Do you sometimes feel intimidated by wine? You’re not alone. But what if I told you that wine is more accessible than you think? Meet Chasity Cooper, a Chicago-based wine writer and entrepreneur who’s been shaking up the wine world. With a background in marketing and a passion for wine that took her from Syracuse University to the vineyards of Spain, Chasity has carved out a unique space in this industry. She’s not just an incredible wine culture expert but also a champion for diversity and...

In Italy’s Piedmont region, a new generation of winemakers is challenging centuries-old traditions. With an eye on sustainability and a thirst for innovation, these winemakers are crafting wines that reflect the region's unique terroir in bold and unexpected ways. In our latest episode of Wine Talks, we sit down with Paolo Scaiola, the talented young winemaker at Tenuta Carretta in Piedmont. With experience spanning from Sonoma to Western Australia, Paolo brings a fresh perspective to this...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to preserve the legacy of a world-renowned winery? In our latest episode of Wine Talks, we sit down with Pierre-Olivier Clouet, the director general of the famous Château Cheval Blanc, one of Saint-Émilion’s premier wine producers in the Bordeaux region of France. Pierre shares his deep insights into the intricacies of vineyard management and winemaking and the level of dedication needed to maintain the Château Cheval Blanc’s legacy. We also discuss the...

Wine consumerism is changing. However, Pico Maccario, a three-generation Italian winery, is staying ahead in today’s market. How? Join us on this episode of Wine Talks as we venture right into the heart of Piedmont, Italy, with Emiliano Morando, the import and export manager at Pico Maccario Winery. Together, we’ll uncover the winery's unique approach and see how it skillfully mix tradition with modern touches to craft exceptional wines. Discover how consumer education has reshaped wine...

Have you ever wondered what makes a bottle of wine truly special? Is it the grapes? The region? Or what about packaging and marketing? In our latest episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with Vito La Fata, president and CEO of La Fata Cellars, who transformed a generational dream into a thriving wine business. Discover how this Sicilian vineyard owner leverages family traditions to create wines that are unforgettable and sellable. Today, we’ll explore Vito’s innovative approach to...

The U.S. wine market is highly competitive. With a substantial number of both domestic and international brands, gaining shelf space and consumer attention can be quite difficult.  However, Kanonkop Wine Estate, a renowned South African winery, is gaining traction, and we’re here to uncover its struggle and triumph in entering the U.S. market. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Heinrich Venter, sales manager of Kanonkop Wine Estate, a popular South African wine producer known for its...

Have you ever wondered what types of wines have made it to White House state dinners?  Join Paul K. and Frederick J. Ryan, White House wine authority and author of Wine and the White House: A History, as they explore the fascinating history of wine in the White House and uncover the untold presidential stories associated with it. Today, you’ll hear how wine became a silent yet potent diplomatic tool that helped shape the social fabric of state events. From Jefferson’s French wine voyages...

Welcome back, Wine Talks listeners! In this episode "Take a Knee," host Adam Carolla and guest Paul Kalemkiarian tdelve into a whirlwind of intriguing topics, offering a blend of profound insights and entertaining anecdotes. Kicking off the discussion, Adam and Paul explore the nebulous concepts of "loss" and "measurement." They question the yardstick society uses to gauge success and failure while Paul passionately argues that every experience is a win. The conversation steers towards the...

Did you know there’s a hidden winery right in the heart of Los Angeles? Yes, and not many people know it. Located in the prestigious Bel Air, also known as Beverly Hills, Moraga Vineyard spans sixteen and a half acres of vineyard that produces great-tasting wines. In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with Paul Warson, the talented winemaker and owner of Moraga Vineyard. Having worked for several notable vineyards across the country (including Australia), Paul brings a wealth of...

Sitting with Don and Petie Kladstrup is like sitting with a "live"history book. As complete "happenstance" would have it, they were sitting with M. Huet and heard the most amazing story of survival. A story of survival in a German POW camp, a story of survival through the memory of a glass of wine, the story of pure determination to get back to the vineyard. At this intersection of history and story telling, the Kladstrups realized there was more out there to learn; that wine is about the...

Was there a Bob Hope movie....The Road to Yerevan?  Maybe not, but the road to Yerevan for James Tufenkian is fascinating. James is one motivated diasporan. He has created a well-known, world-wide hand woven carpet, planted 1,000,000 trees in Armenia, built a hotel chain and is now embarking on the wine trade. Here are three important points made by James Tufenkian in the episode: 1. **Freedom and Lifestyle in Armenia**: James notes that Jewish immigrants from Russia find the lifestyle in...

A Toast to Tradition and Innovation    Paul K: Welcome to another episode of "Wine Talks"! Today, we’re popping the cork on a conversation that's rich in history and flavor with the illustrious Veronique Sanders, director and president of Chateau Haut Bailly in the Pessac Leognon district.   Veronique: Thank you, Paul! I'm excited to share our journey and passion with your listeners.   Paul K kicks things off by reminiscing about the days of his father's involvement in the wine...

