Melanie, the winemaker at Cana Vineyards and Winery in Middleburg, Virginia, shares her inspiring journey from a physical therapist to a celebrated figure in the wine industry. Notably, she made history in 2022 by becoming the first woman to win the Governor's Cup in Virginia's modern wine competition, a significant achievement in a field traditionally dominated by men. Melanie discusses the challenges of winemaking in Virginia’s humid subtropical climate, highlighting the rigorous work involved...
Sep 18, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 156
Join us in the final part of our interview with Melanie from Cana Vineyards as we explore five of their best wines. First up, we dive into the 2022 Albarino, a Wine that holds a special place in Melanie's heart due to her decade-long relationship with Greenstone Vineyards. Discover the serendipitous beginnings of this Wine and its rise in the mid-Atlantic region. Next, we shift to the vibrant world of rosé. Melanie shares her passion for crafting high-quality rosés, starting with the Rosé of Mer...
Sep 17, 2024•6 min•Season 4Ep. 155
In part 3 of our interview with Melanie, the talented winemaker at Cana Vineyards in Middleburg, Virginia, we delve into the stunning property and the award-winning wines that have put this Vineyard on the map. Melanie shares the serene beauty of the winery, from the original structure built in 2011 to the new pavilion with its retractable sides and cozy fireplace, perfect for year-round enjoyment. Discover the various tasting experiences offered, whether guided or self-led, and learn why visito...
Sep 10, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 154
Forrest Kelly continues his captivating interview with Melanie, the trailblazing winemaker at Cana Vineyards in Middleburg, Virginia . Tune in as Melanie recounts her exhilarating journey to winning the 2022 Governor's Cup , a prestigious award for Virginia-grown and made wines. Melanie made history as the first woman to win this competition in modern history, a milestone that underscores her disruptive yet inspiring presence in the industry. Melanie also shares insights into the unique challeng...
Sep 03, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 153
In this effervescent episode, we dive into the sparkling world of sparkling wines with our bubbly connoisseur, Sour Grapes. Join us as we embark on a global tour of flavors, exploring the unique profiles of sparkling wines from Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the United States. Discover the refreshing lime and tangerine notes of Germany's Sekt, the breakfast-inspired melon and toast flavors of Spain's Cava, and the crisp green apple and honey nuances of Italy's Prosecco. We also savor the ele...
Aug 30, 2024•3 min•Season 4Ep. 152
Join us in this episode as we travel to Middleburg, Virginia, the nation's horse and hunt capital, and home to Cana Vineyards and Winery. Our guest, Melanie, the winemaker , Vineyard manager, and all-around cellar team, shares her unique journey from being a physical therapist to an accomplished winemaker. Discover the origins of Cana Vineyards, named after Cana of Galilee , and learn about Melanie's transition from healthcare to viticulture. Melanie recounts her early career in physical therapy...
Aug 27, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 151
We've combined the entire Rimessa Roscioli interview into one bonus episode. Enjoy; you helped make them our biggest downloads. Your Host: Forrest Kelly is an experienced Radio/TV broadcaster who has interviewed some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities, from Garth Brooks to Kevin Costner . A lover of wine who is fascinated by the science behind it. Voted One of The Best Travel , Top 5 Minute , and Top Wine Podcasts . Takeaways: Lindsey Gabbard's journey from Michigan to Rome illustrates the trans...
Aug 26, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 150
In this episode, we wrap up our engaging conversation with Lindsay Gabbard, co-founder and sommelier of Rimessa Riscioli, as she shares the obstacles she's faced in the wine industry. From financial challenges to mastering the Italian language, Lindsay opens up about the hurdles she's overcome to build a successful wine club and restaurant in Italy. Discover how Lindsay's innovative idea of incorporating QR codes on wine bottles during COVID-19 has revolutionized the way customers access detaile...
Aug 20, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 149
In this episode, we dive into the exciting expansion of Rimessa Roscioli to New York City . Our guest, Lindsay Gabbard, co-founder and sommelier, shares the details of their new location at 43 McDougall Street in Soho, designed to replicate the unique dining and wine pairing experience of their original Rome establishment. Discover the innovative sustainability initiatives that Rimessa Roscioli is pioneering, including the use of commercial sailboats to ship wine club boxes from Europe to Brookl...
Aug 13, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 148
Join us as we explore the diverse and delightful world of Wine styles with our ever-pessimistic yet oddly charming co-host, Sour Grapes . In this episode, we break down the major types of Wine, from the unassuming Still Wine to the effervescent Sparkling Wine, and everything in between. Discover why Chardonnay is the vanilla ice cream of wines, how Rosé is perfect for those indecisive moments, and why Sparkling Wine is the life of the party. We also delve into the robust world of Fortified Wine,...
