Podcasts about Viognier

Join us as we dive into the 2024 Cedar Rose Vineyards Silica from New Jersey's Outer Coastal Plain AVA. This bold blend of Viognier, Albariño, and Sauvignon Blanc will have you asking why more winemakers haven't put these grapes together!Joining us is Steve from NJ Stomps the Grape, our go-to New Jersey wine expert, who breaks down the New Jersey wine scene and gives us some fascinating insights to the history of New Jersey wine. On this episode the gang have a lively discussion about the unique blend that was so graciously sent by Cedar Rose Vinyards, and answer the very real question: would you tell a friend their homemade wine suck?So, grab a bottle of your favorite white wine and join us for laughs and a great time!Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠stopwastingyourwine.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Show Notes:1) Connect With Steve Website:https://njstompsthegrape.com/Instagram: NJ Stomps the Grapehttps://www.instagram.com/njstompsthegrape/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@njstompsthegrape2) Check out Steves podcast Three Corky DudesSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/7t1I3quIIUropzv62wraRx?si=9e128edcce2946edInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/threecorkydudes/YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ThreeCorkyDudes3) Check out Cedar Rose WineryWebsite: https://www.cedarrosevineyards.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cedarrosewinery/Chapters: 00:00 - Intro03:11 - Interview: Steve from NJ Stops the Grape19:40 - Todays Wine: Cedar Rose Vinyards, Silica26:12 - Wine Discussion Aromas and Flavors34:50 - Learning Segment40:42 - The Review51:11 - Game: "PiNope or CharonnYay"59:41 - Outro

Highlighting some famous red wine blends! Hester Creek Grenache Syrah Mourvedre 2022. ($34.99 Platinum National Wine Awards of Canada and double gold at All Canadian Wine awards) 45% Grenache, 38% Syrah (includes 2% of co-fermented Viognier), and 17% Mourvedre Roche Wines Nuances 2020 ($36). A blend of 47% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barossa Valley Estate Grenache Syrah Mourvedre 2020 ($25) Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Chile ($18.99) Chapoutier Belleruche, Cotes du Rhone ($22.99) Chateau Margaux 1990 ($5550) Chateau Belle-vue Haut Medoc ($50) Guest: Karl Kliparchuk - Writer at mywinepal.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In todays episode, Shelley and Phil celebrate International Viognier Day, which happens to be TODAY, with two vastly different Viognier's! Are you a fan of Viognier? Now is your try to give this versatile white wine a try! #HappyFriday! #ItsWineTime! #Cheersing #Vaginier #EasterEggWines this episode:2022 Eternal Sunshine Viognier ($39 at the winery)

Welcome! Our Trilogy Series continues with the second Indiana Jones film--Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. This is a very dark sequel, filled with chills and gross-out gags, and some very dark subject matter. Find out some behind the scenes trivia and all our reviews on this week's episode! To pair, we try a delicious Viognier. Be sure and subscribe, and check out my full reviews of every movie we cover:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cinemavino/id1443636422https://open.spotify.com/show/3F2TZMa7gawXwY86syEZa6?si=74a4650f88cb48c7https://toddwoffordmovies.comAlso check out our cool sponsor! Use promo code CINEMAVINO and you'll get a huge 30% discount on your purchase. Plus, we'll receive a small commission. Win, win! https://rsrvcollective.com#80s #IndianaJones #TempleOfDoom #HarrisonFord #StevenSpielberg

Viognier is a full-bodied white wine. Primary flavors of tangerine, peach, mango, honeysuckle, and rose. Cooler climate styles have greater citrus and floral traits with more acid and crispness. These wines are typically aged in stainless steel. Warmer climate Viognier is barrel aged, goes through malolactic fermentation, and therefore has richer tastes such as apricot, rose, and vanilla. These wines have less acidity and more creaminess. Viognier has become more popular in recent years with more plantings in California. Languedoc in the South of France is located south of the Rhone Valley and stretches to the Mediterranean Sea. It is west of Provence and the French Riviera along the Mediterranean and extends west into the Pyrenees Mountains. Tonight, we try these three wines from Trader Joe's. 2023 Honey Moon Viognier, purchased for $5.99. Aromas of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle. Flavors of honey, mango, and nectar. Floral scents, lush, full-bodied. This wine comes from California. 13.5% alcohol. Pairs with many cheeses, fish, white meats, and spicy foods. Hard to find much information, but two websites said it does not have residual sugar, even though it has a sweet taste. Many reviews also said it is a great summer sipper all by itself. Both of us scored this wine a 2 out of 5. 2024 Carayon La Rose is from the Languedoc in the South of France. Trader Joe's had this wine for $6.99. It has strawberry and fruit aromas and tastes. It is crisp yet ripe. It has 12.5% alcohol. Denise scored a 2. Dennis scored a 2023 Rain Cloud red blend from Napa, California. Purchased for $6.99. Aromas of blackberry, cherry, and currant, with hints of vanilla and spice. Many reviews mention a jammy taste. 14.5% alcohol. According to the Blonde Voyage Nashville, this wine is made with 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Petite Syrah. Denise scored a 3 and Dennis scored a 2.Next week we will continue our tasting of Trader Joe's wines.

On this episode of Beats Vines & Life, host MJ Towler welcomes Eric Titus, general manager and vineyard operations manager at Titus Vineyards. With deep roots in Napa Valley's wine country, Eric shares the fascinating story of his family's legacy—from growing up in Sonoma with his three brothers, to earning his doctorate in biology, and working around the world as a marine biologist and environmental consultant before coming home to join the family business.They reminisce about rural childhood adventures, family traditions, and the evolution of Sonoma and Napa from small towns to world-renowned wine destinations. Eric drops knowledge on the art of winemaking, from the secret splash of Viognier in their Sauvignon Blanc to his mission of reviving Merlot and championing classic varietals like Petite Verdot and Zinfandel.But this isn't just a podcast about wine—it's a conversation about life paths, family values, history, and all the unexpected turns that can bring someone back to their roots. Whether you're a passionate wine lover, a fan of rich storytelling, or just here for the laughs, you'll appreciate this deep and entertaining dive into the world of wine, Napa Valley culture, and what it means to keep tradition alive in a changing world.Pour yourself a glass as Eric and MJ dig into multi-generational tales of migration, resilience, and entrepreneurship that shaped Titus Vineyards. A Massive THANK YOU to ERIC TITUS!!! For more information about Titus Vineyards click the link!!Follow Titus Vineyards on IG!____________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life 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 @blackwineguyFollow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlifeThank you to our sponsor, The Best Shake Ever. Fuel Your Body, Elevate Your Life with Shakeology! Looking for a delicious, nutrient-packed shake that supports your health and wellness goals? Shakeology is your all-in-one superfood solution! Packed with premium proteins, fiber, probiotics, antioxidants, and essential vitamins.For more information, go to The Best Shake Ever____________________________________________________________Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life 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 @blackwineguyFollow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlife Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AT OUR AGE AN ADVENTURE IN TANZANIA AT 70   A good friend in Gulfport, Florida recently took an adventurous trip to Tanzania in celebration of her soon to be 70th birthday. Christine shares that they experienced the flora, cuisine  and the  beasts UP CLOSE.   They also volunteered at a preschool kindergarten to teach the kids as part of their cultural experience.  At PPSARE, their mission is to share Tanzania's national parks with visitors and tourists and  to give the clients a taste of Tanzanian culture and lifestyle.  PPSAE Wildlife Safaris | a | P.O,Box 476 Usarver,Arusha https://www.ppsarewildlife.com/Tanzania is home to 120 different tribes who live together peacefully. Christine enjoyed an authentic safari adventure, developed a better understanding of Tanzania's rich, multi-cultural society. According to Christine, all the tour guides share a passion for the environment. They invite every adventurer to plant a fruit tree or watershed tree at the conclusion of each tour. Giving back to Tanzania's community and country is one of their greatest joys. One of the ways they do this is by being a mentor to others in their country who would like to create a micro-enterprise in Safari/Cultural tourism.  They also give back through my direct association with an NGO (NPO) called The Small Things.  Yoga, Meditations to Balance Yourself Here is the BEST link for JSJ: (JIN SHIN JYUTSU) HealthKeepersUnited.com/Self-help-JSJ *** Patti Wohlin is another woman of a certain age teaching us Jin Shin JYUTSU WINE and Food NEW MEXICO HAS IT ALL and I'll be sharing more with you all as I just relocated my business here!  La Chiripada Winery & Vineyard is tucked away in the lovely Embudo Valley of northern New Mexico. Owned and operated by the Johnson family, La Chiripada has been creating award-WINNING. 135* per 6 bottle shipment. Shipping and tax varies per state. Save 20% off retail price. If you enjoy a good white wine, you'll love our white wine club, which offers a quarterly sampling of dry and off-dry wines such as Chardonnay, Winemakers Select White, Viognier, Riesling, Primavera and Embudo Blanco. Wines are shipped the first or second week of March, June, September and December. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/new-mexico-unexpected-wine-country Contact VALERIE producer creator INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR BUSINESS FEATURED? CONTACT ME FOR A FREE STRATEGY SESSION: https://calendly.com/vahail1956/30min  valerie@allinourminds.com www.allinourminds.com

