best of classes, best of show red and Carol was named winemaker of the competition. Every grape entered has to have been grown north of the Golden Gate. Dan likes the competition because it's a smaller more local competition and the judges all know each other. What is Wild Thing? They are tasting Carol's 2022 Wild Thing Chardonnay. Wild Thing was originally the name of her Zinfandel, because she adds no yeast to what is there naturally. Dan says that it has good structure due to its acidity. It has tropical fruit in the aroma, but it is tart and will go with food. Carol says that the fruit profile comes from some Viognier and some Roussanne which she blended in. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Rodney Strong for the latest on the 2022 Summer Concert series. Next tasting is another gold medal, her signature wine called Wild Thing Zinfandel. Mendocino has some of the oldest Zinfandel in California. In the Ukiah area, it is warm but not too hot. This wine has explosive blackberry fruit. It is blended with some Carignane and Petit Syrah that is also grown on the property. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. Carol came to California in high school and attended UC Davis. Her mother encouraged her to follow her interest in sciences and to look into food sciences. She took the Introduction to Wine class and found the connections to history, culture, food, sensory data, chemistry, microbiology were everything she loved. Eventually she got her degree in Fermentation Science in 1978. (The degree is called Enology today.) Their tasting room is at 3354 Coffee Lane, they are in the back behind a few others, in the same business park with Moonlight Brewing. They are open daily from 11 am to 4 pm. Mention California Wine Country on The Drive to get a free tasting in Santa Rosa. Barbera d'Oakley They make Barbera d'Alba or Barbera d'Asti, different blends made in different towns in Piedmont. Barbera is a dry red wine popular in northern Italy. The vineyard is in Oakley, California, it is at the edge of the delta, at the San Joaquin River. The vines are over 100 years old. 75% Barbera, 10% Zin, 10% Merlot, and 5% Carignanne. It won a slew of medals. It has a dark color and vibrant aroma. The next tasting is Coquille Rouge, which is all red Rhone varieties, grown at Oakley. Mourvedre, Grenache Noir and Petit Syrah, Carignane and Alicante Bouchet.
Diventa un esperto di vino con il podcast di Tannico. Solo negli ultimi due anni il Libano ha attraversato una rivoluzione, una crisi finanziaria, l'epidemia da Coronavirus e un'esplosione drammatica nella città simbolo. Nonostante il paese sia per certi versi in ginocchio, il panorama vinicolo è piuttosto vivace: il numero di cantine è quasi raddoppiato negli ultimi 20 anni, i vini sono apprezzati in tutto il mondo e si stanno raggiungendo livelli qualitativi molto alti anche al di fuori del classico stampo bordolese. La coltura della vite, pur con alcune difficoltà produttive, può contare su un clima ideale e su una tradizione millenaria: in Libano infatti si produce vino da circa 7000 anni. In questo territorio, soprattutto nell'iconica Valle della Beqā, vengono allevati in particolare vitigni francesi, come Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignan, insieme alle varietà bordolesi: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc e Petit Verdot. È il Cinsault però a rubare la scena tra i rossi negli ultimi anni. Scopri la più accurata selezione di vini del Nuovo Mondo e non solo sul sito di Tannico. Al primo acquisto avrai diritto a uno sconto del 10% su tutto il catalogo (*): https://bit.ly/3xyibEa (*) La promozione è valida solo in Italia e per i clienti non ancora iscritti a Tannico. Sono esclusi i vini rari e le Master Experience. Per qualsiasi informazione o chiarimento ci puoi contattare all'indirizzo tfs@tannico.it
Christi has NO idea what's going on! (Big surprise, right?)Tasting a wine blind can be a terrifying experience, as we all fear looking foolish- but Christi's greatest gift is knowing how much she doesn't know, and being fine with that! Join us as we learn to trust our sense, learn that we never know it all, and most of all, take the fear out of wine!It's time to Pop in the Earbuds, Pour yourself a Glass, and join us as we Drink Something AMAZING!......Winemaker NotesWhile it may bear the “lowly” designation of Côtes-du-Rhône, think of it as mini-Marcoux. Lithe and spicy, it is a Grenache-dominant cuvée from two sites just north of the boundary of Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Maucoil and Bois Lauzon. There are small and varying percentages of Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah added to the Grenache each vintage.Domaine de MarcouxOfficial French records indicate that the Armenier family has been tending vines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape since the 1300's. Today, winemaker-sisters Catherine Armenier and Sophie Estevenin continue to write history with the wines of Domaine de Marcoux.In 1990, the Domaine became the first in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape to implement biodynamic farming practices. Their youngest vines are 40 to 60-years-old, and in short, the sisters do as little as possible to the harvested grapes. This domaine, as critic Stephen Tanzer put it, is "the essence of Chateauneuf-du-Pape."In 2003, Robert Parker named Sophie and Catherine on his list of "Wine Personalities of Year"Domaine De Marcoux Cotes Du Rhone Red 2018Rhone, FranceGrenache, Syrah & Mouvedre14.5% abv$28.99 average priceBuy This Wine!#Wine, #Redwine, #Somm, #SpokaneSomm, #SommThing, #Sommelier, #winefun, #DrinkSomethingAmazing, #Winepodcast, #WineEducation, #France, #FrenchWine, #Rhone, #DomaineDeMarcoux, #GSMBlends, #Cotesdurhone, #winetasting, #rhonewineSupport the showLike the Show? Every Coffee Helps!https://www.buymeacoffee.com/DrinkSomething
Hugh and Dan. Quivira Vineyards winemaker Hugh Chappelle joins California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon, Dan Berger and Harry Duke. Barry Herbst, the wine buyer at Bottle Barn, is also in the studio today. Holly and Henry Wendt founded Quivira Vineyards in 1981 and their first wines were released in 1983. They are located in the Dry Creek Valley. The new owners took over in about 2006. The 140-year-old Fig There is a 140-year-old fig tree on the property which has become a landmark of the vineyard. That tree is the namesake of their Sauvignon Blanc. Dan Berger describes the hillside property and gorgeous views. There are several hundred acres with about 82-84 under vine. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. Hugh entered the wine industry by answering a help wanted ad off a 3x5 card, at UC Santa Cruz, Nicasio Vineyards. That is where he learned about wine. He was a Chemistry major at first. Having caught the wine bug, he decided to make it a career. He started the UC Davis graduate program in 1989. Before Quivira he worked at Linmar Estates, 2004-2009 vintage. He was at Flowers for 4 vintages before that. There is a Coho and Steelhead Salmon spawning river called Wine Creek on the property. The owners have dedicated themselves to restoration of the creek, in collaboration with state and private agencies. There is a special garden at the winery. There are 110 raised beds where they cultivate anything that grows in Dry Creek Valley, fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, culinary and medicinal herbs, olive trees and more. Quivira started practicing organic farming in the late 1990s. They are biodynamic certified, which is a difficult process. Quivira Tastings They are tasting a Rosé, which is very dry, spectacular, says Dan. It was bottled about a month ago, a is single vineyard estate grown, a blend of Grenache (59%), Counois, Mourvedre, Petit Syrah and Primitivo. This wine is inspired by Provençal Rosés, but done in Dry Creek. Because they pick these grapes early, they have more freedom in the winery to take care of the grapes, since it comes in before the rest of the harvest rush. Next there is a Sauvignon Blanc to taste. It is actually a 75-25 blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. It's an alter ego to their well-known Fig Tree Vineyard SV. Quivira Vineyards offers tastings, in their Healdsburg location.
Nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of the De Portola Wine Trail – the famed ‘Wine Row” of Southern California's spectacular Temecula Valley wine country – Fazeli Cellars soars as a state-of-the-art winery offering a combination of stunning architecture, breathtaking scenic beauty and the finest selection of boutique wines the region has to offer.Bizhan “BJ” Fazeli fulfilled a life-long passion in the acquisition and development of his Temecula vineyards/winery. Since its first vintage in 2006, Fazeli Cellars today boasts more than 20 varietals of boutique wines from Cabernet Sauvignon to Sauvignon Blanc, Petite Sirah to Mourvedre, and Viognier to Chardonnay that have earned numerous prestigious festival competition awards – and the loyalty of enthusiasts across the region.BJ built Fazeli Cellars to reflect pride for his own rich cultural heritage. The result is a unique combination of Modern Moorish architecture and ambiance that honors ancient Persian traditions, while paying tribute to the contemporary character of California as is reflected on the back label of all his wines “Ancient traditions of Persia rooted in the modern expression of California.”Wine tasting and dining are enjoyed in a luxurious setting where panoramic windows overlook Temecula's spectacular vistas. Grand-scale events are presented with exquisite flair in Fazeli Cellars' extraordinary banquet facilities. And wedding ceremonies – a Fazeli Cellars and Winery mainstay – are lovingly conducted in magnificent park-like surroundings against a backdrop of Temecula Valley's dazzling splendor. The winery also houses Baba Joon's kitchen – Fazeli Cellars' A-rated Persian-Mediterranean inspired lunch destination.Exquisite, award-winning world-class boutique wines…superb dining in an airy atmosphere…luxurious settings for an unforgettable wine-tasting experience… unparalleled wedding grounds and wedding event facilities…and a state-of-the-art banquet hall for large-scale private or corporate events to public concerts – Fazeli Cellars is a valley jewel located in one of Southern California's most majestic travel getaway destinations.What began as a family day trip in 2001 has burgeoned into one of the Temecula Wine Region's most prestigious and celebrated wineries. When BJ and his family originally toured the Temecula Valley, it was just for a relaxing day trip to explore the local wine country and at the time no one in the Fazeli family could have imagined that this simple getaway would serve as the beginning of a life-changing adventure.The Fazeli's fell in love with the Valley and purchased land to grow some grapes and maybe make a little wine however, BJ Fazeli has never understood the meaning of the word “little”. Connecting with his Persian ancestry, BJ Fazeli chose the Shiraz grape as the benchmark grape for his winery. From there, Fazeli Cellars' commitment to excellence has transformed his winery into home for high quality wines that pay homage to the rich cultural heritage of Ancient Persia – with roots firmly planted in modern Southern California.Originating from his native Persia (now Iran), BJ Fazeli's entrepreneurial acumen propelled his career as a pioneering executive in direct response marketing where he founded one of the industry's most successful businesses, as well as launched art galleries and a successful restaurant in London. Through it all, Fazeli Cellars is BJ's crowning achievement, a glowing tribute to his rich heritage and love for his Southern Californian home.What started out as a hobby became a passion – and passion became Fazeli Cellars.
It's a 5th Tuesday which means it's time for a Bible Breakdown! This month we're discussing the book of Job. Job is the oldest example of epic poetry, the oldest book in the bible (most likely), AND we don't know who wrote it. Let's get into it! If you haven't read the book of Job in a while (or ever) check out this video about the book from The Bible Project)!EPISODE DRINKING NOTES:PRAIRIE STREET BREWING CO – Nor'EasterNew England Style IPA6.6% ABV | 28 IBURockford, ILTropical fruit notes jump out immediately with mango and guava in the forefront. All thanks to Mackinac hops, these flavors are the showcase of this incredible beer. A bit of grapefruit flavor from some Citra hops to balance out this quencher. A true IPA in New England fashion; this won't be your typical one-note brew. Perfect for a warm spring day along the river.PAYDIRT - Going for BrokeCalifornia Red Blend (Zinfandel, Primitivo, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon)Paydirt personifies the art of discovery, the act of “Going for Broke”, and the idea that risking it all brings about the greatest reward. Grown and cultivated by the most trusted growers in California, Paydirt is the ultimate red wine blend from deeply rooted heritage vines in the oldest dirt we can find.––––––––LINKS AND SOCIAL MEDIAWebsite • Facebook • InstagramEmail: christianafpodcast@gmail.comSupport the show
‘'If you include white grapes in a Rosé you can do longer maceration, you can get more texture, more concentration, more roundness, keeps the colour pale. Provence Rose is different, often because of that.'' And that concisely is the whole secret according to Rosé Specialist Liz Gabay MW. In this conversation we discussed all things Rosé and her brand-new book about the Rosés of South of France. We covered grape varieties, various terroirs, countries, and regions hot on her list of exciting rosé discoveries in 2022 and her own Rosé wine, which she is producing in Slovakia using traditional methods and local grape varieties.
