The Connected Table

12/06/2023

This 2021 cabernet deserves a silver wine coaster, yes?

Tune in tomorrow to hear our live interview with

2pm ET.

12/05/2023

Reflections of a Vintner: 50 Years in Napa- A Conversation with Tor Kenward - December 6 on

Tor Kenward's new memoir, "Reflections of a Vintner: Stories and Seasonal Wisdom from a Lifetime in Napa Valley," takes readers back 50 years to when Napa Valley was a burgeoning AVA with less than 50 wineries to today with now more than 200 wineries.

Kenward caught the wine bug in the early 1970s and turned in his keys running a jazz club in California to become a cellar rat intent on learning the business from the ground up. Fortunately, for Kenward, he unlocked the career doors to Beringer Estate’s Rhine House where he became a key player in establishing Beringer’s reputation as a wine producer, culinary education and fine dining destination, and fine wines importer. In his words, he served as “VP of Fun” while learning the art and science of making fine wine.

His book reflects on industry greats like Beringer’s winemakers Myron Nightengale and Ed Sbragia, wine consultant, André Tchelistcheff and Robert Mondavi, the latter with whom he helped launch both COPIA and the American Institute of Wine & Food (AIWF) with Julia Child. He recruited esteemed French cooking teacher, Madeleine Kamman, to establish Beringer’s School for American Chefs (1990-2000). And he appointed Kamman's protégé, Chef Gary Danko, to turn Beringer’s restaurant into an award-winning dining experience. Danko eventually opened his eponymous restaurant in San Francisco.

Tor and his wife, Susan, established in 2001, writing a new chapter for their lives. TOR wines focuses on single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay cuvées, working with prestige plots like Beckstoffer To Kalon, and Bordeaux varietals. Critical and commercial response has been strong. The words “coveted” and “cult” pop up a lot in media. On October 6, 2021, TOR’s 2016 Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon was named top Cabernet Blend at the Judgement of Napa. This event commemorated the 45th anniversary of the historic “Judgement of Paris.”

We welcome Tor Kenward to Wednesday, December 6. 2pm EST . Listen on demand on 35+ podcast channels.

12/02/2023

Delicious plates at today in Bay - lime plate , and good vibes. Welcome to the end of the road.


To and with &

12/01/2023

Rioja’s Murúa family is rooted in history in Rioja. José Murúa founded his winery in 1926 in Elciego (Rioja Alavesa), an area known for exceptional terroir. Murúa was a skilled negociant and winemaker early on and 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 Ganguitia. In the 2000s the family expanded, acquiring Conde de los Andes (Rioja Alta) and Luis Alegre (Rioja Alavesa). In the U.S. Bodegas Muriel is imported by Quintessential Wines

We had the pleasure of visiting with Javier Murúa on The Connected Table SIPS and taste a selection of wines for The Connected Table SIPS. Listen on and many more podcast channels.

11/29/2023

Pavlova is Melanie's favorite holiday dessert made by her mother and grandmother for decades. We will make it again this year for Christmas Eve dinner! This meringue-based dessert was named for the Russian ballet dancer, Anna Pavlova. It is a light dessert will make you dance with joy! What makes this round tort-like dessert special is its spongey interior encircles by crispy meringue, drizzled with sliced fresh fruits and whipped cream,

Pavlova originated in either Australia or New Zealand in the early 20th century. And it has made a comeback, named "Dessert Trend of the Year" in the recently released annual Food/Drink/Hospitality Trends Report issues by and

Today on The Connected Table LIVE, Candace MacDonald, co-founder and managing partner for Carbonate, joins us to talk about the trends report which includes some exciting and unusual predictions on what you'll see on menus, in cocktails and at hotels in the upcoming year. How about: "uni," "sea algae, and "cheesey cocktails?"

Tune in Wednesday November 29, 2pm EST . Or listen on demand on your preferred podcast channel or at connectedtavle (dot) com.

11/28/2023

We always love stopping by when we are in - just good and sushi inspired etc. Fresh locally caught fish, organice ingredients. Made with as you can see in the design on the plate.

to & with and on

11/28/2023

Because one cannot visit Hawaii without a breakfast stack of macadamia nut panckaes. These are from the Village Snack Shop and Bakery in Hanalei. bana

11/27/2023

can't stay away from the - (swipe 👈 for her choice)

to and with

11/26/2023

David gets a shave! Our first stop after leaving the Lihue Airport in Kauai was in Kapaa to get a Lava Flow Shave Ice made with fresh pineapple and strawberry juice over macadamia nut ice cream.

