The Chronicle
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podcast· 50:12· S1E227Gigondas Has a Reputation for Punching You in the Face. Does It Live Up to That?
Are you a fan of powerful red wines like Châteauneuf-du-Pape but don’t love the price tag? Then Gigondas may be the wine you’ve been waiting for. Gigondas is often called the “little brother” of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and shares many of the same characteristics including hailing from the southern Rhône in France and containing the same GSM or Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grapes in its blend. And while it is a powerful wine that is the perfect companion to steak frites, it is also extremely balanced and elegant. We’ll explore the history and techniques behind this fabulous wine, but more importantly, we’ll give you our honest review of two Gigondas wines to let you know if either or both are worth your hard-earned money. And as we do every week, we’ll round out our conversation with some “wine in the news this week” fun as well as random side conversations like the names of the two main characters in Revenue of the Nerds. It’s hard to explain. You just have to listen. Wines reviewed in
podcast· 49:26· S1E226WTF is Verdejo?
If you are stuck in a Sauvignon Blanc rut, then Verdejo is here to come to your rescue. This great white wine from Rueda Spain is very similar to Sauvignon Blanc, in fact it is sometimes called the “love child” between Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, and it combines many of the wonderful tropical fruit and citrus smells and flavors of Sauv Blanc with just a bit more mouthfeel. This is a lovely wine from Spain’s most important white wine region. Verdejo is a fantastic summer wine, great for sipping outdoors, and awesome with fish and shellfish, fried and salty foods, as well as chicken and charcuterie. It still flies a little under the radar, which is why now is the perfect time to be the one to introduce Verdejo to your family and friends and be considered the cool kid dropping wine knowledge! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2024 Marques de Riscal Rueda Verdejo, 2024 Bodegas Vatan Nisia Old Vines Verdejo Send us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode! Contact The Wine P
podcast· 49:42· S1E225Costco Kirkland Signature Bordeaux Wine Challenge: 2023 Pauillac and 2023 Saint-Julien!
We all know that Costco wine moment when you see a Kirkland Signature wine and you wonder, should I get it? Well, we are here to tell you that you should snatch up these two beauties if you see them. The Costco Kirkland Signature 2023 Pauillac and 2023 Saint-Julien are great Bordeaux wines that you will not be able to find at this quality at this price anywhere else. But wait, are you confused by French wine and don’t know what kinds of grapes go into Pauillac and Saint-Julien? You are not alone, and we will help decode these Left Bank red Bordeaux wines from Haut-Médoc. Did we lose you already? Don’t worry. Just know that these are going to be Cabernet Sauvignon heavy blends, and the rest we’ll tell you about in this episode. Also know that we do not usually love Cabernet Sauvignon, so we were really pleasantly surprised by how much we liked these wines. Join us for a fun learning adventure! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2023 Costco Kirkland Signature Saint-Julien, 2023 Costco Kirkl
podcast· 54:45· S1E224Is Moscato d'Asti the Sweet Wine Serious Wine People Won't Admit They Love?
When asked, most people say they like dry wines rather than sweet wines, but is that really true? Based on the most popular wines in the United States, it doesn’t seem like it. At all. One of the most popular wine varietals in the US is Moscato, and the sweet wine Moscato d’Asti is one of the most well known, and well loved wines in the world. Just ask Costco who sells a ton of the stuff. And there are some obvious reasons why. First, it’s delicious, and second, humans are hard wired to be attracted to sweet. So, why do sweet wines get a bad rap? Some of it is for health reasons, frankly, but some of it is because wine snobs tend to look down their nose at sweet wines, and that’s not really fair. For much of the world’s history, sweet wines were the preferred wines, and based on sales of popular wines today, which we will cover in this episode, it seems quite obvious that they are still preferred by many, many consumers. So, we’ll let you know what we think, and if either of the wines
podcast· 50:20· S1E223This Ain't Chianti: Is Italian Sangiovese Better Outside Tuscany?
Sangiovese is the classic example of how a wine can taste completely different depending on where it is from and how it is made, and this episode demonstrates that fact in spades. Sangiovese is one of the great Italian wine grapes, but because of its strong association with the wine Chianti, it has a bit of a mixed reputation. In its defense, Chianti is really a food wine which is where its acidity really shines. But Sangiovese itself is an amazing wine grape that can vary from light and fruity like a Gamay to velvety and smooth like a Merlot. On that note, it may surprise you to know that about half of all of the Sangiovese grown in Italy is not grown in Tuscany, and regions like Puglia, Emilia-Romagna and Marche are making fantastic versions of it. In this episode, we taste and review two wines made from 100% Sangiovese from Umbria and tiny Molise, and without spoiling it too much, we can tell you that they are very different wines, almost hard to tell they are from the same grape, a
podcast· 49:53· S1E222Pinot Grigio Is Boring. Alsace Pinot Gris Is Its Richer, Weirder French Cousin!
You may think you know Pinot Grigio, but do you know Pinot Gris? Pinot Gris is the same grape as Pinot Grigio, but in taste, body, and just about every other way that matters, they can feel worlds apart. And, on a very interesting side note, Pinot Gris is also a color mutation of Pinot Noir, but that’s another story. In this episode, we focus specifically on Pinot Gris from Alsace, France, a region famous for its white wines. And of all the white wines made there, Pinot Gris is one of the biggest and richest, which may surprise anyone whose idea of Pinot Grigio is something light, thin, and mostly harmless. This is not your grandma’s Italian Pinot Grigio. Alsace Pinot Gris can be big, rich, and high in alcohol, and people who love a fuller-bodied Chardonnay may find a lot to like. Surprise! In our tasting, we were struck by just how different these wines were from the Pinot Grigio most people know. Same grape. Very different experience. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Pierre Sparr
podcast· 31:26· S1E220Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #23: Jun Kono President and Master Sake Brewer at Sohomare and Leo Lê Sommelier of Kappo Sono and Momoya
Sake is not a beverage we often cover on the podcast, but when we had the chance to talk to one of the great sake makers in the world, we jumped at the chance. In this episode we introduce you to Jun Kono of Sohomare, one of the world’s premier sake makers, and Leo Lê Sommelier of the great Kappo Sono in New York City and Momoya. What a treat to meet these two leaders in their respective businesses, and get to know them. As you know, sake is often called “rice wine,” but that is not the best description of it because the brewing process is so different and complex. And while many sake makers are trying to chase more accessible and fresher versions of sake, Sohomare is focused on making deep, complex, and elegant sake that is made to be eaten with food. We know you will learn a ton, like we did, in this conversation, and come away with a new appreciation for one of the most significant alcoholic beverages in human history. Send us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode! Co
podcast· 51:25· S1E219Is Two Buck Chuck Actually Bad, or Is That Just Wine Snob Talk?
We KNOW you are curious! No matter what you think about Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chuck, AKA Charles Shaw wine, you want to know. If you love Two Buck Chuck or have been avoiding it like the plague. If you drank it in college but now wonder if your tastes have changed. Or, if you are trying to elevate your wine game and want to see if you should bother. We know you have questions and feelings. And we want you to work out those feelings and get those questions answered. So, on your behalf, we put together the most objective, unbiased, and honest tasting and review of Two Buck Chuck that we could. And guess what?!? We were more than a little surprised by what we found. We’re not going to spoil it for you in this description. That would be silly! But we are going to tease you with this . . . we may not have rated it what you think we would rate it. Intrigued?!? Then listen in! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2023 Charles Shaw Chardonnay, 2023 Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon Send us a Text Mes
podcast· 48:37· S1E218WTF is Malvasia?
You may not know Malvasia wine, but it’s time to introduce you to this “kaleidoscope” white wine! Malvasia is a really interesting varietal because, depending on who you believe, there are somewhere between 80 and 290 different versions of the grape and wine, some of which are genetically distinct. Woah. The reason it is called a kaleidoscope wine is because it can be made into so many different versions depending on the region and winemaker, everything from a sweet wine to a dry wine to a sparkling wine to an Orange wine. In this episode, we tasted and reviewed two Malvasia wines, one from Crete in Greece where Malvasia is said to have originated, and one from Slovenia which is considered a completely genetically unique version. The wines were both really good, but really different from each other, which was really fun. If you are looking for a great new white wine to add to your list of great white wines, Malvasia is a perfect wine to add. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Doulouf
podcast· 48:17· S1E217Italian Wine Adventure #24: Frappato! The Chillable Red Wine!
