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Wine for Normal People

581 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1.3K ratings

A podcast for people who like wine but not the snobbery that goes with it. We talk about wine in a fun, straightforward, normal way to get you excited about it and help you drink better, more interesting stuff. The Wine For Normal People book is available on Amazon! Back catalog available via Patreon membership: www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople Get the back catalog on Patreon!

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Episodes

Ep 513: The Divine Dolcetto of Diano d’Alba with Giulio Abrigo of Abrigo Giovanni

March 19, 2024 20:40 - 56 minutes - 47.5 MB

I welcome to the show my friend Giulio Abrigo of Abrigo Giovanni Azienda Agricola, who focuses on the exquisite Dolcetto in Diano d'Alba in the Barolo zone of Piemonte. Abrigo Giovanni is a small family operation, operating on just 13 ha or 32 acres mainly in Diano d’Alba -- the site of the winery and the family home. Dolcetto Diano d’Alba is one of a handful of DOCG zones for the grape – stricter controls and the top Dolcetto wines are made in this area. Here, the elevation, the soils, and...

Ep 512: Volcanic Wines

March 13, 2024 00:38 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MB

In recent years, there has been a lot of buzz around “volcanic wines.” The term makes it sound as if these are wines that are spawned from a volcano, but in reality these are wines that many people believe have special qualities because they grow on volcanic soils.  In this show, I define the types of volcanoes before discussing the ecosystems they form. I then talk about the specific regions known to have volcanic wines, but I also point out that these areas have other factors that may cre...

Ep 511: The Greats-- Semillon of the Hunter Valley, Australia

March 06, 2024 03:52 - 39 minutes - 34.9 MB

The Hunter Valley is the OG -- the first place where Australian grape growing took place.  For 200 years there has been continuous winegrowing and winemaking among the rolling hills and green valleys, which are peppered with iconic wineries, many of which have been around for more than 100 years. Although other types of wines are made, the Hunter has one crown jewel -- Semillon. In this show I give detail on the history, background and terroir of the Hunter before discussing the Semillon and...

Special Announcement: MC Ice departs and Where to get past episodes of WfNP

March 03, 2024 12:51 - 3 minutes - 3.41 MB

This is a quick special announcement show with two news items: 1. After many years of being on the show, MC Ice has left the building! This was not his main business and he has chosen to focus on his work and other pursuits! We thank him for his contributions. Going forward, educational shows will be with Elizabeth only, with occasional guest appearances from Patrons to mix things up! 2. Probably more important is the answer to the question many of you have been asking: Where do I get th...

Ep 510: Virginia’s Iconic Barboursville Vineyards with Winemaker & GM Luca Paschina

February 27, 2024 22:30 - 1 hour - 57.5 MB

I welcome to the show, again, and this time for a much longer and more thorough conversation, Luca Paschina, the head winemaker and GM of Barboursville, the historic property in the Monticello AVA of Virginia. Luca was on the show in 2016, originally on episode 162. Barboursville has a long history, which starts around the same time as its current owners’ wine history -- the Zonin family of Veneto (found 1821). We discuss Thomas Jefferson and his role in trying to get Virginia wine started...

Revisiting the Wine and Health Debacle -- Re-release of Ep 274: Christopher Snowdon

February 21, 2024 00:03 - 54 minutes - 43.9 MB

As a follow up to Felicity Carter's show last week, in which we mentioned referenced the work of Christopher Snowdon often, I am re-releasing Episode 274 to give another perspective. This was originally released April 29, 2019. We raised all sorts of red flags in this show and Christopher has been consistent on his blog about how moderate drinking is still good for you and why wine is NOT the new tobacco...This is a great supplement and another viewpoint on this subject and dovetails perfect...

Ep 509: Felicity Carter Exposes the Jaw-dropping Truth of Who is Guiding Global Wine & Health Policy

February 14, 2024 00:16 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MB

My guest, Felicity Carter, is probably the most brilliant journalist in wine, and certainly one of the only ones doing vital investigative work in the field of wine, health, and the neo prohibitionist movement. From 2008 to 2021, she was editor-in-chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International, a global, English-language magazine, one of Germany’s oldest publishing houses. She reported from 22 countries in that position. She writes for Decanter, The Guardian, and pretty much every major pr...

