Wine for Normal People

Professor Thomas Collins (yes, his name is Tom Collins) is a foremost authority in the US on smoke in the vineyards. After a long career in research and enology at large wineries in New York and California, and a Ph.D. at UC-Davis, Dr. Collins became an assistant professor of grape and wine chemistry in the Viticulture and Enology Program at Washington State University in 2015. Photo: Dr. Tom Collins, Credit: WSU   He manages a research program in grape, wine and spirits aroma and flavor chemistry, and teaches courses in grape and wine chemistry and winery operations. In this show we talk all about wine and fire -- topics like: Why are there so many fires and will this trend continue in the future? Who is studying fire and what has been discovered so far? What parts of the vine are affected by fire and what actually damages the grapes? What are the remedies and what can we expect to happen in the future with fire research? A great show with a really smart and easy to understand guest -- important when it'

This is a special update and recap of Episode 327 with Barnaby Eales on Wine ingredient & nutrition labeling. I refreshed and edited that (very short) episode and then MC Ice and I added the details of the new law. We did the original episode in 2020 and at that time it was unclear whether or not Europe would go through with the plan, but they executed it and now we may be seeing back labels with a WHOLE lot more info about the wine! Listen to the update to learn what you NEED to know!    This new system goes live on December 8, 2023. There are still a lot of uncertainties, but all European wine lovers should know what the changes are so this is a must listen!   Here are a few useful links for further reading... https://wineinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Wine-Institute-EU-Nutrition-Ingredient-Labeling-FAQ.pdf https://www.decanter.com/learn/eu-wine-labelling-the-changes-explained-507553/   Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople ________________

Thanksgiving is a hard meal to pair wine with but we've got you covered. After a little bit of wine advice about glassware, serving temps, and my annual "Aunt Gertrude" warning, we get into the pairings for traditional (and some variations on traditional) Thanksgiving fare.    We begin with suggestions for wines to welcome your guests, and then move on to: Wine and food pairings for Thanksgiving appetizers/ hors-d'œuvre Wine and food pairings for the meats and main courses of Thanksgiving (my favorite part)  Wine pairings for traditional Thanksgiving side dishes From the traditional suggestions of rosé and Riesling to more adventurous things like Amontillado Sherry and Xinomavro, we give you plenty to think about when picking wines for your holiday gathering!  Photo credit: Unsplash Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________ I love my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access, my go-to source for the bes

This week we cover the unsung red of Central European wine – Blaufränkisch. This Central European red grape was planted widely in throughout the Habsburg Empire, and today the biggest plantings aren’t too far from its birthplace – right on the Austria-Hungary border. Photo: Blaufränkisch. Credit: Austrian Wine Blaufränkisch translates to ‘blue wine of the Franks’, and it is known as Lemberger in Germany and the US, Kékrankos in Hungary, Franconia in Italy, and various Burgundy-related names elsewhere in Central Europe. We discuss the origins of all these names, how the grape performs in the vineyard, its flavors, food pairings, and more. Whether it’s from Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Finger Lakes of New York, Washington State, Italy or Spain,  this grape is versatile, multifacted and a perfect medium bodied red that’s perfect for many foods and all sorts of weather --  it can be chilled in the summer in one version and warm your bones by a fire in another.    *Note, we mentio

Sherry is a complex wine with lots of terroir, tradition, and winemaking possibilities. In episode 495, we go over the stats on the region, the history, the terroir, and details on winemaking, including the solera system. We then describe the biologically aged wines – Fino and Manzanilla.    This show is a continuation of episode 495 but after listening to the show I did with MC Ice, I realized it was too meandering, so I recorded this version on my own.   This second part of the Sherry refresh has many aspects to it, and I do my best to be as clear as possible with it all. Here are the topics we cover: First, I give a 5 minute review of Sherry winemaking. I explain, anew, the biological aging process and then explain the Oxidative aging process of Olorosos and other wines I explain, in greater detail, the “in between” styles – Amontillado and Palo Cortado, which have been made by a combination of biological and oxidative aging but are slightly different Photo: Different types of Sherry. Source: Vinos de J