A lot can be learned through collaborating. Even how to stay calm during a pandemic when your Italian partner is in the thick of it. Calm with the perspective of 26 generations of winemaking and having survived two World Wars. Juan Munoz-Oca, Head Winemaker for Ste Michelle Wine Estates, Washington State's leading wine company, describes what he's learned and the process of collaborating with other luminaries of the wine world, including the Antinori Family, Dr Loosen, and Michel Gassier from the Rhone Valley. Detailed Show Notes: Juan's backgroundIn WA with Ste Michelle Wine Estates ("SMWE") for 21 yearsHead of winemaking for the entire groupSte Michelle Wine EstatesBased in WA state - 6 wineries (Chateau Ste Michelle ("CSM"), Columbia Crest, 14 Hands, Spring Valley, Northstar, Col Solare)OR (Erath), CA (Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Conn Creek, Patz & Hall)Built the WA wine region, produces ~⅔ of the wine in the stateThe largest producer of Riesling in the worldCollaborations - all w/ Chateau Ste MichelleCol Solare - Red Mountain, Cabernet, 50/50 JV w/ the Antinori Family (Italy), planted a vineyard in the early 2000s, built a winery in 2006, started in the mid-90sEroica - Riesling with Ernie Loosen (Mosel, Germany) started in the 1990sTenet - Columbia Valley; Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre; w/ Michel Gassier & Philippe Cambie (deceased)What drove the collaborations? A personal touch and relationshipWA is a young grape-growing region that only started quality winemaking in the late 90s -> wanted to bring attention to the region and gain knowledgeEx-CEOs important to establishing collaborations - Allen Shoup (founded Longshadows Winery, which has 7 wines and 7 collaborations); Ted Baseler - was part of marketing team when Col Solare was launched and started Eroica with Ernie LoosenCollaboration processWinemaking - spring (taste previous vintage, blend, walk the vineyards), late summer (get a feel for the grapes, walk the vineyards), winter (taste wines - e.g., 250-300 lots of Riesling for Eroica)Renzo (Antinori's head winemaker) comes more often due to SMWE's partnership w/ Antinori on Stag's Leap Wine CellarsCSM winemaking team does day-to-day workSales & Marketing - up to the partners, SMWE salesforce sells the wine, SMWE marketing works with partners and does most of the workSMWE imports the entire Antinori portfolio, so they have a broader collaborationKey benefitsEnjoyment of making wine togetherGetting a global perspectiveWinemaking informs the rest of the portfolio's winemaking (e.g., extended lees aging for Riesling from Ernie Loosen, keeping more leaves in the canopy for Syrah from Michel Gassier)Collaboration business modelsCol Solare - 50/50 JV, including vineyards, winery, & inventory; work together closely on marketingEroica - 50/50 for inventory and brand, no other assets; up to 200k cases in a big year; most marketing done by SMWE, less from LoosenTenet - Michel Gassier gets a portion of earnings and an annual fee that covers his travel; as small as 300 casesHave business meetings 2x/year for sales and marketing strategyKeys to success for collaborationsHave a clearly articulated visionKeep an open mind to learn from the otherDesired new collaborationsSparkling wine w/ Nicolas Feuillatte (Champagne)Argentine wine / Malbec w/ Catena Family - loves their focus on terroir Get access to library episodes See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Rosé Season is here at Bottle Barn and Barry Herbst is here to tell all about it on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. First, Dan Berger's Cellar Dweller wine this week is a 2010 Chardonnay from New Zealand, from Peregrine, located in central Otago. Michelle Richardson was the winemaker there for that vintage. “Very much alive, still,” says Barry Herbst at the first taste. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online for the coolest bargains on wine, beer and spirits. The season of Rosé wine is here and Barry Herbst describes the Rosé situation at Bottle Barn. A lot of producers did not make Rosé last year. Some other Rosés that they have had in stock actually improve with age. So they may not have quite as many choices as in recent years but the selection is still vast. About 65-70% of their Rosés are from local producers. They taste a Rosé from Fred Scherrer that is delicious, “up there with the very best of them,” says Dan Berger. A Quiviera winery Rosé is the next tasting. It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, classic Rhone varietals. It is a little lighter in color, and also a little bit coppery in color. It is also a 2021. It has a little more Grenache aromatics and fruit components. Dan thinks it would go well with a sausage pizza. It sells for $17.99 and won Double Gold for Rosé at the Press Democrat competition. Rosé used to be more limited to summer time but Bottle Barn keeps a good selection of Rosé year-round now. Their third tasting is a Grenache Rosé by Leo Steen, in the Healdsburg area. The grapes come from Sonoma Valley, a little more inland. This one is dry, made of 100% Grenache. It's unusual because Grenache is hard to get. Dan Berger notes that Grenache grapes are much in demand. This is because of its aromatic component. Barry Herbst notes that a lot of the winning Rosés are from Sangiovese or Grenache. It has cranberry-like notes. The Grenache Rosé comes across more structured and astringent than a Rosé made with Grenache without the other varietals in the blend. Bottle Barn has resumed in-store tastings, in the afternoons and evenings. Check Bottle Barn dot com for up-to-the-minute details. Alexander Valley Vineyards Rosé of Sangiovese: Wow! Now they have the Alexander Valley Vineyards Rosé of Sangiovese. The nose on this one is amazing. Sangiovese produces aromatically interesting reds, but in a real Mediterranean climate as they have in Alexander Valley it is ideal. This sells for $13.99, which is incredible for a wine this good. It is darker pink, but richer in body and not sweet. It has structural balance and would go with a wide variety of food flavors. This week, Bottle Barn has won Best Wine Retailer in the Press Democrat Readers' Choice Awards, for the umpteenth time in a row. The final tasting is a 2020 100% Carignane Rosé from Mendocino County, Bartolome Vineyard. It's gorgeous, says Dan Berger. Barry Herbst says Delve Wine Company is a co-op next to bottle barn, called Punchdown Cellars. Some small producers making 50-80 cases can do their production work there. It's earthy and “kind of barnyardy” says Barry.
This week we cover the story of Randy Stair, aka Andrew Blaze, who used his popular YouTube channel to plan and complete a shooting spree at the supermarket where he was employed. Randy was a huge fan of the Danny Phantom cartoon series and as his mental illness progressed so did his obsession with one particular character on the show; Ember McLain . The dinner theme was “popular recipes on YouTube” and Cindy delivered with a Carnal Dish recipe of “weeknight roast chicken with garlic and herb butter sauce” which was a melt in your mouth delight. For dessert, she followed a cream puff recipe from Natasha's Kitchen. These cream puffs lasted seconds. We drank Bogle Phantom wine; a rich blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Mourvedre. It was a delicious red blend we all enjoyed. Time Stamp: 28:46 Check out our linktree for links to our socials and ways to listen and support our podcast: The Crime Diner Podcast or call/text us some time 6093003094 This week we also got to work with some other podcasts we think you should check out! You can find them here: Doom Generation Podcast Where did we get our info from? PioneersProductions Randy Stair - Real Life Villains Wiki What truly caused Randy Stair to crack? Danny Phantom Ember McLain School Shooters Youtuber To Mass Murderer What did we eat? Weeknight Roast Chicken with Garlic and Herb Butter Sauce - CarnalDish Cream Puffs Recipe (VIDEO) - NatashasKitchen.com What did we drink? Bogle Phantom Sounds: Game Over Fail Organ
Unti Vineyards is a small, family-owned and operated winery specializing in Mediterranean style wines with vineyard personality. The winery, established in 1997, produces small lots of estate grown Barbera, Grenache, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Syrah and Zinfandel. We also produce a dry Rose from Grenache and Mourvedre and a handful of white wines: Vermentino, Fiano, and Grenache Blanc. The winemaking involves using traditional methods which enhance and support an ability to make wines with a sense of place. We use artisan winemaking methods to enhance and support our ability to make wines with a sense of place, such as fermenting and aging 45 to 60 different small batches of wine each year, using whole clusters in our Rhone varietal ferments, using a variety of fermenting and aging vessels including stainless steel, concrete tanks, large French oak ovals and small French oak barrels. We have 60 acres of vineyards here in Dry Creek Valley, which is the sole source for all our wines. We approach our vineyards and winemaking as wine enthusiasts, particularly the wines from Italy, Southern France and Spain. California, and specifically Dry Creek Valley has a similar climate the above regions. This explains for why we have chosen to cultivate noble wine grapes, native to these Mediterranean regions contrary to many Dry Creek Wineries. One man's crazy is another one's sanity.
Small lot handcrafted wines. All Red Wines are fermented in 1 ton bins and hand punched down with love. Vezer Family Wines consist of Verdelho, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot, and Late Harvest White Wine. LaSalette is the flagship Petite Sirah, always Estate. The Blue Victorian wines are smaller lots and showcase the unique diversity of Suisun Valley. Wines in this line are currently Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Charbono, Mourvedre, Syrah, Sangiovese, and constantly adding new varietals. Full Story on www.vezer.com
Granite Belt are producing some magnificent wines and Boireann recently cleaned up at the 2021 QLD Wine Awards with their 2019 Mourvedre (which is absolutely delicious!) Jill chats with Brad from Boireann about the mediterranean varietals that are growing so well in the Granite Belt region, and the emergence of another awesome Australian wine region. #boireann#granitebelt
Alex Holman Alex Holman from Notre Vue Estate Winery and Vineyard is our guest today on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. The last time Alex Holman was on California Wine Country was October 28, 2020, almost a year ago. Here is that podcast episode. Before we visit with Alex Holman, Mike Martini from Taft Street Wines has brought some delicious fresh grape juice, specifically the juice of the 2021 Hopkins River Ranch Chardonnay, which they have just pressed over the last few days. He will bring some more in, from time to time, as it gradually becomes wine. By tasting the juice along the way, you can learn about what winemakers do every year. As we often do, we open the show with a bottle from Dan Berger's extensive personal wine cellar. This week it turns out to be a bust. This 2016 Rosé has been stored at 55 degrees the whole time but today he noticed the color was really shot. And it's terrible. The nose is abominable. When you see an old Rosé, if you don't pay attention to the vintage, you can get a bad bottle. It should never be sold. Alex Holman explains how he makes Rosé, and it's not like this. Later they will taste one of his Rosés. The first wine that Alex Holman has brought to taste is a Chardonnay. It's a clone of Chardonnay called Chardonnay Musqué, that has a lot of terpenes that are reminiscent of Muscat, Gewurtstraminer and Riesling. It is very floral and aromatic There is no new oak on it, you might call it Chablis style. Click the logo to visit our sponsor Bottle Barn online. The last time Alex was on the show one year ago, Dan took the half empty bottle home and 24 hours later the wine was better. This is a 2020, one of the rare 2020s that actually survived. He processed their normal 80 tons but only used about 16, the rest was discarded. Dan says the secondary characteristics have not developed yet. This won't be released for several months. Dan thinks this wine won't reach its peak for another two years, given the way Alan controls the acid in the vineyard. Notre Vue winery is on land that was part of the early Vallejo Ranch lands so grapes have been planted there since the 1800s. But Doug Knoll and Dave Koonsgaard started the vineyard in the 1970s and Balverne was one of the first publicly traded wine companies. The Notre Vue winery has been making wine since 2010, prior to that they were just selling grapes. They grow 500-600 tons and he keeps "the best 100 tons" and sells the rest. The current owners have planted about half of the vines and the property includes 350 acres of forever-wild open space. Wine club members can hike and bike on the property. Their wine club actually grew during the pandemic because local people needed a place to get away. All the information is available at Notre Vue dot com. They have a lot of space, so they won't be full up. Dan Berger says it's a beautiful property and really worth a visit. They are located in North Windsor. They do tastings Thursday through Monday from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. Alex Holman tells about being a Fresno State grad in Chemistry and one of his mentors in Chemistry is Barry Gump, who also taught at Santa Rosa JC. He is at Florida International University now. After he got into wine, he want back to school for an Enology degree that included hands-on wine production. Dan Berger describes the Chardonnay as "stunning" as he has some in the glass and it is warming up. It's already great and you can tell how much better it's going to get. Next they taste the 2020 Rosé which will be released in October. It's GSM, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre which are co-fermented. They make a sparkling Rosé, a still Rosé and a red blend. It's different from year to year depending on the crops. Even the bottle is unique, made of French glass, designed by Renée Stein, one of the co-owners. Speaking of the Rosé, Dan Berger says it is really stylish. There is zero sugar. The acidity is perfectly balanced,
The Los Vascos Rose 2020 is a blend of 60% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Mourvedre sourced from Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)'s Los Vascos estate vineyards in the Colchagua Valley in Chile, located about 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Rothschild (Lafite) found this 5,000-acre wine estate in 1988.The Colchagua Valley is in the Coastal Mountain range's foothills; the Andes are to the east. This region is in a high enough elevation to be free from pollution and pests and has cool Pacific Ocean breezes providing the ideal temperature to grow grapes.One of the advantages of having estate-grown grapes is that the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Syrah were grown to produce Rose's wine. It is common for wineries to take some of the juice of the crushed grapes for the production of Rose' when the bulk of the juice going to red wine production. The grapes are purpose-grown.The Los Vascos Rose 2020 grapes were subjected to an early frost and warm to hot temperatures for the spring and summer. The Rose' grapes were ready for harvest twenty days earlier than the rest of the estate grapes.At harvest, the grapes were picked in the early morning hours. Vineyards always strive to pick the grapes at the coolest temperature of the day. As the day becomes warmer, the juice inside the grapes can evaporate, and the winery wants all the juice possible. Night harvest or early morning harvest is essential in warm climate vineyards.The Los Vascos Rose 2020 was made with the Direct Press Method; here is a link to more information on how Rose' wine is made. The wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel vats. As a 2020 vintage wine released in early spring of 2021, this is a young wine meant to drink now and not be aged. With this category of wine, the sooner you drink it, the better. The alcohol content is 13.5%.Los Vascos Rose 2020 Tasting NotesThe color is a pale mix of apricot and Barbie Doll pink. The nose is fresh and inviting; there is nothing light and fluffy about the aromas. The scent of melon, lemon, ripe juicy apple, spice, strawberry, and faint spring flowers. The Los Vascos Rose 2020 has an edge; there is a good firm body to this Rose'.It tastes strawberry (slightly sour, not sweet), melon, lemonade, a soft herbal slap, and black cherry. The mid-palate mirrors the body of the wine but does add a little cranberry and a salty sensation. The acidity is well-balanced, the flavors have plenty of room to unfold, but the acidity never bites.The SummaryThe Los Vascos Rose 2020 is a delightful drinking experience.With seemingly every winery and brand offering a Rose' wine, I started seeing Rose' wines as interchangeable.The Los Vascos Rose 2020 is not interchangeable; it makes its own statement.
