Wine for Normal People
581 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 1.3K ratingsA 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 416: The History of Sicily... From the Wine Perspective
March 01, 2022 02:02 - 40 minutes - 51.1 MBSicily has a long history, and all of it is tied up with the evolution of wine and food in the Sicilian culture. In this show, we look at how this huge Mediterranean island played a major role in every major civilization from indigenous tribes to the current generation of young winemakers who seek to carve out a niche for Sicily and its unique wine culture. Here’s a brief timeline of what we talk about: Sicilian Wine Timeline... 10,000 years ago: Natural grapevines on Etna Indigenous g...
Ep 415: Gianfranco Sorrentino of Il Gattopardo -- the famed restaurateur on the intrinsic and inseparable link between Italian food, wine, and tradition
February 22, 2022 00:30 - 56 minutes - 66.5 MBTo truly understand Italian wine, you have to understand its integral ties to Italian culture. In Italy, food and wine tell the story of a region’s cultural identity, history, and the character of its people. With my recent seminars on Sicilia (on YouTube if you missed them), and an impending trip to Piedmont with a group of Wine for Normal People listeners, the interplay of Italian wine, food, and culture has been top of mind. It was in this context that I invited the famed New York restaur...
Ep 414: The Refillable Wine Bottle Revolution to Combat Climate Change with Caren McNamara of Conscious Container
February 15, 2022 04:33 - 43 minutes - 51.7 MBCaren McNamara founded Conscious Container in 2017 to bring the refillable glass bottle marketplace to the wine industry (pre-WWII, we re-used most packaging. Other countries kept doing it, but in the US that stopped). The goal: reduce single use packaging waste and turn glass bottles into multi-use vessels by setting up an infrastructure for collection, cleaning, inspection, and re-use. Caren was a project and change management manager for a major tech company but she left that behind when...
Ep 413: Sicily and the Sicilia DOC with Alberto Tasca of Tasca d'Almerita
February 07, 2022 20:11 - 1 hour - 76.8 MBIn this episode, Alberto Tasca d'Almerita, part of the 8th generation of the Tasca d’Almerita family, the CEO of Tasca d’Almerita winery, and one of the directors of the Sicilia DOC joins the show. This is an excellent complement to the Wines of Sicily class (part 1 now on the YouTube Channel!). Photo: Courtesy of Tasca d'Almerita The Tasca d’Almerita family got into wine in the 1830s with the purchase of Tenuta Regaleali in the center of Sicily, with a range of altitudes that rise up t...
Ep 412: Valpolicella and Amarone Refresher (per M.C. Ice's request)
January 31, 2022 19:32 - 53 minutes - 66.6 MBValpolicella is a famed red wine region in the foothills north of the city of Verona. This area has been making wine since the time of the Ancient Greeks, whose legacy is kept alive by the common practice drying grapes to concentrate the flavors in the finished wines. Photo: Valpolicella, from Unsplash We covered this with Filippo Bartolotta in episode 317, but after a conversation with M.C. Ice it became clear to me that he needed to hear the info again. It's an important wine region an...
Ep 411: The Grape Miniseries -- Dolcetto
January 25, 2022 04:33 - 51 minutes - 63.4 MBThis week we explore the "other, other" red grape of the Piedmont (after Nebbiolo and Barbera) -- Dolcetto. This grape can be a challenge in the vineyard and in the cellar, but it is capable of producing some of the most satisfying, tasty, and unique wines you can have. Photo: Dolcetto, Consorzio Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani Dark fruit, spice, herbs, flowers, and almond are common in this medium bodied, slightly tannic wine that is a dream with everything from pizza to burger...
Ep 410: Cahors, France -- the Malbec Capital of the Old World
January 18, 2022 04:08 - 42 minutes - 52.8 MBCahors is the best-known appellation in Southwest France, likely because the wine of the region is based off a grape everyone knows: Malbec. Source: https://vindecahors.fr/ Made around the town of Cahors, 160km/100 mi east of Bordeaux, this region hugs the river Lot, and stretches over slopes with such varied soil, each wine is a story of terroir in a bottle. The unique land, combined with an ideal climate, and a history of winemaking that goes back to the Romans contributes to the spec...