It's been 11 years since we discussed Sherry, so it's time to do a refreshed show. This time, Sherry is much more mainstream and we're revisiting this fascinating wine that has so much history, and has experienced a renaissance in recent times.   We discuss: Where Sherry is and its defining terroir, including the terroir of the bodegas The grapes of Sherry The 3000 year history of the region Winemaking and the complex system of criaderas, soleras, and fractional blending The biologically aged wines (under flor): Fino and Manzanilla Part 2 will include all the other types of Sherries from sweet to the numerous oxidative styles. Here's a link to the show with Grammar Girl we referenced... Map: Sherry Wines DO   Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople Most information for the show from the Jerez DO _______________________________________________________________ I love my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access, my go-to source for the best selection of interesting,

After a very, very hot summer where we live, the weather has broken and we are ready for wines that can warm us up and pair with the smells of crisp fall air and falling leaves, as well as heartier food. In this show, we talk about wines for fall from around the world and why they are going on our wine shopping list this season.   We break it down country by country (and give some special attention to Piedmont and Champagne, where I just visited) and hopefully give you some great ideas of new wines you can try out this fall to enjoy the season. Photo: Old Champagne. Credit: Wine For Normal People   Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________ I love my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access, my go-to source for the best selection of interesting, outstanding quality wines you can’t find locally. You HAVE to check out our Halloween pack at https://wineaccess.com/wfnp-halloween/  -- Spooky wines for my favor

I first spoke to Marina Marcarino of Punset in 2017 and I was fascinated by her story and loved her wines. We became friends and I’ve visited her over the years and keep in touch with her for a pulse on what is happening in the vineyards and wineries of Barbaresco, where Punset is located. Marina Marcarino of Punset Wines in Barbaresco As a recap of the first show, when Marina Marcarino was in her early 20s, she took over the family vineyard in Neive, Barbaresco (Piedmont, Italy) and named it Punset. She had a revolutionary idea for the 1980s: to turn the vineyard organic. Marina became the first organic producer in Barbaresco. Her vineyards look different, her practices were strange to most back then and when she started using biodynamic in the 1990s, her reputation as “la pazza” – the crazy, was cemented.   Fast forward to today, and everyone has followed Marina and she has become one of the thought leaders in environmental stewardship of vineyards in Barbaresco. Those who once mocked her, now use the very

This week, my close friend, web guru, and the best digital marketer in the wine biz -- Polly Hammond of 5Forests -- discusses some fascinating topics in wine. We have a great conversation about the state of wine marketing, it's disconnection with normal people (and reasons for it), and how there is more to some trends than clickbait would have you believe!  Polly is very different in the world of wine. She is actually a regular person, who understands how normal people think about and drink wine. She is the Founder and CEO of 5forests, where she works with wineries around the world to help them understand how to reach  normal people, and bridge the gap between the wine industry and the people it’s supposed to serve. If you love winefornormalpeople.com, it’s Polly’s work (and if you need help with a company web site, she doesn’t just do wine stuff, so contact her to help you). She is launching “Head Training” this month, her third podcast/web series on wine to help educate winery owners and others in the wine

Pinot Noir is a challenging grape. It’s hard to grow, hard to work with in the cellar, and the style varies drastically based on where it’s made, who is making it, and when it was grown (vintage).   We haven’t covered Pinot in a decade, so we decided to do a reboot on the grape mini-series and add all the new information and insights I’ve gathered over the last 10+ years since the last one. From clones to climate change, we give the full story on Pinot and talk about how no two wines are alike and the many reasons they differ. We cover the main growing regions in the Old World – Burgundy, Germany, Italy, etc – and the New World – California, Oregon, New Zealand, Chile, Australia and more – and discuss the style differences between the major regions. This show is packed with information (and it’s got my opinions too, which may not be yours…don’t be offended!). If you love Pinot, check regularly on winefornormalpeople.com/classes for the Pinot Noir Around the World class, taught twice a year, and the Wines of