Aug 09, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 147
Welcome to The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast with Forrest Kelly! Today, we dive into the fascinating world of olive oil, and how it pairs perfectly with wine to elevate your culinary experiences. Did you know that some olive oils exported from Italy aren't even made from olives? Discover the surprising truth about olive oil production and how the Mafia has influenced this industry. At Rimessa Roscioli , our commitment to quality is unparalleled. We only work with small artisans and personally visit...
Aug 06, 2024•6 min•Season 4Ep. 146
We dive into the fascinating world of Wine grapes with our quirky and knowledgeable host, Sour Grapes . Learn about the unique characteristics that set Wine grapes apart from your everyday table grapes and discover just how many of these little beauties it takes to produce a single bottle of Wine. Join us for a quick yet informative journey through the Vineyard! Your Host: Forrest Kelly is an experienced Radio/TV broadcaster who has interviewed some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities, from Garth...
Aug 02, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 145
In this episode, we dive into the vibrant world of Rimessa Roscioli's cooking classes and wine experiences with Lindsay Gabbard. Discover how Rimessa Roscioli offers an approachable and fun way for beginners to master the art of fresh handmade pasta, meatballs, and tiramisu, all paired with exquisite wines. Lindsay shares that 90% of participants in their cooking classes have never made pasta from scratch before. These classes are designed to be light, easy, and enjoyable, blending hands-on acti...
Jul 30, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 144
In this episode, Forrest Kelly and our resident wine curmudgeon, Sour Grapes, tackle the age-old question: What wine glass should you use? Sour Grapes breaks it down with his signature blend of grumpy wisdom and humor, making it simpler than you might think. Discover why different wines benefit from different glass shapes. Reds need big bowls to breathe, whites prefer smaller ones to stay cool, and sparkling wines thrive in tall, skinny glasses. And what about rosé? Sour Grapes calls it the wild...
Jul 26, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 143
Join us as we continue our conversation with Lindsay Gabbard , co-founder and sommelier of Rimessa Riscioli in Rome, Italy. In this episode, Lindsay delves into the innovative use of QR codes on wine bottles, providing instant access to detailed information about the wine's origins, grape varieties, pairing suggestions, and more. Discover the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into creating these informative videos, as Lindsay shares how their production crew travels extensively to capture the es...
Jul 23, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 142
Welcome back to The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast with Forrest Kelly! In this episode, we continue our delightful exploration of Rome, Italy , home to a unique museum dedicated entirely to pasta. Join us as we step into the culinary wonderland of Rimessa Roscioli , a place where floor-to-ceiling shelves are brimming with an array of wines, foods, and gastronomic delights. Our guest, Lindsay , one of the co-founders, paints a vivid picture of the storefront, adorned not just with gourmet goodies but...
Jul 16, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 141
Welcome back to The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast! Join Forrest Kelly and our resident wine curmudgeon, Sour Grapes, as they delve into the essentials of wine storage. Ever wondered how to store your wine properly? Sour Grapes has you covered with his signature blend of grumpy wisdom and humor. Discover why storing wine on its side is crucial for keeping the cork from drying out, and learn the best places in your home to store your precious bottles. Whether it's an unopened bottle or leftover wine,...
Jul 12, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 140
Join Forrest Kelly as he continues his engaging conversation with Lindsay Gabbard, co-founder and sommelier of Rimessa Roscioli in Rome, Italy. In this episode, Lindsay shares the fascinating journey from Michigan to Rome, detailing how she and her partner transitioned from temporary tasting rooms to establishing a permanent, larger location in partnership with the Roscioli family. Discover the hidden gem of Rimessa Roscioli, tucked away near the iconic Campo di Fiori and Ponte Sisto. Lindsay pr...
Jul 09, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 139
Welcome back to The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast! Forrest Kelly and our resident wine curmudgeon, Sour Grapes, are here to guide you through the delightful art of pairing wine with meals. Forget the old strict rules—it's all about enhancing your dining experience with these four simple guidelines. Guideline 1: Find the sweet spot. Ensure your dessert wine is sweeter than the dessert itself. Think sweet port with chocolate cake for a perfect match. Guideline 2: Opposites attract. Pair a crisp Riesl...
Jul 06, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 138
Welcome to another delightful episode of The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast with Forrest Kelly! Today, we’re taking you on an extraordinary journey to Rome, Italy, as we chat with Lindsay from Rimessa Riscioli and the Riscioli Wine Club. Discover the hidden gem Rimessa Riscioli, a restaurant, wine bar, and tasting room that captures the essence of the Italian experience. Learn about the fascinating origins of Rimessa Riscioli, which started as an illegal speakeasy in a warehouse, and how it evolved ...
