January 28, 2025 • 21 mins
In this episode of After Wine School, Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe, renowned wine experts, explore the nuances of French wines. From discussing Burgundy and Bordeaux to offering tips on how to buy high-quality wines at reasonable prices, they provide insights into winemaking, regional characteristics, and even discuss organic and biodynamic wines. They also share their personal favorites and the unique factors that affect wine purchasing decisions. Sponsored by the National Wine School, this episode is perfect for both wine enthusiasts and those looking to deepen their understanding of French wines.
00:00 Introduction to After Wine School
00:41 Meet Your Hosts: Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe
00:51 Exploring French Wines: Burgundy and Bordeaux
04:28 Tips for Buying French Wines
07:59 The Importance of Wine Regions and Producers
11:20 Biodynamic and Organic Wines
13:45 Top Shelf Wine Recommendations
16:48 Class Overview and Final Thoughts
20:48 Conclusion and Farewell
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:03):
Welcome to After Wine School, the podcast that demystifies wine and makes it approachable for everyone.
Join Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe, two of the nation's leading wine experts, as they uncork everything you need to know about wine, from picking the right bottle to mastering unforgettable food and wine pairings.
This isn't about stuffy lectures or confusing jargon.
(00:26):
It's about enjoying wine the way it's meant to be.
So grab a glass.
And let's dive in.
Don't forget to subscribe to After Wine School today.
Welcome to the After School Podcast.
This is the Wine School Podcast. 10 00:00:46,935.999 --> 00:00:49,456 And I'm Keith Wallace.
(00:49):
This is Alana Zerbe.
.999And we're going to be talking about the wines of France today.
That's exactly right, Keith.
But before we do, we'd like to thank our sponsor, the National Wine School.
And we also want to put a disclaimer right away to say, That anything we say in this podcast does not represent the views or opinions of the National Wine School.
(01:09):
They are solely our own.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, So I just, anarchy, that's right. 18 00:01:17,110.999 --> 00:01:17,780.999 fits with France. 19 00:01:18,260.999 --> 00:01:19,880.999 It does, yes, it does. 20 00:01:19,890.999 --> 00:01:23,70.999 Also beheading, also monarchy, also elitism. 21 00:01:23,360.999 --> 00:01:23,870.999 Wow. 22 00:01:23,980.999 --> 00:01:39,450.999 Yeah, so why are we talking about France today? Today I am teaching a class called Classic France, and so behind you are some of the wines that we'll be trying in today's class, and basically we do a nice little tour around the hexagon, as they call it. 23 00:01:40,10.999 --> 00:01:45,610.999 Yeah, and I like it, because it is actually something like some of the, just your good standards of what French wine is. 24 00:01:45,640.999 --> 00:01:53,735.999 Mm-hmm So yeah, you, you are doing a, oh, let's just, well, first off, burgundy. 25 00:01:53,740.999 --> 00:01:55,460.999 Burgundy, I mean, I love Yes. 26 00:01:55,460.999 --> 00:01:58,270.999 You're doing a, a good from the coats, the bone. 27 00:01:58,360.999 --> 00:01:58,780.999 That's right. 28 00:01:58,840.999 --> 00:02:01,660.999 And you're also doing a, if I could just stop you, Keith. 29 00:02:01,690.999 --> 00:02:01,990.999 Sorry. 30 00:02:02,285.999 --> 00:02:03,595.999 Since we're doing a podcast. 31 00:02:03,645.999 --> 00:02:04,195.999 Yes. 32 00:02:04,315.999 --> 00:02:05,205.999 I'm gonna say. 33 00:02:05,275.999 --> 00:02:06,125.999 Yeah, I shouldn't be there. 34 00:02:06,175.999 --> 00:02:06,595.999 Coat. 35 00:02:06,905.999 --> 00:02:07,795.999 I know. 36 00:02:08,255.999 --> 00:02:09,415.999 actually worth, I mean. 37 00:02:09,555.999 --> 00:02:10,455.999 it is, it's really important. 38 00:02:10,715.999 --> 00:02:12,455.998 But it actually is helpful. 39 00:02:12,745.999 --> 00:02:15,405.998 C O T E S is pronounced coat. 40 00:02:16,425.998 --> 00:02:16,965.998 So. 41 00:02:17,165.998 --> 00:02:17,645.999 That's true. 42 00:02:17,685.998 --> 00:02:23,335.998 And, you know, cause I have to get that through my head Because there are, you know, one C O T E is one hill. 43 00:02:23,425.998 --> 00:02:25,195.998 Coats is many hills. 44 00:02:25,855.998 --> 00:02:27,675.998 But they're pronounced the exact same way. 45 00:02:27,935.998 --> 00:02:29,515.998 Which drives me crazy. 46 00:02:29,515.998 --> 00:02:37,595.997 I always want to differentiate because there was the original, like, when you're talking about Rhone, there was the original Côte de Rhone, like, when it was basically one hill. 47 00:02:37,845.997 --> 00:02:45,855.997 But then when it expanded it became the Côte de Rhone, many hill, but how, but when you say that, It makes no sense. 48 00:02:45,915.997 --> 00:02:46,405.997 Exactly. 49 00:02:46,405.997 --> 00:02:47,645.997 Unless you're French. 50 00:02:47,655.997 --> 00:02:48,735.997 Yes, exactly. 51 00:02:48,745.997 --> 00:02:49,795.997 And maybe not even then. 52 00:02:49,815.997 --> 00:02:55,235.997 But, when we do Italy, you can definitely give me notes on my pronunciation. 53 00:02:55,545.996 --> 00:02:57,245.997 So, I've opened myself up to that. 54 00:03:00,935.997 --> 00:03:32,895.9975 All right, okay, that's true that's true, okay, okay, so but a nice from the bone region I love that you're also doing your first wine will be a chablis, I think simply good, which is another fantastic like so burgundy pushing in strong there is that, why is so much burgundy? Why is there so much burgundy? Well, it's interesting because Burgundy is becoming more and more difficult to source, especially for education purposes. 55 00:03:33,475.9965 --> 00:03:40,775.9955 But really, Burgundy is one of the first places, I think, where French wine identity reaches its peak. 56 00:03:40,835.9965 --> 00:03:44,695.9965 In Bordeaux, of course, we have the home of the luxury wines, the colt wines. 57 00:03:45,75.9965 --> 00:03:48,375.9965 But Bordeaux is interesting in its history as we talk about in the advance. 58 00:03:48,515.9965 --> 00:03:51,875.9965 Class together that there's really a confluence of cultures. 59 00:03:51,985.9965 --> 00:03:55,25.9965 The Dutch, the British all have a big role to play. 60 00:03:55,195.9965 --> 00:03:59,115.9955 Burgundy is really this quintessentially French area and it's beautiful. 61 00:03:59,115.9955 --> 00:03:59,965.9955 It's pastoral. 62 00:03:59,965.9965 --> 00:04:01,865.9965 It's everything you would imagine in. 63 00:04:03,310.9965 --> 00:04:04,550.9965 Oh, that's an interesting way of putting it. 64 00:04:04,550.9965 --> 00:04:11,500.9955 Yeah, because Burgundy really is that, starts with the monks, and then it goes into the, into the dukies. 65 00:04:11,930.9965 --> 00:04:16,560.9965 Yes! And then, and you, it is very French, and like, kind of like the Loire Valley is. 66 00:04:16,640.9965 --> 00:04:16,700.9965 Yes. 67 00:04:16,910.9965 --> 00:04:20,850.9965 But yeah, but Bordeaux is very much this confluence of cultures. 68 00:04:20,850.9965 --> 00:04:21,250.9965 Yes. 69 00:04:21,475.9965 --> 00:04:22,375.9965 And which is wonderful. 70 00:04:22,375.9965 --> 00:04:27,515.9965 Yeah, they're very much night and day, which is really fascinating having that in the same class. 71 00:04:28,365.9965 --> 00:04:31,455.9965 And here's the thing about, I will bring up about purchasing. 72 00:04:31,465.9965 --> 00:04:35,795.9955 Because everyone, you know, when you do a class like this, they have, people have the same problem we have. 73 00:04:35,805.9965 --> 00:04:42,845.9965 Like, how do you afford these things? Now, For me, it's a little easier because I don't really, I can spend a lot of money. 74 00:04:43,345.9965 --> 00:04:52,395.9965 And if I want to buy a great burgundy, I can, you know, because that sort of diffuses across the tens of thousands of dollars we spend on wine. 75 00:04:53,5.9965 --> 00:04:57,160.9965 But I have a trick of how I buy. 76 00:04:57,220.9965 --> 00:05:01,410.9965 And it's very important for folks to when you're looking to buy French wines. 77 00:05:01,980.9965 --> 00:05:05,760.9955 And the best case example is actually one you have on your class tonight. 78 00:05:05,780.9955 --> 00:05:06,390.9955 Yes. 79 00:05:06,480.9955 --> 00:05:08,120.9965 And so Okay. 80 00:05:08,540.9955 --> 00:05:11,425.9965 Now I love Gigandos. 