My first true Winecast in 5 years to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this podcast and wine blog. And there is no better theme than the celebrated, often imitated, but never duplicated sparkling wine region where the modern wine industry was born: Champagne.De către Tim Elliott

Five years and one day after I started this blog and podcast I get back behind the mic and restart regular podcasting. This episode features an interview with Rudy McClain, the filmmaker of the documentary Merlove. I also pick three Merlot wines from my tasting log for review. Show Notes: 00:30 – Welcome and show theme 02:22 – Interview with Merlov…

Jeff Lefevere and I are back with another edition of the Unfiltered podcast after nearly a year in hiatus. We are joined by Tina Caputo, the Editor-in-Chief of Vineyard & Winery Management magazine, Joel Vincent, Executive Director of the OpenWine Consortium and co-founder of VinTank, and Tom Wark from Wark Communications and FERMENTATION. Show Not…

Another Quick Picks sharing a wine I enjoyed over the Holidays, an aged Bordeaux blend from Pomerol. Château Clos René 2000 ($30-60) - Deep crimson-purple in color with aromas of black cherry, dark currant, pencil lead, fennel and mint. Rich black cherry fruit with black pepper and dark chocolate finishing with moderate, but plush, tannins. A delic…

I’m back in action on the 4th anniversary of my first podcast with a high-end Carmenere-led blend from Chile. Vina Santa Ema, “Rivalta” 2003 - ($68/sample) Dark purple in color with aromas of black currant, plum, blueberry, fennel, mint and vanilla. Rich and concentrated dark currant and blackberry fruit with black pepper and dark chocolate finishi…

I'm back with an interview with Etienne Hugel of Hugel & Fils. This family winery has been passed from father to son for 12 generations and makes some of the best wines from France’s Alsace region. We also talk about a virtual tasting over Twitter organized by Bin Ends Wines later this month. Show Notes: 00:25 - Introduction and background on Hugel…

The first of several shows recorded last year, this podcast focuses on the wines of Israel with an interview with blogger & retailer Richard Shaffer from Israeli Wine Direct and winemaker Zeev Smilansky from Meishar Winery. Show Notes: 00:27 - Welcome & Background on Israeli Wine 02:10 - Israeli Wines Today 32:10 - Get Your Free Audible Book 35:44 …

Jeff Lefevere and I start our second season of Unfiltered with a panel of wine bloggers, podcasters, winery owners and retailers. We welcome Ryan from Catavino, Jeff Stai a.k.a. El Jefe from Twisted Oak, Craig Camp from Anne Amie Vineyards, Kaz & Randy from Wine Biz Radio and Jill from domaine547.com Show Notes: 00:25 - Welcome & Introductions 01:2…

I am back behind the mic for another podcast and this time I'm reading a post from last week and reflecting about the comments. Feedback: winecast@gmail.com Copyright 2008 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/De către Tim Elliott

As I begin my 4th year of podcasting I present the final Unfiltered show of it's first season. Jeff and I welcome a panel of some of the top wine bloggers today: Alder Yarrow, Dr. Debs and Gabriella & Ryan Opaz. We talk about the state of wine blogging, where it is going and share some wine picks. Show Notes: 00:25 - Introduction 01:40 - Question f…

I’m back with another pick that I thought I hadn’t yet blogged but I wrote about the 2003 vintage for WBW 35. Bodegas Castano, "Hecula", Monastrell, Yecla 2004 ($14) - Very dark purple-black with aromas of blackberry, bacon, licorice and vanilla. Ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors with medium firm tannins, good acidity and a nice minera…

Another Quick Picks just in time for the Thanksgiving table featuring two Roussanne-based wines from Tablas Creek Vineyard. Tablas Creek Vineyard, Roussanne 2005 ($27) - Light straw in color with aromas of pear, pineapple and orange blossom. Crisp pear and pineapple flavors with nice minerality on the finish. Wow. Score: 91 Rating: 4/5 stars Tablas…

The first of several podcasts from the archives, this one recorded in late May and mid-June but not edited and released until now. I spent about an hour with Cameron Hughes in his San Francisco offices and captured an interesting portrait of what makes this New World négociant tick. Unfortunately most of these tasting notes are for wines now sold o…

Another Wine Blogging Wednesday and this time I’m podcasting for the first time since WBW 23. Neil from Brooklynguy’s Wine and Food Blog came up with a great theme this month: ‘Silver’ Burgundy. Instead of investing in a Côte d’Or (’gold coast’) wine, we are drinking affordable Burgundy from the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais. Since I favor red…

