Grape Encounters Wine Radio

It’s a Grape Encounters road trip as David does the show in front of a live audience at Napa Flats Restaurant in historic San Antonio. San Antonio is about an hour and a half from the Texas Hill Country, which is home to some of the finest wines in the state. Though Texas’ wine production is relatively small in comparison to the Golden State, the quality of these wines cannot be overlooked and so...

Michael Jordan, Jackson Family WInes This week’s Grape Encounters covers a lot of territory, from how to shop the big box retailers for great wine values, to making wines in a way that protects the planet. First David talks organic semantics with Michael Jordan, one of only fifteen people to hold both Master Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator credentials. Michael is the Director of Global Key A...

Hey Texas Listeners – catch David broadcasting LIVE in San Antonio, this Saturday at 6pm with some really great guests! Napa Flats Restaurant, 1301 N Loop 1604 W., San Antonio, TX 78258. See you there! [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorkedpromo.mp3" player=1761]

Then, Out of the Cold and a Little Barefootin’ With Randy Arnold! This week’s Grape Encounters takes you from the frigid cold weather that is threatening the grape crops in the east, to the tepid drought-plagued west and a little barefoot romping with the Brand Ambassador of Barefoot wines who made an unscheduled visit to the Grape Encounters studios just as we were wrapping up our broadcast. Rand...

It’s amazing how much things that have nothing to do with what is inside your bottle of wine effect your perception of that wine. By spending just a few minutes listening to David’s tips, you can significantly change your perception of your wine in magical ways. Check it out and see for yourself! David creating new blends. Then it’s wine news with Larry Gifford, including the biggest story of the...

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed about wine drinkers, it’s the fact that we all tend to appreciate a good cup of Joe as well. Yep, coffee and wine to pair pretty fine, but what if you mixed the two together in the same glass? Hmmm. Well, today’s edition of Grape Encounters begins with an interview that answers that question. Meet the man who is making millions by blending Friends Fun Wine In A Ca...

(Plus, why it pays to be a Wilson!) Last week, Grape Encounters Host David Wilson and Sara Schneider, the Wine Editor of Sunset Magazine, took on a challenge that may well have been the craziest thing two journalists could inflict upon themselves. It was a blind tasting of Ian Cauble's SommSelect Blind Six – wines from around the world sent by arguably the most high profile sommelier in the busine...

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey are arguably the greatest success story in the American wine business. They were the founders of Barefoot Wine, which grew into the largest brand in the country. The story is particularly compelling because charity is what fueled the company’s success and, this week, you’ll hear their inspiring story in detail as David spends some quality time skipping barefoot t...

David speaks with Will Ouweleen, owner of O-neh-da and Eagle Crest Vineyards in the Finger Lakes region of New York, about this wine region which is up in arms to stop the government to allow businesses from outside the region from creating what many believe to be a danger to their wine and tourism industry. Listen to get a better explanation of the fracking gas storage in salt caves problems and...

Jack Galante, Galante Vineyards owner and rancher His Great Grandfather was the founder of iconic Carmel, and though his Great Grandmother would not have approved of his making wine, Jack Galante of the winery of the same name, has a lot to be proud of.  His wine is a blend of cattle rancher, outstanding grape production, local history and plenty of good humor.  And just to keep him completely hon...

It’s hard to imagine, but the wine app Vivino now has a whopping 8 million plus users around the globe and it’s meteoric growth seems unstoppable. So what happens when the companies leaders decide to use the gargantuan database to figure out what the world loves to drink? Find out as Host David Wilson goes behind the scenes of Vivino with the company’s founder and CEO Heimi Zachariassen. It’s an a...

Plus, What if You’re in the Mood for Something Cheap? Well, we didn’t have enough time to have the Pope on, but we’re hoping he can join us very soon. All kidding aside, this week’s Grape Encounters begins with the Grape Encounters news and one very amusing story about a California Winemaker who found favor with the Pontif. Next, Grape Encounters is pleased to welcome Chris Kern, the founder of Th...

As much as we like to talk about small, boutique wines, in truth, the vast majority of wines produced and consumed in America come to market by the millions of gallons. And it’s an absolute fact that these wines are popular for a reason. It really is hard to argue with success, so this week’s entire show is dedicated to the big brands… the behemoths of the wine business. Sara Schneider, Wine Edito...

Jean Charles Boisset Miljenko “Mike” Grgich It’s an all-star cast as David revisits his favorite moments of 2014. This very special retrospective begins with a heartwarming visit with Mike Grgich, the legendary winemaker who stunned the world by capturing top honors at the 1976 Judgment of Paris. Jean Charles Boisset Next up is Jean-Charles Boisset, arguably the most colorful winemaker in the worl...

If there’s one thing that’s certain about saving a bottle of wine for a special occasion it’s this: If you wait too long, there’s a good chance you’ll be singing a very sad song. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked780.mp3" player=1761]

When a winemaker says his operation is underwater, it usually means things are less than profitable, but now ‘winery under water’ means something else. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked779.mp3" player=1761]

It’s one of the very best ways to get the most out of your wine. And, it has little to do with the grapes or winemaking techniques. It’s really all about eye-hand coordination with some physics thrown in. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked778.mp3" player=1761]

Most American’s know it’s customary to tip 18 to 20 percent in a restaurant. But, what happens when you buy a particularly expensive bottle of wine? Is it okay to short-change? [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked777.mp3" player=1761]

Wine has long been known as the great romancer. Just the right wine can make for just the right evening. But, something other than the alcohol may be lowering our inhibitions. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked776.mp3" player=1761]

Veteran Burgundian winemaker Christian Roguenant perfected his craft making bubbly in the Champagne Region of his native France. Today he oversees winemaking at the Niven Family Wine Estates, which produce several premium labels, including Baileyana, Tangent, Trenza, Cadre and Zocker. Christian Roguenant. Winemaker, Niven Family Wine Estates On this edition of Grape Encounters, Christian joins hos...

Wine lovers have always agreed that wine is great when paired with a social occasion or celebration. One winery is taking the compatibility of wine for social interactions in a completely different direction–crowdsourced wine making. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked775.mp3" player=1761]

It seems like 3D printing could be the next big thing in technology, but could it prove to be beneficial for wine lovers? A pair of Florida-based designers certainly think so — their firm Ottermatics is tackling the finer points of wine aeration. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked774.mp3" player=1761]

Think critics still have the greatest influence on what wines are worth buying these days? That may have been correct in the past, but in the present it’s all about the kids. I’m not kidding around. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked773.mp3" player=1761]

Would you give an opportunity to a wine that has been aged...in the ocean? We're are about to get the first peek of ocean-aged wine, a new process being referred to as “Aquaoir.” [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked772.mp3" player=1761]

Have you ever found yourself ready to enjoy a bottle of wine only to realize you don’t have a corkscrew? Well, stay tuned to learn an unconventional method of uncorking wine. I’ll “shoe you in” on the details![haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked771.mp3" player=1761]