Welcome to our video podcast: Comte – The Art of Cheese – Part 1 – Video Show #88.

If you like cheese, you’re probably familiar with Comté. This French semi-hard cheese made from unpasteurized cow’s milk has been produced for hundreds of years, and is still traditionally made in more than 190 cheese dairies, known as the “fruitières” in the Jura region of eastern France. The Jura plateau of the Franche-Comté is the most mountainous (and coldest) region of France stretching from the eastern edge of Burgundy through the foothills of the Jura Alps to the Alps along the border with Switzerland.

It is the first French AOC (label of origin) cheese, guaranteeing the quality of the cheese. Each 40 kilo (about 88 pound) wheel of Comté is made from the milk of many different small farms. The milk is collected at a fruitière, where it is manipulated and transformed under strictly controlled conditions. After its fabrication, the huge wheels of cheese are transferred to a limited number of cellars spread across the region, where they will age anywhere from 4 – 18 months. The taste is variable depending on the age and the season of the milk. It’s typically described as salty, mild, and fruity. Some cheese have strong hazelnut flavors, while others have subtle hints of nutmeg. Wine pairings? Dry whites and lighter reds work beautifully with Comté.

Join us for this first of two episodes covering this fascinating region. We’ll learn some of the history of this region, and what makes this part of France special, but more importantly, how this translates to Comté itself.

Alice Feiring should be no stranger to those who follow the personalities in the world of wine. An unapologetic Francophile and something of a firebrand, Alice considers herself “the leading Natural Wine Advocate in this country,” which puts her in direct conflict with influential wine critic Robert Parker, and those who seemingly favor Parker’s preference in wines. She has described most California wine as “overblown, over-alcoholed, over-oaked, overpriced and over-manipulated,” sparking more than a little controversy. Her recent book, The Battle for Wine and Love; Or How I Saved the World from Parkerization, has garnered her many supporters, as well as a slew of detractors.

Join us as we speak with author, journalist and activist for a more “natural wine,” Alice Feiring. We’ll discuss the definition of “natural wine” and its seeming importance, as well as her perception of the Parkerization of wines – world wide.

For more information on Alice Feiring: www.alicefeiring.com

Sponsor: Comté Cheese: www.comte-usa.com

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Show #271
(57:36 min 41MB)

We decided to make a trek up to Sonoma County to visit with a few personalities from the Kendall-Jackson stable of wineries.

Our first stop was to visit with Melissa Stackhouse, winemaker for La Crema. The love for farming came naturally for Melissa, having spent summers on her grandparents’ farm in rural Minnesota. But, it was a visit to Washington State’s San Juan Islands that actually introduced her to wine. And, as they say in fishing, the hook was set. A UC Davis education was next on the agenda, followed by several internships which finally led her to La Crema in 2001 as assistant winemaker. By 2003, she was running the place.

Next, we were off to meet with Don Hartford at Hartford Family Winery in the Russian River Valley. Don attended University of Massachusetts at Amherst, obtained his law degree from Santa Clara University, and his legal career has included a Tokyo law firm, a large San Francisco-based firm, Jess Jackson’s practice of Constitutional law, and work at the California Supreme Court. The law notwithstanding, Don has immersed himself in winemaking and winery management over the past 20 years. He also owns and farms a small vineyard of old-vine Zinfandel behind his home. This 90-year old vineyard is located on seven acres and is head-pruned to produce annual yields of about 1.5 tons an acre. Almost by itself, stewardship of this property has returned Don to his Massachusetts farming roots.

Then, we spent some quality time with Randy Ullom, of Kendall-Jackson Estates. Randy was originally hired in 1993 by Jess Jackson as the winemaker at Camelot Vineyards. That same year, Jackson also put him in charge of heading up a new Chilean operation as founding winemaker and general manager of Viña Calina. Then in 1996, Ullom helped Jackson establish wine production in Argentina with the Tapiz label. In 1997, Ullom was made winemaster for Kendall-Jackson Winery. In 2006, he also became the company’s Chief Operating Officer, reflecting his intimate involvement in the both the viticultural and winemaking programs of Kendall-Jackson.

