Producers: SHIFT Entertainment

Gain a new understanding of Australian Shiraz while you uncover the value in a country that has some of the oldest vines on the planet.

Meet the ugly duckling of the wine family. Mark examines this fascinating blend and the reasons behind why it sometimes gets such a bad wrap in the world of wines.

Who says blending is bad? Not the Australians, and certainly not those from Margaret River or Coonawarra, regions that are internationally known for producing premium Cabernet Sauvignon blends.

Contrary to popular belief, not all Rieslings are sweet and fruity. But the problem seems to be the words sweet and fruity that prevent most wine drinkers from taking it seriously. Take a walk on the dry side and discover that Aussie Rieslings are, for the most part, dry!

Notoriously difficult to grow, Pinot Noir is known to cause heartbreak in winemakers. Grenache, often referred to as Pinot Noir’s warm climate cousin, has been underappreciated and was often used as a blending grape in inexpensive, undistinguished wines. But when grown in the correct climates, these grapes can produce world-class wines.

Although it was the gold rush that once lured people to these regions, today it is liquid gold, the gems of fortified wines.

Discover perfect pairings for Chardonnays and Aromatics, and learn how the high temperatures in Canada’s only desert can create world-class “cool climate whites” for any budget.

Learn how the balance of barrels and Bordeaux blends can create a complex, food-friendly wine that is easy on the palette and the pocketbook.

Discover how grapes that are the most difficult to grow can produce wines that are not only food friendly, but good for you.

Visit Cahors, France, the real home of the Malbec grape, to talk history, blending and food pairing.