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Garry Brooks from Brooks Note Winery in the Petaluma Gap is back on California Wine Country with Dan Berger and Daedalus Howell. He has been on the show before, the last time was this episode in February of this year. They begin by tasting the 2023 Chardonnay. It started five weeks late and they didn’t think anything was going to ripen. These grapes are usually picked mid to late September but this time, it was mid October. “This is a brilliant wine, it has so much personality. It’s crisp and delightful with food, light and only 13% alcohol,” says Dan. There is a chicken truck that parks near the winery that cooks chicken with this wine and herbs. “This is a Chardonnay that doesn’t have that big rich buttery soft center.” It’s a wine made for food. It comes from 3 different vineyards, one in Sebastopol Hills, one in the Santa Rosa plain and one in Petaluma Gap. Dan says it is round and crisp. There is only one eighth done in oak barrels. That small amount is just a kiss of spice and sweetness. Garry says Chardonnay is risky when it goes through a crazy transformation when being made. If you try to bottle it too soon, it’s bland, says Dan. Bung and Roll If you stir Chardonnay you can gain and lose different flavors. There is no stirring involved here, they are just waiting. Dan says this was Jim Clendenon’s technique that he called “bung and roll.” He would fill the barrels with Chardonnay, seal it with a bung, roll the barrel away and never touch it. CWC is brought to you by Deodora Estate Vineyards. Visit Deodora to discover 72 acres in the Petaluma Gap that are producing exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Sip the difference! Next he has brought a couple of their single vineyard wines. There is one vineyard in southern Petaluma Gap, in Marin County, near Marin French Cheese. It’s cold and windy there. You can’t do barbeque in Petaluma Gap because the wind blows hard at 4:00 every day. As the wind speed goes up it slows down photosynthesis so you get a longer growing season. The coastal influence keeps it cool, so there are more floral notes and a lighter style to the wine. Dan describes the Azaya vineyard that grew this Pinot Noir. A really good wine has personality and if you use the word great, it has to have many good things about it, such as this one. They just did their first ever Wine Stroll in Petaluma. All the folks in Petaluma who sell wine, retailers, they sold 400 tickets. Petaluma has a great food scene and the wine scene is growing with the whole city, as an attractive district. They have live music tonight and live comedy tomorrow night. There is Trivia Night on Saturday, this weekend too. Panther Ridge Pinot Noir The next wine is the Panther Ridge Pinot Noir, also from the Petaluma Gap, but up on Sonoma Mountain. The vineyard is all volcanic soil, pumice and basalt, that gives dark flavors and good structure to the wine. Garry majored in Political Science at Duke and was in the Navy, in San Diego, France, Spain and northern California. By the time he was 23 he had tasted wine from all over the world. He was working in Hawaii, for a while selling advertising for the Honolulu Weekly. While going to go to the University of San Diego for an MBA and he met someone who said she was going to UC Davis for Viticulture and Enology. The very existence of such a degree was a surprise. Well, the passion became a job in 2004. He left a well-paying job as an IT project manager in the city and started the winery. All of his business skills carry over to winemaking in ways that help him ensure quality. The Wier Vineyard Pinot retails for $60. A 2018 is for sale now, already aged for you. This is already aged enough to be in the ‘right spot.’ Brooks Note is open daily from 11-6. Brooks Note is open daily from 11-6. Every Friday they have music from 5-7. Tomorrow (Sat. Dec. 13, 2025) the comedy show is at 8pm, there are tickets available on the website. They have Trivia next Saturday, Dec. 20. They only send ONE email per week. Weir Vineyards has a waiting list. He gets the fruit because his daughter went to school with the owner’s granddaughter and he pulled family friendship strings to get the fruit. Garry understands that he has to do things to attract attention for his wines. It all came together for him in Petaluma when he found his location. They bought the place in 2019 and it was their covid project to fix it up. Their capacity is up to 150 people for private events. They have a couple of events, coming up. Dan Durkin the lead singer of Petty Theft, is performing. Bring a can of food to pass on to the homeless center, Friday Dec. 19, 2025. On Feb. 12, 2026 it’s a bigger event, stay tuned to California Wine Country and watch Brooks Notes Wines for more about that.
Want to know the best winery to visit in the US? The Dr. Konstantin Frank winery was named the best winery tour in America for the third year in a row in 2024 by the USA Today 10 Best Reader's Choice Awards. What's the secret sauce? On today's show, we're headed to New York's Finger Lakes region, where winemaking dates back to the 1800s. Meaghan Frank is the great granddaughter of Dr. Konstantin Frank, a Ukrainian immigrant credited with pioneering modern wine making in the Finger Lakes. He is known as the father of vitis vinifera in the East because he taught American vintners how to grow European varietals in the cold climate of the Finger Lakes. Dr Frank developed and mastered cold weatherproofing farming techniques in Ukraine and he brought that innovation to America and his namesake winery, Dr. Frank Konstantin.Meaghan Frank inherited quite a legacy, but she's also brought her own experience and knowledge to the family winery, where she is now in charge of the day-to-day operations. Meaghan's family has many milestones to celebrate, including 40 years of making sparkling wine and women playing major roles in the winery's success and evolution. Riesling wines are a big part of the story. In fact, Dr. Frank's Riesling Vineyard, planted in 1958, is the oldest Riesling planting in the Eastern United States. Riesling is one of the most aromatic and versatile white varieties in the world, made in many styles, from bone dry to dessert wine sweet, in both still and sparkling versions. After listening to today's episode, we hope you'll be inspired to seek out Riesling in all its styles.
Die Feiertage stehen vor der Tür und Lou baut Dir dafür den ultimativen Wein-Guide ohne Stress. Du bekommst klare Empfehlungen, welche drei Weinstile wirklich alle abholen, wie Du Flaschen in Rekordzeit kühlst und welche Gläser und Tools Dir den Abend retten. Dazu ganz konkrete Trinktemperaturen, ein paar Gastro-Hacks für maximale Entspannung und clevere Kniffe, damit Öffnen, Servieren und Nachschenken zum Selbstläufer wird! Wein der Woche Philippe de Lonsac Champagner Brut Premium Ein klassischer Brut aus Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier und Chardonnay – frisch, elegant und mit einer feinen, anhaltenden Perlage. In der Nase verbinden sich Zitrus, Apfel und ein Hauch Brioche; am Gaumen bleibt er lebendig, trocken und wunderbar vielseitig. Perfekt als Aperitif, zu Fisch & Krustentieren oder leichten Vorspeisen. Ein unkomplizierter Champagner, der problemlos das ganze Festmenü begleiten kann. Lous Weinlexikon: B wie Bremmer Calmont Der Bremmer Calmont an der Mosel gilt mit bis zu 65–68 % Steigung als steilster Weinberg Europas. Die Reben stehen auf warmem Schiefer, der die Sonne speichert wie ein Wärmestein. Das Mikroklima ist ideal für Riesling: viel Frische, feine Frucht, kristallklare Mineralität und ein unverkennbarer Terroir-Ausdruck. Ein Weinberg wie ein Klettersteig – und die Rieslinge schmecken genauso energiegeladen. Genau das Richtige für Deine Weinprobe und zum Üben von Verkostungen: Das Cheers! Aromarad https://www.edeka.de/services/edeka-medien/cheers-podcast/index.jsp Lust auf den perfekten Weinmoment? Mit den Cheers! Weinplaylisten findest Du tolle Musik zu jeder Flasche Wein https://open.spotify.com/user/31umv65e2qkqtw3xamou2qwcoska Möchtest Du uns eine Frage stellen, etwas loswerden oder ein Thema vorschlagen? Dann schreib uns gerne an cheers@edeka.de. Wir freuen uns, von Dir zu hören – Cheers! Weitere Infos zu unserem Podcast findest Du unter edeka.de/cheers. Besuche uns auch gerne auf Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cheers_weinpodcast/. Altershinweis: Dieser Podcast beschäftigt sich mit Wein und hat einen Bezug zu Alkohol. Der Inhalt ist ausschließlich an Personen ab 16 Jahren gerichtet.
We explore some of the world
Bettina Sichel, the owner of Laurel Glen Vineyard is back in the studio as our guest on California Wine Country with Dan Berger and Daedalus Howell. She was on the show once before, on this episode last May. Bettina has brought a new wine that Dan is tasting for the first time. This is a 2025 Gruner Veltliner from a historic vineyard on Sonoma Mountain, an unusual grape from a historic vineyard. It is most associated with Austria, usually made dry and has a natural richness. It is not as austere as a Riesling can be. Dan suggests a little bit of green tea component in the grape, and some mineral flavors like slate. It is dry and rich at the same time. CWC is brought to you by Deodora Estate Vineyards. Visit Deodora to discover 72 acres in the Petaluma Gap that are producing exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. The Steiner Vineyard on Sonoma Mountain has two acres of Gruner Veltliner. Dan remembers the Galen Glen Vineyard in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania also makes a great Gruner Veltliner. Dan appreciates that Laurel Glen Vineyard uses a screw cap. Bettina says that all their white wines are bottled with screw caps. Dan explains that screw caps work great but with red wines of a certain price, people just expect a cork. Recently some screw cap producers have developed different screw caps that completely seal or that allow a little bit of air. You can choose the cap that matches your intentions as a winemaker. If a wine has to sit on the shelf for a long time, the cap protects the wine better than a cork might do. They are tasting the Laurel Glen Cabernet, which is blended with about 20% Merlot, to soften it.
Manchmal beginnt Größe nicht mit einem Schritt, sondern mit dem stillen Einverständnis zweier Menschen, denselben Weg zu gehen – jeder auf seine Weise, aber gemeinsam. Mit Ilka Seitner und Noris F. Conrad stehen im Münchner Tantris erstmals zwei Sommeliers Seite an Seite, deren Kompetenz sich nicht nur ergänzt, sondern gegenseitig verstärkt, wie zwei Seiten einer Flasche, die denselben Inhalt tragen, aber ein anderes Licht brechen. Dass diese neue Doppelspitze verwächst, ist nicht bloß ein organisatorischer Schritt, sondern ein dramatischer Moment in der inneren Architektur eines Restaurants, das Traditionelles und Modernes seit jeher miteinander verbindet und in dem Genuss, Essen und Trinken nicht als Dienstleistung, sondern als Lebensgefühl verstanden werden. Zwei Sommeliers beginnen, ihre Erfahrung zu verweben: die eine Linie kühn, die andere bedächtig; die eine analytisch, die andere intuitiv. Zwei Biografien, geprägt von Reisen, Winzern, Begegnungen und jenem verständnisvollen Blick für Wein, in dem sich Stil und Herkunft, Herz und Idee, Liebe und Disziplin, Emotion und Struktur treffen – so wie es nur möglich ist, wenn man den Beruf nicht als Job, sondern als Beziehung zu Menschen, Orten und Momenten begreift. In dieser Verbindung entsteht ein sanfter Dialog zwischen Business und Berufung, zwischen dem, was man lernen kann, und dem, was man nur fühlen kann. Es gibt Momente, in denen sich zwei Karrieren berühren, ohne dass man im ersten Augenblick versteht, welche stille Bewegung sie zusammenführt. Doch im Tantris, wo das Essen nicht nur genossen, sondern interpretiert wird und wo jede Flasche ein Kapitel einer größeren Geschichte erzählt, wird aus dieser Begegnung ein Fundament. Zusammen schaffen sie es, nicht nur Weine auszuwählen und zu empfehlen, sondern Atmosphären zu formen – jene seltenen Augenblicke, in denen ein Gast so tief in das Erlebnis hineingleitet, dass er für einen Moment die Welt draußen vergisst und das Restaurant wie ein stiller, kostbarer Raum wirkt, in dem alles Bedeutung bekommt. Dass Ilka und Noris diese erste Phase ihrer Findung teilen, ist nicht nur spannend, sondern berührend. Es ist ein Atemholen, ein Innehalten, ein Moment, in dem sich zwei Kompetenzen aufeinander ausrichten und ein Gleichklang entsteht, der nicht gesucht, sondern gefunden wirkt. Und doch wächst hier etwas, das größer ist als jede einzelne Flasche, größer als jede Karte, größer als jede Summe aus Erfahrung oder Geld: eine gemeinsame Handschrift, die den Geist des Tantris weiterträgt – präzise, selbstbewusst, getragen von jener tiefen Ruhe, die nur Häuser besitzen, die nichts beweisen müssen und genau deshalb so viel sagen. So wirken bereits Ilka Seitner und Noris F. Conrad: zwei Sommeliers mit einer Vision, die nicht nur innovativ ist, sondern auch das Traditionelle ehrt; zwei Menschen, deren Arbeit nicht nur Können zeigt, sondern Gefühl. Ein Duett, das nicht entstanden ist, um sichtbar zu sein – sondern um wahrhaftig zu wirken.
Wine is family. True wine, true expression, true passion only comes from the support of the family. Not just your blood relatives, but the family of wine. One who is in the trade and has an earnest appreciation for the value of an honest wine, is welcome all over the world by their fellow brothers and sisters. I have seen if first hand over and over again. In this case, Robert McKinly came to Wine Talks through what might be the most authentic, meaning non-commercial, path...through a USC fraternity brother. We learned of our mutual involvement in the wine trade when we were both asked to participate in creating a wine dinner for upt 50 guests. And when I tasted the wines they were making out of Williamette Valley, Oregon, I became an instant fan. Robert McKinley, the winemaker, is the son of my college brother and he got caught the jist of wine at an early age. Our discussion was fascinating. For this episode, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Robert McKinley of Norris Winery—an Oregon vintner whose journey embodies the restless curiosity, grit, and humility that define the Willamette Valley's rise. The tale begins like all good wine stories do: with family and a patch of earth no one quite knows how to love yet. Robert McKinley's parents purchased what was then a hazelnut orchard in 2005, right as Ribbon Ridge earned its AVA status. A teenager, Robert spent his formative years amidst newly planted vines, not yet knowing the soil would shape not just Pinot Noir, but his destiny. He recounts, with genuine awe, the slow, collaborative growth of an entire region—neighbors lending a hand, grapes shared and bartered, and a sense that the Willamette was still, in his words, "the wild, wild West" of winemaking. What's compelling about Robert McKinley is his philosophy—a conviction that great wine is made in the vineyard, not the cellar. "Our goal is just to guide the fruit through," he says, placing nature, patience, and attentive farming above the artifice of heavy-handed cellar work. Each year brings new weather, new tests, and new opportunities for discovery. Some years, smoke from wildfires changes everything. Some years, unexpected frost demands nimble thinking. The constant, Robert McKinley says, is the discipline and humility to let the land—and the vintage—speak for itself. We explore what it means to chase the elusive concept of terroir, to collaborate with neighbors instead of merely competing, and to endure the challenges of a winemaker's life: distribution headaches, shipping woes, and generational change. Robert McKinley shares his love for Riesling—a grape he calls misunderstood and loves to see guests discover in his tasting room. His story isn't one of overnight success, but of dedication, adaptability, and the deep satisfaction of crafting something authentic. Come listen, and you'll find echoes of your own passions—the patience required to build something meaningful, the vulnerability of weathering change, and the inspiration to put your own fingerprint on whatever field you call home. Pour a glass, lean in, and join us: this is Wine Talks, a story as much about Oregon's soil as it is about the human spirit taking root. YouTube: https://youtu.be/ucETmLVwQyQ #WinePodcast #WillametteValley #OregonWine #WinemakerStories
Es gibt Sommeliers, die Aufmerksamkeit suchen – und dann gibt es jene seltenen Weinpersönlichkeiten wie Melanie Wagner, die nicht durch Lautstärke, sondern durch eine tiefe innere Ordnung und vor allem ihre Arbeit wirken. Ihre Präsenz im Restaurant ist kontrolliert, gefasst, souverän – jene Art beherrschter Eleganz, die sich nicht aus dem Wunsch speist, gesehen zu werden, sondern aus einer charakterlich verankerten Selbstverständlichkeit. In einer Welt, in der Wein oft als Lifestyle-Objekt oder als Symbol für Geld und Business missverstanden wird, erinnert sie daran, dass jede Flasche zuerst eines ist – Emotion. Und dass Wein zwar philosophisch betrachtet ein Dialog ist: zwischen Erde und Himmel, Winzer und Jahr, Tradition und Zukunft, aber vor allem getrunken werden und schlichtweg Lebensfreude bereiten sollte. Melanie Wagner ist Realistin und strahlt jene seltene Form der Ruhe aus, die man nur bei Menschen wahrnimmt, die in sich ruhen und die eigene Achse gefunden haben. Keine flippige Gestik, kein Versuch, modisch zu wirken – stattdessen kultivierte Klarheit, formbewusste Gelassenheit und eine reife Unabhängigkeit, die den Raum ordnet. Ihre Art zu sprechen – über Wein, über Genuss, über die Beziehung zwischen Essen und Trinken – offenbart eine intellektuelle Instanz, eine geistige Leitstelle, die Orientierung gibt, ohne zu dominieren. Sie ist kein Trittbrettfahrer ihres eigenen Berufs, sondern eine authentische Wegbereiterin: eigenständig, charakterfest, getragen von Liebe zum Handwerk und Respekt vor jedem Winzer, dessen Arbeit sie interpretiert. Als stilbildende Autorität des Hauses fungiert sie zugleich als kuratorischer Maßstab: eine geschmackliche Leitfigur, deren Entscheidungen nicht modischen Trends folgen, sondern einem inneren Kompass. Ihre Auswahl wirkt nie willkürlich. Sie ist strukturiert ohne Starrheit, verantwortungsvoll im Denken und getragen von einer stillen, oft kontemplativen Klarheit. Melanie Wagner ist eine Stimme der Erfahrung, ein Zentrum fachlicher Klarheit, ein sensorischer Referenzpunkt in einer Branche, die manchmal dazu neigt, im Rauschen der Oberflächen zu verschwimmen. Und Melanie Wagner ist eine der Sommelieren, die man mindestens einmal erlebt haben muss.
