The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
68 results across all types
podcast· 46:07· Ep 43Much Ado About Malbec
Episode 43 – Much Ado About Malbec Pete and VinoMike are ready to talk Malbec! This is one of the most popular grape varietals out there, but that’s a relatively new phenomenon. How did we get from an obscure grape that was used mostly for blending in France to a powerhouse red from Argentina? The guys will walk you through the history and how they came to love the grape. After the history and regional lessons, VinoMike shares that he is drinking a 2013 Colomé “Altura Máxima” Malbec. This is from the highest elevations in Argentina, and they claim the world, for wine production. This bottle shows off the rugged and ageable side of Argentine Malbec. A gift to VinoMike from some dear friends, this is a special bottle in several ways. Pete breaks open something for everyday drinking – the 2018 Catena Malbec. This wine is usually $15 to $20. It comes from a trio of high mountain vineyards (3,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level) and is an outstanding value. Although this wine can age for a de
- podcast· 1h 02m· Ep 42
It’s a Piedmont Party! (With an Offer You Can’t Refuse)
Episode 42 – It’s a Piedmont Party! (With an Offer You Can’t Refuse) Pete and VinoMike are back after a week off due to, well, 2020. This year is all about adapting and the guys are giving it their best shot. Once again, they are forced to record from separate studios. There were only a few tears shed before the recording began. To ease the burden, your hosts each pop a bottle from their favorite wine region – Piedmont! VinoMike starts it off with a beautiful bottle of Barbaresco from Beivuma. The 2016 Beivuma “Valeirano” Barbaresco. This private label comes from the Ada Nada winery, one of the absolute gems of Barbaresco. It is a single-vineyard offering that offers insane value. There are only a few others making wine from this vineyard and those bottles go for upwards of $100 a bottle, and as much as $200. This one? About $43. If you can get it, buy it! (Reach out to your hosts and they will see if they can help.) The guys wax poetic about truffles during this segment. There is noth
- podcast· 1h 11m· Ep 41
Brave Women Expose Sexual Misconduct in the Court of Master Sommeliers
Episode 41 – Brave Women Expose Sexual Misconduct in the Court of Master Sommeliers On October 29, 2020, the New York Times published an article titled – “ The Wine World’s Most Elite Circle Has a Sexual Harassment Problem .” Please read the article when you have time. It is vitally important that we listen to the women who expose the rampant, systemic sexual misconduct issues at the Court of Master Sommeliers. In this episode, Pete and VinoMike bring you their take on the subject and insights from the industry. There is no wine and no frivolity. They make it clear upfront that they are two middle-aged white dudes and have ZERO idea what it is like to be a woman in this environment being harassed and sexually assaulted. They acknowledge they will make mistakes in this episode. Please understand that their intent and heart are in the right places. The hosts also go through the Court’s response. As usual, it falls flat. You can read the two responses from the Court on October 29th
- podcast· 1h 17m· Ep 40
Pop the Champagne!
Episode 40 – Pop the Champagne! Pete and VinoMike are out of their minds excited for this very special Champagne episode. You can tell they are giddy from the get-go. The inspiration for this show was a listener request along with an AP article that tells the woeful tale of the Champagne industry during the pandemic. But, before they get to all of that, it’s time to pop the cork. The guys decided to sip on a bit of Étienne Doué "Cuvée Sélection" Brut NV . With this beautiful bubbly as the backdrop, they dive into the Champagne region and what makes it especially wonderful. The episode is lengthy. Entertaining? Perhaps. Full of Champagne facts? Yep. Passion? Oh, yeah. Lots of recommendations? Abso-freakin-lutely! If you have questions on this legendary wine region, let the guys know. They covered a lot of ground but there is so much more to these sparklers and where they come from. A few of the Champagne houses the guys mentioned, or at least meant to… Pierre Péters Pierre Paillard Marc
- podcast· 42:47· Ep 39
Behind the Scenes: Wine Dinners (with a Special Martini)
Episode 39 – Behind the Scenes: Wine Dinners (with a Special Martini) Pete and VinoMike are about to take you behind the scenes of wine dinners. Those dinners seem fairly easy and lucrative. Are they? What’s really going on? While the guys talk about these dinners, they sip on a special bottling from Louis M. Martini . The 2014 Louis Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a phenomenal wine. This wine is so good that it made the great Robert Parker lose his mind and award 97 points. While Pete and Mike don’t normally talk about points and reviews, this one was worth it. What are your thoughts on wine dinners? Would you still attend if they were twice the price? Let the guys know! Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe in your favorite podcast app. And remember… Life’s short. Drink what you like tonight! Follow That Wine Pod: Instagram @ThatWinePod Twitter @ThatWinePod Facebook.com/ThatWinePod Connect with VinoMike & Pete: Instagram @VinoMike Instagram @Fa
- podcast· 36:38· Ep 38
Gettin' Jiggy with Gigondas
Episode 38 – Gettin’ Jiggy with Gigondas Pete and VinoMike take you on a trip to the Southern Rhône. They decide to start with Gigondas by highlighting their thoughts on the 2010 Saint-Damien Vieilles Vignes . This is a remarkably fresh bottle, and the guys take a deep dive into the wine and region. The guys discuss a lot in this episode from aging wine to big bottles to the Rhône itself. Packed with information but short on show notes, this is a must-listen! Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe in your favorite podcast app. And remember… Life’s short. Drink what you like tonight! Follow That Wine Pod: Instagram @ThatWinePod Twitter @ThatWinePod Facebook.com/ThatWinePod Connect with VinoMike & Pete: Instagram @VinoMike Instagram @FatManStories Facebook.com/fatmanstories Music from https://filmmusic.io "Protofunk" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) SUPPORT That Wine Pod Please subscribe in you
- podcast· 48:39· Ep 37
Into the Heart of Napa
Episode 37 – Into the Heart of Napa Pete and VinoMike are back after a one-week hiatus. Did you miss them? Before you answer, they take the first ten minutes or so to catch-up on their kids and remote school. We highly recommend you have a nice glass of Napa wine in front of you to get through that chat. Or just fast forward if you want to get right into the wine. The guys wanted to talk Napa, especially with the Glass Fire impacting so many homes, vineyards, businesses, and families. It is truly heartbreaking to see the devastation caused by the many fires raging on the west coast this year. If you can buy a few extra bottles of Napa wines and/or contribute directly to help those in need, please do so. Before they get into talking about the fires, they pop a bottle of red from the Hill Family Estate – the 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon . Both Pete and VinoMike are effusive in their praise of this wine. They walk you through a bit of the history of the estate, which mirrors many s
- podcast· 24:22· Ep 36
Allez Alsace!
Episode 36 – Allez Alsace! After a recent episode, Pete and VinoMike asked you, the listeners, about what regions you’d like to hear about. Rob Michaels answered the call by suggesting Alsace. The guys couldn’t wait to dig in! The wine for this episode comes from the iconic Alsatian estate, Trimbach . The Trimbach Pinot Blanc 2019 is fantastic. The guys give a full review of this one and highly recommend giving it a try. The rest of the episode is all about sharing their knowledge of this historic wine region that lives in France today but has often been part of Germany. Sandwiched between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River, the climate is ideal for several classic white varietals. The value here is outstanding for the quality. Get to know Alsace! Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe in your favorite podcast app. And remember… Life’s short. Drink what you like tonight! Follow That Wine Pod: Instagram @ThatWinePod Twitter @ThatWinePod Facebook.com/ThatWin
- podcast· 46:23· Ep 35
An Ode to Oregon
Episode 35 – An Ode to Oregon There are fires raging up and down the west coast. Pete and VinoMike wanted to talk about the impact of these devastating fires on the wine industry in Oregon while sharing their love of the region. The wine for this special episode comes from one of their favorite small, family-owned estates – the 2012 Beckham “Dow’s” Pinot Noir. Beckham Estate Vineyard is in the Chehalem Mountains in the Willamette Valley. The wine is spectacular and gives the guys an opportunity to talk about what makes Oregon such a special wine region. The deadly fires are causing so much damage to property and threaten to devastate the 2020 vintage in Oregon. Some wineries are pressing on while others have flat-out canceled the harvest. Another 2020 tragedy to overcome. Please consider helping the victims of the fire and support the wineries by picking up some incredible Oregon bottles. Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe in your favorite podcast app. And r
- podcast· 34:52· Ep 34
A Bit of Burgundy
