Best Paul K from the Original Wine of the Month Club Podcasts (2025)

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Unlocking Luxury Wine: Charlotte Selles on Brand Strategy, Relationships, and the Business of Wine 1:04:06

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2d ago1:04:06

1:04:06

It is complitcated. Life. Wine. And to help clear up the wine complication (not sure there is a way to uncomplicate life), is Charlotte Selles. With a distinctive path to her new company Tassei, she brings to the table a wealth of experience cloaked in knowedge, philosophy and experience. She is like a wine savant. She was in LA for a speaking gig …

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From Rocks to Wine: Diana Khandilyan's Unique Journey Through Terroir and Winemaking 59:55

4d ago59:55

59:55

I jumped in on a LinkedIn conversation about wine, soil, volcano's and more. Thought I would contribute to the message string. That is when I engaged Diana on the concept of terroir. But not just any terroir, but volcanic terroir. Then I realized that Diana's expertise in the realm of wine...is the soil! She is a expert in energy and geophysics! Di…

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Wine Innovation: Mini Bottles, Younger Drinkers, and an Industry in Transition: Meet Abby Bogle 52:24

16d ago52:24

52:24

I keep hearing how the industry has to change, how Gen Z is aren't drinking wine, how the trade is slow to do anything....until you speak with Abby Bogle. She is the type of enthusiasm and drive that is needed to move with the times. You have all heard me say that "time will tell" and that "all generations come around to the proper glass of wine." …

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From the LA Lakers Locker Room to Napa Valley vines: Kelly E. Carter on Diversity, Story, and Wine Exploration 52:30

18d ago52:30

52:30

I can tell you it was like sitting with a long, lost neighbor when sitting with Kelly E. Carter. And in fact, we were neighbors of sorts back in the day. It wasn't until I was searching for images to create the icons for this podcast did I realize I was in the presence of true maverick royalty. Besides being a New York Times best selling author, sh…

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Wine, Passion, and Perseverance: Why Human Connection Matters in Hospitality 21:49

23d ago21:49

21:49

Sometimes I just get an hankering. Ya know, a chance to try and tell it like it is. There is no óne-size" fits all solution to what is happening in our trade. And there still are many successes in the trade...more to come on that front. Wine is too important to the existance of man to address the ills of the trade with thinking marketing and packag…

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Beyond the Vines: Tony Biagi's Journey Through Napa, To Kalon, and Winemaking Wisdom 54:06

25d ago54:06

54:06

One of the on-going themes with Wine Talks, with virtually all guests, is the idea that you never stop learning in the wine trade. I supposed you could say that about many industries, but wine carries with it the idea of the harvest; the surrounding conditions that otherwise would be called "terroir" when discussing the differences from one year to…

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Navigating Napa and Beyond: Wine Adventures with Paul Kalemkiarian 19:45

1M ago19:45

19:45

I can talk about this stuff for days. Get me on a high horse and it is off to the races. I've tasted more wines than most people could ever dare dream of—but what fascinates me isn't just what's in the glass. It's the stories behind the bottles, the regions, and the relentless passion it takes to survive and thrive in the wine trade. In this episod…

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How CellarTracker and AI Are Changing Wine Collecting 52:22

1M ago52:22

52:22

I have had a dozen cellar apps. In fact, many were brought to me as the President of the Original Wine of the Month Club to be tested. The current database that houses all my internal tastings over the past 35 years was never produced as a commercial product. And as you can imagine, it is so 1993. Thanks to the energy and self proported "tech geek"…

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From Ancient Roots to Modern Bottles Armenia's Journey to World-Class Wine Status 53:27

1M ago53:27

53:27

The Armenian wine trade, like the rest of the wine world, has headwinds and maybe a bit more than the more established countries and regions where wine is well known and respected. You have to add to the mix of struggles; unknown grape varietals, no port of entry, unknown regions and 75 years of Soviet oppression. Enter Zara Muradyan; a wine romant…

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Behind the Scenes at the Original Judgment of Paris Tasting 58:02

1M ago58:02

58:02

Wine Talks is deeply connected to the Judgement of Paris. Not only were the Barretts good customers of our wine shop, Warren Winiarski stayed in our home on a trip to Los Angeles. The industry was completely different then. California wine had always been a thing, particularly before prohibition. It had even made its way to the east coast in the 18…

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From Paris to New York: Jonathan Waxman on Food, Wine, and Cooking's New Frontiers 1:15:46

