http://napavalleywineradio.com A wine education community blog and podcast. Tue, 13 May 2008 17:06:28 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en We're moving into my favorite time of year - with the weather warming up it's time to start tours and classes at Goosecross again! Wine Basics Class© Goosecross is pleased to announce the 14th season of our free Wine Basics Class! Please join us at Goosecross Cellars for a morning of fun, ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2008/05/13/nvwr-65-wine-basics-class/ In this episode, Peter Marks, will tell us about what he does, how he attained the title "Master of Wine" and what kinds of career opportunities exist for those who pursue this very demanding course of study. http://napavalleywineradio.com/2008/04/22/nvwr-64-peter-marks-master-of-wine/ Did you know that Napa Valley produces just 4% of California's wine? And yet, in such a small area, we enjoy an amazing diversity of soils and a climate that allows us to produce a number of different varieties of outstanding quality. Sit back and enjoy a glass of Napa Valley ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2008/04/01/nvwr-63-the-napa-valley-ava/ We're very pleased and proud to announce that Napa Valley Wine Radio was a finalist in the 2008 American Wine Blog awards! To anyone and everyone who nominated us, you have our heartfelt thanks for listening and for the nomination. The American Wine Blog awards were instigated by a fellow blogger, ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2008/03/22/2008-american-wine-blog-awards-time-to-vote/ Prepare yourself for the fascinating story of how Steve Sando, proprietor of Rancho Gordo here in the Napa Valley, specializes in tracking down heirloom and rare varieties of beans, grains, herbs and more. Discover why these culinary essentials make your every-day meals even more delicious as he chats with our ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2008/03/11/nvwr-62-sherry-page-visits-rancho-gordo/ Over the years Nancy spent a lot of time in the cellar with visitors and it seems that the most common questions are about the chronology of winemaking and clearing up some of the terminology. So - if you can't make it to Goosecross for a tour, let Nancy bring it ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2008/02/19/nvwr-61-winemaking-101/ In this episode, Goosecross owners Geoff Gorsuch and David and Colleen Topper chat with Nancy Hawks Miller, Director of Education, about how Goosecross got started and a few brief thoughts about where its future lies. http://napavalleywineradio.com/2008/01/29/nvwr-60-the-history-of-goosecross/ Happy New Year from all of us at Goosecross and thanks for listening! As we move into the new year, David Topper, owner of Goosecross and host of Napa Valley Wine Radio, announces a schedule change for our podcast episode releases that we hope you'll find more convenient. Cheers! Cheers! http://napavalleywineradio.com/2008/01/08/nvwr-59-change-of-episode-release-schedule/ Here's a background on the tradition of toasting each other from Nancy Hawks Miller, our Director of Education, and prepare for a sumptuous New Year's Eve celebration with a very special menu from Colleen Topper, our proprietor and in-house chef. Search for these and other delicious recipes, paired with wine, in ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/12/25/nvwr-58-why-do-we-toast/ In this episode Nancy Hawks Miller, 25-year veteran of the wine industry and our Director of Education, takes on the top-5 most frequently asked questions in our online feature, "Ask our Educator". http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/12/11/nvwr-57-top-5-questions-for-ask-our-educator/ You might be surprised to know that the epicenter of the California wine industry was in southern California for almost half of our over 200-year history and only shifted north with the gold rush. How did we get here and how did so many regions in California grow to be recognized ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/11/27/nvwr-56-california-wine-history/ In this episode George Taber, a journalist whose career has spanned over 40 years, tells Nancy Hawks Miller, a 20-year veteran of the wine industry and our Director of Education, all about his new book To Cork or Not To Cork: Tradition, Romance, Science and the Battle for the Wine ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/11/13/nvwr-55-to-cork-or-not-to-cork/ Sit back and enjoy a glass of wine while Nancy Hawks Miller, a 20-year veteran of the wine industry and our Director of Education, takes a look back at the 2007 growing season and harvest. Especially for our listeners, we are pleased to offer a 20% discount on all Goosecross wines ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/10/30/nvwr-54-harvest-2007-recap/ In this episode we take a look at some of the gadgets you can get if you look through the Wine Enthusiast catalogue or search online. There are lots of options, some with modest claims and others quite bold. Enjoy a glass of wine as David Topper, Goosecross Proprietor, Jeff ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/10/16/nvwr-53-are-these-wine-gadgets-worth-it/ It seems hardly a day goes by without a reference to the green movement. And for those of us who follow agricultural news, there's a story on biodynamic farming nearly every week. What's it all about? Is it voodoo farming with its special preparations and practices or is it a ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/10/02/nvwr-52-whats-the-story-with-biodynamics/ Over the years, so many people have asked "How do I start a vineyard or a winery? Is it something that's attainable for the average person?" It's a big question, but we're going to try to answer it, at least in part, by talking it over with Mark Freund, our ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/09/18/nvwr-51-what-does-it-take-to-start-a-vineyard-or-winery/ So often when we talk about wine you hear casual references to Phylloxera and Pierce's disease and their impact on the industry. If you've wondered what they're all about, Nancy Hawks Miller, our Director of Education, will tell you a little about each and what they mean to us as ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/09/04/nvwr-50-phylloxera-and-pierces-disease/ In episode 41 we had a chance to learn a little about how fine olive oil is made. Now, we're following up by getting some great information on how to select it and enjoy it in every day life