Chuck Nix-Episode 64 | Wine Talk

Join us as we discuss how Chuck got his start into wine, including some of his earliest mentors. We also discuss the Southern wine culture, the wine scene in Mississippi and some in depth discussion into the representation of women, minorities and colour in wine. We also touch on an initiative called The Southern Sommelier Collective.  
 
Chuck Nix, CSW is a rising star sommelier in the Southern wine scene. Chuck can be found in Jackson, Miss. at Bravo Italian Restaurant, where he curates their wine list and hosts amazing wine dinners and educational sessions. They can be found here- https://www.instagram.com/bravobuzz/
  
Get ready for a fun conversation. Pull up a chair, grab a glass and enjoy!
 
The Southern Sommelier Collective referenced in this episode can be found here-
https://southern-sommelier-collective.raisely.com/
 
Chuck's Instagram content can be found here- https://www.instagram.com/beardedwineaux/
 
Photos and liner notes of all guests appearing on the show can be found on our website-
  https://friendsofthevine.podbean.com/
 
 For podcast updates and to follow the show as we source out future guests look us up on Instagram-
https://www.instagram.com/ianswinetruths/
 
All music found in this podcast is courtesy of the group Shakamoraine-
https://facebook.com/Shakamoraine/

Sarah Heller MW-Episode 63 | Wine Talk

Join us as we discuss how Sarah got her start into wine, including how art played a role and still does, her passion for Italian wine, the Hong Kong micro-wine culture, and some in depth discussion into the MW program.
Plus, discover how Sarah has kept her magic of wine through her visual tasting notes.
 
Sarah Heller MW is a wine expert, visual artist and television host based in Hong Kong and at 32 is the youngest female Master of Wine and Asia-Pacific’s youngest.
Sarah created the branded platform called Radix to engage with projects targeting a new generation of wine lovers in Asia and beyond.  Among these, she is a partner and the buyer for the Almásy Collection of wines, brand ambassador and design collaborator for Lucaris Crystal, sits on the faculty of the Vinitaly International Academy, and is the wine editor for Asia Tatler.
  
Get ready for a fun conversation. Pull up a chair, grab a glass and enjoy!
 
Sarah's website can be found here- http://sarahheller.com/
 
The Champagne article referenced in this episode from Sarah in Tatler Asia can be found here-
https://www.tatlerasia.com/collection/champagne-guide-2022
 
Sarah's Instagram content can be found here- https://www.instagram.com/sarahhellermw/
 
Photos and liner notes of all guests appearing on the show can be found on our website-
  https://friendsofthevine.podbean.com/
 
 For podcast updates and to follow the show as we source out future guests look us up on Instagram-
http://instagram.com/ianswinetruths
 
All music found in this podcast is courtesy of the group Shakamoraine-
https://facebook.com/Shakamoraine/

Steve Bishop & Nick Green-Episode 58 | Elite Wine and Whisky | Wine Talk

Join Steve, Nick and I as we delve into the world of wine and whisky investment. Started 10 years ago, Steve Bishop began Elite Wine and Whisky in London. Joined a year later by Nick Green, these two, and their team navigate the world of investments, focusing mostly on Scottish whisky, Bordeaux and Burgundy. We chat about investing in Californian wines given the volatility of the recent wildfires, the ups and downs of their company coming out of the pandemic, the beauty of visiting distilleries in Scotland and much much more.    
 
We also go into their upcoming re-branding, expansion to Scotland and some fun new bottling and cask options upcoming. 
  
Get ready for a fun conversation. Pull up a chair, grab a glass and enjoy!
 
Follow Elite Wine and Whisky and their journey thru their Instagram.
 
https://www.instagram.com/elitewineandwhisky/
 
Steve and Nick and the rest of the team at Elite Wine and Whisky can be found here on their website-
https://elitewineandwhisky.com/
 
Photos and liner notes of all guests appearing on the show can be found on our website-
 
  https://friendsofthevine.podbean.com/
 
 For podcast updates and to follow the show as we source out future guests look us up on Instagram-
 
http://instagram.com/ianswinetruths
 
All music found in this podcast is courtesy of the group Shakamoraine-
 
They can be followed here: https://facebook.com/Shakamoraine/

Randy Ullom-Episode 52 | Kendall Jackson Wines | Wine Talk

Randy Ullom and I talk all things Chardonnay. Ever since the acronym ABC came to light 25 years ago in the NY Times, wine drinkers have debated this polarizing grape. We discuss the legacy of the world's most popular grape, and discover what the current wine world thinks on this topic. As well, we talk about Randy's entry into wine back in the 1970's, his degree in viticulture and enology, and he shares some fun stories about how he got the wine bug while skiing in Chile.       
 
