Grape Minds (Julie Glenn)

To personify a wine grape is not a stretch - people do it all the time. While sometimes wine writers get carried away (I mean we’ve heard Syrah described as “voluptuous” a few too many times), there are definitely temperaments attributable to wine grapes and those can be compared with the signs of the Zodiac. It’s been a hobby of ours for years, and in this week’s episode of Grape Minds, we talk about the similarities between Taurus and the Malbec grape.

This day after the Midterm Elections...let's have some wine. In this week's Grape Minds, Gina and Julie continue their trip through the solar system of personalities to talk about Scorpios and the grape that goes with these mysterious people.

At this year's Naples Winter Wine Festival , Julie and Gina got a chance to talk with California wine royalty. In this episode of Grape Minds; a conversation with Tim Mondavi and two of his four grown children, Carlo and Carissa.

This week, Gina and Julie wander through the wine glass to Australia with the help of importer, distributor and Aussie, Jane Uttley of Unfiltered Unfined Wines. We talk super-hot shiraz, seafood friendly whites, and pair everyone's favorite brekkie food: vegemite. For video evidence of us ingesting Vegemite, click here.

Today marks the beginning of Women's History Month, so Gina and Julie are getting a jump on wine Wednesday and checking in a bit early to launch our month long homage to the wonder-women of wine. We start with a woman who captured our palates with her rose long before we met her and she captured our hearts.

There are people you meet in the wine industry, and wines you try- a great percentage of each being regrettably forgettable. But the wines of Chene Bleu and the fabulous Nicole Rolet who presents them to the world, are truly unforgettable. In this Episode, we talk about her family's origin story, their philosophy of wine and wine making, and the bright future she sees for women in the industry. 

 

At Oakville Ranch it's all about the ladies with Sheila  Gentry as General Manager and Jennifer Rue as winemaker. In this week's episode, Gina and Julie learn what sets this sub-appellation apart, and try their legendary Cabernet Sauvignon.

Gina and Julie talk with the CEO and 7th generation of the Billecart Salmon Champagne House, Mathieu Roland-Billecart about the new, Brut Nature cuvee, the iconic rosé, and the intriguing, food-friendly "Sous Bois." But let's be real, they are all food friendly.

Of course we taste through them all just to make sure. Join in!

 

In this week's Valentines Day episode, Gina and Julie wax poetic about their great wine loves and present a bouquet of a dozen rosés.

1. Send Nudes Rosé , from the folks who bring you Sexual Chocolate, a Rosé of Pinot from Sonoma
2. Thomas Jefferson sparkling, could  not resist this since it is also Presidents Day coming up. This is a Cremant de Limoux  made from Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir.
3. Chimney Rock, cab franc, dark almost looks like cranberry juice
4. Elizabeth Spencer, it’s Grenache, dry and tropical, hard to find
5. Chateau Auguste from Bordeaux, right bank style, Merlot, Cab and Cab Franc
6. Charles Joguet Chinon Rose. Cab Franc makes a killer pink wine.
7. Terrebrune Bandol Rose- salmon in color and strawberry aromas. Mourvedre, Grenache and Cinsault.
8. Chene Bleu Rosé - a higher- end rosé  made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Rolle. 
9. Some Rosé s are bubbly:  May we suggest Lanson Rose
10. Billecart Salmon
11. For a lower budget bubble, there’s Anna di Codorinu Cava which is a beautiful bottle to look at- major points for packaging. And can be found at around $10. A great party wine.  If anyone’s having a lonely hearts party for the singletons on V day- this is the quantity wine for you!
12. Remember the "Brangelina" rosé - Miraval? Now that the glossy sheen of celebrity has abated, the wine stands as a fab bottle to present on Valentine's or any day.  

Like it or not, we're sliding into the last few months of 2021, and you know what that means; holidays.  The piles of traditional foods demand a versatile wine, and we found one in Tom Mortimer's Le Cadeau Pinot Noir. I his episode we get super wine geek-y from yeast, to carbonic maceration to suffering vines. Of course, we laugh a lot too-  Cheers!

 

Despite what some might think, port is not the only outstanding wine export from Portugal. The country has a vast, diverse wine region and it's where we travel to next as an extension of our traveling through the glass series. We're also looping in the summer grilling series because- as it turns out- these wines are GREAT for grilled goods. In this oceanfront country, it's more about grilling fish and we taste-test a popular white blend called Vinho Verde. Portugal is also famous for its black pork and cured meats which pair particularly well with the county's rustic red blends that use both noble and indigenous grapes. It's a delicious, beautiful country. Join us as we explore.  

