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It's hot in Texas so what better way to beat the heat than to take a trip to visit wineries in Marlborough. New Zealand that is. The Marlborough wine region is booming and going beyond Sauvignon Blanc. Cellar doors offer tastings and tours of some of the best wines from NZ. The family estate of Te Whare Ra is our stop on today's episode just a minute drive outside of Blenheim. If you think New Zealand wine is a one-trick pony, tune in as Anna Flowerday takes us on a tour of aromatic whites from Pinot Gris to Gewurztraminer.

In the cellar door overlooking Te Whare Ra's vineyards, Anna guides us through their thoughtfully curated collection of wine. We start with Rosé and finish with Pinot Noir, but the aromatic whites in between may just be the stars of the show.

In addition to Te Whare Ra, we visited legendary wineries from Cloudy Bay to Mahi in the Blenheim area of the Wairau Valley. Marlborough wineries should be on your wine tours and travel wish list. And don't forget the other wine regions of New Zealand from Central Otago and Canterbury in the south to Hawke's Bay and Auckland in the north. Each winery is unique and has its own story to tell about New Zealand wine. And the food you'll find takes everything next level!

Happy 4th of July and don't forget to let us know how much you're enjoying every episode by COMMENTING on your fave podcast platform!

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When wine podcasts turn one year old, their hosts celebrate like normal people would! Somm Women Talk Wine podcast hosts Charisse and Kristi take time in this episode to reminisce about the wine regions, wine tastings, wine industry interviews, and all of the other wine world topics from favorites to those most challenging.

What else would a sommelier cover on a wine show? The wines from Napa Valley to the rare tinturier wines of Minnesota, SWTW is truly meant for the wine lover in all of us. But not in the formal, fancy way. Episodes of SWTW are fun, down to earth and nerdy all wrapped into the perfect wine enthusiast podcast!

Join us for our one-year birthday, anniversary, or whatever you want to call it! We're celebrating the milestone over a bottle of Charisse's "ah ha" moment wine - Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. But not any bottle, a special bottle all the way from New Zealand, the Te Koko 2021 Sauv Blanc!

Our favorite of all the points we cover is always our Wine Find. You'll have to tune into the entire episode to find out our personal favorites!

Cheers to an amazing first year of Somm Women Talk Wine and to many more grapes in our glass!

Thanks for joining Somm Women Talk Wine! Check out our socials for more fun filled wine exploration!

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In this exciting episode of Somm Women Talk Wine, we are honored to have Chris Keel, the owner of Put A Cork In It, a favorite Fort Worth wine shop, and a Vinitaly Ambassador, as our guest. Join us as we deep dive the world of lesser-known white Italian wines, revealing the hidden gems that make Italy the "go to" location for wine enthusiasts.

While Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc often steal the spotlight, Italy's diverse wine regions offer a plethora of unique white wines that deserve way more attention than they receive. Chris Keel, with his deep expertise in Italian wines, takes us through a curated selection from regions from the north in Piedmont, Alto Adige, and Venezia Giulia, south to La Marche and Campagnia.

Chris kicks off our exploration with Gavi from Piedmont made with the Cortese grape, and we deep dive into the aromatic Soave from Veneto crafted from Garganega. While we don't specifically cover it, we highly recommend your wine exploration can continue into Venezia Giulia, discovering the unique characteristics of grapes that thrive in this picturesque region.

Our journey continues in the northern region of Alto Adige, known for its crisp, citrusy wines. Here, wines include the vibrant flavors of Trebbiano and the fresh, light notes of local Pinot Bianco wines.

We travel a bit south to explore the versatility of Vermentino from Liguria and Sardinia, and the rich, complex flavors of wines from Campania such as Greco, Fiano, and Falanghina.

Moving further south to Lazio, near Rome, Chris educates on how the region's unique terroir influences its distinctive white wines including Grechetto and Trebbiano. This region is increasing its focus on natural wine, a growing movement that emphasizes organic and sustainable winemaking practices, offering wine lovers an authentic and unadulterated tasting experience.

While we don't touch on them, we cannot forget the classic red wines like Chianti (Sangiovese), Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, as well as the effervescent joy of sparkling wine. But stop in and visit Chris. He'll provide valuable tips on selecting great wines at an affordable price, making the world of Italian wines accessible to everyone.

Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or a curious novice, this episode is packed with recommendations to enhance your wine journey.

