Episodes
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In this show we answer a question I get asked all the time: how do I even begin to approach a wine event with dozens of producers? Patron Monica G. from @wineshenanigans and @wineopardy (and the Celebrity Wines podcast!) joins to help me break it down!
We cover:
Finding a worthwhile event to attend Preparing for the event -- both from a logistics and research standpoint What to do at the event Post-event itemsAnd we add a bonus section for professionals attending trade events!
We hope this is a fun and useful show for anyone interested in going to a wine event.
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Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have just what you need for holiday shopping -- gift cards and gift subscriptions (for one or many shipments) of the WFNP wine club! And for you? Join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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From the archives, I am relaunching the funniest show I've ever done: Ep 396 -Halloween Candy Pairings with Patrons Kelsey and Colby Eliades.
We scoured the internet to find commonly recommended pairings, so we could actually try them and tell you if any of these things actually work. The news isn’t great (candy and wine are HORRIBLE together), but we did find a few diamonds in the rough, including an extremely surprising combo that I thought could be lethal!
Here are the combos we tested…
Pop rocks with Prosecco
Candy corn with Prosecco and Moscato d’Asti
Gummy worms with Rosé
Sour Patch Kids with off-dry Riesling
Starburst and Moscato d’Asti
Twizzlers, and Swedish Fish with Beaujolais
Kit Kat with Pinot Noir
Peppermint Patties with Syrah
Reese’s Peanut Butter cups and Reese’s Pieces with Lambrusco
Hershey's bars and Whoppers with Zinfandel
Port-style Zinfandel with M&Ms, Snickers, Twix, Heath bar
And, so concludes my attempt at pairing wine with Halloween candy. We did the encore, I am so thankful for Kelsey and Colby for participating, and now I'm never doing this again 😂😂😂!
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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Missing episodes?
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I haven't done an overview show on Chile in more than a decade so this show is an update on the unbelievable wines of Chile -- I cover new regions, new viticulture and styles, and all the wonderful things this South American gem has to offer. If you haven't had Chilean wine in a while, it's time to take another look. Especially in the last decade, the wines and vines have matured and the diversity, quality, and breadth of what this country has to offer has improved by leaps and bounds.
In the show cover:
A history of Chilean wine Climate and the east-to-west climate zones Grapes and new viticultural techniques The DO system Regions and Subregions Atacama: Huasco Coquimbo: Elqui, Limarí, Choapa Aconcagua with the Costa areas of Casablanca and San Antonio (with sub region Leyda) Valle Central: Maipo, Rapel (with sub regions Cachapoal and Colchagua), Curicó, Maule Sur: Itata, Bio Bio, Malleco Austral regionAfter the whirlwind wine grand tour of the country, I discuss a few reasons why Chilean wine should absolutely be on our radars and in our cellars (and it's not just for value!).
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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This is the third in the series of Grape Miniseries Refreshes to complete the trifecta of Cabernet Sauvignon and parents – Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.
The short of it: Sauvignon blanc has character!! Love it or hate it, you know what you’re getting when you have a wine made from this grape. Whether it be citrusy, acidic, and minerally from Loire, fruitier and sometimes oak aged from Bordeaux, or pungent, spicy, and grapefruit-noted from New Zealand, this grape makes and impact wherever it goes.
Photo: Sauvignon Blanc. Credit: Austrian WineGrown in more than 30 countries, Sauvignon blanc is the 11th most planted wine grape in the world. (OIV, 2017). One third of Sauvignon blanc is in France, with New Zealand a close second.
As with every grape, Sauvignon blanc has its quirks, but the grape is all about purity, rather than winemaking magic. With specific soils and sites this grape’s beauty shines through in its crystal-clear flavors. Sauvignon is appreciated for its simplicity, its ease of drinking and its versatility – the grape makes dry whites, oaky whites, simple whites, more complex ones, Sauternes and other botrytis affected wines. Whatever it’s used it, it makes a mark with great acidity and strong flavor.
