Vino101

Bill and I recently had the opportunity to chat with Alex Guarachi, founder of Guarachi Wine Partners.  Guarachi Wine Partners represents sixteen brands from six countries. During our interview Alex shares how and why he entered the wine business and how he sees the industry changing. Even though he's been in the business over three decades now, his enthusiasm and passion came forth as if he's just started business last week.  We came away energized by his warmth and spirit. We know you'll enjoy his story and a brief look inside the world of wine.Cheers!

Jackson Family Wines makes another investmentin Oregon. What's driving the move north? Are there more mergers and acquisitions on the horizon? Alison Spiegel gets some of the nations coolest sommeliers to drop some insider secrets.Winemakers are preparing to mount a battle against the regional government in Chablis. A proposed tar plant is the source of the conflict.Peter Gago, head winemaker at Penfolds has lost his faith in screwcap closures for wine bottles and is now researching the efficacy of glass as a cork alternative.The Drunken Cyclist shares his experience of two very different nights at Antica Bottega Del Vino in Verona.Thank you for listening and tell a friend. Cheers!

The former owner of Premier Cru wines a now defunct retailer in Berkeley, California has pled guilty to running a wine Ponzi scheme and has cut a deal with federal prosecutors.   There's gold in those hill. At least that's what famed grape growers Andy and David Beckstoffer are hoping for as they work to raise the quality and notorietyof grapes grown in the Red Hills of Lake County, California.The Soberanes Creek fire continues to burn causing lots of concern for residents and farmers in Monterey County. There have also been a number of wildfires in Europe.  Adam Teeter pens an informative post on understanding tannins in red wine.     Here's a good post to show what organic farmers battle through to provide us with a healthier product.    John Fodera has just posted a comprehensive report on currentChianti wines. If you're a fan of Chianti Classico it's a must read.   As always thanks for listening and please tell a friend.

On the west coast of the United States it's fire season and the Soberanes fire near Big Sur, California and a wildfire near Prosser, Washington has caused lots of concern for farmers and winery owners.  Antonio Galloni pens a wonderful piece, while offering a sobering viewpoint on the recent sale of one of Barolo's gems, Vietti Winery to American businessman Kyle Krause. Mr. Galloni also has some suggestions on how to start a wine collection.Here's a quick primer on the differences between Left Bank and Right Bank Bordeaux.Michele Parente explains why wine costs what it does. Bill and I discuss these stories and a few more as we get back into the swing of things after a brief hiatus.As always thanks for listening and tell a friend about us. Cheers!

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates makes another investment in Northern California, while Jackson Family Wines adds to its portfolio of Oregon wine properties. It looks like the Robert Rue label has been retired as Venge Vineyards has purchased the property  in Russian River Valley.We're number one or are we? Check out this graphic by Decanter Magazine highlighting the top 10 wine consuming countries.Want to brush up on your Chianti Classico knowledge and get a heads up of what's available in the marketplace? Don'tmiss Richard Jennings' awesome post.Is that the world's most interesting man. No, it's Vijay Mallya, India's most wanted man.  It's easy to steal rare wine but much harder to fence it, or so it seems for two Northern California men who have been charged with trafficking in stolen goods.Bill and I discuss these stories and a few other on this week's podcast. Thanks for listening and tell a friend. Cheers!

                                                         Supermarket Champagne DealsHow low can supermarket Champagne prices go in the UK and what will be the net aftereffect? Joyce Lin puts together a guide to help understand Champagne labels.Can you train your palate to get more out of the wines you drink? Rachel Signer asks some industry professionals that very question.  Bill and I have a few suggestions as well on how to sharpen your palate and taste wine like a pro.What's the big deal about ageing wine? When is the best time to drink that special bottle you've been saving? Nova McCune Cadamatre offers up thoughts on the subject; To Age Or Not To Age? That Is The Question.Here's our feel good story of the week. Ashley Trout a winemaker in Washington has started a non-profit winery, Vital Wines. Aimed at helping vineyard workers that do not have health cover

Bill and I consider what may become of the tipping tradition in America's restaurants. The ever widening wage gap between front of the house restaurant employees and back of the house workers, pending government mandated wage increases and uncertainty of the direction in which current immigration policy may head, makes operating a restaurant, risky business indeed. Is restaurateur Danny Meyer a maverick altruist or does he have a crystal ball, has seen the future and is preparing for the changes. Richard Jennings a Silicon Valley based wine blogger took over a year off from blogging and on his return has hit it out of the park, with a comprehensive review of 230 grocery store Chardonnays. He didn't just pick up his free samples at the UPS depot. He did the hard work, trekking to local Lucky, Safeway and Costco stores to purchase bottles. Yes, he spent $4,000 of his own hard earned cash to complete the project.  If you shop for Chardonnay at the grocery store this is a must read. But wait, there's mo

