This Week on the WineGuyMike™ Radio Show© The Missoula Winery and Event Center

Posted on December 16, 2012 by WineGuyMike

Check out the radio show on The Trail 103.3FM and U 104.5FM. The live stream feed is online at www.trail1033.com where you can click on “Listen Live”. The WineGuyMike™ Radio Show© airs on both radio stations Sunday mornings at 11:00AM MST.

Social Media links;

This week’s podcast and full length conversation with Kevin Van Dort VP of Sales and Events at the Missoula Winery and Event Center; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/08/wine-guy-mike-for-july-8/

Last week’s podcast; Perfect Patio Wines http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/01/wine-guy-mike-for-july-1/

Recent podcast (full length conversation) with Maximilian Riedel, CEO Riedel Crystal of America http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/24/wine-guy-mike-for-june-24/

Father’s Day podcast, Special Father’s and Special Wines http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/17/wine-guy-mike-for-june-17/

Recent Podcast with John Balletto of Balletto Vineyards & Winery http://bit.ly/WineGuyMike2

Recent Podcast with Justin Wylie and Va Piano Vineyards; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/04/22/wine-guy-mike-for-april-22/

NBC Montana Today TV Segment on Easter wines and food pairing; http://www.nbcmontana.com/video/30847522/index.html

YouTube; My YouTube channel of course is WineGuyMike™ or the actual URL link: http://www.youtube.com/user/WineGuyMike?feature=mhum

Facebook; WineGuyMike please “like”

Twitter; @WineGuyMike please follow me

Ciao Mambo, “Eat Like You Mean It”, located in Missoula on The Hip Strip. Find them online at www.CiaoMambo.com

Sleep City Missoula www.SleepCity.com

Liquid Planet “Best of Beverage” and a great place to find your holiday wine located in the heart of downtown Missoula.

www.WineChateau.com

Georges Distributing in Helena, Montana.

This weeks show and blog post is a best of show from earlier this year.

I had the pleasure of hosting featured guests Frederique Leiritz, aka “Frenchie,” and Kevin Van Dort from the Missoula Winery and Event Center. The winery is owned by Phillipe and Frederique Leiritz, both whom are from France. Kevin a very well known local blues musician is Vice President of sales and events.

Frenchie, Kevin, and I sat down in the studio this week and tasted through the flight of Marc Raphael wines, The Missoula Red, and Roller Girl Red. The Marc Raphael wines are named for the Leiritzes son Marc, while the Missoula Red or as it is better known as “Soul Red” was blended to capture the spiritual soul of the musician and artist. The Roller Girl Red a wine honoring Missoula’s own all girl roller derby team, the Hellgate Roller Girls, a very popular team and activity indeed.

Sustainability is a core value of the Missoula Winery whether they’re reclaiming lumber from the old Liberty Lanes bowling alley to build the outdoor concert venue at the winery or recycling wine bottles to use to for their own wine bottling. The Missoula Winery family really is sustainable minded but also applies sustainability in very practical ways.

Family and community are very important to the Missoula Winery. It’s refreshing to see relatively new members of the Missoula community have such an impact. The winery frequently has events benefiting people or causes at the winery or they are supporting events happening throughout the community.

If you like music and wine, the Missoula Winery is the place for you. This family friendly atmosphere is a great place to bring the family, enjoy some wine and listen to great music. For a schedule of the excellent entertainment and events going on at the winery please visit the wineries website; http://www.missoulawinery.com/ . The tasting room is open Monday through Saturday from 2-7 PM and Sunday’s 2-5 PM, these are their summertime hours.

Wines at the Missoula Winery are very good. I have been tasting wines that winemaker/owner Frenchie has made over the last three years and the wines have evolved significantly. It was a real treat to taste through the flight of wines from the Missoula Winery this week.

Please stop out and visit the Missoula Winery which is located just six minutes from downtown via I-90. You can taste all of their wines while enjoying a barbeque, game of French Bocce Ball (Petunque), or taking in a wide array of musical talent performing regularly at the winery.

I want to thank Frenchie and Kevin for joining me on the show this week to share their wines and passion for the community we call home, Missoula.

The wines reviewed today all receive the WineGuyMike™ Seal of Approval™

Some of the wine selections from today’s show are available today at Liquid Planet, in the heart of Downtown Missoula, Missoula’s ultimate wine shopping experience and the very best of beverage.

From my table to yours,

This Week on the WineGuyMike™ Radio Show© Merlot and The Connoisseurs’ Classic & Auction

Posted on November 4, 2012 by WineGuyMike

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Social Media links;

This week’s podcast on Merlot and The Connoisseurs’ Classic & Auction; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/11/04/wine-guy-mike-for-november-4th/

Youtube preview from this week’s show;

Last week’s podcast Wines From the Veneto Wine Region Of Italy; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/10/28/wine-guy-mike-for-october-28/

Recent week’s podcast The Big Red Wines of Piedmont; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/10/21/wine-guy-mike-for-october-21/

Recent week’s podcast The Great Wines of Tuscany, Part 2 Italian Wine Series; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/10/14/wine-guy-mike-for-october-14/

Recent podcast; Understanding the Italian Wine Label Part 1 http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/09/09/wine-guy-mike-for-september-9/

Recent podcast; What You Need To Know About Wine http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/15/wine-guy-mike-for-july-15/

Recent podcast; (full length conversation) with Maximilian Riedel, CEO Riedel Crystal of America http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/24/wine-guy-mike-for-june-24/

NBC Montana Today TV Segment; Perfect Patio Wines and food pairing; http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Mike-Tornatore-8-7-12/-/14594602/15999458/-/67a5ri/-/index.html

YouTube; My YouTube channel of course is WineGuyMike™ or the actual URL link; http://www.youtube.com/user/WineGuyMike?feature=mhee

Facebook; WineGuyMike please “like”

Twitter; @WineGuyMike please follow me

Sleep City Missoula www.SleepCity.com

Liquid Planet “Best of Beverage” and a great place to WineGuyMike show wines for the lowest price. Located in the heart of downtown Missoula.

www.WineChateau.com

Georges Distributing in Helena, Montana.

Good Sunday morning and welcome to the WineGuyMike™ Radio Show©. This week I’m talking a little bit about this and a little bit about that, just mixing things up. Each year there is a very important benefit event that occurs in Missoula, Montana, the Connoisseurs’ Classic & Auction. This year’s benefit marks the sixth annual star-studded event, and when I say star-studded I’m talking about the beverage lineup. Attendees travel from around the United States to attend this event and when you see the beverage tasting list below you’ll understand why.

I also have a short commentary on one of my favorite grape varietals, Merlot. Yes the much maligned varietal is making a comeback and I will be sharing my thoughts about this classic underdog that is beginning to trend in the hands of very good winemakers. In the spirit of the upcoming Presidential election, I’m WineGuyMike and I approve this message.

This year’s Connoisseurs’ Classic & Auction will be held November 9, 2012 at the Sister Rita Mudd Activity Center in Missoula, MT. Ticket prices are $175 for those of us who will be imbibing but for designated drivers or attendees not consuming alcohol, ticket prices will be $40. Purchase tickets by calling Child Care Resources at 406.728.6446 or online at; http://www.childcareresources.org/cca

This annual benefit for Child Care Resources, a nonprofit dedicated to helping kids, fosters their growth into successful adults by enriching the learning environment of their crucial early developmental years. Proceeds from this event fund CCR’s Hand Up Scholarship, which helps families with otherwise unmet child care needs. This is a great organization and benefit event that I support each year.

