The Connected Table Live

White wine is a $40 billion dollar market (Fact MR) with many varieties and styles to try from around the world. Journalists Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, (the "World Wine Guys"), tackle this topic in "White Wine: The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties & Styles" (W.W. Norton). Whether it's crisp and dry, fruity and floral, or creamy and full-bodied, there is a white wine for y...

For over 200 years, the Tasca d’Almerita family has had a central role in Sicily winemaking and innovation, from introducing international varieties to producing single estate wines to spearheading the current SOStain sustainability initiative. Eighth generation and CEO Alberto Tasca discusses the family history and estates: Regaleali (Central Sicily), Sallier de La Tour (DOC Monreale), Tascante E...

Ermengildo "Joe" Giusti comes from a storied family in Italy's Asolo (Veneto) region. In 1975 at age 17 he went to North America with just $20 to strike out on his own. He built a construction empire in Canada. In 2002 Joe returned to Asolo and bought a small parcel of land to farm. Now the largest single private vineyard landowner in the Prosecco region, Giusti Wine in the Montello Hills west of...

Tenuta Rapitalà started with a love story between a French nobleman, Count Hugues de la Gatinais, and a Sicilian woman, Gigi Guarrasi. The couple inherited the estate from the Guarassi family after it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1968. They rebuilt Tenuta Rapitalà, cultivating both French and Sicilian varieties. Rapitalà began producing estate bottled-wines starting with the 1976 vintage. Tod...

With more than 300 days of sunshine and steady winds off the Mediterranean Sea, Pyrenees Mountains and the Massif Central, the region of Languedoc-Roussillon in southwest France’s “Occitania” has a prolific winemaking heritage. AOC Limoux, for example, is the birthplace of sparkling wine. Melanie and David explore a few of Languedoc’s 20 AOCs and styles of wine produced, including: Picpoul de Pine...

A Master of Wine since 2006, Lisa Granik is an authority on Georgian wines and author of the books, “The Wines of Georgia” and “Granik’s Guide to Georgian Wine.” Her career in wine has included working in nearly every aspect of the distribution system and in global trade development and education. Prior to entering the wine field, Lisa worked in international law; she earned her JD at Georgetown a...

Camper English has written about the cocktail industry in more than 50 publications and his blog, Alcademics. A student science buff turned cocktail nerd, he's a popular speaker on the bar industry circuit thanks to his detailed research into specific topics. An example is “The Ice Book,” documenting his innovative process to create clear ice, considered a “diamond” in the drinks business. Another...

Roussillon in SW France borders the Pyrenees Mountains and Mediterranean Sea. Catalan flavors from nearby Spain can be tasted in the local cuisine. Roussillon’s distinctive red clay, iron-rich soils gave the region its name. Eric Aracil, co-director & export manager at the Conseil Interprofessional des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR), discusses the region’s diverse terroir and range of still dry red...

Founded in 1843, Santi Winery is in the foothills of the Lissini Mountains in Valpolicella, east of Verona. Mountain breezes and calcareous soil rich in clay and sea sediment contribute to producing this region’s iconic red wines made from native Corvina, Rondinella and Corvivone grapes. Santi produces classic Veronese wines- Valpolicella Superiore, Ripasso and Amarone della Valpolicella - under t...

What does it take to make it as a chef in today’s world? Shari Bayer, Founder of Bayer Public Relations and Host of "All in The Industry" podcast on Heritage Radio Network, interviewed more than 100 chefs around the world to gain their insights on various aspects of their profession for her book, "Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around the World" (Phaidon). Topics covered include cooking...

Scacciadiavoli in Montefalco (Umbria) was founded in 1884 by Prince Ugo Boncompagni Ludovisi as a progressive winemaking complex for its era. It's one of the oldest wineries in Montefalco. The name "Scacciadiavoli" refers to a local exorcist who used wine in rituals to banish the devil (“scacciare- diavoli”). In 1954, winery worker, Amilcare Pambufetti, acquired Scacciadiavoli. Liù Pambuffeti, 4th...

Located in the northwest border of Montefalco, Tenuta Di Saragano produces classic DOCG Montefalco Sagrantino, DOC Montefalco Rosso, DOC Trebbiano Spoletino and Sagrantino Passito wines (and more). This expansive winery has been under the ownership of the Pongelli-Benedettone family since the 15th century. The family started bottling wines in 1921; the cellar still has some 1921 bottles. Guglielmo...

Montefalco DOC is a leading wine region of Umbria, known as "the green heart of Italy." The Sagrantino Wine Road offers many wineries to discover by car. The walkable hilltop village of Montefalco is an ideal base for exploring. Melanie & David recommend restaurants in Montefalco and wineries to visit. They discuss the appellation's signature wines and what distinguishes each, including Montef...

