Episode 11
February 16, 2023
Master Sommelier Sur Lucero was the fourteenth Krug Cup winner, passing all three levels of the Master Sommelier Exam on his first attempt while earning the highest score. He honed his palate working at The French Laundry, The Little Nell, Cyrus, Meadowood Resort, and Daniel Boulud Las Vegas. Sur joins the Podcast to share his tips on how to assess wine, which is a great way to understand what you like and how to then communicate that. 

** Taste along with us using this Blind Tasting Grid **

Wine Featured on This Episode:
2018 Smith-Madrone Riesling
2018 Aldo Conterno Bussia Barolo Piedmont

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Our Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin
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Articles Discussed

To Kalon Vineyard Achieves Organic Certification

Pinault family acquires Champagne Jacquesson

Is wine good for your skin?


Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin
Associate Producer: Laura Koffer
Music: Diego's Umbrella

How to Taste Wine Like a Pro Featuring Sur Lucero MS

Wine Access Unfiltered—The Official Podcast and Wine Club of Wine Access—goes deep into what we really love about wine: the intimate moments, unforgettable occasions, and hilarious stories that a great bottle brings about. Hosted by former PRESS wine director and Napa Valley insider Amanda McCrossin with appearances from our team of unrivaled experts, we’re popping our favorite bottles and sharing them with you.

The Wine Access Unfiltered Wine Club delivers a completely new wine education experience. Once every two months, you’ll receive four bottles. They will all be featured and discussed on the Wine Access Unfiltered podcast. That way, you can drink along with us as we tell stories, share knowledge, and answer your questions!

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

If you’ve ordered a bottle of Barolo in the last 20 years, you can probably thank Jeff Porter for that. Despite now being a staple on wine lists and collections, Piedmont wines haven’t always received the same reverence as their French counterparts. Former wine and beverage director for Batali & Bastianich Hospitality—turned Wine Enthusiast writer and reviewer for northern Italy—left NYC to fully immerse himself in the heart of Piemonte. He joins us for an insider’s look at the region: From surprising misnomers about aging Barolo to the best value in the region, this episode takes you way beyond Nebbiolo and deep into the culture, history, and vibe of this iconic region.
Wine Featured on this Episode 
2020 Runchet Nebbiolo Langhe Piedmont

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4 bottles per shipment hand selected by Amanda

Delivered every 2 months (1 wine/episode) / 6x per year

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Host: Amanda McCrossin
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The Savvy Wine Buyers Guide to Piedmont Featuring Jeff Porter

“If you were stuck with only Australian wine to drink, you would never be bored,” claimed guest Mark Davidson—who has been championing Australia for the better part of 2 decades. His book “The Wines of Australia” focuses on this new world region—which has some of the oldest vines in the world, nearly every grape and style of wine on the planet, and some of the best values in the wine world. Plus, we give you the scoop on the major Burgundy hail storms and discuss why Robert Mondavi is teaming up with an unlikely collaborator. Your savvy wine buying guide to Australian wine starts now.
Wine Featured on This Episode:
2021 The Story "Super G" Grampians, Australia
Producers/Wines Mentioned:

Tolpuddle Chardonnay

House of Arras (Sparkling)

Clonakilla

Mayer (Pinot Noir)

Leeuwin Estate (Art Series Chardonnay)

Tyrrell's (Vat 1 Semillon)

Grosset (Riesling)

Henschke

Unico Zelo

Ochota Barrels

Shaw & Smith

Vasse Felix


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4 bottles per shipment hand selected by Amanda

Delivered every 2 months (1 wine/episode) / 6x per year

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Links and Mentions

Nothing Left to Say? By Karen MacNeil

Men's Journal Wine Column

Wine News in 5 on IG by Samantha Cole Johnson (Senior US Editor , Jancis Robinson)


Follow us on social!
IG: @wineaccessunfiltered
Twitter:  @wineaccesspod
Host: Amanda McCrossin
Shop all the wines at Wine Access

Wines of Australia featuring Mark Davidson

Champagne might be the king of bubbly, but that doesn’t mean it’s the surefire option for every situation. Sommelier Matthew Kaner—former SommTV host and current wine correspondent for Men’s Journal—joins us to discuss the unique characteristics of the world’s best sparkling wines and how they can play a starring role … starting with Italy. While Emilia-Romagna might be best known for cars and food—and Venice for Gondolas—both serve as home base for Italy’s most famous apertif-friendly wines. Plus, we talk the challenges for wine writers in today’s landscape and how America became to Prosecco’s greatest ally.
Wine Featured on This Episode:
2022 Fattoria Moretto Canova Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Emilia-Romagna
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4 bottles per shipment hand selected by Amanda

Delivered every 2 months (1 wine/episode) / 6x per year

$120 + tax

Shipping Included

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10% off all Wine Access purchases


Links and Mentions

Nothing Left to Say? By Karen MacNeil

Men's Journal Wine Column

Wine News in 5 on IG by Samantha Cole Johnson (Senior US Editor , Jancis Robinson)


Follow us on social!
IG: @wineaccessunfiltered
Twitter:  @wineaccesspod
Host: Amanda McCrossin
Shop all the wines at Wine Access

ABC: Anything But Champagne featuring Matthew Kaner

It’s the 5th most planted grape in the world and the most planted white wine grape in California—but sometimes it feels like everyone hates Chardonnay. In this episode we’re diving into this very misunderstood grape variety, how its reputation as an over-oaked sugar cookie is falling by the wayside, and why it’s Amanda’s “desert island grape.” Wine-vlogger and sommelier Cokie of @cokiesworldofwine (over 300k on IG) joins to share some fool-proof tips on spotting bottles you’ll love just by looking at them.
Wine Featured on This Episode:
2019 Adelsheim Vineyard Chardonnay Staking Claim Chehalem Mountains Willamette Valley 

Join the Unfiltered Podcast Wine Club

4 bottles per shipment hand selected by Amanda

Delivered every 2 months (1 wine/episode) / 6x per year

$120 + tax

Shipping Included

Cancel anytime

10% off all Wine Access purchases


Follow us on social!
IG: @wineaccessunfiltered
Twitter:  @wineaccesspod
Host: Amanda McCrossin
Shop all the wines at Wine Access

Why Do People Think They Hate Chardonnay? Featuring @cokiesworldofwine

When it comes to wine regions, does one region rule them all? We’re putting the greats up against each other and breaking down the intricacies of selecting wine out in the wild. When should you choose Washington or Tuscany over Bordeaux? Does Champagne always make the best sparkling or are there situations where Cava or Prosecco make more sense? Plus, the wine world’s greatest con-man Rudy Kurniawan is back in business—and we’ve got the inside scoop on what he’s up to and why his bottles might become valuable collectibles.
Wine Featured on This Episode:
2015 Balboa 'Mith' Red Wine

Join the Unfiltered Podcast Wine Club

4 bottles per shipment hand selected by Amanda

Delivered every 2 months (1 wine/episode) / 6x per year

$120 + tax

Shipping Included

Cancel anytime

10% off all Wine Access purchases


Follow us on social!
IG: @wineaccessunfiltered
Twitter:  @wineaccesspod
Host: Amanda McCrossin
Shop all the wines at Wine Access

How to Taste Wine Like a Pro Featuring Sur Lucero MS

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