Ep 508: Armenian Wine - Ancient Grapes, Modern Innovation, True Excellence with Aimee Keushguerian of Zulal & Keush

February 06, 2024 15:11 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MB

In this show we explore the world of Armenian wine, which has roots in the ancient world and may be the oldest winemaking region in Europe.  To tell us about these wines, the terroir, and the regions, I welcome Keush Managing Director & Zulal Founder, Aimee Keushguerian. Aimee educates us on Armenian wine and tells us about the projects she and her family are undertaking to shape the modern Armenian wine industry, which is definitely getting noticed for its high quality and interesting grap...

Ep 507: Innovative Pairing with Plant-based Food with the founders of Wineand2Veg.com

January 30, 2024 22:00 - 53 minutes - 48.2 MB

Food and wine pairing is complex. But as many of us are trying to eat healthier, more plant-based diets it becomes an exercise in frustration. Traditional outlets barely ever talk about how to pair red wine with vegetarian dishes, beyond eggplant and mushrooms. Wendy Narby, a wine educator and writer in Bordeaux and Sally Evans, a winemaker and owner of Château George 7 (sette) aim to change that. This week they talk about their new site, which  helps us learn to pair the wines of Bordeaux ...

Ep 506: The Wines of the Côtes de Bordeaux -- The Secret Best Value Wines of the Region

January 24, 2024 00:00 - 55 minutes - 52.6 MB

This time we explore the hidden gems of  Bordeaux -- the Côtes de Bordeaux -- which make superb wines that few people know about. With an easy-drinking style, the Côtes de Bordeaux are the hidden, affordable wines of Bordeaux. These historic vineyards are a collection of AOCs around eastern Bordeaux on sunny hillside slopes that grow a majority of Merlot and have similar soil types. These are not second or bulk wines – rather family-owned, often sustainable wines that are always a good value...

Ep 505: Alternatives to a Favorite -- Grenache (Garnacha)

January 16, 2024 22:00 - 37 minutes - 35.8 MB

It's another edition of the "Alternatives to a Fave" series! This time: Grenache/Garnacha. As an extension of the Grape Mini-series, we come up with lists of wines that lovers of a specific grape can try as alternatives. Grenache/Garnacha comes in many different forms -- as a juicy, cherry-berry standalone grape in Spain, as lighter blender in the Rhône and Rioja, in rosé and fortified wines, and as full, serious wine in places like Priorat (Spain), Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France), and Austra...

Ep 504: A Normal Wine Person Perspective on Greek Wine -- Patron Lindsey Miller Shares Her Love and Knowledge of Greece

January 10, 2024 00:00 - 37 minutes - 35.7 MB

For the first time, we have a Wine For Normal People Patron on the show to share her passion and expertise!   This week is a follow-up to last week’s weedier podcast on Greece. This time, long time listener and friend, Lindsey Miller, joins as our first Patron guest, to talk about her passion for and knowledge of Greek wine. She helps bring this topic to life, giving us background on how she fell in love with Greece, got to know its wines, and developed some expertise on the subject.   ...

Ep 503: Greek Wine -- The Updated 10,000 Foot Overview

January 03, 2024 03:06 - 49 minutes - 47.1 MB

This show is an update to our previous shows on Greece. We hope to get you (re)started on your exploration of this ancient winemaking nation that has been reborn in recent years. Greek wines are unique, terroir-driven, and they harken back to the nation's ancient past and the very foundations of wine as a major part of the history in western civilization.   With recent investments and modernization, the wines are better than ever and are worth exploring. Map from the Wines of Greece A...

Ep 502: Stu Smith of Smith-Madrone -- Why Napa County is Strangling Small Wineries

December 19, 2023 23:00 - 59 minutes - 52.3 MB

This is a baffling story that includes a Napa history lesson, an idea of how the Valley has grown and then a jaunt into intrigue, sting operations, and what appears to be an effort to kill the goose that laid the golden egg by the Napa County government. It seems that the County is going after small wineries in an attempt to bankrupt them out of business.  Friend of the pod, Stu Smith of Smith-Madrone joins to discuss and explain the situation -- at least the parts that have an explanation...

Ep 501: Winemaker Thomas Bianciardi of San Filippo - Award-Winning Wines of Brunello di Montalcino

December 12, 2023 23:00 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MB

Thomas Bianciardi is the winemaker for the exceptional Azienda Agricola San Filippo in Montalcino, the famed enclave of Tuscany. I had the honor of meeting him while on the Patron trip to Tuscany this spring and loved the philosophy, the wines, and the way that Thomas explained the region. Photo: Thomas Bianciardi Credit: Wine For Normal People Thomas joins to discuss Montalcino, educate us about the region and tell us about how he and owner Roberto Gianneli make these exceptional wines ...

Ep 500: Listeners Ask About 500 Episodes of WFNP

December 06, 2023 18:22 - 1 hour - 62.2 MB

This show is listener driven, which makes sense since we have always had a listener focus at Wine For Normal People! We take some amazing questions about the podcast from listeners and reveal some fun facts about the show that you may not know.   We cover things like:  What experience did we have going into the podcast? How do we select guests and plan shows? How should a first-time listener approach 500 episodes? What regions do we like now that we didn't at the outset? What ha...

Ep 499: The Impacts of Smoke on Wine with Professor Tom Collins of Washington State University

November 29, 2023 00:30 - 58 minutes - 73.6 MB

Professor Thomas Collins (yes, his name is Tom Collins) is a foremost authority in the US on smoke in the vineyards. After a long career in research and enology at large wineries in New York and California, and a Ph.D. at UC-Davis, Dr. Collins became an assistant professor of grape and wine chemistry in the Viticulture and Enology Program at Washington State University in 2015. Photo: Dr. Tom Collins, Credit: WSU   He manages a research program in grape, wine and spirits aroma and fla...

Special update to Episode 327: Wine ingredient & nutrition labeling goes live in the EU (and what it means to us)

November 21, 2023 17:00 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MB

This is a special update and recap of Episode 327 with Barnaby Eales on Wine ingredient & nutrition labeling. I refreshed and edited that (very short) episode and then MC Ice and I added the details of the new law. We did the original episode in 2020 and at that time it was unclear whether or not Europe would go through with the plan, but they executed it and now we may be seeing back labels with a WHOLE lot more info about the wine! Listen to the update to learn what you NEED to know!   ...

Ep 498: Terrific Thanksgiving Food and Wine Pairings

November 13, 2023 22:50 - 42 minutes - 40.7 MB

Thanksgiving is a hard meal to pair wine with but we've got you covered. After a little bit of wine advice about glassware, serving temps, and my annual "Aunt Gertrude" warning, we get into the pairings for traditional (and some variations on traditional) Thanksgiving fare.    We begin with suggestions for wines to welcome your guests, and then move on to: Wine and food pairings for Thanksgiving appetizers/ hors-d'œuvre Wine and food pairings for the meats and main courses of Thanksgi...

Ep 497: The Grape Mini-Series -- Blaufränkisch (AKA, Lemberger)

November 07, 2023 03:58 - 52 minutes - 67.3 MB

This week we cover the unsung red of Central European wine – Blaufränkisch. This Central European red grape was planted widely in throughout the Habsburg Empire, and today the biggest plantings aren’t too far from its birthplace – right on the Austria-Hungary border. Photo: Blaufränkisch. Credit: Austrian Wine Blaufränkisch translates to ‘blue wine of the Franks’, and it is known as Lemberger in Germany and the US, Kékrankos in Hungary, Franconia in Italy, and various Burgundy-related nam...

Ep 496: Sherry Refresh Part 2 - Oxidatively Aged Wines, Style Categories, Food Pairing, and Serving Ideas

October 30, 2023 21:15 - 45 minutes - 56.9 MB

Sherry is a complex wine with lots of terroir, tradition, and winemaking possibilities. In episode 495, we go over the stats on the region, the history, the terroir, and details on winemaking, including the solera system. We then describe the biologically aged wines – Fino and Manzanilla.    This show is a continuation of episode 495 but after listening to the show I did with MC Ice, I realized it was too meandering, so I recorded this version on my own.   This second part of the She...

