Grape Encounters Wine Radio

It's amazing to see what is happening in the craft beer industry. Just a few years ago, wine had replaced beer as the most popular adult beverage in America. But boy oh boy, is beer picking up steam… perhaps Anchor Steam that is! The craft beer industry is going bonkers with new microbreweries popping up every week and new and completely off-the-wall beers being produced at a dizzying pace... which begs the question, "Is the craft beer industry taking cues from the wine industry?" To help David answer that question, we welcome guest Jeff Smith, Producer and director of Craft: The California Beer Documentary. Jeff decided he was going to visit 80 breweries in 30 days!  In doing so, the similarities between the boutique wine business and the craft beer business became obvious. You'll see what we mean on this edition of Grape Encounters. Also on this week’s Grape Encounters, David introduces a new wine accessory that he and his team have been working on for eight years! This week, it goes public! Stay tuned to learn more. Finally, a series of stories that make up this week’s edition of Grape Encounters News. Listen in if you want to be the most informed person at your next dinner party!

Plus, Farm Labor Fears on the New Political Landscape

Brian Talley of Talley Vineyards and Talley Farms in the Arroyo Grande Valley on the Central Coast of California welcomes David to his breathtaking tasting room to talk about two very unrelated wine topics; one on the light side, the other a bit heavy.

Brian Talley with his new book, Our California Table

First, the light side: it’s been a running joke on Grape Encounters since day one. Despite its popularity, David has never had much love for one of the world’s most popular grape varietals; Pinot Noir. Now admittedly, much of David’s behind-the-microphone aversion is purely playful and more a counterpoint to what he would describe as a national obsession with a varietal popularized by a fictitious character. But when David and Brian get together (Brian specializes in Pinot Noir) you just never quite know where the playful point-and-counterpoint will take listeners.

Next, the heavy topic: With a brand new administration in the White House, there is a lot of uncertainty and downright fear about impact pending legislation may have on the farming industry. With so many farmers, including grape growers, seemingly reliant on workers from other countries, do farmers and workers have something to worry about and, if so, what solutions are there? Brian and his family have operated a major farming enterprise for many years and we think you’ll appreciate his very keen understanding of the issues and where we go from here.

Plus, Brian has just released a gorgeous cookbook, Our California Table, Celebrating the Seasons with the Talley Family, a farm to table book with recipes featuring produce from their farm and wines from their vineyards. Profits from the sale of the book benefit the Fund for Vineyard and Farm Workers, the charitable endowment that supports the farm worker community in San Luis Obispo County, CA.

So fill up your glass for a delightful afternoon with Winemaker & Farmer Extraordinaire Brian Talley and Grape Encounters Host David Wilson!

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Brian Talley of Talley Vineyards and Talley Farms in the Arroyo Valley on the Central Coast of California welcomes David to his breathtaking tasting room to talk about two very unrelated wine topics; one on the light side, the other a bit heavy. First the heavy topic: With a brand new administration in the White House, there is a lot of uncertainty and downright fear about impact pending legislation may have on the farming industry. With so many farmers, including grape growers, seemingly reliant on workers from other countries, do farmers and workers have something to worry about and, if so, what solutions are there? Brian and his family have operated a major farming enterprise for many years and we think you’ll appreciate his very keen understanding of the issues and where we go from here. Now to the light side: It’s been a running joke on Grape Encounters since day one. Despite it’s popularity, David has never had much love for one of the world’s most popular Grape varietals; Pinot Noir. Now admittedly, much of David’s behind-the-microphone aversion is purely playful and more a counterpoint to what he would describe as a national obsession with a varietal popularized by a fictitious character. But when David and Brian get together (Brian specializes in Pinot Noir) you just never quite know where the playful point and counterpoint will take listeners. So fill up your glass for a delightful afternoon with Winemaker & Farmer Extraordinaire Brian Talley and Grape Encounters Host David Wilson!

He’s known around the country as the Sommelier of the stars. That’s because both Hollywood and corporate elite turn to him for wine advice. Christopher Sawyer is without a doubt one of the most colorful figures in the wine business, and if there’s a major event or wine competition, you can bet that Chris is on the A-List.

Chris Sawyer, internationally-renowned sommelier, wine educator, journalist, consultant, critic and public speaker

That’s why every year around Oscar season, David loves to have Chris on the show to talk about a very unusual wine pairing concept; pairing wines with the Academy’s finest. Now usually, David has Chris Sawyer on the show before the awards are handed out and both David and Chris share the wines they would each pair with the Best Picture Nominees. This year, they decided to change things up a bit by waiting until the Oscars were over. That way, they could suggest wines to pair with each of the winners in the major categories.

Is there something to the notion that wines pair with more than food? Is it possible that there is a connection between wines and what we love entertainment-wise? David insists that there is a very clear connection between our personalities, preferences and the wines we love.

Hey, you may be skeptical, but we think you could be a believer after this episode of Grape Encounters Radio. Even if you’re not convinced, you surely will have a really good time!

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He’s known around the country as the Sommelier to the stars. That’s because both Hollywood and corporate elite turn to him for wine advice. Christopher Sawyer is without a doubt one of the most colorful figures in the wine business, and if there’s a major event or wine competition, you can bet that Chris is on the A-List. That’s why every year around Oscar season, David loves to have Chris on the show to talk about a very unusual wine pairing concept; pairing wines with the Academy’s finest. Now usually, David has Chris Sawyer on the show before the awards are handed out and both David and Chris share the wines they would each pair with the Best Picture Nominees. This year, they decided to change things up a bit by waiting until the Oscars were over. That way, they could suggest wines to pair with each of the winners in the major categories. Is there something to the notion that wines pair with more than food? Is it possible that there is a connection between wines and what we love entertainment-wise? David insists that there is a very clear connection between our personalities, preferences and the wines we love. Hey, you may be skeptical, but we think you could be a believer after this episode of Grape Encounters Radio. Even if you’re not convinced, you surely will have a really good time!

As the U.S. wine industry basks in the glow of premiumization once again, the issue of luxury wine pricing is gaining more attention. However, a review of the luxury wine marketing literature generates more confusion than light on the issue, and makes it difficult to answer the question: what price is luxury wine? This week on Grape Encounters, David visits with Dr. Liz Thach, MW of Sonoma State University who, along with other prominent researchers examined the definition of luxury, analyzed current pricing structures and proposed a new luxury wine price continuum in a brand new research study. What are the variables that make a wine “luxury?” David gets to the heart of the matter with Dr. Thach. Then, Winemaker Nathan Cardella joins David in the studio to discuss how winemakers set their prices. Is it arbitrary? Is it what the market will bear? More importantly, are most wines priced fairly? Nathan shares and tells all in this frank discussion on Grape Encounters Radio!

As the U.S. wine industry basks in the glow of premiumization once again, the issue of luxury wine pricing is gaining more attention. However, a review of the luxury wine marketing literature generates more confusion than light on the issue, and makes it difficult to answer the question: what price is luxury wine?

Dr. Liz Thach, MW of Sonoma State University

This week on Grape Encounters, David visits with Dr. Liz Thach, MW of Sonoma State University who, along with other prominent researchers examined the definition of luxury, analyzed current pricing structures and proposed a new luxury wine price continuum in a brand new research study.

What are the variables that make a wine “luxury?” David gets to the heart of the matter with Dr. Thach.

Then, Winemaker Nathan Cardella joins David in the studio to discuss how winemakers set their prices. Is it arbitrary? Is it what the market will bear? More importantly, are most wines priced fairly? Nathan shares and tells all in this frank discussion on Grape Encounters Radio!

Nathan Cardella of the Cardella Winery

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After 5 years of unprecedented drought in California, the flood finally came… and did it ever put the enormous dry spell to bed. For several weeks, creeks in many of California’s wine regions have been overflowing their banks; a double-edged sword as plenty of damage occurred to infrastructure, but water supplies returned to 100% and even more.

Gladys Horiuchi, Director of Media Relations at the Wine Institute

Just what effect is all that rain having in the Golden State? Well they might have to rename it the Green State!

In this week’s show, David turns to Wine Institute Media Relations Director Gladys Horiuchi who expects everything will come up rosy this year. That would be a great thing since, in spite of the drought, the dry years have been very good to the quality of California wines!

While he has her on the line, David reviews a brand new report on the enormous dollar volume of wine being exported to other countries… a pleasant revelation, considering all talk of the US being more of an importer than an exporter. Just how much economic impact does the Golden State wine industry have? Tune in!

Also in this episode, a little catching up on interesting stories from the wine world that will definitely make you look well informed at your next get-together! All this and more on this week’s Grape Encounters Radio!

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After 5 years of unprecedented drought in California, the rain finally came… and did it ever put the enormous dry spell to bed. For several weeks, creeks in many of California’s wine regions have been overflowing their banks; a double-edged sword as plenty of damage occurred to infrastructure, but water supplies returned to 100% and even more. Just what effect is all that rain having in the Golden State? Well they might have to rename it the Green State! In this week’s show, David turns to Wine Institute Media Relations Director Gladys Horiuchi who expects everything will come up rosy this year. That would be a great thing since, in spite of the drought, the dry years have been very good to the quality of California wines! While he has her on the line, David reviews a brand new report on the enormous dollar volume of wine being exported to other countries… a pleasant revelation, considering all talk of the US being more of an importer than an exporter. Just how much economic impact does the Golden State wine industry have? Also in this episode, a little catching up on interesting stories from the wine world that will definitely make you look well informed at your next get-together! All this and more on this week’s Grape Encounters Radio!

One-On-One with Xavier De Eizaguirre, Chairman of Vinexpo Bordeaux, Europe’s Biggest Wine Soiree!

This June, Bordeaux will host the most stylish wine industry show in the world, Vinexpo 2017. Vinexpo is the gold standard when it comes to wine and spirit trade expositions, drawing nearly 50,000 buyers from around the world and featuring nearly 2500 exhibitors from 42 producing countries.

At the helm of this mammoth soirée is , the event’s Chairman, and Grape Encounters Radio listeners will be among the first to hear what’s in store as David welcomes him to the program by phone. This is an interview you absolutely must not miss as Xavier is truly one of the world’s leading authorities on all facets of the industry!

This intimate one-on-one interview can only be described as intriguing, enlightening, engaging and delightful! David and Xavier cover a great deal of ground in a short period of time including:

* The evolution of organic wines, their effect on the industry and how important they are in the grand scheme of the Vinexpo Bordeaux’s 2017 program.

* Spain as the Country of Honor and their prominence on the global wine stage.

* New initiatives and updates to the Vinexpo Bordeaux program.

* A preview of the soon-to-be-released results of this year’s Vinexpo-commissioned study on U.S. and global wine trends.

There’s so much to learn about today’s wine industry—and if ever there was an opportunity to absorb a lot of information in one sitting, this is it. What an amazing honor to have Xavier De Eizaguirre join us to talk Vinexpo on the radio!

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