The Wine Pair Podcast
By The Wine Pair
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Episodes: 85
Description
| Episode | Date |
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Is Merlot Making a Comeback? (An underdog story? Wines from the Right Bank of Bordeaux)
2663
The 2004 movie Sideways did a number on Melort, hurting its reputation and suppressing sales. But was that impact justified? Did we judge Merlot too harshly? Is it time to let Merlot rejoin the cool kids table?!? In this episode, we give Merlot a fighting chance to win back a place in our hearts - and our cellar. We admit we are not the biggest fans of Merlot, but can one of these wines change our mind? We selected three highly rated wines, all under $20, and two from the Bordeaux region of France, to see if we could find a Merlot that convinced us that it is deserving reconsideration. And guess what - we found one!!! We also talk a bit about the history of Merlot, and the so-called Sideways effect. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2016 Ronan by Clinet, 2018 Santa Ema Reserva Merlot, and 2019 Chateau Mayne-Vieil Cuvée Alienor. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
May 28, 2023 |
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WTF is Zweigelt? (The Ultimate Picnic Wine, Summer Sipper, For Gamay and Pinot Noir Lovers, Great red wine for Cookouts and BBQs, Red Wine for Fish, Austrian Wine)
2390
Looking for the perfect Summer Sipper? Then you need to know about Zweigelt! Wait, what’s that you ask - WTF is Zweigelt?!? We’ll tell you! This light, fruity, and fun red from Austria is an excellent Cookout wine, and pairs wonderfully with BBQ. If you like Gamay or Pinot Noir, this is a wine you really need to know! You can drink it chilled! It’s a red wine that can be paired with fish! It often comes in a 1 liter bottle and with a screw cap! C’mon, what else do you need to know - it’s like this wine is too good to be true! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Winzer Krems Blauer Zweigelt St. Severin, 2018 Pratsch Zweigelt, and 2019 Berger Zweigelt. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
May 21, 2023 |
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Let’s Talk About Sekt! German Sparkling Wine! (Lots of Sekt jokes, AKA Secco)
2852
It’s never too late to have Sekt for the first time! Yes, we use that bad joke A LOT in this episode - but we also explore German Sparkling Wine - which is called Sekt - and discover what makes it unique,. Did you know that Germany is the third largest producer of sparkling wine in the world? We didn’t either! So there must be something about this German Sekt that is worth your hard earned money, and you don’t have to pay a lot for good Sekt! And, yes, we use that joke A LOT in this episode, too. Beyond the Sekt jokes, we taste and review three German sparkling wines, and give our honest ratings of them so you can see if you want to have Sekt after listening to us. It’s getting funnier, right?!? Known for being on the sweet side, we give our opinion on just how sweet the Sekt is in Germany. Ba dum bump. Wines reviewed in this episode: Henkell Finest Sparkling Wine Brut, Fritz Muller Muller-Thurgau Secco, Markus Molitor Mosel Riesling Sekt. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
May 14, 2023 |
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Great Wines to Celebrate Mom on Mother’s Day! (Wines with Mother’s Day Foods, Sparkling from South Africa, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Beaujolais)
2913
How do you show mom you really love her on Mother’s Day? By serving her favorite wine, of course! But what if you don’t know what her favorite wine is?!? No worries, we’ve got you covered. No matter who occupies that mom-space in your life, Mother’s Day is the perfect time to show her how much you appreciate her and think about her, and we think a great way to show some of that love and appreciation is through a thoughtful wine choice. (What did you expect us to say?!? We’re a wine podcast, after all!!!) Because wine is food, the right Mother’s Day wine needs to be a great complement to Mother’s Day food, and it should also be a great experience, meaning it should look beautiful in the glass and on the table. And this year, don’t be so obvious with your wine choices - we’ll help you find some wines that are PERFECT for mom, but a bit off the beaten path so you can show her how special you think she is! Our wines choices are also certified by the resident mom on our podcast - Carmela! Wines reviewed in this episode: Graham Beck Methode Cap Classique Brut, 2021 Compton Family Wines Garden Series Rosé of Pinot Noir, and 2021 Jean-Claude DeBeaune Special Selection Beaujolais. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
May 07, 2023 |
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Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers: David Babich (CEO of Babich Wines, the 107 year history of Babich wines, New Zealand wine, Sauvignon Blanc, what really makes organic wine better)
3315
Babich Wines make world-class Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other varietals. They are also the largest family owned winery in New Zealand, and the story of how the family came to make wine is fascinating to say the least. We are honored to have David Babich, CEO of Babich Wines join us for this special episode. David took on the role of CEO in 2001, and has helped to lead Babich Wines into one of New Zealand’s leading wineries and a highly regarded global wine brand. What comes across very clearly in his story is the passion for not only the wine they make, but also his pride in his family and their legacy. Join us to hear more about what makes Babich Wines so special - the care with which they make their wines which are sustainable and increasingly organic - and the amazing story of a group of brothers who left their homeland in Croatia at young ages to start a new life in New Zealand. We know you will enjoy listening to this interview as much as we enjoyed talking with David. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Apr 30, 2023 |
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Minisode #7: A Quick Primer on Red Blends
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Ever walked into a wine shop or the wine section of a grocery store and been totally overwhelmed and confused by the vast sea of wines that are simply labeled red blend? Us too! So to remove this confusion, in this minisode we do a quick overview - a primer if you will - on the two major types of red blends that most (but not all) red wine blends are based - Bordeaux and GSM. Both come from France, and both are known by other names that you may also be familiar with, like Meritage and Claret. This quick, fun minisode will help you feel more comfortable and confident the next time you are looking to buy or order a wine (and you can show off your knowledge to your friends who will be so impressed!). Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Apr 23, 2023 |
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Minisode #6: The Myth About Legs on Wine
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If you have ever wondered what legs in your wine glass mean, we are here to tell you. Guess what - it’s probably not what you think (unless you are some sort of scientist, of course). If you have been out to dinner or to a wine party and watched people wax poetic about the legs, or tears, in their wine glass and wondered “that the hell are they talking about?” - we are going to solve the mystery. And, we are going to help you explain to them what the legs in their glass actually mean. Long thought of as an indication of wine quality, legs are poorly understood. Listen in for a quick and fun explanation in our latest minisode! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Apr 16, 2023 |
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High QPR Pinot Noir #2! (Why Pinot Noir can be expensive, why you should care about Pinot Noir, a 9 point wine rating!)
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The search for high QPR (quality to price ratio) wine is like our lifequest! And, the peak of this quest is for high QPR Pinot Noir because finding great, reasonably priced Pinot Noir is so damn hard! If you are a Pinot Noir lover, we have a GREAT wine for you in this episode that hits all the marks, including price point. And if you are not a Pinot Noir convert, we think this wine may just change your mind! We talk about why we love Pinot Noir, why Pinot Noir is one of the most expensive wines in the world, and we taste and review three reasonably priced and easy to find Pinot Noirs and tell you which one(s) we think meet that high QPR bar. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Bouchard Aine & Fils Heritage du Conseiller Pinot Noir, 2019 Montinore Estate Red Cap Pinot Noir, and 2021 BloodRoot Pinot Noir. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Apr 09, 2023 |
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Orange Wines: The Thing for Spring! (WTF is Orange Wine? Wine hype, Spring wines, Easter wines, natural and vegan wine, similarities to rosé, Ramato)
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Wondering if you should get on the Orange wine bandwagon but a little hesitant to try? Don’t worry - we will demystify Orange wine for you and help convince you that it is a bandwagon you should just jump right on! Not sure what Orange wine is? Well, it’s not wine made from Oranges, but it is a style of wine you need to know because it is growing in popularity and even getting some hype! If you are a rosé drinker, this is a wine for you. Wait, you say you are a red wine drinker? Then this is also a wine for you! Hold on, you like white wines, well . . . then you’ll like this wine! Intrigued?!? You should be. Orange wine covers a broad spectrum of grapes and tastes, and really does have something for everyone - you just need to know what Orange wines to try, and we will help you out! And if you are a vegan wine or natural wine fan, Orange wines are right up your alley. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 L’un des Sens Orange wine, 2021 Winzer Krems Orange Grüner Veltliner, and 2020 Poderi DiCarlo Pinot Grigio Orange Wine. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Apr 02, 2023 |
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Italian Wine Adventure #6: Salice Salentino! (Rich, rustic red wines, Southern Italian wines, Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera, great wines with Italian food)
2967
The next time you are at an Italian restaurant, do yourself a favor and reach for a Salice Salentino! Never heard of it? Well, now’s a great time to find out more. Hailing from the Puglia area of Southern Italy, Salice Salentino is a wonderful, rustic wine that will make red wine lovers, Italian food lovers, and basically anyone who likes food and wine, rejoice! Made from the Negroamaro grape which is almost exclusively found in Italy and widely grown in Puglia, Salice Salentino is a wine known for depth, character, chewy tannins, and excellent acidity. Carmela shares some of her fond memories of trips to see family in Puglia, and then we talk about foods that will perfectly pair with this underrated red. If you think you know Italian wine but don’t know Salice Salentino, we suggest you listen in to learn more! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2018 Marchese di Borgosole Salice Salentino Riserva, 2018 Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva, and 2011 Taurino Salice Salentino. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Mar 26, 2023 |
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If You Like Cabernet, You’ll Love Tannat! (Bold red wines, wines from Uruguay, discovering new red wines)
2985
Are you getting tired of the same old same old when it comes to wine? Do you need to spice your wine life up a bit? Are you stuck in a Cabernet rut and ready to bust out?!? Then this is the episode for you! In this episode, we discover a wine called Tannat, also known as Madiran in France, which is a great option for red wine lovers. Tannat is a bold, flavorful, and delicious red wine that is growing in popularity, and it is the most widely planted red wine grape in Uruguay. Wait, what’s that you say, you didn’t know they made wine in Uruguay?!? Well, there’s another great reason to listen to this episode - so you can learn a little bit about the Uruguayan wine industry. If you are a red wine fan and are looking for something new to explore, this could be the wine for you! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Bodega Garzón Uruguay Reserva Tannat, 2019 Familia Traversa Tannat, and 2018 Marichal Uruguay Reserve Tannat. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Mar 19, 2023 |
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WTF is Pouilly-Fumé? (Fancy wine vs. Barefoot wine, Sauvignon Blanc from Loire, Wines named for regions rather than the grapes)
2999
So, if you didn’t know, Pouilly-Fumé is Sauvignon Blanc, but from a specific area of France in the Loire Valley. Like a lot of European wines, the names can be confusing because they are named after the place they are from, not the grape they are made from. But the real question is - can you tell the difference between a Sauvignon Blanc from Pouilly-Fumé, which is going to be a little pricey, from a much less expensive Sauvignon Blanc? If you are curious about all of this stuff, this is the episode for you! We talk about what makes Sauv Blanc from Pouilly-Fumé special, and then we taste and review two wines from Pouilly-Fumé and compare them to Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc. The results may surprise you! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Domaine Francis Blanchet Pouilly Fumé Cuvée Silice, 2020 Domaine Cailbourdin Pouilly-Fumé Les Cris, and Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Mar 12, 2023 |
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Trader Joe’s Private Label Wine Review: Petit Reserve (Quality Tiers of Trader Joe’s wines, TJ’s Petit Reserve Chardonnay, Barbera, and Blanc de Blancs Brut)
2629
Lots of people drink and enjoy Trader Joe’s private label wines, but how much do you really know about them? Did you know there are several tiers or levels of quality in Trader Joe’s wines? And are you curious about how they stack up “regular” wines? Well, we are here to help! In this episode, we taste and review three Trader Joe’s wines, including their Blanc de Blancs Brut, and two of their Petit Reserve wines - a Barbera and a Chardonnay - all of which are under ten bucks! And we discuss all of the different tiers of Trader Joe’s wines from Two Buck Chuck to the elusive Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve. It’s not all that often that Trader Joe’s wine gets reviewed, so consider this an opportunity to at least see what we think - and then you can decide if you think we are full of it or not! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Barbera, 2021 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Chardonnay, and Trader Joe’s Blanc de Blancs Brut. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Mar 05, 2023 |
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Sparkling Wines from Argentina! (Affordable high quality sparkling wines, under the radar sparkling wines, Sparkling Rosé from Malbec, crowd pleasing sparkling wines, sparkling wine for red wine lovers)
2888
Wait a minute, did we say sparkling wines from Argentina?!? Yes! If you think only France, Spain, Italy, and the US make great sparkling wine, you are missing out! Of course Argentina is most known for their outstanding Malbecs, but they are also a top-notch and rising producer of very reasonably priced sparkling wines, some of which use Malbec to make amazing sparkling rosé wines. We taste and review three very different, and very delicious, sparkling Argentinian wines, all from the famous Mendoza region. If you have red wine lovers in your life who don’t think they like sparkling wine, or don’t think that sparkling wine can be sophisticated, we have a wine for you! And if you are looking for a great price point for high quality sparkling wines that go great with food and are crowd pleasers, Argentina must be on your list! Two of the wines in this episode are sparkling rosé using Malbec, and one is a wonderful, traditional sparkling wine using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and all are more than worth your time to find and taste! Wines reviewed in this episode: Belasco de Baquedano Rosa de Argentina Sparkling, Domaine Bousquet Organic Brut, and Alma Negra Brut Nature Rosé. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Feb 26, 2023 |
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Fish Friendly Wines for Lent or Whenever (Why white wine with fish? Can you drink red wine and fish? Drinking wine on an early morning flight, unoaked Chardonnay, lightly oaked Sauvignon Blanc, Cava)
3059
It may seem like a cliché, but white wine and fish are the perfect pairing. But wait a minute - there are so many different types of white wines, and so many types of seafood, so can you really just make that blanket statement?!? Good question - there are nuances, and certain kinds of white wines do go better with certain kinds of seafood. Feeling overwhelmed, confused, want to throw in the towel?!? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this episode we talk about why white wine and fish pair so well, we give you ideas for white wines (and even red wines!) to pair with seafood, and we taste and review three wines that at first glance may seem like obvious choices, but each has a twist on the varietal and style that you think you know. We try an unoaked Chardonnay, a slightly oaked Sauvignon Blanc, and a vintage sparkling Cava - all under $20! So, for whatever reason you are eating fish and seafood - because it’s a Friday in Lent or just because you love it - this is the episode for you! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 A to Z Unoaked Oregon Chardonnay, 2021 Substance Sauvignon Blanc, and 2017 Juve & Camps Reserva de la Familia Cava Gran Reserva Brut Nature. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Feb 19, 2023 |
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Minisode #5: How to Pair Wine and Chocolate
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Think pairing wine and chocolate is tricky? Well, we’re here to give you some simple hints and tips on how to make it easy peasy! Wine and chocolate is a wonderful, romantic, and delicious pairing - if you can get it right. The key is understanding how to match the sweetness levels of a wine with the sweetness levels of the chocolate. And, as an extra bonus, we also talk specifically about how to pair chocolate and sparkling wine. So come join us on this mini version of our regular sized episodes! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Feb 12, 2023 |
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Exciting Rosés for Valentine’s Day! (Romantic rosé wines, unique and fun rosé wines, Agiorgitiko Rosé, Zinfandel Rosé, Negroamaro Rosé, rosé for red wine drinkers, Galentine’s Day rosé)
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This Valentine’s Day, treat that special someone to something different! Yes, rosé wine is the perfect choice for a romantic evening, but maybe it’s time to spice it up a bit, and try serving some rosés that make your partner think you want to keep the relationship exciting! We have found three amazing, wonderful, and unique rosé wines for you to choose from, each of which is made from a different grape and from a different part of the world. We’ll tell you why we think rosé is a great choice for Valentine’s Day, and what criteria we used to choose the special rosés we found for this episode. If you think you know rosé, or you think you don’t like rosé, we are here to change your mind. Each of these is versatile, tasty, and impressive and at least one of them could please any palate - we promise we won’t steer you wrong. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Gaia 14-18h Agiorgitiko Rosé, 2021 Pedroncelli Rosé, and 2021 Tormaresca Calafuria Rosé. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Feb 05, 2023 |
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WTF is Grüner Veltliner? (Austrian wine, underrated white wine, rich and spicy white wine, great food wine, a fun wine to introduce to friends!)
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If you think all white wines are the same, we have a surprise for you: Grüner Veltliner is not your mama’s white wine. Well, maybe it is, but that all depends on your mama. Grüner Veltliner is a rich, complex, delicious, and food friendly white wine that more people need to know about - and so we’ll tell you what the F it is, and we’ll also give you our impression of three reasonably priced wines that are worth seeking out. Grüner Veltliner is definitely a wine that needs to be on more restaurant menus, especially restaurants that serve spicy foods, because this wine is the perfect complement. The wine is mostly produced in Austria where it is highly regarded, and we are starting to see it produced in other regions of the world. It is a wine worth learning about because it is growing in reputation - and deservedly so. As an added bonus, we’ll talk about the anti-freeze scandal that hit Austrian wines in the 1980’s, and which gladly is well behind us today! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Aichenberg Premium Grüner Veltliner, 2020 Domane Wachau Federspiel Terrassen Grüner Veltliner, and 2021 Pratsch Organic Grüner Veltliner. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jan 29, 2023 |
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Amazon Cursive Wine Review #2 (Amazon Private Label Wine Brand, Cursive Chardonnay, Cursive Cabernet Sauvignon, Cursive Sparkling Brut, who makes Amazon Cursive Brand wines?)
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If you have been curious about Amazon’s Cursive wines and wondering if they are worth checking out, then this is the episode for you! We taste and review three Cursive wines - the Cursive California Chardonnay, the Cursive California Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Cursive Sparkling Brut - and we give our honest, no-holds-barred opinion on each of them. Seriously! We give you the honest scoop. We also think we have solved the mystery of who makes Amazon’s Cursive wines, that is if we can trust what ChatGPT says. And, we talk a bit about private label aka custom crush wines, what a negociant is, and the magic and mystery of Amazon’s physical store shopping technology, which feels like stealing until they send you the receipt! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Cursive Chardonnay, 2019 Cursive Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cursive Sparkling Brut. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jan 22, 2023 |
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Italian Wine Adventure #5: Langhe Nebbiolo! (A red wine lover must-have, bold red wines, the noble grape of Italian wine, Barolo’s baby brother)
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Did you know that the King of Italian wines is Barolo made from the Nebbiolo grape? Ok, but did you know that you can find some great wines made from the same grape and that cost a lot less by seeking out Langhe Nebbiolo?!? Trust us - and we’ll tell you more! In this episode, we return to Italy to explore this fantastic red wine, and we specifically focus on Nebbiolo wines from Langhe, which is the area of Piedmont where Barolo and Barbaresco are made as well. If you are stuck on French varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, you really have to try Nebbiolo. Seriously! We mean it! We talk about the difference between Barolo and Langhe Nebbiolo wines, and we think we have found some great bargains with high QPR among the wines that we selected for this episode! So join us! And as a special bonus, we talk a little bit about season two of The White Lotus - with no spoilers, we promise! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Ca’ Gialla Langhe Nebbiolo, 2017 La Sacrestia Langhe Nebbiolo, and 2018 Villadoria Bricco Magno Langhe Nebbiolo. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jan 15, 2023 |
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WTF is Torrontés? (Argentinian wine, high-altitude wines, wines for white wine lovers - and maybe red wine lovers, too!)
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Hey wine lovers, get this: not only is Argentina home to the 2022 World Cup Champions, but it is also home to some of the highest altitude wine grapes in the world! Join us as we learn about, taste, and review a white wine called Torrontés that is almost exclusively produced in Argentina, is reasonably priced, and is not hard to find. Well, not too hard to find if you are willing to look around a little! This unique white wine is said to have a very floral smell, and we think it might be an interesting choice for red wine lovers who are looking for something with a bit more complexity in a white wine. Why not listen in and find WTF this is all about?!? Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Amalaya Blanco, 2020 Zolo Torrontés, and 2021 Bodega Colome Torrontés. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jan 08, 2023 |
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Zero-Alcohol Wines for Dry January 2023! (WTF is Dealcoholized Wine? Wines for Drynuary, Alcohol-free sparkling wine, zero alcohol Sauvignon Blanc, Dealcoholized Cabernet Sauvignon
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If you are looking for a break from alcohol and are super curious about alcohol free wine, this is the episode for you! As we enter into 2023, many people will be interested in resetting their relationship with alcohol and participating in Dry January, but still want to be able to have a glass of their favorite drink. The question is - are any of those zero alcohol wines any good? We’ll help answer that question for you. We discuss how wines are dealcoholized, and we taste and review three different zero alcohol wines - a sparkling wine, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a Cabernet Sauvignon - from three different regions of the world that use different methods to remove alcohol to see if they are worth checking out. We also talk about why having alcohol free alternatives is a fun and thoughtful way to support friends and family who are not drinking alcohol any time of the year and for any type of occasion! Alcohol free wines reviewed in this episode: Freixenet Premium Sparkling Alcohol-Removed Wine, Giesen 0% New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and 2021 Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon Premium Dealcoholized Wine. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jan 01, 2023 |
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Holiday Sparkling Wines #2: Sparkling Rosé! (Sparkling Rosé wine demystified, Traditional Method vs. Charmat Method of making sparkling wine, cuve close, sweet vs. dry sparkling wine)
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While we think that sparkling wines are good any time of year and any day of the week, they are definitely the drink of choice on New Year’s Eve. This New Year’s Eve, we think you should go off the beaten path a little bit and drink some Sparkling Rosé, and we have three great, different, and festive Sparkling Rosé wines for you to try! Not only is Sparkling Rosé delicious, it is also beautiful. We give you our recommendation on three Sparkling Rosé wines from Spain - a Rosé Cava - Italy - a Sparkling Rosé that is NOT Prosecco! - and a wine from Argentina made entirely from Pinot Noir that is worth seeking out. We also talk about why Sparkling Rosé can be a bit tricky because it combines two wine styles that can be a little complicated and are often misunderstood. If you think Sparkling Rosé is not for you, listen to this episode and we think we can change your mind! Wines reviewed in this episode: Codorníu Anna de Codorníu Cava Brut Rosé, Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé, and Antucura Cherie Sparkling Rosé. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Dec 25, 2022 |
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Wines for the Feast of the Seven Fishes (Christmas Eve wines, Family Holiday traditions, Italian-American celebrations, wine and seafood pairings, under-the-radar Italian white wines)
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As Italian-Americans, one of the things we look forward to the most each Holiday season is the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. If you have never heard of or been to this celebration, all we can tell you is that you are missing out! The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a raucous party of food, family, fun, and, of course, wine! We’ll tell you how our family celebrates this amazing bash, the types of seafood we eat, and, most importantly, we’ll taste and review three wines that we think will be the perfect fit for this, or any other, Holiday celebration. Naturally, all of the wines are Italian, and because the meal revolves around seafood, all of the wines are white - however, we have some recommendations for white wines that you may not have heard of, but that are fantastic, reasonably priced, and should be easy to find. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino, 2021 Umani Ronchi Terre di Chieti Vellodoro Pecorino, and 2021 Zenato Lugana San Benedetto. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Dec 18, 2022 |
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Holiday Movie and Wine Pairings! (How to Pair Wine and Movies, What is Mulled Wine, What makes a Holiday movie a classic)
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Who doesn’t love a good Holiday movie? We know we do! And we also love wine, so in this episode we marry (or is it merry?!?) two of our favorite things and tell you about some fantastic Holiday movie and wine pairings. We choose three films - one old classic, one new classic, and one controversial pick - and pair them with three wines. Well, actually, one of the wines is used as a base for something we have never done before: Mulled Wine. Learn about what Mulled Wine is, our approach to pairing movies and wine, what our criteria are for choosing a Holiday movie classic, and what we think of the wines we paired with the movies in the tasting section of the episode. Overall, we think pairing Holiday movies and wine is a perfect Holiday treat, and we think we have found some great ideas for you - and maybe some inspiration for creating a Holiday wine and movie pairing of your own! Wines reviewed in this episode: Costco Kirkland Signature Rosé Prosecco, 2020 Red Rooster Winery Merlot, and 2018 Blackboard Red Wine by Matthews. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Dec 11, 2022 |
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High QPR Pinot Noir #1 (What is QPR? Criteria for selecting wines with high QPR, Reasonably priced Pinot Noir)
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Who doesn’t love a good deal, especially when it comes to wine?!? In wine, you often hear about QPR as a measure for a good wine at a great price. But, can you really find good Pinot Noir at a price that is reasonable? And what is QPR anyway? We’ll tell you! In this episode, we begin our search for high QPR Pinot Noir, and we taste and review three Pinot Noirs with strong reviewer ratings and that are under $20 to see if we think they fit the bill! And, we discuss what QPR is, as well as what criteria you can use to determine if a wine has a good QPR. Join us on this fun and funny adventure! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 District 7 Pinot Noir, 2021 McManis Family Vineyards Pinot Noir, and 2020 The Pinot Project Pinot Noir. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Dec 04, 2022 |
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Holiday Sparkling Wines #1: Crémant! (Amazing French sparkling wine, great reasonably priced Champagne alternative, demystifying sparkling wine)
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Of course the Holidays are the season for sparkling wine, but are you looking for something different, delicious, and reasonably priced that is a worthy alternative to Champagne?!? Then we’ve got you covered! Crémant is a French sparkling wine made in the Champagne style and with Champagne quality but often at a fraction of the price! If you are throwing a Holiday party or bringing a gift to your host, you cannot go wrong with Crémant. There are many different styles of Crémant based on the region they come from and the grapes that are used, which makes them also exciting and fun to try. In this episode we try Crémant from 3 different regions of France, each of which is in a different style and varied in taste, and we talk about what makes Crémant great. We will say, too, that all of these wines are great, but one of them knocked our socks fully off! The other thing is these wines are really not hard to find, you just need to seek them out - and trust us, it is worth it. Wines reviewed in this episode: Andre Delorme Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs Brut Reserve, Joseph Cattin Crémant d'Alsace Brut, and 2019 Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Brut Rosé. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Nov 27, 2022 |
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WTF is Carménère? (Red wine find, great red wine alternative, mistaken for Merlot, a wine mystery revealed, who is Julien Miquel?)
