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Food and beverage industry insiders Melanie Young and David Ransom connect you to leaders and legends in wine, spirits, food and hospitality as they travel the world. Hear from vintners, restaurateurs, chefs, distillers, educators, authors, farmers and more. Melanie and David are the insatiably curious culinary couple who are always in search of a great story to share with their listeners. They bring a fresh approach to spotlighting industry movers and shakers and exploring the pleasures of ...
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Roussillon in SW France produces 80% of France’s vin doux naturels (VDNs). The centuries-old process for making these fortified sweet wines, known as "mutage," occurs when a spirit is added to stop fermentation early, enabling the wine to retain its natural sugars. Roussillon AOP vin doux naturels include Banyuls, Maury, Rivesaltes, and Muscat de R…
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James Clesi began serving his signature pop-up crawfish boils at venues around New Orleans in 2013 and expanded. Clesi’s Seafood Restaurant & Catering offers award-winning boiled crawfish, shrimp, fresh and chargrilled oysters and popular Louisiana fare like blackened redfish with dirty rice, jambalaya and fried catfish in a casual setting year-rou…
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Chattanooga, Tennessee, is called Scenic City thanks to its location on the Tennessee River and its expansive mountain vistas. Popular with outdoor enthusiasts and Civil War history buffs, the city offers many family-friendly attractions. Chattanooga is also an historic Snack City where both Moon-Pies and Little Debbie Snack Cakes in nearby College…
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Looking for an off-the beaten track wine glamping getaway in Italy? Consider Abruzzo. Azienda Agricola Cirelli is an organically farmed winery located in the Gran Sasso Park, home to one of the highest peaks in the Appennine Mountains. Stay in one of two well-appointed cabins surrounded by vineyards, olive trees and jaw-dropping views. Founder Fran…
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Alabama and Mississippi are both rich in music culture, notably the soulful sounds of the blues. TCT Hosts Melanie Young and David Ransom take you on a driving road trip from The Shoals of Alabama to Tupelo, Mississippi, to the visit the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Then, on to Oxford for a literary and dining stopover before heading to Highway 61'…
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Charles Massoud grew up in a family of fine wine importers in Lebanon and dreamed of making his own wine. When his career brought him to the U.S.A. in the 1970s, he saw the potential of Long Island to make wine. In 1983 Charles and wife, Ursula, founded Paumanok Vineyards in Aquebogue on the North Fork to produce fine wines from estate-grown vinife…
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Caterina Dei continues the legacy of her grandfather, Alibrandi Dei, who planted his first vineyard, Bossona, in Montepulciano in 1964. Cantine Dei is now a leading producer of DOCG Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in Tuscany. Cantine Dei is a stunning winery built from travertine marble, conceived by Caterina’s late father, Glauco Dei. Honoring his me…
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The noble Brandolini d’Adda family were respected military leaders serving Venice back to the 1600s. Vistorta, their 19th century country estate and winery in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, is known for its world-class gardens, Merlot wines and local varietals like Fruliano. Fourth generation family member, Brandino Brandolini, graduated Texas A&M and work…
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Located between the Veneto and Friuli, Casa Paladin is a stately winery born from humble origins. At age 16, Valentino Paladin lost his parents He supported his family by farming, baking bread, and opening a grocery. In 1962 he founded Casa Paladin. Today, the Paladin family also owns Bosco del Merlo, Friuli; Castello Bonomi, Franciacorta; Casa Lup…
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There's a world of wine to enjoy and many choices. As the executive wine editor for Food & Wine and the wine & spirits editor for Travel + Leisure, Ray Isle has access to many wines to recommend for his column “What to Drink Next.” In his book, "The World in a Wineglass: The Insider's Guide to Artisanal, Sustainable, Extraordinary Wines to Drink No…
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Transparency is key in what we drink and eat. People want products made with all natural ingredients and no additives that taste great, says KLYR Rum Distiller Lexi Close. Hand-crafted in Pennsylvania, KLYR is the vision of three friends who wanted a clean tasting rum with zero grams of sugar, zero grams of carbohydrates and fewer calories. KLYR ru…
