What to Drink: Recent Episodes
Conner Taylor
NEW EPISODES TUESDAYS Our podcast reveals What to Drink with different food, holidays, occasions, and seasons. Whether it’s everyday meals or special milestones, we'll help you pair anything & everything.
Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Host Conner Taylor is a Certified Sommelier & Cicerone (beer), Certified Specialist of Spirits & Wine, and WSET Level III, and is on a journey to pair the perfect beverage with every moment in life. Producer Bobby Desin is new to all of this with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
Larry Stone, Founder of Lingua Franca Wines, joins us today to tell us why his AVNI Chardonnay is the perfect pairing for salads, Thai, and more!
Paint the Pairing: You've just returned from the farmer's market with the makings of a beautiful salad: heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, mozzarella, olives, red onions, and more! The acidity of salad dressing can be tough to pair with, though.. what's a guy to do?? Simply open a Lingua Franca AVNI Chardonnay - a wine bright enough with incredible acidity to hang with higher acid foods!
What Makes this Chardonnay Special:
- One of the most versatile food pairing wines in the New World! This Chardonnay is bright, moderate alcohol, & not too fruity. It's got enough acid to pair with acidic foods (like a salad with vinaigrette). You could even have it with foods with capsaicin heat, like chiles and peppers.
- Lingua Franca means a 'universal tongue,' or language, and Larry believes that wine is that universal language that anyone can understand, without studying. This language of wine "brings people together respectfully to enjoy the diversity of life and love & respect one another."
- Larry Stone found Winemaker Thomas Savre, one of the highest skilled winemakers in the world, training at the world-famous Domaine Romanee-Conti in Burgundy. He worked under the tutelage of Lingua Franca's famed Dominique Lafon.
Learn more here: https://www.linguafranca.wine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linguafrancawines/
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Jeffrey Baker, Founder, Hillrock Estate Distillery, joins us today to tell us why his Solera Bourbon is the perfect whiskey for reflecting on life's big questions in a rocking chair!
Paint the Pairing: It’s a beautiful evening, and it’s time to get pensive, and time for reflection! You want a layered Bourbon that you could reflect on equally as long. The Solera aging has this Bourbon mingling with all sorts of flavors. Think about your day/week/year/LIFE while you think about this complex whiskey.
What Makes this Whiskey Special:
- This whiskey not just "Grain to Glass," it's "Field to Glass!" The grain used in Hillrock Estate whiskeys are grown on the property!
- Not only do they grow their own grain, they also do their own floor malting and turn it into liquid gold. No one does this!
- To top it off, this whiskey is aged in a Solera system, which is a process for aging spirits by fractional blending in such a way that the finished product is a mixture of ages, with the average age gradually increasing as the process continues over many years. Listen for more details!
- These blends were also developed by the late, great, Master Distiller, Dave Pickerell
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Ford's Gin Founder Simon Ford and Master Distiller Charles Maxwell join us today to to tell us why their Gin is the perfect pairing for your next themed competition party: The SPRITZ-OFF!
The Pairing: You've invited your favorite people to a party with a twist -- or should we say, a spritz? You're hosting a Spritz-Off, which is a party that doubles as a cocktail competition. Your party guests will create Spritz cocktails and submit them to a judge you've chosen. The judge will declare a winner and honorable mention! For this party, you'll want to provide general spritz ingredients, should any of your guests come unprepared. You'll want an array of sparkling sodas, tonics, and liqueurs, and you'll also need Gin. Luckily, Ford's is the most versatile Gin in the market and will compliment any spritz perfectly. It's the Gin of all Trades!
What Makes This Gin Special:
- Built for Cocktails. Simon and Charles reverse-engineered this Gin, starting with the most popular Gin Cocktails and working backwards to find the perfect compliment to each.
- Simon consulted with hundreds of bartenders and designed the bottle to be a bartender's tool. Indicators on the side of the bottle make easy work of batching cocktails, and the bottle is designed for stability and grip for all hand sizes
- 11th generation Master Distiller Charles Maxwell incorporates 9 Botanicals into this gin to compliment the most popular gin cocktails in the world. The countries of origin are openly shared and show how the Fords Gin flavor profile comes together.
Learn more here - one of the best Spirits websites we've encountered: https://www.fordsgin.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fordsgin/
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Erik Kramer, head winemaker for Oregon's Willakenzie Estate, joins us today to tell us why his Estate Pinot Noir is the perfect pairing for a outdoor farm dinner!
The Pairing: You've returned from the farmer's market with an incredible haul! Fresh carrots, tomatoes, local chicken, pork, salmon, & cheeses, and you've decided you want to have a "Farm Dinner" in your backyard. You need a wine that is versatile enough to hang with a myriad of foods. Enter Willakenzie Estate Pinot Noir. The acid, red fruits, and relatively low tannin count of this wine will pair beautifully with everything on your gigantic wooden table!