Ep 495: Sherry Refresh Part 1 --History, terroir, and Biologically Aged Wines

October 23, 2023 04:31 - 48 minutes - 63 MB

It's been 11 years since we discussed Sherry, so it's time to do a refreshed show. This time, Sherry is much more mainstream and we're revisiting this fascinating wine that has so much history, and has experienced a renaissance in recent times.   We discuss: Where Sherry is and its defining terroir, including the terroir of the bodegas The grapes of Sherry The 3000 year history of the region Winemaking and the complex system of criaderas, soleras, and fractional blending The bio...

Ep 494: Wines for Fall

October 16, 2023 17:53 - 42 minutes - 54.3 MB

After a very, very hot summer where we live, the weather has broken and we are ready for wines that can warm us up and pair with the smells of crisp fall air and falling leaves, as well as heartier food. In this show, we talk about wines for fall from around the world and why they are going on our wine shopping list this season.   We break it down country by country (and give some special attention to Piedmont and Champagne, where I just visited) and hopefully give you some great ideas o...

Ep 493: Marina Marcarino of Punset; Barbaresco's Most Forward-Looking Producer Returns to WFNP

October 10, 2023 23:07 - 1 hour - 82.8 MB

I first spoke to Marina Marcarino of Punset in 2017 and I was fascinated by her story and loved her wines. We became friends and I’ve visited her over the years and keep in touch with her for a pulse on what is happening in the vineyards and wineries of Barbaresco, where Punset is located. Marina Marcarino of Punset Wines in Barbaresco As a recap of the first show, when Marina Marcarino was in her early 20s, she took over the family vineyard in Neive, Barbaresco (Piedmont, Italy) and na...

Ep 492: Polly Hammond of 5Forests -- The Esteemed Wine Marketing Innovator Shares Trends We Should Know

October 03, 2023 16:15 - 55 minutes - 67.9 MB

This week, my close friend, web guru, and the best digital marketer in the wine biz -- Polly Hammond of 5Forests -- discusses some fascinating topics in wine. We have a great conversation about the state of wine marketing, it's disconnection with normal people (and reasons for it), and how there is more to some trends than clickbait would have you believe!  Polly is very different in the world of wine. She is actually a regular person, who understands how normal people think about and drink...

Ep 491: The Grape Mini-Series -- The Pinot Noir Refresh

September 25, 2023 20:44 - 1 hour - 76.7 MB

Pinot Noir is a challenging grape. It’s hard to grow, hard to work with in the cellar, and the style varies drastically based on where it’s made, who is making it, and when it was grown (vintage).   We haven’t covered Pinot in a decade, so we decided to do a reboot on the grape mini-series and add all the new information and insights I’ve gathered over the last 10+ years since the last one. From clones to climate change, we give the full story on Pinot and talk about how no two wines are...

Ep 490: Tasmania, Australia

September 19, 2023 01:00 - 36 minutes - 46.3 MB

This week we cover Australia’s coolest and most southerly region, Tasmania. This island, which is 240 km/150 off the mainland has had some starts and stops in wine, but the recent past has seen it on an upward trajectory for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, sparkling made of those grapes, plus Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Syrah, and Pinot Gris, among others. We give an overview of this very distinct Australian region, discuss terroir and climate, the sub areas, and then talk about the bright future of ...

Ep 489: Madeira -- The best wine you may be missing out on...

September 12, 2023 16:00 - 50 minutes - 64.2 MB

As suggested by patron Keith S, this week we take a detailed look at Madeira, the Portuguese island that makes a unique and delicious fortified wine! We discuss the very important history (it’s why the wine is made the way it is, so even if you hate history, don’t skip that part!), the geography and climate of this far-flung island, the grapes that thrive here, and the unbelievable way this fortified wine has been made for centuries. Photo: Frasqueira Madeira, Boal 1977. Source: Getty Image...

