Video

Picolit (Doomsday Wine for Hurricane Irene) – Drink Bravely with Mark Oldman – Episode 51
Posted on by Mark Oldman

Heeding the dire warnings of weather forecasters, Mark assembles an emergency kit for Hurricane Irene, including in it a selection that qualifies as a “doomsday wine”. Watch as he braves Irene’s cyclonic forces to introduce you to Picolit, a lush, little-known dessert wine from the Friuli region in Italy’s northeast. It is perfect for when you want not only to “drink bravely” but also “drink succulently”.

picolit

Featured wine:
Livio Felluga Picolit 2006 (Italy, $105/half botte)

Other Precious ‘Pic’s (all Italy):
Marco Cecchini  2006 ($40)
Jermann 2006 ($65/half bottle)
La Roncaia 2006 ($70/half bottle)
Villa Rubini  2006 ($400/500ml)

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Wine with Spicy Tacos (at the Magic Bus) – Drink Bravely with Mark Oldman – Episode 50
Posted on by Mark Oldman

Situated at New York’s magical Tacombi Taco Bus, Mark discusses what to pair with these spicy “disks of pleasure”. The ideal match for tacos, he explains, should incorporate some or all of these spice-friendly factors: low alcohol, affordable, bubbly, and pink.

tacombi tacos truck

Do you have a go-to drink with tacos?

Featured wine:
Freixenet Brut Rosado Cava (Spain, $10)

Other Picks for Mexican Disks of Pleasure:
Alsace Willm Brut Crémant d’Alsace NV (France, $15)
Borgo Magredo Extra Dry Prosecco NV (Italy, $12)
Cristalino Brut Cava Rosé (Spain, $8)
Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs Columbia Valley NV (Washington, $12)
Graham Beck Brut Rosé Western Cape NV (Australia, $15)
Roederer Estate Brut Rosé NV (California, $25)

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Chianti + NJ Tomatoes: Taking Back the T from GTL – Drink Bravely with Mark Oldman – Episode 49
Posted on by Mark Oldman

With the show Jersey Shore compromising the reputation of his native state, Mark returns to New Jersey to “take back the T” from the show’s catchphrase “GTL”. In doing so, he shows that Chianti is a perfect match with Jersey tomatoes at the height of their Amber Lynn-caliber ripeness.

chianti new jersey shore
The Jersey Shore, sans MTV presence

 

Featured Chianti (all from Italy)
Castellare Chianti Classico 2008 ($20)

Other Compelling Chiantis:
Folonari Chianti 2009 ($9)
Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2006 ($20)
Geografico Chianti Classico 2008 ($17)
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico 2007 ($20)
Querciabella Chianti Classico 2007 ($32)

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Single-Vineyard Wine (at the Pebble Beach Golf Links) – Drink Bravely with Mark Oldman – Episode 48
Posted on by Mark Oldman
Single-Vineyard Wine (at the Pebble Beach Golf Links): Taking time out from speaking at the Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, Mark Oldman discusses the meaning of “single-vineyard”  wine and then, on the world-renowned links, pours a shining example of it.
“Single-vineyard wine is a term used in the wine industry referencing that the wine in the bottle comes from a single vineyard site. Which means this particular vineyard, and the grapes grown there, have been isolated from all other vineyards due to its superiority.” (Source)
 Single-vineyard wine ROAR
Featured wine:
ROAR Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Pisoni Vineyard 2008 (California, $55)
More Scintillating Single-Vineyard Wines:
Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Horse Heaven Vineyard (Washington State, $12)
Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Koplen Vineyard 2009 (California, $70)
Talbott Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard 2009 (California, $22)
Viña Montes Syrah Alpha Apalta Vineyard 2009 (Chile, $24)
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard Taylors Pass (New Zealand, $25)
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For Your Health (Smuggling Wine into a Spa) – Drink Bravely with Mark Oldman – Episode 47
Posted on by Mark Oldman
Spa smuggling: For Your Health: A visit to a renowned New England spa inspires Mark to discuss the healthful benefits of wine, including its salutary effect as a social adhesive. Because the spa inexplicably inhibits this social benefit by prohibiting wine in its dining room, Mark introduces what he considers the ideal vessel for vino smuggling.
spa smuggle tetra pak
Spa smuggling is easiest with Tetra Paks
Vessel for Vino Smuggling:
O.N.E. Active Coconut Water, Grape Berry Flavor
(container is a Tetra Prisma Aseptic)
Featured wine:
Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2008 (California, $38)

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