The second in a several-part series of episodes in which I discuss my own favorite stories, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, by pairing the major wine regions of Europe with different places in the journey through in Middle-earth.
For these first episodes, and especially the Tolkien-themed ones, I've tried to compile a list of what I recommended (and also get to add some stuff I forgot when recording). So, to start of here's what we were drinking during this episode:
2014 Villa Antinori Toscana Rosso
Some wine terms we discussed in this episode:
-Botrytis, aka "Noble Rot", Carbonic Maceration, Super Tuscan
This Episode's Journey:
The Shire, Revisited: Sauternes, the dessert wine of Bordeaux
Château Suduiraut (not mentioned in the Episode, but Emma has since found a deep love for this producer)
The Old Forest- Montsant
-Continuation of my Forest Wine Collection. Just outside of Priorat, a bit less complex (ie, a bit less inky and dense, but still dangerous)
Blau (also not mentioned in the episode, but also delicious)
Bombadil & Goldberry: Sparkling Wine!
-Champagne:
-Pol Roger (Winston Churchill’s favorite Champagne), Dom Perignon, Pierre Peters, Robert Moncuit
-Prosecco:
Adami, Jeio (project of Bisol, great Rosé), Col Vetoraz
-Cava:
Raventos, Pere Mata, Juve y Camps
Bree- Beer! (It's an anagram.) Check out Boulevard's Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale.
Weathertop- Rías Baixas
-Cold, dry, windy, salinity.
Morgadio, Burgans, Nanclares (not mentioned in episode, but is stupendous)
Rivendell revisited: Tuscany again!
-Red Wines this time, because it's a little darker...
-Chianti: Monteraponi, Selvapiana, Castello di Monsanto, Fontodi, Badia a Coltibuono, Volpaia.
-Brunello: Biondi Santi, Valdicava, Gianni Brunelli
-Super Tuscans: Tignanello, from Antinori (coming full circle)