Photo: www.medoc-bordeaux.com 10 years after the first show on Merlot (Episode 18!), it was time for a refresh!   Merlot hasn't staged a comeback as a varietal wine, but it shines brightly as a part of a Bordeaux-style blend. It's better than ever in its native home and has seen some real strides in New World regions too.   We discuss characteristics and background of the grape, the very particular conditions that it needs for quality (but often doesn't get), and then the major regions that grow Merlot well!    It's International Merlot Day on November 7, so grab a bottle and celebrate this outstanding grape.  _________________________________________________________ Thanks for our sponsors this week: Wine Access: Access to the best wines for the best prices! For 15% off your next order, go to www.wineaccess.com/normal    If you think our podcast is worth the price of a bottle or two of wine a year, please become a member of Patreon... you'll get even more great content, live interactions and classes!  www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople  To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 398: The Grape Miniseries -- Merlot Revisited

A podcast for people who like wine but not the snobbery that goes with it. We talk about wine in a fun, straightforward, normal way to get you excited about it and help you drink better, more interesting stuff. The Wine For Normal People book is available on Amazon! Back catalog available via Patreon membership: www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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This is a special re-release of this very relevant and important show on Earth Day. Jason Haas, perhaps the greenest guy in in wine, joins to discuss the challenges the wine industry faces in becoming gentler on the earth. From regenerative agriculture (which is way less woo woo than biodynamics!) to sustainable transport and packaging, we cover the latest thinking of how to make the wine industry greener and better.
Happy Earth Day all!
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Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
http://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Wine Access has an amazing selection — once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club in time for the next shipment. As a limited time offer, get $25 off your first TWO shipments of our club! That's $125 for 6 bottles -- an unbelievable deal when go to www.wineaccess.com/normal 

 To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: http://www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earth Day Encore: Ep 440: Jason Haas of Tablas Creek on Regenerative agriculture, alternative packaging, & improving the environmental footprint of wine

Tax Day in the US has come and gone. Many of us are getting a refund, so if you have a little extra change, here are some great wines to consider.
A few on the list are...Burgundy in red and white: Pinot and ChardPomerol in BordeauxSyrah from The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater in Walla Walla WashingtonOld Vine Zinfandel from Sonoma, Napa, and Amador CountyChâteauneuf-du-Pape BLANC
 I offer descriptions and explanations of each wine in the show. I hope you enjoy and find a way to spend your tax money! 
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Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
http://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople

 To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: http://www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes _______________________________________________________________
Wine Access has an amazing selection — once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club in time for the next shipment (it’s shaping up to be outstanding). 
 Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 517: Wines That Are Worth The Splurge

This week friend, listener, Patron, and wine diva @wineshenanigans and the wine game show @Wineopardy Monica G. joins to  talk with me about wines made by celebrities, aka Celebrity Wines. We run through what they are, how many of them are made and then we discuss specifics. We wrap with our analysis of whether or not we would recommend buying these wines.
We make two caveats:  1.     These are our opinions about these wines – don’t sue me!  2.     Some of these brands are impossible to obtain, so we haven’t had many of them – distribution is spotty
Then we define, explain, and then categorize these wines -- those that are legit and those that are not.
Some of the legit celeb wine brands we discuss are: Francis Ford Coppola, Fess Parker, Brad Pitt/Miraval, Dave Matthews with Blenheim and Dreaming Tree, Pink's Two Wolves, Drew Bledsoe's Doubleback wines, Kyle MacLachlan's Pursued by Bear wines, Kylie Minogue's wines, and Mary J. Blige's Sun Goddess wines.
A fun show! Don't forget to follow Monica on Instagram @wineshenanigans!

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Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
http://www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople

 To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: http://www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes _______________________________________________________________
Wine Access has an amazing selection — once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club in time for the next shipment (it’s shaping up to be outstanding).

 Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 516: "Celebrity" Wines Explained

Inspired by a question from friend and Patron Amy Payton, this week I cover the history of oak barrels. I go from animal skins in Mesopatamia to modern day barrels, talking about how winemakers decided that oak was the best vessel for wine. I answer her follow up questions too -- How are barrels obtained by winemakers? What happens to them after they are used and are oak barrels sustainable? I learned so much in this show and I thank Amy for the idea.  
 Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 515: The Origin Story of Oak Barrels

This week I explore one of my favorite grapes of all time, Fiano! The grape makes some of the most exquisite wines you could imagine -- whites with layered complexity, age-ability, and unadulterated deliciousness. I discuss all aspects of the grape: 
The historical overview of the grape and how Mastroberardino saved it from obscurity (Check out my podcast with Piero Mastroberardino here)A discussion of Fiano in the vineyard and how adaptable it isSome thoughts about winemaking and its effect on the grapeThe aromas and flavors of the grape Where it grows:Italy: Campania (65%), specifically Irpinia, and within that area the Fiano di Avellino DOCG, with sizable quantities in Sicily and Puglia as well. Listen to my show on my trip to Campania here...New World places: Australia, Argentina, the US
 I hope I convince you to try the grape if you haven't had it before. It is truly one of my "desert island wines" -- it's very hard not to love it! 

 ______________________________________________________ Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
Wine Access has an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Get 10% your first order with my special URL.    To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep 398: The Grape Miniseries -- Merlot Revisited

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