Planted worldwide, Sauvignon Blanc is a noble variety though too often made, and therefore recognized, as less than. These three northern hemisphere owner/winemakers are amongst a handful who keenly understand this vibrant white grape so as to coax from it the best their terroirs can offer. France's Loire, Styria shared by Austria and Slovenia, and California's Napa Valley have few peers for fashioning benchmark expressions from an often underachieving grape. This is driven deep by tasting immaculate bottlings from the Tement family dating to 2015 and 2019.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Christian Drouin is Calvados' most renowned proprietor and vociferous proponent, his self-titled distillery of this noble apple brandy distributed worldwide. His book, The Art of Calvados, has been translated into English and was published in October by Bill Owens' White Mule Press, with Bill joining David and Christian.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

A conversation with three California vintners; Steve Matthiasson, Raj Parr, Jared Brandt--and three on-premise retailers; Atlanta's Jesse Kirkpatrick, Charleston's Femi Oyediran, Chicago's Nik Wells about this nebulously defined term and its relevance, understanding, and enjoyment.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

The Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce's 7th Bartender Wars drew a dozen of the area's finest adult beverage purveyors to compete for the audience-awarded Silver Shake prize--won a second consecutive year by The Bottle Shop.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Great Grüner's made inroads not only in California but throughout the Northwest to the southern tip of the Rocky Mtns. in northern New Mexico. Four of its leading proponents join David Furer and Carlo DeVito to discuss its suitability in the soil, ease in the winery, and appeal in the glass.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Absinthe's history, culture, and current state in the US craft spirits sector is explored with those making it in California, Louisiana, Maryland, and in New York.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

The eminently refreshing GV is a relatively recent grape for the entirety of the US. On the heels of their commitment to Riesling, Galen Glen were the first to plant it out east while Bellview has found success with it amongst the multitude of varieties they cultivate. We learn of their work with it while tasting their examples along with two from New York--the Finger Lakes' Ryan William and our local Hudson Valley's Millbrook.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Rainer Schnaitmann was introduced to me in 1998 by a man greatly responsible for my entering the wine world, Helmut Doka, himself then a Stuttgart city councillor with a brief charging him to oversee his city's vineyards. He met and was impressed by the first vintage made by the then new vintner who was one of handful of dynamic young Germans turning its wines' stodgy stylings into those with far better results. Schnaitmann's wines have gone from strength to strength enjoying exemplary critical comments and widespread distribution.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff