Wine Pod

This episode we are chatting with Valentina Argiolas of Agriolas Wines. Having been born right on her families winery in Sardinia, Valentina has been surrounded by wine her entire life. Learn about wine varietals that are unique to Sardinia, and how the Argiolas family are using new technologies, including geo-positioning to produce traditional wines.

In this episode, we chat with Pepe Raventos, one of the leading wine makers around the globe, joining us straight from his vineyard. The Raventos family has been making sparkling wine sing the Xarel·lo grape variety on the same property for 21 generations now. Hear how Pepe's great great grandfather was inspired by French winemaking traditions and brought them back to spain in 1872, and what makes Pepe known as an innovator in wine.

Spain is home to hundreds of native wine grapes! The country was a safe haven for vitis vinifera during the last Ice Age causing a boom of developing grape species that are part of the tapestry of this wine making country. As we explore some of Spain’s interesting range of indigenous varieties we are joined by Ferran Centelles, Spanish Wine Specialist for jancisrobinson.com.

Wine regions around the world have seen a major shift in the last couple of decades, a shift that’s seen more women at the helm from making wine to running wineries (and more!). Any professional would agree that the judgement of their work should be on what they are able to accomplish around the world rather than their gender or any other characteristics. Wine regions around the world have seen this shift in culture, Spain being one at the forefront. There are so many amazing women influencing the wine industry in Spain, including our guest today, Almudena Alberca.

Joining us is César Saldaña, President of the Regulatory Council for the Designations of Origin “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry”, “Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda” and “Vinagre de Jerez.” From Andalucía in Spain's southwest, sherry is one of the most well-known fortified wines. Within the region, we find Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Puerto de Santa Maria — together they form “The Sherry Triangle.” The wine region has a very unique terroir where land, environment, winemaking style come together to craft the many styles of sherry we get to explore in the glass!

Growing up in hospitality, Alpana's parents wanted her to go to college, and move away from the restaurant industry - but Alpana had other plans. Becoming the youngest female, and first South Asian Master Sommelier in the world and blazing a trail of success with everything she touched. In addition to being a world-renowned Sommelier, Alpana is a restaurateur, author, and the host of the Emmy Award-winning restaurant review show, Check, Please! As the youngest female to gain the Master Sommelier title, she is also the first person to then renounce their title - listen now to find out why.

Born in Montréal, Québec, Élyse Lambert graduated with a degree in hotel management from the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) in 1998 and as Sommelier from L’École Hôtelière des Laurentides in 1999. Now, one of five Master Sommeliers in Canada - Élyse is currently working as a Sommelier Consultant and continues sharing her passion at Radio-Canada’s morning show, Medium Large and has a wine column in Journal de Montreal. Élyse lives in Montreal and consults for private and corporate clients and is often invited to facilitate wine education seminars and to speak at corporate functions in Canada and around the world.

Johnny Schuler is an author, chef and restaurateur, distiller, and television personality from Lima, Peru. Regarded as one of Pisco's greatest advocates, Johnny's experience and enthusiasm for pisco are evident on his popular television show, Por Las Rutas del Pisco. As the master distiller for Pisco Porton, and a Peruvian Congress Medal of Honour recipient, Johnny has played an integral role in rallying government ministries and the private sector to regulate the pisco industry in Peru.

Gaia Gaja is the fifth generation of her family to work at the GAJA Winery. While Gaia Gaja takes great pride in her family's rich winemaking heritage she is not one to rest on the laurels of preceding generations. The new generation of Gajas, led by Gaia Gaja, is determined to make all preceding generations proud.

Doris and Adrian introduce Wine Pod with their first guest, Katie Jackson of Jackson Family Wines - most known for their renowned Vintners Reserve Chardonnay. Katie has been a champion in the California wine industry for environmental impact and social sustainability. We're joined this episode by friend of the podcast, and wine expert, Michael Fagan.