The Wine Pair Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #10: Kira Ballotta, Winemaker and Owner of Olivia Brion + Cantadora Wines! Aug 18, 2024

Show notes

Kira Ballotta not only makes highly rated and sought after wines (her wines have rated at 92+ with Wine Enthusiast), she is a storyteller who focuses on trailblazing women - and we have to admit, she is quite a trailblazer herself. She is a self-made winemaker and entrepreneur who focuses on sustainable wines, and you can hear her fascinating story, including how she went from a background in finance to one of California’s best winemakers, in our latest episode. Kira’s Cantadora labels feature fellow trailblazing women like Dr. Michelle Albert, Dean of Admissions for the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) Medical School, and she donates 10% of her sales form that label to the organizations the women featured on them founded. And, if you are headed to Napa, you owe it to yourself to join one of her winemaker led tastings! You can find out more at info@oliviabrion.com or at her website oliviabrion.com.

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Are We Wrong About Oaky Chardonnay? Aug 11, 2024

Show notes

We can admit when we are wrong, and we have to say that although we are not the biggest fans of oaky Chardonnay, we think we found some wines that even an ABC person (that is Anything But Chardonnay) can enjoy. Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world, but it is also a very polarizing wine - some people love it and will drink nothing else, and others won’t even touch it. We are more on the “it depends” end of things - we love unoaked Chardonnay, and are finding that Chardonnays that are well balanced are very pleasant and drinkable. So what makes a balanced Chardonnay? It has to do with the type of oak used - including where it is from and how old it is - which seems obvious, but really makes a difference. We’ll tell you how to find Chardonnays that have just the right oak profile for you. And we have some fun learning more about a wine we would normally never consider. As a bonus, we also talk about why oaky and buttery, two very common descriptors for Chardonnay, are different and come from different parts of the winemaking process. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Wente Vineyards Riva Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay, 2021 Juggernaut Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, 2022 Bogle Family Vineyards California Chardonnay.

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Are Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Wines Good? (Reviews of their Chardonnay, Meritage, and GSM) Aug 04, 2024

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A common question we get is just how good are in-house wine brands like Trader Joe’s or Costco Kirkland Signature wines. This week, we tackle the 3rd highest tier of Trader Joe’s in-house wines, the Grand Reserve level, which is usually priced at $12.99 - which is a killer price IF they are any good. This week we also went out on a limb to try wines that we would not normally choose but that we know are very popular for the majority of wine drinkers, so we give our review of the Chardonnay, GSM, and Meritage. If you don’t know what GSM or Meritage wines are, don’t worry, we give a quick run-down of what they are, and these are blends you really need to know because they are two of the class red wine blends, and are the basis for most red wine blends. We found two of the wines to be quite good, but one was a clunker that may have burned a hole in our stomachs. We also give a quick review of our recent trip to Barcelona, Spain and some things we learned there about traveling to wine areas in Catalonia. As an extra bonus, Joe’s eyes were dilated during this episode. Just thought we’d share that with you. Wines reviewed in this episode: Trader Joe’s 2022 Grand Reserve Russian River Chardonnay, Trader Joe’s 2022 Grand Reserve GSM, Trader Joe’s 2021 Grand Reserve Meritage.

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Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #9: Victor Schoenfeld, Head Winemaker of Golan Heights Winery! Jul 28, 2024

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Did you know they make award winning wines in Israel? In this special episode, we have the honor to speak with Victor Schoenfeld, Head Winemaker at Golan Heights Winery and one of the pioneers of modern winemaking in Israel. Victor shares with us his journey and how we combined his love of food and interest in agriculture into a career in wine that started down a very traditional path - working for Mondavi and Champagne house Jacquesson & Fils in France - which then took a serendipitous turn to Israel and Golan Heights winery. In this interview, we learn about the challenges of growing wines in Israel, his intense focus on terroir so that he can bring out the unique attributes of wines grown and made in Israel, and how he brings his special talents to the art and science of winemaking. We also talk about the recently released vintage of their limited quantity Yarden Cru Elite Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a great interview with a winemaker who will definitely open your eyes to things you neve knew about wine.

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Getting Serious About Rosé #2: Provence Rosé! (The Rosé you probably think about when you think about Rosé) Jul 21, 2024

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When most people talk about Rosé wine, they are most likely referring to Provence Rosé. Most people also probably think that Provence Rosé is what all Rosé wine tastes like, but that is not true. In this latest getting serious about Rosé episode, we spend some time talking about why that is. Now, it is true that Rosé from Provence is the most popular, and good ones are crisp and refreshing with good acidity which makes them favorites for summer sippers and pairing with lighter fare. But we bet there is a lot about Provence Rosé that you don’t know about. Which is why we are getting serious about Rosé. Made generally from a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah - and sometimes many other grapes - this French Rosé has a distinctive taste profile and color that are hard to miss. Whether you are a Rosé lover or a Rosé doubter, there is always something to learn and appreciate about any wine - so join us to learn more! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 The Beach Rosé by Whispering Angel, 2022 Aix Rosé.