In this show I cover:
The origins and DNA of the grape Sauvignon Blanc in the vineyard Aromas and flavors Main Regions: France: Loire (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé), Bordeaux Spain, especially Rueda Italy: Piedmont, Friuli, Alto Adige Austria, especially Styria New Zealand!!! Synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc Chile South Africa United States: Especially California's North Coast -- Napa, Sonoma, and WashingtonI cover food pairings and serving temperatures too.
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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The Cabernet Sauvignon refresh was episode 535, so I thought that on the heels of that it was time to do a refresh Cab Sauv's parents. This week is the Cabernet Franc refresh and next week will be Sauvignon Blanc, so you can have the full picture of the parents and the offspring.
Cabernet Franc is an underrated grape and things seem to be changing rapidly with it these days. In the past, it has often been used purely as a blending grape, except in the Loire Valley, but today it’s taking center stage. Producers and wine drinkers have realized that if the best wines of Château Cheval Blanc on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, have a higher proportion of Cabernet Franc, maybe there is something to this grape that should be explored.
Although Cab Franc still doesn’t have widespread popular acclaim, it is extremely important in the wine world. Today –it grows everywhere from France, Italy, the United States, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Hungary, Washington State, Croatia, Israel, South Africa, Turkey, Slovenia, Uruguay, and more. Plantings are growing and I see a bigger future for this grape.
In this show I cover:
The origins and DNA of the grape Cab Franc in the vineyard Aromas and flavors Regions: France: Loire, Bordeaux, Southwest France Italy: Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Bolgheri Hungary: Villány Canada United States: Finger Lakes, Long Island, Virginia, and a little bit on Napa, Sonoma, and Washington South America: Argentina, ChileI cover food pairings and serving temperatures too.
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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According to all the data – both anecdotal and industry –white wines have staged a huge comeback and are on the way to becoming more popular than red wines. The good news is that there are so many underrated, undiscovered white wines that you can enjoy year-round. Many of us drink seasonally, and when the weather cools down, we shift right to reds. It’s hard to get into the idea that there are also whites for cooler weather.
In this show I give you a list of 10 white wines that are great for autumn. They are slightly more robust, are medium to full bodied, and are flavorful and totally satisfying.
At the excellent suggestion of the Patrons, I categorized the show by wines that are easy to find, wines for which you may have to go to specialty shop, and those you probably are going to need to order online.
Special thanks to Trish Riggs at Allegria Wine Room in Logan, Ohio – friend and Patron, for okaying the list!
Pairings and some producers are mentioned in the show.
I got through three categories for your shopping convenience!
Easy to find: Among the list is Chardonnay (new and improved!), Portuguese white, and Gewürztraminer Harder to find: I include white Rioja, Austrian Riesling, and more Really hard to find (you probably need to order online): Condrieu and aged Hunter Valley Semillon from Australia make the list.There are so many more but I mention…Soave, Amontillado Sherry, Sauternes and more
Happy Autumn! Enjoy these whites and I hope you find new favorites!
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In this show I host Alex Milner from Natte Valleij. He is my first South African guest and the first Cinsault-focused producer I've had on the show.
Photo: Alex Milner. Credit: Natte Valleij Instagram
I first learned about Natte Valleij from a local importer who presented the wine as an option for a wine dinner I put together with a restaurant partner. Among all the wines I tasted that day, the Cinsault from this South African producer stood out and it performed beautifully with the food at the dinner, as well.
The wine inspired me to do a Grape Miniseries show on Cinsault (episode 525), and the interest among the Patrons in this grape was very high, so I knew I had to have Alex Milner on the show to discuss his wines and his Cinsault passion.
Alex is doing something unusual in South Africa and he is a bit of a wine adventurer, finding old vineyards through is other passion -- cycling! He is energetic, funny, cool, smart, and determined. By pursuing this unsung hero of a grape, Alex has created a small movement of Cinsault rediscovery in South Africa. To use cycling parlance, he has staged the winning breakaway in South African wines: Cinsault!