Finally, we talked with Alex Réblé, winemaker for Matanzas Creek. Originally from the Bordeaux region of France, Alex was educated at the Agricultural School of Libourne and Blanquefort and mentored by Jean-Claude Berrouet (then winemaker at Pétrus and La Fleur-Pétrus).  After working at Chateau La Tour Carnet for a year, Alex turned his attention to the New World. Wanting to try his hand with Burgundian varieties, he took a job at Willamette Valley Vineyards in Oregon, working with Joe Dobbes. Then, he was on to the Napa Valley in 1998, to work with Luc Morlet at Newton Vineyards, Ken Deis at Flora Springs Winery, and Daniel Baron at Silver Oak and Twomey. Finally, he joined Matanzas Creek in 2001 as cellar master, becoming its winemaker in 2010.

For more information on Jackson Family Wines: www.kj.com

Sponsor: VinAssure, Wine Preservation System : www.vinassure.com

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Show #270
(1:15:01 min 41MB)

Welcome to our video podcast: Châteauneuf du Pape – Ask the Wine Maker – Video Show #87.

On his recent trip to the Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, Robert Kenney was able to ask several well-known winemakers our last big question: “Why do you produce a Special Cuvee” — Film editing by Robert Farinhas.

Everyone has special barrels that seem to deliver more complex wine than the other barrels. Join us as we hear several interesting answers from some of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s great winemakers about why, in addition to several other cuvees, they are intent on producing what is commonly referred to as a “special cuvee”?

Interviews include:
Julien Barrot — Domaine La Barroche
Vincent Durieu — Domaine Durieu
Francois Giraud — Domaine Giraud
Emilie Boisson — Domaine Du Pere Caboche
Laurence Feraud — Domaine Du Pegau
Alexandre Favier — Domaine Chante Cigale
Veronique Maret — Domaine De La Charbonniere
Nicolas Boiron — Domaine Bosquet Des Pape
Jean-Paul Versino — Domaine Bois De Boursan
Christian Voeux — Chateau La Nerthe
Thierry Sabon — Clos Du Mont-Olivet
Christophe Jaume — Domaine Grand Veneur
Sophie Armenier — Domaine De Marcoux
Mathieu Perrin — Chateau De Beaucastel
Laurent Charvin –Domaine Charvin
Baptiste Grangeon — Domaine De Christia
Isabelle Sabon — Domaine De La Janasse
Bruno Gaspard — Clos Du Caillou
Karine Diffonty — Cuvee Du Vatican
Didier Negron — Roger Sabon
Florent Lancon — Domaine De La Solitude
Frederic Coulon — Domaine De Beaurenard
Isabel Ferrando — Domaine Saint Prefert
Amelle Barrot — Chateau Jas De Bressy
Pierre Fabre — Chateau MontRedon
Vincent Maurel — Clos Saint Jean
Thierry Usseglio — Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils
Patrick Vernier — Chateau Cabrieres
Pierre Pastre — Chateau Fortia
Laurent Brotte — Brotte
Andre Brunel — Les Cailloux
Frederic Brunier — Domaine Du Vieux Telegraph
Guillaume Gonnet — Font De Michelle

Welcome to our video podcast: Châteauneuf du Pape – Ask the Wine Maker – Video Show #86.

On his recent trip to the Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, Robert Kenney was able to ask several well-known winemakers our final burning question: “What do you prefer to drink besides Chateauneuf-du-Pape” — Film editing by Robert Farinhas.

Join us as we hear more than a few whimsical thoughts from some of world’s great winemakers about what they what they like to drink – when they’re not drinking CdP…as if!

