Don't Fear the Grape

Topic: Exploring the world of celebrity wines.

Tasting: 2007 Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Red Label Zinfandel

Price: $16.00
Varietal: 89% Zinfandel 11% Petite Sirah
Region: California
Website: www.franciscoppolawinery.com

Tad’s Rating: Like It
Patrick’s Rating: Like It

Links mentioned in this episode:

Rubicon Estate: www.rubiconestate.com
Francis Coppola Winery: www.ffcpresents.com, www.franciscoppolawinery.com
Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard: www.fessparker.com
Greg Norman Estates: www.gregnormanestateswine.com
Ernie Els Wines: www.ernieelswines.com
Andretti Winery: www.andrettiwinery.com
No. 99 Estates Winery: www.gretzky.com/wine
Two Paddocks: www.twopaddocks.com
Dan Aykroyd Signature Reserve and Discovery Series Wines: www.danaykroydwines.com
Remick Ridge Vineyards and Smothers Winery: www.smothersbrothers.com/remick.html
Private Cellar Wine: www.mickfleetwoodprivatecellar.com
Marilyn Wines: www.marilynwines.com
Graceland Cellars: www.signaturewines.com/elvis
Koala Blue: www.koalabluewines.com.au
Celebrity Cellars: www.celebritycellars.com

Episode 4 [ 29:18 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (38)

Topic: Tips on where to buy wine, reading a wine label and storing wine.

Tasting: 2007 Echelon Vineyards Pinot Noir

Price: $8.49 on sale
Varietal: 87% Pinot Noir 13% Other Rhône Varietals
Region: France > Vin de Pays de I’Île de Beauté
Website: www.echelonvineyards.com

Tad’s Rating: Like It
Patrick’s Rating: Like It

Tip: Always store your wine on its side to prevent the cork from drying out

Episode 3 [ 27:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (40)

Topic: Discussion on the basics of how to properly taste wine.

Tasting: 2007 Lo Duca Bros. Mamertino

Price: $12.99
Varietal: Biancale and Trebbiano
Region: Italy > Emilia-Romagna

Tad’s Rating: Like It
Patrick’s Rating: Love It

Tip: In order to properly appreciate a wine’s color and nose, never fill you glass more than 1/3 full.

Episode 2 [ 16:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (75)

Several years ago I had the privilege of meeting Stephen Ross Dooley at I wine tasting I was attending. Stephen, a winemaker from California, also happened to be from my hometown in Minnesota. At the time, I was just getting in to wines, and was fascinated by listening to Stephen talk about his career in the wine industry and about establishing his own wine label in 1994, Stephen Ross.

Stephen presented a few of his wines that night, and I fell in love with his Pinot Noir, which seems to be something Stephen Ross specializes in. That night I bought a bottle of his Pinot Noir and, just for the heck of it, a bottle of his Petite Sirah. I quickly drank the Pinot Noir, while the Petite Sirah languished in the back of my wine cooler, that is until last night.

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Last week (October 1st) I attended a wine tasting I discovered on meetup.com. It was held at the Black Dog Café in downtown St. Paul and was the first in their Meetings with the Wine Trade series. Jane Greenheck from Paustis Wine Company shared her passion for French wines.

It was a rainy night that seemed to keep people home and resulted in a very small turnout (6 people). That made for a very intimate experience and discussion. Jane presented six wines, three whites and three reds.

I must admit, I haven’t drunk many French wines before. I think I’ve subconsciously avoided them in favor of lesser known wine regions. I realize now I’ve been doing myself a disservice; all of these wines were extremely drinkable (yes, even the whites).

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