Thomas Jefferson was a polymath, who, among his other pursuits, was a very impressive and knowledgeable wine expert and enthusiast. If he lived today he would also be called a “wine geek”.

Mr Jefferson also happened to be the third President of the United States, principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Founding Father of the United States, Governor of Virginia, first American Minister to France and founder of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He promoted the ideals of republicanism in the United States, an ideology that encourages a system of government that emphasizes liberties and rights, and makes the people as a whole sovereign, which underlies the philosophy of democracy.

Brian Clark and Ted Burns interview John Hailman, author of the book, “Thomas Jefferson on Wine”.

Sponsor- The California Wine Club: www.cawineclub.com

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Download audio file (GR-ENG-USA-2008-11-17.mp3)

Port wines can seem like a challenging subject. There are all sorts of bottlings: vintage date, late-bottled vintage date, Colheitas, single Quintas, and still others know as ruby reserve, crusted, or white — and let’s not forget the various tawny Ports of 10, 20, 30 and 40 years of age. Why are there so many different bottlings, and where does one begin to explore all of these fortified wines? Thankfully, we had the opportunity to talk with Louisa Fry from the Port and Douro Wines Institute, an inter-professional council of growers and producers from this famous Portugese region.

Join us as we hear about the origins of Port, what it takes to get a vintage declared, and whether it’s called Port or Porto. We’ll also discuss the amazingly steep terraces of Portugal’s Douro region, and the varieties of grapes that are able to be blended into the final product. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without hearing about the optimum time to drink Port.

For more info on the Wines of Portugal: www.ivdp.pt

Sponsor- Gold Medal Wine Club: www.goldmedalwineclub.com

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Download audio file (GR-ENG-USA-2008-11-10.mp3)

In 1980, Barbara and Jim Richards were living in Midland, Texas, and began thinking about a second home. They had an interest in wine and started looking for some property in the Napa Valley to build a home and plant a small vineyard. They realized their dream in 1983 when they found a property located five miles west of St. Helena and over 2,000 feet above the Valley floor near the top of Spring Mountain. Vineyard exposure is generally east with many variations, and the soils are derived from the Sonoma volcanics and from Franciscan sandstone. Total acreage is 20 acres with 15 acres planted.

In 1985, after clearing, ripping, and terracing about ten acres, they planted 3,555 bench graft Merlot vines, and 945 Cabernet Sauvignon vines. By 1987, the Richards’ recognized their previous absentee landlord role was insufficient to monitor the vines. So, Barbara came to manage things from January through harvest, while Jim would come to help when he could get away from his business as a petroleum geologist. Their first small harvest was sold to Conn Creek Winery. In 1988, they planted another 2,300 Merlot vines in their last five acres of vineyard.

The early ‘90s were momentous for the Richards’. By 1993, Barb and Jim had moved into their new home in the vineyard, and Pride Mountain Winery released a 1991 Merlot, made from their grapes blended with Pride’s Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. The Richards’ agreed to sell their grapes to the Prides beginning in 1994 and their wine maker, Bob Foley, agreed to make wine from part of the grapes into Paloma Merlot for the Richards’ new label, debuting their Merlot-based blend in 1996. Also, Barb and Jim decided to plant a block of Syrah to see how it would do, and by 1996, they started making the wine commercially as well. Unfortunately, they’ve since pulled up the small Syrah vineyard, and replanted with Cabernet Sauvignon.

In 2000, the Richard’s finally decided to construct their own winery on the property. A few years later, their son Sheldon joined them in the business, and to this date the Richards’ Paloma Merlot still stands as one of the enduring benchmarks of the variety in California, and indeed the world.

Join us as we talk with Barbara Richards about Paloma – their early years, and what it was like to basically become pioneers on Spring Mountain, and well as Merlot’s place in Napa Valley.

For more info on Paloma Vineyard: www.palomavineyard.com

Sponsor- Gold Medal Wine Club: www.goldmedalwineclub.com

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Download audio file (GR-ENG-USA-2008-11-03.mp3)

Château Palmer derives its English name from Charles Palmer (1777-1851), a former Mayor of the spa town of Bath and Member of Parliament, who rose to the rank of General during the Napoleonic period. A gentleman, officer, and aide-de-camp of the Prince of Wales, Charles Palmer apparently fell under the spell of Bordeaux as well as the charms of a beautiful widow, Marie de Gascq, who convinced him to buy her Château de Gascq estate. From 1816 to 1831, Palmer bought additional land and buildings in the communes of Cantenac, Issan, and Margaux, and by 1830 the property covered 163 hectares, including 82 hectares of vines. Ultimately, the good life did him in financially, and he was forced to sell his magnificent Médoc estate. Purchased in 1853, brothers Isaac and Emile Péreire and their descendents had the château built in 1856, and thereafter battled oidium and phylloxera, survived the Franco-Prussian war, and made it through the First World War, only to succumb to the economic crisis of the 1930s which forced them in turn to also sell the estate. Château Palmer was purchased by several families of Bordeaux, English, and Dutch extraction (the Sichel, Mähler-Besse, Ginestet, and Miailhe families) in 1938, and continues to be owned by its descendants.