What Makes This Wine Special:
- Family-owned, estate driven winery named after the dominant soil type, Willakenzie
- The winery coined the moniker “Place Matters,” emphasizing their Burgundian (or.. Oreg-undian?) emphasis on terroir and soil
- Geologist-turned-winemaker Erik Kramer’s mission is to deliver Pinot Noir and Chardonnays that represent the clarity and distinction of the estate
Learn more here: https://www.willakenzie.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willakenzie/
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Drew Schneider, Global Ambassador for The Prisoner Wine Co., joins us today to tell us why The Prisoner Red Blend is the perfect pairing for a Chicken dish featuring Mexican mole sauce!
The Pairing: You’re making mole sauce for the first time ever. Your sauce has lots of tantalizing flavors, like cinnamon, cloves, chilis, raisins, and chocolate! You want a wine that is bold enough to hang with these intense flavors, but supple enough to not overpower it. Cue The Prisoner Red Blend’s list of ingredients: Zinfandel, Cabernet, Petit Sirah, Syrah, & Charbono. Bright, ripe red fruits add an extra layer of flavor to your complex sauce!
What Makes This Wine Special:
- The Prisoner Wine Co. became a cult winery by championing some of the lesser-known grapes that the first Italian immigrants grew in the Napa Valley, like Charbono. They have long-standing contracts with over 100 small growers that ensure these grape varieties will thrive for the foreseeable future
- The brand name and flagship label were inspired by an etching titled Le Petit Prisonnier by 19th century Spanish artist Francisco Goya. Its subtitle translates to “the custody is as barbaric as the crime.”
- Prisoner Wine Co. releases a series called "Corrections" each year that benefit non-profits that support individuals who are formerly incarcerated or currently navigating the complexities of the prison system.
A Family of Wines: Be sure to check out The Prisoner Wine Co.'s other labels: Saldo, Unshackled, Blindfold, & Corrections.
Recipe for Chicken Mole: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/chicken-mole-recipe-1972934
Learn more here: https://theprisonerwinecompany.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prisonerwineco/
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Melissa Rift, Master Taster for Old Forester, joins us today to tell us why Old Forester is the best Bourbon for your home bar.
What is a 'Master Taster?' Melissa trained under legendary distillers Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall of Old Forester & Woodford Reserve and handles much of the quality control for Old Forester whiskies. Melissa also works on innovative projects, like their new 117 series.
Why the Pairing Works: Old Forester is the best bang for your buck on your back bar, but Melissa has also given us a 4-course meal with the "Whiskey Row" series
Melissa's 4-Course Pairing Last Supper:
- Old Forester 1870. The fruits & florals of this whiskey pair perfectly with something citrusy like an arugula salad with parmesan cheese
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled- n-Bond . The woodsy, spicy, and earthy notes of this Bourbon will pair perfectly with a fatty cheese course, like burrata, and good crusty bread. The black pepper backbone will go perfectly with any fat, including charcuterie.
- Old Forester 1920 with prime rib! Going a little out of turn here, but it's time for a protein. This higher proof (115) cask strength whiskey has notes of salted dark chocolate and will pair well with the complexity of rare meat.
- Old Forester 1910 & banana bread pudding. This double barrel expression goes splendidly with any dessert, but the underlying banana tones of the 1910 will complement each other perfectly!
What Makes These "Whiskey Row" Bourbons Special:
Each of these whiskies mark a "First:"
- 1870 - The first whiskey released in a glass bottle
- 1897 - Old Forester's first Bottled-in-Bond
- 1910 - The first recorded double barrel expression, due to a major fire
- 1920 - the Prohibition bottle, 120 Proof.
Learn more here: https://www.oldforester.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldforester/
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Diva Moretti Polegato, Export Area Manager & 4th generation Villa Sandi family member, joins us today to tell us why Prosecco Rosé is the perfect beverage to have with your Boo before date night!
The Pairing: It's date night! You're getting ready to hit the town with your hot date. Maybe you're cooking for your partner. You put out a small plates of cheeses, meats, and finger foods.. but what could pair with all of these? The Answer: Prosecco Rosé!
Why the Pairing Works: Bubbles bubbles bubbles! Bubbles cleanse the palate and invite you to take another bite. The mouth-watering acidity of this Rosé is the perfect complement to any fare.
What Makes This Wine Special:
- After harvest, Villa Sandi freezes the Must (un-fermented grape juice) and keeps it frozen until they need to produce wine for the market. They are the only Prosecco producer to utilize this "on-demand" method of creating the absolute freshest sparkling wine possible
- Wines made in the Champagne Method (bottle fermentation) often contain biscuity and toasty notes from lees aging. Prosecco is made using the Charmat, or "Tank Method," and the dead yeast cells are filtered out. This creates a sparkling wine that emphasizes freshness and fruitiness
- The relatively new category of Prosecco Rosé includes a minimum 15% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) which adds body, acidity, and delicious red fruits like strawberries, cherries, and raspberries. The Villa Sandi Prosecco Rosé is 'Brut' and drier than most styles, making it even easier to pair. Delicious!
Diva's Last Supper: Al Dente Spaghetti with homemade red sauce, an entire wheel of Parmesan cheese, and Villa Sandi "Cartizze" Prosecco
Learn more here: https://www.villasandi.it/it_en/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/villasandi/
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Anne Sarteaux, International Cellar Master, & Philippe Coste, owner and CEO of Meukow Cognac, join us this week to tell us why Meukow VS works perfectly in a Horse's Neck Highball cocktail!
