Understanding Italian wines takes study and patience. With over 2000 wine grape varieties in the country, it is hard to sort them out. When you break down the country, there is a bit more clarity with grape varieties but little local varieties will confuse you. Umbria, just south of Tuscany, follows suit. Unlike its northern neighbor, it does not grow Sangiovese as the mainstay red grape but grows Sagrantino instead. Valentino Valentina will sort it all out for you.

There is so much to know and understand about the wine diversity just between the two islands, let alone the wine diversity among each island, that New Zealand is recognized with exemplary wines. Simone Kelly stopped in for a conversation and helps us get the lay of the land as we start in the North and work our way down. The Seresin wines are firm in structure and give great insight into where they are grown. Have a listen.

This is where wine is so interesting. When you find regions of the world where wine is life and the passion of the people who make these wines transcends the business of wine, things start to get interesting.

Up in the northeast of Italy as it borders Slovenia is the region of Friuli. The stories that emanate from this obscure part of the wine world are fascinating. The stories of the Prussians during WWI, the proximity to the Dolomites, and the crazy rocky soil, all contribute to the wine in the bottle. We had a good time with the conversation.

Walking the aisles of the Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas earlier this year, a gentleman stuck a sparkling wine glass in my face and said “Do you like wine?” I responded, “Is this a joke?” He went on to tell me that this was an Italian non-alcoholic sparkling wine that he and his wife had created. I have tasted many non-alcoholic wines and they all suck. With trepidation, I tasted it. This was a decent wine. I was shocked and impressed. Come on my show I said…turns out he is in So Cal and I met Marco Marano. 

Wine Talks first sat with Rex in 2021 as he was pondering a Sideways musical. In just a few years, the musical is touring Spain to sold-out crowds and he is holding Sideways concerts in Napa Valley. We caught up with Rex in Napa Valley recently to find out what he had up his sleeve and to recapture some of the great moments in the movie. Rex explained the complicated relationship between the author and screen writer and more importantly tells us of the new stuff coming down the pike. I, for one, am anxious to read the next story. Have a listen.

Once in a while, you run into someone who is a force of nature and come away with “I want her on my team.” This is Jessica Kogan. You must realize that sometimes there are people smarter than you and that there are people that have landed in their rightful place with an innate understanding of their craft. This is Jessica Kogan. There are those people who when you leave their presence have to reflect on what just happened. This is Jessica Kogan. Listen for yourself to see if you agree…

Etude is exemplary in its approach to sustainability. When Jon told me during our interview that the sheep were out on the south 40 aerating and churning the soil and mulching the vegetation, it conjured up a vision of old.  This type of farming and wine production is a discipline more than a method. It is too easy to let the process go for simpler less sustainable methods. And for Jon, the discipline is real.  We got into the weeds (pun intended) on farming, winemaking, community responsibility, and life. Have a listen.

The concept of organic wine farming is really quite old.  If you think about it, vineyards were organic for thousands of years before the invention and use of pesticides. Katrina and her husband were the first certified organic vineyards in California and if that wasn’t enough, they became the first biodynamic vineyard certified in California. A fabulous conversation that took us in many directions…but one thing is for sure, the wines are extraordinary and are exemplary versions of organic examples. You may want to hear her answer when I mentioned that “if we fertilize with horse $hit, won’t the wine taste like horse $hit?”

The study of wine will take you all over the world. It is fascinating and intoxicating (pun intended).  It is said that all roads of wine curiosity lead to Burgundy. The history, the lifestyle, the wines, and the people.

Meet one of the most influential people who help shape not only today’s landscape of Burgundy but the landscape of Burgundy’s future. Frédéric truly believes there is a steward of the land for the next generations, which takes extreme humility. This is the word I would use to describe best the outlook and contribution to the world of wine that Frédéric brings. Listen to see if you agree.