Wine for Normal People

Not only do "Old World" (Europe) and the "New World" (everywhere else) have different approaches to making wine, it carries through right to the way they name stuff. This week, Rick and Elizabeth help explain the reason for this and cover some major European wine names and what's actually in them... All are grapes you know and love, just masquerading as some other name. Here are the show notes: Shout-Outs -Amazing reviews on iTunes, posts on the Facebook page, comments on the blog, and replies on Twitter Main topic: A quick explanation of why Europeans name wines by place... it's all about the Romans The whites: Chablis, Condrieu, Vouvray, Sancerre and more The reds: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Cote Rotie, Barolo, Rioja, and more And grape of the week: Torrontes - the floral, peachy, yet acidic white of Argentina Please drop a comment on the Wine For Normal People Blog or Facebook Page. Dig the podcast? Please review us on iTunes and we'll give you a shout out! Sponsored by the free Hello Vino app (wine recommendations on the iPhone or Android) Tweet This

Have you ever stared blankly at a wine label and wondered what the wine was in the bottle? Elizabeth and Rick take you through an easy-to-understand approach to reading a wine label when making your next purchase. Show Notes: Shout-Outs -Awesome reviews on iTunes, posts on the Facebook page, comments on the blog, and replies on Twitter Main Topic - How to Read a Wine Label A cameo from Ellie the dog ;) Information on the Label: Vintage Alcohol Content Warnings Country of Origin Producer/Importer Regions 8 Appellations "New World" Wine Labels (U.S., Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, etc.) European Wine Labels 8 How to Decipher Them German Wine Labels (Always a Challenge) How a Wine Label Reads Like a Beauty Product Back Labels: Beware of the B.S. Coming Soon - The Q8A Show: Ask your questions on Facebook or the blog Send us questions, comments, and some love on Twitter @NormalWine Drop a comment on the Wine for Normal People blog Dig the podcast? Please review us on iTunes and we'll give you a shout out! Sponsored by the free Hello Vino app (wine recommendations on the iPhone or Android) Tweet This

Do you love Pinot Noir? Then, this episode is for you! Elizabeth and Rick chat about the different styles of Pinot Noir from all over the world, and help point out which Pinot Noir may be perfect for you. Show Notes: Shout-outs - Fun comments on the Facebook page, Wine for Normal People Blog, and on Twitter How to pick the perfect Pinot Noir when shopping for wine Different flavor profiles/styles of Pinot Noir Popular regions that grow Pinot Noir: Burgundy Carneros (Napa 8 Sonoma) Russian River Valley (Sonoma) Central Coast New Zealand Oregon (Ora-gone / Or-again, depending on how you pronounce it) Germany (where it's called Spätburgunder) Australia Champagne (typically blush/rosé sparkling wine from this region) And a special invitation to an online wine tasting with Elizabeth 8 Rick Send us questions, comments, and some love on Twitter @NormalWine Drop a comment on the Wine for Normal People blog Dig the podcast? Please review us on iTunes and we'll give you a shout out! Sponsored by the free Hello Vino app (wine recommendations on the iPhone or Android) Tweet This

Need some wine recommendations for your 4th of July and Summer outings? Elizabeth and Rick suggest some red, white, and rose wines along with some food pairings and gift ideas. Show Notes: A new, shorter intro to get right into the good stuff Main Topic - Wines for 4th of July festivities and other Summer sippers Red Wines - Pairing suggestions for grilled foods, light reds for sipping, and which red wines to bring as gifts White Wines - Refreshing choices for the Summer heat, some food pairing ideas, and which white wines would go over well at a party Rosé Wines - Not all are created equal... We provide some tips on picking the best rosé wines Grape of the Week - Grenache (or Garnacha): The flavor profiles and a little history on the grape Have you tried a Grenache/Garnacha? If so, join the conversation on the Facebook page Send us questions, comments, and some love on Twitter @NormalWine Drop a comment on the Wine for Normal People blog Dig the podcast? Please review us on iTunes and we'll give you a shout out! Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (it gives you wine recommendations) Tweet This

Shoutouts to friends on Twitter, Facebook, iTunes, and commenters on email and on the blog Main Topic: How a Grape Becomes a Wine The Goal: to talk about the important factors in winemaking without getting too technical! We focus more about where flavor comes from in the process. It all starts in the vineyard: the importance of terroir Grape flavors Destemming and crushing and what they do to flavor Fermentation and how yeast can change the taste of wine Malolactic fermentation: What it is and why it matters Aging, another word on oak, and the tale of dead yeast Blending and why the winemaker is an artist Hope this one is helpful without being too dorky! Please leave us your feedback at the Wine for Normal People blog, on the Wine For Normal People Facebook Page, and on Twitter @normalwine Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (iPhone & Android) Tweet This