Ep 409: Wine Aromas Explained
January 13, 2022 00:18 - 36 minutes - 46.8 MBPhoto: Pixabay Note: I recorded this right before I got sick so I sound a little 'throaty' but I hope you'll enjoy the show nonetheless! For the first show of 2022, we start out with a dorky one and answer the question: Where does aroma come from and are the things people describe in wine like roses, smoke, and pepper real or total BS? We take the questions head on and give some answers that may surprise you! Enjoy and thanks for your continued support of the show and all we do! ...
Ep 408: Beaumes de Venise - the Historic, High Elevation Cru of the Southern Côtes du Rhône, The Producers' Perspective
December 22, 2021 15:01 - 45 minutes - 54.8 MBIn educational partnership with Beaumes de Venise is a small, beautiful village located in the southern Rhône Valley. It has a great history of quality and recognition for both its red wines, which are classified under the Côtes de Rhône Beaumes de Venise Cru, and its famed Muscat de Beaumes de Venise Cru, a vin doux naturel wine which is known for its exquisite flavors, elegance, and unrivaled balance. In this episode, we explore this historic region that has been making wine for more than...
Ep 407: Beaumes de Venise - An Overview of the Stylish, Dual Appellation Region of the Côtes du Rhône
December 22, 2021 15:00 - 28 minutes - 35.4 MBIn Educational Partnership with This show is all about the Beaumes de Venise AOC, which is a double threat, making two distinctly different, yet equally stunning wine types, with a cru for each: Beaumes de Venise has been a red-only Cru of the Côtes du Rhône since 2005. It is a blended wine based on Grenache, with Syrah and Mourvèdre. The production area is spread over four communes and stretches 680 ha or 1680 acres. The communes are Beaumes de Venise, Lafare, Suzette, and La Roque-Alric ...
Old Pod, New Context -- Re-release of Ep 191: Proving Terroir is Real with BiomeMakers
December 20, 2021 22:35 - 43 minutes - 39.2 MBIn light of new research and the Terroir Seminar that I did with Laura Catena, Fernando Buscema, and Jane Anson, I thought it would be really helpful to re-release this show and draw your attention to it. BiomeMakers had answered many the questions that terroir seminar addressed, and that the Catena Institute's paper elaborated upon. I encourage you to listen and see how, even 4.5 years ago, we were on the trail of figuring out some vital things about terroir (and what winemaking can do to i...
Ep 406: Rasteau – the Magical Cru of the Southern Rhône - The Producers' Perspective
December 15, 2021 18:20 - 50 minutes - 62.8 MBIn Partnership with Rasteau is a cru of the Côtes du Rhône, specifically the southern Rhône. It is an area with a very specific geography, soil type, climate, and wine style that deserves our attention. In this show we explore this region, discussing the land, the climate, traditions, grapes, and winemaking. The quality and differentiation among the wines of Rasteau and how it stands out as a very special place in the Rhône Valley Vineyards are clear when you taste these wines an...
Ep 405: Rasteau – An Overview of the Naturally Bountiful Cru of the Côtes du Rhône
December 15, 2021 17:37 - 30 minutes - 38.9 MBThank you to the region of Rasteau for the educational partnership and financial support for this show and for teaching us about this appellation, full of history, excellent wine, and passionate producers! Rasteau, a Cru from the southern Côtes du Rhône vineyards, has a unique terroir. Its delicious wines are mainly dry reds made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, with a small production of the sweet vins doux naturels. The cru is small with just 940 ha/2,323 acres making about 359,...
Ep 404: Truchard Vineyards, A Carneros (Napa) Legend with Anthony Truchard
December 12, 2021 20:21 - 1 hour - 79.2 MBAnthony Truchard, Truchard Vineyards Anthony Truchard of Truchard Vineyards in the Los Carneros area of southern Napa is one of my favorite people in Napa, and it was a pleasure to have him on the show. Truchard Vineyards is a family-owned winery that has been operating for over 40 years. It started when Anthony’s parents Tony and JoAnn were about to head to Korea for a two-year tour with the US Army (of which Tony was part). After Tony completed his medical residency in Texas, where...
