The Connected Table SIPS!

Arnaldo Caprai is a leading producer of Montefalco Sagrantino, a grape variety that has been cultivated in Umbria for nearly 500 years, but almost disappeared in the 1960s. Arnaldo’s son, Marco Caprai, has led efforts to revitalize the Montelfalco Sagrantino variety which today it is regarded as one of Italy’s noble grapes. He discusses the history and characteristics of this grape and shares two vintages of Arnaldo Caprai’s Spinning Beauty 100% Montefalco Sagrantino. www.arnaldocaprai.it

Everyone has sustainability and health on their mind when choosing food, especially red meat. Quality starts at the source of origin, including consideration for the environment and animal welfare. Matt Luxton, Director of Sales for Silver Fern Farms, New Zealand’s largest meat purveyor, explains what we need to consider when shopping for meat. Silver Fern Farms works with more than 14,000 New Zealand farmers in their cooperative to source its beef, lamb and venison. www.silverfernfarms.com/us/The Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

India has a rich heritage in craft spirits and is the birthplace of the gin & tonic. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Radico Khaitan is India’s oldest and largest distillery. Company President Sanjeev Banga explains how India’s biodiversity helps define its styles of spirits and discusses two brands: Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin, made with 11 indigenous botanicals, and Rampur Indian Single Malt Double Cask Whisky, aged in American Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks. www.radicokhaitan.comThe Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

The Langhe region in Italy’s southern Piemonte produces many outstanding wines, notably DOCG Barolo and DOCG Barbaresco. Made exclusively from the Nebbiolo grape, each wine follows strict production and aging guidelines to create their distinctive styles, complexity and elegance. Matteo Ascheri, president of Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe and Dogliani, discusses the Langhe region and why the world’s finest Barolo and Barbaresco wines are made there. www.langhevini.it/en The Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

The two smallest winemaking appellations in the Côtes de Bordeaux are Francs and Sainte-Foy. Francs sits just north of Castillon and exclusively produces reds wines, primarily from Merlot but also Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Sainte Foy, located south and west of Castillon, produces both red and white wines. Both regions reflect a more laid-back agrarian way of life in Bordeaux. The wines offer excellent quality for value, says Sommelier Yannick Benjamin. www.bordeaux-cotes.comThe Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

East of St. Emilion, along the north side of the Dordogne River, lies the picturesque wine region of Castillon, named for the Battle of Castillon in 1453 which ended the 100 year war between England and France. The third largest appellation in the Côtes de Bordeaux by volume, Castillon is a red wine region. Merlot comprises 70% of the plantings which thrive in the rich limestone soil. Sommelier Yannick Benjamin sheds some light on this historic appellation and its wines. www.bordeaux-cotes.comThe Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

Nestled on the right bank of the Garonne river, the southernmost winemaking appellation within the Côtes de Bordeaux is the region of Cadillac. Named for the Duke of Cadillac, who was a well-known lover of wines, it is the second largest appellation by production volume in the Côtes de Bordeaux. Red wines rule here, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc being the key grape varieties. Sommelier Yannick Benjamin discusses the region, history and its wines. www.bordeaux-cotes.comThe Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

Situated in the northwest corner of Bordeaux across the Garonne River from the Medoc, Blaye is a land of family farms and undulating landscapes planted to just shy of 15,000 acres of vines in 41 communes, making this appellation the Cotes de Bordeaux’s largest region by production volume, predominantly red wines. Blaye has held historical significance in Bordeaux dating to Roman times, explains Sommelier Yannick Benjamin who discusses the appellation’s terroir and wines. www.bordeaux-cotes.comThe Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

Home to some of the world’s most well-regarded fine wines, Bordeaux is the largest AOC in France with 6500 growers and 65 appellations. At the heart is Côtes de Bordeaux, a flagship appellation of 950 producers. Created in 2009, the AOC Union des Côtes de Bordeaux comprises four distinct sub-appellations- Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon, Francs and Sainte-Foy. Sommelier Yannick Benjamin discusses key appellations and why Côtes de Bordeaux wines offer great quality for value. www.bordeaux-cotes.comThe Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

Bordeaux is one of the world’s most renowned wine appellations with more than 6000 producers. For 30 years, the Bordeaux Wine School has been the premier education source for learning about Bordeaux. Located in Bordeaux City and online, the school educates more than 85,000 people annually through its global network of over 250 accredited tutors. Master of Wine Mary Gorman McAdams discusses the Bordeaux Wine School’s curriculum for both wine professionals and consumers. www.bordeaux.com The Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

Bérénice Lurton is a fourth-generation winegrower of Bordeaux’s renowned Lurton family. Her father, Lucien Lurton, acquired a collection of famous estates that he shared among his ten children. In 1992, Bérénice assumed stewardship of Château Climens at age 22. Considered a jewel of the Sauternes region, the 16th century Château Climens is a premier cru First Classified Growth of 1855 known as the “Lord of Barsac.” www.chateau-climens.fr U.S. importer: Vineyard Brands www.vineyardbrands.comThe Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini is owner of four historic Tuscan wine estates: Borgo Scopeto (Chianti Classico) Carpazo and Altesino (Montalcino) and Doga delle Clavule (Morellino di Scansano). Being a successful vintner is a fruitful third career for Elisabetta, who worked in the pharmaceutical industry and in the arts before studying oenology. Elisabetta and daughter, Alessandra, discuss Borgo Scopeto and Carpazo and their passion for Tuscany. U.S. importer: Vineyard Brands. www.vineyardbrands.comThe Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

Founded in 1834, Champagne Boizel has been family-run for six generations-185 years. Located on the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, Boizel works solely with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes sourced from the region’s top Grands and Premiers Crus. Wines are aged sur lie for at least three years and often longer to achieve balance and complexity. 5th and 6th generation family members Evelyne and Florent Roques Boizel discuss their champagnes. U.S. importer: Taub Family Selections. www.boizel.com The Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

From his medieval Castello di Vincigliata in Fiesole, Bibi Graetz crafts his wines on a hillside overlooking Florence. His four organically farmed estates of both owned and leased vineyards contain many old vines. Graetz also produces white wines from native Ansonica and Vermentino varieties on Isola del Giglio off the Tuscan coast. In 2019 he acquired Hotel Villa Aurora near Florence to convert into winery to produce flagship wines, Colore and Testamatta. www.bibigraetz.com www.foliowine.comThe Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).

Ask any product marketing expert how important design and packaging are for selling a food or beverage brand, and the answer will be: "Extremely!" Many people don’t realize the thought process involved in creating packaging that is functional, sustainable and eye-catching. Heather Fritzsche, Co-Founder and CEO of The Spearhead Group, a pioneer in designing innovative packaging for many industries, including wine, spirits and food brands, explains her approach. www.thespearheadgroup.com The Connected Table SIPS! Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com/).