The Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce's 7th Bartender Wars drew a dozen of the area's finest adult beverage purveyors to compete for the audience-awarded Silver Shake prize--won a second consecutive year by The Bottle Shop.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Great Grüner's made inroads not only in California but throughout the Northwest to the southern tip of the Rocky Mtns. in northern New Mexico. Four of its leading proponents join David Furer and Carlo DeVito to discuss its suitability in the soil, ease in the winery, and appeal in the glass.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Absinthe's history, culture, and current state in the US craft spirits sector is explored with those making it in California, Louisiana, Maryland, and in New York.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

The eminently refreshing GV is a relatively recent grape for the entirety of the US. On the heels of their commitment to Riesling, Galen Glen were the first to plant it out east while Bellview has found success with it amongst the multitude of varieties they cultivate. We learn of their work with it while tasting their examples along with two from New York--the Finger Lakes' Ryan William and our local Hudson Valley's Millbrook.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Rainer Schnaitmann was introduced to me in 1998 by a man greatly responsible for my entering the wine world, Helmut Doka, himself then a Stuttgart city councillor with a brief charging him to oversee his city's vineyards. He met and was impressed by the first vintage made by the then new vintner who was one of handful of dynamic young Germans turning its wines' stodgy stylings into those with far better results. Schnaitmann's wines have gone from strength to strength enjoying exemplary critical comments and widespread distribution.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Joined by a late-arriving Carlo, David passes time and bright young wines with Matt Spaccarelli of Fjord from across the Hudson River in-studio while Zooming in are Todd Wuerker of New Jersey's Hawk Haven in Cape May and Rob Deford of Maryland's Boordy near Baltimore. The convo spans deep dives into grapegrowing and winemaking interspersed with spontaneous food pairing recommendations and art references. First planted by all three guests in 2013, Albariño from the Atlantic's western edge is well worth searching out and drinking.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Andrew Caillard researched for 18 years his exhaustive, 3-volume epic The Australian Ark detailing its unique history of wine.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff

Hugh Johnson's writing of wine's history, creating its groundbreaking Wine Atlas, column writing for numerous media outlets, hosting a public television series, speaking at key events, and partnering with a few of the world's most important wineries have shaped him to become a pillar of the world's wine community. With his books essential reading for anyone wishing a full account of the breadth and depth of wine's past and present, Johnson's unanticipated presence played a significant role throughout David's career when first cutting his teeth in Chicago, then bumping into him at Bordeaux's Vinexpo for an impromptu published interview, later serving to him as a San Francisco somm, and finally serving with him at the UK's Circle of Wine Writers. His newly revised and expanded 'Life and Wines' autobiography is the latest addition to his storied career, its publication allowing David an opportunity to meet with him, graciously invited into his London home with his wife and his publisher at the ready as we chat with birds chirping in his garden, a distinct selection of wines with which he's involved for us all to enjoy.

Produced by Matty Rosenberg, Jennifer Hammoud and David Furer at Radio Free Rhinecliff