A Wine Affair Podcast

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Since launching his career on Wall Street the same year as Gordon Gekko’s Hollywood debut, Jay Raffaldini decided to search for his future second act while riding the ups & downs of the market. This New York City business man set his eyes on the historic but now more lesser-known wine region of North Carolina to try his passion at producing something special & unique with his goal of making the best wine possible through his “house style” of Appassimento.

Not familiar with this Italian wine making method or the Italian native grapes grown at his estate? Listen to our A Wine Affair podcast episode with Raffaldini Vineyards to learn why the hot Carolina weather and Appalachian setting create a distinct foundation for his wine and AVA experience. Plus, you’ll hear more on what else they have planned for visitors & wine club members of all ages & wine preferences!

Test your own Italian pronunciation, and tune in for more about Jay & Raffaldini Vineyard’s other blockbuster moment when their wine was selected for President Obama’s White House dinner for the President of Italy’s 80th Birthday!

Visit Raffaldini Vineyards yourself in North Carolina nestled near the Yadkin River and Blue Ridge Mountains. Dive into all their details on their website: www.raffaldini.com and follow on Instagram @raffaldini

Salute!

Can’t get enough!? Check out Jay’s Ted Talk expanding more on his pursuit to “be a jellyfish” (the image behind his video interview with us) - it’s another great story! 

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Celebrating Rosé month in August this summer, A Wine Affair Podcast welcomes Marilee Bramhall, Founder of Iola Wines, a wine importer specifically focused not only on French and Italian wine, but women growers and producers creating inspiring wines in a sustainable practice.

Pouring rosé from the Bandol commune of the Provence region in southern France, we learn more about the wine growers and makers Iola Wines features, plus Marilee’s story on how and why she became so passionate about what she does. Go behind the scenes of a year in the life of a wine importer and hear why Iola Wines and their producers are so special.

Follow Marilee and her importing journey @iola.wines on Instagram and visit her website at iolawines.com

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Ever wonder what goes on to create the wonderful wine found in each pour? Join A Wine Affair Podcast as we welcome Tom Payette, Winemaking Consultant, to share the insights and magic that goes into winemaking production. Learn more about the process, steps, and evolving days in the life of a winemaker. Tom talks us through the impact of oak aging and specialized winemaking techniques like sur lie, how to know when it’s time for harvest, production methods based on the grape, and how they select the final wine through the blending sessions.

With three decades of winemaking experience, Virginia Tech’s Department of Food Science and Technology’s Distinguished Alumnus in Industry Award, and mentorship from one of the top Bordeaux winemakers, Tom has worked with hundreds of wineries to create their own unique flavors and award-winning, signature wines. Don’t miss this week’s episode featuring Wine Business Monthly Magazine’s 2020 Wine Industry Leader recognized for his contributions to making a difference in the North American Wine Industry and learn more about Tom via his website winemakingconsultant.com. 

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A Wine Affair Podcast welcomes Jeremy Jones, creator of The Grape Pursuit, to share his journey of trying every grape variety in the world. Jeremy is a travel and wine blogger who talks with us about grapes & wine we should know, how to find them, and how many he’s tasted so far.

Find out how many grape varietals made the list and listen to our conversation to hear a little more on how you can find them to try for yourself.

Follow Jeremy on The Grape Pursuit on social media @thegrapepursuit and on his wine website at thegrapepursuit.com Download his list of Grapes & Wines we want our listeners to know and start your own grape discovery journey. Tag Jeremy @thegrapepursuit to share what you found!

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New year, new wine! Want to expand your wine knowledge this year and learn new grapes & wine to pour in 2024? A Wine Affair Podcast welcomes Cab Franc Chronicles star, Allison, to share insights on the father of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and so many more - the principal, major grape - Cabernet Franc.

Find out why so many of us, like Allison, search for this single variety wine - what it tastes like, where it grows, what food it pairs with, and so on it goes!

Hear about wine growing regions you may not be as familiar with and how it impacts different grapes, like Cabernet Franc, to help it grow and influence the flavors.

Follow Cab Franc Chronicles @cabfrancchronicles - learn from her weekly Cabernet Franc pours through her videos on Instagram and YouTube, join her newsletter on Substack, and test your knowledge with her Wednesday quizzes- celebrating its third birthday this year!

https://www.instagram.com/cabfrancchronicles/

https://www.youtube.com/@cabfrancchronicles

https://substack.com/profile/17365658-cab-franc-chronicles

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With a background in design and master's in education, Kendeigh fell in love with the hospitality & wine world from working in restaurants and the service industry. After years in high-end, fine-dining establishments setting her foundation of wine knowledge, Kendeigh surpassed every curve life dealt her to create her own business in wine education and tasting events. Now, The Grape Grind incorporates her design mentality and educational experience for online, in-person, individual, or group tasting classes and events to remove the intimidation behind wine and encourage all interested to become more confident through her guides & resources, blind & comparative tastings, and easy to digest wine education.

