Grape Minds
122 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 9 ratingsA podcast that looks beyond the glass to the stories of wine making, culture, and the history of the world’s most intriguing beverage. Hosts Julie Glenn and Gina Birch interview winemakers, talk with importers, and dig into the issues and nuances of wine in the modern world while always keeping it down to earth.
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Episodes
Episode 107: Dubbed the Perfect Holiday Wine; Tom Mortimer‘s Le Cadeau Pinot Noir is one for the wine geeks, too!
October 20, 2021 15:16 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBLike it or not, we're sliding into the last few months of 2021, and you know what that means; holidays. The piles of traditional foods demand a versatile wine, and we found one in Tom Mortimer's Le Cadeau Pinot Noir. I his episode we get super wine geek-y from yeast, to carbonic maceration to suffering vines. Of course, we laugh a lot too- Cheers!
Episode 106: Return of the Intrepid Travelers
October 11, 2021 19:13 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBJulie sand Gina have been on the road a lot this summer, and collected some fabulous wine and cocktail intel along the way. Leave it to Gina to find a wine tasting room after discovering good wine is made in that beautiful state- from the noble grapes we all know so well. She also found a sweet place to sample some wines in Telluride. Julie found the coolest bar in the Midwest when she went home to KC for her BFF's wedding. While Julie couldn't transport that experience back home, Gina h...
Episode 105: A Lesson in Glassware from Mr. Riedel Himself
September 07, 2021 19:30 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MBA bit of a cynic, I never gave a whole lot of credence to glassware intended for specific grape varieties. But this incredible experience with Maximilian Riedel made me a believer. No exaggeration- the difference between glasses when trying the same wine was mind blowing. The fact that global warming is now impacting the shape of the bowls is another staggering fact we learned in this episode.
Episode 104: Bringing the Grilling Tour Home for Labor Day
September 01, 2021 21:57 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MBWe wrap up our grilling series with a slab of ribs and some good ol' American wines. We revisit the first clever label we remember from the 90's, 7 Deadly Zins- which is, as we remember, a decent value that is perfectly suitable for Barbeque sauce slathered goodness. And what grilling podcast with American wines would be complete without a cabernet sauvignon- namely Ancient Peaks cab from Paso Robles.
Episode 103: Wine Travels Take us to Portugal, Where We Find Some Exceedingly Grill-Friendly Wines
August 25, 2021 18:31 - 25 minutes - 34.5 MBDespite what some might think, port is not the only outstanding wine export from Portugal. The country has a vast, diverse wine region and it's where we travel to next as an extension of our traveling through the glass series. We're also looping in the summer grilling series because- as it turns out- these wines are GREAT for grilled goods. In this oceanfront country, it's more about grilling fish and we taste-test a popular white blend called Vinho Verde. Portugal is also famous for its bla...
Episode102.5: A Drive By Tasting with Morning Edition Host John Davis
August 18, 2021 15:44 - 7 minutes - 6.8 MBIn honor of rosé month, we continue making converts of the un-initiated to join in our love of the most appropriate shade of wine for hot weather. This time, Morning Edition host John Davis is our hapless victim- dragged in from the hallway- to try a beautiful Argentinian rosé of Pinot Noir.
Episode 102: Summer Grilling with Argentinian Wines
August 18, 2021 15:22 - 18 minutes - 25.1 MBWe kick off our summer grilling series in the world headquarters of beef with Argentinian wines. Drink like a Gaucho (Argentinian cowboy) as you tend your backyard asado (grill). We found some decent value wines in the bunch, too!
Episode 101: Bryan Page Rocks our World with Revolver Wines
August 12, 2021 20:37 - 43 minutes - 39.4 MBWith labels as cool as this, one might wonder if the wine in the bottle can deliver on the promise of the crushed velvet-covered passion pit one imagines their taste buds frolicking upon once it's in your mouth. Well, it does. And the winemaker is among the coolest we've met. Rock on, Mr. Page!
Episode 100: Martin's Lane Winery Takes two of the World's Beloved Grapes to the Next Level in Canada's Okanagan Valley
August 05, 2021 19:50 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBWhen one thinks of wine from Canada, most people immediately think of the well-marketed and delicious ice wine which stormed south about the time Generation X started learning about wine. But here to dispel any illusion that our northern neighbor is a one trick pony, is Martin's Lane Winery. They're producing shockingly good, world class Riesling and Pinot Noir in the British Columbian Okanagan Valley. In this episode we talk with winemaker Shane Munn about these incredible wines, the vall...