Ep 403: Sardinia, Italy -- an Overview of Italy's Island with it's Own Accent
December 07, 2021 22:30 - 39 minutes - 50.4 MBSardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean, and lies off the west coast of mainland Italy. Much larger than Corsica, the wines here have a distinctly Spanish influence, with some Italian and French to boot. The wines are unlike any other you’ll encounter (although many you can only encounter them if you visit!). In this show we try try to sort through the grapes and regions of this island to get to the heart of what’s here (Grenache, Vermentino) and what to look for in the fu...
Ep 402: Corsica, the French Island with an Italian Accent
November 30, 2021 01:35 - 43 minutes - 54.3 MBCorsica is the 4th largest Mediterranean island and the most mountainous. It is a territory of France but is closer to Italy in proximity and, often in wine styles. Corsica is called “Ile de Beauté,” the beautiful island, and its wines, which were once known for quantity rather than quality are making great strides in amazing reds, whites, and rosés, which is the majority of their production. These off-the-beaten trail wines, made of Nielluccio (Sangiovese), Sciacarello (an elegant, na...
Ep 401: Easy Wine Cocktails to Make You the Hero of Holiday Hosting
November 22, 2021 21:55 - 35 minutes - 44.1 MBWine is essential to the Thanksgiving meal, and of course we discuss some pairing strategies as we do every year. Our quick “greatest hits” is from the TV spot I did with WWLP in Massachusetts, where I discussed wine pairing – check it out here: https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/picking-the-perfect-wine-for-thanksgiving/ After we do a review, the focus of this show is how to wow the crowd with easy wine cocktails. You can use what you have on hand or grab a few basic items and you'll become...
Ep 400: 10 Things That Have Changed in Wine in the 10 Years of WFNP
November 15, 2021 23:10 - 41 minutes - 51.7 MBThank you for 10+ years and 400 episodes. We couldn’t do it without you! A VERY special thanks to our Patrons who have kept the show alive since 2018. In this show we discuss 10 things we've learned over the 400 episodes we've produced over the last 10+ years. Here's a quick summary... 1. Climate change is no longer a BS term. People are taking it seriously and being more positive about what to do about it 2. Change in the New World – confidence, maturity, and even better wine 3. Change...
Ep 399: Basilicata, Italy and the Wines of Aglianico del Vulture
November 08, 2021 22:18 - 48 minutes - 59.8 MBBasilicata is a tiny region that represents the arch of the Italy’s boot -the small area that borders Calabria in the west, Puglia in the east, Campania in the north and the Gulf of Taranto in the south. In this, Italy’s 3rd least populous region, wine has been made for thousands of years but today, what remains is just 2,006 ha/5,000 acres of vineyards, which is 0.15% of Italy’s total wine production. Of the 2% that is DOC wine, there is a shining star – a wine that can rival the best of t...
Ep 398: The Grape Miniseries -- Merlot Revisited
November 03, 2021 00:50 - 56 minutes - 69.8 MBPhoto: www.medoc-bordeaux.com 10 years after the first show on Merlot (Episode 18!), it was time for a refresh! Merlot hasn't staged a comeback as a varietal wine, but it shines brightly as a part of a Bordeaux-style blend. It's better than ever in its native home and has seen some real strides in New World regions too. We discuss characteristics and background of the grape, the very particular conditions that it needs for quality (but often doesn't get), and then the major reg...
Ep 397: The World of Online Wine Auctions with WineBid CEO Russ Mann
October 25, 2021 21:55 - 51 minutes - 60.4 MBWineBid is the largest online auction site for wine and it's been around for 25 years. Founded in 1996 by a wine collector in Chicago, WineBid has grown over the years to develop the technology, logistics, and customer service to acquire over 100,000 registered bidders. Russ Mann, CEO WineBid In this show, Russ Mann, CEO of WineBid, breaks down the entire wine auction market – from live -scratching-your-nose-to-bid events, to charity auctions, to online auctions. I can’t tell you...
