Winecast

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 Switzerland) * Tokay

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 small am

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

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 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)

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)