Last week one of Napa Valley's legendary winemakers passed. Peter Mondavi Sr. was an innovator and was most proud of not having to sell out to corporate interest, he steadfastly worked to keep Charles Krug Winery in family hands. We send out our thoughts and prayers to the family.Open that bottle night has come and gone. Held on the last Saturday of every February and started by wine writers Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher,  it's celebrated as a reason to open up that bottle that you've been saving for a special occasion. If you participated in the event share with us what you had.New research presented by the Wine Market Council shows that millennials have overtaken baby boomers and Gen Xers with regards to wine drinking rates.  Talia Jane sent off a blog post to her boss, Jeremy Stoppleman CEO of Yelp, detailing how difficult it was to work for his company due to the inadequate compensation package she was receiving. Now she's wondering why she's unemployed and is asking for handouts. Stephanie Wi

Chalone Vineyards has changed hands again. The new owner Bill Foley plans to put new emphasis on promoting the brand.Dorthy Gaiter interviews Michael Mondavi about the Mondavi clan, then and now. The way things have turned out may not be as patriarch Robert Mondavi had envisioned, but if he were here he'd probably be pleased. Tim Carl writes about the evolving taste in California wine country. Could this be a glimpse into the near future?Batya Ungar-Sargon wonders 'Why aren't there more Black Americans making wine?'. From the files of people behaving badly, Italian police have discovered a counterfeit Champagne operation in the province of Padua.Wine of the week: 2012 Boundary Breaks Vineyard Riesling - Ovid Line North This riesling hails from the

Rachel Signer has a list of ten things every woman should know about wine, but her list could apply to guys as well. Michelle Locke offers up nine hacks to help you drink better wine by drinking it better. In the podcast Bill and I offer up a few ways to enhance your wine drinking experience as well.Is the age of the Sommelier coming to an end? Some high profile somms are looking for a different experience and are moving into the retail arena. Upscale wine merchant Premier Cru of Berkeley, California has finally folded amidst a plethora of accusations and lawsuits. The FBI is now actively involved and handling former customer and vendor complaints. Napa County officials are flexing their muscles and threatening to shut down a winery in Calistoga that does not have their permits to do business in order.  We talked about this story on a prior podcast.  Look who's saying 'My Bad'. Here's proof that Maureen Downey is smart and one tough cookie. Wine of the week:2014 Tenshen

Vino101 Episode 28 Quivira

Happy New Year! Thirty-one cases of the world's most expensive wine have disappeared from a northern port in France while awaiting shipment to the Liquor Control Board of Ontario in Canada. Lettie Teague pens a piece titled 'An Insider's Guide to Weird Wine Words'. It's a good primer for explaining some of the jargon used by people in the wine business to describe wine characteristics and flaws.If you ever wondered why some food and wine pairing work and others don't, this article by Bill St. John will help you understand the key elements of pairing wine with food.The Culinary Academy is closing all sixteen of its schools in the U. S. Steve Heimoff comes up with a few reasons for the closure and we come up with a few of our own. Guy Fieri is attempting to dissolve his popular chain of Johnny Garlic's restaurants. The problem is his partner doesn't want dissolution; he wants to purchase Guy's shares of the chain. We'll watch as this one plays out in the court system.Bill Swindell reports for the

Roughly ten percent of the bottles in convicted wine counterfeiter Rudy Kurnaiwan's wine cellar were deemed fakes and were sent to Creedmore, Texas to be destroyed. There's a video of the process, but allegations of fake wine being sold at high end auctions continues to persist. Wine sleuth Maureen Downey and wine expert Gil Lempert-Schwarz are headed to court as Schwarz has asked the court to order Downey to stop defaming him. Unfortunately, there appears to be more than enough fake wine to go around. Caveat emptor!New York wine retailer Empire Wine's ongoing lawsuit against the New York State Liquor Authority has taken a turn in favor of the NYSLA, after Governor Cuomo vetoed a bill that would have limited the state's power.  Bill Swindell reports for the Press Democrat on the legal problems facing Truett-Hurst. As shares for the company hover at low penny stock levels, it's a sobering reminder of how difficult the wine business can be.E J Gallo increases its footprint in Napa Valley with the

It's that time of the year when friends and family get together to celebrate the holidays, so Bill and I decided to come up with a few wine selections for the season. Although we didn't recommendany bubbly in this podcast, our default wine is sparkling, whether it be Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, Sektor domestic sparklers. A glass of bubbly always seems an appropriate way to kick off a celebration. We hope you enjoy the podcast. Cheers! 2014 Ritual Pinot Noir Casa Blanca Valley, Chile Aromas of fresh red fruit, bing cherries and raspberries, with a good wack of vanilla, bright acidity and medium bodied. In the mouth juicyblack cherries and strawberriesIf you like a fruit forward, slightly sweet style of Pinot Noir - new world all the way -  this is your wine. A definite crowd pleaser made by winemaker Rodrigo Soto formally of Benziger in Sonoma. 10,000 cs $16 - $19 2013 Lazy Day Pinot Noir - Lazy Creek VineyardsMedium body PInot.   Like the medium body with aromas of berry, plum and some licorice

