Nov 3, 2021

Photo: www.medoc-bordeaux.com

10 years after the first show on Merlot (Episode 18!), it was time for a refresh!

Merlot hasn't staged a comeback as a varietal wine, but it shines brightly as a part of a Bordeaux-style blend. It's better than ever in its native home and has seen some real strides in New World regions...

Sep 6, 2021

Petit Verdot is often the secret weapon in a blend -- providing unique aromas and flavors plus acidity and tannin. In this show, we discuss this essential grape and the vital role it plays in wines around the world.

What is Petit Verdot?

• The name means “little green one”, since it's hard to ripen, the berries...

Apr 26, 2021

Grüner Veltliner (GROOH-ner felt-LEEN-ah) is the main white grape of Austria. In this show we discuss its surprisingly recent rise to fame, its unusual origin, and its important place in wine.

Here are the show notes:

History and Parents of Grüner

• We discuss this beautiful white grape whose name means  'green grape...

Feb 16, 2021

Of the many grapes that we have covered in this series, possibly the hardest to define is the one in this show -- Pinot Gris. It's so complex in part because it goes by many names and can taste neutral and boring to oily, powerful, and bold with notes of smoke, ginger, and spice. It can be bone dry to amazingly sweet...

Oct 20, 2020

Saved from the brink of extinction just 50 years ago, Viognier (pronounced vee-ohn-yay), is a white grape that's native to the Northern Rhône in France – mainly the areas of Condrieu and Ampuis. The grape produces effusive wines with a strong aromatic character -- peaches, apricots, flowers, herbs, and ginger are...