Episode 99: Weird Cans
July 28, 2021 18:35 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MBWe've talked about wine in a can before, but now that summer is sizzling, the beverage marketing people have gone full tilt with weird stuff in a can. One cannot turn a corner in a grocery store without being visually assaulted by sassy marketing on slim cans with pinkish hued graphics promising low calories, lots of flavor, and a little booze-from lemonade rosé blends to straight up cocktails to alcoholic kombucha. One of the joys of having a wine podcast is that people will send the occa...
Episode 98: Ending the tour of Italy by Popping Some Bubbles
June 29, 2021 05:00 - 28 minutes - 25.6 MBOur month-long summer in Italy is coming to an end but not before we pop some corks on Italian bubbly. From Franciacorta (we try an Extra Brut from Le Marchesine) through Prosecco to little regional sparklers, there is no shortage of frizzante in the boot. Let's look at the whole country's most famous and fabulous sparkling wines. Also, don't forget to check out this episode in which we talk with Matteo Lunelli from one of our all-time favorite Italian sparklers, Ferrari Trentodoc. And ...
Episode 97: A Broad Swipe at Overwhelming Wine Greatness in North Italy
June 22, 2021 05:00 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBGuys, there is just too much goodness in all of Italy and in this episode we're trying to hit the highlights of the great northern zones of the boot. From Amarone to Barolo, we're discussing the reds while sipping on the oft-overlooked (yet DELICIOUS) white wines. It is summer after all, and this is a summer in Italy series. We discuss a prior interview with Karoline Walch you can find here if you're interested in more detail about Trentino Alto Adige.
Episode 96: Working our Way up the Boot Into Central Italy
June 15, 2021 05:01 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBMoving up the boot, we wander into the vineyards of Central Italy, which contains Tuscany, which is world famous for its delicious Sangiovese; Chianti, Brunelo di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and lets not forget those rogues, the super- Tuscans. With the judicial addition of select international grape varieties we get the big dogs like Sassicaia, In this episode we check out some lesser- known wines from Montecucco. The we slide over to Abruzzo ( next door) for a little sip o...
Episode 95: Our Summer in Italy Takes Us off the Beaten Path to the South
June 09, 2021 06:32 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBThe farthest south most tourists get past Rome is Naples, but there are some cool things to see in the foot of the boot. Calabria's rustic cuisine and hot peppers will leave a mark on any traveler's memory. Basilicata's stunning Matera is a sight to behold, and the sheer abundance of Puglia's fresh produce makes one thirst for wine as straight-forward as the people in this part of the country. In this whirlwind tour of the south, we talk about and try several of the wines and pine for our ...
Episode 94: Summer in Italy Begins in Sicily
June 02, 2021 06:35 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBThis week we are hitting the road again- journeying via our wine glass to Italy for the summer. We're starting in Sicily, the Island right off the boot's toe, where the idyllic village of Taormina sits in the hills between the strait of Messina and Mount Etna (which has apparently been pretty active this year). It's a must-stop destination for people traveling by car once you've gotten off the ferry. In this episode we try some deliciously affordable wines and talk about what, exactly mak...
Episode 93.5 Bringing Back the Drive By Tasting With David Oquendo
May 26, 2021 06:58 - 4 minutes - 4.57 MBAn addendum to your podcast on father's day wines! Reviving the practice we began before the pandemic sent up all home to work remotely: the drive-by wine tasting, in which we gran someone walking down our halls to pop into the studio and try a wine or two. This time, we roped in local father and innocent bystander, David Oquendo to select his favorite from our lineup of dad wines.
Episode 92.5 Bringing Back the Drive By Tasting With David Oquendo
May 26, 2021 06:58 - 4 minutes - 4.57 MBAn addendum to your podcast on father's day wines! Reviving the practice we began before the pandemic sent up all home to work remotely: the drive-by wine tasting, in which we gran someone walking down our halls to pop into the studio and try a wine or two. This time, we roped in local father and innocent bystander, David Oquendo to select his favorite from our lineup of dad wines.
Episode 93: Memorial Day, Dad's Day and Grill-Appropriate Wines for the Summer
May 25, 2021 06:50 - 25 minutes - 23 MBToday (May 25) is National Wine Day! Tis the season to break out the flip flops, don a visor, and fire up the grill. Memorial Day, Father's Day, and the beginning of summer has us thinking grilled anything. We're cracking open a can of Rosé and testing out some of grilled meat and veggies' best pairings. We also check out a few big daddy wines like this elegant Zinfandel from Baletto.