The Connoisseurs’ Classic & Auction is hosted by my friends Kevin Head and Charlie Brown, both experts and connoisseurs’ of wine and Scotch. Both of these men work diligently throughout the year assembling the star-studded line up of beverages and with the assistance of the staff at Child Care Resources present an amazing array of treasures for the live and silent auction.

This year’s Connoisseurs’ Classic wine tasting list:

•Paul Hobbs, Nico Cobos, 2006, Blend

•Chris Ringland, Premier Three River, 2002, Shiraz

•Chris Ringland, F.U., 2004, Shiraz

•Tenuta De Biserno Bolgheria, Coronato, 2005, Blend

•1996 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Di Serra Lunga, Nebbiolo, 1996, Nebbiolo

•Hill Family Estate, Double Barrell, 2005, Cab Sav.

•Penefold Grange, 2004, Shiraz

•Molly Dooker, Velvet Glove, 2009, Shiraz

•Schramsberg, Blanc de Noirs, 1998, sparkling

•Spottswoode, Cabernet, 2008

•Aldelsheim, Bryans Creek, 2008, Pinot Noir

•Lokoya, Howell Mountain vineyard, 2007, Cab Sav.

•Colgin, Proprietary Red Estate, 2005, red blend

•Sassicaia Proprietary Red Estate, Tenuta San Guido, 2005, Red Blend

•Harlan Estates, Bond De Vecina, 2006, Red Blend

•Achaval Ferrer, Finca Altamira la Consulta, 2009, Malbec

•Turley, Petite Syrah, 2005

•Trespass Vineyards, Cabernet Franc, 2009

•Drew Family Cellars, Weir Vineyard, 2009, Pinot Noir

•Guidalberto, 2006 Blend

•Salanquez 2003, Priorat

•Y Rousseau, Milady, 2009 Chardonnay

This year’s Connoisseurs’ Classic Scotch tasting list:

•Aberfeldy, Single Cask, Cask# 3698, 14 year

•Ardbeg 1990, Cask# 86, 16 year

•Arran 1997 Single Cask, Cask# 719

•BenRiach, 30 year

•Bowmore Oloroso, Black 1964, 42 year

•Bunnahabhain, Douglas Laing, 34 year

•Brora, 32 year

•Glenallachie 1972 Directors’ Cut 40-year-old

•Glendronach Grandeur 31-year-old

•Glenfarclas, 40 year

•GlenGloyne, Cask # 354, 24 year

•Glen Moray 1991, 16 Year

•Highland Park Thor, 16 year

•Nikki Single Cask, Coffee, 12 year

•Of Probably Speyside, Douglas Laing, 40 year

•Spirit of Unity 2011, Numerous, Blend

•Springbank 1970, Signatory, 37 year

•Strathisla, Gordon and MacPhail, 30 year

•Wemyss Malt 1990, Mocha Spice, Blend

In August of this year I hosted two of the most charming guests that I have had on one of my WineGuyMike radio shows, Julia McIlvaine and John Colella http://wp.me/p2JY6W-Ny . Both of these actors starred in the lead roles of “Sideways The Play”. Yes that Sideways, the movie that literally sent merlot wine sales spiraling downward globally, -2%, and lifted the global sales of pinot noir to the heavens with an increase in sales of 16%.

For the savvy wine consumer this smacks of opportunity, great merlot winemakers didn’t quit making merlot throughout the world just because a movie had tremendous physiological impact on the wine industry worldwide. What this did mean is that poorly made merlot that would no longer sell was purged from the market place.

Merlot is a classic wine varietal that is medium-bodied, very expressive of its terroir that it is exposed to and grown in. The merlot grape is very fruit forward and truly express’s nuances of red or dark fruits depending on where it is grown, and how it is made. The merlot varietal is used as a primary blending grape in Bordeaux wine where it has gained its notoriety worldwide.

Merlot is a very fruit forward grape that is very soft with supple mouth-feel texture. As a Bordeaux blend this exquisite wine is excellent to drink alone or as an amazing companion to a wide variety of foods. California winemakers are also learning to blend this classic grape too, and I emphasize the word learning. While they have long produced merlot as a single varietal wine they are now blending with other varietals such as syrah, cabernet franc, and cabernet sauvignon. There are some very good wines being produced but they are centuries behind the winemakers of Bordeaux and the special touch they have in producing classic Bordeaux wines of incredible quality.

Merlot is making a comeback and you will see more on the shelves of your favorite wine store. This morning I leave you with two very nice wines that are of exceptional quality, one a blend from Napa Valley and a single vineyard 100% organic merlot from the Columbia Valley of Washington State. Please enjoy both of these luscious wines from Whitehall Lane and Hedges Estates.

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Be sure to visit Liquid Planet, “The Best of Beverage”, in the heart of downtown Missoula, a great selection of wines and wonderful wine shopping experience.

The wines reviewed today all receive the WineGuyMike™ Seal of Approval™

From my table to yours,

This Week on the WineGuyMike™ Radio Show© Wines From The Veneto Region Of Italy

Posted on October 28, 2012 by WineGuyMike

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Social Media links;

Today’s podcast Wines From the Veneto Wine Region Of Italy; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/10/28/wine-guy-mike-for-october-28/

Last week’s podcast The Big Red Wines of Piedmont; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/10/21/wine-guy-mike-for-october-21/

Recent week’s podcast The Great Wines of Tuscany, Part 2 Italian Wine Series; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/10/14/wine-guy-mike-for-october-14/

Recent podcast; Understanding the Italian Wine Label Part 1 http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/09/09/wine-guy-mike-for-september-9/

YouTube preview of Wines From The Veneto Region Of Italy;

Recent podcast; What You Need To Know About Wine http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/15/wine-guy-mike-for-july-15/

Recent podcast; (full length conversation) with Maximilian Riedel, CEO Riedel Crystal of America http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/24/wine-guy-mike-for-june-24/

Father’s Day podcast, Special Father’s and Special Wines http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/17/wine-guy-mike-for-june-17/

NBC Montana Today TV Segment; Perfect Patio Wines and food pairing; http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Mike-Tornatore-8-7-12/-/14594602/15999458/-/67a5ri/-/index.html

YouTube; My YouTube channel of course is WineGuyMike™ or the actual URL link; http://www.youtube.com/user/WineGuyMike?feature=mhee

Facebook; WineGuyMike please “like”

Twitter; @WineGuyMike please follow me

Sleep City Missoula www.SleepCity.com

Liquid Planet “Best of Beverage” and a great place to WineGuyMike show wines for the lowest price. Located in the heart of downtown Missoula.

www.WineChateau.com

Georges Distributing in Helena, Montana.

Good Sunday morning and welcome back to this week’s show and the continuing series of The Great Wines of Italy Part 4. Last week I shared with you “The Big Red Wines of Piedmont”, we covered a little bit of history of the Piedmont wine region, the indigenous foods, and the various styles of wines the regions produced by winemakers and the grapes used in making these glorious wines. If you have missed any of the previous shows of this Italian wines series you can visit my blog at WineGuyMike.com to read the blog posts or listen to the show podcasts.