Of course you can chill red wine! But, not just any red wine, though. There are specific fruity and juicy red wines that are amazing when they are chilled, and one of the very best is Frappato. Frappato comes from Sicily, and for a long time it was used as a cheap blending grape. But no longer! Over the past several decades, winemakers in Sicily have been making beautiful, fun, food-friendly Frappato that are perfect for a picnic or summer cookout. And people in the know are really starting to pay attention. If you want to be counted among the cool kids, and you need to get out of your red wine rut, Frappato is a perfect answer. Frappato is often compared to Gamay and Pinot Noir, although its origins link it to the great Italian wine grape Sangiovese, the grape in Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Our take? Run, don’t walk, to find yourself some Frappato, pop it in your fridge, and enjoy. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Valle Dell'Acate Il Frappato Vittoria, 2024 Gurrieri Frappa
podcast· 44:23· S1E216Viura: The Great White Wine Hiding in Rioja’s Red Wine Shadow!
It may be shocking to find out that there is such a thing as White Rioja, but what may be even more shocking is that a wine this good is hardly known outside of Spain! In this episode we focus on Rioja Blanco made solely from the grape Viura, known as the Queen of White Rioja, and we are here to tell you that while it is probably not on your radar today, it should be. Talk about an underrated wine! Often compared to White Burgundy, people in the know consider it a great value alternative to those much more expensive wines. And, trust us, if you bring this to your next dinner party, your family and friends will be wowed. We also talk about the history of white wines from Rioja, and what the blending requirements are for White Rioja - and as you can probably guess, they do allow single varietals, but only from certain grapes. If you are looking for a new white wine to add to your list, or you have just not found a white wine you love yet, this is the episode for you. Wines reviewed in th
podcast· 52:16· S1E215Experts Loved the $50 Oregon Pinot Noir. We Chose the $23 Bottle!
After more than 200 episodes, we are doing something we have never done before. We are doing a head-to-head comparison of two wines that are from the same grape, same year and the same region and have high ratings from reputable wine reviewers, but one is twice as expensive as the other. And we want to know - can we actually tell the difference between these two wines that have such different price points. Does a more expensive wine taste better or bring you more joy? We will let you know! We also talk about why wine reviews can be unreliable (but not ours, heavens no!), and why Oregon Pinot Noir can be pricey. Hint: when you make great wine carefully, and you choose to work with a grape as finicky as Pinot Noir, and when you only make a small amount of wine, that shizz is going to be expensive. Rather than saying expensive, we would maybe say a luxury item. That sounds better. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2023 Soter Vineyards Planet Oregon Pinot Noir, 2023 Chehalem Estate Vineyard
podcast· 50:17· S1E214German Riesling Smells Like Airplane Glue and We Can't Stop Drinking It!
It sounds crazy, right?!? Wine is not supposed to smell like glue or kerosene or gasoline, is it? Well, friends, when you are talking about classic German Riesling, one of the great aromatic white wines in the world, airplane glue is exactly what you can expect. And trust us, you’ll like it. But, hold on, German Riesling is a delicious wine with other flavors and aromas like apple, pear, white peach (what the hell is a white peach?!?) and a steely, stone ending that the wine nerds call minerality. You should also know that, despite its reputation for being a cloyingly sweet wine, German Riesling has gone through a renaissance, and most of the Rieslings made in Germany today are dry. In this episode, we’ll tell you how to tell if your German Riesling is going to be sweet or dry (there are actually several clues), and we’ll talk about the great Riesling wine making regions of Germany. If you think you don’t like Riesling, it may just be that you have not found the Riesling you love yet,
podcast· 52:00· S1E213Pét-Nat Is Older Than Champagne. Is It Better?
Pét-Nat has a “reputation.” Some people love it, and some people think it is a revival of an ancient technique that should have stayed ancient. But, did you know that the Pét-Nat style of making sparkling wine, more broadly known as Méthode Ancestrale, is hundreds of years older than the Méthode Champenoise? The origins of Pét-Nat probably came about by accident when wine that wasn’t quite done fermenting yet was bottled, and so carbon dioxide, which is produced when yeast turns sugar into alcohol, was trapped in the bottle, producing bubbles that people found to be a pleasant surprise. Pét-Nat is also sort of attached to the Natural Wine movement which, in and of itself, is not without controversy, which we discuss in this episode. Some people find Natural wines and Pét-Nat to be more authentic and unspoiled, even exciting, while others find it to be flawed and funky. In this episode, we tasted and reviewed two Pét-Nat wines that could not be more different, and the ratings of each wi
podcast· 52:53· S1E212Portugal’s Ancient Clay-Pot Reds in Alentejo Are Back. Worth the Hype?