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Carménère is a wine mystery that is worth solving! Long mistaken for Merlot, and from a wine grape many thought was extinct, Carménère is a wonderful red wine that we would definitely recommend you seek out! One of Chile’s great wines, Carménère is a fantastic red wine alternative for those of you looking to expand your wine horizons! We found it spicy and earthy with flavors like raspberry and matchstick. What?!? That’s right - and those are good things! We’ll tell you more about the history and mystery of this wine, the things we tasted in the wine, and foods we think would go well with it. And this year, Carménère Day is the same day as Thanksgiving in the United States! Which will you celebrate?!? Wines reviewed in this episode: 2018 Casas del Bosque Reserva Carménère, 2018 Viu Manent Secreto Carménère, and 2019 Los Vascos Cromas Gran Reserva Carménère. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Nov 20, 2022 |
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Festive and Unique Thanksgiving Wines! (Showstoppers, sparkling red wine, crisp and spicy white, fruity and acidic rosé, beautiful wines and bottles, great gifts)
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Looking for some unique, fun, festive, affordable, and fantastic Thanksgiving wines?!? We’ve got you covered! Selecting Thanksgiving wines can be tricky because you have to find wines that go well with the large variety of foods, will please some picky palettes, and also look festive and beautiful on the table. We’ll give you everything you need to know so you can serve some amazing wines this Thanksgiving - and we have three recommendations that we think will be showstoppers AND won’t break the bank! Whether you are the dinner host or a guest wanting to bring that special gift, we have the answer! In this episode, we select wines that are sure to be crowd pleasers and conversation pieces. Listen in and we’ll tell you about a whole variety of wines you can choose that will be great with Thanksgiving, and we taste and review three really unique wines that we think will make you the star of the show! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewürztraminer, 2021 Château Gigery Côtes de Provence Rosé, and Treveri Sparkling Syrah Brut. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Nov 13, 2022 |
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Italian Wine Adventure #4: Gavi! (Perfect for white wine lovers, a little known stunner that is crisp and refreshing, the story of Princess Gavia)
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In this episode, we say “Go for the Gavi!” We are betting that you have probably not heard of Gavi or the Cortese grape it is made from, but if you are a white wine fan, you are going to LOVE Gavi. This underrated white wine from the Piedmont area of Italy is crisp, refreshing, and delicious, and sure to be a crowd pleaser! Perfect with fish, pastas with cream sauce or clams, arugula salad, or even a pizza bianco, Gavi is a versatile wine that is amazing with food. We tell you the sweet love story of the Princess Gavia. We also talk about why the wine is called Gavi and not Cortese, why you have probably never heard of it, and where you can find it. And we talk a little bit about one of our favorite areas of Italy that is close to Gavi - the town of Nervi near Genoa. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Banfi Principessa Gavia Gavi, 2020 Villa Sparina Gavi di Gavi, and 2020 Enrico Serafino Grifo del Quartaro Gavi. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Nov 06, 2022 |
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Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers: Fiona Perrin Interview (Co-Founder of Rendez-Vous Champagne, Grower Champagne, Natural Champagne, promo code!)
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Did you know that only 3% of the Champagne areas of France are certified organic? Want to know what Grower Champagne is? Let’s find out! In this special episode of The Wine Pair Podcast, Joe interviews Fiona Perrin co-cofounder of Rendez-Vous Champagne, a relatively new Champagne offering that brings natural, organic, and pesticide free sparkling wine to the market. Started in 2020, Rendez-Vous is dedicated to consumers who are conscious about what they eat and drink - and like our podcast, while they may take what they produce seriously, they also believe that making wine and Champagne too geeky misses the opportunity to reach a broader audience who is interested in learning more about wine. This is no small task because making Champagne is rigorous and highly regulated. Join us to learn more, and stay tuned at the end to get a promo code you can use at Rendez-Vous wine (sip.champagnerendezvous.com)! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Nov 02, 2022 |
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Minisode #4: Does the kind of wine glass really matter? (What glasses to use for red, white, and sparkling wine. And don't even get us started on stemless glasses!)
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Believe it or not, the type of wine glass you use does matter! In this minisode we discuss the kinds of glasses you need to have for white, red, and sparkling, and why you want to use different glasses for each. We'll also tell you why you really should not use stemless glasses! Seriously, people! Listen to learn more! Minisodes are fun, short, snackable content of The Wine Pair Podcast where we share with you things you have always wanted to know about wine, wine tasting, and wine etiquette but were afraid to ask! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Oct 30, 2022 |
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Costco Kirkland Cabernet Challenge! (Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon wine review, why Cabernet is so popular)
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Costco sells a ton of its Kirkland Signature brand Cabernet Sauvignon, but how good is the quality of their wine?!? To answer that question, in this episode we do a review and wine tasting challenge with 3 different Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignons to tell you if we think they are worth your hard earned money! Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular red wine in the United States, and Costco sells the most wine in the US, so it only makes sense to do a challenge with these two behemoths. We also talk about why Cabernet Sauvignon is so popular (at least in the US), and how Costco is starting to put more “named wines” under its Kirkland Signature brand. We are also proud to announce that Decanter magazine recommended The Wine Pair Podcast in its October 22 issue! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Kirkland Signature California Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020 Kirkland Signature Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Wahluke Slope Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Oct 23, 2022 |
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Great Wines for Halloween! (Spooky wine labels, great Halloween party wines, pairing wine with Halloween movies, foods, and candy)
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Looking for the perfect wines for Halloween! We’ve got you covered! In this episode, we taste and review three wines we think are absolute hits for your next Halloween party, dinner, or night at home watching scary movies with your S.O.! We’ll give you some easy criteria you can use to select Halloween wines, some hints on pairing wine with Halloween candy, and some great scary movie and wine pairings so you can make an evening to remember. Don’t be afraid! Give us a listen - or we might haunt your dreams! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2018 Ghost Pines Chardonnay, 2019 Spellbound Petite Sirah, and 2019 Armida Winery Poizin Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. And check out our instagram for some great pics of these wines! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Oct 16, 2022 |
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WTF is Carignan? (A controversial red wine that is growing in reputation and popularity)
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If you’re like us, you are probably not familiar with the red wine called Carignan, but did you know it was once the most widely planted grape in France as recently as 1988?!? WTF?!? Mostly used as a cheap blending grape in jug wines, Carignan has had a bad reputation, but recently has been making a comeback from vintners making wines from old vines. But, we’ll be honest, we are not so sure about this wine. In this episode, we talk about the recent history of this grape and wine, and we also taste and review three Carignan single varietal wines from around the world - Chile, Sardinia, and France - so we can give you our honest opinion on as broad of a set of wines as we can muster. Let’s just say we strongly suggest you listen to this episode before you decide to jump in. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Gillmore Mariposa Carignan, 2017 Cantina Santadi Carignano del Sulcis Grotta Rossa, and 2018 Domaine Lafage Tessellae Carignan Vieilles Vignes. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Oct 09, 2022 |
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Great Wines for Fall: Marsanne-Roussanne! (White wine blend, Full-bodied complex white wine, great alternative for Chardonnay lovers)
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Looking for a great white wine for the Fall? We are here to help! If you have never tried a white wine blend based on the grapes Marsanne and Roussanne, you are missing out! Originally from the Northern Rhone in France, these grapes are blended together - often with other grapes - to create a rich, full-bodied, flavorful, and still acidic white wine that is great for fall foods, holidays, and events. If you are a Chardonnay lover, this is a great wine to add to your repertoire! Marsanne and Roussanne are like us, your podcast hosts Joe and Carmela - we are most often found together, and we complement each other well. And, like Marsanne-Roussanne blends, we are complex. Well, at least we might have a complex of some sort. We taste and review these great, affordable, and relatively easy to find wines from across the world (Australia, France, and Oregon in the US) in this episode: NV Point Ormond White Wine, 2020 Famille Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Blanc, and 2019 Quady North Pistoleta. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Oct 02, 2022 |
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Italian Wine Adventure #3: Valpolicella (A red wine blend you should know, light easy-drinking red wine, a red wine alternative for Gamay, Beaujolais, and Pinot Noir lovers)
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Ever heard of a red wine blend from Italy called Valpolicella? No? Well, this is a wine we think you really should know about, especially if you are someone who a) loves red wine blends, b) loves lighter bodied red wines, c) wants to learn more about chilled red wines, or d) is curious about - or loves - Italian wines. Or, even better yet, all of the above. While not terribly common, Valpolicella is a reasonably easy to find wine that is reasonably priced and comes from one of the most famous and most beautiful parts of Italy - the area around Verona and Lake Garda. Made from a blend of grapes you have probably never heard of - like Corvina, Rondinella, and Corvinone - this is a wine that will really help you to expand your wine knowledge and horizons! Join us and drink up! Salute! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Vigneti del Sole Valpolicella, 2020 Allegrini Valpolicella, and 2018 Zenato Valpolicella Superiore. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Sep 25, 2022 |
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WTF is Albariño? (A great option for white wine lovers, Spanish wine, zippy)
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Looking for a new white wine to try?!? We have just the wine for you! Most famously from the Rias Baixas area in the Galicia region of Spain, this zippy wine is perfect for the white wine lover in your life - especially if that person is you! You may have started seeing this wine on store shelves and thought “I wonder what that tastes like?” Wonder no more! In this episode, we talk about, taste, and review three Albariño wines, two from Spain, and one from Oregon, and we’ll let you know what we think about how they taste and if they are worth your hard earned money! We also talk about why white wines are sometimes not as highly regarded as red wines, and what makes the region that comes from Albariño so special. Hint - it rains a lot in Galicia! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Condes De Albarei Albariño, 2021 Abacela Albariño, and 2020 Laxas Rias Baixas Albariño. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Sep 18, 2022 |
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Great Wines for Fall: Grenache! (AKA Garnacha, Great Autumn wines, Tailgating wines, Grenache Rose’, orange sherbet or sherbert?)