Taste and learn along with us as Kendeigh teaches the step-by-step process behind wine tasting, and challenge yourself to discover how to blind taste to determine the wine yourself. Download her Blind Tasting Guide here to understand each category and description to help you better express the characteristics behind the wine you’re drinking. Follow Kendeigh @thegrapegrind and connect with her directly on her website at https://thegrapegrind.com/

Toast with us @awine_affair and @pour_atlanta Leave a review and comment on what you found most fascinating in this week’s episode.

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Pours & People like YOU are what we’re extra thankful for this year!

As the leaves change colors, we’re reminded how special this time of year is - when we feel the end of the year upon us and the rush of the holidays with full calendars of gatherings & celebrations. 

At the same time, we try to slow down, reflect with family & friends, raise a glass, and toast to what we’re thankful for - and that includes you!

Since officially launching our podcast, we couldn’t be more thankful, grateful & blessed for the support! To continue our weekly episodes, we’re excited to share a few pours we’re extra thankful for, which also pair perfectly with your Thanksgiving holiday - however the occasion occurs. 

On this week’s A Wine Affair Podcast - we share some of our favorite Thanksgiving wines with you to pour along with us and hopefully encourage you all to find something new you’ll enjoy and impress both family & friends around the table.

• Sparkling - whether it’s a Champagne and/or Cava - who doesn’t love that POP! 
  • Effervescent, bubbles & class - plus the acid cuts the fats found in food, making it less overwhelming and pairing perfectly! Not to mention the smells of brioche/baked bread excites the palate and ignites the appetite! 
• Chenin Blanc - versatile, food friendly & affordable! 
  • Something for everybody with dry, off-dry, sweet & sparkling options! Pick a style for any and everyone around your table and meal!
• Sur lie Reserve Chardonnay - Virginia Chardonnay aged at least 9 months to 2 years in New American Oak Barrels - slight hint of oak that opens as the meal progresses.
  • Perfectly pairs with the buttery mashed potatoes, light gravy, breading, rolls, turkey, apple pies, and more! 
• Cotes du Rhone - 80% Grenache + 20% Syrah 
  • Sometimes you want a higher alcohol wine depending on what you’re serving - goes well with most things, especially savory foods! 
• Syrah - medium tannins compared to most reds but still stands up to a number of dishes around the Thanksgiving table.
  • Cooler climates bring out more of the black pepper flavor, plus the oak aging gives a nice woodsy & smoke approach that won’t overwhelm the meal but help enhance and stand up to the creamier, saltier, fattier dishes.
• Plus a number of wonderful, honorable mentions you’ll have to listen to learn more and pour along with us for your next holiday meal!

Toast with us @awine_affair and @pour_atlanta Leave us a comment & review on what you found pairs best with your Thanksgiving feast from this week’s episode.

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Want to learn the ultimate party trick - how saber a bottle of champagne? A Wine Affair Podcast is excited to welcome Master Sabreur, Harry Constantinescu, to discuss the “The Art of Sabrage,” one of Andi’s favorite traditions experienced while Andi & Harry were a part of the opening team at the St. Regis Atlanta hotel.

Hear how Harry broke world records during the 100-year Titanic anniversary soirée to recognize & remember the St. Regis’ founder, Mr. John Jacob Astor IV, who was the richest passenger aboard the Titanic, and even learn how your golf game and sabrage skill can both improve with the same technique and understanding.

Harry answers our questions on the definition of “sabrage” and how to successfully perform the technique for opening a champagne bottle with a saber, used for ceremonial occasions dating back to Napoleon and the French Revolution.

See more of Harry's sabrage skill on his YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@hconstantinescu + Follow along @KnightsofWines and @knightsofwinesociety

Toast with us @awine_affair and @pour_atlanta and comment on what you found most fascinating in this week’s episode.

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Learn more about the majestic country and wines of Portugal on this week’s episode with artist and wine lover, Kate, from Survives on Wine.

Kate merges her passion for wine with her love of art as a fashion and textile designer turned wine writer, artist, and educator. Kate tells us her personal story through career changes and surviving through her fight with cancer by continuing her passion for learning and studying wine. Survives on Wine is where Kate intertwines wine, art, and education - as they’re all interconnected - wine is art, and she also uses wine to create art!

Through her wine adventures, Kate traveled to Portugal and was immersed into the historic country and culture and has continued to dive into her passion for Portugal. Now, Kate continues her design skills to paint and design educational wine infographics and regional wine maps. Learn more about the wines and experience of Portugal and how we can all survive with passion and pours.

Follow Kate through her website at https://survivesonwine.substack.com/ and on Instagram at @survivesonwine