How to Make a Horse's Neck: This highball cocktail is bright, refreshing, and complex. Meukow VS is the best Cognac to use, with an emphasis on fruitiness and a smoothness due to a lighter tannin content.
- Pour 2 ounces of Meukow VS Cognac in a Collins glass over ice.
- Top with Fever Tree Ginger Ale
- Garnish with a long strip of Lemon Peel (that's where the cocktail gets its name -- the lemon peel is long and looks like a Horse's Neck!)
What makes Meukow Special:
- Cellar Master Anne Sarteaux, one of the very few female Cellar masters in the cognac world, blends spirits together like a musical composition, creating a symphony of suppleness, power, and elegance
- Meukow VS is characterized by its well-balanced blend between the roundness of its fruity notes and the delicacy of its woody nuances
- The Black Panther on every bottle perfectly embodies the strength, elegance and suppleness which are the intrinsic qualities of this cognac
Anne and Philippe also recommend putting the bottle in your freezer, then taking a chilled sip with smoked trout or caviar. Yum!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meukowcognac/
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Adam Dorfman, Clinton Dugan, & Patrick Lemmond, founders of Shortbarrel Bourbon and NEW owners of Old Fourth Distillery, join us today to explain the ins and outs of barrel picking and tell us their mission for Old Fourth Distillery!
What makes this project special:
- Adam, Clint, & Patrick are taking Atlanta's first distillery since prohibition in a new direction: future O4 Whiskey will be aged and distilled here in the Peach State!
- Georgia is further south and therefore slightly warmer than Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana, leading to even greater barrel concentration and 'Angel's Share' each year
- This trio will use their barrel picking and blending acumen, a skill unto itself, to inform their distilling techniques here in Atlanta
Be sure to check out Old Fourth Vodka (created from a sugarcane base, but bone dry and gluten-free) and Gin as well!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldfourthdistillery/
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Legendary winemaker Chris Carpenter (Cardinale, Lokoya, Hickinbotham, La Jota, and Mt. Brave) joins us today to tell us why Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect pairing for beef tenderloin!
We also talk all things Mount Veeder and discuss the differences in mountain versus valley floor grapes.
Why the Pairing Works:
- Mt. Brave has a brightness and acidity that pair beautifully with the fatty richness of tenderloin
- The blue fruits, violets, and acid in Mt. Brave make the perfect contrast to the savory, fatty, and weighty texture of tenderloin
- The tannins of this wine are curved and don't need as much cellar time or decanting
What Makes this Cabernet Special:
- Chris's specialty is mountain fruit from the Napa Valley, which tends to have more minerality than valley fruit. Mt. Brave is made from Mount Veeder fruit and can live in a cellar for years but is also ready to drink now
- Compared to some of his other projects, Chris makes Mt. Brave to be a mountain wine with softer tannins, meaning a Somm or consumer could serve it immediately, tableside without cellaring
- Mt. Brave and parent company Jackson Family have invested in creating sustainability in Napa, Sonoma, and all of California. The Napa properties are organic and regenerative. Agriculture produces 30% of the carbon load to the world, so Chris & Jackson Family believe that viticulture must be the leader in carbon reductions
Chris's Last Supper: 16 inch pepperoni pizza from Renaldi's and a 9 liter Guinness
Song Pairing: Sympathy for the Devil
Learn more here: https://www.mtbravewines.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtbravewines/
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Lauren King, Senior Manager of Wine Education for Ste Michelle Wine Estates, joins us today to tell us why Fried Chicken and Champagne (specifically, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte) go together like Peanut Butter & Jelly!
Join us this episode as we put 3 Fried Chickens to the test: Publix Chicken Tendies, Chic-fil-a Chicken biscuit, and Bojangles Cajun Chicken Filet biscuit! We'll reveal our winning pairing #ChickenOff
Why the Pairing Works: The great news for Champagne lovers: Champagne pretty much pairs with anything. Bubbles will specifically cleanse your palate of the juicy and fatty fried chicken and get you ready for the next bite. Champagne has these three pairing principles working for it:
- Bubbles - cleanse the palate for another bite
- Acid - cuts through fat and makes food seem brighter
- Autolytic notes - These toasty, brioche-like flavors come from aging wine on the lees (dead yeast cells) and complement many flavors in fried chicken and other fares.
What Makes this Champagne Special:
- Nicolas Feuillatte is a co-op winery, meaning it's a union of small grape growers that all get shares of the revenues. The better the growers do, the better the wines will be! Contrast this to big Champagne houses that solely purchase grapes.
- Feuillatte Champagnes tend to lead with the red grapes (Pinot Noir and Meunier) for a bit more body, fruitiness, and brightness.
- Feuillatte uses up to 35-40% of their reserve wines in their Non-Vintage Brut, which is significantly higher than most Champagne houses. Impressive for the #1 wine in France!
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut, in Emoji's: 🍐 🍋 🌼 🍑 🥐 🧀 😋 😛
Netflix Pairing: The White Lotus
Learn more here: https://www.nicolas-feuillatte.com/us/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erathwines/
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Leah Adint, winemaker for Erath Winery, joins us today to tell us why her Reserve Pinot Noir is perfect for your holiday table!
Why the Pairing Works: Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile wines for food! It's all about balance. Pinot has great acidity, bright flavors, medium-bodied & alcohol content, and lower tannins than other varietals, so there's no worry about overpowering certain dishes. Pinot will complement red fruits in foods like cranberry sauce and also work perfectly with roasted turkey.
What Makes this Pinot Noir Special:
- Dick Erath moved to Oregon in 1967 and planted grapes in 1968, not knowing how incredible the terroir would be. Leah is only the 4th winemaker since its inception.
- Oregon Pinot Noir is kind of a 'best of both worlds' of California and Burgundy, France. We find ripe fruit (California) and herbaceous and floral qualities (Burgundy)
- The 'Reserve' Pinot is a delicious blend of Erath's many Single Vineyard expressions, lighter and perhaps more 'Burgundian' than the rest in the lineup
Erath Pinot Noir Reserve, in Emoji's: 🎉🍒🍃🍲
Song Pairing: Journey'sDon't Stop Believing
Learn more here: https://www.erath.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erathwines/
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Edward Geyman, founder & CEO of Laneta Tequila, joins us today to explain why his Tequila embodies the philosophy of its name (Laneta means "truth" in Spanish). Joey "Baby Kangaroo" Waknine and Manny "From the Bronx" Blanco are also in studio today, sharing their truths (as well as some laughs).
What makes Laneta Tequila Special:
- Edward Geyman is a fourth generation glassmaker from Ukraine, who used their acumen to design one of the most beautiful bottles of Tequila out there. Look for the flower of life on the bottom of the bottle!
- Laneta, or "the truth," signifies their mission to create a spirit greater than the category, and for its enjoyers to discover their own truths.
- The mission for Laneta is to bring friends and family together. Sidenote: it works beautifully in an espresso martini!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanetatequila/
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Road Trip time!!
We took What to Drink on the road to the Napa Valley to interview industry legends Barbara & Bruce Neyers, owners & founders of Neyers Vineyards!
The married duo recounts the story of their journey into the world of wine, starting in the early 1970's in the Napa Valley. All of their wines are delicious and leave you wondering, "Am I drinking Old World (European) wines right now, or could these indeed be Californian?!"
The Sage Canyon Red blend is a delicious Rhône-style blend (Carignan, Mourvèdre, & Grenache) & will pair with most dishes, but we eventually singled out roast chicken because the two mentioned the perfect marriage of these two several times.
What makes Neyers Sage Canyon Red special:
- Winemaker Daniel Brunier of Chateauneuf du Pape winery Vieux Télégraphe remarked that the Central Valley of California was not much different in temperature than the Rhone; why couldn't the Neyers' grow their favorite Rhône grapes in California?
- Bruce and Barbara started purchasing Carignan, Mourvèdre, & other Rhône-style grapes from Central Valley winemakers with specific instructions: 1. the grower must reduce their grape yields to prioritize quality over quantity, and 2. they had to employ Old World winemaking techniques like pigeage (stomping grapes by foot) & stem-inclusion.
- Bruce's wines are a perfect example that California & the 'New World' can achieve 'Old World' elegance, savoriness, and body!
BONUS RECIPE: Barbara's Couscous Salad with Chicken Breast Recipe (Serves 4)
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups dried couscous
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half – Sweet 100 and Sungold tomatoes
- 1-2 Cucumbers, Persian or Armenian — peeled and sliced ¼ to 1/8-inch thick
- 2 chicken breasts, boned and skinless
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh basil torn into pieces for garnish
- Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS:
- 1 Tablespoon minced shallot
- 2 Teaspoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ½ Teaspoon paprika
- ½ Teaspoon coriander
- ½ Teaspoon turmeric
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
PREPARATION:
- Cook the chicken breasts on a grill using mesquite charcoal.
- Cook the couscous as directed on the package. Refrigerate the couscous if not using immediately.
- Combine the vinaigrette ingredients and set aside.
- Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and then into ½-inch pieces.
- In a bowl combine the couscous, chicken breasts, chickpeas and vinaigrette.
- Season with Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.
- Serve the couscous with cherry tomatoes and cucumbers on top and garnish with basil and feta cheese.
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Guinness National Ambassador Ryan Wagner joins us today to explain why this iconic Dry Irish Stout is not a bad choice to drink when you're counting calories!
"There's nothing on this planet like a pint of the black stuff." Guinness Dry Irish Stout is a legendary beer, and in fact was brewed for the first time in 1959 to celebrate the 200-year anniversary since Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000-year lease on St. James’s Gate Brewery. It’s rich, it’s creamy, and it’s black (well actually, if you look closely, Guinness is ruby red in color but don’t tell anyone!).
What Makes Guinness Perfect for a Diet:
- Clocking in at 4.2%, Guinness is surprisingly sessionable, with a beautiful creamy head but lighter and lighter body
- At 126 calories per 12 ounces, it's quite comparable to many American Light Lagers (@ ~115 calories)
- Guinness utilizes Nitrogen as well as CO2, making it 75% less carbonated than most beers and less filling
PRO TIP : To achieve the classic pour with a Guinness Draft Stout can, get yourself a clean pint glass and hold it at a 45 degree angle. Begin to slowly pour your Guinness Draught in a Can off the side of the glass. As it fills, slowly tilt your glass upwards until it is vertical. Let it settle and enjoy!