Winemakers in the Alentejo region of Portugal have been bringing back the ancient tradition of making wine in Talha, also known as Amphora, also known as clay pots. In fact, there is a specific designation for wines made in that method in Alentejo called Vinho de Talha. Winemakers are attracted to making wine in clay pots not just because of tradition, but because clay pots, like oak barrels, allow oxygen into the wine, but unlike oak, they do not impart the same heavy, oaky flavors. In addition, making wine in Talha is also usually accompanied by more natural, low-intervention winemaking techniques. In this episode, we dig into this winemaking method, explore the history of winemaking in the Alentejo region, discuss why wine in Alentejo is different from wines made in the more well-known Douro and Dão areas, and give our honest review of two wines from Alentejo made in Amphora. It is an adventure worth taking! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2023 Bojador Vinho de Talha Tinto, 2020 Cas
podcast· 46:43· S1E210Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #21: Pascal Marty Owner and Winemaker of Viña Marty
Meet a true legend of winemaking. Ever heard of Opus One? How about Château Mouton Rothschild? Pascal Marty, owner and winemaker of Viña Marty in Chile, has a hand in those truly groundbreaking and world-renowned wines and wineries. Beyond that, Pascal is just a delightful, warm, and transparent person. A true pleasure to get to know. In our conversation, we talk about how an experience in a winery as a young man changed the trajectory of his whole life. We also talk about how his stubborn streak led him to not only study enology in Bordeaux, but fly to Napa to do his capstone project despite his professors’ incredulity at his choice because, in the 1980’s, no great French winemakers thought that was a good use of time. Pascal has always a been a trailblazer and an adventurer, making some of the greatest wines in the world in France, California, and for more than 20 years now, Chile. We have done some great interviews with winemakers, but this may be the one that us truly honored and h
podcast· 51:12· S1E208Portuguese Wine Primer: Douro Branco — Portugal's Best White Under $15?
Have you ever picked up a Portuguese wine, stared at the label, and thought... I have absolutely no idea what this means? Same! And here's the thing: Douro Branco might be Portugal's best white wine value that no one is talking about. So this week, we are fixing that! In this episode, we break down what Douro Branco actually means, why the Douro Valley's brutal climate and ancient vines produce some of the most interesting white wines in Europe, and what the heck "field blends" are and why they make this wine so different from almost anything else you'll find on the shelf. We also give you a quick Portuguese wine vocabulary lesson so you can stop being scared of the words on the label. Then we taste and review two Douro Branco wines, both under $15, to find out if either one earns a spot on your dinner table. Spoiler: one of them made the cut! Wines tasted and reviewed: 2023 Quinta Das Carvalhas Douro White Blend, 2024 Symington Family Estates Rio Belo Douro Branco Send us a Text Messa
podcast· 53:00· S1E207Italian Wine Adventure #23: Valpolicella Ripasso — The Best Under-$25 Italian Red You're Not Drinking
Valpolicella Ripasso is one of the most fascinating wines we have ever had. It’s not just the flavor, which slaps, but also the process and history behind it. We don’t want to spoil it before you listen, but the Ripasso method is a totally unique approach to wine making that aspiring wine nerds absolutely need to know! Hailing from the beautiful area around Verona, Italy (yes, the place where Romeo and Juliet hung out), Valpolicella is known for not just one, but four different styles of red wine which we dig into because each has an important place in the production of Valpolicella Ripasso. The result of the amazing process of Ripasso is a wine that is both complex and food friendly, rich yet acidic, and an underappreciated wine that punches well above it’s weight in terms of value to price. They don’t call it baby Amarone for nothing. And, if you don’t know what that means, you need to listen so you can learn more about these unbelievable wines. And, as an extra bonus, in our Wine in
podcast· 49:13· S1E206Sparkling Riesling (German Sekt): The Fruity Bubbly Under $20 You've Never Tried!
If sparkling wine feels like it's either too expensive, too pretentious, or just not your thing... you haven't had Sekt. German sparkling Riesling is the fruity, zippy, under-$20 bubbly that sparkling wine lovers, especially Prosecco drinkers, have been sleeping on, and in this episode, we are here to fix that. Discover why Germany is the world's largest sparkling wine market, and why the controversial Charmat method actually makes a superior sparkling Riesling versus doing it in the traditional or Champagne method. Hint: the Charmat method helps preserve Riesling’s signature floral aromatics and stone fruit and orchard fruit flavors instead of burying them under yeasty, toasty notes. In this episode, we taste two Mosel Sekt bottles side by side, and tell you if either of them is worth buying. And we make lots of cringy jokes about Sekt. What else would you expect from us?!? If you are curious to find a new sparkling wine to try, or just haven’t found a sparkling wine that you love yet
podcast· 55:49· S1E205WTF is Bordeaux Blanc? The Best French Sauvignon Blanc Value!