Season 8 Premiere: Haunted Hills, Bold Hearts & Unforgettable WinesWelcome to Season 8 of Wine Crush Podcast! We're uncorking the new season with a double feature that's packed with legacy, resilience, creativity—and even a few ghosts.In this episode, we sit down with Cam of Ghost Hill Cellars, whose family has farmed the same land in Oregon's Willamette Valley since 1906. Cam shares how their family pivoted from cattle to Pinot Noir, built a new tasting room on a haunted hill, and embraced both history and innovation in every bottle. Yes, there's a ghost (actually, four)—and yes, there's a medium who confirmed it.We're also joined by Cassandra of Corcilla Cellars, whose journey is equally compelling. From her nursing career and military life to launching her winery in Oregon City, Cassandra shares how a broken arm changed her path forever. With wines inspired by science, art, and the badass women who lead with heart, her brand is a tribute to strength, beauty, and intention. From pet-nat Riesling to bold Viognier, every bottle has a story—and a mission.Whether you're here for the wine, the ghost stories, or the inspiration, this episode sets the tone for an unforgettable season ahead.Tune in, sip along, and get ready to fall in love with wine all over again.

Season 8 Premiere: Haunted Hills, Bold Hearts & Unforgettable WinesWelcome to Season 8 of Wine Crush Podcast! We're uncorking the new season with a double feature that's packed with legacy, resilience, creativity—and even a few ghosts.In this episode, we sit down with Cam of Ghost Hill Cellars, whose family has farmed the same land in Oregon's Willamette Valley since 1906. Cam shares how their family pivoted from cattle to Pinot Noir, built a new tasting room on a haunted hill, and embraced both history and innovation in every bottle. Yes, there's a ghost (actually, four)—and yes, there's a medium who confirmed it.We're also joined by Cassandra of Corcilla Cellars, whose journey is equally compelling. From her nursing career and military life to launching her winery in Oregon City, Cassandra shares how a broken arm changed her path forever. With wines inspired by science, art, and the badass women who lead with heart, her brand is a tribute to strength, beauty, and intention. From pet-nat Riesling to bold Viognier, every bottle has a story—and a mission.Whether you're here for the wine, the ghost stories, or the inspiration, this episode sets the tone for an unforgettable season ahead.Tune in, sip along, and get ready to fall in love with wine all over again.

If you'd like to Support the Podcast, you can buy Nikki and Michael a glass of wine and get a shoutout on a future episode!Alright, Sippers... this week, I'm breaking down one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITES: Viognier! It's unfamiliar to many wine drinkers and if you're one of them, you're missing out!It's such a versatile white wine that pairs beautifully with a range of dishes: from the traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes (my family) to spicy food, cheeses and so much more!What you'll hear:A fun way to remember how to pronounce it... a fun little cheer that will have you shouting “VIOGNIER” like me!I mean, talk about aromatics? And why does my Aunt Vivian want to dab it behind her ear?Why it's considered the "red wine drinker's white." The nuances of Viognier's flavor and texture and what makes it uniqueThe perfect pairings that shine with this wineTo get this week's Sip Spotlight wine, visit Pride Mountain Vineyards website and sign up for the mailing list if you're not already, or not yet a member of the Summit Circle (which you can also do there). Available to non-members on 4/15/25 in limited quantities at $49/bottle. Members always get it guaranteed and first!Follow Pride Mountain Vineyards on Instagram or Facebook to learn more about this special place I've called home for 13 years.Other Links and Resources:The wine that I make, Sollevato Sangiovese is available to be shipped to most US States. (Use the code PODLISTENER for 10% off.) It's a delicious, medium bodied, aromatic red wine that is perfect with pizza, pasta and your charcuterie spread!You also NEED some delicious California Olive Oil from our awesome sponsor American Olive Farmer. Use code SipWithNikki for $10 off your order!Please leave a RATING or a REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform), or thumbs up and subscribe (on YouTube!)Questions? Comments? nikki@sipwithnikki.comYou should Follow Nikki on INSTAGRAM Follow Sollevato Wines on Instagram!

Send us a textUncorking exceptional value has never been more satisfying than with Trader Joe's Mbali Chenin Blanc V&A 2024—potentially the $5.99 wine of the year. This South African gem delivers a drinking experience that defies its humble price tag, offering complexity and pleasure normally reserved for bottles costing twice as much.Freshly bottled on August 19, 2024 (yes, they actually tell you the exact date!), this wine showcases why freshness matters in value-priced whites. The blend combines 79% Chenin Blanc—that chameleon-like grape originally from France's Loire Valley but now thriving in South Africa—with 21% Viognier. This thoughtful pairing results in a wine that captivates from first sniff to last sip, with the Viognier lending its characteristic aromatic lift and textural richness to enhance the Chenin Blanc's natural versatility.What truly impresses is the layered flavor profile that unfolds with each taste. There's a delicate touch of nectar-like sweetness that never ventures into cloying territory—think biting into a perfectly ripe summer fruit. Peaches, pears, melon, citrus, and honey notes dance together in harmonious balance, supported by just enough body (13.5% alcohol) to make this both a delightful standalone sipper and a companion to lighter fare like chilled seafood. And for those curious, "Mbali" means "flower" in Zulu, reflecting both the wine's South African heritage and its blossoming flavors. Whether you're hosting neighbors on the porch or simply unwinding after work, this custom-created treasure proves that exceptional wine experiences don't require emptying your wallet. Grab a few bottles while they last—wines this good at this price rarely stay on shelves long!Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Welcome back Wine friends! In this episode, I'm joined by Liam D'Arcy, better known as The Wine Wally on Instagram, a wine enthusiast who has built a thriving online community of over 104,000 followers. Unlike my usual guests—winemakers, sommeliers, or Masters of Wine—Liam is a passionate self-taught wine lover who has made wine education fun, fresh, and approachable. Now, he's taken on a bold challenge: mastering everything there is to know about Chenin Blanc. To put his knowledge to the test, I quiz Liam on the flavors, styles, and top regions for Chenin Blanc, from its spiritual home in the Loire Valley to the powerhouse vineyards of South Africa. We explore the difference between Vouvray and Savennières, the role of noble rot in sweet wines, and the surprising history of Chenin in California. But the challenge doesn't stop there—I throw him into a rapid-fire round of global wine labeling terms to see if he can decipher everything from “Trocken” to “Feinherb.”  Before diving in, I have some exciting news! I have been nominated for the Wine Travel Awards in the Influencer category for expert opinion. The awards celebrate the best in wine tourism and education, and your support could make a big difference. Your support would mean the world to me as I continue sharing my passion for wine with fellow enthusiasts. It takes one click to vote. So please VOTE HERE.   If you want to skip ahead:   04.30: Liam shares his earliest memories of drinking wine. 06.25: Being ranked seventh in England as a hammer thrower. 08.30: Running a recruitment business outside of wine. 09.30: Blogging and documenting his wine learning journey. 11.30: The goal to create content for wine beginners. 12.30: Blind tasting wines helps identify quality differences. 13.30: Liam's three criterias to analyze wine: price perception, flavor intensity, and surprise. 15.30: Sharing the most embarrassing wine misunderstanding: Bubbles in a dusty wine glass 17.30: Sticky toffee pudding pairing with sparkling Viognier. 19.30: The Chenin Blanc quiz and flavor profiles. 20.30: Chenin Blanc is highly versatile in style and winemaking. 22.00: Warmer climates result in riper, more tropical fruit flavors. 24.00: Loire Valley is the historic home of Chenin Blanc. 27.00: California once had the most Chenin Blanc plantings in the world. 29.00: Key Loire regions for Chenin Blanc include Vouvray and Savennières. 31.00: Vouvray produces dry, off-dry, and sparkling Chenin Blanc. 32.30: Savennières is exclusively dry with high acidity and tension. 34.00: Vintage variation in Loire affects sweetness levels in Vouvray. 35.30: Noble rot enhances sweetness in Loire's Coteaux du Layon wines. 38.00: South Africa's Swartland region produces high-quality Chenin Blanc. 40.00: Discovering premium South African producers like Ken Forrester. 44.00: Quickfire round on global wine labeling terms begins. 54.00: Final tip: Experiment by buying pricier versions of favorite wines.   And a reminder to vote for me for the Wine Travel Awards. It will only take a second:  https://winetravelawards.com/nominee/janina-doyle/   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.

