Grape Minds

Episode 8: An interview with Juelle Fisher

Grape Minds is produced at WGCU studios in Southwest Florida, which is one of the most active wine markets in the United States. Because of that, we have an almost endless parade of winemakers, importers, sommeliers, and wine journalists coming through town. In this episode of Grape Minds, we get to talk with Juelle Fisher of Fisher Vineyards. She talks about the unique business of selling wine, the changes she’s seen since planting (and replanting) vines in the Mayacamas Mountains in the early 1970’s, and tells her harrowing tale of how last year’s wildfires threatened her family and her property.

Episode 7: Deciphering Wine Labels

Sometimes, it feels like discovering new wines takes a degree in geography, knowledge of 20 languages and possibly psychic abilities, but really all you need to do is figure out how to read a wine label. Wines from the new world (the Americas, Australia, places that are not Europe) tend to have easier-to-understand labels since

Episode 6: Easter Wine

As you plan your Easter feast, Gina and Julie have some suggestions for wine to go with whatever you choose to eat. Ham? Lamb? Eggs Benedict for brunch? We’ve got you covered with wine suggestions and time-honored favorites of both our hosts.

Episode 5: Who do you trust to tell you about wine?

Everyone with a cell phone, an appetite for wine, and an opinion is a wine critic these days, but is that a good thing? Gina and Julie talk with one of America’s most influential wine critics, Jon Bonné about the tough spot wine journalism is in right now: no one wants to pay real journalists

Episode 4: Jesse Lange of Lange Estate talks Oregon, World Class Whites, Clones, and Mutations

Second-generation winemaker and wine grower Jesse Lange of Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards joins Julie and Gina to talk about continuing the family tradition in the Dundee Hills. He talks about the moment he knew wine would be his career, about a spontaneous pinot mutation that popped up in the vineyard one day, and the

Episode 3: Wine Fests

This is the season for wine festivals in South Florida, and after the Southwest Florida Food and Wine Festival this past weekend, Gina and Julie got to thinking about the correlation between wine and fundraising. Are there whiskey charity auctions? Which one is really the biggest in the country – Naples Winter Wine Festival or Auction Napa Valley? This week

Episode 2: Here’s to your Health….with Wine.

You may have read the recent headlines promising longevity to those who consume wine- or you began toasting to your health after you read about all the 100 year-old Cannonau drinkers in Sardinia. Maybe you adopted wine as a health elixir back when the French Paradox came out. Either way, it’s hard to escape the idea that wine somehow makes

Episode 1: An Introduction

In the premiere episode of Grape Minds, hosts Julie Glenn and Gina Birch introduce listeners to the culture and history of wine.

Episode 25.5: Grapes of the Zodiac, Sagittarius and Zinfandel

In this episode of Grape Minds, we're talking about Sagittarius and its relationship with a certain grape that mimics the fire sign's fearless, fun, and fabulous approach to life.  And we're also reminded of Barry, of "Barry and LeVon's Love Seat" from the show MTV aired in the '90's called The State.