GrapeRadio – Wine Talk Show

Importer Eric Solomon lined up an fantastic look at the Priorat, the region in Spain with the nearly impossible topography for growing grapes. Named for the “Prior” or head of the Cartesian Monks who planted the area’s original vines, Priorat is located in Catalonia, Spain, and is mostly about altitude – the region is mostly hilly, and in the extreme north of the comarca (county) is the Montsant mountain range, rising to over 1000m. The hills and mountains are composed largely of ancient compressed slate, called schist, which can run almost 100 ft deep at points. It is in these difficult conditions that the Grenache and Carignan prosper – or more properly, struggle to produce excellent fruit.

Join us as we hear from nine (yes, nine) leading Priorat producers about their wines and their amazing geography, to find out why “Schist Happens.”

Download Seminar Powerpoint Presentation: Click Here

Featuring:

Moderator: Steve Olson (aka Wine Geek)
Importer: Eric Solomon, Solomon Selections: www.europeancellars.com 

Winemakers:
 - Sara Perez and Rene Barbier
 - Marc Ripoll
 - Daphne Glorian
 - Esther Nin
 - Montse Nadal
 - Eben Sadie
 - Ramon Llagostera
 - Raimon Castellvi
 - Joan Sangenis 

Wines Poured:

2003 Lo Givot – Montase Nadal
2003 Dits del Terra – Eben Sadie
2004 Nit de Nin – Esther Nin
2004 Roquers de Porrera – Raimon Castellvi
2004 Mas d’en Compte – Joan Sangenis
2003 Vinya del Vuit – Sara Perez and Rene Barbier
2003 Closa Batllet – Marc Ripoli
2003 Clos Erasmus – Daphne Glorian-Solomon
2003 Mas Doix – Ramon Llagostera

Sign up now for the 2007 Hospice du Rhone: www.hospicedurhone.org

Sponsor: Centex Homes: www.centexhomes.com 

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Audio #34: All About Port
Audio #37: The Wines of Sierra Bodegas Montecillo
Audio #198: The Wines of Marques de Murrieta

View More Photos From ’2006 Hospice du Rhone – Part 5′

We are giving away 4 copies of Shafer Vineyards “The Line on Wine”. It’s a book full of fun wine facts. Each book is signed by John Shafer!  

To enter the contest just enter your exciting wine fact and we will pick 4 winners.  Not only will winners get a free copy of the book but they will also have their wine fact published in the next edition of our newsletter “Over the Barrel”. 

 - To review the entries: Click Here

To find out more about Shafer Vineyards: Click Here
Or to buy the book now: Click Here

Note: Contest Expired:  February 11th, 2007!

4 Winners Selected:

 - Andrew Kracher
 - Mark Appel
 - John Weippert
 - Tim F 

Recently named one of the top 100 vineyards in the world, Australia’s Elderton Estate comprises about 72 acres of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in 14 blocks, with the majority of vines between 40 and 100 years old. This age, combined with mostly dry farming, is the basis for producing rich, concentrated fruit. Established in 1979, the Ashmead family (Neil & Lorraine Ashmead) purchased a large Barossa Estate for what was at the time, a song, “if they bought the house, they could have the vineyard for nothing.”

Join us as we hear from brothers, Allister and Cameron Ashmead, and winemaker Richard Langford about the wines from this well-known Barossa estate.

Download Seminar Powerpoint Presentation: Click Here  (Large File 157 Megs)

Wines poured:

2004 Elderton “Friends” Shiraz – Barossa
1998 Elderton Shiraz – Barossa
2001 Elderton Shiraz – Barossa
2004 Elderton Shiraz – Barossa
1994 Elderton “Command” Shiraz – Barossa
2002 Elderton “Command” Shiraz – Barossa
2004 Elderton “Command” Shiraz – Barossa
2005 Elderton Fortified Vintage Shiraz – Barossa

Elderton Wines: www.eldertonwines.com.au

Sign up now for the 2007 Hospice du Rhone: www.hospicedurhone.org

Sponsor: Champagne, USA: www.champagne.us

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The 14th annual Hospice du Rhône drew Rhône wine producers and enthusiasts from around the world to see, hear and taste what is new (and old, for that matter) in Syrah, Grenache, and twenty other Rhône varietals. This event provides a unique opportunity to meet and talk with the producers and winemakers from all over the U.S., France, Australia, South Africa and several other countries who are at the forefront of the burgeoning Rhône varietal movement throughout the world.

Join us as we talk with more winemakers and attendees at this exciting event.

Featuring:

- Justin Smith, Saxum Vineyards - www.saxumvineyards.com
- Jeff Stai and Scott Klann, Twisted Oak: www.twistedoak.com
- Russell Bevan, Bevan Cellars: www.bevancellars.com

Sign up now for the 2007 Hospice du Rhone: www.hospicedurhone.org

Photograph courtesy of Mel Hill Photography: www.melhill.com

Sponsor: Champagne, USA: www.champagne.us

Show #128 (37:50 min 18 MB)

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Titled – “Here, There and Everywhere” this seminar was designed to compare and contrast the wines of Vanessa Wong, Françoise Peschon, and Christine Vernay with a tasting of wines from these uniquely different terroirs. 

Join us as we hear from each winemaker about their respective vineyards, and describe their preferences in winemaking, from Old World to New.

Download Seminar Powerpoint Presentation: Click Here

Featuring:

 - Moderator – John Alban, Alban Vineyards: www.albanvineyards.com
 - Vanessa Wong, Peay Vineyards: www.peayvineyards.com
 - Françoise Peschon, Araujo Estate: www.araujoestatewines.com
 - Christine Vernay, Domaine Georges Vernay: www.georges-vernay.fr

Wines Poured at the Seminar: 

 - 2004 Domaine Georges Vernay Condrieu Chaillees de l’Enfer
 - 2001 Domaine Georges Vernay Cote Rotie Maison Rouge
 - 2002 Araujo Estate Syrah
 - 2003 Peay Estate Syrah
 - 2004 Peay Estate “La Bruma” Syrah
 - 2004 Peay Estate ” Les Titans” Syrah

For More Information: Hospice du Rhone: www.hospicedurhone.org 

Sponsor: Champagne, USA: www.champagne.us

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The Elderton Crew in their shirts; Eric and Brian interview Rod Schiffman

Considered the benchmark in U.S. wine festivals, the Paso Robles-based Hospice du Rhône takes place over a three-day period, involving events such as seminars, tastings, an auction, and gourmet meals. Originally envisioned as a conference of sorts for winemakers and vintners who were passionate about wine varietals originating from the Rhône Valley in France, HdR has become a watershed event, as international winemakers came to celebrate Rhône wines with other enthusiasts.

Join us as we interview some winemakers and visitors, to hear what this event means to them.

For More Information: Hospice du Rhone: www.hospicedurhone.org
Hahn Estates: www.hahnestates.com
Elderton Wines: www.eldertonwines.com.au
Sponsor: Champagne, USA: www.champagne.us

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