Quality is rising, challenges are mounting, and interest in Canadian wine has never been higher. In this episode, host Billy sits down with Okanagan-based Master of Wine Geoff Moss to explore the regions, grapes, and decisions shaping Canadian wine today.Geoff shares how he moved from political science into winemaking, how production experience informs his work in branding and DTC strategy, and why his négociant label Søren Wines serves as a live test case for the advice he gives wineries. We dig into the styles Canada does best, from Syrah and Cabernet Franc to Chardonnay and Riesling, and how recent extreme winter freezes (including 2024) are reshaping what gets planted in BC.We also look at the realities behind bulk wine logistics, export limitations, and the economic pressures facing premium Canadian producers in a soft global market.In this episode, you'll learnHow Geoff Moss MW built a career across production, branding, and direct-to-consumer work.Why the Okanagan is both diverse and climate-challenged, with styles ranging from cool-climate Pinot to warm-climate Syrah.How recent deep freezes devastated BC's vineyards, particularly Syrah, and what growers are replanting now.Why Niagara shines with cool-climate Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Riesling.How Søren Wines sources fruit from BC to Eola–Amity Hills and operates as Geoff's “proof-of-concept” brand.Chapters:00:00 Introduction & Meet Geoffrey Moss, MW01:53 Canada's Wine Landscape: Regions, Climate & Industry Insights04:14 Geoffrey's Path Into Wine & the Origins of Søren Wines13:24 Production Realities: Logistics, Sourcing & Winemaking Challenges16:11 Deep Dive into the Okanagan: Style, Diversity & Key Varieties23:09 Evolution of Okanagan Wines: Merlot, Syrah & Climate Impacts30:32 Market Dynamics: BC Exports, Ontario's Cool-Climate Identity35:18 Niagara's Standout Grapes & Signature Styles41:25 The Future of Canadian Wine46:07 Final ThoughtsThe Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!
Unsere Folgen sind nicht selten ungewöhnlich lang. Das hat seinen Grund: Wir möchten den Tiefsinn fließen lassen und Euch unsere Gesprächspartner so präsentieren, wie Ihr sie sonst nie – und vielleicht nie wieder – kennenlernen könnt. Und um Euch die Scheu zu nehmen, die man verspürt, wenn man einen über drei Stunden langen Zeitstempel sieht, aber auch, um Euch so richtig Lust auf den Kandidaten zu machen, präsentieren wir Euch immer einen Tag vor dem Release einen exklusiven Sneak in die neue Folge. Viel Spaß beim Hören, und wir freuen uns auf Euch mit einem herzlichen „Welcome back“ am Freitag.
Thanksgiving is one of the most difficult meals to pair with, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try! Source: Canva This year, for one of our weekly discussion questions I asked the Patrons how many wines they would be serving with their Thanksgiving/holiday feasts and the answer was overwhelmingly 2-3. Given that, in this show I talk about combinations of two wines you can purchase for your table that will pair with many types of Thankgsivings. Some examples: If your dishes tend to be on the sweet side… honey glazes, marshmallow sweet potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, etc Off-dry Riesling or Vouvray (although butternut squash soup with a kick could do well with a regular Gewurztraminer) Reds: Grenache, GSM blends from Rhône, California, Australia, etc., Garnacha from Spain, Zinfandel Asian-influenced Thanksgiving Aromatic whites: Alsace Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Torrontés, or Viognier Fruity reds with low tannin: For smokey or braised meat: New World Pinot Noir, Côtes du Rhône, Garnacha. For something especially smoky: Saumur-Champigny from Loire Desserts....Pecan Pie: Tawny Port, Madeira, Pedro Ximenez Sherry From Getty Images via Canva There are these ideas explained and so much more packed into the episode. Listen, take what you want leave the rest! Please know that I'm grateful to you for listening and your loyalty to me and the show!! 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
A well-known name in the industry, Paul has been with Leconfield for many years and is famous for making outstanding Merlot and Cabs from the region, including a sensational Cab Franc. His Bordeaux blend with a touch of Riesling is his avant-garde wine that is also a must try.@thewineshowaustralia@leconfieldwines
Bibiana Ravé Bibiana Ravé, winemaker and co-owner of Shared Notes, joins Dan Berger and Daedalus Howell on California Wine Country. Bibana has been on CWC twice, first on this episode of August 29, 2019, to talk about her own wine brand Alma de Cattleya. Then, on April 5, 2023, Bibiana and her husband Jeff Pisoni were on this episode, to talk about Shared Notes. Bibiana grew up in Medellin, Colombia and studied enology in France. They are tasting a wine from Shared Notes, a winemaking project that she shares with her husband Jeff Pisoni. It is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The blend is a bit different from year to year, depending on how the Semillon tastes. French Winemaking in California Bibiana practices French winemaking techniques in California. She describes winemaking as a personal experience. During her time in France, she stayed there and focussed on French wines only. She didn't even study Italian or Spanish wines. CWC is brought to you by Deodora Estate Vineyards. Visit Deodora to discover 72 acres in the Petaluma Gap that are producing exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Her wines are “bone dry” with no residual sugar. They are on the low-to-middle alcohol level. She believes that it is truly all in the vineyard. They work with great vineyard sites. Their Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Ridge Vineyard, which Dan says is one of the best. The vines are 60 years old and have a low yield per acre. She ways that she could not make the wine that she does, if the growers were not as committed as she is. Dan Berger says this wine shows the ancient style with all the dry flavors that it requires. “Very few people in this world make wine that you want to open when your child is 21.” These wines will support 20 years in the bottle. [12:38] Dan Berger: “Most people don’t realize, in the olden days, they would make a wine that was one of the greatest wines in the history of mankind and the next vintage they would make something that was undrinkable. Because they didn’t have the science behind them to tell them what they needed to do! Now we have science, so we can do what we need to do to make great wine every single year.” https://calwinecountry.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CWC-Promo-EG-Science.mp3 Every choice is a force on the vector There is a limit to letting the land and the vineyard speak for themselves. There are choices such as what to plant and where, how many vines per acre? For example, the difference between 848 vines per acre and 2420 vines per acre can completely determine the concentration, the phenolic ripeness and the quality of the fruit. Bibiana describes how she and Jeff wanted to produce wines in California in a way that many people thought could not be done. Dan says that this kind of project takes vision because there is no guarantee that anyone in this country will even understand these wines. [min. 20] Bibiana describes her arrival in Sonoma County in 2005 and she was making wine at the same facility as Jeff, for different labels. They became friends and then got married. Shared Notes Colombian Coffee [min. 23] Bibiana has also brought some special Colombian coffee. It is 100% hand grown single origin. The roast is done properly so the smell of coffee is permeating the room. Her two sons are 8 and 10 and she wanted something to connect her family to something positive from her home country. Coffee fits that perfectly. She thought they should start importing green coffee beans and roasting in California. That started in 2019, then in 2022 they started roasting coffee at the winery in Rhonert Park. Acidity is important for both coffee and wine. Also, both depend on fermentation, since even coffee beans have to be fermented to get the husks off. “I’ve never smelled a light roast with this kind of character,” says Dan Berger.
Peg Champion and Brad Whitworth from the Sonoma County Wine Library join Dan Berger and Daedalus Howell on California Wine Country. The Sonoma County Wine Library is reopening and the wine community is celebrating the rebirth of this great resource. They even have an Instagram page, here. The library holdings document the history of wine in Sonoma County, as well as all over. The renovation of the Healdsburg regional library has been a benefit to the wine library too. There is more space for meetings and for study. The Wine Library Association has just opened The Millie Howie Memorial Garden. She was the founder of the association. They also have several transcriptions of oral history interviews done with wine pioneers starting in the 1950s and ’60s. CWC is brought to you by Deodora Estate Vineyards. Visit Deodora to discover 72 acres in the Petaluma Gap that are producing exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Peg, who is president of the Association, talks about their upcoming community events, starting with the Holiday Gathering on December 4. The library is in the center of Healdsburg. There is a photo exhibit of George Rose, the wine country photographer. and on December 16 he will be there for a “meet the photographer” event. The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association on Feb. 1 They also collaborate with other wine organizations. The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association will come in on Saturday, February 1, from 4-6 pm for a tasting of the Atlantic Seaboard's 2024 wine competition award winners. [@ 12:16] Peg describes the culture in wine country as being open to collaboration and sharing of information. That feels like the opposite of the business culture where NDAs are enforced. The Sonoma County Wine Library is a part of fostering and favoring that open information culture. Dan Berger says that the library is important so that 100 years from now there will be a story to be told. The wineries are too busy trying to stay in business. They don’t have time to document their own history. There are treasures that are the last of their kind, that don’t exist anywhere else. It’s not just for the wineries, it’s for any interested researchers. Peg Champion mentions Megan Jones, the Sonoma County Library research librarian dedicated to this subject.
James MacPhail James MacPhail is our in-studio guest today on California Wine Country with Dan Berger and Daedalus Howell. This is his first time on the show. James MacPhail tells about how he was able to buy back the rights to his brand in July of 2024, so his business is undergoing a rebirth. He has just finished his thirtieth harvest. He and his wife started a brand in 2012 called Tongue Dancer Wines and he has four other collaborations where he is the winemaker. He works with some of the best vineyards in both Napa and Sonoma counties. Over several years he built his company MacPhail Family Wines, then sold it to Hess, then bought it back. Dan mentions that he will have to reassert his style over the brand's production. With the tagline, “Crafted by nature, nurtured by hand,” the prospects are very good. CWC is brought to you by Deodora Estate Vineyards. Visit Deodora to discover 72 acres in the Petaluma Gap that are producing exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. “After 30 years, I'm still a kid in a candy store. I still love what I do. I still get up at 4AM. You know? And it has not yet… put me down.” He and his wife collaborate on their company. He just makes the wine and she does everything else. “Sometime she is a lot busier than I am.” Their tasting room is open by appointment. San Giacomo Family Vineyards Dan asks about the connection to San Giacomo Family Vineyards. The name is well known in the wine business but not so much outside. James says the San Giacomo family represents Sonoma County to him. San Giacomo sends grapes to many wineries, but James MacPhail is the only winemaker who lists their name on the label. Dan credits MacPhail with being predicting of what Pinot Noir would become, starting in the early ‘80s. The San Giacomo fruit is “precise” says Dan. The San Giacomo vineyard had early success planting Chardonnay en masse, providing fruit to all the up and coming producers. At that time, UC Davis was really figuring out how to grow Chardonnay. At first, James made a lot of reds, but he needed to add a white to his production. Dan describes Chardonnay as red wine with no color, and Pinot Noir is like white wine but with color. Pinot Noir is seductive and Chardonnay can be powerful and intense. Dan says they should be served at the same temperature. James and his wife have been traveling to Italy recently so his knowledge of wine is extending to Italian wines. Vermentino, Arneis and Cortese are Italian white wines that were hardly ever exported until the last 25 years. That is because they have only recently improved production technology, using stainless steel that is temperature controlled. There are more varieties in Italy than anywhere, more than 200 white varieties and 400 reds.
