My first true Winecast in 5 years to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this podcast and wine blog. And there is no better theme than the celebrated, often imitated, but never duplicated sparkling wine region where the modern wine industry was born: Champagne.

Five years and one day after I started this blog and podcast I get back behind the mic and restart regular podcasting. This episode features an interview with Rudy McClain, the filmmaker of the documentary Merlove. I also pick three Merlot wines from my tasting log for review. Show Notes: 00:30 – Welcome and show theme 02:22 – Interview with Merlove filmmaker Rudy McClain 15:25 – My review of the documentary Merlove (Buy DVD at Amazon: http://bit.ly/8BCTau) 17:35 – Review of Bodegas...

Jeff Lefevere and I are back with another edition of the Unfiltered podcast after nearly a year in hiatus. We are joined by Tina Caputo, the Editor-in-Chief of Vineyard & Winery Management magazine, Joel Vincent, Executive Director of the OpenWine Consortium and co-founder of VinTank, and Tom Wark from Wark Communications and FERMENTATION. Show Notes: 00:26 - Welcome & Introductions 01:18 - Wine Bloggers Conference 07:31 - American Wine Blog Awards 15:55 - Social Media &...

Another Quick Picks sharing a wine I enjoyed over the Holidays, an aged Bordeaux blend from Pomerol. Château Clos René 2000 ($30-60) - Deep crimson-purple in color with aromas of black cherry, dark currant, pencil lead, fennel and mint. Rich black cherry fruit with black pepper and dark chocolate finishing with moderate, but plush, tannins. A delicious Bordeaux blend that has more years ahead of it. 13% ABV Natural cork Rating: ★★★★☆ Buy this wine online Feedback:...

I’m back in action on the 4th anniversary of my first podcast with a high-end Carmenere-led blend from Chile. Vina Santa Ema, “Rivalta” 2003 - ($68/sample) Dark purple in color with aromas of black currant, plum, blueberry, fennel, mint and vanilla. Rich and concentrated dark currant and blackberry fruit with black pepper and dark chocolate finishing with firm tannins. A delicious Carmenere-led blend that will age at least 4-6 more years. Feedback: [email protected] Voicemail:...

I'm back with an interview with Etienne Hugel of Hugel & Fils. This family winery has been passed from father to son for 12 generations and makes some of the best wines from France’s Alsace region. We also talk about a virtual tasting over Twitter organized by Bin Ends Wines later this month. Show Notes: 00:25 - Introduction and background on Hugel & Fils 01:49 - Interview with Etienne Hugel 31:31 - Details of Bin Ends Wines Twitter Tasting 38:57 - Contact Details 39:08 - Next...

The first of several shows recorded last year, this podcast focuses on the wines of Israel with an interview with blogger & retailer Richard Shaffer from Israeli Wine Direct and winemaker Zeev Smilansky from Meishar Winery. Show Notes: 00:27 - Welcome & Background on Israeli Wine 02:10 - Israeli Wines Today 32:10 - Get Your Free Audible Book 35:44 - Feedback and Next Show Theme Feedback: [email protected] Voicemail: +1-646-495-9203 ext....

Jeff Lefevere and I start our second season of Unfiltered with a panel of wine bloggers, podcasters, winery owners and retailers. We welcome Ryan from Catavino, Jeff Stai a.k.a. El Jefe from Twisted Oak, Craig Camp from Anne Amie Vineyards, Kaz & Randy from Wine Biz Radio and Jill from domaine547.com Show Notes: 00:25 - Welcome & Introductions 01:28 - American Wine Blog Awards 15:50 - Twitter: Waste of time or valuable tool? 23:14 - Amazon enters wine biz? 33:10 - Are high...

I am back behind the mic for another podcast and this time I'm reading a post from last week and reflecting about the comments. Feedback: [email protected] Copyright 2008 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

As I begin my 4th year of podcasting I present the final Unfiltered show of it's first season. Jeff and I welcome a panel of some of the top wine bloggers today: Alder Yarrow, Dr. Debs and Gabriella & Ryan Opaz. We talk about the state of wine blogging, where it is going and share some wine picks. Show Notes: 00:25 - Introduction 01:40 - Question for Alder 04:21 - Question for Dr. Debs 05:46 - Question for Gabriella & Ryan 08:10 - Question for Jeff 09:19 - Are Wine Bloggers...

I’m back with another pick that I thought I hadn’t yet blogged but I wrote about the 2003 vintage for WBW 35. Bodegas Castano, "Hecula", Monastrell, Yecla 2004 ($14) - Very dark purple-black with aromas of blackberry, bacon, licorice and vanilla. Ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors with medium firm tannins, good acidity and a nice minerality on the finish. 14.5% ABV Synthetic cork closure Score: 89

Another Quick Picks just in time for the Thanksgiving table featuring two Roussanne-based wines from Tablas Creek Vineyard. Tablas Creek Vineyard, Roussanne 2005 ($27) - Light straw in color with aromas of pear, pineapple and orange blossom. Crisp pear and pineapple flavors with nice minerality on the finish. Wow. Score: 91 Rating: 4/5 stars Tablas Creek Vineyard, Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc, Roussanne/Grenache Blanc/Picpoul Blanc blend 2005 ($35) - Light yellow in color with aromas of...

The first of several podcasts from the archives, this one recorded in late May and mid-June but not edited and released until now. I spent about an hour with Cameron Hughes in his San Francisco offices and captured an interesting portrait of what makes this New World négociant tick. Unfortunately most of these tasting notes are for wines now sold out but Lot 25 is still available and now on sale, along with Lots 42 and 26. All of which are recommended. Show Notes: 00:23 -...

