Court of Wine

Incredibly fun discussion to kick off the first Court of Wine with amazing panelists: Liz Barrett - https://whatsinthatbottle.com/ Sarita Cheaves - https://www.vinemeupdc.com/ and https://soundcloud.com/swirl-suite Sandra Everingham - https://www.risingwinescollective.com/ Recorded 24 August, 2022 We discuss news and topics from the following articles: Author: W. Blake Gray Publication: Wine-Searcher Date: July 18, 2022 Title: Direct Wine Shipping Comes Under Fire URL: https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2022/07/direct-wine-shipping-comes-under-fire Author: Paul Vigna Publication: Pennlive.com Date: July 15, 2022 Title: Wine Enthusiast decision has more than a few states feeling left out URL: https://www.pennlive.com/food/2022/07/wine-enthusiast-decision-has-more-than-a-few-states-feeling-left-out.html Author: Press Release Publication: Wine Industry Advisor Date: July 26, 2022 Title: Woodbridge® Debuts First-to-Market Wine Sodas URL: https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2022/07/26/woodbridge-debuts-first-to-market-wine-sodas Author: Harpers Editorial team Publication: Harpers Date: July 15, 2022 Title: Friday read: Why bulk is the hot ticket in the face of climate change URL: https://harpers.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/30467/Friday_read:_Why_bulk_is_the_hot_ticket_in_the_face_of_climate_change.html

After more than two years away, I (Tony) am coming back to podcasting with my Wine in the News style show. I had intended it to be a spin-out from this podcast (which would also change), but with Betty not wanting to host a podcast currently, I will be renaming Weekly Wine Show to Court of Wine and will host the show here so back episodes can remain available. I hope you enjoy the new format! Cheers!

This week we hit our 200th episode which is a huge milestone for us. We've made the decision to end Weekly Wine Show. It's a big decision and in this episode we reflect on our past four years and talk about what is next for us. In this episode we discuss: One of the main reasons was we wanted to expand our knowledge of wine and thought a podcast was an interesting format for that learning.fill out the guest form on the website. Although we will next be releasing new content for a little while, we will be active on social media (mostly Instagram and Twitter) so follow us if you haven't already. We will be providing news and updates so you are in the loop when new content is launched. Also, if you are still subscribed to Weekly Wine Show in you podcast player you will get promos for the new podcasts before they launch. Thank you all for you love and support. There is no way we would have keep releasing episodes for almost four years without you. We are excited with what 2020 has in store for us and our wine journey. So thank you for listening and it;s not goodbye, it's see you later. Cheers!

*Note: If you’re just here looking for that offer link Tony mentioned, feel free to skip to the last paragraph. Have you tried any wine clubs? We've tried a couple wine clubs or club-like retailers and were not thrilled but over the last year we've been testing out Naked Wines. If you've wondered whether a wine club could be valuable and worthwhile, Naked Wines might be your answer. SPOILER ALERT: At the end of this episode, we're going to share an offer from Naked Wines that they give its members to share the service. You'll get a big discount on wine and we get a little bit too if you sign up, so feel free to consider this episode like advertising. That being said, if you've listened to Weekly Wine Show for any length of time, you know we have only accepted advertisements for a couple of episodes. We're extremely picky about what brands we represent and we need to be willing to spend our own money on that item or service if there's a chance our words would influence others to do the same. And in fact, over the last year or so, we've sent over $500 of our own money the way of Naked Wines, and now we're ready to tell you about our experience. So what is Naked Wines and how does it work? Naked Wines is a "customer-funded wine business". Club members, who they call "angels" pay a deposit of $40 per month in their naked wines account. This money sits in the Angels' account as a balance until they use it to purchase wines. But while it's there, Naked Wines uses it to fund winemakers up-front to be able to make wines, many wines which otherwise might never be. The interesting part of this funding model is many winemakers work for other people and don't get to put their name on the label. They may not have the funds to invest in their own grapes, barrels, storage, and all the other costs involved in making wine, much less their cost of living while those wines are being made. The situation might be even a bit dire, like the story of winemaker Katie Jones. If you want to hear more about her story check out the video from Naked Wines. So far, according to their website, they have funded 159 independent winemakers in 14 countries. These direct relationships with winemakers results in lower costs for us because they benefit from economics of scale for buying wine bottling supplies. Also, since they're the considered the winery, there isn't the markup from a distributor and a retailer. They call it "wholesale prices". So what do we like about Naked Wines? First of all, you pick the wine you get, how much, and when (Not like other clubs that send to you on schedule). You order this wine from your house (you don't even have to put pants on) making it super convenient. Second, these are real, top-quality winemakers, some we've actually met or been to their "day job" winery. Also, there are a wide range of wines from all across the globe and pretty affordable prices like a Premier Cru Chablis ($24) and a vintage Champagne ($35). The wines overall have been top quality and of all the wines we've try there has only been a couple of wines we didn't love. They'll also let you know what wines to age so we have several bottles sitting in the cellar waiting for the right time to drink. Another feature that makes Naked Wines unique is the money-back happiness guarantee. They will refund you for any wine you didn't love. We actually haven't taken the initiative to use this for the couple of bottles that weren't to our taste, but even so they proactively gave us an $11 refund to highlight the guarantee and encourage us to use it. They want happy customers. Lastly, you're positively impacting winemakers, giving them a chance to make wines with their own name on the bottle or maybe to make something lesser known that wouldn't fit with their day employer's winery. Also, there website allow us to interact with winemakers and read their stories. What don't we like about Naked Wines? To start, when we signed up in late 2018, we were...

With the holidays just around the corner, we have some sparkling wine recommendations to take the guess work out of selecting wines. Big thanks to our friends at Palm Bay International and Taub Family Selections for providing us with samples for this episode. Although these wines were provided to us, the opinions and tasting notes in this episode are our own. Budget Friendly Wines Villa Marcello Millesimato Prosecco DOC Brut NV - priced around $17. Villa Marcello Prosecco DOC hails from the province of Treviso, one of the finest growing regions of Prosecco.Grapes: 85% Glera, 15% Pinot BiancoLight aromas and flavors of apple blossom, lemon, and dried hayThis wine doesn’t have bread or yeasty notes - it’s fruity and floral, very delicate and elegant wine Pere Ventura Tresor Brut Cava - priced around $16. This Cava is a Reserva which means it’s aged 15 months on the lees the same as non-vintage Champagne Light aromas of nectarines, fresh sage, minerality and yeasty notesFlavors of nectarines, fresh sage, white flowers and mineralityAlthough we get a hint of breadiness in the nose, this wine is still very crisp and fruityWe enjoyed this wine with a nice aged Gouda cheese but also would go with appetizers, hard cheeses, fried foods, and Asian cuisine Something different Ackerman Crémant de Loire Sparkling Cuvée 1811 Blanc Brut - priced around $22. The name of this wine comes from its beginnings. Ackerman was established in 1811 in the small town of Saumur in the heart of France's Loire Valley by Jean-Baptiste Ackerman.Blend of 70% Chenin Blanc, 20 % Chardonnay, 10% Cabernet Franc and each variety is made into wine separately in view of maintaining its typical features up until blending at the end of winter.This wine has light aromas of golden apples, white flowers and a hint of breadinessWe got flavors of golden apples, peaches, lemon oil and white flowersVery fruit wine that we thought it paired really well with blue cheeseWe think that this is a unique blend of grapes that people might not be as familiar with. Altemasi Brut, Trento DOC - priced around $24. The Trento DOC appellation is renowned for producing some of the finest sparkling wines in Italy and is known as the Italian alternative to Champagne 100% Chardonnay wine made in the traditional method that is aged on the lees for at least 15 monthsLight aromas of apples and bread almost like apple pieThis wine has flavors of lemon, green apples with a hint of breadinessSo when people think of sparkling wine from Italy they mostly think of Prosecco and Prosecco is super popular right now. So if you are looking for something different from Italy this would be a great option. Splurge Wines Boizel Brut Réserve Champagne NV - priced around $50. 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot MeunierThe still wines from the year are blended with 30% of reserve wines kept from the previous two harvests, for consistencyPost second fermentation, the wine is aged for three years on its lees, in bottleIntense aromas of bread dough, golden apples and honeycombThis wine has flavors of honeysuckle, green apples, lemon and a hint of breadWe love the smell of this wine and the complex flavor profileEnjoyed this wine with Camembert and aged Gouda cheeses Champagne André Jacquardt Brut Nature Expérience 1er Cru Blanc De Blancs - priced around $100. 100% Chardonnay wine60% Vinified in stainless steel, 40% vinified in older Burgundy oak barrels. No malolactic fermentation. Five years aging on the lees before disgorgement.Aromas of red apple skins, bread, rose and mineralityIt’s the driest of the wines in this episode and has high acidity with flavors of pink lady apples, rose, lemon, and a funky yeasty flavorThis wine is crisp, fruity, floral and complex A special treat for a special occasion

