Spain is Grenache’s original birthplace but today it is more recognized as a key player in French red blends of southern Rhone (ex. Chatuneuf du Pape). This grape is also popular in Sardegna, southern Italy, in which it is called Cannonau. Today’s producer is located in one of Italy’s most renowned wine estates in Nurra, a flat region that dominates the north-western side of Sardegna. 

Tune in now as I give you the backstory on how two friends from Piedmonte saw an uncultivated land with lots of potential and decided to buy one of the biggest estates in Europe to make delicious wine in Sardegna.  This grape is one of my favorite go-to wines when it comes down to picking a wine from Sardegna.  See if this producer is worth trying!

1:15 - Introduction to today’s wine

2:30 - Story behind the wine producer

3:45 - One of the largest estates in Europe

5:00 - Grenache thrives in mediteranean climates

6:00 - Calcareous soils at the estate

6:35 - Terrible problem to have

8:00 - Open the bottle for tasting

9:05 - Visual & olfactory analysis

11:05 - Taste the wine

12:50 - Rating on the wine

Today’s wine: Cannonau di Sardegna 2020 Riserva $19

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The largest and most populated region of Southern Italy is Campania and today I open up a white wine from there.  Campania is a unique territory that has a combination of a fresh rainy climate, Mediterranean latitudes and mountain viticulture. The style and character of the wines from here are very different from the classic “southern” stereotype (unclean, overripe, highly alcoholic wines). 

Founded in 1986, Feudi di San Gregorio is the largest wine producer in the region.  The brand vision is the belief that a bottle of wine and a work of art share the same creative process.  This is what ultimately inspired them to have a contemporary/traditional space and you can see that reflected on their wine label as well.  They collaborated with Massimo Vignelli to create the label they have today as well as continue to collaborate with other artists to not only help design certain labels or bottles but also help display works of art throughout the space.

Tune in to this new episode now as I give you all the details on the winery, the architecture and the art behind the label while I taste a glass of this delicious Falanghina.

1:30 - Introduction to today’s wine

2:22 - Campania, why is it different?

4:10 - Taurasi, my favorite wine

4:44 - Falanghina

6:20 - Traditional and contemporary vibes

6:45 - Massimo Vignelli

7:40 - Wine & Art go hand in hand

8:10 - The “Chablis” of Italy

9:15 - Open the bottle

10:00 - The importance of the cork

11:05 - Visual & Olfactory analysis

13:40 - Rating on the wine

15:00 - Food pairings for this wine

Today’s Wine: Feudi di San Gregorio Falangina 2021 $20

($18 at local super market called Doris)

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Today we get into a society of families who are growers in Saumur, a French wine region located in the Loire valley. This society was founded in 1956 with about 40 growers and today there are well over triple that amount. They are basically like-minded growers who want to produce high quality wines, tend to their vines with care and are proud to represent their terroir well.  In order to be a part of this society, the growers must adhere to sustainable viticulture principles.

Imposter syndrome… have you had that? (I sure have multiple times)  I dive into how we come across obstacles and challenges along our path and how it can get overwhelming.  In reality, obstacles and challenges are put in our path for a reason so that we can do what’s necessary to upgrade ourselves to where we need to be in the space we are in.  It’s wild out here but we got this! Tune in now to hear a little bit about the Saumur region, this society of growers, overcoming the challenges we face (especially when we are in a new space/environment) and taste this Cabernet Franc with me.

1:15 - Introducing today’s wine

1:33 - Group of growers

2:30 - Saumur, France

3:45 - Sustainable practices

5:21 - Imposter syndrome

6:25 - You are meant to be there

7:25 - It’s in your path for a reason

8:00 - Olfactory analysis

8:30 - Post fermentation

9:14 - Tasting notes

10:30 - Rating of the wine

Today’s Wine: Reserve Des Vignerons Summer Champigny Cabernet Franc 2022 $16

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Piemonte is one of my favorite wine regions in Italy… well I love and appreciate all Italian wines in general lol but I do tend to drink a lot from this region.  I open up a white wine made from the Cortese grape varietal which is produced in the town of Gavi (southeast of Torino).

I also happened to film this episode an hour before the Copa America finals so naturally I get into my game predictions on who will win. I also talk about the crazy Euro Cup final that took place earlier that day.  I love it when I combine two of my favorite things… soccer and wine.

Overall, you will hear about the design of the bottle, where the wine is from, what “mid-palate” means and of course dive into the world of soccer for a bit. This is by far one of my favorite go to white wines that never disappoints.

I hope you get to try this wine, I promise this one is worth it!

