Wine Talks with Paul K.
404 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 41 ratingsAll you knew about wine is about to bust wide open….we are going to talk about what really happens in the wine business and I’m taking no prisoners...
I am your host Paul Kalemkiarian 2nd generation owner of the Original Wine of the Month Club, and I am somewhere north of 100,000 wines tasted.
How can Groupon sell 12 bottles for $60 and the wines be good? How do you start a winery anyway and lose money? And is a screwcap really better than a cork? Sometimes I have to pick a wine at the store by the label and the price...and I get screwed.
Subscribe now and prepare to be enlightened.
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Episodes
She Walked Into My Office And Made A Difference. Meet Julie Hernandez.
April 26, 2024 12:00 - 56 minutes - 135 MBJulie started as a representative for a major wine player in America. I thought she would never make it. Oops. She became an executive in the trade. Incredible conversation. 1.) Julie Hernandez had a "light bulb" moment about the power of wearing a suit in a male-dominated business setting, which positively impacted her career trajectory. 2. Despite being experienced and holding a high-level position, Julie was frequently underestimated by male colleagues, sometimes mistaken for being ...
Making Wine Beverly Hills!...Paul Warson Does. Find Out How.
April 24, 2024 12:00 - 55 minutes - 86.8 MBFun Facts About This Episode: 1. Los Angeles County was a major agricultural area for vines with almost 200,000 acres planted in 1893, and it was even featured on the city seal. 2. Moraga Vineyard in Bel Air has a unique terroir with various elevations and exposures, with maritime influence from Santa Monica Bay. 3. The winery at Moraga focuses on producing just one white and one red wine, modeled after a French house's approach to winemaking. 4. Despite being in the heart of LA, Mor...
She Has The Passion And The Experience. Meet Wanda Mann
April 18, 2024 12:09 - 57 minutes - 138 MB"Wine Talks with Paul K" dives into the vibrant world of wine with the featured guest, Wanda Mann, who brings her extensive knowledge and passion to the conversation. In this not-to-be-missed episode, the main points covered are: 1. **Demystifying Wine Talk**: Paul K and Wanda Mann tackle the complexity of wine terminology, deliberating on how it can sometimes alienate new wine enthusiasts. They discuss the importance of simplifying wine language to make the experience more accessible and ...
Wine and The White House. Fascinating. The Authority; Fred Ryan.
April 16, 2024 12:00 - 57 minutes - 134 MBIn this episode of Wine Talks, we delve into the noble tradition of wine in the corridors of the White House. With the aid of Frederick J. Ryan, whose impressive tome "Wine in the White House: A History" serves as our guide, we explore the nuanced role of wine in American presidential history. Here are 7 points I pulled out of the conversation. 🍷 The White House has long held a tradition of presidential involvement in selecting wines for state affairs. This responsibility demonstrates the s...
Behind the Bubbles: Rodolphe Taittinger Discusses Champagne and French Bloom
April 09, 2024 12:00 - 55 minutes - 130 MBOur latest episode of Wine Talks features the discerning Rodolphe Frerejean Taittinger, CEO of French Bloom, and co-founder of Frerejean Frere Champagne. A scintillating conversation that dives into champagne history, non-alcoholic wine innovation, and the passion driving the family's legacy in winemaking. Here are your 3 key takeaways: - 🏰 **Artisanal Legacy**: Discover the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into building a champagne house from the ground up. Rodolphe discusses the impo...
Claude Has Worked In The Greatest Wine Districts In France. How Did He Get To Napa?
April 04, 2024 12:02 - 35 minutes - 54.4 MBIn the latest episode of 'Wine Talks,' host Claude Rouquet is joined by guest Paul K to delve deep into the world of viticulture, exploring the nuanced journey from grape to glass. The conversation opens with a glimpse into Claude’s background, which was not traditionally rooted in the wine industry as his family came from the medical field. However, his early exposure to fine wines cultivated a passion that, along with his wife, led them to pivot their successful careers to pursue their lov...
The Temecula Wine Region Is Growing, Meet Vito La Fata...He Is Moving The Needle.