I know the story of the movie Bottle Shock...but here is the back story. Ease drop on this carzy good conversation with the producers of the movie Bottle Shock...but add a hilarious element with Flint Dillie; the designer of the game of the namesake...Bottle Shock. I am already in line to receive my copy because the game is not about wine...well, maybe wine is part of the game, but the premiss is about fooling the judges. But wait, there are legit judges and phoney judges and it is your job...

  In an engaging moment on the "Wine Talks" podcast, host Paul K shares a fascinating anecdote from his early days as a wine taster. Reflecting on his extensive experience in the industry, Paul recounts how he began tasting wines in 1988. He notes the significant evolution of rosé wine over the decades, particularly in the 1990s when rosé barely made an appearance in his tasting room. Fast forward to the present, and Paul observes a remarkable surge in the popularity of rosé, with every...

Each of us has had one of his wines...somewhere, somehow.  Charles Smith is an acclaimed winemaker renowned for his authentic and refreshing approach to the craft. Starting with humble beginnings, Charles personally transported his wine, driving an overburdened van filled with 84 cases to his first potential buyers. His genuine personality and hands-on dedication quickly endeared him to wine enthusiasts and consumers alike. His journey from a passionate individual in an overloaded van to a...

The wine trade is about passion. From vineyard management to marketing, without the passion, one could never overcome the headwinds. Multiply the headwinds by 10 when trying to open new markets for smaller wineries and lessor known districts. Heinrich Venter tells us all about those headwinds...couple with the passion to get it done. Embracing Tradition and Innovation: Paul K and Heinreich delve into the challenges faced by young winemakers who strive to uphold their predecessors' legacy...

During the episode, Jamie shares a riveting story from his auction days at Sotheby’s. One of the most memorable moments was auctioning the Romney Condy 1945, which fetched an astounding $558,000. This bottle's value was bolstered not just by its rarity and exquisite quality, but also by its unique provenance - it originated from Robert Drouin's cellar, imparting a rich narrative that intertwined history and celebrity. This underscores the importance of storytelling and historical context in...

When the Original Wine of the Month Club was ready for a new chapter, they turned to Carol Collison to make sense of the landscape of selling a wine club. In this episode, we peel it back on a number of fronts: Challenges in the Wine Business: - This episode dives deep into the financial and operational challenges faced by those in the wine business. Paul K recounts a friend’s struggles with a large, aged inventory and shares a cautionary tale about the risks of high pricing and poor market...

Wine Talks was honored to speak with Danielle Coetzee, who is coaxing elegant sparkling wines from the Cap Town appelation in South Africa using the traditional Champagne method and grapes. 1. Cap Classiques is the South African version of traditional method sparkling wines with specific legal requirements. 2. Danielle's family background influenced her passion for winemaking, particularly her uncle's stories of harvest and vineyard work. 3. Nsiki Biela is a notable black winemaker...

The Serres Family ranch is multi-acted...in fact, it is most likely you have seen Serresbluleberries at your local store. Taylor is the 5th generation (which is a veritable reign for a California family in the wine trade) and is grooming the next generation to take over.   🍷 Embrace the Blend of Tradition and Innovation: Taylor Serres emphasized the importance of staying true to winemaking traditions while also being open to new methods, like co-fermented products. It’s like jazzing up a...

As part of the South African invasion that tool place here at Wine Talks, Petir Venter came to the studio ready to promote the wine of South Africa. And he did in a very humble way. 1. During COVID-19 lockdowns, some wineries in South Africa turned their wine shops into delis to stay operational and adapt to restrictions. 2. Petri Venter was introduced to vineyards through a Facebook game before transitioning to a real-life winemaking career. 3. South Africa is transitioning from bulk...

The word grit carries many forms in this podcast: the guest has grit, her ideas have grit, her discipline has grit, and her approach to the beverage industry has grit. Find out what grit means in a modern day setting.   🍷 **Adapt or Taste Your Own Dust**: Monika Elling highlighted the critical importance of adapting to consumer trends and interests, not just in creating products but also in marketing them. Like trying to ferment grape juice with old socks, ignoring trends in the wine...

An in studio visits from 4 delightful South Afrinca winemakers began with this incredible conversation with Gavin Slabbert and Josh Raats of Raats Family Winery. 1. The increasing percentage of women winemakers in America inspired a former intern to pursue enology school. 2. Gavin makes an analogy between wine and golf, emphasizing inclusivity. 3. Gavin/Josh’s family winery has been running for 25 years in New Zealand. 4. A unique wine called Mister de Compostela was created by the...

Jessica Kogan knows it. Listen to her, and you will know it. I did.   🍷 **Embrace the Blend of Digital and Physical**: One of the standout themes from the show was the vital intersection between digital engagement and physical presence. Jessica highlighted how integrating digital tools can lead to significant physical world interactions, like finding wine events or tasting venues. However, their discussion illuminated the enduring need for real-world connections, suggesting that, much like...

A seredipitous conversation with a real estate broker, landed a successful wine influencer in the studio. Meet Lucia Palm. 1. Lucia Palm gained significant popularity after her viral videos about Trader Joe's wines. 2. Paul K plans to take a group on a wine country tour, highlighting his role as an influencer in the wine industry. 3. Lucia Palm wants to start promoting independently owned shops in Los Angeles, focusing on affordable wines. 4. Paul introduces Lucia to an auction house in...