This episode explores main muscat wine grape varieties, the many wine styles, a little history, and terminology … all to help you fall in love with new styles of wine - and other beverages - made with this ancient grape that is still very much loved around the world. Just in time for Valentine's Day!

Resources from this episode:

Books:

Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viticulture (Princeton Science Library Book 76) [Kindle Version], McGovern, P. (2003)

Grapes and Wines: A comprehensive guide to varieties and flavours, Clarke, O. and Rand, M. (2010)

The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023)

Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013)

Websites:

Italian Wine Central: Moscato https://italianwinecentral.com/variety/moscato/

Muscat Wines: Muscat Wines of the United States https://www.muscat-wines.com/muscat-wines/muscat-wines-of-the-united-states/

Vinopedia: Muscat https://vinopedia.org/wiki/Muscat

Vins Alsace: Fresh & Dry Muscat d'Alsace https://www.vinsalsace.com/en/gouts-et-couleurs/cepages/frais-et-secs/muscat-dalsace/

Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to this Episode:

S1E6: Doing the Diois - Clairette de Die Sparkling Wine https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s1e6-doing-the-diois-clairette-de-die-sparkling-wine

S3E1: Asti DOCG - Bubbles in the New Year, Decade, and Season! https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s3e1-asti-docg-bubbles-in-the-new-year-decade-and-season

S3E4: Wine from Dried Grapes https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s3e4-wine-from-dried-grapes

S6E2: A Pisco Party! https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s6e2-a-pisco-party

S6E3: A Sweet, Sticky Story - Rutherglen Fortified Wines https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s6e3-a-sweet-sticky-story-rurtherglen-fortified-wines

S14E4: Constantia - The wine, the place, the history, and juicy bits https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/constantia-the-wine-the-place-the-history-and-juicy-bits-s14e4

Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Music: "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

In addition to this re-release of "Whisky, Burns Night, and … Beerhenge?" (Originally Released Jan 28, 2022 ) I give a new, quick introduction to Burns night before treating you to this episode on whisky, in which I discuss: what it is, a little history, how it's produced, distinguishing the styles, and a little silliness (because your host cannot help herself).

Just the thing for a cold, January in the northern hemisphere on this weird third rock from the sun.

Resources from this episode:

Books:

Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) Study Guide, Society of Wine Educators, Nickles, J. (2020)

The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails [Kindle Edition], Wondrich, D & Rothbaum, N., (2022)

Whiskey: The Definitive World Guide, Jackson, M. (2005)

The World Atlas of Whisky [2nd Edition], Broom, D. (2014)

Websites:

Difford's Guide: On this Day - 25 January, Sutcliffe, T. & Difford, S., (2020) https://www.diffordsguide.com/on-this-day/january/25

Independent: How to Address you Haggis in Honor of the Great, According to Robert Burns, Sommerlad, J. (25 January 2022) https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/address-to-the-haggis-burns-night-b2000134.html

Merriam Webster: Auld lang syne: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/auld%20lang%20syne

Scotch Whisky: Famous Whisky Drinkers - Robert Burns, Smith, G.D., (25 January 2016) https://scotchwhisky.com/magazine/famous-whisky-drinkers/8261/famous-whisky-drinkers-robert-burns/

Some of Val's Favorite Whisky Personalities:

Whiskycast: Cask Strength Conversation, by Mark Gillespie - https://whiskycast.com/

The Unwritable Rant: Bourbon-Soaked Stories, by Juliette Miranda - https://theunwritablerant.com/

Related Topics by Glass in Session®:

S7E3: Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 1 - Champagne & Whiskey - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/glassinsession/id/19435472

S4E6: Got Wood? Talkin' bout Oak - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/glassinsession/id/15334700

S4E5: Roll out the (Bourbon) Barrel ... and put Wine in it? - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/glassinsession/id/15148409

S13E5: Bourbon: The Distinctly American Spirit https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/bourbon-the-distinctly-american-spirit

Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Music: "Write Your Story" by Joystock

Bourbon Segment: "Fife and Drum" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

This episode explores the pink mutation of the Chardonnay grape, and why it's now in the pantheon of Champagne's primary grape varieties.

Resources from this episode:

Books:

The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023)

Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013)

Websites:

Champagne Education [Comité Champange]: Chardonnay Rose (9 January 2026) https://www.champagne.education/en/chardonnay-rose-champagne

Comité Champagne: Grape Varieties https://www.champagne.fr/en/about-champagne/a-great-blended-wine/champagne-and-its-grape-varieties

Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Agro-Alimentaire, et de la Souveraineté Alimentaire: Bulletin Officiel - Cahier des Charges du 07-08-2025 [Cahier des charges de l'appellation d'origine contrôlée "Champagne" homologué par l'arrêté du 31 juillet 2025 (AGRT2518163A)] https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/boagri/document_administratif-677d59b2-d392-4220-9fa3-e65dbc723244

PIWI International: The "Voltis" grape variety has been approved for the production of Champagne AOC, Rebsorten & Züchtung (21 February 2022) https://piwi-international.org/en/2022/02/grape-variety-voltis-was-released-for-the-production-of-champagne-aoc/

Wine Business: Pink Chardonnay, a Forgotten Grape Variety that is Regaining its Place in Champagnes Heritage (20 October 2025) https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/309480

Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to this Episode:

S3E3: Wine Caves - Dishing the Dirt https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s3e3-wine-caves-dishing-the-dirt

S15E2: Champagne Part 2 - Grape to Glass https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/champagne-part-2-grape-to-glass

S16E3: Belgian Wines (updated) and PIWI Grapes (re-release) https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/belgian-wines-updated-and-piwi-grapes-s16e3-re-release

Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Music:

"Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

This episode explores some of the world's first sparkling wines, their styles, and a little history from the "Soul of Southern France."

Resources from this episode:

Books:

The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023)

Websites:

Limoux AOC: Les AOP de Limoux https://www.limoux-aoc.com/les-vins#les-vins-aop-de-limoux

Limoux AOC: Limoux Wines https://www.limoux-aoc.com/en

Medium: Exploring Echoes: The Birth of Champagne - How Monk Dom Pérignon Didn't Actually Invent It, De Wolfe, A. (6 April 2025), https://medium.com/exploring-echoes/the-birth-of-champagne-how-monk-dom-pérignon-didnt-actually-invent-it-af7cc99fd039

Provence and Beyond: Saint Hilaire Abbey Collins, R. (2019) https://www.beyond.fr/sites/st-hilaire-abbey.html

Glass in Session Episodes Relevant to this Episode:

S1E6: Doing the Diois - Clairette de Die Sparkling Wine https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s1e6-doing-the-diois-clairette-de-die-sparkling-wine

S5E1: A Pét-Nat Chit Chat https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s5e1-a-pt-nat-chit-chat

S13E2: American Rosé - The Story of our Red, White and Blush https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/american-ros-the-story-of-our-red-white-and-blush

S15E2: Champagne Part 2 - Grape to Glass https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/website/champagne-part-2-grape-to-glass

Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Music: "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

"Get your dirks and bayonets... and pistols if you have them." A quote heard during the Eggnog Riot at West Point on Christmas Eve in 1826.

This is a quick re-visit of part of the Booze Riots and Rebellions series from Season 7.

Happy Holidays & Cheers ~

Resources from this episode:

Websites:

Big Think: The Boozy and Violent Story Behind America's Eggnog Riot, Davis, M. (2018) https://bigthink.com/culture-religion/what-was-the-eggnog-riot?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1

How Stuff Works: Ridiculous History - When West Point cadets rioted over eggnog in 1826, Dove, L. L. (2015) https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/ridiculous-history-heres-why-west-point-cadets-rioted-eggnog-1826.htm

US Army: The Eggnog Riot, Funck, C. S., (2010) https://www.army.mil/article/49823/the_eggnog_riot

Podcasts:

Stuff You Missed in History Class: The Eggnog Riot https://www.iheart.com/podcast/stuff-you-missed-in-history-cl-21124503/episode/symhc-classics-eggnog-riot-75374468/

Related Glass in Session® Episodes:

S7E3: Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 1: Champagne and Whiskey https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s7e3-booze-riots-and-rebellions-part-1-champagne-whiskey

S7E4: Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 2: Rum https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s7e4-booze-riots-and-rebellions-part-2-rum

S7E5: Booze Riots and Rebellions, Part 3: Lager Beer and Eggnog Riots [full episode] https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s7e4-booze-riots-and-rebellions-part-3-lager-beer-and-eggnog-riots

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Website: GlassInSession.com

This week I spied Santa Claus ... hanging out in a dumpster. I reflected on how something as cynical as identifying with Santa in a Dumpster can be a source of unexpected joy.