The Tenebres GSM 2019 is a $5.99 Trader Joe's exclusive sourced from vineyards in France's Languedoc region. The name Tenebres translates to "Darkness." A GSM Red blend is a wine that originated in the Southern Rhone Valley in France and is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre.The Languedoc is the largest wine region in France and is where much of the everyday wine is produced. High-end villages and sub-districts can get pricey, but most of the wine produced is affordable.The majority of the folks in Europe who have a bottle of wine with the meal drink value-priced wine. It is hard to budget two $30 bottles of wine a day on most budgets. $5.99 (Tenebres GSM 2019) is the norm.When I first discovered Trader Joe's, I thought that wines such as the Tenebres GSM 2019 could not be any good. Wine marketing had me believing that the bottle's price was directly tied to the quality of the wine.It took me some time to figure out that people from wine-producing European countries drank cheap wine and like it. Nobody goes through the effort of making a meal only to ruin everything with a bad bottle of wine. Yes, there are wines for all price-points and all occasions, but quality wine can be inexpensive. A GSM Blend is one of the two classic French wine blends. The most famous is the Bordeaux blend, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, along with Petite Verdot and Malbec's lesser amounts. There is the GSM Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.A solid Bordeaux blend may be a little difficult to find for value wine drinkers since the key to that blend is the interplay between the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Bordeaux produces some of the best Merlot globally, but it can be difficult to find excellent Merlot at a lower price point.With a GSM Blend, the attraction is not the excellence of the two main grapes; each of the three grapes adds something to the blend that the others do not possess. A $5.99 Trader Joe's wine, Tenebres GSM 2019, can work. The blend does not need the best vineyards to be excellent; the three grapes need to offer what is expected.I have yet to taste this wine, but the fact that the blend is one-third Grenache, one-third Syrah, and one-third Mourvedre gives me hope that this wine may drink well. The winemakers are not hiding anything; every grape is added in equal parts. They are not using mostly the grape that is showing well with smaller amounts of the others. That indicates they had confidence in the entire blend. The alcohol content is 13.5%.Tenebres GSM 2019 Tasting NotesThe color is a barely see-thru cherry red with black highlights. The nose is rich and jammy, with blackberry, cherry, oak spice, baking spices, black pepper, licorice, and bitter chocolate. Some scents come from oak barrel aging, which is surprising to find in a $5.99 wine.This is a wine with a silky mouthfeel and a solid array of flavors. It starts with blackberry, cola, soft spice, and black cherry. The mid-palate adds blueberry with a bit of cream, a rougher splash of spice, a salty sensation, and a late cinnamon slap.I mentioned before that this type of wine is often included in the daily meal. Value-priced food wines often do not sip well; they are made to balance when accompanying food. The Tenebres GSM 2019 drinks very well.The SummaryThe Tenebres GSM 2019 is a tasty wine. It does not taste exactly like a classic Rhone Valley GSM, it is from the Languedoc after all, but it does sip well.I am no longer shocked when a seriously inexpensive wine offers an enjoyable drinking experience.I prefer the Rhone version of GSM blends, but you cannot beat the price for the Tenebres GSM 2019.
The Troublemaker by Austin Hope 13 is not your ordinary Red blend. For one, the 13 stands for the thirteenth edition; this is a non-vintage wine. It is a blend of grapes from three different vintages.Hope Family Wines has been in Paso Robles inside the Central Coast AVA of California, making wine for more than 30 years. They have five labels, including Liberty School and Treana. And for what is the norm for Paso Robles winemakers, they like to do things their own way.The winemaking details for the Troublemaker by Austin Hope 13 will be highly unusual for this price point. It lists on their website for $20, and I found it at the local big-box wine shop for $12.99, this is not an expensive wine.The blend is 48% Syrah, 26% Grenache, 17% Mourvedre, 5% Zinfandel, and 4% Petite Sirah, so it is the ingredients for a GSM blend with some Zinfandel and Petite Sirah added in to spice things up.Most of the fruit was farmed in Paso Robles, with some Arroyo Grande Valley, Monterey, Suisun Valley, and a little (1%) Lodi. So far, this is fairly straightforward for a California Red blend, so here is where things get interesting.The Troublemaker by Austin Hope 13 is a blend of the 2016, 2017, and 2018 vintages. The various vintages are the different varietals of grapes aged in American and French oak barrels from 15 to 27 months.I think that after 30 years in Paso Robles, the Hope Family has some terrific contacts with other vineyards and wineries, so the Troublemaker by Austin Hope 13 portends to be a fascinating wine.I am a wine nerd; I am always trying to figure out who actually made the Trader Joe's wines, checking out trademark websites and such. With the 13, I want to know which grape was aged for 27 months and where it came from, and what wine was its original purpose?A Red blend in this price category is made to fit their price tag. The Troublemaker by Austin Hope 13 seems to be, at least in part, made from wine leftover from more expensive bottles. Austin Hope does not actually say that is the case, but a great deal of time and effort was expended to find these grapes from the various vineyards.The Troublemaker by Austin Hope 13 is a very deliberately constructed Red blend. Not that there is not thought and preparation behind all red blends. But, Austin Hope seems to have taken it to the next level. The alcohol content is 14.5%.Troublemaker by Austin Hope 13 Tasting NotesThe color is seriously purple; it is dark and deep. The nose smells expensive. You can tell the grapes spent time in oak. There is blackberry, licorice, black coffee, black pepper, toffee, vanilla, blueberry, spice, cherry, and plum.The Troublemaker by Austin Hope 13 is in no way flavor challenged. It has a rounded, silky mouthfeel and enough going on in the glass to keep you busy for a while.It tastes blackberry, rich chocolate (more milk chocolate than dark chocolate), ripe blueberry, baking spice, and black pepper. The mid-palate adds ripe raspberry, a salty sensation, cranberry, and a little cola.This is a very balanced Red blend, considering how bold the flavors are. The flavors flow into each other, giving this blend excellent length. The tannins are sweet, and the acidity allows the taste and textures to unfold but otherwise stay in their place.The SummaryThe Troublemaker by Austin Hope 13 tastes expensive.All the oak barrel aging brings elements to this wine that are not typically present in value-priced Red blends.This is a big Red blend that is well controlled. The winemaker and blenders did an excellent job.
