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_outlineAquavit or Akvavit or Akevitt: The spirit of Scandinavia, gin’s Nordic cousin, snaps, it goes by many names around the world. Some even sails around the world before it’s bottled. This episode explores some of the history, styles, and origins of the spirit, as well as some tasty tales of potato priests, black death, and drinking songs.
Resources from this episode:
Books:
Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide, Society of Wine Educators, Nickles, J. (2020)
The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails [Kindle Edition], Wondrich, D & Rothbaum, N., (2022)
Websites:
Alcohol Professor: Three Exciting Aquavit Trends you Need to Know Now, English, C. (3 March 2023) https://www.alcoholprofessor.com/blog-posts/3-exciting-aquavit-trends
Drink Fellows: Demystifying Aquavit, Bickford, M. (11 January 2023) https://drinkfellows.com/blogs/news/demystifying-aquavit
English Grammar Lessons: See a Man About a Horse - Meaning, Origin, and Useage, Pearson (18 November 2021) https://english-grammar-lessons.com/see-a-man-about-a-horse-meaning/
Eur-Lex: Access to European Law, Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs, the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks, the use of ethyl alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in alcoholic beverages, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex 1 [Categories of Spirit Drinks ], (24) Akvavit or aquavit https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02019R0787-20240513&qid=1721068894716
Innherred: Aquavit History at Innherred: https://en.visitinnherred.com/aquavit-history-in-innherred/
Love to Know: Seven Aquavit Cocktails for a Nordic Spin on the Classics, Freeman, A. (8 February 2023) https://www.lovetoknow.com/food-drink/cocktails/aquavit-cocktails
The Manual: A History of Brennivín Aquavit: The Black Death of Iceland, Fergus, J. (17 May 2017) https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/brennevin-aquavit-iceland/
Nordic Spirits: The History of Aquavit (nd) https://nordicspirits.com/en/history-aquavit
Oslo: The Story of Norwegian Akevitt https://www.oslohd.com/about-norwegian-akevitt
Scandinavia Standard: What is Aquavit? A Guide to the Scandinavian Spirit, Nielsen-Bobbit, J. (28 July 2020) https://www.scandinaviastandard.com/a-guide-to-scandinavian-aquavit/
Spritmuseum - Museum of Swedish Drinking Culture: The History of the Snaps Song https://spritmuseum.se/en/drinking-songs/
The Spruce Eats: What is Aquavit? Graham, C. (9 August 2022) https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-aquavit-4687051
Sunny Gandara: Aquavit - The history and tradition of the Norwegian ‘water of life’, Gandara, S. (30 June 2018) https://sunnygandara.com/aquavit-the-history-and-tradition-of-the-norwegian-water-of-life/
Swedish Food: Swedish Drinking Songs (Svenska Snapsvisor), Duxbury, J. (n.d.) https://www.swedishfood.com/songs
Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to this Episode:
S4E6 | Got Wood? Talkin’ bout Oak https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s4e6-got-wood-talkin-bout-oak
Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session
Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.
Music: “Write Your Story” by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)