Send us a textAldi's Landkastel Mosel Riesling 20241) This wine sells for $6.992) The grapes are sourced from the Mosel region of Germany, the Premier Riesling growing region.3) It is designated as a quality wine, Germany's middle classification.4) It is well-made and tastes great!5) It will pair with both the Thanksgiving meal and Netflix.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com
Unsere Folgen sind nicht selten ungewöhnlich lang. Das hat seinen Grund: Wir möchten den Tiefsinn fließen lassen und Euch unsere Gesprächspartner so präsentieren, wie Ihr sie sonst nie – und vielleicht nie wieder – kennenlernen könnt. Und um Euch die Scheu zu nehmen, die man verspürt, wenn man einen über drei Stunden langen Zeitstempel sieht, aber auch, um Euch so richtig Lust auf den Kandidaten zu machen, präsentieren wir Euch immer einen Tag vor dem Release einen exklusiven Sneak in die neue Folge. Viel Spaß beim Hören, und wir freuen uns auf Euch mit einem herzlichen „Welcome back“ am Freitag.
Tohu Pinot Gris 2025, Awatere Valley, Marlborough RRP from $18.99 The Awatere is located on the eastern site of Marlborough with many of the vineyards at the north-eastern reaches. On a clear day, the North Island is easy to see. This location means many of the vineyards are exposed to the easterly and southerly breezes, but there are significant sunshine hours to ripen the grapes. The wine styles are nearly always fresh and taut, often with a saline quality to the acidity. Lots of citrus and pomaceous fruit flavours are common in the wines. Founded in 1998, Tohu Wines is the world's first Māori-owned wine company. They produce excellent wines including sparkling and Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and this Pinot Gris. This wine has some delicacy about it, it is bright, taut, fresh, salivating. The varietal flavours of green and red apple, white peach, pear and some honeysuckle deliver the core mid-palate flavours and weight. Salivating and just dry on the palate with textures from lees and acidity creating a vibrant mouthfeel. Well-made, balanced and ready to drink from late 2025 through 2028. The season: rather excellent Warm spring. Near-perfect flowering. Above-average yields. The diurnal shift from warm days to cool night ensured both flavour development and acidity were preserved. Food match: New season sweet corn with lots of butter and sea-salt with this wine is a near perfect match. You can also dip the corn cob into a sour-cream sprinkled with nutmeg for some extra matching. Alternatively, a sweetcorn fritter topped with sour-cream and a slice of smoke salmon works just as well with the Tohu Pinot Gris. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week's podcast spotlights Óscar Salas, winemaker at Viña Santa Rita—a winery established in 1880 by Don Domingo Fernández Concha, who introduced top-tier French grape varieties to Maipo Valley's fertile soils. Salas presents a new label featuring the Alto Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon. Joining him is Jean-Marc Enixon, Director of Winemaking at Phantom Creek Estates, who will recommend wines for the holiday season, including the 2022 Small Lot Evernden Riesling and Phantom Creek's 2022 Estate Cabernet Franc. The show also offers plenty of festive ideas for experiencing downtown Vancouver, with insights from Darcy Hagan, Director of Weddings and Luxury Events at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, and Nicholas Hall, Food and Beverage Director. Lastly, Erni Loosen, owner of Germany's renowned Dr. Loosen winery in the Moselle Valley, shares his deep knowledge and lifelong passion for Riesling—a tradition the Loosen family has nurtured in the Mosel region for more than 200 years.
Wenn Trainer sich einig sind, Podcaster aber nicht. Wenn Lack das neue Riesling ist, und du die Bayern zu einem Unentschieden zwingst. Wenn in Augsburg langsam die Lichter ausgehen, und Heidenheim in Leverkusen aufgefressen wird...dann ist Eierzeit!
Vinene i afsnittet er skænket af Løgismose https://www.loegismose.dk/ Smagekasse med de tre vine fra afsnittet: https://www.loegismose.dk/produkter/2-vine-eller-anden-vin--podcast-kassen/87112/ Smagekasse med seks vine. De tre vine fra afsnittet samt husenes topvine: https://www.loegismose.dk/produkter/2-vine-og-toppen-podcast-kasse/87113/ Der er enkeltflaskerabat på alle vinene fra afsnittet samt husenes 1. vine til og med d. 20. november 2025. Brug rabatkoden "VFB25" og få 25% rabat på alle ikke nedsatte varer hos Løgismose til og med 30. november 2025. …………………. Vi skal i dagens afsnit i dybden med begrebet 2. vine og have en forståelse af forskellige områders brug af begrebet. Vi skal selvfølgelig have en historisk indføring i begrebet 2. vine og blive klogere på, hvordan man benytter begrebet i dag. - Hvad ligger der egentlig i betegnelsen 2. vin? - Er det en vin som smager tæt på husenes hoved-/top-/1.- vine, men som er billigere eller…? - Er det nødvendigvis en ringere vin end 1. vinen eller skal den anses som en anden vin? - Hvad er tankegangen om 2. vine i Tyskland, i Toscana og i Bordeaux? Forvirret? Det giver mening, når du har hørt afsnittet. Vi smager på NB. Der er hos Løgismose enkeltflaskerabat på alle vinene samt husenes 1. vine til og med d. 20. november 2025. 1) Riesling, 1. Lage, Bingen, Rheinhessen, 2023, ØKO https://www.loegismose.dk/produkter/riesling-trocken-bingen-1-lage/86560/ 2) Rosso di Montalcino, Podere Brizio, Toscana, Sangiovese, 2022, ØKO https://www.loegismose.dk/produkter/rosso-di-montalcino-oko/85767/ 3) Fleur de Pédesclaux, Château Pédesclaux, Pauillac, Bordeaux, Merlot/Cab/Ver, 2016 https://www.loegismose.dk/produkter/fleur-de-pedesclaux/70074/ ..................... Køb vores nyeste bog "Bobler for begyndere og øvede" her: https://www.saxo.com/dk/bobler-for-begyndere_bog_9788773396568 Eller vores bog om vin her: https://www.saxo.com/dk/vin-for-begyndere_bog_9788773391303 Støt Vin for begyndere podcast her https://vinforbegyndere.10er.app/ Besøg os på Facebook og Instagram, hvor man kan se billeder af vinene og få tips til vin og mad sammensætning. https://www.facebook.com/vinforbegyndere https://www.instagram.com/vinforbegyndere Web: https://www.radioteket.dk/ Kontakt: radioteket@radioteket.dk Musik: Jonas Landin Lyt vores bog som lydbog her: Køb den her https://www.saxo.com/dk/vin-for-begyndere-og-oevede_lydbog_9788773397374
This time in the grape miniseries -- a refresh on one of my all time favorite grapes -- Riesling. This versatile grape has a long history of quality, and is highly misunderstood by most people. I review the long and noble history of the grape, starting in 1435 and talk about how it wound up in places like the US and Australia, where it makes world class examples. I cover Riesling in the vineyard, in the cellar, and what makes a wine sweet or dry. I even explain a bit about the International Riesling Foundation scale! I hope this overview gives you a new apprecaition for this grape that can be dry, sparkling, off-dry, sweet, and everything in between. Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Join the community today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________ This show is brought to you by my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can't go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to wineaccess.com/normal to sign up!
Tonight, we are trying a Kabinett Riesling from Mosel, Germany. Just for some added fun we also have an Emma Reichart Dry Riesling from Rheinhessen, Germany. So what is a Kabinett (Cabby – Net) and what are other words used to describe the sweetness in German wines. Trocken is the German word for dry. Kabinett has crisp acidity, green apple, citrus and delicate floral notes. Good for an aperitif and pair nicely with light seafood dishes and salads. Dry to a little sweet. Spatlese is a late harvested wine so will have riper stone fruit, touches of honeyed and tropical notes, and acidity. These wines pair well with spicy foods and soft cheeses. Auslese is made from fully ripe fruit and may even have some “Nobel rot”. It has flavors of apricot, honey, and caramelized apple. Pairs with desserts and strong blue cheese. Hint: you can often tell the level of sweetness from the alcohol level. Anything over 11% alcohol will typically be dry. Less than 11% will probably have some level of sweetness. Tonight, our two wines are: 2023 Karl Kaspar Riesling Kabinett. It is an off-dry Riesling with a classic Mosel profile. Intense mineral and floral aromas, low alcohol and a wonderful balance between sweetness and crisp acidity. The grapes come from two single vineyard sites of stoney, slate soil. Grapes of different ripeness levels are used. 45% Riesling Spatlese from middle Mosel and 55% Riesling Kabinett from the lower Mosel. Fermented in stainless steel tanks. Serve well chilled. Excellent aperitif or with fish or poultry. 2024 Emma Reichart Dry Riesling. This wine was purchased from Trader Joe's for $5.99 and comes from the Rheinhessen region of Germany. Flavors of peach, citrus, and slate. Crisp. The wine received a Bronze Award and a score of 88 from Decanter. This is considered a medium-dry wine with residual sugar from 5 to 18 g/L. It has 11.5% alcohol.We both liked the wines and gave them a three rating. Denise liked the Emma Reichart, but I found it to be a little sweet and lacked the balance of the Karl Kaspar. Next week, we return to the USA. We will taste the hybrid wine grape Baco Noir. The wine comes from New York, and we will also talk about its wine industry.