Há uma uva branca comum em vinhos tintos de corte. Surpreendente, não é mesmo?! A casta é muito antiga e quase foi extinta no começo do século. Nos vinhos varietais, a variedade entrega corpo e intensidade à bebida.OUÇA E APRENDA: sobre a uva Viognier e seus produtos: estilos e características sensoriais mais comuns e principais denominações, além de recomendar os principais produtores. VINHO DEGUSTADO: RAR Collezione Viognier 2016-------------------------------------Aulas Gratuitas de Vinhos:https://www.sensorybusiness.com/cadastro⁠-------------------------------------Dicas e novidades sobre vinhos :Instagram ☛ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/marcelo_vargas⁠Saber mais sobre o prof. Marcelo Vargas:https://www.sensorybusiness.com/marcelo-vargas

Dineen Vineyards is located in the hills of the Lower Yakima Valley. We are a family owned and operated viticulture business with an acclaimed site for ultra-premium wine grapes and highly acclaimed Estate wines. Rocky, shallow soils and variable soil types define our terroir and the wines that we produce. We grow 13 varietals and craft an array of wines in limited quantities, with an emphasis on French varietals and wines of depth, complexity and concentration. Our wine selection includes Cabernet Sauvignon, a Bordeaux-style red blend, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Riesling, Rosé as well as special releases each year. Our tasting room offers flight tasting, custom tasting experiences and light bites. Sip and enjoy a taste or glass of wine on our patio or expansive lawn overlooking the vineyard, valley and mountains. Wine is our passion, so come and visit us – we guarantee you a memorable experience.

Brooke from Delmas Wines (in Walla Walla) joins Heidi on the Wine Crush Podcast. They bond over the joys (and perils) of living in smaller towns versus big cities—traffic jam complaints no one else would take seriously. Brooke's family roots started in Napa, wandered around the country (yes, Minnesota made an appearance—blame the brutal winters for their quick exit), and eventually landed on the rocky soils of Walla Walla's Rocks District. She gushes over their unique head-trained vine technique, a technique so special it involves burying vines in dirt and cobblestones to protect them from winter frosts (remember, vine popsicles aren't profitable). Delmas focuses on Rhône varietals (notably Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, and the occasional cameo of new whites). Their production is tiny—about a thousand cases—and they generally sell direct to consumers or through super-select retailers. The upshot? Quirky micro-winery meets rock-strewn vineyard so out there it needed its own specialized AVA.

Brooke from Delmas Wines (in Walla Walla) joins Heidi on the Wine Crush Podcast. They bond over the joys (and perils) of living in smaller towns versus big cities—traffic jam complaints no one else would take seriously. Brooke's family roots started in Napa, wandered around the country (yes, Minnesota made an appearance—blame the brutal winters for their quick exit), and eventually landed on the rocky soils of Walla Walla's Rocks District. She gushes over their unique head-trained vine technique, a technique so special it involves burying vines in dirt and cobblestones to protect them from winter frosts (remember, vine popsicles aren't profitable). Delmas focuses on Rhône varietals (notably Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, and the occasional cameo of new whites). Their production is tiny—about a thousand cases—and they generally sell direct to consumers or through super-select retailers. The upshot? Quirky micro-winery meets rock-strewn vineyard so out there it needed its own specialized AVA.

If you love Oregon wines and biodynamic wines, we have a treat for you! And, if you think you know Oregon wines, this episode is a must listen. Did you know that there are two major wine growing regions in Oregon? It's true! Most people think about the Willamette Valley, which is where our guest Morgan Beck is making beautiful Burgundy style wines for Johan Vineyards. But we bet you don't know that in Southern Oregon, where the climate and soils are much different, there are people like our other guest Vince Vidrine making beautiful Rhône Valley style wines, like GSM and Viognier, and Vince makes these wines for Cowhorn Vineyard and Garden. Both of these winemakers are focusing on biodynamic wines - which in essence means they let the grapes and the juice and the specific weather and growing conditions each year tell them how the wines should be made each year. And it also means that they try and do less in the cellar and be more proactive in the vineyard. This was an amazing conversation, and if you want to learn more about wine, you would be hard pressed to find two better teachers than Morgan and Vince!Send us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode!Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we'd love to hear from you!Visit our website, leave a review, and reach out to us: https://thewinepairpodcast.com/Follow and DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewinepairpodcast/Send us an email: joe@thewinepairpodcast.com

No episódio #232, Thamirys Schneider e Marina Bufarah ajudam você a expandir seu paladar! Se você adora a elegância de um Chardonnay, descubra novas possibilidades: experimente a uva Grillo, Viognier ou os blends alentejanos. Pegue sua taça, dê o play e venha explorar novos sabores que vão te surpreender!

Brooke Delmas Robertson is one of our favorite people, and for good reason. Her Delmas SJR Vineyard Syrah was just named #10 on Jeb Dunnuck's Top 100 Wines of 2024, and shortly after, her Viognier earned a spot in Decanter's Top 50. Her family has been raising the bar in the Rocks District of Walla Walla for years, producing only about 1000 cases annually—flying under the radar, but with outstanding quality. Brooke's commitment to sustainability and family legacy shines through in her approach: “We want our vines to outlive us and be sustainable and strong for generations to come. That expectation requires daily oversight and a commitment to sustainability and healthy plants,” she says. “The driving vision to create a small, family-estate operation has been a family dream since my brother and I were kids. My work on behalf of the estate will continue to be a tribute to my late brother, whom the vineyard is named after. To life!” In addition to her winemaking, Brooke serves on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Winegrower Association, representing Eastern Oregon. She's a Level One Mentor with Bâtonnage (Women in Wine) and founded the Vineyard Technical Group for the Walla Walla Valley, partnering with Oregon State University and the Rocks District Winegrowers to provide ongoing education for wine growers in the region. We highly recommend getting your hands on these wines, especially the Viognier and SJR Vineyard Syrah. Better yet, plan a trip to Walla Walla, Washington, and see firsthand the incredible work being done there. [Ep350] www.delmaswines.com @delmas_sjrvineyard

Trop sucré, très salé, terriblement amer, bien acide ou tout bonnement brûlé… Les naufrages gastronomiques sont certes vexants, mais aussi de formidables opportunités de boire le verre à moitié plein ! Voici quel vin choisir afin de déguiser un sombre désastre en lumineux triomphe.Dans ce nouvel épisode de Parlons Vin, Alicia Dorey, journaliste Vin, vous recommande les meilleures bouteilles salvatrices en cas de catastrophe culinaire.Et n'oubliez pas : parlons peu mais Parlons Vin !Vous pouvez écouter Parlons Vin sur Figaro Radio, le site du Figaro et sur toutes les plateformes d'écoutes. Si cet épisode vous a plu, n'hésite pas à vous abonner et à donner votre avis.Montage et mixage : Antoine Lion-RantyHébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Dennis and Denise have a budget-friendly show tonight, with each wine costing less than $10. Also, see if you can catch ten references to different songs.Tonight we will have a Picpoul from the South of France. This is a new wine for us. Picpoul (Pronounced peek–pool) Means "stings the lips" is grown mostly in the Languedoc in southern France around the Mediterranean. It was rewarded its own AOC in 2013, and its popularity has grown considerably in the past 15 years. This wine pairs great with seafood or spicey dishes or for a summer sipper. Our second wine is from the Columbia Valley in Washington. This is the State's largest wine region. It is an arid region that receives lots of sunshine during the growing season (more than Napa Valley). It also has some cooler weather that gives the grapes good acidity.Our final wine is a Le Grand Noir Chardonnay from France. This is a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) wine from the Pays D'Oc. The wine is a 85% Chardonnay and 15% Viognier blend. Unlike other French wines, PGI wines are allowed to list the variety of grape. Tonight, our three wines include:2023 Foncastel Picpoul De Pinet, purchased at Trader Joe's for $8.99. Reverse Wine Snob rated it a buy. It has 13% alcohol. Mostly citrus on the nose. Lemon and lime smell. Palate is more acidic and also has some salinity. 2022 Pacific Rim Riesling, we purchased at Costco for $7.89. The wine comes from the Columbia Valley in Washington. The Wine Enthusiast rated it a 90. The grapes are picked early, so has good acid and then bottled with 25.2 g/l of residual sugar. Pairs well with with spicey Asian or Mexican food. 2022 Le Grand Noir Chardonnay. We purchased this wine from Costco for $9.99. It is made with 85% Chardonnay and 15% Viogneir. 30% of the Chardonnay spends sometime in French and American Oak. The wine maker said they wanted to make a lightly oaked Chardonnay that was drinkable alone and pairs well with food. Pair with seafood or white meats. Wine Enthusiast rated it a 92 and gave it a "Best Buy".Next week we will have something a little different. It's Denise's birthday, and to celebrate, we will have ice wine and birthday cake. The two wines we will taste include: 2023 North Wind Vidal Ice Wine. We purchased it at Costco for $19.99. NV Cooper's Hawk Lux Ice Wine that was purchased at Cooper's Hawk for $29.99.

