What if I told you there's a grape variety that can fool even experienced sommeliers in blind tastings? It has the reputation of a shape-shifting chameleon that tastes like strawberries and herbs in France, licorice and cinnamon in Spain, fig and leather in Italy, and bold, fruit forward red fruits in the US - all while being the exact same grape variety?

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://yt.openinapp.co/Grenache

Full tasting note:

www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/7/grenache-garnacha

Visit the Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog

PRODUCERS TO KNOW

Southern Rhône

Domaine du Pegau | Clos des Papes | Domaine Saint-Préfert

Priorat

Alvaro Palacios | Clos Mogador

Sardinia

Argiolas | Sella & Mosca

Australia

d’Arenberg | Yangarra

USA

Tablas Creek | Bonny Doon

CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

00:50 Tasting Note

01:18 Appearance

01:38 Aromas

02:37 Palateand Structure

05:34 History

08:08 Viticulture

10:24 Winemaking

12:00 Service and Food Pairing

13:08 Producers to Know

Chenin Blanc is a highly versatile white grape variety that can produce dry, off-dry, sweet, and sparkling wines. Chenin has floral and tree fruit aromas including apple, pear, and quince. Its signature aromas include lanolin, wet wool, and camomile.

Dry styles predominate in Savennières. Luscious and sweeter styles historically come from Vouvray, Bonnezeaux, Quarts de Chaume. Its largest production is in South Africa, where it is called Steen.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NdCh-83ARMM

Full tasting note:

www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/6/chenin-blanc

Visit the Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog

PRODUCERS TO KNOW

Sparkling wines from Vouvray

Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau, Pétillant Brut

Domaine Vincent Carême, L’Ancestrale

Savennières

Domaine Fournier Longchamps, Roche aux Moines

Damien Laureau, Les Genêts

Domaine des Hauts Baigneux, Les Chênes

Domaine Eric Morgat, Fides

Saumur

Domaine Mélaric, Billes de Roche

Quarts de Chaume, Anjou

Château Pierre Bise

Domaine des Forges

Bonnezeaux

Château de Fesles

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Bellingham Wines

Breedekloof

Quest Wines

Paarl

Fairview Wines, La Beryl Blanc (sweet)

CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

00:50 Tasting Note

01:18 Appearance

01:38 Aromas

02:37 Palate and Structure

05:34 History

08:08 Viticulture

10:24 Winemaking

12:00 Service and Food Pairing

13:08 Producers to Know

Gamay is a fun, playful, and delicious grape. Its reputation is dominated by Beaujolais Nouveau, a simple primeur wine whose popularity peaked in the 1970s and 80s. Since the early 2000s, the 10 Beaujolais Cru appellations have distinguished Gamay as a more serious variety among sommeliers and people in the know. Gamay is a fantastic food wine, especially when grilling or assembling a smorgasbord of diverse flavors.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X9GVrRCYtuw 

Full tasting note: www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/5/gamay 

Visit the Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog 

PRODUCERS TO KNOW

Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes

Maison Piron

Marcel Lapierre

Domaine Julien Sunier

CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

00:44 Appearance

01:14 Aromas

02:18 Palate and Structure

02:42 Distinctions for blind tasting

03:07 History

04:17 Viticulture

05:27 Winemaking

07:13 Service and Food Pairing

09:00 Producers to Know

Today’s topic is Chardonnay, the most planted white wine grape in the world, and one of the most versatile grapes in the glass.

Chardonnay has been described as a chameleon because it expresses itself differently depending on climate, terrain, and skilled manipulation during vinification.

In the 1980s and 90s the world became “Chardonized” as its popularity soared, particularly in the US market where heavy oak treatment and higher alcohol levels met the demand for a sweeter American pallet.

Today, a more traditional approach that favors acidity, leanness, and fresh fruit are back in favor.