81 00:05:11,575.9965 --> 00:05:21,225.9965 I know you do too, so whenever we have it, I try to have it, but the hard thing is, is that it's now become so famous, it's as expensive as Chateau de Paupe. 82 00:05:21,585.9965 --> 00:05:36,195.9965 So often times it's like, why would I get Gigandos when, especially for a class where people, it'd be better suited for people to know Chateau de Paupe if you're spending the same price point, So here's where, how I buy. 83 00:05:36,505.9965 --> 00:05:41,135.9965 And it's very, it's, When I find, I don't buy it all the time. 84 00:05:41,155.9965 --> 00:05:43,755.9955 And I only buy it when one thing happens. 85 00:05:43,765.9965 --> 00:05:45,685.9965 When the prices get dropped down. 86 00:05:46,245.9955 --> 00:05:50,855.9965 And, to the point where it's about 30 percent lower than Shatner for the Pop. 87 00:05:51,35.9965 --> 00:05:51,375.9965 Oh, okay. 88 00:05:51,535.9965 --> 00:05:53,315.9965 Yeah, and so this is what, that's what I'll buy. 89 00:05:54,695.9965 --> 00:06:07,385.9965 G& S wants to have an elite, it is an elite wine region, and they do push their own prices up to where Chateau de Ftepalpe is, because that is their vision of their wine region. 90 00:06:07,695.9955 --> 00:06:08,925.9955 They're very close together, by the way. 91 00:06:08,935.9965 --> 00:06:10,165.9965 They're very, very close. 92 00:06:10,985.9965 --> 00:06:12,905.9965 And I tend to prefer Giganas. 93 00:06:12,935.9965 --> 00:06:15,355.9965 Most people know and love Chateau de Paupe. 94 00:06:15,365.9965 --> 00:06:17,275.9965 So, here's this tension. 95 00:06:17,695.9965 --> 00:06:25,305.9965 But once in a while, because they can't sell enough wine, the Giganas can't sell enough wine, their prices will drop. 96 00:06:25,475.9965 --> 00:06:27,605.9955 Only for a short period of time. 97 00:06:27,645.9965 --> 00:06:40,765.9965 Every year you'll see this small little dropping, and, where the prices, and then they, then the suppliers, you know, The distributors here in the United States, in the wine shops, they all drop their prices for a short period of time. 98 00:06:41,275.9965 --> 00:06:47,555.9965 Push out inventory and then the prices go back up to maintain that elite price point. 99 00:06:48,575.9965 --> 00:06:49,5.9965 Okay. 100 00:06:49,25.9975 --> 00:06:49,485.997 I just wait. 101 00:06:49,485.997 --> 00:06:51,985.9975 I don't buy, just because I love something, I just don't buy it. 102 00:06:52,605.9975 --> 00:06:57,435.9975 I know enough about the, you know, the economy, economics of the wine trade, that I wait. 103 00:06:57,705.9975 --> 00:07:05,995.9975 And it's one thing you can always do, if you know something that you love, Wait, there's going to be a point where if people aren't buying it, it will dip. 104 00:07:06,475.9975 --> 00:07:08,55.9975 That won't happen in Burgundy. 105 00:07:08,525.9975 --> 00:07:10,535.9975 It won't happen in Chateauneuf du Pape usually. 106 00:07:10,535.9975 --> 00:07:15,55.9965 But it will in all the other places that are almost as famous, but not quite. 107 00:07:15,155.9975 --> 00:07:15,655.9965 The satellites. 108 00:07:15,895.9975 --> 00:07:16,665.9975 Exactly. 109 00:07:16,665.9975 --> 00:07:22,900.9975 So that's why, so as soon as this bottle It's usually like 35. 110 00:07:23,350.9975 --> 00:07:28,120.9975 It came into our state, into our local wine shop for 20. 111 00:07:28,490.9975 --> 00:07:30,740.9965 Really? Yeah, so I just bought it up. 112 00:07:30,800.9975 --> 00:07:31,370.9975 Wow. 113 00:07:31,400.9975 --> 00:07:32,70.9975 And that's what I'll do. 114 00:07:32,90.9975 --> 00:07:34,230.9975 And then I'll sit on it for like six years. 115 00:07:34,280.9975 --> 00:07:36,750.9975 And I'll pull them out once in a while for classes. 116 00:07:37,0.9965 --> 00:07:37,270.9965 right now. 117 00:07:37,270.9965 --> 00:07:44,390.9965 It's a little too young, but in the next six years or so, it'll be perfect, but that's because I have a large wine cellar and that's so allows us to do that. 118 00:07:44,390.9965 --> 00:07:53,950.9955 But that's one of my tactics for buying wine is not is to actually hold my horses and wait for the economics to catch up with. 119 00:07:54,360.9955 --> 00:07:58,950.9965 And so in the calculus of data, when you're looking at making a purchase. 120 00:07:59,270.9965 --> 00:08:02,710.9965 you're not thinking so much about producer or vintage. 121 00:08:02,780.9965 --> 00:08:05,980.9965 You're looking at place as the prime data point. 122 00:08:06,180.9965 --> 00:08:06,510.9965 Yeah. 123 00:08:06,510.9965 --> 00:08:07,820.9965 So my prime, absolutely. 124 00:08:07,820.9965 --> 00:08:14,490.9975 So my prime data point is the place in France, especially France. 125 00:08:14,960.9985 --> 00:08:16,290.9985 There's so much. 126 00:08:16,730.9985 --> 00:08:32,251.0985 Riding on quality levels within each wine region that there's a push towards very high level production very high quality production But what I also do is then my secondary piece of information is History of that producer. 127 00:08:32,261.0985 --> 00:08:50,421.0985 Are they consistently doing great stuff? I that's my second piece I will consider that once I see but it's you know, I want to make sure that I'm buying Wine region, the price point is really good, and three, you also have to have a history of really high quality production. 128 00:08:50,761.0985 --> 00:08:53,921.0985 If I have those three that I'm buying it, consistently. 129 00:08:54,621.0985 --> 00:09:09,561.0995 Now, as a fourth, if I need, if I don't have those three points of data, the fourth piece is actually like, if there's wine reviews, if there's some reviews somewhere out there from a reputable, Agency like Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate. 130 00:09:09,591.0995 --> 00:09:11,191.0995 Yeah, then I'll consider those as well. 131 00:09:11,201.0995 --> 00:09:12,381.0995 Like, oh, okay. 132 00:09:13,331.0995 --> 00:09:14,731.0995 That's another good data point. 133 00:09:15,201.0985 --> 00:09:15,511.0985 Okay. 134 00:09:15,611.0995 --> 00:09:16,251.1005 that's how I do it. 135 00:09:16,251.1005 --> 00:09:18,551.1005 But vintage, you're not really? No, I'm not. 136 00:09:18,881.1005 --> 00:09:19,811.1005 Burgundy, yes. 137 00:09:19,831.1005 --> 00:09:21,11.1005 Burgundy, absolutely yes. 138 00:09:21,461.0995 --> 00:09:23,811.1005 Anything that's really cool weather, I will. 139 00:09:24,31.1005 --> 00:09:26,311.1005 But, you know, but not for Bordeaux. 140 00:09:26,401.1005 --> 00:09:28,421.1005 Not for anywhere else. 141 00:09:28,451.1005 --> 00:09:38,621.1005 Largely because modern winemaking is such that There's vintage variations, but we use so much technical acumen. 142 00:09:38,621.1005 --> 00:09:42,621.1005 We have so much knowledge now that we don't really have bad vintages. 143 00:09:43,551.1005 --> 00:09:49,576.1005 And because bad vintages really are if it's watery and it's underripe and diseased. 144 00:09:49,586.1005 --> 00:09:51,126.1005 We don't have those problems anymore. 145 00:09:51,436.1005 --> 00:09:58,756.1005 We have sorting tables, we have so much technology, so many controls in place that I don't worry about that. 146 00:09:59,206.1005 --> 00:10:08,636.1015 The only time I worry about that is if there's like some, like, really small rinky dink wine operation in a very in a band of really questionable weather patterns. 147 00:10:08,736.1015 --> 00:10:12,331.1015 Other than that You just don't come across bad wines anymore. 148 00:10:12,551.1015 --> 00:10:16,31.1015 And so that's why I don't really worry about good vintage, bad vintage. 149 00:10:17,81.1015 --> 00:10:24,951.1005 Because at the other hand also is you have to realize that in the wine trade when we say something's a bad vintage, bad vintage doesn't mean it's a bad wine. 150 00:10:25,251.1015 --> 00:10:26,791.1015 It means we're making less wine. 151 00:10:27,391.1015 --> 00:10:29,1.1015 And for a winery, that's bad. 152 00:10:30,311.1015 --> 00:10:32,401.1015 You know, a good vintage is when we're making a lot of things. 153 00:10:33,716.1015 --> 00:10:38,436.1015 So you have to see if they're saying it's whether they're talking about quality or quantity. 154 00:10:38,486.1015 --> 00:10:46,6.1015 And this is where you have to know where those numbers are coming from and where those that's for me and for anybody. 155 00:10:47,846.1015 --> 00:11:03,806.1015 After wine school is proudly supported by the National Wine School, the gold standard, and professional wine certifications, whether you're dreaming of a career in the wine industry or just eager to take your wine knowledge to the next level, the National Wine School has you covered. 