In this episode of Wine and Dime we welcome back our very own Rooted Planning Group Financial Planner Kerrie Beene. Kerrie is back to help us continue the theme of January of “Getting Organized”. Kerrie is a bit of an expert on spending plans, so, she is the perfect guest to have on this weeks episode. She shares her insights on her own spending plans, and what it takes to build one for your family. Don't forget to rate and subscribe and thank you for listening!! KERRIE BEENE - CFP®FINANCIAL PLANNERA little bit about Kerrie Beene, CFP®… My own personal financial journey has taught me that while they're important, life is more than numbers. Finding joy in the journey towards personal goals is key. A smart plan with a lot of heart goes a long way to keeping daily financial decisions in line with your long term goals. I graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a degree in Business Administration and hold a certificate in Financial Planning from Wake Forest University. I began my career in financial planning by starting my own company, Beene Financial Planning. Having the desire to work as a team, I then joined Irvine Wealth Planning Strategies. My roots in Southeast Oklahoma have given me great insight on the need for financial planning that is not just investment focused, but also focused on all the other financial planning decisions. I enjoy, and work best, with those who are ready to take control of their finances and use their money to fulfill their goals and dreams. In November of 2016 I sat for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, and in May of 2019 successfully completed my experience requirements. I am now the Director of Educational Services for Rooted Planning Group. What does that mean? In addition to working as a co-planner, I also focus on: College Pre-Planning: Late stage (Freshman - Senior) college planning, seeking scholarships, estimating expected family contribution, assistance with FAFSA and asset utilization. Funding of education vehicles (i.e. 529 plans) and utilization recommendations. We have set the price for this service at $1,000. College Graduate Planning: This is for the new graduate. We sit down with them to discuss budgeting, how to negotiate salary, understand employee benefits and education benefits, review of student loans and other debt, savings opportunities and large purchase planning. We have set the price for this service at $299. We also want to continue developing the employer education services, as well as getting financial education into the schools. Grenache (Garnacha) WineGrenache (Garnacha) is a red-wine grape grown extensively in France, Spain, Australia and the United States. It is particularly versatile both in the vineyard and the winery, which may explain why it is one of the most widely distributed grapes in the world. Grenache is the French (and most internationally recognized) name for the grape, but it has a number of synonyms. In Spain, where it is one of the country's flagship varieties, it is known as Garnacha, and on the island of Sardinia it has been known for centuries as Cannonau. Some believe that the grape originated in Sardinia, and was taken back to Spain by the Aragonese, who occupied the island in the 14th Century. Gnarly old Barossa Grenache vines ©Turkey Flat Vineyards In France, Grenache is most widely planted in the southern Rhone Valley and throughout both Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon. It is most commonly found alongside Syrah and Mourvedre in the classic Southern Rhone Blend (notably in Cotes du Rhone wines), and is the main grape variety in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Grenache's versatility provides winemakers with all sorts of possibilities. Grenache-based rosé is one of southern France's signature wine styles. The variety is common...
The Pontificis VRM White 2018 is a $7.99 Trader Joe's exclusive sourced from grapes grown in the Languedoc region of southeastern France. The VRM stands for the grape blend, 45% Viognier, 40% Roussanne, and 15% Marsanne.The name of this wine and the blend are basically a shout-out to the White wines of the Southern Rhone Valley. The Rhone Valley is famous for its blends, the GSM which is Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre, along with this White blend.In the 1300s the Pope left Rome and set up shop in southern France. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the most famous wine of the Rhone Valley and it translates to the house (or fort) of the new Pope. The Pope and his people had a heavy thirst for wine and they kick-started the wine industry in the region that continues to this day.The Pontificis VRM White 2018 is produced by Badet Clement a large wine company centered in Burgundy that makes its own wines as well as brand wines. They seem to make several other Trader Joe's wines and possibly some ALDI wines. They produce 16,000,000 bottles a year, so they are a fairly large player.The Pontificis is not from the Rhone Valley, it is a Vin De Pays D'Oc wine indicating that it is sourced from grapes grown in the Languedoc region. The Vin de Pays designation is one step below the AOC category of wines. It means the wine is representative of the grapes of the region but was not subjected to all the AOC rules and regulations.The typical French White wine will be leaner, and sleeker than the typical California White wine. French wines made specifically for export will often incorporate a slightly more rounded style to appeal to American palates. They do give any information about the conditions during the vintage year of details of the production methods. But as a 2018 vintage, it would seem that the wine took a little extra time to come together. The usual $7.99 White wine is made to have 2019 as the current vintage. A 2018 vintage shows there may have been a more complex production. The alcohol content is 13%.Pontificis VRM White 2018 Tasting NotesThe color is a fairly dark wheat yellow, it reminds me of a Chardonnay that has a good deal of oak barrel aging. The nose is crisp and clean, it reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc, though not as bold. There is peach, pear, lemon, tropical fruit, a little honey, and spring flowers.Drink this wine with a chill on it, not too cold you do not what to mask the flavors. The Pontificis VRM White 2018 is both sleek and firm and rounded and juicy, the flavors compete on your palate.It starts with green apple and pear, Meyer lemon, melon, and peach. The mid-palate has a slightly harder edge with dried citrus (nothing too juicy here), a touch of cream (did they stir the lees?), and tangerine.The acidity is nice, not quite lip-smacking good, but this is French, that is not their style. But the acidity allows the flavors to roll out and will get you reaching for another sip.The SummaryThere is a reason why this classic wine blend endure. You do not need a high-end expensive example to enjoy the pleasures of a Viognier, Pontificis VRM White 2018Roussanne, And Marsanne blend. The most eight dollar Trader Joe's get the job done.The Pontificis would work well as a Thanksgiving wine, the harvest flavors will pair well with many dishes and the acidity is cut through the more indulgent offerings.Trader Joe's has been selling the Pomtificis GSM and VSM for many years and they have been reliably good affordable and tasty wines.