The Veneto is one of Italy’s largest wine producing regions. In fact you may have enjoyed some of the wines from this area and not even known it. Winemakers from this region produce many wines that adorn many of our American dinner tables. These Veronese wines like Soave, Bardolino, and Valpolicella are very easy drinking wines that are budget minded, just what we love on the WineGuyMike radio show.

The Romans arrived in this area in the second century B.C. and quickly organized it by dividing tracts of land which were then given to locals to then be cultivated. Romans founded the cities of Padova, Vicenza, and Verona, and named the region Venetia.

The Venetian trade routes connected Asia with Europe created great wealth and spread prosperity throughout the region. Growing Mulberries and breeding Chinese Silkworms brought prestige and affluence to the locals of this area. A strong economy in this region allowed Venice to put in place an amazing infrastructure and undertake its great building project that still in place today.

With the Suez Canal opening between the 19^th and 20^th centuries Venice became an important modern day port city and with vastly improved communications and technology Venice is now a highly sought tourist destination. The area in and around Venice is known for its outstanding artisan craftsmanship in fabrics, glass, jewelry, wood, and ceramics.

There are 20 DOC’s within the Veneto wine region which is known for quality and quantity both. The Bardolino, Soave, and Valpolicella are the best known wines from this prolific wine region. Valipolicella Superiore is produced using the Ripasso winemaking method; this involves adding back the grape skins of one of my favorite Italian wines Amarone to the Valpolicella wine. This imparts a rich body, texture, and sturdy framework to the Valpolicella Superiore. Did you know that when you see a bottle of wine designated as Superiore it has been made with special attention, longer aging, and will have more body due to a higher alcohol content in the wine?

I mentioned one of my favorite Italian wines, the Amarone. What is an Amarone wine? Amarone is a style of Valpolicella wine made by a special process, using only the ripest Molinara, Corvina, and Rondinella grapes from the top of grape bunches. When the grapes are harvested they are spread out on straw mats left to raisinate or dry and shrivel. This is a process similar to that used to produce French Sauternes and German Trockenbeerenauslese wines. The difference between the French and German dessert and aperitif wines and the Italian Amarone wine is during fermentation the most of all the sugar is fermented. The result is a very special wine that is full, rich, with a lush mouthfeel, and a higher alcohol content. The Amarone wine is very special indeed which you are quick to discover when shopping, yes these wines are expensive but for special occasions are very worthy wines.

Remember when looking at an Italian wine label will note that the label will provide you with three critical pieces of information in the way an Italian wine is named; the grape, the village or the district, and the proprietary name. this is different from California which provides a grape variety on their label, and a French wine label that classified by region and quality designation.

Decades ago wine that was made in Italy was produced to be consumed locally with the foods common to those areas and regions. Today with the incorporation of modern winemaking technology Italy is in the business of making and exporting their beautiful wines. I hope after this series of four shows on Italian wines you will be encouraged to get out of your box and try some Italian wines. As it has been said way to many times, try it you’ll like it.

I leave you this Sunday morning with some great Italian wine suggestions that are favorites of mine, check them out by visiting my blog at WineGuyMike.com and be sure to visit Liquid Planet, “The Best of Beverage”, in the heart of downtown Missoula, they have a great selection of Italian wines.

An Italian toast to all of you, Salute, my fellow wines lovers, I’ll see you on the radio.

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The wines reviewed today all receive the WineGuyMike™ Seal of Approval™

From my table to yours,

This Week on the WineGuyMike™ Radio Show© The Big Red Wines of Piedmont

Posted on October 21, 2012 by WineGuyMike

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Social Media links;

Today’s podcast The Big Red Wines of Piedmont; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/10/21/wine-guy-mike-for-october-21/

Last week’s podcast The Great Wines of Tuscany, Part 2 Italian Wine Series; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/10/14/wine-guy-mike-for-october-14/

Recent podcast; Understanding the Italian Wine Label Part 1 http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/09/09/wine-guy-mike-for-september-9/

YouTube preview of The Great Wines of Tuscany;

Recent podcast; What You Need To Know About Wine http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/15/wine-guy-mike-for-july-15/

Recent podcast; (full length conversation) with Maximilian Riedel, CEO Riedel Crystal of America http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/24/wine-guy-mike-for-june-24/

Father’s Day podcast, Special Father’s and Special Wines http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/17/wine-guy-mike-for-june-17/

NBC Montana Today TV Segment; Perfect Patio Wines and food pairing; http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Mike-Tornatore-8-7-12/-/14594602/15999458/-/67a5ri/-/index.html

YouTube; My YouTube channel of course is WineGuyMike™ or the actual URL link: http://www.youtube.com/user/WineGuyMike?feature=mhum

Facebook; WineGuyMike please “like”

Twitter; @WineGuyMike please follow me

Sleep City Missoula www.SleepCity.com

Liquid Planet “Best of Beverage” and a great place to WineGuyMike show wines for the lowest price. Located in the heart of downtown Missoula.

www.WineChateau.com

Georges Distributing in Helena, Montana.

My apologies for the delay in today’s post as my internet was down and has just now been restored, thank you for your patience.

Good Sunday morning and welcome to the WineGuyMike Radio Show. Last month I began a series on Italian wine basics, in Part 1of the Italian wine series began by dissecting Italian wine labels. http://wp.me/p2JY6W-O7 Last week’s radio show explored the Great wines of Tuscany, you can read about it right here; http://wp.me/p2JY6W-Wd

Today as I continue with the series on understanding Italian wines this show focuses on “The Big Reds of Piedmont”.

Piedmont, in Italian, means at the foot of the mountain. This region located in the northwestern corner of Italy was originally inhabited by Celtic tribes, and later overthrown by the Romans. Hannibal destroyed the Celtic capital of Taurasia, the Romans then rebuilt the city in the same location. Today that city is known as Turin.

Piedmont was one of the first Italian regions to embrace the industrial revolution, home to Italian automotive giant Fiat which was founded there in 1899. Did you know Vermouth was also first introduced in Piedmont? The classic American martini cocktail takes its name from the best known Italian producer of dry vermouth, Martini & Rossi.

Some of Italy’s best red wines are produced in Piedmont. Most of the regions grapes are grown on the hillsides of small family estates. This mountainous and landlocked region is known for big bold red wines. Typical of Old World winemaking the wines of Piedmont are perfect complements to the indigenous foods of the region. Hearty dishes featuring white truffles, fonduta, a Swiss cheese fondue, pastas, meats, rice, and vegetables are main staples of the Piedmonteses’ diet.

There are 46 different DOC and four DOCG areas within Piedmont which are the Italian wine laws we have talked about in the Part 1 & 2 of this series on Italian wines. The region produces many different styles of wines such as Barbera, Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, Grignolino, Nebbiolo, Malvasia and Asti Spumante. There are three main grape varietals grown in Piedmont; the Dolcetto, Barbera, and the Nebbiolo.

