Ep 529: The Best Wine Storage Solutions with Certified Kitchen Designer and Patron Robin Rigby Fisher
Release Date: 07/23/2024
Ep 550: South Australia - An Overview of Australia’s “Wine State"
Wine for Normal People
This show features an overview of an essential place in the wine world: South Australia. There is much to learn here but I try to break it down into what is important to know. The show is somewhat heavy on history, since that is an essential part of why South Australia is important today. South Australia is an Australian state located in the central south of the continent that refers to itself as Australia’s “Wine State”, and rightfully so: it produces 50% of all bottled wine and about 80% of the country’s premium wine. Most large wine companies (8 of the 13 continuously...
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Ep 549: The Grape Mini-Series --Touriga Nacional
Wine for Normal People
Touriga Nacional is, beyond a doubt, the most important, praised, and discussed red grape in Portugal. An essential part of Port and the dry wines of the regions of Dão and Douro, this powerful grape has spread throughout Portugal and has captured the imagination of winemakers from Australia to South Africa to California and more. Photo: Touriga Nacional. Credit: Unsplash In this show, I go through the highlights of this beautiful grape and talk about how it went from near extinction to the Queen grape of Portugal. I review the origins, vineyard habits, aromas and flavors, and then...
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Ep 548: Bandol - The Ageworthy Reds and Rosés of Provence, France
Wine for Normal People
Bandol is arguably the most important appellation in Provence at the southeastern tip of France. Although it makes white, this very small region is known for its ageworthy reds and rosés made mainly of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault. In this show I review the long history of Bandol from the Greeks to the real estate agents of today, and talk about the various terroirs in this appellation. I talk about the grapes, why Mourvedre makes such a big difference in allowing the reds and rosés to age, and some ideas of flavors, producers, and how long to age these wines. ...
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Ep 547: Back to Basics...12 Bottles to Learn About Some of the Classic Wine of the World
Wine for Normal People
I start by asking for a big favor!! I haven’t asked in about 10 years – but if you get a moment, could you drop a positive review for WFNP on iTunes, or a good rating on Spotify, or tell a friend who you think would like the show? Thank you in advance! This show is part of the effort to refresh the WFNP catalog, based on the ideas of Patron Chris C, who did a ton of work to help me come up with a list of things he thought I could re-do, given that it’s been 14 years since I covered some of this stuff. If you have any ideas, please drop a DM on Patreon or send me ideas through the...
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Ep 546: The Rioja Series - the Rioja Oriental Zone with Raquel Perez Cuevas of Bodegas Ontañón
Wine for Normal People
This show is the final in a multi-part, in-depth series on the Rioja DOCa in which we have looked at the three major zones of Rioja through the eyes of top producers to tell us about their areas and the challenges they face. Photo: Raquel Perez Cuevas. Credit: Bodegas Ontañón Facebook Page This time, Raquel Pérez Cuevas, 4th generation family member of joins to tell us about Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja). Raquel is an agricultural engineer and oenologist, and has traveled the world presenting the beautiful wines of Ontañón. Ontañón is one of the most highly...
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Ep 545: The Rioja Series - the Rioja Alavesa Zone with Tao Platón of Península Vinicultores
Wine for Normal People
This is the second installment of an in-depth series on the Rioja DOCa, where I do a close look at the three major zones of Rioja. I host top producers in each show to tell us about their areas and the challenges they face. In Episode 544, we heard about the Rioja Alta zone and this week we hear from Tao Platón of Rioja Alavesa, who presents a completely different perspective on the region. Tao Platón graduated in Enology from the University of Valladolid, holds a WSET Diploma and is an Master of Wine (MW) candidate. He has made wine in Bordeaux, Burgundy, New...
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Ep 544: The Rioja Series - the Rioja Alta Zone with Guillermo de Aranzabal Bittner of La Rioja Alta S.A.
Wine for Normal People
This show kicks off a multi-part, in-depth series on the Rioja DOCa. We will look at the three major zones of Rioja in the podcasts that follow. In each, I host top producers to tell us their perspectives on their zones and on Rioja at large. To get you up to speed before my conversation with Guillermo de Aranzabal Bittner, the Deputy General Director and Director of Public Relations for I start out the show with a quick primer on Rioja. I cover everything from climate and terroir, the grapes, the aging criteria, and the terroir driven designations that were introduced in...
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Ep 543: The Thanksgiving Episode 2024
Wine for Normal People
I wasn't sure I was going to do a Thanksgiving episode this year, but last minute, I felt inspired (and was encouraged by some of you -- thanks especially to my dear friends and your fellow patrons Claudette C and Tina K) so I decided to make it happen. This one is short, sweet, and to the point! I offer seven main wine types and give examples of each. I hope at least one of these ideas will work for your table! __________________________________ This year, I'm sticking with the theme I did for the Wine Access Club and recommending blends for your meal. The list: Photo: Getty Images...
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Ep 542: Franciacorta -- Italy's Elite Sparkling Wine Region
Wine for Normal People
With the holidays coming, I thought it would be a good time to do a show on a different kind of sparkling wine, so this time I cover Italy’s premier traditional method sparkling wine, Franciacorta. Map: Consorzio per la tutela del Franciacorta Franciacorta is a high quality Italian sparkling wine made in the area of Brescia in Lombardy (the Italian region where Milan is located). Franciacorta, as a sparkling wine, came into being in the 1960s but it didn’t take long for it to gain a favorable reputation, which still holds today. With very distinctive geographical features and...
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Ep 541: Top Tips for Attending a Wine Event with Patron Monica G.
Wine for Normal People
In this show we answer a question I get asked all the time: how do I even begin to approach a wine event with dozens of producers? Patron Monica G. from @wineshenanigans and @wineopardy (and the Celebrity Wines podcast!) joins to help me break it down! We cover: Finding a worthwhile event to attend Preparing for the event -- both from a logistics and research standpoint What to do at the event Post-event items And we add a bonus section for professionals attending trade events! We hope this is a fun and useful show for anyone interested in going to a wine event. ...
info_outlineThis week I welcome Patron Robin Rigby Fisher, a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer and Certified Aging in Place Specialist. Robin has a kitchen design firm in the Portland, Oregon metro area (called Robin Rigby Fisher Design). She has been creating award winning kitchen and baths for more than 28 years and she comes to tell us about the various ways we organize our wine storage and her preferred solutions.
Once again, this amazing community provides us with fantastic expertise and a woman with a great personality who is willing to help us out with her deep knowledge on a subject!
Here are the show notes:
We first discuss the most important starting point: the top considerations when thinking about wine storage: Budget, number of bottles, how much space you have, and possible locations are some important items!
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Photo: private wine cellar. Credit: Pixabay
We give a run-down of different storage options and locations. We cover:
- Wine fridges. Here is the fridge that Robin mentions in the show that is US$499
- Basement storage and how to do it right
- Small apartment storage ideas (don't forget about your fridge!)
- What to do with bigger spaces and what to think about when you are building out a space for wine storage (don't forget the outlets! And the humidity and temperature control!
We talk about the biggest no-nos for storage...listen to find out what they are!!
I hope you enjoy this one! Thanks so much to Robin for sharing her knowledge!! This community is amazing! If you want to hire her to get some help, I'm giving her a plug because I believe in her: http://www.robinrigbyfisher.com -- She does virtual consultations too!
Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!
www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Check out my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access. If you want to fill your brand new wine storage solution with amazing wines, join today! And if you want me to help you with that process, join the Wine Access-Wine For Normal People wine club for wines I personally select (no joke -- I really do it!) delivered to you four times a year! You also get 10% off all other purchases when you join the club!
To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes