Imagine having the ability to pair food and wine, while the sommelier stands by ready to offer advice and/or commentary. That’s how the Iron Sommelier Challenge worked at the 2007 World of Pinot Noir. Five sommeliers sat on the panel, and took the attendees through each of the wines (Blind - not knowing […]

Welcome to our video podcast - Stewards of the Land Russian River Valley, Sonoma - Video Show #24.
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When you think of the Russian River Valley, what comes to mind? Pinot Noir and Chardonnay? Well, right now, yes, but […]

For journalist and author George M. Taber, much of our enjoyment of wine has to do with what he refers to as “the romance of the cork.” Indeed, there is a celebratory, even romantic feeling on hearing the “pop” of a cork pulled from a bottle. Unfortunately, romance sometimes becomes tainted.
Although world […]

Welcome to our video podcast - Shea Vineyards - Video Show #23.
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Oregon is rightfully known as Pinot Noir country, and one of the better-known purveyors of this grape is the 200-acre vineyard planted by Dick and Deirdre Shea in 1989. […]

With friends and families gathering this time of year, plus a multitude of holiday parties, what better time to open several bottles of wine and organize your own wine tasting. With this in mind, the GrapeRadio bunch got together to assess 10 wines in a slightly formalized setting. In this case, “formalized” meant […]

Welcome to our video podcast - The Winery at LaGrange - Video Show #22.
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Located just outside of Haymarket, Virginia, the Winery at LaGrange is in a beautiful pastoral setting. The winery is named for its three and a half […]

Welcome to our video podcast - Boordy Vineyards - Video Show #21.
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Located in Hydes, Maryland, Boordy Vineyards was founded by Philip and Jocelyn Wagner, who established Maryland’s first commercial winery in 1945. Boordy is probably best known for introducing […]

Welcome to our video podcast - Linden Vineyards - Video Show #20.
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The one constant we heard during our East Coast winery visits was: see Jim Law at Linden Vineyards. And, without a doubt, we found Jim to be one […]

As this year draws to a close, it is almost time to make those New Years’ Resolutions. How many of your resolutions are wine-related? Have you made made resolutions before? Were you able to keep them, or did you just give up?
The GrapeRadio bunch discuss past successes and failures to live up […]

Global Warming – what does this portend for wine growers, wine makers and consumers? What adaptive changes will need to be made in existing wine regions as global temperatures increase? Will wine growing need to be relocated in cooler regions?
Despite the many scientific uncertainties about the full effects if global warming, one thing […]

The word Legend seems to get tossed around quite a bit. But, in this case that word seems more than apt.
Considered true legends of Pinot Noir (as well as Pied Pipers for the variety on the West Coast), these 4 gentlemen almost single-handedly started the New World Pinot Noir revolution. Join us as […]

Do you ever long for the good old days? Were things in the wine world really better in 1990 - or were they actually not as good as we remember? Arguably, the year 1990 signaled the beginning of many changes to come in the growing, making, and selling of wine - not just […]

Unless you have been on a desert island for the past 20 years, the name Jancis Robinson will need no introduction. However, for those of you who have unfortunately been marooned, here is a brief introduction.
Since 1975, Jancis has been one of the preeminent voices in the world of wine. A Master of […]

Think of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne, and what comes to mind? Possibly that bright yellow label on the non-vintage bottling? Or, perhaps it is the stylish bottle of La Grande Dame vintage bottling. Well, did you know that Madame Clicquote is actually the inventor of the table de remuage, or riddling table. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Welcome to our video podcast - 2007 World of Pinot Noir - Part 1 - Video Show #19.
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Sponsor: North Berkeley Imports: www.northberkeleyimports.com

Call them Rules of the Road, Handy Hints, or just plain Do’s and Don’ts. Either way, there are (or, at least there ought to be) some basic tenets about how to buy and enjoy wine without over-extending your budget, guessing when a wine is ready to drink, or making a fool of yourself at […]