156 00:11:04,246.1015 --> 00:11:09,616.1015 Their programs are trusted, rigorous, and designed for aspiring wine pros like you. 157 00:11:12,36.1015 --> 00:11:16,716.1015 Visit Wine School us to learn more and start your journey today. 158 00:11:18,296.1015 --> 00:11:20,476.1015 Okay, I do have another question for you. 159 00:11:20,486.1015 --> 00:11:22,566.1015 A couple of the wines that we have today are biodynamic. 160 00:11:23,736.1015 --> 00:11:24,796.1005 Oh, yes. 161 00:11:24,846.1015 --> 00:11:25,436.1015 Libio. 162 00:11:25,926.1015 --> 00:11:28,446.0015 Yes, I know, I know. 163 00:11:28,446.1015 --> 00:11:30,446.1015 It's hard to say that with a straight face, Libio. 164 00:11:30,446.1015 --> 00:11:32,626.1015 Actually, I'm sorry, that is organic. 165 00:11:32,636.1015 --> 00:11:34,516.1015 Biodynamic is biodynamic. 166 00:11:34,826.1015 --> 00:11:35,826.1015 That's right, that's right. 167 00:11:36,96.1015 --> 00:11:53,826.1015 Does that come into your calculus at all? It doesn't, but that that's a knock on, because here's the thing about whether you're organic or biodynamic, if you're able to pull that off and you also have a consistency of high quality, that is just a flex. 168 00:11:54,126.1015 --> 00:12:04,336.1015 That is just saying, look at what we can do, who we are, and that just shows a really great level of my favorite kind of winemaking, which is somewhat non interventionist. 169 00:12:04,336.1015 --> 00:12:04,516.1015 Right. 170 00:12:06,56.1015 --> 00:12:09,436.1015 You're skilled enough where you're not having to manipulate. 171 00:12:09,446.1015 --> 00:12:09,616.1015 Yeah. 172 00:12:09,656.1015 --> 00:12:17,366.1015 Or, that's really good for me, but that's a, that's a secondary, but when I see that, I will look at that, I'm like, oh, cool. 173 00:12:17,516.1015 --> 00:12:22,146.1015 Well, I was excited because today, the Southern Rhone White, Yes. 174 00:12:22,146.1015 --> 00:12:27,796.1015 That I'll be showing, which, don't sleep, we're talking Pape, and everybody assumes red wine, Yeah. 175 00:12:27,796.1015 --> 00:12:32,566.1015 But do not forget about the white wines of the area, they are outstanding. 176 00:12:32,666.1015 --> 00:12:52,66.101 one of the bottles I'm showing tonight is from Domaine Monterius in Baccarat, which I have beautiful memories of, and I think the thing that strikes you when people are organic, sustainable, biodynamic, they have such a close relationship with the land, and you can really feel it if you're there, and That's what excites me a lot about wine. 177 00:12:52,166.101 --> 00:12:52,846.101 Oh, yeah. 178 00:12:52,916.101 --> 00:12:53,956.101 And you're right about that. 179 00:12:53,956.101 --> 00:12:56,836.101 Because it is, it is really a focus of being a closed loop. 180 00:12:56,876.101 --> 00:13:01,456.101 And being a closed loop also means, as a person, you're paying a lot of attention. 181 00:13:02,666.101 --> 00:13:06,496.101 you're not sourcing grapes outside of what you're making and growing. 182 00:13:06,496.101 --> 00:13:10,534.53946154 It really forces your hand to be very narrow. 183 00:13:10,534.53946154 --> 00:13:13,906.101 And sometimes being narrow is not being narrow minded. 184 00:13:13,926.101 --> 00:13:21,396.101 Being very narrow means you really are having a Consideration of every single input and output. 185 00:13:21,506.101 --> 00:13:22,456.101 And That's really hard. 186 00:13:22,466.101 --> 00:13:25,526.1 That means, there are no shortcuts at all. 187 00:13:25,926.101 --> 00:13:27,536.101 And that just makes you better at it. 188 00:13:27,986.101 --> 00:13:29,326.101 That's what I like about it. 189 00:13:29,366.101 --> 00:13:32,6.101 It does force you to be exceptionally good. 190 00:13:32,106.1 --> 00:13:32,426.1 Yes. 191 00:13:32,786.1 --> 00:13:33,156.1 Yes. 192 00:13:33,676.101 --> 00:13:36,96.101 So if you were going, I feel like I'm quizzing you today. 193 00:13:36,206.101 --> 00:13:42,606.101 But I actually very rarely get this opportunity to just have you answer a bunch of questions for me. 194 00:13:43,96.101 --> 00:13:44,276.101 If you had. 195 00:13:45,441.101 --> 00:13:49,411.101 the whim right now to buy a top shelf wine. 196 00:13:49,431.101 --> 00:14:00,71.101 What region in France would you pick? Where would you go if you were going to buy something that, you know, breaks the bank a little bit? is it my money or someone else's money? That's both. 197 00:14:00,71.201 --> 00:14:08,387.73433333 if it's not my money that I am, you know then Latash Gervais, Chambartin, and that's really where I, I That's not my money. 198 00:14:08,672.73433333 --> 00:14:13,52.73433333 And I don't have to pay attention to any kind of quality or value 'cause I just really wanna try that. 199 00:14:13,57.73433333 --> 00:14:15,872.73433333 Mm-hmm Mm-hmm And let me say lat is Yeah. 200 00:14:15,872.73433333 --> 00:14:17,462.73433333 A famous monopole. 201 00:14:17,492.73433333 --> 00:14:17,732.73433333 Yeah. 202 00:14:17,942.73433333 --> 00:14:19,352.73433333 Owned by Romani Conti. 203 00:14:19,362.73433333 --> 00:14:23,312.73433333 Sits next to Famous Romani Conti Vineyard. 204 00:14:23,312.73433333 --> 00:14:23,552.73433333 Yes. 205 00:14:23,552.73433333 --> 00:14:25,592.73433333 And so that is, yes. 206 00:14:25,592.73433333 --> 00:14:27,692.73433333 That is a unicorn wine, if ever there was one. 207 00:14:28,232.73433333 --> 00:14:28,712.73433333 Yes. 208 00:14:28,802.73433333 --> 00:14:31,532.73433333 And that is what I really would love. 209 00:14:31,537.73433333 --> 00:14:32,427.73433333 Mm-hmm But if you know. 210 00:14:33,337.73433333 --> 00:14:40,337.73383333 And the hard thing is, is that all the other wines I've had, so you know, honestly, I would really want to try some older Petrus. 211 00:14:40,397.73383333 --> 00:14:42,687.73383333 You know, if it was my money, it would be Petrus. 212 00:14:42,687.83383333 --> 00:14:43,687.63383333 Oh. 213 00:14:43,697.73383333 --> 00:14:44,227.73383333 Yeah. 214 00:14:44,227.83383333 --> 00:14:44,527.63283333 Interesting. 215 00:14:44,527.73283333 --> 00:14:48,797.73283333 That side of, you know the right bank of Bordeaux is just one of my favorite places. 216 00:14:48,797.73283333 --> 00:15:00,657.73183333 And it's just cause it's, It seems so sedate, where the other side, the left back, is so over the top, and sometimes just a little too much. 217 00:15:00,667.73283333 --> 00:15:01,907.73283333 It's a lot. 218 00:15:02,757.73283333 --> 00:15:04,787.73283333 Over there, it's just so quiet, and you just drive through. 219 00:15:04,797.73283333 --> 00:15:09,87.73283333 It was just one of those, you know, I just remember driving, looking, and like, Oh, that's Patruse. 220 00:15:10,237.73283333 --> 00:15:12,437.73183333 So is Patruse something you would spend your money on? I would. 221 00:15:12,487.73283333 --> 00:15:14,477.73283333 yeah, LaToshe is someone else's money. 222 00:15:14,507.73183333 --> 00:15:14,797.73183333 yes. 223 00:15:14,847.73183333 --> 00:15:16,147.73383333 Yeah, And Patruse. 224 00:15:16,227.73183333 --> 00:15:17,387.73283333 Patruse is where I spend my money. 225 00:15:17,387.83283333 --> 00:15:20,877.73283333 What about high end champagne? Yeah. 226 00:15:21,217.73283333 --> 00:15:22,527.73283333 300, 400, No. 227 00:15:22,677.73283333 --> 00:15:23,257.73283333 Yeah, yeah. 228 00:15:23,257.73283333 --> 00:15:48,467.73383333 No, because, you know, I, this is the thing about, I mean, I've had such, we, and I'm lucky to have such great champagne, but the truth is, is that there's only you know, once you hit like two, three hundred dollars, everything after that is just elitism and not, and even then, like even a lot of those, sure, I love those vintage champagnes, but they're weird because they smell like the most expensive old sock you've ever had. 229 00:15:48,767.73383333 --> 00:15:54,787.73283333 I love those wines, but what I really, but what I really, no, they are, they're just weird and lovely. 230 00:15:54,787.83283333 --> 00:16:00,207.73383333 Cashmere socks? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, cashmere socks worn by a homeless man for a few years. 231 00:16:00,247.73383333 --> 00:16:00,487.73383333 Unhoused. 232 00:16:00,727.73283333 --> 00:16:01,27.73283333 Unhoused. 233 00:16:01,107.73383333 --> 00:16:01,617.73383333 Unhoused. 234 00:16:02,687.73383333 --> 00:16:03,257.73383333 Sorry. 