The Nebbiolo is the main focus of grape growing within the Piedmont region. Nebbiolo is the main varietal of the famed Barolo, Barbaresco and Gattinara wines. The derivative word nebbia which means fog is how Nebbiolo received its name. The Nebbiolo grape develops native yeast that appears as a velvety, whitish coating on the grape skins. The terroir of the Nebbiolo experiences heavy morning fog and humidity providing ideal growing conditions for this well known grape of Piedmont.

Barolo and Barbaresco are the real power house wines produced in this region, both are made from the Nebbiolo grape but are stylistically different and thus must adhere to D.O.C.G. requirements. The Barbaresco wine and Barolo must both have a minimum of 12.5% alcohol. Babaresco is lighter in body and requires two years of aging, one in wood, while the Riserva must have four years of aging. Barbaresco is an elegant drinking wine.

The Barolo style of wine is much heartier than its Nebbiolo counterpart the Barbaresco. Barolo wine must be aged at least three years with one of those years in wood. As a Riserva designated wine Barolo must have five years of aging. The Barolo style of wine is fuller bodied than a Barbaresco delivering more complexity and flavor to the nose and palate. The Italian’s do not produce large quantities of either of these Nebbiolo wines, the quantity amounts to a similar production by a mid-sized California winery.

Like other regions of Italy the wines are changing to meet consumer demands. Many of the wines from this region need five to ten years of aging depending on the wine, wine style, and producer. Recognizing the world of instant gratification we now live in the winemakers of Piedmont are beginning to produce wines that can be enjoyed at a younger age, I’m not sure this is a good thing but it is what it is.

Here is a great tip from me to you on the best way to experience the wines of Piedmont; start with the lighter style wines like the Barbera and Dolcetto, next move on to a fuller body Barbaresco. This will then prepare you for the powerful Barolo. The late great vintner Renato Ratti believed that once you have experienced a great Barolo wine you have arrived as a wine drinker.

Arrivederci for now wine friends, enjoy these great Italian wine selections at Liquid Planet, “The Best of Beverage”, located in the heart of Downtown Missoula.

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The wines reviewed today all receive the WineGuyMike™ Seal of Approval™

From my table to yours,

This Week on the WineGuyMike™ Radio Show© The Great Wines of Tuscany

Posted on October 14, 2012 by WineGuyMike

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Social Media links;

Today’s podcast The Great Wines of Tuscany, Part 2 Italian Wine Series; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/10/14/wine-guy-mike-for-october-14/

Recent podcast; Understanding the Italian Wine Label Part 1 http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/09/09/wine-guy-mike-for-september-9/

YouTube preview of The Great Wines of Tuscany;

Recent podcast; What You Need To Know About Wine http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/15/wine-guy-mike-for-july-15/

Recent podcast; (full length conversation) with Maximilian Riedel, CEO Riedel Crystal of America http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/24/wine-guy-mike-for-june-24/

Father’s Day podcast, Special Father’s and Special Wines http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/17/wine-guy-mike-for-june-17/

NBC Montana Today TV Segment; Perfect Patio Wines and food pairing; http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Mike-Tornatore-8-7-12/-/14594602/15999458/-/67a5ri/-/index.html

YouTube; My YouTube channel of course is WineGuyMike™ or the actual URL link: http://www.youtube.com/user/WineGuyMike?feature=mhum

Facebook; WineGuyMike please “like”

Twitter; @WineGuyMike please follow me

Sleep City Missoula www.SleepCity.com

Liquid Planet “Best of Beverage” and a great place to WineGuyMike show wines for the lowest price. Located in the heart of downtown Missoula.

www.WineChateau.com

Georges Distributing in Helena, Montana.

There are over 2,000 labels and different bottles of Italian wines, too many bottles to ever wrap our heads around. By understanding the Italian wine label and all that it represents is a great starting point to come to grips with Italian wines. But what do we need to know about Italy, the regions, and the grapes so that we can make sense of the label on an Italian bottle of wine?

There are many wonderful wines throughout the world that many wine drinkers never venture out and try. Why is that? Wine can be intimidating just trying to read and understand a label; Italian wines are a good example of labels that are not easily understood. Here is a quick review of some of the basics I shared with you in Part 1 of this Italian wine series last month:

Tuscany, Piedmont, and the Veneto are the three main Italian wine regions
- Tuscany the Italians grow Sangiovese
- Piedmont they grow Nebbiolo
- Veneto region a grape known as Corvina
- Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are now also grown extensively
Three wine laws became effective in 1963 in Italy are
DOC – Denominazione di Origine Controllata
DOCG – Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
IGT – Indicazione Geografica.

The DOC governs:

Geographical limits of each region
Grapes varieties allowed in wines
The percentage of each grape used (Classico must be 80% Sangiovese)
If a varietal is listed on a label it must contain 85% of that varietal
The amount of grapes that can be grown and harvested per acre
The minimum percentage of alcohol in a wine
Minimum aging requirements. How much time a wine is aged in barrels or bottles

The difference between the DOC and DOCG is that the G in DOCG indicates that a wine is stylistically guaranteed to meet the standards set forth in Italian wine laws for specific regions.

There are many Italian wines that do not adhere to wine specifications within particular regions and these wines will be designated on their label as IGT – Indicazione Geografica.

Whether the bottle you are looking at has the Italian wine law designation IGT, DOC, or DOCG there is still much more to learn about so you can better understand Italian wines.

Tuscany

Tuscany is the region of Italy in which Chianti is produced; remember Sangiovese is the main grape varietal used in a Chianti wine. Within Tuscany lies the Chianti and Chianti Classico grape growing and wine producing areas.

Chianti is made predominantly from the Sangiovese grape. Sangiovese produces wines that can be spicy, medium bodied, and with nuances of cherry and raspberry flavors. The Sangiovese grape is a warm weather varietal that thrives in the Tuscany region of Italy.

As you look at the label on a bottle of Chianti it will be designated one of three things.

1.Chianti – a basic table wine from a broad general area within the Tuscany wine region. This is the least expensive Chianti.

2.Chianti Classico – this wine is more expensive and comes from the inner historic district of Chianti. This is a better quality wine that has been given more attention in the winemaking process. The grapes come from better vineyards that produce wines with a sense of place.

3.Chianti Classico Riserva – these are the finest Chianti’s made the very best grapes, are a result of the most laborious winemaking attention, and are aged for a minimum of two years and three months. These Classico Riserva’s also come with the highest price tags.

Chianti is great wine to drink with an Italian meal. Because of the natural acidity in a Chianti wine you are assured that your wine pairing will bring out the all flavor in your meal. Chianti is a medium bodied wine that will not compete with your meal. Remember with big robust foods you do not want a wine that is equally robust or they will simply nullify one another.

Some winemakers in Italy wanted to make wines that do not adhere to Italian wine laws; they wanted produce wines that are stylistically different. In Tuscany there is a style of wine that is referred to as “Super Tuscan”.

Super Tuscan is a term that was coined by Robert Parker in the 70’s; he was a fan of these signature wines and brought them to the world’s attention. Sassicaia is an artisan “Signature Wine” crafted by Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta who owns an estate on the coast of Tuscany, Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri.

