Winecast

On today's show, some background and a tasting of Italy's Primitivo varietal, a review of the novel "Sideways" by Rex Pickett, I recommend a new wine and food podcast and mention the poll open for you to comment about the virtual wine tasting from last time. Wines Tasted: - Amano, Primitivo, Puglia, Italy 2002 ($12) - Feudo Monaci, Primitivo, Puglia, Italy 2003 ($9) - Canaletto Primitivo Puglia Italy 2001 ($9)

The theme of today's show is the great white grape of Burgundy: Chardonnay and I also feature a "virtual" wine tasting of three wines made from this grape. Wines tasted: - Antonin Rodet, Chateau de Chamiery, Mercurey blanc 2001 ($19) - Cambria, “Katherine’s Vineyard” Chardonnay 2003 ($17) - Gallo of Sonoma, Sonoma County Chardonnay 2003 ($9)

Today's show is about a wine from Chile made from the Carmenere grape and I'll share some final thoughts on the basic wine tasting series. Wines tasted: - Andean Ridge, Carmenere "Reserve", Colchagua Valley, Chile 2003 ($8) - Santa Rita, Carmenere "120", Rapel Valley, Chile 2003 ($8) - Concha y Toro, Carmenere "Casillero del Diablo", Rapel Valley, Chile 2004 ($9)

The wines of Beaujolais are featured on today's show, I finish the basic wine tasting series and mention my appearance on Garrick Van Buren's First Crack podcast. Wines tasted: - Louis Jadot, Beaujolais-Villages 2003 ($7) - Georges Duboeuf, Régnié 2002 ($8) - Georges Duboeuf, Morgon "Jean Descombes" 2003 ($9)

Today's show is a special edition for Wine Blogging Wednesday #7 whose theme is, "Obscure Red Grape Varieties". Thanks to Andrew Barrow of Spittoon for inviting me to participate as the first podcaster to join the fun of WBW! I had to stoop down quite a bit at some wine stores here in Minneapolis as I looked for varietals I had never heard of, let alone tried. I ended up picking 4 wines for tasting, all for $8 USD or less. Unfortunately, one of the wines was disqualified as it was a blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvugnon and Merlot; my full tasting notes of that wine are posted here. What was great about this theme was it forced me to look for things I normally pass by at the wine store and I would have otherwise never found any of these interesting wines: - Castellani, Negroamaro, Puglia, Italy 2003 ($6) - Deep garnet, dusty berry nose, simple, peppery berry flavors somewhat like Dolchetto, good rustic finish with moderate tannins, nice pizza or pasta wine, very good value, plastic cork! Score: 8/10 -

This week's show is about Sauvignon Blanc, the grape of the Loire. I continue the basic wine tasting series focusing on aroma, showcase wine podcasts and share listener comments. Wines tasted: - Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2004 ($16) - Sterling Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2003 ($10) - Veramonte, Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley, Chile 2003 ($8)

Today's show is about Petite Sirah and I continue my basic wine tasting series focusing on wine's color and appearance. Wines tasted: - Foppiano Petite Sirah, Sonoma County 2000 ($20) - Concannon Vineyards, Petite Sirah, Central Coast 2001 ($13) - Bogle, Petite Sirah, California 2002 ($12)

Today's show is focused on the great grape of Bordeaux: Merlot. I also begin my basic wine tasting series and share some listener comments. Wines tasted: - Robert Hall, Paso Robles Merlot 2001 ($18) - Simi, Sonoma County Merlot 2001 ($16) - Markham Vineyards, Napa Valley Merlot 2001 ($22.50)

Today's show is a tasting tour of the wines of the northern Willamette Valley in Oregon and a discussion of alternative wine closures. Wines tasted: - Erath Pinot Gris 2002 ($13) - Erath Pinot Noir, Estate 2001 ($25) - Erath Pinot Noir, Reserve 1999 ($18) - Erath Pinot Noir, Prince Hill 1997 ($40) - Erath Pinot Noir, Anniversary 2000 ($30) - Erath Pinot Noir, Juliard 2000 ($40) - Ponzi Pinot Blanc 2003 ($15) - Ponzi Pinot Noir 2002 ($30) - Ponzi Pinot Noir, Reserve 2002 ($50) - Argyle Brut Sparkling Wine 1999 ($21.50) - Argyle Chardonnay, Nuthouse 2001 ($28) - Argyle Pinot Noir 2003 ($20) - Argyle Pinot Noir, Nuthouse 2002 ($40) - Argyle Pinot Noir, Spirithouse 2002 ($50)

This week’s show is all about Pinot Noir, featuring a wine lover's review of the film, "Sideways", and tasting three Pinots from California and Oregon: - La Crema, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2002 ($18) - Erath, Oregon Pinot Noir 2002 ($15) - Beringer Founders' Estate Pinot Noir 2002 ($9)

On this week's show I taste three Dolcetto from the Piedmonte region of Italy and showcase 2 podcasts. - Stefano Farina, Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba 2001 ($9) - Cantine Giacomo Ascheri, Dolcetto d'Alba Nirane 2002 ($13) - Marchesi di Barolo, Madonna di Como, Dolcetto d'Alba 2003 ($16)

Today's show is all about Riesling from Germany, tasting: - Avelsbacher Hammerstein Kabinett 2001 from Weinbaudomaene Trier ($13) - Bernkasteler Badstube Kabinett 2001 from WWE. Dr. H. Thanisch ($12) - Schloss Vollrads Spatlese 2001 ($25)

Today's show is about Chianti, Tuscany's famous red blend. I also talk about strategies to get the best wine-by-the-glass in chain restaurants, read listener comments and cover my own tasting preferences to help you calibrate your taste buds to the reviews on the show. Wines tasted: - Castello di Gabbiano, Chianti Classico Riserva 2001 ($18) - Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2001 ($17) - S.Michele a Torri, Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2002 ($10)

I review wine software for the Palm OS, a couple of stories from the wine world and taste three Australian Shiraz: - Rosemount Estate Diamond Label Shiraz 2002 ($10) - Yalumba "Y Series" Shiraz 2002 ($12) - Meerea Park "The Aunts" Shiraz 1999 ($16)

A special edition of the show devoted to sparkling wine, just in time for the New Year! I talk about the history of sparkling wine, how it's made, Champagne glass types and taste three wines from around the world: - Seaview Brut, 2001, South Eastern Australia ($9) - Mumm Napa Blanc de Noirs, NV, Napa Valley ($16) - Taittinger Champagne Brut, NV, Reims, France ($30)

On today's show, I talk about wine accessories, a couple of stories in the wine world and taste three Cabernet Sauvignons: - Buehler Vineyards, Napa Valley 2000 ($24) - Kenwood, Jack London Vineyard, Sonoma Valley 2000 ($26) - Luis Felipe Edwards, Estate bottled, Colchagua Valley, Chile 2001 ($12)

On today's show, I talk about why I started this podcast, some podcasting influences, how I taste wine and tasting notes on three California Zinfandels: - Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Fish Net Creek 2001 ($10) - Rosenblum, Vintners Cuvee XXV, NV ($12) - Ravenswood, Amador County 2001 ($17)