Grape Encounters Wine Radio

This week, David had the opportunity to participate in an unforgettable event. David begins the show by saying that he’s not a seminar guy and has never sat thru a complete seminar in his life, but says this one was mesmerizing.   That’s because the man at the front of the room is a larger than life giant in the wine industry, George Riedel. He’s also David’s guest this week. This particular semin...

Have you ever wondered why different wines come in differently shaped bottles? Why do some red wines come in the same shape bottles as white wines? And, vice versa? Does it have anything to do with aging or flavor? [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked770.mp3" player=1761]

Have you ever wondered why different wines come in differently shaped bottles? Why do some red wines come in the same shape bottles as white wines? And, vice versa? Does it have anything to do with aging or flavor? [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked770.mp3" player=1761]

These days you can buy just about anything online and have it shipped right to your door. Wine included. So who’s ordering wine online and how is it affecting brick-and-mortar retailers? [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked769.mp3" player=1761]

For some, even a white wine spritzer is too far removed from the classic glass of vino – but others aren’t so shy about using wine as an ingredient. Find out which restaurant chain is set to offer a red wine milk shake.[haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked768.mp3" player=1761]

New York is a state with countless titles under its belt, but here’s one many didn’t see coming: Wine Region of the Year. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked767.mp3" player=1761]

Wine buyers beware. With governments making currency increasingly difficult to counterfeit, creative criminal minds are finding a market in expensive and unwitting wine collectors. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked766.mp3" player=1761]

David talks with Charlottesville, VA restaurateur and Sommelier Justin Ross about his determination to take the intimidation of ordering wine in his restaurant Parallel 38. Justin uses new technology that enables him to serve every single wine on his extensive list by the glass. Want two ounces of Opus One? You can get it with out having to pay the enormous price. Next, it’s Grape Encounters news...

 You can pair wines fairly easily with most of your favorite foods. But there are a few menu items that are a bit more difficult. The good news – it’s not impossible. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked765.mp3" player=1761]    

For many wine drinkers, once a bottle is opened, it is likely to be finished on in the same sitting? But, every once in a while, you might not finish that great bottle. So what should you really do? [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked764.mp3" player=1761]

It probably wouldn’t surprise you to know that California, New York, Washington and Oregon produce the most wine in America. But which states actually uncork the most bottles? [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked763.mp3" player=1761]

Women love their Chardonnay and White Zin. Men prefer the bolder reds and are the primary purchasers of premium wines. Of course right? Actually, wrong. The truth about wine habit stereotypes. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked762.mp3" player=1761]

We know it comes from the specific region of northeastern France and is different from other sparkling wines because it earns its name based on where it’s made. But there are a lot of other facts about champagne that are sure to surprise you.[haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked765.mp3" player=1761]

Paul Draper, Winemaker and CEO of Ridge VIneyards This week’s Grape Encounters is all about knowledge. The show begins with a very special interview with Paul Draper, the chief winemaker and CEO of Ridge Vineyards, a true icon in the winemaking world. Those who love Zinfandel certainly owe Paul a debt of gratitude, as he has been a central figure in the elevation of Zin to the stature it enjoys to...

How many times have we heard someone say they are removing the wine cork to “let the wine breathe”? Does this really improve the taste of that wine? [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked760.mp3" player=1761]

You’ve decided to serve your guests wine with dinner, so off to the living room for a bottle from the wine rack that’s been there for how long? Why is this just plain wrong? [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked759.mp3" player=1761]

It’s amazing how many phobias we humans suffer from.  There are literally thousands of them.  But Oenophobia?  It’s enough to drive you to drink.  Just not wine! [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked758.mp3" player=1761]

It’s hard to imagine that a fictional movie character could have such a profound impact on what we drink, but when Miles mocked Merlot, for many the wine had to go.  But that was then… [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked757.mp3" player=1761]

We have all heard the phrase, you are what you eat.  But does that age-old saying apply to what we drink as well?  We submit for your approval a revelation that shouldn’t be all that hard to swallow. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked756.mp3" player=1761]

You’ve just received an invitation to a wine tasting party, and you see written at the bottom “wine country casual”. Great! You know exactly how to dress… Or do you? [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked755.mp3" player=1761]

What do Dolly the ewe and varietal name Chardonnay have in common? The answer is that they both have their roots in bonnie Scotland. But there’s an even stronger tie. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked754.mp3" player=1761]

How much wine should you drink to stay healthy? Everyone seems to have an angle on wine’s health benefits, but how much is too much?  [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked753.mp3" player=1761]

Everyone loves a bargain bottle — but for consumers out in Australia, now is the time to get their hands on top-notch wine for bottom-dollar prices. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked752.mp3" player=1761]  

You’ve been assigned the task of making up the wine menu for your company’s next social gathering. Where do you begin? How detailed must it be? We’ll get you headed in the right direction. [haiku url="http://grapeencounters.com/media/uncorked751.mp3" player=1761]

Plus, Prisoner Pickers, Latest Wine News and Turkey Day Pairing! Thomas Matthews of Wine Spectator The wine world has been abuzz this week with Wine Spectator releasing their list of Top 100 wines of 2014. This is one of the most hotly-anticipated events each year. Well, you may be able to read about it a lot of places, but on Grape Encounters, you’ll actually get to hear David go into detail abou...