Show notes:*** Shoutouts to friends on Twitter, Facebook, iTunes, and commenters on email and on the blog Merlot (yes, the "t" is silent) Merlot: The Goldilocks wine -- medium and great because of it! Descriptions of different styles of Merlot and why some of it is kind of bad and some is outstanding Merlot's relationship with Cabernet Sauvignon A bit of background on this lovely grape -- where it came from Growing regions and styles: France (Bordeaux), Italy, the Baltic states, New Zealand, Australia, and US (Washington State and CA) A little on food pairing Prestigious producers of Merlot Please leave us your feedback at the Wine for Normal People blog, on the Wine For Normal People Facebook Page, and on Twitter @normalwine Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (iPhone 8 Android) ***Program note/Correction: In this episode, Elizabeth mistakenly says Merlot is grown in the "Baltic states" when she means to say "Balkan States." Sorry for the mistake!

In homage to the great TV trend of the 1980s, we begin a mini-series on the big grapes from around the world. We're moving beyond Grape of the Week to go in depth on the wine major league that you ask the most questions about. This week's episode is on Sauvignon Blanc, just in time for the warm summer weather!! Show Notes: Main Topic -Sauvignon Blanc The Sauvignon Blanc grape, its origins, flavor profile, and why methoxypyrazines and cat pee aren't such bad things in this grape. We then drilled down into the main regions that produce Sauvignon Blanc and talk about differences in styles: Sancerre/Pouilly- Fume for minerally wines that strip the enamel off your teeth (but are delicious) Napa, California for a softer, floral style, sometimes with an oaky twist Marlborough, New Zealand, for excellent  grapefruit flavors, acid, and even a jalapeno kick Bordeaux for a softer blend with Semillon and Muscadelle, and the sweet wines of Sauternes South Africa and Chile for styles in between the ones we already talked about Please leave us your feedback at the Wine for Normal People blog, on the Wine For Normal People Facebook Page, and on Twitter @normalwine Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (iPhone 8 Android)

Another great podcast with Elizabeth and guest host M.C. Ice (thanks again for co-hosting!) Shoutouts to friends on Twitter, Facebook, and commenters the blog Main topic: Inside the Wine Industry · How does the wine industry work? -- Regulation, the three tier system, and how it functions A few ways you can get into the industry if you want to pursue it as a career The real scoop -- Elizabeth's opinions on how it's far from glitz and glamour. Elizabeth and M.C. Ice share some personal experiences and tell it how it really is Personalities in the wine industry -- from the veteran to the lifestyle junkie, to the snobs, you'll find it all in this biz To sum it all up: think long and hard before diving into the wine industry...it's not too much different from any other business, despite what it looks like from the outside! And...The Grape of the Week is Cabernet Franc Join the conversation on Facebook or on the Wine For Normal People blog Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (iPhone 8 Android

Rick takes a week off, so Elizabeth and special guest M.C. Ice discuss how to shop for wine so you walk out of the store with what you need and want. Show Notes: Shout-outs - Some great Twitter replies and Facebook posts Main Topic M.C. Ice confronts his fear of the Wall of Wine (WoW) and admits that he shops by label This time it's personal: Elizabeth takes the bull by the horns and tries to teach M.C. Ice how to break down the store so he starts bringing home some better wines! Elizabeth and M.C. Ice talk about the key questions to ask yourself before you even get in the store? "Why am I here?" is a good place to start. Shopping with a purpose is essential. They then get into the importance of deciding on the type of wine you want -- from color, to sweetness level, to weight, to style by wine producing country. Grape of the Week: Verdejo from Rueda in North Central Spain -- a great alternative white, kind of like Sauvignon Blanc, but with a bite. Share your wine shopping experiences on Facebook or on the Wine for Normal People blog Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (iPhone 8 Android)

You may have seen the terms "organic", "biodynamic", or "sustainable" on the wine label, and wondered what they actually mean. Elizabeth and Rick define these terms and explain the differences, and also call out some winemakers. Show Notes: Shout-outs - Some great Twitter replies, comments on the blog, iTunes reviews, and Facebook posts Main Topic - Organic, Biodynamic, and Sustainable Wines Sustainable - Not certified... but maybe it should be Organic - A certification for certain winegrowing practices Biodynamic - Definitely some weird science going on - a must listen! Let Us Know (on Facebook) - Does "organic", "biodynamic", or "sustainable" matter to you? Grape of the Week - Grüner Veltliner (GROO-nah velt-LEE-nah) Next Week - A special spotlight on Pinot Noir Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (iPhone 8 Android) More at the Wine for Normal People blog Tweet This

