Grape Encounters Wine Radio

One-On-One with Xavier De Eizaguirre, Chairman of 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 Xavier De Eizaquirre, 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; and 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!

The Uncanny Success Story of the Cardella Winery!

At the beginning of each year, it is Grape Encounters’ pleasure to look back upon the wineries and winemakers featured on the show in the prior year and select one that we believe has truly distinguished themselves by producing a broad range of consistently outstanding wines. Host David Wilson says “This year’s choice was easy… not simply because the Cardella Winery in Mendota California has literally earned a pot of gold medals, but also because the place they call home is best known for modestly-priced table wines produced in very high volume.”

The past year, Grape Encounters had the privilege of introducing the folks at Cardella to millions of listeners who were as astonished by the quality of these wines as we were. Through innovation and an unwavering commitment to being exceptional, the Cardella Winery lived up to the prediction David made nearly a year ago. He said then that Cardella was destined to be one of America’s great cult wineries. On today’s show, you’ll learn why, as David returns to this small production boutique winery located smack dab in the middle of a region renowned for high-production everyday table wines.

Joining David for this discussion of the remarkable Cardella success story is Winemaker Nathan Cardella, winery owner (and Nathan’s father) Rod Cardella, and Sales and Tasting Room Manager Suzanne Palazzo. It’s a great story about great people making great wine!

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Grape Encounters’ 2016 Winery of the Year! The Uncanny Success Story of the Cardella Winery: At the beginning of each year, it is Grape Encounters’ pleasure to look back upon the wineries and winemakers featured on the show in the prior year and select one that we believe has truly distinguished themselves by producing a broad range of consistently outstanding wines. Host David Wilson says “This year’s choice was easy… not simply because the Cardella Winery in Mendota California has literally earned a pot of gold medals, but also because the place they call home is best known for modestly-priced table wines produced in very high volume.” The past year, Grape Encounters had the privilege of introducing the folks at Cardella to millions of listeners who were as astonished by the quality of these wines as we were. Through innovation and an unwavering commitment to being exceptional, the Cardella Winery lived up to the prediction David made nearly a year ago. He said then that Cardella was destined to be one of America’s great cult wineries. On today’s show, you’ll learn why, as David returns to this small production boutique winery located smack dab in the middle of a region renowned for high-production everyday table wines. Joining David for this discussion of the remarkable Cardella success story is Winemaker Nathan Cardella, winery owner (and Nathan’s father) Rod Cardella, and Sales and Tasting Room Manager Suzanne Palazzo. It’s a great story about great people making great wine!

David talks with Ryan Render, Director of Sales for Tonnellerie CADUS North America, as well as founder and winemaker at Rendarrio Vineyards. Ryan consults with wineries about choosing suitable barrels for their wines. Tonnellerie means barrel-making, or cooperage, and is one of the least understood aspects of winemaking. Ryan has a keen appreciation and understanding of how oak affects winemaking styles and needs.

Closing out the show, it’s Sipping with Sara, talking about the challenges of restaurant’s wines by-the-glass programs, including keg wines, boxes, oxidation and preservation.

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David talks with Ryan Render, Director of Sales for Tonnellerie CADUS North America, as well as founder and winemaker at Rendarrio Vineyards. Ryan consults with wineries about choosing suitable barrels for their wines. Tonnellerie means barrel-making, or copperage, and is one of the least understood aspects of winemaking. Ryan has a keen appreciation and understanding of how oak affects winemaking styles and needs. Closing out the show, it’s Sipping with Sara, talking about the challenges of restaurant’s wines by-the-glass programs, including keg wines, boxes, oxidation and preservation.

We’ve been covering the very tense state of affairs in the Finger Lakes wine region of New York for a couple of years now. It’s an ongoing saga with the potential to have a very unhappy ending if the government doesn’t step in and address the concerns of winemakers, leaders of a wide variety of key industries and, of course, the citizens of Upstate New York.

The drama revolves around a company from outside the state that has managed to get permission to store an unprecedented amount of liquid petroleum gas in abandoned salt caves beneath the incredibly beautiful Seneca Lake.

This kind of gas storage has an exceedingly bad track record when it comes to safety, and the threat to both the wine industry and residents of the area is very real to those who are determined to keep the region safe. On this week’s show you’ll get an update from two individuals who live and breathe the issue every single day.

First to join David by phone is one of the key leaders in the effort to stop the storage of fracked gas… Dr. Joseph Campbell. By no means an activist, Dr. Campbell, along with his partner, Yvonne Taylor, became involved in fighting to stop Crestwood Midstream of Houston from building an integrated gas storage and transport hub servicing the Northeast US on the shores of Seneca Lake. Dr. Campbell likes to say even though the out of state company says that the project is completely safe, "There is no right way to do the wrong thing."

Dr. Campbell, now President of Gas Free Seneca Lake provides us with loads of information that will really open your eyes. Scott Osborn, co-owner of Fox Run Vineyards and President of the Finger Lakes Wine Business Coalition, follows him on the show. Scott is one of the most respected winemakers in the Finger Lakes and is the past President of the New York Wine Industry Association. Few people have the insight Scott does when it comes to assessing the danger the Crestwood project poses to the wine industry and the community at large.