Gespräche am Küchentisch, ein volles Glas und immer was zu knabbern: Das ist DIE WEIN-WG. Mathias Brandweiner, Pauline Pérou und Nitya Kostka sind eure durstigen Mitbewohner*innen - und ihr dürft für jeweils 90 Minuten mit einziehen! Mit der WEIN-WG bekommt die TundA*-Family Zuwachs über Willi und Curly hinaus, neue Folgen gibt es ungefähr alle zwei Monate zum gewohnten TundA* Donnerstag. In jeder Episode wird ein Thema im Mittelpunkt stehen, zu dem das internationale Trio ein paar Flaschen zur gegenseitigen Blindverkostung präsentiert. Heute lautet die Überschrift: Adventszeit und Weihnachten. Dabei sind die festlichen Weine freundlich kalkuliert, wie es sich fürs WG-Leben gehört. „Nichts über 10 Euro!“ heißt die Regel der neuen Serie, die wir natürlich, wie alle Regeln bei Terroir und Adiletten, nach Lust und Laune brechen. Apropos Regeln brechen: Curly persönlich lässt es sich nicht nehmen, zur Premiere vorbeizuschauen. Wie wird er von der WG aufgenommen, wer gewinnt beim Roederer-Flaschendrehen und why the fuck schmeckt dieser Riesling wie ein Sauvignon Blanc? Findet es heraus - nur hier, in der WEIN-WG! Folgt DIE WEIN-WG auf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terroirundadiletten/ Folgt Pauline auf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulineperou/ Folgt Mathias auf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wein_hias/ Folgt Nitya auf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nitya__k/ In Zusammenarbeit mit Schlumberger Segnitz: https://www.schlumberger.de/ und Louis Roederer: https://www.louis-roederer.com/de/prehome Produzent: pleasure* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pleasure_berlin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pleasure_berlin Website: https://www.pleasure-berlin.com/ Magazin: https://www.thisispleasure.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pleasureberlin
Nem toda combinação entre vinho e comida é óbvia — mas existem harmonizações consagradas que resistem ao tempo e às modas. Neste vídeo, exploramos seis clássicos absolutos da enogastronomia, explicando por que funcionam tão bem e como aplicá-los no seu dia a dia.Prepare o seu copo e venha mergulhar nas tradições que moldaram a cultura do vinho no mundo.✨ O que você vai descobrir:- Jerez Fino e Tapas Espanholas: a harmonia entre salinidade, frutos secos e tradição ibérica.- Riesling da Alsácia e Chucrute: acidez vibrante e versatilidade à mesa.- Rosé de Provence e Bouillabaisse: o equilíbrio perfeito entre leveza e estrutura.- Tinto da Bairrada e Leitão: a força da gastronomia portuguesa em uma combinação emblemática.- Barolo e Brasato: potência e elegância no encontro entre vinho e carne.- Sauternes e Foie Gras: o doce e o salgado em uma união inesquecível.
Quali frutti made in Italy e in Germany mangeremo nei prossimi anni? E come sta cambiando la produzione agricola per reagire a caldo estremo, siccità e alluvioni? Agnese Franceschini svela al microfono di Luciana Caglioti cosa succede già ora in Germania, dove le mele soffrono e c'è chi prova a coltivare il tè. L'enologo Nicola Biasi spiega perché ha scelto di trasferirsi nella zona della Mosella e Lorenzo Bazzana di Coldiretti Italia ci parla di avocado, mango e banane Chiquita in Sicilia. Avete domande o suggerimenti? Volete ascoltare un podcast su un tema particolare? Scriveteci a cosmoitaliano@wdr.de Seguiteci anche su Facebook: Cosmo italiano E qui trovate tutti i nostri temi: https://www1.wdr.de/radio/cosmo/sprachen/italiano/index.html Von Luciana Caglioti.
In this sensory-driven episode, Janina is joined by Sietze Wijma, founder of The Art of Tasting, to explore how flavour molecules shape our experience of wine. From chemistry to culture, Sietze shares how our environment, memories, and even our saliva can change what we taste in the glass. Together, they unpack the science behind wine aromas, tasting faults, and why perception is as much about learning as it is about the senses. Shownotes [00:26] Janina introduces her guest, Sietze Wijma, recognised at the 67 Pall Mall Global Communicator Awards for his work blending sensory science and wine education. [01:49] Quick wine fact — how saliva enzymes alter sweetness and release fruity aromas in Sauvignon Blanc. Based on info from The Cynic's Guide to Wine by Sunny Hodge (Guest on Ep 232) [03:41] Sietze explains The Art of Tasting and how adding isolated flavour compounds helps students identify key aromas. [04:31] How flavour molecules like those in green bell peppers naturally occur in wine. [05:28] Using “spiked” neutral wines as a training tool before tasting commercial wines. [06:19] Butter, vanilla, and yogurt notes — breaking down malolactic fermentation, oak ageing, and lees stirring. [08:00] How culture shapes perception: diacetyl (buttery aroma) described as baklava in Turkey or dahi in India. [09:36] Sietze's journey from studying flavour chemistry in beer to founding his own wine-focused aroma lab in the UK. [11:03] The “bird-watching” analogy — tasting is about recognition, not sensitivity; anyone can train their palate. [12:57] Identifying key wine aroma families — pyrazines, TDN, and rotundone — and how they appear in specific grape varieties. [13:55] Pyrazines and their link to green bell pepper notes in Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Carménère. [15:10] TDN and the petrol character in Riesling — how sunlight and bottle age intensify the aroma. [17:04] Rotundone and the black-pepper signature of cool-climate Syrah and white-pepper notes of Grüner Veltliner. [20:04] How different cultures interpret the same aroma — ginseng and pyrazines in Chinese Cabernet Sauvignon. [21:27] The “ladybug taint” — an uncommon wine fault caused by crushed beetles releasing pyrazine compounds. [23:32] Common wine faults explained: cork taint (TCA), reduction, light strike, oxidation, and brettanomyces. [28:09] Story time — Sietze recalls mistaking oxidation for an open-too-long bottle in Austria. [30:14] Brettanomyces and the fine line between savoury complexity and spoilage. [32:31] The Château de Beaucastel example — when Brett becomes part of terroir and debate. [33:13] Tasting myths: why aromas like “green bell pepper” don't mean actual allergens in wine. [34:37] How to improve blind tasting skills at home using aroma kits and DIY spiked wines. [36:28] Why tasting side-by-side is key to better identification and learning. [37:55] The “mouseiness” fault — why some aromas appear only after tasting due to pH and acidity. [42:46] Helen Keller's quote on scent and memory — a poetic close to a science-rich episode.
Drei offene Weine, Gastronomie (auch im Fernsehturm), Taittinger & Bollinger, Literatur übers Essen, Korkgeld, und ein alkoholfreies Bier.
Drei offene Weine, Gastronomie (auch im Fernsehturm), Taittinger & Bollinger, Literatur übers Essen, Korkgeld, und ein alkoholfreies Bier.