Yeah, we know we just talked about rosé a few weeks ago on  rosé  day, but the wine gods have given us the entire month of August to celebrate the pink stuff,  so here we are, yet again, loving on this bashful hue of wine.  Dive in with us as we cool off and talk about the summer sipper we all adore.

We try: Cattleya Wines' Rosé of Pinot Noir from Sonoma and Hahn's Rosé of Pinot Noir from Monterey County.

In honor of President's Day, we bring you a full-on geeked-out history deep dive on the wine that Thomas Jefferson loved; Limoux. Sure, this day is more about Washington and Lincoln, but being a wine podcast, we decided to talk about the wine in the cellars of Monticello, the drinking habits of Revolutionary times, and what Thomas Jefferson envisioned for the future of wine in the USA.

 

Growing up in a family that valued good wine, Juan Pablo Torres Padilla expanded on that passion spending half his life in France and visiting some of the best vineyards and wineries in the world.  When he chose to make that passion into his career, he chose Napa Valley's Rutherford AVA to make world class wines.  He now is owner of Sullivan Rutherford Estate and in this episode Gina and Julie talk about the current release, a stroke of (good) luck in 2020, and artificial intelligence.  Yes  A.I. and wine.

 

This week we’re talking about the business side of wine - With the looming specter of a 100% tariff on French goods, including sparkling wine, several cheeses, and other disparate items- the US wine industry has been lobbying feverishly hoping to convince the United States Trade Representative not to put the threatened hike in place. Today is the last day for comments to be submitted, but Congress members are still hearing from industry leaders opposed to the tariffs. There is now a group of Republicans who have come out against the administrations’ tariffs- and the top domestic and European wine trade groups have signed a joint statement against them. 

An earlier, 25% tariff was already slapped onto all European wines back in October. There isn’t a firm deadline yet for this new one, but it can be implemented any time in the next few weeks. Although according to this article, the plan is to have a decision before DAVOS- which starts on the 21st. So this week, we’re talking with Professor of Finance Dr. Thomas Smythe about tariffs, the unique three- tier distribution system for alcohol in the US, and what competition from imports does for a market. We'll also talk about who really stands to lose when faced with a 100% mark-up.  

 

An Aside: There is something called a “Congressional Wine Caucus,” which I only just learned exists.

LUIS GÜEMES is the winemaker working with the family of Congressman Francis Rooney to make Bodega 202 from Rioja, Spain. Gina and Julie caught up with them both at the 2020 Naples Winter Wine Festival in January where they tried the wine, talked with the man who made it, and learned a little about how the Camino di Santigo led Rooney and his family to put down some roots in Spain.

As the Naples Winter Wine Festival kicks off with lavish auction lots and all the stars of the international wine industry, Gina and Julie get to sit down with the eighth generation owner of Maisons et Domains Henriot, Gilles de Larouzière. Through world wars and tariff wars, it's a small, family owned Champagne house that has held steady with one thing in mind: the culture and identity of what makes Henriot special.  

In honor of  rosé month, we continue making converts of the un-initiated to join in our love of the most appropriate shade of wine for hot weather.  This time, Morning Edition host John Davis is our hapless victim- dragged in from the hallway- to try a beautiful Argentinian rosé of Pinot Noir. 

We wrap up our grilling series with a slab of ribs and some good ol' American wines. We revisit the first clever label we remember from the 90's, 7 Deadly Zins- which is, as we remember, a decent value that is perfectly suitable for Barbeque sauce slathered goodness.  And what grilling podcast with American wines would be complete without a cabernet sauvignon- namely Ancient Peaks cab from Paso Robles.

 

 

E-Commerce and direct-to-consumer sales surged over the past six weeks as people "Sip in Place" while "Sheltering in Place." Some states and municipalities are easing restrictions on wine shipping and delivery, while several wine clubs and wineries are waiving shipping fees.  It's an opportuity to get hard-to access wines, subscribe to clubs to support your favorite producers, or just ask your local wineseller for a curbside pick-up assortment.   

We've talked about wine in a can before, but now that summer is sizzling, the beverage marketing people have gone full tilt with weird stuff in a can. One cannot turn a corner in a grocery store without being visually assaulted by sassy marketing on slim cans with pinkish hued graphics promising low calories, lots of flavor, and a little booze-from lemonade rosé blends to straight up cocktails to alcoholic kombucha.

One of the joys of having a wine podcast is that people will send the occasional unsolicited sample. Gina has been compiling an assortment and so, here we are taking the bullet for you, dear listener, as we try through the lot of odd offerings (except for the one kombucha that blew up).

