It is complitcated. Life. Wine. And to help clear up the wine complication (not sure there is a way to uncomplicate life), is Charlotte Selles.

With a distinctive path to her new company Tassei, she brings to the table a wealth of experience cloaked in knowedge, philosophy and experience. She is like a wine savant.

She was in LA for a speaking gig and breaved an unusual SoCal downpour to come to studio to share her spirit.

Charlotte Selles is the kind of guest who'll have you reconsidering not just what's in your wine glass, but why you care in the first place. You think you know luxury in wine? Not so fast. Drawing on her roots in Paris, direct experience with Beaujolais, and a career arc that went from family negotiations to the boardrooms of Robert Mondavi and Jackson Family Wines, Charlotte uproots every tired assumption about what makes a winery—or a wine—worth chasing. Listen closely and you'll discover why luxury isn't about price tags or pedigrees, but about resilience, grit, and the tension that comes from pouring your soul into the vineyard, braving storms—literal and figurative—and nurturing a legacy. But this episode doesn't stop with terroir. Charlotte takes you to the frontlines of modern wine business, from the misguided myth of floodgates marketing to the high-stakes realities of retention, data analytics, and AI in today's DTC world. She'll have you rethinking the purpose of your tasting room, craving the deep relationships behind the best bottles, and maybe even second-guessing whether a discount culture can ever breed true loyalty. By the end, you'll have a new definition of success—not in cases sold, but in customers kept, relationships built, and a business as alive and evolving as the wine itself. Walk away with a fresh understanding of the true business of wine, grounded in purpose, powered by connection, and ready for an uncertain but thrilling future.

1. Jackson Family Wines

   • Website: https://www.jacksonfamilywines.com

2. Constellation Brands

   • Website: https://www.cbrands.com

3. Robert Mondavi Winery

   • Website: https://www.robertmondaviwinery.com

4. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi

   • Website: https://www.woodbridgewines.com

5. Trader Joe's

   • Website: https://www.traderjoes.com

6. Gallo (E. & J. Gallo Winery)

   • Website: https://www.gallo.com

7. Enolytics

   • Website: https://www.enolytics.com

8. Commerce7

   • Website: https://www.commerce7.com

9. Wine Direct

   • Website: https://www.winedirect.com

10. The Wine Group

    • Website: https://www.thewinegroup.com

11. Verité Winery

    • Website: https://www.veritewines.com

12. KNL (K&L Wine Merchants)

    • Website: https://www.klwines.com

13. Wally's Wine & Spirits

    • Website: https://www.wallywine.com

#WineTalksPodcast, #CharlotteSelles, #PaulKalemkiarian, #LuxuryWine, #WineBusiness, #DTCWine, #WineInnovation, #CustomerRetention, #WineMarketing, #AIandWine, #NapaValley, #Beaujolais, #BrandStrategy, #SonomaState, #CriticalThinking, #WineRelationships, #WineConsulting, #Entrepreneurship, #WineIndustryInsights, #CommunityBuilding

Charlotte Selles is a dynamic leader in the wine industry, known for blending deep expertise with an adventurous spirit. Born in Paris, Charlotte grew up immersed in wine thanks to her father's work in the négociant industry and an ambitious, if slightly misguided, attempt to become a gentleman farmer in Beaujolais. Through this early exposure, she witnessed first-hand the highs and lows of wine production, gaining a nuanced understanding of luxury and the grit required to succeed.

Charlotte made the leap to the U.S. in her early twenties, bringing with her a suitcase of Beaujolais and a healthy dose of courage. Over the years, she carved out a reputation as an innovative strategist, serving as the general manager of the renowned Robert Mondavi Winery and Constellation Brands. She also held the position of Vice President of International Portfolio Strategy for Jackson Family Wines, steering global growth for one of the industry's heavyweights.

Her journey ultimately led her to found Tissay, where she now works as CEO, advising premium vineyards and artisan wineries on brand management and growth. Tissay specializes in helping wineries recover from overexpansion, transition to new business models, and build meaningful relationships with their core customers. Charlotte's approach is anything but one-size-fits-all; she champions retention marketing, customer data analysis, and strategic focus, drawing on her broad experience in both the European and American wine landscapes.

