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podcast· 1h 00m· Ep 19Quarantine Episode III
Episode Notes Episode 19 – Quarantine Episode III Pete and VinoMike are making the best of the quanartime with another episode of TWP! This episode kicks off in the newly created outdoor studios, so the guys are back in person. The wine is their second from Andrew Jones – 2018 Fiction Red . Check it out and stock up because this one is fan-freaking-tastic! The rest of the episode is digging deep into what is happening with Pete and VinoMike. From the wines they are drinking to their philosophy on this crisis, the guys get really personal. 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… Li
- podcast· 50:41
Quarantine Episode II
Episode Notes Episode 18 – Quarantine Episode II Pete and VinoMike are making the best of quaran-time with another episode of TWP! VinoMike dropped off a sanitized and properly distanced wine for Pete so they could taste the same vino. This special bottle came from listener @instevino_veritas. The wine is from a very small project called Aesop . The bottling is the 2018 Pinot Noir from Coombsville in Napa Valley. The guys wax poetic about this one and VinoMike fills you in on why Coombsville and the Haynes Vineyard are so special! The guys also let you in on what is happening with them. VinoMike is running and taking care of his son. Pete is taking on lots of projects as a running coach and several podcasts. Be sure to check out 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 t
- podcast· 41:44
Quarantine Episode I
Episode Notes Episode 17 – Quarantine Episode I Pete and VinoMike are back and practicing social distancing by recording over Skype from separate studios. The guys talk about life in self-quarantine and how they are getting along with a little wine. VinoMike jumps right in with a brief overview of some wines he bought at a local wine shop. They both commend the efforts of the smaller shops during this unprecedented period in history. One place doing a great job is Vin Chicago , where the guys met. Between no-touch curbside pickup and an amazing “Quick Pick” case of wine , Vin Chicago is doing an awesome job at making it as easy and safe as possible for Chicago area wine drinkers. If you decide to give Vin Chicago a try, make sure you tell them you heard about them on That Wine Pod! Also, the restaurant industry has really been hit hard. VinoMike is not able to go to work right now. We will get through this, but supporting your local restaurants is vital. One great resource to check out
- podcast· 1h 00m
Talking Wine Scores with Natalie MacLean
Episode Notes Episode 16 – Talking Wine Scores with Natalie MacLean Pete and VinoMike kick off the show tasting an outstanding bottle of bubbles from Piedmont. The 2013 Deltetto Brut is something special. If you can find any vintage of this sparkler, grab it! The bulk of the show is a talk with award-winning wine writer, Natalie MacLean. Natalie’s approach has made her a legend in the wine world. They talk about wine scores, Natalie’s approach to wine writing, and the wine classes she offers. Incredible insights from a 20-year veteran of writing in the world of wine! If you are interested in learning more about Natalie, signing up for her newsletter, or getting more information on her wine classes, go to nataliemaclean.com to check it out. Also, to take advantage of the free offer Natalie made at the end of the interview, go to nataliemaclean.com/winepod and download the pdf. As a reminder, Pete and Mike do not accept advertising dollars from wineries or wine wholesalers. They purchase
- podcast· 36:55
Let's Talk Costco Wines
Episode Notes Episode 15 – Let’s Talk Costco Wines Pete and VinoMike wanted to try something from Costco, so they crack open the 2019 Kirkland Ti Point Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. Their review dives into the details, but the overall sense, pretty good stuff. The guys also talk about Costco wines as a whole, private label wines, and how much Costco sells in the alcohol category. Great fun and insights sum this one up! 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/ThatWinePod Connect with VinoMike & Pete: Instagram @VinoMike Instagram @FatManStories Facebook.com/fatman
