Glass in Session® Winecast

An exploration of the Salta, Argentina's wine history and high-altitude styles paired with their unique hummingbird population. Resources from this episode: Books:   The South America Wine Guide: A definitive guide to wine in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, & Peru, [Kindle Edition] Barns, A. (2021) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavo...

An exploration of the rich history of the region, grapes and styles, and what's with the storks? Resources from this episode: Websites:   Alsace Saveurs: Crémant d'Alsace: le guide complet du vin effervescent du vignoble alsacien (25 août 2026) https://www.alsace-saveurs.net/blog/cremant-alsace-guide-vin-effervescent/ Britannica: History of Western Australia https://www.britannica.com/place/Wester...

An exploration of the history of the wine region, the wine styles, and what a Roman poet and Black Swans have to do with any of it.   Resources from this episode: Websites:   Académie du Vin Library: Swan Diversion - an unsung Australian wine valley, James, A. (2 May 2024) https://academieduvinlibrary.com/blogs/vinosity/swan-diversion-an-unsung-australian-wine-valley Australian Atlas: Swan Valley...

Merlot: Wine's Blackbird Variety an exploration of the history, Merlot in wine regions around the world, the resulting styles, and a grape gab, along with some bird blather. And who isn't drinking any fuqing Merlot?! Resources from this episode: Books:   The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 V...

Originally released Nov 11, 2022 Exploring Malta's wines, the history, grapes, and styles. And what's the bird got to do with any of it? Resources from this episode: Books: Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th Edition, Robinson, J., Harding, J. (2015) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours, Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013) Websites: Aro...

Bird nerd meets cork dork in this summer break re-release of Montefalco Sagrantino, a beloved wine named for a king's beloved birds. Since your host is on break this month, most likely engaging in her new kink, bird watching, we're reaching back into the archives for bird-themed episodes that you can enjoy anywhere you find yourself this summer ... even on the back deck with a glass of wine in one...

In this episode we explore the history of the alembic pot still and distillation on our way to discovering Arak, an anise-flavored spirit from the Middle East, which most likely inspired your favorite anise tipple. Resources from this episode: Books:   The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails [Kindle Edition], Wondrich, D & Rothbaum, N., (2022) Websites:   Atlas Obscura: Thank These Master Al...

An exploration of the rich history and culture of wine and grape-growing in Iran, the regions, and the hope that the Iranian diaspora offers us … in a glass. Resources from this episode: Books:   The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023)   Papers:   Grapes Production in Afghanistan, Khasrow, A. (January 2016) https://www.researchgate.n...

[originally aired May 26, 2023]   This episode explores the history of American rosé wine culture and the events that led to the blush rush of the last three decades of the 20th century. When is it blush, when is it rosé? We tackle these questions in this story of America's pink kink or crush on the blush. Resources from this episode:  Books: Exploring Wine, 3rd Edition, Kolpan, S. Smith, B., and...

An exploration of Armenia's wine from an ancient cave, to a mountain, through wars and occupations to the present, and how events over millennia are fermented and aged into something beautiful that tells its story in the glass today.   Resources from this episode: Books:   The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Comple...

An exploration of the history, grapes, and styles of Albanian wine. And what do eagles and flamingos have to do with any of it? Resources from this episode: Books:   The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Hardi...

This episode explores Poland's wine history, regions, grapes, and potential as a wine region on the rise. What the Little Ice Age taketh away, Climate Change giveth back. Resources from this episode: Books:   The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Fla...

Thousands of years of wine history and culture, covering everything from boiled sea snails to Roman Temples, religious influence to vineyard bombings, we arrive at one of the most emotionally resonant wines on the planet that embody courage and the resilience of the human spirit.  Resources from this episode: Books:   Chateau Musar: The Story of a Wine Icon, Academie du Vin Library, Keevil, S. (20...

[Originally Released: 25 March 2022]   Vodka: What it is, where it's from, its role in the rise and fall of empires and … barbarians? Again? This episode is especially relevant to current events, and hopes to elucidate otherwise confusing issues around boycotting Russian Vodka: it has history, scandal, and irresistible international intrigue, especially considering the host isn't even a fan of the...

(Originally released Oct 25, 2019) This orange (amber) wine episode discusses winemaking, the origins of the style, and what makes them unique. They aren't red wines, despite skin maceration and fermentation. They aren't white wines, despite being made with white grapes. And they are not rose' wines. They are their own thing, and are the subject of much more press and literature than a decade ago....

Why did researchers send wine to space? Why is wine normally not allowed in space? Why did astronauts smuggle hooch into space anyway? We answer all these questions and more, address wet burps, a toilet tea party, and bring it home with how to smuggle cognac into space in this Season 21 Finale of the Glass in Session® Winecast. Resources from this episode: Websites:   BBC: Why astronauts are banne...

This episode explores some controversial silliness over a bottle of wine that shows up in a classic fairy tale. We take a look at the history, and then casually address the wine Little Red Riding Hood may have actually hauled through the woods to her ailing grandma in rural 19th century Germany. We end with a crazy pairing ... all in the spirit of entertainment. Resources from this episode: Websit...

This episode explores some of history's tragic booze disasters, and while we're at it, lays down some geeky booze knowledge. It is first in a new series of potable potpourri podcast episodes this season. Resources from this episode: Websites:   ABC 7 Chicago: 8,000 gallons of Prosecco spew out of tank after wine distillery explosion, CNN, (4 October 2018) https://abc7chicago.com/post/8k-gallons-of...

This episode explores main muscat wine grape varieties, the many wine styles, a little history, and terminology … all to help you fall in love with new styles of wine - and other beverages - made with this ancient grape that is still very much loved around the world. Just in time for Valentine's Day! Resources from this episode: Books:   Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viticulture (Pri...

In addition to this re-release of "Whisky, Burns Night, and … Beerhenge?" (Originally Released Jan 28, 2022 ) I give a new, quick introduction to Burns night before treating you to this episode on whisky, in which I discuss: what it is, a little history, how it's produced, distinguishing the styles, and a little silliness (because your host cannot help herself).   Just the thing for a cold, Januar...

This episode explores the pink mutation of the Chardonnay grape, and why it's now in the pantheon of Champagne's primary grape varieties.     Resources from this episode: Books:   The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robin...

This episode explores some of the world's first sparkling wines, their styles, and a little history from the "Soul of Southern France." Resources from this episode: Books:   The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Websites:   Limoux AOC: Les AOP de Limoux https://www.limoux-aoc.com/les-vins#les-vins-aop-de-limoux Limoux AOC: Limoux W...

"Get your dirks and bayonets... and pistols if you have them." A quote heard during the Eggnog Riot at West Point on Christmas Eve in 1826.   This is a quick re-visit of part of the Booze Riots and Rebellions series from Season 7. Happy Holidays & Cheers ~ Resources from this episode: Websites: Big Think: The Boozy and Violent Story Behind America's Eggnog Riot, Davis, M. (2018) https://bigthink.c...

This week I spied Santa Claus ... hanging out in a dumpster. I reflected on how something as cynical as identifying with Santa in a Dumpster can be a source of unexpected joy.  Bugey-Cerdon, to me, is a holiday entertaining essential because of it fun fizz, sweetness, and its ability to rock everything from charcuterie to Christmas cookes. Oh, and the low alcohol is a bonus! I hope you enjoy this...

In this season finale we explore the Verdicchio wines of Le Marche's Jesi and Matelica appellations.   Resources from this episode: Books:   The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2...