Wine Talks with Paul K.
415 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 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
Crazy good conversation with RAW wine founder and Master Of Wine Isabelle Legeron.
December 08, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 89.7 MBHer work has led her to be named one of “The 2017 Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink” by Fortune, as well as one of “The 50 Most Influential French People In The World In 2017” by Vanity Fair. Isabelle Legeron earned the coveted Master of Wine and founded the RAW wine movement. Fascinating conversation.
Too much fun with winemaker Massimo Monticelli
November 24, 2020 22:03 - 45 minutes - 63.1 MBHis passion for winemaking comes through his heritage and the quality of his wines. We had some laughs and spoke of his winemaking and farming philosophy.
Heard of the Aroma Wheel? Meet Isabelle Lesschaeve, Sensory Scientist.
November 19, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBThe Aroma Wheel was invented in 1990 to help consumers get in touch with their senses to understand describing the smell of wine. Her extensive work with one of the largest soda manufacturers in this field has primed her to go on her own and build a program around the very subject. Have a listen.
Quintessential LA Restauranteur Piero Selvaggio stopped by the studio.
November 17, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 79 MBPiero Selvaggio opened the famed Valentino's in Santa Monica in 1972 and began a food revolution in LA that is the basis for today's food movement. Piero is also known for his wine knowledge and for being one of the first (if not the first) Wine Spectator wine list reward recipient.
In Paris, there is Willi's Wine Bar...meet Mark Williamson.
November 12, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBMark Williamson, a brit by birth opened Willi's Wine Bar 40 years ago in the Premiere Arrondissement. He just released Immovable Feast; forty years of feeding the French. The brasserie is a must stop when visiting Paris and the owner Mark Williamson sat with us to tell the tale.
I visited 2018 Winemaker of the Year Phillip Titus. Crazy stuff.
November 10, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBI was blindsided by winemaker Phillip Titus....he makes wine at Chappellet, Acumen, and is the consulting winemaker at his own winery, Titus. Furthermore, a wealth of Napa history comes to light with our bantering. Really interesting conversation.
New York Times Best Selling Author Tilar Mazzeo (and winery owner!)
November 05, 2020 23:00 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MBAfter reading The Hotel at Place Vendome, I dug to find her contact information and after 3 minutes of speaking with her, I told her "I must have you on the show!" My copy of Widow Clicquot is on its way. Enjoy this insightful conversation with Tilar Mazzeo.
Meet Thane Knutson, winemaker at Raymond Vineyards.
November 03, 2020 23:00 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBAs a college student, Thane removed his clothes from his closet and turned it into a winery and became the most popular guy on campus. The bug bit and he landed himself in the Napa Valley and worked his way up to head winemaker at Raymond Vineyards. Listen to the trek.
Napa on its ear...listen to Jean-Charles Boisset and his visions.
October 29, 2020 19:41 - 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.
This is one trailblazer...meet Karen Cakebread of Ziata wines.
October 27, 2020 20:08 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBWith a storied background in the Napa Valley, Karen Cakebread forged her way through headwinds to land herself with Ziata wines. Here the stories; hear the commitment.
Napa Valley Icon Bruce Neyers sat with us in Napa.
October 22, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 76.6 MBBruce Neyers is a quintessential story teller. Listen to the growth of Napa, the changes in the culinary arts, and the passion it takes to make wine. He tells how he would load up the station wagon with wine and drive to LA hoping to sell it all before returning (hint: he would stop at Palos Verdes Wines and Spirits).
Wine of Spain are the rage. Hear Sergio Soriano of El Coto wines in Rioja
October 20, 2020 22:00 - 52 minutes - 47.6 MBMy first European visitor since Covid hit and we had a blast speaking on wine, Spain and the Rioja. Sergio Serrano got the bug and never looked back. El Coto wines are of very high value and quality.