Episode 34 – A Bit of Burgundy There is so much to cover in Burgundy. Where to start? Pete and VinoMike decided to start with an entry-level red. Basic Burgundy. That’s right – “Ya basic.” They popped open a 2015 Aubert Lefas “Les Grandes Carelles” Bourgogne. This Craig Baker Selection offers the guys plenty to give you a red Burgundy primer. From talking about the varietal to geography to vintage variation and more, they drop some knowledge to get you started. And if you already know about Burgundy, they give you plenty to look for on this bottle and beyond. Including, another a bit about importers and “selections.” There is more to come from this historic wine region. What would you like them to cover next? Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe in your favorite podcast app. And remember… Life’s short. Drink what you like tonight! Follow That Wine Pod: Instagram @ThatWinePod Twitter @ThatWinePod Facebook.com/ThatWinePod Connect with VinoMike & Pete: Instagram
- podcast· 41:23· Ep 33
We're Drinking F^#@&%! Merlot
Episode 33 – We’re Drinking F^#@&%! Merlot The weather is better. Pete and VinoMike are outside and, yes, they are drinking fucking Merlot! The guys couldn’t wait for this episode. Sixteen years after Sideways first hit the big screen, Merlot is still trying to recover from the famous, and misinterpreted, line from Miles. Pete and VinoMike talk about this in detail, but first, wine. Pete pulled one of his favorite bottles of Merlot for this episode and it was a new one on VinoMike. The 2015 Roark Wine Company Merlot is gorgeous. Fruit, herbs, acid, and silky tannins combine to make for really amazing wine. The fact that this is a natural wine takes a back seat to the pure enjoyment. As usual, Pete and Mike dive into other Merlot bottlings and regions they enjoy. Let them know about your favorite Merlot. Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe in your favorite podcast app. And remember… Life’s short. Drink what you like tonight! Follow That Wine Pod: Instagram @Th
- podcast· 35:07· Ep 32
A GrüVe Kind of Show
Episode 32 – A GrüVe Kind of Show The weather is scorching and Pete and VinoMike need a bottle of white – stat! Thankfully, VinoMike had a 2013 Weingut Knoll “Ried Schütt” Smagard Grüner Veltliner just begging to be drunk. After some discussion of what education looks like in 2020, this wine prompts a long discussion about Austria’s famous white wine. VinoMike leads a discussion about Grüner and the different styles you’ll find. Pete and Mike also give you tips on what to look for when shopping for this incredibly versatile varietal, along with some stories from their wine industry experiences. Let’s get GrüVe! As a reminder, Pete and Mike do not accept advertising dollars from wineries or wine wholesalers. They purchase the bottles they taste on the show. These are not paid endorsements. They could use the money, so this integrity thing sucks. Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe in your favorite podcast app. And remember… Life’s short. Drink what you like to
- podcast· 35:38· Ep 31
We Heart Chianti
Episode Notes Episode 31 – We Heart Chianti Pete and VinoMike often profess their love for Italian wine. In this episode, the duo heads to Tuscany to talk Chianti. To put this discussion in perspective, they dive into a bottle of 2016 Poggerino Chianti Classico . This is an incredible wine that offers insane value. Imported by their pal Paolo at Beivuma, this is one you need to find. Buy a case – at least! VinoMike drops knowledge on all things Chianti – from normale to Classico to Classico Riserva and more. Pete chimes in with a bit of knowledge, too. If you haven’t tried Chianti in awhile, now is the time. As a reminder, Pete and Mike do not accept advertising dollars from wineries or wine wholesalers. They purchase the bottles they taste on the show. These are not paid endorsements. They could use the money, so this integrity thing sucks. Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe in your favorite podcast app. And remember… Life’s short. Drink what you like tonig
- podcast· 42:02· Ep 30
Is "Clean" Wine Dirty?
Episode Notes Episode 30 – Is “Clean” Wine Dirty? Pete and VinoMike ended episode 29 talking about the surge in “clean” wine thanks to the new offering from actress, Cameron Diaz, called Avaline . Well, the guys decided to try it while they talk about the entire “clean” wine movement. Let the shenanigans begin! Both Pete and VinoMike pull no punches in this one. They give their take on “clean” wine as a marketing ploy along with a review of the Avaline wines. Let’s just say they may not be invited to dinner at Cameron’s anytime soon. As a reminder, Pete and Mike do not accept advertising dollars from wineries or wine wholesalers. They purchase the bottles they taste on the show. These are not paid endorsements. They could use the money, so this integrity thing sucks. Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe in your favorite podcast app. And remember… Life’s short. Drink what you like tonight! Follow That Wine Pod: Instagram @ThatWinePod Twitter @ThatWinePod Facebo
- podcast· 54:14· Ep 29
Celebrity Wines: Hot or Not?