We discuss the importance of Stellenbosch University in the South African wine industry, the history of Cinsault, the differences between the vineyards Alex sources from, and his beautiful Natte Valleij wines.
Photo: Natte Valleij Wines Credit: Natte Valleij InstagramSeek out these wines! They are terrific, as is Alex!!
(PS -- the show is marked explicit because Alex drops an F bomb, but it's necessary to his point...)___________________________________________________
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted wine grape in the world. Loved by winemakers and wine drinkers alike, this grape has the potential to make wines with excellent fruit, power, complexity, and structure with outstanding aging ability. In this show, I do a refresh of a show I did 11 years ago (!), discussing Cabernet in all its glory – from the history, to the vineyard, to the winemaking and regions, it’s a deep dive into this beloved grape.
In this show I review:
The (relatively recent) history of Cabernet How the grape acts in the vineyard and what growers need to do to get great grapes Winemaking and what Cabernet requires in the cellar The grape’s flavors, depending on where it’s grown and how it has been made The main regions where the grape is grown and the differences between the wines from the major areasI wrap up with food pairing ideas and a promise not to wait another 11 years to take a look at Cab in depth again!
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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In this show, I continue to take a page out of my own book -- literally! In this back to basics show, I return to review basic wine vocabulary from chapter 1 of the "Wine For Normal People" book and introduce a new series that I'll be doing now that I'm hosting the show alone...
This Back to Basics series is my updated take on some basics, without distraction or interruption, and with the perspective of 20 years in the wine industry and 16 years of teaching others about wine.
In Part 2, I cover "taste" and "structure" words, which are some of the most misunderstood and incorrectly used terms in wine. I try to explain them in a detailed way, so we are all on the same page when we talk about wine, since descriptions are our best form of communication to get more of the wines we want in our lives.
I cover terms for acidity, tannin, alcohol, and sugar/dryness levels. Then I define balance, complexity, extracted, flabby, typicity, and classic.
I hope this review of the basics is helpful! I think it's always great to review the fundamentals of communication about wine so we can get the bottles that will make us happy!
Enjoy this one!
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Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
_______________________________________________________________
Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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In this show, I take a page out of my own book -- literally! In this back to basics show, I review some basic wine vocabulary from chapter 1 of the Wine For Normal People book and introduce a new series that I'll be doing now that I'm hosting the show alone...
Taylor Swift has "Taylor's version" of her songs, and similarly, this Back to Basics series is my updated take on some basics, without distraction or interruption, and with the perspective of 20 years in the wine industry and 16 years of teaching others about wine.
This time, I am tackling some essential wine tasting terms that will help you describe what you see and smell in a glass of wine. From science=y to very general, this show covers a lot of ground and will either teach you or remind you of important concepts in wine tasting.
In Part 2, I will be covering "taste" and "Structure" words, which are some of the most mis-understood and incorrectly used terms in wine! I try to explain them in a detailed way, so we are all on the same page when we talk about wine, since descriptions are our best form of communication to get more of the wines we want in our lives!
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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This is an encore presentation of a wonderful show I did with Serge Doré, importer of French wine (and American via Quebec…) and friend of the podcast, joins us to talk about the Loire Valley. It's especially relevant for those of you who are part of the Wine Access/WFNP wine club, as the "All Serge, all the time" shipment is heading your way soon!
Photo: Serge Doré. Credit: Wine For Normal People
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 wonderfully beautiful and diverse French wine region.
Serge's wines will are available in New England and New York, and on Wine Access! Some of his producers we mention are:
Pascal et Alain Lorieux
Domaine Bourillon Dorléans “La Coulee d’Argent”
I love Serge! Having him on is such a pleasure and I hope you enjoy his insights as much as I do. Check out his site to see his selection of wines
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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Ok, I know this is an obscure show and I promise we’ll get back to mainstream stuff next week, but there is a reason for doing this show now. PLUS, it's super dorky stuff and that's awesome!
