GrapeRadio – Wine Talk Show

Anyone familiar with Robert M. Parker’s newsletter, The Wine Advocate, is probably also familiar with Dr. Jay Miller. A clinical psychologist by training, Jay Miller assisted Bob Parker with tastings, visits, and editing for the Wine Advocate, on a part-time basis from 1985 to 1998. Bob “discovered” Dr. J., who was working part-time to support his wine habit, at Wells Discount Liquors in the Baltimore area. Over that 13 years, Jay has tasted 65,000 wines.

Dr. J. continued to dabble in the wine trade while working full time as a child psychologist, but eventually decided to plunge full time into the trade. Then, in September of 2006, Robert Parker decided to bring in some talent to help expand his wine coverage, and in the process Jay became the specialist for the Pacific Northwest, South America, and the land down under, Australia, as well as the fortified wines of Portugal.

Bob has the highest admiration for Jay’s palate (and claims he’s one of the two best tasters he’s ever encountered), and the two have continued to taste together for 25 years. Join us as our own Dr. Ted M. Burns (with guest Andrew Greene and Toby Beard ) sits down to taste with Dr. J, and get his impressions of the wide wine of world.

For More Info – eRobertParker.com: www.eRobertParker.com

Sponsor: Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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In 1982, Maison Deutz followed the lead of several other French Champagne houses by heading west to make California sparkling wine. Deutz found a premier location on the central coast, and in 1982 they began planting a 160-acre vineyard with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. In the ensuing years, Deutz was sold and became Laetitia Winery. Then finally, in 1998 Laetitia Winery was acquired along with Barnwood Winery by Selim Zilkha.

Fast forward to today, and Laetitia Vineyard and Winery has 620 acres currently planted to grape vines, and produce both sparkling and still wines – in fact, they have a separate winemaker for each program (though they are father and son). Coincidentally, Selim’s daughter Nadia had also developed a keen interest in fine wine and food, and now presides as Executive Vice President of the family’s three succsessful brands: Laetitia, Barnwood, and Avila. Join us as we talk with owner Nadia Zilkha Wellisz and vineyard manager Lino Bozzano about the past, present and the future of this marvelous estate.

For More Info – Laetitia Vineyards and Winery: www.laetitiawine.com

Sponsor: Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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Click Here: Latetita Vineyards

View More Photos From ‘The Wines of Laetitia’

What is Cognac – is it wine or is it distilled spirits? Well, actually, it is both. It is distilled wine, or brandy, and often called eau de vie. Beyond that, in order to be called Cognac it must be made according to strictly-defined regulations, and it must also come from the Cognac region in France. Located in the countryside surrounding the Charente River one hundred miles north of Bordeaux, this twenty-mile area is called the “golden circle” and encompasses Cognac and the second distilling town of Jarnac.

Because cognac is made with grapes, a Cognac cocktail goes more naturally with a lunch or dinner that also might include a glass of white or red wine. Join us today as we talk with Cyrille Gautier Auriol, Hennessy’s International Training & Promotion Manager, about the the history, the method of production, and the pleasure of tasting Cognac, and you’ll see how versatile this beverage really can be.

For More Info – Hennessy: www.hennessy.com

Sponsor: MILLESIMA USA: www.millesima.com

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What if you could wave a magic wand and change something about the world of wine? What would it be – affordable wine, no ratings, more ratings?

Abolish scores? Abolish corks? GrapeRadio discusses a few of the impossible changes we would love to see.

GrapeRadio Contest Alert: Tell us what you would like to change in the world of wine if you had the all powerful magic wand. The winner of the contest will get to host an upcoming episode of GrapeRadio. Post your entry/comment(s) on this show. Contest Expires October 31, 2007.

Notice: Congrats to contest winner: Mel Hill!

For more information on 2007 Auction Orange County: www.shareourwine.org

Sponsor: MILLESIMA USA: www.millesima.com

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The Share Our Wine Foundations 3rd annual charity wine auction – Auction Orange County – is now open for registration.

Don’t miss out on the event of the season! Join us November 17th at Strawberry Farms Golf Club for an exclusive evening of food and wine to benefit the Orangewood Children’s Foundation and Canyon Acres Children and Family Services.

The event will feature over 300 wine related lots at the silent auction including Screaming Eagle, Harlan, DRC LaTache, Colgin, Sine Qua Non as well a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind trips to Bordeaux, Paso Robles, Sonoma, Napa and Hawaii.

You also have the opportunity to participate in a truly unique wine experience. Michael Browne of Kosta Browne Winery will be hosting a VIP wine tasting symposium discussing his wines which have attained cult status. Each attendee will have the opportunity to taste 13 wines while Michael shares his thoughts, insights and perspectives.

Please note this event is limited to 300 general admission tickets and only 100 tickets for our special VIP event. Tickets are expected to be sold out in a few days so act now.

Click Here to Register Now: www.shareourwine.org

We thought we were very fortunate to have Richard Geoffroy, the Chef de Cave of Dom Pérignon, in our studio. But, we were doubly fortunate to have him bring along the current vintage releases of both the 1999 Cuvée and 1996 Rosé for us to enjoy while we talked about Dom and the Champagne region.

Dom Pérignon is no doubt one of the most recognizable names in the world. Made by Moët et Chandon since the late 1920s, this prestige cuvée was named for Pierre Pérignon, a Benedictine monk, who legend has it, came out of the cellar one day yelling to his Benedictine brothers “I am drinking stars!” Many myths abound about Dom Pérignon, such as he was blind (he was not – he merely blind-tasted the wines), and that he introduced blending to Champagne wines (he actually innovated the blending of grapes prior to sending them to press).

Richard Geoffroy has been the cellar master for Dom Pérignon for over a decade. He has a medical degree from the University of Reims, but never entered private practice, preferring instead to get an additional degree in enology and return to the roots of his family – winemaking. Join us as Richard gives us a little history lesson of the region, as well as a prognosis of its future. And of course, our visit wouldn’t be complete without giving us a tip or two about drinking Champagne, as well as his own philosophy about terroir, winegrowing, and Champagne-making in this wonderful region.

For more information on Dom Pérignon: www.domperignon.com

For more information on Moët Hennessy: www.mhusa.com

Sponsor: MILLESIMA USA: www.millesima-usa.com

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If you enjoyed this episode check out these other related shows:

Audio #13: Let’s Celebrate Champagne
Audio #45: The Business of Champagne
Audio #175: Champagne with Veuve Clicquot
Video #31: Champagne Taittinger: A Walk Through the Cellars
Video #32: The Champage of Philipponnat
Audio #200: The Champagne of Krug