Grape Encounters Wine Radio

Today's Topic:  Chefs in Prison.  It's one of the most endearing cliches of all time... men and/or woman doing hard time in prison, spending all of their waking hours fashioning car license plates from sheets of steel.  It may be that we will never know who came up with that imagery, but the truth is, incarcerated persons, which number about 2 million people, now have the opportunity in many priso...

Episode 790 of Grape Encounters Radio is the celebration of a true milestone; our 20th Wine Month Celebration Episode. On this episode, Host David Wilson is joined by one of the most beloved and influential guests in Grape Encounters history, Allison Jordan, Vice President of Environmental Affairs for the Wine Institute and Executive Director of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. In...

Trust us when we tell you that Jessica Kogan is the queen of wine e-commerce. Although most people might not give it a second thought, there can be no doubt that we are living in an era of human exceptionalism unparalleled in history. In nearly every field imaginable—science, technology, the arts, business, medicine, you name it—humans are achieving what was once thought inconceivable. Consider sp...

The connection between wine and music is nothing short of amazing.  Moreover,nothing has the power to reconnect us to the most memorable and vivid memories of our lives more than music.  And this week’s deeply nostalgic installment of Grape Encounters Radio is prove positive of this contention.  Episode #781 of Grape Encounters Radio takes listeners on a captivating and unforgettable journey back...

It is impossible to imagine any more extraordinary feat in the wine industry than the one we will discuss today. Our guest is among the most humble, soft-spoken, unassuming, and unpretentious winemakers you will ever meet.  But don't let his low-profile demeanor fool you. He has accomplished something that no mortal winemaker would ever dare to dream. Early in his career, his pursuit of perfection...

In this nostalgic episode of Grape Encounters Radio, host David Wilson reconnects with Scott Neisler, owner of WGNC radio station in Gastonia, North Carolina. Scott's station was one of the first to broadcast Grape Encounters around 16 years ago, playing a crucial role in the show's early success. Together, David and Scott reminisce about their shared journey and discuss the vibrant and diverse wi...

Are you a casual wine enthusiast who thinks the wine world remains largely unchanged year after year? Think again! While your favorite Cabernet, the one you've cherished for decades, still offers that familiar, delightful taste, the wine industry has undergone extraordinary transformation2. That's why Host David Wilson is inviting you on an exhilarating journey through this evolution on Grape Enco...

You are cordially invited to join us on a profound oenological journey as Grape Encounters Radio delves into the captivating realm of ancient grape varietals. Leading this very special exploration of wine history is the erudite and wildly charismatic Wes Hagen, Brand Ambassador of Native9 Wines, an illustrious name in the annals of West Coast winemaking. Within the world of viticulture, there exis...

Do you want to save big on wine at restaurants and wine bars? Of course, you do, and you can! All you need is an understanding of the secret pricing formulas which may shock you! This episode of Grape Encounters is going to be a lot like having someone throw stacks of $100 bills at you. We’re here to share sometimes shocking information that will help you understand why you're paying what you're p...

Looking Back on One of Our Most Unforgettable and Important Conversations In the latest edition of Grape Encounters Radio and Podcast, host David Wilson takes listeners on a nostalgic journey back to an important chapter of value wines. As the show celebrates its 16th year, it continues to explore the world of wine, food, and travel in an unpretentious and consumer-friendly way, catering to a vast...

It’s hard to imagine any European city with more iconic food, wine, art, and cultural attractions per capita than Bologna, Italy.  Home of the world’s first university, Bologna is a place of higher learning in almost any discipline you can imagine.  Behind every door and around every corner, the old world is displayed in vibrant living colors.  Present-day Bologna is as important culturally as it...

This week on Grape Encounters, we delve into the delightful harmony between two of life's finest pleasures: wine and coffee. If your day starts with the essential cup of Joe and ends with Chardonnay or Merlot, this episode is brewed just for you! Discover why aficionados of one are often enthusiasts of the other, as we explore how both wine and coffee are similarly savored and scrutinized for thei...