This is one amazing interview. Joanne DePuy and the Judgment of Paris
October 15, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBJoanne DePuy was an influential player in the Judgment of Paris...but that is not the most inspirational part about her. Wait until you hear her the rest of the story.
The Rebirth of ancient wine regions is happening now. Garen and Emilia tell us why.
October 13, 2020 21:23 - 51 minutes - 46.9 MBThe Caucuses have long been known as ancient wine growing regions. The latest re-birth is from Artzakh. Garen Bagdasarian and daughter Emilia are spearheading a new wine experience all together for the region. Hear their story.
Michelin starred Chef Ken Frank peels back the LA Food scene
October 08, 2020 23:00 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBI sat with Chef Ken Frank to peel back his career through the LA food scene and his ultimate stop at the famed La Toque. Hear his insights into the plight of a chef and being at the forefront of nouvelle cuisine.
The Man. George Taber, only journalist to show at the Judgement of Paris
October 06, 2020 14:22 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBGeorge Tabor was with Time magazine at the time. Living a dream in Paris, he decided to attend a wine judging event. He was the only journalist who showed and that became his fame. Meet George Taber the man with the story because he was there.
Steven Spurrier; Architect of the Judgement of Paris...Incredible.
October 01, 2020 23:00 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBIn 1976, the Americans beat the French in their own tasting. Meet the architect of this famed event, Steven Spurrier. You will never sip another glass of wine and not think of this story.
Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena; crazy good conversation.
September 29, 2020 23:00 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBBo Barrett was a teenager when his father and Chateau Montelena beat the French white Burgundies in May 1976. This is the single most important step in the ascent of California wine in the worldwide wine trade. Take an adventure with me as I interview the players who were there.
Women in Wine. Meet Rickey Trombetta.
September 16, 2020 22:30 - 53 minutes - 49 MBI took a trip to Forestville 2 days before the evacuation to sit with Rickey Trombetta to hear her story of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The mother daughter team makes some formidable wines.
Alexandre Remy is exposing it all. Sort to speak. Interesting new approach.
September 10, 2020 22:00 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBThe Omen and Oro Bello wines are all Alexandre Remy. As a matter of transparency, he will tell you how much it costs to make each bottle and what it should sell for...plain and simple.
The Grgich family changed the world of wine.
August 28, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 59.1 MBMike Grgich immigrated to America in search of fulfilling his dream of becoming a winemaker. He did that and much more. Listen to the story.
Meet the couple who started the largest wine brand in America
August 26, 2020 23:36 - 58 minutes - 53.5 MBMike Houlihan was sent out by his new girlfriend to strong arm a $300,000 debt for her client. The rest of the story is funny, inspiring and out right the story of America.
CoVid and Wine. Hear the fallout with Paul K and Ed Masciana
July 16, 2020 22:36 - 45 minutes - 42 MBCoVid has wreaked havoc in the wine and food industries. Though on-line sales of wine are up, the industry itself is in a crippling phase. Ed Masciana, author of Short Cuts on Wine explains the devastation with the restaurant crowd.
Meet Stetson Robbins. Expert on Central European Wines (redux)
July 09, 2020 22:17 - 1 hour - 96.4 MBI met Stetson about 12 years ago as he brought my first video winemaker interview ever produced...a father son combo from Slovenia. A wealth of knowledge and passionate about wines from the region. A very interesting chat.
Sideways; the real story...meet Rex Pickett the author.
June 10, 2020 16:00 - 54 minutes - 24.9 MBI had the chance to sit down with Rex Pickett, the author of the book Sideways that was made into the multi award winning movie of the same name. Learn where he taught himself to love Pinot Noir...though he never really hated Merlot!
Redux: Defining Natural Wine w/ Molly Hill and Ed Masciana
June 02, 2020 23:00 - 43 minutes - 84.5 MBWe are joined by Molly Hill of Sequoia Grove Winery to talk all about Natural Wine. We discuss the importance of attentive farming and harvesting in natural wine, dry farming vs. wet farming, and the natural value scale.