In addition to her consulting work, Charlotte teaches at the Sonoma State Wine Business Institute and speaks on topics ranging from leadership and innovation to global market evolution. She's well-known for her wit, candor, and commitment to elevating both wine and the people behind it. Her path, from Paris to California's wine country, is proof that embracing adventure—and a bit of chaos—can lead to extraordinary results.

I jumped in on a LinkedIn conversation about wine, soil, volcano's and more. Thought I would contribute to the message string. That is when I engaged Diana on the concept of terroir. But not just any terroir, but volcanic terroir. Then I realized that Diana's expertise in the realm of wine...is the soil! She is a expert in energy and geophysics!

Diana Kandiglian is the kind of guest who measures her excitement in bottles, not hours. If you've ever wondered what happens when a scientist who reads rocks for a living falls in love with wine, this episode is for you. You'll learn how Diana's background as a geophysicist shapes her curiosity about soils and terroir, and why she believes the best wines surprise you, just like life itself. Through her stories, you'll uncover why Armenia's volcanic soils produce wines unlike any other, how centuries-old vines navigate climate change, and why boutique winemaking has become the soul of the country's industry. Paul and Diana peel back layers of old world tradition and new world innovation, exploring appellations, indigenous grape varieties, and the risks of chasing global trends at the expense of authenticity. You'll be puzzled—but enlightened—by the paradox of Armenia's old vines and young winemakers, and why Diana advocates for some rules to keep the magic alive. There's a fascinating discussion of soil science, climate, and grape selection: from Texan clays to French boulders, you'll understand how the land whispers its secrets into every glass. You'll hear why the future of wine in both Armenia and unexpected places like Texas and Brazil depends on resilience, sustainable practices, and stories worth telling. If your palate craves complexity and your mind seeks narratives from every region, Diana's "Pour Across America" vision will inspire you to taste wines you've never imagined—and appreciate the intersection of science and soul in every sip. By the time you finish listening, you'll carry away a deeper understanding not only of Armenian wine, but of what it means to seek adventure, surprise, and connection in your glass.

1. Pour Across America Wine Club Website: www.pouracrossamerica.com

2. Grgich Hills Winery Website: www.grgich.com

3. Zulal Wines Website: www.zulalwines.com

4. Van Ardi Website: www.vanardi.com

5. Karas Wines Website: www.karaswines.com

6. Messina Hof Winery Website: www.messinahof.com

7. McPherson Cellars Website: www.mcphersoncellars.com

8. En Vino Wine Shop (Envino) Website: www.invinowine.am

9. Terravox Website: www.terravox.wine

#winepodcast, #winetalks, #DianaKandiglian, #PaulKalemkiarian, #Armenianwine, #terroir, #geophysics, #soilscience, #volcanicwine, #winenatural, #sustainablewine, #boutiquewine, #fingerlakeswine, #pouracrossamerica, #winetasting, #climatechangewine, #winelover, #winenewworld, #wineeducation, #wineinnovation

I keep hearing how the industry has to change, how Gen Z is aren't drinking wine, how the trade is slow to do anything....until you speak with Abby Bogle.

She is the type of enthusiasm and drive that is needed to move with the times. You have all heard me say that "time will tell" and that "all generations come around to the proper glass of wine."

What Abby is doing is making the proper glass of wine more accessible.

Be careful, she is a bit infectious.

Abby Bogle is not your average disruptor—she's bottling up tradition, cracking open innovation, and pouring new life into the wine industry one mini-bottle at a time. You'll discover how Abby moved from the heart of Texas wine country to leading a revolution in single-serve wine formats that could change how generations experience wine. This conversation uncorks why classic 750ml bottles are struggling to captivate younger drinkers and what it will take for wine to rival the convenience of seltzers and cocktails. Abby reveals the secrets behind fractionalization—how her company, Small Lot Bottles, transforms wines into TSA-friendly miniatures for education, gifting, and direct-to-consumer sales. You'll learn why canned wines fizzled, why PET plastic just doesn't cut it, and how glass keeps wine's integrity intact. The discussion dives into the technical challenges of bottling, shelf life, and the sophisticated use of Coravin's argon technology to preserve taste and tradition. Paul and Abby muse on the frustrations of shipping wine, navigating legal hurdles, and why Gen Z consumers might grab a can of hard seltzer before ever considering a can of wine. As the conversation flows, you'll gain a behind-the-scenes look at how wineries are adapting, how industry innovators like Paul Mabray are influencing change, and why experience matters more than size. You'll come away understanding how the wine world is responding to declining sales, changing demographics, and the demand for something different—plus, you'll hear about Texas' own pioneering vineyards and what it means for the future. If you're wondering where wine is headed, pull up a glass—this episode will give you more than just a taste of tomorrow's wine culture.