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Dixon Dedman, founder of 2XO - "Two Times Oak" Whiskey, joins us today to explain why his award-winning blends will, in the words of Spinal Tap's Nigel Tufnel, "Take it to Eleven!"
"Two Times Oak" is a blending process Dixon pioneered, where he re-barrels his hand-selected aged whiskey into new charred oak barrels. The result is intense wood notes and extraordinarily rich, complex flavors. Will these blends take it to 10? Well, sure. But sometimes you need.. "one more!"
What makes 2XO 'American Oak' Special:
- The first of the "Oak" series with an innovative double oak technique. Dixon introduces additional charred oak to barrels with a moderate amount of rye in the mashbill.
- American Oak moves from sweet, rich butterscotch on the front, to savory roasted nutty notes in the middle, finishing with a lingering mild spice. It is very approachable and perfect for cocktails.
- Dixon Dedman has been turning heads for years as a blender using innovative techniques for adding flavor and complexity to his robust bourbon and rye blends.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2xowhiskey/
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Lauren Patz, Head Distiller for Redwood Empire Whiskey, joins us this week to tell us why you need their "Lost Monarch" on your next trip to a National Park!
Why this pairing works: This whiskey is an homage to John Muir, father of the National Park system, and each bottling is named for a living Redwood tree. This blend of rye and bourbon has the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and pairs perfectly with the Japanese art of 'Tree Bathing,' or going into the woods and observing the majesty of a tree.
Alternate Pairing: S'mores! The vanilla, baking spice, caramel & maple syrup flavors of this whiskey will compliment the graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolatey goodness of a s'more.
What makes this Whiskey Special:
- The "best of both worlds" choice for those who just can’t decide between rye or bourbon. The perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
- Named after the world's largest coastal Redwood, the bottle art pays tribute to John Muir, father of the National Parks
- Redwood Empire plants a tree for every bottle sold!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redwoodempirewhiskey/
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Gerard Bertrand, founder & owner of his eponymous wine label, joins us today to teach us about Biodynamic principles, the Lunar Calendar, and his new orange wine, 'Orange Gold.'
What is a 'Fruit Day?'
The lunar calendar has been used in farming for centuries, but recently people have noted the moon’s effect on wine tasting.
According to the lunar calendar, every day is either a 'Fruit,' 'Root,' 'Flower,' or 'Leaf' day. 'Fruit' days are the most auspicious days to drink most wines, while white aromatic wines really seem to sing on a “flower day.” The idea behind root days, fruit days, leaf days, and flower days was inspired by Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher who defined biodynamic farming for the 20th century. Gerard Bertrand embraces biodynamic farming in his vineyards and is a huge advocate for the process.
OK, but what is 'Orange' wine?
Gerard explains it like this: "We have two kinds of grapes in the world -- we have white grapes and red grapes. When you make rosé, you use red grapes and you use the winemaking process of white wines. When you make orange wines, you use white grapes, but use the winemaking process of red wines."
'Orange' wines are white grapes left to macerate on their skins for extended times, the same way we make red wine.
What makes Orange Gold special:
- Gerard and his team are paying tribute to the first 'Orange' wine styles of Georgia, over 4,500 years ago, but with an emphasis on freshness.
- It is an exceptional blend of seven grape varieties, Chardonnay, Chenin and Viognier add volume and Roussanne, Grenache Blanc and Muscat enrich the aromatic complexity of the wine. Pairs perfectly with cheese platters.
- Gerard's Organic and Biodynamic vineyards are helping catch thousands of pounds of carbon waste per acre. If 1% of all vineyards on the planet were biodynamic, we'd catch enough carbon to slow global warming to a halt!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gerardbertrandofficial/
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Eddie Brook, Founder of Cape Byron Distillery & creator of Brookie's Gin, joins us this week to tell us why you need more Gin-based slushies and hammocks in your life, pronto!
Why this pairing works: This slushie is summer incarnate. It will slay the heat of the day and transport you to the Australian rainforest where Eddie & co. source 17 of the 25 botanicals used for this Gin. Travel somewhere tropical whilst never leaving your backyard hammock.
What makes this Gin Special:
- Eddie Brook and his parents have been regenerating a large swath of farmland and turning it back into a rainforest since 1988
- Legendary distiller Jim McEwan and Eddie Brook teamed up to make something truly special: a Gin focusing on the fruits and botanicals of this rainforest
- Drink in botanicals like Lillypilly Berries, Riperry, and Bottle Brush. They are as fun to say as they are to taste!
Brookie's Cucumber-Watermelon-Mint Slushee
(makes 4 servings)
1 Small Watermelon
About a quarter of a cucumber
4 glugs of Brookie's Gin
2 large scoops of ice
Mint for garnish
Directions:
- Add 4 glugs of Brookie's Gin (it's a technical term), watermelon, cucumber, and ice to a blender. Blend, pour, and garnish with mint. Take it to the hammock!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookiesgin/
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Mara Smith, Founder of Inspiro Tequila, joins us this week to tell us why Inspiro Rosa Reposado Tequila is the perfect spirit to enjoy with your girlfriends!
Why the Pairing Works: Inspiro Reposado Rosa is a clean (gluten free, zero-sugar, zero-additive) Tequila that is incredibly smooth and sippable. Your girlfriends will love that this Tequila fits their active lifestyle and that the company is led by women!
This reposado is the first to be aged in former rosé wine barrels, marrying vanilla and white chocolate notes to distinctive red-berry rosé & Tequila fruit flavors. It's silky, smooth, and perfect on the rocks (or in our Georgia Ranch Water recipe below).
Inspiro Rosa Reposado in Emoji's: 🌼🍈🌿💃👠
Netflix Pairing: Righteous Gemstones, Real Housewives of Atlanta
Georgia Ranch Water Recipe:
2 oz. Inspiro Tequila
1 oz. lime juice
Peach purée
Sparkling mineral water such as Topo Chico
Lime wheel for garnish
Directions:
- Fill wine glass with ice, add Inspiro Tequila, peach purée and lime juice. Top off with sparkling mineral water and garnish with lime wheel.
Learn more here: https://inspirotequila.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspirotequila/
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Steve Nally, Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee and Master Distiller for Bardstown Bourbon, joins us today to explain why Origin Series whiskeys pair perfectly with asking your potential in-law the 'big' question!
Paint the Paring: You've been dating your significant other for some time and you're considering the next step. You're nervous to ask your potential mother or father-in-law for their child's hand in marriage. Why not soothe your nerves and break the ice with a delicious, interesting whiskey?!
What Makes Bardstown Bourbon Special:
- Bardstown Bourbon makes over 60 grain bills for some of the best whiskey brands in the world. They've used that knowledge to produce their own incredible whiskeys.
- The "Origin Series" are 'Grain to Glass', 100% estate-distilled whiskeys.
- Master Distiller Steve Nally is a legend in the world of whiskey (literally! He's in the Bourbon Hall of Fame).
On this episode, we try the Origin Series High-Rye Bourbon, Rye, & Wheated Bottled-in-Bond. Grab a bottle (if you can find one!) and taste along.
More About Steve:
Steve Nally has over 51 years of experience in the whiskey industry, serving as Master Distiller for Maker's Mark, Wyoming Whiskey, and Bardstown Bourbon, where he became 'Employee #1' in 2014.
Learn more here: https://www.bardstownbourbon.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bardstownbourbonco/
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Calling all GRÜN GOONS!
Dieter Hübler, Founder of Laurenz V, joins us this week to tell us about his mission to Grünerize the entire world!
If you've never tried a Grüner Veltliner before, this episode is a great place to start. Grab a bottle and learn about the bright and elegant style of Grüner Dieter makes, with an emphasis on lees aging (aging the wine on the dead yeast cells in stainless steel, to add beautiful complexity and a creamy mouthfeel).
Why the Pairing Works: You've boldly chosen to take a first date to a nice Sushi restaurant. Taking your date to get sushi shows your dedication, sophistication, and spare-no-expense attitude. Add a bottle of Laurenz V Grüner Veltliner to all of that sophistication, with its distinctive flavor profile of green apple, pear, citrus, and white pepper. The wine delivers a refreshing and harmonious taste experience that pairs beautifully with any roll, even those with capsaicin heat.
What Makes this Grüner Special: In 2004,winemaking legendRobert Mondavi yelled "Grüner is YOUR grape: just F!?NG do it!" atDieter & his partners. Ever since, the Laurenz V have been on a mission to share their Austrian grape, Grüner Veltliner, with the world. The winery only* produces this grape, and the main difference in their 3 main offerings ("Singing," "Friendly," and "Charming") is the length of time the grapes spend on the lees. Tasting all 3 is a great exercise in the way lees aging adds complexity, creaminess, and elegance to wine.
Laurenz V "Singing" in Emoji's: 🤩🍋🍏🍐🍍🧂🪨
Learn more here: https://www.laurenzfive.com/en/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenzv.wine/
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Shane Cook, Founder of Locals Only Vodka, joins us this week to tell us why his vodka is What to Drink with your Nephew's Lemonade Stand 😎🍹🍋
We're all about supporting young entrepreneurs, and when your nephew or niece or neighbor runs a lemonade stand, we're all for it -- BUT you know we're going to spice that lemonade UP!
Recipe for Locals Lemonade:
1.5 oz Locals Only Vodka
3 oz of Fever-Tree Sicilian Lemonade
1 oz Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water
Why the Pairing Works: It's going to be hot as heck at a lemonade stand, so bring in something with the refreshing citrus, spice, and zing of Sicilian lemons and the smooth complement of Locals Only vodka.
What Makes this Vodka Special: This small batch corn and grape-based Vodka is incredibly smooth but retains its character in a cocktail. Locals Only uses an eco-friendly Coconut charcoal filtration method and locally sourced Palomar Mountain Spring water for an exceptionally smooth vodka. 🥥
Learn more here: https://www.localsonlyvodka.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localsonlyvodka/
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Giovanni Masucci, export manager for Donnafugata wines and Arancini Afficionado, is in the house today and teaching us how to make baller (pun intended) arancini!
Why the Pairing Works: This fresh, unoaked Nero d'Avola is super versatile with many foods, like pizza, Mexican, and even sweet & sour cuisine. The wine is both soft and fresh, with vibrant red fruits that pair perfectly with the fried delicious Sicilian balls of decadence, AKA arancini.
Donnafugata Sherazade Tastes Like: 💃💄🌒🍒🍓
Netflix/Bingeable Series:The White Lotus
"With bright ruby red color with violet reflections, Sherazade presents a fruity bouquet with hints of plum and cherry flanked by delicate spicy hints (black pepper) and floral notes of violet. On the palate the fruity notes return smoothly, a red of great softness and excellent freshness. The caressing tannin completes this fragrant and pleasant wine."
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Greg Brewer, owner and founder of Brewer-Clifton and Diatom wines, is in the house! Greg was named Wine Enthusiast's 2020 Winemaker of the Year and Robert Parker recently gave his Diatom Chardonnay 98 points.
More importantly, Greg is a delight - and one of the most interesting perspectives on winemaking we've ever heard.
Why the Pairing Works: The raw, unadulterated Diatom Chardonnay (no oak, no malolactic fermentation, no lees aging) is a big and beautiful wine. Oysters love acid, and the lemon/citrus elements of this wine play the part of lemon wedge. Both the wine and the oysters are raw and unencumbered and highlight the purity of terroir and 'Merroir' (our new word for the terroir of the sea!)
Diatom Chardonnay Tastes Like: 🌊 (Listen to Greg's explanation!)
Netflix/Bingeable Series: The Chef's Table
"Diatom is motivated by the pursuit of subtraction and refinement. It is the polishing of a grain of rice until one has reached its ultimate inner core. We strive for a recognition of place with as little disturbance, distraction or interference as possible. The resulting wines have a sense of transparency and a purity of intent and purpose."
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Juan Rovira, COO and Founder of Samson & Surrey, joins us and explains why Tequila Ocho Plata is What to Drink this week!
Paint The Pairing: It's Cinco de Mayo, but you don't feel like going out this year. You want to create a Den of Sin; a Nest of Comfort. It's officially Stay-at-Home Cinco!
You're in your favorite chair, watching your favorite movie, with Mexican food. You need a Tequila that is both a Drinker and a Thinker. Enter Tequila Ocho! Ocho Plata has layers upon layers of flavor: honey, citrus, floral notes, all backed up with a touch of pepper. This Tequila embraces the terroir of the Highlands (Los Altos). You can drink it neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail like Conner's Ranch Water!
Conner's Ranch Water: Pour 2 oz. of Tequila Ocho Plata into a highball glass. Top with Fever Tree Yuzu and Lime. Garnish with a lime.
Carlos Camarena treats this beautiful Tequila much like a wine. Ocho is the first Tequila to designate both the year it was produced, and the precise field from which the family-grown agaves were sourced. Each batch comes from a different field or “rancho" - contributing distinctive nuances to each vintage, while always retaining the delicious, agave-forward, ripe, peppery notes of Ocho’s house style. They call this terroir in agave.
Learn more at: https://ochotequila.com/
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Jose Balbo, head winemaker for Susana Balbo wines (his mother's namesake), joins us to tell us why his Signature Malbec pairs perfectly with any empanada! He'll walk us through the steps of making a delicious beef empanada, whether you prefer the Northern (Salta) way, or Southern (Mendoza) method.
Why This Pairing Works: The fat of the beef coats the tongue, transforming the mouthfeel of the tannins. The juicy acidity of Susana Balbo Malbec also begs for multiple bites!
This Wine, in Emojis: 🍷 💪 ⛰️❄️🧘♀️
Empanada Recipe: In a large skillet, heat oil and add diced onion & garlic, then add ground beef and cook until beef is no longer pink. Drain the fat. Add tomato paste and any desired seasonings. Place a few tablespoons into a puff pastry circle (use your Susana Balbo Signature Malbec bottle to create a perfect circle). Fold the circle into an empanada shape and use the crimping method described in this episode. Bake at 425 degrees until you see a nice browning of the empanadas. Remove, let cool, and pair with Susana Balbo Malbec!
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Lord Carnarvon and Adam Von Gootkin, founders of Highclere Castle Gin, join us this week to help us elevate our garden party to that of Highclere Castle (or a fictional Downton Abbey, which was filmed at the estate!). They also provide the recipe for their version of a French 75, the British 75, which is delicious, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink!
Song Pairing: Gin & Juice by Snoop Dogg
Netflix/Bingeable Series Pairing: Downton Abbey (duh!), All Creatures Great and Small
British 75 Recipe: 1.5 oz Highclere Castle Gin, .5 oz Simple Syrup, .5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice, Champagne (or other bubbles). In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add Gin, Simple Syrup, and Lemon Juice. Shake it and strain into a cocktail coupe and top with bubbles. Enjoy!
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We got Gott!