Jul 02, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 137
Welcome back to The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast! Today, Forrest Kelly and our resident wine curmudgeon, Sour Grapes, guide you through the essential five steps of wine tasting, all while navigating the unexpected chaos of a bowling alley next to a wine cellar. Yes, you heard that right! Step 1: See. Hold your wine up to the light and take a good look. If you can't see through it, either it's a robust red wine or you forgot to remove the cap. Step 2: Swirl. Create a mini tornado in your glass, but...
Jun 28, 2024•1 min•Season 4Ep. 136
We close our conversation with Sonia Spadaro Mulone of Santa Maria La Nave boutique winery in Catania, Italy. Sonia shares the heartwarming story of her dedicated team, which includes skilled winemakers, passionate sommeliers, and even a family chef who uses ancient Sicilian grains to create delicious dishes. This episode offers a glimpse into the vibrant and familial atmosphere that defines Santa Maria La Nave in Catania, Italy . Sonia also discusses her two vineyards, one of which is located o...
Jun 25, 2024•6 min•Season 4Ep. 135
Ever wondered how grapes transform into the delightful elixir we call wine? Join Forrest Kelly and the ever-quirky Sour Grapes as they unravel the enchanting process of winemaking in this fun and informative episode. From the traditional foot-stomping of grapes to the magical fermentation process, discover the science, art, and a touch of humor that goes into every bottle of wine. Sour Grapes shares his secret ingredients for great wine—patience, love, and a bit of humor—while also giving a nod ...
Jun 21, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 134
We engage in a captivating conversation with Sophie Menin , co-author of the visually stunning and deeply insightful book, A Year in the Vineyard . Sophie shares her profound respect for wine growers, emphasizing the dedication, knowledge, and patience required to document their meticulous work. She highlights the collaborative process with her co-author, Bob Chaplin, an environmental artist and artisanal bookmaker, whose textured background paintings and visual storytelling elevate the book to ...
Jun 18, 2024•6 min•Season 4Ep. 133
Welcome back to The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast! Today, we introduce our resident wine curmudgeon Sour Grapes and the ever-enthusiastic Forrest Kelly is here to set the record straight on the ideal serving temperatures for your favorite wines. Are you guilty of drinking white wine straight from the Arctic or red wine like it's a sauna? Fear not, we've got the perfect tips to elevate your wine game. White Wine: Take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving. It’s not meant to double as an ice...
Jun 14, 2024•2 min•Season 4Ep. 132
Join us as we continue our captivating conversation with Sophie Menin , co-author of " A Year in the Vineyard," a beautifully crafted book that takes readers on a tactile journey through the seasons of vineyard life. In this episode, Sophie delves into the intricate processes that vineyards undergo throughout the year—from the fragility of buds in spring to the protective measures taken during cold snaps in early summer. Discover how the dynamic relationship between vineyards and their surroundi...
Jun 11, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 131
Join us as we welcome Sophie Menin , co-author of the stunning new book, A Year in the Vineyard . In this episode, Sophie shares her journey from being a cultural reporter to becoming a wine writer, focusing on the intricate ways wine connects us to the earth, culture, and our senses. She delves into the inspiration behind her book, which highlights how wine growers are at the forefront of the climate crisis and explores potential remedies for our changing ecology. Discover the decade-long journ...
Jun 04, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 130
Calmarossa Etna DOC is a red wine hailing from the slopes of Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy. The wine is named after the Calmarossa vineyard, which is situated on the northern side of Mount Etna. This wine is crafted predominantly from the Nerello Mascalese grape variety, which thrives in the volcanic soils of Mount Etna. Nerello Cappuccio and other indigenous grape varieties may also be blended in smaller proportions. Calmarossa Etna DOC Red wine is known for its elegant and complex character, often...
May 28, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 129
We close out our conversation with Linda King , the savvy globetrotter behind thesmarttravelista.com . Linda shares her journey from childhood adventures in Australia to becoming an expert in smart, cost-effective travel. As the conversation shifts to wine, Linda guides us through planning a visit to Australia's famed Barossa Valley , including a GAL Pal Getaway to reveal insider advice on budgeting, scheduling, and making the most of your winery experience. Whether you're a novice traveler or a...
May 24, 2024•4 min•Season 4Ep. 128
We continue talking with Sonia Spadaro Mulone, owner of the charming Santa Maria la Nave boutique winery in Catania, Italy , we delve into the heart of Mount Etna's viticulture. Sonia reveals her mission to preserve the ancient viticulture and native vines of the region, ensuring their legacy for future generations. Discover the meticulous process of resurrecting nearly extinct indigenous grape varieties, akin to unearthing treasures of the past, and the collaboration with local farmers and acad...
May 21, 2024•5 min•Season 4Ep. 127