11/22/2023

We spent a week visiting a few family-owned wineries in the three Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie D.O.C. production areas of Veneto, Trento and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, collectively known as Triveneto. 82% of Italy's Pinot Grigio is produced here. Find out what distinguishes Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie D.O.C. and meet the producers we visited, including Maso Poli Tommasi wine

Tune into Wednesday, November 22, 2pm EST W4CY Radio Listen on demand anytime on any major podcast channel including iHeartRadio Spotify Streamed on our website theconnectedtable (dot) com.

11/22/2023

The coconut 🥥 swung in the wind and the afternoon pu pu's were delicious 😋 .

11/21/2023

⚜️ It’s Official!! The Rolling Stones will Headline this year’s Jazz Fest ⚜️

🤩 Start making plans now 🤩

⚜️ There is always something to do in New Orleans ⚜️

⭐️ Be sure to give my page a Follow ⭐️👇🏻

https://www.facebook.com/Jeffgoad777?mibextid=LQQJ4d

11/20/2023

Sipping California's Geyser Peak - Peaks of Excellence- new podcast

Founded in 1880 as California’s 29th bonded winery, Geyser Peak Winery 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-specific and California- appellated wines which are acclaimed for being consistently fresh and over-delivering on quality.

We visited with Jessica Saghafi who is part of Geyser Peak's dual winemaking team (with longtime winemaker Derek Irwin) and discussed Geyser Peak's history and wines. Here is what we tasted:

Geyser Park Sauvignon Blanc 2022- fragrant and floral with notes of citrus blossom, juicy pineapple, grapefruit, and a touch of honeydew melon.

Geyser Park Chardonnay 2022- fresh fruit flavors of apricot and marzipan delivering a luscious mouthfeel, good balance, crisp acidity and long, lingering finish.

Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 - black pepper and dark berries laced with cacao and herbal notes, restrained tannins and a lingering finish.

Geyser Peak Walking Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 -ripe blueberries and plums with hints of nutmeg and vanilla. Ample tannins and rick, silky texture.

Learn more about this historic and classic NoCal producer. Listen to

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/209-the-connected-table-sips-27526145/episode/sipping-californias-geyser-peak-peaks-129344206/

11/20/2023

Aloha from Maui! Even though this beautiful island has experienced a devastating tragedy this year with the inferno fire in Lahaina, the areas outside the affected zone are open for business. Hours may be limited, and Help Wanted signs can be seen, but the Aloha spirit is everywhere, and we see plenty of visitors

Maui relies on tourism, and we plan to visit some independent locally run cafes and restaurants.

This morning, we had a late breakfast at A'A Roots, which specializes in vegan food. Breakfast and lunch. The bowls are like works of art. And delicious!

.

11/18/2023

Family. Food. 🍷 Listen to this podcast episode with Paolo Galli and daughter, Marta Galli, of winry in Valpolicella Classico
podcasts link
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-visit-with-the-galli-family-of/id1444872343?i=1000635099297

11/18/2023

Family. Wine. Food. In Valpolicella Classico Listen to our conversation with Paolo Galli and his daughter, Marta Galli, on The Connected Table Live. . .

‎Show The Connected Table Live, Ep A Visit with the Galli Family of Le Ragose, Valpolicella Classico - Nov 16, 2023

11/14/2023

Our last night in Verona. A revisit dinner to . Fabulous red snapper crudo, spaghetti with prawns, venison with cream whipped potatoes and grouper with artichoke and pomegranate. We chose a bottle of bianco for starters and Melanie's fish. David had a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo with his venison.

We leave tomorrow and missing Verona and Italy already

11/14/2023

We had a delightful afternoon visit with the Galli family, owners of in Valpolicella Classico: Paolo, Alessia and Marta Galli.

The best homemade pumpkin soup, lasagna, and wild strawberry ricotta cheese cake all paired with Le Ragose wines ranging from Valpolicella Classico to Ripasso to Amarone di Valpolicella. U.S. Importers

Papa Paolo Galli and daughter Marta Galli join us to share their family story and wines pm Wednesday, November 15, 2pm EST. Podcast to 35+ channels including




🇮🇹

11/14/2023

on display during - great discussion of how Sicilian has gained the attention of the world through the tireless efforts of its many hard working producers.
On the stage with were three of its greatest ambassadors: Antonio Rallo of Alberto Tasca of and Alessio Planeta of

connected to & with

11/14/2023

Which photo is the Real Person and which is AI generated in photo #1?

