Best Loire Valley Podcasts (2024)

1
Encore presentation of Ep 363: The Personal Side of Loire with Serge Doré, French Importer 50:33

3d ago50:33

50:33

This is an encore presentation of a wonderful show I did with Serge Doré, importer of French wine (and American via Quebec…) and friend of the podcast, joins us to talk about the Loire Valley. It's especially relevant for those of you who are part of the Wine Access/WFNP wine club, as the "All Serge, all the time" shipment is heading your way soon!…

1
Episode 251: Guest host Audrey Frick, top wine journalist for Jeb Dunnuck, interviews wine making pioneer Dan Petroski of Massican. Two wine stars under the same sky. 39:52

27m ago39:52

39:52

Send us a Text Message. Dan Petroski goes deep on this years' harvest, his love of coffee, football and AI Dan Petroski serving great cocktails in the Metaverse. Logo on to Massican Wines for more info and to purchase wine. https://www.massican.com/collabs/ For the best insight on wine and reviews check out Jeb Dunnuck’s link below. No sponsors or …

1
EP 190 Retire in Rosarito, Mexico 1:18:55

1h ago1:18:55

1:18:55

EP 190 Retire in Rosarito, Mexico! How would you like to live on the ocean and enjoy the near perfect weather of San Diego, California? Most of us would, but not many of us could afford its beachfront living. Jym and Renee Varnadore found a way to live such a lifestyle on a budget. The couple moved to Playas de Rosarito, Mexico, a small city locate…

1
Ep 532: The Wines of the French Pyrénées (obscure but very tasty and cool!) 52:50

2h ago52:50

52:50

Ok, I know this is an obscure show and I promise we’ll get back to mainstream stuff next week, but there is a reason for doing this show now. PLUS, it's super dorky stuff and that's awesome! I was putting together the Wine Access shipment with Serge Doré that is going out soon and one of the wines was from the small appellation of Saint Mont. I pri…

1
Episode 250: Kate Webb is the CEO/Co-Founder of Sun Moon Rising. She’s a Certified Sommelier and Astrology lover, bringing together two ancient arts: astrology and winemaking. 35:26

4d ago35:26

35:26

Send us a Text Message. “We are born at a given moment, in a given place and, like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and of the season of which we are born.- Carl Jung said it, Sun Moon Rising puts it in the bottle. A sommelier, an astrologer, and two winemakers, curated 12 distinct wines, each meticulously paired with a Zodi…

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Ep 531: Sicily’s Best Little-Known Winery - Dei Principi di Spadafora with Enrica Spadafora 49:46

7d ago49:46

49:46

For more than 30 years, dei Principi di Spadafora has been quietly churning out some of Sicily’s best wines in a tiny enclave of Virzì, about 35 miles southwest of Palermo, on Sicily’s west coast. Photo: Francesco and Enrica Spadafora. Courtesy of dei Principi di Spadafora The Spadafora family has been in Sicily since 1230, and their family came fr…

1
Episode 249: Pascaline Lepeltier is not just a Master Sommelier; she is a globally recognized authority on wine. Beyond her extensive expertise, she truly understands the power of human connection. 44:05

19d ago44:05

44:05

Send us a Text Message. Pascaline Lepeltier MS is a powerhouse in the beverage industry, with an impressive array of accomplishments that are too numerous to list here. In addition to her remarkable achievements, she is a partner at Chambers Street Restaurant, where food and wine come together to create an unforgettable dining experience. It’s trul…

1
EP 189 Retire in Traverse City, Michigan 1:17:28

16d ago1:17:28

1:17:28

Retire in Traverse City, Michigan! Fred Anderson has lived most of his life in Michigan. He considers himself vintage, not old. When retirement rolled around, Fred and his wife decided to move from Lansing, Michigan to Traverse City, Michigan. Sadly, Fred’s wife passed while the couple was preparing their Lansing home sale. Fred carried on, moved t…

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Ep 530: The Evolution of the Modern Tasting Room with Jim Morris -- The history, changes, rising costs, possible future, & what it means to us 55:16

14d ago55:16

55:16

If you are an avid follower of the show you know that my friend Jim Morris, hospitality guru, and wine industry veteran has been on the show many, many times. His first appearance was on Episode 30 and he has appeared on Episodes 130, 230, and now 530 – as I say, he is the man of the 30s! Photo: Courtesy of Jim Morris This time Jim joins to pull th…

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Ep 529: The Best Wine Storage Solutions with Certified Kitchen Designer and Patron Robin Rigby Fisher 45:47