Founded in 1731, Bouchard Père & Fils is one of the oldest and most diverse wine estates in Burgundy with 130 hectares of vineyards in prestige appellations of both the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuit, mostly Premiers and Grands Crus. Its 15th century château in Beaune houses the largest private collection of old burgundies, including a Meursault Charmes 1846. Technical Director Frédéric Weber...

Cathy Van Zyl MW became the first Master of Wine on the African continent in 2005 and serves as the Associate Editor of “Platter’s South African Wine Guide.” She has served as a member of the Institute of Masters of Wine education committee for 10 years. In 2019, she was named Institute of Cape Wine Masters' Personality of the Year for her passionate promotion of South African wine. Cathy discusse...

The Connected Table Hosts Melanie Young & David Ransom share the stories of leaders and personalities in wine, food, spirits and hospitality. In this 10th anniversary season episode, they turn the table and share their own stories on their journey from youth to adulthood, their families, careers in wine and food and becoming writers and podcast hosts. They each share impressions of places they...

Villa I Collazzi is located in Chianti Colli Fiorentini, outside Florence, Italy. The villa dates to the 1500s and was designed Michaelangelo Buonarroti. In 1933, the property was purchased by Carlo and Giulio Marchi, members of a textile printing dynasty, who are also related to the Frescobaldi family. Villa Collazzi's wines are mainly IGT blends, with some single varietal and Chianti Classico. A...

Caterina Dei continues the legacy of her grandfather, Alibrandi Dei, who planted his first vineyard, Bossona, in Montepulciano in 1964. Cantine Dei is now a leading producer of DOCG Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in Tuscany. Cantine Dei is a stunning winery built from travertine marble, conceived by Caterina’s late father, Glauco Dei. Honoring his memory. Caterina created Madonna Della Querce, a sin...

Ambre Delorme and her mother, Madeleine, are co-owners of Domaine de la Mordorée in AOC Tavel (Southern Rhône). Domaine de la Mordorée was established in 1986 by Ambre’s grandfather, Francis, and father, Christophe with 12 acres. Domaine de la Mordorée now has 143 acres of vineyards throughout the Rhône, including Lirac, Tavel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Condrieu, and Côtes-du-Rhône. Domaine de la Mordo...

Michael Pinkus (The Grape Guy) is a multi-award-winning Canadian wine writer and educator and host/ co-creator of the podcast, "Two Guys Talking Wine." Founder of Michael Pinkus Wine Review, his YouTube videos, filled with wisdom and wit on the subject of wine, draw fans from around the world. The Ontario resident discusses Canadian wines, shares impressions of Anteprime Toscana 2023, thoughts on...

Since the 1920s, Tenuta di Capezzana has been under the ownership of the Contini Bonacossi family, whose long history in producing wine and olive oil can only be matched by their illustrious career as fine art brokers and collectors in Spain before coming to Italy. Beatrice Contini Bonacossi discusses the estate’s location and history dating to 804 A.D. in Carmignano, a small appellation northwest...

Sylvie Bigar's life as a food writer has taken her far and wide to research the origins of many native dishes. One dish has captivated her above all: cassoulet, France's ancestral bean and meat stew. In her book, "Cassoulet Confessions," she shares her journey to Occitania (Languedoc) to learn from a cassoulet master and embed herself in cassoulet culinary culture. Along the way she uncovers a sim...

Acclaimed photographer, Silvia Imparato, enjoyed drinking fine wines with friends in Rome. But she returned to her family’s country home near Salerno to make wines herself, enlisting the help of acclaimed wine consultant, Ricardo Cotarella. In 1991 Silvia introduced her first vintage of Montevetrano to rave reviews. Accolades continued with each new vintage. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot a...

Vouvray is a white wine made with Chenin Blanc grapes in the Central Loire Valley district of Touraine. Vouvray’s range of expressive styles runs from dry to off dry to sweet, sparkling and still. Alexandre Monmousseau is a fifth-generation vigneron who founded Alexandre M in 2020 after many years working in the business. His focus is small production, hand-crafted cuvées. These include a sparklin...

A Tour de France wine road trip? Mais Oui! Melanie and David continue sharing their experiences and impressions traveling with wine importer Kysela Pére & Fils to leading wine regions of France to meet producers and learn about their wines. Regions and producers discussed in the second of this two-Part series: Southern Rhône Valley, Provence-Bandol, Cassis, Roussillon, Bordeaux, Loire Valley....