Wine Stories

In this episode, Brian Demay discusses the phylloxera epidemic, and the role America played in rescuing the great vineyards of Europe in the 1800s. He also samples the Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon, from Chile, a region still unaffected by phylloxera today. (Edited from a previous live broadcast)

What is the history of the Nebbiolo grape? What is the difference between Barolo and this wine, the 2017 Travaglini Giancarlo Gattinara? Find out this week with Brian Demay (audio taken from a live video broadcast). 

Brian Demay and sommelier Steve Tartaglia wrap up their Wines Of #Italy series with a look at Southern Italian wines, as well as those from the islands of Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia, and we taste our way through three beauties: - Fiano Di Avellino Feudi Di San Gregorio, a phenomenal white from southern Italy's Avellino province. - Serra Sanguigna Du Cropio, a delicious red blend from Calabria, and - Patriglione Negroamaro Salento, an absolutely outstanding red from Puglia that knocked our socks off.  

There's a reason downtown #Cincinnati has a Vine Street! Brian Demay talks to winemaker Ed McDonald from Hanover Winery about the history of wine in Ohio, Cincinnati's #German heritage, and how the banks of the Ohio River could have become the #Napa of the Midwest, were it not for the Civil War and #Prohibition.  Ah, what might have been....

Part 3 in the "Wines of Italy" series, Brian Demay and sommelier Steve Tartaglia tackle the history of Central Italian wines, including the legend of #Chianti's Black Rooster, and the rise of #SuperTuscan wines. They also taste the Montenidoli Vernaccia, a delicious Mocali Rosso Di Montalcino, and the Cirelli La Collina Biologica Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. 

Brian Demay and Wine Ambassador Jim Teegarden highlight three newly released, super-premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons:  #Caymus Special Selection #Cabernet (2015) #JosephPhelps #Insignia (2016) &  #RobertMondavi The Reserve Cabernet (2016) What makes these wines premium? In this once-in-a-lifetime tasting, Brian and Jim discuss the history and terroir of Napa, and the founding families who made it the wine capital of America.  #SouthernGlazers

Part 2 in the "Wines of Italy" series, Brian Demay and sommelier Steve Tartaglia tackle Northeast Italian wines: a Gruner Veltliner, an upscale Prosecco, and a Cabernet Franc. Not typical "Italian" wines, but definitely traditional grapes from the Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige. 

 Brian Demay and wine ambassador Jim Teegarden of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits discuss French Rosé, and the history of the wines of Southern France, specifically Languedoc. The delicious wines we taste from Gerard Bertrand are:  * Cote Des Roses  * Ballerine Brut Etoile Rosé * 2016 Cigalus (the wine served at the Nobel Prize awards ceremony in Stockholm! Seek out this wine, buy it, give it, enjoy it. Tastes like a $200 bottle, but can be had for around $50!)  

Brian Demay and sommelier Steve Tartaglia planned to do a "Wines of Italy" segment but realized the regions and history of Italian winemaking are too varied and vast to do only one, so this is the first of a series. Behold: The Wines of Northwest Italy, and specifically the delicious alpine wines of this storied region. The three wines we taste for this segment are:  - 2016 Elio Perrone Moscato - 2011 Carema Ferrando  - 2013 Grosjean Corrette 

Brian Demay and sommelier Steve Tartaglia tackle the origin and history of oak aging. From oak casks which transported wine in horse-drawn carriages across Europe to the oak barrels which traversed the ocean, it has played a huge part in the story of wine. Brian considers it a "happy accident" that we used oak to store wine, considering how it is the perfect vehicle to smooth out the flavors and introduce just enough oxygen to age it gently. The differences between French and American oak are also discussed, and we taste two examples of Cabernet from Sonoma's Alexander Valley, one which utilizes only American oak barrels (Silver Oak 2014 Cabernet) and one which uses 100% French oak barrels (Stonestreet 2015 Cabernet).

Brian Demay and sommelier Steve Tartaglia discuss #Sonoma, its history and terroir, and sample three delicious wines from this storied region:  Wind Gap #Chardonnay, Lioco #Pinot Noir, and Seghesio Old Vine #Zinfandel.

Brian Demay and sommelier Steve Tartaglia talk about the Rhone Rangers movement, and discuss the origin of the Rhone Blend, #Chateauneuf-du-Pape, tasting a 2015 Terres De Galets from Gabriel-Meffre, a 2012 Le Cigare Volant from Bonny Doon Vineyard, and a 2015 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas. #RhoneRangers #TablasCreek #BonnyDoon #PasoRobles

Brian Demay and sommelier Steve Tartaglia discuss several wines from the #WillametteValley, Oregon including Chehalem #GrunerVeltliner, Second Growth #PinotGris, Elk Cove #Riesling and Adelsheim #PinotNoir.

In our 10th episode, Brian Demay talks to Rebecca Loewy from Old Bridge Cellars, and esteemed winemaker Charlotte "Lolly" Krajewsjki of Bordeaux's Clos Cantenac. Learn about recent excellent vintages in Bordeaux, and how Lolly knows when exactly to harvest her grapes in the vineyard. A really fascinating and fun discussion!  http://www.closcantenac.com/ #ClosCanenac #Bordeaux #WineStories #RebeccaLoewy #SaintEmilion #LaDevine #PetiteCantenac #OldBridgeCellars

Brian Demay and sommelier Steve Tartaglia talk about wines from the Balkans, including two genetic predecessors to #Zinfandel and #Primitivo native to the Dalmatian coast, with importer extradordinaire Riza Sejdic. #Plavac #Vranac #Zilavka

Brian and Steve talk to Chris Benziger from #Benziger Winery, as he recounts the harrowing experience escaping the California wildfires. We also discuss #biodynamics, and the Benziger #Sauvignon Blanc, #Merlot and #Cabernet Sauvignon, and the wines of #Sonoma. 

We learned a lot about Bordeaux from Dan Greathouse! The history, terroir, major producers, and vintages to try. If you have never attended a #Bordeaux program by Mr. Greathouse, President of Heidelberg Vineyards, this is a must-listen!

Brian Demay and somellier Steve Tartaglia talk about sparkling wine, its romantic history, how it's made, and how it all began. They taste three versions: #Cava, #Champagne & a delicious #Brut from New Mexico! #Gruet #Hatton #Bubbly 

Brian Demay and Steve Tartaglia discuss the origins of #PinotNoir, and taste three very different examples of it: Wild Pig, Dog Point, and Baus Family Vineyards. #Languedoc #France #Burgundy #Sonoma #NewZealand

Brian Demay and sommelier Steve Tartaglia talk about #Amarone, how it's made, how it tastes, and where to find it. Brian also recounts his amazing first Amarone experience, and his quest to repeat it. #Rengo #BrianDemay #Warm98 #Cesari #WineTasting #Valpolicella