235 00:16:04,322.73383333 --> 00:16:06,632.73383333 Yes, alright, I'll have to change my tasting notes. 236 00:16:07,162.73383333 --> 00:16:11,12.73383333 My offensive tasting notes, now I have to, yeah, they're going to be politically correct now. 237 00:16:13,672.73383333 --> 00:16:14,692.73383333 Like, anybody cares. 238 00:16:16,382.73383333 --> 00:16:17,802.73283333 I've already offended everybody. 239 00:16:19,912.73383333 --> 00:16:26,292.73283333 Okay, the truth is, is that there's so much great champagne that I've had in that 40, 50 grower champagne set. 240 00:16:26,342.73283333 --> 00:16:30,402.73283333 I'm not that curious about the more expensive. 241 00:16:30,662.73283333 --> 00:16:35,332.73383333 I'm just more curious about trying as many of these grower champagne producers as possible. 242 00:16:35,702.73283333 --> 00:16:40,167.7328333 Those aren't like, Those are 40, 50, maybe 70 at most. 243 00:16:40,177.7328333 --> 00:16:44,117.7328333 Still expensive, but not, you know, because there's so much great stuff at that price. 244 00:16:44,137.7328333 --> 00:16:46,387.7328333 I mean, like, just life changing. 245 00:16:46,387.7328333 --> 00:16:48,267.7328333 So I don't, that's not where I want to go. 246 00:16:48,897.7318333 --> 00:16:52,337.7318333 So in this class today, We are doing Chablis. 247 00:16:52,337.7318333 --> 00:16:54,137.7318333 And then we are doing the Southern Rhone. 248 00:16:55,332.7318333 --> 00:16:55,692.7318333 wine. 249 00:16:56,352.7318333 --> 00:17:00,582.7318333 Then we move into the Haute Dubon, our Pinot Noir from Burgundy. 250 00:17:00,622.7318333 --> 00:17:03,762.6318333 And then we're doing a Cab Franc called Samour. 251 00:17:03,762.7318333 --> 00:17:04,342.7318333 Classic. 252 00:17:04,352.7318333 --> 00:17:04,842.7318333 Classic. 253 00:17:05,42.7308333 --> 00:17:15,132.7318333 And then we move into We do have a Gigondas, as we were talking about it, an Haute Madoc Bordeaux, and we're ending with Roussillon Village. 254 00:17:15,882.7318333 --> 00:17:28,352.7318333 If I could make this 20 wines to taste instead of 7, maybe a little less than that, I'm just going to throw out some things that I would love to have on there and see if you agree. 255 00:17:29,82.7318333 --> 00:17:30,432.7318333 Number one Muscadet. 256 00:17:30,572.7318333 --> 00:17:35,802.7318333 Absolutely hard to pick whether or not, yeah, like, yeah. 257 00:17:36,567.7318333 --> 00:17:39,647.7318333 When we were talking about this earlier, Muscadet was really high on the list. 258 00:17:40,517.7318333 --> 00:17:41,537.6318333 Chenin Blanc. 259 00:17:41,537.7318333 --> 00:17:42,537.7318333 Of course, yes. 260 00:17:43,127.7318333 --> 00:17:44,317.6318333 Alsatian Riesling. 261 00:17:46,672.7318333 --> 00:17:50,742.7318333 I would love to show people, well, Tavel Rosé, one of my favorites. 262 00:17:50,742.8318333 --> 00:18:02,842.8318333 if you're gonna have other rones, you know, then how do you, you know, how do you, I mean, it's geeky and lovely, like, Tavel is, it has that very unique way of how they make it, it's a very specific kind of rosé, it's a rosé that doesn't drink like a rosé. 263 00:18:03,552.8318333 --> 00:18:06,382.8318333 Champagne, obviously, we don't have time for that. 264 00:18:06,732.8318333 --> 00:18:10,532.8318333 But I'd also, I would love to show a white Bordeaux. 265 00:18:10,672.8318333 --> 00:18:12,702.8318333 That's the unique thing, I love white wines. 266 00:18:12,722.8318333 --> 00:18:17,237.8318333 And white Bordeaux, the mix of Saint Myan Blanc, And then end maybe with a Sauternes. 267 00:18:17,747.8318333 --> 00:18:19,497.8318333 yeah, oh yeah, but there's Saint Myan Blanc again. 268 00:18:19,497.8318333 --> 00:18:20,417.8318333 I know, I know. 269 00:18:20,687.8318333 --> 00:18:29,732.8308333 well this is why, you know when we teach the For sommeliers like the advanced France program that is It takes eight weeks. 270 00:18:29,972.8308333 --> 00:18:34,392.8308333 It takes eight weeks eight wines Eight weeks and we're still not there yet. 271 00:18:34,402.8308333 --> 00:19:06,657.8808333 Like you we still have to make choices Like there's so many choices you have to make Like, you know, I want to really focus on, when I'm talking about France, I really want to focus on, like, the origin of Bordeaux, I want, so that requires you, you're talking about these really weird areas in the south, southwest, you know, when you're talking about Loire Valley, yeah but it's not just Chenin Blanc, but old Chenin Blanc, like, right now, like, I have a couple of things for our next advanced Somali program including like a, a Chedin Blanc from 94. 272 00:19:06,977.8808333 --> 00:19:13,537.8808333 Like you really want to be able to taste that some really important of all the old wines that people want to try in France. 273 00:19:13,537.8808333 --> 00:19:18,417.8808333 I think that's one of the most important ones because it actually does get so interesting and beautiful with age. 274 00:19:18,677.8798333 --> 00:19:21,77.8798333 Unlike most wines, most wines kind of deteriorate. 275 00:19:21,497.8798333 --> 00:19:23,207.8798333 That just is beautiful. 276 00:19:24,387.8798333 --> 00:19:30,147.8798333 So, it's nice because when you're not dealing, when you're dealing with the public, like this is a public class, we have to kind of have wines that are showstoppers. 277 00:19:30,147.8798333 --> 00:19:30,297.8798333 Right. 278 00:19:30,497.8798333 --> 00:19:32,457.8798333 You want wines that people will wow at. 279 00:19:32,477.8798333 --> 00:19:37,547.8798333 But then, when you're in a sommelier program, we get to do like the real nitty gritty. 280 00:19:37,567.8798333 --> 00:19:40,77.8798333 The really cool, really cool intricate stuff. 281 00:19:40,87.8798333 --> 00:19:40,937.7788333 Yes, yes. 282 00:19:40,937.8788333 --> 00:19:41,957.8793333 Which I love a lot. 283 00:19:41,957.8793333 --> 00:19:42,187.8788333 Yes. 284 00:19:42,227.8798333 --> 00:19:44,827.8798333 But yeah, I know, oh no, you're 100 percent right, there's so many. 285 00:19:46,112.8798333 --> 00:19:50,672.7798333 Yeah and for Bordeaux, I mean the Sauvignon Gris, like that really weird one. 286 00:19:51,342.7798333 --> 00:19:59,822.7778333 That's just like this variation which comes in once a year and I'll grab a bunch of it And they'll squirt away, you know, and I actually It's like usually every couple three years. 287 00:19:59,822.7788333 --> 00:20:07,357.7788333 I'll find those wines I'll Like a little squirrel hide them away, and then we'll use them So like that too. 288 00:20:07,357.7788333 --> 00:20:14,257.6788333 I'm like I want to show that but yeah Oh, yeah, but definitely and definitely semi on like the classic semi on I have to show that yes. 289 00:20:14,257.7788333 --> 00:20:14,667.7788333 Yeah. 290 00:20:14,837.7788333 --> 00:20:31,707.7788333 Yeah, it's hard it's hard to bring it down to seven wines and Yeah and I like this list because it goes from like a high acid beautiful to really rich voluptuous white wines are the same and then going in then building, you know, and then building out into bigger and bigger structurally wines until you get the end. 291 00:20:32,27.7788333 --> 00:20:41,17.7788333 A wine that people don't really know, Roussillon, which I think, please you, more people need that in their life and then, yeah, finish it off with like just. 292 00:20:41,902.7788333 --> 00:20:42,272.7788333 Boom. 293 00:20:43,582.7788333 --> 00:20:46,572.7788333 Well, yeah, let's finish off with a boom. 294 00:20:48,602.7788333 --> 00:20:52,652.7788333 I know I got to fly because I got to go outside right now and check everyone in for your class. 295 00:20:52,652.7788333 --> 00:20:53,572.7788333 That's exactly right. 296 00:20:53,582.7778333 --> 00:20:55,802.8778333 This is after school rewind podcast, It is. 297 00:20:57,382.8778333 --> 00:20:58,642.8778333 thank you so much, folks. 298 00:20:58,642.8778333 --> 00:20:59,852.8778333 We hope you enjoyed this. 299 00:20:59,872.8778333 --> 00:21:03,612.8778333 If you have any suggestions, additions, let us know. 300 00:21:03,752.8778333 --> 00:21:06,192.8778333 Hit us up in the comments and we'll see you next time. 301 00:21:06,222.8778333 --> 00:21:06,662.8778333 Cheers. 302 00:21:09,982.8778333 --> 00:21:12,962.8778333 Thanks for spending time with us on After Wine School. 303 00:21:13,502.8778333 --> 00:21:20,612.8768333 If you enjoyed today's episode, hit subscribe so you never miss out on more wine wisdom, tips, and laughs.