Winemaster Randy Ullom and his signature moustache have overseen the production of Kendal Jackson wines since 1997. As the winemaker for the number-one selling Chardonnay in America for 28 years, Randy is an authority on the subject. He’s been making wine since the 1970’s and with Kendall-Jackson for 28 harvests; he has perfected the winemaking techniques that other winemakers have mimicked for years.
  
Our audio conversation was recorded over Zoom video conferencing with Randy on his cell phone, pulled over in his car somewhere in Mendocino County, California. While his battery died. 
 
Get ready for a fun conversation. Pull up a chair, grab a glass and enjoy!
Kendall Jackson Wines can be found here-
 
https://www.kj.com/
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Randy's photo with thanks from Nicole Berrio of QUINN PR.
 
Photos and liner notes of all guests appearing on the show can be found on our website-
 
  https://friendsofthevine.podbean.com/
 
 For podcast updates and to follow the show as we source out future guests look us up on Instagram-
 
http://instagram.com/ianswinetruths
 
All music found in this podcast is courtesy of the group Shakamoraine-
 
They can be followed here: https://facebook.com/Shakamoraine/

Brett Thiessen-Episode 50 | Wine Talk

Brett Thiessen is the viticulturist for Mount Boucherie Estate Winery and Rust Wine Co. His task is to convert all their grapes, vineyards and land to organic farming. Multiple acres over multiple sites, in multiple appelations spread throughout the Okanagan wine regions is a big task, but Brett is up for the challenge.    
In this episode we go into how he got into wine, his farming background, the personal growth that this job has given him, and where he sees the future of the Okanagan wine landscape for the next generation.  
Our audio conversation was recorded in person from the Summit Room, located in the Mount Boucherie Estate Winery in West Kelowna. 
 
Get ready for a fun conversation. Pull up a chair, grab a glass and enjoy!
  
Brett's Instagram content can be found here-
 
https://www.instagram.com/makingawinemaker/
  
Mount Boucherie and Rust can be found here-
 
https://mtboucherie.com/
 
https://www.rustwine.com/
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Great photos of all our guests can be found on our website here-
  https://friendsofthevine.podbean.com/
 
 For all podcast updates and to follow the show look us up on Instagram-
 
http://instagram.com/ianswinetruths
 
 
All music in this podcast are courtesy of Shakamoraine-
 
Follow them here: https://facebook.com/Shakamoraine/

Ann Sperling-Episode 48 | Sperling Vineyards | Wine Talk

Ann Sperling is a winemaker and winegrower. She divides her attention between Sperling Vineyards in Kelowna where she manages the winery along with her sister, and the Niagara wine region of Ontario at Southbrook Vineyards, where she focuses on making organic, biodynamic wines.    
In this episode we go into how she got into wine, the family property in Kelowna, growing up in the family wine business, and how that translates to her current philosophies on winemaking. We also talk about a passion project she has in Argentina, where Ann and her husband own a 100 year old Malbec vineyard. 
Our audio conversation was recorded over Zoom conferencing from Southbrook Vineyards in Ontario. 
 
Get ready for a fun conversation. Pull up a chair, grab a glass and enjoy!
  
Sperling Vineyards and their Instagram content can be found here-
 
https://www.instagram.com/sperlingvineyards/
  
 
Sperling Vineyards website can be found here-
 
  https://sperlingvineyards.com/
 
Southbrook Vineyards can be found here-
 
https://www.southbrook.com/
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Great photos of all our guests can be found on our website here-
  https://friendsofthevine.podbean.com/
 
 For all podcast updates and to follow the show look us up on Instagram-
 
http://instagram.com/ianswinetruths
 
 
All music courtesy of Shakamoraine-
 
Follow them here: https://facebook.com/Shakamoraine/

Bobbie Burgess-Episode 47 | Wine Talk

Bobbie Burgess is a sommelier and wine director for Restaurant Tyler in Starkville, Miss. She represents an up-and-coming group of young passionate female sommeliers in smaller wine regions seeking wine education, good wines and some camaraderie with other wine professionals. Through wine clubs, wine tastings, her passion for wine and the food pairings of Chef Ty, Bobbie is creating a burgeoning wine scene in this small Southern town. She was recently named Starkville's rising stars under 35, and credited with starting the local wine culture in her town, focusing on organic, biodynamic, sustainable wines.    
In this episode we go into how she got into wine, epiphany moments, being a young female sommelier in the wine world, how the current Covid pandemic is affecting her profession, mentorship of other sommeliers on her life, and much much more.   
Bobbie recently was given a scholarship with SommCon USA, who awards the top 10 professionals under the age of 30 who are blossoming leaders in the wine industry. 
Our audio conversation was recorded over FaceTime from Restaurant Tyler in Starkville, Miss. 
 
