In recent years, there has been a lot of buzz around “volcanic wines.” The term makes it sound as if these are wines that are spawned from a volcano, but in reality these are wines that many people believe have special qualities because they grow on volcanic soils. In this show, I define the types of volcanoes before discussing the ecosystems they form. I then talk about the specific regions known to have volcanic wines, but I also point out that these areas have other factors that may create similarities in the wine – proximity to oceans, old vines (unaffected by phylloxera), and high elevations and cooling breezes. These must be considered, despite the fact that many of the volcanic wine groupies say flavor is purely from the soils. Here is the list of wines/places I discuss in the show:ItalyMount Etna, Sicily: Reds (Rosso of the Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio grapes), whites (Bianco, mainly of the Carricante grape)Soave, Veneto: Whites grown on specific hillsides (Garganega, Trebbiano di Soave grapes)CampaniaVesuvius: Whites of Coda di Volpe, Caprettone, Falanghina, Greco. Rosés and reds of Piedirosso, Aglianico, Sciacinoso Irpinia: Taurasi DOCG and Aglianico del Taburno DOCG: Reds of the Aglianico grape. I mention Feudi di San Gregorio Fiano di Avellino: May or may not be affected by the volcanic soilGreco di Tufo DOCG: White of the Greco grape, the sulfur and compressed volcanic ash (tufo),and volcanic sand and clay, give the wines an acidity, minerality & flintiness that has clear volcanic influence Basilicata: Aglianico del Vulture. Reds of Aglianico Piedmont: Alto Piemonte. Red blends in Gattinara, Boca, BramaterraUmbria/Lazio: Orvieto. Whites of Grechetto, Trebbiano Toscano______________Greece: Santorini - White of Assyrtiko. Lemnos -Red of LimnioSpain: The Canary Islands/Las Canarias - Whites of Malvasîa Volcánica, Malvasîa Aromática, Listán Blanco. Reds of Listán NegroPortugal: Açores islands (the Azores). Whites: Arinto, Verdelho, Fernão Pires, Terrantez Hungary: North of Lake Balaton in Somló, whites of the Juhfark grapeTokaji – sweet and dry whites of mainly the Furmint grape US:Oregon's Willamette ValleySome parts of Napa, Lake County in California__________________________________________________________Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!Wine Access has an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to!  Get 10% your first order with my special URL.  To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hunter Valley is the OG -- the first place where Australian grape growing took place.  For 200 years there has been continuous winegrowing and winemaking among the rolling hills and green valleys, which are peppered with iconic wineries, many of which have been around for more than 100 years. Although other types of wines are made, the Hunter has one crown jewel -- Semillon. In this show I give detail on the history, background and terroir of the Hunter before discussing the Semillon and why it is so special and is truly a GREAT!!I give an overview of the Hunter Valley, which is one of Australia’s most popular wine destinations. It is just over a two hours' drive north from Sydney in New South Wales – about 160 km/100 mi north. It is very near UNESCO World Heritage National Parks, which are popular tourist destinations.With its low latitude (32°S), viticulture would not be possible without some mitigating factors The Hunter Valley is SMALL - it's 2% of Australian vineyard area. The region focuses on quality, premium wines, not bulkPlantings are 47% red (mostly Shiraz), 53% white (mostly Chardonnay and Semillon, with Verdelho of Portugal. This white-heavy mix is unusual for Australia! The I discuss the subtropical climate, the varied land and what works best for Semillon, and the GIsI spend the rest of the time talking about the alchemy involved in making a living wine like Hunter Valley Semillon -- truly one of "the greats" of the wine world! _______________________________________________________________________Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________Wine Access has an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club in time for the first quarter shipment (it's shaping up to be outstanding). Get 10% your first order with my special URL.  To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a quick special announcement show with two news items:1. After many years of being on the show, MC Ice has left the building! This was not his main business and he has chosen to focus on his work and other pursuits! We thank him for his contributions. Going forward, educational shows will be with Elizabeth only, with occasional guest appearances from Patrons to mix things up!2. Probably more important is the answer to the question many of you have been asking: Where do I get the old episodes of the podcast?Many of you have noticed that the back catalog of the podcast is no longer available on public podcast feed. It’s not gone but the access is restricted. You can still access the past 13 years ofepisodes by joining Patreon. As soon as you sign up, you will receive instructions on how to access the back episodes. It’s a very simple process and you can sign up at patreon.com/winefornormalpeopleThe decision to do this was based on the fact that the podcast takes 20 hours or more a week to produce. Although content seems free because it just pops up in your player, there is a big cost to produce it. Research, writing, editing, scheduling guests, etc. – all of which I do myself – takes a lot of time and effort. Those who provide financial support to the show through Patreon, the most committed listeners, have kept the podcast going since 2018 and now they will have exclusive rights to the previous shows. I would love for you to join that group, or you can access the current year’s shows, which are made free by my parternship with Wine Access, whom I hope you will support at wineaccess.com/normalThanks for understanding and I'll see you on the next show!! Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I welcome to the show, again, and this time for a much longer and more thorough conversation, Luca Paschina, the head winemaker and GM of Barboursville, the historic property in the Monticello AVA of Virginia. Luca was on the show in 2016, originally on episode 162. Barboursville has a long history, which starts around the same time as its current owners’ wine history -- the Zonin family of Veneto (found 1821). We discuss Thomas Jefferson and his role in trying to get Virginia wine started. Luca tells us about Gianni Zonin, who purchased Barboursville in 1976 and created the first world class winery in Virginia. He is still the owner today. Luca has been the head winemaker of Barboursville since 1990. He gives us an excellent retrospective on what he has learned in these decades and the key terroir points about the Monticello AVA. tell us the . We also touch on some of the challenges and the advantages of the region and we are pretty honest about separating the wheat from the chaff. This is a very honest look at Virginia, and frankly a great way to tell if a winery you visit knows what they are talking about. If they don’t follow Luca’s advice, likely the wine isn’t going to be very good! This is a great show and I hope it motivates you to look more into the excellent wines of Virginia!_______________________________________________________________________Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________Wine Access has an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club in time for the first quarter shipment (it's shaping up to be outstanding). Get 10% your first order with my special URL.  To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a follow up to Felicity Carter's show last week, in which we mentioned referenced the work of Christopher Snowdon often, I am re-releasing Episode 274 to give another perspective. This was originally released April 29, 2019. We raised all sorts of red flags in this show and Christopher has been consistent on his blog about how moderate drinking is still good for you and why wine is NOT the new tobacco...This is a great supplement and another viewpoint on this subject and dovetails perfectly with last week's show.The show notes are simple this week: his two articles --“The campaign to make alcohol ‘the new tobacco’” March 28, 2019 (Scroll down to see the article on this page)"A glass of wine won't shorten your life -- moderate drinking is still good for you" April 17, 2018 More on Chris:Snowdon is author of five books: 'Polemics' (2020) 'Killjoys' (2017), 'Selfishness, Greed and Capitalism' (2015), 'The Art of Suppression' (2011), 'The Spirit Level Delusion' (2010) and 'Velvet Glove, Iron Fist' (2009). He has also written more than a dozen reports for the Institute of Economic Affairs including ‘Drinking, Fast and Slow’, ‘and ‘Closing Time: Who’s killing the British pub?’. He blogs at The Snowdon SubstackFull show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today!www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople_______________________________________________THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!!Wine Access has an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club in time for the first quarter shipment. Get 10% your first order with my special URL.  To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest, Felicity Carter, is probably the most brilliant journalist in wine, and certainly one of the only ones doing vital investigative work in the field of wine, health, and the neo prohibitionist movement. From 2008 to 2021, she was editor-in-chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International, a global, English-language magazine, one of Germany’s oldest publishing houses. She reported from 22 countries in that position. She writes for Decanter, The Guardian, and pretty much every major prestigious wine publication out there.Felicity is the foremost authority on wine and health and has information about what is ACTUALLY going on with the “new” data on wine and health…talk about a malevolent hand. HOLY SH&T when you find out what is behind the WHO’s recommendation. Your jaw will drop when she reveals what is actually happening...mine did.Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today!www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________Wine Access has Armenian wines before they even made a splash in the wine magazines! They have their finger on the pulse and connect with wineries and regions you need to know about! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club in time for the first quarter shipment (it's shaping up to be outstanding AND one of the shipments is likely to have an Armenian wine...hint, hint! ). Get 10% your first order with my special URL.  To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this show we explore the world of Armenian wine, which has roots in the ancient world and may be the oldest winemaking region in Europe. To tell us about these wines, the terroir, and the regions, I welcome Keush Managing Director & Zulal Founder, Aimee Keushguerian. Aimee educates us on Armenian wine and tells us about the projects she and her family are undertaking to shape the modern Armenian wine industry, which is definitely getting noticed for its high quality and interesting grape varieties.Armenia is located in the Caucasus region bordering Georgia, Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. Vineyards are in the mountains with very high elevations -- some of the highest in Europe. For a map see:  https://www.britannica.com/place/Armenia#/media/1/35178/208378 As a guide, here are some of the grapes we mention:Areni is the spicy, medium bodied, lovely main red grape. Vayots Dzor is the main quality region for Areni.Tozot from Vayots Dzor is like a Grenache and has great potentialVoskehat is Armenia’s most promising white grape. Producers can make sparkling, still, and dessert wine all from Voskehat. It is non aromatic.Chilar: is another promising white grape with great structure that does well with oakFrom geopolitical concerns to terroir studies, this podcast has it all! Take a listen -- you will learn a TON! Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today!__________________________________________________________________Wine Access has Armenian wines before they even made a splash in the wine magazines! They have their finger on the pulse and connect with wineries and regions you need to know about! Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club in time for the first quarter shipment (it's shaping up to be outstanding AND one of the shipments is likely to have an Armenian wine...hint, hint! ). Get 10% your first order with my special URL.  To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Food and wine pairing is complex. But as many of us are trying to eat healthier, more plant-based diets it becomes an exercise in frustration. Traditional outlets barely ever talk about how to pair red wine with vegetarian dishes, beyond eggplant and mushrooms. Wendy Narby, a wine educator and writer in Bordeaux and Sally Evans, a winemaker and owner of Château George 7 (sette) aim to change that. This week they talk about their new site, which  helps us learn to pair the wines of Bordeaux and wines like them with vegetarian dishes. This podcast and their site, Wineand2veg.com, gives great ideas for pairings that prove you don't have to give up bold wine if you decide to eat a plant-based meal.   Knowing you can have a meatless day and still have a great wine pairing makes it a little more appealing to try it, no?   Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople   _______________________________________________________________ Wine Access  is my go-to source for the best selection of interesting, outstanding quality wines you can’t find locally. Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club in time for the first quarter shipment (it's shaping up to be outstanding!).  Get 10% your first order with my special URL.    To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time we explore the hidden gems of  Bordeaux -- the Côtes de Bordeaux -- which make superb wines that few people know about. With an easy-drinking style, the Côtes de Bordeaux are the hidden, affordable wines of Bordeaux. These historic vineyards are a collection of AOCs around eastern Bordeaux on sunny hillside slopes that grow a majority of Merlot and have similar soil types. These are not second or bulk wines – rather family-owned, often sustainable wines that are always a good value for money.   This group of appellations under the marketing umbrella of Côtes de Bordeaux covers 9 - 10% of the total production of Bordeaux.     Faced with lots of competition from the named communes of Bordeaux (Pomerol, Saint-Émilion, etc), and the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur AOCs, efforts started in 2004 to create the Union des Côtes de Bordeaux (UCB) to create a collective “brand” of recognition: the AOC Côtes de Bordeaux with 6 terroir: Côtes de Bordeaux - umbrella appellation Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux Francs Côtes de Bordeaux Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux· Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux (joined in 2016) Map: Côtes de Bordeaux     In 2009, the AOC “Côtes de Bordeaux” went into effect. They must all use the logo below on the bottle to reinforce the association:    This is the wine we were drinking... I hope this opens your eyes to some new, fantastic, affordable Bordeaux wines! Take a listen and put this to use -- there is a lot of goodness to discover here (and it won't hurt your wallet)!      Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople   _______________________________________________________________ Wine Access  is my go-to source for the best selection of interesting, outstanding quality wines you can’t find locally. Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club in time for the first quarter shipment (it's shaping up to be outstanding!).  Get 10% your first order with my special URL.    To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Sources: http://www.bordeaux-cotes.com/en/home/ https://www.vin-blaye.com https://www.cadillaccotesdebordeaux.com http://www.castillon-cotesdebordeaux.com/en/ "Inside Bordeaux" Jane Anson,  Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's another edition of the "Alternatives to a Fave" series! This time: Grenache/Garnacha. As an extension of the Grape Mini-series, we come up with lists of wines that lovers of a specific grape can try as alternatives. Grenache/Garnacha comes in many different forms -- as a juicy, cherry-berry standalone grape in Spain, as lighter blender in the Rhône and Rioja, in rosé and fortified wines, and as full, serious wine in places like Priorat (Spain), Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France), and Australia, where old vines make very intense wines. Photo: Grenache grapes in California. Credit: Getty Images via Canva This one was a challenge, but we came up with a good list of ideas and most won't burn a hole in your wallet! This show focuses only on the red wines  (not rosé or sweet wines) and our list includes everything from Zinfandel to Nero d'Avola, to Valpolicella and Alentejo blends (Portugal), on the lighter side to Syrah, Amarone, and Aglianico on the heavy side.   We hope, as usual, that this show opens some new doors and gives you new ideas of wines to add to your repertoire!    Full show notes are on Patreon. Become a member today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople   _______________________________________________________________ Wine Access  is my go-to source for the best selection of interesting, outstanding quality wines you can’t find locally. Make sure you join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club in time for the first quarter shipment (it's shaping up to be outstanding!).  Get 10% your first order with my special URL.    To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes Get the back catalog on Patreon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.