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The name Biondi-Santi is synonymous with the Brunello wines of Tuscany’s Montalcino. At Biondi-Santi family estate, Tenute Il Greppo, Ferrucio Biondi Santi first barrel-aged 100% Sangiovese Grosso in 1888, naming it “Brunello di Montalcino.” In 2017 family owner, Jacopo Biondi-Santi, sold the winery to French firm EPI. Many wondered what would chan…
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Stevie Kim is Managing Director of Vinitaly International, the world’s largest wine expo held in Verona where she's based. A self-proclaimed Italian Wine Evangelist, her impact spreading the gospel of Italian wine is widespread. Stevie has helped evolve Vinitaly from a trade fair to a global brand spearheading the Vinitaly International Academy, Wi…
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Champagne Palmer was established in 1947 by seven grower families passionate about quality and sharing a vision to create a Grande Marque. Based in Montagne de Reims, Champagne Palmer encompasses 500 acres of Premier and Grand Cru vineyards throughout 40 crus. Champagne Palmer’s elegance and richness are enhanced by consistent blending and longer s…
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The Kautz family settled in California in 1926 from Germany to farm, eventually expanding into grape growing in the Lodi and Sierra Foothills appellations. Their Ironstone Vineyards located in Calaveras County is considered “the Queen of the Sierras” for its volcanic soils, optimum growing conditions and many grape varieties cultivated from Sauvign…
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Tor Kenward founded TOR Wines in 2001 after a 27-year career with Beringer Estates where he established Beringer's School for American Chefs with Madeleine Kamman and the American Institute of Wine & Food with Julia Child and Robert Mondavi. Kenward's memoir, "Reflections of a Vintner," spans his 50 -career from the 1970s when Napa had less than 50…
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The Murúa of Bodegas Muriel is a venerable Rioja family. José Murúa founded his winery in 1926 in Elciego (Rioja Alavesa), an area known for exceptional terroir. His elegant, complex Rioja Reservas gained renowned. Bodegas Muriel, a compound of “ Murúa” and “Elciego,” is now run by 2nd and 3rd generations, Julian Murúa and son Javier Murúa Ganguiti…
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Want to learn the hottest trends in food, drink, dining, and hotels for 2024? Each year hospitality marketers, AF&CO and Carbonate, issue an annual trends report, and 2024 is jam-packed with a few "aha!" topics. Culinary cocktails, chilled red wines, invasive species cooking, sea ingredients like algae, kombu and uni, mortadella and meringue desser…
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The Connected Table went to Italy to visit family-owned wineries in the Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie DOC production areas of Veneto, Trento and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, collectively known as Triveneto. 82% of Italy's Pinot Grigio is produced here in four different styles: still, frizzante, sparkling and ramato. Learn what distinguishes Pinot Grigio Del…
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Founded in 1880 as California’s 29th bonded winery, Geyser Peak has been at the forefront of quality wine production. Since 2020, the Kreps family of Quintessential have been stewards of this storied brand, continuing to reach for winemaking peaks. Geyser Peak sources its grapes from some of Northern California’s best vineyards for their AVA-specif…
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Narrow, winding roads lead to the hilltop vineyards of Le Ragose, a family-run estate in Valpolicella Classico (Negrar comune) in Italy’s Veneto. In 1969, Oenologist Arnaldo Galli, and his wife Marta began to research and experiment with new techniques in viticulture and winemaking. Their sons, Paolo and Marco, now run Le Ragose with Paolo’s daught…
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"Quintessential" means “the best of its kind.” For Steve Sr. and Dennis Kreps, it meant focusing on small, family-owned wineries to establish Quintessential in 2003. Based in Napa, this family owned/operated import, marketing and sales company represents independent multi-generational winemaking families around the world. That’s currently 30 famili…
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Philippe Pascal traded a successful corporate career in fine wines and luxury goods working in successive CEO positions for Seagram and LVMH to work full time as a vigneron in Bourgogne. He and wife, Catherine, own Domaine du Cellier aux Moines, a nine-centuries- old wine estate in the Côte Chalonnaise which they have restored. In 2020, the Pascal …
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Emidio Pepe founded his namesake winery in 1964 in Abruzzo after working with his father and grandfather. He achieved renowned for producing some of Italy's most age-worthy wines made from native Trebbiano and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo varieties. The family-run wine estate is overseen by Pepe's wife, daughters and granddaughters, including Chiara Pep…
