Orvieto: Wine Built this City, Paid Painters, and Bathed Popes | S20E5
Glass In Session® Winecast
Orvieto is a clifftop city, a wine region, and a wine culture all its own with a rich history loaded with silly anecdotes. When your host says there’s more in a glass of wine than fermented grape juice, she’s not kidding, and Orvieto is an excellent example of that. Resources from this episode: Books: The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013) Websites: ...
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Hello Again Vino Novello, My Friend
Glass In Session® Winecast
Originally Released 8 November 2019 ~ Celebration is in the air as Beaujolais Nouveau is released each November. However, Vino Novello is released weeks prior. Some would say it's the Italian answer to the Nouveau, but there are some differences. This episode explores Vino Novello, carbonic maceration, as well as the celebrations that showcase the bounties of harvest, including these wines. New Resource for the 2025 Release: San Martino, 11 November Resources from the original episode: Books: Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th Edition [Kindle Edition], Robinson (2015) The Science of...
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Let's Absinthe ... Again! (re-release for Halloween)
Glass In Session® Winecast
Just in time for spooky season we explore a treat of a fine spirit with a tricky past. Absinthe: what it is, how it behaves in the glass, the deal on wormwood, a brief history, and some thujone theory. Please absinthe responsibly, and apologies for the historical nugget on dog flatulence. Resources from this episode: Books: Absinthe: History in a Bottle, Conrad, B. (1988) The Drunken Botanist: The plants that create the world’s great drinks. Stewart, A. (2013) The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, McCullough, D. (2012) Society of Wine Educators: Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study...
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Soave - A Classic White Wine from Veneto | S20E4
Glass In Session® Winecast
An exploration of Soave wine region, grapes, and styles, come Soave culture anecdotes, plus a silly “ricco Soave” joke. Resources from this episode: Books: Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013) Websites: Drunkard’s Almanac: Sinatra’s Favorite Drink (12 December 2024) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations: Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) - Soave Traditional Vineyards, Italy History Company: the Ombra -...
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Super Tuscany and Spiritual Swagger | S20E3
Glass In Session® Winecast
An exploration of the origins of Super Tuscans & the spirit of free thinking, progress, and stepping (or sippng) outside the box. Resources from this episode: Websites: Antinori: The Antinori Family Author’s Calendar: Giosuè Carducci (1835 - 1907) Bolgheri DOC: Discover Tuscany: The Etruscan Coast Forbes: Among Tuscan Red Wines, Carmignano Ranks With The Best And At A Lower Price, Mariani, J. (3 March 2025) Italian Wine Central: Bolgheri Masseto: Museo Galileo (Institute and Museum of the History of Science) Reclamaiton in Tuscany Orenellaia: Quattrocalici: Wine in...
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A Quick Exploration of Emilia-Romagna Wine | S20E2
Glass In Session® Winecast
Emilia Romagna: An exploration of North-Central Italy’s eclectic collection of wines and vines. Resources from this episode: Books: The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013) Websites: Britannica: Emilia-Romagna Italian Wine Central: Liguria Quattrocalici: Wine in Emilia-Romagna Emilia-Romagna Turismo: Reggio Emilia, the City of Resistance Emilia-Romagna...
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Ligurian Wine | S20E1
Glass In Session® Winecast
An exploration of the wines and the region of Liguria on Italy’s northwestern coast Resources from this episode: Books: The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013) Websites: Britannica: Dorian Britannica: Liguria Italian Wine Central: Liguria Quattrocalici: Il Vino nella Liguria: Unesco World Heritage Convention: Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands...
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Summer Splash: Getting Our Grappa On - Again! (Re-release)
Glass In Session® Winecast
Since we have been all immersed in vino Italiano this season, I thought it would be fun to revisit this episode while I’m , let’s just say, out of the cellar this month: Getting Our Grappa On (S10E3) A deep dive into grappa—the bold Italian spirit made from pomace, with anecdotes on its enduring appeal across centuries . As summer transitions to harvest season, grappa’s rustic, artisanal character resonates with end-of-season flavors. Originally Released: June 10, 2022 Grappa: Not just for breakfast (you laugh)! This pomace brandy, like many spirits, has ancient roots. With over...
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Summer Splash: Rosato Refresh - Italian Rosé Re-release
Glass In Session® Winecast
Since we’re between seasons where we’re exploring Italian wine and working our way down Italy’s boot, I thought we’d revisit the Rosato episode from way back in Season 1. Rosato, Italian for rosé wine, it’s literally what’s in my glass right now. T I hope you can find a glass of Italian rosé to help you wind down your summer while we take a lovely stroll back through our archives with “Rosato - Wading through the Italian Pink” - Perfect for warm summer evenings: they pair beautifully with al fresco dining, casual sipping, BBQ and friends. Originally aired Jun 14,...
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The Great White Wines of Piemonte, a Nymph, a Rascal, and a Princess | S19E6
Glass In Session® Winecast
An exploration of the major white wines and grapes, and legends of Piemonte (Piedmont), Italy Resources from this episode: Books: The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013) Websites: Britannica: Piedmont Cantina Produttori Erbaluce di Caluso: Erbaluce - The Legend Consorzio Tuttela del Gavi: Italia a Tavola: Erbalcue di Caluso - Il Vitigno Autoctono che...
info_outlineIn this season finale we explore the science and art of aging wine and spirits in oak. Discussion includes: types of oak, structural and chemical composition, and the many contributions to a spirit maturing in a barrel.
Resources from this episode:
Books:
Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide (Society of Wine Educators), Nickles, J., (2020)
Distilling Knowledge: A professional guide to spirits and liqueurs (Wine and Spirit Education Trust), Broom, D., (2013)
The Wine Bible (2nd Edition), MacNeil, K., (2015)
Websites:
Bruichladdich: Why Bourbon Barrels? (14 Jan 2014) https://www.bruichladdich.com/bruichladdich-whisky-news/making-whisky/why-bourbon-barrels/
Forest Service: Oak Aging and Wine https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/ethnobotany/documents/OakAgingAndWine.pdf
Iowa State Extension and Outreach: Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute - Oak Aging of Red Wine, (Dharmadhikari) https://www.extension.iastate.edu/wine/oak-aging-red-wine
ISC Barrels: Oak Species for Cooperage: https://www.iscbarrels.com/2017/03/30/oak-species-for-cooperage/
Moringa Clips: Oak Barrels Could Contribute to Bitter Taste in Wine, Spirits: A combination of compounds found in oak barrels can produce a bitter taste https://www.morningagclips.com/oak-barrels-could-contribute-to-bitter-taste-in-wine-spirits/
Oxygen and Wine http://www.oxygenandwine.com/
Rocky Mountain Barel Company: Different Wood Used in Whiskey and Wine Barrels (2018) https://www.rockymountainbarrelcompany.com/different-wood-used-whiskey-wine-barrels/
US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory: The Chemical Composition of Wood, Petterson, (1984) https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/pdf1984/pette84a.pdf
Journal Articles:
Quercus Robur and Quercus Petraea in Europe: Distribution, habitat, usage and threats, European Atlas of Forest Tree Species (EU), Eaton, Oliveira, Caudullo, and de Rigo (2016)
Role of Oak Coumarins in the Taste of Wines and Spirits: Identification, quantitation, and sensory contribution through perceptive interactions, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Winstel, Gautier, Machal (2020) https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c02619
Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.
Music: Addict Sound (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)