Episodes
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André Proulx and Michael Pinkus assemble an “Avengers” lineup of Trius Red winemakers at Trius — J-L Groux, Craig McDonald, Emma Garner, and Ben Minaker - for a deep vertical tasting from 2010–2024 (plus a 2002 Trius Grand Red). Today's episode is supersized to match the grandeur of the guests.
The unpack how Niagara’s climate, vineyard sourcing, blending, tannin management, cork choices, and restrained oak have shaped this flagship blend. Groux recounts Trius Red’s origins in 1989 as a Bordeaux-inspired assemblage and how warmer, longer falls have helped late-ripening reds, while the group compares challenging and standout vintages (including 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2020) and discusses the difficulty of maintaining quality as production scaled.
In the post-credits scene André speaks with former Trius winemaker Darrell Brooker (2005–2010), now CEO of Latitude Wines, about his approach to Trius Red, vintage-driven volumes, and adapting oak use to each season.
Learn more about Trius here - https://www.triuswines.com/
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Michael Pinkus and André Proulx take this show on the road live from the GO Train en route to a Barolo and Barbaresco tasting recently held in Toronto. André was looking for a starting point as a Barolo-curious drinker concerned about tannins and long aging. At the Liberty Grand, they taste through producers and interview Salvatore from Reva Winery about crafting youthful, fruit-forward Nebbiolo and why they don’t recommend decanting. Pietro Ratti explains Barolo’s vineyard mapping history, the MGA system (170 MGAs plus 11 villages), and how to learn the region by starting with vintage, then village, then single-vineyard wines. Bersano discusses modernizing Piedmont wines for drinkability and how climate change is affecting Barolo styles and accessibility. Back home, they praise the approachability and value of Reva’s 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo and 2021 Barolo.
Wines tasted were from
Reva Winery - https://www.revawinery.com/
Borgogno - https://www.borgogno.com/en/
Catina Ratti - https://www.ratti.com/en/
Bersano - https://www.bersano.it/en/
With thanks to Nicholas Pearce for providing wines from Reva for the episode - https://www.npwines.com/
With thanks to Will Predhomme for hosting this fantastic event - https://predhomme.ca/
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Missing episodes?
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Michael Pinkus and André Proulx record in downtown Toronto with Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta of Tenuta San Guido to unpack the history of Sassicaia and Bolgheri. Priscilla explains how Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, inspired by Bordeaux, began planting Cabernet in stony Bolgheri hill sites and originally made Sassicaia privately before Nicolo brought it to market, with the first release (1968 vintage) sold in 1971. They discuss early local skepticism, the Antinori family connection, Giacomo Tachis’ long consulting role, and the 1978 Decanter blind tasting where Sassicaia 1972 drew global attention. They cover Sassicaia’s meaning, the estate’s scale and cypress road, the creation of Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, and the portfolio—Le Difese (with Sangiovese), Guidalberto (Cabernet/Merlot), and Sassicaia—plus style priorities of elegance over trends, next-generation prospects, and the unbeaten racehorse Ribot.
You can learn more about Tenuta San Guido here - https://www.tenutasanguido.com/en
Their wines are represented by Sylvestre Wine and Spirits - http://www.sylvestre.ca/
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Michael Pinkus and André Proulx welcome Nikka Global Director Koji and Export Manager Kuma to discuss Japanese whisky and taste Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malts plus Nikka From the Barrel and the 40th-anniversary From the Barrel Extra Marriage. They cover founder Masataka Taketsuru’s role as the “father of Japanese whisky,” his 1918–1920 Scotland apprenticeship and detailed notebook, and Nikka’s four pillars: terroir, producing a variety of whiskies in-house, Coffey still grain whisky, and blending skill. The guests explain Yoichi’s coastal, direct coal-fire character and Miyagikyo’s softer mountain style shaped by pot-still design, heating method, and ex-sherry casks. From the Barrel is described as a 51.4% blend of 100+ whiskies made smoother via a cask “marriage” finishing, with Extra Marriage extending that process to six months. They note Japanese whisky’s market growth, minimal focus on age statements for these expressions, and recommend From the Barrel as the best entry point.
You can learn more about Nikka here - https://www.nikka.com/en/
Nikka is represented by Woodman Wine and Spirits - https://woodmanwinesandspirits.com/
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Judging 130 Chardonnays, the Canadian Wine Library, and a Surprise Chinese Cabernet Gernischt
André and Michael reunite over drinks after time apart, starting with André’s experience judging about 130 Chardonnays for the Experts Tasting alongside winemakers, sommeliers, and an LCBO rep, and his visit to the Canadian Wine Library at Brock University, where he tasted older wines and brought home a 2002 Stoney Ridge unoaked Chardonnay that held up surprisingly well, prompting discussion about Ontario Chardonnay aging potential and producers. They taste Divergence 2023 MRV (Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier) by Jeff Moote and discuss Northern Rhône-style whites in Ontario and across Canada, then open a high-end Chinese Cabernet Gernischt (noted as genetically the same as Carménère), assessing its profile and questioning its approximate $400+ equivalent pricing. They also sample Georgian AVVOP brandy and a 7% JP Wiser’s x Canada Dry whisky-ginger RTD, and preview upcoming interviews and a possible Substack focused on researched wine criticism.
Learn about the Canadian Wine Libary here - https://brocku.ca/ccovi/canadian-wine-library/
Stoney Ridge wines here - https://www.stoneyridge.com/
Divergence Wines here - https://divergencewines.ca/
JP Wisers here - https://www.jpwisers.com/
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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When you open high-priced wines, what goes through your head? You expect to be wowed. You expect a moment of zen. You expect your world to change ... for the better. We opened three bottles in one night that should have changed our lives. A La Tache, a Henri Guiraud Fut de Chene MV17 and something else none of us can remember - which should tell you all you need to know about our dinner and tasting ... but wait, there is more to discuss. We unpack it all here.
You can learn about Henri Giraud here - and they are represented by AbV in Ontario - or go back and listen to Two Guys Talking Wine episode 383
You can learn about Domaine de la Romanee Conti here
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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When Michael came back from Bordeaux, he made a bold statement: "I'm a right bank guy over a left bank guy". But the left bank is where all the 1st growth producers reside, how could this be. An interview with Ludovic von Neipperg may open a few eyes. So let us borrow your ears for an hour and see if you agree.
Learn about the Vignobles Comtes von Neipperg here - https://www.neipperg.com/
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sangrantino, heard of it? It's a wine that has the ultimate tannin punch and can take decades to resolve itself (make it ready to drink) ... but hold on. There's a new wave of winemakers in the region, fronted by women, who are learning to show the softer side, the more approachable side of this wine. Could Sagrantino be drinkable sooner - are we looking at a renaissance in Umbrian wine. Michael interviews the women (and one man) from three wineries to discuss what the heck is going on. Then, André and Michael discuss what this could all mean - plus we open an old bottle of Sagrantino, is it ready?
The wineries interviewed were:
https://www.tenutadisaragano.it/
https://www.coccomontefalco.it/
https://www.cesarinisartori.it/
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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After last episode's introduction to Vino Nobile, we dive a little deeper. We taste wines from Boscarelli, and even go "outside the house". For those who want to go even deeper, check out our Patreon account, there we have posted the full interview with Luca Ferrari ... become a paid member and get exclusive content like this.
You can learn more about Poderi Boscarelli here - https://www.poderiboscarelli.com/en/index.html
Wines represented by Artianal Wine Imports - https://artisanalwineimports.com/
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, also known as Nobile ... it's Italian for Noble and so this is known as Noble wine. But what is it, what's the history, what makes it so special and why has André been in the dark so long about this? In this episode, some of those questions get answered, others, sadly, we'll remain in the dark about. We are joined by a principal from Poliziano to discuss.
You can learn more about Poliziano here - https://carlettipoliziano.com/en/
Wines represented by Noble Estates - https://www.nobleestates.com/
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This week we are joined by friend of the podcast, Ofelia Bartolucci, and we discuss Michael's and her visit to Alois Lageder and Summa back in the Spring of 2025. What is Summa you might ask? What is an Alois Lageder? What the hell are you guys talking about? So many questions. Be prepared to have them answered by none other than Helena and Clemens Lageder
Learn more about Alois Lageder - https://aloislageder.eu/
Learn more about Summa - https://summa-al.eu/en/
Wines are represented by Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits - https://www.markanthonywineandspirits.ca/
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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They are going to have trouble with people pronouncing it, and they know it, but Chianti Rufina producers have a gem of a wine on their hands and they want you to know about it. Andre and Michael discuss TerraElectae with the help of Gerardo Gondi (of Gondi Estates) and Federico Giuntini Masseti (of Selvapiana). Beware: High Quality Wines Ahead.
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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We get some odd questions as Canadian wine writers, many are about other Canadian wine writers: "Does Michael really hate Chardonnay?" "Does Andre really not know how to finish a question?" But the question we get asked most: "I have a bottle of BLANK Canadian wine in my cellar - how much is it worth?" We finally sat down with an expert in the secondary market of wines and posed that and other questions to him. This week we welcome Stephen Ranger, a true Mensch in the wine world, and our go to guy for this sort of thing.
