Episodios

  • We open up a blend today from one of the top producers in Argentina, Susana Balbo. She has different lines of wines and the one I try on this episode is from the line called Ben Marco. It’s a blend of 85% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Franc.

    One of the things I love about this brand is that they honor the terroir by low intervention winemaking to reveal their true essence and character. Low intervention winemaking is when the use of additives and artificial flavors in the winemaking process are minimized and ultimately the winemakers let the wine develop it’s natural character to really showcase the unique qualities of the vineyard, grapes and climate.

    I get into all the details of low intervention winemaking and why it’s my all-time favorite style of winemaking while touching on the importance of certain things you may have to add or adjust during the winemaking process (ex. adding in SO2). Allowing the wine to do it’s thing naturally for the most part is the way to go but it doesn’t hurt to help it thrive by giving it an SO2 boost. Tune in now to get the 411 on this producer, low intervention winemaking and taste this delicious Argentinian blend with me.

    1:30 - Introduction to today’s producer

    2:30 - Red blend

    2:50 - What is a viticulturist?

    3:33 - Low intervention winemaking

    4:20 - My favorite style of winemaking

    5:00 - Adding sulfur to support the process

    6:15 - White & Rose wines have more sulfur

    7:18 - Red wine usually has less sulfur

    9:15 - Open the bottle

    10:20 - Visual & Olfactory analysis

    11:05 - Tasting notes

    12:03 - Rating of the wine

    Today’s wine: Ben Marco Expressivo 2020 $30

    GET WINE HERE ($38 on this website)

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • I got my hands on a Brut Nature for today’s episode… this is the first time I try this type of sparkling wine (watch episode 60 for all information on sparkling wines). Rutini is one of Argentina’s top producers and became the first winery to plant vines in the Uco Valley which is one of the top wine-producing regions in Mendoza. They have different lines of wines and this one specifically is from their line called “Encuentro”.

    Brut Nature is the driest champagne or sparkling wine which ultimately means it has less than 3 grams of sugar per liter. Tune in now as I try this pinot noir based sparkling wine from Argentina, talk about this known producer and get into the importance of having a good support system. Remember, rejection is redirection and having the support you need, when you need it can ultimately prepare you to take on anything that comes your way with more ease and knowledge.

    1:25 - Brut Nature

    2:10 - Introduction to the producer: Rutini

    3:35 - “Encuentro”

    4:15 - 1st family to plant vines in Uco Valley

    6:45 - Rejection is redirection

    8:40 - Support systems are important

    10:00 - Relief & preparation

    11:05 - Visual analysis

    11:30 - Olfactory analysis

    12:00 - Taste the wine

    12:45 - Tasting notes

    14:15 - Rating of the wine

    Today’s wine: Rotini Encuentro Brut Nature 2017 $27

    GET WINE HERE (only found the 2020 vintage online)

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

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  • Ribera del Duero is a wine region located in the northern part of Spain and is known as the home of Tempranillo. Tempranillo is the most widely planted red grape variety in Spain and is called “Tinto Fino” in Ribera del Duero because it taste different from other regions in Spain. Tempranillo berries tend to be smaller with thick skin, darker color and have lots of acidity resulting in complex wines. Although it is native to Spain, it is also a very popular grape varietal in Portugal.

    As I open up this Tempranillo I get into the importance of being in alignment with yourself. Self-alignment is the idea that your view of yourself matches your ideal self living in harmony with your values, beliefs & priorities which ultimately lead you to have peace of mind. Watch this full episode now as I taste a Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero and dive deep on how self-alignment is so important and ultimately achieved by living consistently aligning with your best self.

    1:30 - Ribera del Duero

    2:00 - The place to drink Tempranillo

    3:55 - Shout out to Tazz

    4:35 - Alignment with self

    5:25 - Pour the wine

    5:45 - Being authentic to who you are

    6:50 - Communicate what you need

    9:15 - Your cards are your cards

    9:30 - The key to overcoming the cards you were dealt

    10:20 - Having people who love and support you

    11:25 - Visual analysis of the wine

    12:05 - Taste the wine

    13:25 - Rating of the wine

    Today’s wine: Vuela Ribera Del Duero Tempranillo $18

    GET WINE HERE

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    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Champagne is always a good idea and in this episode I get into the traditional way of making champagne. This method originated in the French region Champagne and is one of the most popular methods to make sparkling wine. It is considered the classic and highest quality method for producing sparkling wine.

    The key feature that makes this process so unique is that the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle. Usually champagne producers blend different grape varietals to create a consistent style based off of what type of sparkling wine they want to create. Champagne is usually classified based on the amount of sugar added after second fermentation.

    Today’s sparkling wine is a Brut that consists of a blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. Brut is the most popular and most consumed style of champagne. Tune in now to learn the details involved in producing champagne the traditional way, hear me talk about all the different styles of champagne and what would classify each one under a certain category and try this amazing brut from Crémant de Loire with me.

    1:15 - Bubbles aka Champagne

    2:05 - Crémant de Loire

    2:35 - Same quality & process at economical price point

    3:35 - What is traditional method?

    4:15 - Second fermentation in the bottle

    4:55 - CO2 creates the bubbles

    5:55 - Dead yeasts & particles in the bottle

    6:10 - Riddling

    7:10 - Gyropalette was invented

    8:40 - Disgorgement

    9:08 - Dosage

    10:45 - Different types of champagne

    12:10 - The most consumed style of champagne

    12:25 - How to open a champagne bottle

    13:25 - Open the bottle for tasting

    14:05 - Milton was a b*tch

    14:20 - Visual & Olfactory analysis

    16:15 - Rating of the wine

    Today’s wine: De Valloie Crémant Brut Sparkling Wine $16

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • This week I am staying on course with French wines to see what they are all about. In today’s episode I dive into a red blend from Rhone called Signargues Cotes du Rhone Villages. The brand/producer is Pierre-Henri Morel which was created in 2008 by Michel Chapoutier. Chapoutier is actually one of Rhone’s most dynamic producers and this brand is run by Chapoutier’s commercial producer which is Pierre-Henri Morel. This blend is located in an appellation in the far south of the Rhone wine region in which the key grape varietals are Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.

    I get into story time on how I found a wine key I misplaced and couldn’t find and ended up getting into the beauty of letting go of control and allowing yourself to be in the moment and let things unravel organically for themselves. When we stop looking for something is when it ultimately finds us.

    Tune in now to get the full story on this producer, how this blend tastes and why releasing control can ultimately lead you to exactly where you need to be.

    1:25 - Red blend from Rhone

    1:50 - Most dynamic producer in Rhone

    2:55 - Commercial producer

    3:15 - Most popular grape varietal in Rhone

    4:00 - Signargues (appellation of this wine)

    4:55 - Red blend dream or disaster?

    6:30 - Death of the papelito

    7:45 - Pour the wine for tasting

    8:05 - Visual analysis

    8:40 - Olfactory analysis

    9:25 - Taste the wine

    10:40 - Soft & velvety

    12:05 - Rating of the wine

    13:00 - Wine key story

    16:40 - Release control & accept the moment for what it is

    18:30 - The last lecture by Randy Pausch

    19:55 - Peace & freedom when you release control

    Today’s wine: Pierre-Henri Morel Signargue Cotes du Rhone Villages 2020 $16

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Viognier from France located in southern Rhone. This is the first time I try this varietal which happens to be a common white grape varietal in that area. The brand was created by two French men who want to show the exceptional wines that came out of Southern Rhone (aka they were like lets just make our own label from our favorite place).

    Their overall goal/objective in starting this project was to select, age and blend Grenache-centric wines. Tune in now as I get into the story behind the label and try this grape varietal for the first time.

    1:28 - Intro to today’s wine

    2:25 - Halos de Jupiter

    3:15 - Chateauneuf du Pape

    4:05 - Purpose behind the brand

    5:00 - Should I review spirits?