Château Palmer’s terroir dates from the Quaternary period, when gravel slowly accumulated on the Left Bank of the Gironde, pushed by the Dordogne and carried along by the Garonne. The two rivers meet a few kilometers downstream from Ch. Palmer to form the Gironde estuary. Among their current 52 hectares of vines, Ch. Palmer has a large percentage of Merlot, almost the same amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a small percentage of Petit Verdot. Here in Margaux, the vines are planted on gravely rises several meters thick, consisting of brittle black lydite, white and yellow quartz, quartzite mottled with black, green or blue, and white chalcedony. In an effort to help the vine roots sink deep into the gravelly soil, they till the soil regularly. They also maintain a very high vine density - 10,000 vines per hectare - in order to increase competition between the vines and encourage this deep rooting.

Join us as we talk with Thomas Duroux, CEO of Château Palmer since July 2004, about Ch. Palmer’s fascinating history, along with its vineyards and wines.

For more info on Château Palmer: www.chateaupalmer.com

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

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Download audio file (GR-ENG-USA-2008-10-27.mp3)

Founded in 1729, Ruinart is the longest established sparkling wine house in the Champagne region of France. Named after Benedictine monk Dom Thierry Ruinart, the winery is located in the city of Reims, where ancient crayères (chalk pits) serve as cellars that offer constant temperature and humidity, thus allowing the wine to age as long as 12 years. These crayères were hewn from the chalk sub-soil by the Romans, who used the chalk as building materials. Also used during World War I to escape the bombing, these cellars were classified an historic monument in 1931.

Join us as we sit down with Ruinart’s Cellarmaster Frédéric Panaїotis to discuss Ruinart’s history, its vineyard sources, and of course its various cuvées.

For more info on Champagne Ruinart: www.ruinart.com

Sponsor: Bagged Wine: www.baggedwine.com

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Download audio file (GR-ENG-USA-2008-10-20.mp3)

Every fan of Pinot Noir will undoubtedly know the name of John Haeger.

As author of the highly acclaimed “North American Pinot Noir,” John literally wrote the book on the fascinating history and evolution of Burgundy’s illustrious grape variety here in the United States. John’s academic approach to both the research and the writing created an instant hit and a must-have treatise for most wine lovers. But, more than anything, it was destined to become THE book for domestic Pinot fanatics. Of course, its appearance at booksellers just months before release of the movie “Sideways” didn’t hurt sales either.

Now, four years later John Haeger has written another wine book, “Pacific Pinot Noir.” Since, as he notes, “96% of North America’s Pinot Noir comes from an area I call the Pacific Pinot Zone,” it was only natural for him to focus on an area extending from mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon to Santa Barbara in California and extending up to thirty miles inland.

Pinot Noir’s rise in popularity over the last several years owes much to the different personalities of the grape itself. Join us as we talk with author and lecturer John Haeger about Pinot Noir, and discover its unique place in the world of wine.

For more info on John Haeger: www.ucpress.edu

Sponsor: Bagged Wine: www.baggedwine.com

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Download audio file (GR-ENG-USA-2008-10-13.mp3)

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Continuing our coverage of the 2008 Hospice du Rhône, we had some burning questions and we wanted some answers.
What do today’s winemakers, producers, importers, and attendees think of:
High alcohol wines?
Your favorite: French vs. American wines?
What’s your favorite amongst the 22 Rhone varietals?

For More Info on the Hospice Du Rhône: www.hospicedurhone.org ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/11/2008-hdr-ask-the-wine-maker-ii/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/10/2008-hdr-ask-the-wine-maker-i/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/10/2008-hdr-ask-the-wine-maker-i/#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:12:52 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/10/2008-hdr-ask-the-wine-maker-i/ Welcome to our video podcast 2008 Hospice Du Rhône Ask the Wine Maker - I - Video Show #45.

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For our coverage of the 2008 Hospice du Rhône, we decided to put people on the spot. We came up with 5 of today’s Hot Topics, and posed the questions to winemakers, producers, importers, and attendees. No debate, no discussion, just right to the point. So, today, we wanted to know:
What’s you favorite - Cork or Screwcap?
What does “terroir” mean to you?

For More Info on the Hospice Du Rhône: www.hospicedurhone.org ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/10/2008-hdr-ask-the-wine-maker-i/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/06/2008-hdr-syrah-shootout/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/06/2008-hdr-syrah-shootout/#comments Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:00:18 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/06/2008-hdr-syrah-shootout/ Welcome to our video podcast 2008 Hospice Du Rhône Syrah Shootout - Video Show #44.

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Imagine 45 bottles of Syrah, each one bagged and numbered just waiting for sensory evaluation. Now, imagine that these evaluations will come from the very winemakers who made these wines.

That’s right, 45 winemakers evaluating their own wine, while competing against the wines made by their colleagues. That’s the premise of the 2008 Hospice du Rhône’s Syrah Shootout, where the winner gets bragging rights - plus a terrific-looking (not so much) “Coat du Rhône” to wear home.

Join winemaker Rusell Bevan and he takes us through a guided tour of this great event.

For More Info on the Hospice Du Rhône: www.hospicedurhone.org ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/06/2008-hdr-syrah-shootout/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/04/2007-wine-fire-part-ii/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/04/2007-wine-fire-part-ii/#comments Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:19:13 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/04/2007-wine-fire-part-ii/ Welcome to our video podcast Wine and Fire - Part 2 - Video Show #43.

