Drinking on the Edge

Rainer Schnaitmann was introduced to me in 1998 by a man greatly responsible for my entering the wine world, Helmut Doka, himself then a Stuttgart city councillor with a brief charging him to oversee his city's vineyards. He met and was impressed by the first vintage made by the then new vintner who was one of handful of dynamic young Germans turning its wines' stodgy stylings into those with far...

Joined by a late-arriving Carlo, David passes time and bright young wines with Matt Spaccarelli of Fjord from across the Hudson River in-studio while Zooming in are Todd Wuerker of New Jersey's Hawk Haven in Cape May and Rob Deford of Maryland's Boordy near Baltimore. The convo spans deep dives into grapegrowing and winemaking interspersed with spontaneous food pairing recommendations and art refe...

Andrew Caillard researched for 18 years his exhaustive, 3-volume epic The Australian Ark detailing its unique history of wine. Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Hugh Johnson's writing of wine's history, creating its groundbreaking Wine Atlas, column writing for numerous media outlets, hosting a public television series, speaking at key events, and partnering with a few of the world's most important wineries have shaped him to become a pillar of the world's wine community. With his books essential reading for anyone wishing a full account of the breadth an...

In preparation for Radio Free Rhinecliff's October 27 appearance at Rhinebeck's popular Sunday farmers market, David discovers its local creators of 100% New York-sourced and -produced beers, wines, spirits. Joined by farmers Market manager Andrea Bartolomeo with representatives from Harvest Spirits, Taconic Distillery, From the Ground Brewery, Tousey Winery, Ten Mile Distillery Produced by Matty...

While brewing beer's a sideline for engineer Jake Cirell, it's a tangent which he's kept close for decades since his college days. His From the Ground Brewery, located on the noted Migliorelli family's farms, is a weekend attraction for locals and the occasional visitor to the mid-Hudson Valley. What makes FrG special is Jake's adherence to VERY locally sourced barley--courtesy of the Migliorellis...

Albariño has come a long way in two decades. Unknown beyond its Galician home until the '90s, its fame and farming have spread from Spain's Atlantic Ocean-facing Rias Baixas to the US where it's found homes throughout the west. Its fecundity and deliciousness make for pleasurable production and consumption. Umpqua Valley's Abacela Winery,, Sonoma County's Marimar Torres Estate, and Horse Heaven HI...

Co-host Carlo DeVito joins David for a peek into the HV's oldest craft distillery with Derek Grout of Valatie's Harvest @ Golden Farms and what's likely one undergoing the fastest expansion with Andrew Richards of Millbrook's Shady Knoll. Both are heavily invested in the production and distillation of apples, a fruit first spread throughout and beyond the HV by the legendary Johnny Appleseed. But...

As one of the world's foremost wine grape geneticists, Dr. José Vouillamoz is a much sought after speaker at wine academic, scientific, and business conferences. The author of Swiss Grapes - History and Origin (available in English and French) previously collaborated with Master of Wine Jancis Robinson and has spoken at numerous events David directed. He Zooms in to DotE from his home in Switzerla...

Co-host Carlo DeVito helps David welcome the Crescent City's only distillery crafting bourbon, Seven Three. Luka Cutura and Kelsey Gooch share their journeys, insights, and their 3 bourbons with the DotE crew. Featured amongst them is the soon-to-be released Whiskey Tree, its moniker harkening to an historic and still existent large tree which once served as a trading post for enterprising, discre...

France's Alsace region has built its reputation with a wide diversity of single varietal and vastly dry, still wines grown upon a patchwork of soils positioned between the moderating effects of the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River. On Monday, April 29 Alsace Rocks returns to New York after a six-year absence. Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhineclif...

While wines have been grown and vinified in what's now Palestine for millennia, the modern context for these wines began during the late 19th century Cremisan winery, founded by French monks and which continues. Cremisan's Italian-educated winemaker today works with indigenous grapes found nowhere else, and is joined likewise in the US market and on this DotE episode by Philokalia winery's self-ta...

