Drinking on the Edge

Absinthe's history, culture, and current state in the US craft spirits sector is explored with those making it in California, Louisiana, Maryland, and in New York.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

The eminently refreshing GV is a relatively recent grape for the entirety of the US. On the heels of their commitment to Riesling, Galen Glen were the first to plant it out east while Bellview has found success with it amongst the multitude of varieties they cultivate. We learn of their work with it while tasting their examples along with two from New York--the Finger Lakes' Ryan William and our local Hudson Valley's Millbrook.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Rainer Schnaitmann was introduced to me in 1998 by a man greatly responsible for my entering the wine world, Helmut Doka, himself then a Stuttgart city councillor with a brief charging him to oversee his city's vineyards. He met and was impressed by the first vintage made by the then new vintner who was one of handful of dynamic young Germans turning its wines' stodgy stylings into those with far better results. Schnaitmann's wines have gone from strength to strength enjoying exemplary critical comments and widespread distribution.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Joined by a late-arriving Carlo, David passes time and bright young wines with Matt Spaccarelli of Fjord from across the Hudson River in-studio while Zooming in are Todd Wuerker of New Jersey's Hawk Haven in Cape May and Rob Deford of Maryland's Boordy near Baltimore. The convo spans deep dives into grapegrowing and winemaking interspersed with spontaneous food pairing recommendations and art references. First planted by all three guests in 2013, Albariño from the Atlantic's western edge is well worth searching out and drinking.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Andrew Caillard researched for 18 years his exhaustive, 3-volume epic The Australian Ark detailing its unique history of wine.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Hugh Johnson's writing of wine's history, creating its groundbreaking Wine Atlas, column writing for numerous media outlets, hosting a public television series, speaking at key events, and partnering with a few of the world's most important wineries have shaped him to become a pillar of the world's wine community. With his books essential reading for anyone wishing a full account of the breadth and depth of wine's past and present, Johnson's unanticipated presence played a significant role throughout David's career when first cutting his teeth in Chicago, then bumping into him at Bordeaux's Vinexpo for an impromptu published interview, later serving to him as a San Francisco somm, and finally serving with him at the UK's Circle of Wine Writers. His newly revised and expanded 'Life and Wines' autobiography is the latest addition to his storied career, its publication allowing David an opportunity to meet with him, graciously invited into his London home with his wife and his publisher at the ready as we chat with birds chirping in his garden, a distinct selection of wines with which he's involved for us all to enjoy.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

In preparation for Radio Free Rhinecliff's October 27 appearance at Rhinebeck's popular Sunday farmers market, David discovers its local creators of 100% New York-sourced and -produced beers, wines, spirits.

Joined by farmers Market manager Andrea Bartolomeo with representatives from Harvest Spirits, Taconic Distillery, From the Ground Brewery, Tousey Winery, Ten Mile Distillery

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

While brewing beer's a sideline for engineer Jake Cirell, it's a tangent which he's kept close for decades since his college days. His From the Ground Brewery, located on the noted Migliorelli family's farms, is a weekend attraction for locals and the occasional visitor to the mid-Hudson Valley. What makes FrG special is Jake's adherence to VERY locally sourced barley--courtesy of the Migliorellis--and hops grown in Rhinebeck. t He shared with David and producer Jenn a few of his crafty creations 'From the Ground' into our glasses in-studio for DotE.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Albariño has come a long way in two decades. Unknown beyond its Galician home until the '90s, its fame and farming have spread from Spain's Atlantic Ocean-facing Rias Baixas to the US where it's found homes throughout the west. Its fecundity and deliciousness make for pleasurable production and consumption. Umpqua Valley's Abacela Winery,, Sonoma County's Marimar Torres Estate, and Horse Heaven HIlls' Coyote Canyon Winery have been pioneers with this aromatic variety in their respective states.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Co-host Carlo DeVito joins David for a peek into the HV's oldest craft distillery with Derek Grout of Valatie's Harvest @ Golden Farms and what's likely one undergoing the fastest expansion with Andrew Richards of Millbrook's Shady Knoll. Both are heavily invested in the production and distillation of apples, a fruit first spread throughout and beyond the HV by the legendary Johnny Appleseed. But in keeping with the times, Shady Knoll and Harvest also fashion terrific whiskies from 100% Hudson Valley grains, topping out at national competitions with both iterations.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff