The Chronicle
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106 results across all types
podcast· 22:23· S8E5Wines of Cyprus, Kings, and Commandaria | S8E5
Wines of Cyprus, grapes, history, a little geography, culminating in a discussion about one of the oldest branded wines in the world, Commandaria. Resources from this episode: Books: Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viticulture (Princeton Science Library Book 76) [Kindle Version], McGovern, P. (2003) Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th Edition, Robinson, J., Harding, J. (2015) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours, Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013) Websites: Ancient Origins: Commandaria: The oldest wine in production, praised by Homer, and Richard the Lionheart's "King of Wines," Strom (14 March 2019) https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/commandaria-0011615 Choose Your Cyprus: Wine Routes Map https://chooseyourcyprus.com/images/Discover/Wine-Routes/Wine-Routes-Map.jpg Chrysostomides: Finally! Halloumi will actually be made in Cyprus, as it should be (2 April 2021) https://www.chrysostomides.
podcast· 22:52· S8E4Let's Absinthe! | S8E4
Just in time for spooky season we explore a treat of a fine spirit with a tricky past. Absinthe: what it is, how it behaves in the glass, the deal on wormwood, a brief history, and some thujone theory. Please absinthe responsibly, and apologies for the historical nugget on dog flatulence. Resources from this episode: Books: Absinthe: History in a Bottle, Conrad, B. (1988) The Drunken Botanist: The plants that create the world's great drinks. Stewart, A. (2013) The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, McCullough, D. (2012) Society of Wine Educators: Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide, Nickles, J. (2020) Academic Journals/Papers: Chemistry Central Journal (5:44): Determination of the biologically active flavour substances thujone and camphor in foods and medicines containing sage (Salvia officinalis L.), Walch, S. Kuballa T., Stühlinger, W., Lachenmeier, D., (21 July 2011) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155476/ Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
podcast· 27:20· S8E3Once Upon a Wine Grape in Afghanistan | S8E3
Wine is mentioned in many historical accounts in Afghanistan, as are the lush vineyards, orchards, and gardens. This is not the first thing many of us think of when we think of this country. This episode started as a curious "poking around" effort into unearthing whatever wine and spirits history Afghanistan had to offer. It resulted in a story with many loose ends that somehow always led back to the humble vine ... with some drunken Mughals along the way. Resources from this episode: Books: Islam and Tibet: Interactions along the Musk Routes, Akasoy, A., Burnett, C., & Yoeli-Tlalim, R. (2016) Koh-I-Noor: The history of the world's most infamous diamond, Anand, A., Dalrymple, W., (2017) [Audible Version, 2017] Return of a King: The battle for Afghanistan, Dalyrmple, W. (2013) [Audible Version, 2021] The Silk Roads, Frankopan, P., (2015) [Audible Version, 2021] The Snow Leopard Project: And other adventures in warzone conservation, Dehgan, A. (2019) [Audible Version, 2019] Papers: Collo
podcast· 36:55· S8E2Thunder Dragon (Part 2) - Bhutan and Wine with Michael Juergens | S8E2
In part two of this interview with Michael Juergens we pick up where we left off last time in "the land of the thunder dragon." What could "Bhutan in a wine glass" really mean to this tiny kingdom? We discuss the interesting way the wines labels are determined, chasing happiness, and dive a little deeper into travel, agriculture and spirits culture in Bhutan. We also learn about other projects Michael's involved in, such as the basic genius behind his award winning rum company and canned cocktails. And, because he's a master of wine candidate, you know we had to jabber a little about wine studies, exams, and failing enthusiastically. Finally, we bring it all home as we chat about the wine novels he's authored, and "Drinking and Knowing Things." Resources from this episode: Websites: Bhutan Wine Company: http://www.bhutanwine.com/ Bloomberg: The World's Newest Wine Frontier Is the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, McCoy, E. (9 August2019) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-09/th
podcast· 44:35· S8E1Thunder Dragon (Part 1) - Bhutan and Wine with Michael Juergens | S8E1
In part one of this fun, fascinating interview with Michael Juergens, we discuss how we ended up in Bhutan and eventually set up the entire wine industry: from writing the business plan, working with government representatives, planting the vines, to preparing for harvest and wine-making operations and building the production facility. Michael shares the beauty and culture of this special place, as well as all the challenges of doing this as a pandemic descended on the globe. In Part 2 we cover the topics of naming the Bhutan wines, his award-winning rum company, wine studies as he prepares for his Master of Wine tasting exam, wine novels, and "Drinking and Knowing Things." Resources from this episode: Websites: Bhutan Wine Company: http://www.bhutanwine.com/ Bloomberg: The World's Newest Wine Frontier Is the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, McCoy, E. (9 August2019) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-09/the-world-s-newest-wine-frontier-is-the-himalayan-kingdom-of-bhutan Drinki