I wasn't sure I was going to do a Thanksgiving episode this year, but last minute, I felt inspired (and was encouraged by some of you -- thanks especially to my dear friends and your fellow patrons Claudette C and Tina K) so I decided to make it happen.   This one is short, sweet, and to the point! I offer seven main wine types and give examples of each. I hope at least one of these ideas will work for your table! __________________________________ This year, I'm sticking with the theme I did for the Wine Access Club and recommending blends for your meal. The list: Photo: Getty Images via Canva 1. Sparkling -- whether you pick Champagne, Crémant, Cava, Cap Classique, Franciacorta, American sparkling wine, or anything else, you will likely have a mix of grapes. A great blend for the whole meal.     2. Acidic white blends are fantastic pairings. White Bordeaux blends are my top choice.     3. Full, white Rhône blends, especially with a big Viognier component are always on my Thanksgiving table. Blends like Côtes du Rhône blanc, Châteauneuf du Pape blanc, Laudun, Lirac, and Rhône blends from California and Australia work well.     4. Fruity red blends have softer tannins but good acidity. Côtes du Rhône, Châteauneuf du Pape, and Valpolicella are some examples     5. Flavorful red blends with a fuller body are a fantastic alternative to varietal Cabernet or Zinfandel, which are often recommended. Rioja, Bordeaux (with more Merlot than Cabernet), and Cerasuolo di Vittoria are my suggested blends.   6. Rosés like Tavel, Bandol rosé, Côtes du Rhône rosé, and heavier styles of Rioja rosado.     7. Finally, SAUTERNES is great with grilled food or anything with a char. It can also handle the sweet foods on your table, including dessert.     I hope you this was helpful and gave you a new idea or two! Happy Thanksgiving -- I'm grateful to you for listening!   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    

The once obscure viognier has flourished around the world, and an assortment of styles have emerged.  Al looks into several.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viognier has had a complicated past and at one point was almost extinct. Spread by the Romans and cultivated by the French it could have been lost to history. Now being planted around the world, Viognier has had a modest resurgence helped by the famed Condrieiu and a little-known but secretly famed monopole. We talk about history and our experience with the variety. Don't shy away from a Rhone White and find one to sip on your own. Join us in an exploration of this aromatic white wine and just how good it can be with food, or on its own. Cheers! Support the showCONNECT WITH US: You can follow and message us on Instagram @crushitwinesb You can also reach out via email - Cheers@crushitwineeducation.com If you want to help support the show and get extra content every week, sign up for our Patreon. Join the list to stay up to date on future episodes and featured wines so you can sip alongside us! Finally, we're more than just a podcast! We are a full service wine education company offering an online wine shop, a wine club membership and both virtual and in person classes. Go to www.crushitwineeducation.com to learn more and get 10% off your first order when you sign up for the mailing list! Cheers and thanks for listening!

Look who's on a Roll - It's this week's guest,  Author Luke Whittall   Luke and his Sipster's Pocket Guides Books.   In the third volume in the popular  Sipster's Pocket Guide series, wine expert and educator Luke Whittall presents his latest top 50 British Columbia wines under $50 (including many under $30) and along the way shares his thoughts on wine country and common misconceptions about certain grapes, and offers up tangents on everything from scented candles to middle children to jazz hands. With food and activity pairings that range from Thai noodles and pool noodles to classic rock and hootenannies, and an index of attitudes that lets you choose a wine based on your mood (come hither, dressed to kill, razzle-dazzle), the Sipster's guides are equal parts freewheeling and focused. Divided into chapters on sparkling, white, rosé, red, and dessert wines, the latest volume of Sipster's will snap you out of a catatonic funk in the liquor store and stick around for a quiet evening paging through a book—perhaps this book and perhaps there's even a wine for that. Welcome to Volume 3, where a Viognier can be a lot like a bouncy castle, a red blend that is the icing on top of another layer of icing and also  a wine that will upstage Taylor Swift and Kayne and an adventurous evening calls for a certain Trebianno (not the guy from Friends . . . but then again, maybe?). The Sipsters series are written in language anyone can understand. Words we all use and can remember a day later. Make no mistake, Luke knows his wines from the vineyards to the bottle. He just makes the journey much easier than it really is.   We also start TRR with a conversation about vineyard damage & recovery,   plus the coming discovery of BC Wines made with Washington grapes. So those damaged vineyards, wineries and wine-farming families can survive the next couple of years.   And heads UP - The Sipster's Ontario Vol 2 is coming - just in time for Christmas.   Then surely, the Luke Whittall film starring Ryan Reynolds.  Www.sipsterswinepodcast.ca/books      Luke Whittall Online: The Sipster's Wine Podcast - Sipsters Icons on Substack   WWW.   Books: "The Sipster's Pocket Guide to 50 More Must-Try BC Wines, Volume 3" 2024 (Touchwood Editions)   "The Sipster's Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try Ontario Wines, Volume 1" 2023 (Touchwood Editions) "The Sipster's Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines, Volume 2" 2023 (Touchwood Editions) "The Sipster's Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines, Volume 1" 2021 (Touchwood Editions) "The Okanagan Wine Tour Guide" 6th Edition (with John Schreiner) 2020 (Touchwood Editions) "Valleys of Wine: A Taste of British Columbia's Wine History" 2019 (Whitecap Books)  

This episode features a follow-up conversation with Kieran Robinson of R Five Wines, a winemaker who now splits his time between his tasting room in the suburbs of Philadelphia and the vineyards of Sonoma County. We first spoke with Kieran and his wife, Kristie, back in November of 2020 for episode 8 of season 3 as they were dreaming up their new tasting room in Downingtown, PA. Kieran's story started in the Finger Lakes while attending Ithaca College, and upon returning to his hometown of Downingtown, Kieran had the opportunity to experience the challenges of making wine in a non-traditional wine region - the Philadelphia countryside. Kieran later moved to the Northern Rhone region of France to work for winemaker PIerre Gaillard, which gave Kieran an appreciation for French viticulture and winemaking philosophies. Kieran later moved to Napa Valley to expand his winemaking knowledge at Cakebread Cellars and then at Paul Hobbs Winery and Crossbarn Cellars as an enologist. In 2009, Kieran started his own label - Kieran Robinson Wines - with a focus on Syrah and Viognier. While he was the winemaker at Jericho Canyon Vineyard, Kieran also worked alongside famed winemakers Aaron Pott and Michel Rolland. Interested in a new challenge and a bi-coastal life, Kieran and his wife started R Five Wines in 2018. R Five Wines allowed Kieran to expand his winemaking portfolio to other Rhone varietals, such as Grenache, Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Gris, and Mourvèdre, Kieran still makes all his wine in Sonoma but the R Five Wines tasting room is in his hometown near Philadelphia, PA. We talk about how this bicoastal business model is allowing Kieran to bring his love of CA wines to PA. Recorded October 14, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

Sip, share, shape our podcast!From Lost Grapes, to Hybrid Grapes, this episode rounds out our exploration with Noble Grapes, or Noble Wine. Read on for a short snippet of what we are covering, but tune in for all the fun!So, what exactly are Noble Grapes? Well, it depends on who you ask! One camp uses the 5 traditional Bordeaux varieties as their list. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot to be exact. We're taking a different view to cover a set of noble vines across red and white wines.Regardless of the information you search on the topic, one thing remains true. No formal definition and no regulatory guidance is defining either.  So, we're exploring Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot for red wine.  And the grape varieties of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc for white wine. These varieties are revered in the wine world from Alsace, France, to Napa Valley, California. From New York State, to South Africa.  Many somms and wine educators agree, this is THE list of noble grapes!What if my favorite isn't a Noble Grape?If you don't see your favorite in this list of noble grapes wine is made from, never fear! We're hitting the highlights the diversity of each grape variety for you to decide which is your favorite, or which you'd love to explore. Other international varieties can also be considered Noble in their own right. Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Chenin Blanc, or Viognier for white wine varieties in addition to the 5 Bordeaux varieties we covered. We love the Noble Grapes and we love Noble Wines. They come in many styles, across any price, and have a vast array of required guidelines for winemaking, vineyard management, and labeling depending on where they come from. Added bonus, these grapes are some of the highest quality and most recognizable wherever you shop for wine.We're sure you've listened to all 3 episodes in this series: Lost Grapes, Hybrid Grapes, and Noble Grapes. Now get out and explore!  The world of wine has so much to offer and you, our wine-loving friends, are now ready to start your next adventure!As always, we've got the perfect WINE FIND for you!  The CHEVALIER aerating wine glass! It's fun, it's functional, and it's for sure a conversation starter!BEST OFFER! ETSY 10% off to SWTW LISTENERS!!! CHECK IT OUT NOW!If you missed one of our previous episodes, we've got you covered:Hybrid Wine Grapes To The RescueLost Grapes: Creating Rare Wines from Near ExtinctionSupport the Show.Thanks for joining Somm Women Talk Wine! Check out our socials for more fun filled wine exploration!Instagram:@somm_women_talk_wine@kristiwinenerd@charissehenryfw@kmayfield109All episodes are also on our website:SommWomenTalkWineCharisse and Kristi

