From the great wine region of Piedmont, Italy comes the red wine called Dolcetto, which means “little sweet one” - but don’t be fooled, this is not a sweet wine, although it is a red wine with flavors and aromas of crunchy red fruit. In our latest Italian Wine Adventure, we travel back to one of our favorite wine areas to see if Dolcetto should be on your wine list. Sometimes called the sommelier’s secret weapon, this wine is less expensive than many wines from Piedmont, and can pair well with some classic Italian foods. We will say, though, that you need to try it first before you order it because this wine is a little atypical for an Italian wine. It is often compared to Gamay, and that is a pretty fair comparison, but it is not exactly the same wine. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Learn more as we introduce you to Giuseppe, Paolo, and Luigi - the first names of the makers of these wines - and let you know which one of these Italian men you should take home! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Giuseppe Cortese Dolcetto, 2022 Paolo Scavino Dolcetto d'Alba, 2020 Luigi Einaudi Dogliani

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Summer is here, and that means cookouts with family and friends! If you are wondering what kind of wine would be a crowd-pleaser and pair well with food and fun, we have the perfect answer: Malbec! This juicy, well-balanced wine from Argentina is an inexpensive wine that doesn’t taste or drink like it's inexpensive. You may ask why would a wine from Argentina be a good wine for cookouts? If you didn’t know, Argentina has its own deep-rooted cowboy culture, and gauchos from this South American country give American cowboys a run for their money. One of the famous foods from Argentina is Asado - grilled meat cooked over an open flame. AKA a cookout! So trust us, and trust Argentinians, that Malbec is a great cookout wine that red wine lovers and red wine skeptics will love! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Domaine Bousquet Premium Organic Malbec, 2021 Baron Edmond de Rothschild Aguaribay Malbec.

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We introduce you to the B-FAST method in this minisode so you can become a white wine lover. What’s that you say, you’ve never heard of the B-FAST method? Well, that’s because it is a Wine Pair Podcast original! To love a thing, you have to learn about a thing, and you have to spend time with a thing. You can’t just go with your first impression! You have to put in some effort! Many people just don’t think white wines are as serious as red wines, but this is false! Using the B-FAST method, which stands for Body, Food, Acid, Sweetness, and Temperature, we’ll help you unlock the magic that is white wine. If you think you don’t love white wine, you probably have just not met the right white wine yet. Trust us! We’ll make believers out of you, and we’ll help you find a white wine you love!

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When it comes to wine grapes, it’s ok to play the field, but it is a good idea to get to know the Noble Grapes. And the good news is - you may already be really familiar with them. That’s because many of the most popular wines and wine blends, both red and white, are often made of these grapes. But what makes them Noble? We’ll tell you! And does that mean they are better than the other grapes? You should listen in to find out! We would say that you need to know the Noble Grapes because they are so important and influential in the world of wine, but they should only be your jumping off point or starting place. In other words, we strongly suggest you date around a little when it comes to your wines.

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Jennie Murphy is, like her grandmothers who she named her winery after, a tough, resilient, and determined woman. After losing her home in the 2017 wine country fires, she started to seriously think about starting her own winery. We learned a ton about the winemaking world in our conversation with her - things that the average wine drinker never thinks about - for instance the importance of “moving the wine” in the cellar, something she learned from cellar master Roberto Ruiz. In our interview, she talks to us about how she went from a degree in forensics, to becoming the oenologist in a winery, to then becoming the head winemaker at Paul Hobbs, and ultimately starting Oxlee Graham Wines. She is someone who truly embodies the art and science of winemaking. Join us for our conversation with Jennie to hear her fascinating and inspiring story. And you can find out more about Jennie and her wines at https://www.oxleegrahamwines.com/

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Yes, it’s true, they make Grenache is white as well as red! And it’s a great summer wine! Popular in the Catalonia area of Spain where it is known as Garnatxa Blanca, and in the Rhône area of France where it is often used as a blending grape and known as Grenache Blanc, White Grenache is a tasty, complex, and food friendly white wine that deserves more attention! After tasting and reviewing it in this episode, we were surprised that this is not a more well-known wine. It is a perfect pairing for fish, and it is also a wine with a wide assortment of tastes and fragrances that were kind of exciting to find. I mean, we all need a little excitement in our lives, right?!? Join us on this last of our five straight episodes focused on the wines of northern Spain! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Celler Xavier Clua Terra Alta El Sola d'en Pol Blanco, 2022 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Blanca.

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A 10 point wine in this episode! If you want a higher-class alternative to Prosecco at the same price point, then Cava is your wine. Cava is an underrated sparkling wine from Spain that is made in the same way as Champagne, but at a fraction of the cost. Cava is unique among sparkling wines - it is made with native Spanish grapes like Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada which give it a very specific pear + citrus + bitterness that is refreshing and exciting. Cava is a fantastic party and celebration wine, too, because not only is it bubbly, delicious, and fun, it also often comes in bottles that sparkle and shine themselves, too. While there are several areas of Spain that are allowed to make Cava, the home of Cava is the Penedes region, and the hometown of Cava is Sant Sadurni D’Anoia, just outside of Barcelona. Join us as we celebrate and learn about Spain’s answer to Champagne! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Vins el Cep Kila Cava Brut Organic, Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Cava Brut, Miquel Pons Cava Brut.

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It may be hard to pronounce and spell, but is it ever easy to drink! In this episode, we introduce you to a fun, quaffable, and not so serious wine called Txakoli which hails from the Basque region of Spain. Sometimes also called Txakolina, this slightly fizzy white wine is a perfect summer sipper. While tasting it, we had visions of sitting by the pool or at a cookout with friends on a warm summer afternoon. Heavenly! If you are a fan of Vinho Verde, this wine is definitely another to add to your list. A great wine for cheese plates, charcuterie boards, seafood, and spicy foods. We were impressed by the variety of tastes we found in the wines, and the bigger mouthfeel these wines get from being left on the lees. Wait, you don’t know what lees are? Just listen in and we’ll tell you!  Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Basa Lore Txakoli Hondarrabi Zuri, 2022 Inazio Urruzola Txakolina, 2022 Hiruzta Txakoli

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Rioja is the big dog of Spanish wines, but the question on everyone’s lips is - how does the Costco Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva stack up to other Riojas? Amiright?!? Well, without giving it away, we’re here to tell you that the Kirkland Signature Rioja is a worthy contender! But did it win in a knockout, or was it a draw? You’ll have to listen to find out. Rioja is a big, bold, punch-you-in-the-face wine that is a good alternative for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers, and, in our humble opinion, it’s a lot better, but don’t tell anyone we told you that! We will be continuing on our journey of the wines of northern Spain for a few more weeks, so make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss out! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2019 Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva,  2017 Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva, 2019 Bodegas Lan Rioja Crianza

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When we say hidden gem, we are not kidding! When people think of Spanish red wines, they immediately think of Rioja, but don’t sleep on Priorat. Hailing from the Catalonia area of Spain, Priorat is a Grenache-based red wine blend that completely blew away our expectations! Rich, complex, and oh so drinkable, this is a wine that deserves a lot more attention and accolades. And we are guessing you may have never even heard of it! The magic of Priorat is said to come from the unique licorella soils in which is grown. Whatever that magic is, we want more of it. Join us to learn more about this underappreciated red that is considered one of Spain’s great wines. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2020 Gil Family Estates Llicorella Vins Bluegray Priorat and 2020 Cellers Unió Laurentia Priorat.

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