April 02, 2024 12:00 - 53 minutes - 123 MBWelcome back to another episode of Wine Talks! In today’s conversation, we uncork the fascinating story of Vito La Fata, a man whose winemaking roots are as deep and rich as the vineyards of his Sicilian heritage. With the clink of glasses and the pour of a vintage, Vito takes us on a journey through his family's tumultuous history, from wars and the mafia to love, legacy, and pasta factories that have all infused the essence of every bottle they produce. Join us as we unravel the tapestry...
The Wisdom Of George Walker III. Dwayne Wade Cellars is His Passion.
March 26, 2024 12:00 - 55 minutes - 89.4 MBGeorge Walker III, a recipient of the Roots Fund scholarship, shares his incredible journey and the impact it has had on his education and career in the wine industry. The Roots Fund, founded in 2020 by Carlton McCoy, Aikimi Dubeau, and Tahir Habibi, aims to provide opportunities for black individuals in the wine industry. George expresses his gratitude for the support he has received from mentors like Matt Nauman and Carlton McCoy, who have helped shape his education and career. George re...
MJ Towler Has It All Goin' On. Meet Fellow Wine Podcaster MJ Towler.
March 21, 2024 12:00 - 52 minutes - 72.4 MBHe calls himself the Black Wine Guy....but never has been too happy with that name. And Wine Talks gets it. MJ Towler has covered virtually all the bases when traversing the wine industry landscape. He has a rounded viewpoint on all things wine. And his take on the plight of BIPOC in the world of wine is pragmatic and right on. Having worked the floor at what would be one of the most celebrated wine retailers in America, MJ moved on to wholesale and hospitality. He discovered a knack fo...
LAUNAY MASTER mixdown
March 19, 2024 12:00 - 43 minutes - 59.6 MBWhen you have sold some of the most luxurious brands in the world, what is adding Chateau Angelus to the list? Actually, quite a bit. When the Right Bank of Bordeaux began in classifications in 1955 (a mere 100 years after Napoleon III ordered the classification of the Left Bank), Chateau Angelus was awarded Premiere Cru Classee "A". This puts the Chateau at the top of the regions rankings. This would seem a natural place to work as Yves de Launay has promoted brands such as Sotheby's, ...
Yves de Launay Knows Luxury Goods. He Found His Home At Chateau Angelus.
March 19, 2024 12:00 - 43 minutes - 59.6 MBWhen you have sold some of the most luxurious brands in the world, what does adding Chateau Angelus to the list mean? Actually, it means quite a bit. Chateau Angelus was awarded Premiere Cru Classee "A" when the Right Bank of Bordeaux began classifications in 1955. This puts the Chateau at the top of the region's rankings, which is a significant achievement. Yves de Launay, who has promoted brands such as Sotheby's, Louis XIII Cognac, LVMH, and Cartier, would seem to be a natural fit fo...
George Mardikians Legend Should Never Be Forgotten. Hear From His Son Haig.
March 13, 2024 21:48 - 1 hour - 161 MBThe late, great, George Mardikian was restauranteur extraordinaire, philanthropist, and an inspiration to his family and employees. Hear from his nephew/son Haig Mardikian wine, Ohmar Khayyams, immigration and philanthropy. George Mardikian represents all that is good as an American immigrant. He fled Turkey ahead of the Armenian genocide and made his way to San Franciso to start a new life. Fell in love with an American girl only to have her shunned by the family. He sets up shop on Powe...
She is a force of nature for African American Vintners. Try and keep up with Angela McCrae.
March 05, 2024 13:07 - 51 minutes - 70.9 MBThe Association of African American Vintners started in 2002 with 4 vintners; now there are over 200 members. Thanks largely to the efforts of Angela McCrae and her associates. Diversity is an important subject in the wine trade. The industry is light on BIPOC and women in the workforce; both labor and executives. But that is all actively changing. In fact, there is a large event in the Napa Valley at the CIA Napa Copia campus entirely committed to black-owned wineries and black wine in...