Welcome to After Wine School, the podcast that demystifies wine and makes it approachable for everyone.
Join Keith Wallace and Alana Zerbe, two of the nation's leading wine experts, as they uncork everything you need to know about wine, from picking the right bottle to mastering unforgettable food and wine pairings.
This isn't about stuffy lectures or confusing jargon.
(00:26):
It's about enjoying wine the way it's meant to be.
So grab a glass.
And let's dive in.
Don't forget to subscribe to After Wine School today.
Welcome to the After School Podcast.
This is the Wine School Podcast. 10 00:00:46,935.999 --> 00:00:49,456 And I'm Keith Wallace.
(00:49):
This is Alana Zerbe.
.999And we're going to be talking about the wines of France today.
That's exactly right, Keith.
But before we do, we'd like to thank our sponsor, the National Wine School.
And we also want to put a disclaimer right away to say, That anything we say in this podcast does not represent the views or opinions of the National Wine School.
(01:09):
They are solely our own.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, So I just, anarchy, that's right. 18 00:01:17,110.999 --> 00:01:17,780.999 fits with France. 19 00:01:18,260.999 --> 00:01:19,880.999 It does, yes, it does. 20 00:01:19,890.999 --> 00:01:23,70.999 Also beheading, also monarchy, also elitism. 21 00:01:23,360.999 --> 00:01:23,870.999 Wow. 22 00:01:23,980.999 --> 00:01:39,450.999 Yeah, so why are we talking about France today? Today I am teaching a class called Classic France, and so behind you are some of the wines that we'll be trying in today's class, and basically we do a nice little tour around the hexagon, as they call it. 23 00:01:40,10.999 --> 00:01:45,610.999 Yeah, and I like it, because it is actually something like some of the, just your good standards of what French wine is. 24 00:01:45,640.999 --> 00:01:53,735.999 Mm-hmm So yeah, you, you are doing a, oh, let's just, well, first off, burgundy. 25 00:01:53,740.999 --> 00:01:55,460.999 Burgundy, I mean, I love Yes. 26 00:01:55,460.999 --> 00:01:58,270.999 You're doing a, a good from the coats, the bone. 27 00:01:58,360.999 --> 00:01:58,780.999 That's right. 28 00:01:58,840.999 --> 00:02:01,660.999 And you're also doing a, if I could just stop you, Keith. 29 00:02:01,690.999 --> 00:02:01,990.999 Sorry. 30 00:02:02,285.999 --> 00:02:03,595.999 Since we're doing a podcast. 31 00:02:03,645.999 --> 00:02:04,195.999 Yes. 32 00:02:04,315.999 --> 00:02:05,205.999 I'm gonna say. 33 00:02:05,275.999 --> 00:02:06,125.999 Yeah, I shouldn't be there. 34 00:02:06,175.999 --> 00:02:06,595.999 Coat. 35 00:02:06,905.999 --> 00:02:07,795.999 I know. 36 00:02:08,255.999 --> 00:02:09,415.999 actually worth, I mean. 37 00:02:09,555.999 --> 00:02:10,455.999 it is, it's really important. 38 00:02:10,715.999 --> 00:02:12,455.998 But it actually is helpful. 39 00:02:12,745.999 --> 00:02:15,405.998 C O T E S is pronounced coat. 40 00:02:16,425.998 --> 00:02:16,965.998 So. 41 00:02:17,165.998 --> 00:02:17,645.999 That's true. 42 00:02:17,685.998 --> 00:02:23,335.998 And, you know, cause I have to get that through my head Because there are, you know, one C O T E is one hill. 43 00:02:23,425.998 --> 00:02:25,195.998 Coats is many hills. 44 00:02:25,855.998 --> 00:02:27,675.998 But they're pronounced the exact same way. 45 00:02:27,935.998 --> 00:02:29,515.998 Which drives me crazy. 46 00:02:29,515.998 --> 00:02:37,595.997 I always want to differentiate because there was the original, like, when you're talking about Rhone, there was the original Côte de Rhone, like, when it was basically one hill. 47 00:02:37,845.997 --> 00:02:45,855.997 But then when it expanded it became the Côte de Rhone, many hill, but how, but when you say that, It makes no sense. 48 00:02:45,915.997 --> 00:02:46,405.997 Exactly. 49 00:02:46,405.997 --> 00:02:47,645.997 Unless you're French. 50 00:02:47,655.997 --> 00:02:48,735.997 Yes, exactly. 51 00:02:48,745.997 --> 00:02:49,795.997 And maybe not even then. 52 00:02:49,815.997 --> 00:02:55,235.997 But, when we do Italy, you can definitely give me notes on my pronunciation. 53 00:02:55,545.996 --> 00:02:57,245.997 So, I've opened myself up to that. 54 00:03:00,935.997 --> 00:03:32,895.9975 All right, okay, that's true that's true, okay, okay, so but a nice from the bone region I love that you're also doing your first wine will be a chablis, I think simply good, which is another fantastic like so burgundy pushing in strong there is that, why is so much burgundy? Why is there so much burgundy? Well, it's interesting because Burgundy is becoming more and more difficult to source, especially for education purposes. 55 00:03:33,475.9965 --> 00:03:40,775.9955 But really, Burgundy is one of the first places, I think, where French wine identity reaches its peak. 56 00:03:40,835.9965 --> 00:03:44,695.9965 In Bordeaux, of course, we have the home of the luxury wines, the colt wines. 57 00:03:45,75.9965 --> 00:03:48,375.9965 But Bordeaux is interesting in its history as we talk about in the advance. 58 00:03:48,515.9965 --> 00:03:51,875.9965 Class together that there's really a confluence of cultures. 59 00:03:51,985.9965 --> 00:03:55,25.9965 The Dutch, the British all have a big role to play. 60 00:03:55,195.9965 --> 00:03:59,115.9955 Burgundy is really this quintessentially French area and it's beautiful. 61 00:03:59,115.9955 --> 00:03:59,965.9955 It's pastoral. 62 00:03:59,965.9965 --> 00:04:01,865.9965 It's everything you would imagine in. 63 00:04:03,310.9965 --> 00:04:04,550.9965 Oh, that's an interesting way of putting it. 64 00:04:04,550.9965 --> 00:04:11,500.9955 Yeah, because Burgundy really is that, starts with the monks, and then it goes into the, into the dukies. 65 00:04:11,930.9965 --> 00:04:16,560.9965 Yes! And then, and you, it is very French, and like, kind of like the Loire Valley is. 66 00:04:16,640.9965 --> 00:04:16,700.9965 Yes. 67 00:04:16,910.9965 --> 00:04:20,850.9965 But yeah, but Bordeaux is very much this confluence of cultures. 68 00:04:20,850.9965 --> 00:04:21,250.9965 Yes. 69 00:04:21,475.9965 --> 00:04:22,375.9965 And which is wonderful. 70 00:04:22,375.9965 --> 00:04:27,515.9965 Yeah, they're very much night and day, which is really fascinating having that in the same class. 71 00:04:28,365.9965 --> 00:04:31,455.9965 And here's the thing about, I will bring up about purchasing. 72 00:04:31,465.9965 --> 00:04:35,795.9955 Because everyone, you know, when you do a class like this, they have, people have the same problem we have. 73 00:04:35,805.9965 --> 00:04:42,845.9965 Like, how do you afford these things? Now, For me, it's a little easier because I don't really, I can spend a lot of money. 74 00:04:43,345.9965 --> 00:04:52,395.9965 And if I want to buy a great burgundy, I can, you know, because that sort of diffuses across the tens of thousands of dollars we spend on wine. 75 00:04:53,5.9965 --> 00:04:57,160.9965 But I have a trick of how I buy. 76 00:04:57,220.9965 --> 00:05:01,410.9965 And it's very important for folks to when you're looking to buy French wines. 77 00:05:01,980.9965 --> 00:05:05,760.9955 And the best case example is actually one you have on your class tonight. 78 00:05:05,780.9955 --> 00:05:06,390.9955 Yes. 79 00:05:06,480.9955 --> 00:05:08,120.9965 And so Okay. 80 00:05:08,540.9955 --> 00:05:11,425.9965 Now I love Gigandos. 81 00:05:11,575.9965 --> 00:05:21,225.9965 I know you do too, so whenever we have it, I try to have it, but the hard thing is, is that it's now become so famous, it's as expensive as Chateau de Paupe. 82 00:05:21,585.9965 --> 00:05:36,195.9965 So often times it's like, why would I get Gigandos when, especially for a class where people, it'd be better suited for people to know Chateau de Paupe if you're spending the same price point, So here's where, how I buy. 83 00:05:36,505.9965 --> 00:05:41,135.9965 And it's very, it's, When I find, I don't buy it all the time. 84 00:05:41,155.9965 --> 00:05:43,755.9955 And I only buy it when one thing happens. 