The Wine Guys: Grape Escapes

We travel to Northern Central Italy, exploring Cantina del Castello in Soave. Here, we learn about Carniga Classico, single vineyards, and rugged volcanic soils. Michael discovers a secret passageway that leads to a private reserve, where he falls in love with a bottle of 1960 vintage. At Cantina del Castello Charlie surprises Michael with two white selections: a sweet white vs. a dry Carnigo Classico. After getting lost in one of Italy’s many roundabouts, Michael and Charlie finally manage to find their way to La Collina dei Cilliegi, near Verona. We learn about Methodo Classico, a bottling process similar to creating Champagne, and dine on delicious beetroot Risotto and gorgonzola cheese sauce paired with Ripasso wine. During negotiations, Michael is accused of offering a “Crazy price,” while a new wealthy wine owner’s dignity hangs on the balance of striking the right deal.

The Wine Guys zip off to Hacienda Albae in La Mancha, one of the oldest private wineries in Spain. In this land of Don Quixote, we are surprised to discover a Malbec produced in Spain, and Michael is pushed to his ‘price point’ sipping these delicious, but expensive, wines. Next, we head off to Bodegas Verum, a winery and distillery, located in the heart of Castilla La Mancha. Michael and Charlie autograph a couple barrels for them, and taste some 100-year-old brandy. Michael is upset that Charlie chooses the most expensive wines, one of which is the “Cinderella of Castilla La Mancha,” a fruity Sauvignon Blanc. Michael has a tough climb to make a deal stick.

Michael and Charlie travel to San Silvestro in Piedmont, Italy. We learn about the importance of rich carbonate soil and aging in large barrels to produce top quality Barolo wines. At a favourite local restaurant the Wine Guys marvel at the custom of pouring wine over top of ravioli. Then they travel across Northern Italy to Venice to visit an Italian Castle, Castello di Roncade, hosted by a real life Baron! Charlie shows off his sommelier skills severing the neck of a Prosecco bottle with the Baron’s sabre. At Roncade temptation of getting their hands on a Prosecco may prove too hard to resist, while at San Silvestro, negotiations on price get heated as Paolo, the owner, loses it on Michael during their business dealings.

Michael and Charlie visit Rioja, Spain, starting at the winery Bodega Iniesta, owned by the father of the famous Spanish Soccer Star Andres Iniesta. We are shown vibrant Graciano and Bobal grapes at this vineyard, and learn about the key to night harvesting. Next, the wine guys road rage their way to Isidro Milagro in Rioja, where they are lucky enough to enjoy lamb chops grilled on the vines from the producer’s last harvest. An organic Garnacha made from 80 to 90 year old vines is considered against a customer friendly blend. Michael experiences the “toughest negotiation he’s ever had” but after a heated exchange with the producer’s daughter, manages to swing a deal.

Set in idyllic Tuscany, Italy, we grasp the ideal altitude for growing grapes at the Tenuta Buon Tempo winery – 250 metres above sea level. Michael and Charlie enjoy a classic beef tartare for dinner, paired with an excellent Brunello wine barreled in French oak. La Cignozza’s rustic family-operated winery is next, where The Wine Guys visit all the resident cats, geese, cows and other critters. They chow down on a duck raised right there on the farm, swirl and sip some Chianti and Sangiovese wine, and drool over a homemade tiramisu for dessert. Michael and Charlie are seduced by a Brunello Reserve. They struggle with the decision to bid on it, concerned that it will be too expensive for their market.

Episode Six kicks off in La Mancha, Spain at Bodegas Isidro Milagro. Michael and Charlie step into a wine factory – one that produces over 100 million liters of wine a year. Charlie has some fun creating his own wine in their laboratory, and The Wine Guys survive an unexpected hailstorm! After drying off, the guys head up country to visit Alto Landon, an organic winery in the hills of Castilla La Mancha. They are surprised to discover 11 different types of soil on the same property, and because of the winery’s unique conditions, are able to taste a brilliant ice wine. Negotiations for old favourites don’t go quite as expected.