Exploring the Wine Glass

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.  In this episode, we get down and dirty with Cabernet Franc alongside special guests Neeta Mittal of LXV Wine and Sam Schmidt of the Central Coast Wine School. Join us as we explore the deep-rooted passion and obsession for this incredible grape, debunk common myths about its history and origins, discuss its remarkable versatility with food pairings, and preview the upcoming Cab Franc Masters event.  Thank you for tuning into this episode of Exploring the Wine Glass. If you enjoyed our conversation with Neeta and Sam uncovering the true Basque-Spanish heritage, history, and food-pairing magic of Cabernet Franc, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Be sure to visit cabfrancmasters.com to learn more about the annual Cab Franc Masters event happening on Sunday, December 6th. Until next time, keep exploring the glass!   Slainte!  Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at [email protected]. Please support our sponsors Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.  If everything you thought you knew about Lambrusco comes from a sweet, fizzy red bottle you bought in college… clear your palate right now. Welcome back to the podcast. Today, we are taking a trip straight to the sun-drenched plains of Medolla, in the heart of Modena, Italy, to explore a winery that is completely rewriting the rules of what this historic region can do. We’re diving deep into the world of VentiVenti—a cutting-edge estate founded in 2020 by the Razzaboni family. Now, "2020" isn't just the birth year of the winery; it’s a nod to 2020 vision—that sharp, precise ability to look at traditional terroir and see an entirely new, sustainable future. In our exclusive virtual tasting recorded just recently, we sat down with the team to explore how they transformed former cereal farmland into 70 hectares of pristine, organic vines. We talk about the high-clay alluvial soils of the Pianura Padana, why structure and vibrant minerality are replacing the old clichés, and how they are crafting world-class Metodo Classico and Charmat sparkling wines from native grapes like Sorbara and Salamino. If your glass is empty now and your curiosity is full, make sure to hit that subscribe button wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode of our global wine journey. If you loved exploring the clay soils and bright bubbles of Modena with us today, please take five seconds to leave a 5-star rating and a quick review. It truly helps other wine lovers find the show.  Slainte!  Find out more about VentiVenti here  Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at [email protected]. Please support our sponsors Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.  Pour yourself a glass of something dark, bold, and deep crimson. Sit back, dim the lights, and lock your doors. Welcome to a special Halloween edition of the podcast. We all love wine for what it brings to our tables—celebration, romance, community, and the artistry of the earth. But wine has a long, shadowed history. Behind the polished tasting rooms, the romantic candlelit barrels, and the sun-drenched vineyards lie stories of sudden violence, restless spirits, and baffling mysteries that time has failed to erase. Tonight, we are pulling back the velvet curtain on the dark side of wine country. Thank you so much for joining me for this dark journey through the shadows of wine country. If you survived this trip through haunted cellars and vineyard true crime, please make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast wherever you are listening. Your reviews help other curious souls find our table—and keep the lights on for our next eerie adventure. Until next time, keep your glass full, and always check what's lurking in the dark behind the barrels.  Slainte!  Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at [email protected]. Please support our sponsors Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.  This week  we took a lovely little field trip to Healdsburg that rapidly devolved into a wine country survival expedition. If you’ve ever wanted to know what happens when a tasting room experience involves accidentally becoming an unpaid cave guide, enduring pours that taste like a high school science experiment gone wrong, and staging a desperate, clandestine rescue mission to aisle four at Safeway, this episode is your holy grail. Pour yourself something you actually trust, because we are diving headfirst into our most delightfully disastrous adventure yet!  Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!   Slainte!  Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at [email protected]. Please support our sponsors Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.  In this episode Protecting What Matters on AM 1230 KPRL, host Barry Fisher welcomes local wine expert, podcast host, and Dracaena Wines co-owner Lori Budd. (ME!) Tune in as I share my unique journey from biology into the heart of the Paso Robles winemaking community. The conversation pours out insights on everything from navigating the shifting wine industry landscape and the joys of wine tourism to demystifying wine education for beginners. Plus, Barry and I taste and review Dracaena’s signature Blanc de Franc—a rare white Cabernet Franc—while offering practical, approachable advice for anyone looking to expand their palate without the intimidation. Whether you are a seasoned oenophile or just pouring your first glass, this episode is packed with expert knowledge, local treasure highlights, and plenty of laughs!   Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!   Slainte!  Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at [email protected]. Please support our sponsors Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.  