In this Halloween-themed episode, sommelier Erin delves into the eerie and fascinating history of winemaking practices that were once considered witchcraft. Discover how fermentation, lunar cycles, blessings, and ancient rituals were intertwined with mysticism and superstition. Don't miss the fun Halloween quiz to discover your wine witch style and perfect pairings for the spooky season. Join Erin for an enchanting journey through the magical past of winemaking.

00:00 Wine, Witches & Wonder: The Mystical History of Winemaking
02:21 Let's Go Back in Time
02:46 Fermentation
04:18 The Moon and Lunar Phases
05:10 Spells and Rituals
06:14 Herbs and Spices
06:51 Recap

🧙🏻‍♀️ Take the Wine Witch Quiz and Grab Your Halloween Pairings 🎃

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In this episode, sommelier Erin Rosar dives into the unpredictable force of weather and its impact on winemaking. Erin discusses five key weather events—frost, rain, heat waves, hail, and drought—and their effects on grape harvests, using vintage examples such as Burgundy 2016, Bordeaux 2013, and California 2015. 

She explains how these weather conditions can lead to either the making or breaking of a vintage, affecting everything from grape yields to wine complexity. Erin also touches on the differences between vintage-specific wines and recipe-driven wines, providing practical tips for wine lovers. Join Erin to understand why weather plays a crucial role in every vintage and to discover how resilient winemakers adapt to these natural challenges.

00:00 Vineyard Weather Woes: How Nature Affects Every Vintage
01:14 Frost
02:03 Rain
03:12 Heat Wave
04:06 Hail
05:07 Drought

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Join sommelier Erin, as she explores why not all grapes are suitable for winemaking and uncover the unique qualities of the Vinifera grape family. This episode addresses the question of why only certain grapes are chosen for wine, explaining the different grape varieties within the Vitus family, their characteristics, and the role of grafting in protecting grapevines from phylloxera. Learn why Vinifera grapes are preferred in the wine industry, and learn some fun facts about grape history and culture. Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your wine knowledge.

01:49 Understanding the Vitis Grape Family
02:38 Vitis Vinifera - the Wine Grape
04:25 Other Vitis Varieties - Jams, Jellies, Juice
05:05 Flavors of Wine Grapes
08:05 A Grape Vine is a Weed
10:27 Vine Grafting - How Different Vitis Styles Help Each Other
11:23 Phylloxera and Vine Grafting
15:56 Recap

🍷🦃 Thanksgiving Wine Pairing Guide

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Join sommelier Erin as she takes a deep dive into the world of herbal aromas in wine. This episode explores five classic wine styles known for their distinctive herbaceous notes, which are key markers of the grape variety and terroir. Erin also provides practical wine pairing tips for each style and explains the difference between aroma-driven and bouquet-driven wines. Learn to identify and appreciate these unique flavors, and discover perfect food pairings to elevate your tasting experience. Don't forget to check the show notes for links to Erin's newsletter and exclusive palate personality discovery quiz.

02:58 Sauvignon Blanc
03:48 Aroma vs Bouquet 
10:11 Pinot Noir
13:46 Cabernet Franc
17:01 Carmenere 
19:17 Shiraz
22:10 Recap

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Join Sommelier Erin as she takes you on a delightful journey through her favorite fall wine and cheese pairings. With over 20 years of professional experience, Erin shares practical tips and insights to help you find the perfect combinations for a cozy evening or an elegant gathering. Discover the best wines to enjoy with smoked Gouda, aged cheddar, Gruyere, and Comté, and learn about the history and unique characteristics of each cheese. Don't miss Erin's tips on creating a sophisticated yet comforting experience with every sip and bite. Be sure to download the pairing guide in the show notes and take the palate personality quiz to uncover your unique tastes!

