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 367: Chardonnay -- The Grape Miniseries Refresh
March 22, 2021 23:21 - 57 minutes - 71.9 MBIn this show we take another look at the regal Chardonnay grape and talk about how it has changed over the years. This is a refresh of a previous show done years ago, so we cover everything we do in a normal grape mini-series. Once you get to know Chardonnay, you realize what a chameleon it really is and how important it is to understand place and producer to get the styles that you like. Here are some brief show notes (with special focus on writing out regions that you may not have caught ...
Ep 366: Riccardo Sobrino of Cascina Delle Rose, The Toast of Barbaresco's Boutique Producers
March 16, 2021 06:27 - 1 hour - 86.2 MBRiccardo Sobrino, of Cascina delle Rose, runs a small estate in Barbaresco that produces elegant, perfumed and complex wines and has been in his family for more than 70 years. This 5 ha/12 acre vineyard is a family operation – he and his brother inherited the property from their parents, who are still involved in major decisions of the winery. Cascina delle Rose was started by Riccardo’s mother, Giovanna Rizzolio, in 1992 on this ideal site – steep vineyards with calcareous soils on th...
Ep 365: Vins Doux Naturels -- the Underrated, Elegant Wines of Southern France
March 08, 2021 17:00 - 44 minutes - 54.4 MBVins doux naturels (VDNs), translated to ‘naturally sweet wines’, are some of the most historic yet underestimated wines in France. These wines are made using the process of mutage – adding neutral grape spirit/alcohol – to fermenting wine in order to halt fermentation and leave sugar in the wine (they aren’t REALLY naturally sweet wine, although producers will say you are preserving the natural sweetness of the wine so that’s the counterpoint). Image of Rivesaltes: WinesoftheRoussillon.com...
Ep 364: The High-End World of Rare Wines with Dave Parker of Benchmark Wines
March 01, 2021 04:22 - 1 hour - 95.3 MBIn this episode I welcome David Parker, CEO and Founder of Benchmark Wine Group , which is the largest online seller of fine and rare wines for wine retailers, restaurants and collectors worldwide. Benchmark does auction, retail, wholesale and import. Dave is an unusual guest for us in that he specializes in a part of the market that most of us, as normal wine people, know nothing about -- fine and rare (and VERY expensive) wine! He is a great guest and openly shares everything from how Be...
Ep 363: The Personal Side of Loire with Serge Dore Importer
February 22, 2021 17:00 - 1 hour - 90.5 MBSerge Doré, importer of French wine (and American via Quebec…he’s a man of many identities and a worldliness we can only aspire to!) and popular podcast regular, joins us to talk about the Loire Valley. Serge has been visiting the Loire since 1985 and has seen its evolution over the decades. He joins to give us the world of Loire from his perspective, humanize it with stories of producers he imports and some he has just met, and tell us what we can expect from this sometime confusing but won...
Ep 362: The Grape Miniseries -- Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio)
February 16, 2021 05:55 - 1 hour - 92.6 MBOf the many grapes that we have covered in this series, possibly the hardest to define is the one in this show -- Pinot Gris. It's so complex in part because it goes by many names and can taste neutral and boring to oily, powerful, and bold with notes of smoke, ginger, and spice. It can be bone dry to amazingly sweet and can be powderpuff or very serious in quality. Whatever the incarnation, wine drinkers lap it up! In the U.S., Pinot Grigio (the Italian style) is the second most-consu...
Ep 361: Food and Wine Pairings that Inspire Love
February 08, 2021 22:10 - 36 minutes - 53.7 MBIn the tradition of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility, after which aphrodisiacs are named, we give you a list of 12 foods that inspire love and passion, and the wines to match. Date night just got more exciting!! You can let us know if any of these actually work. William Blake Richmond, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Here's the list of the top 12 aphrodisiac foods and the wines to pair with them: 1. Watermelon is rich in L-citrulline, an amino acid that helps improve b...