1. Small Lot Bottles Abby Bogle is owner and CEO of Small Lot Bottles. Their website is: https://smalllotbottles.com

2. Napa Valley Wine Academy https://napavalleywineacademy.com

3. Coravin https://coravin.com

4. Wine Foundry https://www.winefoundry.com

5. Oakville Grocery (Oakville Grocer) https://oakvillegrocery.com

6. Culinary Institute of America https://www.ciachef.edu

7. Quarter Masters of America's Wine education partner: https://www.mastersommeliers.org

8. Knox & Dobson https://knoxanddobson.com

#wineindustry #fractionalization #smallformatbottles #wineinnovation #GenZwine #winetrends #winepackaging #wineexperience #directtoconsumer #wineeducation #NapaValleyWineAcademy #winesampling #Coravin #miniwinebottles #Texaswine #ONDseason #winesustainability #winewastesolutions #alternativewineformats #winerymarketing #winegifting #podcastinterview

I can tell you it was like sitting with a long, lost neighbor when sitting with Kelly E. Carter. And in fact, we were neighbors of sorts back in the day.

It wasn't until I was searching for images to create the icons for this podcast did I realize I was in the presence of true maverick royalty. Besides being a New York Times best selling author, she has reported from the greatest sporting events of the world: the NBA FInals, Super Bowls, Grand Slams, Stanley Cup Finals and much more. And more intriguing, she was the woman reporter in the locker room!

I was so intrigued and we could have spoken for hours because she is the Founder of the wine tourism group, Napa Valley Noir.

sitting down with Kelly E. Carter in the studio for this episode of Wine Talks was like taking a stroll down memory lane while simultaneously hitching a ride on a train heading straight for the future of wine tourism. There's something about Kelly—her energy, her wit, and just her knack for storytelling—that gets you thinking about the wine industry in ways that feel both nostalgic and freshly invigorating.

We kicked things off with some good old home turf banter—Kelly's Windsor Hills childhood (Ray Charles and Ike & Tina Turner for neighbors, no less) and my own roots in Inglewood. Instantly, there was this shared sense that, before wine stole our hearts, Southern California had given us some pretty unique perspectives on culture and community. And as Kelly pointed out, "you'll never know everything" about winemaking, which is honestly the very reason some of us keep swirling, sipping, and studying. I know I do.

What genuinely impressed me was Kelly's trajectory. She was the first female to cover the Lakers—how many people do you meet who set out in fourth grade to be a sports journalist and actually make it happen? She wasn't just content to report on sports. She made her mark, switched lanes into entertainment, and then into luxury travel writing, which eventually led her to Florence and Positano. It's the kind of layered journey you don't hear about every day. You talk to some folks, they've been in wine their whole lives. With Kelly, it's travel, sports, culture—all converging in the glass.

We got into the nitty-gritty of wine and travel writing and how AI could never replace the boots-on-the-ground experience. I had to laugh—when Kelly plugged Napa into chatbots, she got recommendations for wineries that are closed for renovations. "You have to know the latest," she said, reminding me that the best wine stories are always written with real shoe leather, not just code.

Her insights into Napa Valley tourism were equally compelling. As the founder of Napa Valley Noir, Kelly's passion lies in creating experiences rich in narrative, not just pouring cabs for folks who made it big in tech and want a taste of the valley lifestyle. She's all about partnerships with wineries that have soul, stories, and a genuine connection to their craft—whether it's a historic vineyard run by women or an impromptu meeting with Thomas Keller that leaves guests starstruck. Frankly, I couldn't agree more. The stories make the bottle—and the memories. That's what keeps this business alive, even as the market shifts.

Kelly also talked about the recent surge in African American visitors to Napa, thanks in part to celebrity influence (LeBron, Kobe, you name it), and her drive to ensure these visitors experience the full magic Napa has to offer, not just what's on the surface. She's honest—her intake forms ask straight-up about comfort level on bottle prices. She knows how to match guests with the right wineries, sometimes calling in a favor for an extra pour or a charcuterie board, because that's how relationships form and deepen in this business.