    6:20 - Exciting news

    7:05 - Visual analysis

    7:35 - Olfactory analysis

    8:20 - Taste the wine

    9:20 - Very fresh with some body

    10:10 - Tasting is subjective

    11:35 - Rating of the wine

    Today’s wine: Halos de Jupiter 2023 Viognier $17

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • I found a bottle that stood out to me at Total Wine and it just so happened to be a South American Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. The brand is named after the greek god Oneirois, which is known as the “god of sleep”. As I read more info on this greek god, it got me thinking about our subconscious mind and how we may not even consciously recognize these thoughts on a day to day basis but they definitely play out in our actions.

    Tune into this new episode as I share information about this brand, the greek god behind the label and dive deep into your subconscious mind and how important it is to work on rewiring your subconscious thoughts in order to set yourself free from certain beliefs to be able to continuously go after your goals and ultimately level up your life with every opportunity that comes your way.

    1:50 - Grupo Peñaflor

    2:40 - Oneirois: greek god

    5:30 - Morpheus

    5:50 - Crazy dreams tells us everything

    6:35 - Gateway to the subconscious mind

    7:15 - Subconscious mind, what is that?

    8:05 - Example of a subconscious belief being formed

    10:00 - Write down your dreams to understand your subconscious thoughts

    10:45 - Mental performance coach… Dakota

    11:40 - Subconsciously we are stuck

    13:00 - Pour the wine for tasting

    14:15 - Tasting notes

    15:38 - Rating on the wine

    Today’s wine: Oniros Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 $20

    GET WINE HERE

    Mental Performance Coaching with Dakota IG @dakotalwallace

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • South African wine for the win today… I open up a Pinotage grown in the Neethlingshof Estate located in the heart of Cape’s Winelands which are located in the region western Cape in South Africa. This estate literally is breathtaking and their wines embody a taste of traditional Cape culture blended with influences from both Africa & Europe.

    This estate is one of South Africa’s most historic wine estates; it goes back more than 300 years. What I love about this estate is that everything is done onsite (harvest, winemaking, bottling, etc) and they are all about sustainability (ex. using minimum pest control interventions, global sustainability trends, etc.) To add to all the incredible work and care they put into their wines, they went ahead and decided to make all their wine vegan as well.

    Tune in to this new episode where I dive into all the background on the estate, their history, their production and this delicious Pinotage. You don’t want to miss out!

    1:22 - Intro to Pinotage

    2:35 - History on the producer

    4:18 - Renovation & restoration of the estate

    5:09 - Cape Winelands

    6:25 - Tukulu soils

    7:40 - Open the bottle of wine

    8:20 - Sustainability certification

    8:55 - Vegan wine

    10:25 - When the grapes are harvested

    11:45 - Two grapes that make up a pinotage

    13:00 - Olfactory analysis

    13:30 - Taste analysis

    14:44 - Pinot Noir + Syrah

    15:34 - Rating of the wine

    Today’s wine: Neethlingshof Estate Pinotage 2022 $17

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Did you know the Malbec grape varietal is originally from Cahor, France? Today I finally get to open a Malbec from Cahors to try it for the first time!

    As I have expressed multiple times throughout the podcast, Malbec is one of my favorite go-to grapes. I am biased and love my Argentinian Malbecs but of course we need to try it from it’s original birthplace and see what the hype is all about.

    Malbec has been grown in Cahors for more than 2,000 years. It was super popular in the 13th century where important people would come in to town from all over Europe and Malbec would be served everywhere (restaurants, parties, palace dinners, etc.). The Romans loved their Malbec from Cahors so much they nicknamed it the black wine of Cahors.

    Tune in to this episode where I get into the details behind this producer, the history behind the grape varietal and compare both Mendoza and Cahors vineyards to share why they both are great places to produce Malbec.

    Hope you enjoy this one!