Jeff Lefevere and I return for another podcast after a hiatus of 6 months. We welcome Alyssa Rapp, founder and CEO of Bottlenotes and Mary Baker, owner of Dover Canyon Winery. 00:25 - Welcome and Introductions 01:09 - Background of Bottlenotes 16:28 - Dover Canyon overview 17:44 - Harvest 2007 discussion 25:06 - Is Bigger Better? 46:45 - To Cork or…

I’m clearing the decks this week of podcasts recorded earlier this year. I’m starting with a live show recorded on Talkshoe in April. Bill Wilson from Wine for Newbies podcast and blog joined me to talk about how he got into podcasting and share a few wine picks. Unfortunately nobody called with a live question but we’ll get to that next time ;-) 0…

Another Unfiltered podcast recorded two weeks ago with co-host Jeff Lefevere and I welcoming guest Paul Mabray from Inertia Beverage Group and panelist Mark Fisher from the Dayton Daily News and Uncorked blog. 00:23 - Welcome and Introductions 01:15 - Inertia Beverage Q&A 07:33 - Florida may close direct shipping of wine 11:56 - Wine drinkers think…

The third outing for the Unfiltered podcast with Jeff Lefevere and I welcoming guest Josh Hermsmeyer from Capozzi Family Winery & Pinotblogger.com and panelist Andrew Barrow from Spittoon & Wine Sediments. 00:23 - Welcome and introductions 01:04 - Capozzi Family Winery Q&A 05:52 - Wine collectors, "buyer beware" 07:54 - Bait and switch on Winesearc…

Quick Picks rolls into 2007 with a look at the standout Zinfandels from Chase Family Cellars tasted at last month's ZAP tasting in San Francisco. Tasting notes: Chase Family Cellars, Zinfandel, Hayne Vineyard 2004 ($45) - Ruby-purple in color with aromas of raspberry, blackberry and spice. Ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors with black p…

My second podcast with co-host Jeff Lefevere of Good Grape joined by Jason Korman from Stormhoek winery, Tyler Colman, a.k.a. Dr. Vino and Alan Baker, the Cellar Rat. Show Notes: 00:23 - Welcome and introductions 01:15 - Stormhoek Q&A 21:10 - Why are NASCAR, NFL and LPGA fans drinking more wine? 29:33 - Regarding wine becoming mainstream in America…

A new monthly podcast featuring a panel of wine bloggers and an industry guest. Co-host Jeff Lefevere of Good Grape and I welcome Tom Wark from FERMENTATION and Jeff Stai from the Twisted Oak Winery. Show notes: 00:24 - Welcome and introductions 01:53 - Show format 02:16 - Twisted Oak Winery background 08:04 - Direct to consumer shipping trends 14:…

I'm back and starting my third year of podcasting with the longest Winecast yet, a discussion and tasting of four wines from the Iberian peninsula with Ryan Opaz of Catavino. Show Notes: 00:21 - Welcome and introduction 01:10 - Your Iberian wine questions with Ryan Opaz 26:17 - Don Olegario, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain 2004 ($19) 30:27 - Sociedade…

This week’s podcast is about the noble grape of Italy’s Piedmont: Nebbiolo. I also reflect on my first year of podcasting and talk about plans for making the show better in 2006.Show Notes:00:20 - Welcome and show theme00:41 - Nebbiolo background03:34 - Tasting Notes Disclaimer04:05 - G. D. Vajra, Nebbiolo, Langhe 2003 ($22)Score: 9/10. Best of Tas…

Another Quick Picks podcast highlighting two outstanding values from Spain’s Bodegas Borsao.Show Notes:00:13 - Bodegas Borsao background00:51 - Bodegas Borsao, “Red Wine” 2005 ($8)01:29 - Bodegas Borsao, “Tres Picos“, Garnacha (Grenache) 2004 ($15)02:01 - Next show themeFeedback: winecast@gmail.comCopyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the pub…

Another look at the Gamay Noir grape, this time focusing mostly on New World examples from Napa Valley and Oregon. I interview Drew Dickson from the Andrew Lane Winery and announce my raffle prize in the Menu For Hope III Campaign.Show Notes:00:21 - Introduction and show theme00:39 - Gamay Noir background01:20 - Interview with Drew Dickson from And…