At this year's Naples Winter Wine Festival, records were shattered yet again with the charity fundraiser topping 20 million dollars for local children.  Wine royalty from around the world spent the weekend down the street from our studios, so we caught up with some of the luminaries of our favorite beverage.  First, we present here our conversation with the Araujo family; Bart and Daphne and their next generation, Jamie and Greg. We talk about sustainability not only of the land- but also the business- for future generations. It's a recurrent theme in Napa, where a familial culture of wine is taking root and bearing fruit like the Araujo's Ascendo Cellars.

Our month-long summer in Italy is coming to an end but not before we pop some corks on Italian bubbly.  From Franciacorta (we try an Extra Brut from Le Marchesine) through Prosecco to little regional sparklers, there is no shortage of frizzante in the boot.  Let's look at the whole country's most famous and fabulous sparkling wines.

Also, don't forget to check out this episode in which we talk with Matteo Lunelli from one of our all-time favorite Italian sparklers, Ferrari Trentodoc.

And check out this delicious rosé from Corvezzo. (newly allowed DOC from our people in Prosecco)

Today we continue our salute to Hispanic Heritage Month with a trip (via Zoom) to Chile where we talk with Enrique Tirado, the winemaker behind Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon. 

William Benson, the founder and CEO of  Billionaires’ Row Champagne, and his partner Patrick Ductant, who heads up the spirits division, refer to one another as Jordan and Scottie in a nod to the fabled '96 Chicago Bulls. William (aka Jordan) is the first and only American to have his name on a Champagne Brand approved by the Prestigious Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne in France. In this Episode Gina and Julie talk with these legends about making seemingly unattainable dreams come true.

Any discussion of women in wine is incomplete without Elena Walch. This eponymous winery in Alto Adige led the charge in this Northern Italian region away from quantity and towards quality. Following her mother's lead, sisters Julia and Karoline are taking the winery into its fifth generation with respect for history and the terroir.  In this episode, Julie and Gina talk with Karoline about the wine industry, the delicious local grapes of the area around Tramin, and the satisfaction of being a woman making changes in a male-dominated trade.

 

Before that turkey hits the table, let's talk about the wines. In this week's episode, Julie and Gina chat about Thanksgiving pairings with winemakers from Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley and Archery Summit in Willamette Valley, Oregon. Plus stories of a few side dish fails.

After a year of separation, polarization, and mental and physical distance, Gina and Julie are setting the holiday table with blends.  Because after all, we're all better when we some together, whether we're grapes, politicians, or family members. In this episode there's a tour of some of the most famous blends and a tasting of one Rhone red hat's easy on the palate and the wallet; Les Dauphins Côtes-du-Rhône and a Bordeaux style blend from Washington State called Chasing Rain.

When a guy names his wine "Sexual Chocolate" after the band in Eddie Murphy's "Coming to America," you know you're in for a ride. In this episode of Grape Minds, Julie and Gina talk to Brandon Allen, the man behind the delicious San Luis Obispo, CA line-up, SLO Down Wines, famous for its irreverent marketing (Commando chaps in the cellar anyone?) and wines that any serious wine snob can appreciate.

Today (May 25) is National Wine Day! Tis the season to break out the flip flops, don a visor, and fire up the grill.  Memorial Day, Father's Day, and the beginning of summer has us thinking grilled anything. We're cracking open a can of Rosé and testing out some of grilled meat and veggies' best pairings.  We also check out a few big daddy wines like this elegant Zinfandel from Baletto.

 

This week we are hitting the road again- journeying via our wine glass to Italy for the summer.  We're starting in Sicily, the Island right off the boot's toe, where the idyllic village of Taormina sits in the hills between the strait of Messina and Mount Etna (which has apparently been pretty active this year).  It's a must-stop destination for people traveling by car once you've gotten off the ferry. In this episode we try some deliciously affordable wines and talk about what, exactly makes a grape "indigenous."

 

Chateau Montelena is an icon of California wine. It's 1973 Chardonnay was heralded the best in the world at the 1976 "Judgement of Paris," and the winery's entire portfolio remains a benchmark of quality. In this episode we talk with winemaker Matt Crafton about the responsibility that history brings and his view towards the future.

 

 

We could all use a little mellowness a week out from the elections, so we'd like to propose Merlot. It's that grape that gets along with everybody, sometimes to her own detriment, but this noble, globetrotting grape finds a way to shine no matter where she lands. Today, Gina and Julie raise a few glasses to try Merlot from several American growing regions.