Think you know how to pair wine with Asian cuisine? Think again.In this episode, we explore the intriguing insights of Master of Wine Richard Hemming, who challenges traditional pairing norms with his groundbreaking book, Wine & The Food of Asia. After two years of rigorous research, including the testing of 400 wines and 80 recipes from 13 countries, Richard invites us to rethink our approach and discard the traditional rules.Today, we explore the misconceptions about Riesling being the go-to choice for spicy foods and uncover effective strategies for navigating complex pairings. We'll discuss how to pair wine with Chengdu and Chongqing's iconic mala spice, identify suitable white wines for vinegar-heavy dishes, and highlight Richard's unexpected wine and Asian food combinations.Richard's book, Wine & The Food of Asia, is available through the 67 Pall Mall website, with Amazon distribution on the way. Since 2016, Bottled in China brings you into the food and drink scene through conversations with the some of the most happening personalities. Hosted by Emilie Steckenborn, the show is your one spot for all things food, beer, wine and spirits from across the world. Connect with us on LinkedIn or Instagram @bottled.in.chinaPodcast available on iTunes, Spotify , online or wherever you listen to your episodes! Subscribe to Bottled in China to follow the journey!Check out our new website & find out more at https://www.thebottledshow.com
Master Sommelier Carlos Santos uncovers the surprising versatility of this one food that pairs beautifully with wine. Cooking the same ingredient three ways, Carlos shares expert advice on which wines—from Champagne to Riesling and Sherry—best compliment each preparation. Dive into the fundamentals of food and wine pairing, learn how to consider flavour intensity, and discover why creativity matters in pairing dishes with wines. This episode also highlights why this food goes beyond breakfast, proving their culinary potential at any meal. Sponsors: RIEDEL Wine Glasses: https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller (Use code: GOTSOMME at check out for 20% off) Grays.com Buy the wine, drink the wine where we get ours: https://www.grays.com/search/wine Key Takeaways A single ingredient can transform your wine pairing choices. The most versatile foods for wine pairing. Spicy dishes can make wine pairing more challenging. Scrambled eggs pair beautifully with Champagne. Riesling enhances the delicate flavours of poached eggs. Sherry adds richness to egg-based dishes. Understanding flavour intensity is crucial for successful pairing. Creativity allows for unique and exciting food and wine matches. Classic pairings have stood the test of time for a reason. Episode Chapters 00:00 The Versatility of Eggs in Wine Pairing 05:10 Exploring Different Egg Preparations 11:11 Fundamentals of Food and Wine Pairing 17:00 Egg Dishes Beyond Breakfast Welcome to Got Somme, the ultimate wine podcast where Master Sommeliers and wine experts share their tips, blind tasting challenges, and insider knowledge from vineyards around the world. Whether you’re a wine beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, we explore everything from wine education and wine tasting techniques to sparkling wines, red vs white, and the best wines under $30. Subscribe for weekly episodes and join us as we taste, learn, and uncover the stories behind your favourite wines. Perfect for anyone looking to improve their wine knowledge, discover new wine regions, or just enjoy a fun, educational chat about wine.This podcast proudly presented by Grays.com: https://www.grays.com/search/wine-and-more?tab=itemsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Send us a textRaj Vaidya is one of America's most respected sommeliers. He discovered his passion for wine while working in fine dining and went on to shape acclaimed programs at restaurants such as Cru, Per Se, and many others. He later oversaw Daniel Boulud's global restaurant empire, earning a reputation for excellence and precision.Renowned for his deep knowledge of Champagne, Riesling, Burgundy and Rhône wines, Raj now leads his own consulting company. Check out the website: www.drinkingonthejob.com for great past episodes. Everyone from Iron Chefs, winemakers, journalist and more.
Not only is he outspoken and focused, Jeff also spent 10 years in Ottawa. He knows well which doors to knock on or kick down. Jeff has been traveling to the various wine growing regions of BC and learning firsthand the challenges brought by climate and dealing with Crafted in BC wines. We'll talk about the future of specific varietals in BC (Syrah, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and more) Jeff brings comments on "generational opportunities", getting more BC wines on store shelves and all the challenges ahead. He brings strong commentary on Interprovincial shipping and relationships in Alberta. Also, Jeff reminds us that Wine BC kicks off Fall For BC. Inspiring visitors to explore BC Wine Country. Discover new memories and experiences. Get connected or reconnected to wine country. Come meet the new voice and face of BC Wine. - Jeff Guignard. www.winebc.com
For over 200 years, the Loosen family at DR Loosen has made Riesling in Germany - it pumps through their veins and that can lead to some hilarious stories. On today's episode Jason talks to Ernst Loosen, who since the 1980s has run the growing empire of wine in their family and they have one of the funniest conversations you can have about white wine! Make sure to subscribe to SOMM TV AT SOMMTV.com to watch over 30 hours about everything you can imagine about Riesling. For 50% off enter SOMMTV50 at checkout on a monthly subscription.
This week on Wine Crush Podcast, we're spotlighting two very different yet equally captivating Oregon wine stories—Appassionata and Dagger Daisy Wine.Founded with a reverence for patience and craftsmanship, Appassionata is dedicated to the art of aging Pinot Noir and Riesling. With their stunning estate vineyard and elegant tasting room, they embody old-world sophistication rooted in Oregon soil—crafting wines meant to evolve, surprise, and delight over time.In contrast, Dagger Daisy bursts onto the scene with fresh energy and unbridled passion. Their focus is on creating vibrant, approachable, and eminently drinkable wines that capture the joy of sharing a bottle with friends. Bold, lively, and full of heart, they're quickly making their mark on the Willamette Valley.In this episode, we explore the stories, philosophies, and winemaking journeys behind both brands—one steeped in tradition and patience, the other thriving on innovation and energy. Together, they showcase the incredible range of Oregon's wine community.
Christian Adams with the German Wine Collection is back on California Wine Country with Dan Berger and Daedalus Howell. The last time he was on CWC was this episode last November . The name Fumé Blanc is still used by about 10% of the bottlers of Sauvignon Blanc. It was a name that Robert Mondavi came up with, for Sauvignon Blanc wine. Then in 1973 David Stare, founder of Dry Creek Vineyards, also started using it. Once the name was used, the federal government required the subtitle “Sauvignon Blanc” to explain Fumé Blanc. Dan Berger has invited Christian Adams again, to emphasize the great wines coming from Germany. They used to have a reputation for being dominated by sweet whites but that's no longer true. Who wants dry Riesling? I do! I do! After France and the US, Germany is the world's third producer of Pinot Noir by volume. The weather in Germany is just warm enough for Pinot Noir, although mostly still too cold for Cabernet. Pinot Noir was brought to Germany in the middle ages. Up to about 40 years ago, the German Pinots were rather light. Some producers were making “off dry” Pinot Noir, slightly sweet. Now they are making world class Pinot Noir that rivals those of Burgundy. “This is really good!” -Dan Berger The use of oak is so careful that it's almost not there, which favors the fruit flavors. Pfeffingen has been making wine since 1622. Pfaltz is the German name of the Palatinate region in western Germany where a lot of German Pinot Noir comes from. CWC is brought to you by Deodora Estate Vineyards. Visit Deodora to discover 72 acres in the Petaluma Gap that are producing exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. This wine is aged in a combination of smaller German and French oak barrels. Christian Adams raises the question that people often ask. What are the differences among barrels, where the wood is grown, and where the barrels are made? Christian explains that some wood comes from Romania or Germany. The differences include how much the wood is toasted and how big the barrels are. Smaller barrels make for more contact area with the wine.
This week on Wine Crush Podcast, we're spotlighting two very different yet equally captivating Oregon wine stories—Appassionata and Dagger Daisy Wine.Founded with a reverence for patience and craftsmanship, Appassionata is dedicated to the art of aging Pinot Noir and Riesling. With their stunning estate vineyard and elegant tasting room, they embody old-world sophistication rooted in Oregon soil—crafting wines meant to evolve, surprise, and delight over time.In contrast, Dagger Daisy bursts onto the scene with fresh energy and unbridled passion. Their focus is on creating vibrant, approachable, and eminently drinkable wines that capture the joy of sharing a bottle with friends. Bold, lively, and full of heart, they're quickly making their mark on the Willamette Valley.In this episode, we explore the stories, philosophies, and winemaking journeys behind both brands—one steeped in tradition and patience, the other thriving on innovation and energy. Together, they showcase the incredible range of Oregon's wine community.
Vinene i afsnittet er skænket af Mr. Ruby https://mr-ruby.dk/shop/frontpage.html Smagekasse med de tre vine fra afsnittet her https://mr-ruby.dk/shop/smagekasse-riesling-fra-894p.html Læs endnu mere om smagekassen og de glemte parceller her https://vinunderlup.dk/franz-josef-clotten-skatteraadmand-og-meget-mere/ …..…. Dagens afsnit bliver virkelig nørdet… Vi borer ned i den tyske vinhistorie i jagten på at inddele Mosel i parceller/Gewannes og enkeltmarker. Vi smager selvfølgelig tre vine fra de glemte parceller, som udtrykker sig ret forskelligt. Vi tager luppen frem og kigger på et gammel Mosel-kort tilbage fra 1868, hvor historien begynder med Herr Clotten, som får til opgave at kortlægge området. Også året 1971 får en gennemgang, da året er definerende for hvordan man skal forstå klassfikationerne i dag. Det skal dermed handle om Groslage, Einzellage, Grosse Lage, Erste Lage, Gewannes og Grosses Gewächs (GG). Bliver man forvirret? Ja da! Det lykkedes at finde kortet fra 1868 online! Se det her: https://www.larscarlberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Weinbaukarte-Mosel-1890-RB-Trier-11492AG-002.jpg ..................... Køb vores nyeste bog "Bobler for begyndere og øvede" her: https://www.saxo.com/dk/bobler-for-begyndere_bog_9788773396568 Eller vores bog om vin her: https://www.saxo.com/dk/vin-for-begyndere_bog_9788773391303 Støt Vin for begyndere podcast her https://vinforbegyndere.10er.app/ Besøg os på Facebook og Instagram, hvor man kan se billeder af vinene og få tips til vin og mad sammensætning. https://www.facebook.com/vinforbegyndere https://www.instagram.com/vinforbegyndere Web: https://www.radioteket.dk/ Kontakt: radioteket@radioteket.dk Musik: Jonas Landin Lyt vores bog som lydbog her: Køb den her https://www.saxo.com/dk/vin-for-begyndere-og-oevede_lydbog_9788773397374 Vi smager på 1) PIESPORTER GOLDTRÖPFCHEN HOHLWEID GG, LEHNERT-VEIT, MOSEL, 2024 https://mr-ruby.dk/shop/2024-piesporter-goldtropfchen-888p.html 2) TRITTENHEIMER APOTHEKE LORENZIUSBERG GG, CLÜSSERATH-EIFEL, MOSEL, 2019 https://mr-ruby.dk/shop/2019-trittenheimer-apotheke-884p.html 3) ÜRZIGER IN DER KRANKLEI, RIESLING, SPÄTLESE TROCKEN, KARL ERBES, MOSEL, 2023 https://mr-ruby.dk/shop/2023-urziger-in-891p.html
Jim Peterson, aka Texas Wine Pilot, was our 1st guest on the podcast and has returned to chat about his love for Riesling and the time he spent living in Germany. Jim teaches Ray and Dave how to pronounce words in German, Riesling rules in the German Wine classification, how to choose a bottle of Riesling, and so much more. Welcome back to the podcast, Jim!2021 Schloss Vollrads Estate Riesling Kabinett.2022 Dönnhoff Kreuznacher Kahlenberg Riesling Trocken.2019 J. J. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett.2019 J. J. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese.