from an expert on the subject. Sit back and enjoy and ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/08/21/nvwr-49-darrell-corti-discusses-olive-oil/ What do we mean when we talk about grape clones or selections? Are they chosen for their performance in the vineyard or does it have more to do with the overall character of the wine? In this episode, Nancy Hawks Miller, our Director of Education, will tell you a little about ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/08/07/nvwr-48-why-do-clones-matter/ This episode features a fascinating interview with bee-keepers Spencer and Helene Marshall, who produce Marshall's Farm honey here in the Napa Valley. Our friend, Sherry Page of Culinary Getaways, spends a little time talking with them about how honey gets from the flower to the jar, and they also offer some ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/07/24/nvwr-47-sherry-page-visits-marshalls-farm/ Zinfandel has been called the "California grape" and was very nearly named California's state historic wine. Relax and enjoy a glass of Zin as Nancy Hawks Miller, a 20-year veteran of the wine industry and our Director of Education, talks about why it deserves that title and tells you a ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/07/10/nvwr-46-zinfandel-californias-historic-wine/ In this episode Geoff Gorsuch, our Winemaker and winery co-owner, and Jeff Booth of Pepi-Booth consulting chat with Nancy Hawks Miller, a 20-year veteran of the wine industry and our Director of Education, about what it takes to produce a number of varieties so well under one very small roof. Especially ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/06/26/nvwr-45-how-does-a-small-winery-make-all-those-varieties/ Honeyed fruit and flowers, with a hint of hay, Chenin Blanc leads a double life. Is it a bland work-horse blender? Is it a fragrant and ethereal treat? Through no fault of its own, there really is very little predictability for this wonderful variety. In its home in the Loire ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/06/25/chenin-blanc/ So fruity, so supple, so elegant when it’s at its best. Our poor friend Merlot has taken a beating recently because of the movie Sideways, but you might be surprised to know that it’s the most widely planted variety in Bordeaux. And Chateau Petrus, the most expensive wine ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/06/24/merlot/ Well, it’s hard to pronounce, but worth it! Exotically fragrant, heady, tropical and lush. Viognier is a very ancient variety going back to at least Roman times and comes to us from the Rhone Valley in southern France. It makes some of the most distinctively aromatic wines in ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/06/23/viognier/ Deep, dark fruit with a little earth, smoke and a meaty quality. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Syrah comes to us from the Rhone Valley of southern France. It’s one of the oldest varieties we know. Just think, Julius Caesar may well have enjoyed a glass of Syrah ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/06/22/syrah/ Fresh, zingy, herbaceous and citrusy. Makes me want to throw some fish on the grill. Sauvignon Blanc gained its fame in the Loire valley of France from the beautiful Blanc Fume, Pouilly Fume and Sancerre, but it was probably born in the Bordeaux region where it plays second fiddle to ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/06/21/sauvignon-blanc/ We all know that Cabernet Sauvignon is the undisputed King of grapes. A serious collector’s cellar will always include great Cabernets, whether they’re from the Medoc, Napa Valley or Coonawara. And it’s probably because it is capable of making a wine of tremendous power, structure and complexity, but ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/06/20/cabernet-sauvignon/ Fresh apple, pear and citrus--crisp with maybe some minerality? Or big, round, buttery and oaky? What goes on here? What is Chardonnay’s true identity? It seems to be all of the above. It’s quite a malleable variety that some say has little varietal distinction to ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/06/19/chardonnay/ Is it important to smell the cork? Are the "legs" a sign of quality? Is older wine always better? Relax and enjoy a glass of wine as Nancy Hawks Miller, a 20-year veteran of the wine industry and our Director of Education, takes on the top 10 wine myths and ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/06/12/nvwr-43-debunking-a-few-wine-myths/ Learn about the latest innovations and trends in the barrel industry from Julie Guffy of Demptos Cooperage as she talks with Nancy Hawks Miller, a 20-year veteran of the wine industry and our Director of Education. Especially for our listeners, we are pleased to offer a 10% discount on all Goosecross ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/05/28/nvwr-43-an-inside-look-at-the-barrel-business/ Have you ever wondered what happens to all the skins and seeds when we're finished making the wine? The pomace, as it's called, has a remarkable number of uses and Nancy Hawks Miller, a 20-year veteran of the wine industry and our Director of Education, will tell you all about ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/05/15/nvwr-42-wine-by-products/ In this episode Sherry Page of Culinary Getaways visits Round Pond, a producer of olive oil, vinegar and wine here in Napa Valley. Today, she focuses on how olive oil is grown and produced at Round Pond as she chats with Bill Chambers, the Estate Hospitality Manager. Especially for our listeners, ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/05/01/nvwr41-sherry-page-visits-round-pond-in-napa-valley/ In this episode Nancy Hawks Miller, a 20-year veteran of the wine industry and our Director of Education, explores the much-discussed topic of extended hang-time, its ramifications for grape growers and how it influences the balance of the finished wine.   Especially for our listeners, we are pleased to offer a 10% ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/04/17/nvwr-40-why-is-hang-time-such-an-issue/ Barrie Lynn, The Cheese Impresario, a cheese expert who stages events all over the country, offers a little cheese education and shares her ideas about how to pair wine and cheese with Nancy Hawks Miller, a twenty-year veteran of the wine industry and our Director of Education. These are the cheeses ... http://napavalleywineradio.com/2007/04/03/nvwr-39-barrie-lynn-the-cheese-impresario/