podcast· 10:56· S7E6Irouléguy and French Basque Wine Banter | S7E6
Season 7 brings us back to where we started at the beginning of this season: Basque country & wine related to the three musketeers. This week it's French Basque country's only AOC: Iroulégy. In a quick trip across the border we discover a small appellation and tie it back to D'Artagnan. Resources from this episode: Books: Basque History of the World [Kindle Edition], Kurlansky, M. (1999) French Wine Scholar Study Manual, 5th Edition, Wine Scholar Guild (2015) Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th Edition, Robinson, J. and Harding, J., (2015) World Atlas of Wine, 7th Edition, Johnson, H. and Robinson, J. (2013) Websites: Cahier des Charges de l'appellation d'origine contrôlée Irouléguy (2015) [downloadable document] http://www.irouleguy.eu/vignobles/le-cahier-des-charges-de-l-appelation-irouleguy.html France Today: Irouléguy Wine (2013) https://www.francetoday.com/food-drink/irouleguy_wine/ French Property: Château d'Artagnan for Sale (2021) https://www.french-property.com/news/french_property_
podcast· 13:55· S7E5Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 3 - Lager Beer and Eggnog Riots | S7E5
This is the third and final episode in the "Booze Riots & Rebellions" series. We learn what was behind Chicago's Lager Beer Riot in 1855. Also, we discuss a little history behind West Point's Eggnog Riot of 1826. Resources from this episode: Websites: Big Think: The Boozy and Violent Story Behind America's Eggnog Riot, Davis, M. (2018) https://bigthink.com/culture-religion/what-was-the-eggnog-riot?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1 Chicago Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Chicago: Lager Beer Riot, Einhorn, R. (2005) https://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/703.html Chicago History Museum: Lager Beer Riot https://www.chicagohistory.org/release/4-21-lager-beer-riot/ How Stuff Works: Ridiculous History - When West Point cadets rioted over eggnog in 1826, Dove, L. L. (2015) https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/ridiculous-history-heres-why-west-point-cadets-rioted-eggnog-1826.htm US Army: The Eggnog Riot, Funck, C. S., (2010) https://www.army.mil/article/49823/the_eggnog_rio
podcast· 14:07· S7E4Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 2 - Rum | S7E4
Rum riots and rebellions on two different sides of the planet, both in the 19th century, capture our attention this week. First up is the Rum Rebellion of 1808, the rebellion formerly known as "The Great Rebellion." The second was in 1855 and is known as both the Portland Rum Riot and the Maine Law Riot. These were two battles involving the same spirit but fought for vastly different reasons. The motivation behind these episodes was simply the host's foray into rabbit holes around booze riots, as there were so many more than she originally knew, and only recently learned about. Resources from this episode: Books: Certified Specialist of Spirits Study Guide (Society of Wine Educators), Nickles, J., (2020) Websites: Colby College (Digital Commons): Demon Rum, Devious Politics: The Lessions of Neal Dow's Crusade for the Maine Prohibition Law, Herman, A.J., (2007) https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1265&context=honorstheses Military Wikia: Rum Rebellion https://mi
podcast· 12:23· S7E3Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 1 - Champagne & Whiskey | S7E3
Shaking things up this month to explore some wine and spirit history regarding riots and rebellions. Part 1: Champagne Riots in France & The Whiskey Rebellion in the United States. Because why not?! Resources from this episode: Books: Champagne Master-Level Study Manual, French Wine Society (Wine Scholar Guild), (2014) Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th Edition, Robinson, J. and Harding, J. (2015) Websites: Comité Champagne: Discover the Region https://www.champagne.fr/en/discovering-champagne-region/unesco/champagne-unesco-world-heritage-list History (A&E Television Networks): Whiskey Rebellion, (2019) https://www.history.com/topics/early-us/whiskey-rebellion New York Times Archives: More Champagne Riots (1911) https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1911/04/16/104862456.pdf Oregon Encyclopedia: Champagne Riot of 1866, LaLande, J., (2020) https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/champagne_riot_of_1866/ Society of Wine Educators: 45th Annual Conference http://societyofwineeducators
podcast· 19:01· S7E2Wines of Anjou, the Musketeers ... and a Salad to Go? | S7E2
Wines from Anjou, a region in the Middle Loire Valley in France, were the absolute favorite of D'Artagnan the Gascon, the so-called 4th musketeer. Throughout Alexandre Dumas's saga beginning with "The Three Musketeers" and ending with "The Man in the Iron Mask" the white wines are vaunted and revered, particularly by D'Artagnan. This episode explores the wines of Anjou, and the wines the 17th century musketeers actually might have been drinking. Then we take a small side trip to discover why, potentially, Alexandre Dumas was specific in naming the regional wines in his works. *(Post publishing note/update: I may have said there were 5 volumes after "The Three Musketeers," but there are actually 6, including: (2) "Twenty Years After", (3) "Ten Years Later", (4) "The Vicomte de Bragelonne", (5) "Louise de la Vallière", and (6) "The Man in the Iron Mask." This does not include "The Red Sphinx," an 800+ page sequel which picks up nearly 3 weeks after the Three Musketeers (it was never fini
