Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People

The final Wine Podcast for 2020 with Super Wine Girl Angela Aiello! Angela was one of the first teachers I ever had way back in 2006 with iYellow Wine Club.

On my latest wine pod I’m joined by the owner of America’s oldest wine club, Paul Kalemkiarian. Paul goes through 75 wines every Tuesday & has tasted over 100,000 wines during his career. 

On the latest Podcast Matt is joined by Frank Ihrig, the chef/owner of Hessenland County Inn. His winery, Schatz, near the shores of Lake Huron, is home to some of Ontario’s most vibrant cool climate grape varieties. This interview is a fascinating look into wine making in one of Ontario’s newest wine regions. 

On the latest Podcast Michael Bracegirdle returns for his second interview. Last time we spoke he was the GM for L’Unita, an upscale restaurant in Yorkville. Now he’s running one of the best BBQ joints in Toronto, Cherry Street Bar-B-Que. We discuss his transition and what it’s like trying to run a restaurant in Toronto in this time of COVID-19. Also wine pairings with BBQ!

Everything you wanted to know about wine auctions and how they are providing a huge boost for charities! Lotta fun here with Iron Gate Wine President Warren Porter 

On the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People Podcast' I'm joined by Charlotte Big Canoe from The Full Plate. (thefullplate.ca) They're a non-profit organization who provides essential services for people in the service industry. We discuss a different way of looking at wine by examining the relationship between the land and the indigenous history behind the terroir. Also: “If the se...

I may have a new candidate for guest with the busiest schedule. When Theodora Lee (aka Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards) is not working as a trial lawyer she is making wine for her winery, Theopolis Vineyards located in Anderson Valley. Theo is my guest as chat about her unique journey into wine, Robert Parker and all things Petite Sirah. 

On the latest podcast I interview wine writer, educator and the founder of Black Wine Professionals Julia Coney.  This is a wide ranging interview from Champagne pairings, helping wine professionals of colour gain the access they deserve, her wine epiphany moments and the crazy growth of her site Black Wine Professionals.

On the latest episode Matt is joined by former NHLer (LA Kings) and now the owner of Patine Cellars Jim Fox.  Between broadcasting Kings games Jim makes some killer single vineyards Pinot Noir. Jim’s passion for wine is so wildly apparent and his journey into pro hockey player to winery owner is such a cool story.  

Matt is back in Rueda spreading the good word about all things Verdejo. In this episode Matt speaks with three different export managers from three different wineries.  Luis Eduardo García (Bodega Emina), Jorge Herreras (Bodega Reina de Castilla) and Loren Gill (Bodegas Shaya) share their stories.

He was a Sommelier at The French Laundry, won the Best Young Sommelier in America competition and makes killer wine. My interview with the wildly talented/accomplished winemaker André Hueston Mack is my latest guest on the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast. Wide range of topics from how the TV show ‘Frasier’ help turn him onto wine, breaking into the wine business and h...

It’s the first returning guest to the Podcast, its Sommelier Heather McDougall from sipstoronto.com . Heather’s outlines a thoughtful/passionate approach to how restaurants can improve the lives of all those who work in the service industry. This is a really smart episode. 

On the latest Wine Pod I interview Ed Madronich, the president of Flat Rock Cellars. Ed is unapologetic about how good Ontario wine is, screw-caps & his desire to stick with Chardonnay, Riesling & Pinot Noir.  

On the latest Podcast Matt is back in the Côtes du Rhône with winemaker and owner Frédéric Lavau. His family history starting with his great grandfather Rene is fascinating one as are the stories about how drinking wine during cold winters in Ottawa played such a key role in his journey into wine. You’ll learn a bunch about the wines of Southern Rhone and hear all about a village level Côtes du Rh...

It’s my first socially distanced in-person wine podcast interview with Spanish wine importer and founder of Cosecha Imports Jason Axmith. This was a great primer on all things Spanish wine that don’t come from Rioja.

On the latest wine pod I interview Dr. David Meadows about his company PureWine Inc. There products help alleviate wine allergies & wine headaches (Hangovers). I tried their products after heroically consuming 26 ounces of wine and the next day no headache.  This interview is all about science, wine allergies and trying to find a way for everyone to enjoy wine. Note: This ain’t no infomercial....

On the podcast Matt heads down to South East Spain, the wine region of Penedès to interview Joan Cusine owner of the Parés Baltà Winery. They discuss how the winery has survived many wars, how it’s doing in the time of COVID-19 and the wineries shift from large scale grape producer to making high quality single vineyard wines. Matt reviews their white wine, Calcari made from Xarel·lo, .a wildly un...

On the latest Podcast Matt heads down to Southern Rhone to interview winemaker Xavier Vignon. From Champagne to Australia to making high end Côtes du Rhône Xavier has a hell of a journey. Matt reviews Xavier’s 2016 Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes and may have hit a new high (low) in terms of mispronouncing a guest’s name. Thanks to Noble Estates ( nobleestates.com ) for helping to set his up. 

Matt “travels” back to Tuscany for his latest wine interview this time with Gregorio Bandinelli, winemaker for his family estate, Villa di Geggiano. Gregorio was a ball of energy as we discussed all things Chianti, the impact of COVID-19 and the crazy wines he drank on his final night in New York before being forced back to Italy. 

On the latest podcast Matthew talks with owner/winemaker of Trujillo Winery Michael Trujillo. We chat about Napa Cabernet, the stigma surrounding Cabernet Sauvignon from California and you learn the differences between “Mountain” fruit vs. “Valley” fruit. I also feel shame about all my empties and I review a funky Southern Rhone white wine. 

On the latest Podcast Matt sits down with the Technical Director and CEO for Château Larose Trintaudon. This was a fascinating exploration into Bordeaux and a reminder that great wines from this region is not limited to the pricy world of classified growth Bordeaux. 

On the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast Matt gets to chat with Corey Beck the winemaker for Francis Ford Coppola! Beyond Coppola tales Corey talks about driving a tractor at the age of 12 through the vineyards of Chateau Montelena, how swimming pools can help a winery, cannabis and how you can go from White Claw to Sauvignon Blanc. 

Cool podcast with Francesca Paladin from Verona winery Casa Paladin learning about the under rated Refosco grape, sparkling red wine and a Chianti deep dive. 

The second part of my interview with Lenz Moser, head winemaker for China’s top winery, Château Changyu–Moser XV. Come for the mispronunciations stay for what it's like making Cabernet in China.  

Part One of my interview with famed Austrian Winemaker Lenz Moser. Lenz discusses his journey from Grüner Veltliner in Austria to making high end Bordeaux blends in China working for Château Changyu–Moser XV