The mystical subject of food and wine pairing... Is it an art form? Is it chemistry? Is it all nonsense? Elizabeth and Rick answer these questions, spark some controversy, and provide some guidance to help make sure your next meal and wine selection are perfect. Show Notes: Shout-outs - Some really funny Twitter replies, comments on the blog, and Facebook posts Main Topic - Food and Wine Pairing The great controversy - should we drink what we like? Elizabeth's metaphor for food and wine matching Some basic rules to remember The regional influence on food and wine pairing Dessert!! Should you drink wine with sweets? Grape (or Wine Style) of the Week - Rosé (roh-ZAY) How rosé wines are made Grapes from which rosé is made Well-known regions for producing rosé wines Typical flavor profiles of rosé Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (iPhone 8 Android) More at the Wine for Normal People blog Tweet This

Š Believe it or not, there are some unwritten rules about tasting wine in a formal setting.  Whether you're at a winery, wine bar, or a fancy dinner, Elizabeth and Rick help by explaining 'wine etiquette'. Show Notes: Thanks to Matt and Brandy for leaving comments on the blog and giving us the idea for this show topic Huge props to Steve Paulo at Notes from the Cellar - an awesome wine blog that previously covered 8 Rules for Visiting Tasting Rooms (it's a great read!!) Shout-outs - Awesome reviews on iTunes, the blog, and the Facebook page Main Topic - Wine Etiquette When presented a wine, what do you do with the cork? Does it matter if you hold the wine glass properly? What are the best questions to ask at a wine tasting? Should you spit out your wine at a tasting? The difference between wine tasting rooms and wine bars Should you always finish your glass of wine? Should you tip the sommelier, or not tip on alcohol? When visiting a tasting room, are you obligated to buy a bottle of wine? Grape of the Week - Merlot (and why it's like Goldilocks) Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (iPhone 8 Android) More at the Wine for Normal People blog Tweet This

Credit: Flickr In addition to going over the correct pronunciation of sum-muhl-YAY (and sharing a few fun mispronunciations), Elizabeth and Rick provide some tips to help you have a productive conversation with the sommelier at a restaurant.  We hope to make your wine ordering experience much more enjoyable and less intimidating. Show Notes: Shout-outs - Some awesome comments posted on the blog, Facebook page, Twitter, and also iTunes News - We're number one! We're number one! The U.S. ramps up their wine consumption. Main Topic - How to speak to a sommelier The correct pronunciation of sum-muhl-YAY (thanks to forvo.com) Different levels of wine expertise The surprising etymology of the word "sommelier" Ordering from the wine list, and what to ask the sommelier How ordering wine is like choosing kitchen cabinets What to do if your sommelier is a jerk Grape of the Week - Sauvignon Blanc Next Week - It's a surprise!! Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (iPhone 8 Android) More at the Wine for Normal People blog Tweet This

Back for part two on the topic of terroir (teh-RWAH), but this time Elizabeth and Rick talk about the different aspects of terroir and why they make a difference in wines produced from different regions. Show Notes: Thank you's - Please keep posting your comments on the Facebook page Main Topic - Aspects of terroir: Location Climate Weather Soil ...and other nuances Grape of the Week - Cabernet Sauvignon (again, but this time influenced by the terroir of Bordeaux) Next Week -How to talk to a sommelier (that wine expert at the restaurant) Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (iPhone 8 Android) More at the Wine for Normal People blog Tweet This

Terroir (teh-RWAH) - It's a HUGE topic in the wine world, and not without controversy. In this first segment, Elizabeth and Rick define terroir and its effect on wine. Show Notes: Shout-outs - More awesome feedback from our friends on Facebook, the blog, and on iTunes! Wine News - We skipped this week's news to make room for the big main topic... Main Topic - What is Terroir? - A loaded question How to pronounce it correctly What does it mean (translation)? Its effect on wine (can you actually taste terroir?!) The big controversy - Is terroir a bunch of hooey? The origins of terroir (a bit of history) Grape of the Week - Cabernet Sauvignon (and its differences in terroir) Next Week - Terroir Part 2: Its different aspects and why terroir matters Sponsored by the free Hello Vino mobile app (iPhone 8 Android) More at the Wine for Normal People blog Tweet This