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podcast· 36:56· S1E131Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #9: Victor Schoenfeld, Head Winemaker of Golan Heights Winery!
Did you know they make award winning wines in Israel? In this special episode, we have the honor to speak with Victor Schoenfeld, Head Winemaker at Golan Heights Winery and one of the pioneers of modern winemaking in Israel. Victor shares with us his journey and how we combined his love of food and interest in agriculture into a career in wine that started down a very traditional path - working for Mondavi and Champagne house Jacquesson & Fils in France - which then took a serendipitous turn to Israel and Golan Heights winery. In this interview, we learn about the challenges of growing wines in Israel, his intense focus on terroir so that he can bring out the unique attributes of wines grown and made in Israel, and how he brings his special talents to the art and science of winemaking. We also talk about the recently released vintage of their limited quantity Yarden Cru Elite Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a great interview with a winemaker who will definitely open your eyes to things you
podcast· 39:15· S1E130Getting Serious About Rosé #2: Provence Rosé! (The Rosé you probably think about when you think about Rosé)
When most people talk about Rosé wine, they are most likely referring to Provence Rosé. Most people also probably think that Provence Rosé is what all Rosé wine tastes like, but that is not true. In this latest getting serious about Rosé episode, we spend some time talking about why that is. Now, it is true that Rosé from Provence is the most popular, and good ones are crisp and refreshing with good acidity which makes them favorites for summer sippers and pairing with lighter fare. But we bet there is a lot about Provence Rosé that you don’t know about. Which is why we are getting serious about Rosé. Made generally from a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah - and sometimes many other grapes - this French Rosé has a distinctive taste profile and color that are hard to miss. Whether you are a Rosé lover or a Rosé doubter, there is always something to learn and appreciate about any wine - so join us to learn more! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 The Beach Rosé by Whisp
podcast· 39:00· S1E129WTF is Agiorgitiko? (This Greek red wine is a hidden gem, a must-learn wine)
Don’t sleep on Agiorgitiko! You may not be familiar with Greek wines - or know how to pronounce them (we didn’t!) - but this is a wine that deserves to be on your must-learn list! Agiorgitiko is a hidden gem in the wine world - a versatile red that comes in different styles, goes well with tons of foods, and can be found at very reasonable prices. It is a perfect complement with Greek food, obviously, but this is a great wine for everything from a cookout to a romantic, fancy dinner. The two wines we tasted and reviewed in this episode are very different in style, which is part of the wonder of this fantastic wine. There are red wines that the Gamay or Beaujolais lover will like, and wines that the Bordeaux or Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon lover in your life will be super happy with. Listen in to find out more about how to select the different styles of this wine, and learn about what makes this wine so special. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Gaia Monograph Agiorgitiko, 2021 Skour
podcast· 39:10· S1E127Great American Sparklers: 2024 Edition! (California Brut Sparkling Wines for the 4th of July - or Anytime!)
What’s more American than sparkling wine?!? Seriously, we make a lot of sparkling wine in the U.S. and we drink a lot of sparkling wine, too! And we think there is hardly anything better on warm summer afternoons and evenings than a nice glass of bubbly! Don’t save sparkling just for serious occasions. And on July 4th?!? Sparkling wine is perfection! This week, we talk about California sparkling wines and what makes them similar and different from the great sparkling wine Champagne, and we taste and review two reasonably priced California sparkling wines that we think are great choices for the 4th of July, or any random Tuesday during the summer! One of the wines we think would also be a fantastic option for the oaky Chardonnay lover in your life. So, if you have not been able to convince them that oaky Chardonnay is overrated, maybe you can at least get them to drink a nice sparkling wine with you! Wines reviewed in this episode: Decoy Brut Cuvee, Paula Kornell California Brut. Send u
podcast· 37:59· S1E126Getting Serious About Rosé #1: Pinot Noir Rosé (Choose a Rosé based on the red wines you like!)
