Weekly Wine Show

Below are the articles we reference in this week's episode.    TTB Publishes NPRMs to Repeal Standards of Fill for Wine and Distilled Spirits Bordeaux Vintners Convicted of Fraud, but Fellow Winemakers Cry Foul France Is Changing Key Wine Regulations Food colouring found in blue wines Winery Lawsuit Ramps Up the Drama

This week features our interview with Fin du Fresne the winemaker at Chamisal Vineyards and Malen Wines out of the Central Coast area of California.   Wine Recommendations - We received these wines as samples but the tasting notes and opinions are ours. Malene Wines 2017 Rosé - priced around $22. A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Rolle, and Syrah Aromas of strawberries, watermelon, minerality and a touch of flowers Dry, fruity and crisp with flavors similar to aromas with a creamy texture 2018 Old Vine Rosé of Grenache - priced around $35. Light salmon colored wine with aromas of red berries like strawberries and cherries as well as minerality and a touch of lavender This wine is dry with medium plus acidity with flavors similar to aromas - red berries, minerality and lavender Everything we want in a Rose - intensely fruity, crisp and delicious 2018 Rosé of Mourvedre - priced around $35. Aromas and flavors of minerality, strawberry, watermelon and lavender A dry style Rosé that is very light in

This week features our interview with David Eakle of Pope Valley Winery out of Napa Valley.   Wines featured in this episode - these wines were sent to us as samples. 2018 Sauvignon Blanc - a really wonderful representation of a warmer style SB with lots of stonefruit and tropical aromas and flavors, and is also a refined and delicate wine - so a great pairing with light seafood dishes. 2016 Sangiovese - great crowd pleader wine. This is your pizza pairing wine. Sangiovese is the grape of Chianti, and although this wine is not a Chianti, it tastes like it would pair with similar foods. We enjoyed it best when it was decanted for about an hour. 2016 Petit Verdot - This is a very intense, bold and savory wine with a lot of complex flavors and aromas going on.        

This week we are talking about the Dogliani DOCG and the Dolcetto grape.   Wine Recommendations: Poderi Luigi Einaudi 2017 - priced $26. This wine is from a blend of Dolcetto grapes from the vineyards of the Einaudi estates which surround Dogliani Aromas of red licorice and spice It’s dry with medium acidity and medium tannins with flavors of red fruits, earth and a bitter almond note on the finish The aromas of this wine are almost candy like and we love the mix of complex fruit, earth and spice flavors in this wine. This wine gave us Beaujolais vibes but still it’s own unique thing. Anna Maria Abbona Sorì dij But 2016 - $17. This dark violet wine has aromas of dark cherries and blueberries and earth  It’s dry with medium acidity and tannins with flavors of dark fruits, earth and that bitter note on the finish that Dolcetto is known for. This wine is deeper more intense and complex than the first wine we talked about Both of these wine do not see any oak which was a surprise to us Recommended food pairin

It’s time for another four wines episode. Every couple of months we talk about four different wines we've tasted recently and want to share with our listeners.    Wine Recommendations Famille Hugel Gentil 2016 - priced around $12. This white blend has a light lemon color with aromas of lemon pith, nectarines, white flowers and minerality It’s dry with medium plus acidity and flavors similar to aromas - stonefruit, lemon and white flowers This was is very aromatic - fruity and floral and a really light, crisp and tasty wine   Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling 2017 - priced around $14. Light lemon color with strong aromas of stonefruit, lemon and honeysuckle It’s medium sweet and medium acidity with flavors of peach, apricot, and tangerine Ripe, fruity wine with just the right amount of sweetness and low alcohol for spicy foods This wine has a lot of food pairing options: Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and Indian as well as German-inspired dishes like sausage and schnitzel, Mexican dishes like Chile

