Wine Access Unfiltered

Loire Valley and the great re-discovery of Cabernet Franc

Episode 18

May 25, 2023

Don’t be fooled by the long winding river and Disney-esque castles that line it. The Loire Valley is way more than just a beautiful place to snap a photo and tour on bicycle. As the home to some of the finest Cabernet Franc’s, Chenin Blanc’s, and Sauvignon Blanc’s in the world, the Loire Valley is as prolific a region as they come. And when it comes to wine and cheese, no region can compete with the local goat cheeses and bright, textured white wines that so often accompany. And yet, the Loire Valley in some ways continues to live in the shadows of its neighboring regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. But for wine lovers in the know like our guests John and Reed Skupny, the Loire Valley wines are among the best kept secret in the world - offering great pedigree, character, and value across the region. We’re thrilled to welcome John and Reed of Lang & Reed who have been crafting their Loire Valley inspired Cabernet Franc’s and Chenin Blanc in Napa Valley for almost three decades and championing the region from afar in California.

2020 Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvee Terroir Loire Valley

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Our Hosts: Amanda McCrossin

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Episode 17

May 11, 2023

Mendoza: A Wine Lover’s Guide to the Region featuring Robert Vernick

Mendoza is the world’s 5th largest wine producer, home of multiple 100 point wines, and the adoptive birthplace of Malbec. Yet, it’s a region that still manages to fly under the radar, especially when it comes to wine tourism. Amanda is joined by XChateau podcast host Robert Vernick, whose wine-savvy Instagram @wineterroir focuses on some of the most sought-after, interesting, and rare wines of the world. After spending a week in the region, Robert and Amanda will tell you why Mendoza is poised to become one of the most sought after wine destinations on the planet.

Wine Featured on This Episode:

• 2020 Zuccardi Poligonos Malbec Gualtallary Mendoza

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Our Hosts: Amanda McCrossin

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Episode 16

April 27, 2023

The MICHELIN Chef Series Featuring Minh Phan from Phenakite, Los Angeles

On this absolutely can’t-miss episode, Amanda and Eduardo are joined by Michelin-starred Chef Minh Phan from Phenakite—who the Los Angeles Times named their Restaurant of the Year in 2021—to talk about Asian food and wine pairings. A wine’s “texture is really important in Asian food,” Chef Minh tells us. “When I compose a dish, I make sure that each bite is different and I feel like wine, with each sip, is the same way.” When you listen to this episode, it’ll be easy to understand why, according to a Variety article in October 2021, Phenakite had more than 20,000 people waiting to get reservations.

Wine Featured on This Episode:

• 2019 Benevolent Neglect GSM North Coast

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Our Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Laura Koffer

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Episode 15

April 13, 2023

The MICHELIN Chef Series Featuring Emma Bengtsson from Aquavit, New York

The MICHELIN Chef mini-series continues with Chef Emma Bengtsson of 2 Michelin-starred Aquavit in New York. She began at Aquavit as a Pastry Chef before becoming Executive Chef and the first female Swedish Chef to be awarded two Michelin stars—and only the second female Chef in the United States to do so. Emma talks about how a lot of the “new” culinary techniques that have surfaced within the last decade are the core fundamental to Nordic cuisine as a result of the long winter. And we focus on pairing wine with all of those great spring flavors.

Wine Featured on This Episode:

2020 Domaine Cordier Pere et Fils Jean de la Vigne Bourgogne Blanc

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Our Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Laura Koffer

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Associate Producer: Laura Koffer

Music: Diego's Umbrella

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Episode 14

March 30, 2023

The MICHELIN Chef mini-series continues with Chef (and Owner) Val Cantu of Californios, the first and only Mexican restaurant in North America to earn two Michelin stars. From squab al pastor tacos to a grilled banana with Caviar, he has taken Mexican cuisine to a whole new level and we got the scoop on how to capture those flavors at home. Plus, Master Sommelier Sur Lucero joins us to help explain why we should all be breaking out Txakoli and Rioja with our Mexican-inspired dishes.

Wine Featured on This Episode:

2021 Inazio Urruzola Blanco Getariako Txakolina Spain (Wine Club Wine)

2015 Cune Gran Reserva Rioja

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Our Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Sur Lucero

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Associate Producer: Laura Koffer

Music: Diego's Umbrella

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Episode 13

March 16, 2023

The MICHELIN Chef Series Featuring Troy Jorge from Temporis, Chicago

We’re kicking off a four-episode mini-series featuring chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants with Executive Chef Troy Jorge from Chicago’s one Michelin-starred Temporis. The MICHELIN Guide describes Troy’s food as “the epitome of subtlety, serenity, and sophistication” and when the chef coat comes off, he’s heading straight for the grill at home. Troy declares the cut that reigns supreme and shares his tips on how to have an epic meat night at home. Plus, Advanced Sommelier Laura Koffer talks about which wines to pair with steak—and her choices might surprise you

Wine Featured on This Episode:

2019 Antica Estate Chardonnay A26 Vineyard Napa Valley

2019 Capanna Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

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Our Host: Amanda McCrossin & Laura Koffer

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Articles Discussed

Associate Producer: Laura Koffer

Music: Diego's Umbrella

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Episode 12

March 2, 2023

The Many Paths of Pinot: To Stem or Not to De-Stem with Luisa Ponzi

Pinot Noir is nicknamed the heartbreak grape—because there’s so much that can go wrong. Winemaker Luisa Ponzi joins us to talk about all the factors that go into making Pinot Noir, from the terroir to the winemaking. We hope this episode gives you a whole new appreciation for how much goes into making Pinot Noir and why Luisa says it can be either the most amazing glass of wine you ever had or the worst wine you have ever had.

Wine Featured on This Episode:

2021 Grounded Wine Co. Landform Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

2021 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Laurelwood District Willamette Valley

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Our Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin

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Articles Discussed

Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin

Associate Producer: Laura Koffer

Music: Diego's Umbrella

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Episode 11

February 16, 2023

Master Sommelier Sur Lucero was the fourteenth Krug Cup winner, passing all three levels of the Master Sommelier Exam on his first attempt while earning the highest score. He honed his palate working at The French Laundry, The Little Nell, Cyrus, Meadowood Resort, and Daniel Boulud Las Vegas. Sur joins the Podcast to share his tips on how to assess wine, which is a great way to understand what you like and how to then communicate that. 

** Taste along with us using this Blind Tasting Grid **

Wine Featured on This Episode:

2018 Smith-Madrone Riesling

2018 Aldo Conterno Bussia Barolo Piedmont

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Our Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin

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Articles Discussed

Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin

Associate Producer: Laura Koffer

Music: Diego's Umbrella

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Episode 10

February 2, 2023

Washington’s Booming Wine Scene Featuring Drew Bledsoe

So many people reached out to request we have ex-NFL star Drew Bledsoe on the podcast and we totally understand why. Now an accomplished vintner, Drew first got into wine doing blind tastings with his Patriots teammates. He’d slide wines from his home state of Washington into the lineup and they would always beat the best from Bordeaux and Napa. That’s when the light bulb went off. “There was something different happening back in my hometown,” he told us—so he went all in. From farming practices and vineyards to Super Bowl picks and tips for drinking wine on a plane, this episode is not to be missed.

Wine Featured on This Episode:

2016 Gramercy Cellars Syrah Walla Walla Washington

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Our Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin

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Articles Discussed

Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin

Associate Producer: Laura Koffer

Music: Diego's Umbrella

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Episode 9

January 19, 2023

“Was there a fear that going plant-based would affect your 3-Michelin star status?” we ask Sommelier Gabriel Di Bella of Eleven Madison Park, which has been recognized as the world’s best restaurant. “Hundred percent for sure,” he tells us on this episode of Wine Access Unfiltered. Join us as Gabriel recounts Chef Daniel Humm’s big announcement, how he approaches wine pairings with “no boundaries” just like they do food, how texture plays a bigger role in pairing vegetables with wine than one might think, the vegetable that’s most challenging to pair, and much more.

Wine Featured on This Episode:

2021 Massican Winery Annia White Wine Napa Valley

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Our Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin

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Articles Discussed

The Existential Crisis of Bordeaux's Small Grapegrowers

Wine Is Getting Pricier Thanks to a Logistical Nightmare

Hosts: Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin

Music: Diego's Umbrella

Producer: Chappy Cottrell

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