21d ago45:47

45:47

This week I welcome Patron Robin Rigby Fisher, a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer and Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Robin has a kitchen design firm in the Portland, Oregon metro area (called Robin Rigby Fisher Design). She has been creating award winning kitchen and baths for more than 28 years and she comes to tell us about the va…

1
Episode 248: Nick Mautone is an Author, Hospitality Guru, and mentor to many—from Gramercy Tavern to the Rainbow Room, he has seen it all. 49:39

22d ago49:39

49:39

Send us a Text Message. Nick Mautone’s resume in hospitality speaks for itself. He’s built iconic restaurants from the ground up and created Hospitality Sabermetrics-think Money Ball for Hospitality. More info at: https://www.mautone-enterprises.com Check out the website: www.drinkingonthejob.com for great past episodes. Everyone from Iron Chefs, w…

1
E188 Retire in Ronda, Spain 1:35:17

24d ago1:35:17

1:35:17

Selena Medlen, an attorney, and Jason Luban, an acupuncturist, had successful careers in Oakland, California, but they were stressed out. After taking a trip to Spain, they fell in love with Ronda, a small mountain top city in the southern part of the country. The next thing you know, Jason was selling his practice, Selena was quitting her job and …

1
Ep 528: Yakima Valley AVA, Washington 46:54

28d ago46:54

46:54

Washington State is the second-largest wine producing state in the US with about 1,050 wineries making over 17 million cases of wine. In this show I cover the largest sub region of the Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley AVA (and its sub-AVAs). Map: Yakima Valley Tourism Yakima is in south-central Washington, at 46˚ N latitude. In 1983 it became Was…

1
Ep 527: Vermouth 39:10

1M ago39:10

39:10

Wait, I thought you only covered wine in this podcast? I do! And guess what? Vermouth is wine. Vermouth is an aromatized, fortified wine flavored with botanicals like roots, herbs, barks, flowers, seeds, and spices. Although aromatized beverages have been around for millennia, vermouth's origins lie in the Kingdom of Savoie in the 1700s, first in T…

1
Episode 247: How does a kid from Champagne become the Senior Winemaker at Stags' Leap Winery? It's an incredible, winding journey to one of Napa's most iconic wineries. 45:55

2M ago45:55

45:55

Send us a Text Message. The history of the Stags’ Leap Winery goes all the way back to 1872. The original wine Cave was built in 1892. The stories are boundless and the wines are classic Napa. Click below for the deep dive. https://www.stagsleap.com/en/colorful-history.html Check out the website: www.drinkingonthejob.com for great past episodes. Ev…

1
E187 Retire on Campus at Arizona State in Tempe 1:09:28

1M ago1:09:28

1:09:28

Imagine being a college student for the rest of your life. Enjoying a college town with lifelong learning while living on campus, what could be better? No exams! Former university president Jessica Kozloff and her husband Steve Kozloff, a former physician, chose this lifestyle and couldn’t be giddier. The active couple retired to Mirabella at ASU, …

1
Ep 526: Wines to Beat the Summer Heat -- 12 of the most refreshing bottles you can drink 46:08

1M ago46:08

46:08

Right now, it’s so hot in much of the country, it’s hard to get creative about anything, let alone a new wine that may provide some refreshment. That’s what I’m here for! Ok, maybe not just me…this is a list that comes from the Patrons in answer to our weekly discussion question about what they drink when the weather gets hot. I added a few in for …

1
Episode 246: Two Loire legends, Lise Jousset and Sebastien David, join me to discuss why the Loire Valley continues to offer some of the most incredible wines in the world and still affordable. Chenin ... 49:16

2M ago49:16

49:16

Send us a Text Message. Bertrand, a former soldier, and Lise, a Parisian sommelier, relocated to Montlouis-sur-Loire in 2003 and now produce some of the region's finest wines. Sébastien David family's estate in St. Nicolas de Bourgueil dates back to 1634, specializes in Cabernet Franc. These are two of my favorite producers. The wines are on the li…

1
Ep 525: The Grape Miniseries -- Cinsault 40:25

2M ago40:25

40:25

Cinsault or Cinsaut is a grape you’ve probably rarely heard of, but if you drink Provence or southern French rosé you have it all the time! The grape is planted widely in the south of France, but the grape’s biggest champions are in the New World, where Cinsault is getting new attention for making light, acidic, refreshing reds. This is a warm-clim…

1
Episode 245: Woody Hambrecht is a third generation farmer and winemaker based in Dry Creek Valley. Woody and his friend Justin Kan decided to launch a family of non-alcoholic wine. What’s the secret to ... 49:29