Although most people might not give it a second thought, there can be no doubt that we are living in an era of human exceptionalism unparalleled in history. In nearly every field imaginable—science, technology, the arts, business, medicine, you name it—humans are achieving what was once thought inconceivable. Consider space exploration: Nearly every month, new spacecraft are launched on potentiall...

In the enchanting world of wine, where the romance of tradition meets modern innovation, Grape Encounters Radio invites listeners to tune in to a very special installment of the show, Episode #772. This week, host David Wilson welcomes Allison Jordan, a long-time favorite guest.  As is the case with any of her appearances on Grape Encounters, David never misses the opportunity to tease Allison abo...

In the latest episode of Grape Encounters Radio, host David Wilson takes listeners on a deep dive into a culinary revolution that's been quietly simmering for over fifty years. This isn't just another cooking show; it’s a journey into how embracing a particular kitchen technology—the sous vide cooker—can not only reclaim the joy of cooking but also drastically cut household expenses by as much as...

It’s back!  We don't run many repeats, but when we do, they have to be mighty special... and this hour-long kitchen table conversation with #1 best-selling author Natalie MacLean--arguably America's finest wine and food author--is just a click away. Natalie’s new release, Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much, is our most downloaded episode of Grap...

This edition of Grape Encounters is brought to you by Total Wine & More.  Find what you love and love what you find at Total Wine & More. Just over a month ago, a captivating debate bubbled up among the wine lovers of California's Central Coast and quickly spilled over into the digital vineyards of social media, engaging a broad audience in a conversation that was anything but pedestrian. Grape En...

This week, in the whimsical world of "Grape Encounters Radio," where the love of wine and food dances freely with the spirit of adventure, your host, David Wilson, takes a moment to don his chef's hat—figuratively speaking—and delve into a topic that's been simmering on the back burner of America's culinary consciousness. Yes, dear food fanatics, we're talking about the great kitchen exodus, the f...

This week, in the whimsical world of "Grape Encounters Radio," where the love of wine and food dances freely with the spirit of adventure, your host, David Wilson, takes a moment to don his chef's hat—figuratively speaking—and delve into a topic that's been simmering on the back burner of America's culinary consciousness. Yes, dear food fanatics, we're talking about the great kitchen exodus, the f...

For more than 50 years, American wine enthusiasts and everyday drinkers have been divided into two opposing camps: those who use tech talk and wine industry jargon to describe what's in their glass vs those who prefer to describe their wine as "delicious."  A few days ago, a very daring boutique winemaker in the Santa Ynez Valley, California, decided that he was going to pose this question to his...

Gather ‘round wine enthusiasts, adventurous gastronomes, and curious wanderers for this week's edition of Grape Encounters Radio. For 15 years, we've been your trusted companion on a never-ending journey off the beaten path into uncharted regions of the world of wine. As America’s leading nationally syndicated wine radio broadcast and podcast, our specialty of the house is serving up a truly uniqu...

Is it conceivable that a seemingly innocuous wine tasting event could significantly alter the trajectory of America's future? While this proposition might initially appear far-fetched, the latest episode of Grape Encounters Radio presents compelling arguments that are likely to change your perspective. Wine aficionados are no strangers to wine tastings, but a recent event in Napa Valley has unexpe...

Well, it been one heck of a month here at Grape Encounters Radio, where we came, we saw and we were conquered... by the magic of Garnacha, during our very special 4-part series devoted entirely to what is arguably the world's most beloved wine varietal.  We say "most beloved" with some reservations, mostly because Garnacha is enjoyed under a number of different names and in some of the most delici...

Welcome to the second week of an exhilarating journey through the captivating world of Garnacha wines in Northern Spain! This multi-week exploration has been meticulously crafted to delve deep into the heart of Garnacha, a wine varietal that remains unjustly overlooked despite consistently ranking among the world's top wine producers. How can something so prolific remain shrouded in mystery and un...

For the next 30 days, we’ve got Spain on the brain as we bring you the most comprehensive look at the regions and varietals responsible for some of the most beloved wines in the world today and for many centuries in the past.  At the invitation of the Asociación Garnacha Spain, we took our microphones and unrelenting curiosity to the northeastern part of the country where Garnacha wines were not o...