Bugey-Cerdon, to me, is a holiday entertaining essential because of it fun fizz, sweetness, and its ability to rock everything from charcuterie to Christmas cookes. Oh, and the low alcohol is a bonus!

I hope you enjoy this timely re-relase of this episode on Bugey, a wine region between Jura and Savoie in France, and that you spot the joy in unexpected places.

In this season finale we explore the Verdicchio wines of Le Marche's Jesi and Matelica appellations.

Resources from this episode:

Books:

The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023)

Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013)

Websites:

Britannica: Sharecropping https://www.britannica.com/topic/sharecropping

Do Bianchi: From sharecropper to landowner, an Italian Parable (26 June 2013) Parzen, J. https://dobianchi.com/2013/06/26/italy-sharecropping-mezzadria/

Istituto Marchigiano di Tutela Vini: Verdicchio https://www.imtdoc.it/verdicchio/

Italian Wine Central: https://italianwinecentral.com/

Quattrocalici: Il Vino Nelle Marche - Vitigni, Vino, Enogastronomia https://www.quattrocalici.it/regione/Marche/

Wine Two Five: Episode 163 - Grape Gab - Getting Geekio with Verdicchio (24 May 2018) https://www.winetwofive.com/episode-163-mays-grape-gab-getting-geekio-with-verdicchio/ (*note: this website will be taken down in January 2026, but this episode and most of the others will remain on the podcast's YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@winetwofivepodcast1721)

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi: https://www.verdicchiodeicastellidijesi.it/

Vinous: New Releases from the Marche: Life Beyond Verdicchio? D'Agata, I. (14 February 2018) https://vinous.com/articles/new-releases-from-the-marche-life-beyond-verdicchio-feb-2018

Glass in Session Episodes Referenced in this Episode:

S3E4: Wine from Dried Grapes https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s3e4-wine-from-dried-grapes

S10E5: Montefalco Sagrantino: Wine, Birds, and the King of Everything https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s10e5-montefalco-sagrantino-wine-birds-the-king-of-everything

Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Music: "Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)

Orvieto is a clifftop city, a wine region, and a wine culture all its own with a rich history loaded with silly anecdotes. When your host says there's more in a glass of wine than fermented grape juice, she's not kidding, and Orvieto is an excellent example of that.

Resources from this episode:

Books:

The Oxford Companion to Wine [5th Edition, Kindle Edition], Harding, J., Robinson, J., Thomas, T. (2023)

Wine Grapes: A Complete Guide to 1,368 Vine Varieties, Including Their Origins and Flavours [Kindle Edition], Robinson, J., Harding, J., Vouillamoz, J. (2013)

Websites:

Antinori: Cervaro della Sala https://www.antinori.it/en/vino/cervaro-della-sala-en/

Britannica: Orvieto https://www.britannica.com/place/Orvieto

Consorzio Vino Orvieto: http://www.consorziovinidiorvieto.it

Italian Wine Central: Orvieto https://italianwinecentral.com/denomination/orvieto-doc/

Madonna del Latte: https://www.madonnadellatte.it/en/products/item/orvieto-doc

Orvieto Viva: The History of Orvieto https://www.orvietoviva.com/en/orvieto-history/

Glass in Session Episodes Referenced in this Episode:

S2E2: Behind Botrytis - Beautiful Wines from Ugly Grapes https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s2e2-behind-botrytis-beautiful-wines-from-ugly-grapes

S10E5: Montefalco Sagrantino - Wine, Birds, and the King of Everything https://glassinsession.libsyn.com/s10e5-montefalco-sagrantino-wine-birds-the-king-of-everything

Glass in Session® swag mentioned in this show: https://www.teepublic.com/user/glass-in-session

Glass in Session® is a registered trademark of Vino With Val, LLC.

Music:

"Write Your Story" by Joystock (Jamendo.com cc_Standard License, Jamendo S.A.)