2M ago49:29

49:29

Send us a Text Message. Woody is an innovator and entrepreneur. He has seen the wine side of the business through multiple lenses. Today he shares his insights and wisdom and why sparkling is the way to go when it comes to non-alcoholic wines. Check out the links below. @woodys.wine @lpv.group @lpvictoire Check out the website: www.drinkingonthejob…

1
E186 Retire in Khanom, Thailand 1:36:10

2M ago1:36:10

1:36:10

Ed, an American guy, and Tomo, a Japanese gal, were living and working in Tokyo when they thought about retiring somewhere less expensive and more relaxing. They soon developed a fondness for Thailand after visiting a few of its locations. The couple agreed that the island of Koh Samui seemed like their dream location and they quit their jobs and m…

1
Ep 524: The Top 12 Grapes Saved from the Brink of Extinction 1:00:15

2M ago1:00:15

1:00:15

There are a seemingly endless number of wines made from grapes from all over. But, surprisingly, what remains in the world is just a fraction of what once existed. Before downy mildew, powdery mildew, phylloxera, and the World Wars of the 20th century hit the shores of Europe, destroying vineyards of native vines, there were likely hundreds of thou…

1
Episode 244:Here’s a secret, LaRina is the best Italian food in New York. Incredible pasta, grass fed beef, whole roasted fish, insane wine list and the service is like a hug from an old friend. 23:08

2M ago23:08

23:08

Send us a Text Message. Discover one of New York’s best-kept secrets: LaRina Restaurant. Chef Silvia is one of the few female Italian chefs in NYC and every bite of her pasta is crafted in-house using Italian flour, Visionary Director Luca sets an unmatched standard of hospitality and warmth, while Wine Director Andrea curates an exceptional wine p…

1
Ep 523: Tales from a Trip to Sicily 51:31

2M ago51:31

51:31

This show chronicles my recent trip with a group of Patrons to Sicily with my travel partner tour with Tourissimo. I take you through our odyssey, which had us traversing the entire island from west in Palermo to the center of the island to the southeast in Vittoria to Mount Etna. I discuss the themes I noticed throughout like interesting climatic …

1
The Redux: The Black Wine Guy Experience Podcast Host MJ Towler joins me to talk wine, race in America and our love of music. 43:38

3M ago43:38

43:38

Send us a Text Message. The Black Wine Guy Experience is an essential voice in the podcast world. It's also cool as shit to be known as TBWG. I love his interview style, from Randall Graham to basketball legend JJ Redick and Gary V. It's all here, click the link below. The Black wine guy experience - | Thinker. Educator. Instigator Check out the we…

1
Ep 522: 8 Top Wine Movies with Patron Bevis S. 1:06:10

2M ago1:06:10

1:06:10

This week I welcome long-time Patron and listener, Bevis Sydney, who is not only a wine educator in the UK, but also a movie buff. He and I give our views on the top 8 wine movies, according to a poll of the Patron community and general consensus from the press on the top wine movies. We discuss: · Sideways (2004) · A Good Year (2006) · Wine Countr…

1
500: Richard Sanford and the Hot Tub Time Machine Wine Fermenters 1:57:54

2M ago1:57:54

1:57:54

Richard Sanford co-founded the Sanford and Benedict Winery and planted the Sanford and Benedict Vineyard. He founded the Sanford Winery, and he also founded the Alma Rosa Winery, all in Santa Barbara County, California. Richard discusses his sailing career, working in the merchant marine, racing boats recreationally, and as an officer in the United…

1
Episode 243: Kimberly Cavoores is the Wine Director for Family Meal at Blue Hill. Her journey began unconventionally, as a self-educated wine connoisseur who traveled the globe. She reminds us all to embrace ... 48:15

2M ago48:15

48:15

Send us a Text Message. Kimberly’s unconditional desire to self educate lured her across the world to work as a cellar hand in Australia. She then jumped off to Napa to catch one more harvest that year before she landed at Hedges Family Estate in Washington. Countless flights and memorable conversations about the world of wines drew Kimberly back t…

1
E185 Retire in Holmes, Hudson Valley, New York 40:58

3M ago40:58

40:58

Can a couple of longtime Brooklynites survive the peace and quiet of a 17 acre property in Upstate New York’s Hudson Valley? It took a little time for Lisa Preudhomme and Servulus Billy, who moved from Brooklyn to Holmes, New York, but they eventually fell in love with the beauty and serenity of country living. The couple aren't always alone on the…

1
Episode 242: Scott Eddy is an Innovator, Trend Setter, Globe Trotter, Entrepreneur and Brand Builder. He lives outside the lines and has a life most people would envy. 51:04