The first Sassicaias were produced in the 40’s and had become a more finely tuned version by the 60’s thanks to Marquis persisitance. Piero Antinori who owned an old winery in the Chianti Classico region and was related to the Incisa della Rocchetta was familiar with the Saccicaias. Antinori produced Tignanello in 1971 and this wine was modeled after the Saccicaia except it was made with Sangiovese and aged in oak barrels. In later years Cabernet Sauvignon was also blended in the Tignanello.

A couple of the best known “Super Tuscans” are Tignanello and Summus, these wines are bold, robust, tannic, and have a mighty personality.

There are other styles of wines made from the Sangiovese grape of Tuscany too.

Brunello di Montalcino
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Carmignano

Brunello wines are made from 100% Sangiovese and are not blended with any other grape varietals. The wines from Brunello are big full bodied and bold wines that typically need a minimum of five years of aging and sometimes as much as ten years before they reach peak drinkability. The winemakers of Brunello are trying to make their wines more accessible and approachable. In 1995 Brunellos were only required to be aged two years in oak rather than the previous vintage requirements requiring three years in oak. The best Brunello wines can be expensive because of their limited supply.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is also made from Sangiovese grapes but is blended with the Canaiolo grape varietal. Unlike a Brunello this wine style is medium bodied and easier drinking at a much younger age. The Vino Nobile di Montepulicino wines are also more readily available than Brunellos making them less expensive for the wine drinker.

In 1975 after much campaigning Carmignano winemakers were able to achieve their very own D.O.C. The Carmignano wines are dry reds based on a standard modern Tuscan blend of Sangiovese (at least 50% of the final blend), Canaiolo Nero (up to 20%), Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (10–20% each). The wine is similar in style to Chianti, which may now also be made using a portion of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Well wine friends this is all WineGuyMike has time for this week, stay tuned for part 3 of this Italian wine series as I’ll be talking about the Big Reds of Piedmont.

Arrivederci for now wine friends, enjoy these great Italian wine selections at Liquid Planet, “The Best of Beverage”, located in the heart of Downtown Missoula.

The wines reviewed today all receive the WineGuyMike™ Seal of Approval™

From my table to yours,

This Week on the WineGuyMike™ Radio Show© Kingston Family Vineyards from Casablanca Valley Chile

Posted on October 5, 2012 by WineGuyMike

Social Media links;

Today’s Podcast with

Last week’s podcast with Courtney Kingston of Kingston Family Vineyards; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/09/15/wine-guy-mike-for-september-16/

YouTube preview for this week’s show with Kingston Family Vineyards;

Recent Podcast with head winemaker of Balletto Vineyards & Winery, Mr. Anthony Beckman; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/29/wine-guy-mike-for-july-29/

Recent week’s podcast; What You Need To Know About Wine http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/15/wine-guy-mike-for-july-15/

Recent podcast; (full length conversation) with Maximilian Riedel, CEO Riedel Crystal of America http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/24/wine-guy-mike-for-june-24/

NBC Montana Today TV Segment; Perfect Patio Wines and food pairing; http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Mike-Tornatore-8-7-12/-/14594602/15999458/-/67a5ri/-/index.html

YouTube; My YouTube channel of course is WineGuyMike™ or the actual URL link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/WineGuyMike?feature=mhum

Facebook; WineGuyMike please “like”

Twitter; @WineGuyMike please follow me

Sleep City Missoula www.SleepCity.com

Liquid Planet “Best of Beverage” and a great place to find your holiday wine located in the heart of downtown Missoula.

www.WineChateau.com

Georges Distributing in Helena, Montana

Quest for Gold

Casa Patronal

A miner’s unquenchable desire for riches can drive him to all ends of the earth in search of the mother lode. One such man was Carl John Kingston, a miner and engineer from Central Mine,Michigan. In 1906,Kingston’s thirst for adventure led him to set out forChile. There he joined the Cerro de Pasco Mining Company.

The beginning

Kingston never struck gold, but as a result of one of his many mining deals, he wound up with a large dairy farm and cattle ranch. He married Caroline Los Kamp and settled the property with her. “The Farm”, as it has been called by five generations of theKingstonfamily, is nestled in the western hills ofChile’sCasablancaValley, twelve miles from thePacific Ocean. Little did C.J. know that the Casablanca Valley of Chile would become one of the most desirable grape-growing regions in the world!

Chileruns north to south for 2600 miles on the west cost ofSouth America. It is only 100 miles wide at its widest point. It is a melting pot with a heavy European influence from Germans, Spanish, English and French that have taken up residence, enjoying the moderate climate similar to theMediterranean.

Sauvignon Blanc vineyard

Chilefeatures three distinct climatic conditions from east to west, and three main growing regions from north to south. The coastal region is a cool climate; the central valley is warm, and the Andescan be cool or warm depending on the location. The main grape-growing regions are the Casablanca Valley (sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir), the Maipo Valley (cabernet sauvignon), and the Rapel and Chlchaqua Valleys (cabernet sauvignon, carmenere, merlot).

Courtney Kingston

These days, few family-owned farms are sustainable beyond the third generation. Like many other farm and ranch families, the Kingstons wondered how they could sustain The Farm. Courtney Kingston, a member of the fourth generation of the clan, did her undergraduate studies atPrincetonand graduate studies at theUniversityofStanford. It was at Stanford that Courtney, realizing the potential of the property, formulated a plan for sustainability, one that would serve theKingstonfamily for generations to come.

Risk-taking is deeply ingrained within the DNA of the Kingstons! Courtney’s plan, inspired byCaliforniavineyard visionaries David Hirsch and Gary Pisoni, called for the planting of pinot noir and syrah grape vines in an area known only for white grape cultivation. The family’s mission was to grow world-class, quality red grapes in a cool climatic zone. In 1998, pinot noir and syrah grapevines were planted on the western hills of The Farm.

Carl John Kingston, the gambler and risk taker, who loved to wager on the horses at the traditional Chilean rodeos in the early 1900’s, never saw his dreams of quick riches realized. But he clearly saw The Farm as a legacy of stability for his family. And, thanks to his descendant Courtney’s inspired plan, it has become exactly that. The Kingston family harvested their first grapes in 2003. The payoff: 400 cases of pinot noir and syrah.

Winemakers Byron Kosuge and Evelyn Vidal

Under the watchful eyes of the Kingstons and two amazing winemakers, Byron Kosuge and Evelyn Vidal, Kingston Family Vineyards produce one of the best values in wine today.

Their sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, and syrah are all named for horses on The Farm. The Kingstons offer a flight of exceptional “stallion”-like wines, inspired by the great namesake horses: ‘Cariblanco’ sauvignon blanc, named after a white-faced horse; The ‘Tobiano’ pinot noir, after a painted horse that looked like someone had poured two cans of paint over him; and their syrah, ‘Lucero’, after a horse with an intense white flash on his forehead.

These exceptional selections have been reviewed and receive the WineGuyMike™ Seal of Approval™ and are available at Liquid Planet in the Heart of Downtown Missoula.

You can listen to the show live on the Trail 103.3FM or U 104.5FM. These shows are podcast for your convenience and available on my blog at; www.WineGuyMike.wordpress.com or visit the new website at www.wineguymike.com

From my table to yours,

This Week on the WineGuyMike™ Radio Show© Understanding Italian Wine Labels Part 1

Posted on September 9, 2012 by WineGuyMike

Social Media links;

Today’s podcast; Understanding the Italian Wine Label Part 1 http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/09/09/wine-guy-mike-for-september-9/

YouTube preview of Understanding an Italian wine label Part 1;

Recent podcast; What You Need To Know About Wine http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/15/wine-guy-mike-for-july-15/

Recent podcast; (full length conversation) with Maximilian Riedel, CEO Riedel Crystal of America http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/24/wine-guy-mike-for-june-24/

Father’s Day podcast, Special Father’s and Special Wines http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/17/wine-guy-mike-for-june-17/

NBC Montana Today TV Segment; Perfect Patio Wines and food pairing; http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Mike-Tornatore-8-7-12/-/14594602/15999458/-/67a5ri/-/index.html

YouTube; My YouTube channel of course is WineGuyMike™ or the actual URL link: http://www.youtube.com/user/WineGuyMike?feature=mhum

Facebook; WineGuyMike please “like”

Twitter; @WineGuyMike please follow me

Sleep City Missoula www.SleepCity.com

Liquid Planet “Best of Beverage” and a great place to WineGuyMike show wines for the lowest price. Located in the heart of downtown Missoula.

www.WineChateau.com

Georges Distributing in Helena, Montana.

Good Sunday morning and welcome to the WineGuyMike Radio Show. In recent weeks we have had the opportunity to have many terrific guests on the show. This morning though it is time to get back to what we love most and that is wine.

Today we are going to talk about Italian Red wine and how to better understand what’s on the label. For many wine lovers this is one of those areas of the world that can be a bit daunting to understand, and that’s where I come in. It’s my job to help you better understand challenging wine topics so you can enjoy the wine that we talk about here on the show.

Okay let’s get started; Italy has been producing wine for 3,000 years. It is said that Italy is not a country, just a gigantic vineyard from North to South. There are over 2 thousand labels of wine in Italy, that’s a lot of bottles to know about. Did you know that since 2008 Italy reins as the largest producer of wine in the world?

We are not going to tackle all of Italy in one week. When it comes to red Italian wine there are three main regions to concentrate on first, Tuscany, Piedmont, and the Veneto regions.

There are literally hundreds of indigenous grape varietals planted throughout Italy, many which we have not ever heard of in America. The main grapes that a person needs to know about to get started with Italian wines from these three regions are; In Tuscany the Italians grow Sangiovese, in Piedmont they grow Nebbiolo, and in the Veneto region a grape known as Corvina is what is grown.

Many grape growers in Italy now are growing Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Many American viticulture areas of America likewise are growing Italian varietals of grapes too. Just to name a couple; In the Napa Valley some grape farmers are growing Barbara grapes, in Walla Walla some farmers grow Sangiovese grapes. Grape varietals know no boundaries; the worlds grape farmers now better understand ideal geography, weather, and soil composition that grape varietals thrive in.

Let’s take a look at how the Italian wine laws dictate what ends up in your Italian bottle of wine. Just like there are three Red wine regions to pay attention to first begin to understand Italian wines there are three Italian wine law designations one should understand as well.

Grape growers are governed by Italian law or what is known as the DOC – Denominazione di Origine Controllata and DOCG – Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. You will see this printed on the label of Italian wines. There are many Italian wines that do not adhere to wine specifications within particular regions and these wines will be designated on their label as IGT – Indicazione Geografica.

IGT Label

DOC designations on a win bottle are much like that of French AOC wine laws, you will also see this designation on bottles of French wines. The biggest difference between the DOC and AOC is that the Italian DOC has aging requirements.

The DOC governs:

Geographical limits of each region
Grapes varieties allowed in wines
The percentage of each grape used (Classico must be 80% Sangiovese) If the varietal is specified it must contain 85% of varietal
The amount of grapes that can be grown and harvested per acre
The minimum percentage of alcohol in a wine
Minimum aging requirements. How much time a wine is aged in barrels or bottles
These wine laws became effective in 1963 in Italy

The difference between the DOC and DOCG is that the G in DOCG indicates that a wine is stylistically guaranteed to meet the standards set forth in Italian wine laws for specific regions.

DOCG Label

Currently there are 35 DOCG wines in Italy, 7 from the Tuscany region and 9 from the Piedmont region. There are over 300 DOC wines from Italy and many more wines that are designated IGT which just means they do not adhere to the standards set forth for a given region in which they are grown. There are many great examples of all of these wines and you typically pay for the guarantee. There are great IGT wines that do not adhere to the wine laws in the region or area in which they are grown, you just have to know what you are buying, but hey that’s why you keep me around.

Arrivederci for now wine friends, enjoy these great wine selections especially priced at Liquid Planet, in the heart of Downtown Missoula.

The wines reviewed today all receive the WineGuyMike™ Seal of Approval™

The wine selections from today’s show are available today, all especially priced at Liquid Planet, in the heart of Downtown Missoula, Missoula’s ultimate wine shopping experience and the very best of beverage.

From my table to yours,

Posted on September 2, 2012 by WineGuyMike

Social Media links;

Today’s full unedited podcast with author Sherri Dobay; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/09/01/wine-guy-mike-for-september-2nd/

Recent Podcast with Halter Ranch head winemaker, Kevin Sass; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/08/19/wine-guy-mike-for-august-19/

Recent podcast with Author Becky Sue Epstein; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/08/12/wine-guy-mike-for-august-12/

YouTube preview of this week’s show with Sherri Dobay; http://youtu.be/qgWNP1_fGZs

Recent Podcast with head winemaker of Balletto Vineyards & Winery, Mr. Anthony Beckman; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/29/wine-guy-mike-for-july-29/

Recent podcast; (full length conversation) with Maximilian Riedel, CEO Riedel Crystal of America http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/24/wine-guy-mike-for-june-24/

NBC Montana Today TV Segment; Perfect Patio Wines and food pairing; http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Mike-Tornatore-8-7-12/-/14594602/15999458/-/67a5ri/-/index.html

YouTube; My YouTube channel of course is WineGuyMike™ or the actual URL link: http://www.youtube.com/user/WineGuyMike?feature=mhum

Facebook; WineGuyMike please “like”

Twitter; @WineGuyMike please follow me

Ciao Mambo, “Eat Like You Mean It”, located in Missoula on The Hip Strip. Find them online at www.CiaoMambo.com

Sleep City Missoula www.SleepCity.com

Liquid Planet “Best of Beverage” and a great place to find your holiday wine located in the heart of downtown Missoula.

www.WineChateau.com

Georges Distributing in Helena, Montana

Author Sherri Dobay joined me in the studio this week on the WineGuyMike Radio Show to talk about her book Daily Decadence The Art of Sensual Living. Dobay is a women of wit, wisdom, humor, and experience which she shares with the reader in her book.

As I read Dobay’s book I was struck by the transparency of her vignettes. Her stories of trysts are scintillating and take you on a contemplative journey that is like a retrospective vacation. Dobay then takes you a step closer to her soul by sharing a recipe and wine pairing that was deeply meaningful to the story.

Daily Decadence The Art of Sensual Living exceeded my expectations and I have really enjoyed reading this book, I find it very soothing almost as if I have taken a long weekend trip. Dobay’s objective in writing her book was to encourage the reader to enjoy the moment, appreciate that which is simple, stop and smell the roses. It is my opinion that she has more than accomplished this and she has insightful experience to share as well.