I was putting together the Wine Access shipment with Serge Doré that is going out soon and one of the wines was from the small appellation of Saint Mont. I pride myself on having an awareness of most appellations in France, but I didn’t have a clue where or what Saint Mont was, so this show is as much for me as it is for you!
In the show, I do an overview of the regions, which have a lot in common, so it won't overwhelm you to listen to (I hope!).
Source: https://www.vignobles-sudouest.fr/us/appellations/
_________________________________________________________The foothills or the Pyrénées have six wine regions, all with some similarities. All are in Gascony, a vast area in southwest France that stretches from the Pyrénées Mountains along the French-Spanish border.
The regions I discuss in the show are: Béarn, Madiran and Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, Jurançon, Saint Mont, and Irouléguy. They are linked by common terroir, common history, and common wines. The grapes are mostly all native, unique, and obscure (albeit often they make really tasty wine!)
Here are what they share:
A mild, consistent maritime climate with a regular foehn wind – a dry, warm southern wind that prolongs the growing season. Varied soil types, but many of the vineyards have some pebbles and stones from colluvial wash of the Pyrénées. Grapes:
Reds: Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc (Bouchy, here), and some Pinenc (commonly known as Fer Servadou)
Whites: The main whites are Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng. Other grapes used are Petit Courbu (lower alcohol and acidity tames the Mansengs), Courbu (for sweet wines) and grapes like Lauzet and Camarlet.In the rest of the show I get into the details of the regions -- from history to terroir to the interesting wines available. If you are looking to dork out and just learn about something new, this is the show for you. I know it's off the beaten path but there is a lot of history and a lot of great wine.
I wanted to learn about this region and I brought you along for the ride -- thank you for indulging me!
Full show notes (with producers!) and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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For more than 30 years, dei Principi di Spadafora has been quietly churning out some of Sicily’s best wines in a tiny enclave of Virzì, about 35 miles southwest of Palermo, on Sicily’s west coast.
Photo: Francesco and Enrica Spadafora. Courtesy of dei Principi di Spadafora
The Spadafora family has been in Sicily since 1230, and their family came from noble roots but dei Principi di Spadafora (Princes of Spadafora) vineyards and winery didn’t really start until the late 1980s, when Francesco Spadafora decided to concentrate full time on growing grapes and making wine from a family property that had previously been designated only for bulk production. Since then, the organically farmed property and minimalist winemaking facilities have churned out spectacular, estate-grown wine, with Francesco at the helm. His daughter, Enrica, joined her father several years ago, doing the hard work of selling and marketing these very special wines from a remote part of Sicily.
Photo: The glorious Principe G Grillo with Francesco's gourmet creation. Credit: Wine For Normal PeopleI had the opportunity to meet Enrica and Francesco when I was with the Patron group in Sicily in May. I welcome Enrica (her father does not speak enough English to do a podcast!) to discuss the storied history, how her father left the life of an aristocrat to become a farmer and winemaker, and how they are able to make such outstanding wines (the Grillo and Nero d'Avola especially are magic!)
Check them out at spadafora.com
Enjoy!
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If you are an avid follower of the show you know that my friend Jim Morris, hospitality guru, and wine industry veteran has been on the show many, many times. His first appearance was on Episode 30 and he has appeared on Episodes 130, 230, and now 530 – as I say, he is the man of the 30s!
Photo: Courtesy of Jim MorrisThis time Jim joins to pull the curtain back on how Napa and Sonoma tasting rooms, the original model for all others in the world, have evolved over the last 40 years. We discuss how tasting fees started and how they have mushroomed out of control, and the tough times tasting rooms, tourism, and wineries in general, have fallen on in the most prestigious wine regions of the US. We touch on the rise of other US industries, and why we don’t include Europe in the equation as well.
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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This week I welcome Patron Robin Rigby Fisher, a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer and Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Robin has a kitchen design firm in the Portland, Oregon metro area (called Robin Rigby Fisher Design). She has been creating award winning kitchen and baths for more than 28 years and she comes to tell us about the various ways we organize our wine storage and her preferred solutions.