Ep 360: Touraine and its Red and White Jewels of the Loire Valley
February 02, 2021 02:12 - 49 minutes - 72.3 MBTouraine is in the Middle Loire Valley, and it has a myriad of pockets with famed and delicious wines. We give an overview of this region and discuss its most famous areas (Vouvray, Chinon, Bourgueil), which make some of the most distinctive, complex red and white wines in the world. Here are the show notes: Touraine is in the heart of the Loire Valley, half-way between Sancerre and Nantes, 225 km/140 mi from the Atlantic Ocean, and from the northern Massif Central Touraine follows t...
Ep 359: Barra of Mendocino on Mendocino Wine, Organic Farming, & the Business of a Family Wine Company
January 26, 2021 01:00 - 56 minutes - 82.8 MBThe Barra Family has been farming grapes since Charlie Barra began in 1945 when he was 19. He bought his own vineyards in 1955 and married Martha Barra in the 1980s. The couple made the business run in earnest, with Martha concentrating on business and Charlie focused on farming. In 1988, the Barras began farming their land organically and haven’t stopped since. They started their own brand, Barra of Mendocino in 1995, which today includes Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvi...
Ep 358: Mendocino, California
January 19, 2021 02:32 - 46 minutes - 69 MBJust over the county line from Sonoma is the fascinating region of Mendocino. Mendocino is a large county that spans one California’s largest, most diverse, and northernmost wine growing regions. This quiet area, full of farmers who are passionate about the land, has just over 17,000 acres under vine in 12 appellations. From www.avwines.com, Anderson Valley, Mendocino As we dig into what is here, you will learn that this region is full of surprises. Not only is Mendocino termed the “organ...
Ep 357: The Role of Alcohol in Wine
January 11, 2021 23:21 - 53 minutes - 80.2 MBIt’s the first show of our 10th year! WOW! And for our double digit birthday, this time we bring you a super dorky one that is so important to understand in wine. I have already professed it the dorkiest show of 2021, and I’m pretty sure I can’t top this so – Voilà! First we have some fun, and challenge you to follow the three wine resolutions/challenges I’ve set forth! They are so easy, even I can keep them: Have a wine from a region you’ve never heard of or had before! Expand your palate...
Ep 356: The Historic Champagne Lanson with Hervé Dantan, Cellarmaster
December 28, 2020 22:35 - 1 hour - 95.3 MBFounded in 1760 as the 4th Champagne house, Champagne Lanson is known for its fresh, acidic style (no malolactic fermentation!). Over its 260 years, it has stayed true to its principles and that original flavor profile. In this show, Hervé Dantan, cellarmaster and Champagne native, gives us a unique perspective. Hervé is the son of grape growers in Champagne, and after graduating from enology school, he did internships in Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Alsace, and in California to learn about region...
Ep 355: The 8 Holiday Wine Gifts for Wine Lovers (plus 5 wine gag gifts to make you laugh)
December 15, 2020 02:03 - 39 minutes - 58.8 MBIt's the end of the year and there's still time to get interesting and USEFUL gifts for the wine lovers in your life. We covered basics of glassware and gadgets in Episode 338, but this pod covers some cool gift ideas that aren't essentials but, rather, nice to haves (or just damn funny to know about in the case of the 5 gag gifts!). Here's the run down of our recommendations (in no particular order so don't read into it!) Disclosure: Some of the products contain affiliate links so I may ...
Ep 354: A New Look At Bordeaux's Médoc -- with Château La Cardonne's Magali Guyon
December 08, 2020 02:20 - 56 minutes - 88.1 MBMagali Guyon has been the technical director/ winemaker of Château La Cardonne in the Médoc of Bordeaux for more than 20 years. Having worked in Bordeaux for some of the biggest names – she is the former winemaker at Château Lynch-Bages – she represents the best of the best in Bordeaux. Château La Cardonne was recently awarded the prestigious Cru Bourgeois Supérieur title as well. In this show, we take a different look at the Médoc (the prestigious Left Bank of Bordeaux) and approach it a...
Ep 354: A New Look At Bordeaux's Médoc -- with Château La Cardonne's Magali Guyon
December 08, 2020 02:20 - 56 minutes - 88.1 MBMagali Guyon has been the technical director/ winemaker of Château La Cardonne in the Médoc of Bordeaux for more than 20 years. Having worked in Bordeaux for some of the biggest names – she is the former winemaker at Château Lynch-Bages – she represents the best of the best in Bordeaux. Château La Cardonne was recently awarded the prestigious Cru Bourgeois Supérieur title as well. In this show, we take a different look at the Médoc (the prestigious Left Bank of Bordeaux) and approach it a...
Ep 353: Women in Wine and the Subtle Symphony of Quiet Misogyny
December 01, 2020 23:40 - 43 minutes - 64.7 MBThis is a transcript of the first part of the podcast. The second part of the show discusses these points in more detail. Women in Wine and the Subtle Symphony of Quiet Misogyny After mulling over the various scandals in wine lately, and thinking about my position in the wine world, I have a perspective to add beyond just a social media post to call out the behavior of those in the wine business, those who have minimized the situation, and the hollow calls for change that likely won...
Ep 352: The 2020 Thanksgiving Episode -- American Wine Edition
November 23, 2020 22:22 - 36 minutes - 54.2 MB2020 has been unlike any other, so we are recommending some different things for this year’s annual Thanksgiving show. This year has been tough for everyone, but small, family-owned wineries have been hit pretty hard by fires, lack of tourism, and in some cases, rough harvest conditions. Thanksgiving is the quintessential American holiday, so for this year, especially, we’re recommending that we show support for great American, family-owned wineries and their wines that pair perfectly with a...
Ep 351: Severine Schlumberger of Domaine Schlumberger and the very French side of Alsace
November 16, 2020 22:30 - 53 minutes - 79.7 MBSéverine Schlumberger joins us for the third installment of our mini-tour of Alsace (first installment was Ep 343). To provide a counterpoint to Phillippe Blanck of Domaine Paul Blanck (Ep 250), the Schlumberger family is more devoutly French in attitude and Séverine tells us a different story of her family’s heritage, attitudes, and how Domaine Schlumberger developed and grew to become one of the largest family-owned domaines in Alsace. Founded by Nicolas Schlumberger in 1810, Domaine Sc...
Ep 350: Alsace's Famed Domaine Paul Blanck with Phillippe Blanck
November 10, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 91.7 MBBuilding off Episode 343 on Alsace and the Alsace class I taught, Phillippe Blanck of the famed Domaine Paul Blanck joins to talk about his family’s 420-year history in wine, the uniqueness of Alsace and its sites, and how we need to reorient wine to tasting and sensation versus elitist words. You will learn volumes about Alsace, terroir, history, and taste from this wise, very tuned-in, wonderful man. The Blanck wine story starts in 1610 when Phillippe’s Austrian relative, Hans Blanck ...
Ep 349: Mas Martinet - A Founding Domaine of Priorat with Sara Perez, Owner
November 03, 2020 06:41 - 57 minutes - 85 MBThere are five founding estates of the Priorat region of Spain. Mas Martinet was the first and in this show, brilliant, philosophical owner Sara Peréz discusses its history, philosophy, and how she sees the land and wines of this magical, mystical region. This woman is a role model for us all -- she has found true happiness in her part of the world, her work, and her life! Here are the show notes: Mas Martinet, originally owned and run by Josep Lluis Peréz, Sara's father, was one of 'los...
Ep 348: The Mâconnais of Burgundy
October 27, 2020 03:04 - 52 minutes - 76.7 MBThe Mâconnais is the southernmost area of Burgundy, known for excellent Chardonnay. Although it's often overshadowed by the other parts of Burgundy and only given credit for AOC Pouilly-Fuissé, this picturesque and historic Chardonnay-dominated region has some of exciting appellations you should seek out to see what Mâcon is capable of (hint: a lot, at great prices to boot!) Source: Vins de Bourgogne Here are the show notes: Mâcon location: The Mâconnais is located between the Cô...