- podcast· 46:14
Navigating a Restaurant Wine List
Episode Notes Episode 14 – Navigating a Restaurant Wine List VinoMike works at a restaurant and we thought it would be great to start to tackle the intimidating practice of navigating a wine list. VinoMike walks us through three lists – Parkers’ , Blackbird , and Bargello (no online wine list, yet). He breaks them down and highlights how they differ. During the discussion, VinoMike and Pete give out their pro tips and ways to make the list seem more manageable. Before they dive into that main subject, they taste an awesome wine – the 2011 Domaine La Garrigue Cuvée Romaine. This Côtes du Rhône is always a great value. VinoMike buys it every year and the guys give their take on what to pair it with. What would you eat with this wine? Let them know! Although not mentioned in this episode, we want to remind you about the Second City Sommeliers and their upcoming bootcamp . Check it out! As a reminder, Pete and Mike do not accept advertising dollars from wineries or wine wholesalers. They p
- podcast· 38:53
That Blind Tasting Show
Episode Notes Episode 13 – That Blind Tasting Show This show was recorded back in January when Pete was under the weather. That’s why there are some references to the holidays. Also, we did edit out some of VinoMike’s tasting and swishing around the wine. We figured, you got the idea and didn’t want to listen to that in your headphones. In this episode, VinoMike gives you a tutorial in blind tasting. From how to why Mike guides you through one white and one red. Does he get them right? As you will learn that answer is way less important than how he got to the conclusion. Like so much in life, enjoy the journey! The blind-tasted wines are: 2016 Helen & Joey “Inara” Chardonnay 2015 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Dogliani (Dolcetto) Mike also mentions Second City Sommeliers and their upcoming boot camp . Check it out! 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. Th
- podcast· 47:49
How the Court of Master Sommeliers Works
Episode Notes Episode 12 – How the Court of Master Sommeliers Works Coming on the heels of the last episode with Dan Pilkey taking you inside the Court of Master Sommeliers scandal , VinoMike wanted to give you a look at how the Court actually works. Before the guys jump into that subject, you know they had to pop a bottle of wine! This episode’s featured wine comes from Red Mountain in Washington’s Columbia Valley – the 2013 Terra Blanca Signature Series Cabernet Franc . Pete and VinoMike talk about the wine, the varietal, the region, and all the stuff that makes this wine special. NOTE: Pete knows he made an error. He kept saying Richmond. The city is Richland, WA. He knows. He’s just woefully unprepared. From there, Mike digs into the four levels of the Court of Master Sommeliers. He goes through what each level means, how it functions, and what it takes to pass. There is a back-and-forth with Pete about how confusing the structure and naming convention can be for those outside the
- podcast· 2h 46m
Inside the Court of Master Sommeliers Scandal with Dan Pilkey
Episode Notes Episode 11 – Inside the Court of Master Sommeliers Scandal with Dan Pilkey Whew, this is a long one - and worth it! Pete and VinoMike welcome their first in-studio guest, Dan Pilkey. Dan is the Midwest Regional Manager for Paul Hobbs. The first hour-plus of the show is spent talking to Dan about the wines he brought to share from the Hobbs portfolio. They talk about regions and what makes these wines special. There’s even some talk about how Paul Hobbs wines fit in the natural category. Here are the wines they tasted: 2016 Yacoubian-Hobbs “Sarpina” Areni 2017 Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Crocus “L’Atelier” Malbec de Cahors 2016 Cobos “MarchioriEstate” Malbec Then the subject pivots to Dan’s experience with the Court of Master Sommeliers. In September 2018, Dan passed the arduous Master Sommelier exam. One month later, the Court took the title away from him and 22 others who passed that day. There was a cheating scandal and everyone’s results were vacated. Dan is adam
- podcast· 45:28
That Natty Show!