In any event, Chardonnay remains the stalwart base for many of the world’s best sparkling, still, and even sweet wines.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gAyyIOP5W5s 

Full tasting note: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/4/chardonnay 

Visit the Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog

PRODUCERS TO KNOW

Chablis

William Fevre (Les Clos, 1er Fourchaume) 

Domaine Christian Moreau

Vincent Dauvissat

Jean Marc Brocard

Côte d'Or

Domaine Leflaive

Arnaud Ente

Macon

Domaine Corsin

Chile

Concha y Toro

Casas del Bosque

South Australia: 

Shaw & Smith

Napa

Stony Hill

Patz & Hall (Hyde Vineyard, Carneros)

Hyde de Villaine (Hyde Vineyards and Aubert de Villaine of DRC)

Sonoma

Littorai (Charles Heintz plot) “Lit-or-eye”

Hirsch Vineyards (Sonoma Coast)

Hanzell (Sonoma Valley)

Central Coast

The Hilt (Vanguard)

CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Appearance

01:01 Aromas

02:34 Palate and Structure

02:56 Distinctions for blind tasting

04:39 History

05:23 Viticulture

06:33 Winemaking

07:21 Service and Food Pairing

08:13 Producers to Know

If grape varieties had passports, then Cabernet Sauvignon would need extension pages. Originally from Bordeaux, this grape traveled the globe, from France to the US, Australia, South Africa, Italy, and Chile. Cabernet is famous as the base for some of the richest, most complex wines in the world. Its elevated acidity, tannins, and alcohol offer excellent aging potential.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0472CbwZbMY?si=Lv4L83vyWYn8HTS5

Full tasting note: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/3/cabernet-sauvignon

Visit the Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog

CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:39 Appearance

00:54 Aromas

02:53 Aromas for Bordeaux, Napa, Australian, and Chilean Cab

04:50 Palate and Structure

05:43 Distinctions for Blind Tasting

06:10 History

06:57 Viticulture

07:56 Winemaking

09:16 Notable Vintages

10:45 Service and Food Pairing

11:34 Producers to Know

LINKS

PRODUCERS TO KNOW

Medoc, France

St. Estephe: Ch. Montrose; Cos d'Estournel; Ch. Calon Ségur; Ch. Lafon-Rochet

Pauillac: Highest end: Château Lafite Rothschild, Ch. Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Latour ... more attainable wines include Lynch-Bages, Pontet-Canet, Ch. Grand-Puy-Lacoste

St. Julien: Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou; Ch. Léoville Barton

Margaux: Ch. Palmer; Ch. d'Issan

Napa: 

Robert Mondavi (Opus One); Ridge Vineyards (Monte Bello); Matthiasson; Harlan Estate

Sonoma: 

Arnot-Roberts (Monticello single vineyard)

South Australia: 

Penfolds

Western Australia: 

Cloudburst (Margaret River)

Chile: 

Concha y Toro

Chadwick

Albariño is an aromatic, generally light-bodied, fresh white wine with mouth-watering acidity. Albariño is an indigenous white grape variety from Galicia in northwest Spain as well as northwest Portugal's Vinho Verde region. It primarily delivers crisp citrus, stone fruit, and light floral flavors with a saline edge. It is sometimes oak matured and aged.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ni-KPe0M7kw?si=iZfntgmBz0F0ReiM

Full tasting note: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/2/albarino

The EDF Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog

LINKS

Pazo Señorans

Bodegas Gerardo Méndez

Attis (Embaixador)

CHAPTERS

00:11 Introduction

00:42. Tell

00:54 Parentage

01:03 Origin

01:11 Pseudonyms

01:26 Origin of Name

01:30 Production

01:45 Viticulture

02:00 Preferred Soils

02:07 Blending Partners

02:16 Appearance

02:26 Aromas

03:29 Structure

03:45 Service

04:00 Producers

04:07 Distinctions

05:33 Vintages

05:55 Pairings

I created this podcast series to help me prepare for the Certified Sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers Europe, but the content is applicable to any other certification exam, like those offered by the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) or others. 

But this EDF Beverage Study Podcast series is ALSO useful if you are just a normal person who is curious about wine. It should help anyone who wants to establish some solid foundational knowledge about wine, beer, and spirits, proper service, and the business of wine. I hope you enjoy!

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cY1lH0BD3X0?si=KHFMbrPsLHEsKQZH

Visit the Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog