I am honored that Winecast is featured in this week’s edition of Adam Curry’s Podfinder show on iTunes. Welcome to all new listeners and if you are using iTunes, check out my AAC feed, where my most recent show is in full enhanced glory (I’d love to hear from anyone with an iPod Photo on how the show “looks”; you can also see the chapters and changing artwork right in iTunes on your computer). All shows from now on will be offered in this new format.

Thanks again to Adam and the folks at Podshow for spreading the word about the show!

Renwood, “Sierra Series”, Zinfandel, Sierra Foothills 2002 ($7.50) – Dark ruby color with an over-ripe raspberry nose, intense raspberry and blackberry flavors with oak and drying tannins, finishing a bit hot. Can’t complain too much at this price, but disappointing given better Zin’s I’ve had from this producer. Score: 7.5/10

Today’s podcast focuses on the grape from the Loire Valley: Chenin Blanc. I also talk about wine tasting etiquette and the poll at Winecast.net

Show Notes:

00:20 - Show Theme
oo:36 - Background on Chenin Blanc. Best wines are from France: Saumur and Savennières (dry), Anjou and Vouvray (off-dry), Coteaux du Layon and Quarts de Chaume (dessert), and Crémant de Loire (sparkling), South Africa (Steen) and California (Clarksburg and Monterey County)
02:20 - Tasting Notes
02:33 - Dry Creek Vineyards, Clarksburg, Dry Chenin Blanc 2004 ($10)
03:02 - Masbon, Vouvray 2002 ($12.50)
03:38 - Ballentine Vineyards, Napa Valley Estate, “Old Vines”, Chenin Blanc 2004 ($14)
04:20 - Best of Tasting
04:54 - Best Value
05:05 - Wine Tasting Etiquette
09:58 - Poll at Weblog
10:53 - Podcast Awards
11:09 - Contact Details
11:50 - Next Show Theme

Feedback: winecast@gmail.com | Audio comments: +01-206-33-WINE-9 (+01-206-339-4639)
Copyright 2005 Tim Elliott. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

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I knew there was some other reason my favorite wines are Zinfandel’s. Scientist have found compounds in the wine to be a cholesterol fighter. What is even more surprising is the second place grape is Syrah (a.k.a. Shiraz), which is my second favorite followed by Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Huge Johnson has a nice digest here; the source material is here.

Domaine Carneros, “Avant Garde”, Pinot Noir, Carneros 2003 ($19/available only at the winery or online) - Brilliant ruby color, strong black cherry aromas, smooth, but bold, raspberry and cherry flavors with a little dryness on the finish. Could use a year or so to soften up some, but I think this is drinking very well now. On par with Domaine Carneros’ more pricey Pinots. Would have taken the best value in Winecast 32 had I not forgotten about it in the cellar! Score: 8.5/10

I’ve only received a few audio comments called in through the voicemail service, but learned that my old number had been turned off. I hadn’t noticed the requirement to get at least one call every 30 days to keep an active number, so it was discontinued. I have set-up a new number that might be a bit easier to remember: 206-33-WINE-9 (206-339-4639). This is a toll call if you live outside of the Seattle area.

Thanks!

In an effort to bridge the gap between fine wine and technology, I offer the latest entry into wine geekdom: the phonograph for the wine lover. Not only can you groove to your favorite vinyl LP’s, but it goes one better by incorporating a wine storage area. Longtime readers will remember my link to the rack mounted wine rack, but this new one really takes the prize in my book. If you want to go directly to the source material, click here, but be warned that you have to deal with too much Flash and guess at where to click for this (hint: Objects 1).

The third and final chapter in my recent tastings in California, this time reviewing the Pinot Noir of the Los Carneros AVA.

Show Notes:
00:21 - Welcome and show theme
00:53 - Background and history of the Los Carneros American Viticultural Area
03:32 - Acacia Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Carneros 2003 ($25)
03:55 - Acacia Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Field Blend, 2003 ($50)
04:30 - Acacia Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Beckstoffer Vineyard 2003 ($60)
04:52 - Domaine Carneros, Pinot Noir 2002 ($27)
05:30 - Domaine Carneros, The Famous Gate 2001 ($50)
05:52 - Best of tasting
06:16 - Best value
06:32 - Please vote for Winecast for the Podcast Awards!
06:57 - Contact details and credits
07:18 - Next show theme

Feedback: winecast@gmail.com | Audio comments: 206-202-4696
Copyright 2005 Tim Elliott. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

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As I spoke about in my most recent podcast, I am honored to be nominated in the Food and Drink category of the Podcast Awards. If you like the show, please vote over that their site now. You can vote once per day, but the polls are only open for the next two weeks. And, yes, I am planning to be at the Portable Media Expo in November when the awards will be handed out.

Many thanks for your support!

A Mano, Primitivo, Puglia 2002 ($8) - Maybe it was bottle variation or just the flavors of the other Primitivo challenging this wine in Winecast 17, but my latest bottle really changes my perceptions of this wine. Medium ruby color, intense aromas of blackberry and spice, earthy, but fresh blackberry and plum flavors with a peppery finish and moderate tannins. An excellent value; I’m stocking up! Score: 8.5/10