Ep 488: Wine Travel -- The Inside Scoop on How to Have an Awesome Trip

September 04, 2023 16:00 - 48 minutes - 62.2 MB

In this show, we share our best tips for traveling to wine regions. We cover planning and research, the best time of year to visit, and important factors once you’re on the ground. From getting a shipper so your wine is ready to check or ship, to stocking up on gas and provisions, to traveling with kids, we’ve got you covered. Photo: Château Phelan-Segur. Credit: Wine For Normal People   Some key resources we mention: The WFNP podcast catalog is a great resource for finding wineries I ...

Ep 487: New Zealand -- The Overview

August 28, 2023 16:00 - 56 minutes - 70.1 MB

How can it be that we have never done an overview on New Zealand? We decided to remedy that this week. This is a sweeping look at the two-island nation that has a huge wine reputation, even though it only accounts for 1% of the wine made in the world. In this show, we give an overview of the wine history of New Zealand, which is probably longer than you think, and then go through the regions to tell you how they differ from one another, why they are unique and the top wines you should look ...

Ep 486: The (REAL) Inner Workings of the Wine Industry with NY Retailer Daniel Posner of Grapes, The Wine Company

August 21, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 90.7 MB

In this show, I welcome my friend and wine industry guru Daniel Posner, the owner of the prestigious New York retailer, Grapes, The Wine Company. Daniel joined Grapes, The Wine Company in 2000 and was the managing partner by 2004. For the past 23 years, he has been a wine consultant, with clients from all over the globe. He travels to wine regions to meet with producers, winemakers, winery owners, especially in his favorite areas of Burgundy, Piedmont, Tuscany, and California. He knows the ...

Ep 485: The Grape Miniseries -- Marsanne

August 14, 2023 16:00 - 39 minutes - 50.6 MB

This time we dive into one of the three main grapes of the Northern Rhône: Marsanne. Related to Roussanne, the grape with which it is almost always blended, this grape reaches its heights in the wines of Hermitage in northern Rhône and does exceptional things around the world from Victoria and South Australia, to the US, to New Zealand and South Africa. Photo: Chante-Alouette from Chapoutier, the wine we mention in the show. Credit: Wine For Normal People   Although not a grape you wi...

Ep 484: Alternatives to a Favorite - Riesling

August 07, 2023 16:00 - 43 minutes - 55.8 MB

After reviewing some of the basics about Riesling (possibly my favorite white grape!), we talk about some other wines that may be interesting to try. Photo: The Riesling grape. Credit: Getty Images, Canva We start out with the ones on everyone’s list – Chenin Blanc, Torrontés, Albariño, Gewürztraminer, and Grüner Veltliner – but then venture deep into other territory, giving you some very different wines to consider!   From Pecorino to Malagouzia, this show will give you some great i...

Ep 483: A Trip to Portugal -- Wine Insights & Travel Tips

July 31, 2023 16:00 - 46 minutes - 57.4 MB

This show is a recap of the wine experiences that we had while spending three weeks in Portugal and tasting through as much of the wines from that country as we could!   Our itinerary included:   The Algarve in the southern part of the country – a beautiful, dramatic seaside area with sandstone and limestone cliffs, which drop into the sea. There, we stayed in Lagos, a lovely town with excellent food and some fantastic wine bars including Mosto (the best!), Taninos (also quite good),...

Ep 482: Antonio Capaldo of Feudi San Gregorio Returns

July 24, 2023 16:00 - 50 minutes - 61.5 MB

While I was in Irpinia, Campania (southern Italy) earlier this year, I got to spend an afternoon and dinner with Antonio Capaldo, Chairman and mastermind behind Feudi di San Gregorio, the largest and one of the highest quality producers in the region. This episode recaps a lot of the really interesting conversations we had about the steady traction the region has gained in terms of reputation, the culture of art and how it connects with the wine, the bond of this region to its incredible pas...

Ep 481: Eva Martinelli - Chianti Classico Winemaker & Region Expert

July 17, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 82 MB

Eva Martinelli is a young, innovative, and experienced winemaker from Tuscany. She has a degree in oenology, a deep understanding of terroir of Chianti Classico, and an unrivaled passion for the region. She has worked harvests in New and Old World countries, after which she returned home to follow her dream of being a winemaker in the region she loves most.  Photo: Eva Martinelli, Credit:Wine For Normal People I met Eva in May 2023, while on the tour of Tuscany with a group of Patrons. Sh...

