Episode 409 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently, and it is a tour through California on the hunt for old vines of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and other Rhone grape varieties. Erin Scala went in search of the California Rhone Rush, going up and down the state speaking with winemakers and vineyard professionals, piecing together a map of Rhone grape varieties in California. What she found is presented in this episode, which features mini-interviews with Randall Grahm, Gideon Beinstock, Chris Pittenger, Bob Lindquist, Ryan Roark, William Allen, and Larry Schaffer.
Erin Scala hosts this search for the origins of Rhone grape varieties in California, interviewing key members of the Rhone Ranger movement for this episode. She also connects up some of the key moments in the rise in interest for some of those grapes varieties, like Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, and others, in the history of the state. Her path takes her to several different areas of California, looking at how each region evolved differently and why. If you are curious to know about the future of Rhone grape varieties in California, it turns out that a great place to look for clues is in their past. This episode of I’ll Drink to That! goes to those original spots to find them.
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I’ll Drink to That is the world’s most listened-to wine podcast, hosted by Levi Dalton. Levi has had a long career working as a sommelier in some of the most distinguished and acclaimed dining rooms in America. He has served wine to guests of Restaurant Daniel, Masa, and Alto, all in Manhattan. Levi has also contributed articles on wine themes to publications such as The Art of Eating, Wine & Spirits magazine, Bon Appetit online, and Eater NY. Check out his pictures on Instagram and follow him on Twitter: @leviopenswine