Episode 92 Memorial Day, Dad's Day and Grill-Appropriate Wines for the Summer
May 25, 2021 06:50 - 25 minutes - 23 MBToday (May 25) is National Wine Day! Tis the season to break out the flip flops, don a visor, and fire up the grill. Memorial Day, Father's Day, and the beginning of summer has us thinking grilled anything. We're cracking open a can of Rosé and testing out some of grilled meat and veggies' best pairings. We also check out a few big daddy wines like this elegant Zinfandel from Baletto.
Episode 92: Kyle Janzen Stops by the Studio
May 12, 2021 20:10 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MBAs in-person interviews become part of life once again we are a little overly-excited to welcome Kyle Janzen, of Janzen Estate. We get to taste and compare Cabernet Sauvignon from the Baccio Divino line, from the ToKalon Vineyard and the Missouri Hopper Vineyard. We also try the Pazzo, blend which is described as "unpretentious" on their web site. Just like us!
Episode 91: This Mother's Day She Deserves the Big Wines
May 05, 2021 21:07 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBThis mother's day we give mom the kind of wine that reflects the strength, stamina and poise she (hopefully) displayed over the past pain-in-the- butt year. The dishes, the cooking, the working from home, the distance learning. Ladies, time to raise a glass of some big, bold wines as strong (read: high alcohol content) as you. We also offer a tip of the hat to Cabernet Sauvignon's mom, Sauvignon Blanc- who is having her day this beautiful Wine Wednesday.
Episode 90: The Legendary Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Wines in Studio, in Person
April 19, 2021 19:10 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBAfter fifteen months, Mauritson Wine's founder Clay Mauritson gets to travel! So. naturally he came straight to the Grape Minds studio to talk about the seven generations his family has spent in Sonoma, the wines he is proud to make from his family's iconic vineyard, and taste the Rockpile Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel and Rockpile Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
Episode 89: Even More Women in Wine at Oakville Ranch
March 31, 2021 04:01 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBAt Oakville Ranch it's all about the ladies with Sheila Gentry as General Manager and Jennifer Rue as winemaker. In this week's episode, Gina and Julie learn what sets this sub-appellation apart, and try their legendary Cabernet Sauvignon.
Episode 88: Women in Wine With the Daughter of Elena Walch, Alto Adige's Quality Revolution Trailblazer
March 24, 2021 04:06 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MBAny discussion of women in wine is incomplete without Elena Walch. This eponymous winery in Alto Adige led the charge in this Northern Italian region away from quantity and towards quality. Following her mother's lead, sisters Julia and Karoline are taking the winery into its fifth generation with respect for history and the terroir. In this episode, Julie and Gina talk with Karoline about the wine industry, the delicious local grapes of the area around Tramin, and the satisfaction of bein...
Episode 87: Women in Wine Continues with Chelsea Barrett of Materra
March 17, 2021 13:44 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBWith the obvious genetic predisposition toward making incredible wine, Chelsea Barrett of Materra Cunat Family Vineyards did not assume it was a foregone conclusion she'd rank up there with mom and pop - both iconic Napa winemakers. She did her time hitting the books, traveling the world, and rising through the ranks to develop her own style. In this episode, Gina and Julie talk with Chelsea about the bit of pressure that comes with being the daughter of legends. A wine princess, if you ...
Episode 86: Women's History Month Continues with Sonoma-Cutrer's Zidanelia Arcidiacono
March 10, 2021 05:01 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBTime to look beyond their ubiquitous Chardonnay and get to know another member of the all-female wine making team at Sonoma-Cutrer, Zidanelia Arcidiacono makes the Pinot Noir here, including the Rosé version of said grape.
Episode 85: We Kick off Women's History Month with a Personal Fave-Nicole Rolet from Chene Bleu
March 01, 2021 20:23 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBToday marks the beginning of Women's History Month, so Gina and Julie are getting a jump on wine Wednesday and checking in a bit early to launch our month long homage to the wonder-women of wine. We start with a woman who captured our palates with her rose long before we met her and she captured our hearts. There are people you meet in the wine industry, and wines you try- a great percentage of each being regrettably forgettable. But the wines of Chene Bleu and the fabulous Nicole Rolet wh...
Episode 84: On Billionaire's Row With Scottie and Jordan
February 24, 2021 22:19 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBWilliam Benson, the founder and CEO of Billionaires’ Row Champagne, and his partner Patrick Ductant, who heads up the spirits division, refer to one another as Jordan and Scottie in a nod to the fabled '96 Chicago Bulls. William (aka Jordan) is the first and only American to have his name on a Champagne Brand approved by the Prestigious Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne in France. In this Episode Gina and Julie talk with these legends about making seemingly unattainable dreams ...
