#4: Chardonnay 101: The Most Popular White Grape Variety on Earth

#7: Grenache | Garnacha 101

What if I told you there's a grape variety that can fool even experienced sommeliers in blind tastings? It has the reputation of a shape-shifting chameleon that tastes like strawberries and herbs in France, licorice and cinnamon in Spain, fig and leather in Italy, and bold, fruit forward red fruits in the US - all while being the exact same grape variety? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://yt.openinapp.co/Grenache [https://yt.openinapp.co/Grenache] Full tasting note: www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/7/grenache-garnacha [http://www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/7/grenache-garnacha] Visit the Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog [https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog] PRODUCERS TO KNOW Southern Rhône Domaine du Pegau [https://pegau.com/?lang=en] | Clos des Papes [https://www.clos-des-papes.fr/] | Domaine Saint-Préfert [https://www.familleferrando.com/#!/en/] Priorat Alvaro Palacios [https://www.alvaropalacios.com/] | Clos Mogador [http://clos-mogador.ch/en/] Sardinia Argiolas [https://www.argiolas.it/en/argiolas/] | Sella & Mosca [https://www.sellaemosca.com/site/en/la_tenuta/] Australia d’Arenberg [https://www.darenberg.com.au/] | Yangarra [https://www.yangarra.com/] USA Tablas Creek [https://tablascreek.com/] | Bonny Doon [https://www.bonnydoonvineyard.com/] CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Tasting Note 01:18 Appearance 01:38 Aromas 02:37 Palateand Structure 05:34 History 08:08 Viticulture 10:24 Winemaking 12:00 Service and Food Pairing 13:08 Producers to Know

#6: Chenin Blanc 101

Chenin Blanc is a highly versatile white grape variety that can produce dry, off-dry, sweet, and sparkling wines. Chenin has floral and tree fruit aromas including apple, pear, and quince. Its signature aromas include lanolin, wet wool, and camomile. Dry styles predominate in Savennières. Luscious and sweeter styles historically come from Vouvray, Bonnezeaux, Quarts de Chaume. Its largest production is in South Africa, where it is called Steen. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NdCh-83ARMM [https://youtu.be/NdCh-83ARMM] Full tasting note: www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/6/chenin-blanc [http://www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/6/chenin-blanc] Visit the Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog [https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog] PRODUCERS TO KNOW Sparkling wines from Vouvray Domaine Vigneau-Chevreau [https://www.regalwine.com/producer/domaine-vigneau-chevreau/], Pétillant Brut Domaine Vincent Carême [https://vincentcareme.fr/], L’Ancestrale Savennières Domaine Fournier Longchamps [https://www.domainefl.com/boutique/], Roche aux Moines Damien Laureau [https://domainelaureau.com/?lang=en], Les Genêts Domaine des Hauts Baigneux [https://hautsbaigneux.fr/], Les Chênes Domaine Eric Morgat [https://www.ericmorgat.com/fr/], Fides Saumur Domaine Mélaric [https://www.domainemelaric.com/], Billes de Roche Quarts de Chaume, Anjou Château Pierre Bise [https://www.chateaupierrebise.fr/en/] Domaine des Forges [https://domainedesforges.net/] Bonnezeaux Château de Fesles [https://chateaudefesles.com/fr/] Stellenbosch, South Africa Bellingham Wines [https://bellinghamwines.com/] Breedekloof Quest Wines [https://www.breedekloofmakers.com/journal/quest-old-vine-chenin-blanc-2020-awarded-gold-at-the-usa-wine-ratings] Paarl Fairview Wines [https://www.fairview.co.za/], La Beryl Blanc (sweet) CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Tasting Note 01:18 Appearance 01:38 Aromas 02:37 Palate and Structure 05:34 History 08:08 Viticulture 10:24 Winemaking 12:00 Service and Food Pairing 13:08 Producers to Know

#5: Gamay 101: Food Friendly, from Grills to Giggles

Gamay is a fun, playful, and delicious grape. Its reputation is dominated by Beaujolais Nouveau, a simple primeur wine whose popularity peaked in the 1970s and 80s. Since the early 2000s, the 10 Beaujolais Cru appellations have distinguished Gamay as a more serious variety among sommeliers and people in the know. Gamay is a fantastic food wine, especially when grilling or assembling a smorgasbord of diverse flavors. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X9GVrRCYtuw [https://youtu.be/X9GVrRCYtuw]  Full tasting note: www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/5/gamay [http://www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/5/gamay]  Visit the Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog [https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog]  PRODUCERS TO KNOW Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes [https://www.vignoble-chanrion.com/] Maison Piron [https://www.maison-piron.fr/] Marcel Lapierre [http://www.marcel-lapierre.com/] Domaine Julien Sunier [http://www.julien-sunier.com/] CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 00:44 Appearance 01:14 Aromas 02:18 Palate and Structure 02:42 Distinctions for blind tasting 03:07 History 04:17 Viticulture 05:27 Winemaking 07:13 Service and Food Pairing 09:00 Producers to Know

#4: Chardonnay 101: The Most Popular White Grape Variety on Earth

Today’s topic is Chardonnay, the most planted white wine grape in the world, and one of the most versatile grapes in the glass. Chardonnay has been described as a chameleon because it expresses itself differently depending on climate, terrain, and skilled manipulation during vinification. In the 1980s and 90s the world became “Chardonized” as its popularity soared, particularly in the US market where heavy oak treatment and higher alcohol levels met the demand for a sweeter American pallet. Today, a more traditional approach that favors acidity, leanness, and fresh fruit are back in favor. In any event, Chardonnay remains the stalwart base for many of the world’s best sparkling, still, and even sweet wines. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gAyyIOP5W5s [https://youtu.be/gAyyIOP5W5s]  Full tasting note: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/4/chardonnay [https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/4/chardonnay]  Visit the Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog [https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog] PRODUCERS TO KNOW Chablis William Fevre [https://www.williamfevre.fr/en/] (Les Clos, 1er Fourchaume)  Domaine Christian Moreau [http://www.domainechristianmoreau.com/] Vincent Dauvissat [https://www.vineyardbrands.com//producer.aspx?id=13] Jean Marc Brocard [https://brocard.fr/en/] Côte d'Or Domaine Leflaive [https://www.leflaive.fr/en_US/] Arnaud Ente [https://kermitlynch.com/our-wines/domaine-arnaud-ente/] Macon Domaine Corsin [http://domaine-corsin.com/en/] Chile Concha y Toro [https://conchaytoro.com/] Casas del Bosque [https://casasdelbosque.cl/es/] South Australia:  Shaw & Smith [https://www.shawandsmith.com/] Napa Stony Hill [https://www.stonyhillvineyard.com/] Patz & Hall [https://www.patzhall.com/](Hyde Vineyard, Carneros) Hyde de Villaine [https://www.hdvwines.com/] (Hyde Vineyards and Aubert de Villaine of DRC) Sonoma Littorai [https://www.littorai.com/] (Charles Heintz plot) “Lit-or-eye” Hirsch Vineyards [https://www.hirschvineyards.com/About] (Sonoma Coast) Hanzell [https://hanzell.com/](Sonoma Valley) Central Coast The Hilt [https://www.thehiltestate.com/] (Vanguard) CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Appearance 01:01 Aromas 02:34 Palate and Structure 02:56 Distinctions for blind tasting 04:39 History 05:23 Viticulture 06:33 Winemaking 07:21 Service and Food Pairing 08:13 Producers to Know

#3: Cabernet Sauvignon 101: Serious Wine from Bordeaux’s Médoc to the Napa Valley

If grape varieties had passports, then Cabernet Sauvignon would need extension pages. Originally from Bordeaux, this grape traveled the globe, from France to the US, Australia, South Africa, Italy, and Chile. Cabernet is famous as the base for some of the richest, most complex wines in the world. Its elevated acidity, tannins, and alcohol offer excellent aging potential. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0472CbwZbMY?si=Lv4L83vyWYn8HTS5 [https://youtu.be/0472CbwZbMY?si=Lv4L83vyWYn8HTS5] Full tasting note: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/3/cabernet-sauvignon [https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/podcast/beverage-study/3/cabernet-sauvignon] Visit the Blog: https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog [https://www.eatdrinkfun.com/blog] CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 00:39 Appearance 00:54 Aromas 02:53 Aromas for Bordeaux, Napa, Australian, and Chilean Cab 04:50 Palate and Structure 05:43 Distinctions for Blind Tasting 06:10 History 06:57 Viticulture 07:56 Winemaking 09:16 Notable Vintages 10:45 Service and Food Pairing 11:34 Producers to Know LINKS PRODUCERS TO KNOW Medoc, France St. Estephe: Ch. Montrose [https://www.chateau-montrose.com/en/]; Cos d'Estournel [https://www.estournel.com/en/]; Ch. Calon Ségur [https://www.calon-segur.fr/en/]; Ch. Lafon-Rochet [https://www.lafon-rochet.com/en/home/] Pauillac: Highest end: Château Lafite Rothschild [https://www.lafite.com/domaines/chateau-lafite-rothschild/], Ch. Mouton Rothschild [https://www.chateau-mouton-rothschild.com/], Chateau Latour [https://www.chateau-latour.com/en] ... more attainable wines include Lynch-Bages [https://www.lynchbages.com/en/], Pontet-Canet [https://www.pontet-canet.com/en/], Ch. Grand-Puy-Lacoste [https://m.chateau-grand-puy-lacoste.com/en/] St. Julien: Ch. Ducru-Beaucaillou [https://chateau-ducru-beaucaillou.com/en]; Ch. Léoville Barton [https://www.leoville-barton.com/en/] Margaux: Ch. Palmer [https://www.chateau-palmer.com/]; Ch. d'Issan [http://www.chateau-issan.com/en/] Napa:  Robert Mondavi [https://robertmondaviwinery.com/] (Opus One); Ridge Vineyards [https://www.ridgewine.com/] (Monte Bello); Matthiasson [https://www.matthiasson.com/]; Harlan Estate [https://www.harlanestate.com/] Sonoma:  Arnot-Roberts [https://www.arnotroberts.com/] (Monticello single vineyard) South Australia:  Penfolds [https://www.penfolds.com/en/home] Western Australia:  Cloudburst [http://www.cloudburstwine.com/](Margaret River) Chile:  Concha y Toro [https://conchaytoro.com/] Chadwick [https://vinedochadwick.cl/]