Ep 480: The Leelanau Peninsula of Michigan (US) - Portrait of an Emerging Region

July 03, 2023 16:00 - 51 minutes - 67.8 MB

This episode is all about the Leelanau Peninsula AVA of Michigan (a state in the midwestern US, on the Canadian border). Drew Perry, head of Production for Simpson Family Estates, a family business located on the peninsula, joins to educate us about this very unique area, which has been making wine since the 1970s. We discuss the land, the climate, and the history of this region, which is an essential part of the terroir here. Photo: Drew Perry of Good Harbor Vineyards & Aurora Cellars. Cre...

Ep 479: Champagne Le Brun de Neuville -- Côte de Sézanne's Stunning Sparklers

June 26, 2023 16:00 - 50 minutes - 61.2 MB

Agathe Bellanger from Le Brun de Neuville Champagne joins to discuss the Chardonnay-centric Côte de Sézanne, the role of growers and smaller co-ops, the terroir of this small sub-region, and the beautiful wines her group makes. I LOVE these wines, which focus on longer lees aging. Agathe Bellanger, Champagne Le Brun de Neuville.    Here are the lines of wines from Le Brun de Neuville:  The Côte : This is their house style, representing 80% of production. The goal of these wines is to...

Ep 478: Piero Mastroberardino -- the Soul of the Wines & Vines of Campania

June 19, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 87.7 MB

Campania was one of the most famous wine regions of antiquity. The pedigree of Fiano, Greco, and Aglianico are well documented in literature of the time (including Pliny the Elder’s Naturalis Historius)! These wines have a legacy of cultivation for more than 2000 years on this land, and since the 1700s, the Mastroberardino family have taken the lead in protecting and elevating the region and its wines. This family kept these ancient grapes alive when all others abandoned them, and have been ...

Ep 477: Stefania Fuselli of Le Vigne di Silvia in Bolgheri, Tuscany -- Family, Football, Fortitude, & Fantastic Wine

June 12, 2023 16:00 - 56 minutes - 68.8 MB

When we were on our last day of the Patron trip in Tuscany, we had our final dinner in Bolgheri at a fairly new winery, Le Vigne di Silvia. This farm is owned by a family that was as kind as they could be. It was everything you could hope for when visiting an Italian family -- great food, welcoming hospitality, homey vibe, and great wine!  Photo: Stefania Fuselli, left. Silvia Fuselli, right. Credit: Le Vigne di Silvia Le Vigne di Silvia was started by Silvia Fuselli, famed former pro fo...

Ep 476: Bolgheri, Tuscany -- the Birthplace of the Super Tuscan Movement

June 05, 2023 16:00 - 45 minutes - 57.6 MB

First, if you haven’t checked out my new site – shout out to Polly Hammond, my dear friend and a complete rockstar at www.5forests.com!   This time, we decided to do this show as a good set up for next week’s show with Stefania Fuselli, one of the sisters who runs Le Vigne di Silvia, an outstanding family winery that the Patrons and I visited while in Bolgheri. I am so excited to share that winery with you, but I felt it would be a better experience if we first explained what Bolgheri is...

Ep 475: Jeff Clarke of O:TU Wines - The Evolution of Marlborough, New Zealand Wines

May 29, 2023 16:00 - 57 minutes - 74.5 MB

Jeff Clarke has been a winemaker in Marlborough New Zealand for decades, starting at one of the companies that pioneered the Sauvignon Blanc of the region, Montana Wines. Jeff is an award-winning, world famous winemaker who is now at OTU Wine Estate in the Awatere Valley and I discovered his wines through Wine Access — his Sauvignon Blanc was unlike any other Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc I’ve had! I had to have him on to discuss this unique style and what is going on in the region. Jeff Cla...

Ep 474: Campania, Italy -- Details on a Splendid Trip to this Underrated Region

May 22, 2023 16:00 - 46 minutes - 59.9 MB

You’ll be able to tell how much I loved Campania/Irpinia by how  enthusiastic I am in the show. If you don’t know the wines of this underrated region, you need to begin your exploration immediately. Fiano, Greco, and Aglianico make some of the best wines in the world, and yet for various reasons, they don’t get the credit they deserve. Maybe if we, as wine lovers, show more interest, the mainstream and retailers will get the idea that these are significant wines that need more attention. Gra...