85 00:05:43,765.9965 --> 00:05:45,685.9965 When the prices get dropped down. 86 00:05:46,245.9955 --> 00:05:50,855.9965 And, to the point where it's about 30 percent lower than Shatner for the Pop. 87 00:05:51,35.9965 --> 00:05:51,375.9965 Oh, okay. 88 00:05:51,535.9965 --> 00:05:53,315.9965 Yeah, and so this is what, that's what I'll buy. 89 00:05:54,695.9965 --> 00:06:07,385.9965 G& S wants to have an elite, it is an elite wine region, and they do push their own prices up to where Chateau de Ftepalpe is, because that is their vision of their wine region. 90 00:06:07,695.9955 --> 00:06:08,925.9955 They're very close together, by the way. 91 00:06:08,935.9965 --> 00:06:10,165.9965 They're very, very close. 92 00:06:10,985.9965 --> 00:06:12,905.9965 And I tend to prefer Giganas. 93 00:06:12,935.9965 --> 00:06:15,355.9965 Most people know and love Chateau de Paupe. 94 00:06:15,365.9965 --> 00:06:17,275.9965 So, here's this tension. 95 00:06:17,695.9965 --> 00:06:25,305.9965 But once in a while, because they can't sell enough wine, the Giganas can't sell enough wine, their prices will drop. 96 00:06:25,475.9965 --> 00:06:27,605.9955 Only for a short period of time. 97 00:06:27,645.9965 --> 00:06:40,765.9965 Every year you'll see this small little dropping, and, where the prices, and then they, then the suppliers, you know, The distributors here in the United States, in the wine shops, they all drop their prices for a short period of time. 98 00:06:41,275.9965 --> 00:06:47,555.9965 Push out inventory and then the prices go back up to maintain that elite price point. 99 00:06:48,575.9965 --> 00:06:49,5.9965 Okay. 100 00:06:49,25.9975 --> 00:06:49,485.997 I just wait. 101 00:06:49,485.997 --> 00:06:51,985.9975 I don't buy, just because I love something, I just don't buy it. 102 00:06:52,605.9975 --> 00:06:57,435.9975 I know enough about the, you know, the economy, economics of the wine trade, that I wait. 103 00:06:57,705.9975 --> 00:07:05,995.9975 And it's one thing you can always do, if you know something that you love, Wait, there's going to be a point where if people aren't buying it, it will dip. 104 00:07:06,475.9975 --> 00:07:08,55.9975 That won't happen in Burgundy. 105 00:07:08,525.9975 --> 00:07:10,535.9975 It won't happen in Chateauneuf du Pape usually. 106 00:07:10,535.9975 --> 00:07:15,55.9965 But it will in all the other places that are almost as famous, but not quite. 107 00:07:15,155.9975 --> 00:07:15,655.9965 The satellites. 108 00:07:15,895.9975 --> 00:07:16,665.9975 Exactly. 109 00:07:16,665.9975 --> 00:07:22,900.9975 So that's why, so as soon as this bottle It's usually like 35. 110 00:07:23,350.9975 --> 00:07:28,120.9975 It came into our state, into our local wine shop for 20. 111 00:07:28,490.9975 --> 00:07:30,740.9965 Really? Yeah, so I just bought it up. 112 00:07:30,800.9975 --> 00:07:31,370.9975 Wow. 113 00:07:31,400.9975 --> 00:07:32,70.9975 And that's what I'll do. 114 00:07:32,90.9975 --> 00:07:34,230.9975 And then I'll sit on it for like six years. 115 00:07:34,280.9975 --> 00:07:36,750.9975 And I'll pull them out once in a while for classes. 116 00:07:37,0.9965 --> 00:07:37,270.9965 right now. 117 00:07:37,270.9965 --> 00:07:44,390.9965 It's a little too young, but in the next six years or so, it'll be perfect, but that's because I have a large wine cellar and that's so allows us to do that. 118 00:07:44,390.9965 --> 00:07:53,950.9955 But that's one of my tactics for buying wine is not is to actually hold my horses and wait for the economics to catch up with. 119 00:07:54,360.9955 --> 00:07:58,950.9965 And so in the calculus of data, when you're looking at making a purchase. 120 00:07:59,270.9965 --> 00:08:02,710.9965 you're not thinking so much about producer or vintage. 121 00:08:02,780.9965 --> 00:08:05,980.9965 You're looking at place as the prime data point. 122 00:08:06,180.9965 --> 00:08:06,510.9965 Yeah. 123 00:08:06,510.9965 --> 00:08:07,820.9965 So my prime, absolutely. 124 00:08:07,820.9965 --> 00:08:14,490.9975 So my prime data point is the place in France, especially France. 125 00:08:14,960.9985 --> 00:08:16,290.9985 There's so much. 126 00:08:16,730.9985 --> 00:08:32,251.0985 Riding on quality levels within each wine region that there's a push towards very high level production very high quality production But what I also do is then my secondary piece of information is History of that producer. 127 00:08:32,261.0985 --> 00:08:50,421.0985 Are they consistently doing great stuff? I that's my second piece I will consider that once I see but it's you know, I want to make sure that I'm buying Wine region, the price point is really good, and three, you also have to have a history of really high quality production. 128 00:08:50,761.0985 --> 00:08:53,921.0985 If I have those three that I'm buying it, consistently. 129 00:08:54,621.0985 --> 00:09:09,561.0995 Now, as a fourth, if I need, if I don't have those three points of data, the fourth piece is actually like, if there's wine reviews, if there's some reviews somewhere out there from a reputable, Agency like Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate. 130 00:09:09,591.0995 --> 00:09:11,191.0995 Yeah, then I'll consider those as well. 131 00:09:11,201.0995 --> 00:09:12,381.0995 Like, oh, okay. 132 00:09:13,331.0995 --> 00:09:14,731.0995 That's another good data point. 133 00:09:15,201.0985 --> 00:09:15,511.0985 Okay. 134 00:09:15,611.0995 --> 00:09:16,251.1005 that's how I do it. 135 00:09:16,251.1005 --> 00:09:18,551.1005 But vintage, you're not really? No, I'm not. 136 00:09:18,881.1005 --> 00:09:19,811.1005 Burgundy, yes. 137 00:09:19,831.1005 --> 00:09:21,11.1005 Burgundy, absolutely yes. 138 00:09:21,461.0995 --> 00:09:23,811.1005 Anything that's really cool weather, I will. 139 00:09:24,31.1005 --> 00:09:26,311.1005 But, you know, but not for Bordeaux. 140 00:09:26,401.1005 --> 00:09:28,421.1005 Not for anywhere else. 141 00:09:28,451.1005 --> 00:09:38,621.1005 Largely because modern winemaking is such that There's vintage variations, but we use so much technical acumen. 142 00:09:38,621.1005 --> 00:09:42,621.1005 We have so much knowledge now that we don't really have bad vintages. 143 00:09:43,551.1005 --> 00:09:49,576.1005 And because bad vintages really are if it's watery and it's underripe and diseased. 144 00:09:49,586.1005 --> 00:09:51,126.1005 We don't have those problems anymore. 145 00:09:51,436.1005 --> 00:09:58,756.1005 We have sorting tables, we have so much technology, so many controls in place that I don't worry about that. 146 00:09:59,206.1005 --> 00:10:08,636.1015 The only time I worry about that is if there's like some, like, really small rinky dink wine operation in a very in a band of really questionable weather patterns. 147 00:10:08,736.1015 --> 00:10:12,331.1015 Other than that You just don't come across bad wines anymore. 148 00:10:12,551.1015 --> 00:10:16,31.1015 And so that's why I don't really worry about good vintage, bad vintage. 149 00:10:17,81.1015 --> 00:10:24,951.1005 Because at the other hand also is you have to realize that in the wine trade when we say something's a bad vintage, bad vintage doesn't mean it's a bad wine. 150 00:10:25,251.1015 --> 00:10:26,791.1015 It means we're making less wine. 151 00:10:27,391.1015 --> 00:10:29,1.1015 And for a winery, that's bad. 152 00:10:30,311.1015 --> 00:10:32,401.1015 You know, a good vintage is when we're making a lot of things. 153 00:10:33,716.1015 --> 00:10:38,436.1015 So you have to see if they're saying it's whether they're talking about quality or quantity. 154 00:10:38,486.1015 --> 00:10:46,6.1015 And this is where you have to know where those numbers are coming from and where those that's for me and for anybody. 155 00:10:47,846.1015 --> 00:11:03,806.1015 After wine school is proudly supported by the National Wine School, the gold standard, and professional wine certifications, whether you're dreaming of a career in the wine industry or just eager to take your wine knowledge to the next level, the National Wine School has you covered. 156 00:11:04,246.1015 --> 00:11:09,616.1015 Their programs are trusted, rigorous, and designed for aspiring wine pros like you. 157 00:11:12,36.1015 --> 00:11:16,716.1015 Visit Wine School us to learn more and start your journey today. 158 00:11:18,296.1015 --> 00:11:20,476.1015 Okay, I do have another question for you. 159 00:11:20,486.1015 --> 00:11:22,566.1015 A couple of the wines that we have today are biodynamic. 