In this episode of Cooking Like a Pro, Chef Cal and Christa dive into a variety of culinary topics, from creamy sauces to breakfast for dinner. Join them as they share their passion for cooking and offer tips and insights for home cooks.- Learn how to make a creamy sauce using cream and vinegar without breaking the sauce- Discover the innovative cooking style of the late chef Charlie Trotter- Explore the characteristics and flavor profile of the white wine varietal Viognier- Get tips on selecting ripe melons at farmers markets and the benefits of buying local- Find out how to make a impressive halibut dish with pie pastry and a mushroom duxelle

Kieran Robinson started his journey in the finger lakes of Upstate New York. He took the opportunity to move to France and work for Pierre Gaillard, cementing his passion for Rhone varietals. Kieran returned to the US and took positions at Cakebread Cellars, Paul Hobbs and Jericho Canyon. He then decided to go out on his own, founding R Five Wines, specializing in Grenache, Syrah and Viognier. Now Kieran and his wife Kristie have opened up a tasting room and wine bar in his hometown Downingtown Pennsylvania, serving California wines with a “Philly” vibe. We tasted through the 2021 wines and they are amazing, truly set apart by their 100% stem inclusion. Available on their website. [Ep331] Rfivewines.com @Kieran_Robinson_Wines

Send us a Text Message.Le Grand Noir Chardonnay 2022- Costco's Ten-Dollar Summer SipperThis wine is 85% Chardonnay and 15% Viognier from the IGP Languedoc region of SouthWest France.The Viognier changes everything. Viognier is often added to give the wine some ZIP or to add a beautiful fragrance to the wine.Here it adds flavor and texture that is different from California and not exactly France.Check out https://cheapwinefinder.com/ and listen to the best value-priced wine PODCAST for all the details.Check us out at www.cheapwinefinder.comor email us at podcast@cheapwinefinder.com

Le Beaujolais a longtemps souffert d'une image de vin de piètre qualité avec parfois des arômes fermentaires de type « banane ». Mais avec ses 12 appellations, le vignoble du Beaujolais abrite une production aussi diverse que riche et connait aujourd'hui un regain d'intérêt.Je me suis donc rendu récemment à Villié-Morgon, dans le Domaine de Colonat, à la rencontre de Thomas Collonge. Ce vigneron indépendant, qui représente la 7ème génération d'un domaine créé en 1828, cultive aujourd'hui avec sa femme Julie, 13 hectares de vignes dans six appellations : Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, Régnié, Chiroubles, Beaujolais Villages et Beaujolais en blanc.Mais Thomas Collonge vient surtout de remporter le trophée de Meilleur Gamay du Monde en janvier dernier avec son Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes 2023.Il revient donc dans cet épisode sur cette prestigieuse récompense mais également sur ses cuvées, ses choix de vignification et cette région encore méconnue du grand public.Excellente dégustation

Dans ce tout nouvel épisode des Meurtres et du Vin, Charlotte va nous raconter l'horrible affaire du tueur en série le plus prolifique et sadique du Canada, j'ai nommé Robert Pickton.Accrochez-vous et n'écoutez pas cet épisode pendant vos repasNous serons accompagnées d'un très bon Viognier du Domaine Mas d'Arcay "Jean l'effronté"Alors remplissez votre verre et enjoy!Hébergé par Ausha. Visitez ausha.co/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Die Bodega Edra in Ayerbe, mitten in den aragonischen Vorpyrenäen, ist ein wirkliches Ausnahme-Weingut! Alex Ascaso und Àngels Castellarnau verbinden dabei die Disziplinen Architektur und Landwirtschaft sowie den Respekt vor der Natur. Das Weingut gehört zu einer Handvoll, die in Spanien überhaupt Viognier anbauen. Deshalb war der Besuch nach einer ersten Flasche in Jaca (hör auch in Folge 357 rein) ein „Muss“ für uns. Alex hat uns stolz seinen weiteren Vertreter der Rebsorte, den „Blancoluz“ präsentiert. Achtung: Dieser Wein ist einer von 112, den David Seijas, der Sommelier des legendären Molekularküchen-Restaurants „El Bulli“ von Ferran Adrià Acosta, empfiehlt - der stand nämlich dort auf der Weinkarte! „Trauben, Holz und Zeit sind die einzigen Zutaten, die wir brauchen“, ist das Motto des Weinguts, das absolut biologisch und „minimalinvasiv“ arbeitet. Der Weinberg ist eine Oase inmitten von Getreide und Mandelbäumen; er schenkt eine außergewöhnliche Qualität der Früchte, die zu außergewöhnlichen Weinen verarbeitet werden. Du hörst im Interview mit dem Winzer, warum die Weine nicht nach der DO Somontano, sondern als IGP klassifiziert sind und die besten zu Beginn sogar als „Vino de la mesa“ (also Hauswein), den Hintergrund ihrer ebenfalls sehr besonderen, „freaky“ Etiketten und natürlich unsere Verkostungsnotizen über die charakterstarken Weine, die absolut weit weg von jedem Mainstream sind. Hier geht´s zum Ausnahme-Viogner und mehr: https://edraculturaynatura.com ************************************************ Abonniere jetzt den Podcast bei Spotifyund verpasse keine Folge mehr! Mehr findest du auch auf den Social-Media-Kanälen https://www.facebook.com/feinschmeckertouren/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa_CkAeidqAQ98nKFa0HZcg/featured?view_as=public https://www.instagram.com/feinschmeckertouren/ Feinschmeckertouren

Is it time to turn to white wine? Wine drinkers are now choosing white wine more than red! Our guests, Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, aka the World Wine Guys, are the perfect ambassadors for exploring the wide and delicious world of white wine. After all, their motto is, "We uncork your world." Mike and Jeff could have dedicated their new book, "White Wine, The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties and Styles" to us, the Marys, because we're such big wine white wine lovers. We'll get into all the tea on what it takes to author such an informative yet fun book. If you don't already have a white wine in your glass, this show will leave you craving a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or rich, aromatic Viognier. The World Wine Guys are prolific writers and travelers. Imagine a job where you get to travel around the world, visiting the most incredible wine regions, eating exotic and gourmet meals, and of course, savoring the world's best wines. A dream, right? Well, that pretty much sums up Mike and Jeff's lives. And today, we get to live vicariously through their wine-soaked adventures. You get the feeling that even their work isn't really work because it involves their absolute passion, wine.

Kinda smells like “a late in the day Harmeet”@PineRidgeWines @Terrazas_Andes #wine #CabernetSauvignon #Malbec #podcast #radioshow #winetasting

Kinda smells like “a late in the day Harmeet”@PineRidgeWines @Terrazas_Andes #wine #CabernetSauvignon #Malbec #podcast #radioshow #winetasting

Rappahannock Cellars was established when John Delmare and his wife Marialisa made the decision to sell their vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountain area of California and move their family to Virginia back in 1998. They soon purchased the historic Glenway farm in Rappahannock County which would become their new home and vineyard. It is truly a family affair as three of their twelve siblings have returned to the farm after college graduation and work actively in important segments of the family business at Rapahannock Cellars. The 85-acre farm is now planted to 30 acres, and they grow a diverse range of grape varietals which include Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Virginia's grape Norton.John lives by the belief that "wine is made in the vineyard". John and Marialisa believe they have the perfect site for the style and quality of wine they want to produce. The results they have experience in over 20 years of winegrowing bear witness to that.     Thanks for being a listener to the Fine Wine Confidential Podcast. For more information go to www.finewineconfidential.com

James Byus III, owner of Vine Burgers, joins Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger in the studio on California Wine Country today. Before we talk to James, Dan Berger has brought a 2013 Sauvignon Blanc from his extensive cellar. It's a bit old for a Sauvignon Blanc but it is “tasty, interesting,” says Dan. On Monday, Dan will begin selling his own Bahl Fratty Riesling, online at the website only. There are 95 cases and bottles are priced at $38. James Byus III from Vine Burgers is in today, with hamburgers to pair with wine and craft beer. He had a lot of restaurant experience and he thought there was a place for “premium” hamburgers. He opened Vine Burgers in March of 2022. They use all fresh local ingredients. All the vegetables are fresh. They do use fresh Grana Padano cheese (from northern Italy) on the Caesar Salad. The beef that they use is from a local producer, 100% grass fed, sustainably farmed, a third generation farmer. “We slice every single pickle on your burger.” James Byus III A Burger & a Glass of Wine Naturally, James has brought some burgers to the show and first is the basic beef burger. They start with a 6-ounce patty, spiced inside and out, and cook it mid-rare-to-medium. This one is a cheeseburger with white cheddar. There are sauces, a creamy avocado, homemade chipotle barbeque sauce and chipotle aioli. With this they are tasting a white wine blend, made by Sans Liege in Paso Robles. It is mostly Viognier with other blending grapes. James finds obscure wineries with delicious wine that he puts on the wine list at Vine Burgers. He has also brought a Red Car Chard. James describes his wine list. They have a house red and white, about 6 other reds and whites, plus a port, a reserve, a sparkling, a sweet Riesling. The wine list evolves from time to time with new entries. There is no corkage fee and these two facts make Vine Burgers a haven for wine lovers. Dan Berger is very enthusiastic about the Vine Berger wine program. The place is unique in its evolving wine list and superb quality food.  Dan digs the effect on the local culture since it shows great wine to the average diner.  