Ep 473: The Recap of a Trip to the Fabulous Wine Regions of Tuscany

May 15, 2023 16:00 - 54 minutes - 68.6 MB

This show is a recap of a the recent trip through Tuscany that my travel partner, Tourissimo, and I organized for a group of 19 Patrons (join Patreon so you can make the next one!). We go through the major DOCGs/DOCs we visited and I share some interesting things I learned and observed. A great one for armchair travel! Here are the DOCGs we explored: Vernaccia di San Gimignano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Chianti Classico Brunello di Montalcino Morellino di Scansano And the DOCs ...

Ep 472: David Kong, CEO of GlasVin -- the best new handblown glasses to hit the market

May 08, 2023 16:00 - 47 minutes - 61.7 MB

Alert: David is so awesome that he has offered us a discount on your purchase of GlasVin! Use code: WINEFORNORMALPEOPLE  for 10% off (Patrons, please see Patreon for a deeper discount!) We have never before had on a glassware producer because, in the past, it has been a very limited field. One company dominated and sometimes their products made no sense because, like many things in wine, there were too many options and not enough differentiation for normal wine drinkers.    https://gl...

Ep 471: The Best Wine Pairings with Mexican and TexMex

May 01, 2023 16:00 - 43 minutes - 56.6 MB

This week we see if there are any wines that can stand up to Mexican food. As with all our episodes like this, we ordered a lot of traditional Mexican and TexMex dishes that included common ingredients. Then we paired up wines that are most commonly recommended, plus a few that I think may be good options that most people don't talk about.  Photo credit: Canva   As we always do, we went through lots of wine and food combos and some really nasty pairings to get the results. True to form,...

Ep 470: The Grape Miniseries -- Furmint

April 17, 2023 16:00 - 43 minutes - 55.8 MB

One of the confusing things about wine is that often we can identify a wine and the basic facts about it -- we may have even tasted it -- but because it’s not obvious, we don’t know the grapes behind the wine. Although I bet you've heard of Tokaji, the great sweet wine of Hungary, you may not be familiar with Furmint, the main white grape that makes the wine sing and that usually makes up 85-90% of the blend of Tokaji.   What you also may not know is that this grape is not just for sweet...

Ep 469: Bruno Corneaux of Domaine Divio, A Grand Cru of Oregon's Willamette Valley

April 10, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 79.6 MB

Bruno Corneaux is the proprietor at Domaine Divio in the heart of the Ribbon Ridge AVA in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.  Bruno Corneaux of Domaine Divio. Photo credit: Domaine Divio   As it is in his native home outside of Beaune in Burgundy, Bruno is a true vigneron at the Domaine– caring for both the vineyards and the cellar. His wines are among the best I have tasted from Willamette, with a combination of elegance, fruit, and earthy, spicy notes in both the Chardonnay and Pinot No...

Ep 468: Comté Cheese PDO and Its Striking Similarities to Wine

April 03, 2023 16:00 - 54 minutes - 68.3 MB

Comté is an ancient cooked and pressed cheese made from raw milk. It's made using special breeds of cows, and in designated places with historic and cultural significance. The high quality is well regarded, as evidenced by the fact that Comté is the most consumed AOC/PDO cheese in France. I welcome communications director for Comté, Aurélia Chimier, and Jean-Louis Carbonnier of Carbonnier Communications who does communications for Comté in the US, along with other clients – he has been on t...

Ep 467: The Greats -- Tavel of the Rhône Valley

March 27, 2023 16:00 - 43 minutes - 55.8 MB

Hailing from the southern Côtes du Rhône, Tavel is a 100% rosé AOC and is one of the only rosé only AOCs in France. It is the darkest rosé made and it is in a different class of wine, more similar to the clairets of old (light reds) than the rosés of the modern day. Photo: Chateau de Trinquevedel, Credit Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Importer   Located across the Rhône from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, just north of Avignon this small region makes what many writers have called a fourth type of ...

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