160 00:11:23,736.1015 --> 00:11:24,796.1005 Oh, yes. 161 00:11:24,846.1015 --> 00:11:25,436.1015 Libio. 162 00:11:25,926.1015 --> 00:11:28,446.0015 Yes, I know, I know. 163 00:11:28,446.1015 --> 00:11:30,446.1015 It's hard to say that with a straight face, Libio. 164 00:11:30,446.1015 --> 00:11:32,626.1015 Actually, I'm sorry, that is organic. 165 00:11:32,636.1015 --> 00:11:34,516.1015 Biodynamic is biodynamic. 166 00:11:34,826.1015 --> 00:11:35,826.1015 That's right, that's right. 167 00:11:36,96.1015 --> 00:11:53,826.1015 Does that come into your calculus at all? It doesn't, but that that's a knock on, because here's the thing about whether you're organic or biodynamic, if you're able to pull that off and you also have a consistency of high quality, that is just a flex. 168 00:11:54,126.1015 --> 00:12:04,336.1015 That is just saying, look at what we can do, who we are, and that just shows a really great level of my favorite kind of winemaking, which is somewhat non interventionist. 169 00:12:04,336.1015 --> 00:12:04,516.1015 Right. 170 00:12:06,56.1015 --> 00:12:09,436.1015 You're skilled enough where you're not having to manipulate. 171 00:12:09,446.1015 --> 00:12:09,616.1015 Yeah. 172 00:12:09,656.1015 --> 00:12:17,366.1015 Or, that's really good for me, but that's a, that's a secondary, but when I see that, I will look at that, I'm like, oh, cool. 173 00:12:17,516.1015 --> 00:12:22,146.1015 Well, I was excited because today, the Southern Rhone White, Yes. 174 00:12:22,146.1015 --> 00:12:27,796.1015 That I'll be showing, which, don't sleep, we're talking Pape, and everybody assumes red wine, Yeah. 175 00:12:27,796.1015 --> 00:12:32,566.1015 But do not forget about the white wines of the area, they are outstanding. 176 00:12:32,666.1015 --> 00:12:52,66.101 one of the bottles I'm showing tonight is from Domaine Monterius in Baccarat, which I have beautiful memories of, and I think the thing that strikes you when people are organic, sustainable, biodynamic, they have such a close relationship with the land, and you can really feel it if you're there, and That's what excites me a lot about wine. 177 00:12:52,166.101 --> 00:12:52,846.101 Oh, yeah. 178 00:12:52,916.101 --> 00:12:53,956.101 And you're right about that. 179 00:12:53,956.101 --> 00:12:56,836.101 Because it is, it is really a focus of being a closed loop. 180 00:12:56,876.101 --> 00:13:01,456.101 And being a closed loop also means, as a person, you're paying a lot of attention. 181 00:13:02,666.101 --> 00:13:06,496.101 you're not sourcing grapes outside of what you're making and growing. 182 00:13:06,496.101 --> 00:13:10,534.53946154 It really forces your hand to be very narrow. 183 00:13:10,534.53946154 --> 00:13:13,906.101 And sometimes being narrow is not being narrow minded. 184 00:13:13,926.101 --> 00:13:21,396.101 Being very narrow means you really are having a Consideration of every single input and output. 185 00:13:21,506.101 --> 00:13:22,456.101 And That's really hard. 186 00:13:22,466.101 --> 00:13:25,526.1 That means, there are no shortcuts at all. 187 00:13:25,926.101 --> 00:13:27,536.101 And that just makes you better at it. 188 00:13:27,986.101 --> 00:13:29,326.101 That's what I like about it. 189 00:13:29,366.101 --> 00:13:32,6.101 It does force you to be exceptionally good. 190 00:13:32,106.1 --> 00:13:32,426.1 Yes. 191 00:13:32,786.1 --> 00:13:33,156.1 Yes. 192 00:13:33,676.101 --> 00:13:36,96.101 So if you were going, I feel like I'm quizzing you today. 193 00:13:36,206.101 --> 00:13:42,606.101 But I actually very rarely get this opportunity to just have you answer a bunch of questions for me. 194 00:13:43,96.101 --> 00:13:44,276.101 If you had. 195 00:13:45,441.101 --> 00:13:49,411.101 the whim right now to buy a top shelf wine. 196 00:13:49,431.101 --> 00:14:00,71.101 What region in France would you pick? Where would you go if you were going to buy something that, you know, breaks the bank a little bit? is it my money or someone else's money? That's both. 197 00:14:00,71.201 --> 00:14:08,387.73433333 if it's not my money that I am, you know then Latash Gervais, Chambartin, and that's really where I, I That's not my money. 198 00:14:08,672.73433333 --> 00:14:13,52.73433333 And I don't have to pay attention to any kind of quality or value 'cause I just really wanna try that. 199 00:14:13,57.73433333 --> 00:14:15,872.73433333 Mm-hmm Mm-hmm And let me say lat is Yeah. 200 00:14:15,872.73433333 --> 00:14:17,462.73433333 A famous monopole. 201 00:14:17,492.73433333 --> 00:14:17,732.73433333 Yeah. 202 00:14:17,942.73433333 --> 00:14:19,352.73433333 Owned by Romani Conti. 203 00:14:19,362.73433333 --> 00:14:23,312.73433333 Sits next to Famous Romani Conti Vineyard. 204 00:14:23,312.73433333 --> 00:14:23,552.73433333 Yes. 205 00:14:23,552.73433333 --> 00:14:25,592.73433333 And so that is, yes. 206 00:14:25,592.73433333 --> 00:14:27,692.73433333 That is a unicorn wine, if ever there was one. 207 00:14:28,232.73433333 --> 00:14:28,712.73433333 Yes. 208 00:14:28,802.73433333 --> 00:14:31,532.73433333 And that is what I really would love. 209 00:14:31,537.73433333 --> 00:14:32,427.73433333 Mm-hmm But if you know. 210 00:14:33,337.73433333 --> 00:14:40,337.73383333 And the hard thing is, is that all the other wines I've had, so you know, honestly, I would really want to try some older Petrus. 211 00:14:40,397.73383333 --> 00:14:42,687.73383333 You know, if it was my money, it would be Petrus. 212 00:14:42,687.83383333 --> 00:14:43,687.63383333 Oh. 213 00:14:43,697.73383333 --> 00:14:44,227.73383333 Yeah. 214 00:14:44,227.83383333 --> 00:14:44,527.63283333 Interesting. 215 00:14:44,527.73283333 --> 00:14:48,797.73283333 That side of, you know the right bank of Bordeaux is just one of my favorite places. 216 00:14:48,797.73283333 --> 00:15:00,657.73183333 And it's just cause it's, It seems so sedate, where the other side, the left back, is so over the top, and sometimes just a little too much. 217 00:15:00,667.73283333 --> 00:15:01,907.73283333 It's a lot. 218 00:15:02,757.73283333 --> 00:15:04,787.73283333 Over there, it's just so quiet, and you just drive through. 219 00:15:04,797.73283333 --> 00:15:09,87.73283333 It was just one of those, you know, I just remember driving, looking, and like, Oh, that's Patruse. 220 00:15:10,237.73283333 --> 00:15:12,437.73183333 So is Patruse something you would spend your money on? I would. 221 00:15:12,487.73283333 --> 00:15:14,477.73283333 yeah, LaToshe is someone else's money. 222 00:15:14,507.73183333 --> 00:15:14,797.73183333 yes. 223 00:15:14,847.73183333 --> 00:15:16,147.73383333 Yeah, And Patruse. 224 00:15:16,227.73183333 --> 00:15:17,387.73283333 Patruse is where I spend my money. 225 00:15:17,387.83283333 --> 00:15:20,877.73283333 What about high end champagne? Yeah. 226 00:15:21,217.73283333 --> 00:15:22,527.73283333 300, 400, No. 227 00:15:22,677.73283333 --> 00:15:23,257.73283333 Yeah, yeah. 228 00:15:23,257.73283333 --> 00:15:48,467.73383333 No, because, you know, I, this is the thing about, I mean, I've had such, we, and I'm lucky to have such great champagne, but the truth is, is that there's only you know, once you hit like two, three hundred dollars, everything after that is just elitism and not, and even then, like even a lot of those, sure, I love those vintage champagnes, but they're weird because they smell like the most expensive old sock you've ever had. 229 00:15:48,767.73383333 --> 00:15:54,787.73283333 I love those wines, but what I really, but what I really, no, they are, they're just weird and lovely. 230 00:15:54,787.83283333 --> 00:16:00,207.73383333 Cashmere socks? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, cashmere socks worn by a homeless man for a few years. 231 00:16:00,247.73383333 --> 00:16:00,487.73383333 Unhoused. 232 00:16:00,727.73283333 --> 00:16:01,27.73283333 Unhoused. 233 00:16:01,107.73383333 --> 00:16:01,617.73383333 Unhoused. 234 00:16:02,687.73383333 --> 00:16:03,257.73383333 Sorry. 235 00:16:04,322.73383333 --> 00:16:06,632.73383333 Yes, alright, I'll have to change my tasting notes. 236 00:16:07,162.73383333 --> 00:16:11,12.73383333 My offensive tasting notes, now I have to, yeah, they're going to be politically correct now. 237 00:16:13,672.73383333 --> 00:16:14,692.73383333 Like, anybody cares. 238 00:16:16,382.73383333 --> 00:16:17,802.73283333 I've already offended everybody. 239 00:16:19,912.73383333 --> 00:16:26,292.73283333 Okay, the truth is, is that there's so much great champagne that I've had in that 40, 50 grower champagne set. 240 00:16:26,342.73283333 --> 00:16:30,402.73283333 I'm not that curious about the more expensive. 241 00:16:30,662.73283333 --> 00:16:35,332.73383333 I'm just more curious about trying as many of these grower champagne producers as possible. 242 00:16:35,702.73283333 --> 00:16:40,167.7328333 Those aren't like, Those are 40, 50, maybe 70 at most. 243 00:16:40,177.7328333 --> 00:16:44,117.7328333 Still expensive, but not, you know, because there's so much great stuff at that price. 244 00:16:44,137.7328333 --> 00:16:46,387.7328333 I mean, like, just life changing. 245 00:16:46,387.7328333 --> 00:16:48,267.7328333 So I don't, that's not where I want to go. 246 00:16:48,897.7318333 --> 00:16:52,337.7318333 So in this class today, We are doing Chablis. 247 00:16:52,337.7318333 --> 00:16:54,137.7318333 And then we are doing the Southern Rhone. 248 00:16:55,332.7318333 --> 00:16:55,692.7318333 wine. 249 00:16:56,352.7318333 --> 00:17:00,582.7318333 Then we move into the Haute Dubon, our Pinot Noir from Burgundy. 250 00:17:00,622.7318333 --> 00:17:03,762.6318333 And then we're doing a Cab Franc called Samour. 251 00:17:03,762.7318333 --> 00:17:04,342.7318333 Classic. 252 00:17:04,352.7318333 --> 00:17:04,842.7318333 Classic. 253 00:17:05,42.7308333 --> 00:17:15,132.7318333 And then we move into We do have a Gigondas, as we were talking about it, an Haute Madoc Bordeaux, and we're ending with Roussillon Village. 254 00:17:15,882.7318333 --> 00:17:28,352.7318333 If I could make this 20 wines to taste instead of 7, maybe a little less than that, I'm just going to throw out some things that I would love to have on there and see if you agree. 255 00:17:29,82.7318333 --> 00:17:30,432.7318333 Number one Muscadet. 256 00:17:30,572.7318333 --> 00:17:35,802.7318333 Absolutely hard to pick whether or not, yeah, like, yeah. 257 00:17:36,567.7318333 --> 00:17:39,647.7318333 When we were talking about this earlier, Muscadet was really high on the list. 258 00:17:40,517.7318333 --> 00:17:41,537.6318333 Chenin Blanc. 259 00:17:41,537.7318333 --> 00:17:42,537.7318333 Of course, yes. 260 00:17:43,127.7318333 --> 00:17:44,317.6318333 Alsatian Riesling. 261 00:17:46,672.7318333 --> 00:17:50,742.7318333 I would love to show people, well, Tavel Rosé, one of my favorites. 262 00:17:50,742.8318333 --> 00:18:02,842.8318333 if you're gonna have other rones, you know, then how do you, you know, how do you, I mean, it's geeky and lovely, like, Tavel is, it has that very unique way of how they make it, it's a very specific kind of rosé, it's a rosé that doesn't drink like a rosé. 263 00:18:03,552.8318333 --> 00:18:06,382.8318333 Champagne, obviously, we don't have time for that. 264 00:18:06,732.8318333 --> 00:18:10,532.8318333 But I'd also, I would love to show a white Bordeaux. 265 00:18:10,672.8318333 --> 00:18:12,702.8318333 That's the unique thing, I love white wines. 266 00:18:12,722.8318333 --> 00:18:17,237.8318333 And white Bordeaux, the mix of Saint Myan Blanc, And then end maybe with a Sauternes. 267 00:18:17,747.8318333 --> 00:18:19,497.8318333 yeah, oh yeah, but there's Saint Myan Blanc again. 268 00:18:19,497.8318333 --> 00:18:20,417.8318333 I know, I know. 269 00:18:20,687.8318333 --> 00:18:29,732.8308333 well this is why, you know when we teach the For sommeliers like the advanced France program that is It takes eight weeks. 270 00:18:29,972.8308333 --> 00:18:34,392.8308333 It takes eight weeks eight wines Eight weeks and we're still not there yet. 271 00:18:34,402.8308333 --> 00:19:06,657.8808333 Like you we still have to make choices Like there's so many choices you have to make Like, you know, I want to really focus on, when I'm talking about France, I really want to focus on, like, the origin of Bordeaux, I want, so that requires you, you're talking about these really weird areas in the south, southwest, you know, when you're talking about Loire Valley, yeah but it's not just Chenin Blanc, but old Chenin Blanc, like, right now, like, I have a couple of things for our next advanced Somali program including like a, a Chedin Blanc from 94. 272 00:19:06,977.8808333 --> 00:19:13,537.8808333 Like you really want to be able to taste that some really important of all the old wines that people want to try in France. 273 00:19:13,537.8808333 --> 00:19:18,417.8808333 I think that's one of the most important ones because it actually does get so interesting and beautiful with age. 274 00:19:18,677.8798333 --> 00:19:21,77.8798333 Unlike most wines, most wines kind of deteriorate. 275 00:19:21,497.8798333 --> 00:19:23,207.8798333 That just is beautiful. 276 00:19:24,387.8798333 --> 00:19:30,147.8798333 So, it's nice because when you're not dealing, when you're dealing with the public, like this is a public class, we have to kind of have wines that are showstoppers. 277 00:19:30,147.8798333 --> 00:19:30,297.8798333 Right. 278 00:19:30,497.8798333 --> 00:19:32,457.8798333 You want wines that people will wow at. 279 00:19:32,477.8798333 --> 00:19:37,547.8798333 But then, when you're in a sommelier program, we get to do like the real nitty gritty. 280 00:19:37,567.8798333 --> 00:19:40,77.8798333 The really cool, really cool intricate stuff. 281 00:19:40,87.8798333 --> 00:19:40,937.7788333 Yes, yes. 282 00:19:40,937.8788333 --> 00:19:41,957.8793333 Which I love a lot. 283 00:19:41,957.8793333 --> 00:19:42,187.8788333 Yes. 284 00:19:42,227.8798333 --> 00:19:44,827.8798333 But yeah, I know, oh no, you're 100 percent right, there's so many. 285 00:19:46,112.8798333 --> 00:19:50,672.7798333 Yeah and for Bordeaux, I mean the Sauvignon Gris, like that really weird one. 286 00:19:51,342.7798333 --> 00:19:59,822.7778333 That's just like this variation which comes in once a year and I'll grab a bunch of it And they'll squirt away, you know, and I actually It's like usually every couple three years. 287 00:19:59,822.7788333 --> 00:20:07,357.7788333 I'll find those wines I'll Like a little squirrel hide them away, and then we'll use them So like that too. 288 00:20:07,357.7788333 --> 00:20:14,257.6788333 I'm like I want to show that but yeah Oh, yeah, but definitely and definitely semi on like the classic semi on I have to show that yes. 289 00:20:14,257.7788333 --> 00:20:14,667.7788333 Yeah. 290 00:20:14,837.7788333 --> 00:20:31,707.7788333 Yeah, it's hard it's hard to bring it down to seven wines and Yeah and I like this list because it goes from like a high acid beautiful to really rich voluptuous white wines are the same and then going in then building, you know, and then building out into bigger and bigger structurally wines until you get the end. 291 00:20:32,27.7788333 --> 00:20:41,17.7788333 A wine that people don't really know, Roussillon, which I think, please you, more people need that in their life and then, yeah, finish it off with like just. 292 00:20:41,902.7788333 --> 00:20:42,272.7788333 Boom. 293 00:20:43,582.7788333 --> 00:20:46,572.7788333 Well, yeah, let's finish off with a boom. 294 00:20:48,602.7788333 --> 00:20:52,652.7788333 I know I got to fly because I got to go outside right now and check everyone in for your class. 295 00:20:52,652.7788333 --> 00:20:53,572.7788333 That's exactly right. 296 00:20:53,582.7778333 --> 00:20:55,802.8778333 This is after school rewind podcast, It is. 297 00:20:57,382.8778333 --> 00:20:58,642.8778333 thank you so much, folks. 298 00:20:58,642.8778333 --> 00:20:59,852.8778333 We hope you enjoyed this. 299 00:20:59,872.8778333 --> 00:21:03,612.8778333 If you have any suggestions, additions, let us know. 300 00:21:03,752.8778333 --> 00:21:06,192.8778333 Hit us up in the comments and we'll see you next time. 301 00:21:06,222.8778333 --> 00:21:06,662.8778333 Cheers. 302 00:21:09,982.8778333 --> 00:21:12,962.8778333 Thanks for spending time with us on After Wine School. 303 00:21:13,502.8778333 --> 00:21:20,612.8768333 If you enjoyed today's episode, hit subscribe so you never miss out on more wine wisdom, tips, and laughs.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!