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As the days start to get shorter and the weather starts to get cooler, it’s time to think about wines that pair well with the fall! Or is it autumn?!? In this episode, we learn about, taste, and review a great wine for fall called Grenache, also known as Garnacha if it comes from Spain. With warm flavors and relatively high alcohol, we think Grenache is a perfect tailgating wine! And, one of the wines we chose for this episode is a Grenache rose’, so we will try to break the myth that rose’ is a summer wine. As a secret bonus, during the section where we taste the wines, we reveal the mystery that is sherbet - or is it sherbert?!? Listen to find out if you have been saying it wrong this whole time! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Viña Borgia Garnacha, 2020 Fortant Coast Select Grenache Rose’, and 2019 Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Sep 11, 2022 |
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If You Like Merlot, You’ll Love Malbec (Red wine alternatives for Merlot, Argentinian red wines tasted and reviewed, reasonably priced red wine)
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Do you love big, bold red wines, and are looking for new wines to try to expand your horizons? Then this episode is for you! There is no doubt that Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are popular wines, but there are other great red wines out there - like Malbec - that will satisfy your craving and maybe be a little easier on the old pocketbook! Malbec from Argentina is an up and coming wine that is getting really easy to find, and so it is one you should know about! And did you know that about 75% of all Malbec wine grapes are grown in Argentina?!? Well, now you do! Find out even more fun facts in this episode, including why the high altitude at which grapes from the Mendoza region of Argentina are grown makes such an impact on the taste of the wine. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Alamos Malbec, 2020 Chalkboard Malbec, 2019 Catena Malbec. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Sep 04, 2022 |
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Italian Wine Adventure #2: Soave (A very underrated white wine, Italian white wine treasure, great options for white wine lovers, Classico designation explained)
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If you have never had Soave, you are missing out on a great Italian wine! Believe it or not, 50 years ago, Soave was the most popular Italian wine in the United States. What?!? Today, however, it is not super easy to find, which we think is a tragedy. In this episode, we take another Italian wine adventure to introduce you to a vastly underrated white wine called Soave - not Suave, and definitely not Rico Suave! In the 1970’s and 80’s the U.S. was swamped by cheap Soave that still impacts the impression people have of Soave to this day. If you are old enough, you may remember Soave Bolla, or “Chill a Cella” TV ads - and the bad wine that went with them. But don’t let that sway you! If you are a white wine lover, this is a wine you really need to try - especially Soave Classico, and in this episode we also explain what the Classico designation actually means for Italian wines. So, come join us on this exciting adventure to the Verona region of Italy! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Inama Vin Soave Classico, 2020 Villa Cavarena Soave, and 2020 Pieropan Soave Classico. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Aug 28, 2022 |
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What's the Difference Between Vegan Wine and Non Vegan Wine? (Fining and filtering, how to find Vegan wines, three Vegan wines reviewed)
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Have you been curious to know what exactly Vegan wine is? Well, it has something to do with fining and filtering. Wait - don’t know what that is? Then listen to this episode to find out! Ever wanted to try Vegan wine but don’t know where to start? Good news! It’s actually much easier to find than you think! Listen to this episode to find out more! Wondering what Vegan wine tastes like? We’ll tell you what we think, but you might be surprised to find out you may already know! Confused?!? Intrigued?!? Then listen to this episode! We’ll tell you everything you’ve been dying to know about Vegan wine, even if you’ve never heard of it before. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Kris Pinot Grigio, 2021 Layer Cake Malbec, and 2020 Michael David Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Aug 21, 2022 |
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WTF is Cabernet Franc? (aka Chinon and Bouchet, the parent of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, a red wine you can chill)
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Ok, real talk. Cabernet Franc is not Cabernet Sauvignon. Yes, both are red wines, and both have the same first name, but they are pretty different wines, and we are betting that Cabernet Franc may be a wine you are not super familiar with. We are here to change that! In this episode, we discuss just WTF Cabernet Franc is, where it comes from, where it is grown (hint, it is grown all over the world), and how its use and taste can vary tremendously depending on the climate it comes from and whether or not it is blended with other grapes or bottled on its own. As usual, we taste and review three Cabernet Francs that are reasonably priced and let you know how we really feel about them, and Cabernet Franc in general. Definitely put this wine on your list if it is not one you have tried yet. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Isenhower Vineyards I Series Cabernet Franc, 2019 Horton Vineyards The Tower Series Cabernet Franc, and 2019 Mascota Vineyards Cabernet Franc. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Aug 14, 2022 |
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Italian Wine Adventure #1: Aglianico (King of Southern Italian wines, learning Italian wine, wines you must try, wines for red wine lovers)
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Are you feeling like it’s time to expand your wine horizons?!? Are you ready to deepen your knowledge of Italian wines? Then this episode is perfect for you! We take our first Italian wine adventure and introduce you to the King of Southern Italian wines - Aglianico - which is considered one of the three great wines of Italy. As you grow in your knowledge of wine, this is definitely one to add to your repertoire. Aglianico is a beautiful wine, great for red wine lovers, and an excellent option for those who love both Burgundy and Bordeaux (or, if you prefer, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon). Aglianico is a wine that is great on its own, and amazing with food - including grilled foods, and foods cooked in wood fired ovens. And in this episode, we award our first 10 out of 10 rating - but you need to listen to find out which wine it is! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Mastro Aglianico Campania, 2017 D'Angelo Aglianico del Vulture, and 2019 Donnachiara Aglianico Montefalcione. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Aug 07, 2022 |
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Minisode #3: The right way to hold a wine glass
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Did you know there is a right way to hold a wine glass? There is! Listen to this minisode to learn the proper way to hold your wine glass, and some habits that you just need to break. And don’t even get us started on stemless wine glasses! Minisodes are fun, short, snackable content of The Wine Pair Podcast where we share with you things you have always wanted to know about wine, wine tasting, and wine etiquette but were afraid to ask! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jul 31, 2022 |
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Three Great Book Club Books and Wines for 2022 (pairing books and wine, A Certain Hunger, Luster, In the Dream House, Chianti Rufina, White Cotes-du-Rhone, Zinfandel)
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If you love wine and you love books, this is the perfect episode for you! Joe is joined by his son Giuseppe who selects three fantastic books and then they pair those books with three great wines. Each of these wine and book choices are fun, interesting, compelling, and conversation pieces all on their own, but together they are the perfect pairing of books and wine. Afterall, if you are choosing books and wines for your book club, we think the wine should be just as interesting as the books to talk about. We recommend three fabulous books for your next book club or even just reading on your own - A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G Summers, Luster by Raven Leilani, and In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado. And we pair them with three equally excellent wines - these are book and wine pairings that are sure to please even your pickiest friends. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2018 Fattoria di Basciano Chianti Rufina, 2021 Pierre Henri Morel Laudun Côtes-du-Rhone Villages, and 2018 Michael Lavelle Iris Zinfandel. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jul 24, 2022 |
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Costco Kirkland Brand Chardonnay Challenge! (Kirkland Signature Brand Chardonnay review, Costco Chardonnay tasting)
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In honor of the most popular white wine in the US and the biggest wine retailer in the US, we undertake our very own Costco Kirkland Signature Brand Chardonnay Challenge! If you remember the Pepsi Challenge, this is a similar concept. We line up two Chardonnays that Costco sells under its Kirkland Brand and compare them to each other and a third well known Chardonnay that Costco also sells. We give you our honest opinions about these wines and help you pick the right one whether you are a Chardonnay fan or not. Spoiler alert, one of these wines was not good at all, and you may be surprised at which! We also discuss why Chardonnay is so popular in the US (is it supply or demand?!?) and the differences between oaked and unoaked or naked Chardonnay. Come join us - this ride is pretty fun and sometimes a little silly! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Kirkland Signature Sonoma Chardonnay, 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Chardonnay Evergreen Vineyard, and 2020 Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jul 17, 2022 |
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WTF is Pinot Blanc? (Summer white wines, white wine discovery, Chardonnay alternatives, uncommon white wines, summer sippers, luncheon wine)
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Looking for a new white wine to try or a good new summer sipper? Then look no further than Pinot Blanc! Wait, did you mean Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris?!? No, we mean Pinot Blanc! Pinot Blanc is a relative of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir, but is a delicious and affordable white wine all its own. In this episode, we taste and review three different Pinot Blancs from different parts of the world - Germany, Oregon, and Canada - to let you know what we think and advise you on what to look for. And, we can tell you that these Pinot Blancs all had something different and unique to offer. Pinot Blanc is a less commonly known white wine varietal that is worth checking out, and is a good option for those who love Chardonnay as well as those who love Pinot Grigio. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Five Vineyards Pinot Blanc, 2019 Compton Pinot Blanc, and 2018 Bocking Pinot Blanc. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jul 10, 2022 |
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Pairing Wine with Barbecue (Pairing wine with Kansas City Barbecue, Memphis Barbecue, Carolina Barbecue, and Texas Barbecue, tasting and review of Lambrusco, Tempranillo, and Sangiovese)
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Wines and barbecue make a perfect pairing, but depending on the type of barbecue you like - Kansas City barbecue or Memphis barbecue or Carolina barbecue or Texas barbecue - there are different types of wines that will definitely pair better. Intimidated?!? Don’t be! We got you covered! In this episode, we discuss different types of barbecue styles and wines that should go well with them. And we taste and review three different styles of red wine that are great fits. One is a fizzy, frothy, and fun Lambrusco, another is a rich and deep Tempranillo, and a third is a balanced and flexible Sangiovese. Listen to learn more about what we think of these wines, and how to make a perfect wine pairing at your next barbecue. Wines reviewed in this episode: Lini 910 Labrusca Rosso Lambrusco, 2016 Pico Cuadro Ribera del Duero Tempranillo, and 2020 Podere La Berta Sangiovese Superiore. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jul 03, 2022 |
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3 Great, Inexpensive American Sparkling Wines (4th of July Wines, Why all sparkling wine should not be called Champagne, Blanc de Blancs vs. Blanc de Noir)
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Just in time for the 4th of July, we bring you three great American sparkling wines that are inexpensive and pretty darn tasty! If you are ready for some wine to pair with fireworks and fun in the sun, we may have just found the perfect bubbly for you! In this episode, we discuss styles of sparkling wine - like what is a blanc de blanc vs. a blanc de noir - and the different states in the USA in which sparkling wines are produced. We also explain why you should never, ever, ever call sparkling wines Champagne unless they come from the Champagne region of France. Listen to find out more. You’ll be glad you did! Wines reviewed in this episode: Treveri Cellars Blanc de Blanc Brut, Gruet Brut, and Piper Sonoma Brut. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jun 26, 2022 |
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Wine for a Cause - Interview with Robert & Susan Hollander Foundation founder Dr. Bob Hollander, Zinfandel aka Primitivo tasting and review (Funding Prostate Cancer research, Trader Joe’s Zinfandel)
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What could be better than combining a love of wine with philanthropy?!? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Robert Hollander who does that very thing! Diagnosed with Prostate cancer, Dr. Bob decided he would do his part to make a difference, and brought together his love of wine and wine making with supporting cancer researchers through his Robert & Susan Hollander Foundation. Just in time for Father’s Day, we discuss this very important topic - so make sure you tell the men in your life to listen in! In honor of one of the wines Dr. Bob makes - his Zinpiphany - we taste and review three Zinfandels we bought at Trader Joe’s to see if any of them are worth your time and money. Hint, hint, two are, but one is definitely not! Learn more about the foundation and Zinfandel (also known as Primitivo) in this episode and in our show notes. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Bogle Family Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel, 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Lot #233, and 2020 Epicuro Primitivo. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jun 19, 2022 |
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Minisode #2: Why do people slurp wine?
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Ever wondered why sometimes people slurp their wine? Isn’t that rude? Does it really have a purpose? In this minisode, we explain why slurping wine is important in the tasting of wine, and teach you the right technique! Minisodes are fun, short, snackable content of The Wine Pair Podcast where we share with you things you have always wanted to know about wine, wine tasting, and wine etiquette but were afraid to ask! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jun 12, 2022 |
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Minisode #1: Why do we swirl wine?
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In this minisode, we explain why swirling wine is important in the tasting of wine, and the proper ways to swirl wine - including some things you want to avoid. Minisodes are fun, short, snackable content of The Wine Pair Podcast where we share with you things you have always wanted to know about wine, wine tasting, and wine etiquette but were afraid to ask! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jun 12, 2022 |
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If You Like Chardonnay, You’ll Love Viognier (White wine alternatives for Chardonnay, white wine for red wine drinkers, the right white wine temperature)
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Are you a Chardonnay fan and want to find some good wine alternatives you might like? Well, look no further because this is the episode for you! In an effort to expand your wine horizons and give you some options to consider when your go-to may not be available, we bring you Viognier. With some similarities in flavors, body, and acidity, Viognier can be a great choice for Chardonnay lovers. In this episode we taste and review three Viogniers that are reasonably priced and should be easy to find to let you know if you should buy them. And, spoiler alert, we think there is one you should avoid! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Montpellier Viognier, 2020 Jones of Washington Viognier, and 2019 Yalumba “Y” Series Viognier. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jun 05, 2022 |
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WTF is Syrah? Okanagan Valley Wines (Canadian Wine; wine for Cabernet fans; Syrah and Viognier blend; Syrah = Shiraz)
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Did you know they grow wine grapes and make wine in Canada? Do you like Cabernet Sauvignon and want to find more wines like it? Well, then this is the episode for you! One of our favorite places in the world - the Okanagan Valley British Columbia - is one of the few places where wine can be made in Canada. And one of the very popular wines they create there is Syrah, a wine that you should know, especially if you like fruit-forward red wines. Learn more about why the Okanagan Valley is an area where wine grapes can be grown, and how the area has changed so much over the past several years to become a very popular place for wine tourism. We also taste and review three Syrah wines from the Okanagan, including a Syrah Viognier blend which is something you should know about! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2018 Time Syrah, 2016 CC Jentsch Cellars Syrah, and 2018 Hester Creek Syrah Viognier. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
May 29, 2022 |
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Wine from Regenerative Agriculture: Tabitha Compton from Compton Family Wines (Ramato, Orange Wine, Concrete Egg, Oregon Wine, Regenerative Viticulture)
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Great wine comes from great fruit which comes from great soil. You’ve heard about organic wine, but how about wine made via Regenerative Agriculture? We interview Tabitha Compton of Compton Family Wines and learn about how they make their wines using Regenerative Viticulture methods, and why that makes a difference in how their wines taste, and why it is a step up from organic. We also talk about their Concrete Egg, a style of orange wine they make called Ramato, and what makes their well regarded Oregon Pinot Noirs unique. We also taste and review three of their wines, wines that are of a style we describe as “bright.” Listen to learn more - we bet there’s a lot in here that will be new to you! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2018 Compton “Concrete Egg” Chardonnay, 2019 Garden Series Red Pinot Gris (Ramato), and 2016 Compton Pinot Noir Llewellyn Cuvée. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
May 22, 2022 |
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Wines for Grilling Season (Cookouts, barbecues, and other summer shindigs!)
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Grilling season is here, and we have some great wines to pair with your next cookout, barbecue, or outdoor shindig! For grilling, you want wines that go well with a variety of foods, are crowd pleasers, and are reasonably priced so you can always have some on hand - in case a neighbor or relative or friend stops by for a bite to eat, or you are planning a big summer party. We discuss the different types of wines you will want to have on hand - reds, whites, and rose’s - and some specific varietals that go great with different kinds of grilled food. And, as always, we rate and review three wines - a white, a rose’, and a red - that are reasonably priced and easy to find to let you know if we think they are good choices for you! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Lenz Moser Gruner Veltliner, French Pool Toy Rose’, and 2018 Longevity Cabernet Sauvignon. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
May 15, 2022 |
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An Interview with The Swirl Suite (Black and Women Voices in the Wine Industry)
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The Wine Pair is thrilled to be joined by The Swirl Suite, four African American women who co-host The Swirl Suite podcast and who aim to elevate black and women voices in the wine industry. In this episode, you will hear from these four amazing women - Sarita, Tanisha, Glynis, and Leslie - as they discuss with us their careers in wine, what motivates them and keeps them going, and the challenges they see and have experienced on their journey. And while we did not taste and review any wines this week, we do share some black owned wines that we think you should check out: Longevity Cabernet Sauvignon. Black Magic Girl Rose’, and Michael Lavelle Zinfandel. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
May 08, 2022 |
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Wines to Drink at an Indian Restaurant (pairing wine and Indian food)
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Indian food has been considered notoriously difficult to pair with wine, but we at the Wine Pair Podcast say pshaw to that! In this episode, we pair three wines with Indian food and discover that they work together pretty darn well! We cover what to look for in wines to pair with Indian food - hint, think about acidity, oak, and alcohol content - and we also discuss a little bit about why there may be this perception that Indian food is hard to pair with wine and how wine production is increasing in India. We pair wine with Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken Tikka, Dal Maharani, Garlic Naan, and Vegetable Samosas, food we ordered from Cedars restaurant in Seattle. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Cottesbrook Gewurztraminer, 2020 San Gregorio Rosado, and 2018 Milton Park Shiraz. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
May 01, 2022 |
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WTF is Gamay? (aka Beaujolais, chilling red wine, crunchy red fruit)
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Ever tried the wonderful wine Gamay, also known as Beaujolais? Well, you really should! Gamay is a crisp, refreshing red wine meant to be served chilled. Yes, it’s true - there are some red wines that are served chilled! As former teachers, Joe and Carmela are committed to your lifelong learning, and that includes learning about wine! This wine is the epitome of “crunchy red fruit,” a wine term you should be familiar with. In addition to tasting and reviewing three Gamay wines, we also talk about the best ways to chill a red wine - which should be served cool but not cold, and why highly oaked wines should not be served cold. Wines reviewed in this episode: Louis Jadot 2020 Beaujolais-Villages, Nicolas Potel 2019 Beaujolais-Villages, and 2017 Cedergreen Cellars Gamay Noir. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Apr 24, 2022 |
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Woodbridge Wines and Baseball (MLB, Hot Dogs, Minor Leagues, Seattle Mariners Stadium Food)
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With baseball season underway, it’s a great time to figure out what wine goes with the ball game and ballpark foods! In this episode, we review three Woodbridge wines by Robert Mondavi because they are the official partner of Major League Baseball, and because these are wines you can easily find at nearly any store and are very reasonably priced - even when you get them in the mega-sized magnums. But how do they taste? You might be surprised to find out what we think - so listen to find out! We also talk about all of the foods you can find at baseball stadiums these days, why we love minor league baseball, what a Seattle Dog is, and whether it is ok to put ketchup on a hot dog. Wines reviewed in this episode: Woodbridge Lightly Oaked Chardonnay, Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon, and Woodbridge Pinot Noir. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Apr 17, 2022 |
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A Night with the Nashville Wine Duo!