DotE's first co-hosted episode is a deep dive conversation with three of the Bayou state's distillers with varying foci upon the creation of rum sourced exclusively from their native sugarcane juice. Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

After 33 years working with wine, it's a rarity that David tastes wines made from new grapes or from new areas. Drood of Iran--made in Sweden-- ticks both these boxes. Its owner, Iranian native, and DotE guest Shahram Soltani harvests old vine varieties grown at 2000+ meters altitude then transports them to his new home and winemaking facility in Sweden to create his first wines from the 2021 vint...

A 1 X 1 session in which vintner Matteo Ascheri, also the president of the consortium comprising all of Barolo's and Barbaresco's growers and wineries, expounds upon the virtues of this high-achieving red grape which--unlike the likes of Cabernet sauvignon, Pinot noir, and others--excels only in its Piemonte birthplace. Guest Name(s) Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at...

Spurred by David's pandemic period visit to Cava-land, we revisit this rising star (see DotE E1) amongst the world's bubblies talking with 3 of his favorites available for purchase throughout the US--Alta Alella, Can Suriol, Parés Balta Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff.

In this first of a few episodes on Louisiana's indigenous craft-distilled rum production we dive into cocktails with one of the US's leading lights of combined libations, Tony Abou-Ganim. Joining Tony providing context to their native spirit are Bayou Rum's distiller Reiniel Vicente, Wildcat Brothers' owner Tait Martin, and Higgins Hotel's bar manager Aaron Warren. Tony mixes and tells tales from...

Not all great sparkling wines need be white (or clear) nor need they originate from Champagne--Australia's far-flung Tasmania, our native California, and even England lay claim to premium pinks made in a classic style and from the classic grape of Pinot noir. Our guests share their insider perspectives on why these are delicious enjoyed both with and without food, their work in creating them, and...

Broadbent Selections and its founder dedicate themselves to the discovery and sharing of the world's fine wines to the US. Harkening from a famed English family with a history of working in wine communications and sales dating to the 1960s, 'Bollew' left for the US to proffer Ports on behalf of Portugal's Symington family then set out to create his own business. Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennif...

Having both worked many years as wine sales and marketing professionals, Robin Touchet and Kevin Pike purchased an existing farm in Hudson Valley's Milan. Over 9 years these partners in life and work have transformed their 100 acres Branchwater Farms into a fully integrative, farm distillery focused upon 22 acres of their own wheat and rye along with orchard and berry fruits acquired through fello...

DotE's first episode featuring as many as 3 guests, all experts in varying ways concerning tonight's topic; a communicator/marketer entrenched in this variety for over a decade, a noted Australian family winemaker who's invested much of his work and reputation upon Grenache, and one of three persons possessing both Master Sommelier and Master of Wine certifications whose lasted venture is a Washin...

Long time organic, now biodynamic, Reyneke Wines of South Africa's famed Stellenbosch region was one of David's favorites when visiting in 2013. Its proprietor, Johan Reyneke, recently hired Barbara Melck as his full time winemaker--and to good effect. Widely available now in the US, Reyneke wines offer great value no matter what the price level, expressing an honest and pleasant experience reflec...

Felton Road Winery, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand - Pioneering visionary, eclectic intellect Nigel Greening has never failed to deliver determination and great results with his biodynamically nurtured Pinot noirs, Chardonnays, and Rieslings. Produced by Matty Rosenberg and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

One of the very few of Mexico's accredited Maestras Tequilera, agave spirits expert Carlota Montoya has much to say about her country's emerging wine production, its enjoyment, and its place in the US market. Produced by Matty Rosenberg and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Vinho Verde has of late risen in quality and availability. A close and arguably more inspired cousin to this broad category of mostly white wine made in Portugal's vast, northern Minho region is the Cerdeira family's Soalheiro winery in Melgaço. As the pioneer for the increasing quality of his region's Alvarinho grape variety--a.k.a. Spain's Albariño--I'd the pleasure in 2011 of visiting the inspi...