This week we cover Australia’s coolest and most southerly region, Tasmania. This island, which is 240 km/150 off the mainland has had some starts and stops in wine, but the recent past has seen it on an upward trajectory for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, sparkling made of those grapes, plus Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Syrah, and Pinot Gris, among others. We give an overview of this very distinct Australian region, discuss terroir and climate, the sub areas, and then talk about the bright future of these high-acidity, elegant wines. Photo: Vineyards in Tasmania. Credit: Getty Images/Canva   Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today!   www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________ I love my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access, my go-to source for the best selection of interesting, outstanding quality wines you can’t find locally. Go to www.wineaccess.com/normal to join my co-branded wine club with Wine Access and www.wineaccess.com/wfnp so see a page of t

As suggested by patron Keith S, this week we take a detailed look at Madeira, the Portuguese island that makes a unique and delicious fortified wine! We discuss the very important history (it’s why the wine is made the way it is, so even if you hate history, don’t skip that part!), the geography and climate of this far-flung island, the grapes that thrive here, and the unbelievable way this fortified wine has been made for centuries. Photo: Frasqueira Madeira, Boal 1977. Source: Getty Images (canva) From the single varieties, to dryness levels, to aging levels, we give a broad overview of this complex wine. We share the facts about the wine and sprinkle in commentary about why we love it so much. There is always a bottle around here for a reason (and part of that reason: you can open it and it won’t spoil for months and months…!).   Ditch your idea of cheap cooking versions, this is the real Madeira and we hope this inspires you to try it!   As promised here is a list of the Madeira brands: HM Borges, Henr

In this show, we share our best tips for traveling to wine regions. We cover planning and research, the best time of year to visit, and important factors once you’re on the ground. From getting a shipper so your wine is ready to check or ship, to stocking up on gas and provisions, to traveling with kids, we’ve got you covered. Photo: Château Phelan-Segur. Credit: Wine For Normal People   Some key resources we mention: The WFNP podcast catalog is a great resource for finding wineries I recommend: www.winefornormalpeople.libysyn.com   The information on getting wine home, as published on the US Customs & Border Site: https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-212?language=en_US   I hope you enjoy this show and it makes wine travel more fun and relaxing! Happy trails!     Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today!  www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople       _______________________________________________________________ I love my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access, my go-to source for the best selection of

How can it be that we have never done an overview on New Zealand? We decided to remedy that this week. This is a sweeping look at the two-island nation that has a huge wine reputation, even though it only accounts for 1% of the wine made in the world. In this show, we give an overview of the wine history of New Zealand, which is probably longer than you think, and then go through the regions to tell you how they differ from one another, why they are unique and the top wines you should look for. Although Marlborough represents 70% of wine made, we encourage you to look beyond it and try some of the other regions, which may just revive your love for the place with the most southerly wine regions in the world!   Check out the show notes for the podcasts that we've done that focus on specific areas of New Zealand with Happy Wine Woman , Simone Madden-Gray and Jeff Clarke of O:TU Here are the podcasts we reference in the show: Ep 192: Hawke's Bay, NZ with Correspondent Simone Madden-Grey Ep 212: Central Otago,

In this show, I welcome my friend and wine industry guru Daniel Posner, the owner of the prestigious New York retailer, Grapes, The Wine Company. Daniel joined Grapes, The Wine Company in 2000 and was the managing partner by 2004. For the past 23 years, he has been a wine consultant, with clients from all over the globe. He travels to wine regions to meet with producers, winemakers, winery owners, especially in his favorite areas of Burgundy, Piedmont, Tuscany, and California. He knows the ins and outs of the New York wine scene, and the inside dirt that is pretty fascinating to those of us on the outside.   Daniel also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Wine Retailers, a national trade organization founded in 2006, for which he served as President from 2011 to 2019. I met him at the NAWR conference, where he and frequent podcast guest Tom Wark were gracious enough to have me.   Daniel has been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wine Spectator, Food & Wine Magazine, Forb

This time we dive into one of the three main grapes of the Northern Rhône: Marsanne. Related to Roussanne, the grape with which it is almost always blended, this grape reaches its heights in the wines of Hermitage in northern Rhône and does exceptional things around the world from Victoria and South Australia, to the US, to New Zealand and South Africa. Photo: Chante-Alouette from Chapoutier, the wine we mention in the show. Credit: Wine For Normal People   Although not a grape you will encounter as a standalone varietal that often, its contribution to the great whites of the Rhone can’t be underestimated. This grape is vital to understand if you are interested in diving deeper into the world of Rhône whites (which you definitely should do!).   Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today!  www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________ I love my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access, my go-to source for the best selection of interesting, outstanding

After reviewing some of the basics about Riesling (possibly my favorite white grape!), we talk about some other wines that may be interesting to try. Photo: The Riesling grape. Credit: Getty Images, Canva We start out with the ones on everyone’s list – Chenin Blanc, Torrontés, Albariño, Gewürztraminer, and Grüner Veltliner – but then venture deep into other territory, giving you some very different wines to consider!   From Pecorino to Malagouzia, this show will give you some great ideas for wines to try if you love Riesling but want to change it up a bit!   Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today!  www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________ I love my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access, my go-to source for the best selection of interesting, outstanding quality wines you can’t find locally. Go to www.wineaccess.com/normal to join my co-branded wine club with Wine Access and www.wineaccess.com/wfnp so see a page of the wines I'm loving right

This show is a recap of the wine experiences that we had while spending three weeks in Portugal and tasting through as much of the wines from that country as we could!   Our itinerary included:   The Algarve in the southern part of the country – a beautiful, dramatic seaside area with sandstone and limestone cliffs, which drop into the sea. There, we stayed in Lagos, a lovely town with excellent food and some fantastic wine bars including Mosto (the best!), Taninos (also quite good), and Barbosa restaurant.   Other great restaurants were Pomo Italian and La Piazzetta Pizzeria Italiana in Odiaxére near Lagos (both run by real Italians with good Italian wine!), and Saffron Indian Restaurant. Mosto Wine Shop in Lagos   Although we found that the native wines of the Algarve weren’t for us, we did have great bottles from Peninsula de Sétubal, Dão, and Douro, and some great Madeira and Port.     Then we spent a week in Cascais, outside of Lisbon. We visited the wine regions of Colares and Évora, a sub region of t

While I was in Irpinia, Campania (southern Italy) earlier this year, I got to spend an afternoon and dinner with Antonio Capaldo, Chairman and mastermind behind Feudi di San Gregorio, the largest and one of the highest quality producers in the region. This episode recaps a lot of the really interesting conversations we had about the steady traction the region has gained in terms of reputation, the culture of art and how it connects with the wine, the bond of this region to its incredible past, and the challenges of being in a region that not enough people know about.    We discuss the potential for Irpinia to be known as a top white wine region in the world and how it will get there.  Photo: Antonio Capaldo, Feudi di San Gregorio For all the background on Antonio and Feudi, please listen to Episode 337 and then come back to this show to dig into some of the fascinating issues producers face when they have everything going for them, and yet still have a hard time getting their wines to us. This should be an e

Eva Martinelli is a young, innovative, and experienced winemaker from Tuscany. She has a degree in oenology, a deep understanding of terroir of Chianti Classico, and an unrivaled passion for the region. She has worked harvests in New and Old World countries, after which she returned home to follow her dream of being a winemaker in the region she loves most.  Photo: Eva Martinelli, Credit:Wine For Normal People I met Eva in May 2023, while on the tour of Tuscany with a group of Patrons. She works for a very historic winery in Chianti Classico, giving tours and managing the sales and tourism for that winery. The Patrons and I loved her and learned so many new things about Chianti Classico from her.   In this show we discuss the terroir of Chianti Classico from a more geological standpoint, the history of the region, and the honest truth about the struggle of young, talented winemakers in Chianti Classico and other parts of Italy.    Here is her list of her three favorite wineries in Radda in Chianti (Patreon s