Introduction How did wine transform biblical meals into symbols of the covenant in the ancient world? Why did overflowing vineyards and giant clusters of grapes become such powerful symbols of the Promised Land? Why did religious leaders label Jesus a glutton, a drunkard, and a friend of sinners? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Professor Mark Scarlata, author of Wine, Soil, and Salvation in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this […]
Books and Wine
Why does wine play a central role in the Bible and our culture, symbolizing abundance and joy, and not other food or drink? Dr. Mark Scarlata shares the story
Introduction How does biking through wine country help you better understand the wines? Why has wine held a unique place in the Bible and our culture when so many other foods like milk, olive oil, honey, dates, and pomegranates symbolize abundance and blessing? How do the aromas and complexity of wine create such deep connections to memory in the brain? Why do so many people feel disconnected in modern life despite being more connected than ever? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Professor Mark Scarlata, author of the new book Wine, Soil, and Salvation […]
What makes a well-made Mint Julep Cocktail much more complex than you expect? James Chatto reveals the secret
Introduction What makes a properly made mint julep much more complex than people expect? How did an Indian revolutionary leader end up creating one of Japan’s most famous curry recipes? How did a recipe collected during a 1930s concert tour in Indonesia become the legendary Queen Mother’s Cake, different from every other chocolate cake you’ve ever had? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with James Chatto, co-author of the terrific new book Acquired Tastes: The Lives and Recipes of Eight Culinary Ambassadors. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are […]
Acquired Tastes: The Lives and Recipes of Eight Culinary Ambassadors with James Chatto
Introduction What did lasagna taste like in Renaissance Italy before tomatoes and ragù became standard? Why are some of Thailand’s most iconic royal desserts rooted in Portuguese convent recipes? How did a chance conversation at dinner unexpectedly unlock hidden pieces of food history? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with James Chatto, co-author of the terrific new book Acquired Tastes: The Lives and Recipes of Eight Culinary Ambassadors. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of James Chatto’s new book, Acquired Tastes: The Lives […]
What’s The Difference Between Drinking For Pleasure And Drinking For Relief? Dr. Charles Knowles Reveals The Difference
Introduction What’s the difference between drinking for pleasure and drinking for relief? How does your body’s early reaction to alcohol predict your long-term risk of developing alcohol dependence? How do some people drink heavily for years without developing the same dependence that others struggle to escape? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Dr. Charles Knowles, author of Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Charles Knowles’ new book, Why We Drink […]
Why is moderation easy for some people, yet impossible for others? Dr. Charles Explains In Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol
Introduction What can your first experiences with alcohol tell you about the relationship you’ll have with it later in life? Are we fighting with our own biology when it comes to alcohol? Why is moderation impossible for some people? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Dr. Charles Knowles, author of Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Charles Knowles’ new book, Why We Drink Too Much: The New Science of Alcohol. […]
What Are the Insider Tips to Discovering and Buying the Best Cheese of Your Life? with Michael Finnerty
Introduction Why does buying from a good cheese shop often beat picking up a wedge from the supermarket? How do people underestimate the physical labor and other demands of being a cheesemonger? How does using a cheese iron reveal where a wheel of cheese is in its life? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Michael Finnerty, author of the terrific new book The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Michael Finnerty’s new […]
The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul With Michael Finnerty
Introduction Why do some wine and cheese pairings taste better together than either one alone? Why do some wines collapse when paired with certain cheeses? What will surprise you about cheese that’s similar to wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Michael Finnerty, author of the terrific new book The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Michael Finnerty’s new book, The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul. How […]
How Did a World Memory Champion, a Theatre Director, a Voice Coach, a TV Actor, and a Professional Magician Help Gerard Basset Win the World’s Best Sommelier Competition?
Introduction How did a world memory champion, a theatre director, a voice coach, a TV actor, and a professional magician all help one person win the World’s Best Sommelier Competition? How do top performers use nerves and adrenaline to their advantage? What do high achievers do when they accomplish the dreams they’ve been chasing for years? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Nina and Romané Basset who have just published the commemorative edition of Tasting Victory: The Life and Wins of the World’s Favourite Sommelier, Gerard Basset. You can find the wines we discussed here. […]
How Did Discovering Wine Lead Gérard Basset to Become the World’s Best Sommelier?
Introduction How did Gérard Basset discover wine and then go on to become the World’s Best Sommelier? What does truly exceptional hospitality look like in practice? How did a man with no fine dining background develop such a deep understanding of what excellence looked and felt like? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Nina and Romané Basset, who have just published a commemorative edition of the book Tasting Victory: The Life and Wine of the World’s Favourite Sommelier by Gerard Basset. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you […]