Links from the show ...
Stephen Ranger at Ranger Wine
Auction House: Irongate Wine
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Does a bottle of British Wine sound foreign to you? We had heard good things about British Bubbles, and when given the opportunity to sit down with four British winery principals (on British soil - at the British consulate in Toronto) we jumped at the opportunity ... the results: Sparkling.
You can purchase the following bottles in limited supply at the LCBO
https://www.lcbo.com/en/balfour-1503-classic-cuvee-sparkling-47578
https://www.lcbo.com/en/langham-culver-classic-cuvee-extra-brut-sparkling-47093
https://www.lcbo.com/en/domaine-evremond-classic-cuvee-sparkling-47087
https://www.lcbo.com/en/chapel-down-kit-s-coty-blancs-de-blancs-2014-21281
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Michael and André have been talking wine for 10 years - they take a look and reflect on what - if anything - they have learned.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The NBA could only wish for such Madness. They do theirs in March, we do ours in October ... it's just scarier that way. It all comes down to this. Four wines remain. The Highlander said it best, "There can be ONLY ONE" and we're about to find out who takes home the belt (literally).
From the Ontario's longest running, and award winning, podcast about wine. The Podcast that brought you such iconic moments as Stump the Chump, The Swear Jar for Haiti, and The Legacy Series; comes yet another iconic moment in Podcast history. The winner of the very first Ontario's Ultimate Wine Competition ...
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Winner - Leaning Post Senchuk Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 (Wine 5)
Second - Malivoire Bisous Rose Sparkling NV (Wine 6)
Third - Tawse Quarry Road Riesling 2022 (Wine 8)
Fourth - Strewn Winery Three Terroir 2020 (Wine 9)
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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With the Sweet Sixteen over and done with, we move on to the Elite Eight. We reshuffle the deck. No one knows what wine is which. There is no picking of favourites. New numbers are assigned and we taste again. Knocking out 4 more wines from this competition; because there can be only one.
This is Round 2 of Ontario's Ultimate Wine Competition: the wine competition nobody asked for, and yet we pulled it off: wine against wine - no categories - one winner.
After this there is only one place to go: The Final Four - coming next episode.
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Wines knocked out of round 2
Sue Ann Staff Roberts Block Riesling 2019 (Wine 1)
Pelee Island Vinedressers Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc 2017 (Wine 16)
Sempre Mio Chardonnay 2023 (Wine 13)
CREW Flagship Chardonnay 2023 (Wine 2)
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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A boy. A dream. An adventure. An idea. They said he was crazy. They said he was nuts. They said it could not be done. The doubters were everywhere. And yet he persisted for 3 years. Finally, worn down by his antics, Michael said yes. André swooned. His dream was about to become a reality. Just a few things were needed, namely a cast of characters to help, enter Anja Warunkiewicz and Matt Cauz.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the wine competition nobody asked for, and yet we pulled it off: wine against wine - no categories - one winner.
Welcome to round one of Ontario's Ultimate Wine Competition.
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Wines knocked out of round 1
Megalomaniac Narcissist Riesling 2024 (Wine 7)
Kacaba 'Signature Series' Syrah Reserve 2022 (Wine 4)
Flat Rock Monolith Chardonnay - The OC 2023 (Wine 15)
Huff Estates Buried Vines Pinot Gris 2023 (Wine 14)
Pillitteri Exclamation Cabernet Franc 2020 (Wine 12)
Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Blanc de Blancs 'Carte Blanche' 2017 (Wine 10)
Wending Home Wismer-Parke Vineyard Syrah 2020 (Wine 3)
De Simone Vineyards Stallion 2020 (Wine 11)
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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JP Wisers recently announced the release of a high end exclusive whiskey aged in Mizunara Oak. What the heck does a $600.00 a bottle Canadian Whiskey Taste like? André wanted to find out - and he forced Michael to taste it with him. André sits down with Dr. Don Livermore Master Blender at the Hiram Walker distillery in Windsor. He took the opportunity to taste through a few bottles to help our listeners keep their elbows up and look for a replacement for bourbon if you have a hankering.
Whiskey's tasted on this podcast
Lot 40 Dark Oak
JP Wisers 18 Year Old
Gooderam and Worts Canadian Whiskey
With thanks from Dr. Don and Wisers for providing samples (except the Gooderam and Worts ... that was from André's personal collection)
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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That's right, this week we are talking with winemaker, general manager, head bottle washer (and whatever other job he has had over the years) Federico Giuntini Masseti of Selvapiana, one of Chianti Rufina's premier producers about all things wine. You don't wanna miss this one.
You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details.
You can email André at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview
You can email Michael at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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