On this episode, we taste through two Washington wines in week four of this Washington Wine Month of March, one a Viognier, in honor of Viognier day which is this coming Tuesday, and a Red Blend. #HappyFriday! #ItsWineTIme! #CheersingWines this episode:2022 Airfield Viognier ($15 at Pilgrims Market)

Dan and Raghni. Raghni Naidu of Naidu Wines is back as our guest on California Wine Country with Steve Jaxon and Dan Berger. She was on CWC once before, on this episode of August 25, 2021, with Harry Duke sitting in for Steve Jaxon that day. Her story begins in India where she was born and raised. Her mother was always searching for interesting flavors in the kitchen and brought Raghni up to appreciate fine flavors. When she travelled overseas, she brought back recipe books and seeds that she planted in their kitchen garden. She moved to Melbourne, Australia to attend university. She already had some family in that city and her father was doing some business there. There she learned of many wonderful cuisines and she also met her husband there. They married and moved to the Bay Area in 2006 where she and her husband enjoyed the local food and wine culture. After a vacation in Provence, they started searching for a place to start the winery. She purchased the vineyard in 2018 and began making wine and offering hospitality in the large house on the property. She feels a sense of responsibility to focus on the highest quality of production. Dan Berger and Steve Jaxon both notice the excellent quality in the 2022 Chardonnay that they are tasting. Dan notices the great acidity “the secret weapon of all these good wines” and the lower alcohol, having been perfectly harvested. Pinot Noir: It's the Loir! They had Pinot Noir on the property when they purchased it, but they also have begun making other varietals. (Steve reminds us that by law, if you're growing grapes in Sonoma County you must make Pinot Noir.) They have done Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Cabernet Franc. Dan appreciates the structure and balance in these wines. They work with winemaker Matt Duffy who shares their convictions about making wines of the highest quality. Dan remembers someone saying that they best fertilizer for a vineyard is the footprints of the winemaker on the soil. Matt Duffy knows the vines and the ups and downs of the soil. Once the wine is in the house, half the work has already been done. There is no conflict between growing and production when the same winemaker is working on both aspects. It is Raghni's leadership that holds it all together, from the vineyard through production and all the way down to other issues like bottles and labels. The Naidu Wines House The house on the Naidu Wines property is a beautiful family home with four bedrooms and luxurious decor. It is available Guests who book a stay at the estate may enjoy the vineyard environment with a unique opportunity to get personal with the wines by experiencing the terroir directly. It is a fully remodeled home equipped with modern furnishings & contemporary fixtures, located on a knoll in the tranquil rolling hills of Sonoma Coast, with stunning vistas all around at all times of day.

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!  Before I get into the podcast, I wanted to let you know that Apple had a podcast update. This caused an issue with the automatic downloads.  If you are not receiving Exploring the Podcast in your “next up” feed, it is because the settings have changed. Please go to library, then shows, and click Exploring the Wine Glass. If you don't see a checkmark in the top right corner, next to the three dots, the system does not download automatically. Please click on the down arrow and turn on automatic downloads. This will put a checkmark next to the three dots. This will allow you to always know when a new episode drops.  Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you so much for following Exploring the Wine Glass.  Today on the podcast, I am sharing my conversation with Gary Eberle of Eberle Winery in Paso Robles. Gary is truly an American Legend. He is the recipient of the 2020 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Award. He is almost single handedly responsible for the pioneering of Syrah here in the United States and is known as the godfather of Paso Robles. If visiting Paso, Eberle is a must stop, and more than likely, you will find Gary enjoying a glass of Viognier or Cabernet Sauvignon on the patio greeting customers. It was an honor to speak with Gary and I know you are going to enjoy the conversation.  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!  Eberle Winery Wineries of 46 East    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

Viognier is different and works with so many foods. Learn more from Jack Farrell with Haskell's Wines and Spirits. haskells.com

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!  I took a drive to the west side of Paso for this episode.  Just a short drive from the 101 on 46 West, sits Four Lanterns. Owned by Steve and Jackie Gleason. I have interviewed Steve before on the podcast, but this short and sweet interview brings in the bubbles! And you all know how I love Sparkling wine.  Enjoy the conversation.  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 about Four Lanterns Winery on their website.   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

Episode # 2 features Jennifer McCloud the Founder & Owner of Chrysalis Vineyards at the Ag District in Middleburg, Virginia. Along with producing some of the finest Viognier and Albarino in the country she is the proud owner of the largest single vineyard planting of Norton in the world. It makes up over 40 acres of the 70 acres of vineyard land she farms. Chrysalis was founded in 1998. and in addition to producing estate wines, she also has 10 Dairy Cows at the property from which they produce top-quality cheeses to compliment her wines and the food that is available for sale and enjoyment at the Ag District for its visitors and the public at large. Check out the cheeses along with the wines. Jake Blodinger the winemaker at Chrysalis, who joined the operation in 2019 is also part of this interview and brings a unique perspective to the conversation.Because Chrysalis produces several different styles of Norton in both flavor profile and aging ability there is a Norton wine for every occasion whether the wine is to cellar and age or to enjoy today. The Episode is very informative and will give you, the listener, a deeper understanding of what Norton is all about.

Cooler weather isn't just for red wines.  Join Charisse and Kristi as we explore white wines perfect for all of your winter dinners, events and celebrations!  What makes a white wine winter delicious?  Tune in to learn stylistic differences, new varietals and tips and tricks to put white wines on your winter table.Our Summer Whites You've Likely Never Tried being one of our most popular episodes.  So, we're taking advantage of crisp cold mornings, fires in the fireplace and foods with richer sauces, creamy bases and winter herbs.  These shifts are driving our transition from crisp whites to luscious, round, spicy, and aromatic whites to warm your belly and put a smile on your face.  Pop a cork, fill your glass and put a fire in the fireplace as you learn a while new style of wines to make your winter white wine list this year!Cheers!Charisse & KristiSpecial thanks to our sponsor The Magnolia Wine Bar in FTW and our theme song Swinging Sheppard by the late, great Paul Grey.Thanks for joining Somm Women Talk Wine! Check out our socials for more fun filled wine exploration!Instagram:@somm_women_talk_wine@kristiwinenerd@charissehenryfw@kmayfield109All episodes are also on our website:SommWomenTalkWineCharisse and Kristi