Episode 82: A Dozen Rosé s for Valentine's Day
February 10, 2021 20:07 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MBIn this week's Valentines Day episode, Gina and Julie wax poetic about their great wine loves and present a bouquet of a dozen rosés. Send Nudes Rosé , from the folks who bring you Sexual Chocolate, a Rosé of Pinot from Sonoma Thomas Jefferson sparkling, could not resist this since it is also Presidents Day coming up. This is a Cremant de Limoux made from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir. Chimney Rock, cab franc, dark almost looks like cranberry juice Elizabeth Spencer, it’s ...
A Dozen Rosé s for Valentine's Day
February 10, 2021 20:07 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MBIn this week's Valentines Day episode, Gina and Julie wax poetic about their great wine loves and present a bouquet of a dozen rosés. Send Nudes Rosé , from the folks who bring you Sexual Chocolate, a Rosé of Pinot from Sonoma Thomas Jefferson sparkling, could not resist this since it is also Presidents Day coming up. This is a Cremant de Limoux made from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir. Chimney Rock, cab franc, dark almost looks like cranberry juice Elizabeth Spencer, it’s ...
Episode 81: Wine Wandering for a Walkabout in Australia
February 03, 2021 18:35 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBThis week, Gina and Julie wander through the wine glass to Australia with the help of importer, distributor and Aussie, Jane Uttley of Unfiltered Unfined Wines. We talk super-hot shiraz, seafood friendly whites, and pair everyone's favorite brekkie food: vegemite. For video evidence of us ingesting Vegemite, click here.
Episode 80: Wandering the Wine World in New Zealand
January 25, 2021 19:53 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBWe're all tired of not being able to travel. But enough complaining- the world of wine awaits. We're letting our taste buds take us on a journey as we circle the globe to vicariously visit vineyards (how's that for alliteration?) far from home. Our first wine wandering takes us to the beautiful island nation of New Zealand where we find one of the most memorable wines and wine stories in any portfolio. Brent Marris of Marisco Vineyards talks of his family's ignominious backstory and how it...
Episode 79: Wine.com Saved the day for Many in 2020
January 11, 2021 21:20 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBWhen the pandemic hit in March last year, wine.com went into "Christmas mode" and hasn't stopped since. Gina and Julie talked with Wilfred Wong, whose title is chief story teller, and Gwendolyn Wilson Osborn, Director of wine education about how their business works and what's trending for those of us stuck at home waiting out this pandemic.
Episode 78: Wine.com Saved the day for Many in 2020
January 11, 2021 21:20 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBWhen the pandemic hit in March last year, wine.com went into "Christmas mode" and hasn't stopped since. Gina and Julie talked with Wilfred Wong, whose title is chief story teller, and Gwendolyn Wilson Osborn, Director of wine education about how their business works and what's trending for those of us stuck at home waiting out this pandemic.
Episode 78: ABC Sparkling
December 23, 2020 20:18 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBOften in the wine world, ABC refers to "Anything But Chardonnay," But in this episode we're looking at "Anything But Champagne." Not that we'd ever dump out an ounce of Champagne. *clutches pearls* We love the stuff. But there are other bubbles in the world, and we're checking a few of them out while we talk about the many places that make their own style of sparkling. We're trying a Trentodoc from Italy, a fabulous British sparkler, and a ruby-red sparkling Pinot Noir from California.
Episode 77: When the Sum is Greater Than the Individual Parts- Talking Wine Blends
December 16, 2020 17:43 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBAfter a year of separation, polarization, and mental and physical distance, Gina and Julie are setting the holiday table with blends. Because after all, we're all better when we some together, whether we're grapes, politicians, or family members. In this episode there's a tour of some of the most famous blends and a tasting of one Rhone red hat's easy on the palate and the wallet; Les Dauphins Côtes-du-Rhône and a Bordeaux style blend from Washington State called Chasing Rain.
Episode 76: Billecart Salmon Introduces Brut Nature to US Market
December 10, 2020 01:07 - 37 minutes - 34 MBGina and Julie talk with the CEO and 7th generation of the Billecart Salmon Champagne House, Mathieu Roland-Billecart about the new, Brut Nature cuvee, the iconic rosé, and the intriguing, food-friendly "Sous Bois." But let's be real, they are all food friendly. Of course we taste through them all just to make sure. Join in!
Episode 75: From Mexico City to Rutherford, via Burgundy, Champagne, and Bordeaux: A Conversation with Sullivan Estate's Juan Pablo Torres Padilla
December 02, 2020 18:32 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MBGrowing up in a family that valued good wine, Juan Pablo Torres Padilla expanded on that passion spending half his life in France and visiting some of the best vineyards and wineries in the world. When he chose to make that passion into his career, he chose Napa Valley's Rutherford AVA to make world class wines. He now is owner of Sullivan Rutherford Estate and in this episode Gina and Julie talk about the current release, a stroke of (good) luck in 2020, and artificial intelligence. Yes...