Once again, this amazing community provides us with fantastic expertise and a woman with a great personality who is willing to help us out with her deep knowledge on a subject!
Here are the show notes:
We first discuss the most important starting point: the top considerations when thinking about wine storage: Budget, number of bottles, how much space you have, and possible locations are some important items!
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Photo: private wine cellar. Credit: PixabayWe give a run-down of different storage options and locations. We cover:
Wine fridges. Here is the fridge that Robin mentions in the show that is US$499 Basement storage and how to do it right Small apartment storage ideas (don't forget about your fridge!) What to do with bigger spaces and what to think about when you are building out a space for wine storage (don't forget the outlets! And the humidity and temperature control!We talk about the biggest no-nos for storage...listen to find out what they are!!
I hope you enjoy this one! Thanks so much to Robin for sharing her knowledge!! This community is amazing! If you want to hire her to get some help, I'm giving her a plug because I believe in her: http://www.robinrigbyfisher.com -- She does virtual consultations too!
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. If you want to fill your brand new wine storage solution with amazing wines, join today! And if you want me to help you with that process, join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I personally select (no joke -- I really do it!) delivered to you four times a year! You also get 10% off all other purchases when you join the club!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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Washington State is the second-largest wine producing state in the US with about 1,050 wineries making over 17 million cases of wine. In this show I cover the largest sub region of the Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley AVA (and its sub-AVAs).
Map: Yakima Valley Tourism
Yakima is in south-central Washington, at 46˚ N latitude. In 1983 it became Washington State’s first federally-recognized AVA. Responsible for nearly 1/3 of Washington’s total planted land, the major grapes in Yakima Valley are the American standards: Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, plus Riesling and Syrah.
Photo: Vineyard in Rattlesnake Hills AVA Source: Washington Wine Commission
Yakima is on what locals call the ‘dry side’ of Washington state, the high desert east of the Cascade Mountains, which consists of irrigated farmland and sagebrush-covered wild land. The area is known for a handful of very large wineries but is dominated by small family run operations.
Photo: Snipes Mountain AVA Source: Washington Wine Commission
The podcast includes a review of the region's history, the fascinating geology and climate of this area and then the sub-appellations of this relatively new and somewhat underrated Washington powerhouse region.
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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Wait, I thought you only covered wine in this podcast? I do! And guess what? Vermouth is wine.
Vermouth is an aromatized, fortified wine flavored with botanicals like roots, herbs, barks, flowers, seeds, and spices. Although aromatized beverages have been around for millennia, vermouth's origins lie in the Kingdom of Savoie in the 1700s, first in Torino, Italy and then in Chambéry, France.
Photo: Botanicals. Credit: UnsplashFirst offered in apothecaries for the healing properties of wormwood, the main botanical in Italian vermouth, royal courts and then high society took a shine to vermouth in Torino, and its medicinal image was shed and it the wine was served as an aperitif in cafés. Simultaneously, in France, dry vermouth took off and cafes from Lyon to Paris.
Although served neat or on ice in Europe, vermouth took off in the Americas and found a place in the bars of the US as a major ingredient in cocktails like the Manhattan, the Americano, the Rob Roy, Negroni, and, of course, the Martini.
After some ups and downs, vermouth is trendy again and more producers from around the world -- from Canada to Australia to South Africa, as well as the traditional regions in Italy, France, and Spain are experiencing a revival.
Even though it's treated like a spirit more than a wine, I think it's time to cover this historic, interesting beverage. I cover the history of vermouth, how and where it's made, the different types of vermouth, and some of the cocktails that made it famous.
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Right now, it’s so hot in much of the country, it’s hard to get creative about anything, let alone a new wine that may provide some refreshment. That’s what I’m here for! Ok, maybe not just me…this is a list that comes from the Patrons in answer to our weekly discussion question about what they drink when the weather gets hot.
