Winecast

A new monthly podcast featuring a panel of wine bloggers and an industry guest. Co-host Jeff Lefevere of Good Grape and I welcome Tom Wark from FERMENTATION and Jeff Stai from the Twisted Oak Winery. Show notes: 00:24 - Welcome and introductions 01:53 - Show format 02:16 - Twisted Oak Winery background 08:04 - Direct to consumer shipping trends 14:28 - Do wine blogs create demand? 15:47 - Tom's new role as Exec. Dir. of SWRA 22:35 - Current state of wine distribution 31:07 - Balanced, "Old World-styled" wines 39:07 - The "hot wines" of 2007? 45:36 - Round of plugs for participant blogs 47:32 - Contact details and next show participants Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2007 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

I'm back and starting my third year of podcasting with the longest Winecast yet, a discussion and tasting of four wines from the Iberian peninsula with Ryan Opaz of Catavino. Show Notes: 00:21 - Welcome and introduction 01:10 - Your Iberian wine questions with Ryan Opaz 26:17 - Don Olegario, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain 2004 ($19) 30:27 - Sociedade Agrícola Casal do Tojo, "Lisa", Terras do Sado, Portugal 2004 ($11) + 36:07 - Bodegas 3 Suenos, "Sexto", Terra Alta, Spain 2004 ($10) 41:39 - Caves do Salgueiral, "Andreza", Douro, Portugal 2003 ($14) * 46:22 - Save The Duero and wrap-up 51:49 - Contact Details 52:04 - Next show theme * = Best of Tasting + = Best Value (Production Note: Unfortunately I set the gain too high on this recording and could not filter out this background noise out due to GarageBand's ducking feature. I recommend listening on speakers and not headphones as a result. Lesson learned; my apologies.) Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2007 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public unde

This week’s podcast is about the noble grape of Italy’s Piedmont: Nebbiolo. I also reflect on my first year of podcasting and talk about plans for making the show better in 2006. Show Notes: 00:20 - Welcome and show theme 00:41 - Nebbiolo background 03:34 - Tasting Notes Disclaimer 04:05 - G. D. Vajra, Nebbiolo, Langhe 2003 ($22) Score: 9/10. Best of Tasting and Best Value 04:48 - Paitin, Nebbiolo d’Alba, Ca Veja 2001 ($23) Score: 8.5/10 05:11 - Karmere Winery and Vineyard, “Empress – La Petite Morgan”, Nebbiolo, Shenandoah Valley 2003 ($15/Sold Out/Sent by listener Darrel) Score: 8/10 06:17 - Best of Tasting/Best Value: G. D. Vajra, Nebbiolo, Langhe 2003 ($22) 06:35 - Reflections on 1 year of podcasting 12:14 - Contact Details 12:38 - Next Show Theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com | Audio comments: +01-206-33-WINE-9 (+01-206-339-4639) Copyright 2005 Tim Elliott. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Another Quick Picks podcast highlighting two outstanding values from Spain’s Bodegas Borsao. Show Notes: 00:13 - Bodegas Borsao background 00:51 - Bodegas Borsao, “Red Wine” 2005 ($8) 01:29 - Bodegas Borsao, “Tres Picos“, Garnacha (Grenache) 2004 ($15) 02:01 - Next show theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Another look at the Gamay Noir grape, this time focusing mostly on New World examples from Napa Valley and Oregon. I interview Drew Dickson from the Andrew Lane Winery and announce my raffle prize in the Menu For Hope III Campaign. Show Notes: 00:21 - Introduction and show theme 00:39 - Gamay Noir background 01:20 - Interview with Drew Dickson from Andrew Lane 08:22 - Tasting Notes 08:53 - Andrew Lane, Gamay Noir, Napa Valley 2004 ($18/sample) 09:15 - Amity Vineyards, Gamay Noir, "Anden Vineyards" 2004 ($17) * 10:07 - Laboure-Roi, Beaujolais-Villages, Saint-Armand 2004 ($11)+ 11:17 - Best of Tasting * 11:22 - Best Value + 11:29 - Menu for Hope III Campaign 13:23 - Contact Details 13:40 - Next Show Theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Another Quick Picks podcast celebrating both my birthday and the release of Beaujolais Nouveau today. My favorite from my tasting today is featured. Louis Tete, Beaujolais Nouveau 2006 ($13) - Clear ruby/purple in color with aromas of strawberry, cherry and banana. In the mouth the wine is juicy with wild cherry and strawberry jam flavors finishing with good acidity and soft tannins. Textbook Nouveau from a reliable shipper. Drink with your Thanksgiving turkey and fixings. 12.5% ABV Natural cork closure Score: 82 If you want to hear more about Beaujolais Nouveau, be sure to check out Winecast 47 from last year. Show Notes: 00:05 - Welcome and show theme 01:18 - Louis Tete, Beaujolais Nouveau 2006 02:18 - Shout out to Joseph Drouhin Nouveau 02:31 - Contact Details and next show theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

