Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 1985 (photo by Gerald)
Many wineries make a regular bottling as well as a premium product. The regular bottling may be crafted for early release (quicker cash flow!) and younger drinking while the premium wine is for aging and special occasions. “Reserve” (or Riserva, Reserva) is one way to designate the high-end product that has been given extra-special treatment in the winery. “Single-vineyard,” “Premier Cru,” and “Estate” are among the many other terms used for a wine producer’s better or best efforts.
What goes into making a reserve wine? Does the word, “reserve,” carry any legal weight? Is there anything that Reserves in California have in common with the Grand Vins of Bordeaux or the Riservas of Chianti? This is what I discuss in this podcast!
Download the transcript: Transcript: What does reserve mean, anyway?
What does reserve mean anyway?
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Beaujolais Vineyards (photo by Karaian on Flickr)
The third Thursday in November is almost upon us. On that date, the Beaujolais Nouveau will arrive – in Lyon, Paris, London, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sidney….. (Will it reach as far as Johannesburg?)
Do you get into the spirit of the day? Enjoy the party and the fun of getting your first taste of the vintage? Or are you down on Beaujolais Nouveau as one more product of HYPE on a global scale? Do you see the light and simple wine as having destroyed what was once a unique and special appellation in France?
Whatever your views, in this podcast I’ll try to give you some perspective on and insight into the wine of the Fall season. You’ll learn where Beaujolais is located, what’s special about the land and where the best wines are made.
Would you like learn what they do to make a red wine with good color but without much tannin? I’ll explain the carbonic maceration. And what is it that makes wine enthusiasts shake their heads when they think about Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau? I’ll try to explain chaptalization – the method of adding sugar to raise alcohol. (Wait?? They add sugar to wine? Indeed, they do… But keep it quiet!)
Download the transcript: Beaujolais Nouveau Transcript
Pre and Post Listening Questions: Beaujolais Nouveau Questions
Beaujolais Nouveau
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2005 William Fevre Chablis Grand Cru "Bougros" (photo by Gerald - aka "Syr Rah")
Chablis can be confusing to people new to wine. Have you been confused by Chablis? Some believe that, as a white wine from Burgundy, it must be terribly expensive. But others, who have seen California jug wine labeled as “Chablis,” think its another cheap white wine style.
Chablis is a white wine from Burgundy – a delicious, dry, zesty Chardonnay with a famous hard mineral character. The best wines of Chablis, the Grands Cru and Premiers Cru, can be expensive. But plenty of Chablis is affordable – and great value if you consider the difficult conditions, small yields and great technique of the Chablisiens (people of Chablis.)
In this podcast, you will learn about the wines of Chablis: vineyards, winemaking, and traditions. As always, I try to make the vocabulary of wine and wine tasting clear to you.
Read the transcript: Wine in Chablis – Transcript
Pre Questions and Comprehension Questions: Wine in Chablis Questions
Wine_in_Chablis
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1998 Cuilleron St. Joseph, "Les Serines" (photo by Gerald)
I drank a delicious wine the other night. It really stood out against the cheap junk I’ve been forced to drink lately. (You can call them “Recession Reds!”) It was a 1998 Yves Cuilleron St. Joseph, “Les Serines.” In this podcast I discuss where this wine came from and what I liked about it. You will learn about wines from the Rhone Valley of France and hear me talk about the grapes and vineyards of the Northern Rhone and the St. Joseph appellation. You will also hear me describe this wine, using some common words and expressions for the colors and smells of wine.
Do you like Syrah – or Shiraz as it is known in Australia? Would you like to learn more about where to look for good-tasting but affordable European Syrah? Then please listen in to this podcast about a Wine form the Northern Rhone.
Read the transcript and study guide while you listen to the podcast: A_Wine_From_the_Northern_Rhone
CuilleronStJoseph
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