Another Quick Picks podcast celebrating both my birthday and the release of Beaujolais Nouveau today. My favorite from my tasting today is featured.Louis Tete, Beaujolais Nouveau 2006 ($13) - Clear ruby/purple in color with aromas of strawberry, cherry and banana. In the mouth the wine is juicy with wild cherry and strawberry jam flavors finishing …

I return to try to answer a listener question from 2005 and talk about Semillon, the great grape of Bordeaux. I also review three wines from the New World.00:21 - Welcome and show theme00:32 - Listener question02:11 - Semillon background04:56 - Tasting Notes05:04 - Kaesler, Semillon, “Old Vines”, Barossa Valley 2004 ($14) * +05:41 - Chateau Ste. Mi…

I get behind the mic once again to talk about two Rhone-style wines from the Curtis Winery in California.Feedback: winecast@gmail.comCopyright 2006 Acan Media, Inc. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/De către Tim Elliott

A return to the Quick Picks format last seen almost a year ago with a review of a value-price Zinfandel.Tasting Notes:Castle Rock, Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2004 ($10) - Dark purple in color with aromas of blackberry, sage and a touch of vanilla. Round and soft in the mouth with boysenberry and blackberry flavors, some spice and silky, sweet tannins…

Today's show is a return to podcasting after seven weeks off this time focusing on Pinotage, the red varetial from South Africa. I also play a podsafe song about wine and make a couple of announcements.Show Notes:00:22 - Welcome and show theme01:06 - Pinotage background04:00 - Tasting Notes04:50 - Zonnebloem, Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa 20…

Today's podcast is a return to my vintner profile format with an interview with Jason Korman and Hugh Macleod of the Stormhoek Winery.Show Notes:00:22 - Welcome01:07 - Introduction of Stormhoek Winery02:32 - Interview with Hugh Macleod and Jason Korman29:16 - Tasting Notes29:28 - Stormhoek, Pinot Grigio 2005 ($10)29:46 - Stormhoek, Semillon, "The S…

Today's podcast is something completely different than I have ever attempted, a live recording from a podcast event held in Minneapolis on June 12, 2006. Although I am flying a bit by the seat of my pants before a live audience, I do talk about wine tasting tips, feature a virtual tasting of a wine and answer a few wine related questions from the a…

This month Wine Blogging Wednesday returns to it's normal first Wednesday of the month and host Vivi's Wine Journal has picked a very appropriate theme for July: Barbecue Wines (or is it BBQ, or Bar-B-Que?). The history of BBQ appears to be an American invention, but there seems to be some debate on this if you look closer. Whatever the derivation,…

The podcast today is another dispatch from Beau Jarvis of Basic Juice on his Live Austrian Wine Adventure.Show Notes:00:22 - Welcome and introduction01:09 - Beau's interview with Domäne Müller14:25 - A conversation with the Neumeister winery25:09 - New poll on the blog and contact details27:06 - Next show themeFeedback: winecast@gmail.comCopyright …

Today's podcast is another vintner profile interviewing Willamette Valley Vineyards founder and President Jim Bernau. I also play a podcast promo and talk about a new poll on Winecast.Show Notes:00:21 - Welcome, show theme and sponsor message03:07 - Interview with Jim Bernau19:44 - Tasting Notes19:58 - Willamette Valley Vineyards, Riesling 2005 ($1…

Today's show is the first special edition from Beau Jarvis' Live Austrian Wine Adventure featuring interviews with Weingut Wohlmuth and Weingut Gross. You can find more information and stay up-to-the-minute at Beau's blog.Show Notes:00:22 - Welcome and Introduction01:12 - Beau's interview with Weingut Wohlmuth12:50 - Interview with Weingut Gross21:…

This month, Wine Blogging Wednesday is on a Friday because founder Lenn Thompson of the Lenndevours wine blog has teamed up with Alberto from Il Forno a premier food blog and founder of Is My Blog Burning. So for IMBB 26 and WBW 21 the rules are fairly simple. For us wine bloggers, pick a bottle from your cellar and find a recipe to pair with it; f…

This edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday (WBW for short) is a bit different than normal for me as I’m the host wine blog this time. The theme I picked was also a bit of a change for both WBW and my podcast. I asked participants to pick a red wine with an alcohol content of 12.5% by volume or less. Sounds easy enough. No specific varietal or wine reg…