Ep 396: Halloween Candy and Wine Pairings Revisited
October 18, 2021 23:32 - 45 minutes - 56.3 MBWe scoured the internet to find commonly recommended pairings, so we could actually try them and tell you if any of these things actually work. Much like our prior episode, the news isn’t great, but we did find a few diamonds in the rough, including an extremely surprising combo that I thought could be lethal! Patrons Kelsey and Colby Eliades guest host with me to power through this episode and sum up the things we learned about candy pairings – what works, what doesn’t, and why! Here...
Ep 395: Walla Walla, Washington's Caprio Cellars and Its Estate Wines
October 12, 2021 00:22 - 43 minutes - 52.2 MBCaprio Cellars makes wines from estate vineyards in the Walla Walla viticultural area of eastern Washington. Owner and winemaker, Dennis Murphy crafts wines mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from his three Walla Walla vineyards, one of which is named after his Italian grandmother Eleanor Caprio, and another for his great grandmother Sanitella Caprio. In the show, Dennis shares some good information about Walla Walla and its climate, soils, and the region’s unique position in the win...
Ep 394: Germany Overview
October 04, 2021 19:54 - 56 minutes - 68.5 MBAfter 10.5 years of doing the podcast I realized that we have never done an overview of Germany! Details, yes, but never the whole deal. Well, now we have. Photo credit: Pexels We discuss an overview of the most important things to know about Germany so you can buy and try the wines more easily. We begin with an overview of the German wine industry, and a reassurance that most of the stuff for export is pretty darn good. Then we tackle the climate and land, both which are completely unli...
Ep 393: A Trip to Vinho Verde and a Fresh Outlook on these Wines
September 28, 2021 20:27 - 53 minutes - 67 MBI need to thank the Commission of Vinho Verde for hosting this trip to the region and setting up such wonderful experiences that really gave a 360˚ view of this region. Photo: ©Wine For Normal People, Vineyards of Aveleda After talking about a wonderful tasting at Graham’s Port Lodge in Vila Nova di Gaia (across the Douro from Porto) and Quinta do Noval, we discuss some important things about Vinho Verde that augment Episode 291 from my time there. This show is not about the base tier wi...
Ep 392: The Greats -- Chablis
September 21, 2021 03:27 - 42 minutes - 53.1 MBOne of the greatest Chardonnays (and actually white wines) in the world comes from Chablis in the northern part of Burgundy. In this show we discuss this historic region and why it is capable of making the most distinctive, minerally, terroir-driven white wines made. Here are the show notes: Map: https://www.chablis-wines.com Location: At nearly 48˚N latitude in the northern part of the Bourgogne region in the Yonne department between Paris and Beaune, around the village of Chabli...
Ep 391: Édouard Miailhe - Dynamic leader of the Margaux AOC & 5th Generation Owner of Château Siran
September 13, 2021 05:36 - 54 minutes - 69.1 MBChâteau Siran is an historic and innovative estate on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, in the commune of Margaux. Once owned by the painter Toulouse-Lautrec’s great-grandmother, in the mid-1800s Siran was purchased by ancestor of Édouard Miailhe’s family and today he is the 6th generation to run Siran. Miailhe, like many of the most interesting people in the wine industry, had an entire career doing something other than wine (in his case finance and real estate in the Philippines) until hi...
Ep 390: The Grape Miniseries -- Petit Verdot
September 06, 2021 16:00 - 41 minutes - 51.9 MBPetit Verdot is often the secret weapon in a blend -- providing unique aromas and flavors plus acidity and tannin. In this show, we discuss this essential grape and the vital role it plays in wines around the world. What is Petit Verdot? The name means “little green one”, since it's hard to ripen, the berries remain green when other grapes are ready to harvest The grape is used in Bordeaux blends but sometimes made as a varietal wine Petit Verdot ripens later than other varieties and ...
Ep 389: Chateau Doyac and the Diversity of Terroir in the Haut-Medoc of Bordeaux
August 31, 2021 02:00 - 38 minutes - 46.7 MBPhoto: Château Doyac In our continued exploration of the Médoc (which will culminate in two free, live, online classes that I hope you'll join or watch on YouTube afterwards), on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, I spoke with Astrid de Pourtalès, co-owner of Château Doyac. This property is a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur located in the northernmost part of the Haut-Médoc appellation that is unlike what you think of when you consider this region. This show presents a high level overview of a different p...