Learn more about the issue here: http://gasfreeseneca.com/

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We’ve been covering the very tense state of affairs in the Finger Lakes wine region of New York for a couple of years now. It’s an ongoing saga with the potential to have a very unhappy ending if the government doesn’t step in and address the concerns of winemakers, leaders of a wide variety of key industries and, of course, the citizens of Upstate New York. The drama revolves around a company from outside the state that has managed to get permission to store an unprecedented amount of liquid petroleum gas in abandoned salt caves beneath the incredibly beautiful Seneca Lake. This kind of gas storage has an exceedingly bad track record when it comes to safety, and the threat to both the wine industry and residents of the area is very real to those who are determined to keep the region safe. On this week’s show you’ll get an update from two individuals who live and breathe the issue every single day. First to join David by phone is one of the key leaders in the effort to stop the storage of fracked gas… Dr. Joseph Campbell. By no means an activist, Dr. Campbell, along with his partner, Yvonne Taylor, became involved in fighting to stop Crestwood Midstream of Houston, from building an integrated gas storage and transport hub servicing the Northeast US on the shores of Seneca Lake. Dr. Campbell likes to say even though the out of state company says that the project is completely safe, "There is no right way to do the wrong thing." Dr. Campbell, now President of Gas Free Seneca Lake provides us with loads of information that will really open your eyes. Scott Osborn, co-owner of Fox Run Vineyards and President of the Finger Lakes Wine Business Coalition, follows him on the show. Scott is one of the most respected winemakers in the Finger Lakes and is the past President of the New York Wine Industry Association. Few people have the insight Scott does when it comes to assessing the danger the Crestwood project poses to the wine industry and the community at large. Learn more about the issue here: http://gasfreeseneca.com/

You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover but… You Can Learn a Tremendous Amount About a Wine From the Label! It’s probably the single greatest frustration among wine enthusiasts: You buy a costly bottle of wine. anticipating a very positive experience, only to discover that what you thought was in the bottle was not what ended up in your glass! Is there a way to hedge your bet and better ensure that what you bought matches your expectations? On this week’s show, David welcomes Anne Reynolds, author of the book, “The Inside Story of a Wine Label.” Anne has spent many years working in the field of wine compliance. In fact, she owns her own business that assists wineries with the very complex task of complying with all regulations pertaining to wine labeling and more. Anne wrote her book after coming to the realization that the more consumers understand about the information that is required to be on a wine label, the better chance they have at choosing wines that do not disappoint. The TTB is the Federal Organization that regulates wine labeling. Many say there is sometimes no rhyme or reason to some of the TTB’s decisions. Nonetheless, Anne explains that the more you know about basic labeling requirements, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions!

PERFECTION TO THE 5TH POWER

It’s an achievement that most winemakers only dream of… earning a perfect 100 point score from legendary wine critic Robert Parker. Yes indeed, it’s nearly impossible to earn even one 100 point score during your career. But Mark Carter of Carter Cellars and Envy Wines has lots of years ahead of him and he has already earned an incomparable five 100-point scores from Parker.

A personal friend of host David Wilson, Mark had only earned one perfect score when he and David first met. But in the past couple of years, Mark has earned four more perfect scores… which is no surprise to David, who calls Mark’s Coliseum Vineyard Merlot his single favorite wine. However, it wasn’t Merlot that earned Mark these amazing accolades. Mark has really raised the bar when it comes to Napa Cabernet Sauvignons… earning 3 perfect scores in just one year.

So just how much does a perfect score effect the popularity and price of a wine? And how tough is it for a winemaker to remain humble after being crowned an undisputed champion? You’ll find out on this edition of Grape Encounters Radio. Our show ends with an episode of Sippin’ With Sara Schneider, Wine Editor of Sunset Magazine. If you want to know what varietals to keep your eyes on as they rise to greater prominence among wine lovers, you’ll definitely want to stick with this episode to the very last drop!

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PERFECTION TO THE 5TH POWER. It’s an achievement that most winemakers only dream of… earning a perfect 100 point score from legendary wine critic Robert Parker. Yes indeed, it’s nearly impossible to earn even one 100 point score during your career. But Mark Carter of Carter Cellars and Envy Wines has lots of years ahead of him and he has already earned an incomparable five 100 point scores from Parker. A personal friend of host David Wilson, Mark had only earned one perfect score when he and David first met. But in the past couple of years, Mark has earned four more perfect scores… which is no surprise to David, who calls Mark’s Coliseum Vineyard Merlot his single favorite wine. However, it wasn’t Merlot that earned Mark these amazing accolades. Mark has really raised the bar when it comes to Napa Cabernet Sauvignons… earning 3 perfect scores in just one year. So just how much does a perfect score effect the popularity and price of a wine? And how tough is it for a winemaker to remain humble after being crowned an undisputed champion? You’ll find out on this edition of Grape Encounters Radio. Our show ends with an episode of Sippin’ With Sara Schneider, Wine Editor of Sunset Magazine. If you want to know what varietals to keep your eyes on as they rise to greater prominence among wine lovers, you’ll definitely want to stick with this episode to the very last drop!