Grape Encounters Wine Radio

WINESONG 2016 DEMONSTRATES VINO’S INCREDIBLE POWER TO FUEL ACTS OF SELFLESS CHARITY

This week, Host David Wilson takes listeners to the breathtaking Mendocino Coast of California for the 32nd Annual Winesong, a weekend of spectacular wine, food, fine art, music and merriment. Winesong begins with A Pinot Noir Celebration: Meet the Winemakers, featuring world-class Pinot Noirs from acclaimed regions like the Anderson Valley, paired with culinary treats from the tasting event host, the Little River Inn.

The next day, it's the Wine & Food Grand Tasting in the enchanting Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens where nearly 50 food purveyors and a wide range of live music is offered up to compliment world-class wines from Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and beyond.

The show continues into the Live and Silent Auction tents, where 100 lots of rare and fine wine, fine art and unparalleled vacation packages are to be auctioned off for the benefit of the Mendocino Coast District Hospital.

Guests on the show include this world-class event’s Director, Jamie Peters; Guy Pacurar and Sarah Schoeneman of Fathers and Daughters Cellars in the Anderson Valley; Jeff Hansen, Winemaker for Lula Cellars in Mendocino Wine Country; and Sunset Magazine’s Wine Editor Sara Schneider who joins David for their very first field trip together!

It’s a very special Grape Encounters that takes listeners from around the world to one of the most magical wine events in America and beyond!

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This week, Host David Wilson takes listeners to the breathtaking Mendocino Coast of California for the 32nd Annual Winesong, a weekend of spectacular wine, food, fine art, music and merriment. Winesong begins with A Pinot Noir Celebration: Meet the Winemakers, featuring world-class Pinot Noirs from acclaimed regions like the Anderson Valley, paired with culinary treats from the tasting event host, the Little River Inn. The next day, its the Wine & Food Grand Tasting in the enchanting Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens where nearly 50 food purveyors and a wide range of live music is offered up to compliment world-class wines from Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and beyond. The show continues into the Live and Silent Auction tents, where 100 lots of rare and fine wine, fine art and unparalleled vacation packages are to be auctioned off for the benefit of the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Guests on the show include this world-class event’s Director, Jamie Peters; Guy Pacurar and Sarah Schoeneman of Fathers and Daughters Cellars in the Anderson Valley; Jeff Hansen, Winemaker for Lula Cellars in Mendocino Wine Country; and Sunset Magazine’s Wine Editor Sara Schneider who joins David for their very first field trip together! It’s a very special Grape Encounters that takes listeners from around the world to one of the most magical wine events in America and beyond!

David Wilson hosts Master Sommelier Geoff Kruth, President of GuildSomm.com, and also co-producer of the movie SOMM: Into the Bottle. Geoff brings vitality, passion, and extensive knowledge to his role as President of Guildsomm.com and one about 200 people worldwide to achieve the distinction of Master Sommelier. He graduated from Sonoma State University with bachelors degrees in Computer Science and Music and moved to Silicon Valley to pursue a career in the tech industry but a blossoming wine hobby became an obsession that lead to his enrollment in the French Culinary Institute's Classic Culinary Arts program in New York. He worked as Sommelier for Manhattan’s Balthazar Group and then Wine Director of The Farmhouse in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. He finally made use of that Computer Science degree in 2008 in creating the GuildSomm website.

David and Geoff discuss GuildSomm.com, California Wine Month and the birth and re-birth of grape-growing and winemaking in CA. Super-interesting and very informative, you’ll really enjoy this show!