Ep 388: The Greats - Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
August 24, 2021 01:01 - 44 minutes - 54.9 MBPhoto: Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano The Nobile Wine of Montepulciano is a wine based on a clone of Sangiovese and from a small hillside town in Tuscany called Montepulciano. It is, indeed, one of the great wines of the world. Although often overshadowed by its neighbors – Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico – and confused with a grapey, high yielding producer in Abruzzo (the Montepulciano grape), this wine has class, style, and a legacy of greatness to back it up. ...
Ep 387: Veramonte's Sofia Araya -- Organic, terroir-driven wine in Chile
August 17, 2021 00:23 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBSofía Araya - head winemaker of Veramonte, Ritual, Primus, and Neyen Sofía Araya was born and raised in Chile and she has made wine in nearly every high quality valley of the country since she graduated from la Universidad de Chile. After years of working on conventional farms for some big names, she moved to Veramonte. She helped transition the over 500 ha/1,235 acres to 100% ECOCERT certified organic vineyards. Veramonte represents 15% of all organic vineyards in Chile. Sofía is ...
Ep 386: Natalie MacLean -- Author, Wine Reviewer & Podcaster
August 09, 2021 19:37 - 1 hour - 73 MBNatalie MacLean is an accredited sommelier who operates one of the largest wine sites on the web at www.nataliemaclean.com. Natalie's first book Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass and her second book Unquenchable: A Tipsy Quest for the World's Best Bargain Wines were each selected as an Amazon “Best Book of the Year.” She is the wine expert on CTV's The Social, Canada's largest daytime television show, CTV News, and Global Television's Morning Show. Sh...
Ep 385: Anne Le Naour of Chateau Meyney - Redefining Saint-Estèphe of Bordeaux
August 03, 2021 01:00 - 1 hour - 78.8 MBAnne Le Naour is the technical and managing director for Château Meyney of St-Estèphe in the Médoc of Bordeaux. She also manages the other properties of CA Grands Crus. The company is owned by the top bank that supports wine in France, Crédit Agricole Group (sometimes referred to as "la banque verte" due to its historical connections with farming). Its current portfolio includes Chateaux Meyney, 5th growth Grand Puy Ducasse in Pauillac, and Santenay in Burgundy. Le Naour is a trained oe...
Ep 384: Txakolina --The Wine of Basque Country
July 28, 2021 01:37 - 38 minutes - 49.2 MBThe Basque Country in northeastern Spain lies on the Bay of Biscay and abuts the Pyrenees Mountains, a mere 18 mi/30 km from the French border. Until about a decade ago, this area was relatively unknown as a wine region. But with the rise of Basque cuisine, an increased interest from wine buyers in native varietals, and a desire for lower alcohol, thirst-quenching wines, Txakolina (chock-o-LEEN-ah), a white, high acid, spritzy wine started to get attention. The phenom started in places all o...
Ep 383: Domaine Wachau of Austria - One of Europe's Best Co-Ops with Roman Horvath, MW
July 19, 2021 19:03 - 57 minutes - 68.7 MBIn this show I speak with Roman Horvath, a Master of Wine, is the Winery Director of Domaine Wachau, which is among the leading wine producers in Austria. The Domaine is actually a cooperative, meaning it is run by and owned by individual growers, with Roman bringing them all together under his leadership. But whereas most co-ops in Europe produce seas of mediocre to plain BAD wines, Domaine Wachau has been cited as one of the best co-ops in the world and is known for making wines of origin...
Ep 382: Don Kavanagh on Wine's Next Wave and The End of the Cult of the Somm
July 12, 2021 21:45 - 52 minutes - 62.5 MBDon Kavanagh who joined for "Episode 330: Journalistic Integrity in Wine with Don Kavanagh of Wine-Searcher" comes back to talk about wine's next wave and Wine-Searcher's controversial article: "Farewell to the 'Cult of the Somm.'" Don Kavanagh, Editor of Wine-Searcher To refresh your memory from Ep 330, Don is the editor of Wine-Searcher's journalistic arm. He has spent the past 25 years either working in the wine trade or writing about it, in his native Ireland, the UK, and New Zealan...