Alex Holman Alex Holman, the winemaker at Notre Vue Winery joins Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger on California Wine Country today. This is Alex's first time on the show. Notre Vue means "Our View" in French. The property was once called the Balverne Estate. Notre Vue is their top tier brand that can only be acquired through the estate. Balverne is their 3-tiered brand, more of new world varietals, with wider distribution. Notre Vue is more based on old-world blends. The property has been growing grapes since the 1800s. Having earned a degree in Chemistry from Fresno State, Alex Holman first worked as an analytical chemist and in a fertilizer-pesticide plant. Then decided he wanted to work in a different place, so he went back to school for Enology. He is a native San Franciscan so that brought him home. He caught the fermentation bug from being a home brewer. Before we continue with Alex Holman, Dan Berger has brought another "cellar dweller" from his extensive personal wine collection, to taste and discuss. This one is a 2004 Syrah from Brandborg Vineyard & Winery in Elkton, Oregon. Dan says they have the most fun tasting room in southern Oregon. This wine has flavors of black pepper, raspberry and a bit of fresh plum. Dan says their wines are a great value at modest prices. Alex Holman detects some aroma of violets in it too. He likes that as a descriptor for Syrah and for him, that's a sign of a good one, when it's present. The Notre Vue property consists of 700 acres, 310 are devoted to forever wild open space. The Notre Vue website has a lot of pictures and descriptions of the property and the wildlife that lives there. They have about 220-240 planted acres with 16 varietals. The property is in Windsor, a half mile east of the freeway, up to the top of the hills. The Kinkade fire came through the property. It burned 80 miles of irrigation lines. They did manage to harvest some fruit and the rest of the work this time around has been a struggle. They sell more grapes than they bring into their own winery and contracts have been "difficult" this year. The testing labs were so booked up that it took 6 weeks to get his results on smoke taint tests. Dan says the soil type is different than most of their neighbors. The property is split between Chalk Hill and Russian River AVAs. The southwestern quadrant is ancient sea bed, more clay soils, higher magnesium. The northern part has the volcanic Chalk Hill soils. Their Bordeaux and Rhône styles are doing well up on the rocky soils, whereas their Pinot and Chard vines are in the lower areas. Alex Holman says, "A wise man once told me that wine is made from fruit, so that should be your first flavor." The Chardonnay they are tasting is "nice and dry, and lovely," says Steve Jaxon. Dan Berger says that one thing that is appealing about this tasting is that it is not too cold. Alex says it is important to have sweet and spicy oak. He pays a lot of attention to his coopers, that they are not overbearing. Notre Vue has a lot of open space and lakeside pavillions where they have tastings. Block 23 has a beautiful view of the valley. It is a great place to watch the planes when they do air shows. They are open daily by appointment only 10:30 to 4:00. They can also host special events for small groups of 8-10 and up to 40 people. Bob and Renée Stein have owned the property since 1992. They have two labels. Ten years ago, the property was called Windsor Oaks and before that it was Balverne. When they transformed from Windsor Oaks, Balverne became the three-tier brand with national distribution. Notre Vue is their special lots, only available on the estate. Bottle Barn would have Balverne rather than Notre Vue. He explains how the different labels are derived from different clones. They are also tasting a Rosé. Dan says these is a lot like Rhône wines, blends of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Dan says so much Sonoma County Rosé is made from Pinot Noir,
Jamsheed Urban Winery in Preston is a fully functioning winery housed in a rather large warehouse in Preston. The space, like the wine, is packed with personality with an industrial brewery feel on one level and a cosy lounge and pool room on another. Gary and I sat in the lounge area of this working winery and had a lovely chat about three of his many beautiful wines, how he fell into the wine-making business and how a winery is similar to an author. The wine and the books: 2018 Jamsheed Beechworth Roussanne - honeysuckle, buttercup, fleshy grapefruit, mineral, textural Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg - This book starts out as the story of two women in the 1980s, of gray-headed Mrs. Ninny Threadgoode telling her life story to Evelyn, who is in the sad slump of middle age. The tale she tells is also of two women-of the irrepressibly daredevilish tomboy Idgie and her friend Ruth, who back in the thirties ran a little place in Whistle Stop, Alabama, a Southern cafe offering good barbecue and good coffee and all kinds of love and laughter, even an occasional murder. This is a delightful, moving, sassy, textural, fleshy and earthy read which deserves to be read whilst drinking a delicious wine like this one. 2019 Candy Flip - a blend of Pinot Gris, Mourvedre and Merlot - Pet Nat style - Red apple/Schapple, crushed blood oranges, rosehip and red rooibos tea flavours. Finishes lively and playful! The 100 year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared by Jonas Jonasson is a funny, clever and heart-warming debut novel. Kind of like a cross between Forrest Gump and Up! if you know those movies! The 100 year old man, Allan, is a wonderfully playful character. His love of vodka and indifference to politics combine with his ability to blow things up and get him into lots of trouble! Through Allan we see some of the momentous events of the twentieth century in a new light. It all starts on Allan's one-hundredth birthday when, sitting quietly in his room in an old people's home, he is waiting for the party he-never-wanted-anyway to begin. The mayor is going to be there. The press is going to be there. But, as it turns out, Allan is not... Slowly but surely Allan climbs out of his bedroom window, into the flowerbed (in his slippers) and makes his getaway. This is a lively, light, bright, playful and fun read and highly recommended with a vibrant tipple! 2017 Ma Petite Francine 100% Cabernet Franc - raspberry, cherry mulberry leaf, funky with some green pepper, red liquorice and red berry, earthy forest floor Mr Penumbra's 24 hour bookstore by Robin Sloan The Great Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon away from life as a San Francisco web-design drone and into the aisles of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, but after a few days on the job, Clay discovers that the store is more curious than either its name or its gnomic owner might suggest. The customers are few, and they never seem to buy anything; instead, they "check out" large, obscure volumes from strange corners of the store. Totally clueless, yet suspicious, Clay engineers an analysis of the clientele's behaviour, seeking help from his variously talented friends, but when they bring their findings to Mr. Penumbra, they discover the bookstore's secrets extend far beyond its walls. What follows is a fantastical series of events involving secret booknerd societies, typography, ancient artifacts, codes and puzzles, the capabilities of computers, and the coolest bookstore you have ever heard of. It's a collision of ancient mystery and very modern, internet-savvy characters. It is a juicy, red berry, funky and vibrant read.
Trader Joe's Petit Reserve GSM 2018The StoryThe Trader Joe's Petit Reserve GSM 2018 is a Trader Joe's $6.99 exclusive. A GSM is Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend in this case sourced from vineyards in the Arroyo Seco AVA inside the Monterey AVA which in turn is inside the Central Coast AVA of California. This is a wine made exclusively for Trader Joe's by ASV Wines.ASV Wines, the ASV stands for Arroyo Seco Vineyards, is a custom wine producer (they also make their own wines} and has been in business for almost 40 years. They can be contracted to produce a wide variety of wines, either using their own vineyards or contracting with other vineyard owners. The Arroyo Seco AVA is home to several well-regarded wineries that specialize in producing Rhone Valley-style wines.A GSM Blend is one of the great Red wine blends of France and is found in the Southern Rhone Valley and in particular the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region. Grenache and Syrah are often blended together in southeastern France and eastern Spain (here Grenache is spelled Garnacha). Grenache wines are often sleek and lean and Syrah wines can be plump and juicy with a little spice. Each one has what the other doesn't have and they work well together. The Mourvedre adds color, a floral nose, and structure.Arroyo Seco AVA of Monterey is a cool-weather growing region. There is a deep ocean trench off the coast of Monterey that concentrates the already cold Pacific Ocean waters. Monterey has a variety of climates for vines, some areas are blocked from ocean influence by coastal mountains, some areas are high ground and windswept, and other valleys are well-tailored to cooler weather grape varieties. The Ocean not only provides the climate for a long growing season it also protects the vineyards from temperatures ever falling too low for vine safety.There is a certain order to California wine pricing, wines that show California on the label as a place of origin tend to be the least expensive since a wide variety of locations are available for grape sourcing. When you get to the main AVA on the label, in this case, Central Coast the bottle price can rise a few bucks, then when a sub-AVA is used like here the Monterey AVA the number of available vineyards lessens and the price tag can rise. When you get a wine sourced from a sub-AVA of a sub-AVA and the vineyard selection significantly lowers the wines can get pricey. Except at Trader Joe's where these wines can be seriously cheap, this Arroyo Seco GSM is $6.99.The GSM Tasting NotesThe color is dark cranberry red with black highlights. The nose is bright and spicey, there is blackberry, black pepper, exotic spice, black licorice, lightly herbal, and slightly floral. This is a red wine with a bit of complexity, it has a smooth side and a rough side. This GSM tastes of blackberry, rich and extracted, along with rounded black cherry, raisin spice, and black pepper. The mid-palate adds blood orange, tea, and raspberry. The tannins are dusty and provide a nice texture. The acidity is balanced, this is a $6.99 GSM food wine. Pair with stews, burgers, roasts, and pizza with all the toppings. The finish is subtle and fades before too long, but never really goes away.The Summary What's there not to like about a 7 buck GSM from a small AVA? It does not taste inexpensive, there is a good yin/yang between sweet and tart, smooth and rough textures and flavors. I would not call this GSM delicious, it is more challenging and interesting which is actual praise for a sub-$10 wine. This wine will perform very well with food.
