Episodes
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What’s more American than sparkling wine?!? Seriously, we make a lot of sparkling wine in the U.S. and we drink a lot of sparkling wine, too! And we think there is hardly anything better on warm summer afternoons and evenings than a nice glass of bubbly! Don’t save sparkling just for serious occasions. And on July 4th?!? Sparkling wine is perfection! This week, we talk about California sparkling wines and what makes them similar and different from the great sparkling wine Champagne, and we taste and review two reasonably priced California sparkling wines that we think are great choices for the 4th of July, or any random Tuesday during the summer! One of the wines we think would also be a fantastic option for the oaky Chardonnay lover in your life. So, if you have not been able to convince them that oaky Chardonnay is overrated, maybe you can at least get them to drink a nice sparkling wine with you! Wines reviewed in this episode: Decoy Brut Cuvee, Paula Kornell California Brut.
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We admit it, we have not always been fair to Rosé, but starting today, we are going to set the record straight! If you think you don’t like Rosé, it may be because you have not yet met a Rosé you like. And the key to finding a Rosé you like is to start with a red wine you like and then finding a Rosé made from that wine. Because, afterall, Rosé is a wine made from red wine grapes - and like any wine, the grapes that are used will make all of the difference. For our first episode in this new series called Getting Serious About Rosé, we start with a Rosé made from a red wine we love - namely Pinot Noir. And, it just so happens that we also really like Pinot Noir Rosé. Get it?!? Listen to learn more about Rosé and Pinot Noir Rosé in particular, and we think we may be able to tempt you to give Rosé another chance. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 La Crema Pinot Noir Rosé, 2022 Rodney Strong Rosé of Pinot Noir.
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From the great wine region of Piedmont, Italy comes the red wine called Dolcetto, which means “little sweet one” - but don’t be fooled, this is not a sweet wine, although it is a red wine with flavors and aromas of crunchy red fruit. In our latest Italian Wine Adventure, we travel back to one of our favorite wine areas to see if Dolcetto should be on your wine list. Sometimes called the sommelier’s secret weapon, this wine is less expensive than many wines from Piedmont, and can pair well with some classic Italian foods. We will say, though, that you need to try it first before you order it because this wine is a little atypical for an Italian wine. It is often compared to Gamay, and that is a pretty fair comparison, but it is not exactly the same wine. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Learn more as we introduce you to Giuseppe, Paolo, and Luigi - the first names of the makers of these wines - and let you know which one of these Italian men you should take home! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Giuseppe Cortese Dolcetto, 2022 Paolo Scavino Dolcetto d'Alba, 2020 Luigi Einaudi Dogliani
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Summer is here, and that means cookouts with family and friends! If you are wondering what kind of wine would be a crowd-pleaser and pair well with food and fun, we have the perfect answer: Malbec! This juicy, well-balanced wine from Argentina is an inexpensive wine that doesn’t taste or drink like it's inexpensive. You may ask why would a wine from Argentina be a good wine for cookouts? If you didn’t know, Argentina has its own deep-rooted cowboy culture, and gauchos from this South American country give American cowboys a run for their money. One of the famous foods from Argentina is Asado - grilled meat cooked over an open flame. AKA a cookout! So trust us, and trust Argentinians, that Malbec is a great cookout wine that red wine lovers and red wine skeptics will love! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Domaine Bousquet Premium Organic Malbec, 2021 Baron Edmond de Rothschild Aguaribay Malbec.
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We introduce you to the B-FAST method in this minisode so you can become a white wine lover. What’s that you say, you’ve never heard of the B-FAST method? Well, that’s because it is a Wine Pair Podcast original! To love a thing, you have to learn about a thing, and you have to spend time with a thing. You can’t just go with your first impression! You have to put in some effort! Many people just don’t think white wines are as serious as red wines, but this is false! Using the B-FAST method, which stands for Body, Food, Acid, Sweetness, and Temperature, we’ll help you unlock the magic that is white wine. If you think you don’t love white wine, you probably have just not met the right white wine yet. Trust us! We’ll make believers out of you, and we’ll help you find a white wine you love!
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When it comes to wine grapes, it’s ok to play the field, but it is a good idea to get to know the Noble Grapes. And the good news is - you may already be really familiar with them. That’s because many of the most popular wines and wine blends, both red and white, are often made of these grapes. But what makes them Noble? We’ll tell you! And does that mean they are better than the other grapes? You should listen in to find out! We would say that you need to know the Noble Grapes because they are so important and influential in the world of wine, but they should only be your jumping off point or starting place. In other words, we strongly suggest you date around a little when it comes to your wines.