I added a few in for good measure, but this is the list of what the best and smartest community in wine has in their glasses when the sun beats down!
In order of popularity…
1. Rosé: Provence, New World, Tavel, Bandol, Rhône, and everything in between
2. Sparkling wine in many forms: Cava, Crémant, sparkling rosé
3. Albariño/Alvarinho -- and the comparison between the Spanish and Portuguese versions
4. Vinho Verde: Look for something beyond just the $8 bottle and you will be surprised at how much this region has to offer – Quinta da Raza, Soahleiro, Quinta da Lixa
5. Riesling – off-dry, dry from Finger Lakes, Australia, Mosel, Rheingau, Alsace and Austria
6. Sauvignon Blanc of all types -- from Marlborough, New Zealand, Loire Versions, Bordeaux Blanc
7. Txakolina
8. Chablis or Unoaked Chardonnay (Especially Oregon Chardonnay, with- herbal and floral notes)
9. Frappato from Sicily
10. Chilled Beaujolais -- especially things like Fleurie, Chiroubles, and Regnie
11. Vermentino- from Tuscany, Liguria, Piedmont, but especially Sardinia
12. Cabernet Franc (just watch the weight and ABV! Loire is best!)
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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Cinsault or Cinsaut is a grape you’ve probably rarely heard of, but if you drink Provence or southern French rosé you have it all the time! The grape is planted widely in the south of France, but the grape’s biggest champions are in the New World, where Cinsault is getting new attention for making light, acidic, refreshing reds.
This is a warm-climate grape, that actually thrives in dry and hot places. This grape is essential to our changing climate -- it retains acidity with low sugars even in the hottest conditions, providing a lifted, bright note to reds and rosés.
Photo: Carignan. Source: Vins-Rhone___________________________________________________
With typical aromas of ripe red berry fruit, like raspberry, strawberry and cherry, warm spice, and violet or dark flower notes and floral, strawberry, peach, and tea leaf notes in rosé, this is a lovely grape if made well.
Where can you find Cinsault as a varietal wine or a big player in a blend?
France: Southern Rhône, Provence and the Languedoc have big plantings of CinsaultOther Countries: Italy, Spain, North Africa, Chile, Australia
Then we get to the most impassioned fans of Cinsault…
Lebanon: In the mountainous region of the Bekaa Valley, Cinsault has thrived for decades. The famed Chateau Musar red relies on Cinsault in its most prestigious blend
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California, USA: California has the oldest Cinsault vines in the world in Lodi, California at the Bechthold Vineyard which was planted in 1886.
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South Africa saw growth in Cinsault in the mid 1800s because growers knew it could handle the hot, arid climate around Cape Town. It is a parent of Pilotage. I mention is Natte Valleij as a great Cinsault producer. Other producers from many regions in South Africa are also doing great things with Cinsault.
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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There are a seemingly endless number of wines made from grapes from all over. But, surprisingly, what remains in the world is just a fraction of what once existed. Before downy mildew, powdery mildew, phylloxera, and the World Wars of the 20th century hit the shores of Europe, destroying vineyards of native vines, there were likely hundreds of thousands of grape varieties with millions of clones. The biodiversity and possibilities for great wine were even greater than they are today.
But there is a movement afoot to revive grape varieties that are nearly extinct. It started in Portugal, spread to Spain and Italy, and now is a badge of pride for regions that are able to bring these grapes back from the brink.
In this show I cover 12 grapes with interesting stories of near extinction and revival:
Italy
Whites: Arneis - (Bianchetta), Timorasso, Nascetta, Fiano
Red: Schioppettino
Greece: Malagousia
Spain
Whites: Godello, Verdejo
Red: Graciano
Photo: Godello Source: Food and Wine From Spain
France
White: Viognier
Reds: Carménère, Tibouren
There are so many other grapes out there that have been saved, but these are the stories I find most interesting. Enjoy!
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
_______________________________________________________________
Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I select delivered to you four times a year!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes
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