The Wine CEO Episode #183: Top 3 Christmas Wines

Everyone seems to make goals this time of the year, so I figured - why not make some fun wine goals too?! So in today’s episode, I’m chatting my top 3 recommendations for ways you should mix up your wine life in 2021. I also chat about the health and nutrition side of wine since everyone seems to make a resolution to eat healthier or lose weight in the new year and this doesn’t necessarily mean cutting wine out completely. So let’s get started by talking about some fun wine resolutions for 2021. 1. First up, I want to challenge you to try a wine again that you’ve had in the past, but didn’t like. If you’ve been listening to some of my previous episodes, then you know that the food you’re eating or other situational factors like the time of year and weather can all impact your perception of a wine. Maybe you didn’t like it last time because you were eating spicy food and the wine just didn’t quite mesh well. Or maybe you had just finished a cup of coffee and there was a little residual acid on your palate. Try this wine again because you may actually love it….or at least appreciate it for what it is!  2. Next resolution for the new year is to try a wine you’ve never heard of! We all know about Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, but have you heard of Grenache? Or what about one of the below: Viognier, Nebbiolo, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Gewurztraminer, Lambrusco, Torrontes, Valpolicella It’s great to be adventurous and try something new!   3. My third challenge for you is to try a dessert wine. These are the wines that most people forget about 99% of the time. Everyone remembers red, white, and sparkling… but there are so many tasty dessert wines out there! Port, Sauternes, Sherry, Vin Santo, Ice Wine, and my personal favorite Tokai, which is a sweet dessert wine out of Hungary. And these are just a few of the many options! These wines are naturally very very sweet, so you have to think of them a little differently than you would a normal white sweet wine like a Riesling. They are going to be thicker and have a lot of residual sugar. They pair perfectly with dessert obviously, but they are delicious on their own as well. They also make amazing pairings with cheeses, so if you aren’t a big dessert fan, you can still enjoy balancing the sweet wine with savory! And if you’ve already tried a dessert wine and you didn’t like it, try a different one! They’re all a little different, so it’s great to try a few of them to see what you like. Just to share some of my personal goals with you all for 2021… as a new small business, I have so many goals to create new and exciting content that you all find useful, valuable, and fun!  The Wine CEO is here to help you all on your wine education journey, so I want to focus on creating great content for you guys! I want to create more videos on useful wine topics as well as do some live wine review videos! I also want to explore the world of orange and natural wines a bit more, which we’ll talk about in a future episode! So lots of goals, but these are some big ones that I’m really excited about! In a perfect world, I would also love to be traveling again so that I can take you all to some beautiful wine regions, but we’ll see what the world has in store for 2021! Now I also want to chat about wine and health. A lot of people make New Years resolutions about health - wanting to lose weight or maybe eat healthier. Well we all have a bit of a hangover from 2020 😂. This year was extremely stressful and I think we all had a lot of free time at home with little to do….. no judgement, I was there too! So since most folks drank more this year than most years past, I think a lot of people may be looking to cut back on alcohol consumption in 2021. But before you cut it out completely, there are actually some health benefits from wine! A lot of studies show that wine can actually decrease your risk for heart disease. And for many, drinking a glass of wine can help relax and reduce stress, and we all know that stress and anxiety can cause some pretty serious health issues. Now that being said, I love wine, but I am a proponent of everything in moderation…. The American Cancer Institute recommends that men drink no more than 14 drinks per week and women drink no more than 7 drinks per week.  And if you are a daily wine drinker, I recommend that you stick to  bold red wines or acidic white wines as these dry wines will have less sugar (it doesn’t mean that you never enjoy a fruity rose or sparkling wine, but for nightly drinking, keep in mind that these wines tend to have more sugar....sometimes up to 30g of carbs from sugar - so definitely a decent amount if you’re trying to watch your nutritional intake!). A glass of wine usually has 100-140 calories, so if you’re trying to count calories, it’s good to plan in advance the number of glasses you’re going to let yourself enjoy tonight. And my number 1 recommendation is to be sure to drink lots of water before, during, and after drinking to make sure you don’t get dehydrated as this will cause your headaches and hangovers. A lot fo folks think it’s the sulfites, but it’s not…..it’s just dehydration or cheap wine with fillers, so save up for the good stuff, drink it in moderation, and stay hydrated! For more amazing wine content, be sure to check out my website thewineceo.com or sign up for a virtual wine tasting with yours truly by emailing me at sarah@thewineceo.com Thanks for listening!

30 Dec 202017min

Around the holidays, there are so many specials offering memberships in wine clubs! You sign up for a meal subscription box, you get a free wine club membership. You subscribe to a magazine, you get a wine club membership. I swear if you buy perfume these days you even get a free wine club membership! But are these wine clubs worth the investment? Are they worth the hype or a total waste of time? In this episode we are going to chat all things wine clubs and discuss if you should tack on that new membership to all of the fancy Christmas gifts you got this year. And as always, be sure to subscribe to my show so that you never miss and episode and check out me virtual wine tasting and consulting services at my website thewineceo.com!

23 Dec 202019min

In Episode # 8 of the Wine CEO Podcast I dive into a question I get a lot this time of year.....what champagnes should I buy for Christmas and NYE? And is there really a difference between Champagne and other sparkling wines?  So I will break down a few different types of sparkling wine, explaining how they’re different, and listing a few great options to find in your local wine market!  -------------- First up is the queen of sparkling wines and what every other sparkling wine wants to be…..Champagne! Champagne is delicious and it’s so amazing because of the high level of restrictions that go into the winemaking process! In order for a sparkling wine to be called “Champagne”, it must be grown and processed in the region of Champagne, France. It must be made from either Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meuinier, or a blend of these 3 grape varietals; and finally, it has to be made using the Methode Champenoise, also known as the Methode Classique or Methode Tradicional. So this means that all champagne is a sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wines are champagne! If it doesn't follow all 3 of the above requirements, then it cannot be called a champagne. Be sure to listen to the full podcast episode to get the details on each of these requirements and a little more detail on champagne! So is champagne worth the price tag? YES! Because of the quality of grapes, the experience of the winemakers, and the time and effort that goes into make every single bottle of champagne - it is emphatically worth the cost. It's not necessarily affordable for every day drinking, but for special occasions and gifts, nothing compares!  Some great champagnes at an affordable price tag include: Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label, Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve, Tattinger Brut, or Piper Heidseick Sublime Demi Sec ----------- Because of the price tag, I never mix champagne with orange juice (or really anything!). Instead I look for something a bit more affordable like one of the following sparkling wines. Prosecco, a sparkling wine from Northern Italy, is a delicious wine with an affordable price tag. Although not made in the traditional Champagne method, this sparkling wine is perfect for mixing into mimosas or bellinis and is refreshing to pair with almost anything. Some of my favorites include Tesoro della Regina, Armani, and Nino Franco. Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine made in the traditional Champagne method, is a delicious pairing with Charcuterie and Cheese. With flavors that compete with Champagne at a fraction of the cost, cava is crushing the US scene for sparkling wine! Juve y Camps and Berberana are two well known producers with great quality. In France, wines made in the traditional Champagne method that are made outside of the Champagne region are called "cremants". These wines boast outstanding flavors and definitely give Champagne a run for its money! I love the Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne, but they also make a rose that’s really nice. Albrecht Cremant d’alsace is also a wonderful option if you love your sparkling wines a little sweeter. Lastly, there are a few French Champagne houses that have bought property in California and produce sparkling wines in the same methode champenoise. This gives them a similar quality wine to what they’re making in France, but at a much more affordable price tag. There are a lot of great sparkling wines out of California, but if you stick with one of these labels, you’re not going to be disappointed! Roederer Estate is the California branch of Louis Roederer, a famous French Champagne House. Piper Sonoma, founded by Piper-Heidseick, another great champagne house, is also known for amazing sparkling wines. Read my full blog post at thewineceo.com/blog/holiday-2020-bubbles

16 Dec 202024min

Episode #7 is dedicated to the perfect wines to drink with all of your holiday meals! I’m also going to discuss the only wine you can drink with Christmas cookies, so this is a MUST listen for this December! -------- All of the wine varietals and pairings listed in this podcast can be found in the below show notes as well as on my blog HERE! Top 5 pairings for popular holiday meals: 1. Turkey & Pinot Noir 2. Ham & Riesling 3. Prime Rib & Bordeaux Blend 4. Citrus Pork Tenderloin & Viognier or Herb Pork Roast & Tempranillo  5. Italian 7 Fish Feast & Albariño --------- The only wine you can drink with Christmas Cookies is Vin Santo!! This amazing Italian sweet dessert wine is perfect for any holiday evening. It's sweet enough to be dessert on it's own, but when you dip a Christmas cookie in Vin Santo, you will be in heaven on earth!  Shop for Vin Santo at specialty wine markets, Italian specialty stores, or online.  Enjoy!

9 Dec 202014min

In Episode #6 I’m going to review some amazing wine gifts and explain why they are perfect for friends, family, yourself - truly any wine lover! I'm also going to spend some time discussing a question I get a lot this time of year - “what wines make great holiday gifts?” Whether you’re shopping for your boss or looking for a hostess gift to bring to your annual Christmas gathering, I’m going to give you a few options here that should help you get through the holiday season! And all of these wines plus my full holiday gift guide are also listed on my blog, with links to purchase, at thewineceo.com/blog ---------- We start by diving into price points and buying wines that you know they will love. But what if you don't know what they like? Here are my 3 recommendations for this holiday season... 1. Stick to bubbles! Everyone likes champagne and you know they’ll use it for new year’s if they don’t drink it around Christmas. Plus you can find some really good champagne for $40-$80. Try Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label or Demi-Sec, Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve, Tattinger Brut, or Piper Heiseick Sublime Demi Sec. 2. Try a California Cabernet Sauvignon. Most folks, regardless of wine knowledge, are familiar with Cabernet Sauvignon and will recognize Napa and Sonoma as great wine regions. Also, since many folks eat prime rib, roast beef, and other heavy meats for Christmas, a Cabernet Sauvignon will go great with these. Some of my favorites include Chappellet Signature Napa Cab, Stag’s Leap Artemis, Chateau Montelena, or Caymus. 3. But if you feel like they will get a ton of standard wines and you want yours to stand out, my recommendation would be to try either a French Pinot Noir from Burgundy or a sweet German Riesling. Both of these wines are recognized in the US, but not as well known as a lot of California wines and Champagnes. Try Joseph Drouhin Gevrey Chambertin, Domaine Chevillon Chezeaux Nuis St. Georges, or the Jadot Beaune Vignes for a Burgundy Pinot Noir. And try Dr. Loosen and Trimbach for great German riesling. For more gift ideas and to check out the full list of items on my holiday gift guide, be sure to check out my blog post HERE and happy shopping!

2 Dec 202018min

When a recipe calls for "1/4 cup of dry white wine" or "1 cup of medium bodied red wine", do you know what kind of wine to use? Most people have no idea where to start and they either skip the wine altogether in their recipe or they just grab whatever wine has a pretty label. But you don't have to feel overwhelmed anymore! In this episode, I go over the basic tips for shopping for a wine to cook with as well as the specific wines I recommend using in recipes that call for white wine, medium bodied red wine, full bodied red wine, and fortified wines!  Up first are my 4 tips for cooking with wine. 1. Quality Matters. If you aren't willing to drink it, you shouldn't cook with it! 2. Don't buy any wines that are labeled as "cooking wine"! This is a marketing tactic to get rid of cheap wine! 3. Wine needs about 60-90 minutes to completely cook out of food. So keep in mind that if you only simmer your sauce for about 15 minutes, most of the alcohol content will still be in your dish.  4. Use the wine you plan on drinking with dinner as your cooking wine! Sounds simple, but it's the best way to ensure your food and wine will pair perfectly! Check out my latest blog post thewineceo.com/blog to get my "cooking with wine" overview that you can save to your phone for the next time you go shopping! Here are my top recommendations by varietal: If a recipe calls for a dry white wine, try using Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Below are some of my favorites: Ruffino Pinot Grigio, Venezia Tesoro Della Regina Pinot Grigio Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Matua Sauvignon Blanc Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc If a recipe calls for a medium bodied red wine, try using Tempranillo or Chianti (Sangiovese is the varietal). A few of my favorites are: Tenuta Di Renieri Chianti Villa Antinori Tuscan Red Banfi Chianti Classico Montecillo Rioja Crianza (Tempranillo) Campo Viejo Rioja Riserva (Tempranillo) If a recipe calls for a heavy red, try a Syrah/ Shiraz or a Cabernet Sauvignon. Try one of the below:  Montes Alpha Syrah Penfolds Shiraz Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon   If a recipe calls for a fortified wine, try using Sherry, Maderia, or Marsala. Some great options include: Osborne Pedro Ximenez Sherry Sandeman Madeira Florio Marsala  I hope this was helpful! If you learned something new, please write me a review on Apple Podcast or Facebook so that more folks can find my show! Thank you!