Interviews include:
Julien Barrot — Domaine La Barroche
Vincent Durieu — Domaine Durieu
Francois Giraud — Domaine Giraud
Emilie Boisson — Domaine Du Pere Caboche
Laurence Feraud — Domaine Du Pegau
Alexandre Favier — Domaine Chante Cigale
Veronique Maret — Domaine De La Charbonniere
Nicolas Boiron — Domaine Bosquet Des Pape
Jean-Paul Versino — Domaine Bois De Boursan
Christian Voeux — Chateau La Nerthe
Thierry Sabon — Clos Du Mont-Olivet
Christophe Jaume — Domaine Grand Veneur
Sophie Armenier — Domaine De Marcoux
Mathieu Perrin — Chateau De Beaucastel
Laurent Charvin –Domaine Charvin
Baptiste Grangeon — Domaine De Christia
Isabelle Sabon — Domaine De La Janasse
Bruno Gaspard — Clos Du Caillou
Karine Diffonty — Cuvee Du Vatican
Didier Negron — Roger Sabon
Florent Lancon — Domaine De La Solitude
Frederic Coulon — Domaine De Beaurenard
Isabel Ferrando — Domaine Saint Prefert
Amelle Barrot — Chateau Jas De Bressy
Pierre Fabre — Chateau MontRedon
Vincent Maurel — Clos Saint Jean
Thierry Usseglio — Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils
Patrick Vernier — Chateau Cabrieres
Pierre Pastre — Chateau Fortia
Laurent Brotte — Brotte
Andre Brunel — Les Cailloux
Frederic Brunier — Domaine Du Vieux
Telegraph Guillaume Gonnet — Font De Michelle

Welcome to our video podcast: Châteauneuf du Pape – Ask the Wine Maker – Video Show #85.

On his recent trip to the Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, Robert Kenney was able to ask several well-known winemakers another of our burning questions: “What’s the best advice you were ever given?” – Film editing by Robert Farinhas.

Join us as we hear some philosophical, practical, and whimsical thoughts from some of world’s great winemakers about what they was good or otherwise useful advice in their respective careers.

Interviews include:
Julien Barrot – Domaine La Barroche
Vincent Durieu – Domaine Durieu
Francois Giraud – Domaine Giraud
Emilie Boisson – Domaine Du Pere Caboche
Laurence Feraud – Domaine Du Pegau
Alexandre Favier – Domaine Chante Cigale
Veronique Maret – Domaine De La Charbonniere
Nicolas Boiron – Domaine Bosquet Des Pape
Jean-Paul Versino – Domaine Bois De Boursan
Christian Voeux – Chateau La Nerthe
Thierry Sabon – Clos Du Mont-Olivet
Christophe Jaume – Domaine Grand Veneur
Sophie Armenier – Domaine De Marcoux
Mathieu Perrin – Chateau De Beaucastel
Laurent Charvin –Domaine Charvin
Baptiste Grangeon – Domaine De Christia
Isabelle Sabon – Domaine De La Janasse
Bruno Gaspard – Clos Du Caillou
Karine Diffonty – Cuvee Du Vatican
Didier Negron – Roger Sabon
Florent Lancon – Domaine De La Solitude
Frederic Coulon – Domaine De Beaurenard
Isabel Ferrando – Domaine Saint Prefert
Amelle Barrot – Chateau Jas De Bressy
Pierre Fabre – Chateau MontRedon
Vincent Maurel – Clos Saint Jean
Thierry Usseglio – Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils
Patrick Vernier – Chateau Cabrieres
Pierre Pastre – Chateau Fortia
Laurent Brotte – Brotte
Andre Brunel – Les Cailloux
Frederic Brunier – Domaine Du Vieux Telegraph
Guillaume Gonnet – Font De Michelle

Welcome to our video podcast: Châteauneuf du Pape – Ask the Wine Maker – Video Show #84.

On a recent trip to the Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, Robert Kenney was able to ask several well-known winemakers one of our usual burning questions: “What’s Unique about Chateauneuf-du-Pape?” – Film editing by Robert Farinhas.

Join us as we hear some philosophical, practical, and whimsical thoughts from some of world’s great winemakers about what they feel makes their region so unique, different or special.