    1:15 - Introduction to today’s wine

    1:35 - Original birthplace of Malbec

    2:40 - Chateau de Mercues

    3:30 - “Black Wine”

    3:50 - Cahors + 13th century

    5:15 - Plantation density

    5:50 - Increasing quality

    6:25 - A.O.C Designation

    7:25 - Mendoza & Cahors similarities

    8:15 - Open the bottle for tasting

    10:00 - Typically French Malbecs are blends

    11:40 - Tasting notes

    12:40 - Tannin textures

    14:55 - Rating of the wine

    Today’s wine: Chateau de Mercues Malbec De Cahors Grand Vin 2019 $30

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Today I open up a white wine from Mendoza, Argentina made from the Torrontes grape varietal. This white grape is mostly produced in Argentina and the most similar grape to this varietal is said to be a Reisling. I would definitely say it is like the “Albariño” of Argentina.

    Phebus is a well known producer from Argentina and for the most part has a good variety of very cost efficient wines. Tune in now as I taste this wine for the first time. This one is short and sweet but definitely worth the tasting.

    Let me know what you think!

    1:15 - Intro to today’s wine

    2:22 - Torrontes grape varietal

    3:22 - Open the bottle for tasting

    5:00 - Visual & olfactory analysis

    5:55 - Taste the wine

    8:00 - Rating on the wine

    Today’s wine: Phebus Torrontes 2023 $11.49

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Italian white wine from Sicily… wine from the south of Italy is literally my fave. Paolo Marzotto established this vineyard in 1997 and he loved Sicily so he did what anyone would do… buy a vineyard there. This winery is located in the village called Santa Cristina Gela in the city Palermo, Sicily. His main goal was to not only produce the best wines in Sicily but also have an eco sustainable vineyard, which is ultimately what he did.

    Insolia, the grape varietal, is commonly grown in Sicily and Tuscany and it tends to be a light to medium bodied white wine with unique characteristics due to the high altitude vineyard. High altitude wines offer direct & concentrated sunlight, dramatic temperature shifts, scarcity of oxygen and exceptional drainage.

    Tune in to this episode as I go over this producer, the details behind their vineyard and wine cellar and dive into what high altitude wines are. You don’t want to miss this one!

    1:40 - Introduce today’s wine

    2:35 - Palermo, Sicily

    3:40 - Eco-sustainable vineyard

    4:40 - High altitude wines

    5:35 - 700 meters above sea level

    6:25 - Don’t fear small berries

    7:45 - Wine cellar design

    8:45 - Open the wine bottle

    10:05 - Visual & olfactory analysis

    10:40 - Try the wine

    12:45 - Food pairings for the wine

    13:50 - Get out of my comfort zone

    Today’s wine: Baglio di Pianeta Insolia Sicilia 2021 $19

    GET WINE HERE

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    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Miles from Nowhere was founded in 2007 by veteran wine producers Franklin and Heather Tate located in Margaret River, a small town in western Australia. Shiraz (aka Syrah) is actually the first grape variety to be grown in Australia, making it a very important and primal grape to the country.

    On today’s episode, I get into this producer, the story behind the name and try a Shiraz from Australia for the first time ever. Before trying the wine, I touch on my experience on being a guest on another podcast for the first time and how it really made me reflect on the importance of having gratitude. It is so important to be in each moment and also realize how far you have actually come from where you once were. High Tea Mystique thank you so much for having me on your show and for reminding me that I am exactly where I need to be.

    I hope you all enjoy this episode and check out the episode I’m featured on High Tea Mystique!

    1:11 - Intro to the wine

    1:25 - What is Shiraz?