Episode Notes Episode 10 – That Natty Show Natural wine has become all the rage with those in the know. Pete and VinoMike start to tackle this nebulous wine category in this episode. The featured wine this show is: 2018 Occhipinti “SP68” Rosso . If you have never tried a wine from Occhipinti, you are missing out! What is natural wine? What about sustainable, organic, and biodynamic? They get into how difficult it is to define natural wine and why that is an issue for both wine buyers and consumers. Pete rips into biodynamic. Honestly, he’s kind of a jerk about it. But, hey, they said they would be honest. Hopefully, you learn a little about this category and are ready to try some new wines. The article VinoMike mentions about sulfites and wine can be found here . It is an interesting read. By the end, clearly guys will need to revisit this topic soon! As a reminder, Pete and Mike do not accept advertising dollars from wineries or wine wholesalers. They purchase the bottles they taste o
- podcast· 39:52
That 2020 Trend Show
Episode Notes Episode 9 – That 2020 Trend Show The guys open this episode hitting on a trend in wine heading into 2020 – spirit barrel-aged wines. The bottle they get into is the 2017 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Aged in Rum Barrels Merlot. Whew, that’s a lot of words. For the first time, neither Pete or VinoMike likes the wine. Well, that may be an understatement, but they still encourage you to try everything yourself! From there, they dive into what’s on tap for wine in 2020. Will the slowdown in volume continue? Will hard seltzer take a bigger chunk of business? Will natural wines and social justice become even bigger topics? Is Bordeaux in trouble? All of those questions and much more are tackled. What are your predictions for wine in 2020? Share your thoughts with us! EVENT ALERT - There is an opportunity to meet VinoMike in person on January 26, 2020, by supporting Wine on Wheels . This tasting takes place at RPM on the Water and features some of the best wine talents in Chi
- podcast· 52:07
That Bojo Show
Episode Notes Episode 8 – That Bojo Show This episode is in honor of the passing of the Pope of Beaujolais – the legendary Georges Dubeouf. No one has done more than Georges to get this great wine to us and he will be missed. Rest in peace with a never-ending glass of Gamay Georges! So, of course, we are drinking Beaujolais. The two wines on the show are 2017 Georges Dubeouf Beaujolais and 2013 Jean Foillard “Cote du Py” Morgon . There is a lot packed into this episode about Beaujolais. From a history of Georges Dubeouf to understanding Beaujolais Nouveau to parsing out what makes a Cru, the guys really take you on a tour of the region. They also stress how important it is to understand importers, focusing on the two that bring these wines to the United States – Quintessential and Kermit Lynch . Get to know your importers and you will discover great wines. Pete also takes James Suckling to task again. Mr. Suckling, to save you some time, this show makes almost no money and Pete doesn’t
- podcast· 43:07
Those Wine Trips
Episode Notes Episode 7 – Those Wine Trips This episode’s wine is a spectacular value Rioja from the Juan Gil Family – 2017 Honoro Vera Rioja ! VinoMike and Pete start out by going nuts over the 2017 Honoro Vera Rioja. Pete first tasted the wine on a work trip to Spain and came back telling everyone about it. Mike knew it would be good but figured out why Pete fell hard for it once he tasted. Both bought multiple cases and cannot wait to try the next vintage. They also contend Rioja is the best overall value in the wine world and invite listeners to challenge them. What is the region you go to consistently for the best values? The guys didn’t come in with a topic. However, Pete’s wine trip story spurred the discussion and the rest of the show is about those wine trips. Mike recounts going to France and having a situation that made him miss getting to visit the famed Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Does anyone want to sponsor a That Wine Pod trip to CdP? Pete recounts the slog of professional buyi
- podcast· 58:26
Tariffs, Top 100s, and a Wild Year in Wine
Episode Notes Episode 6 – Tariffs, Top 100s, and a Wild Year in Wine This episode’s wine is Wine Enthusiast’s #1 Wine of 2019 – Nino Franco “Rustico” Prosecco Superiore DOCG ! 2019 was a wild year in wine. From fires to tariffs to industry consolidation to a slew of Top 100 lists, there was no shortage of topics for Pete and VinoMike to cover. The duo kicks off this special year-end review with a look at the Top 100 lists from Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, and James Suckling. There is always a huge variation and 2019 was no different. The biggest story right now – tariffs. Your hosts throw in their two cents on the controversy. If you would like to make your feelings known to the trade representative, submit it here . The rest of the episode is a roundup of the other big stories of the year. Also, Pete and Mike talk about their favorite wines of 2019. VinoMike couldn’t remember the Champagne’s name, but it is Ulysse Collin . Pete’s selection of Diamonds in Space 2016 is gone, but yo
- podcast· 38:05
Come On, Open That Bottle Already
Episode Notes Episode 5 – Come On, Open That Bottle Already This episode’s wine is 2011 Mauro Molino “Bricco Luciani” Barolo – a fantastic Piedmont red! This week VinoMike and Pete tackle special occasion wines. What do you open and when? Should you save wines for that special moment? Maybe. Maybe not. Lots of tangents and some amusing moments make this a special Christmas Day 2019 release. Check it out and share it with a friend! 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 what you like tonight! Follow That Wine Pod: Instagram @ThatWinePod Twitter @ThatWinePod Facebook.com/ThatWinePod Connect with VinoMike & Pete: Instagram @VinoMike Instagram @FatManStories Facebook.co
- podcast· 1h 00m· Ep 4
Drink Small!
