Topic: Wine Tasting

The hosts begin a new recurring segment called "Winery Wednesday," starting with a report on Becker Vineyards. They review the ambiance, the "rehearsed spiel" of the staff, and the quality of the charcuterie board. The 2018 Dolcetto Reserve is highlighted as the best wine tasted so far, despite a critique of its price point.

Dame Meowdison and Dame Damey of Sonoma are recognized for their contributions. Dame Damey, who works at the Verite winery, describes an "off-the-rails" unscripted tasting experience with the hosts and plans a local meetup in Healdsburg.

Hollywood producer Dana Brunetti visited a cult winery in Sonoma County for a high-end tasting involving 100-point wines. During the visit, Brunetti shared a story regarding the casting of the film Captain Phillips, noting that the Somali pirates were cast during a cattle call in Minnesota. One of the non-professional actors from that call eventually received an Academy Award nomination, while lead actor Tom Hanks did not.

A Denver-based company called Replica claims to use laboratory analysis to recreate expensive wines at a lower price point. John C. Dvorak, a professional wine judge, deconstructs the claim as a marketing scam, explaining that the complexity of yeast and fermentation makes it impossible to chemically map and perfectly replicate high-end wine.

New knights and dames were inducted into the No Agenda Round Table, including Sir Loud Pipes, Dame Firecracker, and Sir Racha. John Dvorak announced he would be cooking sorghum for the first time, describing a simple preparation with butter and salt. He also mentioned an upcoming wine report following a large tasting event.

A review of the 2012 Robert Mondavi Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon describes it as a heavy, high-quality wine priced at approximately $35. An unconventional tasting technique was shared, involving diluting the wine 50/50 with cold water, which reportedly enhanced the flavor profile. This method is also suggested as a way to appear to be drinking more at cocktail parties while remaining sober.

Adam Curry recounts a conversation with his uncle, Don Curry, regarding his past correspondence with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Don Curry reportedly sent movies such as The Patriot and Brothers in Arms to the Supreme Leader, who allegedly enjoyed them. The hosts propose sending a new list of DVDs to Kim Jong-il to facilitate a future wine tasting meeting for John C. Dvorak.

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.

During a dinner with a guest from Holland, a debate arose regarding the quality of Henriot champagne. One host found it exceptionally smooth, while the guest preferred a "chalkier" style of champagne. The segment touches on different regional preferences for sparkling wine and the high cost of premium brands like Dom Perignon.

An anecdote about a professional wine tasting reveals the "manufactured taste" of high-end Gallo wines. The discussion covers marketing tricks used by large wineries to hook consumers with high-quality early vintages before reducing the quality of ingredients in later releases.

Wine critic Jancis Robinson's recent rankings in the Financial Times are discussed, specifically her praise for various Chateauneuf-du-Pape labels. The hosts argue that the wine has become overpriced and trendy due to influence from critics like Robert Parker. They suggest there is a "sameness" to the variety that does not justify the $100+ price tags of high-ranked bottles.

The global wine industry is facing a quiet scandal regarding the use of "Mega Purple," a concentrated additive used to darken the color and alter the flavor profile of wines. This trend is driven by the influence of critic Robert Parker, whose preference for "inky" wines has led producers to manipulate their products to achieve higher scores.