Another Wine Blogging Wednesday and this time I’m podcasting for the first time since WBW 23. Neil from Brooklynguy’s Wine and Food Blog came up with a great theme this month: ‘Silver’ Burgundy. Instead of investing in a Côte d’Or (’gold coast’) wine, we are drinking affordable Burgundy from the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais. Since I favor red wines this time of year, I selected a village wine from Mercurey made by the well known Faiveley family. Listen to the podcast for more details...

Jeff Lefevere and I return for another podcast after a hiatus of 6 months. We welcome Alyssa Rapp, founder and CEO of Bottlenotes and Mary Baker, owner of Dover Canyon Winery. 00:25 - Welcome and Introductions 01:09 - Background of Bottlenotes 16:28 - Dover Canyon overview 17:44 - Harvest 2007 discussion 25:06 - Is Bigger Better? 46:45 - To Cork or Not to Cork? 53:38 - Links and show conclusion Feedback: [email protected] Copyright 2007 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public...

I’m clearing the decks this week of podcasts recorded earlier this year. I’m starting with a live show recorded on Talkshoe in April. Bill Wilson from Wine for Newbies podcast and blog joined me to talk about how he got into podcasting and share a few wine picks. Unfortunately nobody called with a live question but we’ll get to that next time ;-) 00:26 - Introduction 00:55 - Interview with Bill Wilson from Wine for Newbies 11: 24 - Most interesting listener questions 24:11 - Restaurants...

Another Unfiltered podcast recorded two weeks ago with co-host Jeff Lefevere and I welcoming guest Paul Mabray from Inertia Beverage Group and panelist Mark Fisher from the Dayton Daily News and Uncorked blog. 00:23 - Welcome and Introductions 01:15 - Inertia Beverage Q&A 07:33 - Florida may close direct shipping of wine 11:56 - Wine drinkers think more clearly than teetotalers 18:04 - Food bloggers free for all 26:46 - Sales of pinot, sparkling, rose & screwcaps up 36:42 -...

The third outing for the Unfiltered podcast with Jeff Lefevere and I welcoming guest Josh Hermsmeyer from Capozzi Family Winery & Pinotblogger.com and panelist Andrew Barrow from Spittoon & Wine Sediments. 00:23 - Welcome and introductions 01:04 - Capozzi Family Winery Q&A 05:52 - Wine collectors, "buyer beware" 07:54 - Bait and switch on Winesearcher? 15:35 - 100-point ratings and wine writing 27:05 - Twitter and wine 32:36 - U.S. Wine Exports Jump 30 Percent 36:56 -...

Quick Picks rolls into 2007 with a look at the standout Zinfandels from Chase Family Cellars tasted at last month's ZAP tasting in San Francisco. Tasting notes: Chase Family Cellars, Zinfandel, Hayne Vineyard 2004 ($45) - Ruby-purple in color with aromas of raspberry, blackberry and spice. Ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors with black pepper finishing elegant and very balanced with medium-firm tannins. A real fruit bomb but has enough structure for further aging. Score:...

My second podcast with co-host Jeff Lefevere of Good Grape joined by Jason Korman from Stormhoek winery, Tyler Colman, a.k.a. Dr. Vino and Alan Baker, the Cellar Rat. Show Notes: 00:23 - Welcome and introductions 01:15 - Stormhoek Q&A 21:10 - Why are NASCAR, NFL and LPGA fans drinking more wine? 29:33 - Regarding wine becoming mainstream in American culture… 35:23 - Is Costco, et. al. changing the 3-tier wine distribution system? 47:22 - Plugs for each participants’ blog 50:15 -...

A new monthly podcast featuring a panel of wine bloggers and an industry guest. Co-host Jeff Lefevere of Good Grape and I welcome Tom Wark from FERMENTATION and Jeff Stai from the Twisted Oak Winery. Show notes: 00:24 - Welcome and introductions 01:53 - Show format 02:16 - Twisted Oak Winery background 08:04 - Direct to consumer shipping trends 14:28 - Do wine blogs create demand? 15:47 - Tom's new role as Exec. Dir. of SWRA 22:35 - Current state of wine distribution 31:07 -...

I'm back and starting my third year of podcasting with the longest Winecast yet, a discussion and tasting of four wines from the Iberian peninsula with Ryan Opaz of Catavino. Show Notes: 00:21 - Welcome and introduction 01:10 - Your Iberian wine questions with Ryan Opaz 26:17 - Don Olegario, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain 2004 ($19) 30:27 - Sociedade Agrícola Casal do Tojo, "Lisa", Terras do Sado, Portugal 2004 ($11) + 36:07 - Bodegas 3 Suenos, "Sexto", Terra Alta, Spain 2004...

This week’s podcast is about the noble grape of Italy’s Piedmont: Nebbiolo. I also reflect on my first year of podcasting and talk about plans for making the show better in 2006. Show Notes: 00:20 - Welcome and show theme 00:41 - Nebbiolo background 03:34 - Tasting Notes Disclaimer 04:05 - G. D. Vajra, Nebbiolo, Langhe 2003 ($22) Score: 9/10. Best of Tasting and Best Value 04:48 - Paitin, Nebbiolo d’Alba, Ca Veja 2001 ($23) Score: 8.5/10 05:11 - Karmere Winery and Vineyard, “Empress – La...

Another Quick Picks podcast highlighting two outstanding values from Spain’s Bodegas Borsao. Show Notes: 00:13 - Bodegas Borsao background 00:51 - Bodegas Borsao, “Red Wine” 2005 ($8) 01:29 - Bodegas Borsao, “Tres Picos“, Garnacha (Grenache) 2004 ($15) 02:01 - Next show theme Feedback: [email protected] Copyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/