If you missed it LIVE… Click here to listen or download this show! Show files are listed by date and the 4 segments are in reverse order.
My guest this week is Kevin Begos, author of “Tasting The Past – The Science of Flavor & The Search for the Origins of Wine.”
“Oenophiles will raise a glass to Begos’s excellent exploration of the science and history of wine, now a $300 billion global market. This mix of memoir and wine education guide is all-around satisfying. He helpfully finishes many chapters with lists of recommend wines.” —Publishers Weekly
Discover the hidden life of wine. Get a copy NOW!
After a chance encounter with an obscure Middle Eastern red, journalist Kevin Begos embarks on a ten-year journey to seek the origins of wine. What he unearths is a whole world of forgotten grapes, each with distinctive tastes and aromas, as well as the archaeologists, geneticists, chemists—even a paleobotanist—who are deciphering wine down to molecules of flavor. We meet a young scientist who sets out to decode the DNA of every single wine grape in the world; a researcher who seeks to discover the wines that Caesar and Cleopatra drank; and an academic who has spent decades analyzing wine remains to pinpoint ancient vineyards. Science illuminates wine in ways no critic can, and it has demolished some of the most sacred dogmas of the industry: for example, well-known French grapes aren’t especially noble.
We travel with Begos along the original wine routes—starting in the Caucasus Mountains, where wine grapes were first domesticated eight thousand years ago; then down to Israel and across the Mediterranean to Greece, Italy, and France; and finally to America where vintners are just now beginning to make distinctive wines from a new generation of local grapes. Imagine the wine grape version of heirloom vegetables or craft beer, or better yet, taste it: Begos offers readers drinking suggestions that go far beyond the endless bottles of Chardonnay and Merlot found in most stores and restaurants.
In this viticultural detective story wine geeks and history lovers alike will discover new tastes and flavors to savor.
Kevin Begos is a former MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellow whose stories and research have appeared in major newspapers and other publications, including Scientific American, Harper’s, USA Today, the New York Times, and others. He reviews books for the Associated Press and is a former AP correspondent. Follow Kevin on Facebook & Twitter
Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2016 d’Arenberg “The Hermit Crab” McLaren Vale Australia
A wine that really does offer something for a large array of individuals, from someone purely interested in a nice drink to those seeking to explore the nuances of these “alternate” varieties. The Viognier certainly takes center stage on the nose in the guise of stone fruits, candied ginger and florals. In the background for those keen on honing their senses, Marsanne adds slightly more exotic notes of green mango, hay and almond. The palate has a lovely medium bodied weight to it, without any of that oiliness that over ripe Viognier can deliver. Precise acid throughout and a mild pithy texture on the finish ensure freshness and spice to keep the sweetness of the fruit in check. Fruity and spicy yet dry make this an all occasions wine. Wine & Spirits 91/100 @darenbergwine
In addition, the Sangiacomos wanted to honor the family’s rich history in Sonoma County, as well as create a legacy for generations to come. “We’re getting to the point where the next generation is coming up, and we thought having our own wine label would be a nice addition to the family business,” says Mike Sangiacomo. “We love what we do and we now have the opportunity to share our wines at the table.”
Our Bottle:
Raised on a used-car lot, Charles Phoenix was destined to become the Ambassador of Americana. The photo collector, food crafter, and field tripper is famed for his hilarious live show performances and “theme park” tour of downtown Los Angeles. This riotously colorful book, replete with Charles’s collection of vintage Kodachrome slides, celebrates his lifelong quest to unearth the best of classic and kitschy American life and style. Follow Charles on 
Charles Phoenix is a showman, tour guide, food crafter, and author known for his live comedy slide-show performances, madcap test-kitchen videos, field-trip-style adventure tours, and colorful books. The self-proclaimed “vintage culture vulture” has appeared on Martha Stewart, The Queen Latifah Show and Cake Wars, been profiled in The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, and been a guest on NPR’s The Splendid Table. 
An exclusive appearance by Wayne Bryan and dynamic Music Theatre Wichita performances will take place during the tasting event, followed by Festival of Broadway outdoors on the Kennedy Plaza Stage. Attendees will enjoy VIP seating for the outdoor show and reserved parking in the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview parking garage.
In Secrets of the Southern Table, award-winning chef and cookbook author Virginia Willis takes you on a tour of today’s South—a region rich in history and cultural diversity. With her signature charm and wit, Virginia shares many well-known Southern recipes like Pimento Cheese Tomato Herb Pie and “Cathead” Biscuits, but also some surprising revelations drawn from the area’s many global influences, like Catfish Tacos with Avocado Crema, Mississippi-Style Char Siu Pork Tenderloin, and Greek Okra and Tomatoes. In addition to the recipes, Virginia profiles some of the diverse chefs, farmers, and other culinary influencers who are shaping contemporary Southern cuisine. Together, these stories and the delicious recipes that accompany them celebrate the rich and ever-evolving heritage of Southern cooking. Follow Virginia on 
Georgia-born, French-trained chef and food writer Virginia Willis has made cookies with Dwanye “The Rock” Johnson, catered a bowling party for Jane Fonda, foraged for herbs in the Alps, and harvested capers in the shadow of a smoldering volcano in Sicily — but it all started in her grandmother’s country kitchen. Her legion of fans loves her knack for giving classic French cooking a down-home feel and re-imagining Southern recipes en Français. Virginia’s newest cookbook, “Secrets of the Southern Table,” is now on bookshelves. Her previous book, “Lighten Up, Y’all: Classic Southern Recipes Made Healthy and Wholesome,” received a 2016 James Beard Foundation Award of Excellence. Learn more about Virginia and follow her culinary exploits at 
On the eve of the Web.com Tour, the annual SPLURGE! Tee Off Party allows Wichita’s “who’s who” to gather in a fun and fabulous fashion. The event will be held on June 15 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the BKD air-conditioned suite on Crestview Country Club’s 18th green, followed by music inside Crestview Country Club.
A fun, affordable sparkling rosy from Ocaso. Pours a pale beautiful salmon color, with aromas of apple and pear skin up front. More apple skin on the palate, with delightful notes of red fruits and watermelon candy to balance the refreshingly dry finish. Looking forward to trying this wine with you LIVE in-studio, this wine is available at Jacob Liquor Exchange on North Rock Road and comes highly recommended.
Founders Tom and Sally Jordan were maverick pioneers with a unique vision. They wanted to be the first to create a Bordeaux-style California Cabernet Sauvignon that was approachable while young yet aged gracefully. Located in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley, the home for their wine would be an extraordinary winery chateau combining winemaking facilities, guest suites, and kitchen and dining areas under one roof. The couple set a standard for American wine quality and wine country hospitality—a top standard that is still held at Jordan today—making it one of the best Sonoma wineries to visit in Healdsburg.
Rob Davis holds the rare distinction amongst California winemakers of working at one winery for his entire winemaking career—more than 40 years. His tremendous technical background, empirical wisdom, desire for discovery, and meticulous quality standards remain a guiding force in the vineyards and cellars at Jordan Winery.