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Nearly 30 percent of all food produced in the U.S. goes to waste each year. Food waste is one of the top 10 contributors to carbon output in the environment. Food scientist and natural foods product developer, Emily Darchuk, studied dairy science and sought a way to upcycle whey, the liquid byproduct left after cheesemaking. Producing one pound of …
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Amanda Schuster has worn many hats: trained sommelier, retail wine and spirits buyer, writer, author, metalsmith, aspiring cosmetologist (she’s a proud beauty school dropout) and medieval history scholar. Author of New York Cocktails and Drink Like a Local- A Field Guide to New York’s Best Bars, she discusses her latest book, Signature Cocktails (P…
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In 1993 American Alex Gambal moved his family to Beaune to learn the wine business and embrace a French lifestyle. He apprenticed with Becky Wasserman, studied oenology, and established Domaine Alex Gambal in 1997. By the time he sold his business in 2019, Gambel owned 30 acres of vineyards that included the storied Grand Cru Bâtard Montrachet. In …
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Melissa Muller and husband, Fabio Sireci, run Feudo Montoni, an organic farm and winery in central Sicily. Feudo Montoni's history dates to 1469. Rosario Sireci purchased the estate in the late 1800s; Fabio is the third-generation owner. Feudo Montoni produces minimal intervention cru wines from native varieties, some cultivated from ancient vines.…
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The best inventions are those which solve everyday problems. For Greg Lambrecht, a fine wine enthusiast and founder of Coravin, it was how to preserve an open bottle of wine to enjoy later. A practicing physician and researcher, Lambrecht is a prolific inventor with more than 200 patents for breakthrough medical devices. He spent eight years devisi…
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Marilisa Allegrini has been called The First Lady of Amarone." As President/CEO of The Allegrini Group, Marilisa has continued her late father, Giovanni‘s, commitment to viticultural innovation and excellence, producing world-renowned Valpolicella Classico wines. She has also expanded the family footprint in Italy, founding Poggio al Tesoro in Bolg…
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Who wants to “go on a roadie and crack open some bonzer wines in the arvo.” That’s Australian lingo for “Let’s take a road trip and open some fantastic wines in the afternoon,” says Pia Merrick, Lead White Winemaker for Australia’s Barramundi Wines. Merrick shares a few Barramundi “ridgy-didge beauts” (Aussie-speak for genuinely good wines): Weeken…
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South Tyrol (Süditrol) Alto Adige in northeast Italy is unique for its German and Austrian influences in the food, architecture and dialect and its stunning Dolomite Mountains. The best vineyards are located on the mountain slopes. Cantina Tramin's Willi Stürz and Wolfgang Klotz discuss the history and wines of this historic cooperative. Architect-…
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Born into a rural North Carolina farming family, Ed Mitchell started slow-cooking whole hog pit-cooked barbeque at his family's store to help support his widowed mother. It became Mitchell’s Ribs, Chicken & B-B-Q. Mitchell is one of the nation's leading whole hog BBQ pitmasters and an inductee into the Barbeque Hall of Fame.” The family's story and…
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Elizabeth Gabay is a Master of Wine living in the South of France who is author of two definitive books on rosé wines and a frequent lecturer on the subject “Rosé: Understanding the Pink Wine Revolution” (2018) is a global overview of the history and styles of rosé. “Rosés of Southern France” (2022), co-written with her son, Ben Bernheim, is a hand…
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Matt Moore's book, "Butcher on the Block" (William Morrow) cuts close to the heart. His grandfather, Abraham Samuel Dennis, owned Dennis Food Store in Valdosta, Georgia, where Matt recalls Abe's butchering skills and family dishes. Matt shares stories and expert tips from local butchers in the U.S. and France. A Nashville resident. Matt is an autho…
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Loredan Gasparini in the Asolo/Montello Hills outside of Venice is unique for producing a Venegazzù cru red wine in this region better known for quality Prosecco. The winery was named for Count Piero Loredan Gasparini, a descendant of Leonardo Loredan, Doge of Venice. Current owner since 1973, Giancarlo Palla with his sons continue the tradition of…
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Sally Cowal, a former U.S. diplomat, and Robert Muse, an international lawyer, are among Virginia's many independent family vintners. They own Muse Vineyards in the Shenandoah AVA. The couple purchased their first vineyard in 2003 and later acquired the adjacent farm to plant more vines. Today, Muse Vineyards cultivates 20 varieties and produces a …