2:10 - Intro to where today’s wine is from

2:45 - Grape varietal

3:30 - Designer collab for the bottle

5:22 - The town of Gavi

5:50 - Pour wine for tasting

6:30 - Try the wine 

6:45 - Tasting notes

7:15 - Mid palate flavors

8.18 - Rating for this wine

8:40 - Copa America

9:30 - Viewpoint on James Rodriguez

10:00 - Euro Cup

Today’s Wine: Villa Sparina Gavi 2022 $18

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Another episode, another Georgian wine. Today I open up a red wine from the same producer we tried in episode 46 that is also part of the Lanchava collection.  The red wine I try today is made from the Saperavi grapes, which is used to make the regions most well-known red wines.

As I give you the spark notes on this bottle, I get into how our mind works and how powerful our mind really is.  We dive into trusting in a higher power and how you are meant to be exactly where you are.  Imposter syndrome sucks, we all go through it but at the end of the day you are more than ready for whatever opportunity presents itself to you (if you weren’t ready for it, it wouldn’t have presented itself to you.) YOU have a purpose in every experience and opportunity you are a part of.  Sometimes we don’t understand in the moment but I promise you every moment happens exactly as it should for everyone’s benefit.

This wine is from Kindzmarauli, the viticulture area in the region of Kakheti which is located in the eastern part of Georgia. Jump scare… it’s known to be a semi-sweet wine.  Tune in now to see if I end up liking the wine and see if it is worth trying.

Highly recommend listening with a glass of wine always.

1:15 - Intro to today’s wine

2:35 - Region of Kakheti

6:10 - Our mind is wild

7:40 - You are meant to be there

8:00 - Imposter syndrome

8:45 - Hungry for growth

10:45 - Inspire others to be their best selves

11:25 - Visual & olfactory analysis of the wine

14:10 - Rating for today’s wine

15:35 - Went out of the box & tried something new

Today’s Wine: Lanchava Collection Kindzmarauli Anastasia 2022 $18.99

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Today we get into one of the oldest-known wine regions in the world with a history dating back more than 8,000 years… Georgian wine.  Georgia is strongly associated with the continuation of ancient winemaking techniques like using clay vessels for fermentation and storage.

Claiming to be the birthplace of wine, Georgia thrived during the middle ages when it came to producing wine. Wine represents a significant component of Georgia’s economy and they have amazing terroirs and conditions that allow the grapes to thrive.  I get into the ups and downs throughout history for Georgian wine production and how they didn’t allow certain historic events to stop them from producing the best wine their country has to offer.

I also touch on a recent video I came across that really enlightened me with some great advice aka “Everything is your fault”.  As individuals, we need to stop treating our life as if we are the victim and realize that everything that happens to us is our own fault. 

Tune in know as I try this Georgian White Wine made of Mtsvane grapes and dive into how each of us need to be the CEO of our life. Hope you enjoy this one!

1:20 - Intro to today’s wine

2:50 - Mtsvane grape varietal

3:50 - OG of wine production

4:05 - Ancient winemaking techniques

5:25 - Soviet Union came into power

5:50 - Embargo all wine exports

6:35 - Open the bottle

7:10 - Best advice you have ever received

7:50 - Everything is your fault

9:00 - Adjust your perspective

9:25 - Be the CEO of your own life

10:25 - You have the power

10:40 - Visual & Olfactory analysis

12:40 - Rating on the wine

Today’s Wine: Lanchava Collection Saba Mtsvane $18

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Today we dive into the story behind one of the most known New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc brands…. Kim Crawford.  If the name doesn’t sound familiar just google the bottle and you will know exactly what brand it is. 

Sauvignon Blanc makes up more than 85% of New Zealand’s total wine exports.  The brands upbringing was pretty legendary because they had a solid sales plan… aka produce a “high value product” with an “instantaneous return”. Sauvignon Blanc can be sold within a year of production because it doesn’t need to be aged in barrels like other varietals.  Kim Crawford focused on the quality of the product, producing the wine, while his wife Erica managed the label.  As a brand, they grew quickly and profitably and eventually sold the label to a large beverage alcohol company.

With the profits they made, Kim and Erica bought a vineyard (Loveblock Wines) to start cultivating their own grapes which eventually led to them producing wine once again.  In this episode, I give you the spark notes story on their first label and the reason why they decided to sell it while diving into the vineyard they currently manage that produces top quality New Zealand wines.

We open up and taste a special Sauvignon Blanc in which the label is dedicated to Erica (Kim’s wife). I hope you get to try this wine and enjoy the episode!