Readers will really enjoy this book of beautiful and sometimes sensually scandalous tales that Dobay has to share, but make no mistake this author is not one dimensional by any means. Dobay takes time to indulge just as she recommends the reader too do. Sherri Dobay is an accomplished artist, Chef du Jour, and loves to ride horses. If you need a bit of Daily Decadence in your life get a copy of Dobay’s book and infuse a little art of sensual living into your life, Sherri will show you how.

Foodies and wine lover won’t be disappointed either, Dobay’s wine and food pairings are elegant. Remember the inspiration for the pairings are stirred by her soul as she shares the intimate experiences of her life in such an authentic way. Not sure what’s on your table tonight, Dobay inspires the Chef du Jour within.

I want to thank Sherri Dobay for joining me in the studio this week. I would like to congratulate and wish she and Mark well as they tie the knot and marry this month. It makes one wonder what wine and food will be served at this not so daily but decadent event….Learn more about Sherri Dobay on her website at http://www.daily-decadence.com/

Today’s unedited podcast with author Sherri Dobay, http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/09/01/wine-guy-mike-for-september-2nd/

This week WineGuyMike™ has two wonderful wines to share with you for a little dose of Daily Decadence. Both are available especially priced at Liquid Planet, Missoula’s “Best of Beverage”, located in the Heart of Downtown Missoula.

The wines reviewed today receive the WineGuyMike™ Seal of Approval™

You can listen to the show live on the Trail 103.3FM or U 104.5FM. These shows are podcast for your convenience and available on my blog at; www.WineGuyMike.wordpress.com

From my table to yours,

Posted on August 26, 2012 by WineGuyMike

Social Media links;

Today’s Podcast with Sideways The Play stars John Colella and Julia McIlvaine; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/08/26/wine-guy-mike-for-august-26/

Last week’s podcast with Halter Ranch head winemaker, Kevin Sass; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/08/19/wine-guy-mike-for-august-19/

YouTube preview of this week’s show with Sideways The Play stars John Colella and Julia McIlvaine; http://youtu.be/eepQA8kdqMA

Recent Podcast with head winemaker of Balletto Vineyards & Winery, Mr. Anthony Beckman; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/29/wine-guy-mike-for-july-29/

Recent week’s podcast; What You Need To Know About Wine http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/15/wine-guy-mike-for-july-15/

Recent week’s podcast; Perfect Patio Wines http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/01/wine-guy-mike-for-july-1/

Recent podcast; (full length conversation) with Maximilian Riedel, CEO Riedel Crystal of America http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/24/wine-guy-mike-for-june-24/

NBC Montana Today TV Segment; Perfect Patio Wines and food pairing; http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Mike-Tornatore-8-7-12/-/14594602/15999458/-/67a5ri/-/index.html

YouTube; My YouTube channel of course is WineGuyMike™ or the actual URL link: http://www.youtube.com/user/WineGuyMike?feature=mhum

Facebook; WineGuyMike please “like”

Twitter; @WineGuyMike please follow me

Sleep City Missoula www.SleepCity.com

Liquid Planet “Best of Beverage” and a great place to find your holiday wine located in the heart of downtown Missoula.

Georges Distributing in Helena, Montana

Rex Pickett’s 2004 novel Sideways won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and was nominated in four other Academy Award categories.

Set in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County the movie Sideways has two men in their forties on a week long road trip to the wine country, this is where things go “Sideways”.

Jim Taylor and Alexander Payne whom adapted this screenplay of Pickett’s novel won multiple awards. In the movie Paul Giamatti portrays, Miles Raymond, who is an aspiring writer and teaches middle school English in San Diego. Miles a real wine-aficionado is going to take his college roommate and friend, Jack Cole, played by Thomas Haden Church, an actor who is soon to be married on a road trip to the Santa Ynez Valley wine country.

Miles and Jack have very different ideas about the idea of what quality time on a road trip in the wine country together means. Actresses Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh, portray local women who live and work in this beautiful wine country. They both become romantically involved with the men and this is where the story begins.

Today though is about a new beginning and I had the pleasure of hosting two star cast members, John Colella and Julia McIlvaine, of Rex Pickett’s new theatrical production Sideways The Play. The play which parallels the novel much more closely than the movie has been a hit since its opening and has been extended twice through September 2^nd. Sideways The Play is directed by Amelia Mulkey whom as John and Julia were quick to suggest is brilliant. (Full length podcast; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/08/26/wine-guy-mike-for-august-26/ )

John and Julia’s bios:

John Colella has been acting in theatre, film, and television for the last 25 years. A native Chicagoan and a graduate of the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University where he received his BFA, John recently took home an Indie Soap Award for Best Actor in a Comedy for his portrail of Donnie G. in his Web Series-Vampire Mob. Film credits include: Hotel Noir, Girl Walks Into A Bar, The Chicago 8, and The Swear Police (Best Short under 5 min, Los Angeles Comedy Shorts Film Festival). He has also been seen on Criminal Minds, Desperate Housewives, CSI:NY, American Dreams, Will & Grace, The West Wing, and NYPD Blue. Theatre credits include: Miles in Sideways, Cyrano in Cyrano de Bergerac, Italian American Reconciliation, Faithful, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), and Lobby Hero.

For more information on John, including full resume, demo reel, and testimonials, www.johncolella.com

Julia McIlvaine has been working as an actress for over 15 years, in Los Angeles and New York City. “Sideways” is her 4th production at the Ruskin Group Theatre, alongside “All My Sons,” “Glengarry Glen Ross” and “Cyrano,” which starred “Sideways” own John Colella. In New York, she appeared in Marsha Norman’s “Pride’s Crossing,” and “Henry VIII” at the New York Shakespeare Festival. She has also worked in four network pilots for CBS, ABC, and Fox, and three TV movies for Hallmark Hall of Fame. She is a graduate of the USC School of Theatre, and the Ruskin School.

It is everyone’s desire to take the play on the road and it sounds like this may happen in the spring of 2013. It was great fun to have Colella and McIlvaine join me on the show, Sideways the movie is one of my personal favorite wine films for a number of reasons.

The film had a global impact on the wine industry having stimulated great interest in wine for wine lovers and new wine drinkers alike. As for Merlot, well it killed the varietal on a global level; it was just not sheik to have a glass on Merlot in your hand. Pinot Noir was brought to life in an amazing way. Globally sales of this intellectual varietal have risen to new levels and continued to enjoy lofty popularity. This is one of the strongest trends historically for wine, yes driven by a discussion between Jack and Miles in Sideways the movie:

Jack: If they want to drink Merlot, we’re drinking Merlot.

Miles Raymond: No, if anyone orders Merlot, I’m leaving. I am NOT drinking any f**king Merlot!

And the rest is history, literally. Sideways The Play has sold out every night and been extended twice under the direction of Amelia Mulkey. Each night an hour before the play high end Pinot Noir’s from the Santa Barbara wine country and Central Coast wine region are enjoyed by the attendees.

John Colella and Julia McIlvaine are dynamic personalities who enjoy very successful careers as actor and actress. Rex Pickett now markets his own brand of Merlot and hopes to position Sideways as global brand. Pickett, Mulkey, and the outstanding cast of Sideways The Play will be taking this production on the road and I hope that it comes to a city near you.