02:18 Gouda & Malbec
05:21 Aged Cheddar & Zinfandel
08:35 Gruyere & Chardonnay
09:51 Comté & Grenache
11:36 Recap

🧀 🍷September Wine & Cheese Pairings Download 

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 Join Sommelier Erin for this episode as she shares five fun facts about the vineyard activities leading up to this year's harvest. You'll learn about the importance of sugar and acid balance in grapes, the preference for handpicking, the role of grape tasting in the field, the benefits of nighttime harvesting, and the unique characteristics of wild yeast fermentation. Also, don't forget to check out the links below for the Fall Pairing Inspiration Guide and the Palate Personality Quiz.

00:00 Harvest Magic: 5 Cool Things that Happen in the Vineyard
02:29 1. Sugar and Acid Balance - When to Pick
07:02 The Art of Hand Harvesting 
09:02 Tasting Grapes - Using the Senses
10:45 Night Harvesting
12:56 Wild Yeasts
15:47 Recap

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Join sommelier Erin as she walks you through her Fall 2024 Pairing Inspiration Guide. In this episode, Erin shares some of her favorite apple-themed recipes, including Baked Brie with apples and walnuts, Apple Crepes, Roasted Pork with apples, and more. She also provides tips on wine and cider pairings and offers practical advice on how to read Calvados labels. Whether you're hosting a cozy gathering or planning a Sunday dinner, Erin's guide has all the delicious pairings and seasonal cocktails you need. Don't forget to grab your free copy of the guide through the link below.

02:08 Fall Pairing Inspiration Guide Walk Through
03:12 Bake Brie with Apples, Walnuts and Maple Syrup
05:49 Pairing Tips
08:13 Apple Crepes
10:59 Calvados Butter Sauce
12:47 Baked Apples
14:09 Roast Pork with Apples
17:00 Roast Chicken with Apples
18:52 Cocktails

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Join sommelier Erin as she shares practical tips for enrolling in wine courses and tastings. Erin discusses tips for choosing the right course, the importance of learning from different teachers, setting realistic expectations, and the lifelong journey of wine education. Get ready to deepen your wine knowledge while having fun and meeting new people. Be sure to follow for more wine tips, and stay tuned for next week's episode on apple-inspired pairings.

00:00 Intro
03:34 Tip #1 - Read the Class Description Well
05:10 Tip #2 Learn from Different Teachers
06:11 Tip #3 - Be Brave - Break Out of Your Comfort Zone
07:57 Tip #4 - Try Different Wine Schools
10:40 Tip #5 - Wine is a Lifetime Learning Journey
12:43 Tip #6 - Practice and Homework
14:49 Tip #7 - Have Fun

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Join sommelier Erin as she leads you through the basis of Chablis. You'll discover the unique characteristics of this 100% Chardonnay wine from the northern part of Burgundy, France, and learn about its distinctive terroir, including the Jurassic-era limestone soil, and how this impacts Chablis' signature minerality and high acidity. Erin also discusses the history of Chablis vineyards, the different classifications and labeling terms, and offers practical tips for selecting the perfect bottle. Plus, get inspired with classic mouth-watering food pairings. Don't miss out on the story behind one of the most beloved white wines!

02:11 Chablis = Chardonnay
03:29 Soil of Chablis
04:48 Prehistoric History
05:27 Terroir in the Glass
06:10 History
07:14 Chablis Wine Labels
09:47 Wine Profile and Food Pairing

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Join sommelier Erin on an exciting adventure to Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, as she dives into this renowned wine region's unique soil types and their impact on rich reds and complex whites. Learn the fascinating history behind the soils, including the dramatic 1931 earthquake and the formation of the famous Gimblett Gravels. Discover top wineries producing outstanding wines in this region and get practical tips for choosing your next bottle. Perfect for wine enthusiasts who love big reds and aromatic whites!

00:00 The Magic of Hawkes Bay: New Zealand's Vineyard History
02:13 Where is Hawkes Bay
04:10 Earthquake of 1931 - Vineyard Impacts
06:23 Gimblett Gravel - Sub Region
07:49 Climate
08:37 White Wine Styles
09:09 Global Acclaim 
09:59 Sustainability
11:03 Wineries to Look For
12:53 Recap

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🔔 The Wine Shop Talk will be taking a break from posting new episodes starting in January 2025. ⏸️

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