Ok, in this episode, all hell breaks loose! It starts out innocently enough - an introduction to the Spanish wine Mencía, a quick interview with a real listener, some wine in the news this week, but once we hit the second tasting, pure chaos. Proof that our tastings are real, and that our podcast is unrehearsed and, frankly, when we get to the tasting section, unpredictable. You have to listen to the very end to get the full experience. But, we digress. If you don’t know the wine Mencía from the Galicia region of Spain, then it’s time to get on board. Often compared to Pinot Noir, Gamay, or Cabernet Franc - which it was originally thought to be a clone of until DNA tests proved otherwise - it is a medium bodied, fruity, gastronomic wine (a fancy way of saying that it is meant to be drunk with food). Listen in to find out more about this wine, and lots of other crazy stuff. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Vinos de Arganza Lagar de Robla Premium Mencía, 2019 Losada El Pájaro Rojo Mencía

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This crowd-pleasing wine from Southern Italy’s Puglia region we think is underappreciated and not well-enough known - kind of like Puglia. Genetically identical to Zinfandel, Primitivo can be a rustic red, but when done well, it is fruity, juicy, and wonderfully balanced. There is a reason why Primitivo does so well in the heat of Southern Italy, and it’s the same reason why Zinfandel does so well in California. It is an early ripening grape that needs to reach high sugar levels so that it can create the high alcohol required to balance the fruit and tannin. Primitivo is a fantastic wine for your next cookout, barbecue, or elegant dinner. We also spend a little time talking about 25 cent one ounce pours available from Olive Garden. There is no other reason to go to Olive Garden, but we can’t blame you if you head there for the samples. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2023 Masseria Le Veli Orion Primitivo, 2023 Castello Monaci Pilùna Primitivo

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Chablis is a wine we absolutely adore, and we think too many people are just unaware of what a beautiful and fantastic wine it is. If you are thinking, wait, I thought you guys hated Chardonnay, well, you’re not wrong, but specifically, we dislike super oaky Chardonnays. However, we love, love, love Chablis, and we can’t believe we have not done an episode on it before today. It is hard to put into words how much we love Chabils. If you are unsure about what all the hubbub is, or if you think we are exaggerating, we implore you: try some Chablis and drink along while you listen to this episode, and you will quickly change your mind about what a Chardonnay can be. Fruity, complex, elegant, crisp yet smooth, with wonderful minerality, Chablis is a wine almost without parallel, and should be at the top of everyone’s wine list. Whether you are a Chardonnay lover or a Chardonnay doubter, this wine will make you a believer that there is so much more to Chardonnay than oak and vanilla. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2023 Le Vieux Clocher Chablis, 2023 Thomas Labille Chablis.

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South America may not be the first place you think of for high quality Pinot Noir, but it is definitely time to start putting it on your list, especially because, as wine prices shoot up due to tariffs, these lower cost options are going to be in higher demand. Pinot Noir in places like Chile and Argentina is still relatively new, and they are making exciting Burgundian-style wines in areas you would not expect. Despite most of the wine growing areas in South America tending to be warmer weather spots, they are discovering cooler climate oases where Pinot Noir can really shine. One of the wines we tasted and reviewed this week really knocked our socks off. And, as an extra bonus, we’ll dig into just what the eff rosorange wine is - and you can decide if you want to try it. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Sur de los Andes Reserva Pinot Noir, 2021 Leyda Las Brisas Pinot Noir

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Have you ever walked down the wine aisle at Costco, picked up one of their Kirkland Signature wines and thought, “What the eff is this wine?” Because, you know, you feel like if a wine at Costco is $7.50 you should probably just buy it, but you just want to make sure you are going to like it. If that happened to you when you saw the Kirkland Signature Côtes du Rhône Villages wine and you hesitated to buy it, then this episode is for you! As we do in all of our Costco Kirkland Signature wine challenges, we pit the Kirkland brand against two other similarly priced wines and see who comes out on top. Sometimes it’s Kirkland, and sometimes it ain’t. This time around?!? One of the wines won the challenge hands down - no doubt about it. We also go into just what the eff Côtes du Rhône wine is, and why you should know about it. But, most importantly, we help you choose the right wine so you feel good about your purchase! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2023 Kirkland Signature Côtes du Rhône Villages, 2023 Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône,  2022 Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Reserve

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Body can feel like a wine nerd term, but it is a super important aspect of wine that has a huge impact on the wine drinking experience. If you are not sure why you should care or what it matters, we’ll tell you why. For instance, while the body of a wine does not impact the actual flavor of the wine, it can significantly impact your perception of flavor. We also help you to understand what influences body so that you can make better decisions when you are standing in the wine aisle feeling a little lost. 

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If you think Cabernet Sauvignon is the only Cabernet, you’ve got another think coming (as Joe’s mom used to say). Cabernet Franc is on the rise, and it’s time to get on the bandwagon. Most famously from the Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc has for too long been the understudy to wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, often primarily used as a blending grape. But today you can find Cabernet Franc as the star of the show, bottled as its own varietal from vineyards all over the world. Part of the reason winemakers are starting to make more of it is because it is a wine that does a great job of reflecting the place where it is from - the nerds call that terroir - and so winemakers like it because they can make their own unique versions from wherever they are. We’ll break down what makes this wine different from Cabernet Sauvignon, and we taste and review a couple of Cabernet Francs to save you the trouble. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Henri Bourgeois Wine Petit Bourgeois Cabernet Franc, 2020 Kaiken Indomito Cabernet Franc

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They say summer is the time for Rosé, but did you know that not all Rosé wines are the same? Bandol is the perfect example of a Rosé that may just surprise you. Yes, it comes from Provence in France, but it is made predominantly with the Mourvèdre grape, which is unusual, and creates a Rosé wine with surprising depth, character, and, dare we say, seriousness?!? If you’re one of those people who is just not convinced about Rosé, Bandol may be the Rosé that changes your mind. Plus, in this episode, we talk about the ancient Phocaeeans who started viticulture in that part of France. And, no, we did not spell Phoenicians wrong. Look, you need to listen to the episode, and we’ll set it all straight.  Wines reviewed in this episode: 2023 Château La Vivonne Bandol Rosé, 2022 Bieler Pere et Fils Reserve Bandol Rosé

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It is not a heresy to chill red wine. In fact, it can be downright crucial to creating a better drinking experience. Temperature impacts a wine’s aromas, taste, and feel in the mouth - so it’s something you need to think about when you are having a meal on the patio in the sun this summer. We also go over the all-important 20/20 rule in this minisode - a handy rule of thumb to make sure you are serving wine at just the right temperature that could change your wine game. 

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How did a kid with no background in winemaking, a D1 scholarship to wrestle in college, and an interest in Mechanical Engineering end up making wine at one of the most famous wineries in Napa? You could call it fate. This week, we had the honor of sitting down with Kurtis Ogasawara who is the Director of Winemaking at Robert Mondavi Winery. Like a lot of winemakers we have met, he didn’t start out expecting to be a winemaker, and began with a background in science and math. But, maybe the most amazing thing about Kurtis is that his experience as a Division 1 college athlete has influenced how he sees the winemaking process - which he likens to a team because of all the different people and talents that have to come together to make something special. Join us for this fun and fascinating interview, and gain a new appreciation for this storied winery and one of its amazing winemakers. 

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