Interviews include:
Julien Barrot – Domaine La Barroche
Vincent Durieu – Domaine Durieu
Francois Giraud – Domaine Giraud
Emilie Boisson – Domaine Du Pere Caboche
Laurence Feraud – Domaine Du Pegau
Alexandre Favier – Domaine Chante Cigale
Veronique Maret – Domaine De La Charbonniere
Nicolas Boiron – Domaine Bosquet Des Pape
Jean-Paul Versino – Domaine Bois De Boursan
Christian Voeux – Chateau La Nerthe
Thierry Sabon – Clos Du Mont-Olivet
Christophe Jaume – Domaine Grand Veneur
Sophie Armenier – Domaine De Marcoux
Mathieu Perrin – Chateau De Beaucastel
Laurent Charvin –Domaine Charvin
Baptiste Grangeon – Domaine De Christia
Isabelle Sabon – Domaine De La Janasse
Bruno Gaspard – Clos Du Caillou
Karine Diffonty – Cuvee Du Vatican
Didier Negron – Roger Sabon
Florent Lancon – Domaine De La Solitude
Frederic Coulon – Domaine De Beaurenard
Isabel Ferrando – Domaine Saint Prefert
Amelle Barrot – Chateau Jas De Bressy
Pierre Fabre – Chateau MontRedon
Vincent Maurel – Clos Saint Jean
Thierry Usseglio – Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils
Patrick Vernier – Chateau Cabrieres
Pierre Pastre – Chateau Fortia
Laurent Brotte – Brotte
Andre Brunel – Les Cailloux
Frederic Brunier – Domaine Du Vieux Telegraph
Guillaume Gonnet – Font De Michelle

Welcome to our video podcast: Châteauneuf du Pape – Ask the Wine Maker – Video Show #83.

On a recent trip to the Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, Robert Kenney was able to ask winemakers one of our burning questions: “If you weren’t making wine, what would you be doing?” – Film editing by Robert Farinhas.

Join us as we hear some philosophical, practical, and whimsical thoughts from some of world’s great winemakers about what they might do if they had never gotten into wine. Interviews include:

Julien Barrot – Domaine La Barroche
Vincent Durieu – Domaine Durieu
Francois Giraud – Domaine Giraud
Emilie Boisson – Domaine Du Pere Caboche
Laurence Feraud – Domaine Du Pegau
Alexandre Favier – Domaine Chante Cigale
Veronique Maret – Domaine De La Charbonniere
Nicolas Boiron – Domaine Bosquet Des Pape
Jean-Paul Versino – Domaine Bois De Boursan
Christian Voeux – Chateau La Nerthe
Thierry Sabon – Clos Du Mont-Olivet
Christophe Jaume – Domaine Grand Veneur
Sophie Armenier – Domaine De Marcoux
Mathieu Perrin – Chateau De Beaucastel
Laurent Charvin –Domaine Charvin
Baptiste Grangeon – Domaine De Christia
Isabelle Sabon – Domaine De La Janasse
Bruno Gaspard – Clos Du Caillou
Karine Diffonty – Cuvee Du Vatican
Didier Negron – Roger Sabon
Florent Lancon – Domaine De La Solitude
Frederic Coulon – Domaine De Beaurenard
Isabel Ferrando – Domaine Saint Prefert
Amelle Barrot – Chateau Jas De Bressy
Pierre Fabre – Chateau MontRedon
Vincent Maurel – Clos Saint Jean
Thierry Usseglio – Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils
Patrick Vernier – Chateau Cabrieres
Pierre Pastre – Chateau Fortia
Laurent Brotte – Brotte
Andre Brunel – Les Cailloux
Frederic Brunier – Domaine Du Vieux Telegraph
Guillaume Gonnet – Font De Michelle

In wine growing, the word “sustainability” gets bandied about frequently. So, what’s it really mean? Obviously, sustainability is the ability to continue on…to endure. So, with wine growing the term will usually mean that the grower uses farming methods that are least likely to harm the environment in general, and the farm in particular, so that it may ‘live long and prosper.’ But, philosophically, it actually goes well beyond that basic premise.

Sustainability in wine growing will normally involve both biological and philosophical approaches – such as organic farming or biodynamics, each of which is intended to conserve natural resources, protect and restore natural habitats, and protect the health of those doing the farming, and their neighbors and customers. It’s a lofty goal, but one that makes plenty of common as well as practical sense. So, how does one practice sustainability at a winery or vineyard? We’re glad you asked!

Join us as we talk with Jon Ruel, Director of Viticulture and Winemaking at Trefethen Vineyards, about the differences between terms like sustainably farmed, organic, certified organic, and biodynamic. As a family farm in Napa Valley for over 40 years, Trefethen has been making conscious decisions concerning long-term sustainability.

For more information on Trefethen Family Vineyards: www.trefethen.com

Sponsor: 7th Annual Celebration of Food and Wine : www.balboabayclub.com

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Show #269
(58:09 min 41MB)