Kathryn and Tug open a bottle of vintage Champagne to celebrate surviving 2021! They are celebrating New Year's Eve in style and you should too. As Kathryn says, "life is short, buy the wine." The couple discusses what it means for a Champagne to be "vintage" and they get into the history of enjoying sparkling wine on New Year's Eve. Tug is inspired by a friend and a book he's reading (yes, Tug reads). Kathryn gives out two book recommendations. It's a book week to close the year on TLF! The Wine of the Week is Claude Cazals 'Clos Cazals' Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Grand Cru Champagne 2010.

Happy New Year and we'll see you in 2022!

Imbibe Magazine: Why We Drink Champagne on New Year's Eve

https://imbibemagazine.com/why-we-drink-champagne-on-new-years-eve/

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Kathryn is @kathrynweilcoker on IG

Tug is @tugcoker on Twitter and IG

It’s TLF’s favorite time of year again - Bubbles season! Kathryn and Tug pop of bottle of rosé Champagne from one of the most natural producers in the region. Practicing Biodynamics is pretty rare in Champagne. Kathryn talks about the historical focus on “house style” and the grower/producer movement. In other news, the couple talks about their Christmas tree shopping, the buzz at Esters and recent challenges with childcare. Tug is inspired by the new Beatles documentary, GET BACK. Kathryn reads from her latest favorite book. The Wine of the Week is the Vincent Couche ‘Eclipsia’ Rosé Champagne NV.

Kathryn and Tug discuss the grape varietal Gamay, one of the perfect wines for the holiday season. The duo breaks down how Gamay makes so much sense pairing with a bountiful feast, and Kathryn dishes on why the grape is a darling within the sommelier community. Plus, this week's wine is a Gamay from California, a rare domestic bottling that must be found and enjoyed! Tug is inspired by a recent encounter at Esters. Kathryn raves on AGNES and BICYCLETTE - two restaurants she loved. The Wine of the Week is the Pax, Gamay Noir, Alpine Peaks, El Dorado, California 2020.

Kathryn and Tug open up an “allocated” bottle this week from a special producer they visited in Italy. They reminisce on their trip to Barolo in 2014 and a special afternoon with winemaker Fabio Alessandria of G.B. Burlotto. The couple discusses why wines from this producer are so unique and limited. What makes a wine hard to get? Who gets allocated wines and why? Tug talks about a series of concerts he has enjoyed in his mini “mid-life” crisis. Meanwhile, Kathryn is mostly thinking about puppies and @golden.mylokin Instagram. The Wine of the Week is the G.B. Burlotto, Verduno Pelaverga, Piemonte, Italy 2020.

Kathryn and Tug discuss reasons to drink a sweet wine. With Halloween in a few days, and holiday celebrations around the corner, Kathryn shares the many occasions for choosing a wine with sweetness. The key to enjoying is the right timing and the right pairing. Kathryn talks about the super cool region of Bugey and methode ancestral rosé. On the homefront, the couple continues the joys and challenges of parenting, including a possible good news update on their kids' bedtime routine. Tug pays tribute to the late Peter Scolari. Kathryn is listening to the Blue Note Monthly playlist. The Wine of The Week is the Catherine et Patrick Bottex, ‘La Cueille’ Bugey-Cerdon NV.

Kathryn and Tug drink another great wine for fall, and in this episode they head down to the Southern Hemisphere. The duo discusses the great wine region of Mendoza, Argentina. Although Malbec is the country's claim to fame, for episode 72 they explore a lesser known grape variety called Bonarda. In other life news, the couple breaks down life without a certain cell phone for the past three weeks. Kathryn shouts an article by Sydney Love in Atlas Magazine. Tug praises writer/director/actor Fran Kranz and his new film MASS. The Wine of the Week is Chakana 'Sobrenatural' Bonarda, Mendoza, Argentina 2020!

Fall is in the air! Kathryn and Tug are ready for some wines for cooler weather: wines to pair with their favorite fall veggies, soups and hearty dinners. Kathryn reminisces about traveling to the Loire Valley in France and visiting the wine shop owned by Francois Chidaine and his wife Manuela. In other news, the couple has been enjoying lots of family time, including their introduction to weekend kids' soccer games. Tug finds inspiration from golf teachers abroad. Kathryn returns to tastings with other sommeliers. The Wine of the Week is from the Loire: Francois Chidaine, Gamay, Touraine 2020.

What wine do you drink with your parents? What do you drink with friends who enjoy different styles of wine? In this episode, Kathryn and Tug discuss “crossover wines.” Kathryn gives suggestions on questions to ask yourself and your guests when choosing a bottle to share. In other news, the couple shares an update on their domestic engineer. Tug’s parents make a trip to California...and everyone needs a drink. It's been a quite a month! The Wine of the Week is the Domaine de Baal ‘Le Petit Baal’ Bekka Valley, Lebanon 2018.

A very special episode dedicated to the late Becky Wasserman, who past away last week at age 84. Kathryn and Tug talk about their 2014 visit to Burgundy and their dinner with Becky and her husband, Russell. Becky was a legend in the wine industry: a champion of small producers, a pioneer for women in business, a generous host, and a warm human being. She was an inspiration to Kathryn and so many others in the wine world. And in honor of Becky, Kathryn and Tug open up a bottle a very special bottle from their cellar - Sylvain Pataille ‘Les Longerois’ Marsannay 2012.

Kathryn and Tug discuss ORANGE WINE! In the spirit of The Olympics, the duo is going international and drinking an orange wine from Chile. Kathryn shares information about the region, and this grape variety native to South America: Torrontés or Torontel. In other news, Tug has been watching every event in the Olympic Games - the TV is on 24/7 with sport. Kathryn is grateful for a visit from her aunts. And the Coker family has a cross-country trip coming up...and they're very scared! The Wine of the Week is Maturana ‘Naranjo’ Torontel, Maule Valle, Chile 2020.