Redux: Hear exactly what he was thinking when he created Direct to Consumer wines...Paul K. Sr one on one
May 27, 2020 23:00 - 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.
Redux: The Trinchero Family is a Napa original. Meet their winemaker Mario Monticelli
May 26, 2020 19:00 - 54 minutes - 74.3 MBEveryone knows Mario in Napa Valley...everytime I mentioned I did a podcast with him (restaurants and other wineries) everyone was like "we love Mario." You will quickly learn why.
Redux: Fantastic Journey From Restauranteur to Winemaker; Doug Margerum
May 23, 2020 20:19 - 47 minutes - 64.8 MBThe Wine Cask restaurant in Santa Barbara was iconic in its day and was innovative on all fronts; food, wine and service. When Doug Margerum walked in for out podcast and we began the conversation...the light went on...this is the guy from The Wine Cask.
French meets LA....in Arnaud Debons of San Antonio winery
April 08, 2020 16:00 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBAs I was podcasting with Santo Riboli...the 3rd generation owner of San Antonio Winery...I was pleasantly interrupted by Arnaud Debons, the Frenchman who makes wine in DTLA (Downtown Los Angeles). Sit back and hear his philosophy on wine making and life.
LA history in a bottle. San Antonio Winery. Meet Santo Riboli.
March 25, 2020 16:00 - 52 minutes - 48.2 MBWe have serious California wine history in our own backyard. Founded in 1929, San Antonio Winery is the only licensed winery in Los Angeles. Amazing history and story. My old friend Santo Riboli sat with me to discuss the trek of this famed company.
Ed and I peel it back some more. Hear about wine pricing, trying to make money and more.
March 18, 2020 16:00 - 57 minutes - 78.7 MBEd has been hanging around the Wine of the Month Club for over 50 years....he is the author of Short Cuts on Wine and a wine educator. He has been on the floor selling wine in the best shops in LA, blending wine for his negociant label, working the kitchen in many restaurants and more. Very knowledgable and a hoot to have in the studio.
I was the guest this time.....on Adam Carolla's show...tons of fun.
March 11, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBPrior to Adam Carolla being on Wine Talks....I was asked to be a guest on HIS show....honored and humbled....we had a great chat. Shows why he is the king of podcasting as well as a documentarist: No Safe Spaces, The 24 Hour War, Shelby American and many others. Have a listen, very interesting.
Rich Hartenberger makes all the wine making decisions. Listen how.
March 04, 2020 17:00 - 51 minutes - 71.2 MBA visit from Rich Hartenberger shows us that you can make it in this business but it takes tenacity and passion. Listen to the family trek to California, how they chose Paso Robles and how it works now. You just have to love it for it to work.
Part of the who’s who of the wine business. Meet Mel Master of Master Wines
February 26, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 83.2 MBHe has been selling wine to us since the 70’s...the depth of his knowledge and his gang is the who’s who of the wine an restaurant business. You will really enjoy this.
Opus One is iconic Napa Valley. Meet the winemaker Michael Silacci. Crazy good conversation
February 19, 2020 17:00 - 57 minutes - 79 MBI had the honor to visit with Michael Silacci of Opus One Winery as we discussed the wine trade then and now. Opus One is a joint venture between the famed Mouton Rothschild and the Robert Mondavi winery...launching in 1979. You are listening to serious Napa Valley history.
Owner of the oldest winery in Napa, Peter Mondavi Jr., of Charles Krug Winery sits with me in his tasting room.
February 12, 2020 17:00 - 53 minutes - 73.9 MBA conversation close to my heart....Charles Krug Vintage Select Cabernet Sauvignon literally started the WIne of the Month Club. Meet Peter Mondavi Jr., co-owner of Charles Krug Winery and hear the Napa history and the passion.
