Wine for Normal People

Virginia, on the east coast of the United States, has much history with grape growing, but not all of it was good. Today, however, exciting producers have mastered their microclimates and are making some of the most elegant, terroir-driven wines in the United States. This week I sit down with Elizabeth Smith of Afton Mountain Vineyards. We discuss everything from Virginia history with grape growing, to terroir obsession, to the European flare of the region, and why the wines are so darn good.

Just 40 miles/65 km north of Cape Town lies a large area that makes the most exciting, sought after wines in South Africa. Swartland is full of passionate winemakers who create wines of such depth, flavor, and nuance that it’s hard to believe so few know about them. In this show, we tell you about the Syrah, Rhône and Mediterranean varietals, the Chenin Blanc and other stunning white blends coming from this area and why you need to seek it out ASAP!

If you think Vinho Verde is just a fizzy summer sipper, we're about to open up a new world for you. You CAN get the run of the mill stuff but with multiple grapes, regions, and producer styles, if you dig deeper this wine has way more to it than you think!

Theresa Breuer is a young woman who found herself (sadly, earlier than she expected) at the helm of one of the most respected, highest quality Riesling producers in the Rheingau region of Germany: Weingut Georg Breuer.  I had the pleasure of spending the day with her a few years back and she is brilliant, poised, kind and a genius vigneron and cellar master, but more than anything, at 30-something, she is one of the best fresh faces and ambassadors for what Rheingau wine is, was, and should be. 

We tackle a wine style that is adored in certain hip, wine "in-crowd" circles: "orange" wine, which is actually white wine made with skin contact like a red is made. With whites, there is long contact with the skins and seeds that give the wine a darker, orange-ish color, and VERY different flavors. Spoiler alert: M.C. Ice and Elizabeth are not fans and they let it be known why!

No, it's not a typo: Martinborough is a quality enclave in the larger Wellington Wine Country of New Zealand, which we discuss in depth in this episode. Simone Madden-Grey returns to tell us about the stunning Pinot Noir, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, up and coming Syrah, and other excellent Wellington wines that must be on your radar!

This episode is sponsored by Coravin, the first and only tool in the world that lets you pour wine without removing the cork. Although sponsored, this is the same as any other interview show! Greg Lambrecht is one of those great minds you come across every now and then -- unhindered by things that seem impossible. You'll love learning about Coravin and how he solved a problem wine drinkers all grapple with -- sometimes you just want one glass without opening a bottle! 

In this episode of the Grape Miniseries, we discuss Pineau de la Loire, a.k.a, Chenin Blanc! This white grape is one of the most versatile in terms of wine styles it can make – from floral sparkling, to stunning dry and off dry versions to unctuous dessert wines. Chenin is underrated, not always treated with regard, but it has a pedigree and a class that can’t be doubted. After hearing about all it has to offer, you’ll want to run out and get a bottle ASAP!

Salta, Argentina, and specifically the Calchaquí Valleys, contains the highest altitude vineyards in the world and some of the most unique wines. At these heights, UV radiation changes the grapes so in this tiny, remote area, the wines contain flavors and character you won't find from anywhere else!

Mendoza is Argentina’s most important and prolific wine region, representing two-thirds of the nation’s wine production. We talk about the effect of altitude and other geographical features that make this area so unique. Then we break down sub regions and discuss the incredible diversity that guarantees there is a wine style for every palate out of this beautiful, mountainous wine region.

Lorenzo Muslija is co-owner and National Sales Manager for Andis Wines in the Sierra Foothills of California. We discuss his early life growing up in Florence, his career as a successful restaurateur there, his passion for wine that brought him to California, and why he thinks Sierra Foothills has huge promise. Lorenzo is one of the nicest, most charming, and most up-and-coming guys in wine! He's one to watch for sure!

Tom Wark, executive director of the National Association of Wine Retailers rejoins the podcast to discuss the huge WIN for American wine consumers that has taken place. The Supreme Court of the US, the highest court of the land, has basically decided that states are not permitted to block interstate commerce -- meaning wine shops anywhere in the US are permitted to ship wine to any consumer in the US. This means no matter where you are in the US, you'll have access to great wine from all over the world!

Greece is among the oldest and the newest wine nations in the world. Although it got cooking with winemaking more than 6000 years ago, a huge break in the action took it out of the winemaking game from about the mid 1400s until the 1990s. But it's back! And with the best wines made from indigenous grapes and select regions, you'll want to listen to this show to know what to seek out. And don't forget to look at a map while or after listening! 

Jason Haas from Tablas Creek returns to the show to give us his perspective on 30 years of the most innovative winery in California, which runs in partnership with the Perrins of Rhône fame. We take the long view, discussing a retrospective blog post Jason wrote on what they got right and wrong in the last 30 years, and then we chat about what's next.

Provence, France is a multifaceted wine region. Although it makes mainly rosé, there is much to explore here. To start, not all of that rosé is created equal. And there are whites and reds you may not be aware of, that are just stunning. This podcast is a surprising, dorky, deep look at this beautiful wine region.