This interview is with Nicholas Caluori of Secus Wines. In this interview, Nicholas talks about his variety of experiences working wine harvests all around the world and how he started his own label.Nicholas shares about growing up in Kirkland, Washington, where his family owned an Italian restaurant. When he started working at the restaurant in the early 2000s, wine was starting to boom in the Pacific Northwest, and he had to know about wine in order to better serve guests.While originally he was more interested in beer, Nicholas and his mom took a course with the Court of Master Sommeliers to understand more about wine. Many of his friends in the area worked in wine, so he joined a harvest at Betz Family Winery in 2015. After that, he worked harvests in New Zealand, California, Chile, and finally Burgundy before coming back to Washington.Later in the interview, Nicholas talks about moving to Oregon as the wine scene seemed more “punk rock.” While working at Limited Addition, he started his own wine experiments that would later set the stage for his label. In 2024, he released his first vintage of Secus (which means “to the contrary”) Wines which included a Riesling and a Syrah.This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Linfield University's Nicholson Library on August 15, 2025.
In this episode of Five Questions on the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Erica Crawford, co-founder of the famed New Zealand brand Kim Crawford and now the driving force behind Loveblock Wines in Marlborough. Known for its certified organic vineyards and holistic farming philosophy, Loveblock Wines has become one of the country's most respected estate producers.Erica shares her perspective on:The vineyards and varietals at Loveblock Wines, from Sauvignon Blanc to Riesling and Pinot NoirWhy organic farming and sustainability are central to her winemaking visionInspirations she's drawn from regions like Napa's Quintessa, Northern France, and Australia's Eden ValleyMemorable vintages in New Zealand—including both challenging and standout yearsHer hopes for the future, especially her passion for showcasing New Zealand RieslingWhether you're a collector, sommelier, or simply a wine lover, Erica's insights reveal what makes Marlborough such a dynamic and inspiring region.
Kim Stare Wallace and Brian Pruett are our guests on California Wine Country with Dan Berger and Daedalus Howell. Brian is the winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyards and this is his first time on California Wine Country. Kim’s last time on the show was this episode of March 30, 2022. Dan begins by describing Chenin Blanc and how versatile it is in Europe. Dry Creek Valley is making a sparkling Chenin Blanc to celebrate their 50th anniversary. They love Cremant de Loire, and the Stare family have friends in Loire Valley, so it felt right to make one for the celebration. Brian had never made a sparkling wine before but it worked so well they will make it every year. Sparkling Chenin Blanc They only needed to harvest a couple of weeks earlier than the still wine harvest, in order to get lower sugars and higher acidity. It is actually 90% Chenin Blanc and 10% Cabernet Franc. Chenin Blanc of course also makes a great still wine. Dry Creek Vineyards has been bottling Chenin Blanc for many years. They always called it Dry Chenin Blanc. Her father, is the pioneering winemaker David Stare. He always thought it important to point out the difference between their Chenin Blanc and many others, that veer toward the sweet side. CWC is brought to you by Deodora Estate Vineyards. Visit Deodora to discover 72 acres in the Petaluma Gap that are producing exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Dry Creek Valley has been bottling Bordeaux-style blended wines “since the get go.” They have made some that favor the Cabernet side, and others like this new one that favor Merlot. They know the vineyards they are using, and they are looking for the oak not to overshadow the fruit or the vineyard. They want the wines to be as complex as possible and support combining with food. Daedalus notices a balance between power and elegance. Kim tells about Dry Creek Vineyard’s decision to focus on Dry Creek Valley as a source for their Bordeaux program. They have all kinds of conditions that favor the growth of Bordeaux varieties. Brian also remembers the influence of the Pacific Ocean that cools us off at night.
Dan Berger, Clark Smith and Clark’s book Postmodern Winemaking. Clark Smith, one of our most frequent guests, is back again on California Wine Country with Dan Berger and Daedalus Howell. His last time on CWC was this episode on Dec. 6, 2024, when he talked about unusual varietals. Dan Berger is at WineSong today, and Clark Smith is here with Daedalus Howell. Clark Smith just got through bottling 12 new wines. One of the great things about wine is that you can’t experience it on the internet. You can experience a lot of BS about wine on the Internet, though. Daedalus remembers. At first, there were some important writers who moved wrote in magazines, now writing online. Clark remembers that they were friends of the wine industry. They wanted to promote the idea of wine as a beverage. In 1972 when Clark Smith went into the wine business, he toured the country and met as many of them as he could. Now there are 13,00o so that’s a big change. Clark Smith notes the difference between regulation of the wine industry between the US and France. In France, the regulations are all about making the wine, and in the US, regulation all about selling the wine. CWC is brought to you by Deodora Estate Vineyards. Visit Deodora to discover 72 acres in the Petaluma Gap that are producing exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. They have a Pinot Noir from the Lester Family estate in the Santa Cruz mountains, which Clark calls the best region for growing wine anywhere. They also have a Sangiovese and a Zinfandel classico. Dan Berger Calls from WineSong Dan is on the road at WineSong, calling on the phone. Clark mentions the Zinfandel they are tasting in the studio, which he made in the old style, “before the world went nuts” and people started asking for wines that were big “pruny high-alcohol” wines. Zins that reach 17% ABV, absurd. Why did Napa Cabernet go this way? It’s really a disgrace. Clark makes wonderful Napa Cabernet, the way they used to in the ’70s. “We got into this sort of wet T-shirt contest, how big can we make the wine?” Big became too big. Napa really grows some of the best Cabernet in the world, “then we just piss it away making these clown wines…” Word.
How can vines for wine thrive in Mount Etna's rocky, volcanic soils on the island of Sicily? Mount Etna is a perpetual baby in terms of its vineyard soils; constant rejuvenation of the soil through ash and lava impacts the vine's health and the resulting grape characteristics. The lava flows are centuries old and vary widely. So, how would a producer choose one flow over another for planting? How does Mount Etna still have pre-phylloxera vines that are over 200 years old? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Ben Spencer, the award-winning author of The New Wines of Mount Etna. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Why did Ben find Fabio Costantino of Terra Costantino such a fascinating and emblematic person from Etna's wine community? What is the landscape of Mount Etna like, and what makes it unique and beautiful? How do producers on Etna choose which lava flow to plant on? What does it look like to grow grapes in a place as fertile as on Etna? How do Etna wines compare with other volcanic wines? Are field blends of different grape varieties still common in Etna's vineyards? How does Nerello Mascalese compare to Pinot Noir grapes? Why is Nerello Cappuccio mostly used in blends rather than as a single varietal wine? How does Carricante, Etna's signature white grape, develop the kerosene or petrol aroma often found in aged Riesling? What were some of the oldest vines Ben has seen on Mount Etna? How can you get the most out of a trip to Etna? Who would Ben love to share a bottle of wine with? Key Takeaways How can vines for wine thrive in Mount Etna's rocky, volcanic soils on the island of Sicily? It's very, very fertile and you can plant just about anything. The vines are only part of that biodiversity. You can put a grafted vine selection, masala, cutting from your own vineyard into the earth. What it taps into will sort of define what that vine will be. We see 95% of the vines take because the soil is so fertile. Mount Etna's lava flows are centuries old and vary widely. How would a producer choose one flow over another for planting? Sometimes it's a simple budgetary decision or a farming decision, whether to take over an old vine vineyard or to buy something and replant new vines, whether you want to face the contours of the mountain, or if you want to ease into it with tractor or some sort of mechanized labor, not that many producers do much more than use a tractor in the vineyard, it's very difficult to use heavy machinery on it, and everybody harvests by hand. But certain contrada, certain lava flows, the age of the soil, the slope, east, north, south, they have different flavors. They have different spices, and it's all that lasagna layering of the mountain. It has its own style. How does Mount Etna still have pre-phylloxera vines that are over 200 years old? On Etna, we don't have a lot of clay. So we do have these very, very old vines. The soils need about 3% clay to incubate phylloxera over the winter. And so the soil isn't old enough to have that much clay in it. There's also the snow up at elevation, so it's just inhospitable to the louse. But the oldest vines that I've seen are either Nerello Mascalese or possibly Minnella. The trunks can get really, really big. They can get really long. They look like they're prehistoric. About Benjamin Spencer Benjamin Spencer is the Director of Etna Wine School and the award-winning author of The New Wines of Mount Etna. In addition to holding a Diploma from the London-based Wine & Spirit Education Trust, Ben is a journalist, wine judge, and a professional winemaker with two decades of experience working with artisan and internationally traded wine brands in California and Italy. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/353.