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WTF is Agiorgitiko? (This Greek red wine is a hidden gem, a must-learn wine) Jul 14, 2024

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Don’t sleep on Agiorgitiko! You may not be familiar with Greek wines - or know how to pronounce them (we didn’t!) - but this is a wine that deserves to be on your must-learn list! Agiorgitiko is a hidden gem in the wine world - a versatile red that comes in different styles, goes well with tons of foods, and can be found at very reasonable prices. It is a perfect complement with Greek food, obviously, but this is a great wine for everything from a cookout to a romantic, fancy dinner. The two wines we tasted and reviewed in this episode are very different in style, which is part of the wonder of this fantastic wine. There are red wines that the Gamay or Beaujolais lover will like, and wines that the Bordeaux or Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon lover in your life will be super happy with. Listen in to find out more about how to select the different styles of this wine, and learn about what makes this wine so special. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 Gaia Monograph Agiorgitiko, 2021 Skouras Saint George Agiorgitiko.

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Costco Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel Challenge! (Kirkland wines vs. similarly priced wines) Jul 07, 2024

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Sometimes being old is good. Aged cheddar? Check. Vintage cars? Yep. Antique furniture Fo’ Sho’! Old Vine Zinfandel? You bet your a$$. In this episode, we return to one of our much beloved Kirkland Signature Challenges, and this week we pit the Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel against similarly priced and easy to find Old Vine Zinfandels to see who wins. And this week, the winner is . . . well, you need to listen in to find out!!! We also talk about what an Old Vine Zinfandel is, why they are awesome, and what kinds of wines are similar to Zinfandel. In case you are curious. Don’t miss this classic battle! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel, 2022 Cline Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel, 2020 Plungerhead Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel.

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Great American Sparklers: 2024 Edition! (California Brut Sparkling Wines for the 4th of July - or Anytime!) Jun 30, 2024

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What’s more American than sparkling wine?!? Seriously, we make a lot of sparkling wine in the U.S. and we drink a lot of sparkling wine, too! And we think there is hardly anything better on warm summer afternoons and evenings than a nice glass of bubbly! Don’t save sparkling just for serious occasions. And on July 4th?!? Sparkling wine is perfection! This week, we talk about California sparkling wines and what makes them similar and different from the great sparkling wine Champagne, and we taste and review two reasonably priced California sparkling wines that we think are great choices for the 4th of July, or any random Tuesday during the summer! One of the wines we think would also be a fantastic option for the oaky Chardonnay lover in your life. So, if you have not been able to convince them that oaky Chardonnay is overrated, maybe you can at least get them to drink a nice sparkling wine with you! Wines reviewed in this episode: Decoy Brut Cuvee, Paula Kornell California Brut.

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Getting Serious About Rosé #1: Pinot Noir Rosé (Choose a Rosé based on the red wines you like!) Jun 23, 2024

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We admit it, we have not always been fair to Rosé, but starting today, we are going to set the record straight! If you think you don’t like Rosé, it may be because you have not yet met a Rosé you like. And the key to finding a Rosé you like is to start with a red wine you like and then finding a Rosé made from that wine. Because, afterall, Rosé is a wine made from red wine grapes - and like any wine, the grapes that are used will make all of the difference. For our first episode in this new series called Getting Serious About Rosé, we start with a Rosé made from a red wine we love - namely Pinot Noir. And, it just so happens that we also really like Pinot Noir Rosé. Get it?!? Listen to learn more about Rosé and Pinot Noir Rosé in particular, and we think we may be able to tempt you to give Rosé another chance. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2022 La Crema Pinot Noir Rosé, 2022 Rodney Strong Rosé of Pinot Noir.

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Italian Wine Adventure #12: Dolcetto! (Similar to Gamay, the Sommelier’s secret weapon) Jun 16, 2024

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From the great wine region of Piedmont, Italy comes the red wine called Dolcetto, which means “little sweet one” - but don’t be fooled, this is not a sweet wine, although it is a red wine with flavors and aromas of crunchy red fruit. In our latest Italian Wine Adventure, we travel back to one of our favorite wine areas to see if Dolcetto should be on your wine list. Sometimes called the sommelier’s secret weapon, this wine is less expensive than many wines from Piedmont, and can pair well with some classic Italian foods. We will say, though, that you need to try it first before you order it because this wine is a little atypical for an Italian wine. It is often compared to Gamay, and that is a pretty fair comparison, but it is not exactly the same wine. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Learn more as we introduce you to Giuseppe, Paolo, and Luigi - the first names of the makers of these wines - and let you know which one of these Italian men you should take home! Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Giuseppe Cortese Dolcetto, 2022 Paolo Scavino Dolcetto d'Alba, 2020 Luigi Einaudi Dogliani

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