    2:00 - Miles from Nowhere

    3:00 - The brand is dedicated to the family patriarch

    3:33 - Guest on a podcast

    4:07 - High Tea Mystique podcast

    5:55 - Everything has it’s moment & time

    8:05 - Sit in the moment

    9:45 - Visual & olfactory analysis

    10:35 - First taste of the wine

    12:15 - Rating of the wine

    Today’s wine: Miles from Nowhere 2020 Shiraz $15 (they only have the 2019 vintage online)

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Connect with Kat, Tess & Pam on IG @highteamystique

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Spain is Grenache’s original birthplace but today it is more recognized as a key player in French red blends of southern Rhone (ex. Chatuneuf du Pape). This grape is also popular in Sardegna, southern Italy, in which it is called Cannonau. Today’s producer is located in one of Italy’s most renowned wine estates in Nurra, a flat region that dominates the north-western side of Sardegna.

    Tune in now as I give you the backstory on how two friends from Piedmonte saw an uncultivated land with lots of potential and decided to buy one of the biggest estates in Europe to make delicious wine in Sardegna. This grape is one of my favorite go-to wines when it comes down to picking a wine from Sardegna. See if this producer is worth trying!

    1:15 - Introduction to today’s wine

    2:30 - Story behind the wine producer

    3:45 - One of the largest estates in Europe

    5:00 - Grenache thrives in mediteranean climates

    6:00 - Calcareous soils at the estate

    6:35 - Terrible problem to have

    8:00 - Open the bottle for tasting

    9:05 - Visual & olfactory analysis

    11:05 - Taste the wine

    12:50 - Rating on the wine

    Today’s wine: Cannonau di Sardegna 2020 Riserva $19

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • The largest and most populated region of Southern Italy is Campania and today I open up a white wine from there. Campania is a unique territory that has a combination of a fresh rainy climate, Mediterranean latitudes and mountain viticulture. The style and character of the wines from here are very different from the classic “southern” stereotype (unclean, overripe, highly alcoholic wines).

    Founded in 1986, Feudi di San Gregorio is the largest wine producer in the region. The brand vision is the belief that a bottle of wine and a work of art share the same creative process. This is what ultimately inspired them to have a contemporary/traditional space and you can see that reflected on their wine label as well. They collaborated with Massimo Vignelli to create the label they have today as well as continue to collaborate with other artists to not only help design certain labels or bottles but also help display works of art throughout the space.

    Tune in to this new episode now as I give you all the details on the winery, the architecture and the art behind the label while I taste a glass of this delicious Falanghina.

    1:30 - Introduction to today’s wine

    2:22 - Campania, why is it different?

    4:10 - Taurasi, my favorite wine

    4:44 - Falanghina

    6:20 - Traditional and contemporary vibes

    6:45 - Massimo Vignelli

    7:40 - Wine & Art go hand in hand

    8:10 - The “Chablis” of Italy

    9:15 - Open the bottle

    10:00 - The importance of the cork

    11:05 - Visual & Olfactory analysis

    13:40 - Rating on the wine

    15:00 - Food pairings for this wine

    Today’s Wine: Feudi di San Gregorio Falangina 2021 $20

    ($18 at local super market called Doris)

    GET WINE HERE

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    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Today we get into a society of families who are growers in Saumur, a French wine region located in the Loire valley. This society was founded in 1956 with about 40 growers and today there are well over triple that amount. They are basically like-minded growers who want to produce high quality wines, tend to their vines with care and are proud to represent their terroir well. In order to be a part of this society, the growers must adhere to sustainable viticulture principles.

    Imposter syndrome… have you had that? (I sure have multiple times) I dive into how we come across obstacles and challenges along our path and how it can get overwhelming. In reality, obstacles and challenges are put in our path for a reason so that we can do what’s necessary to upgrade ourselves to where we need to be in the space we are in. It’s wild out here but we got this! Tune in now to hear a little bit about the Saumur region, this society of growers, overcoming the challenges we face (especially when we are in a new space/environment) and taste this Cabernet Franc with me.

