In Search of Flavor - podcast cover

In Search of Flavor

In Search of Flavor is a podcast hosted by Liz Caskey, co-founder of Liz Caskey Culinary & Wine Experiences, a travel design firm, crafting culinary, wine, and design journeys in the Americas from California to South America. Passionate about all things food, wine, travel, and design, each episode features an industry trailblazer who brings their passion and journey to the table sharing insights and stories in a relaxed style. Get ready to dial into your wanderlust and be inspired!
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Episodes

Episode 40: Ray Isle on Sustainability & The Human Element in Wine

Episode Timestamps: 01:09 From Academia to Wine Writing 05:55 Evolution of Wine at Food & Wine Magazine 13:19 The Inspiration Behind 'The World in a Wine Glass' 21:08 Understanding Sustainable Wine Terminology 38:13 How He Chose the Wine Producers in ‘The World in a Wine Glass' 42:01 The Human Element & Storytelling in Winemaking 46:42 Exploring Emerging Wine Regions around the world (ie not Italy or France) 59:11 The Future of Wine and Its Challenges 01:02:04 Finding and Enjoying Afford...

Oct 04, 20241 hr 14 minEp. 40

Episode 39: Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone through Travel

In this solo episode, Liz shares about navigating an uncertain life moment and confronting that fear of the unknown. How can travel sharpen these life skills on the road and at home? We dig into that in this episode. Travel provides the ultimate opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. From immersing yourself in a new culture and language to confronting travel hassles, ‘scary’ adventure activities that awaken bravery, or swallowing your ego to become a student again an...

May 18, 202417 minEp. 39

Episode 38: Seba Zuccardi on the Rise of Uco Valley Wines

In this episode we discuss: Family history dating back to grandfather establishing winery in Mendoza in 1960s The inspiration to focus on high elevation sites like Altamira, La Consulta, Gualtallary Understanding the valley's geology, altitude impacts creating distinct terroir identities How he developed Zuccardi's non-interventionist approach allowing transparent expression of place using concrete eggs vs. steel to showcase vineyard character Why soil mapping via calicatas provides key viticult...

Apr 12, 20241 hr 7 minEp. 38

Episode 37: How Fungi & Regenerative Farming Can Save Us (re-release)

In this episode we talk about: How Giuliana was “chosen” by the world of fungi The “3F’s” & basics of the Fungi Kingdom & the role fungi plays in sustaining life The development of Chilean mycology and the uniqueness of Chilean fungi. The lonely road that was studying Chilean fungi at first and why Chile is classified as a “mycro-phobic” country despite being a fungi hotspot! How co-evolution with fungi have led to fungi with medicinal properties The process of looking for fungi for part...

Mar 22, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 37

Episode 36: The Skinny on End-of-Year Travel

In this episode: Why the holiday season goes beyond peak season and coincides with the onset of summer vacation A discussion on top destinations in South America: Patagonia, Mendoza, Buenos Aires, and the beaches of Jose Ignacio, Uruguay How to navigate the varied weather and seasons Tips on booking flights, transportation, and accommodations The secret on how to avoid the summer crowds and when to go (all within the summer time frame) Resources: Instagram: @lccwe , @lizcaskey77 Website: www.liz...

Mar 15, 202422 minEp. 36

Episode 35: Emily Yeston of Doré on French Clean Skincare

In this episode we discuss: Emily’s background and how she transitioned from media to skincare with her French business partner, Garance Doré The origin of French pharmacy skincare and how Doré set out to modernize it Why origin and source of ingredients matter in skin care & how she & Garance formulated their products to be clean A breakdown of the big difference between EU & US ingredient safety and why Doré defers to the EU Travel hacks to keep your skin healthy and glowing while ...

Mar 08, 202454 minEp. 35

Episode 34: How to Plan a Trip to Colombia

In this episode: Background and the origin of Liz Caskey Culinary & Wine Experiences’ group trip name called, “Romancing Colombia” Why Travel in Colombia is Safe & how to travel smart Colombia's top destinations: Bogotá, Coffee Triangle, Medellín& Cartagena Tips on navigating the varied climate, weather, seasons and flights Itinerary layout suggestions from 4 to 14 day itineraries The secret sauce to why Colombia will leave you with a post-trip glow for weeks after you get home! Reso...