That's right, Joel Gott joins us to discuss why his Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly with a picnic or a hike. Stick the half-bottle in a backpack and drink the nectar at the top of the mountain! His versatile wine works for a plethora of foods, and we'll detail why and how it pairs with flare.
Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc -
Tastes like: ⚖️🧂🍑🧹
Watch with: Ted Lasso
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Galentine's Day, as we all know, is February 13th and a celebration of our best Gal Pals. We brought in Galentine's expert Michelle Schmitt (Jackson Family Wines) to explain why Hartford Court's "Four Hearts" Vineyard Chardonnay is the best pairing for the gals in her life. We'll help you build your perfect Galentine's Day party, or Palentine's Day party for the boys!
Hartford Court "Four Hearts" Chardonnay is perfect for this party because:
- It's layered with flavor, like our favorite Gal Pals
- Beautiful minerality and a kiss of oak means it can pair with almost any food
- Works perfectly for Michelle's appetizer spread (Crab Cakes, Popcorn, Shrimp, etc.)
Streamable Show Pairing: Parks and Recreation, Season 2, Episode 16 (the one with Galentine's Day!)
Alternate: Friday Night Lights (Team Higgins forever)
Song Pairing: "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Prince
Tastes Like: 💥🐚🌴
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It's gameday, baby! And no pairing works better for a Super Bowl party than Chicken Wings & Riesling (trust us!)
Thom Horsey, National Wine Educator for Ste Michelle Wine Estates, joins us to explain why Riesling works so well with Chicken Wings. Heat: Meet Sweet! Thom also explains why Washington State is such a good place for Riesling in general.
We'll tell you exactly how to host this party:
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Grab Mild, Medium, and Hot/Extra Hot wings
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Pair each with a Dry Riesling, Off-Dry Riesling, or Off-Sweet/Sweet Riesling. Using Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry, Classic, and Harvest Select Riesling makes this incredibly easy.
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Thank us later. This combo is insane!
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#CharcWeek, a weeklong celebration of Charcuterie and great wine, is upon us - can you believe it?!
This week legendary winemaker Tony Coltrin of Oberon wines helps us build the perfect Charcuterie Board to pair with his iconic Oberon Napa Cabernet. Tony recently celebrated his 50th vintage and worked for the likes of Robert Mondavi & the Mondavi family. His "old school" style of Napa Cabernet is all about balance (and usually less ABV) which makes for a versatile wine to pair anything during #CharcWeek.
Oberon Napa Cabernet Tastes Like: 😋🤤😍🌹🍔🍪
Song Pairing: Below Us, All the City Lights by Tower of Power
Bingeable Series: Wednesday
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This week wine industry legend Derek Benham joins us with his Director of Winemaking for Purple Brands, Steven Urberg, to discuss why Raeburn Sonoma Chardonnay is the perfect pairing for your next bubble bath!
This week we tackle What to Drink when you're not drinking! Dry January is upon us, and a reset is nice every once in a while. Avoid the "Empty Hand" syndrome at parties with Lyre's Non-Alcoholic Spirits. These libations are meant to sub in for all the classics (Gin, Whiskey, Rum, Liqueurs, etc.) so that you can become an amateur mocktail-mixologist (Mock-tologist?) at home OR ask your bartender to "make it a Lyre's." Nick Crutchfield, Lyre's Global Head of Education, gives us the skinny on this line of Spirits and RTD's (Ready-to-Drinks).
Sonoma-Cutrer winemaker Zidanelia Arcidiacono (aka "Z") joins us to tell us why her wines work so well for lawn games, especially Croquet! Sonoma-Cutrer has a world-famous Croquet court, and there's no better pairing in that setting than Z's Rosé of Pinot Noir or Russian River Pinot Noir. Delicious!
Song Pairing: Rosé - "Watermelon Sugar" by Harry Styles, Russian River Pinot Noir - "I Got You Under My Skin" by Frank Sinatra
Tastes Like: 🍷🍒🍓🍦🥤👏
This week we tell you What to Drink as a gift for yourself AND a present under your tree: Jack Daniel's Bonded!
Chris Fletcher, Master Distiller for Jack Daniel's joins us to discuss Jack Daniel's Bonded & how it differs from Old No. 7.
The Whiskey Advocate just named Jack Daniel's Bonded #1 on their list of the 20 best whiskies of 2022, at 97 points. It's also incredibly priced under $50, and not that much more than Old No. 7! That's why we're declaring this whiskey the one to purchase for a family member AND yourself. Drink it next to your yule log and thank us later.
Terra d'Oro Winemaker Emily Haines tells us why her Chenin Blanc/Viognier white blend is What to Drink for appetizers, seafood, poultry, and especially when you are panning for gold in the sunny California hills.
Benriach Scotch is What to Drink this week!
Stewart Buchanan is in the bunker with us this week as we taste both Benriach "Original" Ten Year old Whisky + Benriach "The Smoky 10." We discuss the differences between Highland and Speyside peats versus Islay peat.
The peat.. ahhh, the peat!
Both Benriach Smoky 10 and Orginal 10 are What to Drink this week.
Conner and Bobby interview Brandon Hanson of Hanson Vodka. We get a look into Hanson's organic and Non-GMO practices and discuss using grapes as their base material for a truly unique Vodka.