GrapeRadio – Wine Talk Show

We’ve always wondered what role the winemaker plays in determining whether a wine truly speaks of its origins – or, its terroir. For instance, is it possible to make an Oregon Pinot taste as though it came from California – or vice versa? Thankfully, the 2012 World of Pinot Noir featured a seminar discussing this very subject. The seminar, titled Technique vs. Terroir: The Cube Project, covered an experiment currently being conducted by three winemakers – one in Oregon, and two in California.

The concept was fairly straightforward. Three wineries, Anne Amie Vineyards (Oregon), Bouchaine Vineyards (Carneros), and Lincourt Vineyards (Santa Barbara Co.) would split 6-tons of fruit equally among themselves, by sending a 2-ton lot of fruit (or must) to each of the other wineries. The idea was to have each winemaker produce a wine with each of the others fruit – a total of three wines. This would afford them the opportunity to see their home vineyard through someone else’s eyes.

Thomas Houseman (Anne Amie Vineyards), Andrew Brooks (Bouchaine Vineyards), and Leslie Mead Renaud (Lincourt Vineyards) were responsible for the picking decisions at their respective wineries; therefore each of the three wines made from a particular lot would start on equal footing. From there, each winemaker made individual decisions on production methods. The results? Well, you’ll just have to listen for yourself.

Join us as we hear from winemakers Thomas Houseman, Andrew Brooks, and Leslie Mead Renaud, in a seminar moderated by Rusty Gaffney, M.D. (aka, The Prince of Pinot).

Anne Amie Vineyards: anneamie.com
Bouchaine Vineyards: www.bouchaine.com
Lincourt Vineyards: www.lincourtwines.com
The Cube Project: anneamie.com

For more info: 2013 World of Pinot Noir: www.wopn.com

Sponsor: 2013 World of Pinot Noir: www.wopn.com

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Show #314
(1:11:42 min 68MB)

View More Photos From ’2012 World of Pinot Noir Seminar – Technique vs. Terroir: The Cube Project’

GrapeRadio was very pleased to attend Pinot Days in San Francisco, this past June. Certainly one of the “must-go” wine festivals each year for wine lovers, Pinot Days concentrates exclusively on Pinot Noir producers.

Over 150 individual producers and trade groups from overseas were represented at this year’s Pinot Days event. Most wineries were from California – from nearly every Pinot region in the state – and there were also a number of Oregon wineries and small contingents from Burgundy, Germany, and New Zealand. This year, we rounded up 14 producers – small and large – to spend some time with us discussing all things Pinot.

Join us for Part 1 of 3, as we talk with Ed Kurtzman of August West, Theresa Heredia of Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery, Peter Young of Grey Stack Cellars, Nicole Bacigalupi of Bacigalupi Vineyards, and Bill Sweat of Winderlea.

For more info: Pinot Days: www.pinotdays.com

Sponsor: Pinpoint Technologies – Your Business List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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Show #312
(55:19 min 54MB)

The first seminar from the 2010 Hospice du Rhône, was an introduction to all that has been happening lately with Syrah in South Africa. Appropriately titled, “We’ve Come a Long Way Baby”, the seminar did indeed give us a glimpse of how things used to be, and what they have become.

Photo above – (Andrea Mullineux, James Molesworth, Davis Trafford, Marc Kent, Eben Sadie, and Chris Mullineux)

Moderated by Wine Spectator Senior Editor James Molesworth, panelists described South Africa’s long history with wine, beginning with the Dutch settlers in the 19 Century. Unfortunately, the more recent history of South African wine is irrevocably tied to the period know as apartheid, a system of legal racial segration that lasted nearly a half-century, drawing the world’s ire, and saddling the country with sanctions and trade embargoes from other nations. When apartheid finally ended in 1994, South African wineries had hoped to make up for lost time. However, the quality was spotty and its wines were not well received. Yet, it was this same public dislike that ultimately pushed the wineries to improve quality. The most surprising discovery from this seminar was that Syrah is merely 10% of the country’s wine production!

Join us, as we hear from some of South Africa’s brightest winemakers, and hear about the current crop of wines coming ‘Out of Africa.’

For More Info: Hospice du Rhone (HdR): www.hospicedurhone.org

Sponsor: Porter Family Vineyards – Napa Valley: www.porterfamilyvineyards.com

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Show #277
(59:51 min 39MB)

To any fan of the wines from France’s Rhone Valley, the name Guigal needs no introduction – in fact it is as well known as Syrah itself. In fact, everyone attending the 4th seminar of the 2008 Hospice du Rhone was salivating to partake of these wines.

Hosted by Phillippe Guigal, with additional commentary from Patrick Will, attendees were able to sample 10 wines from E. Guigal: 2006 Condrieu, 2006 Condrieu “La Doriane,” 2006 St. Joseph “Lieu-Dit Le St. Joseph,” the etherial 2005 Ermitage Blanc “Ex Voto,” 2003 Cote Rotie “Brune et Blonde,” 2005 St. Joseph “Vignes de L’Hospice,” 1998 Cote Rotie “Chateau d’ Ampuis,” 2004 Cote Rotie “La Moline,” 2004 Cote Rotie “La Landonne,” and finally the amazing 2001 Ermitage Rouge “Ex Voto.”

Join us as we hear from Phillippe Guigal about the fascinating history of this legnedary property, with its steep hillside vineyards and delicious wines.

For more info on Hospice du Rhone: www.hospicedurhone.org

For more info on the wines of E. Guigal: www.guigal.com

Sponsor- The Office of Champagne USA: www.champagne.us

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