Julia and John I want to thank you both for taking time from your busy schedules to be featured guest on this week’s WineGuyMike Radio Show, it was great fun and I hope you will both join me again.

I have two inexpensive Pinot Noir wines that I’m recommending for you this week. Both are available especially priced at Liquid Planet, Missoula’s “Best of Beverage”, located in the Heart of Downtown Missoula.

The wines reviewed today all receive the WineGuyMike™ Seal of Approval™

You can listen to the show live on the Trail 103.3FM or U 104.5FM. These shows are podcast for your convenience and available on my blog at; www.WineGuyMike.wordpress.com

From my table to yours,

Posted on August 19, 2012 by WineGuyMike

Social Media links;

Today’s Podcast with Halter Ranch head winemaker, Kevin Sass; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/08/19/wine-guy-mike-for-august-19/

Last week’s podcast with Author Becky Sue Epstein; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/08/12/wine-guy-mike-for-august-12/

YouTube preview of last week’s show with Becky Sue Epstein; http://youtu.be/ZrIZX-k9pHc

Recent Podcast with head winemaker of Balletto Vineyards & Winery, Mr. Anthony Beckman; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/29/wine-guy-mike-for-july-29/

Recent week’s podcast; What You Need To Know About Wine http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/15/wine-guy-mike-for-july-15/

Recent week’s podcast; Perfect Patio Wines http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/07/01/wine-guy-mike-for-july-1/

Recent podcast; (full length conversation) with Maximilian Riedel, CEO Riedel Crystal of America http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/06/24/wine-guy-mike-for-june-24/

NBC Montana Today TV Segment; Perfect Patio Wines and food pairing; http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/Mike-Tornatore-8-7-12/-/14594602/15999458/-/67a5ri/-/index.html

YouTube; My YouTube channel of course is WineGuyMike™ or the actual URL link: http://www.youtube.com/user/WineGuyMike?feature=mhum

Facebook; WineGuyMike please “like”

Twitter; @WineGuyMike please follow me

Ciao Mambo, “Eat Like You Mean It”, located in Missoula on The Hip Strip. Find them online at www.CiaoMambo.com

Sleep City Missoula www.SleepCity.com

Liquid Planet “Best of Beverage” and a great place to find your holiday wine located in the heart of downtown Missoula.

www.WineChateau.com

Georges Distributing in Helena, Montana

Hansjörg Wyss

Successful Swiss-born businessman Hansjörg Wyss is a man with vision, and a man on a mission, of sustainability that is. Wyss is a devoted philanthropist and land conservationist, he is also the founder of Halter Ranch Vineyard in Paso Robles, California.

Halter Ranch Vineyard

Paso Robles AVA is located in the Central Coast Region of California along U.S. Highway 101, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This area supports the growth of more than 40 grape varietals. Bordeaux, Rhone, and a handful of other grape varietals produce the outstanding wines this area is noted for.

The Paso Robles AVA has the greatest daily temperature variant of any viticulture area in California. There are many distinct microclimates, diverse soil composition, and a long growing season. Halter Ranch Vineyard is located West of Highway 101 near the western boundary of the Paso Robles AVA. The Halter Ranch vineyards are influenced by cool ocean breezes from the Pacific Ocean to the west, and elevation from the Santa Lucia Mountain Range to the east. The vineyards of Halter Ranch are planted to south facing slopes rising to 1800ft. of elevation, thus creating nearly perfect terroir producing grapes of intense varietal character.

Halter Ranch Vineyard dates back to 1880’s and was part of a 3600 acre holding owned by San Francisco businessman Edwin Smith. Smith built a grand house on the property and began dealing in farm produce and livestock; he also invested heavily in silver mining. Smith had been an avid horse racing enthusiast, keeping a private box at Tanforan Race Track and a stable of thoroughbreds on his estate.

The estate was broken up in the early 1990’s and in 1943 the MacGillivray family purchased 1200 acres. The family farmed the land for the next 50 years and began planting grapes in 1996. In 2000, Hansjörg Wyss purchased 900 acres of the ranch, renovated Smith’s historic farmhouse, and enlarged the vineyard to its present 250 acres, leaving nearly 750 acres unfarmed supporting the ranches natural habitat and old growth oak groves.

New state of the art facilities have been built to complement the world class grapes grown by Halter Ranch. The new winery is multi-level and utilizes a gravity flow system; this allows the winemaker to handle the fruit in the gentlest way possible with no pumping from the de-stemmer, to the tanks, and ultimately the barrels.

Halter Ranch adheres to the Sustainability in Practice (SIP™) Vineyard Certification Program.

SIP™ certification assures that a vineyard practices integrated farming and is committed to environmental stewardship, equitable treatment of employees, and economic viability. Incorporating all Organic farming techniques and nearly all aspects of Biodynamic farming, SIP™ requires more stringent farming practices in many other key areas as seen in the chart below.

Topic of Interest	Sustainability in Practice (SIP)^TM	USDA-National Organic Program	Biodynamics®
Annual Certification	X	X	X
Biodiversity	X	X	X
Vineyard Management	X	X	X
Soil Conservation	X	X	X
Pest Management	X	X	X
Water Quality	X	X	X
Organic Approved Pesticides	X	X	X
Reduced Risk Synthetic Pesticides*	X
Water Conservation	X
Energy Conservation	X
Air Quality	X
Social Equity
Continuing Education	X
Fruit Quality	X
Economic Viability	X
GMO Prohibition	n/a for winegrapes	X	X
Homepathic Remedies			X
Incorporate Forces of Nature			X

Lead by Kevin Sass, head winemaker for Halter Ranch Vineyard, the philosophy is simple; grow premium grapes, incorporate Old World technique and New world technologies, handle fruit gently, and produce elegant Bordeaux and Rhone style wines. Mission sustainable, mission accomplished.

Halter Ranch Winemaker Kevin Sass

Today’s podcast with Kevin Sass, head winemaker for Halter Ranch Vineyard; http://trail1033.podbean.com/2012/08/19/wine-guy-mike-for-august-19/

Last year Halter Ranch founder Hansjörg Wyss contributed $35 million toward the protection of 1 million acres of grasslands in Montana. Governor Schweitzer of Montana celebrated the Halter Ranch owner,(huff.to/NU4fsd), and enjoys Halter Ranch wines at various events. Halter Ranch wines will be available in the Montana market in the near term future.

WineGuyMike™ reviewed three of the Southern Rhône Valley style wines from Halter Ranch Vineyard, all three were beautifully made and true to the Old World style in which they were crafted by winemaker Sass.

I have two inexpensive Rhône Valley wines that I’m recommending for you this week. Both are available especially priced at Liquid Planet, Missoula’s “Best of Beverage”, located in the Heart of Downtown Missoula.

The wines reviewed today all receive the WineGuyMike™ Seal of Approval™

You can listen to the show live on the Trail 103.3FM or U 104.5FM. These shows are podcast for your convenience and available on my blog at; www.WineGuyMike.wordpress.com

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This Week on the WineGuyMike™ Radio Show© Halter Ranch Vineyard Head Winemaker Kevin Sass

May 2013
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