25 Nov 202020min

Hey friends and welcome to episode number 5 of The Wine CEO Podcast. I’m so excited to be launching my podcast right before the holidays as I think a lot of folks struggle with buying wine for gifts as well as wines to pair with their holiday meals. And next week is Thanksgiving and I'm sure many of you are probably doing some menu planning!  There’s 1 main wine that I like to recommend with thanksgiving, because it’s a perfect holiday food pairing - AND it’s released around thanksgiving every year. It’s called Beaujolais Nouveau and it's a red wine made from the grape varietal, gamay. THIS Beaujolais Nouveau maker is one of my favorites and you can find it at most grocery stores and wine markets around this time of year!  With a few minor exceptions, it’s really only grown in France and is commonly found in both Burgundy and the Loire -which are both French wine regions. We call this wine Beaujolais Nouveau because it’s made in Beaujolais, which is a wine region within Burgundy,  France. I’ve included a link HERE to a map so you can see where Beaujolais is located. And what makes Beaujolais Nouveau so unique is that it's the first wine to be released for the year. All across the world, it is the first - no one else beats it. When you buy it, it is only 7 or 8 weeks old! It is harvested quickly, blended, bottled and shipped all over the world to be released traditionally on the 3rd Thursday of November. And because of the quick production process, the wine doesn’t have the same structure that most wines get, which means that it only lasts about 3 months before it will go bad! So it’s definitely meant to drink immediately upon purchase! Now there are 2 things that make Beaujolais Nouveau so great. It’s considered celebratory in the wine industry because it means the harvest has ended. Harvest is a busy and tiring time for many viticulturists, or wine growers, so the end of harvest is time to rest and be thankful for the plentiful harvest. And the second thing that makes beaujolais nouveau so amazing is its unique flavor. Because it is so fresh and isn’t aged, it has really unique fruity flavors that are unlike any other wine on the market. It's so light and easy to drink that it’s actually been a tradition for decades to allow kids in France to drink it! And these fresh fruity flavors don’t just come from the wine being young. Producers of Beaujolais wines (both nouveau and standard) actually use a unique process called carbonic maceration during fermentation. In this process, the vintner or wine maker, takes whole grape clusters and tosses them into stainless steel vats and they keep piling more and more clusters of grapes until the tank is almost full. The weight of the grapes on the top start to naturally crush the grapes at the bottom of the vat. Next, natural yeast that is on the grape skins will start to ferment the juice at the bottom of the tank. Now when yeast eats sugar, you get alcohol, but there are actually 2 other biproducts from this chemical reaction - heat and co2.  The natural carbon dioxide gas that is released, rises to the top of the tank, but because it can’t escape, it continues to collect above the grapes and it builds pressure in the tank. The pressure pushes the grapes further down in the tank, and causes the grapes to burst open and release more juice. This juice begins fermenting when it comes in contact with the juice at the bottom of the tank that has already been fermenting and this process continues until all of the grapes have been crushed and all of the juice is fermented. Then the winemaker opens the vat to release the co2 - otherwise you would have sparkling wine, which we’ll talk about in future episodes. And that’s it! They strain the skins, seeds, and other matter out of the juice, process it to kill the yeasts, bottle it up, and ship it all over the world to be sold before the end of the year! So because of this unique process, this wine has some equally unique flavors! A lot of sommeliers say that this wine reminds them of banana and bubble gum flavors, which are uncommon in most other wines and are distinctly from the carbonic maceration process.  So why is this such a great wine for Thanksgiving and the holidays? Well first off, the story is awesome. Few people in the U.S. have ever heard of Beaujolais Nouveau, so you can wow all of your friends and family by explaining that this wine is the first fruits of the harvest and the first wines to be released this year. But beyond the cool story, as a really light red wine, you will be able to please both red wine and white wine drinkers with this style of wine (which makes it a crowd pleaser for sure!). Gamay is very similar to Pinot Noir, which if you remember from our last episode, is VERY light bodied and fruit forward. It goes really well with baked chicken and lighter dishes, which is exactly what turkey is! In addition, the fruitiness makes it pair perfectly with cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, green beans, and so many other holiday favorite side dishes! So this is my personal recommendation for the perfect Thanksgiving day wine to impress your family and friends.   If you can’t find Beaujolais Nouveau, you can try a standard Beaujolais, or a nice Pinot Noir from Northern California or Oregon would also make great Thanksgiving Day wines. And for all of these wines, you want to drink them slightly chilled, so be sure to pop them in the fridge for about 30 minutes before you open it.   I hope this episode was helpful for you! If you liked what you learned, please write a review on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or Amazon music - wherever you are listening! This is one of the best ways for new listeners to find my show, so I would so appreciate if you could just drop a quick note to tell me what you’re loving so far!

18 Nov 202016min

In episode #3, we dive into the lies you have heard about food and wine pairings! Does white wine always have to go with fish? Can chicken taste good with anything other than Pinot Noir? These old school wine rules are dirty lies and I am telling you why! Join me as we discuss the common factors you need to consider when matching food and wine as well as 6 basic wine varietals that are perfect when you are starting your pairing journey. Also be sure to sign up for my newsletter on thewineceo.com to get the full Beginner's Guide to Food & Wine Pairing that accompanies this podcast!

14 Nov 202017min