Wine Situation Final Five! With Adam Roberts

This week on The Wine Situation, hosts Ellen Clifford and Shaughn Buchholz welcome Adam Roberts. He’s the author of the Amateur Gourmet blog and host of the Lunch Therapy podcast. Ellen and Shaughn are here to find out his situation…with wine. As always they close with a final five questions. Click HERE for the full episode. THE FINAL FIVE (edited for length): QUESTION ONE Ellen: What is the best pairing you ever had? Shaughn: Of any sort of beverage, of any sort of food item…like orange and marshmallows… Ellen: We’re here for it. Adam: I think honestly the most satisfying pairing I ever had was…I wrote a cookbook called “Secrets of the Best Chefs” where I traveled the country and I cooked with all these different chefs and learned their recipes, so when I was on tour to promote the book, I had to drive from San Francisco to the Napa Valley to do a cooking demonstration at a Whole Foods, but I got stuck in traffic on the way there, like a six hour slog and I’d been to this place called Christy’s Backstreet Kitchen—and when I showed up there I was so famished and so hungry. It’s a place that was known for its wine and food, but it was also a diner, so I sat at the counter and ordered shortribs and polenta and I got…I think it was a Zinfandel , something really bold and it was so soul-satisfying, I just felt cleansed. QUESTION TWO Ellen: What is your favorite, alcoholic or not, non-wine beverage? Adam: I’m really into Amaro lately. I love Cynar . It’s made from artichokes. I put it on ice with a little soda, or just on ice. Its deep and challenging but not as bitter as Fernet. BRIEF INTERLUDE AS PEOPLE POP IN AND SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ELLEN QUESTION THREE Ellen: Where do you want to visit? Adam: I’m dying to go to Italy . All the food that I love to cook is Italian. I make pasta like three times a week –I’m obsessed with traveling through Tuscany, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna I want to do that but for some reason I haven’t gotten it together, I haven’t figured out where to start, when to go, where to stay… Shaughn: I want to do the wine version of that! QUESTION FOUR Ellen: If you made a wine, what would you want to make and what would you want to call it? Adam: Do I want to make a delicate wine or a big bold brash one? I think I’d go for a big bold red, almost like a Zinfandel and I would call it…my dogs name is Winston, so can I name it that? Shaughn: Winston Zinfandel. David: Win’s zin? Adam: That was a great “Yes and”! QUESTION FIVE Ellen: Since episode one we’ve been asking… Shaughn: …what’s bringing you joy? Adam: I’m so much better at whining but…honestly this store in Echo Park called Cookbook. They have relationships with all the farmers, and have the most beautiful peaches, cheese, everything. I’m like why don’t I just live in this store? Check out the previous Wine Situation podcast with J Ryan Stradal here .

Isole e Olena

Isole e Olena Estate Bottled 2015

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9.1

Sour cherries and a touch of VA on the nose lead to a mid-weight Chianti with sweet and sour red cherries, orange peel, and almond skin on the palate. The acidity is in balance and the finish is long and clean. A very nice wine and a good value, for sure. — 5 years ago

David, Steve and 1 other liked this

Bilaro Spirits

Amaro di Bilaro Liqueur

Cinnamon-driven, clove, orange peel, clove — 5 years ago

Paul liked this

Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga

Maestro Raro Toscana Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Still a bit restricted on the nose which contains graphite and pencil shaving, but than the mouthfeel... Sour candy sweetness with mouthfilling fruit. Still a baby but already so good! Very long finish which continued for minutes! Simply said: spectacular! — 5 years ago

Severn, Freek and 19 others liked this

Campari

Cynar Ricetta Originale Artichoke

Oh hell my fave. If pushed this is my fave. Amaro. Ridiculously bitter.odd sweetness almost too much but not. Hell I LOVE CYNAR. — 6 years ago

Ron, Severn and 19 others liked this
Ellen Clifford

Ellen Clifford Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Michael Meyer just tried and reviewing! Holy heck my fave so far. Wouldn’t say it is the bitterest if my tries—more like perfect
Michael Meyer

Michael Meyer Premium Badge

It is a beauty @Ellen Clifford. The honey notes make a nice contrast to the bitterness. Agree...it is perfetto! 👌

Vigneto Saetti

Rosso Viola Lambrusco 2018

Kev
9.0

Not your typical Lambrusco, this one was earthy, a tad too heavy yet so easy to drink. — 5 years ago

Turley

Duarte Vineyard Zinfandel 2017

Alex Lallos
9.2

Exceptional Turley! From old vines in contra costa county (pre prohibition). This is voluptuous and complex with notes of fresh plum, cinnamon and dried cranberry. This could use a couple years in bottle but honestly why wait? Lovely example of the Turley style. — 5 years ago

Ira, Shay and 15 others liked this
Arden Barnett

Arden Barnett

Opened a bottle last week. Extremely impressed now, but very excited to see what this wine will do in a few years. Cheers!