Listen to Jack Farrell's weekly radio show on 830 AM - WCCO or click on the links below to listen to his podcast!
August 17, 2019
Jack Farrell is contacting us from the Pacific Northwest this week. He's in the Seattle area to taste an assortment of wines made in Washington State. How did this area become fertile ground for the industry?
Here are the wines mentioned in the segment:
Jack called in from Seattle, he was at the barrel Auction for Washington wines - the wines were world class. Blending wines from the new world and the old world. The new technologies he witnessed and heard about are very exciting for the wine world.
Chateau Ste Michelle Winery is the area's pioneer in the wine industry, it truly is one of the most beautiful wineries in the world.
They have partnered with Loosen in Germany for Rieslings
Partnered with Antinori in Italy and have amassed quite a few awards for their wine, Col Solare (Antinori being the winery that produces Tignanello - an award winning super Tuscan that is highly sought after and very highly regarded much like Chateau Lafite in Bordeaux).
J & M Cellars is a winery that Haskell's does not yet carry. They are fermenting Grenache in an amphora jug (big clay pots with a tapered bottom). The wine still has another year to go, however, what Jack tasted was wonderful right now.
Washington produces very good Bordeaux varietals: Cabernet, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc.
They produce Viognier that is almost as good as European wineries.
One of their flagship wine types is a GSM (Grenahce, Syrah, Mourvedre) blend mirrored after Cotes-du-Rhone blends.
They produce great Cabernet Franc (Chateau Cheval Blanc, one of the great wines of the world, is almost 100% Cab Franc).
August 10, 2019
It's one of the most well-established wine regions in the world, but there isn't a bad time to get reacquainted with the Rhone Valley. Jack Farrell goes through the variety of styles produced in this Southern France region.
Here are the wines mentioned in the segment:
Cotes-du-Rhone Red Wines - Great, simple, every day drinking wines! In fact, this is what he uses as his house wine. They are mixtures of Grenache and Syrah that are easy to pair with food.
Viognier - A white wine varietal from the Rhone region (one of the most overlooked grapes, in his opinion).
Hermitage - A top wine from the northern Cotes-du-Rhone.
Crozes-Hermitage - An introduction to Hermitage without spending a lot.
Cote-Rotie - The other top wine from the northern Cotes-du-Rhone.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape - The top wine from the southern Cotes-du-Rhone.
Tavel Rose Wines - his favorite!
Vacqueryas - One of the Crus of the Cotes-du-Rhone, it is perfect for beefy hearty dishes.
He also talked about reading wine labels. Watch Jack talk about how to decipher them here!
August 3, 2019
When you think of wine-producing countries, we know the first ones that come to mind. What about New Zealand? Jack takes some time to discuss the industry in this southwestern Pacific Ocean island country.
Here are the wines mentioned in the segment:
New Zealand produces mostly Sauvignon Blanc but also some Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chenin Blanc.
Cloudy Bay was declared the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world in 1985!
For red wine lovers, the Marlborough region is growing some very luscious Pinot Noir wines as well!
Silver Beach Sauvignon Blanc - Jack's favorite Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.
Kim Crawford - one of the pioneers of the screw cap.
Calvados - Denny asked about an old bottle that he recently found. It's an incredible apple brandy that tastes like 1,000 apples popped right in your mouth!
July 27, 2019
Have you ever heard of Sancerre wine? Sauvignon Blanc enthusiasts have. Why is this in the running for the best of this variety? Jack Farrell lets us know.
Here are the wines mentioned in the segment:
Sancerre is 100% Sauvignon Blanc produced in the Loire Valley, the breadbasket of France. Known as the white wine of Paris, it is truly a Sauvignon Blanc with a college education.
Grown on the east side of the Loire River, it gets its complex, unique and weighty character from the chalky subsoil it is grown in (much like the wines of Chablis and Champagne).
On the other side of river is Pouilly-Fume, which is much more acidic and not as complex as Sancerre.