Ep 381: Wines for a Barbecue
July 04, 2021 04:01 - 34 minutes - 43.3 MBBarbecues are fun, but having wine at them…not so much! The food at barbecues ranges but the theme is that even though they generally occur in the dead of summer, the food is heavy and served warm so the wines we needed for pairing aren’t necessarily the same ones we’d have for sipping on the porch. In this show, we go over the main foods we eat at BBQs and break down some of their constituent components so we can find the best wines for them. Photo: Unsplash It turns out that, as we ta...
Ep 380: Wine Moves North to Brittany & Beyond with Barnaby Eales
June 28, 2021 21:41 - 35 minutes - 45 MBAs the climate has changed, winegrowers have initiated the hunt for places where natural acidity and lightness can shine in the glass. Warmer years mean we can't always rely on our standbys -- Sancerre, Chablis, Chinon, and other wines from northern climes -- to have a balance of lighter alcohol and excellent acidity. People are seeking answers in many places -- some add artificial acidity or use technology for balance, some seek higher altitudes, and some higher latitudes. In this show we d...
Ep 379: The Main Alternatives to Oak --All About Concrete Eggs and Amphoras
June 15, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 76.3 MBOak stabilizes color and smooths tannins, some think of it as a seasoning ingredient. But what about the other vessels that are increasingly popular for fermentation and aging? What do they do and are they really more than hype? We discuss the main alternatives to oak -- concrete and amphora, what each does and the benefits of each. Photo: Concrete eggs made by Sonoma Cast Stone The show is a hybrid of discussion and interview, as I welcome Steve Rosenblatt of Sonoma Cast Stone, who man...
Ep 378: Prosecco -- The wine, the region, and how to get the best bottles
June 07, 2021 21:23 - 42 minutes - 50.9 MBProsecco is not only Italy’s most popular sparkler, but recently it has surpassed Champagne to become the world’s best-selling sparkling wine. In this show we go over the details of the Prosecco region, the winemaking techniques, and I share the most important thing about the wine and how to get the best: the DOCGs that make way better wine than the cheap and cheerful stuff at the supermarket. By the end of the show you’ll understand why Prosecco shouldn't be compared to Champagne (spo...
Ep 377: The Wines of Beaujolais and its Ten Divine Cru
June 01, 2021 17:53 - 58 minutes - 72.7 MBBeaujolais is a unique, standalone wine region in central eastern France. Sandwiched between southern Burgundy (the Mâconnais) and Lyon (where it is their preferred wine), these wines and this terroir is like no other on earth. With high elevation from the western Massif Central, east and south-facing slopes, these wines get ripe over a long growing season with good diurnals. The unique pink granite and weathered granite sand, along with mineral rich soils of the northern section of Beaujola...
Ep 376: The 1976 Judgment of Paris -- the Tasting That Made California Wine Famous
May 24, 2021 22:01 - 52 minutes - 65.8 MBFirst, thanks to listener and Patron Rafael C. for the podcast topic this week! It is the 45th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris: a tasting of California and French wines, organized but the late Steve Spurrier, that opened the door for wines from the US and all over the New World to be recognized for their excellence. We should raise a glass to him, his partner Patricia Gallagher, and to journalist and author George Taber, all of whom made this event so very significant. Here's a qui...
Ep 375: Phil Long of Longevity Wines -- Bringing Heart to CA's Livermore Valley
May 17, 2021 22:29 - 45 minutes - 51.4 MBWinemaker/Founder Phil Long of Longevity Wines is a true Garagiste – he began his making wine in the garage with his late wife Debra in the mid-2000s. In 2008, the couple quit their full-time jobs and the couple opened their tasting room and winery in the Livermore Valley near their home. Livermore Valley is a sub-AVA of the Central Coast with a really unique climate (I lived in Pleasanton, the next town over, so I speak from experience!) – with cool nights and some San Francisco Bay influ...