3M ago51:04

51:04

Send us a Text Message. Scott Eddy has become the ‘go-to’ digital guy for the travel industry and brand building. After living in Europe and Asia for 17 years, Scott fell in love with several different cultures and recognized the value of creating lasting relationships. Scott embraced his sales and business savvy once again by starting one of the f…

1
Ep 521: The Greats -- Tokaji Aszú 57:27

3M ago57:27

57:27

As part of the series on the The Greats (the great wines of the world), I cover the complex world of Hungarian Tokaji. As with all dives into “The Greats,” I spend the first half of the show delving into the history of Tokaj and then discuss winemaking, the grapes, and the complex way in which this wine is made. Some notes that may be hard to under…

1
Peter Gago - Chief winemaker of Penfolds: Exploring Tradition & Innovation 53:28

3M ago53:28

53:28

-Like & subscribe for fun wine content -Thankyou again to Peter & Penfolds for letting us film on location at Penfolds Magill Estate Cellar Door!🍷 -Please support our community! ;) Buy MAGIC 38🎱 here from our shop: https://www.unicozelo.com.au/collections/vinous-awesomeness/products/2023-magic-38-cellar-hand-wine-750ml?variant=44345480085747 -JOIN …

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Episode 241: SF Chronicle named Laura Brennan Bissell a winemaker to watch for her Inconnu wines. I see a legend in the making. Her new Columbia Gorge wines, Aitia, are about to launch and are stunning ... 44:37

3M ago44:37

44:37

Send us a Text Message. I can’t say enough about how special these wines are. Her wines are a beautiful symphony, a perfect poem that captures that moment. I’m just going to use Laura’s own words here. "Just like my life, I wish for my wines to be distilled into a poetic form, and not to have their entrails spread apart on a surgical table. There i…

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E184 Retire in Loire Atlantique, France 50:37

3M ago50:37

50:37

Lori Cronwell is a writer, travel and lifestyle blogger, small home advocate and designer, slow travel aficionado, and the recent owner of a home in the French countryside. As a part-time expat and digital nomad, Lori divides her time between Portland, Oregon; Loire Atlantique, France; and traveling the world. Check out Lori’s life in this region o…

1
Ep 520: The historic, urban wines of Vienna (yes, the city!) with Alex Zahel of Weingut Zahel 57:27

3M ago57:27

57:27

Here’s something you probably didn’t know: Vienna is the only major city in the world where serious wine grown, with its own appellation, DAC Wien. In the green belt surrounding this very green city, wine grapes grow as they have since at least the Middle Ages. And it’s not negligible -- 582 ha/1438 acres. It’s also not crappy, tourist wine. It’s h…

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Episode 240: Dominick Purnomo, owner of Dominick Purnomo restaurant group, wanted to bring a world class wine program to Albany. He’s done that and more. His accolades are too many to list. Albany is ... 37:24

3M ago37:24

37:24

Send us a Text Message. At 25 years of age, Dominick Purnomo was elected to President of the New York State Restaurant Association, the youngest President in the history of the state organization. Wine Spectator has praised his Wine list since 2004 as a Best of Award of Excellence winner and has recently been named one of the 300 most excellent win…

1
E183 Retire in Boise, Idaho 48:15

3M ago48:15

48:15

From 2020 to 2023, Boston area residents Kathy and Tom traveled the U.S. extensively enjoying the sites while also keeping their eyes open for potential retirement locations. A number of “B” towns caught their attention, including Boulder, Bozeman, Bend, and Boise. The small city of Boise, Idaho won out as it seemed to possess just the right amount…

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499: David Rafanelli on Four Generations Making Wine in California 1:20:40

3M ago1:20:40

1:20:40

David Rafanelli and his family own the A. Rafanelli Winery in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma County, California. David relates the story of his Italian grandmother arriving in California in 1903, and beginning to make homemade wine in San Francisco. He explains how the family bought farm land in the Dry Creek Valley in the 1920s, thus beginning a 1…

1
Ep 519: A Year in the Vineyard in Sonoma with Brian Callahan of Crux Winery 55:55

3M ago55:55

55:55

For this show I ask my friend with Brian Callahan, small vineyard farmer and co-owner of Crux Winery in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma (the Middle Reach though – the warmer part, so they do Rhône varietals) to tell us what a year in a Sonoma vineyard looks like. He takes us through what he has been doing for the last 18 years in his vineyard, a…

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Episode 239:From Couture to Head Sommelier at Michelin-starred Marea, Liz Nicholson embodies hospitality, she now owns Frankly Wine & Spirit Shop and the remarkable wine bar Della’s. Let’s start at the ... 40:38