Yesterday, it was standing room only at the
Seminar on "How Artificial Intelligence (AI) will change the way we work
In the wine business"

Great insights from that had us thinking about how to use and other applications effectively.

Main takeaway: Use AI to streamline repetitive tasks, customer service, marketing and communications.

However, AI will not replace human intuitive thinking, creativity, and relationship building.

11/13/2023

A conference on the business of marketing and selling wine around the world. Day 1. Connecting with many of our global friends and colleagues, especially in Italy .



Glad to be here. Great takeaways.

11/10/2023

Just gonna say that 5 years-aged from pomace is a whole different animal.

11/09/2023

We're feeling the magic of Venice even if it is just for one night.

11/07/2023

One of the many things we love about working in the wine industry is meeting inspiring and passionate people around the world with a common goal to make and sell distinctive wines with great stories.

Many are multi-generational family owners. Like the Kreps family of based in Napa, California. This family owned/operated import, marketing and sales company represents independent multi-generational winemaking families around the world. That’s currently 30 families and 41 wineries in 11 countries.

“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. This year marks Quintessential Wines 20th anniversary.

Hear their story on The Connected Table Wednesday, November 8, 2p.m. EST on . Podcast and many more channels.

Grab a glass and tune in!

Photo: Quintessential Wine's family of employees.

11/06/2023

Alto Adige style.
Just walking into the retaurant and smelling the fragrant spices waft through the dining room made us salivate. The bone marrow sauce (Chinese spoon upper right) was off the charts.

11/04/2023

Yes, please!
Family-owned for 6 generations, we loved this cozy white tablecloth find on a quiet street in Verona.

10/31/2023

Want to Land Your Wine Brand a Cameo on Television or Film? Here are some tips from industry pros. Read Melanie's latest article in Wine Industry Advisor.

Tip: Relatable characters drinking your wine is a great way to reach target customers.

By Melanie Young

In the Netflix series, Dead to Me, Jen, a grieving widow, and Judy, a free-spirited artist, bond over bottles of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is featured so often, it deserves a show credit. This is just one example of prime product placement for wines in television and movies.

Wine features prominently in many television and film productions, and placing brands in these shows can deliver millions of viewers — each one a potential customer. So how do you make sure your wine gets the role?

How to land your brand a cameo...Read more below,
and tag The Connected Table

Relatable characters drinking your wine is a great way to reach target customers. By Melanie Young In the Netflix series, Dead to Me, Jen, a grieving

10/31/2023

From Luxury Goods CEO to Burgundy Vigneron- Meet Philippe Pascal November 1st, 2pm EST on W4CY Radio iHeartRadio

Philippe Pascal traded a successful corporate career in fine wines and luxury goods, working in successive CEO positions for both Seagram (Barton & Guestier, Mumm-Perrier Jouët Champagne Group) and LVMH (Moët Hennessey and LVMH Watch & Jewelry) to work full time as a vigneron in Bourgogne.

He and wife, Catherine, own Domaine du Cellier aux Moines, a 900-year
- old wine estate in the Côte Chalonnaise (Givry) which they acquired in 2004 and have restored and updated, including replanting vines, adding gravity cellaring and transitioning to biodynamic farming.

In 2020, the Pascal family and their winemaker, Guillame Marko, established Domaine Mont Bessay to make cru Beaujolais wines from vineyards in Juliénas and Moulin-À-Vent.

Working in agriculture is a Full Circle career move for Pascal. After earning a Master's of Science in Agronomy, he served the French government in Africa's Guinée Bissau, and then spent 10 years working with SOPEXA in the U.S.A. to promote the French Wine & Food Industry.

Pascal is a recipient of France’s Legion d'Honneur recognizing his long career leadership working in French fine wines.

Tune in November 1, 2pm EST The Connected Table LIVE W4CY Radio

10/31/2023

We received a care package from Sicily today from our friends at Feudo Montoni because they truly care! Grazie per tutti Melissa Muller and Fabio Sireci for the wines, olive oil, tomato sauce, lentils and chickpeas. We have a great meal ahead of us thanks to you!

10/28/2023

Today's post from -
The spotted in helping get people out to

'tbuy and support your local animal shelter

10/27/2023

Sip For Solidarity-News

To raise awareness and in support of Israel and Israeli wineries, the Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA), a trade organization promoting Israeli wineries through wine education and events, is asking consumers to “Sip For Solidarity.”