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Jennie Murphy is, like her grandmothers who she named her winery after, a tough, resilient, and determined woman. After losing her home in the 2017 wine country fires, she started to seriously think about starting her own winery. We learned a ton about the winemaking world in our conversation with her - things that the average wine drinker never thinks about - for instance the importance of “moving the wine” in the cellar, something she learned from cellar master Roberto Ruiz. In our interview, she talks to us about how she went from a degree in forensics, to becoming the oenologist in a winery, to then becoming the head winemaker at Paul Hobbs, and ultimately starting Oxlee Graham Wines. She is someone who truly embodies the art and science of winemaking. Join us for our conversation with Jennie to hear her fascinating and inspiring story. And you can find out more about Jennie and her wines at https://www.oxleegrahamwines.com/
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Yes, it’s true, they make Grenache is white as well as red! And it’s a great summer wine! Popular in the Catalonia area of Spain where it is known as Garnatxa Blanca, and in the Rhône area of France where it is often used as a blending grape and known as Grenache Blanc, White Grenache is a tasty, complex, and food friendly white wine that deserves more attention! After tasting and reviewing it in this episode, we were surprised that this is not a more well-known wine. It is a perfect pairing for fish, and it is also a wine with a wide assortment of tastes and fragrances that were kind of exciting to find. I mean, we all need a little excitement in our lives, right?!? Join us on this last of our five straight episodes focused on the wines of northern Spain! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Celler Xavier Clua Terra Alta El Sola d'en Pol Blanco, 2022 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanca.
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A 10 point wine in this episode! If you want a higher-class alternative to Prosecco at the same price point, then Cava is your wine. Cava is an underrated sparkling wine from Spain that is made in the same way as Champagne, but at a fraction of the cost. Cava is unique among sparkling wines - it is made with native Spanish grapes like Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada which give it a very specific pear + citrus + bitterness that is refreshing and exciting. Cava is a fantastic party and celebration wine, too, because not only is it bubbly, delicious, and fun, it also often comes in bottles that sparkle and shine themselves, too. While there are several areas of Spain that are allowed to make Cava, the home of Cava is the Penedes region, and the hometown of Cava is Sant Sadurni D’Anoia, just outside of Barcelona. Join us as we celebrate and learn about Spain’s answer to Champagne! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Vins el Cep Kila Cava Brut Organic, Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Cava Brut, Miquel Pons Cava Brut.
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It may be hard to pronounce and spell, but is it ever easy to drink! In this episode, we introduce you to a fun, quaffable, and not so serious wine called Txakoli which hails from the Basque region of Spain. Sometimes also called Txakolina, this slightly fizzy white wine is a perfect summer sipper. While tasting it, we had visions of sitting by the pool or at a cookout with friends on a warm summer afternoon. Heavenly! If you are a fan of Vinho Verde, this wine is definitely another to add to your list. A great wine for cheese plates, charcuterie boards, seafood, and spicy foods. We were impressed by the variety of tastes we found in the wines, and the bigger mouthfeel these wines get from being left on the lees. Wait, you don’t know what lees are? Just listen in and we’ll tell you! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Basa Lore Txakoli Hondarrabi Zuri, 2022 Inazio Urruzola Txakolina, 2022 Hiruzta Txakoli
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Rioja is the big dog of Spanish wines, but the question on everyone’s lips is - how does the Costco Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva stack up to other Riojas? Amiright?!? Well, without giving it away, we’re here to tell you that the Kirkland Signature Rioja is a worthy contender! But did it win in a knockout, or was it a draw? You’ll have to listen to find out. Rioja is a big, bold, punch-you-in-the-face wine that is a good alternative for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers, and, in our humble opinion, it’s a lot better, but don’t tell anyone we told you that! We will be continuing on our journey of the wines of northern Spain for a few more weeks, so make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva, 2017 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva, 2019 Bodegas Lan Rioja Crianza
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When we say hidden gem, we are not kidding! When people think of Spanish red wines, they immediately think of Rioja, but don’t sleep on Priorat. Hailing from the Catalonia area of Spain, Priorat is a Grenache-based red wine blend that completely blew away our expectations! Rich, complex, and oh so drinkable, this is a wine that deserves a lot more attention and accolades. And we are guessing you may have never even heard of it! The magic of Priorat is said to come from the unique licorella soils in which is grown. Whatever that magic is, we want more of it. Join us to learn more about this underappreciated red that is considered one of Spain’s great wines. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Gil Family Estates Llicorella Vins Bluegray Priorat and 2020 Cellers Unió Laurentia Priorat.
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Pinot Noir can be a polarizing wine - some people love it, and some people just don’t get it. We think that happens for a few reasons. First, most wine drinkers have been trained to think that wines are supposed to taste like Cabernet Sauvignon - big, fruit forward, high in alcohol, and very tannic. Which is just not what a great Pinot tastes like. Second, good Pinot Noirs that have a more classic style are generally not cheap. And that, our friends, is why we do these episodes. Because we want to find good Pinot Noirs - wines that have the classic Pinot tastes and smells of cherry and earth and a light mouthfeel - that don’t cost a lot of money. Some say it is a fool’s errand, but we are bound and determined to help you find a few good Pinot Noirs that are easy on the pocketbook and taste great. Good news! We found at least one in this episode, but you gotta listen in to learn which one! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Cono Sur Organic Pinot Noir, 2021 Paul Mas Réserve Pinot Noir, 2021 Domaine Laroque Cite de Carcassonne Pinot Noir.
