#99 “Super Tuscan” February 27, 2015

Wine Word of the Day

TODDCAST EPISODE 99: SHOW NOTES: Outline for this week’s episode:

WINE WORD OF THE DAY

Greetings Moonstoners, today is February 27th and on this day in 1964, government officials in Italy sought funding to help prop up the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Engineers,mathematicians and historians met to decide how to keep the tower from falling over while retaining the lean. Decades of improvements followed including a system of counterweights, removing the bell, and shifting the foundation underneath. They have done a super job, because the tower still stands.

And that brings us to our Wine Word of the Day: Super Tuscan

Back in the 70’s some winemakers in Tuscany got fed up with the government laws that dictated how to make the region’s most famous wine Chianti. The rules stated that they must blend in some white grapes with Sangiovese to call it Chianti, otherwise, they would have to just put “Red Table Wine” or Vino da Tavola on their label.

So, some feisty winemakers decide the heck with it anyway. They wanted to create bolder red wines that were more popular overseas, especially in the United States. So they coined the term Super Tuscan. And no translation is needed here. That name is meant to be in English.

Super Tuscan can be awesome, big, powerful wines. The only issue is that you don’t always know what is in them. Some can be 100% Sangiovese, or Sangiovese blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and/or other Bordeaux varietals such as Merlot. Syrah also finds it way into Super Tuscans.

But the real question is, what wine were the builders drinking back in 1173, when they started building the Tower of Pisa? A lot of wine must have been drunk before they constructed its foundation. That’s all I’m sayin’

For transcripts links and more Toddcasts go to moonstonecellars.com/wwd. If you have any words, historical facts, or tips on how to keep tourists from taking stupid pictures of themselves trying to push the leaning tower back up right, please send emails to, [e-mail]

And until next time cheers to YOU.

TASTING ROOMORS (Happenings in the Tasting Room)

Club shipments are out

Passport Weekend update

There’s still time to get your passport stamped!

Papagallo-Saturday is sold out!

BOOZE NEWS & VIEWS

A full body buzz?

http://www.wineindustryinsight.com/ex_nf.php?url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cannabis-infused-wine-delivers-a-full-body-buzz-says-melissa-etheridge/

On your mark, get set, sip!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2015/02/18/382657240/a-sophisticated-version-of-guess-the-grape-but-is-it-a-sport

This business has gone to seed.

http://www.wineindustryinsight.com/ex_nf.php?url=http://www.snooth.com/articles/israeli-research-team-gets-byzy-with-ancient-grape-seeds/

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s your dinner.

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2015/02/restaurant-employs-fleet-of-drone-waiters/

Snap out of it.

http://www.wineindustryinsight.com/ex_nf.php?url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/11431992/Love-and-other-scientifically-tested-ways-to-sober-you-up.html

More good news.

http://www.wineindustryinsight.com/ex_nf.php?url=http://www.youthhealthmag.com/articles/10267/20150222/tea-wine-and-citrus-can-lower-ovarian-cancer-risk.htm

HAMMERED HOROSCOPE

Pisces, pull your head out of the water. We know you love the drama and simplicity makes you crazy. But sometimes you have to let things be. You don’t always have to be the one stirring the pot. If your guest brings you a bottle of cheap wine, open it with a smile and try your best to be cordial. Don’t spit it across the room shouting “weasel pee!” It makes everyone uncomfortable.

ALCOHOL TRIVIA

A popular drink in Cambodia is called Tarantula Brandy. It consists of a rice-based liquor and yes, freshly killed tarantulas. I will now be cancelling my vacation plans to Cambodia.

CREDITS

Voice Over Talent – Ellen Dawson and Emmy-Award Winner, Andrew Dawson (Andrew’s YouTube Channel)

Utter Nonsense – Jill and Todd