Mar 01, 202432 minEp. 34

Episode 33: Ted Lemon of Littorai Wines on the Language of Wine

In this episode we discuss: - Ted’s experience in Burgundy and how that shaped his path in wine and a deep love for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - The challenges of bootstrapping and growing his wine business and how Littorai grew from sourced fruit to an established, renowned, self-financed, profitable winery - The important difference between aesthetic and ‘technocratic’ wines and why aesthetic wines as a medium constitute a language - His decision to transition to biodynamic farming and how that...

Feb 23, 20241 hr 17 minEp. 33

Episode 32: Carmenere - Chile’s Clandestine-Turned-Flagship Grape

In this episode we discuss: History and Background of Carmenere Origin and discovery of Carmenere grape Transitioning the vineyards and where Carmenere grows in Chile Specific viticulture of growing Carmenere Flavor profiles of the grape and nuances across regions Chileans producers of Carmenere at all price points What to eat, and pair with Carmenere Resources: Instagram: @lccwe , @lizcaskey77 For bespoke travel & small group trips to South America & Beyond: www.lizcaskey.com Join our u...

Feb 16, 202427 minEp. 32

Episode 31: Rodolfo Guzmán of Boragó on Chile’s Endemic Ingredients & Culinary Heritage

In this episode we discuss: - The early days and influences in Rodolfo Guzmán's culinary journey - Introduction to Boragó and its unique approach to Chilean ingredients - The decades-long knowledge-gathering process of Boragó - The Role of Boragó in the evolution of Chile's gastronomic Landscape - Discussion on Chilean endemic ingredients and their diversity and the uniqueness of the dining experience at Boragó - Rodolfo’s book “Coming from the South” and what’s next… Resources: Instagram: @rgbo...

Feb 09, 202453 minEp. 31

Episode 30: How to Plan a Trip to Napa

Timestamps: 1:17 - Liz’s ‘Three Pillars’ of successful trip planning (for any trip) 3:26 - Coming to visit Napa in different seasons: winter, spring, summer, fall 8:33 - Travel planner hacks on where to base in Napa, the best airports for easy access, and the valley’s unique geography to consider 16:44 - How to structure your trip (& wine tastings) to Napa like a pro 21:24 - Final key strategy to keep in mind for a successful trip Resources: Instagram: @lccwe, @lizcaskey77 Website: www.lizca...

Jan 26, 202425 minEp. 30

Episode 29: Tashi dos Santos on Traveling with the Stars

In the show: -The origins and history of astrology in history and present day - How astrology's decline during the Inquisition and revival during the Renaissance led to its divide from astronomy. -How to use astrology as a tool on your life journey through knowing your sign–and even for those in your life like friends, family, and colleagues. Timestamps for each sign: - 19:48 Aries (March 21st to April 19th) - 24:26 Taurus (April 20th to May 20th) - 26:25 Gemini (May 21st to June 20th) - 28:08 C...

Jan 20, 20241 hr 20 minEp. 29

Episode 28: Rodrigo Romero on Extreme Wines from the Chilean Patagonia

In this episode we cover: -The wine revolution in Chile and how Rodrigo started exploring the wine in Burgundy, France -His definition of terroir and how that relates to growing grapes and winemaking -The journey and a 10-year search to identify the perfect site to plant his vineyard in the rainy south of Chile–a place where nobody had planted vines before. -Understanding the climatic conditions in the south and their impact on wine production, and how ultimately these translate into Trapi’s uni...

Nov 21, 202356 minEp. 28

Episode 27: Cecilia Diaz Chuit of Cavas Wine Lodge on Mendoza's Magic

Nestled at the feet of the towering Andes Mountains with more than 320 days of sunshine each year, Mendoza is a region defined by wine, much the way Bordeaux or Napa is. After all, it’s the world’s fourth largest wine producing region. Mendoza, however, is more than vineyards and wine cellars. It’s a place that feels like a last frontier where the Andes and the intensity of the sun is woven into every expression. With over 150,000 hectares of vineyards and hundreds of wineries, tucked away in th...

May 26, 202343 minEp. 27

Episode 26: Food Stylist Mariana Velásquez on Colombia's Cuisine of Generosity

With Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, rain forests, jungles, great valleys and rivers flowing from the Andes Mountains, desert, and fog forests, Colombia is a country with deep regionality and distinct food, culture and customs. As the country exports more and more talent in music, innovation, art, design, fashion, and now food, today we are going to introduce you to a brilliant tastemaker, chef, and food stylist, Mariana Velásquezz, a native of Bogotá. She’s spent the past two decades residing...

Mar 17, 202356 minEp. 26

Episode 25: The Cilantro of the Wine World

If you are considering traveling to Chile in 2022, it’s a great time to start planning as the country has the most complete and aggressive vaccination in South America (over 85% of the adult population is fully vaccinated and there is now zero cases in Patagonia!). Contact us to plan your trip In Episode 22, we talk a little about the possible forecast for travel in South America in 2022, although the pandemic is always a moving target Listen here . You can learn more about Liz Caskey Culinary &...

Aug 05, 202125 minEp. 25

Episode 24: Finding 'Somewhereness' in Travel

If you missed Episode 22 on travel in South America, we highly recommend it. Listen here . Explore our destinations in South America Contact us to plan your trip You can learn more about Liz Caskey Culinary & Wine Experiences and the trips we offer in food, wine, culture, design & beyond at www.lizcaskey.com You can also sign up for our free weekly newsletter announcing new episodes, wine recommendations, travel intel, and much more. Sign up here: https://lizcaskey.myflodesk.com/...

Jul 22, 202134 minEp. 24

Episode 23: Trailblazing a path in Biodynamic Viticulture from Chile to California

In this episode we talk about: Rodrigo’s background and why a summer job in a restaurant was the beginning of his curiosity about wine. The uncanny timing of an unwanted thesis on organic agriculture opened the door to lifelong learning and working with biodynamic agriculture. A glimpse into the world of wine in Chile in the early 2000s, and then mid-2010s, as he worked with trailblazers Matetic Vineyards and Veramonte. His fascination, and love affair, with California, brought him to LA, then M...

Jul 15, 20211 hr 19 minEp. 23

Episode 22: Insights on How to Travel to South America in 2022

In this episode: The current situation as of early July 2021 in South America and a country-by-country “reading” of how we think it will evolve into 1Q 2022 and beyond Our philosophy on how we work with our clients and advise them on planning travel in this new era--just like you work with a financial or legal advisor. The metrics we use to evaluate how safe a destination can be and how to approach planning any trip using them Why Chile is your safest travel destination for holiday travel and in...

Jul 08, 202131 minEp. 22

Episode 21: The Argentine Wine Revolution with Laura Catena of Catena Wines

In this episode we talk about: Laura’s family background and growing up in an Italo-Argentine winemaking family. What led her to become a medical doctor and when she felt called to join the family business. How her father, Nicolas Catena, saw the potential for Malbec as one of the great wines of the world. The story behind Catena Zapata and how it conquered one consumer, one wine shop one by one. The scientific, and cultural basis for terroir, how it applies to Malbec and clonal material, and wh...

Jul 01, 20211 hr 2 minEp. 21

Episode 20: What is Terroir, exactly?

In this episode: The definition of terroir and its limitations What products are considered terroir products and why How artisanality and quality are the backbones of terroir Why the human touch and families are also part of the equation What we all bring to the table in our terroir experience A mash-up of four of our favorite episodes from Season One that bring this point home Resources: Episode #1 with Santiago Achaval of Matervini Wine Episode #2 with Jake Standerfer of Coffee Culture Roaster...

Jun 24, 202140 minEp. 20

Season 2 is coming!!

Are you signed up for our newsletter? If not, after subscribing first here on iTunes (if you haven’t already), head on over to lizcaskey.com and get on it, amigo(a) . Every Thursday when episodes drop, Liz shares an accompanying story that’s only for our newsletter readers. Join us now! You can learn more about Liz Caskey Culinary & Wine Experiences and the trips we offer in food, wine, culture, design & beyond at www.lizcaskey.com You can also sign up for our free weekly newsletter anno...

