Let's Absinthe ... Again! (re-release for Halloween)
Release Date: 10/30/2025
Glass In Session® Winecast
"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 -...
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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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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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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...
info_outlineJust 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 Guide, Nickles, J. (2020)
Academic Journals/Papers:
Chemistry Central Journal (5:44): Determination of the biologically active flavour substances thujone and camphor in foods and medicines containing sage (Salvia officinalis L.), Walch, S. Kuballa T., Stühlinger, W., Lachenmeier, D., (21 July 2011)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155476/
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (97(8)): α-Thujone (the active component of absinthe): γ-Aminobutyric acid type A receptor modulation and metabolic detoxification, Höld, K., Sirisoma, N., Ikeda, T., Narahashi, T., Casida, J., (11 April 2000), pp. 3826 - 3831, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC18101/
Websites:
Cocktail Safe: Wormwood and thujone safety information for cocktails https://www.cocktailsafe.org/wormwood-and-thujone.html
The Spirits Business: The 10 most famous absinthe drinkers, Hopkins, A. (2014) https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2014/08/the-10-most-famous-absinthe-drinkers/
The Nachtkabarett: Mansinthe, Kushner, N. http://www.nachtkabarett.com/mansinthe
Wormwood Society: Absinthe Original D- Don’t believe the hype, Robinson, B., (24 November 2009) https://wormwoodsociety.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=665&catid=16&Itemid=233
Podcasts:
Glass in Session® Winecast: S1E2: Aperitif Wines (2019) https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s1e2-aperitif-wines
Wine Two Five: Anise Spirits and a Nice (Wine!) Surprise (2018) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/anise-spirits-and-a-nice-wine-surprise/id986650051?i=1000415280141
Wine Two Five: Boos & Booze: Spooky Wine & Spirits Stories (2015) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/boos-booze-spooky-wine-spirits-stories/id986650051?i=1000355843969
Glass in Session® (including Absinthe!) swag: 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.)