GrapeRadio – Wine Talk Show

With a resume that reads like road map to success, it is absolutely no wonder that award winning chef Michael Chiarello has accomplished so much in the world of food and wine in such a relatively short period of time.

Born and raised in California, Michael has known what he wanted to do since early childhood, and has pursued it with both drive and passion. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York in 1982, Michael then attended hotel school in Florida and immediately began his professional career by opening Toby’s restaurant in Miami to much acclaim.

Michael was named Chef of the Year by Food & Wine magazine in 1985. The following year he was lured back to California to open Tra Vigne restaurant in Napa Valley, where he focused on Italian-influenced wine country cooking and entertaining. He stayed as Executive Chef/partner until 2000, when he left to create NapaStyle and Chiarello Family Vineyards, as well as host several food shows on television. In 2008, Michael donned his chef jacket once more to open his Bottega Napa Valley restaurant in Yountville – again to much acclaim.

Join us as we talk with noted chef, TV host, author, and vintner Michael Chiarello about his passion for food and wine, and his unending desire to create the perfect food and wine marriage.

For More Info:

Michael Chiarello : www.michaelchiarello.com
Napa Style : www.napastyle.com

Sponsor: California Wine Club: www.cawineclub.com

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We continue with our coverage of the 2009 Pinot Days in San Francisco, by spending some additional time at the focus tastings. These tastings examine the wines of different producers, each drawing fruit from a specific vineyard. The wines are bagged (single blind), then placed into individual flights and tasted by the participants. The series begins with an introduction to the vineyard as well as the specific growing area by the vineyard grower/owner. This year’s events offered comparative tastings of Pinot Noir from Hirsch Vineyard, Keefer Vineyard, Pisoni Vineyard, and Clos Pepe Vineyard, each from a separate California AVA.

Part One of our series introduces the wines of Pisoni Vineyard, with a description by the incomparable Gary Pisoni, along with descriptions of each of the bottling by Jeff Pisoni (Pisoni Estate), Jeff Fink (Tantara), Rob Jensen (Testarossa), and Joe Davis (Arcadian). Following the Pisoni tasting, was a comparison of wines from Clos Pepe Vineyards. After an introduction to the vineyard by Wes Hagen, winemakers Wes Hagen (Clos Pepe Estate), Ryan Zepaltas (Siduri), Scott Shapley (Roessler), and Joe Davis (Arcadian).

For More Info:

Pinot Days: www.pinotdays.com
Prince of Pinot: www.princeofpinot.com
Pisoni Vineyards: www.pisonivineyards.com
Tantara Winery: www.tantarawinery.com
Testarossa Winery: www.testarossa.com
Arcadian Winery: www.arcadianwinery.com
Clos Pepe Vineyards: www.clospepe.com
Siduri Wines: www.siduri.com
Roessler Cellars: www.roesslercellars.com

Sponsor: Karafe, Wine Board Game: www.karafe.com

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At our recent visit to the 2009 Pinot Days in San Francisco, we spent some rewarding time at the focus tastings that have become a hallmark of the SF event. These tastings really ‘get into’ the wines of each producer, with an introduction to the vineyard as well as the specific growing area by the vineyard grower/owner. This year’s events offered comparative tastings of Pinot Noir from Hirsch Vineyard, Keefer Vineyard, Pisoni Vineyard, and Clos Pepe Vineyard, each from a separate California AVA.

To make it more interesting, each of the bottles are bagged (single blind), placed into individual flights, and tasted by participants, who are encouraged to dissect and guess each wine. Part One of our series introduces the wines of Hirsch Vineyard, with descriptions of each bottling by David Hirsch (Hirsch Estate), Bob Cabral (Williams Selyem), Kathy Berez (Failla), and Kevin Kelley (Lioco). Following the Hirsch tasting, was a comparison of wines from Keefer Ranch. After an introduction to the vineyard by Marcy Keefer, winemakers Ryan Zepaltas (Siduri), Kathy Berez (Failla), and Craig Strehlow (Keefer Estate & Freeman).

For More Info:

Pinot Days: www.pinotdays.com
Prince of Pinot: www.princeofpinot.com
Hirsch Vineyards: www.hirschvineyards.com
Williams Seylem: www.williamsselyem.com
Lioco Wines: www.liocowine.com
Keefer Ranch: www.keeferranch.com
Siduri Wines: www.siduri.com
Freeman Winery: www.freemanwinery.com
Failla Wines: www.faillawines.com

Sponsor: Karafe, Wine Board Game: www.karafe.com

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Kumeu River Wines was established in 1944 when Mick and Katé Brajkovich and their son Maté first came to the small country settlement of Kumeu, about 20 km northwest of Auckland City, New Zealand. When Mick died in 1949, Maté and Katé continued to tend the vines and make the wine. In 1958 Maté married Melba Sutich from Dargaville, whose antecedents also came from the Dalmatian coast. Maté passed away in 1992, and now Melba the couple’s three sons run the family winery and vineyards. Michael Brajkovich, studied Oenology at Roseworthy College in South Australia,then returned to the family vineyard and winery in Kumeu to take up responsibility for wine production. Since then he has travelled extensively through the world’s wine areas, spending the 1983 vintage in France with the reputed house of Jean Pierre Moueix in Libourne, near Bordeaux. In 1989, Michael passed the Examination and became New Zealand’s first member of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine, London. He has many years experience in judging at the New Zealand National Wine Awards, and also has judged at the Australian National Capital Wine Show in Canberra, the Royal Hobart Wine Show in Tasmania and at the Perth Royal Wine Show.

Based on this experience, a new range of wines was developed under the “Kumeu River” label, including a Sauvignon/Semillon blend and a Merlot Cabernet. However, it is the Chardonnay that has enjoyed the greatest critical acclaim, and the “Wine Spectator” magazine has placed Kumeu River Chardonnay in its annual list of the top 100 wines on five occasions. In 1996, the Kumeu River Chardonnay 1994 was ranked at Number 6.

Join us as we talk with Michael Brajkovich about his family’s history in the region, the terroir of New Zealand, his use of indigenous yeasts, and what it took to become a Master of Wine.

For More Info on the Wines of Kumeu River: www.kumeuriver.co.nz

Sponsor: Karafe, Wine Board Game: www.karafe.com

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George M. Taber is author of the “Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the historic 1976 Paris Tasting,” a book chronicling the famous tasting where American wines bested the French in a blind competition. George has also authored “To Cork or Not to Cork: Tradition, Romance, Science, and the Battle for the Wine Bottle,” a book dealing with the most controversial topic among wine producers the world over: how to seal a bottle of wine. Without taking a position himself, George also relates in detail the histories of various closures and the pluses and minuses of each type. The highly acclaimed book won the Jane Grigson Award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals and was a finalist for the best wine book of the year of 2007 by both the James Beard Awards in the U.S. and the André Simon Awards in Britain.

George was a journalist specializing in financial news for 40 years before publishing his first book. He worked for 21 years for Time magazine, where he was national economic correspondent in Washington, D.C. and then business editor. He has been writing about wine since 2005.

Join us as we sit down to talk with George about his newest book “In Search of Bacchus: Wanderings in the Wonderful World of Wine Tourism.” He visited twelve of the world’s leading regions for wine travel and recounts the stories of their history and the people developing tourism there. The regions: Napa Valley, California; Stellenbosch, South Africa; Mendoza, Argentina; Colchagua, Chile; Margaret River, Australia; Central Otago, New Zealand; Rioja, Spain; Douro Valley, Portugal; Tuscany, Italy; Bordeaux, France; Rhine/Mosel, Germany; and Kakheti, Georgia.

Sponsor: Karafe, Wine Board Game: www.karafe.com

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Part 1

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In part 2, we talk more with George about his newest book “In Search of Bacchus: Wanderings in the Wonderful World of Wine Tourism,” which cover his visits to such wine regions as: Margaret River, Australia; Central Otago, New Zealand; Rioja, Spain; Douro Valley, Portugal; Tuscany, Italy; Bordeaux, France; Rhine/Mosel, Germany; and Kakheti, Georgia. Plus, we hear from George about Napa Valley’s current popularity.

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Part 2

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It’s always a pleasure to visit Northern California’s Wine Country. There’s so much to see and do – as well as taste and smell. With this in mind, we were quite pleased to accompany a small group recently, and head up to Napa and Sonoma to visit to with some familiar wineries; plus, we were able to make some new friends along the way.

Join us as we visit with Mary Rocca and Eric Grigsby of Rocca Family Winery, as well as their winemaker, Paul Colantuoni. We’ll also visit with John Komes and Sean Garvey to see what’s happening at Flora Springs, and then talk with Todd Graff from Frank Family Winery.

Sponsor: GrapeNutz, Wine Site: www.grape-nutz.com

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Part 1

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In part 2, we sit down with Randy Lynch and Rob Hunter to hear more about Bennett lane Winery in the Calistoga area of Napa Valley. Then, we’ll head west up over the Mayacamas Mountains to Sonoma County and visit with winemaker George Bursick at J Vineyards and Winery. And finally, we talk with Kimberly Pfendler and her winemaker Greg Bjornstad about bringing their efforts to fruition at Pfendler Vineyard in the famed Petaluma Gap.

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Part 2

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Henri Gouges is an important figure in the history of Burgundy. Along with Marquis D’Angerville, he waged war against fraud in Burgundy in the 1920s, in the 1930s he helped delineate the crus in Burgundy for the Institut National d’Appellation d’Origine, and in 1933 challenged the negociants by bottling his wine at the Domaine and selling it directly to the public.

The Domaine Henri Gouges dates to 1919 and the third generation is now in control, specifically Henri Gouges’ two grandsons, Pierre and Christian. The Domaine’s 35-acre vineyard holdings are entirely within the commune of Nuits-St-Georges and include both Village appellation land and six Premier Crus. The average age of the vines is 35 years. One Premier Cru, the 2.5-acre Les Saint-Georges, is considered by many to be the equivalent of a Grand Cru.

Join us as we sit in on a tasting seminar at the 2009 World of Pinot Noir with noted Burgundy authority, “Burghound” Allen Meadows, and Pierre Gouges of Domaine Henri Gouges

To find out more information and to buy tickets:

World of Pinot Noir: www.worldofpinotnoir.com

Burghound: www.burghound.com

Sponsor: Millesima, Fine Wine Merchants: www.millesima-usa.com

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What distinguishes a fine restaurant? Most certainly, it takes an equal amount of desire and talent. But, it also takes an enormous passion for both food and wine – one that translates to the creation of inspired dishes as well as food and wine pairings that marvel the senses and keep customers returning for more.

Motivated by their interest for market-inspired ingredients (Marché Moderne translates as “modern market”) and classic French cooking techniques, Florent and Amelia Marneau have created a charming French bistro in the heart of Orange County, California. The Marneaus seem to relish integrating the urban and the rustic, the simple and the sophisticated, while creating dishes that are at once both modern and traditional. For decades, the couple has worked separately in some of the best kitchens in France and Orange County. Now, with Marché Moderne, they have followed their natural evolution by combining their culinary careers as independent restaurateurs.

Join us as we visit with Chef-owners Florent and Amelia Marneau of Marché Moderne restaurant. We’ll discuss their early influences, some of their kitchen techniques, and the important aspects of running a classic French bistro in Southern California.

To find out more information: Mache Moderne: www.marchemoderne.net

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More and more frequently, consumers are seeking out natural food products. The reasons are numerous – these products may be healthier, or safer, or more nutritious, or a combination thereof. This in turn has spawned a movement in the grocery industry to focus on carrying such items. With retail stores in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., Whole Foods Market has made a niche for itself with its wide array of natural and organic foods and products. So, does a chain who specializes in natural or organic meats, cheeses, and other things, also buy and merchandise a different kind of wine? Well, we know there are more and more vineyards being farmed sustainably or certified as organic. Does this mean there are organic wines as well?

Join us as we talk with Doug Bell a wine buyer for Whole Foods Market. We’ll learn more about the buying process of a global grocer, and find that there’s more to organic products than you might have imagined.

To find out more information: Whole Foods: www.wholefoods.com

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Jason Lett took over the winemaking reigns at The Eyrie Vineyards beginning with the 2005 vintage. His father, David Lett, founded The Eyrie Vineyards in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley in 1966 becoming the first to successfully plant and vinify Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris in the Willamette Valley. The Eyrie Vineyards specialized in in the trinity of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. David Lett was so revered that in his later years he became affectionately known as “Papa Pinot.” David Lett passed away at the age of 69 in October, 2008.

Jason Lett trained at Maison Joseph Drouhin in Burgundy and has a degree in plant ecology from the University of New Mexico. He is committed to continuing the Eyrie style which emphasizes light, supple and ephemeral wines that age. Prior to this year’s International Pinot Noir Celebration, Jason conducted a complete vertical tasting of Eyrie Chardonnay dating back to 1970. Each vintage of Chardonnay is now available for sale to benefit Eyrie’s cellarmaster’s wife who must have a kidney transplant.

Listen to Jason talk about his father’s legacy, the Eyrie Chardonnay tasting, Pinot Gris and its place in Oregon, and his plans for The Eyrie Vineyards in the future.

To find out more information: Eyrie Vineyards: www.eyrievineyards.com

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As the saying goes, all Cognac is brandy – but not all brandy is Cognac. Cognac is distilled wine, or brandy, and often referred to as eau de vie. Of course, in order to be called Cognac, the brandy must be made according to strictly-defined regulations, and it must also come from the Cognac region in France. Located about a hundred miles north of Bordeaux, this twenty-mile area is called the “golden circle,” encompassing Cognac and the second distilling town of Jarnac.

During our recent visit to the Cognac region, we had the opportunity to visit with a number of producers to learn much more than we ever imagined about this fascinating beverage. Join us as we talk with Jérôme Durand, Director of Marketing and Communications for the BNIC, or Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac, to get a better sense of Cognac’s historical place in the world of wine.

To find out more information:

Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac: www.cognac.fr

If you like this interview check out our previous show:

All About Cognac: Show #172

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