Today’s super-sized podcast is an overview of the wines of Austria, featuring an interview with Beau Jarvis of Basic Juice as he kicks off this Live Austrian Wine Adventure.Show Notes:00:21 - Welcome and show theme00:36 - Wines of Austria03:13 - Interview with Beau Jarvis of Basic Juice14:50 - Beau’s first LAWA 06 interview - Hotel Rathaus Wien & D…

Today’s podcast is based upon last month’s WBW post that featured the Spainish white grape Verdejo, and I also welcome my first show sponsor, iBank 2 from IGG Software.Show Notes:00:22 - Welcome00:33 - iBank 2 Sponsorship01:41 - Verdejo Background03:42 - Tasting Notes03:50 - Marqués de Riscal, Verdejo, Rueda D.O. 2004 ($8/provided by listener Tony)…

Today’s podcast is a return after more than a month away from the mic with a look at Sonoma’s Russian River Valley AVA.Show Notes:00:22 - Welcome01:01 - Russian River Valley Background02:20 - Tasting Notes02:40 - Papapietro Perry Winery, Pinot Noir, Elsbree Vineyards 2004 ($45)03:06 - Papapietro Perry Winery, Pinot Noir, Leras Family Vineyards 2003…

Today’s podcast is another vintner profile show with a discussion with Wolffer Estate Vineyards winemaker Roman Roth.Show Notes:00:23 - Welcome and show theme00:35 - Wolffer Estate Background01:24 - Discussion with winemaker Roman Roth25:03 - Tasting Notes25:15 - Wolffer, La Ferme Martin, Chardonnay 2003 ($13.50)25:39 - Wolffer, Chardonnay, “Reserv…

Today’s show is a bit different from my normal format of talking about a wine varietal or region, into what I hope will be a monthly feature I’m calling vintner profile. The idea is to give you the back-story directly from the people in the business, both winery owners and winemakers. In this first outing, I talk with one of the great gentlemen of …

This month’s theme for Wine Blogging Wednesday, our monthly, global wine tasting event, is provided by Jathan from the Winexpression blog. He encouraged us to find wines made from Rhône varietals no matter where in the world they came from for his “When in Rhône” theme. Listed in his announcement were some 22 varietals common to France’s Rhône Vall…

On today’s podcast, I focus on the wines of France’s Alsace region and review, “The Emperor of Wine”, by Elin McCoy.Show Notes:00:21 - Welcome00:33 - Alsace Overview03:19 - Tasting Notes03:34 - Pierre Sparr, Pinot Blanc “Reserve”, Alsace 2003 ($12) #03:53 - Trimbach, Riesling, Alsace 2003 ($17)04:20 - Hugel, Gewurztraminer, Alsace 2003 ($18/gift) *…

The theme this month was suggested by Tyler a.k.a. Dr. Vino who didn’t suggest a wine grape variety or region, but to buy wines suggested by the staff at wine stores “that feel the love”. This being February, it seems like a great pre-Valentine’s day theme for WBW.After this theme was posted, I immediately thought of Solo Vino, my current favorite …

Today’s podcast is a bit of a change in the regular format and my first co-host show. It is with Alan Baker, the CellarRat from the Ratcast podcast released in what we think is an unprecedented format: the Simulcast. We talk about and taste a Syrah from Pax Wine Cellars.Show notes:00:23 - Welcome and show theme02:39 - Pax Syrah Simulcast20:27 - Tas…

Today’s podcast is my first of 2006 and my second take on my favorite red varietal: Zinfandel, and I interview Alan Baker, the Cellar Rat.Show Notes:00:22 - Welcome and show theme00:37 - Zinfandel background02:42 - Tasting Notes02:56 - Ridge Vineyards, Zinfandel, Geyserville 2002 ($27)04:14 - Trinitas Cellars, Zinfandel, Bigalow Vineyard, Contra Co…

The theme for this month’s event is provided by Derrick at An Obsession with Food who asks us to Judge a Bottle By Its Cover. Basically, he just asked us to pick up a bottle only selected by its label art and not any other factor such as producer, reputation, vintage or critic review. I thought it would also be interesting to pick up only wines fro…

Tonight’s show is a celebration of the 2005 vintage with Beaujolais Nouveau, tasting four shippers wines from this great year.Show Notes:0:21 - Welcome0:35 - Beaujolais Nouveau Background4:31 - Tasting Notes4:41 - Francoise Chauvenet, Beaujolais Nouveau 2005 ($10)4:59 - Antonin Rodet, Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 2005 ($10)5:25 - Mommessin, Beaujola…