Farmer, winemaker, philosopher; Meet Wine Brian Talley
February 29, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBIn the wine trade there is a lot of idle talk. Opinions on the longevity of the industry, opinions of consumerism, opinions of packaging trends...let's face it Wine Talks has it's opinions too. But it takes fortitude to stay the course; pick a philosophy and run with it. Talley Farms does just that. Guests come on this show to tell their stories. Typically, Wine Talks will bring in a couple of vintages to show its support for the brand and the story telling. It was a first here tha...
Wine In Romania? Meet The Expert And Wine Comtessse, Marinela Ardelean.
February 27, 2024 13:05 - 58 minutes - 140 MBIn 1988, Paul K Sr. featured a Romanian wine in the Original Wine of the Month Club. The wine was Premiat Sauvignon Blanc and was $2.50/bottle on reorder. It was a very nice wine. Turns out, according to Marinela, that wine was purchased from Romania during the USSR rule. Long before the value and complexity of freedom was real. It is so interesting that the Original Wine of the Month Club was ahead of its time in 1988...finding a Soviet block wine worthy of the American palate. Now, as...
Wine makers are philosophers, the good wine makers that is. Meet a good one, Chris Phelps.
February 22, 2024 13:00 - 49 minutes - 75.2 MBOff the main highway that runs through Napa Valley and specifically through Saint Helena, one can make a hard left turn after passing the cute gas station that doubles as a coffee shop (yes, new meaning to the question "leaded?". Make the next right and travel a block or two and you will find a hidden gem of a tasting room. Understated and doubling as an office, Chris Phelps and his son Josh hole up here to create their wine magic. Chris's path to this quaint tasting room/office has taken ...
Dream Job In Bordeaux And The Passion To Do It. Meet Matthieu Bordes of Cht. Lagrange.
February 20, 2024 13:00 - 54 minutes - 130 MBChateau Lagrange was in Los Angeles. Matthieu Bordes presiding. On a recent visit to the WIne Talks studios, we caught up with all things Bordeaux. Matthieu considers it a dream job. Maybe "job" isn't the best adjective. When you love to do something and have the passion to do it every day at the best you can offer, maybe it is no longer a job. This is clearly Mattieu Bordes as the Director Général of the Chateau. Chateau Lagrange is owned by the Japanese conglomerate, Suntory Grou...
From Grandma's Kitchen to Working the Line. A book from Chef Frederic Castan.
February 15, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 142 MBIn his new book "Facing the Heat; From my grand mother's kitchen to cooking on the line." Chef Castan has peeks around just about every corner of the chef business. After all, he has worked for some of what would be considered the best restaurants in France to being head Chef at one of the largest hotel chains in America and just about everything in between; including but not limited to an absolute failure with his mexican restaurant in Nice, France. This path is hard and the difficulty fo...
Fine Wine Defined. Pauline Is On A Mission. Pauline Vicard of Areni Global.
February 13, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 85.8 MBThe Areni Global group is on a mission. They want to protect the flanks of fine wine. What is fine wine? Pauline Vicard defines it here. Areni Global was named after the famed Areni-1 cave found in Aremia; the oldest known in-tact winery ever unearthed. The founding of the group was to create a think tank of industry leaders who, well, maybe not predict the future, but consider the future of wine wine on a world wide basis. There are so many moving parts in producing wine and getting it ...
Have camera and plane, will travel. Meet Dr. Higgins I presume.
February 06, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 138 MBMichael Higgins is quite unique in the world of wine. He has published three photo journals on three popular wine-growing regions of the world. Starting in Argentina, he sets out to bring to the readers a comprehensive view of the region, people and wineries. But he adds an important twist to his books. He explains where, who and what each winery is; what to look for there, where to eat, and provides amazing photos to support his viewpoints. These are not your regular travel books. Since ...
This is the story. Hear exactly what he was thinking when he created Direct to Consumer wines...Paul K. Sr one on one
February 01, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 104 MBUnaware he was creating the $3B Direct to Consumer wine industry, Paul Kalemkiarian Sr. explains how the idea evolved and his thoughts on business. In 1969, a time where California wine was barely recognized to the world. a pharmacist who was born in Cairo, bought a liguor store in the quaint beach town of Palos Verdes Estates. As a good merchant would do, he wanted control of the quality of the merchandise and insisted he taste every wine that was brought to him to consider. This wa...
Jean-Charles Boisset Is All About Vision. Hear Him Speak On Napa.
January 30, 2024 13:00 - 55 minutes - 50.8 MBJust when you thought the Napa Valley was going the way of its French counterparts by steeping itself in the tradition...along comes Jean Charles Boisset. You will be fascinated, intrigued, and dumbfounded. Jean-Charles not only comes from one of the most famed Burgundian families, he married a Gallo. And I think you can surmise, they are a power wine couple in the Napa Valley scene. One might think that there is a utopia in the Napa Valley. The scenery, the wineries, the people, the lif...
Paul McSharry Can Make Your Winemaking Dreams Come True. Osiris Wine Club Is Open
January 24, 2024 13:08 - 1 hour - 143 MBPaul McSharry wasn't originally destined for the wine business, he had other plans. Let's face it, Ireland is not necessarily the hotbed of the wine culture. Life has a way of redirecting our focus and Paul has bitten off an idea that seems to be resonating with want to be winemakers and curiosity seekers all the same. Because of the expense and the bureaucratic headwinds that clog up the wine trade, it is virtually impossible or too expensive to venture into it alone. One mistake, and. ...
His quest is to show the world American wine grapes. Meet Jerry Eisterhold in TerraVox (Missouri).
January 18, 2024 13:22 - 53 minutes - 73.6 MBThe Smithsonian Institute wanted to know about Jerry Eisterhold. So much so, the featured an article on what one might say is a long shot at best. The idea to repropagate vines of yesteryear in America would be fruitless (pun intended). But it is quite the opposite. In this episode, you will hear the history of wine grapes in America that I would easily put down even money that the most advanced academics in the world of wine would not have a notion of the significance. It was so intrigui...
Married and selling wine together? Ouch. Meet Jeff and Kathy of Uncorked.
January 16, 2024 13:00 - 46 minutes - 64.1 MBOf all the sectors of wine, retail has to be the toughest. Tough meaning you need to understand not only wine, but POS systems, merchandising, event planning, inventory systems, the gift of gab, employee relations, internet marketing, subscription marketing, and many more facets. And Jeff and Kathy did not set out to be a multi-store wine shop "chain" nor did the set out to get married. But, as the romance of wine would have it, both of these events occurred. Wine Talks caught up with ...
She watched the Nazi's destroy her mothers Chateau. Literally. Meet the elegant May-Elaine Lencquesaing
January 11, 2024 13:00 - 1 hour - 99.3 MBThe Nazis destroyed her parent's Chateau, and she was there to witness. You just know it. Humans have a sense about who and what they are. and when you sit in the presence of pure elegance, pure knowledge, and pure humility, you just know it. Though May-Eliance Lencquesaing spoke for over 75 minutes (she took a couple of breaths), it took 15 seconds to realize that this conversation was going to be epic. She started with "Hello Paul, good to see you again"...because she had remembere...
I'm telling you like it is in the wine trade. A trailer as it were.
January 09, 2024 13:00 - 37 minutes - 51.9 MBTime to set the record straight. Because I have just about had enough. On this episode, I try to lay it all out....get to the root and wax poetic a bit. Wine has a special place in me heart and that didn't happen overnight. It took 35 years for me to grab the underlying value of the proper glass of wine. There is somethiing completely ethereal about real wine...what is real wine? listen to this episode. Season 17 was a crazy good season of guests and thoughts on wine and the longer th...
Could a genetically engineered probiotic prevent a hangover? And is GMO really a bad thing? Meet Zack Abbott of ZBiotics and find out here!
December 26, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 89.9 MBWould you like to end your hangover before it even starts? Would you like to mitigate any symptoms of excessive drinking? Certainly, we have all thought at some point, "I wish there was something to help keep away a hangover!" Have a listen to this. After studying classical art, archeology, and microbiology, Zack Abbott found himself working in an HIV lab with his mind wondering, thinking there was a consumer use for his microbiology interests. So he played around with a couple of ide...