Jun 18, 20215 minEp. 19

Episode 18 (Part 2 of 2): Olive oil as a way of life with Carola Dümmer

You can follow Carola on Instragram at @olivalovers . You can also follow us on Instagram at @lccwe where we share many travel, wine, food, and design inspo. Don't forget we also have an upcoming bean-to-bar chocolate tasting on March 18, 2021 with the founder and chocolate maker of Obolo Chocolate with three full-sized bars of chocolate delivered to your front door. You can sign up here. Spaces are limited to keep the group intimate. You can learn more about Liz Caskey Culinary & Wine Exper...

Feb 25, 202140 minEp. 18

Episodes 17 (Part 1 of 2): Olive oil as a way of life with Carola Dümmer

In this episode we talk about: On how Carola became an olive oil taster and honed her palate The history of olive oil in Chile and other regions of South America where it’s produced like Mendoza, Uruguay, and even Brazil The varieties and origins of different olives, attributes in each variety (hint: it’s similar to wine!), and why culturally they are planted in different areas The best way to practice tasting at home and recreate a professional tasting How to identify freshness in oil, when it’...

Feb 11, 202141 minEp. 17

Episode 16: Meet the Chilean Dream Weaver, Catalina Marin of Treko

In this episode we talk about: The beginnings of Treko and how Catalina was inspired to start this project from 5,000 miles away in California Chiloé as travel destination and its cultural intrigue The unique craftsmanship and weaving style of Chile from the Chilota sheep to natural dyes used How she trained the islanders to try her contemporary designs using traditional technique and the challenges she faced Why she decided on the B2B business model over DTC What intentional design is and how o...

Feb 04, 202154 minEp. 16

Talking bean-to-bar chocolate with Mark Gerrits of Obolo Chocolate

In this episode we talk about: The origin of cacao in South America and cradle in Peru The beginnings of Obolo Chocolate and how Mark got the project off the ground Why he only sources his beans from one organic coop in Peru The art of chocolate making and what constitutes chocolate ‘terroir’ What really is bean-to-bar chocolate? Obolo Chocolate’s impact on communities and commitment to sustainability How to store and how to pair chocolate from stouts to red wine Resources: Obolo Chocolate @Obol...

Jan 28, 202154 minEp. 15

Episode 14: The Emergence of Uruguayan Wine with Juan Andrés Marichal of Marichal Winery

In this episode we talk about: Juan Andrés’ upbringing in a wine growing family in Uruguay The enmeshed history of Uruguayan wine with the country’s Spanish & Italian heritage His background in viticulture and his love for Mendoza, Argentina The challenges and triumphs of taking over a multigenerational family winery in Uruguay The nuances of Uruguayan terroir and Marichal’s vineyards The business of selling wine and promoting Uruguayan wines in a global market The many faces of Tannat and a...

Jan 21, 202150 minEp. 14

Episode 13: The Fascinating World of Fungi with Guiliana Furci of Fundacion Fungi

In this episode we talk about: How Giuliana was “chosen” by the world of fungi The “3F’s” & basics of the Fungi Kingdom & the role fungi plays in our world The development of Chilean mycology and the uniqueness of Chilean fungi. The lonely road that was studying Chilean fungi at first and why Chile is classified as a “mycro-phobic” country despite being a fungi hotspot! How co-evolution with fungi have led to fungi with medicinal properties The process of looking for fungi for particular...

Jan 14, 202155 minEp. 13

Episode 12: From Wine Lover to Winemaker, with Michael Evans of The Vines of Mendoza

In this episode we talk about: Why Michael fell in love with Mendoza How he turned his dream of going from wine lover to winemaker a reality in Argentina What it’s really like to own a vineyard: the many details involved from farming to vinification to wine labels and exporting. How to get deeper into wine and really understand your own palate--translating taste. How The Vines has expanded to move into hospitality as one of the best hotels in Argentina and South America The Vines newest expansio...

Jan 07, 202146 minEp. 12

Episode 11: Curiosity as a Compass, In Conversation with Peggy Markel

In this episode we talk about: How did we came to travel and when we realized it was our life’s work Living between two cultures, two continents, two languages, and having essentially two different selves Stories and memories meals, moments, wines, and people in Europe and South America that altered life Why food (and wine) focused travel is different than average travel; and how to approach any trip as an aesthete, foodie, and local. How we may travel differently in the future; and what does ‘a...

Dec 31, 202056 minEp. 11
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