Join hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter on another episode of The Bourbon Road podcast, recorded live from the Corner Rick House in Frankfort, Kentucky. They are joined by a special returning guest and friend of the show, Diane Strong, for an exclusive preview of the highly anticipated 2025 Bourbon on the Banks Festival. Diane gives listeners the ultimate insider's guide to the festival, taking place on Saturday, October 4, 2025. She reveals this year's title sponsor is the local and historic Benson Valley Bourbon. Get ready for an unforgettable, free afterparty at the farmers' market, featuring a full bar, food, a cigar lounge, and an incredible musical lineup with local favorites Creek Water opening for headliner Noah Thompson, the 2022 winner of American Idol. Diane also details the full schedule of events leading up to the main festival, including a Thursday mixology class, the kickoff party at Whiskey Thief, the Friday VIP event celebrating Women in Bourbon, and a special bourbon pairing lesson, "The Stave is the Rage," with the world-renowned Peggy Noe Stevens. The highlight of the episode is a special tasting of four of the twelve exclusive single barrel selections that will be available for purchase at the festival. These unique barrels were hand-selected by the Bourbon on the Banks team and will be prominently marked by 7-foot flags at the distilleries' tents. The expressions tasted on the show include: Angel's Envy Port Finish Single Barrel Pick: The tasting kicks off with this crowd-pleasing pour. The hosts discover inviting notes of campfire, overripe berries, and dark vanilla on the nose. The palate is savory and rich, carrying over those ripe berry notes from the fortified wine finish, making it a perfect pairing for a fine cigar. Casey Jones Distillery Single Barrel Rye: This selection comes with a great story—the picking team was tied, so they let the distillery make the final choice on this fantastic rye. It's described as a "bourbon drinker's rye" that surprised the panel during the blind selection. It features a complex nose of tobacco, mint chocolate, and honey, with a palate that delivers notes of candied orange and caramel apple. Bespoken Spirits 12-Year Single Barrel: A truly unique offering, this 12-year-old Barton-sourced bourbon is finished in Riesling wine barrels. It immediately impresses with a rich, aged nose of mature oak and concentrated fruit. The hosts praise it as an "exceptional whiskey," with a massively concentrated flavor profile that makes it a perfect special-occasion nightcap. Short Barrel 8-Year Single Barrel Bourbon: The tasting concludes with this powerhouse, an 8-year-old bourbon distilled at the former OZ Tyler distillery (now Green River) and bottled at a staggering 135.7 proof. Despite the high proof, it offers a beautifully complex palate with notes of milk chocolate, chewy cherry, burnt caramel, nougat, and a hint of sandalwood. Tune in for incredible stories, detailed tasting notes, and your complete guide to one of Kentucky's premier bourbon festivals. For those who want to attend, Diane urges listeners to act fast, as tickets for many events are limited or already sold out. Bourbon on the Banks 2025 Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, “The Bourbon Roadies” for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!
Peter Jakob Kühn made the wines at Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Germany's Rheingau region for many decades before retiring and passing the family winery on to his son Peter Bernhard Kühn.Peter Jakob, who was born in 1954, alludes to the constrained economic situation that existed in the German countryside following the Second World War. He recalls his grandfather, who had lived through two World Wars, and the relationship that his grandfather had with the rest of the family. Peter Jakob then describes meeting his wife and taking over the family winery in 1979 in the wake of his father's death. He recalls what steps he took to improve the quality of the wines and add to the size of the estate in the early days after assuming control. He contrasts his approach to the vineyards with the post-War emphasis on high yields that some of neighbors pursued. Peter Jakob speaks about a trip to Burgundy that served as an early inspiration. He also describes the setting and landscape of the area within the Rheingau where the winery is situated.Peter Jakob converted the estate to Biodynamic farming, and he describes the very personal reasons for that and other key decisions. As the quality of the wines improved, so did Peter Jakob's level of satisfaction with his own wines and their renown in the critical press. Peter Jakob describes how his mindset changed in response to both praise and some failure from others to understand the direction he was taking the wines. Specifically, he addresses the 1999 vintage for the winery and the malolactic conversion that took place in that year and others afterwards. He then talks about how a malolactic conversion changes the characteristics of a Riesling, and describes his vision for what a Riesling can be. Then he contrasts that vision for a Riesling with the stereotype of a racy, fruity German Riesling, which he was trying to avoid. Looking back from this vantage point, Peter Jakob describes the importance of his experimental phase in the early 2000s, as he tried different techniques in the winery. He also pinpoints his motivations for making those experiments and changes in the winery. He further discusses dry Germany Riesling and his thoughts on the topic, which are intertwined with a change in the climate as well as his personal experience. As the interview comes to a close, Peter Jakob talks about handing off the winery to his son Peter Bernhard and how he has experienced the change.This episode also features commentary from:Clemens Busch, Weingut Clemens BuschTomoko Kuriyama, ChanterêvesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Kumi Arhin is doing something new in wine: he's bringing the flavors of his homeland in Ghana to American wine, offering a Riesling made with Lake Erie region grapes accented by Ghanaian ginger. His innovative Ofori Brothers Wine honors winemaking tradition but caters to members of the West African diaspora in the U.S., providing familiar flavors that speak of home. The name Ofori Brothers harkens back to his family's background in cocoa production in Ghana in the early twentieth century. The Ofori brothers were quire successful in that trade, and he wanted to honor them with this new project. Kumi recently won Crafted For Action's Crafted Fellows microgrant competition, and he has more unique wines planned (a rosé with hibiscus is on the horizon).In this interview, Kumi talks about how his family's legacy in cacao has impacted his current venture in wine, the significance of including a flavor ingredient from Ghana in a American wine and how that helps him reach new audiences, and the importance of storytelling along the way.You can learn more about Ofori Brothers Wine and order bottles here.Guest:Kumi Arhin is a Ghanaian-American entrepreneur, engineer, and founder of Ofori Brothers Wine, a brand that redefines premium wine through the bold, expressive flavors of Africa. Inspired by his family's legacy in Ghana's early cocoa trade, Kumi blends heritage with innovation to craft culturally rooted, sensorially distinct wines. His debut release, a ginger-infused Riesling, launched at the beginning of 2025, quickly sold out, and recently won the top prize at the Crafted for Action pitch competition.By day, Kumi works at the intersection of technology and culture as a Partner Engineer at YouTube Music. He previously founded a Y Combinator-backed edtech startup that reached over a million users globally. A Columbia University alum with a background in software engineering and product design, Kumi now channels his technical and entrepreneurial experience into building a wine label that connects diasporic legacy, flavor, and storytelling. Check out David's book Pairing Beer & Chocolate: A Guide to Bringing the Flavors of Craft Beer and Craft Chocolate Together.Follow Bean to Barstool on social media!InstagramFacebookPinterestSign up for host David Nilsen's beer newsletter for regular beer musings, and the Bean to Barstool newsletter for pairings, collaborations, and maker profiles.
Matt Crafton took over the white wine program at Chateau Montelena in 2010, then became head winemaker in 2014. The rich history of the Chateau and the part it played in the "Judgement of Paris", cementing the New World's place on the wine map is discussed, but we went deeper in this conversation. Spend five minutes with Matt and you can tell why Bo Barrett put him in charge, with very little oversight. Matt understands the history of this iconic winery but is more focused on where they are going today. There is no tangible "style" of their wines, every vintage is an opportunity to create the best wine ever, always with an intention to age. Most consumers know them for the Chardonnay and Cab, but the Zinfandel and Riesling are a mainstay available only at the winery. There may even be some bubbles coming down the road, a celebration of 50 years is on the horizon, something deserving of a "pop". [Ep 380] @chmontelena
The Master Sommelier is a commitment to hospitality. So it makes you wonder what a young girl, who admittedly called herself lazy, would take on such a commitment. As life would have it, the challenges became clear to Stefanie Hehn, and each ladder rung became the next challenge. And I get it. I love hospitality. Here is her story on getting to the utmost revered degree in the subject. Stefanie Hehn—master sommelier extraordinaire from Hamburg's fabulous Fontenay Hotel—brings a whole philosophy to wine service that goes well beyond being just an order-taker. She tells her team their mission is to turn each guest into the superhero of their own wine story. That means memorable moments, not just pouring what's popular. From their conversation, we learn that German wine trends can be as surprising as a plot twist in a telenovela. Riesling's always beloved, but lately German Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder, for the wine geeks) is stealing the spotlight, with guest explorations into lesser-known varietals like Silvaner for adventurous diners. Stefanie is a champion of mixing the classics with hidden gems—she curates the hotel's wine list with both her guests' favorites and her personal discoveries from around the world. And just so you know, being a master sommelier isn't all swirling glasses and elegant pours—it takes a mountain of study, relentless passion, and sometimes the bravery to leave a steady job to pursue that next-level sommelier qualification. On the floor, Stefanie loves when guests give her some direction (“here's my budget, here's what we like!”), but she's also ready to whisk you away with a surprise pairing if you're up for the adventure. Whether people want to talk organic, biodynamic, orange wine, or good old Bordeaux, the most important ingredient is always to create a special, personal moment—that's what makes people come back (and maybe brag to their friends later). So, fancy a glass of Champagne, Pinot Noir, or perhaps a pink Pinot Grigio with a story? Stefanie's here to make sure you leave with a smile—and maybe a new favorite wine you've never heard of before. If you've got more specific questions about Stefanie's approach, the trends she's seeing, or German wine culture, just ask! #winepodcast #sommeliers #WineTalks #StefanieHehn #PaulKalemkiarian #Germanwine, #hospitality #MichelinStar #FontenayHotel #Riesling #PinotNoir #winepairing #winelover #wineeducation #wineindustry #finewine #winelist #organicwine #champagne #wineexperience #mastersommelier