Guys, there is just too much goodness in all of Italy and in this episode we're trying to hit the highlights of the great northern zones of the boot.  From Amarone to Barolo, we're discussing the reds while sipping on the oft-overlooked (yet DELICIOUS) white wines.  It is summer after all, and this is a summer in Italy series. We discuss a prior interview with Karoline Walch you can find here if you're interested in more detail about Trentino Alto Adige. 

 

A bit of a cynic, I never gave a whole lot of credence to glassware intended for specific grape varieties. But this incredible experience with Maximilian Riedel made me a believer.  No exaggeration- the difference between glasses when trying the same wine was mind blowing. The fact that global warming is now impacting the shape of the bowls is another staggering fact we learned in this episode. 

 

When the pandemic hit in March last year, wine.com went into "Christmas mode" and hasn't stopped since. Gina and Julie talked with Wilfred Wong, whose title is chief story teller, and Gwendolyn Wilson Osborn, Director of wine education about how their business works and what's trending for those of us stuck at home waiting out this pandemic.

 

Back in January, Gina and Julie got to sit down and talk with Jean Charles Boisset of the Boisset Collection. We were at the Naples Winter Wine Festival and this was before COVID-19. Little did we know that the ebullient winemaker would become our virtual BFF for happy hour as we all quarantined (or Sip In Place, as Boisset likes to say). Then came the past week and a half of unrest. Listening back to this interview, it feels like this is a good moment to hear from a Frenchman transplanted to Napa.

 

Once judged for its pinkish hue, rosé presents a cooling option for those who swing red in their wine preferences. This week Gina and Julie try a few lesser known grapes that look cute when they blush. 

We're all tired of not being able to travel. But enough complaining- the world of wine awaits. We're letting our taste buds take us on a journey as we circle the globe to vicariously visit vineyards (how's that for alliteration?) far from home.  Our first wine wandering takes us to the beautiful island nation of New Zealand where we find one of the most memorable wines and wine stories in any portfolio. Brent Marris of Marisco Vineyards talks of his family's ignominious backstory and how it's told through the winery's King Series.  We try a couple of wines from the Ned line, which is not, as one might suspect, named for Ned Stark of Game of Thrones. And talk about the indigenous culture and fantastic foodways of this stunning wine destination. Be sure to check the recipe section on Marisco's web site for the perfect pairings. Pack your bags! 

 

With the obvious genetic predisposition toward making incredible wine, Chelsea Barrett of Materra Cunat Family Vineyards did not assume it was a foregone conclusion she'd rank up there with mom and pop - both iconic Napa winemakers. She did her time hitting the books, traveling the world, and rising through the ranks to develop her own style. In this episode, Gina and Julie talk with Chelsea about the bit of pressure that comes with being the daughter of legends.  A wine princess, if you will.  One that's not afraid to get her hands dirty and one who is eternally eager to discover new insights.

 

It would feel frivolous to talk about anything other than the wildfires devastating Australia right now. To support our wine making friends from the Land of Oz, we're trying a few varieties other than Shiraz to kick off "try" January.  If "dry" is more your thing- take some notes and plan your February breaking of the fast.

On International Pinot Noir day we celebrate with a few domestic options since we couldn't seem to get the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti here in time. Just kidding- who'd ship something like that in August? This grape may be of particular interest to our Libra friends- the zodiac sign we paired with this delicate beauty of a grape. 

 

After fifteen months, Mauritson Wine's founder Clay Mauritson gets to travel! So. naturally he came straight to the Grape Minds studio to talk about the seven generations his family has spent in Sonoma, the wines he is proud to make from his family's iconic vineyard, and taste the Rockpile Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel and Rockpile Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

Hispanic Heritage Month straddles the months of September and October, lasting from the 15th of September to the 15th of October. The impact of the numerous cultures that make up the diaspora of the Hispanic population cannot be denied in the wine industry. Today we're talking with Bibiana Gonzalez Rave of Cattleya Wines in Napa, by way of Colombia and France. 

The time to make your opinion heard is now.  The US Trade Representative's Office is taking public comment on a proposed 25% tariff on European wine. We've been hearing about a couple of different tariffs (the proposed 100% hike on sparkling wine was particularly upsetting) and this week the president of the US Wine Trade Alliance sorts out the hows and whys- showing exactly how a tariff like this can hurt American small businesses already reeling from the economic crisis in the wake of COVID- 19.

An addendum to your podcast on father's day wines!  Reviving the practice we began before the pandemic sent up all home to work remotely: the drive-by wine tasting, in which we gran someone walking down our halls to pop into the studio and try a wine or two.  This time, we roped in local father and innocent bystander, David Oquendo to select his favorite from our lineup of dad wines.