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We’re back with part 2 of our coverage of the 2007 Sta. Rita Hills annual celebration of wine. Saturday, it was seminar time, complete with a series of mock “trials” where local winemakers and grape growers defend or prosecute their contributions to what ends up in the glass.

Sitting as judge in ceremonial garb was real-life attorney Cathy Pepe, co-owner of Clos Pepe Vineyards. Among the issues on trial: Chardonnay - to oak or not to oak, that is the question; and Pinot Noir - do clones or terroir have the greater effect; and finally, is it the growing conditions or the winemaking the greater influence on the wine.

Join us as we hear from various growers and producers, as well as get a glimpse of some of the marvelous food that will be matched up with local Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Wine and Fire and Santa Rita Hills Wine Growers Alliance: www.staritahills.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/10/04/2007-wine-fire-part-ii/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/09/29/2007-wine-fire-part-i/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/09/29/2007-wine-fire-part-i/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:01:20 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/09/29/2007-wine-fire-part-i/ Welcome to our video podcast Wine and Fire - Part 1 - Video Show #42.

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The Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance held its 2nd annual Wine & Fire event in June of 2007. The festivities began on Friday evening with a reception at the restored La Purisima Mission, where over two dozen winemakers poured library wines and current releases from their Sta. Rita Hills appellation. People mingled from late afternoon through dusk and into dark, sampling the various wines.

Join us at the opening night tasting as we talk with attendees, growers like Peter Cargasacchi, and producers like Norm Yost (Flying Goat), Peter Work (Ampelos), and Victor Gallegos (Sea Smoke) to hear how and why the Sta. Rita Hills is unique as a Pinot growing area.

Wine and Fire and Santa Rita Hills Wine Growers Alliance: www.staritahills.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/09/29/2007-wine-fire-part-i/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/09/22/spring-mountain-vineyard/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/09/22/spring-mountain-vineyard/#comments Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:04:16 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/09/22/spring-mountain-vineyard/

Spring Mountain Vineyard is rich with history. After the sudden death of Tiburcio Parrott in the late 1800s, neither the house nor the 800 acres were used between 1896 and 1938.

Eventually the property was purchased by Mike Robbins in 1974. Robbins bought an old Victorian on St. Helena Highway near Deer Park Road and constructed a small winery which became Spring Mountain Vineyards. Soon Robbins outgrew this first location and discovered the wonderful Parrot estate.

After acquiring Parrott’s Miravalle estate, Robbins restored the Victorian residence and built a 17,000 square foot winery at the site of Tiburcio’s wine cave and small winery. Though his primary vineyard was in Rutherford on the Silverado Trail (now the site of Domaine Mumm), Robbins planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in 1980 on the land around Miravalle. Robbins’ Spring Mountain Chardonnay became highly prized by connoisseurs and was a “cult” wine of the late 1960’s and 1970’s.

Once the site for the former TV show, Falcon’s Crest, Spring Mountain lives on, now comprising four separate vineyards totaling 245 acres in 130 blocks. The Miravalle, Chateau Chevalier, Streblow (Alba), and Draper (La Perla) vineyards are beautifully terraced, rising up the hillside from 400′ to 1600′ in elevation creating several microclimates. The “main house,” an 8,000 square foot Victorian was built in 1885 by Tiburcio Parrott.
Featured during the aerial flyover in the opening credits of the TV show, the house is meticulously maintained both inside and out, and all of the original features of stained glass and molding have been kept.

Join us as we talk with Valli Ferrell, winemaker Jac Cole, and vineyard manager Ron Rosenbrand about the vineyards and this lovely estate.
.

For more info on Spring Mountain Vineyard: www.springmountainvineyard.com

Sponsor: Bagged Wine: www.baggedwine.com

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Download audio file (GR-ENG-USA-2008-09-22.mp3)

GrapeRadio Host Brian Clark spends three days in Germany’s Rhine River Valley. This media/press trip was sponsored by the German Wine Institute and the European Union for its Destination Riesling program.

Join him as he travels to some of the most popular wine destinations in the Rheinhessen, Nahe and the Rheingau Regions.

Day Three Itinerary: (The Rheingau Region)

Domdechant Werner’sches Weingut -
(Hosted by Dr Franz Werner Michel): www.domdechantwerner.com
Weingut Künstler (Hosted Günter Künstler): www.www.weingut-kuenstler.de
Weingut Josef Leitz (Hosted by Josef Leitz): www.leitz-wein.de
Schloss Reinhartshausen (Hosted by Walter Bibo): www.schloss-reinhartshausen.de

For more info on:

German Wine Institute: www.deutscheweine.de
Wines of Germany: www.germanwineusa.com

Click Below to Play the Show:

Download audio file (GR-ENG-USA-2008-09-20.mp3)

Dr Franz Werner Michel reviews the extensive tasting he has prepared for the group.

Th entrance Weingut Künstler.

Gunter Künstler (center) discusses his wines.

Weingut Künstler an many other producers in German are known for high quality Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir).

Marissa D’Vari watches Josef Leitz conduct the wine tasting.