This week we are talking about Brachetto d’Acqui. Brachetto d’Acqui is a DOCG in the Piedmont wine region of Northwest Italy. Wine Recommendations Risata Brachetto d’Acqui 2016 - priced around $16. Risata is a larger producer in the area - in fact they produce the #1 seller of Moscato d’Asti in AmericaAromas of candied red berries and orangeIt’s sweet with medium plus body, medium acidity with flavors of red berries and apricot preservesThis wine has enough acidity to stand up to the sweetness but not syrupyIt’s very lively, bright and a real treatIt paired well with dark chocolate so this wine can handle more intensely flavored desserts Rinaldi Brachetto d’Acqui 2016 - priced around $30 This sweet wine has aromas of black cherries and strawberriesIt’s medium body, medium acidity and flavors of dried apricot and red berriesThis wine was lighter in flavor, more delicate than the previous wineWe would recommend pairing with milk chocolate, fruit tarts and creme brulee. Sources: WIne Folly Wikipedia Wine-Searcher Book: The Oxford Guide to Wine

This week we are talking about Lebanon and its wine. Check out our wine recommendations for some amazing wines. Wine Recommendations Massaya Terrasses Baalbeck 2012 - priced around $28. Blend of Grenache, Syrah, and MourvèdreAromas of blackberries, pepper, cedar and bitter cocoIt’s dry with medium acidity and tannins with flavors of similar to aromas with the addition of mushroom or earthy notesThe tannins provides a wonderful texture to the wineWe thought this wine was at its best paired with food like a hard or semi hard cheese Château Belle-Vue La Renaissance 2007 - priced around $45. This wine is a blend of 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet SauvignonVery deep inky colored wine with aromas of blackberries and black cherries, dusty earth, and eucalyptus notesIt’s dry with medium plus acidity and tannins with flavors of dark berries, coco and spiceGreat textured wine with a lot of structure with a nice long finish Sources Wines from LebanonTim Atkin Wine-Searcher 209 Lebanese Wine

Every couple of months we take a pause on our normal format and talk about four wine we’ve enjoyed recently and want to share with all of you. Wine Recommendations Seaglass Unoaked Chardonnay 2017 - priced around $12. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, this Chardonnay did not undergo malolactic fermentationLight golden color wine with aromas of pineapple, apple, white flowers and tangerinesIt’s dry with medium plus acidity, light body and flavors similar to aromasCrisp, light and refreshing wine great with light pastas, grilled fish or salads. Perticaia Umbria Rosso IGT 2016 - priced around $15. This wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Colorino, and Merlot with aromas of sour cherries with a hint of earthinessIt’s dry with medium plus acidity and tannins with flavors of sour cherries, earth and black teaThe tannins give a lovely smooth texture to the wine with a pleasant finishGreat food wine to pair with salami, cold cuts and pasta Las Nietas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013 - priced around $25. This wine has aromas of cherries, baking spices a hint of earthIt’s dry, light bodied with light tannins, medium plus acidity and flavors of cherries, red berries and roseThis wine is delicate but needs a little time to open up with some oxygen for the flavors to really shineThe new oak was perfectly done with just enough to give it some complexity but not overwhelm the wine and keep all those lovely red fruit flavors. Les Lunes Wine Zinfandel 2016 - priced around $30. From Venturi Vineyard in Mendocino County CaliforniaThese vines were planted in 1948.This wine has aromas of red fruits and baking spicesIt’s dry with medium plus acidity and tannins and flavors of red fruits like cherries and cranberries as well as a little earthThis is a leaner style Zin than what you would get from other places in California like Lodi.Really fresh tasting, fruit forward wine with bright acidity

This week we are talking about Wiener Gemischter Satz! Wine Recommendations Mayer am Pfarrplatz Wiener Gemischter Satz DAC 2016 - priced around $26. Blend of Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, Rotgipfler and ZierfandlerPale Lemon color wine with aromas of lemon, tangerine, white flowers and a chalky mineralityIt’s dry with medium plus acidity and flavors of lemons, apricot, white flowers and mineralityGreat crisp white wine with a lovely aromatic nose Sources Austrian Wine Book: Oxford Guide to Wine Wine's Latest Runaway Hit? You've Probably Never Heard Of It.

This week we are talking about Tokaji wine region in northeast Hungary. Wine Recommendations Kiralyudvar Pezsgő Henye Sparkling 2015 - priced around $29. Medium golden colored wine Aromas of golden apples, pears and fresh baked breadIt’s dry with medium plus to high acidity with flavors of lime pith, toast and appleGreat with a double cream brie cheeseCrisp, fruity and bready and even with some age still have quite a bit of acidity Megyer Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2013 - priced around $50. Winery Direct selection from Total WineDeep gold hue with aromas of golden raisins, honey, dried apricots and dry hayThis is a very sweet wine with flavors similar to aromas This is a real treat and great with buttermilk blue cheese or a great dessert on it’s own Sources Wine Folly Wine-Searcher Book: The Oxford Companion to WineBook: The World Atlas of Wine

This week we are talking about the Wagram wine region which is a viticultural region on the banks of the Danube River in northeastern Austria. Wine Recommendations Wimmer Czerny Familien Wagram Roter Veltliner 2017 - priced around $22. Josef Ehmoser “Wagram Terrassen” Gruner Veltliner 2018 - priced around $18. Sources: Austrian Wine Wine-Searcher

Time for another Wine in the News! Check out the articles below that inspired the topics for this episode. Wine producers and US importers delay price increases Dan Berger, On Wine: The imminent glut: The state industry is facing a major wine surplus California Wineries Plan Price Hikes Carbonic Maceration Breaks Out of Beaujolais Sustainable Packaging Likely to Become Battleground for Premium Alcohol Producers, Says GlobalData The sommelier cheating scandal just won’t go away

This week we are talking about Getariako Txakolina or also known as Txakoli de Getaria. Wine Recommendations Gaintza Txakolina 2014 - priced around $20. Ameztoi Rubentis 2018 - priced around $22. Sources: Getariakot TxakolinaWine-Searcher Jorge Ordonez SelectionsWikipedia

This week we are talking about the Mosel wine region in Germany. Wine Recommendations Hild Elbling Sekt NV - priced around $20. Julian Haart Riesling “1000L” 2017 - priced around $22.

This week we are talking about Chilean wine. Check out our wine recommendations below! Wine Recommendations Vina Aquitania Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 - priced around $20. Errazuriz Max Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2014 - priced around $ 16. Errazuriz Max Reserva Chardonnay 2013 - priced around $16. Sources Wine Folly: The Best Wines from Chile Vinepair Wine Folly: Chilean Wine WikipediaVine Connections

It's time for another four wines episode! Every couple of months we talk about four different wines that we've been enjoying and want to share with all of our wonderful listeners. Wine Recommendations Domaine Bourgogne-Devaux Hautes Côtes de Beaune 2015 - priced around $25. Broc Cellars Amore Rosso 2017 - priced around $28. Browne Family Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2015 - priced around $32. Camins del Priorat 2016 - priced around $20.

This week we are talking about the Cahors AOC wine region located in south-west France about 100 miles east of Bordeaux. Wine recommendations Matayac Cahors 2016 - priced around $13. Chateau Les Croisille Cahors Le Croizillon 2015 - priced around $19. Sources Wine-Searcher Wine GuyCrocus Wines

This week we are talking about Cannonau di Sardegna which is a DOC covering the entire island of Sardina. Wine Recommendations Cantina Santa Maria La Palma Le Bombarde 2016 - priced $14. Costera Argiolas 2016 - priced around $17. Sources Wine Folly Wine-SearcherDecanter Italian Wine Central Grape Collective

This week we are talking about the Fitou AOC. Fitou is a small wine appellation in southern France that is a part of the larger Languedoc-Roussillon wine region area. Wine Recommendations Maison Carrel Sous la Montagne Fitou 2016 - priced around $25. Gérard Bertrand Fitou 2009 - priced around $20. Sources Wine Searcher https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-fitouWine Folly: Languedoc Roussillon Wine Region Languedoc Wines Fitou AOC The Guardian: Fitou Wine

This week features our interview with viticulturist and winemaker Philippe Langner of Hesperian Wines our of Napa Valley. Wines from Hesperian Wines - note that these wines were provided as samples to us but the opinions below are our own. Anatomy No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 - priced around $33 2015 Hesperian Cabernet Sauvignon - priced around $100. 2015 Hesperian Cabernet Sauvignon Kitoko Vineyard - priced around $150