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In this Episode we are joined by special guests TJ and Kelsey, also known as The Nashville Wine Duo. We use the magic of streaming to do a virtual wine tasting between the two great cities of Seattle and Nashville. In addition to drinking wine together over the interwebs, we share some fun stories and get an update on their cat Felix. This episode follows a bit of a different format than usual, but, look, a little change of pace is good, right?!? Wine reviewed in this episode: 2019 Black Stallion Los Carneros Pinot Noir. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Apr 10, 2022 |
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WTF is White Bordeaux? (+ Fish & Chips pairing, Lent, Filet-O-Fish)
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If you love Sauvignon Blanc, you need to know WTF White Bordeaux is! A perfect pairing for foods in Lent like fried fish, fish & chips, and other seafood (even a Filet-O-Fish!). We taste and review three White Bordeaux style blends, two from France, and one from Washington State, to help you find a reasonably priced winner. Each blend is different, despite the fact that all three are made from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. We also talk about giving things up for Lent, being an altar boy on Good Friday, and our go-to meatless Friday foods. If you ate meat on a Friday this Lent, you can listen to our podcast for your penance! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Dubourdieu Liaison Bordeaux, 2020 L’Ecole No. 41 Luminesce, and 2021 Belingard Bergerac Sec. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Apr 03, 2022 |
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Cursive Brand Wine Review (+ Special Guest Alexa)
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Curious about Cursive wines from Amazon? We’ll give you the skinny! And, we even do an exclusive interview with Alexa to get the inside story. We rate and review three wines by Amazon’s Cursive Brand that we purchased at an Amazon Fresh store - a Sauvignon Blanc, a Pinot Noir, and a Red Blend. We’ll help you determine if this is a label and brand that you should trust. We also really do interview Alexa - and find out some things she has been hiding from us - and we talk about our experience shopping in a recently opened Amazon Fresh store. And, you might be surprised to find out which wine was Joe’s favorite! Seriously! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Cursive Sauvignon Blanc, 2018 Cursive Pinot Noir, and 2018 Cursive Red Blend. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Mar 27, 2022 |
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Wines at a Greek Restaurant
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Love Greek food? Ever tried Greek wine? You should! Drinking wine associated with a specific cuisine is a great way to really understand how food and wine are meant to work together. In this episode, The Wine Pair serve up three Greek wines - Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, and Agiorgitiko - and taste and review them so that you can make informed choices the next time you are at a Greek restaurant. We also taste food from some local Greek restaurants, talk about the kinds of Greek cuisine we find in our hometown of Seattle, and explore the interesting intersection of Greek Italian themed restaurants in the Seattle area. We also discuss Greek pizza and what wine goes well with it, and we talk about the different kinds of pizza we have tried - New York style, Chicago style, Detroit style, Neapolitan, Old Forge, and Greek. What’s your favorite? Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Greek Wine Cellars Assyrtiko, 2020 Hermes Moschofilero, and 2018 Kotrotsos Agiorgitiko. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Mar 20, 2022 |
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Wines for Your Next Party!
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Looking for some great wines for your next party? Look no further! The Wine Pair introduces a new series for the podcast where we will rate and review three wines - usually a red, a white, and a sparkling or Rose’ - that make sense to serve at larger gatherings - cookouts, or weddings, or anniversaries, or whatever! These wines will be reasonably priced and easy to find, and we’ll let you know if they are crowd-pleasers or not. This episode is focused on a general large party, and we think we have found three fantastic wines that are sure to please the crowd at your next shindig. We also talk about how we think about choosing wines for parties, and we also talk about how parties have changed as we have gone through different phases of adulthood as a couple. Let’s just say that we found when our kids were school-aged people started partying again like they were in college! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Marques de Caceres Verdejo, 2018 Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut sparkling wine. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Mar 13, 2022 |
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WTF is Chenin Blanc?
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WTF is Chenin Blanc? We honestly didn’t know, but after tasting these three examples, we are converts! One of the wines we try in this episode is from NBA basketball star Dwayne Wade’s Wade Cellars. We are usually a little suspicious of celebrity wines, but this one did not disappoint! If you want to find a great alternative to Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc is a good choice! One of these wines we rate a 9 out of 10! For some reason, we also talk about wine coolers, what our favorite color/flavor was, and how Carmela’s parent’s hot tub ended up pink one time! We also talk about how Carmela always orders fish tacos, and Joe always orders General Tso’s chicken. Whatever. Just listen to learn more! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Badenhorst Secateurs Vintage White Wine, 2020 Three By Wade Chenin Blanc, and 2020 Barton & Guestier Vouvray. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Mar 06, 2022 |
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Cork Free! Pinot Noir in a Can
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The Wine Pair returns to our Cork Free series, and in this episode we taste and rate some canned Pinot Noirs from California and Oregon. We discuss why a red wine is an interesting - and maybe not ideal - choice for a wine in a can, and the pros and cons of canned wine. In addition to giving our completely honest reviews of these wines (and when we say honest, we mean honest), we also try a pairing of these canned wines with Chef Boyardee lasagna. Let’s just say we’re not sure it is a match made in heaven! Wines reviewed in this episode: Freeseeker Pinot Noir in a can, Outspoken California Pinot Noir in a can, and Underwood Pinot Noir in a can. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Feb 27, 2022 |
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Gift Wine Judgment Day
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Do you have a bunch of wines hanging around that have been gifted to you and you just haven’t gotten around to drinking them? Ever wonder whether you should open a bottle of wine that someone brings to your house? You are not alone! The Wine Pair welcome Carmela’s brother Mario to the podcast to try out some of the wines that he has been gifted over the years. The results were honestly better than we expected, at least in a few cases. We also discuss wine gifting etiquette, how and when wines are gifted, and how not to store gifted wine! And, breaking with tradition, we taste and rate 3 wines that we are not sure are easy to find. Wines reviewed: 2011 Eight Bells Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Jackson Cellars “12” Premium Washington Merlot, and Zdrepceva Black Stallion Semisweet Red Wine. If you like sweet red wine, we think we have one you might like! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Feb 13, 2022 |
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Wine and Chocolate! Practical Pairings
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Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we talk about a match made in heaven: wine and chocolate! In this episode we pair 3 wines - a Brachetto, a Port, and a Zinfandel - with three kinds of chocolate: milk, dark, and Carmela’s Baby Bites from her Baby Cakes bakery. We think one of the combos is a must do for Valentine’s Day! So, if you want to treat that someone special to a fun and maybe romantic night of wine and chocolate pairing, listen in to get some great ideas - and avoid a big mistake! We also talk about different takes on Valentine’s Day and what our favorite types of chocolate are. Also in this episode: handcuffs. Don’t ask! Wines reviewed: 2020 Banfi Brachetto d'Acqui Rosa Regale, Graham's Port Six Grapes Reserve, 2019 Shenandoah Zinfandel Special Reserve. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Feb 06, 2022 |
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Costco FTW: Red Wine Time (Kirkland Signature wine reviews, Kirkland Signature Malbec, Kirkland Signature Gigondas, Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino)
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We return to our Costco FTW! series with 3 red Kirkland Signature wines - a Malbec, a Gigondas, and a Brunello di Montalcino. In addition to tasting and reviewing these wines - one of which we gave a GOOD rating of 7 and another we gave a BAD rating of 2 - we Trademark the motto for 2022: “Happy Husband, Happy Wife.” We also discuss the different types of Costco shopping modes: Focus Mode and Adventure Mode, and determine which of these Joe and Carmela usually are in. I mean, is shopping at Costco leisure, or is it work?!? Finally, we discuss sampling at Costco, and Joe’s secret fear as a child that his mom would get arrested for shoplifting when she tasted the grapes at grocery stores. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Kirkland Signature Malbec, 2019 Kirkland Signature Gigondas, and 2016 Kirkland Signature Brunello di Montalcino. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jan 30, 2022 |
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F that Wine: Rose'
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Although this episode is called F that Wine, we were pleasantly surprised to find that we actually really liked some of these Rose’ wines! We taste and review 3 different Rose’ wines made from 3 different grapes - Grenache, Barbera, and Pinot Noir - and discover how different they are in taste, style, and color. We also talk about other things - like if it is ok to put ice in wine (we say YES if that is your thing), if you are an - ice - cruncher or sucker (um, ok?!?) and what it means to be in a pickle, and how you get out of a pickle. Two of these wines we rated 7-8 out of 10, and one we rated a 4, so definitely listen to find our winners and losers. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Yes Way Rose’, 2020 Josh Cellars Rose’, and 2020 Samuel Robert Winery Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir Rose’. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jan 23, 2022 |
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WTF is Barbera? (Barbera d’Alba, Barbera d’Asti, red wine for Merlot fans and Gamay fans)
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We return to our much beloved What the F series to introduce you to an Italian wine called Barbera - a wine you may not know about, but you may just want to try! This fruity wine has flavors of tart cherry (think Twizzlers cherry nibs) and is a great complement to dishes like aglio e olio. We also talk about wine glasses, why Carmela breaks all of Joe’s wine glasses, and fond memories of people chugging small glasses of wine in wine bars in Italy. It’s beautiful! We rated these wines between 5 and 8 on our 10 point scale, which means there are some winners here you may really like! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Mauro Veglio Barbera d’Alba, 2020 Rocca Felice Barbera d’Alba, and 2018 Vietti Barbera d’Asti. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jan 16, 2022 |
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Wines for Taco Tuesday! Practical Pairings
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Taco Tuesday is a tradition in many households, and in this episode we find some great wines to pair with your taco night! Do you like fish tacos? Beef tacos? Chicken tacos? Whatever your preference, we’ve found some great wines to pair! One of these wines we rated a 9 out of 10, and we think you’ll love it! You’ll also discover what a Coronarita is, why pairing wine with food really makes a difference in the experience of the wine (and the food), and join in on our debate on whether nachos are best made in the oven or the microwave. Controversy! Wines reviewed in this episode: Casal Grande Vinho Verde, 2020 Seastone Albariño, and 2011 Latitud 42 Rioja Reserva. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jan 09, 2022 |
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Cork Free! Boxed Wine - Pinot Grigio
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In this episode, we tackle boxed wine! Wait, did you say wine in a box?!? Yes! And we found a couple that we liked! As part of our Cork Free! series, we continue to express our love for wines without a cork. We rate 3 Pinot Grigios, two we found very drinkable, and one we gave a rating of 2, and we think you should avoid! We also talk about Carmela’s favorite food - ice cream - and how Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough almost led to a divorce early on in our marriage! Wines in this episode include 101 North Pinot Grigio, Liberty Creek Pinot Grigio, and Vendage Pinot Grigio. Just a warning, one of these wines smelled and tasted like a tide pool at low tide and warm garbage. Yuck! We also discuss how some of the packaging needs a makeover, why boxed wines are so ginormous, and why boxed wine has its own section separate from the varietals. And, careful listeners may win a prize! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Jan 02, 2022 |
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Wine Not: Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Gris
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In this episode, we have special guests: our son Joey, his girlfriend Kiera, and our daughter Marianna, who chose wines based on an “aquatic” theme. We taste and review two reasonably priced Sauvignon Blancs and a Pinot Gris. And, we created a new series based on these choices: Wine Not? We ask Joey and Kiera some questions about New York City - what they love and hate about it, and suggestions for first time visitors. We discuss their Spotify Wrapped list and Carmela invites Chris Hemsworth over for Sunday night dinner. Find out which of the wines smelled like cat pee, another like almond pastry, and what the hell a “light” wine tastes like. Wines in this episode: 2020 Liquid Light Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Oyster Bay Sauv Blanc, and Thor’s Well Spouting Horn Pinot Gris - and we rated them somewhere between a 4 and an 8 on our 10 point scale! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Dec 26, 2021 |
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WTF is Cava?
