Welcome to the 100th episode of "Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman"! In this special episode, I'm diving deep into the heart of Portugal's wine culture at WOW Porto (World of Wine), a cultural complex that's a paradise for wine lovers and a treasure trove of Portuguese heritage. 🌍🍇 Why Portugal is a Must-Visit for Wine Enthusiasts: Portugal is not just a hotspot for tourists and digital nomads; it's a pivotal player in the global wine scene. I'll share why Portugal's wine diversity is...

🍇 Embark on a Wine Adventure with José Sá at WOW Porto's Wine School 🍷  An exclusive interview with José Sà, the visionary director of The Wine School at WOW (World of Wine) in Porto. Immerse yourself in a world where old Port storage houses have been transformed into a vibrant cultural hub. At the heart of WOW, José shares his philosophy that understanding wine is primarily about knowing your personal taste. The Wine School serves as a unique bridge between the wine industry and...

Welcome to my travel and wine channel! In this short yet captivating video, we embark on a visual journey to explore the stunning blue azulejos (traditional Portuguese tiles) of Pinhão Train Station, nestled in the heart of Portugal's Douro Valley.  🔹 About the Pinhão Train Station:  Pinhão is a key town in the Douro wine region, famous for its breathtaking landscapes and rich wine heritage. The train station, a pivotal landmark, stands as a tribute to the area's cultural and historical...

A tour of Graham's Port Lodge.  A tour guide explains the aging process and different types of port wines at Graham's cellar.  The guide mentions that the cellar has seven million liters of port aging, with the oldest wine dating back to 1882. He also discusses the different styles of port, such as Ruby and Tawny, and how they are aged differently to achieve specific flavors and characteristics.  The guide explains the process of bottling vintage ports and the significance of certain years,...

A conversation between David Guimaraens and Austin Beeman about Fonseca Bin 27, a young and fruity port wine.  Guimaraens describes the wine as full-bodied and rich, with a concentration of black currant fruit. He explains that the grapes used to make the port come from the Douro Valley, which has a hot mountain climate that contributes to the intensity of the fruit. The wine has plenty of tannins, making it a good pairing with chocolate desserts.  Beeman comments on the aroma of cherries...

David Guimaraens, the 6th generation winemaker, discusses his pride in a vintage port made by his father, the Fonseca 1985.  He emphasizes the pleasure of drinking a mature vintage port and the complexity it offers. Guimaraens also mentions the cult following of the Fonseca 1985 and its ability to age well. He and Austin Beeman, the interviewer, discuss the personal and historical significance of tasting and experiencing wines from different years.  Guimaraens reflects on his own career...

David Guimaraens, a sixth-generation winemaker at Fonseca, discusses the history and winemaking process of the renowned vintage port house. https://www.fonseca.pt/en  He explains that Fonseca is located in Vila Nova de Gaia, separate from the vineyards in the Douro region where the grapes are grown. Guimaraens describes how his ancestors built relationships with local farmers and brought the port down from the Douro Valley to Vila Nova de Gaia for aging and blending. He also discusses the...

Rita Marta, a member of the Martha family (https://marthasgroup.com), gives a tour of their old cellars in the Douro Valley. The walls of the main house date back to 1727, although they have been reconstructed over time. The family has been in the grape-growing business since then, but only started making wine in the early 19th century. They initially sold their grapes and later began selling their own bottled wine in 1970. The family primarily focuses on producing Tawny ports, which are...

Visit the Nacional Vineyard of Quinta do Noval with Austin Beeman in Portugal.   The Nacional vineyard at Quinta do Noval in Portugal is considered one of the most important vineyards in the world. It survived phylloxera which devastated European vineyards in the late 1800s. The plot is the only survivor of the disease in the Douro Valley, and the reason for its resistance is still unknown.  The vineyard is home to a traditional field blend of Portuguese grape varieties, including Touriga...

Visit Quinta do Bomfim (Dow's Port) in Pinhão, Portugal with Austin Beeman.  This guided tour of the winery discusses the history of the winery, the nature of the Douro Valley, the process of Port Wine production, and the barrel aging that creates the diversity in port styles.  Shot on location at Quita do Bomfim in November 2023.   You'll learn about Vintage Port, Single Quinta Vintage Port, Late Bottle Vintage Port, Colheita Single Harvest Tawny Port, and Tawny Port with an Indication of...

