Get to Know Gewürztraminer and Grüner Veltliner
Great Times Behind the Wines
They may not be easy to pronounce, but Gewürztraminer and Grüner Veltliner are aromatic white wines that are certainly palate-pleasers! This episode allows listeners to learn all about these unique white wines, including their extensive histories, their best food pairings, and how you can simply enjoy their distinctive qualities during a tasting, especially when soaking in some summer sunshine. Hazlitt's Vinifera Winemaker Michael Reidy covers these facts and more, including how Gewürztraminer can be enjoyed much more often than with Thanksgiving dinner. And perhaps you've never heard of...
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Making Beautifully Blended Wines
Great Times Behind the Wines
What do winemaking and cooking have in common? More than you might think! Just as a professional or at-home chef is always looking for the right ingredient to enhance a dish, winemakers are also always considering how they can make a wine exemplify the best of what the harvest offers! However, winemakers can't exactly scour a spice rack to add flavors to their wines, so how do they adjust a wine's flavor profile? Thankfully winemakers can turn to a special tool that's been honed since the earliest days of winemaking—blending wines! Hazlitt's vinifera winemaker Michael Reidy shares his...
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Why Hazlitt's Cider Tree Is 'Honest to the Core'
Great Times Behind the Wines
When fall arrives, it's not only time to break out comfy sweaters and watch the leaves change to dazzling colors—for many, it's also time to sip on some crisp and refreshing hard cider! Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards makes a hard cider called Cider Tree that comes in several fun flavors, including the "staff favorites" Citra Hops and Cinnamon Spice (that pairs well with pumpkin pie)! For this podcast episode, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards winemaker Tim Benedict talks about what goes into making Cider Tree from 100 percent New York State Apples. He will also discuss other ways Cider Tree has earned its...
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Hazlitt’s New Wine Seltzers Make a Splash!
Great Times Behind the Wines
For this episode, learn about Hazlitt’s newest product: wine seltzers! They are made using the winery's most famous wines and include Red Cat Splash, White Cat Splash, Pink Cat Splash, and Red Cat Dark Splash. Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Director of Sales and Business Development, Brad Phillips, and winemaker, Tim Benedict, describe the behind-the-scenes work that went into the creation of Splash and why it might just become your favorite summer sipper! Wines mentioned in this episode also relate to past episodes of this podcast, including Every Barrel Has a Story: and Hazlitt's Fabulous...
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Hazlitt's Fabulous Red Cat Fizz & White Cat Fizz
Great Times Behind the Wines
Bubbly beverages are becoming increasingly popular. They not only glisten beautifully in a glass, but they also provide pleasurable effervescent flavors to any palate. That's why Hazlitt offers bubbly versions of its bestselling wines, Red Cat and White Cat. For this episode, I chat with winemaker Tim Benedict about making Red Cat and White Cat Fizz—the bubbly versions of Red Cat and White Cat. Tim talks about everything from the sustainable methods used to grow the grapes to the process of making them bubbly and the uniquely-shaped Fizz bottles. To learn more about the Fizz products and all...
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Secrets to Growing and Making a Stellar Finger Lakes Sauvignon Blanc
Great Times Behind the Wines
Sauvignon Blanc is grown worldwide. However, Sauv Blanc from the Finger Lakes is known for some unique characteristics. Hazlitt Vinifera Winemaker Michael Reidy talks about these qualities & what goes into making a distinctive Finger Lakes Sauv Blanc. Hazlitt's Vineyard Manager John Santos discusses the challenges of growing Finger Lakes Sauv Blanc, including its "rambunctious teenage phase." To buy Hazlitt Sauv Blanc: hazlitt1852.com
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Remarkable Finger Lakes Rieslings: What You Need to Know
Great Times Behind the Wines
Today we are talking about Finger Lakes Riesling with Sommelier Paul Brady & Hazlitt's Vinifera Winemaker Michael Reidy. Brady is a prominent supporter of New York Wine and hosts a wine podcast called A Northern Wine Odyssey (https://apple.co/3x3FmDi) through The Cork Report (thecorkreport.us). Brady is also working on opening an urban winery & retail space in Beacon, NY (paulbradywine.com).
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Sustainable Grape-Growing in the Finger Lakes
Great Times Behind the Wines
In this episode, Hazlitt's Vineyard Manager John Santos discusses current environmental challenges involved in growing grapes for a winery and innovative ways of making it more ecologically and economically viable. To learn more about these initiatives, including a composting program, visit hazlitt1852.com/about/vineyard-sustainability-practices. And to learn about how you can compost at home, check out: www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home and www.npr.org/2020/04/07/828918397/how-to-compost-at-home.
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Every Oak Barrel Has a Story
Great Times Behind the Wines
This episode is your 101 on using oak barrels in winemaking! Join Hazlitt’s Co-CEO & Owner Doug Hazlitt (the father of host Shannon Hazlitt Harts) and Vinifera Winemaker Michael Reidy as they discuss the role oak barrels play in making many wines, including Hazlitt's Barrel Fermented Chardonnay. They expertly describe the different types of oak barrels that are used in winemaking and the unique qualities they can impart to wines.
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Discover Hazlitt's Dessert Wines: The Solera Sherry and Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
Great Times Behind the Wines
Hope you have your sweet tooth ready! In this episode, we’ll cover the unique processes and incredible flavors in the Hazlitt Solera Sherry and Vidal Blanc Ice Wine. First, we'll chat with Tim Benedict, the expert on the Solera Sherry which is aged in barrels using a special process he’ll explain called The Solera Method. Then we’ll hear from Michael Reidy, Vinifera Winemaker, about the Vidal Blanc ice wine that's made using the traditional method—which involves allowing the grapes to freeze on the
info_outlineWhat do winemaking and cooking have in common? More than you might think! Just as a professional or at-home chef is always looking for the right ingredient to enhance a dish, winemakers are also always considering how they can make a wine exemplify the best of what the harvest offers! However, winemakers can't exactly scour a spice rack to add flavors to their wines, so how do they adjust a wine's flavor profile? Thankfully winemakers can turn to a special tool that's been honed since the earliest days of winemaking—blending wines! Hazlitt's vinifera winemaker Michael Reidy shares his extensive knowledge and experiences related to blending wines, and some tips for finding a blend that fits your palate. Listeners will also get a special "taste" of Hazlitt's newest premium blend, Homestead Reserve Prestige!