Ep 347: The Grape Miniseries -- Viognier
October 20, 2020 04:09 - 43 minutes - 63.8 MBSaved from the brink of extinction just 50 years ago, Viognier (pronounced vee-ohn-yay), is a white grape that's native to the Northern Rhône in France – mainly the areas of Condrieu and Ampuis. The grape produces effusive wines with a strong aromatic character -- peaches, apricots, flowers, herbs, and ginger are common -- and when made well it has a medium body with a touch of acidity and a pleasant bitterness. This week we continue the grape mini-series (maxi series now?) by exploring this...
Ep 346: Port Wine
October 12, 2020 21:12 - 59 minutes - 87.6 MBPort is an historical, complex, and sometimes confusing wine, but it is more than worth your time to learn about. M.C. Ice go over everything from the vineyards of the Douro, to the history of this wine (with geopolitical implications), to how it's made, and the array of styles. There's something for everyone in the world of Port and after this show, you should be able to figure out which is for you! Here is the written primer to go along with the show... The Basics: What is Port? Port...
Ep 345: CVNE -- A Rioja Legend with CEO Victor Urrutia
October 05, 2020 20:54 - 58 minutes - 87.5 MBIn the show, I welcome Victor Urrutia, the CEO of the Compañia Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE) one of the most famed bodegas in Rioja, which has been around since 1879. Victor is part of the 5th generation of a family that has run CVNE (said coo-NAY) for 141 years. We discuss the storied history of this classic, traditional, high quality bodega, and probe into a dozen other Rioja-related topics. Victor and I cover many subjects, and I was thrilled to have him - it’s been really hard for...
Ep 344: Wines for Transitional Weather (Spring and Fall)
September 29, 2020 16:54 - 41 minutes - 61 MBDuring transitions to cooler or warmer weather, what should you drink? I am a firm believer that we should drink wines appropriate for the seasons: crisp, acidic wines for warm weather & fuller, more alcoholic ones for cool temps. This show covers both! And without further ado, here are the "slides" for which M.C. Ice spent the better half of the podcast making fun of me! These will serve as the show notes this week. Transitional Whites and Rosés: Transitional Red W...
Ep 343: The Exquisite Wines of Alsace with Thierry Fritsch of the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace (CIVA)
September 22, 2020 06:02 - 1 hour - 94 MBIn this show, we welcome Thierry Fritsch, the head oenologist and chief wine educator of the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins d’Alsace (CIVA), the regional wine regulatory and promotional body of the Alsace wine region. Born and raised in Alsace, Thierry is an agricultural engineer and oenologist, and has an MBA from the Business School of Lyon. Prior to joining the CIVA in 1997, he worked as Chef de Cave for Pierre Sparr and Josmeyer in Alsace. Thierry is a lively and fascinating gue...
Ep 342: Jane Anson on her book "Inside Bordeaux", a fresh look at this classic region
September 14, 2020 21:15 - 56 minutes - 83.9 MBIn this show award-winning writer, the foremost authority on Bordeaux, and one of the nicest, most talented people in wine, Jane Anson returns to the show (she was also in Ep 155 and Ep 165). This year she launched her opus, Inside Bordeaux, a must-have book that she took 3 years to research and write. It provides a comprehensive look at the region’s true strengths – it’s terroir, farming, grapes, and land, rather than pretty buildings and rich people. The book came out in May and was...
Ep 341: The Grape Miniseries -- Gamay
September 08, 2020 20:58 - 43 minutes - 64.8 MBThis week we return to our grape miniseries to cover an old Burgundian variety, one of the 20 kids of Gouais Blanc and Pinot, that emerged around the 1300s. We cover its fascinating history; we talk about how it survived defamation by Dukes, centuries later became one of the most popular wines in the world (Beaujolais Nouveau), fell from grace and now is securing its place as a serious, multifaceted grape that makes complex, interesting wines (especially in its ancestral home of Beaujolais, ...
Ep 185, The Remake: 7 Types of (Non-Winery) Wine Clubs
August 31, 2020 21:50 - 37 minutes - 54.6 MBOf all the shows in the catalog, one has always stuck out as not really fitting in so this week we’re scrapping the old and we’re replacing it with something that is related but more timely, relevant and just plain better!! This week we discuss the pros and cons of the seven main types of wine clubs. We list a few specifics, but try hard to concentrate on various types of clubs and what you can expect from each. Here is the run-down... Wine clubs claim to do a few things for th...
Episode 185, The Remake: 7 Types of (Non-Winery) Wine Clubs
August 31, 2020 21:50 - 37 minutes - 54.6 MBOf all the shows in the catalog, one has always stuck out as not really fitting in so this week we’re scrapping the old and we’re replacing it with something that is related but more timely, relevant and just plain better!! This week we discuss the pros and cons of the seven main types of wine clubs. We list a few specifics, but try hard to concentrate on various types of clubs and what you can expect from each. Here is the run-down... Wine clubs claim to do a few things for their c...
Ep 340: UK Wine and its Past, Present, and Future
August 24, 2020 21:58 - 52 minutes - 78.4 MBAlthough limited in availability, English wine is rising in popularity. Climate change, bedrock soil that's similar to Champagne and Chablis, and growers with know-how have changed England from a producer of mainly plonk wine into a viable wine nation, with sparkling wine leading the charge. Source: Decanter Access in the US is limited, so admittedly this is more of an academic exercise, but in the show we discuss the history, as well as the present, and bright future of UK wine. ...
Ep 339: Puglia, Italy -- New World Wine From an Old World Country
August 18, 2020 21:39 - 46 minutes - 67.6 MBIn this show we tackle the heel of Italy’s boot (and the area that covers a part of the calf!): Puglia (pool-YA), or as some in the English speaking world call it, Apulia. (BTW -- the show we mention that is hysterical and has a character that says something often that sounds like pool-YA is called "W1A" and is one of our favorite shows!). Puglia is spans 500 miles/800 km of the southeast coast of Italy. It juts out into the Adriatic and Ionian Seas but despite its proximity ...
Ep 338: Glassware and Gadgets Revisited
August 11, 2020 15:15 - 50 minutes - 74.2 MBWe haven't done a show on this topic for a long time, so here's the 2020 update. We cover what to look for in glassware, decanters, wine fridges, wine openers, preservation systems and more. This is the skinny on what you need and what you don't (and why!). Our picks are all on the Wine For Normal People store (where I make a tiny bit through affiliate money), but here's the list with some buying tips: Glassware picks, well, I'll make you read this article from epicurious.com ( I wrote it...
Ep 337: Feudi di San Gregorio and the Unrivaled Wines of Campania, Italy
August 04, 2020 03:19 - 1 hour - 99.6 MBFeudi di San Gregorio is the largest winery in Campania region of Southern Italy. The winery has fought to bring the region to prominence in the minds of wine drinkers looking for reds and whites unlike any others in the world (that you HAVE to try!). Campania was the premier winemaking region in Italy in Ancient Roman times, but after the fall of Rome the producers chose to be grape growers/merchants, rather than winemakers. Although some made headway, it was after a large earthquake ...
Ep 336: Santorini, Greece and it's divine white of Assyrtiko
July 29, 2020 00:17 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MBSantorini is one of Greek wine's guiding lights. The wines from this ancient volcanic island are unlike any other – exhibiting fullness, smoky minerality, and acidity that you won’t find elsewhere. The whites of Assyrtiko are among the best Greece has to offer. The fascinating history and legacy of viticulture will transport you to this lovely Mediterranean paradise. In this show, we take you on the ultimate armchair travel destination: the island of Santorini, a Greek paradise! Here are th...
Ep 335: The Grape Miniseries-- Gewurztraminer
July 22, 2020 03:13 - 44 minutes - 40 MBThat's right, no umlaut for my show notes on this grape. I consider Alsace the true home of this grape and the place we should be looking for the most spectacular versions. For that reason, I stick with the French way of spelling it 😉 Gewurztraminer (guh-VERTZ-tra-MEEN-ah)is one of the most distinctive grapes and makes one of the most overtly perfumed, full-bodied whites in existence. The lychee, rose, citrus, incense, and smokey notes can be intoxicatingly fantastic or WAY too much. Here...