Chardonnay is a many- splendored grape. Let's talk about her in the many forms she takes; lean, acidic minx, full-figured diva. 

While on Coronavirus lockdown, Gina and Julie have moved operations from the studio to the kitchen table- with a respectable six foot distance between- to talk wine. Today's theme is Earth Day- highlighting a natural wine from Westminster called Seeds and Skin. We also try an easy-peasey Chardonnay from Raeburn winery, and a second East Coast entry - a Malbec - from Biltmore Estate.

Julie sand Gina have been on the road a lot this summer, and collected some fabulous wine and cocktail intel along the way.  Leave it to Gina to find a wine tasting room after discovering good wine is made in that beautiful state- from the noble grapes we all know so well. She also found a sweet place to sample some wines in Telluride.

Julie found the coolest bar in the Midwest when she went home to KC for her BFF's wedding.  While Julie couldn't transport that experience back home, Gina had some Colorado wines shipped in, and we get to try them (including a Pet Nat which leaked in shipping but survived, nonetheless). Join us for a fun recap.

We kick off our summer grilling series in the world headquarters of beef with Argentinian wines. Drink like a Gaucho (Argentinian cowboy) as you tend your backyard asado (grill).  We found some decent value wines in the bunch, too!

 

The farthest south most tourists get past Rome is Naples, but there are some cool things to see in the foot of the boot.  Calabria's rustic cuisine and hot peppers will leave a mark on any traveler's memory. Basilicata's stunning Matera is a sight to behold, and the sheer abundance of Puglia's fresh produce makes one thirst for wine as straight-forward as the people in this part of the country. In this whirlwind tour of the south, we talk about and try several of the wines and pine for our next trip overseas.

 

This mother's day we give mom the kind of wine that reflects the strength, stamina and poise she (hopefully) displayed over the past pain-in-the- butt year.  The dishes, the cooking, the working from home, the distance learning. Ladies, time to raise a glass of some big, bold wines as strong (read: high alcohol content) as you.  We also offer a tip of the hat to Cabernet Sauvignon's mom, Sauvignon Blanc- who is having her day this beautiful Wine Wednesday.

Gina and Julie joined a virtual happy hour with wine lovers from around the world to talk about BIG NEWS in Italy's Bubble Belt (Prosecco land aka: Conegliano Valdobbiadenne). Mionetto hosted the Happy Hour so we were able to try through their wines with the winemaker.

In this episode of Grape Minds we travel to one of our favorite wine regions in the US, Oregon.  This is the month to celebrate Oregon wines, and we get a guided tour from Gary Horner, the winemaker at Erath Winery in the Dundee Hills. 

With labels as cool as this, one might wonder if the wine in the bottle can deliver on the promise of the crushed velvet-covered passion pit one imagines their taste buds frolicking upon once it's in your mouth.  Well, it does.  And the winemaker is among the coolest we've met.  Rock on, Mr. Page!

 

As in-person interviews become part of life once again we are a little overly-excited to welcome Kyle Janzen, of Janzen Estate. We get to taste and compare Cabernet Sauvignon from the Baccio Divino line, from the ToKalon Vineyard and the Missouri Hopper Vineyard. We also try the Pazzo, blend which is described as "unpretentious" on their web site. Just like us!

 

When one thinks of wine from Canada, most people immediately think of the well-marketed and delicious ice wine which stormed south about the time Generation X started learning about wine. But here to dispel any illusion that our northern neighbor is a one trick pony, is Martin's Lane Winery.  They're producing shockingly good, world class Riesling and Pinot Noir in the British Columbian Okanagan Valley. In this episode we talk with winemaker Shane Munn about these incredible wines, the valley's deep namesake lake and the microclimate it creates.  We also wonder about climate change speculators gobbling up real estate for ensure a foothold in the future of wine.  

 

Somehow, when we migrated our content onto Podbean, we missed this gem of a zodiac sign so here it is. We're sorry to our Virgo friends, but let's face it: you all are too cool to let your feathers get ruffled over it. That's why we love our Virgos so much!

If you know anyone who is an Aquarius, you know they embody freedom, fun, and going with the flow. You also know they will not be controlled or told what to do. Similarly, the Grenache grape is easy going, travels well, and is anything but uptight. In this episode of Grape Minds, Gina and Julie talk about some of their favorite Grenache wines, the many shades of Grenache, and the people who make the Aquarius sign one of our favorites. (Spoiler: Gina is one of them!) 