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David Wilson hosts Master Sommelier Geoff Kruth, President of GuildSomm.com, and also co-producer of the movie SOMM: Into the Bottle. Geoff brings vitality, passion, and extensive knowledge to his role as President of Guildsomm.com and one about 200 people worldwide to achieve the distinction of Master Sommelier. He graduated from Sonoma State University with bachelors degrees in Computer Science and Music and moved to Silicon Valley to pursue a career in the tech industry but a blossoming wine hobby became an obsession that lead to his enrollment in the French Culinary Institute's Classic Culinary Arts program in New York. He worked as Sommelier for Manhattan’s Balthazar Group and then Wine Director of The Farmhouse in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. He finally made use of that Computer Science degree in 2008 in creating the GuildSomm website. David and Geoff discuss GuildSomm.com, California Wine Month and the birth and re-birth of grape-growing and winemaking in CA. Super-interesting and very informative, you’ll really enjoy this show!

David Wilson hosts Sara Schneider, Wine Editor of Sunset Magazine, to endeavor to answer the impossible question, “What Makes a Wine Good?” There are so many factors that determine what an individual’s perception of wine enjoyment vs. assigning a quality assessment, that it really IS an impossible question. David and Sara do their best to debunk pretentious wine geek speak and snobbery about wine ratings from established industry experts, and focus on the freedom of every person to determine for themselves what is a good wine for them.

Download this episode

David Wilson hosts Sara Schneider, Wine Editor of Sunset Magazine, to endeavor to answer the impossible question, “What Makes a Wine Good?” There are so many factors that determine what an individual’s perception of wine enjoyment vs. assigning a quality assessment, that it really IS an impossible question. David and Sara do their best to debunk pretentious wine geek speak and snobbery about wine ratings from established industry experts, and focus on the freedom of every person to determine for themselves what is a good wine for them.

David Wilson hosts journalist, television personality, and cookbook author David Rosengarten, who has covered great food products, restaurants, wines, gastronomic travel destinations, and related subjects for over 25 years. He has written hundreds of articles and contributed hundreds of original recipes to publications such as Gourmet (where he was Restaurant Critic from 1996 to 2000), The New York Times, Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Harper’s Bazaar, Departures, The Wine Spectator, Saveur, and Newsday. David is perhaps best known for his work on the Food Network, where he has hosted or co-hosted approximately 2,500 shows. He was co-anchor of In Food Today with Donna Hanover and host/chef of Taste, a cooking show devoted to teaching the principles of good taste in food and wine. Taste was honored by the James Beard Foundation for Best National TV Cooking Show. He is a sought-after jurist for wine, food, chef, and sommelier competitions and travels throughout the world, writing and lecturing on a wide range of culinary and oenological topics. David is also well-known for his newsletter, THE ROSENGARTEN REPORT.

Then on Sipping with Sara, David and Sara Schneider talk about 2-Buck Chuck phenomenon. Cheers!

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David Wilson hosts journalist, television personality, and cookbook author David Rosengarten, who has covered great food products, restaurants, wines, gastronomic travel destinations, and related subjects for over 25 years. He has written hundreds of articles and contributed hundreds of original recipes to publications such as Gourmet (where he was Restaurant Critic from 1996 to 2000), The New York Times, Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, Harper’s Bazaar, Departures, The Wine Spectator, Saveur, and Newsday. David is perhaps best known for his work on the Food Network, where he has hosted or co-hosted approximately 2,500 shows. He was co-anchor of In Food Today with Donna Hanover and host/chef of Taste, a cooking show devoted to teaching the principles of good taste in food and wine. Taste was honored by the James Beard Foundation for Best National TV Cooking Show. He is a sought-after jurist for wine, food, chef, and sommelier competitions and travels throughout the world, writing and lecturing on a wide range of culinary and oenological topics. David is also well-known for his newsletter, THE ROSENGARTEN REPORT. The Report centers on finding the best of the best—whether the subject is mail-order shellfish or single origin chocolate! Initially published from 2001 to 2008, the newsletter won the James Beard Award for best food newsletter in America, and attracted 50,000 paid subscribers. Then on Sipping with Sara, David and Sara Schneider talk about the 2 Buck Chuck phenomenon.

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.

Download this episode

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.