Walter Bibo (left) welcomes us to Schloss Reinhartshausen.

The cave system of the Schloss and Weinguts of the area are all very impressive.

Older vintages laid down for future generations.

GrapeRadio Host Brian Clark spends three days in Germany’s Rhine River Valley. This media/press trip was sponsored by the German Wine Institute and the European Union for its Destination Riesling program.

Join him as he travels to some of the most popular wine destinations in the Rheinhessen, Nahe and the Rheingau Regions.

Day Two Itinerary: (The Nahe & Rheingau Regions)

Weingut Dönnhoff (Hosted by Hermann Dönnhoff): www.doennhoff.com
Weingut Jakob Schneider (Hosted Jakob Schneider): www.schneider-wein.com
Weingut Schloss Schönborn (Hosted by Peter Barth): www.schoenborn.de
Schloss Vollrads (Hosted by Dr Rowald Hepp): www.schlossvollrads.de

For more info on:

German Wine Institute: www.deutscheweine.de
Wines of Germany: www.germanwineusa.com

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Download audio file (GR-ENG-USA-2008-09-19.mp3)

Journalist Gregory McCluney (Left) Michael Cervin, Michael Schemmel (bottom, German Wine Institute), Peter Barth (Schonborn), Sherri Weiss Poall (Wines of Germany/RF Binder), Brian Clark, Becky Sue Epstein, Marissa D’Vari

Hermann Dönnhoff reviews his wines as Michael Schemmel looks on.

Hermann Dönnhoff explains his vineyard practices to the group

Harvest is only a week away as the grapes are reaching perfect maturity

The Naha region offers many steeps slopes near water - ideal for growing world class Riesling.

The beautiful entrance to the Weingut Jakob Schneider home and winery.

Jakob Schneider reviews his cellar. Use of old large oak casks is common in Riesling production.

Crossing the river between the Rheinhessen and Rheingau regions is required in this area. The bridge was destroyed during the WWII and never replaced.

Schloss Schöborn is located in a beautiful location above the Rhine

Old bottles like these (Schloss Schöborn) are common sight in many cellars. Riesling wines can be aged to great lenghts.

The entrance to Schloss Vollrad is very impressive. Schloss is German for “Castle”.

Schloss Vollrad has impressive grounds and structures including this formal courtyard.

Dr Rowald Hepp (Center) discusses his wines with Gregory McCluney and Becky Sue Epstein

GrapeRadio Host Brian Clark spends three days in Germany’s Rhine River Valley. This media/press trip was sponsored by the German Wine Institute and the European Union for its Destination Riesling program.

Join him as he travels to some of the most popular wine destinations in the Rheinhessen, Nahe and the Rheingau Regions.

Day One Itinerary: (The Rheinhessen and Nahe Regions)

Weingut KF Groebe (Hosted by Friedrich Groebe): www.weingut-k-f-groebe.de
Weingut Wittman (Hosted by Philipp Wittman): www.wittmannweingut.com
Weingut Strub (Hosted by Walter Strub): www.strub-nierstein.dea>
Reh-Kenderman (Hosted by Dr Roman Barvulsky): www.reh-kendermann.de
Weingut Tesch (Hosted by Martin Tesch): www.weingut-tesch.de

For more info on:

German Wine Institute: www.deutscheweine.de
Wines of Germany: www.germanwineusa.com

Fellow Journalist on the Press Tour:

Michael Cervin: www.michaelcervin.com
Gregory McCluney: www.wine.appellationamerica.com
Becky Sue Epstein: www.beckysueepstein.com
Marissa D’Vari: www.awinestory.com

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Download audio file (GR-ENG-USA-2008-09-18.mp3)

Philipp Wittman (center - top) discusses his vineyards

Entrance to Weingut Wittman

Walter Strub of Weingut Strub takes us on a tour of his rare red soil vineyard.

Volkmar Stöckmann (left), Dr Roman Barvulsky, and wine maker Philipp Maurer discuss their wines

Journalist Michael Cervin (left) and Gregory McCluney discuss with Martin Tesch his dry wine philosophy

The linup of Weingut Tesch including his famous Riesling Unplugged

Our beautiful view at dinner. Vineyards occupy almost every slope in the area.

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The name biodynamics might be a term you recognize – or maybe not. Strictly speaking, biodynamics is an agricultural process that places first emphasis on the soil as a living organism. Possibly one of the least understood and/or controversial wine practices in present day enology, the term is derived from Dr. Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual beliefs and philosophical teachings. These beliefs stress the merits of using organic methods to maintain the health of land that is producing crops, and the practice is steadily gaining a foothold in current-day winegrowing practices throughout the world.

Join us as we hear from biodynamic consultant Philippe Armenier, and John Bryan, owner of Napa Valley’s Sycamore Vineyards, about what the process has done for this winegrower for Freemark Abbey winery.

For more info on Freemark Abbey and Sycamore: www.freemarkabbey.com

Click Here: Freemark Abbey Winery

Opus One, certainly one of the most iconic wineries in Napa Valley, was the fruition of a 10-year collaboration between Robert Mondavi and Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild in Bordeaux. Celebrated as the first joint venture between California and France, the winery produced its first vintage in 1979, having been made, aged and bottled at the Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville. Some 10 years later, construction began on Opus One’s own winery – right across the highway from the Mondavi winery. As with the concept of Opus, the design of the new winery was groundbreaking, combining Greek and Roman motifs with those of early California.

