Topic: Bordeaux Wine

John C. Dvorak provides a wine tip for the "Anything But Chardonnay" (ABC) crowd, recommending the Kirkland 2024 Bordeaux Blanc available at Costco for $6.99. The wine, sourced from Chateau Petit Freylon, has received high ratings from reviewers for its refreshing and juicy profile.

The U.S. administration threatens a 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes if existing trade barriers are not removed. This move causes concern among importers and collectors who purchase wine futures, as contracts often include clauses passing tariff costs to the consumer. The 2022 Bordeaux vintage is highlighted as a high-value target for these potential duties.

The final broadcast of the year concludes with a "Tip of the Day" regarding the accuracy of gold, silver, and bronze quality stickers on French wine bottles. The hosts discuss their personal use of Ivermectin as a prophylactic against illness and announce upcoming community meetups across the United States. The show signs off with a series of "end of show mixes" and holiday wishes for the "No Agenda" producers.

Adam Curry shares a wine recommendation from a fellow producer: the 2020 Kirkland Signature Bordeaux Superior, which retails for approximately $7 at Costco. John C. Dvorak confirms it is a high-quality "Easter egg" wine that he buys by the case. They also discuss the Robert Craig Winery, for which Dvorak built the original website in exchange for wine in the early days of the internet.

A consumer tip for Costco shoppers explains how to track down the Kirkland Bordeaux Superior wine. By visiting the manager's desk or pickup area, customers can have staff check the inventory of specific items across all local stores.

A recommendation for the 2018 Kirkland Signature Bordeaux Superior highlights its $7.99 price point and high quality. The hosts also announce the upcoming Podcasting 2.0 board meeting on the No Agenda stream, focusing on open-source podcasting infrastructure.

Janet Fiore Kramer, knighted as Dame Generous of the Nether Regions, provided an update from Haarlem. In response, John Dvorak offers a wine tip, advising listeners that 2016 Bordeaux wines are almost universally outstanding and can be found at affordable price points.

A discussion on wine focuses on the aging potential of different vintages, noting that many American wines do not age as well as European Bordeaux. The hosts explain that cheap "box wines" often contain preservatives that prevent them from turning into vinegar. The conversation covers the 2016-2018 vintages in the Willamette Valley and the general chemistry of wine production.

A series of high-value donations from executive producers are acknowledged. A detailed analysis of a 1998 Chateau Montrose wine is provided, comparing it to the legendary 1989 and 1990 vintages. The discussion covers the history of the winery's ownership and the quality of late-90s Bordeaux.

John C. Dvorak provides advice on purchasing wine, explaining the concept of limited vintages and why specific recommendations like the 2012 Los Vascos Grand Reserve sell out quickly. He also recounts an interaction with a listener regarding a 2008 Chateau Montrose.

A host shares details of a 29th wedding anniversary dinner featuring a 1988 bottle of Lynch-Bages Bordeaux. The discussion covers the financial benefits of buying and holding high-end wines, such as Chateau Margaux, and provides recommendations for the 2015 and 2016 vintages. The segment concludes with the announcement of a new baronet, Sir Robert Clayson.

The hosts conduct a lengthy donor thank-you segment, including a recommendation for "Renaissance" Bordeaux Superior wine available at Costco. They read messages from first-time donors and regular contributors, play various jingles, and announce upcoming birthdays for listeners. The segment reinforces the show's value-for-value model and encourages continued financial support.

A historical anecdote regarding the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake reveals that traditional wooden Bordeaux wine boxes protected bottles from destruction while cardboard packaging failed. The 7.1 magnitude event famously interrupted the World Series at Candlestick Park. Modern scientific classifications of earthquakes into S-waves and uplifts are criticized for making historical comparisons difficult for the public.

John C. Dvorak discusses celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Mimi, on August 8, 2013. He describes a tradition of drinking 1988 Lynch-Bages Bordeaux wine and reflects on the significance of the number eight in Chinese culture.

John C. Dvorak reports on the widespread counterfeiting of high-end Bordeaux wines in China. He shares an anecdote about a wealthy Chinese businessman showing off an expensive bottle only to serve cheap wine instead. The discussion covers how counterfeiters reuse original bottles and labels to deceive buyers in the prestige market.

The French government's implementation of strict anti-drinking and advertising laws is described as a blow to the country's traditional wine industry. The hosts compare these measures to the American Prohibition era, suggesting they are intended to make the population more docile.

John C. Dvorak proposes traveling to North Korea to help Kim Jong-il inventory his rumored collection of rare Bordeaux wines. The hosts discuss the social aspects of high-end wine collecting and the potential for "wine diplomacy." They reference North Korean humor as depicted in travel shows like Globe Trekker.

A specific telemarketing scam involves solicitors selling obscure, low-quality Bordeaux wines at inflated prices of $35 per bottle. These salespeople use aggressive tactics, including insulting the potential buyer's knowledge of wine, to pressure them into purchasing multiple cases. Consumers are advised never to purchase wine from unsolicited phone callers, as these offers are typically fraudulent or significantly overpriced.

A bottle of 2005 Chateau Canon from the Canon Fransac region of Bordeaux was discovered on the restaurant menu for $60. The wine is noted for its rarity and distinctive flavor profile. The meal concluded with a dessert featuring banana, strawberry, and kiwi infused with basil oil, which is described as an exceptional flavor combination.

A 1998 Pagodes de Cos wine served at a high-end restaurant was found to be severely "corked," leading to a discussion on the chemical TPA (2,4,6-Trichloroanisole). The hosts explain that this contamination can come from rotting corks or even evaporation from certain paints used in wineries. A historical instance involving BV Private Reserve in the late 1990s is cited as an example of widespread batch contamination.