MC Ice (normal wine person, husband, and podcast host extraordinaire) and I are back from hiatus this week. We start with a thanks to everyone for their hospitality on our Napa/Sonoma Harvest trip! I'm chronicling it on the blog, so scroll down (and up) for details!
Shout outs from iTunes -- amazing new reviews! And a shout out from a listener to Ellie, the dog (hence the pictures)Main Topic: Bargain Wines
- Thanks to listener Leslie Strolla for the topic!
- Defining what we mean: Cheap v. Bargain
- The top bargains from Europe: places where people speak Spanish, Bordeaux (yup, that's right), some Southern Italian gems
- BAD values...gotta listen to find out!
- The top bargains from English speaking countries: 1 part of California, and down under...
- White v. red -- which is a better bargain? My take
- Some info on the sausage factory (or the bait and switch business that happens in the world of cheap wine...)
- Listener question from Emir from Boston: What's the deal with wine clubs?
We want you to Call us!!! Anything wine-related is fair game!
Call 800-599-8478 (in the U.S.) or 1-415-226-9105 and dial extension 5 to leave your question for the Wine For Normal People Podcast, and we will play it on the show! - Grape of the week: Malbec (one of the best bargains around)
If you like the podcast, please review us on iTunes, drop a comment on the Wine For Normal People blog, or join the growing conversation on Facebook (Wine For Normal People page) and Twitter @normalwine!
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteGreat episode! I was very interested during the part on wine clubs. What you said makes a lot of sense. I have always been tempted to join more because I thought it was the "thing" to do, but I've held off. It's good to know that is probably best in your opinion.
Awhile ago you offered some advice on a trip we are taking in December to Germany (Pfalz Wine Region). I decided to add Alsace, France to the trip since it's pretty damn close! If you have any advice on Alsace please let me know. I'm googling my tail off.
In your opinion, how hard is the Specialist of Wine Certification? I need something new (besides work stuff) and wine interests me much. I looked at a few items on the net and it seems pretty intense.
GOOD call on adding Alsace. I've never been but it's really high on my list and very tourist friendly,from what I understand (more so than Germany).
ReplyDeleteIf you've Google'd I'm sure you found the Vin d'Alsace Wine Route site (which leaves much to be desired). The good thing about Alsace is that the big producers you can get here are pretty damn good. Zind-Humbrecht, Hugel & Fils, Albert Mann, Trimbach, etc. are all really amazing. You could plan out smaller producers or do one of my favorite things -- go to a few of the tasting rooms of the big guys and ask what their favorite little guy is...you could uncover some AWESOME stuff that way!
Good luck and have fun. I'm so envious!
Elizabeth
I had been quite a fan of the blog and podcast until I heard your offensive remark about NY Jews. Really, did you really say that? That comment was over the top and has no place in our society today. I really hope you will address this in your next podcast. - Scott from Michigan.
ReplyDeleteScott,
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if you know this, but I AM a New York Jew. You may not be aware of this, but part of our culture is to be self-deprecating and use humor to poke fun at ourselves. Many of my family and friends are New York Jews as well, and this is part of our communication with one another.
If you're familiar with Jewish comedians or comic culture, you may pick up on this -- Woody Allen, Jon Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld, Mel Brooks, Joan Rivers -- all incorporate a good dose of self-deprecation. If you research Jewish humor (http://www.myjewishlearning.com/culture/2/Humor/History/20th_Century.shtml), you may find that we have used humor to overcome many of the hardships and the persecution we've suffered as a people over the centuries.
Although I'm sorry if it offended you, this is part of my cultural legacy and it is something I'm quite proud of. My grandparents (my grandfather was an orthodox Jew), uncles, aunts, and parents -- all whom were born and bred in Manhattan and Brooklyn -- taught me to poke fun of myself and my culture and to embrace laughter about many things that may not be "PC" but are part of my culture. I can't really change who I am or change the nature of New York Judaism, the culture in which I was raised.
Thanks for your comment,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response. I appreciate your perspective but your average listener and reader is not likely to know your background. A comment like yours is fine if you qualify it, otherwise it can empower certain people to make similar comments. - Scott from Michigan