What to Drink

Gerard Bertrand, founder & owner of his eponymous wine label, joins us today to teach us about Biodynamic principles, the Lunar Calendar, and his new orange wine, 'Orange Gold.'

What is a 'Fruit Day?'

The lunar calendar has been used in farming for centuries, but recently people have noted the moon’s effect on wine tasting.

According to the lunar calendar, every day is either a 'Fruit,' 'Root,' 'Flower,' or 'Leaf' day. 'Fruit' days are the most auspicious days to drink most wines, while white aromatic wines really seem to sing on a “flower day.” The idea behind root days, fruit days, leaf days, and flower days was inspired by Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher who defined biodynamic farming for the 20th century. Gerard Bertrand embraces biodynamic farming in his vineyards and is a huge advocate for the process.

OK, but what is 'Orange' wine?

Gerard explains it like this: "We have two kinds of grapes in the world -- we have white grapes and red grapes. When you make rosé, you use red grapes and you use the winemaking process of white wines. When you make orange wines, you use white grapes, but use the winemaking process of red wines."

'Orange' wines are white grapes left to macerate on their skins for extended times, the same way we make red wine.

What makes Orange Gold special:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gerardbertrandofficial/

Eddie Brook, Founder of Cape Byron Distillery & creator of Brookie's Gin, joins us this week to tell us why you need more Gin-based slushies and hammocks in your life, pronto!

Why this pairing works:  This slushie is summer incarnate. It will slay the heat of the day and transport you to the Australian rainforest where Eddie & co. source 17 of the 25 botanicals used for this Gin. Travel somewhere tropical whilst never leaving your backyard hammock.

What makes this Gin Special:

Brookie's Cucumber-Watermelon-Mint Slushee

(makes 4 servings)

1 Small Watermelon

About a quarter of a cucumber

4 glugs of Brookie's Gin

2 large scoops of ice

Mint for garnish

Directions:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookiesgin/

Mara Smith, Founder of Inspiro Tequila, joins us this week to tell us why she believes Inspiro Rosa Reposado Tequila is the *perfect* spirit to enjoy with your girlfriends (and this Tequila loving guy agrees)! But don't stop there, be sure to grab a bottle of Rosa Reposado for the Barbie movie with your squad!

What makes this Tequila special: 

This reposado is the first to be aged in former rosé wine barrels, marrying vanilla and white chocolate notes to distinctive red-berry rosé & Tequila fruit flavors. It's silky, smooth, and perfect on the rocks (or in our Georgia Ranch Water recipe below).

Inspiro Rosa Reposado in Emoji's: 🌼🍈🌿💃👠

Netflix Pairing: Righteous Gemstones, Real Housewives of Atlanta

Georgia Ranch Water Recipe:

2 oz. Inspiro Tequila

1 oz. lime juice

3-4 peaches for muddling

3-4 oz. Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water

Peach and mint for garnish

Directions:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspirotequila/

Steve Nally, Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee and Master Distiller for Bardstown Bourbon, joins us today to explain why Origin Series whiskeys pair perfectly with asking your potential in-law the 'big' question!

Paint the Paring:  You've been dating your significant other for some time and you're considering the next step. You're nervous to ask your potential mother or father-in-law for their child's hand in marriage. Why not soothe your nerves and break the ice with a delicious, interesting whiskey?!

What Makes Bardstown Bourbon Special: 

On this episode, we try the Origin Series High-Rye Bourbon, Rye, & Wheated Bottled-in-Bond. Grab a bottle (if you can find one!) and taste along.

More About Steve:

Steve Nally has over 51 years of experience in the whiskey industry, serving as Master Distiller for Maker's Mark, Wyoming Whiskey, and Bardstown Bourbon, where he became 'Employee #1' in 2014.

Learn more here: https://www.bardstownbourbon.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bardstownbourbonco/

Calling all GRÜN GOONS!

Dieter Hübler, Founder of Laurenz V, joins us this week to tell us about his mission to Grünerize the entire world!

If you've never tried a Grüner Veltliner before, this episode is a great place to start. Grab a bottle and learn about the bright and elegant style of Grüner Dieter makes, with an emphasis on lees aging (aging the wine on the dead yeast cells in stainless steel, to add beautiful complexity and a creamy mouthfeel).

Why the Pairing Works:  You've boldly chosen to take a first date to a nice Sushi restaurant. Taking your date to get sushi shows your dedication, sophistication, and spare-no-expense attitude. Add a bottle of Laurenz V Grüner Veltliner to all of that sophistication, with its distinctive flavor profile of green apple, pear, citrus, and white pepper. The wine delivers a refreshing and harmonious taste experience that pairs beautifully with any roll, even those with capsaicin heat.

What Makes this Grüner Special: In 2004, winemaking legend Robert Mondavi yelled "Grüner is YOUR grape: just F*!?NG do it!" at Dieter & his partners. Ever since, the Laurenz V have been on a mission to share their Austrian grape, Grüner Veltliner, with the world. The winery only produces this grape, and the main difference in their 3 main offerings ("Singing," "Friendly," and "Charming") is the length of time the grapes spend on the lees. Tasting all 3 is a great exercise in the way lees aging adds complexity, creaminess, and elegance to wine.

Laurenz V "Singing" in Emoji's: 🤩🍋🍏🍐🍍🧂🪨

Learn more here: https://www.laurenzfive.com/en/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenzv.wine/

Shane Cook, Founder of Locals Only Vodka, joins us this week to tell us why his vodka is What to Drink with your Nephew's Lemonade Stand 😎🍹🍋

We're all about supporting young entrepreneurs, and when your nephew or niece or neighbor runs a lemonade stand, we're all for it -- BUT you know we're going to spice that lemonade UP!

Recipe for Locals Lemonade:

Why the Pairing Works: 

What Makes this Vodka Special: This small batch corn and grape-based Vodka is incredibly smooth but retains its character in a cocktail. Locals Only uses an eco-friendly Coconut charcoal filtration method and locally sourced Palomar Mountain Spring water for an exceptionally smooth vodka. 🥥

Learn more here: https://www.localsonlyvodka.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localsonlyvodka/

Giovanni Masucci, export manager for Donnafugata wines and Arancini Afficionado, is in the house today and teaching us how to make baller (pun intended) arancini!

Why the Pairing Works: This fresh, unoaked Nero d'Avola is super versatile with many foods, like pizza, Mexican, and even sweet & sour cuisine. The wine is both soft and fresh, with vibrant red fruits that pair perfectly with the fried delicious Sicilian balls of decadence, AKA arancini.

Donnafugata Sherazade Tastes Like: 💃💄🌒🍒🍓

Netflix/Bingeable Series: The White Lotus

"With bright ruby red color with violet reflections, Sherazade presents a fruity bouquet with hints of plum and cherry flanked by delicate spicy hints (black pepper) and floral notes of violet. On the palate the fruity notes return smoothly, a red of great softness and excellent freshness. The caressing tannin completes this fragrant and pleasant wine."

Greg Brewer, owner and founder of Brewer-Clifton and Diatom wines, is in the house! Greg was named Wine Enthusiast's 2020 Winemaker of the Year and Robert Parker recently gave his Diatom Chardonnay 98 points.

More importantly, Greg is a delight - and one of the most interesting perspectives on winemaking we've ever heard.

Why the Pairing Works: The raw, unadulterated Diatom Chardonnay (no oak, no malolactic fermentation, no lees aging) is a big and beautiful wine. Oysters love acid, and the lemon/citrus elements of this wine play the part of lemon wedge. Both the wine and the oysters are raw and unencumbered and highlight the purity of terroir and 'Merroir' (our new word for the terroir of the sea!)

Diatom Chardonnay Tastes Like: 🌊 (Listen to Greg's explanation!)

Netflix/Bingeable Series: The Chef's Table

"Diatom is motivated by the pursuit of subtraction and refinement. It is the polishing of a grain of rice until one has reached its ultimate inner core. We strive for a recognition of place with as little disturbance, distraction or interference as possible. The resulting wines have a sense of transparency and a purity of intent and purpose."

Juan Rovira, COO and Founder of Samson & Surrey, joins us and explains why Tequila Ocho Plata is What to Drink this week!

Paint The Pairing: It's Cinco de Mayo, but you don't feel like going out this year. You want to create a Den of Sin; a Nest of Comfort. It's officially Stay-at-Home Cinco!

You're in your favorite chair, watching your favorite movie, with Mexican food. You need a Tequila that is both a Drinker and a Thinker. Enter Tequila Ocho! Ocho Plata has layers upon layers of flavor: honey, citrus, floral notes, all backed up with a touch of pepper. This Tequila embraces the terroir of the Highlands (Los Altos). You can drink it neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail like Conner's Ranch Water!

Conner's Ranch Water: Pour 2 oz. of Tequila Ocho Plata into a highball glass. Top with Fever Tree Yuzu and Lime. Garnish with a lime.

Carlos Camarena treats this beautiful Tequila much like a wine. Ocho is the first Tequila to designate both the year it was produced, and the precise field from which the family-grown agaves were sourced. Each batch comes from a different field or “rancho" - contributing distinctive nuances to each vintage, while always retaining the delicious, agave-forward, ripe, peppery notes of Ocho’s house style. They call this terroir in agave.

Learn more at: https://ochotequila.com/

Jose Balbo, head winemaker for Susana Balbo wines (his mother's namesake), joins us to tell us why his Signature Malbec pairs perfectly with any empanada! He'll walk us through the steps of making a delicious beef empanada, whether you prefer the Northern (Salta) way, or Southern (Mendoza) method.

Why This Pairing Works: The fat of the beef coats the tongue, transforming the mouthfeel of the tannins. The juicy acidity of Susana Balbo Malbec also begs for multiple bites!

This Wine, in Emojis: 🍷 💪 ⛰️❄️🧘‍♀️

Empanada Recipe: In a large skillet, heat oil and add diced onion & garlic, then add ground beef and cook until beef is no longer pink. Drain the fat. Add tomato paste and any desired seasonings. Place a few tablespoons into a puff pastry circle (use your Susana Balbo Signature Malbec bottle to create a perfect circle). Fold the circle into an empanada shape and use the crimping method described in this episode. Bake at 425 degrees until you see a nice browning of the empanadas. Remove, let cool, and pair with Susana Balbo Malbec!