New year, new wine! Want to expand your wine knowledge this year and learn new grapes & wine to pour in 2024? A Wine Affair Podcast welcomes Cab Franc Chronicles star, Allison, to share insights on the father of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and so many more - the principal, major grape - Cabernet Franc.

Find out why so many of us, like Allison, search for this single variety wine - what it tastes like, where it grows, what food it pairs with, and so on it goes!

Hear about wine growing regions you may not be as familiar with and how it impacts different grapes, like Cabernet Franc, to help it grow and influence the flavors.

Follow Cab Franc Chronicles @cabfrancchronicles - learn from her weekly Cabernet Franc pours through her videos on Instagram and YouTube, join her newsletter on Substack, and test your knowledge with her Wednesday quizzes- celebrating its third birthday this year!

https://www.instagram.com/cabfrancchronicles/

https://www.youtube.com/@cabfrancchronicles

https://substack.com/profile/17365658-cab-franc-chronicles

With a background in design and master's in education, Kendeigh fell in love with the hospitality & wine world from working in restaurants and the service industry. After years in high-end, fine-dining establishments setting her foundation of wine knowledge, Kendeigh surpassed every curve life dealt her to create her own business in wine education and tasting events. Now, The Grape Grind incorporates her design mentality and educational experience for online, in-person, individual, or group tasting classes and events to remove the intimidation behind wine and encourage all interested to become more confident through her guides & resources, blind & comparative tastings, and easy to digest wine education.

Taste and learn along with us as Kendeigh teaches the step-by-step process behind wine tasting, and challenge yourself to discover how to blind taste to determine the wine yourself. Download her Blind Tasting Guide here to understand each category and description to help you better express the characteristics behind the wine you’re drinking. Follow Kendeigh @thegrapegrind and connect with her directly on her website at https://thegrapegrind.com/

Toast with us @awine_affair and @pour_atlanta Leave a review and comment on what you found most fascinating in this week’s episode.

Pours & People like YOU are what we’re extra thankful for this year!

As the leaves change colors, we’re reminded how special this time of year is - when we feel the end of the year upon us and the rush of the holidays with full calendars of gatherings & celebrations. 

At the same time, we try to slow down, reflect with family & friends, raise a glass, and toast to what we’re thankful for - and that includes you!

Since officially launching our podcast, we couldn’t be more thankful, grateful & blessed for the support! To continue our weekly episodes, we’re excited to share a few pours we’re extra thankful for, which also pair perfectly with your Thanksgiving holiday - however the occasion occurs. 

On this week’s A Wine Affair Podcast - we share some of our favorite Thanksgiving wines with you to pour along with us and hopefully encourage you all to find something new you’ll enjoy and impress both family & friends around the table.

• Sparkling - whether it’s a Champagne and/or Cava - who doesn’t love that POP! 
  • Effervescent, bubbles & class - plus the acid cuts the fats found in food, making it less overwhelming and pairing perfectly! Not to mention the smells of brioche/baked bread excites the palate and ignites the appetite! 
• Chenin Blanc - versatile, food friendly & affordable! 
  • Something for everybody with dry, off-dry, sweet & sparkling options! Pick a style for any and everyone around your table and meal!
• Sur lie Reserve Chardonnay - Virginia Chardonnay aged at least 9 months to 2 years in New American Oak Barrels - slight hint of oak that opens as the meal progresses.
  • Perfectly pairs with the buttery mashed potatoes, light gravy, breading, rolls, turkey, apple pies, and more! 
• Cotes du Rhone - 80% Grenache + 20% Syrah 
  • Sometimes you want a higher alcohol wine depending on what you’re serving - goes well with most things, especially savory foods! 
• Syrah - medium tannins compared to most reds but still stands up to a number of dishes around the Thanksgiving table.
  • Cooler climates bring out more of the black pepper flavor, plus the oak aging gives a nice woodsy & smoke approach that won’t overwhelm the meal but help enhance and stand up to the creamier, saltier, fattier dishes.
• Plus a number of wonderful, honorable mentions you’ll have to listen to learn more and pour along with us for your next holiday meal!

Toast with us @awine_affair and @pour_atlanta Leave us a comment & review on what you found pairs best with your Thanksgiving feast from this week’s episode.