It is most often aged in stainless steel vats and pairs with so many summer dishes - especially shrimp scampi.
July 20, 2019
What wine goes well with various entrees? Jack Farrell tells us about the flexibility of Chianti. Plus, what does he say regarding putting ice in or chilling wine?
Here are the wines mentioned in the segment:
Purchase stones that freeze so they won't melt and water down your wine! But, don't feel badly about putting ice into your wine - you're the one drinking it after all! Red wines should be served at about 60 degrees, so a little chill is perfectly acceptable.
Chianti, a versatile wine that can pair with dishes ranging from pork chops to bolognese to chicken. You can find Chianti for $10 bottle and up to $100 a bottle. It's great for picnics and warm weather - put it in the cooler and enjoy it like Beaujolais.
In the 60's and 70's winemakers were experimenting with recipes and created Super Tuscans. Born in the Chianti region, they might be 100% Cabernet, 100% Merlot or a mixture of anything else but they are not certified Chianti. They usually are not produced from Sangiovese but if they do, they only use for blending purposes. They are the most expensive wines to come out of the region.
Look for the Gallo Nero, the black rooster stamp on the bottles of Chianti Classico.
Types of Chianti:
Chianti Classico spends almost a year in the cellar before bottled and sold.
Chianti Riserva spends two years in the cellar before bottled and sold.
Villa Cafaggio - Jack used to be an owner of this vineyard years ago. He spoke of the town of Greve, which has a dispensary in the middle of town and where you can try many different Chiantis an ounce or two at a time!
July 13, 2019
Jack has discussed the pairing of Malbec wine and barbecue in the past. But how much do you know about the style's original home? He takes us on a tour of Cahors, France during this episode.
Here are the wines mentioned in the segment:
Jack's favorite wine to pair with BBQ is Malbec! His favorite being those that are produced in Cahors, France.
Cahors produces Malbec aka the black wine of Cahors. It gets this nickname because it is the darkest red wine produced in France. Cahors Malbec is very different from the Malbecs produced in Argentina - they are big and bold.
Chateau Lagrezette - The Malbec that was perfectly paired with bbq ribs basted in sauce (sweet, spicy and hot).
Paul Hobbs, a Californian winemaker, owns property in Cahors (unfortunately, Haskell's does not carry his Cahors wine).
July 6, 2019
Last time out, Jack Farrell discussed the history of wine in America. But what about the current status of the industry? He tackles that during this edition of the program.
Here are the wines mentioned in the segment:
In the founding years of our country, Madeira was one of most popular wines to drink. It is a fortified wine from the Island of Madeira, Spain.
California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Ohio and Michigan are the largest wine producing states. But don't count out Minnesota Wineries - we have a ton! Read about some of them here.
In 1976 in Paris, a wine competition known as the Judgement of Paris, blind tasted French and American wines. To everyone's surprise, an American wine won in both the red and the white categories:
Stags Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
June 29, 2019
Ahead of this week's holiday, Jack Farrell dives into several topics. They include America's history with wine and what to look for in a Sangria.
Here are the wines mentioned in the segment:
Ted's 4 for $40 on the 4th of July (offer only valid through July 4, 2019)
Second Growth Rose from Willamette Valley (Pinot Noir Rose)
Projection Chardonnay from California (shrimp on the bbq)
Lakegirl Zinfandel from Lodi, California (pair with ribs or burgers)
Fog Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Sangria Recipes
Red Sangria - Beaujolais Nouveau, 6 oz club soda, 2 oz brandy, 2 oz triple sec, sliced orange, lemon, lime and green apple. Serve over ice.
White Sangria - Haskell's Maison Blanc, 6 oz club soda, 2 oz lemoncello, 2 oz brandy, sliced peach, apple, lemon and tarragon. Serve over ice.
Rose Sangria - Domaine Fazi, 6 oz club soda, 1-2 oz rum, 1-2 oz triple sec, 1-2 oz lemonello, mint and strawberries. Serve over ice.