2M ago1:15:46

1:15:46

Famed Chef Jonathan Waxman came to Wine Talks through a mutual friend who we lost last year to cancer; Melvin Masters was a one-of-a-kind character in the wine trade and Jonathans partner in the famed Jams Restaruarant. On a recent trip to Nashville, Tennessee, I insisted that the group I was with follow me to Roberts Western (most probably the las…

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Wine Industry at a Crossroads: Changing Tastes, AI, and Where the Money Goes 50:03

2M ago50:03

50:03

You can't speak of trends in the wine trends in the wine trade without mentioning Felicity Carter. You can't talk data mining in the wine trade without mentioning Felicity Carter...in fact, I can't think of many surrounding the wine trade that you could speak of without mentioning Felicity Carter. She is a force of date (substituting for "nature").…

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Ancient Roots, Modern Revival: Exploring Armenian Wine and Enotourism with Lilit Grigoryan 50:00

2M ago50:00

50:00

Not of all wine news is about a drop in sales or activity...wine tourism is up. On Wine Talks I regularly discuss the idea that wine is headed back in time to the days where the experience of wine is driving the interest in wine. Winery tastings, wine pairing dinners, day long wine excursions and more are peaking the interest in not only wine enthu…

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Navigating Change in the Wine Industry with Bernardus Winemaker Jim McCabe 47:26

2M ago47:26

47:26

The wines of the Monterey Peninsula, and particularly those of the Carmel Valley, are exquisite. It is always just so interesting to have the some grape grown in different parts of the world and be so different...soely on the location and environmental influences of the vineyard. When tasting Bernardus wines, you taste complexities entirely differe…

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Wine, Terroir, and Storytelling: Cecilia Guzman and the Evolution of Chilean Winemaking 43:10

2M ago43:10

43:10

When people enter a room, you instantly get a sense of their disposition in life. Are they smiley? Frowning? friendly? Gregarious? and you instantly if this is going to work. I knew instantly that this was going to work when Cecilia Guzman walked into the studio. Sitting down in the studio in beautiful Southern California for this episode of Wine T…

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Science, Grapes, and Adventure: A Wine Student's Summer at Chateau Haut-Bailly 43:54

2M ago43:54

43:54

A few years ago, a young woman was interning at the Original Wine of the Month Club. Her internship revolved around social networking, office duties, and one particular job that may have set her career path. Lisa Kassabian was to write the talking points for all my podcasts that featured a woman in wine. She would research the guest, write up perit…

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The Changing Tastes of Wine: Trends, Innovation, and Restaurant Realities with Chef David Slay 47:54

2M ago47:54

47:54

I have been hanging around the South Bay beaches since my youth. Maybe you caught my Instagram posts about how that happened. As a family, we spent much of our time in Hermosa Beach; I love the SoCal beach culture. There is an established group of restaurants under the moniker of Chef David Slay. He is a bit of an anomoly in that he has been a chef…

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Redefining Wine Tourism: Intimate Journeys Beyond Typical Wine Country Tours 45:57

2M ago45:57

45:57

Enotoursim has been a staple in the tourism trade. One of my favorite podcast was with JoAnne Dupuy, the woman who delivered the wines from Napa to Steven Spurrier in Paris for the Judgement In Paris. She was the leading Enotourist company in America. As time would have it, Enotourism had seen its days, slumping a bit for the past decade...until no…

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From Australia to Paso: Jane Dunkley on Authentic Wine, Bezel, and California's New Wave 48:21

2M ago48:21

48:21

Wine needs a fresh face. Well, that is if you ask the pundits in the industry. I am not sure I agree. Certainly, any industry needs to keep up with the times, I suppose marketing ideas and packaging ideas would follow. I am not sure I even agree with that... however, one thing I do believe is bringing a contemporary viewpoint to the table is benefi…

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Wine, Paris, and Power: Inside the Untold Story of Empress Eugenie's Legacy 49:01

3M ago49:01

49:01

You know the Kladstrups. Frankly, anyone interested in wine, whether through in the trade or as a consumer, should/must read their first book on wine: Wine and War. Since they have published 3 more books and just releasing the latest: Eugenie; The Last Empress of France. I was honored to get an advanced copy of the book and we had a chance to sit a…

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From Internships to Iconic Glassware: The Many Faces of Wine: Behind The Scenes Of Wine Talks. 17:57

3M ago17:57

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Sometimes, I just have to say my peace and get on with it. Though in this episode, I dig into the relationships that are forged like in no other industry. Hear me out. I would argue that the best stories in wine aren't just written in vineyards and cellars, but in the electric connections between people, places, and time—sometimes under the neon gl…

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How the Right Wine Glass Changes Everything: Paul K Talks with Maximilian Riedel 37:22

3M ago37:22

37:22

Once I was asked to meet a vendor at a local diner...a diner like the one at the end of the movies Sideways. Complete with amber plastic tumblers. IN walked one of the old time great wine slaesman with his wares in tow. I must have looked cross-eyed because I was sure he would not want to taste his wines here, at this diner. I was wrong and he did.…

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Exploring Paso Robles: Rhone Varietals, Innovation, and Community with Jason Haas of Tablas Creek 55:40

3M ago55:40

55:40

Legacy in the wine trade is not guaranteed. Not every child wants to take on the wine trade. I have many stories of famed children of iconic brands setting out to carve their own path to only lnad back in this passionate business. Jason Haas of Tablas Creek came around a bit quicker. He saw what an honest glass of wine represents and is now the sec…

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Chasing Passions and Building Promise Winery: The Journey of Stephen and Jennifer McPherson 59:38

3M ago59:38

59:38

When I was approached by a PR firm to interview the Stephen and Jennifer McPherson, I gladly agreed not knowing a thing. Podcasts guests are not hard to find in the industry...but good podcasts guests...that is a different story. I am about the story. That is what I am pitching in the world of wine; innovation in marketing and packaging are importa…

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Why Wine Pairing Rules Are Made Up Tim Hanni Explains 43:40

3M ago43:40

43:40

This is absolutely incredible. During this conversation with Master of Wine Tim Hanni, I had to step back and take a breather. He speaks on such a level about wine and the errors of the industry and packs so much into a single sentence, one must just ask him to stop to let the listener regroup. And then you can't wait to get to the next subject. Ti…

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Rethinking Wine Clubs, Loyalty, and Digital Marketing in the Modern Wine Industry. Polly Hammond. 54:12

3M ago54:12

54:12

Reaching out to Polly to have a chat about coming on Wine Talks, was like a breath of fresh air. Podcasting takes great effort and a conscious effort to be better and to look for guests that can add to the entertainment and education value of the show. I could have just as easily recorded our pre-call and published that as a podcast. I think you wi…

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Wine, Legacy, and Love: The Story Behind Zara Winery and Armenia's Boutique Wine Renaissance 57:13

4M ago57:13

57:13

Sometimes life is about timing. Just as I was inquiring about the wine of an Armenian wine maker, I received an email from a gentleman thanking me for the inquiry, and that he happens to be in LA...and would love to sit for a podcast. I was floored. When Vahagn sat down and began to speak, I knew we would hit it off. He had insight and passion. And…

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Wine Industry Insights: Hospitality, Consumer Trends, and the Power of Storytelling 56:55

4M ago56:55

56:55

When I reach out for podcast guests...I look for interesting backgrounds. Meaning, I would like to see a variety of experiences and someone who has a point of view. With the advent of the wine critic (many years ago) and the wine periodical, I wanted to have Susan on the show as she was the lead editor of the Wine Enthusiast. This puts her is a ver…

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Authenticity in the Wine Business: Lessons from Ross Halleck of Halleck Vineyard 49:40

4M ago49:40

49:40

Despite being the son of a pharmacist turned wine professional, I did not know the purpose of an Entheogen. Ross Halleck set me straight,so much so, that after defining an entheogen, the value of the consumption of wine became clearer. Ross Halleck doesn't just make wine—he might just ask you to close your eyes and seek the divine within a single g…

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Violet Grgich on Wine as Emotion, Heritage & Rebellion | Wine Talks with Paul K 48:26

4M ago48:26

48:26

Proper winemaking takes humility. It takes a story. It takes risk. And I guess risk is relative. when you come from nothing or next to nothing and you plot a path and execute a path, that comes from and takes humility. Mike Grgich landed in Saint Helena with $32 dollars sewed in his shoe and landed in front of a faceless hotel. He wasn't sure at th…

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Napa Cabernet Reinvented: Kelham Vineyards' Ron Nicholsen on Releasing Decade-Old Wines 55:13