If you think the only great wine coming out of Bordeaux is red, you’ve got it wrong! When most people think of Bordeaux wine, they think of red wines that are anchored by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. But, did you know that White Bordeaux AKA Bordeaux Blanc may be the white wine you have always loved but didn’t know, because it is anchored by Sauvignon Blanc? That’s what we are exploring in this episode, and we are going to find out just what makes it so fabulous. Spoiler Alert! Although you may not have heard about White Bordeaux, you need to add it to your wine list because this wine slaps. And we found two great wines that are reasonably priced that we think you should buy! We'll also teach about some of the fun facts surrounding the wine. For instance, did you know that prior to 1956 60% of the wine made in Bordeaux was white? We bet you didn’t! Like a lot of French wines, White Bordeaux is a blend, and the magical blend in Bordeaux Blanc is Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadel
podcast· 51:44· S1E204Rosé d'Anjou: Better (and Cheaper) Than Provence Rosé?
Forget that boring Provence Rosé everyone else is grabbing for Valentine’s Day. We are exposing a secret from the Loire Valley that offers amazing flavor and higher value for your money, and will impress your significant other. It might help you spice things up a bit, too! If you think all pink wine is created equal, think again... because not all Rosés are born the same. In this episode, we dive into Rosé d’Anjou, a "tender" style of wine that is perfect for those who want a hint of sweetness. You’ll learn how the Grolleau Noir grape creates a unique experience that pairs perfectly with spicy Asian cuisine or even a Galentines cheese board. We also get into the "mad scientist" side of winemaking, discussing how some producers use reverse osmosis to concentrate their juice and to make a top quality wine. We put two affordable bottles to the test to see if this Loire Valley underdog is the ultimate QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) win for your next date night. Wines reviewed in this episode
podcast· 50:44· S1E203Forget Chocolate: Why Sherry is the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Unlock!
Valentine’s Day is coming, and if you are feeling stuck in the same old chocolate and roses rut, we have the perfect solution to win over your sweetie! Sherry as the ultimate dessert wine flex, especially if your goal is not striking out this V-Day. Inspired by a listener tip and Carmela’s unwavering love of ice cream, this episode dives headfirst into Sherry and vanilla ice cream as a surprisingly elite pairing. We know what you’re thinking . . . isn’t Sherry that syrupy stuff that your weird uncle drinks? Oh no, friends. It is a winner. In this episode, we explore this Spanish fortified wine from Jerez and tell you why the hype is real. We break down what Sherry actually is, how fortified wines are made, and why the Solera and Criadera System matters in keeping consistency from year to year. We also unpack the key differences between different types of Sherries like Medium, Cream, and Pedro Ximénez, and why different types of Sherries can give very different experiences. We also cove
podcast· 37:24· S1E202Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #20: René Barbier Meyer winemaker at Clos Mogador
Meet the wonderful René Barbier Meyer, head winemaker at Clos Mogador winery in Priorat, Spain. René is a winemaker who believes in being close to the land, the grapes, and juice so that he can make unique, artisan, gastronomic wines. In our interview, he shares his philosophy of winemaking, which is very similar to the way that a musician would describe making music - it is about feel, technique, and adaptation. René practices very low intervention winemaking because he wants the people to experience the wine as it was meant to be. He comes from a long line of winemakers who are French in origin, but who found their home in northern Spain, focusing on indigenous grapes and passionate winemaking. We know you will enjoy meeting René and learning more about his winery and wines. If you are interested in learning more, you can visit them on Instagram at @clos_mogador. Send us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you!
podcast· 51:15· S1E201Meiomi: The Worst Wine We’ve Ever Tasted?
Every once in a while a wine comes along that makes us say, “What the f*&k is this $h&t?!? Meiomi is such a wine. Sometimes described as diabolical, this wine is still, somehow, the best selling Pinot Noir in the United States. And so, we decided to see if we could figure out why. Meiomi makes what we call “California-ized” wine. By that we mean big, bold, sweet, and lush wines that are as subtle as a mule kick to the head. More like cocktails than wine, they are not really made to be paired with food. In fact, we think they may pair better with leather shoes or the bottom of your sink. So, in the spirit of discovery, adventure, and foolhardiness, we explore all the grandeur that is Meiomi wine. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Meiomi Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2023 Meiomi Pinot Noir. Send us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! Visit our website, leave a review, and reach out to us: https://thewinepairpod