A press release sent to us shared this:

“The massacre has had an immediate, concrete impact, particularly on picking, sorting and winemaking teams. Harvest had begun shortly before the attacks, which meant that the sorting, crushing and fermentation processes, were, in many cases, done under the constant threat of attack and bombardment. For many wineries, production teams have been hollowed out as the young men and women who normally would be shepherding the crucial winemaking process have called up to help defend the nation.”

Nature doesn’t take a break during times of conflict, and winemaking is a hands-on intensive business.

So what can you do? Go out and purchase a bottle of Israeli wine and . IPWA is donating 10% of every case shipped from November 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023 to Israeli relief efforts.

We found these two bottles, both vintage 2004, from Mel Young's wine cellar. Melanie's late father was a wine educator and collector.

The Hartel Cabernet Sauvignon is from Clos de G*t, located in the foothills of the Judean Mountains. I read this location is historically Israel’s biblical Ayalon Valley, where Joshua defeated the Five Kings "G*t" means "wine press."

The Pelter Trio 2004 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The winery was founded in 2002 by Tal and Nir Pelter. It is located in Kibbutz Ein Zivan in the northern Golan Heights.

10/25/2023

We are all about spotlighting Legends and Legacies in the world of wine where multigenerational families work together. Today, October 25, on The Connected Table LIVE!, we take you to Abruzzo to Emidio Pepe, one of this wine region's most respected wine estates.

Emidio Pepe founded his company in 1964, after working alongside both his father and grandfather who had been making wine at the Pepe house since 1899. We met Pepe, now in his nineties, and his family during a June visit to Abruzzo. If drinking a little red wine each day is a testament to a long life, he is an example!

Recognized for its age-worthy wines, Emidio Pepe adheres to biodynamic farming and working with native grapes, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. Grapes are hand crushed (red) and foot crushed (white), fermented in cement and aged in bottle. No oak is used.

Emidio Pepe is blessed to have some amazing women in his life who work with him to run operations, including his wife, Rosa, daughters, Daniela and Sofia and granddaughters, Elena and Chiara (pictured).

Chiara Pepe studied in France in Borgogne and now tends to the vines and cellar. She gave us a tour of the cellar during our visit and we had the pleasure of dining with her at Emidio Pepe, which welcomes visitors including a few lucky overnight guests. (fabulous meal!)

Chiara joins us today, October 25, 2pm EST on The Connected Table LIVE! to share the Emidio Pepe story and discuss their signature wines. U.S. importer Polaner Selections

10/24/2023

Monday evening's vertical tasting of Brunello di Montalcino Riserva wines with an exquisite meal at was exceptional.

Head Winemaker Federico Radi gave us a deep dive into this historic wine estate's regenerative farming protocols to bring back historic clonal selections and preserve the vineyards.

Vintages tasted: 2016, 2013, 2012, 1999, 1983. All Brunello di Montalcino Riserva.

A perfect evening start to finish thank you
Importer.

10/21/2023

This is how we "pickle ball" in NYC. House-made pickles and matzo ball soup on 34th St. new location. Family-owned since 1914.nyc

10/21/2023

We're wrapped in blue to celebrate being named #1 Vineyard in the World. Always happy to see

10/21/2023

Scene at Giovanni Manetti .agr.fontodi Chianti Classico

10/21/2023

Three generations at the table pouring Brunello di Montalcino

Matriarch Elisabetta Gnudi with daughter, Alessandra (right), and granddaughter.

10/21/2023

We gave Winemaker Victor Schoenfeld a warm embrace for making it safely to NYC to pour celebrating 40 years.

10/17/2023

Emily Darchuk is a food scientist who once worked for NASA, creating freeze-dried beef stroganoff to send into space with the astronauts. On Planet Earth, she is passionate about the environment, especially food waste.

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,

A specialist is dairy science, Darchuk found a way to repurpose whey, the protein-rich liquid byproduct left after cheesemaking, to create a distilled spirit, which she has name Wheyward Spirit. Producing one pound of cheese creates nine pounds of whey, so why waste it? Darchuk sources whey from California dairy farmers. This is a great example up upcycling food waste to create a new product.

Hear from Emily Darchuk on October 18, 2pm EST on W4CY Radio Podcast , and 35+ other channels. Listen on demand anytime after October 17.

10/12/2023

Snapshots from yesterday's satellite seminar tasting at . Featuring seminars patched in from with .bartolotta and and produced by .agency and

to with & on