Ep 374: Bordeaux Classification Systems Explained
May 11, 2021 16:44 - 51 minutes - 64.2 MBAfter a few conversations, it became clear that M.C. Ice has been very confused about the differences between classification systems in France. Isn't Bordeaux the same as Burgundy? What’s the terminology -- it's it Premier Cru? Grand Cru? What exactly is each place ranking? And why do they do it at all? In this show we get in the weeds on the five classifications of Bordeaux (read the Wine For Normal People book or listen to Ep 59 and 60 to get up to speed on Bordeaux before attempting this...
Ep 373: Tips for Wine Travel with Travel Writer and Media Producer, Krista Simmons
May 03, 2021 22:10 - 52 minutes - 62.9 MBKrista Simmons is a culinary travel writer and producer who runs the digital media company, Fork in the Road Media. She has been on TV shows like Top Chef Masters, Knife Fight, Hell's Kitchen, The Today Show, and more. She has written for Travel + Leisure, Departures, and the Los Angeles Times. Krista is the real deal: she has held jobs in the restaurant industry since she was 15. And following that she traveled, went to culinary school, and she's studying for WSET Level 2 Exam. She has liv...
Ep 372: The Grape Miniseries -- Gruner Veltliner
April 26, 2021 21:49 - 44 minutes - 55.7 MBGrüner Veltliner (GROOH-ner felt-LEEN-ah) is the main white grape of Austria. In this show we discuss its surprisingly recent rise to fame, its unusual origin, and its important place in wine. Here are the show notes: History and Parents of Grüner We discuss this beautiful white grape whose name means 'green grape from the village of Veltlin in the Tyrol (Italy)," despite that fact that the grape likely comes from Niederösterreich, Austria M.C. Ice becomes baffled by Savagnin v S...
Ep 371: The Wines of Croatia
April 19, 2021 22:01 - 39 minutes - 50 MBCroatia is a small country with unlimited wine potential. With a 2,500-year history of winemaking, this beautiful nation has coast, islands, and inland hills, all with unique soil types that make its growing conditions unlike anywhere else in the world. The four main regions make distinctive wines using indigenous grapes and although the industry is just getting back on its feet after a century of war, socialism, and poor viticulture, Croatia is a country on the ascent, and one you should kn...
Ep 370: Six (or Twelve) Unorthodox Wines for Spring
April 12, 2021 16:21 - 33 minutes - 42.8 MBFor this show, we discuss a list of lovely reds and whites that you won't see on other lists for spring wines. Etna from Sicily? Check. Chignin Bergeron from Savoie in France? Yup. If you're looking for a change from the norm and a great spring list, here it is! As promised, here is the list...with some example labels to make shopping easy (see the winefornormalpeople.com/blog for label examples) With its medium body, excellent acidity, and minerally flavors, Etna Rosso from Sicily is...
Ep 369: The Greats -Sauternes and Barsac
April 05, 2021 23:19 - 57 minutes - 70.3 MBOf the greatest sweet wines of the world, those of Bordeaux – Sauternes and Barsac – may be the most famed. These small regions (covering just 2,217 ha/5,478 acres) and their 132 producers, make some of the world's most prestigious, long-lived and expensive sweet wines. Source: https://yquem.fr/int-en/the-miracle-of-yquem Located just 40 miles/65 km south of Bordeaux city, along the Garonne and Ciron Rivers, the AOC Sauternes includes the communes of Barsac, Sauternes, Bommes, Fargues, an...
Ep 368: Michael Dhillon of Bindi Wines, Icon of Australia's Boutique Wineries
March 29, 2021 05:29 - 1 hour - 79 MBMichael Dhillon of Bindi Wines is one of the most famous winemakers in Australia. Bindi is a 170 hectare farm of which 7 hectares are planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Michael Dhillon had gained renown through his beautiful wines which show balance and purity in the expression of Bindi's individual vineyard sites. Famous winemaker and writer James Halliday writes of Michael: “One of the icons of Macedon. The Chardonnay is top-shelf, the Pinot Noir as remarkable (albeit in a very differe...