Steve Doerner is Winemaker Emeritus at Cristom Vineyards in Oregon.Steve discusses his shift from being a Biochemistry Major at UC Davis in the mid-1970s to his first Job working for Josh Jensen at Calera Wine Company. Steve arrived at Calera for the 1978 harvest, the first vintage for Pinot Noir at Calera. Josh had begun making wine at Calera in 1975, first planting a Pinot Noir vineyard in 1974. Josh hired Steve after a blind tasting test that included tasting a La Tâche. Steve worked at Calera for a total of 14 years. During that period of time, Steve met some of Josh's peer/friend group in Burgundy, a circle of people that included Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac.Steve recalls his early years working at Calera in its limited facilities, working highly physical harvests that left him questioning if this was really the career path for him. He talks about his early days tasting wine, mostly Zinfandel from California. He also talks about utilizing different fermenting techniques in response to certain winemaking tools, and his growing knowledge of the techniques being implemented in Burgundy by the likes of Jacques Seysses and others. Steve comes to the conclusion that in California in the 1980s, Pinot Noir was often treated like Cabernet in the wineries. He also concluded that this was problematic, and began teasing out the nuances of practical meaning from adages he heard in Burgundy.A serious accident left Steve questioning his relationship to his job, but his perception of his worked changed after his first trip to Burgundy. Steve encountered Jacques Seysses as an outsider to Burgundy who was actively experimenting with different ways of doing things with his winemaking. Steve developed a friendship with Christophe Morin, who eventually worked for many years at Domaine Dujac, and who later died in a motorcycle accident Although Calera was in an isolated location, Steve tasted fairly regularly with other top American vintners, including Dick Graff of Chalone, Jeffrey Patterson of Mount Eden Vineyards, and Ken Wright. Eventually Josh and Steve began to make white wine at Chalone, including from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Viognier. Josh brought back Viognier from France to the United States. And Steve recalls going to France to speak with vigneron in the Rhône Valley about Viognier. For the red wine from Pinot Noir, they contended with very low yields from the Chalone vineyards, with limited access to water. Steve leaves Calera and transitions to working at Cristom Vineyards in Oregon from 1992, encountering a supportive winemaking community in Oregon. He recalls his early days at Cristom, and his first harvests there. He talks about planting vineyards at Cristom, and how they went about it. He also shares his realization that over the years the ripeness levels in the vineyards have changed, and that he has been rethinking vineyard planting decisions that were made in the 1990s. He also believes it is now possible to achieve ripeness at higher elevations in their vineyards. He further asserts that keeping the vineyard yields low, with a lot of thinning, is less necessary than it once was.Steve discusses where Cristom is located in the Willamette Valley, inside what is now the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. He talks about the influence of wind from the Van Duzer Corridor, and also the Columbia Gorge. He asserts that lower humidity in the area implies lower disease pressure, and points out that due to the wind, fruit typically gets dry on the vine after rainfall in the vineyards. Steve notes that the soils at Cristom are primarily volcanic, and that they retain water due to their clay content. He contrasts this situation with the sedimentary soils that are found elsewhere in the Willamette Valley. Steve goes into detail about the ripeness levels in the vineyards, and how they have changed since the 1990s. He notes that more extreme vintages have occurred more recently. He talks about the differences between vineyard designate Pinot Noir wines from Cristom: Louise, Jessie, Eileen, and Marjorie.He talks about using less whole cluster for Pinot Noir at Cristom than he did at Calera, and how this affects the taste of the resulting wines. Steve speaks at length about different aspects of whole cluster use, including specifics of stems in the vineyard, in the fermenter, and in the taste of the final wines. He also considers the fashion for whole cluster winemaking more recently. He also addresses approaches to slowing down a Pinot Noir fermentation, and why that is important. He touches on cold soaks, and what they do to microbial activity. He notes that he is opposed to cold soaks, and also opposed to inoculating with yeasts. He explains his winemaking philosophy in approaching phenomenon like reduction. He talks about his approach to racking Pinot Noir, and how he tries to leave Pinot Noir alone during maturation in the winery.Steve talks about making Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Viognier in Oregon. He addresses how the climate during the vintage year affects the Viognier grape. He talks about flavor and ripeness vs. alcohol level in finished wines, and about alcohol levels of the wines at Calera and at Cristom. He generalizes about the climate conditions of Oregon and California, and draws a contrast between Burgundy and the growing conditions in both of those states. He also advises keeping in mind that “Burgundian” encompasses a wide array of winemaking techniques, as wine is made in so many different ways in Burgundy.He notes that there was a global fashion for wines of power and bigger fruit, but points out that elegance has become more embraced by wine drinkers, while at the same time Pinot Noir has become more and more popular over the course of his winemaking career.This episode contains a segment recalling the relationship of Josh Jensen with Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac, as well as also recounting the work of Christophe Morin in the vineyards of Domaine Dujac and elsewhere.This episode features commentary from:Jacques Seysses, Domaine DujacJeremy Seysses, Domaine DujacJean-Pierre de Smet, co-founder of Domaine de l'ArlotThe interview with Steve Doerner was originally recorded in June of 2018.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wines: Kobler Estate Winery 2022 Gewürztraminer, Viognier and GrenacheGet ready to uncork a treasure trove of wine wisdom as we sit down with winemaker Mike Kobler, from Kobler Estate Winery. Mike peels back the vine leaves on the intricacies behind creating the Gewürztraminer, inspired by his grandfather's favorite variety. Its impressive versatility, unique flavor profile, and unexpectedly high alcohol content make it a fascinating topic of conversation.Dare to explore the whims of wine industry trends with us as we delve into the award-winning Viognier, another unique varietal from sunny California. This double gold winner at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair was born in the McLeod Vineyard and has an interesting tale to tell. We navigate the challenges of producing affordable wines in California and discuss the rising popularity of lighter wines. Join us as we journey through vineyard practices like dry farming and organic growing. Mike's wine recommendations, a quirky comparison of their wines to famous actresses, and handy travel tips promise to make this episode a lively and enlightening conversation. Find out more about our one to five cork rating system for assessing wine and get ready to refine your wine tasting skills. An episode not to be missed by wine aficionados and novices alike!Stay in the know and join our WTF Cru.About UsBuy us a Mimosa!We have been listed in the Top 50 wine podcasts! https://blog.feedspot.com/wine_podcasts/Music from https://filmmusic.io "Night In Venice" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Thank you for making us part of your wine story. If you enjoyed this episode, please write a review and share with your wine loving friends and family. To connect with us or to inquire about being a guest on Wines To Find, visit our social media pages Instagram https://www.instagram.com/winestofindpodcast/Facebook https://www.facebook.com/winestofindpodcasts/Til the next glass ~ Cheers!And, remember, join us next time on Wines To Find!Sandy & Michelle

There is something about the mellow richness of viognier that makes it perfect for Autumn sipping.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode presents our first ever producer on from the northern Rhône – Aurelien Chirat from Vignobles Chirat. Photo: Aurelien Chirat. Credit: WFNP Located in the steep terraced slopes overlooking the Rhone, in the village of Saint Michel sur Rhône, Vignobles Chirat began in 1925 when Benoit Chirat harvested his first Syrah at the Domaine. In 1948, his son George joined and worked with Benoit until 1970. Viognier was planted on their site in Condrieu in 1980 and the real changes to the domaine happened when, in 1984, Gilbert Chirat took over the domain. Within 6 years of his taking the reins, he stopped all the polyculture on the estate and focused only on Syrah and Viognier.   The family moved from focusing on Condrieu, to the wines of Saint Joseph, and then added Côte Rôtie. Aurelien Chirat joined his father in 2012, after completing his studies and working in New Zealand, Burgundy and the south of France. We welcome Aurelien, who I had the pleasure of meeting and spending a lot of time with last year, at the Domaine, learning, and discovering all sorts of things about the northern Rhone I didn't know.   As always, we discuss, land, winemaking, history, and tradition. For full show notes, join our membership community, Patreon.   Here are the wines we discuss: From Condrieu: Clos Poncin, Les Chays , Sous L'Eglise, Viognier “Or Piste” From St. Joseph: Soliste, La Côte, Syrah “Or Piste “ Côte Rôtie   Photo:  Chirat Condrieu. Credit: WFNP In the US, many of the wines are available in Total Wine because Chirat works with the negociant business of Laurent Delaunay, who has been on the podcast.   _______________________________________________________________ I could not be happier to announce my partnership with Wine Access, once again. This time we have the WFNP/Wine Access Wine Club! Sign up today to get 6 bottles I select once a quarter. Excellent wines that represent classic examples of the wine region from which they hail.   Every box you get from Wine Access is meticulous -- tasting notes with food and wine pairing, serving temperature suggestions, and perfectly stored wine. It's no wonder that Wine Access was rated the best wine club by New York Times Wirecutter and is the official partner and wine provider of The MICHELIN Guide. Go to www.wineaccess.com/normal to sign up for their daily emails and get 10% your first order. Wine Access is a class act -- check them out today!      If you think our podcast is worth the price of a bottle or two of wine a year, please become a member of Patreon... you'll get even more great content, full show notes, live interactions and classes!  www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople   To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes  