Episode Notes Episode 4 – Drink Small This episode’s wine is 2018 Field Recordings “Pets” – a delicious red from Andrew Jones! The wine is perfect for the topic as Pete and VinoMike look at the future of small domestic wineries. The discussion was spurred by a blog post from Cheryl Durzy . Cheryl’s company, LibDib (libdib.com), is dedicated to helping smaller craft producers get distribution. The guys did not reach out to Cheryl for this one but instead do a deep dive into her key points of the post. Not surprisingly, Pete and Mike are big fans of smaller wineries and have insights into how they can stay relevant for the wine drinking public. In the end, for those of us who love small-batch wines, we need to drink small! 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
- podcast· 37:02
Holidays, Parties and Wine - Oh My!
Episode Notes Episode 3 – Holiday, Parties and Wine – Oh My! This episode opens up with a little housekeeping before Pete and VinoMike dive mouth first into a big glass of 2014 Biale Pagani Ranch Zinfandel ! From there the guys give you some advice on wines for holidays and parties. What do you do if you are hosting the party? What about if you are going to someone else’s place? Some great general advice and a few specific examples. 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 what you like tonight! Follow That Wine Pod: Instagram @ThatWinePod Twitter @ThatWinePod Facebook.com/ThatWinePod Connect with VinoMike & Pete: Instagram @VinoMike Instagram @FatManStories Facebook.
- podcast· 54:18· Ep 2
Points Do Lie!
Episode Notes Episode 2 – Points Do Lie! After a bit of housekeeping, Pete and VinoMike crack open the 2013 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. They give their take on the wine and it fits in perfectly with the show’s big theme. The 100-point scoring system for wine is the generally accepted way critics, and therefore consumers, look at quality. Pete and VinoMike tackle the subject based on their vast experience both as wine industry insiders and customers. They get into the history of the system. Why did it start? Who started it? What are the criteria? Is it helpful? Do critics all agree? Pete and VinoMike give their insights and offer up advice on how to best use critical reviews. They leave you with a little wisdom on how to get to the most from the system. 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
- podcast· 53:38· Ep 1
That Intro Show
Episode Notes Episode 1 – That Intro Show Welcome to the first episode of That Wine Pod! Your hosts, Pete and VinoMike, tell their origin stories into wine. Well, mostly VinoMike tells his story in great detail, but you get Pete’s basics. If you want to know more about Pete, there are plenty of FatMan Chronicles episodes and blogs to get the full picture. This episode is all about getting to know what That Wine Pod is about and how the hosts got to this point. If you are looking for a serious deep dive into soil types and the most obscure grapes in Croatia, wrong podcast. If you are looking to have a lot of fun while learning a bit from a couple of longtime wine insiders, stay tuned! How did Mike get into wine? What was his path to becoming an Advanced Sommelier? What crazy wines did he get to drink on the road to full wine love? What is the bottle that made Pete appreciate the miracle of the fermented grape juice? Why isn’t he certified? Thank you for listening to the first episode of
- podcast· 0:38
That Wine Pod Trailer
That Wine Pod is a new podcast from wine industry veterans Pete and VinoMike. The podcast launches on December 4th. Subscribe now in your favorite podcast app!