Episode Notes Episode 29 – Celebrity Wines: Hot or Not? Pete and VinoMike decided to tackle the ever-expanding world of celebrity wines! Are these gems or duds? Are all celeb wines created equal? They decided to discuss celebrity wines because of this article from Esquire . To explore the topic, they first pop open a bottle of rosé from Post Malone - Maison No. 9 . And, as usual, these two don’t hold back. The episode wraps with VinoMike bringing up Cameron Diaz and the concept of “clean” wine. You can probably guess how these two react to this marketing angle. Let them know if you want to hear a full episode on this hot topic. As a reminder, Pete and Mike do not accept advertising dollars from wineries or wine wholesalers. They purchase the bottles they taste on the show. These are not paid endorsements. They could use the money, so this integrity thing sucks. Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app. And remember… Life’s short. Drink
- podcast· 41:03· Ep 28
Hidden Gems
Episode Notes Episode 28 – Hidden Gems After a week away, Pete and VinoMike are back! The reason for the off week was a death in Pete’s wife’s family. Gretchen’s Aunt Vicky – her Godmother – passed away suddenly. Pete spent a full week in Nebraska with her family being a supportive spouse. This show is dedicated to Aunt Vicky and we thank her for her service to our country. While away, there was a lot of family time. One thing Pete did was go to a hidden gem of a restaurant in tiny West Point, Nebraska called The Bohemian Duck. The food was incredible and the wine list surprising. He found Porter Creek Syrah and Pamplin Cabernet Sauvignon. And to pair with the duck, he was thrilled to find R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia 2007 . To find these wines in such a small place in the middle of small-town Nebraska was a real treat! VinoMike talked about a hidden gem in Las Vegas – Lotus of Siam . The spicy Thai food goes perfectly with German Riesling and Mike talks about the huge list they f
- podcast· 1h 09m· Ep 27
Who's Down with DTC? Empathy
Episode Notes Episode 27 – Who’s Down with DTC? Empathy Pete and VinoMike tackle a surging trend in the wine world – Direct-to-Consumer (DTC). The guys explain that this is basically a way for wineries to skip the three-tier system to get wine to customers directly. Can be great for wineries and wine drinkers. Maybe not so good for retailers or restaurants. They decided to talk about DTC after VinoMike sent an article to Pete about Constellation Brands buying DTC winery, Empathy . Empathy, founded by Gary Vaynerchuk, Jon Troutman, and Nate Scherotter, started in 2018 and has sold over 15,000 cases to date. The quick acquisition was covered in this article from Forbes . The guys taste three wines from Empath – white, red, and rose – while talking about the winery, DTC in general, and the acquisition. They also talk about how marketing plays a big role in wines like Empathy. Given the marketing genius of Gary V, this is no surprise. Finally, it is important to remember that Pete and Mike
- podcast· 26:03· Ep 26
Let's Be Franc
Episode Notes Episode 26 – Let’s Be Franc Pete and VinoMike are back and answering a listener question they received on Facebook. Jennifer wanted to talk about affordable Cabernet Franc. And the guys will use any excuse to dive into some Cab Franc! VinoMike brought a special bottle from Chinon by Olga Raffault . A spectacular bottle for the money, the wine really captures the essence of Cabernet Franc in Chinon. Listen in as the boys go through their recommendations of Cab Franc in their usual approachable style. Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast app. And remember… Life’s short. Drink what you like tonight! Follow That Wine Pod: Instagram @ThatWinePod Twitter @ThatWinePod Facebook.com/ThatWinePod Connect with VinoMike & Pete: Instagram @VinoMike Instagram @FatManStories Facebook.com/fatmanstories Music from https://filmmusic.io "Protofunk" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses
- podcast· 1h 44m
Controversy and Turmoil in America’s Wine Industry
Episode Notes Episode 25 – Controversy and Turmoil in America’s Wine Industry Pete and VinoMike welcome back special guest, Dan Pilkey. Dan joined them on episode 11 to talk about the 2018 Court of Master Sommeliers exam scandal. Now, Dan is back with the guys to talk more about the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas (CMSA ) and their slow response on matters of social justice, including Black Lives Matter, as well as the overall lack of transparency in the non-profit organization. Pete starts things off by giving his perspective on the state of the wine world, and our society in general. He states and is backed by Mike and Dan, that #BlackLivesMatter. This is not a political issue. It is a human rights issue. Pete invites anyone who would like to discuss it to reach out on social media. Before the guys launch into the topic, they crack open a bottle of 2016 Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir . Sourced from mostly estate vineyards across the Russian River Valley, this is a spe
- podcast· 49:12· Ep 24
Wine Enthusiast’s Top Retailers: Fact or Fiction?