Join us as we talk with Roger Asleson and Michael Silacci about Opus One and its history, as well as its place in today’s Napa Valley.

For more info on Opus One Winery: www.opusonewinery.com

Sponsor: Bagged Wine: www.baggedwine.com

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Download audio file (GR-ENG-USA-2008-09-15.mp3)

If you like this show check out:

Audio #93: Mondavi - 40 Years in Napa
Audio #186: Chateau Mouton Rothschild

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We’re always looking for opportunities to talk with international producers, so a recent portfolio tasting from Vintus Wines offered us an excellent chance to do a little globe-trotting without actually straying very far from home. Founded by former Kobrand executive Michael Quinttus, Vintus has put together a fairly diverse list of estate-based producers from France, Italy, Spain, Chile, South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, Hungary, and Portugal.

Join us as we talk with Alice Paillard about the Champagne region, and Barbara Sandrone about Piedmont. We’ll also spend some time with the self-styled “driving winemaker” Telmo Rodriguez, who drives over the vast regions of Spain to make wine, and we’ll find out what’s new in South America with Finca Decero from Argentina, and Eduardo Chadwick of Chile’s Viña Errazuriz.

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One of the oldest producers in Barolo, the Fontanafredda estate is a major player in Piedmont with a solid repertoire in Barolo, Barbera d’Alba, Dolcetto d’Alba and other Piedmontese DOCs. At the top of the line are the single vineyard Barolos: La Rosa, Lazzarito, La Delizia and La Villa, followed by some standard Barolo and Barbaresco cuvées. Owned and run by the Monte dei Paschi Monte dei Paschi di Siena since 1931, Fontanafredda’s fruit is sourced primarily from 70 hectares of their own vineyards, with the remainder coming from several hundred local growers with long-term contracts.

Join us as Danilo Drocco (winemaker since 1999) leads us through an amazing vertical tasting, while describing the soils, the winegrowing, and his own traditional winemaking processes and how they meld with the more modern methods introduced by Piero Antinori.

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We’re back with Part 2 of our coverage of the 2008 World of Pinot Noir. Without a doubt, this annual Pinot Noir spectatular is considered to be a “must attend” for devotees of the grape. Join us as we hear more from wine columnist Laurie Daniel, and we’ll check in with the Iron Sommelier Challenge - where sommeliers compare food and wine matches. In addition, we’ll spend some time with Burgundian producer Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier and the Burghound Allen Meadows, plus visit with Central Coast producers Lane Tanner and James Ontiveros, and still more Pinot producers from around the world (how about Pinot from Tazmania and British Columbia).

With seminars ranging from Riedel glassware to a full-on discussion of new world vs. old world clones, as well as an in-depth examination of the “left coast” terroir, and a close look at Oregon’s Pinot focus, you’ll see why a full immersion event such as this can do more to awaken your total Pinot Noir experience.

For more information on the World of Pinot Noir: www.worldofpinotnoir.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/08/28/2008-world-of-pinot-noir-part-2-video/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/08/25/2008-world-of-pinot-noir-part-1-video/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/08/25/2008-world-of-pinot-noir-part-1-video/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:00:09 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/08/25/2008-world-of-pinot-noir-part-1-video/ Welcome to our video podcast of the 2008 World of Pinot Noir: Part 1 - Video Show #37.

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The first weekend in March signals the World of Pinot Noir. Held on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this event includes two days of in-depth Tasting Seminars, Grand Tastings (each with a unique roster of wineries), a Featured Tasting with a guest Burgundian producer and two Pinot Noir Dinners featuring prominent guest chefs. These food and wine extravaganzas will be hosted by participating wineries and feature an outstanding panel of sommeliers from across the U.S.

Join us for Part 1, as we talk with wine columnist Laurie Daniel, local producers as well as vintners from around the world (how about Pinot from Switzerland and New Zealand). We’ll hear from attendees and presenters about what makes this event special, and we even check in on a Riedel seminar led by Georg Riedel to see how the shape of stemware can make Pinot smell and taste different.

For more information on the World of Pinot Noir: www.worldofpinotnoir.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/08/25/2008-world-of-pinot-noir-part-1-video/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/08/18/the-wines-of-groth/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/08/18/the-wines-of-groth/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:00:13 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/08/18/the-wines-of-groth/

When Dennis and Judy Groth purchased 121 acres in Oakville in 1981, it included the Oakcross Vineyard - filled with prime Cabernet Sauvignon that had been planted by Justin Meyer and Ray Duncan some 8-10 years earlier. So, it didn’t take long for them to establish a track record with their Cabernet. In fact, Robert Parker gave the 1985 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon the distinction of California’s first 100 point wine.

Fast forward to today, and between 1999 and 2003 they replanted all of the Cabernet Sauvignon with new clones, rootstocks, and new trellising. With all the young vines, they also decided to not produce wine for the Reserve program for vintages 2000-2004.

Join us as we talk about Oakville, Cabernet and what it’s like to be given the first perfect 100 point score on a wine from the U.S.

For more info on Groth Vineyards and Winery: www.grothwines.com

Sponsor: Vinfolio: www.vinfolio.com

Click Below to Play the Show:

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Click Here: Groth Vineyards and Winery

One of the highlights of the 2008 World of Pinot Noir was the Wines of Domaine Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier. It was billed as a seminar, but it was really more like sitting down with one of the foremost authorities on Burgundy, Allen Meadows (Burghound.com), and the highly respected producer Frédéric (Freddy) Mugnier to sample and discuss the wines of his domaine.

Join us as Allen and Freddy lead us through what could easily be called among the purest wines in Burgundy.

For more info on the wines of Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier: www.mugnier.fr

Sponsor: Bagged Wine - Blind Wine Tasting Kits: www.baggedwine.com

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Acclaimed as the creator of the famous wine list at Windows on the World (which sold more wine than any restaurant in the United States), Kevin Zraly designed the training program for the most knowledgeable wine-service staff in America. He is a James Beard Award winner and has co-hosted the Food Newtork’s “Wine A to Z”.

Kevin also celebrated his 30th anniversary in 2006 as the founder and teacher of the immensely popular Windows on the World Wine School that has graduated over 18,000 students since its inception. He has been teaching wine for over 30 years, beginning at the age of 20, and has studied wine-making techniques in California and all the great wine regions of Europe.

Join us as we talk with Kevin about the role of a wine educator, and his many experiences in the world of wine.

For more info on Kevin Zraly: www.windowswineschool.com

Sponsor: 10th Annual Winemakers Cookoff: www.winemakerscookoff.com

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Marchesi Antinori is one of Italy’s most famous wineries. Indeed, the Antinori family has been making wine for over six hundred years, since Giovanni di Piero Antinori became part of the Arte Fiorentina dei Vinattieri in 1385. Not ones to be stuck in the past, they were also right there at the birth of the “Super Tuscan” with their own Tignanello. In fact, they continually try to be inventive in seeking out partnerships with wineries from other countries and hemispheres, as well as experimentation in the vineyards and cellars, trying different clones, growing techniques, fermentation methods, traditional and modern vinification and aging methods.

Today Marchese Piero Antinori is director of the company, assisted by his three daughters, Albiera, Allegra and Alessia, all of whom are personally involved in the business. Join us as Allesia Antinori visits in the studio to describe what it’s like to have both the tradition and responsibility of 26 generations to follow in the Tuscany region of Italy.

For more info on Antinori: www.antinori.it

Sponsor: New Media Expo: www.newmediaexpo.com

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The new movie Bottle Shock premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and GrapeRadio was there to cover it. The screenplay is told through the lives of Jim and Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, whose Chardonnay went on to win the competition, and the movie chronicles the events leading up to the famous Paris Tastings of 1976. It was at this place and time that Napa wines bested French wines in a blind tasting - immediately catapulting California into the limelight on the world stage of wine.

While at Sundance, our correspondent, Ann Lieber, conducted interviews with actors Alan Rickman (Steven Spurrier), and Bill Pullman (Jim Barrett), as well as Director Randall Miller, and fellow screenplay collaborator Jody Savin. Join us as we get their perspectives of why and how the story of this pivotal wine event needed to be told via film.

For more info on Bottle Shock the Movie: www.bottleshock.com

Sponsor: New Media Expo: www.newmediaexpo.com

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Does the name Russell Bevan ring a bell? Well, it probably does to most wine-geek denizens of the internet. Russell (and alter ego Bacchus) was there at the start, when wine-based bulletin boards and discussion groups emerged from their cocoons.

A rabid wine fan from the time he could buy wine (actually, even before), Russell wanted to learn everything he could about the subject. Eventually, he found many others across the country like himself who were thoroughly into wine. Before long, Russell found himself leading groups of thirsty geeks on extended wine tours of his favorite region, California. These tours became the things of legend, and soon other geeks were doing likewise, exploring and indulging their passion in the California grape scene.

So, where did all this crazy passion for wine lead Russell? Right into winemaking. When he was offered a ton of high-quality Cabernet fruit from a very respected source in Napa Valley, Russell jumped at the chance and made his first Bevan Cellars Cabernet. And where did that lead him? The winemaking job at this same source – Showkett Vineyards. Fast forward to today, Russell leads some of the same friends on a new adventure, hand-sorting through grapes in an all-out effort to make a “yummy” wine.

Join us as we talk with Russell about the early days, the present challenges, and how he and his inspiration Victoria realize a dream of what must seem like the perfect life.

For more info on:

Bevan Cellars: www.bevancellars.com
Drystack Cellars: www.drystackwinery.com
Showket Vineyards: www.showketvineyards.com

Sponsor: Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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With his wild Adrian Duritz-like hair, Charles Smith looks more rock star than winemaker. But, while he did once manage rock bands, winemaking is where his heart and mind are now.

Located near the Blue Mountains in Walla Walla, Washington, K Vintners began business in 2001. Owner and winemaker Charles Smith has some great B&W (aka
monochrome) packaging which gives the “K” wines a unique look, and he is making a name for himself in Washington Syrah, and (gasp) Riesling.

Join us as we walk some vineyards, drink some wine and hear from Charles about what he feels is important in life and wine.

For more information on the K Vintners : www.kvintners.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/07/06/k-vintners-walla-walla/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/29/the-secret-life-of-pinot-noir/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/29/the-secret-life-of-pinot-noir/#comments Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:21:30 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/29/the-secret-life-of-pinot-noir/

Pinot Takes a Walk on the Sparkling Side: A Champagne seminar at IPNC? Mais oui! If you dig through the calcium-laden soils of Champagne, more often than not, you will find Pinot Noir roots.

Two Parts. Part One Moderators: Rollin Soles, Argyle Winery, Dundee, Willamette Valley, Oregon and Ghislain de Montgolfier, Champagne Bollinger, led the group through a tasting that explained how sparkling wine is made and included tastings of base wines for sparkling wine and Champagne. Part Two Moderators: Eric Asimov, New Yorks Times and Peter Wasserman of Le Serbet/Selection Becky Wasserman introduced the wines of some of Champagne’s best grower/winemakers who were represented by Paul and Francoise Couvreur (Champagne et Villages), Morgane Fleury (Champagne Fleury), Jose and Corinne Lievens (Champagne Jacques Picard), and Thierry Massin and Sylvie Fricot (Champagne Thierry Massin).

For more info on the 2008 International Pinor Noir Celebration: www.ipnc.org

Sponsor: Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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We are back for more coverage of the 3rd annual Pinot Days, held in San Francisco’s Fort Mason Event Center, showcases some of the finest artisans making Pinot today. Organizers Steve and Lisa Rigisich and Eric and Teri White continue to tweak this event, and with blind tastings, grand tastings and seminars, it is one of the must-attend Pinot Noir festivals during the year.

Interviews include: (Click Below for Web Links)

- Tom Mortimer - Le Cadeau Vineyard (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
- David White - Carneros dell Notte (Napa Carneros, California)
- Don Baumhefner - Ridgeway Family Vineyards (Sonoma Coast, California)
- Gideon Bienstock - Clos Saron (Sierra Foothills, California)
- John & Barbara Drady - Sonoma Coast Vineyards (Sonoma, California)
- Jonathan Pey - Pey-Marin (Marin County, California)
- Paul Clary - Clary Ranch (Sonoma Coast, California)
- Moira Conzelman - Harmonique (Anderson Valley, California)
- Dennis De La Montanya - De La Montanya (Russian River Valley, California)

For more info on the 2008 Pinot Days: www.pinotdays.com

Sponsor: Pinpoint Technologies, Mailing List: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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For more information on the James Beard Foundation: www.jamesbeard.org
2008 James Beard Foundation Award Winners: www.jbfawards.com

Here is our video that won the award: Stewards of the Land.

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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 it wasn’t always that way.

Trappers and hunters predominated in the early 1800s, as Russian settlers moved into this area just north of San Francisco giving the river and the surrounding watershed its colorful name. By the 1870s, viticulture had been firmly established in the valley, only to be completely de-railed by prohibition in the 1920s. What followed, even after the repeal of prohibition in 1933, was a steady growth in normal agricultural crops and orchards for many years to come. It would take a 30-year incubation period for the re-birth of vineyards.

The true wine Renaissance finally arrived in the 1960s, when pioneers like Charles Bacigalupi and Joe Rochioli began planting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. And later, when Chateau Montelena took the French by surprise at the 1976 Paris tasting (with a Chardonnay made from Bacigalupi fruit), and Williams Selyem began to win accolades for its Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs, the valley found its rightful place as a world-class (and world famous) wine growing region.

GrapeRadio is proud to present a brief look at the Russian River Valley, including interviews with Joe Rochioli, Howie Allen, Helen Bacigalupi, Burt Williams, John Haeger, James Laube, and many more. Join us for a close-up of this beautiful area, including highlights of its history, its agriculture, its foods, and most importantly, its people.

Cellar accidents, broken wine glasses, wine left in your car trunk - these are just a few of the wine disasters that can happen.

Join us as the GrapeRadio bunch discuss some of their worst or most embarrassing moments.

Sponsor: Wine Away, Red Wine Stain Remover: www.wineaway.com

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Part 3 of our visit to Vintage Walla Walla continues with visits to a few winemaking folks where we participate in a blending trial with Woodward Canyon’s Rick Small. Of course, some winery visits were an absolute must (no pun intended), so we paid a visit to Pepper Bridge and Basel Cellars, followed by a terrific wine tasting.

For more information on the Vintage Walla Walla : www.wallawallawine.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/13/vinatge-walla-walla-part-3/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/08/vintage-walla-walla-part-2/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/08/vintage-walla-walla-part-2/#comments Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:00:49 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/08/vintage-walla-walla-part-2/ Welcome to our video podcast of the Vintage Walla Walla - Part 2 - Video Show #34.

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We continue with our visit to Vintage Walla Walla, this time getting down to the real nitty gritty - soil, that is. We get a first-hand history lesson and a look at the different soil types in Walla Walla Valley with Dr. Kevin Pogue, a Professor of Geology at Whitman College.

Much of the soil in the Walla Walla Valley is a blown-in almost talcum-like mixture called loess. This, mixed with granite, basalt, and cobbles from the Blue Mountains make for a unique terroir.