1:25 - Intro to today’s episode

1:55 - Kim Crawford

2:55 - Big vision label

3:45 - Constellation Brands

4:30 - Why they sold the brand

5:20 - Build their own vineyard

5:40 - $50 million

6:30 - Non-compete clause

7:20 - Label synopsis

8:45 - Loveblock land

10:55 - Alluvial soils

13:45 - Open the wine

14:15 - Color & olfactory analysis

16:35 - Rating on the wine

Today’s Wine: Erica Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $30

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First Australian wine on the pod…yay!

I was recommended this producer and thought the label was pretty cool so of course I bought it to try it out.  Getting to know the story behind their label made it so much cooler.  Redmond Sweeny and Tony Davis founded Snake + Herring in 2010 and between them two, they agreed Tony would focus on making great wine and Red would focus on selling the wine.

Their safari range label is a visual representation of the spirit and soul of their brand that captures how Tony and Red grew up in rural Australia which is why they have so much respect for the land and are determined to produce the best wine the country has to offer.  Ultimately, their label reflects that quest and constant search they are on to find the best grapes in western Australia’s wine growing regions.

The coolest thing about their label over all is that they name each wine after one of their favorite songs (tell me you love music without telling me you love music).  Today’s bottle is called “Dirty Boots” and I believe its a song by Sonic Youth.  Overall, I love that they are music junky’s and have fun making wine while putting their own style and character into all aspects of the brand. Tune in now to learn all about this producer, the label/brand and get a first hand look at what this wine taste like.  Hopefully it encourages you to go out and try it yourself.

Hope you enjoy this episode… and some wine while you listen/watch.

1:15 - Intro to today’s Australian wine

1:50 - Founders of the brand

3:05 - They outsource their grapes

3:50 - Finding a hidden gem

4:20 - Sonic Youth is the name of the band

5:00 - Don’t judge a wine by it’s screw top

6:20 - Wine tax laws in Australia

7:15 - Olfactory analysis

8:30 - Solid Cabernet Sauvignon

9:00 - Rating on today’s wine

Today’s wine: Snake + Herring “Dirty Boots” Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $26

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Today’s Bordeaux blend is probably my favorite one yet for the price point.  I get into the history of today’s Producer which happens to be the longest unbroken line of ownership in the world of any wine family. Due to the Chateau’s location on the riverbank, it was known to protect citizens from attacks by the vikings which is why it appears to be a fortress.  So much history behind this beautiful castle that went from being a military fortress to a full time working vineyard and winery after the French Revolution.

As I open up today’s bottle to try, I also get into the importance of shooting for the sun, the moon and the stars when it comes to setting your goals.  The process of achieving those “crazy, wild goals” is the most important part because in putting in all that work and repetition is where you unlock and accomplish more than you thought you would. Tune in now to get all the details on today’s wine and my thoughts on accomplishing your goals and getting the best results that will unlock the best version of you yet.

1:25 - Intro to today’s wine

2:22 - Protecting citizens from the Vikings

3:30 - Longest unbroken line of ownership

4:35 - Blend of grapes

6:00 - Open the bottle for tasting

6:35 - If it’s meant for you, it will happen for you

7:45 - Put in the reps

9:55 - Aim for the sun, the moon & the stars

11:03 - Anything is possible

12:20 - Set the boundary

13:00 - Visual & olfactory analysis

13:40 - Taste the wine

15:35 - Rating for this wine

16:40 - Food I would pair this wine with

Today’s wine: Chateau De Lamarque Marquis d’Evry 2018 $35

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Have you ever tried a white Bordeaux??…. Today is the first time I open one up to try it out.  The producer I open up today has been around for centuries…. Since the middle ages basically.  All of us know that Bordeaux is the world capital of wine located in the south western part of France.  Most people think of red wine (most people being me LOL) when it comes to Bordeaux so I was really surprised when I came across this and was like “we need to try it!” 

Chateau Bastor-Lamontagne is located in Preignac which is a small town within Bordeaux.  They are known as primarily a dessert wine producer and only produce a small batch of dry white wine which is what we get to try today. Listen in know to get all the details on this producer, the history, the grapes and see if this one is worth your $$.

Cheers to another episode, enjoy!

1:15 - Intro to today’s wine

2:00 - Ancient royal property

2:48 - Preignac

3:10 - Grapes grown on the property

5:00 - Have the confidence to move forward

5:50 - Mistakes are important

6:45 - Keep on failing

8:05 - Enjoy what you do

9:15 - Olfactory analysis of the wine

9:55 - Try the wine

10:10 - Tasting notes on the wine

11:11 - What food I would pair with this wine

12:05 - Rating on the wine

Today’s wine: Confidence De Bastor-Lamontagne Bordeaux 2022 $20

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