Ep 334: Hungarian Wine Overview with Zoltan Heimann of Heimann Winery
July 14, 2020 05:25 - 1 hour - 54.2 MBZoltán Heimann of Heimann & Fiai Winery helps present the wines of Hungary. He keeps me on task with the proper pronunciations (very hard and the reason it’s taken me so long to cover this country, honestly!), and gives us an overview of what we can expect from Hungary and its wines, before focusing in more on his beloved region of Szekszárd (sex-ARD), known mostly for its famous Kadarka red wine. The Heimanns have a long history of farming in Hungary, and Zoltán has a global view from...
Ep 333: Richard Betts, Former Master Somm, Shows What Moral Fortitude REALLY Looks Like
July 07, 2020 05:10 - 1 hour - 56 MBAfter studying geology and gaining a BS, an MS and nearly a JD, Richard Betts discovered a love of wine. He served as the wine director at The Little Nell in Aspen from 2000 to 2008, and while there, in all his spare time, in 2003, Richard was the 9th person to ever pass the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Masters Exam on the first attempt. Richard co-founded the wine labels Betts & Scholl in 2003 and Scarpetta in 2006 and founded Sombra Mezcal in 2006. Today, Richard runs Komos Tequila and Sup...
Ep 332: Tahiirah Habibbi from the Hue Society Is On a Mission to Diversify Wine
June 30, 2020 04:13 - 51 minutes - 41.2 MBTahiirah Habibi grew up in north Philadelphia, graduated from Penn State University and began working in hospitality, while taking wine classes at night to begin her journey of becoming a sommelier and pioneer. In 2012 Tahiirah opened the St.Regis, Bal Harbour. She later moved on to leadership positions at Michael’s Genuine and Baoli. Frustrated with the lack of diversity in the industry she believed her skills could bridge the intersection of wine and culture. In 2017, she launche...
Ep 331: Carnuntum -- Austria's Newest, Oldest Quality Red Wine Region with Christina Netzl
June 22, 2020 23:51 - 56 minutes - 50.3 MBCarnuntum is a small wine region in Austria with only 2% of the wine growing area, but it packs a punch in quality. A short drive from Vienna, Carnuntum is an old Roman hub, with a rich history and its wine is only just making an impact on the international wine scene. Christina Netzl, from Weingut Netzl joins – a producer who is largely responsible for putting this region on the map and making its red wines, especially of Zweigelt, so well-known and respected. Here are the show notes: We ...
Ep 330: Journalistic Integrity in Wine with Don Kavanagh of Wine-Searcher
June 15, 2020 20:27 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBThe question comes up again and again in wine: who can we read that is trustworthy and who reports on the truth? We know it isn't the glossy magazines and many industry wonks are all in the pocket of high end producers and beholden to them so they can stay in the "club" and continue to drink expensive wine in their elite circles. There is one guy, however, that you can trust. And that is Don Kavanagh the editor of Wine-Searcher's journalistic arm. He has spent the past 25 years either...
Ep 329: Muscadet - The Overlooked White of the Loire
June 09, 2020 12:25 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBThe wine world often looks at Muscadet with disdain for its lighter body and subtlety of flavor. But for white wine lovers who care less about showiness and want something with the interplay of acidity with nutty, bread flavors and soft textures, this historic wine is a thrill. There is far more to this wine than there used to be, as it has continued to improve since the 1980s and seems to get better every year. Source: Vins Val de Loire This week we discuss this westernmost area of Loir...
Ep 328: The Wines of Lebanon
June 03, 2020 19:00 - 39 minutes - 36.9 MBWith a history that stretches back perhaps 9,000 years to 7,000 B.C., Lebanon contains some of the original winemaking areas. In spite of political turmoil, violence, and opposition to wine (and all alcohol) and winemaking, this country has always found a way to keep production alive. Its unlikely location and small size may seem, at first glance, to be an impossibility for quality wine but the geography and the fortitude of the people here have created a unique and enduring wine culture. ...
