Classic Wines

Pinot Boutique in Old City Philadelphia is truly a toy store for wine lovers. They have wine accessories for every occasion - from crystal glassware by world famous Riedel, to decanters, corkscrews, artwork, furniture and wine refrigeration systems. In this episode we visit Pinot Boutique, browse their wine accessory selections, and attend their opening party where their signature Pino-tini's flowed while visitors toured the store.

Wine rules - like always drinking red wine with meat and white wine with fish - were meant to be broken. And in this episode, Brian discusses just how true that is. He also pairs a Ruffino Chianti with a fennel-sausage dish, discusses why it works as well as it does, and provides advice on how to get the most out of a restaurant wine-and-food experience.

In this episode, we're joined by Salvatore D'Angelo, owner of one of Philadelphia's best Italian restaurants. He and Brian discuss why there's nothing wrong with a glass of Chianti at lunch, why you don't have to spend a fortune on a great bottle of wine, and why smelling a wine is sometimes even more rewarding than drinking it.

How do you pair wine with food that's a bit more exotic than what you're used to? Easy - with confidence! In this episode, Brian discusses the range of pairing possibilities for a lush, tropical California Chardonnay, and why a fruity wine like that is perfect with everything from slightly spicy, exotically-flavored dishes to classic seafood with a rich Bearnaise sauce.

The appropriately-named Meritage features a top-notch wine list and an eclectic wine-friendly menu that is one of the most interesting in Philadelphia. In this episode, Brian speaks with co-owner Michele DiPietro about managing such an extensive list and helping her guests find the perfect wine based on their own personal tastes.

Pairing shellfish and white wine may seem like a no-brainer, but with the wide range of whites available today, it's more difficult than you might think. Fortunately, you can always look to a good, mineral-rich Sauvignon Blanc. It's a bit of a chameleon, growing austere and subtle with oysters and fruity and a bit fleshy with spicy shrimp. Check out this episode for more on this classic food and wine pairing.

A marathon tasting! Few wines pair better with seafood than Sauvignon Blanc, and no country is producing it better these days than New Zealand. In this episode, Brian raids the cellar of the Philadelphia seafood institution Bookbinder's, tastes four Sav Blancs, and gives you a primer on everything you need to know about the land even further down under than the land down under.

Pinot Noir and salmon is a truly classic combination. But how well will a Pinot stand up to other flavors on the plate? In this episode, Brian explains why Pinot is one of the most versatile pairing partners around, and how its flavors change depending on what you're enjoying it with.