Friends of the Pod Series -- Ep 267: Leo Hansen of Leo Steen Wines, The Dane who Mastered California Chenin Blanc
Release Date: 03/11/2019
Ep 558: The Grape Mini Series -- Sagrantino
Wine for Normal People
In this grape miniseries, I cover one of the greatest yet little known red grapes of Italy: Sagrantino. Photo: Sagrantino. Source: This grape is likely native to Umbria in Central Italy, although there is speculation that it is from more far-flung parts of the globe. Nevertheless, most of the world’s plantings are in Montefalco and the surrounding areas and it is firmly rooted (literally and figuratively) there. With outrageously high polyphenols, Sagrantino is dark in color, high in tannin, and needs lots of heat to ripen. Its brambly berry notes contrast with...
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Ep 557: The Greats - Saint-Émilion of Bordeaux
Wine for Normal People
As part of the series on the greatest wines in the world, I cover Saint-Émilion on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. With its legacy of winemaking, its unique terroir, and its small producers who are constantly innovating and improving, this region is indisputably one of the top in the wine world. As with all the regions in "The Greats" series, I go in depth on the fascinating history of Saint-Émilion, the complex terroir, the (convoluted) classification, and the grapes and flavors that are possible from this outstanding "Great." As promised, here are the Premiers Grands Crus...
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Ep 556: Back to Basics -- European Classification Systems
Wine for Normal People
This week I take a fresh look at European Classification Systems, going into detail on the history of how and why they evolved, what the current EU scheme is based on, and what the major wine nations’ systems are structured (and how they differ from what the EU would like them to look like!). I discuss: How Europe classified its wines to protect the names of specific products and link them to their place of origin, to the benefit of consumers and producers. A history of wine classifications from the monks in medieval Burgundy to the winemakers of Tokaj in the 1600s to...
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Ep 555: Château Talbot - The Saint-Julien 4th Growth Bordeaux Estate with GM Jean-Michel Laporte
Wine for Normal People
is a 4th Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Julien in the Médoc of Left Bank of Bordeaux. It’s an historic and large property – its vineyards extend over 110 hectares/272 acres in a single block. The story of Talbot is a long and interesting one, but the chapter being written by the current family and management of the Château may be the best yet. With extreme dedication to quality, an eye towards the environment and careful winemaking, Talbot has a focus on making unbelievable wine that overdelivers for the price, vintage after vintage. In this show, General Manager of , Jean-Michel...
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Ep 554:The Wines of Alto Adige, Italy
Wine for Normal People
Alto Adige, in the far northeast of Italy, is a small wine region that makes incredibly high quality reds and whites. In this episode I discuss the unique terroir, grapes, and mixed culture of this region, with its heavy Germanic and Austrian influences. I cover: The long history of Alto Adige wine The varied soil types and geology The range of climates and growing conditions The unique grapes (including Kerner, Schiava and Lagrein) The DOCs and subzones of Alto Adige A truly beautiful and unique Italian wine region, and one I hope I've convinced you to...
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Ep 553: The Grape Mini-Series -- Malvasia(s)
Wine for Normal People
This is a grape mini-series like no other! This time I untangle Malvasia, which I share is not a single grape at all, nor is it even a family of grapes. This ancient grape has unknown origins and, in many respects, is more of a brand name than a grape. I cover the history of how the many Malvasias got their single name, discuss some commonalities in growing conditions (they are at least all Mediterranean!), and then call out the specific Malvasias of quality from Friuli, Tuscany, and Sicily in Italy; in Madeira, Douro, Dão and Colares in Portugal, and in the Canary Islands and...
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Ep 552: The Greats - Napa Valley
Wine for Normal People
Napa Valley is unquestionably one of the great wine regions of the world. Located about 50 mi/80 km north of San Francisco, Napa is renowned for its decadent Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay and its glamourous, fancy and expensive tasting rooms. Napa only represents 4% of California’s wine grape harvest, but it holds the highest reputation among all US regions. But the region isn’t all show – it has excellent terroir to make world class wines. Photo: Napa Valley Vineyard. Source: Pixabay Napa Valley stretches southeast to northwest for approximately 35 miles (60 km) from just...
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Ep 551: How to Make Your Wine Shop Work for You with Steve Tocco, Wine Buyer and Retailer
Wine for Normal People
This week, I'm joined by Patron and friend Steve Tocco is the wine buyer and manager of a fine wine store near Boulder, Colorado -- (yes, I've been there!). He is great at what he does -- creative, community oriented, great palate -- basically he is the wine guy we all want! I asked him to come on the show to share tips on how to best work with a local wine retailer to create great relationships that lead to better wines. We discuss: How to figure out your shopping style How create a relationship with your wine shop person How to glean what someone knows so you can decide...
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Ep 550: South Australia - An Overview of Australia’s “Wine State"
Wine for Normal People
This show features an overview of an essential place in the wine world: South Australia. There is much to learn here but I try to break it down into what is important to know. The show is somewhat heavy on history, since that is an essential part of why South Australia is important today. South Australia is an Australian state located in the central south of the continent that refers to itself as Australia’s “Wine State”, and rightfully so: it produces 50% of all bottled wine and about 80% of the country’s premium wine. Most large wine companies (8 of the 13 continuously...
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Ep 549: The Grape Mini-Series --Touriga Nacional
Wine for Normal People
Touriga Nacional is, beyond a doubt, the most important, praised, and discussed red grape in Portugal. An essential part of Port and the dry wines of the regions of Dão and Douro, this powerful grape has spread throughout Portugal and has captured the imagination of winemakers from Australia to South Africa to California and more. Photo: Touriga Nacional. Credit: Unsplash In this show, I go through the highlights of this beautiful grape and talk about how it went from near extinction to the Queen grape of Portugal. I review the origins, vineyard habits, aromas and flavors, and then...
info_outlineOriginally from Denmark where he grew up as the son of a chef and hotelier in the happiest country in the world, Leo Hansen started in the hospitality world at the ripe old age of 12 and hasn’t stopped since.
First he was a certified European sommelier working for a Michelin starred restaurant and that brought him to the US where he immersed himself in the world of New World winemaking. In 2004 he started Leo Steen Wines, which concentrates on divine Chenin Blanc (AKA Steen in South Africa, but ironically a family name as well!) but also makes Cab Franc, Chardonnay, and Grenache.
He has been in California for 20 years but he maintains a European palate and focuses on traditional European winemaking techniques like foot treading, natural yeasts, lower alcohols and less new oak. He’s the perfect balance of professional winemaker and sommelier and a fascinating guy all around.
And a few show notes:
- Leo tells us about his early life as a the son of a chef and hotelier, including some notes about Danish cuisine!
- We learn about Leo\'s career path, especially his time at Kong Hans in Copenhagen, a Michelin Starred Restaurant
- We discuss the difference in sommelier culture in Denmark v. the US
- Leo takes us through his journey from a harvest worker at Clos du Bois to owner of Leo Steen.
- Finally, we discuss his specific philosophies and wines and why site is so important to his wine.
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