Are you a points chaser and you only drink wines that have scored 90 or more points? If you hurry you might be able to find some of the wines that made The Wine Spectator's Top 100 for 2015. Close to a third of them fall into the $30 and under category, so if you want you can satisfy your curiosity and find out what all the hoopla is about without breaking your budget.  Guy Fieri is going into the wine business. As far as celebrity wines go he claims he's trying to keep a low profile, so you won't see his likeness or name on the front label. He elected to call the wines Hunt & Ryde in honor of his two sons Hunter and Ryder. The wines all reds for now will be available around Thanksgiving.   The staff at Punch came up with a nice list of wines you might consider for your Thanksgiving dinner table.Jon McDaniel offers some great suggestions on what type of wines to bring to the office, in-laws and neighborhood holiday parties.Hard to believe but we have another winemaker accused of tax fraud a

Food Republic has put out a video detailing how fake wine is made and brought to the market. It's a super slick production, exposing the secrets of recent infamous fraudstersand explaining how confidentiality and shame perpetuate the status quo. One of our favorite wine retailers K&L Wines in San Francisco has moved to a new and larger location.In an article for Vogue, Jordan Salcito, beverage director for Momofuku restaurants, shares how her pregnancy has worked to her advantage.Is the legalization of marijuana good for the wine business? Jeremy Parzen speculates whether the emerging marijuana business will follow the path of "Big Wine".  The wine of the week is Arianna Occhipinti's 2014 Tami' Frappato. If you've never had a Frappato here's a chanc

What goes up must come down. It holds true in the stock market and real estate, but are Napa winemakers immune to prevailing market conditions? Stephen Eliot of the Connoisseurs Guide wonders if Napa Wines are too pricey? While W. Blake Gray goes straight to the source and asks wine oracle, Rob McMillan, Executive Vice President of Silicon Valley Bank, his prediction on where Napa wine prices are headed in the future. I had the good fortune of attending the 12th annual Wine & Spirits top 100 tasting in San Francisco on Tuesday October 20, 2015. I'm not sure why I haven't made time to attend this event in the past, but it's already on my calendar for 2016 and I've already invited some friends. Held at City View Metreon in downtown San Francisco, the event featured fabulous wines with the winemakers at your disposal and top local chefs trying to outdo each other,  offering some incredible food. Freshly shucked Hog Island Oysters and 2002 Bollinger Champagne R. D. Extra Brut to start and it got bet

Harvesthas concluded in Sonoma County and vintners are happy with what they have tasted thus far. Bill Swindell gives us a quick look at what winemakers and farmers have to say about the 2015 vintage, one of the earliest on record.German agri-chemical giant Bayer has acknowledged that one of its products sold throughout Europe has caused stunted development of the berries for certain wine growers. Although the cause has yet to be determined Bayer is already taking steps to compensate growers that have suffered losses.  Danny Meyer wants to change the way employees are compensated at his thirteen full service restaurants. The most controversial part of his plan is the elimination of tipping.  Aimed at equalizing the pay differences in restaurants, between the front and the back of the house and addressing pending mandatory minimum wage price increases being proposed in the legislature, his move to emulate the European modelfor fine dining sans tipping, will have lots of restaurant owners and workers

Paul Prudhomme a legend in Cajun and Creole cuisine has died. Daniela Galarza profiles the accomplishments of one of America's first celebrity chefs. Prudhomme is credited with trade marking Turducken, a dish  that always graced the Thanksgiving table of NFL commentator John Madden. Be sure to check out the video of Paul explaining the essence of a southern favorite Red Beans and Rice.Jane Anson reports that Bordeaux grape growers are planting hedges around vineyards in a effort to limit pesticide drift near schools and sports fields.Suzanne Mustacich writes a piece for the Wine Spectator detailing how serious the problem of counterfeiting wine has become in China. The estimate of the amount of counterfeits is astonishing.In California, two wine collectors have filed lawsuits against an established wine retailer, claiming they failed to deliver on wines purchased years ago. Peter Hellman gives a good overview of the disagreement.Two former employees of Donkey & Goat Winery a boutique producer in Berk

Blue Morph based out of the East Bay has developed a waterless tank sanitizing system that uses advanced short-wave ultraviolet ray technology. A unit has already been installed at one of the Jackson Family Wine production facilities in Santa Rosa, Ca., where Julien Gervreau senior sustainability managerestimates 250,000 gallons a year could be saved at each JFW facility that uses the technology.  Vijay Singh a biochemical engineer has created a new fermentation device that cuts down on water usage and the manual labor associated with winemaking. Dana Nigro provides some of the details in a piece for Wine Spectator.A high speed railway proposed for Sauternes has vintners in the area anxious. More troubling than that are concerns over higher than normal rates of cancer in small children in the same area.Jeremy Parzen has been doing a great job of keeping us up to date on the latest wine adulteration scandal in Italy. The scandal has prompted the editors of the 2016 Gambero Rosso to suspend some Frulian pr