Map: Sonoma County AVAs. Sonoma County Winegrowers  Over the last 12 years we've done so much on Sonoma but I realized that we've never done a podcast outlining the areas of Sonoma to give form to this wine paradise that has 18 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and covers more than a million acres of land (405,000 ha) of which more than 60,000 acres are planted to grapes.   Sonoma is still full of small, family-owned vineyards. It's estimated that at least 85% of Sonoma County's vineyards are family owned and operated and 80% of vineyards are less than 100 acres (40% are less than 20 acres). The Sonoma landscape incorporates coastal ranges, valleys, mountains, flats, benchlands, and innumerable soils and microclimates, including a multitude of producers with different styles and ideas of what to grow.     In this show, we try to compartmentalize the areas of Sonoma, to help you figure out the big areas and their specialties.   Here are the show notes: We start with generalities… Climate: There are sunny days and almost no rain from May through September with most areas cooler near the coast and warmer inland. The Pacific Ocean/Petaluma Gap and San Pablo Bay serve as cooling influences for the western and southern regions of Sonoma County Land: Elevations and slopes slow ripening, provide poor soils with excellent drainage, and create complex wines. Wines from valley floors are simpler. Matching grape to site is important given soil, elevation, and climate diversity. Grapes: Everyone grows everything! You'll find dozens of varieties growing in Sonoma. Moon Mountain AVA, Sonoma. Credit: Sonoma County Winegrowers  Most of the show is spent detailing the valleys. Here is the quick and dirty on each area:   Sonoma Valley Sonoma Valley AVA: Centers on the Sonoma Valley in the southeastern part of the county. It gets cool air from the San Pablo Bay in the south, and protection from the cool influence of the Pacific in the west from Sonoma Mountain. There are dozens of different soils from very fertile on the valley floor, to well-drained and poor on the hills and mountains   Sonoma Valley has 4 AVAs within it: Moon Mountain, Sonoma Mountain, Bennett Valley, Carneros Moon Mountain District AVA is on the steep western slope of the Mayacamas Mountains. It has the famed Monte Rosso vineyard and specializes in Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sonoma Mountain AVA is at high altitude, with steep vineyards on eastern exposures. The vineyards rise above the fog line, allowing grapes to ripen more fully in the sunlight. Basalt soils make good Cabernet Sauvignon. Other grapes are: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel   Bennett Valley AVA is Sonoma Valley's smallest AVA. It's a series of small vineyards in the slopes, hills, and ridges between Taylor Mountain, Sonoma Mountain, and Bennett Peak. In the moderately cool climate, with a long hang time, Rhône varieties do well as does Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and grapes like Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier with acidity. Pinot Noir acreage is increasing.   Los Carneros AVA straddles Napa and Sonoma counties. It hugs the San Pablo Bay, and is one of the coolest AVAs in the area, with moderately cool and windy days and early morning fog. The soil is compressed clay and very consistent, this and the weather limits vigor. Chardonnay is 50%, Pinot 43%. Merlot makes excellent wine on the clay soils. Bennett Valley AVA, Sonoma. Credit: Sonoma County Winegrowers  Town to stay in if visiting the area: Sonoma   ** Sonoma Valley is a discrete part of the larger Sonoma County. When producers use a general AVA for grapes from a combined region, it's Sonoma County. _____________________________________________  COASTAL APPELLATIONS (mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir areas)   Sonoma Coast AVA: Goes from the San Pablo Bay to the border of Mendocino County in the north. This appellation is too large to have meaning – it can be cold and rugged near the coast or warm and sheltered inland, producing very different styles of wine. The expectation is that the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that have the “Sonoma Coast” label are actually from coastal vineyards, but that's not true. We tell the story of how this AVA got to be so muddled and then talk about the 3 AVAs that were set up to rectify the issue:   Petaluma Gap AVA: 25 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the AVA runs from the Pacific Coast at Bodega Bay, southeast to San Pablo Bay, and has a mild Mediterranean climate. The defining feature is the wind gap in the coastal range, which funnels in cool coastal marine air bringing fog and cool afternoon breezes. The cool climate lower yields and help Pinot Noir (75% of plantings), Chardonnay and Syrah the grapes retain acidity. The West Sonoma Coast AVA (got it in 2022): Stretches from the Mendocino County border to the northern coastal border of the Petaluma Gap AVA. The area includes ONLY areas where coastal influence reaches – it is remote with cooler marine temperatures and much fog at elevation. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the main grapes. Fort Ross-Seaview AVA: Located on the outskirts of the Pacific Ocean, with major coastal influence, and high elevation, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have excellent acidity.   Towns to stay in: Petaluma, Jenner, Bodega Bay West Sonoma Coast AVA,  Sonoma. Credit: Sonoma County Winegrowers    _____________________________________  RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY AVA (Pinot Noir, but Rhône and Italian varietals are great too in certain regions)   Russian River Valley AVA is known for Pinot Noir. The constant cooling fog from the Pacific Ocean, coming from the Petaluma Wind Gap creates big diurnal swings, so grapes have a long growing season to develop flavor in the western part of the AVA.   The reality is that the Russian River Valley encompasses warm and cool areas. There are 5 Neighborhoods within Russian River Valley, which are used to discuss the cooler places that are more suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (Laguna Ridge, Sebastapol Hills, parts of the Middle Reach) and those that are suited to warmer climate grapes like Rhône varieties, Zinfandel, and Italian varieties (parts of the Middle Reach, Santa Rosa Plains, Eastern Hills)   Green Valley of Russian River Valley SUB AVA of Russian River is in the southwestern part of the Russian River Valley, surrounded by Sebastopol, Forestville and Occidental. It is very cool, foggy, with heavy coastal influences and produces acidic, less extracted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines on its Goldridge (yellow, sandy) soil     Chalk Hill AVA is in the northeast part of Russian River Valley and has less marine influence and fog. It has rocky, chalk soils so they do grow Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, but they also grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.   Town to stay in: Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, or Windsor    _______________________________________ DRY CREEK VALLEY AVA (Zinfandel central)   Dry Creek is the easiest valley to visit (2 roads, 5 stop signs!) and probably the easiest to understand. It is known for exceptional Zinfandel. It's in northern Sonoma County, 20 miles/32 km east of the Pacific Ocean. The Coastal Range blocks a lot of the cooler air from flooding the Dry Creek, giving it hotter days and slimmer diurnal swings at night. The vineyards lie on hillsides, benchlands, and the valley floor at different elevations and on different soils – from loam to clay to gravel. Zinfandel is 30% of plantings and is more elegant, and “old school” (especially from producers like Nalle or Peterson – friends of the pod!). The flavors are less like black fruit and more like raspberry, pomegranate with acidity and moderate alcohol. Other varieties grown are: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay very good Italian and Rhone Varieties, Bordeaux varieties grown too     Rockpile (Dry-Creek Adjacent, great Zin!): On the northern part of Dry Creek Valley, at high elevations beyond the fog, the AVA is great for rich, dense reds – Zin especially is famed (Bruliam does a great job and a friend of the show!)   Town to stay in: Healdsburg or Windsor   Dry Creek AVA, Sonoma. Credit: Sonoma County Winegrowers    _______________________________________   ALEXANDER VALLEY (known for Cabernet Sauvignon) Alexander Valley AVA: In northeastern Sonoma County, north of Healdsburg, the Russian River flows through h the Alexander Valley. It gets some cool marine air from the Pacific Ocean, and wind can cool mornings and evenings. Daytime heat spikes will ripen the grapes, but the cool wind will preserve the acidity in the classic Cabernet Sauvignon, which is so coveted, that many Napa wineries grow Cab here for top cuvees.     Pine Mountain – Cloverdale Peak (Alexander Valley adjacent) AVA: This small area overlaps the northernmost portions of the Alexander Valley AVA. It is steep with high elevations and grows a number of grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon.   Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma. Credit: Sonoma County Winegrowers    _______________________________________ Less visit-able places (yes, I know that's not a word)…   Knights Valley AVA is right next to Mount St. Helena, and has well-drained soils, but very warm temperatures with no Pacific or San Pablo Bay influence. Elevation is the only cooling factor in this area that has volcanic and alluvial gravel and focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon (2/3 of plantings) and other Bordeaux varietals. Kendall Jackson owns most of Knights Valley.     Northern Sonoma AVA: Too huge for any meaning – most producers use Sonoma County AVA. It includes Chalk Hill, Knights Valley, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley, and most of Green Valley.     Fountaingrove AVA (2015) – mostly growers, few wineries. Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietals, some Rhône varietals – Syrah, Viognier, Petite Sirah plus smatterings of everything. It's too hot for Pinot and Chard except in a few key north-facing sites   So much to explore! Sonoma is a place you can need get enough of, but hopefully this episode gives some form to exactly what you want to do when you finally make it out there!    Some of my favorite people mentioned: @sonomawineguy on Twitter and other Social Media, Nalle Winery, Crux Winery, Bruliam Winery, Keller Estate, Inman Family, Kieran Robinson Wines, Truchard Winery, (and I forgot to mention...Longboard Vineyards in Russian River!).   _______________________________________________________________ Thanks to our sponsors:   I could not be happier to announce my partnership with Wine Access, once again. Wines Access is my go-to source for the best selection of interesting wines you can't find locally. Every box you get from Wine Access is meticulous -- tasting notes with food and wine pairing, serving temperature suggestions, and perfectly stored wine. It's no wonder that Wine Access was rated the best wine club by New York Times Wirecutter and is the official partner and wine provider of The MICHELIN Guide. Check out my favorite wines on the page at www.wineaccess.com/normal, sign up for their daily emails, and join one of their wine clubs...AND get 10% your first order!   If you think our podcast is worth the price of a bottle or two of wine a year, please consider virtually buying us some bottles by becoming a member of Patreon... you'll get even more great content, live interactions and classes!  www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople   To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes   Sources for this show: https://sonomawinegrape.org/scw/sonoma-county-territory/ www.sonomavalleywine.com https://petalumagap.com/ russianrivervalley.org www.wdcv.com www.greenvalley-russianriver.com www.bvgg.org www.carneros.com www.alexandervalley.org