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The Moretti Cuseri family achieved success producing luxury goods in Italy. Hand-crafted luxury is also their approach to making wines at their five wine estates in Tuscany and Sicily. Export director and third generation, Alberto Moretti Cuseri, discusses each estate and wines starting with flagship Sette Ponti in Valdarno di Sopra DOC near Arezzo…
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Part of a new generation of young wine producers in Abruzzo, Francesco Cirelli purchased his first parcel of land in 2003 to start Azienda Agricola Cirelli, now 23 hectares, all organically farmed. He began as a winemaker "garagiste" with the goal of making amphora-fermented wines with minimal intervention. Agricola Cirelli is located near the Gran…
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White wine is a $40 billion dollar market (Fact MR) with many varieties and styles to try from around the world. Journalists Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, (the "World Wine Guys"), tackle this topic in "White Wine: The Comprehensive Guide to the 50 Essential Varieties & Styles" (W.W. Norton). Whether it's crisp and dry, fruity and floral, or cream…
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For over 200 years, the Tasca d’Almerita family has had a central role in Sicily winemaking and innovation, from introducing international varieties to producing single estate wines to spearheading the current SOStain sustainability initiative. Eighth generation and CEO Alberto Tasca discusses the family history and estates: Regaleali (Central Sici…
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Ermengildo "Joe" Giusti comes from a storied family in Italy's Asolo (Veneto) region. In 1975 at age 17 he went to North America with just $20 to strike out on his own. He built a construction empire in Canada. In 2002 Joe returned to Asolo and bought a small parcel of land to farm. Now the largest single private vineyard landowner in the Prosecco …
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Tenuta Rapitalà started with a love story between a French nobleman, Count Hugues de la Gatinais, and a Sicilian woman, Gigi Guarrasi. The couple inherited the estate from the Guarassi family after it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1968. They rebuilt Tenuta Rapitalà, cultivating both French and Sicilian varieties. Rapitalà began producing estate…
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With more than 300 days of sunshine and steady winds off the Mediterranean Sea, Pyrenees Mountains and the Massif Central, the region of Languedoc-Roussillon in southwest France’s “Occitania” has a prolific winemaking heritage. AOC Limoux, for example, is the birthplace of sparkling wine. Melanie and David explore a few of Languedoc’s 20 AOCs and s…
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A Master of Wine since 2006, Lisa Granik is an authority on Georgian wines and author of the books, “The Wines of Georgia” and “Granik’s Guide to Georgian Wine.” Her career in wine has included working in nearly every aspect of the distribution system and in global trade development and education. Prior to entering the wine field, Lisa worked in in…
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Camper English has written about the cocktail industry in more than 50 publications and his blog, Alcademics. A student science buff turned cocktail nerd, he's a popular speaker on the bar industry circuit thanks to his detailed research into specific topics. An example is “The Ice Book,” documenting his innovative process to create clear ice, cons…
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Roussillon in SW France borders the Pyrenees Mountains and Mediterranean Sea. Catalan flavors from nearby Spain can be tasted in the local cuisine. Roussillon’s distinctive red clay, iron-rich soils gave the region its name. Eric Aracil, co-director & export manager at the Conseil Interprofessional des Vins du Roussillon (CIVR), discusses the regio…
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Founded in 1843, Santi Winery is in the foothills of the Lissini Mountains in Valpolicella, east of Verona. Mountain breezes and calcareous soil rich in clay and sea sediment contribute to producing this region’s iconic red wines made from native Corvina, Rondinella and Corvivone grapes. Santi produces classic Veronese wines- Valpolicella Superiore…
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What does it take to make it as a chef in today’s world? Shari Bayer, Founder of Bayer Public Relations and Host of "All in The Industry" podcast on Heritage Radio Network, interviewed more than 100 chefs around the world to gain their insights on various aspects of their profession for her book, "Chefwise: Life Lessons from Leading Chefs Around th…
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Scacciadiavoli in Montefalco (Umbria) was founded in 1884 by Prince Ugo Boncompagni Ludovisi as a progressive winemaking complex for its era. It's one of the oldest wineries in Montefalco. The name "Scacciadiavoli" refers to a local exorcist who used wine in rituals to banish the devil (“scacciare- diavoli”). In 1954, winery worker, Amilcare Pambuf…
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