The StoryThe Time Waits For No One Monastrell 2017 is 100% Monastrell (Mourvedre in France) produced by Finca Bacara (Finca translates to farm or vineyard) in the Jumilla DO of southeastern Spain. This wine is designated a DOP wine which is Spain's highest wine category and Monastrell is the #1 Red grape in Jumilla accounting for over 80% of the grapes grown. Jumilla is located on the plains between the mountains to the west and the Mediterranean Ocean to the east. And they have a wine history that goes back to the ancient Greeks, which is enough of the wine travelogue stuff and gets us to why this Monastrell is on this website...it has a skull and crossbones on the label. I can't decide if the bones are a pirate flag or if they are the universal symbol for poison, which would be an odd choice for something you are about to drink. But, it is October, Halloween is coming and we are on the look-out for appropriate Halloween party wines.Monastrell is the same as Mourvedre which is the M in the GSM blends of the Rhone Valley in France. It is typically a blending grape, but in Jumilla it is King. In doing a bit of research it seems that Monastrell has been grown in the area for about 1,500 years. The Time Waits For No One was aged in American oak barrels for 6 months. I found this bottle at Costco selling for $9.99 and prices on the web are all over the place, a range of $12 to $19, so grab it at Costco, if you can. The alcohol content is a sturdy 15%.The Tasting NotesThe color is dark, barely see-thru raspberry jelly red. The nose is earthy and slightly raisiny, there is exotic spice, vanilla, fudge chocolate, blackberry, and prune. This is a wine with a soft, beguiling mouth-feel upfront and gets rougher and more complex as the flavors play out. It tastes of blackberry, raisin, and plum, along with oak spice. The mid-palate shows some dusty tannins, a light sprinkle of Nestles Quik powder, and pomegranate. The acidity is balanced and the finish is full, if not particularly long-lasting.The Summary * The Time Waits For No One Monastrell is definitely not the same old, same old. Decanter gave this wine 95 points and Wine Spectator gave an earlier vintage 81 points and I get it, if you like this Monastrell you will really, really love it and if you don't you will hate it. And I think that is a sign of good wine, it isn't simple and easy. * This is a wine that tastes like Jumilla, Spain, not France, not Italy, not California, sometimes with New World wines the influences kind of blend together, but not here. * Take time to let this Monastrell breathe, as it opens up the flavors become richer and opulent.
The StoryLet's Talk About Cheap Wine- Rhone Valley PodcastDave talks about the wines of the Southern Rhone Valley in Southeastern France specifically and affordable French wines generally. The Rhone Valley features Red wines that blend Grenache and Syrah together along with a handful of other approved grapes, Mourvedre being the most prominent. While there are expensive wine regions in the Rhone Valley, the regular Rhone VAlley and Rhone Village wines are excellent. If you want to find the best cheap wine learn to love Grenache because there are plenty of Grenache-based value-priced wines in southeast France and northeast Spain that deliver a great of bang for the buck. we talk about finding Rhone wines in your local wine shops and tips for figuring out which wines deliver.
The Story The Tenacity Winemaker's Blend 2016 is made by Two Hands Wines from old vine Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Mourvedre farmed on vineyards in McLaren Vale, South Australia. Two Hands produced the WInemaker's Blend,
The d'Arenberg Stump Jump GSM 2014 is a blend of 38% Grenache, 32% Shiraz/Syrah, and 30% Mourvedre sourced from vineyards in the McLaren Vale region of South Australia. McLaren Vale is one of the premier winemaking regions in Australia, it is located near the city of Adelaide, near a bay on land that juts out into the Ocean. Inland Australia can get extremely hot and dry, but the proximity to the Ocean gives McLaren Vale a Mediterranean climate well suited for grape vines. Stump Jump (the name refers to a plow) is d'Arenberg's value priced line of wines. A GSM is one of France's 2 great Red wine blends. The Bordeaux blend, Cabernet Sauvignon plus Merlot, with a couple of other blending grapes is the best known, mainly since this blend is popular with winemakers in Northern California. The GSM blend is mage popular by the wines of the Southern Rhone Valley and especially in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The grapes came from olde bush vines, the grapes were crushed with a basket press, which is the old way the crushing grapes, they now often use huge hydraulic presses, and was fermented in open-top vats. Again, open-top vats are an older method of grape fermentation, it runs the rick of allowing too much oxygen interact with the juice if not done right. But if performed correctly it gives the wine bright juicy flavors and allows the wine to come together in a shorter period of time. Tasting Notes The color is dark, but still see-thru raspberry jam red with black highlights. The nose is jammy berries, with savory aromas and mint, a little tea, a little spice, and a hint of baking fudge brownies. This is a flavorful smooth wine, with a bit of spice on the mid-palate. The current vintage of the Stump Jump GSM is 2016, these wines aren't made to last forever, so drink the 2014 before too long. It tastes of extracted blackberry, tart cranberry, licorice, tea, and herbs. The mid-palate adds a solid dose of spice, including orange zest, soft blueberry, and dusty chocolate powder. The acidity is nicely balanced and the finish vibrates in your mouth for quite some time. Summary * The d'Arenberg Stump Jump GSM is a very solid value priced red. The 3 grapes in the blend bring out the best in each other * If you are getting a little bored with the usual California red blends, try a GSM, it will jump start your palate, tons of flavors, texture and bright acidity * I found Jump Stump GSM on sale for $9.99 and it is a very satisfying, tasty ten buck Red * Here are a couple of links to Stump Jump wines that we have featured in the past: Stump Jump GSM 2011 and the Stump JumpShiraz 2010