Your Pisces friend just wants everyone to be happy- so much so that they sometimes take on too much of your baggage and weigh themselves down.  That's what Merlot did back in the 80's when the world obeyed the French Paradox and went crazy for the legendary soft-sided wine.  To oblige, Merlot was planted in places it should have never even visited. Poor thing experienced an awful backlash but is still here to comfort you and tell you that those jeans look great - just like a Pisces. Gina and Julie continue the Grapes of the Zodiac. 

The wine business is a fascinating one. From the vineyard sites and farming, to winemakers and winery owners, to the many feet on the ground making sure wine gets into our glasses. In this episode we sit down with Kimberly Jones, an entrepreneur who does a bit of it all. Founder of Kimberly Jones Selections, an import and distributing company, she also owns vineyards, makes wine, and has her finger on the pulse of what is happening in the wine world. She’s a cool chic with great stories and shares a few of them here. 

Aries is usually the first sign of the Zodiac, so it's probably where we should have started. So, we'd like to apologize to the impatient rams among us. You had to wait to learn your grape pairing till the very end of our series "Grapes of the Zodiac." But, Julie says we saved the best for last because the Gamay grape and the Cru Beaujolais made from it are "her jam." In this episode Gina and Julie try four of the ten crus: a Fleurie from Anne Sophie Dubois, A Brouilly and a Morgon from Georges Descombes, And a cleverly named Chenas (Big Trouble in Little Chenas- a riff on a Kurt Russell classic) from Julien Guillot whose Beaulolais project is hard to find in the way of a web site- however if you'd like to learn more about his loftier Burgundian domaine, Vignes Du Maynes, click here. 

 

Lucky Gina got to go to the South Beach Food and Wine Festival in Miami where she attended a master class on biodynamics with winemaker Gérard Bertrand of the eponymous winery in Southern France. In this episode we hear Gina's interview with the legendary prophet of biodynamics, and chat about finding the earth-friendliest wines at local retailers. We also discuss the app that lets you know, according to lunar phases, what is the best day to taste wine (EVERY day- duh).

This week Gina and Julie get to talk with Wine Spectator's Senior Editor and Tasting Director, Alison Napjus who is kind enough to give the ladies a preview of the tasting they'll attend next week in Miami. Wine Spectator's "Grand Tour" makes stops in only three American cities: Las Vegas, Chicago and Miami and Grape Minds will be there! In this aperitif episode Gina and Julie talk with the iconic magazine's specialist in Champagne, most of Italy, Alsace, and Beaujolais. Alison talks about how ratings are determined, how wines are selected for rating, and how she makes sure her tasting abilities are on point.

Maria Ponzi stopped by the studio recently to talk about her family's pioneering adventure into Oregon wine, which is celebrated through the month of May. Among the first to grow wine grapes in Willamette Valley, the Ponzi Vineyard has been at the forefront of clone experimentation and perfecting the varietals that are best suited to the AVA. 

One cannot possibly try 250 wines rated 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator in 180 minutes- but that is precisely what Julie and Gina tried to do earlier this month at the Wine Spectator Grand Tour Miami. Did they fail? Yes....spectacularly. But, they did discover some great wines and talk to incredible people at this beautiful event. This week they share the tale of two Italian bubbles: Franciacorta and TrentoDOC by talking with the founder of Ca' del Bosco and the "ambassador" for Ferrari Trento, respectively. They also talked with Harry Sexton about his family's Yarra Valley winery called Giant Steps in Australia, and learned about a grape that nearly went extinct before being revived in Greece; Malagousia from Ktima Gerovassiliou. 

Rose day is this weekend so we need to get our palates in shape for the most easy-drinking wine for summer. In this episode we talk about how pink wine is made, we try one of Gina's favorites and one of Julie's favorites, and we also try a sample wine in our first installment of "Drive-by Tasting" in which we feature an innocent passer-by here at the station trying a random wine.  This week: Muriel tries "Muriel," a white wine from Rioja, Spain. 

This week, Gina and Julie get to talk with Miriam Masciarelli, whose parents started Masciarelli Winery in Abruzzo in the early 1980's. We talk family, taste some wine, and sort out that confusing Montepulciano thing.  Is it a town? A grape? A wine? Yes to all three, but they're not the same. 

The Name Veuve Cliquot is synonymous with Champagne, and the legend of the widow who continued the fledgling business after her husband passed away is almost as well known. But no one knows the real story like Tilar Mazzeo who literally wrote the book on the woman who, in her own lifetime, became known as the "Grande Dame." In this episode, Gina and Julie talk with Mazzeo whose book, "The Widow Cliquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled it," should be on the shelf of every oenophile.  

 

A land of 250 varietals awaits beyond Portugal's most famous export; the fortified wine known simply as "Port." On a recent trip exploring Portuguese wine, Gina found still, sparkling, vinification in clay pots, and even (gasp) rosé port!

This week we chat with co-host Gina about Portuguese wine country, which is pretty much the whole country.

The name Francois Louis Vuitton joins the names of some of the greatest Chateaux in Bordeaux in a collaboration for a collection of private cuvée wines available in the U.S. since late last year. His great-grandfather Louis Vuitton founded what is arguably one of France's most well-known fashion brands back in the mid 1800's, after learning the craft of box-making as a young man.  Box making and packing was a kind of fashion of it's own at that time. He'd likely be impressed with the stunning packaging of his progeny's wines. It's one of the things that comes up in studio as Gina and Julie talk with Francois Louis Vuitton in this week's episode. 

No, we haven't become a food podcast- today's episode is about San Marzano wines.  Which come from a town nowhere near Campagnia, and even further from the town where Saint Marzano (aka Marciano) is the patron.

In this episode of Grape Minds, we were lucky to catch up with Maria Barua, the winemaker at Bodegas LAN in Rioja, Spain.  Her research into the impacts of oak on ageing in Rioja wines has led to an unorthodox but delicious special order at the cooperage. We were able to catch up with Maria on a tour of the US recently where we were lucky to try through her wines and chat about oak stave sources, tradition, and the fruit.

 

 

There are so many ways to become part of the #MerlotMe movement and get your grape on with this lovely variety. In this week's episode, Gina and Julie come up with a few options while fighting through one of our hosts' palate challenge. 

With the Kincade Fire 88% contained, wineries in Sonoma County are open for business. In this week's Grape Minds, Gina and Julie get the latest from, Jordan Vineyard and Winery about how the fire and smoke could impact what's shaping up to be a good vintage. 

This week we're talking about the wine that will grace our tables of gratitude on Thanksgiving day, from breakfast through the feast.  We also hear from wine maker Ian Burch of Archery Summit in Oregon.  Plus, we have a little taste of Cline Zinfandel.  Just because. 

The stacks of Beaujolais Nouveau cases have arrived in local wine stores, and Gina and Julie grabbed one of the first bottles in the area to gave it a whirl- alongside a year-old Beaujolais (not Nouveau, but definitely not old).

In this week's grape minds Gina and Julie talk with Murder Ridge winegrower Steve Alden about the grape varieties preferred by wildlife along the Mendocino Ridge AVA.

 

In this week's episode Julie and Gina taste bubbles from around the world to find some affordable sparklers to help you ring in the new year. 

 

Moving up the boot, we wander into the vineyards of Central Italy, which contains Tuscany, which is world famous  for its delicious Sangiovese; Chianti, Brunelo di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and lets not forget those rogues, the super- Tuscans. With the judicial addition of select international grape varieties we get the big dogs like Sassicaia, In this episode we check out some lesser- known wines from Montecucco.

The we slide over to Abruzzo ( next door) for a little sip of everyone's favorite, affordable, pizza wine; Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Not to be confused with the Vino Nobile mentioned above.  Don't worry.  We sort it all out. 

 

With story as delicious as the wines he makes, Rolando Herrera of Mi Sueno Winery recalls washing dishes, mowing lawns, sending out resume after resume, and then deciding to make Mi Sueno reality. 

 

There are few names that can turn heads like Ferrari- but don't let the car distract from the incredible wine of the same name!  Gina and Julie had the opportunity to talk with Matteo Lunelli whose mountain-grown sparkling wines; Ferrari Trento are among the top in the world- and we're not just talking about altitude. 

Often in the wine world, ABC refers to "Anything But Chardonnay," But in this episode we're looking at "Anything But Champagne." Not that we'd ever dump out an ounce of Champagne. *clutches pearls* We love the stuff.  But there are other bubbles in the world, and we're checking a few of them out while we talk about the many places that make their own style of sparkling.  We're trying a Trentodoc from Italy, a fabulous British sparkler, and a ruby-red sparkling Pinot Noir from California. 

Time to look beyond their ubiquitous Chardonnay and get to know another member of the all-female wine making team at Sonoma-Cutrer,   Zidanelia Arcidiacono makes the Pinot Noir here, including the Rosé version of said grape. 

From the "Brushes with Greatness at the Naples Winter Wine Festival" file, come this gem of a conversation with Salvatore Ferragamo of Il Borro Toscana. 

Named for his grandfather (the founder of the famous fashion house), this prince of Tuscan royalty takes to the vines to produce traditional and not-so-traditional wines with respect to history and an eye toward the future.  