This week we are talking about the Orvieto DOC which is an Italian wine region located in western side of Umbria in Central Italy.   Wine Recommendations La Carraia Orvieto Classico 2017 - priced around $11. Light lemon color with light aromas of lemon, minerality and stonefruit It’s dry with medium acidity and medium intense flavors that are very similar to aromas  This wine is light fruity and crisp  So refreshing and great for a hot summer day which we’ve seen more and more of this summer   Rocca Delle Macie Orvieto Classico 2018 - priced around $9. Light lemon color with medium intense aromas of lemon, bee wax, white flowers and minerality It’s dry with medium plus acidity and medium intense flavors of lemon, grapefruit, and peach This wine is very fruity, crisp and just a really delicious wine   Sources: Wine Folly  Wikipedia  Italian Wine Central  Winebow  Orvieto Consortium Vinepair  Umbria Tourism  Book: Oxford Companion to Wine

This week we demystify the topic of aging wine. Check out the links below to read more about aging wine.   Sources used for this episode: Wine Enthusiast: What Really Happens as Wine Ages?  Vinepair Guide to Aging Wine The Wine Cellar Insider: Complete Guide to Properly Cellaring Wine and Aging Wine  Wine Folly: Deciding How long to Age Wine  Wine Folly: Four Traits of Wine that Age Well  Wine Spectator: Is It Worth It to Age Wines Anymore?  Wikipedia: Aging Wine Also check out Ep 095 to hear our interview with Steve Lutz of Lenne’ Estate. He talked about is thoughts on aging Willamette Valley

This week features our interview with Theodora Lee or also known as Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards. She is the owner and founder of Theopolis Vineyards in Yorkville Highlands of Anderson Valley.   Wine Featured in this episode - These wines were sent to us as samples by Theopolis Vineyards. 2016 Yorkville Highlands Symphony  - priced around $22 Light lemon color white wine Aromas of peaches, mango and white flowers It's dry with light to medium body, medium acidity with light flavors similar to aromas - white flowers and peaches Very floral tasting wine with a long beautiful finish Great to pair with seafood, spicy food, Southeast Asian food or just sipping on the summer day. 2016 Estate Grown Rosé Of Petite Sirah - priced around $25 This wine has a interesting deep orange/pink hue Aromas of fresh cherries, cranberries and roses this wine is dry with a light body, medium plus acidity and flavors pretty much the same as the aromas. This Rosé is very different from most rose wines we've tried - it's mo

This week we are talking about summer food and wine pairings. We were brainstorming ideas for episodes and we came up with the idea of picking four different foods we eat mostly in the summertime and pair with some past favorite wines.   Food and Wine Featured in this episode: Hamburgers Tony's Pick: Harney Lane Old Vine Zinfandel, Lizzy James Vineyard Betty's Pick: Isabel Mondavi Cabernet Rose Grilled Veggies Betty's Pick: Pierre Sparr Crémant D’Alsace Brut Rose - NV Tony's Pick: Shaya Arindo Rueda Brats Tony's Pick: Domaine J. Laurens Les Graimenous Brut Crémant de Limoux Betty's Pick: Cartograph Wines Green Ranch Riesling 2017 Corn on the Cob Betty's Pick: Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay 2016   Tony's Pick: Medeiros Branco 2016   Sources: Wine Folly Tutorial on Burger and Wine Pairings The Kitchn's 5 Tips for Pairing Wine with Vegetables Serious Eats Ask a Sommelier: Best Wine to Pair with Sausage Chicago Tribune's How to Pair Wine  Montreal Gazette's Pairing up Ketchup and wine 

Time for another Wine in the News episode! Check out the news articles below to read more about these topics.   Federal Interprovincial Shipping Restriction Eliminated After 91 Years by Mark Hicken published in Wine Law.CA on June 24th, 2019 US Supreme Court Ruling Should Boost Digital Wine Sales by Bill Swindell published in The Press Democrat on June 26, 2019 RUEDA TO CREATE ‘SUPERIOR’ CLASSIFICATION FOR OLD-VINE VERDEJO by Patrick Schmitt published in The Drinks Business on June 10th, 2019 Is Oak Over? by Jamie Goode Published in Vinepair on June 12, 2019 Is it Time For a New Natural Wine? by Christina Pickard, Published in Wine Enthusiast on June 12, 2019    

This week we are talking about Bulgaria a country in Southeast Europe.   Wine Recommendations - Big thank you to Grapes & Barley Imports for providing the wines for this episode. All but one of these wines are from the Thracian Valley.  Bulgariana Rose 2017 - priced around $13. This rose wine is made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes Aromas of strawberries, raspberries, watermelon and minerality Its dry with medium acidity with flavors similar to aromas - lots of berry flavors Light in aromas and flavors but everything I want in a rose - fruity, crisp, really refreshing   Rough Day Chardonnay 2016 - priced around $9. This is an unoaked style of Chardonnay Aromas of tropical fruits like melon and apricots as well as some lemon aromas It’s dry with a light to medium body, medium plus acidity with flavors similar to aromas - mostly tropical fruits This wine is a light crisp unoaked chardonnay that perfect for summer   Bulgariana Pinot Noir 2014 - priced $15. The grapes for this wine come from a subreg

It's time for us to recommended so amazing wines we recently tasted. Cheers!!!   Hunky Dory Tangle 2016 - priced around $15.  This wine is a white blend of 58% Pinot Gris, 38% Gewurztraminer and 4% Riesling Aromas of peaches and apricots, white flowers and a hint of lychee It’s dry with medium acidity, light body and flavors similar to aromas - stonefruit, white flowers and lychee Dry aromatic, light white wine for summer with enough acidity to pair with dishes like Pad Thai, curries or seafood dishes.   Unculin Bierzo Tinto 2017 - priced around $19.  This deep red wine has aromas of candied cherries, raspberries and strawberries almost like red licorice and dusty earth It’s dry with medium plus acidity, light to medium tannins, full bodied with flavors of red fruits, black pepper, mushroom and earth Very sweet smelling wine but it’s a dry, rich and more savory tasting wine   Famille Perrin Gigondas La Gille 2016 - priced around $24.  We received this wine as a press sample From Gigondas which is one of

This week is the final week of our Greek wine series and we are talking about the area of Central Greece.   Wine Recommendation Hermes White Dry Wine - priced around $11. Light aromas of lemon, peach and minerality It’s dry with medium plus acidity and flavors of lemon rind, white peach and minerality This wine is a light crisp simple patio wine, if you are looking for something fruity and light on a hot summer day, this is your wine Pair with lighter seafood and vegetable dishes You can purchase this wine at Total Wine    Sources Wine-Searcher Wine Folly 

This week we are talking about Southern Greece which is defined by its hot Mediterranean climate so most of the vineyards in these areas are grown on the sides of mountains in higher elevation. Southern Greece includes the Kefalonia, Peloponnese and Crete areas.    Wine Recommendations Lyrarakis Plyto Psarades Vineyard 2017 - priced around $20. Aromas of lemon, nectarine, minerality and white lilies It’s dry with high acidity and flavors very similar to aromas This wine needs food so this is your summer food wine and stands up really well to a salad with vinaigrette Once we added food to the mix this wine became amazing Also could pair with cream sauces, seafood and cheese Boutari Moschofilero 2017 - priced around $14. Medium intense aromas of melon, clementine,  jasmine with a hint of salinity It’s dry with medium plus acidity with flavors similar to aromas Another great summer wine - light and crisp Paired great with roasted corn and tomato salad Also great with pairs with delicate dishes such as sushi,

This week we are continuing our series on Greek wine regions by talking about the Aegean Islands wine area.   Wine Recommendations Domaine Sigalas 2017 - priced around $20. Aromas of peach, minerality and Lemon It’s dry with medium plus acidity, light body with flavors of white peaches and lemon rinds Tony thinks there is a touch of tannins but I disagree Crisp and fruity very appropriate for summer and reminds me of Verdicchio wine from Italy Food pairings: Shellfish, Crab and Lobster and of course Mediterranean dishes   Gavalas Winery Santorini 2010 - priced around $25. Aromas of pear, minerality and honeysuckle This wine is dry, medium plus acidity, medium body and flavors of honeysuckle, pear, minerality and lemon rind on the finish This wine is older for a white wine and has a deep gold color. If you get an older vintage of this wine you need to decorate it for a while. The first day we tried this wine we didn’t like it and had some weird flavors. But the second day and some exposure to oxygen we ende

