The Wine CEO Podcast

Is age just a number or does it actually impact the quality of your wine? In Episode #12, I dive into this topic of wine vintages and old wines and answer a lot of questions that you may have about the dates found on wine labels!

We first discuss that the vintage, or date you see on a bottle, is simply the year that the grapes were harvested to produce that wine. Not all wine bottles have vintage dates on them because winemakers may use grapes from multiple years (a blend of multiple vintages) to make a wine and then they cannot list a date. Rules around labeling can differ from region to region, but in general, you can assume that if a date is listed on the label, then the grape juice that made that wine was harvested in that particular calendar year listed on the bottle.

Now does it really matter if the grapes were harvested and fermented in 2014 or 2015? It does! Things like weather patterns, infestation of pests, or global pandemics that affect harvest dates can all affect the outcome of the crop. This in turn will affect the flavor of the juice and the final flavor of the wine.

The only way to really know if a vintage was a "good year" or not, is to research it!

And if a wine is older, does it mean it's better? Not always! Only wines that have high acid, high tannin, high alcohol, or high sugar content are great aged. Believe it or not, only 5-7% of wines should be aged, so the rest should be enjoyed within 2-5 years of the year they're released for sale.

Red wines that age well are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and high acid Tempranillos. White wines that age well are ultra sweet reislings and oak aged, tannic chardonnays.

If you are looking to age a wine, research the winemaker to ensure they have a history of making great wines that age well. Then store the bottle on it's side in a dark, temperature controlled room. (You don't want the wine to be exposed to sunlight or extreme changes in temperature.)

Be sure to listen to the full episode for all of the details on the above and don't forget to check out thewineceo.com for more wine related content or to book a virtual wine tasting!

This episode was so fun because I brought my little sister, Rebecca, onto the show to ask some questions that she's been wondering as well as a few that you all as listeners have been asking about as well! We had so much fun covering a ton of topics like how I got into wine, music and wine, and judging a bottle by it's label. It's a fun episode that you don't want to miss so hot play and listen now!

thewineceo.com

This is my #1 most listened to episode every year! The holiday gift guide is an overview of my top gift recommendations each year for creative and unique gifts for every wine lover in your life! This year you can check out the top 9 gifts in my gift guide and also sign up for my email newsletter to get exclusive access to 10 additional gift ideas! Check out thewineceo.com to subscribe to my newsletter. Anyone who registers before December 31, 2023 will automatically receive access. After that date, just email me at [email protected] to get them!

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This episode is best enjoyed on my YouTube channel so you can see each gift item as I describe it! View now at https://youtu.be/iDqLCxJoJn8

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Check out the pictures of each item on my blog post for today's episode:

thewineceo.com/blog/holidaygiftguide2023

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Sign up for The Wine CEO newsletter and get a free guide to Food & Wine Pairing: thewineceo.com

Email: [email protected]

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Gift #1: Wine Bags Santa Pants: https://www.potterybarn.com/products/santa-claus-pants-wine-bag/?sku=2852028&cm_ven=PLA&cm_ite=2852028_14751347029&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Local&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAx_GqBhBQEiwAlDNAZm8KQgYLd2Ky0YhCK1wV1oXHbvIK2fJPkifWDhMvI_CbRS0DQh0U6RoC08IQAvD_BwE

Sherpa Bag: https://www.potterybarn.com/products/sherpa-double-wine-bag/?cm_src=rel

Gift #2: Coasters - west elm ($40)

https://www.westelm.com/products/mixed-marble-coasters-set-of-4-e2338/?sku=8674930&cm_ven=PLA&cm_ite=8674930_14638723370&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Local&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAx_GqBhBQEiwAlDNAZr6MPqMIAD6bqRNI6ti6KE_oX17T019rpAdBNwuQgDl-ZMLzUvrl4hoCYooQAvD_BwE

Gift #3: Vintage Champagne Stopper & Bottle of GH Mumm Champagne

https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/ws-heritage-champagne-stopper/?catalogId=79&sku=1835393&cm_ven=PLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Tabletop%20%26%20Bar%20%3E%20Wine%20Tools&region_id=751260&cm_ite=1835393_20504790180&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAx_GqBhBQEiwAlDNAZvpnDt1UM7F4vHndO-ApPPisTX9HUaCsqBldnbFxGxemdRLRYZkK3xoCo6wQAvD_BwE

Gift #4: Wine & Cheese Board deck by @ainttooproudtomeg

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0593581040?&linkCode=sl1&tag=megquinn-20&linkId=6d624822d9f49de9c5f56f77d91be039&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Gift #5: Wine Bottle Brush - cleaning glassware

https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/hold-everything-stemware-brush/?pkey=s~stemware%20cleaning~3&sbkey=default

Gift #6: Wine skin - bubble wrap bags (6 for $20 on amazon)

https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Skin-WineSkin-Bag-6-Pack/dp/B00GIX51V6/ref=asc_df_B00GIX51V6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167153947654&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17659495060662029950&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&...

In episode #13 my little sister Rebecca joined me on the show to discuss how I got into wine and other random questions. She is back again this week in episode #33 to talk about the top 3 wine tools every kitchen needs, the wine regions I want to travel to, what sparkling wine to use for mimosas and more!

Be sure to subscribe to the show so that you never miss an episode and check out thewineceo.com to sign up for my free guide to Food & Wine Pairing!

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Three wine tools every kitchen needs:

1. Corkscrew

Classic Waiter's corkscrew

Rabbit manual corkscrew

2. Champagne buckets

Sturdy Stainless Steel Amazon Option

My Favorite from Crate & Barrel

3. Good Bottle Stoppers

Silicone Rabbit bottle stopper

Vaccum Pump with silicone stoppers (pulls oxygen out to help your wine last longer!)

Classic Sparkling Wine stopper

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Springtime is here and the weather is finally getting nice enough for picnics! So what wines should you have in your picnic basket? Join me as I discuss 2 perfect wines for springtime - Gamay and Viognier. These aromatic wines both have amazing floral notes that complement this season so perfectly. Listen now to learn more about these two varietals and why they are perfect for your next picnic! Want to know why Little Red Riding Hood was drinking wine? You'll have to listen to find out!

And don't forget to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode!

Want a personalized pairing for your next picnic menu? Send me an email [email protected] or send me a private message on my website thewineceo.com.

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Show Notes:

10 Villages in the Beaujolais Cru: Morgon, Brouilly, St. Amour, Julienas, Chenas, Moulin-a-Vent, Fleurie, Regnie, Cote de Brouilly, and Chiroubles

Great grocery store Beaujolais to try: Louis Jadot & Georges DeBoeuf

Try a Viognier from the Northern Rhone (Condrieu and Chateau Grillet), California (Paso Robles is awesome), or Australia (Barossa Valley).

Some great viognier to try: Sobon Estate (CA), Yalumba (Aus), Michel Gassier Les Piliers (FR)

If you try a Gamay or a Viognier this spring, be sure to snap a picture and tag me on social! @thewineceo