4M ago55:13

55:13

At a recent Cabernet Sauvignon tasting in Los Angeles at the famed Republique restaurant, I spied this cool cat pouring off some aged wines. In that I fancy myself as a off-beat jacket guy, I had to engage Ron as to the provenance of not his wines, but of his jacket. And that is when the story began to unfold. Naturally, on the next trip to Napa, I…

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August Sebastiani on Gen Z, Wine Innovation & 100 Years of Sonoma Legacy 48:26

4M ago48:26

48:26

If you have spent any time at all in the wine trade...even if you have just visited the wine section of your favorite market; you know, have seen and recognize the name Sebastiani. They are one of the original Sonoma county wine families and August is the 4th generation. He makes an interesting point that traditionally in the Italian culture, the f…

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Armenian-Mexican Fusion with Chef Ara Zada: From Lavash to Laughter| Wine Talks 57:40

4M ago57:40

57:40

When I told my wife I was interviewing Chef Ara Zada...she was like..."I follow him!""He is great!" She never says that about me. I guess I need to learn how to make "fusion"cuisine with Mediterranean food!. Chef Ara Zada has a storied career and now turned food influencer. We had a blast together. Ara Zada is the kind of guest who makes you wish y…

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She Is Bringing Back The Emotion Of Wine. Meet Stephanie Morton-Small 51:15

4M ago51:15

51:15

I forgot her exuberance, energy, and love of wine and music. I'm so glad I had the chance to remember. The wine world needs more Stephanie Morton-Smalls; she helps us keep our eye on the ball. If you've ever wondered why some wines taste better when paired with heartfelt stories or Adele ballads, "Wine Talks" with Stephanie Morton Small and Paul Ka…

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Prosecco? Try Lo-Secco. Meet the brand strategest and Founder, Monika Elling. 50:44

4M ago50:44

50:44

I keep an eye on this girl. She makes this happen. As a college athlete, mom and wine brand manager, Monika is always "shaking the tree."I am inspisred by her tenacity and I am impressed with her no-nonsense approach to branding wine. Monika Elling doesn't just swirl her wine—she stirs the conversation and upends what you thought you knew about wha…

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If You Can Sell Coke, Can You Sell Wine? Courtney O'Brien Explains. 55:35

4M ago55:35

55:35

Sometimes when you speak to a consultant, you get consultant gobeldy gook. I can't tell you how many consultants I hired along the way at the WIne of the Month Club, but suffice it to say, most did not perform as expected. Why? Because selling wine is different than anything else in the world. Courtney O'Brien is different. She knows wine, she know…

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Admittedly Lazy Until She Found Wine And Hospitality. Meet Master Somm Stefanie Hehn 55:55

5M ago55:55

55:55

The Master Sommelier is a commitment to hospitality. So it makes you wonder what a young girl, who admittedly called herself lazy, would take on such a commitment. As life would have it, the challenges became clear to Stefanie Hehn, and each ladder rung became the next challenge. And I get it. I love hospitality. Here is her story on getting to the…

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With $25 In His Pocket, He Left Iran at 13 Years Old. This Is His Story. Zaya Younan. 1:24:54

5M ago1:24:54

1:24:54

I was asked to taste a wine and give an opinion of its quality. It was very good. A St. Emilion from a Chateau I did not know. The wine had never been in the US, and the wholesale company was new to the idea of even carrying a St. Emilion. My curiosity required me to ask the wholesaler, "Maybe the Chateau owner will come on the show?" "Let me check…

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Investing Part Of Your Portfolio In Wine? Speak With Marc LeFleur First. He Gets It. 57:04

5M ago57:04

57:04

Investing in wine might seem risky. Might seem like a horizon uncrossed. There is growing success rate in wine investments and it takes a trained and experience broker/agent to know where and when. Marc Lefleur might be the only man who can make a conversation about asset classes as delicious as a glass of aged Barolo. In this episode, you'll trave…

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Make The Best That Represents New Zealand. Meet Josh Hammond of Tiraki WInes. 39:22

5M ago39:22

39:22

When you hear a New Zealand accent, what do you try and do? I try to figure is it Aussi or English? Maybe South African. Regardless of where you land with this interpretation, you always settle into a nice comfort zone with New Zealanders. There is a certain warmth and instant camaraderie. Tiraki wines are new to the United States and it was an hon…

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The Man. Steven Spurrier. No Longer With Us, But His "Judgement of Paris" Has Changed Wine Forever.. 59:07

5M ago59:07

59:07

I had the distcint honor to know Melvin Masters; responsible for some iconic imported brands of wine that you would see everywhere. Unfortunately, we lost him a year or two ago and I has saddened me ever since. As a friend, he would reach out to his A-list of friends to encourage them to come on the podcast. Literally, just weeks before Steven Spur…

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The Passion For Armenian Wine. Meet Armen Ghazikhanian 56:57

5M ago56:57

56:57

Armen Ghazikhanian didn't so much dive into the wine business as wander in with curiosity, a keen palate, and a spreadsheet in his back pocket. You'll come away from this episode with more than just a newfound respect for Armenian wine; you'll discover how a career in finance can lead to the art of curating bottles that carry centuries of culture a…

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Wine Takes You Places. That Is The Point. Hear From Pauline Wlodarzyck of Chateau Giscours 55:34

5M ago55:34

55:34

When last in Bordeaux, I spent some time with Veronique Sanders-Van Beek, the Director of Chateau Haut Bailly. And as a result, she offered an internship to one of my favorite interns who graced the Wine of the Month Club. The young girl arrives shortly in Bordeaux to start her journey. I learned from Mdm. Veronique that her husband, Alexander Van …

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So You Want To Create A Ready To Drink Cocktail. Have A Listen To Rob and Leslie Levy. 54:13

5M ago54:13

54:13

I have known the Levys for years. I've known them as restauranteurs and gracious people. They fell in to the restaurant business and it was sink of swim; swim they did, creating an iconic establishment in heart of Southern California. From the restaurant came what one would consider the first of its kind in the San Gabriel Valley...a craft cocktail…

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Family Philosophy Plays In The South Of Francee. Gerard Bertrand Credits His Father For The Passion. 37:32

6M ago37:32

37:32

I am halfway through Gerard Bertrands new book: "Multidimensional Wine" and realize it is a must read for wine professionals and novices alike..get it here: https://academieduvinlibrary.com/products/multidimensional-wine Gerard Bertrand had not been in Los Angeles for a few years. He comes every 4-5 years to put on a Master Class of the wines of th…

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From IT To Wine. Garry And Joanne Brooks Could Not Shake The Dream Of A Winery 54:31

6M ago54:31

54:31

Gary Brooks doesn't just make wine—he turns the whole idea of winemaking on its head and brings it back down to earth, reminding us that, after all, it's just "rotting fruit." But don't be fooled by the humility. In this episode of Wine Talks, you'll discover how a man raised in Annapolis, guided by a career that veered from the Navy to IT manageme…

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Robert Foye Has Worked All Across This Globe. Amazing Trek And Landed With The Love Of Wine 50:02

6M ago50:02

50:02

On a podcast with Emilie Steckenborn of LVMH China, she insisted that I meet with Robert Foye to discuss a podcast appearance. She insisted. After 2 minutes on a call with Robert, I moved from chatting to scheduling. Despite conversations on the web about how the trade should be more innovative and rethink, Robert feels you need experience to move …

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Americans Don't Make Sake. Unless You Are Ben Bell. Unreal Story. 59:54

6M ago59:54

59:54

I was approached by a PR firm to put Ben Bell on the show. Certainly seemed like an interesting thought. Afterall, domestic Sake is a rarity and one from the heart of Little Tokyo, Arkansas! (that was a little tongue-in-cheek humour). There were so many questions and so little time. Some stories just require more questions and who wouldn't want to …

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Could Be One Of The Most Influential Restaurants Of Its Time. Meet Pat Terrail Of Ma Maison. 1:05:15

6M ago1:05:15

1:05:15

If you were to reflect on the most influential restaurants during the renaissance of food in America, you could not exit the thought without thinking of Ma Maison. Not only a Hollywood scene of its own, the fresh take on French cuisine started the change in how Americans saw food. One of the most poignant contributions to the food scene was bringin…

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With a Phd. In History, Chad Ludington Speaks The History Of Wine. Really Quite Fascinating. 59:23

6M ago59:23

59:23

One of the more intriguing elements of wine is that it can appeal to a wide range of people. In wide range, I mean it has appeal on so many different levels; a novice can just enjoy their favorite wines from the supermarket and delve into the history when inclined; a collector can peel each wine back and learn of its origin and take it a step deepe…

Paul K From The Original Wine Of The Month Club Podcasts