4M ago40:38

40:38

Send us a Text Message. If you want to check out one of the best Wine Bar’s in NYC, you must stop by Della’s. This jewel box is as good as it gets for real wine lovers AND you can always pop next door to Frankly Wine & Spirit Shop and grab a bottle for the way home. Their selection will astound you. Click the links below. https://dellasnyc.com http…

1
E182 Retire in Sayulita, Mexico 59:56

3M ago59:56

59:56

Oklahoma native Ryan Crain had just spent an exhilarating year traveling the world when he found himself back in Oklahoma during the pandemic. He wanted to take a stab at living in another country but most of the borders were closed. Although it was far from his first choice, Mexico was allowing foreigners in. After visiting a few Mexican locales, …

1
Ep 518: Biodynamic, Organic, Sustainable, Regenerative Wine (and more) -- the Update 50:22

3M ago50:22

50:22

These categories of "better for the earth" wines are technical, tricky, and ever-evolving, so I felt that it was time to do a comprehensive update! In this show, I do best to break it all down in as simple a way as possible…I cover: Biodynamics Organics Sustainable farming Regenerative agriculture And then, quickly, the loose ends – vegan wine and …

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Top pick:New York Times wine critic, Eric Asimov, reminisces about his famous '$25 And Under' column, the death threats he received and the gritty nineties. 46:38

4M ago46:38

46:38

Send us a Text Message. Eric Asimov has been the chief wine critic of The New York Times since 2004. He’s been writing about wine, food and restaurants for The Times for more than 30 years. His column is a must follow if you love wine. Check out the website: www.drinkingonthejob.com for great past episodes. Everyone from Iron Chefs, winemakers, jou…

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Earth Day Encore: Ep 440: Jason Haas of Tablas Creek on Regenerative agriculture, alternative packaging, & improving the environmental footprint of wine 1:00:11

4M ago1:00:11

1:00:11

This is a special re-release of this very relevant and important show on Earth Day. Jason Haas, perhaps the greenest guy in in wine, joins to discuss the challenges the wine industry faces in becoming gentler on the earth. From regenerative agriculture (which is way less woo woo than biodynamics!) to sustainable transport and packaging, we cover th…

1
Episode 238: Guest host Mr Pete steps in and interviews Ken Dashow, a disc jockey at New York City's WAXQ "Q104.3" classic rock radio station. We got some stories to tell. 38:51

4M ago38:51

38:51

Send us a Text Message. It’s all here...Drinking, Paul McCartney, Golf..MacGowan. Ken Dashow has written several plays, a collection of which was published by Dramatists Play Service entitled Dashow Must Go On, and Rock is Dead which was produced Off-Broadway at the SoHo Playhouse. His screenplays The Naked Detective and Desire have become cult cla…

1
E181 Retire in Boerne, Texas 50:04

4M ago50:04

50:04

Living in the Silicon Valley, Bill Ross and his family were fed up with the state’s high cost of living, crime, and politics. Wanting to leave the west coast, they searched for a place without the major problems of California but with a friendly community. They found all that plus a quintessential “Main Street” in Boerne, Texas, a town located abou…

1
Ep 517: Wines that are worth the splurge 52:19

4M ago52:19

52:19

Tax Day in the US has come and gone. Many of us are getting a refund, so if you have a little extra change, here are some great wines to consider. A few on the list are... Burgundy in red and white: Pinot and Chard Pomerol in Bordeaux Syrah from The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater in Walla Walla Washington Old Vine Zinfandel from Sonoma, Napa, a…

1
Redux: Brewmaster Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn Brewery gives us a Master Class on Brewing and fermentation. 56:32

4M ago56:32

56:32

Send us a Text Message. Garrett Oliver is the founding board chair launching a scholarship fund for minority brewers. The scholarship will award people of color to attend technical courses and become industry leaders. Check out the website for the full story and to donate: themjf.org Check out the website: www.drinkingonthejob.com for great past ep…

1
E180 Retire in Pontivy, Brittany, France 1:34:08

4M ago1:34:08

1:34:08

For Philip and Sonya Hubbard figuring out where to retire was all about compromise. She wanted somewhere not too cold and he wanted a place not too hot. They narrowed locations down to Europe, then to France, then to Brittany. They had their hearts set on a house with an ocean view in Brittany, but the prices exceeded their range. Ultimately, they …

1
Ep 516: Celebrity Wines Explained 1:00:57

5M ago1:00:57

1:00:57

This week friend, listener, Patron, and wine diva @wineshenanigans and the wine game show @Wineopardy Monica G. joins to talk with me about wines made by celebrities, aka Celebrity Wines. We run through what they are, how many of them are made and then we discuss specifics. We wrap with our analysis of whether or not we would recommend buying these…

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