Wine Talks with Paul K.

For the past few years, I have been keeping up with all things Kim Lewis, some might say I am a social media stalker… Maybe! But can you blame me? Kim Lewis is an inspiring entrepreneur to look out for! She brought a winery to the heart of New Orleans. A concept that seemed a bit unusual, but it turns out there is actual wine history in Louisiana.  Kim Lewis' story is unique and fun like she is. T...

When you think of the wines of South America, you primarily think of the wines from Chile and Aregentina. Both countries with a rich history in wine and both can create world class examples.  I searched my tasting database and found have only tasted 35 Urguan wines over that past 20 or so years. And i had my doubts...because typically wines that come here for tasting from newer lessor know distric...

Rosé was not a household word/wine in America. Maybe on the east coast it is more accepted.  In that the famed Bob Trinchero raised the awareness of pink wine in America, it was a sweeter, fruited version of its dryer, more sophisticated French counterparts. And for me, Rosé can be just as complex and interesting from a terroir standpoint as any red or white wine.  You will learn how Charles Biele...

You will hear a great discussion of the differences in philosophy and wines throughout Italy.  I am a huge fan of the Bonfante wines and was thrilled to have Marco Bonfante in the house to tell us of the generations of his family in the wine trade.  Wine and food are naturals and Marco does a great job laying out the foods and wines of north west Italy.  On his website he quotes Salvador Dali "Rea...

Piemonte is one of the prolific wine regions of Italy. Situated about an hour west of Milan it is on the way to France for you geography buffs.  It is also home to some of Italys most famous and sought after wines. From the famed white wine Gavi Di Gavi to the most collected Barolo's, Piemonte plays host to a huge variety of wine styles and indigenous foods.  We meet up with a real Piedmontese, Ma...

When Jim Barrett won the Judgement of Paris with his 1973 Chardonnay, I don't think he realized the legacy of Napa history he was creating. I caught up with two granddaughters who both carry the torch in their own way; creating unique and separate identities in the Napa Valley. Meet Remi and Chelsea Barrett.

Ian McCaffery wanted to be in wine. He has not only a philosophy on making wine but where and how wines are to be served and presented. He currently makes wine for the famed Joel Gott and Gavin Newsome's Plumpjack winery.  His own brand Station 26 was inspired by the lifeguard station in Santa Monica number 26 where he met his wife.  He was brought to wine as a young man by tasting with his grandf...

The energy in the room changes when she walks in....you will have repair the ceiling...because this girl takes the energy through the roof. Tell me, how does a teenager living in Columbis (no wine at all) become so fascinated with making wine that she jumps ship and heads to Cognac and sits on the step of the Presidents office until he admits her into the University to study wine. She is one drive...

Franck-Lin Dalle is in the family business but like many before him, he started out forging his own career. As an attorney in Paris, he felt the calling to go back to the Provence and take over the family business. The family has a peculiar rule, one most hand over the reigns when one turns 65; he has a few years to go.  Rose is growing in popularity not only across the wine drinking world, but sp...

This Cremant de Loire house has an amazing history as it is now back in the hands of the original family. This story of wine, family and high finance is intriguing and we could have spoken for hours. Now it is Juliette and her father at the helm as she responded to her calling to come back home and be part of the family business.  It is also a story of the camaraderie in the wine industry and part...

Vance Rose has done just about everthing in the wine business. When it is all said and done, he felt his calling was to make wine. When I suggesgted his Cabernet Sauvignon was old school his response "that is the best compliment I have had in awhile".  The wines he is making at Route Stock are solid examples of their varietals and districts. 

Just as humble as can be, Jennifer preferred not to discuss her "rising star" moniker. Working side by side with Katherine Cakebread, Jennifer is at helm of winemaking for the ZIATA brand. An engaging smile and demeanor, Jennifer shares her opinion of all things wine.

When the Daou brothers came to Paso Robles to start the famed winery, they spied a property in the Adelaide district that intrigued their senses. Patrimony is a testimony to terroir, culture and the dream of two immigrants. This was one great conversation and you must try the wines. It is not only a story of wine but of immigration, escape, pride and hard work. Steve has been in the wine industry...

What was clear during my conversation with Joe Hunter was the main requirement for a successful wine and winery is passion.  A true student of the wine industry, Joe tells of the energy and philosophy of the Pahlmeyer family and their stake in the Wayfarer brands. Completely inspirational...a must hear.

This conversation will take you to the next level of understanding wine. I was so intrigued to hear the plight of the nurseryman when it comes to vineyards; this ain't Armstrong if you know what I am sayin'. Andrew Jones knows his stuff, you will know yours in 60 minutes.

Meet Lionel Raymond. After a stint as a petroleum engineer, Lionel got the bug. The buyer of the the family Chateau defaulted and Lionel and his father took it back and they now responsible for the largest organic vineyard holdings. Incredible journey and story of Chateau Lagarde.

She set out to get her master's in Gastronomy at The Cordon Bleu and ended up becoming America's authority on aphrodisiac foods. Yes, this is a thing. We had a fascinating conversation about aphrodisiac foods and wine...and much more.  Cook up some lovin' with Amy Reiley.

I needed to have Marta on the show to help me sort out the wines of Spain. She is the export manager for the largest Spanish wine exporter: Torres. She was engaging, funny, and knowledgeable.  Have a listen.

Frances Dinkelspiel has written two New York Times best-selling books; the latest was Tangled Vines: Greed, Murder, Obsession, and an Arson in the Vineyards of California. She follows the trails of some of the most notorious deceitful events in the wine trade...and it ain't pretty. You will want to read the book immediately.

A wealth of wine knowledge, Natalie MacLean, noted wine author, stumbled into wine appreciation where her husband suggested she take wine classes (gold lesson didn't pan out the way they had hoped). A wealth of wine knowledge and a fresh approach, meet Natalie Maclean.

The cuisine boom of the '80s in America is in part due to a movement towards fresher simpler food that took hold in Los Angeles and young chefs and restaurant owners. Jonathan Waxman was at the forefront of this change. Trained in France and part of the original crew at Michael McCarty's Michaels, Jonathan has won numerous awards and opened numerous restaurants. Considered a Top Chef in any circle...

Simone FM Spinner set out to create her own major...in wine. Not an enology degree, not a fermentation degree....a wine degree. In this podcast she explains the aesthetics of wine and a variety of other well articulated viewpoints on wine. Our episode went by so fast, we didn't get to much of what I wanted to talk about....she is going to come back on soon.

Mr. Wonderful was in the house...not too long ago, Wine Talks caught up with Kevin O'Leary to talk the wine biz....really fun chat.   In this jovial episode of **Wine Talks with Paul Kay**, Kevin O'Leary, entrepreneur extraordinaire, dives into the world of wine and exclusive watches. O'Leary reveals his undying love for Bordeaux wines, particularly Latour and Chevalier Blanc, akin to finding "the...

Back in the day, the only resource we had in the wine trade was Pattersons. A journal of all things beverage, it did not keep up with the times. Enter Meredith May, a savvy business woman who knew nothing of wine but knew publishing to save and turn the fledging periodical into a must have trade journal. The Somm Journal and the Tasting Panel are two growing trade magazines...hear why.

On a recent trip to Paso Robles....a must do for anyone interested in learning the great districts of California wine, I sat with Austin Hope of the Hope family vineyards. Hear how he responded to covid and other interesting approaches to telling the Hope Family story. Great chat and we will do it again.