First a PhD, then wine influencer. Meet Dr. Nia Ruth and all her energy.
December 21, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 90.1 MBDespite we might be competitors in the wine club space, Nia brings a bubbly outlook to the world of wine influencers. She has two important features that bring the spotlight to her efforts; she is a woman, and a woman of color; both attributes the wine industry is seeking to fill in the ranks. She was engaging and fun to have in the studio and I think you will find her outlook on the world of wine refreshing and contemporary. Such a contrast to, for instance, the group of wine enthusiast...
With (3) substantial wine and business degrees, Julien takes on Napa with Maison Fayard..
December 19, 2023 13:00 - 55 minutes - 76 MBAs much as we aspire for wine to be a romantic beverage that tells a story...and it is, we have to acknowledge that is it business. So you must meet Julien Fayard of Fayard Wines. And there is really good chance you will meet him if you swing into his new tasting room on 2nd street in downtown Napa. There we peeled back his career path and opinion of all things wine. WIth a Masters in WInemaking, a Masters in Agribuisness and a Masters in Business, Julien has equiped himself with all th...
With a Master of Wine and a WSET Diploma and the French language well in hand, she became a wine educator.. Meet Anne McHale.
December 16, 2023 19:14 - 52 minutes - 72.7 MBAnne McHale is well accomplished in the academia of wine. She has a Master of Wine (incredible study required to earn) and a WSET Diploma (the highest accolade for the Wine and Spirits Education Trust)...neither an easy feat by any stretch. But what is disarmning is her utter charm. First, her accent will confuse you until you understand the source, but her ability to articulate her ambition in wine is the clincher to fall head over heels for her. Each time I relisten to the show, I am rei...
Whitehall Lane is a staple in the Napa Valley wine scene. Hear from the Leonardini brother/sister act.
December 15, 2023 13:00 - 1 hour - 84.8 MBOne thing about this episode, you get the straight scoop. Wine is about history. It is about the story. All to often in many of life's endeavors, we forget the story, we forget the history. That is the reason history repeats itself. In Europe, a winery being run by the 5th or 7th or even 10th generation is not unheard of; it is what makes the wine industry so unique. California could never catch up, but there are legacies being formed from the original families who sought a life of the v...
He has made wine all over the world and has settled at Stags Leap in the Napa Valley. Meet Ludovic Dervin.
December 12, 2023 13:05 - 59 minutes - 81.1 MBLudovic Devrin was born in Champagne...so the question has to be asked...why did you land in the Napa Valley. Seems the romance of the famed bubbly beverage would keep pon close to home but Ludovic wanted to see the world. Though he did get his degree at the University of Reins (in the Champagne region) he has made wine in France, South Africa, Greece, and now California. His curiosity to explore the New World versus Old World winemaking techniques and philosophies, groomed him perfectly to ...
Modeling, hospitality then winemaking. Meet talented Stephanie Cook
December 06, 2023 23:19 - 47 minutes - 65.5 MBWine Talks believes in the story of wine. There is a colloquialism in the wine trade "Every bottle tells a story" which on the surface is correct....but sometime seems too trite. What is in the bottle is not just an expression of terroir (soil, weather, environment) but also an an expression of the accumulation of the winemkars experiences, passions, lifestyle and what he or she thinks the proper melange of all these elements should be. Stephanie learned this the hard way (but the proper...
She is preparing the wine industry for what is coming. Change. Meet Priscilla Hennekam.
November 30, 2023 13:00 - 58 minutes - 134 MBThe wine industry is wrought with tradition. It certainly can be said that this industry at its core, is not much different than it was 100 years ago. Certainly technology has helped in all aspects; vineyard, biology, processing, equipment, chemistry and more, but the fundamental premise is the same. Make good wine, find buyers to drink it, make some profit, put the profit into next years vintage. Some more recent changes in marketing include email, social, video, audio, affiliate and Di...
Hear her path as a woman to become the Senior Vice President of a public wine company. Meet Tracey Mason.
November 29, 2023 20:03 - 55 minutes - 75.9 MBThis is the most honest conversation to occur on Wine Talks. Tracy is unabashed at exploring her lifestyle and her path to be an executive with a public wine company. This was such a refreshing interview that we left the door open to regroup down the road as the landscape in the wine sector shifts towards an inclusionary perspective. The wine sector has been dominated by males both in ancient and modern times. Certainly patriarchal societies such as the Italian and French lent themselves ...
New ideas are needed. Meet Open Container Founder Haik Khachatryan
November 28, 2023 13:00 - 59 minutes - 81.9 MBThe wine industry is controlled. In fact, of all the US industries that have too many levels of bureaucracy, alcohol is in the top two. And because of this, entrepreneurial ideas are usually short-lived and ill- fated. Along comes Haik Khachatryan and his vision of a company named Open Container. Not that the name flies in the face of the rules, but the concept neatly ties up some loose ends in the industry. Hear how a dilapidated sea-going 20' container abandoned on a highway in Armenia...
We just lost one of the greats. Dennis Overstreet, the Beverly Hills Wine Merchant
November 17, 2023 21:54 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBWhen wine was barely a conversation in the United States, when there was no internet, cell phones or cable...there was Dennis Overstreet. When The French Laundry was just an idea brought to him by Thomas Keller, Dennis was there to help make it happen. When the Judgement of Paris pitted California wine against the French counterparts, Dennis carried the wines in his store. Wine Talks visited with Dennis two years ago at his wine shop in Beverly HIlls and we had a blast. Listen to the leg...
Her humility and disposition is critical in the wine business. Meet Valentine Hostens Picant
November 17, 2023 01:00 - 53 minutes - 123 MBShe was a lawyer, but the family wine business became her disrupter. Once in awhile someone takes their position in the studio and starts the conversation and they completely captivate the show. Soft-spoken but convicted to her and her families cause, she is articulate in her position in the wine world. Often a guest from Europe has some self-doubts about their english skills and if they will be able to be successful in telling their story. And sometimes it isn't the grammar and the voca...
She has done just about everything in wine. But her story of Lafite is crazy. Meet Antonia Quast.
November 14, 2023 13:00 - 53 minutes - 122 MBThe WIne Talks podcast seeks interesting stories in the wine trade. There are so many facets to the industry and the public only sees a small percentage...or hears the stories of a small percentage of the interesting histories that this ancient beverage brings. Antonia Quast is one of those stories. Having had so many touch points in the wine trade, she brings to the proverbial podcast table a plethora of interesting points-of-view. She has one particular story of a visit to Lafite Roths...
It takes experience to grow in the wine trade. Chris Phelps has it.
November 09, 2023 13:00 - 50 minutes - 115 MBWine Talks seeks to find the individuals who can tell a story, who have a story to tell and whose passion shines through. Chris and his son Josh are Napa Valley mainstays and just opened a tasting room in down town Saint Helena. We got right into the meat of the passion it takes to make wine. The discipline to stick at it, the courage to travel and jump on at some of the best Chateau in the wine world. And Chris Phelps has done just that. With encouragement from his better half, Chris has...
Dr. Gavin Sacks, canned wine and much more. Meet the Dr. forging new ways to package wine.
November 08, 2023 17:25 - 1 hour - 84.6 MBSo fascinating. Dr. Gavin Sacks took a momemt from his research and teaching schedule to sit with Wine Talks and discuss the intersection of art, science and the environment as it relates to wine. We don't think of the academic reqiurements when we disuss wine. Talking wine is usually about swriling and sniffing; maybe a story of the winemaker. We can often get into the weeds on what we taste or sense in a wine. And that might have a whole lot to do with what Dr. Sacks is working on. The...
Emilia Nardi is one of a kind. Gracious, elegant and a force of Italian wine women.
October 31, 2023 12:00 - 49 minutes - 67.6 MBTo sit with Emilia is like sitting with the Queen...but somehow even queen sounds almost diminutive for her role. Makes her sound like she is sitting on a throne handing out directives. Nothing could be further from the truth. When you visit Napa, you cannot help but be struck by the magnanimous structures and opulent wineries. This is not the case when you drive to Silvio Nardi in Montalcino. Quite the opposite. A 17th century building with understated details houses this humble and elega...