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Believe it or not, 73% of the wine purchased in the United States is sold for less than $8. So, there are a LOT of people drinking those wines! But they don’t often get reviews, and so we thought we would take some time to taste and review some value wines to see just how different they are from slightly more expensive wines. The results: one of the wines was a pleasant surprise and a wine we enjoyed, and one of the wines was probably the worst wine we have ever had on our podcast, and we think it may have burned a hole in our stomachs. But you have to listen to find out which one it was! We explore what makes inexpensive wines so inexpensive and what makes them so popular. This one was really fun to do! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon, Bay Bridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Beringer Main & Vine American Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Bordeaux is home to some of the most famous - and most expensive - wines in the world. But can you find a great wine at a great price?!? You can!!! There is no reason to spend more than $20 a bottle to find highly rated and very enjoyable wines from this classic region. In this episode, we focus on Left Bank wines, and we bring that up because Bordeaux may be the most confusing and complicated wine region in the world. If you want to learn more about Bordeaux red wines, this is a great starter episode for you. The wines in this episode were quite balanced between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon - two of the Noble Grapes this region is famous for - all had multiple 90-plus ratings, and we found one of the wines knocked our socks off! If you have been tempted to try Bordeaux wines but were either intimidated or felt that you have to spend a lot of money to get a good one, we are here to tell you that definitely does not need to be the case! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2018 Château Prieure de Beyzac, 2016 Château des Mille Anges, and 2019 Château Beaumont.
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If you’re like us, French wines can feel so confusing - and that’s exactly why we do these WTF episodes! This week, we dive into a great French white wine called Muscadet, which is not to be confused with Muscat or Moscato (which are, by the way, the same thing). Muscadet is a wine made in the Loire Valley from the grape Melon de Bourgogne - and that’s already more than you likely knew about this wine. Muscadet has been called the ultimate fish wine, and, when made well, is fruity and zippy with a hint of sea water. We love learning about new wines, and we love it when we find another white wine to squeeze into our wine cellar. If you are observing meatless Fridays or just love to be out in the sunshine on a warm day sipping white wine while downing clams and oysters, Muscadet could make your day (and, by the way, that rhymes!). Listen in to learn about other fun stuff like what the f sur lie and batonnage are - we’ll tell you! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Chereau Carre Château de la Chesnaie Muscadet Sèvre Et Maine, 2020 Château de la Ragotière Muscadet Sur Lie Cuvée Amélie, 2021 Trois Versants Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie.
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Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is an easy wine to overlook. It is inexpensive, easy to find, and does not have the cachet that a Chianti or Barolo or Amarone has. But we are here to tell you that you should take a second look at this underappreciated and underrated Italian wine! In this episode, we tasted and reviewed three easy to find and reasonably priced Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines, and there wasn’t a clunker in the bunch - in fact, we think you should buy them all! Perfect for dinner parties, cookouts, or anytime you want a sure-fire wine that is going to please the masses, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a wine that delivers. And, not only that, it’s fun to say! It is also a wine that can have really interesting flavors - we got not only red fruits and some baking spices, but we also got Twizzler and black tea. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, 2021 Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Tralcetto, and 2021 La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
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Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve wines are meant to compare with wines twice their price, and are said to be top wines from top winemakers in some of the most prestigious wine-growing regions, but just how good are they really? We seek to answer that question to save you time and money. In this episode, we try three different Platinum Reserve wines from TJ’s, give our honest opinion on their taste and quality, and let you know if we think they are worth grabbing the next time you are shopping at your favorite store. We were a little surprised by what we found! We also bring some clarity to French Bordeaux wines, and give a short critique of Trader Joe’s related to the true costs of high-end cheap.Wines reviewed in this episode: Trader Joe’s 2022 Platinum Reserve Saint-Emilion, Trader Joe’s 2021 Platinum Reserve Carneros Pinot Noir, and Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Sonoma County Sparkling Brut.
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Ok, let’s be honest. Pinotage is a TRIP. It is like no other wine we have ever had before, and is flat out an experience that you have to try. You may not love it, or even like it, but you have to try it. Especially the Coffee Pinotage which in and of itself is an adventure (and is really a thing)! Pinotage is a wine that was invented in South Africa about 100 years ago, and is considered its signature wine. A cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, it has a smell and taste that is unique, interesting, and hard to pin down. Take from that what you will. In this episode, we discuss the wine industry in South Africa, which is bigger than you may think, and give some history about the wine. But mostly we taste and review Pinotage, and, to be transparent, we do not hold back on what we really think. Don’t worry - it’s pretty fun! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2018 Fleur du Cap Pinotage, 2021 Lievland Pinotage, 2021 Barista Pinotage.
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Costco sells a TON of wine, but finding expert reviews of their Kirkland Signature wines can be very tricky. We are happy to help fill that void! Find out why few wine reviewers bother to review Costco Kirkland Signature wines, and where you can find some pretty reliable reviews for those wines. But, most importantly, find out what we think of the Costco Kirkland Signature Russian River Pinot Noir, and how we think it stacks up against some other similarly priced Pinot Noirs that are also easy to find. You might be surprised to hear what we think! We also talk about why we think Costco is great, and not so great, for wine drinkers and wine culture in the US. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2018 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir, 2019 Conscious by Samuel Robert Pinot Noir, 2022 Kirkland Signature Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.
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