There's a lesson in Kelly's methods: whether it's a group of corporate execs, first-timers, or veteran collectors, she makes sure the experience is tailored and memorable. Maybe it's the aftermath of her own battles—her candor about beating a rare cancer got me thinking about perspective, gratitude, and the importance of living fully, whether it's raising a glass or hiking through a vineyard.

Talking with Kelly reminded me why I started this podcast in the first place. It's the human stories behind the wines, the journeys of the people who bring them to life—and the shared desire to know just a little bit more, one sip, one story at a time. Cheers to Kelly and to all of us still curious.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/AXGYAhnctSE

1. Napa Valley Noir

   • https://napavalleynoir.com

2. Alpha Omega Winery

   • https://www.aowinery.com

3. Brown Estate Vineyards

   • https://www.brownestate.com

4. French Laundry

   • https://www.thomaskeller.com/tfl

5. Bouchon Bistro

   • https://www.thomaskeller.com/bouchon

6. Ad Hoc

   • https://www.thomaskeller.com/adhoc

7. Visit Napa Valley (tourism board)

   • https://www.visitnapavalley.com

8. AAAV - Association of African American Vintners

   • https://www.aaavintners.org

9. 1010 Wine Bar

   • https://www.1010wineandsmallplates.com

10. Vera Wang

    • https://www.verawang.com

11. Tod's

    • https://www.tods.com

12. Mohawk Industries

    • https://www.mohawkind.com

#WineTalksPodcast #KellyECarter #PaulKalemkiarian #NapaValleyNoir #NapaValleyTourism #AfricanAmericanWineCulture #WineIndustryStories #WinemakingEducation #WineTastings #TravelWriting #ItalyToNapa #LuxuryTravel #AAAV #WellnessInNapa #WinePricing #BordeauxBlends #WineExperiences #WineBusinessChallenges #CelebrityWineCulture #PersonalMemoir #HeadAndNeckCancer

Sometimes I just get an hankering. Ya know, a chance to try and tell it like it is.

There is no óne-size" fits all solution to what is happening in our trade.

And there still are many successes in the trade...more to come on that front.

Wine is too important to the existance of man to address the ills of the trade with thinking marketing and packaging solutions will solve the problems. Certainly, the trade can make some contemporary adjustments to those issues, but those are not the core issues. They can't be, wine is a conduit for the human soul to the soil; deep rooted (pun intended) in our human history.

My solo chat in this episode of Wine Talks covers a smorgasbord of wine world goings-on, from L.A. distributor drama to the secret sauce behind great wine service. I tell some spicy takes on wine industry passion, poke fun at "credentials" (let's just say WSET 1 is not exactly rocket science), and reminisces about both snobby and soulful wine moments—because hey, sometimes decanting at home is just as much about the class as the glass.

Ialso spin off on stories about meeting the Pope (fingers crossed for that podcast collab!) and a forthcoming series, Song of America, which promises inspiring immigrant tales—because let's face it, who didn't dream of inventing the bendy straw?

The thread running through it all is passion—whether you're pouring Pinot or running a carpet empire on Santa Monica Blvd, it's caring deeply that truly makes life (and wine) taste better. And don't worry, Ikeep ranting about all the things that make me crazy in the wine world, so stay tuned and pour yourself a glass for the ride!

#wineindustry #winepassion #RNDCCollapse #winesales #wineeducation #WSET #wineservice #restaurantwinesales #NapaValley #properwineservice #hospitality #immigrantstories #SongOfAmerica #Armenianwinemakers #VaticanWine #wineculture #winestorytelling #celebritywines #farmtotable #wineexperiences

One of the on-going themes with Wine Talks, with virtually all guests, is the idea that you never stop learning in the wine trade. I supposed you could say that about many industries, but wine carries with it the idea of the harvest; the surrounding conditions that otherwise would be called "terroir" when discussing the differences from one year to the next. And there in lies the "never stop learning" aspect of wine. Each year is different and each your your knowledge and curiosity is compounded.

Tony Biagi relishes in this concept. He finds the will and the drive directly from the annual but perrenial unkowns when the next harvest arrives. We had an inspiring conversation at the Robert Mondavi tasting room in downtown Napa (a must stop when visiting).

ony Biagi might claim his parents thought he was crazy for joining the wine world, but on this episode, it's clear that his unique path—from wrestling recruit to celebrated Napa winemaker—brings bold insight to every bottle he touches. You'll walk away with a fresh perspective on what really makes a wine legendary—not just the soil or variety, but the relentless curiosity and humility of those who tend the vines. Listen as Tony wrestles with the legacy of To Kalon, Napa's most storied vineyard, unraveling its mysteries alongside Paul Kalemkiarian. You'll learn how American and French traditions collide in the heart of California, why the freedom to experiment drives vintners across the Atlantic to our shores, and how the "Burgundianization" of Napa reflects a deeper search for identity and place. Tony lays bare the tension between making wine for the critics versus crafting honest, vintage-driven wines—the kind that can never quite be replicated and, like a great song or timeless meal, stir something primal in us all. Hear the unvarnished truth about organic farming, weathering adversity like wildfires, and how a single harvest offers but one shot each year to get it right. Find out why the energy in a morning vineyard or the quiet wisdom of mentors shapes every glass, and discover how genuine hospitality—not snobbery—keeps the wine world alive. By the end, you'll possess an insider's grasp of not only To Kalon's rarefied terroir and innovative spirit, but the soulful alchemy that endlessly draws winemakers and drinkers back to the table.

1. Robert Mondavi Winery (owners of part of To Kalon Vineyard) Website: https://www.robertmondaviwinery.com

2. Ridge Vineyards Website: https://www.ridgewine.com

3. Ravenswood Winery Website: https://www.ravenswoodwinery.com

4. PlumpJack Winery Website: https://www.plumpjackwinery.com

5. Duckhorn Vineyards Website: https://www.duckhorn.com

6. Hourglass Wine Company Website: https://www.hourglasswines.com

7. Cade Estate Winery Website: https://www.cadewinery.com

8. Chateau Cheval Blanc Website: https://www.chateau-cheval-blanc.com/en/

9. Harlan Estate Website: https://www.harlanestate.com

10. Staglin Family Vineyard Website: https://www.staglinfamily.com

11. Domaine Leflaive Website: https://www.domainedeflaive.com/en/

12. Dalla Valle Vineyards Website: https://www.dallavallevineyards.com

13. Turley Wine Cellars Website: https://www.turleywinecellars.com

14. Terravox (Missouri) Website: https://www.terravox.wine

15. Wine Spectator (wine magazine frequently cited) Website: https://www.winespectator.com

#NapaValley #TonyBiagi #PaulKalemkiarian #winemaking #TokalonVineyard #terroir #CabernetSauvignon #CabernetFranc #organicfarming #vineyardhistory #winebusiness #wineratings #hospitality #winetourism #innovation #tradition #vintage #wineindustry #RobertMondavi #winetastingrooms

I can talk about this stuff for days. Get me on a high horse and it is off to the races.

I've tasted more wines than most people could ever dare dream of—but what fascinates me isn't just what's in the glass. It's the stories behind the bottles, the regions, and the relentless passion it takes to survive and thrive in the wine trade.

In this episode of Wine Talks, I share how a ritual-like discipline led me to taste over 100,000 wines, and what that journey has taught me about the constantly evolving wine industry. I'll take you inside Tuesday morning tastings, reveal why competitors sometimes secretly send each other cases of samples, and unpack how internet sales, supermarket scandals, and shifting consumer habits have redrawn the map of the wine world.

But it's not just about business—I'll also show you how to navigate an overwhelming wine aisle with confidence by learning to decode the meaning woven into a label. I'll open a door to emerging wine regions like Armenia, where ancient traditions and native grapes are fighting for global recognition, much like Napa or Bordeaux once did.

Along the way, I'll share unexpected stories—from unforgettable dining spots in Yountville, to vodka distilled from "second-chance" fruit, to boutique brands rewriting the rules of luxury. My goal is simple: to help you see wine in a whole new light. You'll leave this episode empowered to explore, enchanted by histories you never knew, and inspired to savor not just what's in your glass, but the human stories that bring it to life.

#WineTalks #WinePodcast #PaulKalemkiarian #WineOfTheMonthClub #WineTasting #NapaValley #Yountville #StHelena #WineEducation #WineIndustry #ArmenianWine #WineRegions #WineExperience #WineTravel #WineStories #WineCulture #WineRecommendations #Winemaking #WineShops #WineVarietals

I have had a dozen cellar apps. In fact, many were brought to me as the President of the Original Wine of the Month Club to be tested. The current database that houses all my internal tastings over the past 35 years was never produced as a commercial product. And as you can imagine, it is so 1993.

Thanks to the energy and self proported "tech geek" Eric LeVine, keeping track of your cellar and much more is at your fingertips.

Not only has he created an incredibly robust app in the wine trade, but he has also created a community of collectors and novices alike.

When your name rhymes with "wine," it seems only natural you'd play a key role in reshaping the world of wine collecting. Eric LeVine—yes, "LeVine" with a capital V, as in "wine"—joins Wine Talks to uncork a conversation that's as much about technology as it is about terroir. In this fascinating episode, you'll discover how a meticulous software engineer transformed from a tech geek into a bona fide wine enthusiast after a life-changing cycling trip through Tuscany. You'll hear first-hand how Eric's frustration with clunky, outdated wine cataloguing tools led him to build CellarTracker—a platform that's now indispensable for collectors and curious drinkers alike. Listen in to understand how CellarTracker blossomed from a personal spreadsheet to a global community, amassing over 12 million tasting notes, helping both green beginners and seasoned oenophiles keep track of their treasured bottles (and avoid that collector's nightmare of opening a vintage past its prime). You'll also learn how CellarTracker leverages cutting-edge AI to make wine research and cellar management nearly effortless, whether you're uploading receipts or hunting for that perfect Loire red hidden on your top cellar shelf. Eric goes beyond geekery, showing how technology—and even a little bit of chat-based wizardry—makes wine less intimidating, more approachable, and, most importantly, more social. If you've ever wondered how technology can add confidence and curiosity to your wine journey, or how the experience of each bottle is about more than just what's in your glass, this episode will leave you swirling with inspiration.

• CellarTracker (Eric Levine is the founder and CEO)

  • Website: https://www.cellartracker.com

#wine #podcast #technology #CellarTracker #winecollecting #winesoftware #AIinwine #wineinventory #winereviews #EricLeVine #winetech #winedatabase #wineenthusiasts #PaulK #winetalks #wineeducation #wineexploration #winetasting #winecommunity #winejourney

The Armenian wine trade, like the rest of the wine world, has headwinds and maybe a bit more than the more established countries and regions where wine is well known and respected. You have to add to the mix of struggles; unknown grape varietals, no port of entry, unknown regions and 75 years of Soviet oppression.

Enter Zara Muradyan; a wine romanticist and proud Armenian vintner. She is fast becoming the one to know in the wine trade out of Armenia and possibly single-handedly recruited the famed and infamous Concours Mondial de Bruxelles International wine tasting to Yerevan, Armenia in May of 2026.

It took a bit, but Wine Talks sat with Zara to hear her perspective.

Zara Nuradyan can hardly believe it herself: in just fifteen years, Armenia has gone from a forgotten wine outpost—where the post-Soviet legacy meant brandy trumped wine—to a vibrant, world-class wine region inviting international acclaim. In this episode, you'll discover how Zara, the dynamic director of the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia and founder of Zara Wines, is not only championing Armenia's ancient winemaking heritage but also steering its modern renaissance. You'll hear how the country, armed with indigenous grapes like Areni and Voskahat, is shaking off its low-profile past to carve out a place on the international wine map—and why you might just see Armenian bottles on the tables of Tokyo, Los Angeles, or at your next masterclass. From government investment and educational initiatives to the role of diaspora and global tastings, Zara pulls back the curtain on how Armenia unites old-world traditions and new-world ambition, even courting major international competitions right in Yerevan. You'll get an insider's look at the challenges and headwinds, the heady joys of a growing industry, and the story of how passion, terroir, and a can-do spirit have created not just better wine, but a new cultural touchstone for Armenians at home and abroad. If you've ever doubted that a "brand new ancient" wine country could dazzle the global stage, Zara's journey will leave you uncorking more than a few assumptions—and maybe reaching for a bottle of something you've never tasted before.

1. Zara Wines (founded by Zara Nuradyan)

   • Website: Not specifically listed in the transcript, but based on the company name, the most likely official site is: https://zarawines.com/

2. Geisenheim University (collaborator in founding the Wine Academy in Armenia)

   • Website: https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/

3. Karas Wines (a key Armenian wine producer mentioned)

   • Website: https://karaswines.com/

4. Alexandria Winery (producer in Armenia)

   • Website: https://alexandriawines.com/

5. Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia (Zara is the director)

   • Website: https://armeniamwinefoundation.com/ or https://vwfa.am/

6. Icare Foundation (collaborator for the Wine Academy)

   • Website: https://icare.am/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/4hLWvOPDjZw

#ArmenianWine #WineIndustry #WineTourism #WineEducation #IndigenousGrapeVarieties #WineHistory #WineRenaissance #Armenia #WinePodcast #WineCulture #InternationalWineMarket #WineExport #WineFoundation #WineMaking #WinePromotion #WineEvents #WineFestivals #zarawines #zaramuradyan #WineInnovation

Wine Talks is deeply connected to the Judgement of Paris. Not only were the Barretts good customers of our wine shop, Warren Winiarski stayed in our home on a trip to Los Angeles.

The industry was completely different then. California wine had always been a thing, particularly before prohibition. It had even made its way to the east coast in the 1800's. But then came that fateful day in Paris at the Intercontinental Hotel, the Americans won.

In Paris, there was a journalist named George Taber. He had heard about this tasting pitting California's boutique gems against the equivalent (at least from a grape standpoint) French stars. It turned out to be no contest and set the wine world on its ears. Can you imagine, French judges choosing American vintages over their beloved French wines?

George Taber was the only journalist to show up...and almost didn't.

George Taber never meant to shake the wine world—he just happened to be the only journalist in the room when California shattered centuries of French pride. As you join us on Wine Talks, you'll walk beside Taber through the candlelit salons of 1970s Paris, where the unsuspecting French sat down to a blind tasting designed to showcase their invincibility, only to watch that myth dissolve, glass by glass. In this episode, you'll learn how a simple event—what began as a friendly challenge orchestrated by Steven Spurrier—ended up catalyzing the global rise of American wine and undermining the Old World's complacency. You'll get an intimate portrait of the Parisian wine scene in its heyday: corner wine shops, eager expatriates, and the odd British merchant shaking things up with unorthodox ideas. Follow Taber's transformation from a young Time magazine reporter, new to France and mostly ignorant of wine, to the accidental chronicler of one of history's most dramatic palate shifts. Discover how logistical headaches and legal loopholes almost kept California's best bottles out of the competition, and what happened when French wine judges realized—too late—that their favorite "Meursault" was actually a Napa Chardonnay. You'll hear about the aftershocks reverberating through both continents; how careers were built, fortunes made, and the entire wine business transformed overnight. Plus, Taber reveals the stubborn role of luck in history and how something as small as attending the right tasting at the right time can change everything. By the end, you'll not only understand the Judgment of Paris, but also the passion, humility, and disruption that lie inside every bottle.

#WineTalks #JudgmentOfParis #CaliforniaWine #FrenchWine #GeorgeTaber #StevenSpurrier #ChateauMontelena #StagsLeapWineCellars #NapaValley #WineHistory #WineTasting #WineEducation #BlindTasting #WineIndustry #PodcastInterview #WineStorytelling #WineCulture #CorkHistory #FrenchLifestyle #NewWorldWines

1. Time Magazine Website: https://time.com (Armen refers to working as a journalist at Time magazine.)

2. Chateau Montelena Website: https://www.montelena.com (Referenced in the discussion about the Judgment of Paris tasting.)

3. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Website: https://www.cask23.com (Mentioned as one of the winning wineries in the Judgment of Paris.)

4. Charles Krug Winery Website: https://www.charleskrug.com (Referenced in a story about being poured at an event with President Eisenhower.)

5. Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Website: https://www.sebastiani.com (Mentioned when Paul recalls stocking the shelves.)

6. Ackerman Wines Website: https://www.ackermanwines.com (Ackerman, a major New York wine retailer, is referenced.)

7. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards Website: https://www.stfranciswinery.com (Discussed in context of early synthetic cork usage.)

8. Barefoot Cellars Website: https://www.barefootwine.com (Mentioned regarding synthetic corks.)

9. Taylor Wine Company (Taylor Cellars) Website: https://www.taylorwine.com (Referenced in the cork closure story.)