Ep 327: Wine Ingredient Labeling Pushes Forward in the EU -- with Barnaby Eales
May 26, 2020 03:57 - 33 minutes - 28.4 MBI know this topic may seem wonky, but consider a world where you could look at a wine label and see if there was extra, unwanted sweetness or if the wine was packed with chemicals (actual picture of big hulking winery, below). Image: pixabay Barnaby Eales, international wine journalist takes us through the European Union's ultimatum to producers, the machinations they are going through, and the likely outcomes of t...
Ep 326: The Best Spanish Wines You've Never Heard of -- Jumilla and Yecla
May 19, 2020 21:19 - 38 minutes - 35 MBTucked into a small corner of southeast Spain is one of the greatest sources for delicious, multi-layered, and decadent reds you’ll find. In the province of Murcia, at latitude 39˚N lay two regions of Monastrell (Mourvèdre) production that have quietly churned out wine for more than 3,000 years: Jumilla (joo-ME-yah) and Yecla (YAY-clah). Today, these regions are magnificent but receive so little press that we can get exquisite bottles that have the fullness, richness and depth for less tha...
Ep 325: The Greats -- Alsace Riesling
May 14, 2020 01:01 - 52 minutes - 45.5 MBAlsace Riesling is, without a doubt, one of the greatest white wines of the world. With its rich body, effusive flavor that ranges from flowers to fruit to nuts and spice, and acidity to keep it in balance, this liquid gold has been famed for centuries. It was the wine that got me into wine, my "aha" wine but even without that, I would still love the wine. Alsace has a rich history (it's been the ball in a ping pong match between Germany and France for centuries), and a complex geology and...
Ep 324: Chile's Cool Climate Wines of Casablanca, San Antonio Valleys
May 04, 2020 21:22 - 33 minutes - 29.9 MBCool climate wines are in high demand, as many of us seek wines that are on the lighter side but still have fruit and ripeness. We usually turn to places of high latitude for that, but on this show we tell you about an unlikely region for some of the best and yet most affordable cool climate wine around: the Casablanca Valley, San Antonio, and Leyda Valley -- all in a small area at 33˚south latitude! Photo: Kingston Family Vineyards Here are the show notes: Both located in the far west...
Ep 323: Dao Region of Portugal -- The Burgundy of the Iberian Peninsula
April 28, 2020 00:42 - 38 minutes - 36.1 MBLocated in north-central Portugal, just a three-hour drive from Lisbon, Dão is a small quiet region with outstanding, elegant, and distinctive wines. Named for the Dão river which carves a path through the rugged, old granite hills here, the region is the original home of Portugal’s top red grape, Touriga Nacional. Map from the Wine For Normal People Book Made up of tens of thousands of growers and small plots, just 5% of the land area of this region is planted to vines, 80% of which are...
Ep 322: The Hudson River Region of NY with Fjord Vineyards
April 21, 2020 00:33 - 46 minutes - 53.2 MBSpanning a large portion of New York, just about an hour north of Manhattan, lies one of the oldest winemaking regions in the US: The Hudson River Region AVA. This week Casey Erdmann and Matt Spacarelli of Fjord Vineyards join to talk about the Hudson River Region and the innovative things they are doing there. To start the show, MC Ice and I give a quick overview of the area: We go WAY back to the glaciers and talk about how this area came to have so many different soil types, a varied ...
Ep 321: The Greats -- Côte Rôtie, Rhône Valley
April 14, 2020 19:40 - 50 minutes - 58.5 MBOne of the greatest wines of the world is the Syrah-based Côte Rôtie, from the northernmost appellation in the northern Rhône. Named "roasted slope" after the sun that bathes the south-facing slopes, the region is less than 25 miles south of Lyon near the town of Ampuis, and is at the cool-climate limit for growing Syrah. On the right bank of the Rhône, across 3 communes of Saint-Cyr sur Rhône, Ampuis, and Tupin-Semons, the vineyards are on extremes slopes at 180m/590 ft and 325m/1070 ft a...