A Note About the Recording: This episode was recorded live during a Franciacorta wine tasting at Catch in West Hollywood. Because the event took place in a large, lively room, you’ll hear some natural room ambience and background conversation throughout the recording. The sound reflects the atmosphere of being there in person and captures the energy of the afternoon. Wine educators, writers and somms gathered to explore one of Italy’s most celebrated sparkling wine regions. From the vineyards of Lombardy to the glasses being poured in Los Angeles, we dive into what makes Franciacorta unique, how it compares with other traditional-method sparkling wines, and the stories behind the producers and wines featured at this memorable tasting.   Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!   Slainte!  Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at [email protected]. Please support our sponsors Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.  Today, we are heading to the heart of Paso Robles to dive into the incredible evolution of Sculpterra Winery. Long before they were crafting estate wines and filling a breathtaking sculpture garden with monumental works of art, the Frankel family started out simply tending the land and selling their grapes to other regional producers. To talk about what it's truly like to grow up among those vines, watch a family business transform from the ground up, and take the helm as winemaker, I sat down with winemaker and vineyard manager Paul Frankel. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass, and let’s explore the story behind Sculpterra.  Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!   Slainte!  Learn more about Sculptera Winery here  Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at [email protected]. Please support our sponsors Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.  In this episode, we are packing our bags for Northern California's wine country—starting in the charming, upscale town of Healdsburg, where three legendary valleys converge. But let's be real: we aren't here for the small-town agricultural heritage. We are here to dodge pool-running children and boogers at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, brave the velvet ropes at Kosta Browne where a single refill might require a second mortgage, and listen to a Napa tour guide pitch a bombing run on the Mayor of New York over at Pine Ridge Vineyards. Whether you're looking for a Michelin-star dining experience or just an unsolicited drug addiction therapy session from a bartender, grab a glass, because we are diving headfirst into the wildest Disneyland of wine!   Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!   Slainte!  Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at [email protected]. Please support our sponsors Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass!  Do you believe it is November already?! 2023 sure has flown by. We just left Merlot Month and tomorrow we wrap up the celebrations with International Merlot Day.   Join me in this light hearted episode with my buddy Nick Berube as we go through the wine dating game. I scoured the internet looking for Merlot wine reviews.  I will read the reviews to Nick and he has to pick which one he’s taking home.  Will he choose wisely? Please note that although we are poking fun at some wines, we will never wine guilt.  Remember to drink what you like and don’t let anyone tell you a wine isn’t good. I’ll never tell you what to drink, but I’ll always share what’s in my glass.  If you listen to a lot of podcasts, you know that many ask for patreon. We do not plan on doing this, but we do ask you to support the podcast by leaving a review. It takes only a few seconds of your time but means so much to the show. The next best way to support Exploring the Wine Glass is to tell your friends. If you enjoy the podcast, your wine loving friends will too. Finally, don’t forget to head to the website, Exploring the Wine Glass.com to read the blog, and sign up for the newsletter so you can keep up with all the happenings.  Slainte!  Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | GOOGLE PLAY | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at [email protected]. Please support our sponsor Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES

It’s Monday, Let’s raise a glass to the beginning of another week. It’s time to unscrew, uncork or saber a bottle and let’s begin Exploring the Wine Glass.  In this episode, we head to the Adelaida District in Paso Robles to visit Mustard Creek Vineyard. I sit down with co-owner Megan Rickenbach to chat about taking the leap into vineyard ownership, preserving the legacy of 20+ year-old Zinfandel and Petite Sirah vines, and crafting boutique Paso wines.   Please take a moment of your time to subscribe, rate and review Exploring the Wine Glass. It’s completely free and is a great way to let other wine lovers know about the podcast. Be sure to head over to the website, Exploringthewineglass.com, to read my award winning blog and to see what else I have been up to. And most of all, please tell your friends about the podcast!   Slainte!  Find out more about Mustard Creek here Find out more about my Wine Education Classes here Order Spanish Wine Bingo Game here Earn your Rioja Enthusiasts Certification here Music: WINE by Kēvens Official Video Follow me on Instagram!   Follow me on Twitter! Subscribe to my YouTube channel SIGN UP FOR EXPLORING THE WINE GLASS NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ON iTUNES STITCHER | iTUNES | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | PODBEAN | AUDIBLE | BOOMPLAY Even ask your smart speaker to play Exploring the Wine Glass GIVE US A RATING AND REVIEW Thoughts or comments? Contact Lori at [email protected]. Please support our sponsors Dracaena Wines - Our Wines + Your Moments + Great Memories Use code 'Explore' at checkout to receive 10% off your first order GET SPECIAL OFFERS FOR DRACAENA WINES