We admit it, we have not always been fair to Rosé, but starting today, we are going to set the record straight! If you think you don’t like Rosé, it may be because you have not yet met a Rosé you like. And the key to finding a Rosé you like is to start with a red wine you like and then finding a Rosé made from that wine. Because, afterall, Rosé is a wine made from red wine grapes - and like any wine, the grapes that are used will make all of the difference. For our first episode in this new series called Getting Serious About Rosé, we start with a Rosé made from a red wine we love - namely Pinot Noir. And, it just so happens that we also really like Pinot Noir Rosé. Get it?!? Listen to learn more about Rosé and Pinot Noir Rosé in particular, and we think we may be able to tempt you to give Rosé another chance. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 La Crema Pinot Noir Rosé, 2022 Rodney Strong Rosé of Pinot Noir. Send us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode! Contact The Wi
podcast· 46:05· S1E125Italian Wine Adventure #12: Dolcetto! (Similar to Gamay, the Sommelier’s secret weapon)
From the great wine region of Piedmont, Italy comes the red wine called Dolcetto, which means “little sweet one” - but don’t be fooled, this is not a sweet wine, although it is a red wine with flavors and aromas of crunchy red fruit. In our latest Italian Wine Adventure, we travel back to one of our favorite wine areas to see if Dolcetto should be on your wine list. Sometimes called the sommelier’s secret weapon, this wine is less expensive than many wines from Piedmont, and can pair well with some classic Italian foods. We will say, though, that you need to try it first before you order it because this wine is a little atypical for an Italian wine. It is often compared to Gamay, and that is a pretty fair comparison, but it is not exactly the same wine. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Learn more as we introduce you to Giuseppe, Paolo, and Luigi - the first names of the makers of these wines - and let you know which one of these Italian men you should take home! Wines reviewed in this epi
podcast· 40:58· S1E124Malbec: The Ultimate Summer Cookout Wine! (A lush, fruity, inexpensive crowd-pleaser)
Summer is here, and that means cookouts with family and friends! If you are wondering what kind of wine would be a crowd-pleaser and pair well with food and fun, we have the perfect answer: Malbec! This juicy, well-balanced wine from Argentina is an inexpensive wine that doesn’t taste or drink like it's inexpensive. You may ask why would a wine from Argentina be a good wine for cookouts? If you didn’t know, Argentina has its own deep-rooted cowboy culture, and gauchos from this South American country give American cowboys a run for their money. One of the famous foods from Argentina is Asado - grilled meat cooked over an open flame. AKA a cookout! So trust us, and trust Argentinians, that Malbec is a great cookout wine that red wine lovers and red wine skeptics will love! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Domaine Bousquet Premium Organic Malbec, 2021 Baron Edmond de Rothschild Aguaribay Malbec. Send us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode! Contact The Wine Pair Podca
podcast· 17:58Minisode #13: Help! I Don’t Know How to Love White Wine! (Use the B-FAST method to learn to love White Wine)
We introduce you to the B-FAST method in this minisode so you can become a white wine lover. What’s that you say, you’ve never heard of the B-FAST method? Well, that’s because it is a Wine Pair Podcast original! To love a thing, you have to learn about a thing, and you have to spend time with a thing. You can’t just go with your first impression! You have to put in some effort! Many people just don’t think white wines are as serious as red wines, but this is false! Using the B-FAST method, which stands for Body, Food, Acid, Sweetness, and Temperature, we’ll help you unlock the magic that is white wine. If you think you don’t love white wine, you probably have just not met the right white wine yet. Trust us! We’ll make believers out of you, and we’ll help you find a white wine you love! 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://thewinepairpodcas
podcast· 14:17Minisode #12: What Are the Noble Grapes? (And Why Should You Care?)
When it comes to wine grapes, it’s ok to play the field, but it is a good idea to get to know the Noble Grapes. And the good news is - you may already be really familiar with them. That’s because many of the most popular wines and wine blends, both red and white, are often made of these grapes. But what makes them Noble? We’ll tell you! And does that mean they are better than the other grapes? You should listen in to find out! We would say that you need to know the Noble Grapes because they are so important and influential in the world of wine, but they should only be your jumping off point or starting place. In other words, we strongly suggest you date around a little when it comes to your wines. 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://thewinepairpodcast.com/ Follow and DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewinepairpodcast/ Send u
podcast· 41:57· S1E123Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #8: Jennie Murphy of Oxlee Graham Wines! (From forensics to wine making, being a woman in the wine industry
Jennie Murphy is, like her grandmothers who she named her winery after, a tough, resilient, and determined woman. After losing her home in the 2017 wine country fires, she started to seriously think about starting her own winery. We learned a ton about the winemaking world in our conversation with her - things that the average wine drinker never thinks about - for instance the importance of “moving the wine” in the cellar, something she learned from cellar master Roberto Ruiz. In our interview, she talks to us about how she went from a degree in forensics, to becoming the oenologist in a winery, to then becoming the head winemaker at Paul Hobbs, and ultimately starting Oxlee Graham Wines. She is someone who truly embodies the art and science of winemaking. Join us for our conversation with Jennie to hear her fascinating and inspiring story. And you can find out more about Jennie and her wines at https://www.oxleegrahamwines.com/ Send us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next epis
podcast· 38:48· S1E122WTF is White Grenache? (AKA Garnatxa Blanca and Grenache Blanc, an underrated white wine, an alternative for Chardonnay lovers, a good summer wine)
Yes, it’s true, they make Grenache is white as well as red! And it’s a great summer wine! Popular in the Catalonia area of Spain where it is known as Garnatxa Blanca, and in the Rhône area of France where it is often used as a blending grape and known as Grenache Blanc, White Grenache is a tasty, complex, and food friendly white wine that deserves more attention! After tasting and reviewing it in this episode, we were surprised that this is not a more well-known wine. It is a perfect pairing for fish, and it is also a wine with a wide assortment of tastes and fragrances that were kind of exciting to find. I mean, we all need a little excitement in our lives, right?!? Join us on this last of our five straight episodes focused on the wines of northern Spain! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Celler Xavier Clua Terra Alta El Sola d'en Pol Blanco, 2022 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanca. Send us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love
podcast· 42:17· S1E121Spain’s Answer to Champagne: Cava! (A step up from Prosecco at a similar price)
A 10 point wine in this episode! If you want a higher-class alternative to Prosecco at the same price point, then Cava is your wine. Cava is an underrated sparkling wine from Spain that is made in the same way as Champagne, but at a fraction of the cost. Cava is unique among sparkling wines - it is made with native Spanish grapes like Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada which give it a very specific pear + citrus + bitterness that is refreshing and exciting. Cava is a fantastic party and celebration wine, too, because not only is it bubbly, delicious, and fun, it also often comes in bottles that sparkle and shine themselves, too. While there are several areas of Spain that are allowed to make Cava, the home of Cava is the Penedes region, and the hometown of Cava is Sant Sadurni D’Anoia, just outside of Barcelona. Join us as we celebrate and learn about Spain’s answer to Champagne! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Vins el Cep Kila Cava Brut Organic, Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Cava Brut
podcast· 43:17· S1E120WTF is Txakoli? (Fizzy, fruity, and fun dry white wine from Spain, aka Txakolina)
It may be hard to pronounce and spell, but is it ever easy to drink! In this episode, we introduce you to a fun, quaffable, and not so serious wine called Txakoli which hails from the Basque region of Spain. Sometimes also called Txakolina, this slightly fizzy white wine is a perfect summer sipper. While tasting it, we had visions of sitting by the pool or at a cookout with friends on a warm summer afternoon. Heavenly! If you are a fan of Vinho Verde, this wine is definitely another to add to your list. A great wine for cheese plates, charcuterie boards, seafood, and spicy foods. We were impressed by the variety of tastes we found in the wines, and the bigger mouthfeel these wines get from being left on the lees. Wait, you don’t know what lees are? Just listen in and we’ll tell you! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Basa Lore Txakoli Hondarrabi Zuri, 2022 Inazio Urruzola Txakolina, 2022 Hiruzta Txakoli Send us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode! Contact The Wine Pa
podcast· 43:22· S1E119Costco Kirkland Signature 2019 Rioja Reserva Challenge! (A punch-you-in-the-face wine, perfect base for Sangria, for Cab Sauv lovers)
Rioja is the big dog of Spanish wines, but the question on everyone’s lips is - how does the Costco Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva stack up to other Riojas? Amiright?!? Well, without giving it away, we’re here to tell you that the Kirkland Signature Rioja is a worthy contender! But did it win in a knockout, or was it a draw? You’ll have to listen to find out. Rioja is a big, bold, punch-you-in-the-face wine that is a good alternative for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers, and, in our humble opinion, it’s a lot better, but don’t tell anyone we told you that! We will be continuing on our journey of the wines of northern Spain for a few more weeks, so make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva, 2017 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva, 2019 Bodegas Lan Rioja Crianza 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 o
podcast· 38:16· S1E118Spain’s Hidden Gem: Priorat! (One of the great wines of Spain, Grenache-based red wine)
When we say hidden gem, we are not kidding! When people think of Spanish red wines, they immediately think of Rioja, but don’t sleep on Priorat. Hailing from the Catalonia area of Spain, Priorat is a Grenache-based red wine blend that completely blew away our expectations! Rich, complex, and oh so drinkable, this is a wine that deserves a lot more attention and accolades. And we are guessing you may have never even heard of it! The magic of Priorat is said to come from the unique licorella soils in which is grown. Whatever that magic is, we want more of it. Join us to learn more about this underappreciated red that is considered one of Spain’s great wines. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Gil Family Estates Llicorella Vins Bluegray Priorat and 2020 Cellers Unió Laurentia Priorat. 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://thewinepairpodcast.