Great Times Behind the Wines

They may not be easy to pronounce, but Gewürztraminer and Grüner Veltliner are aromatic white wines that are certainly palate-pleasers! This episode allows listeners to learn all about these unique white wines, including their extensive histories, their best food pairings, and how you can simply enjoy their distinctive qualities during a tasting, especially when soaking in some summer sunshine. Hazlitt's Vinifera Winemaker Michael Reidy covers these facts and more, including how Gewürztraminer can be enjoyed much more often than with Thanksgiving dinner. And perhaps you've never heard of Grüner Veltliner, one of the most widely-grown varietals in Austria. Michael discusses how it's being increasingly cultivated in the Finger Lakes, and how along with Gewürztraminer, it's rewarding to grow and craft into delicious wines.

What do winemaking and cooking have in common? More than you might think! Just as a professional or at-home chef is always looking for the right ingredient to enhance a dish, winemakers are also always considering how they can make a wine exemplify the best of what the harvest offers! However, winemakers can't exactly scour a spice rack to add flavors to their wines, so how do they adjust a wine's flavor profile? Thankfully winemakers can turn to a special tool that's been honed since the earliest days of winemaking—blending wines! Hazlitt's vinifera winemaker Michael Reidy shares his extensive knowledge and experiences related to blending wines, and some tips for finding a blend that fits your palate. Listeners will also get a special "taste" of Hazlitt's newest premium blend, Homestead Reserve Prestige! 

For this episode, learn about Hazlitt’s newest product: wine seltzers! They are made using the winery's most famous wines and include Red Cat Splash, White Cat Splash, Pink Cat Splash, and Red Cat Dark Splash. Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Director of Sales and Business Development, Brad Phillips, and winemaker, Tim Benedict, describe the behind-the-scenes work that went into the creation of Splash and why it might just become your favorite summer sipper! 

Wines mentioned in this episode also relate to past episodes of this podcast, including Every Barrel Has a Story: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/every-wine-barrel-has-a-story/id1542407519?i=1000513491011 and Hazlitt's Fabulous Red Cat Fizz & White Cat Fizz https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/hazlitts-fabulous-red-cat-fizz-white-cat-fizz/id1542407519?i=1000549997796 

Riesling has become one of the most popular vinifera grapes in the Finger Lakes. The term "vinifera" means it is a varietal of European origin. It’s believed the grape dates back to around 1435 and was first cultivated in Germany, where it is likely native to the country’s  Rhine Valley. 

So how did this varietal, which produces a versatile and refreshing white wine, end up being so successful in a place as far away from its origins as the Finger Lakes region of New York state? What could be next for its evolution in the Finger Lakes? And why does Hazlitt now have four Rieslings made in three styles? 

We will answer these questions and more today by talking to our two guests: Paul Brady, Sommelier and Michael Reidy, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards' Vinifera Winemaker. Brady is a prominent supporter of New York Wine and he hosts a wine podcast called A Northern Wine Odyssey. He’s also a contributor to The Cork Report, the online publication that produces A Northern Wine Odyssey. It also explores and recognizes the unique places and people of North America’s distinctive wine regions. Additionally, Brady is working on opening an urban winery and retail space in Beacon, NY—check out paulbradywine.com for updates! You can also follow Paul's wine adventures at @paulbradywine and @lakewinesrule. 

Brady has received the honor of being named to Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40 list which recognizes the young winemakers, brewers, beverage directors, grape growers, and other individuals making major impacts in the beverage industry.

Michael is Hazlitt’s Vinifera Winemaker. He is among the first cohort to graduate from Cornell University’s Enology and Viticulture program. Enology is a science that deals with wine and winemaking. Michael is a longstanding guest on our show and he can you learn more about him and his career with Hazlitt in earlier podcasts. 

Paul and Michael are longtime friends and it was wonderful to have both of them on this show! They discuss Riesling in the Finger Lakes and beyond in addition to some other noteworthy cooler-climate wines. So pour yourself a glass and get ready to expand your appreciation of Riesling! 

To learn about buying one of Hazlitt's four Riesling options and visiting one of its two tasting room locations, check out hazlitt1852.com. 

► Riesling History Source   

More info about the local Humane Society Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards supports ► Humane Society of Schuyler County

1. Implementing the use of cover crops
2. Using compost made of grape pomace (the pulpy residue left over after the juice is squeezed from the grapes in the winemaking process) 
3. Minimizing pesticide use by utilizing and innovative sprayer
4. Collecting rainwater from the winery's warehouse roof

► Learn more about these and other initiatives

• United States EPA
• NPR Radio Segment

In this episode, you'll learn from Hazlitt’s Co-CEO & Owner Doug Hazlitt (the father of host Shannon Hazlitt Harts) and Vinifera Winemaker Michael Reidy about the role oak barrels play in making many wines, including Hazlitt's Barrel Fermented Chardonnay. They expertly describe the different types of oak barrels that are used in winemaking and the unique qualities they can impart to wines. In addition, listeners will gain background on the history of oak barrels in general winemaking and at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards—including how Doug Hazlitt snuck the first oak barrels into the production process! 

Hope you have your sweet tooth ready! In this episode, we’ll cover the unique processes and incredible flavors in the Hazlitt Solera Sherry and Vidal Blanc Ice Wine. First, we'll chat with Tim Benedict, Vice President of Cider and Winemaking. He’s the expert on the Solera Sherry, which is aged in barrels using a special process he’ll explain called The Solera Method. Then we’ll hear from Michael Reidy, Vinifera Winemaker, about the Vidal Blanc ice wine that's made using the traditional method—which involves allowing the grapes to freeze on the vine! 

For this episode of Great Times Behind the Wines, we’ll be diving into some tips and tricks for winetastings with Hazlitt’s Vinifera Winemaker, Michael Reidy—who does it as part of his job! Michael runs through the five S's of winemaking: See, Swirl, Sniff/Smell, Sip, and Savor.