Romanian Wine, Dracula, Gods and Goddesses | S17E4
Release Date: 10/25/2024
Glass In Session® Winecast
In addition to this re-release of “Whisky, Burns Night, and … Beerhenge?” (Originally Released Jan 28, 2022 ) I give a new, quick introduction to Burns night before treating you to this episode on whisky, in which I discuss: what it is, a little history, how it’s produced, distinguishing the styles, and a little silliness (because your host cannot help herself). Just the thing for a cold, January in the northern hemisphere on this weird third rock from the sun. Resources from this episode: Books: Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide, Society of Wine Educators,...
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This episode explores the pink mutation of the Chardonnay grape, and why it’s now in the pantheon of Champagne’s primary grape varieties. 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: Champagne Education [Comité Champange]: Chardonnay Rose (9 January 2026) Comité Champagne: Grape Varieties Ministère...
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This episode explores some of the world’s first sparkling wines, their styles, and a little history from the "Soul of Southern France." Resources from this episode: Books: The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023) Websites: Limoux AOC: Les AOP de Limoux Limoux AOC: Limoux Wines Medium: Exploring Echoes: The Birth of Champagne - How Monk Dom Pérignon Didn’t Actually Invent It, De Wolfe, A. (6 April 2025), Provence and Beyond: Saint Hilaire Abbey Collins, R. (2019) Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to...
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"Get your dirks and bayonets... and pistols if you have them." A quote heard during the Eggnog Riot at West Point on Christmas Eve in 1826. This is a quick re-visit of part of the Booze Riots and Rebellions series from Season 7. Happy Holidays & Cheers ~ Resources from this episode: Websites: Big Think: The Boozy and Violent Story Behind America’s Eggnog Riot, Davis, M. (2018) How Stuff Works: Ridiculous History - When West Point cadets rioted over eggnog in 1826, Dove, L. L. (2015) US Army: The Eggnog Riot, Funck, C. S., (2010) Podcasts: Stuff You Missed in History Class: The...
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This week I spied Santa Claus ... hanging out in a dumpster. I reflected on how something as cynical as identifying with Santa in a Dumpster can be a source of unexpected joy. Bugey-Cerdon, to me, is a holiday entertaining essential because of it fun fizz, sweetness, and its ability to rock everything from charcuterie to Christmas cookes. Oh, and the low alcohol is a bonus! I hope you enjoy this timely re-relase of this episode on Bugey, a wine region between Jura and Savoie in France, and that you spot the joy in unexpected places.
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In this season finale we explore the Verdicchio wines of Le Marche’s Jesi and Matelica appellations. 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: Sharecropping Do Bianchi: From sharecropper to landowner, an Italian Parable (26 June 2013) Parzen, J. Istituto Marchigiano di Tutela Vini: Verdicchio ...
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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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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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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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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 -...
info_outlineA basic introduction to the wine of the Romania this episode explores some of the history, regions, grapes, and unique wine styles. Dracula stops by for "a taste" and we bring it all home with gods and goddesses.
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:
Decanter: Romania - A Journey to Where the Future Unfolds, Decanter Staff, (17 March 2024) https://www.decanter.com/sponsored/romania-a-journey-to-where-the-future-unfolds-523368/?utm_source=perplexity
Gilbert Gaillard: “Ma Roumanie Contée” - Tales of Romanian Wine, Scavo, J. (2 July 2022) https://www.gilbertgaillard.com/en/magazine/discovery/ma-roumanie-contee-tales-of-romanian-wine?utm_source=perplexity
Imperial Transilvania: Cotnari Wines, The Liquid Gold of Romania, Chiru, I. (7 June 2024) https://www.imperialtransilvania.com/2018/07/24/read-more/argomenti/local-products-1/articolo/cotnari-wines-the-liquid-gold-of-romania.html
Liz Thach MW: Wine Goddesses Around the World, Thach, L. ( 29 October 2009) https://lizthachmw.com/winetravelstories/wine-goddesses-around-the-world/?utm_source=perplexity
Rolandia: History of Dracula and the Connection with Transylvania (n.d.) https://rolandia.eu/en/blog/history-of-romania/history-of-dracula-and-the-connection-between-him-and-transylvania
Romania Experience: Vlad the Impaler aka Dracula - Everything You Should Know About the Romanian Legend, Calin, (29 August 2023) https://www.romaniaexperience.com/vlad-the-impaler-aka-dracula/
Seven Fifty Daily, Mazzeo, J. (14 November 2022) What You Need to Know About Romanian Wine https://daily.sevenfifty.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-romanian-wine/
The Wine Economist: Misunderstanding Romanian Wine, Veseth, M. (11 December 2018) https://wineeconomist.com/2018/12/11/romania-2/
WSET Global: An Introduction to Romanian Wine, Scavo, J. (31 January 2023) https://www.wsetglobal.com/knowledge-centre/blog/2023/january/31/an-introduction-to-the-wines-of-romania/?utm_source=perplexity
World Atlas: Romania https://www.worldatlas.com/maps/romania
Glass in Session® Episodes Relevant to this Episode:
S10E4: Wines of Ukraine, Yesterday, Today, and a Hopeful Tomorrow https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/s10e4-wines-of-ukraine-yesterday-today-and-a-hopeful-tomorrow
S12E6: Croatia Corkdorkery https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/croatia-corkdorkery-s12e6
S17E1: Wine of the Czech Republic https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/wine-of-the-czech-republic
S17E2: Wine of the Slovak Republic https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/wine-of-the-slovak-republic-s17e2
S17E3: Hungarian Wine and Feasting While Crying https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/hungarian-wine-and-feasting-while-crying-s17e3
Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session
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Music: “Write Your Story” by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)
Sound Effects: Pixabay