Winecast

This week’s podcast is a bit of an experiment in the format, influenced by Jon Gordon’s, “Future Tense”, show and podcast. I introduce a hot new wine region in California, the Sonoma Coast AVA, and recommend some Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to check out from the area. Wineries mentioned on the show: - Williams-Selyem - J Rochioli Vineyards & Winery - Gary Farrell - Flowers Vineyard & Winery - Littorai - Hirsch Vineyards - Siduri Wines - Kistler Vineyards - Peay Vineyards - Sonoma-Cutrer - Marcassin Vineyard - Aubert Wines - Martinelli Winery & Vineyards - Pax Wine Cellars - La Crema 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/

Today’s podcast is about Portugal’s white Vinho Verde wines, I continue the wine cellaring series*, talk about the recent listener poll and share some listener comments. Show notes: 00:20 - Welcome and show theme 00:35 - Vinho Verde background 02:59 - Tasting Notes 03:13 - Gazela, Vinho Verde NV, Bottled 2005 ($8) 03:44 - Portal do Fidalgo, Vinho Verde, Estate Bottled 2003 ($10) 04:28 - Vercoope, “Pavão”, Vinho Verde NV, Bottled 2005 ($7) 04:54 - Best of tasting and best value 05:11 - Starting a cellar with a mixed case* 10:15 - Poll results 12:03 - Listener comments 15:28 - Contact details 15:52 - Next show theme * The Winecast Mixed Case #1: - Champagne: Taittinger Brut ($30) from Winecast 3 - Cabernet Sauvignon: Clos du Val, Napa Valley 2001 ($25) from Winecast 22 - Chardonnay: Cambra, Katherine’s Vineyard ($16) from Winecast 16 - Zinfandel: Seghesio, Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2003 ($17) - Crisp, dry white: Trimbach Pinot Blanc 2001 ($15) from Winecast 27 - Gewurztraminer: Cuvee Anne-Laure, Gewurztr

When Lenn announced the theme for the first year anniversary edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday, I immediately fired up Google maps to pinpoint the locations of all the wineries in Minnesota. Since I had already covered Minnesota wines recently on the show, I was concerned that the closest winery and vineyard, to abide by the theme of “Drink Local. Real Local.“, was the Alexis Bailly Vineyard that I featured in Winecast 28. As it happened, they are at 27.4 miles from my humble abode and recording studio. The next winery on the list was over in Cannon River, a pleasant town of 3,877 people, that clocked in at 31.4 miles; close enough for this purpose, I rationalized, as I dispatched an email to Lenn asking for dispensation (which he kindly granted). So for this month, I will cover the wines made at the aptly named Cannon River Winery. The Cannon River Winery opened it’s doors only last October, refurbishing a large downtown building that once featured a bowling alley. The large space is nicely laid

In this week’s show I focus on Soave from Italy’s Veneto region and start a series on cellaring wine. Show notes: 00:20 - Show theme and thanks to Adam Curry 01:20 - Background of Soave wines 05:50 - Tasting Notes 06:10 - Bolla Soave DOC 2004 ($8.50) 07:04 - Monte Tondo Soave Classico DOC 2003 ($8) 07:26 - Inama Soave Classico DOC 2003 ($10) 08:10 - Best of Tasting 08:16 - Best Value 08:24 - Cellaring wine 17:24 - Contact details 17:50 - Please vote at Podcast Alley 18:22 - Next show’s 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/

Today’s podcast focuses on the grape from the Loire Valley: Chenin Blanc. I also talk about wine tasting etiquette and the poll at Winecast.net Show Notes: 00:20 - Show Theme oo:36 - Background on Chenin Blanc. Best wines are from France: Saumur and Savennières (dry), Anjou and Vouvray (off-dry), Coteaux du Layon and Quarts de Chaume (dessert), and Crémant de Loire (sparkling), South Africa (Steen) and California (Clarksburg and Monterey County) 02:20 - Tasting Notes 02:33 - Dry Creek Vineyards, Clarksburg, Dry Chenin Blanc 2004 ($10) 03:02 - Masbon, Vouvray 2002 ($12.50) 03:38 - Ballentine Vineyards, Napa Valley Estate, “Old Vines”, Chenin Blanc 2004 ($14) 04:20 - Best of Tasting 04:54 - Best Value 05:05 - Wine Tasting Etiquette 09:58 - Poll at Weblog 10:53 - Podcast Awards 11:09 - Contact Details 11:50 - 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.

The third and final chapter in my recent tastings in California, this time reviewing the Pinot Noir of the Los Carneros AVA. Show Notes: 00:21 - Welcome and show theme 00:53 - Background and history of the Los Carneros American Viticultural Area 03:32 - Acacia Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Carneros 2003 ($25) 03:55 - Acacia Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Field Blend, 2003 ($50) 04:30 - Acacia Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Beckstoffer Vineyard 2003 ($60) 04:52 - Domaine Carneros, Pinot Noir 2002 ($27) 05:30 - Domaine Carneros, The Famous Gate 2001 ($50) 05:52 - Best of tasting 06:16 - Best value 06:32 - Please vote for Winecast for the Podcast Awards! 06:57 - Contact details and credits 07:18 - Next show theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com | Audio comments: 206-202-4696 Copyright 2005 Tim Elliott. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

The second in my 3-part series reviewing the wines tasted on my recent Napa Valley trip. This time I talk about the modern history of the Napa Valley and taste some surprising Zinfandel’s made there. I also announce a new poll at the blog. Show notes: 00:20 - Show theme and objectives 02:40 - Modern history of the Napa Valley 08:04 - Tasting notes disclaimer 09:45 - Neal Family Vineyards, Zinfandel, Rutherford 2003 ($22) 11:09 - Ballentine Vineyards, Zinfandel, Napa Valley, Estate 2000 ($18) 12:06 - Ballentine Vineyards, Zinfandel, Block 9 2000 ($27) 12:33 - Ballentine Vineyards, Zinfandel, Block 11 2003 ($25) 13:12 - Ballentine Vineyards, Zinfandel, Block 9 2003 (NYR) 13:49 - Ballentine Vineyards, Zinfandel Port, Napa Valley 2003 ($25/375ml) 15:00 - August Briggs, Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2003 ($28) 15:30 - Best of tasting and best value 16:50 - New poll open on blog 18:13 - Podcast Awards voting 19:29 - Contact details and credits 21:15 - Next show theme Feedback: winecast@gmail.com | Audio comments: 206-20

The theme this month is from Beau at basicjuice who picked off-dry wines. I picked three from the wine store and one from the cellar to fill the bill. What I looked for was a bit of sweetness, but not enough to be confused with a candy bar. The first selection is from Josef Friederich, a Deidesheimer Hofstueck Spätlese 2003 ($8.50) - From the Pfalz region of Germany, this wine is made from the Kerner varietal. Clear leaning toward straw in color, lean citrus nose, interesting herb, green apple and honey flavors with a dose of acidity and slightly mineral finish. Nicely off-dry and quite similar to Riesling in flavor. A good choice for a warm day on the patio that would benefit from some food. Score: 8/10 My second selection is from the Sokol Blosser Winery, their Evolution, “Lucky No. 9” NV ($14) - A great label that plainly states it’s “off-dry” flavors; I have wanted to find an excuse to pick up a bottle. Light straw color, peach and pear nose, pineapple and peaches with noticeable acidity mak

I’m back after a great vacation in California with the first of three shows focusing on the wines of the Napa Valley. In this first installment, I cover the early history of the Valley, the Howell Mountain AVA and share seven Cabernet Sauvignon’s I tasted last week. Wines Tasted: - Ladera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2002 ($35) - Ladera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Lone Canyon 2001 ($65) - Ladera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2003 (NYR/$65) - Neal Family Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2002 ($45) - August Briggs, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2000 ($20/375ml) - August Briggs, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2002 ($42) - Beaulieu Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, “Rutherford”, Napa Valley 2002 ($25) Show Notes: 0:00 - Opening theme 0:21 - Welcome iTunes listeners! 0:44 - Overview and objectives of Winecast 2:30 - Napa Valley history 4:23 - Howell Mountain AVA 5:50 - Tasting notes 9:55 - Best of Tasting / Best Value 10:39 - Contact details, theme music credit 11:03 - Please vote at Podcast A

Another show focusing on a wine region that doesn’t get much attention: the wines of Minnesota. I interview Nan Bailly of the Alexis Bailly Vineyard and recommend three of her wines. Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro and theme music 0:21 - Overview of Show 0:56 - Background on Minnesota wines 2:42 - Interview with Nan Bailly 13:36 - Tasting Notes 14:22 - Alexis Bailly Vineyard, Marechal Foch 2004 ($14) 15:08 - Alexis Bailly Vineyard, Frontenac 2004 ($15) 16:21 - Alexis Bailly Vineyard, Ice Wine NV ($25, 375ml) 17:06 - Best of tasting and best value 17:14 - Sorry if I missed you at Bailly Vineyard on Saturday 17:56 - Vacation in California will mean the next podcast will be on June 26 or 27 18:30 - Show contact details 18:50 - Next show will focus on the wines of California’s Central Coast, Santa Cruz Mountains and Napa and Sonoma Valleys

When I saw the post introducing Wine Blogging Wednesday #10 over at My Adventures in the Breadbox, I thought to myself it was about time we went back to the white side of the wine world after several forays into the red (or rose) zone. But “white pinot”? What’s that all about? It seems that our old red friend, the Pinot Noir, has mutated over the millennia and has produced another related white varietal most commonly known as Pinot Gris. Yes, yes, I know that “gris” translates to “grey” but the juice is quite white even with extended skin contact. The problem with this variety is that is goes by so many names depending upon where it is grown that it is hard to know what you are drinking without a scorecard. A Google search turned up the following synonyms: * Pinot Grigio (Italy) * Pinot Beurot (Loire Valley, France) * Ruländer (Austria and Germany, Romania, sweet) * Grauburgunder or Grauer burgunder (Austria and Germany, dry) * Grauklevner (Germany) * Malvoisie (Loire Valley, France and Swi

Today’s show is focused on the red wines of Australia’s Barossa Valley. I also review the film Mondovino and share a listener comment. Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro and theme music 0:21 - Overview of Show 0:34 - Background on the Barossa Valley 1:12 - Tasting Notes: 1:45 - Peter Lehmann, Shiraz 2001 ($13.50) 2:06 - Kaesler, “Stonehorse”, Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre (GSM) 2001 ($16) 2:44 - Thorn-Clarke, “Shotfire Ridge”, Barossa Cuvee 2003 ($20) 3:11 - Best of Tasting 3:16 - Best Value 3:21 - Honorable Mention: Peter Lehmann, “Clancy’s” 2002 ($16) 3:45 - Review of Mondovino 10:37 - Listener Comment 13:00 - Greater Midwest Podcaster Gathering 14:43 - Show contact details 15:05 - Next show for Wine Blogging Wednesday 10

Today’s show is a bit of a departure from the normal format of the show, answering questions about wine from listeners. I talk about Porto, cellaring wines, tannins, wine “legs” and how to preserve wine once opened.

Today’s podcast focuses on another Bordeaux blending variety: Malbec. I also talk about the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision opening up interstate wine shipments to more states and follow up on the wine and food matching challenge from Winecast 22. Wines reviewed: - Altos Las Hormigas, Malbec, Mendoza Argentina 2003 ($10) - Bodega Norton, Malbec, Mendoza Argentina 2003 ($8) - Finca El Portillo, Malbec, Mendoza Argentina 2003 ($13)

After trading emails with Sam over at Becks & Posh, I decided to reblog my entry for Wine Blogging Wednesday #9 themed on rosé or “pink” wines. It seems Sam’s day job is not leaving much time for podcast listening, so here are the CliffsNotes with a few timecode stamps to help her sort out the audio: (0:00 – 0:37) Introduction, theme music and show kickoff, thanking Sam for hosting WBW this month and the theme of rosé wines. Rosé is the “Rodney Dangerfield of wines”; they get no respect. This is probably due to indifferent blends of red and white wines we have had being passed off as rosé, as well as the sticky, sweet white zinfandels we have been subjected to over the years. In fact, I have not had a proper rosé or pink wine in a few years, so this theme was an excellent chance to check out three dry rosé wines. Before sharing my tasting notes, I spoke a bit about how rosé wines are made (1:16). The first method is to crush red grapes and macerate the must for only a few hours to impart only a

This weekend’s podcast is focused on the, “Big 3 Reds”: Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon presented in the “virtual tasting” format. I also try to match wine to a St. Patrick’s Day menu of corned beef and cabbage and announce a Minnesota wine tasting meetup on June 11th. Wines tasted: - Meridian Vineyards, Central Coast, Pinot Noir 2003 ($9) - Columbia Crest, “Grand Estates”, Merlot 2001 ($12) - Clos du Val, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 ($25)

On today’s show I taste three wines made from the Gewurztraminer grape from around the world, provide background on the grape, talk about matching food with wine, play a clip from Podcast411’s interview with Senator John Edwards and announce the wines for the next virtual tasting. Wines featured: - Cuvee Anne-Laure, Gewurztraminer 2003, Alsace ($10.55) - Columbia Crest, “2-Vines”, Gewurztraminer 2003, Washington ($5.55) - Rosemount Estate, Traminer-Riesling 2004, South Eastern Australia ($4.95)

Today’s show is focused on the red grape of the Rhone: Syrah. I taste three wines made from this grape from 3 different continents, give you background on the origins of Syrah, why Aussie’s call their wines “Shiraz”, review the book, “Wine for Every Day and Every Occasion”, by Dottie Gaiter & John Brecher and share some listener comments. Wines tasted: - Greg Norman Estates, Limestone Coast, Shiraz 2002 ($11) - Cave de Tain l’Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage, “Nobles Rives” 2001 ($14) - Vina Robles, Estate Syrah 2001 ($12)

On today’s show, the white wines of France’s Sancerre region, listener comments and some show announcements. Wines Tasted: - Pascal Jolivet, Sancerre 2002 ($19) - Pierre Prieur, “Domaine de Saint Pierre”, Sancerre 2003 ($20)

Another special, mid-week podcast for Wine Blogging Wednesday featuring the red wines of Sicily. I have selected three wines made from the native Nero d’Avola grape for another live, “virtual tasting”. I also share a bit of background on Sicilian wine. Wines tasted: - Firriato, “Chiaramonte”, Nero d’Avola 2002 ($12) Dark ruby color, beautiful, intense black cherry nose, fresh black cherry fruit with moderate tannins and a bit of acidity; a nice food wine. Delicious. Score: 9/10 - Morgante, Nero d’Avola 2003 ($11) Ruby color, earthy black cherry nose, a little musty, black cherry fruit and medium tannins. Very good. Score: 8/10 - Colosi, Dry Red Wine 2002 ($7) Medium ruby color, musty plum and wild cherry nose, plum and wild cherry flavors and moderate tannins. Very good. Score: 8/10