Episode Notes Episode 24 – Wine Enthusiast’s Top Retailers: Fact or Fiction? Pete and VinoMike analyze yet another set of lists from Wine Enthusiast – the Top 50 Retailers. But before they do, what’s in that bottle? The guys return to pink with the 2019 Domaine Lafage “Miraflors” Rosé . This wine is as good as ever with clean notes of citrus and minerals. The guys highly recommend finding this one, chilling it down, and enjoying the day! Now on to the lists! Wine Enthusiast has ten lists of five retailers each to make up the top 50 shops (both physical and online) of 2020. It’s clear Pete and VinoMike may not quite agree with their choices. Shocking! What are your favorite retailers? What are the hidden gems we all need to know about? Share with us! As a reminder, Pete and Mike do not accept advertising dollars from wineries or wine wholesalers. They purchase the bottles they taste on the show. These are not paid endorsements. They could use the money, so this integrity thing sucks. Th
- podcast· 1h 09m
Where Do I Start? Online Shopping Tips with David Dushkin
Episode Notes Episode 23 – Where Do I Start? Online Shopping Tips with David Dushkin Friend of the show, David Dushkin, reached out to Pete saying, “You and VinoMike should do a top 12 beginner wines to buy. Make a case for like $150.” Pete’s response, “I have an idea.” So, today, Pete and VinoMike talk to Dave about how to navigate buying a beginner case online. They use one of Dave’s local shops – Petite Cellars – to walk him through how they would do it. This may seem simple, but there is a lot to it and there is something for everyone in this episode. Before they get started down that path, they crack open a bottle of Cellier des Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Prestige Blanc from Trader Joe’s. This simple, yet delicious, wine is a bargain and well worth a try. The episode wraps up with a little running talk as all three of the guys on this episode are runners. Running and wine – a perfect pairing! As a reminder, Pete and Mike do not accept advertising dollars from wineries or wine wholesa
- podcast· 32:36· Ep 22
Let's Talk Montsant!
Episode Notes Episode 22 – Let’s Talk Montsant The boys love to talk about finding new and exciting wines. Today, they have one for you from Montsant. After a brief geographical and history lesson, Pete and VinoMike dive into a bottle of 2016 Celler de Capçanes “Potente ” red blend. The guys breakdown the blend, the flavors, and how much they love this crazy value. VinoMike describes these wines as having one foot in the “old world” and one foot in the “new world,” making them some of the most intriguing out there. They also tell you why you should look for this region – and Spain in general – if you want some of the best bang for the buck wine in the world. Finally, the guys talk about wine terms that bother them. What terms bother you? Does terroir grind your gears? Let them know! Don’t forget to join the guys tonight, June 10th, 2020, for the first-ever TWP Zoom Tasting! The guys love Piedmont and that is what they’ll talk about on 6/10/2020 at 7PM central. The lineup is avail
- podcast· 33:08· Ep 21
Oh, Those Summer Reds!
Episode Notes Episode 21 – Oh, Those Summer Reds Quarantine is coming to an end, and we couldn’t be happier. So, time to celebrate with some Summer Reds! VinoMike brought one of his absolute favorites for this episode – Turley Cinsault. This old-vine Cinsault is light, refreshing, and damn tasty. If you can find it, buy it! The guys talk about their favorite summer reds throughout the episode. One that they mention is Terre Nere Sicilian reds. Check them out! Finally, the guys announce that June 10th, 2020 is the first-ever TWP Zoom Tasting! The guys love Piedmont and that is what they’ll talk about on 6/10/2020 at 7:00 PM central. The lineup is coming out soon, so stay tuned. Here’s the information for the Zoom Meeting: Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/72392210750?pwd=T3lpUFNCWTdBeXA3RjUxUVRXOWpYUT09 Meeting ID: 723 9221 0750 Password: ThatBottle As a reminder, Pete and Mike do not accept advertising dollars from wineries or wine wholesalers. They purchase the bottles they
- podcast· 30:51· Ep 20
Quarantine Episode IV
Episode Notes Episode 20 – Quarantine Episode IV Pete and VinoMike are back and ready for Rosé! They kick it off by tasting the 2019 Deltetto “Suasì” Langhe Rosato . This 100% Nebbiolo is crisp, refreshing, complex, and super fun! The rest of the episode is all about the guys talking about Rosé. How is it made? What are their favorites? When do they drink it? All that and much more in this 20th episode of That Wine Pod! Be sure to check out Pete’s other podcasts: The No Fear Project , Be Better Today , and FatMan Chronicles ! As a reminder, Pete and Mike do not accept advertising dollars from wineries or wine wholesalers. They purchase the bottles they taste on the show. These are not paid endorsements. They could use the money, so this integrity thing sucks. Thank you for listening to That Wine Pod! Be sure to subscribe in your favorite podcast app. And remember… Life’s short. Drink what you like tonight! Follow That Wine Pod: Instagram @ThatWinePod Twitter @ThatWinePod Facebook.com/T