For more information on the Vintage Walla Walla : www.wallawallawine.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/08/vintage-walla-walla-part-2/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/04/vintage-walla-walla-part-1/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/04/vintage-walla-walla-part-1/#comments Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:00:11 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/04/vintage-walla-walla-part-1/ Welcome to our video podcast of the Vintage Walla Walla - Part 1 - Video Show #33.

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Located in one of the primary agriculture-producing regions of Washington State, Walla Walla Valley lies in the southeastern part of the state on the edge of the Columbia and Snake River basins. Here, the most important commercial crops have been wheat and sweet onions, but the region is fast becoming known for its distinctive wines. In 1984, the region was federally recognized as an AVA. Home to just four wineries and 60 acres of vineyards at the time, today there are more than 100 wineries and more than 1,500 acres of vineyards.

Join us as we explore Part 1 of Vintage Walla Walla, the regional food and wine festival that showcases the vineyards and wineries of the Walla Walla Valley.

For more information on the Vintage Walla Walla : www.wallawallawine.com ]]> http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/04/vintage-walla-walla-part-1/feed/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/02/the-wines-of-vega-sicilia/ http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/02/the-wines-of-vega-sicilia/#comments Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:00:57 +0000 GrapeRadio Bunch http://www.graperadio.com/archives/2008/06/02/the-wines-of-vega-sicilia/

The history of Vega-Sicilia began in 1848, when Basque landowner Don Toribio Lecanda met the bankrupt Marques de Valbuena and bought a 2,000 hectare estate. Don Toribio’s son later brought in 18,000 young vines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Malbec, Merlot and Pinot Noir from France to begin the vineyard.

Early wines were sold off in bulk as Rioja, but in 1929, the 1917 and 1918 wine won awards at the World’s Fair. Steady progress was made at making great wines, and today Vega-Secilia arguably stands at the pinnacle of wines from Spain.

Join us as we talk with Puri Mancebo, Bodegas Vega-Sicilia’s Export Manager, about this historic winery, and its past and present.

For more information on Vega Sicilia : www.vega-sicilia.com

Sponsor: Pinpoint Tech, Your Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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Break out the Champagne — we are celebrating our 200th audio show, and we couldn’t have planned it any better. Our guest for this momentous occasion is one of the world’s premiere Champagne producers, Champagne Krug.

Bottles of Krug Champagne are considered some of the most sought-after collectibles in the vinous world. Whether it be the multi-vintage bottlings of Ros and Grand Cuve, or the vintage bottlings of Clos de Mesnil, or the ultra-premium Clos d’Ambonnay - the bottles are very difficult, if not impossible to find on the market. Established in Reims in 1843 by Johann-Joseph Krug, the Maison has retained the guidance of family hands through present day, even while becoming a part of Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH).

Join us as we talk with Kurt Dienel, Krug’s Business Development Director, to find out more about their vineyard properties, their winemaking practices, and what it is that makes Krug so special.

For more information on Krug: www.krug.com

Sponsor: Pinpoint Tech, Your Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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Audio #13: Let’s Celebrate Champagne
Audio #45: The Business of Champagne
Audio #170: The Wines of Dom Perignon
Audio #175: Champagne with Veuve Clicquot
Video #31: Champagne Taittinger: A Walk Through the Cellars
Video #32: Champagne of Philipponnat

The GrapeRadio Bunch decided to have a bit of fun with this show. So, while kicking around some ideas, we wondered…Do you hide wine from your spouse or significant other? Of course not; who would do that? Well, maybe we would!

Join us as Brian, Eric and Jay “come clean” about how they would “disguise” a wine purchase here and there, so as not to bring unwanted attention to their wine-buying habits.

If you comment on this show and share your crazy wine hiding antics you will be automatically entered in our drawing. We are giving away 4 autographed copies of George Tabers book “To Cork or Not to Cork”. Contest Expires June 1, 2008.

Sponsor: Pinpoint Tech, Your Mailing List Source: www.pinpoint-tech.com

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Although the Philipponnat family history in the Champagne region dates back to 1522, the recent history began when Auguste and Pierre Philipponnat settled in the Mareuil-sur-Aÿ region of Champagne in 1910. When Pierre acquired the steep Clos des Goisses vineyard on the southern flank of the Gruguet hill in 1935, he broke with the tradition of blending Champagne vineyards, creating a single-vineyard wine from a rather remarkable site that overlooks the Marne River. Charles Philipponnat, grandson of Auguste, is now President of the Maison and has overseen the creation of new wine making facilities and barrel storage.

Join us as Charles takes us on a walk (make that climb) of the five and a half hectare Clos des Goisses - which stood witness to the WWI battles of nearly 100 years ago. We also visit the cellars and barrel room, and disgorge some Champagne.

For more information on the Champagne of Philipponnat: www.philipponnat.com

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

Audio #13: Let’s Celebrate Champagne
Audio #45: The Business of Champagne
Audio #170: The Wines of Dom Perignon
Audio #175: Champagne with Veuve Clicquot
Video #31: Champagne Taittinger: A Walk Through the Cellars
Audio #200: The Champagne of Krug

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The roots of Taittinger date back t