Classic Wines

Move over cabernet, this one is all about California Zinfandel. Among the extremely popular varietals produced by California, Zinfandel is one of the most dominant. Not to be confused with white zinfandel, zinfandel is a fruity red style that can also pack a punch of complexity. Tune in to this week's episode as Brian compares two distinctly different zinfandels from California. Tasted in today's episode are the Benson Ferry Vineyards 2006 95240 Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel and the M. Cosentino 2005 Zinfandel Cigarzin.

Willamette Valley has made great strides in creating a reputation for itself, especially when it comes to Pinot Noir. Host Brian Freedman is an especially large fan, so this showdown was a treat for him. Join in as Brian samples two Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley and gives is professional reviews. Sampled today are the Airlie Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2006 and the Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2006.

Corks... screw tops... glass stoppers... the world of wine enclosures is much more diverse than it used to be! Years ago, your choices were essentially limited to one - cork. But as technology grows, more consistent means of enclosure have developed. Of course, with change comes reaction in the form of complaints about a lessening of 'breathability' that corks natural contain. Host Brian Freedman examines the most popular kinds of enclosures available today and let's you be judge.

If you're a wine lover, I bet you've heard of Rioja. But it seems that only true wine geeks have heard of Jumilla, a developing wine region of Spain. This up-and-coming wine is one for you to look into if you want to diversify your palate. Watch as Brian Freedman pits two Spanish Jumilla against each other in a Classic Wines Showdown. The wines tasted today are the Juan Gil 2005 Jumilla, and the Altos De Luzon 2005 Jumilla.

Brian Freedman pits two Cotes du Rhone against each other in wine competition. Cotes du Rhone, found in the Rhone region, is a very popular French wine. Can these two bottles hold up to a well established reputation, or will they fall flat? The wines tasted today are the J. Vidal-Fleury 2006 Cotes du Rhone, and the Chateau Beauchene 2006 Cotes du Rhone.

Ever wanted to peek into the wine cellar of a high end restaurant? Here is your chance - Join Brian Freedman and Jason Miller, General Manager and Wine Director of Picholine, as they chat about Burgundy and food and wine pairings. The wines discussed today are Domaine Coste Caumartin 2005 Monthelie, and Domaine Michel Lafarge 2004 Volnay Clos Du Chateau Des Ducs.

Due to popularity and difficulty of growth, Pinot Noir is often less affordable than other varieties. This tendency begs the question -- can an affordable French Pinot Noir be found? And will it be any GOOD? Host Brian Freedman places two French Pinot Noirs side by side -- the Roux Pere et Filo 2006 Pinot Noir Bourgogne and the Maison Louis Latour 2005 Marsannay -- for a Classic Wines Showdown. Find out if either have the right stuff for the right price.

One of the important steps in making wine comes before the grapes are even picked. The winemakers job is to determine the correct time to pick the chardonnay, or viogneir grapes for optimal flavor. Classic Wines interviews the winemaker at Bedell Cellars, John Levenberg, in Long Island to find out the many determinations that a winemaker will make to bring you that wonderful glass of wine.