I return to try to answer a listener question from 2005 and talk about Semillon, the great grape of Bordeaux. I also review three wines from the New World. 00:21 - Welcome and show theme 00:32 - Listener question 02:11 - Semillon background 04:56 - Tasting Notes 05:04 - Kaesler, Semillon, “Old Vines”, Barossa Valley 2004 ($14) * + 05:41 - Chateau Ste. Michelle, Semillon, Columbia Valley 2003 ($9) 06:33 - Stormhoek, “The Sixteen Barrel”, Semillon 2004 ($20/sample) 07:50 - Best of tasting * and best value + 08:23 - Contact Details 08:43 - Next Show Theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

I get behind the mic once again to talk about two Rhone-style wines from the Curtis Winery in California. Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

A return to the Quick Picks format last seen almost a year ago with a review of a value-price Zinfandel. Tasting Notes: Castle Rock, Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2004 ($10) - Dark purple in color with aromas of blackberry, sage and a touch of vanilla. Round and soft in the mouth with boysenberry and blackberry flavors, some spice and silky, sweet tannins. An excellent value drinking as well as wines more than twice it’s price. 13.9% ABV Composite cork closure Score: 88 Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Today's show is a return to podcasting after seven weeks off this time focusing on Pinotage, the red varetial from South Africa. I also play a podsafe song about wine and make a couple of announcements. Show Notes: 00:22 - Welcome and show theme 01:06 - Pinotage background 04:00 - Tasting Notes 04:50 - Zonnebloem, Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2003 ($12) *+ 05:14 - Robertson Winery, Pinotage, Robertson, South Africa 2003 ($9) 05:39 - Fleur du Cap, Pinotage, Coastal Region, South Africa 2004 ($12) 06:19 - Best of tasting (*) and best value (+) 06:51 - Show announcements 07:58 - Clip from Evil Genius Chronicles podcast 11:21 - Podsafe song from Mark Mallman 12:10 - Pandora's Bottle from "Between the Devil and Middle C" (buy on Amazon or eMusic) 15:18 - markmallman.com and tour dates 15:56 - Contact Details/Sign my listener map! 16:28 - Next show theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Today's podcast is a return to my vintner profile format with an interview with Jason Korman and Hugh Macleod of the Stormhoek Winery. Show Notes: 00:22 - Welcome 01:07 - Introduction of Stormhoek Winery 02:32 - Interview with Hugh Macleod and Jason Korman 29:16 - Tasting Notes 29:28 - Stormhoek, Pinot Grigio 2005 ($10) 29:46 - Stormhoek, Semillon, "The Sixteen Barrel" 2004 ($20) * 30:26 - Stormhoek, Pinotage 2005 ($10) + 30:51 - Best of Tasting * 30:56 - Best Value + 31:06 - Contact Details 31:45 - Next show theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Today's podcast is something completely different than I have ever attempted, a live recording from a podcast event held in Minneapolis on June 12, 2006. Although I am flying a bit by the seat of my pants before a live audience, I do talk about wine tasting tips, feature a virtual tasting of a wine and answer a few wine related questions from the audience. Back to a more normal podcast format later this week, I promise ;-) Show Notes: 00:22 - Introduction 01:13 - Soundboard recording from "Live to HD" event 25:00 - Contact Details Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

This month Wine Blogging Wednesday returns to it's normal first Wednesday of the month and host Vivi's Wine Journal has picked a very appropriate theme for July: Barbecue Wines (or is it BBQ, or Bar-B-Que?). The history of BBQ appears to be an American invention, but there seems to be some debate on this if you look closer. Whatever the derivation, today the term means either the slow cooked meats prepared across the southern U.S. from pork, beef or chicken or grilled meats in general. I took the latter definition for the purposes of this post and podcast and chose three wines I think would pair well with summer grilling. Different than in the other months I have participated in this event, my three wines will be a white, a rose and a red. All quite dry and loaded with fruit flavors to stand up to the heartiest summer fare. Since yesterday was Independence Day here in the U.S., my grilling choice was classic Wisconsin brats and traditional side-dishes, potato and macaroni salad. Whatever wines I select, they

The podcast today is another dispatch from Beau Jarvis of Basic Juice on his Live Austrian Wine Adventure. Show Notes: 00:22 - Welcome and introduction 01:09 - Beau's interview with Domäne Müller 14:25 - A conversation with the Neumeister winery 25:09 - New poll on the blog and contact details 27:06 - Next show theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Today's podcast is another vintner profile interviewing Willamette Valley Vineyards founder and President Jim Bernau. I also play a podcast promo and talk about a new poll on Winecast. Show Notes: 00:21 - Welcome, show theme and sponsor message 03:07 - Interview with Jim Bernau 19:44 - Tasting Notes 19:58 - Willamette Valley Vineyards, Riesling 2005 ($12) 20:56 - Willamette Valley Vineyards, Pinot Gris 2005 ($16) + 21:15 - Willamette Valley Vineyards, Pinot Noir, "Whole Cluster" 2005 ($18) 21:45 - Willamette Valley Vineyards, Pinot Noir, "Vintage Selection" 2003 ($22) 22:06 - Willamette Valley Vineyards, Pinot Noir, "Estate" 2003 ($40) * 23:04 - Willamette Valley Vineyards, Pinot Noir, "Freedom Hill" 2002 (~$45) 23:38 - Willamette Valley Vineyards, Frizzante 2002 ($12/half bottle) 24:19 - Best of Tasting * 24:55 - Best Value + 25:25 - The Frank Truth promo 27:15 - New poll on the blog 29:02 - Contact details 29:31 - Next show theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the

Today's show is the first special edition from Beau Jarvis' Live Austrian Wine Adventure featuring interviews with Weingut Wohlmuth and Weingut Gross. You can find more information and stay up-to-the-minute at Beau's blog. Show Notes: 00:22 - Welcome and Introduction 01:12 - Beau's interview with Weingut Wohlmuth 12:50 - Interview with Weingut Gross 21:49 - Wrap-up and contact details 22:23 - Next show theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

This month, Wine Blogging Wednesday is on a Friday because founder Lenn Thompson of the Lenndevours wine blog has teamed up with Alberto from Il Forno a premier food blog and founder of Is My Blog Burning. So for IMBB 26 and WBW 21 the rules are fairly simple. For us wine bloggers, pick a bottle from your cellar and find a recipe to pair with it; for food bloggers it’s the other way round choosing one of their favorite recipes and then finding a wine. So when I read about this theme last month, I immediately thought of a food podcaster, Anne Bramley of Eat Feed, to give me some recipe ideas for the wine I chose. I spoke with Anne earlier today and she gave me several recipe ideas that might match with the White Rose Estate, Pinot Noir I selected from my cellar. After considering all of Anne’s suggestions, I picked the pork with apples and brandy cream we spoke about and cooked it for dinner this evening. Anne suggested a couple other recipes that can be found online here: - Pork Chops with Quinoa Pilaf an

This edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday (WBW for short) is a bit different than normal for me as I’m the host wine blog this time. The theme I picked was also a bit of a change for both WBW and my podcast. I asked participants to pick a red wine with an alcohol content of 12.5% by volume or less. Sounds easy enough. No specific varietal or wine region; no fancy label or food matching required. This was a bit more of a challenge than even I expected, however, in this day and age of powerful, fruit driven wines that average 13.5% ABV and up. Tastes and technology in modern winemaking has changed quite a bit over the past 20 years or so. Most of this change has been for the good. No more are there thin, marginal wines with green flavors on the shelf and most red wines these days have concentrated fruit flavors and aromas. But this has also encouraged vineyard practices of leaving the grapes on the vine as long as possible to extract the most flavor possible. This long “hang time” also increases the sugar

Today’s super-sized podcast is an overview of the wines of Austria, featuring an interview with Beau Jarvis of Basic Juice as he kicks off this Live Austrian Wine Adventure. Show Notes: 00:21 - Welcome and show theme 00:36 - Wines of Austria 03:13 - Interview with Beau Jarvis of Basic Juice 14:50 - Beau’s first LAWA 06 interview - Hotel Rathaus Wien & Design 25:58 - Tasting Notes 26:31 - Schloss Gobelsburg, Riesling 2004 ($14/provided by listener Tony) 27:08 - Weingut Stadt Krems, Grüner Veltliner, “Sandgrube” 2004 ($14/Solo Vino sample) *+ 27:39 - Weingut Glatzer, Blaufränkisch 2004 ($14/provided by listener Tony) 28:05 - Best of tasting and best value *+ 28:24 - Contact Details 28:44 - Next Show Theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Today’s podcast is based upon last month’s WBW post that featured the Spainish white grape Verdejo, and I also welcome my first show sponsor, iBank 2 from IGG Software. Show Notes: 00:22 - Welcome 00:33 - iBank 2 Sponsorship 01:41 - Verdejo Background 03:42 - Tasting Notes 03:50 - Marqués de Riscal, Verdejo, Rueda D.O. 2004 ($8/provided by listener Tony) + 04:29 - Vina Sanzo, Verdejo, Rueda, Spain 2004 ($15/sample) * 05:26 - Garcia Arevalo, “Casamaro”, Rueda, Spain 2005 ($9/sample) 05:55 - Woop Woop, “V 2005″, Verdelho (Verdejo), Southern Australia 2005 ($9/sample) 06:43 - Best of Tasting * 06:48 - Best Value + 07:35 - Contact Details 08:32 - Next Show Theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/