The Trinchero Family is a Napa original. Meet their winemaker Mario Monticelli
February 05, 2020 17:00 - 54 minutes - 74.3 MBEveryone knows Mario in Napa Valley...everytime I mentioned I did a podcast with him (restaurants and other wineries) everyone was like "we love Mario." You will quickly learn why.
Wines of Spain are extraordinarily popular today. Meet one the proprietors of one of the most famous..meet Pablo Alvarez of Vega Sicilia
January 29, 2020 17:00 - 47 minutes - 65.1 MBI was invited to Beverly Hills to interview Pablo Alvarez of the infamous Vega Sicilia. I was intrigued and curious to the history of the winery including the expansion into the Tokaji region of Hungary.
You can start your own winery. Hear what not to do: Rob Petree, Petree Cellars
January 24, 2020 22:28 - 1 hour - 88.7 MBThis was a ton of fun...we peeled back the joy and headwinds of creating wine in your garage and then....wow, making wine for the public. Great stuff....have a listen.
So Interesting...Tyler Russell of Cordant and Nelle
January 15, 2020 20:57 - 44 minutes - 61.2 MBTyler Russell shares his views on "burgundian" wines, winemaking in the California Central Coast, and the similarities between cooking and winemaking.
Famed Comedian and Podcaster Adam Corolla; good stuff.
January 08, 2020 17:00 - 31 minutes - 43.3 MBI have had the pleasure and honor to host famed comedian Adam Carolla on Wine Talks. He began a side company CarollaDrinks with his wine Lynette and the WOMC is helping them along. In the same vein of support, the Carolla production team has been instrumental in launching this podcast. Have a listen.
Meet Fabien Castel of The Ojai Vineyard and the most philosophical conversation I have had on Wine Talks.
December 18, 2019 17:00 - 1 hour - 86.7 MBOne of the most interesting conversations I have had not only about wine but french culture, life and then wine! Enjoy.
Do You Know Hearst Castle? Here is their wine, meet Soren Christensen, Hearst Ranch Winery
December 11, 2019 17:00 - 41 minutes - 56.6 MBThe famed Hearst castle has incredible history on many fronts. Though the castle was donated to the State of California and is an incredible destination....the Hearst family has a winery and tasting room near by. Meet Soren Christianson....winemaker.
Nicole Andrus was mesmerizing in her wine trek landing in Barcelona.
December 04, 2019 17:00 - 51 minutes - 71.2 MBHere is one driven Woman in Wine who absolutely mesmerized me...and she gave me a hug! Listen the passion and trek of Nicole Andrus.
Absolute Napa Historian Gary Lipp of Coho Wines was in the house.
November 27, 2019 17:00 - 48 minutes - 66.5 MBGary Lipps history in the Napa Valley is a veritable history book. Listen where he worked and who his mentors are....I dig a little deeper to see what makes this guy tick.
Hear exactly what he was thinking when he created Direct to Consumer wines...Paul K. Sr one on one
November 20, 2019 17:00 - 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.
Hear what it takes to start a winery. Author of "Shortcuts On Wine" Ed Masciana was in the house.
November 13, 2019 17:00 - 1 hour - 93.9 MBEd Masciana author of "Shortcuts on Wine" was in the house...he has been hanging around the Wine of the Month Club for 50 years...never ceases to amaze me with his wine knowledge. And did you know he worked for Der Wienerschnitzel?
Make wine with your father and mother-in-law!? Listen to Filipe Martin Cabezon tell you how.
November 06, 2019 17:00 - 34 minutes - 47 MBNot sure I could do it, but Filipe Martin Cabazon finds it an extraordinary opportunity. By the taste of the wines...I would say it is working. A very informative conversation about their winery in the Ribero Del Duero.
You will laugh with Marco and Francesca Sartori...brother and sister working together in Valpolicella.
October 31, 2019 16:00 - 42 minutes - 58.1 MBIn the 15 years I have been producing wine videos and podcasts, I have never had a sister and brother act join the show. Together they make wine in the Valpolicella (just north of Verona) that is amazing and thought provoking.