This week we are talking about Northern Greece. This is week two of our Greek wine series. Part one was a general overview of Greek wine history and information so be sure to listen to that episode if you haven’t already.   Check out Wine Folly's article for a great map of the Greek wine regions   Wine Recommendations Alpha Estate Malagouzia Turtles Vineyard 2017 - priced around $19. Very aromatic wine with aromas of peach, honeydew, papaya, orange blossom and beeswax It’s dry with a light body, medium plus acidity and flavors similar to aromas - tropical fruits, floral and that beeswax again Love this wine especially not that we are finally getting some warm weather after a long winter. This definitely reminds me of summer - It’s light, fruity, crisp Reminds me of a warmer climate Riesling with those beautiful intense fruity aromas Food Pairing: Excellently married with green salads, baked vegetables, pasta, low fat fishes and a wide variety of Greek seafood   Domaine Costa Lazaridi Amethystos Rouge 2015

This week kicks off a series of episode exploring Greece. This episode is an introduction to Greece and Greek wine history. In the following weeks, we will dive into some of the major wine areas of Greece.   Source for this episode: Book: The Oxford Companion to Wine

This week we talk recent wines news. Below are the articles that inspired this episode's topics.   California wine's new paradigm: Bright, juicy, translucent reds Esther Mobley March 21, 2019 San Francisco Chronicle   Southern Oregon growers fight Willamette Valley wine purity proposals By Pete Danko  – Staff Reporter, Portland Business Journal Mar 21, 2019   Texas wine group wants to keep California grapes out of their bottles Lynn Brezosky April 25, 2019 San Antonio Express News   Nine Spanish producers to leave the Cava DO Richard Woodard, February 1, 2019 Decanter   The Danger of Biased Drinking Studies By Liza B. Zimmerman | Posted Saturday, 02-Mar-2019, Wine-Searcher   The campaign to make alcohol ‘the new tobacco’ by Christopher Snowdon 28th March 2019, Spector Health   Very Good Dogs Sniff Out TCA Taint, Rescue Wine February 14, 2019 Wine Spectator  

This week we explore of the country of Georgia and it's unique and amazing wines.   Wine Recommendations Dila-o Rkatsiteli-Mtsvane 2016 - priced around $16. This is an Amber or "Orange" wine style, but made in a lighter style with only 1 month of skin contact. It is a perfect introduction to the style. Aromas of honey, tropical fruits like melon and apricots, spice and white flowers It’s dry with light body, light tannins, medium plus acidity and flavors of lemon drop, white flowers, apricots and slightly herbal Great acidity so it will be awesome with food It has the sour beer quality to it that we often get from orange wine Food pairings: Salads, Salmon and Poultry   Tchotiashvili Vineyards Mtsvane 2015 - priced around $28.  Another orange wine but this one is a very deep amber color Aromas of honey, juniper, dried apricots and cigar ash This wine is dry with medium plus tannins and acid - the most tanninc non-red wine we ever had Flavors of meat (hot dog water?), dried herbs, hint of apricot with eucal

It’s time for another four wines episode. Every couple of months we talk about four different wines that we really enjoyed and we're excited to share with all of you.   Pehhcora Pecorino IGT Terre di Chieti 2015 - priced around $12. Aromas of oranges, geraniums and minerality It’s dry with medium plus acidity and flavors of orange oil, white flowers and wet rocks Really delicious, crisp, fruity and floral wine Complex but not too serious and great for lighter foods Food pairings: grilled fish, fresh cheeses and white meats.   Mansion Creek Cellars White Blend 2015 - priced around $28.  Aromas of jasmine, apricots and orange blossom This wine is dry with medium body, medium acidity with flavors of grapefruit pith, apricot, and orange blossom A real lovely blend with a slightly creamy texture   Quinta do Ataíde Douro 2015 - priced aorund $26. We received this wine as a press sample Aromas of stewed blackberries, black plums and black currants, dusty earth and black licorice This wine is dry, fully body