Get ready for a fun conversation. Pull up a chair, grab a glass and enjoy!
  
Bobbie’s Instagram content can be found here-
 
https://instagram.com/thepinupsomm
  
 
Restaurant Tyler can be found here-
 
  http://eatlocalstarkville.com/wp/
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Great photos of all our guests can be found on our website here-
  https://friendsofthevine.podbean.com/
 
 For all podcast updates and to follow the show look us up on Instagram-
 
http://instagram.com/ianswinetruths
 
 
All music courtesy of Shakamoraine-
 
Follow them here: https://facebook.com/Shakamoraine/
  

Sabato Sagaria MS-Episode 46 | Wine Talk

Sabato and I reunite for another fun chat. We haven't talked since Episode 15, so lots has changed. We discuss what he is up to recently, his departure from Bar Taco, his contributions to Somm TV, his new youtube channel called Freerun with Dustin Wilson MS and Mike Laszlo about the state of the food and beverage industry, and what his quarantine wines have been recently.  
 
Audio recorded over FaceTime from his residence in NYC. 
 
Get ready for a fun conversation. Pull up a chair, grab a glass and enjoy!
  
Sabato can be found on Instagram here-
 
https://www.instagram.com/sabato3/
  
 
Their Freerun youtube conversations on the state of the food and beverage industry can be found here-
 
 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR2rSOBtsoPY9D5Gv6__Drg/featured
 
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Great photos of all our guests can be found on our website here-
  http://friendsofthevine.podbean.com/
 
 For all podcast updates and to follow the show look us up on Instagram-
 
http://instagram.com/ianswinetruths
 
 
All music courtesy of Shakamoraine-
 
Follow them here: https://facebook.com/Shakamoraine/

Hatch Wines Tasting-Episode 45 | Wine Talk

Join us for a wine tasting from the hatch wines tasting room located in West Kelowna. Grayson Riordon and I run through a flight of delicious, approachable wines. Be sure to check out prior episodes with Grayson (Ep. 10) and winemaker Jason Parkes (Ep. 37) to get a true sense of what an amazing crew runs this great little winery.   
Audio recorded in person from the hatch tasting room located in West Kelowna, BC. 
In this episode, we talk about some of their recent releases and go through the following wines.
-2019 Hobo Series Muscat ( stones throw vineyard-North Oliver)
-2019 Hobo Series Gewurztraminer (7 mountain vineyard-East Kelowna)
-2019 B. Yanco (home vineyard in West Kelowna)
-2017 Black Swift Chardonnay (vintoro vineyard-East Kelowna)
-2016 Hatchchild (Cab Sauv from monarch vineyard-East Osoyoos)
-2017 Dynasty Red (hans estate vineyard-East Osoyoos)
-Hatchfinity/Hatchforever ( multi vintage/ multi variety/ multi vineyard)
-2016 Syrah (hans estate vineyard-East Osoyoos)
  
Get ready for a fun conversation. Pull up a chair, grab a glass and enjoy!
  
the hatch Instagram page can be found here-
 
https://www.instagram.com/hatchwines/
  
 
the hatch wines scoundrels can be found here-
https://thehatchwines.com/
 
 
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Great photos of all our guests can be found on our website here-
  http://friendsofthevine.podbean.com/
 
 For all podcast updates and to follow the show look us up on Instagram-
 
http://instagram.com/ianswinetruths
 
 
All music courtesy of Shakamoraine-
 
Follow them here: https://facebook.com/Shakamoraine/

Matt Landry-Episode 44 | Fiore- South Granville | Wine Talk

Matt Landry is an engaging sommelier that is well known in the Vancouver wine scene. He currently is located at the Fiore restaurant where he shares stories, pours great wine, and drops some knowledge along the way.
 
In this episode, we talk about his wine collaboration with the Okanagan Crush Pad, the recent BC Somm competition, and some quick hot takes on wine that evolve into more insightful and thoughtful points on all things current in wine.    
 
Get ready for a fun conversation. Pull up a chair, grab a glass and enjoy!
 
Audio recorded in person from the Fiore restaurant located in Vancouver, BC. 
 
The Fiore Restaurant South Granville location has a website that can be found here-
https://fiorerestaurants.ca/
 
Matt's Instagram page can be found here-
  https://www.instagram.com/m.g.landry/
 
The Metro Vancouver Wine Club can be found here-
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1481961958539867
 
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Great photos of all our guests can be found on our website here-
  http://friendsofthevine.podbean.com/
 
 For all podcast updates and to follow the show look us up on Instagram-
 
http://instagram.com/ianswinetruths
 
 
All music courtesy of Shakamoraine-
 
Follow them here: https://facebook.com/Shakamoraine/
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