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Just in time for the Holidays, we bring you the next in our WTF series - and this time we ask WTF is Cava?!? Sparkling wine is great for any time of year, but we all love bubbly a little more around the Holidays - and Cava is a perfect choice for a delicious and reasonably priced sparkler! In this episode, we talk about the difference between sparkling wine and Champagne, why a dry sparkling wine is called brut, and why a sweet sparkling wine is called dry, and Carmela gets quizzed on some Holiday specific questions. Find out why she thinks shopping mall Santas are creepy and more! We review taste and rate three easy to find Cavas: Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava, Segura Viudas Brut Cava, Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava - which we score somewhere between 6 and 8 out of 10. Not bad! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Dec 19, 2021 |
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F that Wine: Merlot
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The Wine Pair returns to the F that Wine series, facing down their fear of Merlot. Let’s just say that one of the three wines they taste gets a 2/10 rating, proving to be a terrible wine, definitely not worth your time, and clearly deserving its entry into this series. Truly and honestly, F that Wine! Joe and Carmela briefly discuss the movie Sideways and Paul Giamatti’s famous Merlot quote, try to unpack Joe’s obsession with security cameras and video doorbells, and taste and review some reasonably priced and easy to find Merlots. Wines in this episode include a 2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot, a 2019 Bogle Vineyards Merlot, and a 2019 Dark Horse Merlot. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Dec 12, 2021 |
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Costco FTW: Kirkland Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Cotes du Rhone
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In this episode, The Wine Pair tastes and reviews wines from Costco’s own Kirkland brand. Listen to Joe and Carmela talk about why they love Costco, what they love to buy there, and why Joe has serious issues with Starbucks. In a nutshell, Starbucks sizes are too large, their bagged coffee smells like fish, they have created an alternate universe around the macchiato, mispronounce biscotti, and, most importantly, Howard Schultz sold the Seattle SuperSonics to another city! They review three Kirland wines, and rate them somewhere between 5 and 7 out of 10 on their rating scale. There are some winners in this group - and a few that they think are great for parties and cookouts! Wines reviewed: 2020 Kirkland Signature Friuli Pinot Grigio, 2020 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay, 2020 Kirkland Signature Cotes du Rhone Villages. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Dec 05, 2021 |
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Charcuterie and Trader Joe’s wine: Practical Pairings
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The Wine Pair tastes and reviews three wines from Trader Joe’s paired with a charcuterie board - all selected by their very special guest: daughter Marianna! Joe and Carmela talk about how Italian families start early building a taste for wine in their children. Marianna introduces the audience to her Instagram account @munch.with.mar, and goes over how she puts together a charcuterie board, and selects the wine to pair. And we find out that part of the decision on what wine to choose may or may not be influenced by art on the label! The three of them review three different wines all purchased at Trader Joe’s - 2020 Pike Road Pinot Gris, Lazy Bones 2020 Cabernet Franc, and 2019 La Sonriente Granacha - which they three rate between 5 and 8 points out of 10. And you will also discover Joe’s secret suspicion of Trader Joe’s - why are the people so nice, and how are prices so low?!? A great episode for occasions that call for charcuterie and wine! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Nov 27, 2021 |
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Cork Free! Rose' Bubbles in a Can!
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In this episode, The Wine Pair tastes and reviews three sparkling rose’ wines in a can. What did you say?!? A can?!? YES! This is fun wine, and perfect for a weeknight celebration! While on an anniversary trip in Honolulu, Joe and Carmela visited an ABC Store, found some canned sparkling wine, and decided to try it. Mind blown! The Wine Pair also talk about the magic of the 8th floor pool at the Halepuna on Waikiki, the flavor profiles of sparkling rose’, and the wonders of wine in a can. Consider the following. Cans don’t break! Cans are easy to carry and store! Cans don’t require a corkscrew! Wines reviewed in this episode include Underwood Sparkling Rose’, House Wine Sparkling Rose’, and 14 Hands Unicorn Sparkling Rose’. You have to listen to the episode to find out, but you might be very surprised to find out that the cans fared very well in the tasting and reviewing! Find out which of these taste like a Jolly Rancher, which tastes like grapefruit, which tastes like the syrup of canned fruit, and which tastes like strawberries and cream. You even get a quick lesson on how to get red wine stains out of your Seahawks hoodie. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Nov 21, 2021 |
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WTF is Riesling?
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The Wine Pair discusses what people get wrong about white wine and riesling, a wine some people either don’t know about or are afraid to try. Joe and Carmela taste and review three dry white rieslings, two of which get a 9 out of 10 rating, and along the way talk about how white wines are often stereotyped as uninteresting and sometimes gendered. Carmela talks about her love of seafood, which is a great pairing for a dry riesling, and they honestly find that one of the wines smells like gasoline! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler Dry Riesling, 2019 Kung Fu Girl Riesling by Charles Shaw Wines, and a 2018 Trimbach Riesling. Ratings for these wines vary from 5 to 9, some of our highest rated wines! Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Nov 14, 2021 |
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Big Macs and Pinot Noir: Practical Pairings
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The Wine Pair brings out the Big Mac and some reasonably priced Pinot Noirs to see how well they pair together, and if any of the Pinots are worth your hard earned cash. Carmela tastes her first Big Mac, and has to come clean about not knowing that the Big Mac has a bun in the middle. They sing the famous Big Mac song (which does not talk about a middle bun!), and discuss their opinion on McDonalds all up. Wines reviewed in this episode: Wine by Joe 2017 Pinot Noir, Barefoot Pinot Noir (non-vintage), and Rue de Perle 2018 Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Listen in to hear the ratings, which go as low as a 3 out of 10, and that may be a generous score! And, can someone please tell us who the hell Jerry Mead is and how the Jerry Mead International Wine Competition gave one of these wines an 86 rating? Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Nov 07, 2021 |
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F that Wine: Cabernet
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The Wine Pair takes on some easy to find and affordable cabernet sauvignons to determine how good - or bad - they really are. Joe explains why he hates cabernet, and Carmela chastises him for being a snob and judgy. Wine reviewed in this episode: H3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Chateau Ste. Michele Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, and Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. Ratings range from a high of a 7 out of 10 all the way to a 3 out of 10, which means one of these wines may end up giving you a raging headache, and another of these wines is a great choice to serve at a party. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Oct 31, 2021 |
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Introduction to The Wine Pair Podcast
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The Wine Pair Joe and Carmela acquaint you with The Wine Pair Podcast. Get a sense of their witty banter, review the purpose and format of the podcast, and get introduced to what Joe really thinks about cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and merlot. The Wine Pair explains that they will focus on selecting and reviewing wines that normal people drink - everyday wines at reasonable prices that can be found at your local store. And giving their honest, irreverent, and hilarious opinions about wines, and other things! Learn about the series they will create within the podcast, including the “F that Wine” series, the WTF series, and the Cork Free series among others. Wine reviewed in this episode: Treveri Cellars NV Blanc de Blancs brut. Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we’d love to hear from you! |
Oct 31, 2021 |