    1:15 - Introducing today’s wine

    1:33 - Group of growers

    2:30 - Saumur, France

    3:45 - Sustainable practices

    5:21 - Imposter syndrome

    6:25 - You are meant to be there

    7:25 - It’s in your path for a reason

    8:00 - Olfactory analysis

    8:30 - Post fermentation

    9:14 - Tasting notes

    10:30 - Rating of the wine

    Today’s Wine: Reserve Des Vignerons Summer Champigny Cabernet Franc 2022 $16

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Piemonte is one of my favorite wine regions in Italy… well I love and appreciate all Italian wines in general lol but I do tend to drink a lot from this region. I open up a white wine made from the Cortese grape varietal which is produced in the town of Gavi (southeast of Torino).

    I also happened to film this episode an hour before the Copa America finals so naturally I get into my game predictions on who will win. I also talk about the crazy Euro Cup final that took place earlier that day. I love it when I combine two of my favorite things… soccer and wine.

    Overall, you will hear about the design of the bottle, where the wine is from, what “mid-palate” means and of course dive into the world of soccer for a bit. This is by far one of my favorite go to white wines that never disappoints.

    I hope you get to try this wine, I promise this one is worth it!

    2:10 - Intro to where today’s wine is from

    2:45 - Grape varietal

    3:30 - Designer collab for the bottle

    5:22 - The town of Gavi

    5:50 - Pour wine for tasting

    6:30 - Try the wine

    6:45 - Tasting notes

    7:15 - Mid palate flavors

    8.18 - Rating for this wine

    8:40 - Copa America

    9:30 - Viewpoint on James Rodriguez

    10:00 - Euro Cup

    Today’s Wine: Villa Sparina Gavi 2022 $18

    GET WINE HERE

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    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Another episode, another Georgian wine. Today I open up a red wine from the same producer we tried in episode 46 that is also part of the Lanchava collection. The red wine I try today is made from the Saperavi grapes, which is used to make the regions most well-known red wines.

    As I give you the spark notes on this bottle, I get into how our mind works and how powerful our mind really is. We dive into trusting in a higher power and how you are meant to be exactly where you are. Imposter syndrome sucks, we all go through it but at the end of the day you are more than ready for whatever opportunity presents itself to you (if you weren’t ready for it, it wouldn’t have presented itself to you.) YOU have a purpose in every experience and opportunity you are a part of. Sometimes we don’t understand in the moment but I promise you every moment happens exactly as it should for everyone’s benefit.

    This wine is from Kindzmarauli, the viticulture area in the region of Kakheti which is located in the eastern part of Georgia. Jump scare… it’s known to be a semi-sweet wine. Tune in now to see if I end up liking the wine and see if it is worth trying.

    Highly recommend listening with a glass of wine always.

    1:15 - Intro to today’s wine

    2:35 - Region of Kakheti

    6:10 - Our mind is wild

    7:40 - You are meant to be there

    8:00 - Imposter syndrome

    8:45 - Hungry for growth

    10:45 - Inspire others to be their best selves

    11:25 - Visual & olfactory analysis of the wine

    14:10 - Rating for today’s wine

    15:35 - Went out of the box & tried something new

    Today’s Wine: Lanchava Collection Kindzmarauli Anastasia 2022 $18.99

    GET WINE NOW

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    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Today we get into one of the oldest-known wine regions in the world with a history dating back more than 8,000 years… Georgian wine. Georgia is strongly associated with the continuation of ancient winemaking techniques like using clay vessels for fermentation and storage.

    Claiming to be the birthplace of wine, Georgia thrived during the middle ages when it came to producing wine. Wine represents a significant component of Georgia’s economy and they have amazing terroirs and conditions that allow the grapes to thrive. I get into the ups and downs throughout history for Georgian wine production and how they didn’t allow certain historic events to stop them from producing the best wine their country has to offer.

    I also touch on a recent video I came across that really enlightened me with some great advice aka “Everything is your fault”. As individuals, we need to stop treating our life as if we are the victim and realize that everything that happens to us is our own fault.

    Tune in know as I try this Georgian White Wine made of Mtsvane grapes and dive into how each of us need to be the CEO of our life. Hope you enjoy this one!