COMING SOON TO UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN I recently spent two weeks in Portugal traveling and visiting wineries.  Videos from this adventure are coming over the next few weeks. Featuring: Fonseca Quinta do Noval Graham's Martha's Ports Quinta do Bomfim The Wine Experience at WOW Porto The Wine School at WOW Porto Work With Austin Send Me an Email FOLLOW MY WINE ADVENTURE Website:

Turns out that the wine here is really cheap.  Coimbra, Portugal.  November 6, 2023   ***   FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austincbeeman  WORK WITH AUSTIN: http://www.austinbeeman.com/about-me or [email protected]  

As Karoline Walch and I walked the vineyards, the important concept of sustainability came up. “My family has been here for five generations and I hope the vineyards go on for the next five generations in the same family hands. So it's obvious that what we do today is really also about thinking of the next generation. What we take out today is something we really have to give back also.” - Karoline Walch of Elena Walch See Elena Walch: the History in the Cellars for an overview of the...

Kastelaz has the prestigious additional denomination of VIGNA. It is an additional mention of a smaller geographical origin and designs the smallest historical / geographical unit of a vineyard. Every single Vigna must be officially admitted and registered within the regional government. It expresses the ultimate thought of terroir philosophy with the idea of a parcel wine from an exact plot and hence having a historical or traditional name. —Elena Walch Our next video takes place in one...

The Elena Walch winery in Alto Adige / Sudtirol is iconic and inspirational. Elena’s arrival in 1980s launched a quality transformation that would reset what was possible for this mountainous region that is part Italian and part German. Having sold these wines since 2004 - first at Walt Churchill’s Market and now at Cutting Edge Selections - I was incredibly honored to be given a tour of the cellars with Owner/Winemaker Karoline Walch. I hope you enjoy this eleven minute video. THIS IS...

The Wines of Agricola Foradori are made for aging, but so few people get a chance to try them that way. Winemaker Theo Zierock takes us into the cellars and talk about the experience of these mature wines. Special thanks: Theo Zierock of Agricola Foradori https://www.agricolaforadori.com/en/wines/  Steve Noel http://childrenofthegrape.com  FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE  Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/  Facebook:...

Of course, wine is made in the vineyard, but as Winemaker Theo Zierock of Agricola Foradori shows us, it also requires interesting work in the cellar.  In the video Zierock discusses the winemaking process, shows fermentation tanks, aging barrels, and a cellar filled with amphora. Some highlights include The new “dream destemmer” Why there are different variations of Foradori wines under the same label. The role of amphora in the aging process.   Special thanks:  Theo Zierock of...

Some brief thoughts from Winemaker Theo Zierock of Agricola Foradori in the vineyards of Italy. In Europe, "We've killed everything that can kill us," but bears and wolves are returning. Thoughts on Vitis Vinifera (the wine grape) and how it is grown around the world. Demonstration of Marcottage : how to handle dead vines and create new ones without buying new grapevines. Special thanks:  Theo Zierock of Agricola Foradori https://www.agricolaforadori.com/en/wines/  Steve Noel...

There is something special about farming for wine. Winemaker Theo Zierock of Agricola Foradori discussed the topic during my visit. In this video, I’ve put together some of his most passionate highlights. the value of regional farming cover crops  the traditional and modern ways of trellising a vineyard and the honor of being a farmer.   Special thanks to: Theo Zierock of Agricola Foradori https://www.agricolaforadori.com/en/wines/  Steve Noel http://childrenofthegrape.com  FOLLOW...

Kanye West's celebrity endorsement! Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio's stranglehold on the winemakers of the region! Theo Zierock of Agricola Foradori discusses the challenges that get in the way of their wine region expressing its full potential. "Don't! Just don't!" Special thanks: Theo Zierock of Agricola Foradori https://www.agricolaforadori.com/en/wines/ Steve Noel http://childrenofthegrape.com FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com Instagram:...

Theo Zierock on the Dolomites, Teroldego, and the Vineyards of Agricola Foradori Episode #84 of Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman Agricola Foradori is located in the Piana Rotaliana, a 700 hectare region in Italy surrounded by the Monte di Mezzocorona, the Grandos, and the Adige Valley. The region is known for its unique soil composition, formed by the accumulation of ice and snow during the last ice age and the subsequent melting of a glacier, which washed sand and various types of...

Each of the wine bottles of Agricola Foradori tell a different story with their shapes. Theo Zierock walks us through what it all means for the wine. https://www.agricolaforadori.com/en/wines/   FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/understandingwine Twitter: https://twitter.com/AustinBeeman TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austincbeeman WORK WITH AUSTIN: ...

The winemaker of the historic Enjingi winery in Slovonia, Croatia opens a beautiful bottle of 1994 Grasevina white wine.  Completely zero sulfur, the wine was showing fresh and beautiful. FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/understandingwine Twitter: https://twitter.com/AustinBeeman TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austincbeeman WORK WITH AUSTIN: ...

A short video from the commanding heights of Dingač Vineyard, Croatia's Grand Cru. https://www.vinumusa.com FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/understandingwine Twitter: https://twitter.com/AustinBeeman TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austincbeeman WORK WITH AUSTIN: http://www.austinbeeman.com/about-me  or [email protected] Austin Beeman is a 22 year veteran...