#96 “Vinho Verde” October 10, 2014

Wine Word of the Day

TODDCAST EPISODE 96: SHOW NOTES: Outline for this week’s episode:

WINE WORD OF THE DAY

Greetings Moonstoners, today is October 10th and on this day in 1813 Giuseppe Verdi was born. Or was it the October 9th? Who knows, since I suppose records weren’t kept very well back then in Italy…

Anyway, if you like operas, Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was your guy, as he was one of the greatest operatic composers of the nineteenth century.

If I had to pick a favorite opera it would have to be La traviata because of the song “Libiamo ne' lieti calici”, which means “let’s drink from the joyful cups” (and I do think Verdi means wine, here, Jill).

And that brings us to our Wine Word of the Day: Vinho Verde

This could be one of our best stretches yet, Jill, since Vinho Verde is a Portuguese wine and has absolutely nothing to do with famed Italian composer, Verdi.

But this is what we do.

Vinho Verde is not a grape but a region in the far north-west of Portugal. The name means “green wine” but that really translate into “young wine”. These wines could be white, red, or rose, but they are all suppose to be drunk within a year of bottling.

What is crazy about this region is there are 10’s of thousands of producers of this wine. And most growers train their vines high off the ground– up trees, fences and even telephone poles so that they can grow vegetables for their families below the vines.

So, in order to make a little green from green wine, you have to pick it out of the blue sky.

For transcripts, links and more Toddcasts, go to moonstonecellars.com/wwd. If you have any suggestions for more words, historical fact or tips on how I can grow chardonnay vines on utility wires over Main Street in Cambria, please send emails to, [e-mail].

And until next time, cheers to you!

TASTING ROOMORS (Happenings in the Tasting Room)

Birthdays

Oz Barron

Harvest Update

Game Night!

Come see our scarecrow, Wally the Water Watcher

BOOZE NEWS & VIEWS

UPS drivers on retainer (Utah)

Freaky.
http://www.psfk.com/2014/10/levitating-cocktail-machine-drink-droplets-air.html

It’s all in moderation. And No Smoking, not a deterrent for wine drinkers.

http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/50650

AVA’s gone wild.

http://wineindustryinsight.com/?p=56767

HAMMERED HOROSCOPE

Oh, fickle Libra, you are looking for your freedom right now. Trouble with that is that someone close to you might not understand. They think you’re leaving for good. So open one of your best bottles of wine and just remind them that every now and then, you just need a little space to do things on your own. Then take that bottle to the other room, lock the door behind you and enjoy the rest by yourself. Just remember the lock on that door works both ways.

ALCOHOL TRIVIA
Corks have not always been the wine closure of choice. As late as the mid 17th century, French winemakers would soak rags in oil and stuff them into the necks of the bottles. That’s just nasty.

CREDITS

Voice Over Talent – Ellen Dawson and Emmy-Award Winner, Andrew Dawson (Andrew’s YouTube Channel)

Utter Nonsense – Jill and Todd