So, pour yourself a glass of your favorite Italian white wine, sit back, and join us on Somm Women Talk Wine as we uncover the rich tapestry of Italy's lesser-known white wines. Let Chris Keel's passion and expertise guide you through this delightful exploration, and get ready to discover new favorites that will elevate your wine-tasting experience. Cheers to the vibrant world of Italian white wines!

Join Put A Cork In It's Monthly Italian Wine Club today!

Tune in now and read on for a deep dive into the captivating stories and flavors that make Italy's white wines truly exceptional.

Thanks for joining Somm Women Talk Wine! Check out our socials for more fun filled wine exploration!

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Ever wonder what it takes to create a new California Sparkling Wine? Tune in as Somm Women Talk Wine interviews Weston Eidson and Russell Bevan, two world-renowned winemakers who partnered on Weston's vision to create magic in a bottle of bubbles. Created in the traditional method with a whole lot of patience and more blending and tasting than one can imagine, this wine is a passion project for perfection.

In this episode of Somm Women Talk Wine, Weston and Russell take us through the exciting journey of creating Westborn. From selecting the perfect sites in Napa Valley, Russian River Valley and throughout the North Coast wine region, to blending countless barrels of wine, they share the meticulous process behind crafting the exact style, flavor, and experience Weston envisioned years ago. Their passion is palpable, and while we can’t pop the cork or sabre a bottle just yet, we’re certain it will be ethereal!

Both Weston and Russell are familiar voices on SWTW, and we’re grateful for their continued support of our podcast. Russell previously shared his enthusiasm for his PerUs project during the height of 2023's harvest. Missed it? No worries! Listen again here: Russell Bevan: Winemaking.

We also had an unforgettable live podcast with Weston, featuring his Silver Ghost and Montagu Pinot Noir. It was our first live recording, and we had a blast. Check it out: Weston Eidson: A Live Chat with the Winemaker and His "Vertical".

We can’t wait to get our hands on a bottle of Westborn, but until then, we’re thrilled to share the story behind this exceptional sparkling wine from two of the industry’s most respected winemakers.

If you're like us and cannot wait, here's the link to explore becoming a club member before the first bottles of Westborn ship!

What’s a Somm Women Talk Wine episode without a WINE FIND? This time, we’re highlighting COLORED WINE GLASSES! Whether you opt for the luxurious Estelle or the cute, fun, and affordable options by TOSSWARE on Amazon, you're sure to elevate your table setting.

Cheers to the debut of a fabulous California Sparkling Wine – Westborn!

Thanks for joining Somm Women Talk Wine! Check out our socials for more fun filled wine exploration!

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All episodes are also on our website:
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Temperatures are heating up and our natural instinct is to shift from red to white wine to tame the sweltering summer temperatures. SWTW takes on the task of finding the perfect chilled summer red wines perfect for every occasion! From Lambrusco to Syrah and a few in between, we hit the highlights so you, too, can pop the cork on red wine throughout the dog days of summer. Tune in for a few of our summer wine suggestions.

What are the key elements which make a red variety perfect for serving at cooler temperatures (45-55 F)? High acidity, red fruit flavors, thin skins for low tannins, and lower alcohol! Winemakers pick grapes at the perfect point, likely on the early side, to achieve the crunchy, bright, light, fruity, summer red wine style needed to put on the chill. There's truly nothing better than a light bodied red served chilled on a summer evening.

Lambrusco is a moderately fizzy red made in the same way as Prosecco. Grape varieties are little known Maestri, Marani, Montericco, and Salamino and translate to vibrant fuchsia deliciousness in the glass. Gamay, most famous in Beaujolais as well as Pinot Noir are definitely in the perfect wheelhouse for summer chillables! SWTW faves include Louis Jadot Beaujolais Village and our previous guest Morét-Brealynn Wines Pinot Noir. What's not to love!?!

The most surprising star of the summer chilled summer red wine show is cool climate Syrah! We'll let you listen in to the story, but Division Wine Co's Gamine wins our vote along with Unison Vineyard's New Zealand "And Relax"! Chilling red summer wines is all the rage from New York state to South Africa!

Summer is here and we think it's the perfect time to put the chill on a great bottle of fruity red and sip your way through the season!

Cheers!
Charisse & Kristi

Thanks for joining Somm Women Talk Wine! Check out our socials for more fun filled wine exploration!

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A Cali girl through and through, Morét Brealynn, has done it all when it comes to wine. From tasting room host to marketeer. From event planner to any odd task she could get involving grapes. Her passion and experience from some of the top wineries in Napa and Sonoma (you’ll have to listen to learn which ones!) gave her a phenomenal foundation the good ole fashioned way - OJT (on the job training).