Episode 74: Turkey Day Wines
November 18, 2020 17:12 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBBefore that turkey hits the table, let's talk about the wines. In this week's episode, Julie and Gina chat about Thanksgiving pairings with winemakers from Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley and Archery Summit in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Plus stories of a few side dish fails.
Episode 73 Chateau Montelena winemaker talks Legacy and the Future
November 12, 2020 20:42 - 28 minutes - 26 MBChateau Montelena is an icon of California wine. It's 1973 Chardonnay was heralded the best in the world at the 1976 "Judgement of Paris," and the winery's entire portfolio remains a benchmark of quality. In this episode we talk with winemaker Matt Crafton about the responsibility that history brings and his view towards the future.
Episode 72: #MerlotMe!
October 26, 2020 16:43 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBWe could all use a little mellowness a week out from the elections, so we'd like to propose Merlot. It's that grape that gets along with everybody, sometimes to her own detriment, but this noble, globetrotting grape finds a way to shine no matter where she lands. Today, Gina and Julie raise a few glasses to try Merlot from several American growing regions.
Episode 71: A Project of Politician Francis Rooney, Boega 202 Winemaker Honors the Land and Spanish History
October 22, 2020 18:18 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBLUIS GÜEMES is the winemaker working with the family of Congressman Francis Rooney to make Bodega 202 from Rioja, Spain. Gina and Julie caught up with them both at the 2020 Naples Winter Wine Festival in January where they tried the wine, talked with the man who made it, and learned a little about how the Camino di Santigo led Rooney and his family to put down some roots in Spain.
Episode 70: Winemaker Enrique Tirado discusses World Class Chilean Cabernet from Don Melchor
October 01, 2020 19:25 - 27 minutes - 34 MBToday we continue our salute to Hispanic Heritage Month with a trip (via Zoom) to Chile where we talk with Enrique Tirado, the winemaker behind Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon.
Episode 69: We talk Dreams with Rolando Herrera, the Dreamer behind Mi Sueno
September 22, 2020 20:44 - 26 minutes - 37 MBWith story as delicious as the wines he makes, Rolando Herrera of Mi Sueno Winery recalls washing dishes, mowing lawns, sending out resume after resume, and then deciding to make Mi Sueno reality.
Episode 68: Kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month in Conversation with Bibiana Gonzalez Rave
September 16, 2020 18:48 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBHispanic Heritage Month straddles the months of September and October, lasting from the 15th of September to the 15th of October. The impact of the numerous cultures that make up the diaspora of the Hispanic population cannot be denied in the wine industry. Today we're talking with Bibiana Gonzalez Rave of Cattleya Wines in Napa, by way of Colombia and France.
Episode 67: It's International Pinot Noir Day!
August 18, 2020 21:53 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MBOn International Pinot Noir day we celebrate with a few domestic options since we couldn't seem to get the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti here in time. Just kidding- who'd ship something like that in August? This grape may be of particular interest to our Libra friends- the zodiac sign we paired with this delicate beauty of a grape.
It's International Pinot Noir Day!
August 18, 2020 21:53 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MBOn International Pinot Noir day we celebrate with a few domestic options since we couldn't seem to get the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti here in time. Just kidding- who'd ship something like that in August? This grape may be of particular interest to our Libra friends- the zodiac sign we paired with this delicate beauty of a grape.
Episode 66: Rosé Month
August 11, 2020 16:26 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBYeah, we know we just talked about rosé a few weeks ago on rosé day, but the wine gods have given us the entire month of August to celebrate the pink stuff, so here we are, yet again, loving on this bashful hue of wine. Dive in with us as we cool off and talk about the summer sipper we all adore. We try: Cattleya Wines' Rosé of Pinot Noir from Sonoma and Hahn's Rosé of Pinot Noir from Monterey County.
Episode 65: Happy Prosecco Week
July 19, 2020 22:54 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBGina and Julie joined a virtual happy hour with wine lovers from around the world to talk about BIG NEWS in Italy's Bubble Belt (Prosecco land aka: Conegliano Valdobbiadenne). Mionetto hosted the Happy Hour so we were able to try through their wines with the winemaker.
Happy Prosecco Week
July 19, 2020 22:54 - 25 minutes - 22.9 MBGina and Julie joined a virtual happy hour with wine lovers from around the world to talk about BIG NEWS in Italy's Bubble Belt (Prosecco land aka: Conegliano Valdobbiadenne). Mionetto hosted the Happy Hour so we were able to try through their wines with the winemaker.