Port wine is history in a bottle. Rupert Symington and family created some of that history.
October 26, 2023 12:00 - 50 minutes - 69.8 MBPort wine is really quite fascinating. It is like history in a bottle. And wine really is about history. This concept all comes together when listening to Rupert Symington of Grahams Port house. The Symington family has not only seen the best and the worst of being involved with such an important side of the wine industry, they shaped much of how the Portugese wine stage is being played out. So often we see success in an company and that is all we see. In other words, we are blinded by t...
From fashion to wine, Alberto gets it. Alberto Moretti Cuseri from Sette Ponti on deck.
October 24, 2023 12:00 - 46 minutes - 63.6 MBThe world of Tuscan wine is more complicated than it might seem. From a fiasco (straw bottle) of Chianti to the most coveted Brunello Di Montecino's, you can find a diverse and sophisticated genre of wines. As with most of the world wide wine scene, each family comes to the proverbial wine table with their own story as to what drew them in. In the case of the Moretti family, fashion turned to wine. Having designed and created the shoe line "Car Shoes" the Moretti family was poised to ente...
To learn Italian wine, listen to the pro. I speak with Cristina Mariani-May of Banfi Wines
October 20, 2023 18:38 - 53 minutes - 123 MBWhat you will learn about the wines of Tuscany and Piemonte will only be out down by what you will learn about the wine life. Raising 3 children while becoming a million miler in the air, Cristina Mariani-May keeps it all together. I caught up with her in Irvine in the middle of her whirlwind tour of the West Coast promoting the wines of Banfi. She is elegant, engaging and funny all at the same time. And let's not forget her flat out wine knowledge and wine wisdom. We discuss raising k...
They are Master Somms, married and taking on Aussie wines. Meet Jane Lopes and Jon Ross.
October 17, 2023 19:40 - 1 hour - 85.6 MBBetween the two of them, it took 21 years to earn their Master Sommelier status; obviously, no easy task. Lest we forget, while studying for this accolade, one has to earn a living. They met while working at the 2017 Best Restaurant in the World, 11 Madison and it was off to the races between them to carve out a niche in the wine world. Yes, having the moniker of a Master Sommelier opens doors in the wine and hospitality world, but it takes perseverance to see a need, develop a solution, a...
Clear and articulate about the Italian wine trade. Meet Dr. Cristian Maddalena.
October 16, 2023 21:28 - 53 minutes - 74 MBWe could have spoken for hours. In fact, after I turned off the recording system, he stayed for another 20 minutes wrapping up the previous hour. With a Ph.D. in history, Cristian is able to add a level of depth to the conversation about wine and its history. Wine is everywhere throughout history and as a matter of academia, represents so much about history, that it is hard to separate one from the other. When you consider the wine to be a sense of time and place, a background in history...
The wine history you will hear, cannot be written ever again. Meet Arthur de Lencquesaing.
October 16, 2023 21:28 - 58 minutes - 80 MBThis was serendipitous. The fact that Mr. Lencquesaing was in Los Angeles at the very time I began reading his grandmothers book (albeit it very slowly, it is written in French) and that the vendor called and mentioned she was with him...there had to be a reason. The name "de Lencquesaing" is synonmous with wine. Bordeaux in particular. Madame May-Eliane Lencquesaing is 95 years old but has vivid recollection of the war years if Bordeaux. Her story was partially documented in the book Wine...
Only 3 people in the wine world like him. David Frost is a Master of Wine and a Master Sommelier.
October 16, 2023 21:27 - 1 hour - 83.3 MBThere can only be one explanation (maybe two) for someone to want, study, test and pass both the Master of Wine curriculm and the Master Sommelier curriculm. So rare it is that there are only 3 people in the world that have done it. One reason could be the pure academia of them; the study, the knowledge, the challenge to learn more. And another reason is the passion for wine. For David, it is a lot of both. He is clear, articulate and funny...and maybe a little crazy; after all this study ...