Moving into her fourth harvest as the head winemaker for her own label, Morét-Brealynn Wines, Morét now calls the shots. We think she’s pretty darned good at it too! With a refined palette and passion for California Pinot Noir, she’s tackling everything from purchasing barrels to walking the vineyards to identify the exact moment of perfect ripeness of the grapes in her wines. Her fingerprint translates to wines which are seductive, yet playful. Linked to tradition, yet innovative. All with her own personal touch.

Giving back and having fun is also key in who Morét is and what she represents as a female as well as a minority (100% Mexican) in the industry. She also serves as a Board Member of Wine Women, a women focused non profit and supports local animal shelters in her free time. When a glass of wine isn’t in her hands, you’ll likely find a golf club there instead. She truly is the Queen of California Pinot Noir

We know your curiosity is piqued and you’ll want to try Morét-Brealynn Wines for yourself - good news! Simply go to https://moretbrealynnwines.com and use SOMMWOMEN in the coupon code for 20% off all individual wines! (Bundles excluded)

Join us as we explore Morét’s journey from the tasting room to head winemaker - of course it wouldn’t be Somm Women Talk Wine without a little fun along the way!

Cheers!
Charisse & Kristi

Thanks for joining Somm Women Talk Wine! Check out our socials for more fun filled wine exploration!

Instagram:
@somm_women_talk_wine
@kristiwinenerd
@charissehenryfw
@kmayfield109

All episodes are also on our website:
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Charisse and Kristi

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What possibly could Captain Cook‘s exploration of the Fiordland of New Zealand’s South Island and world class wine have in common? Greg Hay, Wet Jacket Wine’s own Captain, leads the team toward a vision of precision, exploration and legacy. Hay founded several of Central Otago’s renowned wineries (Chard Farm and Peregrine). With Wet Jacket, he set out to do something more visionary to fulfill a spirituality in his quest to link land and sea.

Wet Jacket’s lineup breaks the stigma of New Zealand = Sauvignon Blanc. For those who have the opportunity to explore, seeing the breadth of gorgeous whites and legendary Pinot Noir in the Central Otago area brings a completely different perspective. Pinot Gris from the Wet Jacket and Puntangi labels delivers depth and complexity with floral and crisp fruits. Way beyond a porch pounding PG, these wines deserve contemplation to unravel their layers.

Our exploration of Wet Jacket’s wines extends across a wide array of aromatic whites, legendary varietals such as Chardonnay and Syrah. We delve into the Central Otago expression of Pinot Noir, but not without multiple layers of Captain Hay’s magician-like touch. There is a personal feel to what the wines deliver. The legacy, and the vision of what has transpired since Wet Jacket’s inception less than a decade ago is nothing less than well rooted in something ethereal, from the cosmos. It’s almost like the wines become part of you in telling their story.

For more of the story, visit: Spirituality in a Quest for Wine » WINE WIZE (wine-wize.com)

Cheers! Charisse & Kristi

Thanks for joining Somm Women Talk Wine! Check out our socials for more fun filled wine exploration!

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@somm_women_talk_wine
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All episodes are also on our website:
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Charisse and Kristi

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So many buzzwords fly around sustainability, organics, biodynamics and renenerative wine viticulture and viniculture it's impossible to make sense of it all. What better way to break it all down than to hear from the expert team at Greystone in Wiapara, Canterbury, New Zealand? Stephen McGowan, Sales and Marketing Director, give an insiders tour from the land to a Birdseye view of the property and explains how regenerative principles drive amazingly good wines. And, most importantly, allow the team to leave the land better than they found it.

Our interview continues with Gavin Tait, winemaker, who explains his approach to incorporating regenerative principles as far as fermenting wines out in the vineyard. And wait until you hear how they taste!

Greystone is truly a Summa Cum Laude student of regenerative farming and their passion shows through in our interview. We cannot thank them enough for sharing their passion and for leaving a legacy for years to come!

For more information on Greystone, check out the rest of their story on their website.

Cheers and enjoy!

Charisse & Kristi

Thanks for joining Somm Women Talk Wine! Check out our socials for more fun filled wine exploration!

Instagram:
@somm_women_talk_wine
@kristiwinenerd
@charissehenryfw
@kmayfield109

All episodes are also on our website:
SommWomenTalkWine

Charisse and Kristi