There is something special about Sonoma Wine Country and this year at the Southwest Florida Wine and Food Festival, we caught up with three winemakers who call this appellation home. First we talk with Jeff Mangahas of Williams Selyem about what makes wine from the various micro-climates within the region taste so different. Next, we meet Michael Thompson who bought the land to build his and his wife's dream in Sonoma's Russian River Valley with an address he feels makes all the difference for Thompson 31 Fifty Wines. Then, we talk with Molly Meeker of Meeker Wine where they know their way around the noblest of grapes including their famous Handprint Merlot. But, they still get creative with lesser known varieties like the delicious Verdelho we got to try.

In this week’s episode, we meet the winemaker behind Powell & Son. You may have heard of the passionate and gifted winemaker from his days building Torbreck.  Well now, Dave Powell is putting that passion and skill into working with his son who was raised among the vines. This January at the Naples Winter Wine

Just as people born under the sign of Cancer are warm, loyal, and sure to tell you where they stand, Syrah is a grape that produces a wine that feels like a warm, comforting embrace with a strong backbone of big fruit. In this week’s Grape Minds, Julie and Gina continue their series on the

Did you ever notice that being on an airplane makes things like tomato juice and Pringles taste better than when you’re on the ground? While the hectic experience of air travel may have you reaching for the nearest sauvignon blanc the minute you find your seat, you might want to think twice about ordering your

Remember the line from Dirty Dancing: “Nobody puts Baby in a corner?” Well, nobody should put Gemini in a corner either, because if a Gemini gets bored sitting in that corner things will not go well. The same can be said for the Sangiovese wine grape. This week we continue our series on the Grapes of the Zodiac. 

Today on the show, Gina and Julie talk about how cheeky wine packaging might mislead a wine snob to think what is in the bottle is no good. They try the newest Rosé on the shelves called, simply, “Forty Ounce.” They dish on the genius of the “Marilyn Merlot” packaging (and the hefty price tag

Etude Winemaker talks Pinot, Tall Bottles, and sell-out Rosé. The charming and effervescent winemaker behind Carneros powerhouse Etude, Jon Priest, stopped by the studio for this week’s Grape Minds. We talk about the long, tall Pinot Gris bottle (the Galliano of the wine shelf), the beguiling Pinot Noir grape, and a Santa Barbara County foray

Allowing a wine to age can be a tricky business.  Guessing the exact best moment when wine is at its peak of integrated tannin, fruit and acidity is about as easy as catching a unicorn. But there are some loose guidelines out there to help those with the patience to actually age wine.  We’ll go

In this podcast Gina and Julie set out to decipher one of the more challenging labels on the shelf- the Italian wine label. With fifteen different regions and 73 DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) regions, there is much to get confused about. We don’t get to every one of the Italian wine regions-

 

Gina and Julie continue their series, “The Grapes of the Zodiac,” in which they pair the personalities of the zodiac with the grapes of the wine world. This month we’re in Leo, and while it may seem like a lazy choice to pair the fiery, ego-driven fire sign with the king of red wine grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gina and Julie explain that it’s not for obvious reasons.

This week we talk with winemaker-turned-tour guide, Tony Bryant of IKON Journeys , for a tour of Spain and its wines. The conversation weaves through the...

In this episode of Grape Minds, Gina and Julie try out canned wine – just in time for tailgate season. Be sure to listen until the very end of the episode when they try an extra can of white and find a real gem.

This month we continue our tour through the zodiac with a stop in Libra where the beauty-obsessed diplomat, the Libra, is paired up with the characteristics that make Pinot Noir such a darling. 

Halloween is right around the corner and you know what that means ... blood-red wine.  Lucky for us, dark chocolate pairs well with the dark reds, and in this edition of Grape Minds, Julie and Gina try one called Predator.  Join the cult of Dionysis and grab a glass. 

It’s Zinfandel day - a day set aside to recognize the Zinfandel grape which is responsible for not only for the sweet version of rosé wine, it’s also considered by many to be the “original” American grape. Our Grape Minds podcast hosts Julie Glenn and Gina Birch talk about the real origin of this variety, some history of American grapevines, and find a few pairings for your holiday table.

The year begins in the workaholic sign of Capricorn, and that means Julie and Gina have selected another wine grape to match the stubborn, loyal, no-nonsense sign whose symbol is a goat. We continue the series, “the grapes of the zodiac” with a comparison of Capricorn with the Nebbiolo grape from Italy’s Piedmont region. It’s found in the Langhe DOC appellation but is best known for its starring role in wines from Barolo.