    1:20 - Intro to today’s wine

    2:50 - Mtsvane grape varietal

    3:50 - OG of wine production

    4:05 - Ancient winemaking techniques

    5:25 - Soviet Union came into power

    5:50 - Embargo all wine exports

    6:35 - Open the bottle

    7:10 - Best advice you have ever received

    7:50 - Everything is your fault

    9:00 - Adjust your perspective

    9:25 - Be the CEO of your own life

    10:25 - You have the power

    10:40 - Visual & Olfactory analysis

    12:40 - Rating on the wine

    Today’s Wine: Lanchava Collection Saba Mtsvane $18

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • Today we dive into the story behind one of the most known New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc brands…. Kim Crawford. If the name doesn’t sound familiar just google the bottle and you will know exactly what brand it is.

    Sauvignon Blanc makes up more than 85% of New Zealand’s total wine exports. The brands upbringing was pretty legendary because they had a solid sales plan… aka produce a “high value product” with an “instantaneous return”. Sauvignon Blanc can be sold within a year of production because it doesn’t need to be aged in barrels like other varietals. Kim Crawford focused on the quality of the product, producing the wine, while his wife Erica managed the label. As a brand, they grew quickly and profitably and eventually sold the label to a large beverage alcohol company.

    With the profits they made, Kim and Erica bought a vineyard (Loveblock Wines) to start cultivating their own grapes which eventually led to them producing wine once again. In this episode, I give you the spark notes story on their first label and the reason why they decided to sell it while diving into the vineyard they currently manage that produces top quality New Zealand wines.

    We open up and taste a special Sauvignon Blanc in which the label is dedicated to Erica (Kim’s wife). I hope you get to try this wine and enjoy the episode!

    1:25 - Intro to today’s episode

    1:55 - Kim Crawford

    2:55 - Big vision label

    3:45 - Constellation Brands

    4:30 - Why they sold the brand

    5:20 - Build their own vineyard

    5:40 - $50 million

    6:30 - Non-compete clause

    7:20 - Label synopsis

    8:45 - Loveblock land

    10:55 - Alluvial soils

    13:45 - Open the wine

    14:15 - Color & olfactory analysis

    16:35 - Rating on the wine

    Today’s Wine: Erica Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $30

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

  • First Australian wine on the pod…yay!

    I was recommended this producer and thought the label was pretty cool so of course I bought it to try it out. Getting to know the story behind their label made it so much cooler. Redmond Sweeny and Tony Davis founded Snake + Herring in 2010 and between them two, they agreed Tony would focus on making great wine and Red would focus on selling the wine.

    Their safari range label is a visual representation of the spirit and soul of their brand that captures how Tony and Red grew up in rural Australia which is why they have so much respect for the land and are determined to produce the best wine the country has to offer. Ultimately, their label reflects that quest and constant search they are on to find the best grapes in western Australia’s wine growing regions.

    The coolest thing about their label over all is that they name each wine after one of their favorite songs (tell me you love music without telling me you love music). Today’s bottle is called “Dirty Boots” and I believe its a song by Sonic Youth. Overall, I love that they are music junky’s and have fun making wine while putting their own style and character into all aspects of the brand. Tune in now to learn all about this producer, the label/brand and get a first hand look at what this wine taste like. Hopefully it encourages you to go out and try it yourself.

    Hope you enjoy this episode… and some wine while you listen/watch.

    1:15 - Intro to today’s Australian wine

    1:50 - Founders of the brand

    3:05 - They outsource their grapes

    3:50 - Finding a hidden gem

    4:20 - Sonic Youth is the name of the band

    5:00 - Don’t judge a wine by it’s screw top

    6:20 - Wine tax laws in Australia

    7:15 - Olfactory analysis

    8:30 - Solid Cabernet Sauvignon

    9:00 - Rating on today’s wine

    Today’s wine: Snake + Herring “Dirty Boots” Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $26

    GET WINE HERE

    Connect with me on IG @sipandgrowpodcast

    Get your FREE Wine Aroma Wheel at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale

    Check out my Italian Wine Guide at https://stan.store/nicoledipasquale