In this episode we talk about:

• Family history dating back to grandfather establishing winery in Mendoza in 1960s
• The inspiration to focus on high elevation sites like Altamira, La Consulta, Gualtallary
• Understanding the valley’s geology, altitude impacts creating distinct terroir identities
• How he developed Zuccardi’s non-interventionist approach allowing transparent expression of place using concrete
eggs vs. steel to showcase vineyard character
• Why soil mapping via calicatas provides key viticultural insights and how clonal selection and varieties are
suited to high elevation, like chardonnay
• The impetus to make his own Vermouth with a group of friends, which revived theArgentine vermouth tradition
• Zuccardi’s dedication to wine tourism on a larger scale in Mendoza and the Uco Valley
• What the future holds for Argentina, Malbec, wine, and the next generation

Resources:

Instagram: @zuccardivalledeuco
@szuccardi

Website: https://zuccardiwines.com/en/

The post IN SEARCH OF FLAVOR, EPISODE 38: Seba Zuccardi on the Rise of Uco Valley Wines appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

South America’s Southern Cone exudes an irresistible summer siren song during the end-of-year travel season. While the days get cold, rainy, or snowy in the North, the weather is all sunshine and gelato in the South. It’s no wonder why it’s a favorite winter destination, from Patagonia’s glaciers to the sun-drenched vineyards of Mendoza and the bohemian chic of Jose Ignacio’s beaches. In this spirited episode, Liz Caskey gives the real skinny on how to approach planning a journey to the Southern Cone at this ultra peak time of the year and invaluable advice for hacking the nuances – flipped seasons, high demand, minimum hotel stays, Patagonian lodges, and holiday closures. Tune in for expert tips, destination highlights, and practical advice to make your end-of-year getaway stress-free.

In this episode we talk about:

• Why the holiday season goes beyond peak season and coincides with the onset of summer vacation
• A discussion on top destinations in South America: Patagonia, Mendoza, Buenos Aires, and the beaches of Jose
Ignacio, Uruguay
• How to navigate the varied weather and seasons
• Tips on booking flights, transportation, and accommodations
• The secret on how to avoid the summer crowds and when to go (all within the summer time frame)

Resources:
Instagram: @lccwe, @lizcaskey77
Website: www.lizcaskey.com

The post In Search of Flavor, EPISODE 36: The Skinny on End-of-year Travel appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

Shouldn’t your face cream be as clean as the food you put in your body? Ideally yes, but it’s not always the case. In today’s episode, Emily Yeston, co-founder of Doré, joins us to talk about clean skincare and how her company is bringing that to French pharmacy staples in a safe way. Emily discusses her journey transitioning from digital media into the beauty industry with her French business partner Garance Doré and how her own skin challenges inspired her to create effective yet gentle skincare products. She delves into the formulation process, providing insights into common problematic ingredients and how Doré formulates with safety and efficacy in mind. Most importantly, the results speak for themselves. Much like seeking out authenticity and terroir in a fine wine, Doré takes the same approach to clean eating–for your face, which ultimately leads to a glowy complexion.

In this episode we talk about:

• Emily’s background and how she transitioned from media to skincare with her French business partner, Garance
Doré
• The origin of French pharmacy skincare and how Doré set out to modernize it
• Why origin and source of ingredients matter in skin care & how she & Garance formulated their products to be
clean
• A breakdown of the big difference between EU & US ingredient safety and why Doré defers to the EU
• Travel hacks to keep your skin healthy and glowing while in transit

Resources:
Instagram: @Doré, @em_note @garancedore
Website: www.wearedore.com
Get 10% off your order with Doré: click here.

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 35: Emily Yeston of Doré on French Clean Skincare appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

There’s simply “something” about Colombia. It has that yo-no-sé-qué quality. So deliciously alluring, seductive to your senses, and a joyous nature that’s infectious. Colombians also happen to be among the most hospitable folks on the planet. It’s a country full of robust rhythms where the cadence of the people and life is so alive and palatable. In this energetic episode, Liz takes us on an immersive journey through the vibrant landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of Colombia offering invaluable insider insights and expert tips for travelers seeking to explore this diverse South American gem, which is the gateway to the region. From the hip arts, fashion & food of Bogotá to the green mountains of the Coffee Triangle, and romantic colonial charm of Cartagena, she delves into safety, culture, activities, climate, travel logistics, and strategic itinerary planning to give you the inspiration and confidence to plan an amazing trip to Colombia.

In this episode we talk about:

• Background and the origin of Liz Caskey Culinary & Wine Experiences’ group trip name called, “Romancing
Colombia”
• Why Travel in Colombia is Safe & how to travel smart
• Colombia’s top destinations: Bogotá, Coffee Triangle, Medellín& Cartagena
• Tips on navigating the varied climate, weather, seasons and flights
• Itinerary layout suggestions from 4 to 14 day itineraries
• The secret sauce to why Colombia will leave you with a post-trip glow for weeks after you get home!

Resources:
Instagram: @lccwe, @lizcaskey77
Website: www.lizcaskey.com

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 34: How to Plan a Trip to Colombia appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

In this episode, Ted Lemon, the founder of Littorai Wines and a true master in the language of wine, shares his wisdom, years of experience, and passion for making wines of character that showcase the land. We delve into his journey, whose passion for wine was ignited during his formative years in Burgundy. Ted shares his story of how he stumbled upon winemaking and became one of the few Americans to ever lead a Burgundian estate, and then upon returning to the US, the challenges of launching a self-financed wine business in the (then) undeveloped area of the Sonoma and Mendocino coasts. With a deep reverence for terroir-driven wines and a commitment to minimal intervention, Ted discusses the significance of preserving regional culture through Littorai’s evolution into a biodynamic estate and how this has influenced every aspect of his winemaking process. He also talks about how wine truly is a language and an aesthetic medium, capable of being heard–if we can learn to listen.

In this episode we talk about:

• Ted’s experience in Burgundy and how that shaped his path in wine and a deep love for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

• The challenges of bootstrapping and growing his wine business and how Littorai grew from sourced fruit to an established, renowned, self-financed, profitable winery

• The important difference between aesthetic and ‘technocratic’ wines and why aesthetic wines as a medium constitute a language

• His decision to transition to biodynamic farming and how that has impacted the health of his vineyards and vision of Littorai

• His pivotal role in helping West Sonoma claim its own appellation and protecting the future of this viticulture region

Resources:
Instagram: @littorai
Website: www.littorai.com

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 33: Ted Lemon of Littorai Wines on the Language of Wine appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

In this episode, Rodolfo Guzmán, the head chef and founder of the award-winning Boragó restaurant in Santiago, Chile, joins us to share his two great passions: food & chile. Boragó today ranks among the top restaurants in South America and the world, and Guzman is on a mission to bring the diversity of his home country to the world. Rodolfo discusses his early years as a cook in Chile & Europe, bootstrapping Boragó, the ups and downs of being an unconventional restaurateur, how he’s embraced research and experimentation as a cornerstone of Boragó’s culinary philosophy, and finally, how he’s stepped into being a leader in the global culinary space. You’ll also learn why Boragó’s cuisine is so unique and how Chef Rodolfo is literally cataloging every native ingredient in Chile to leave a legacy for the country and its people. Needless to say, when you visit Santiago, Boragó absolutely should be on your itinerary.

In this episode we talk about:

• The early days and influences in Rodolfo Guzmán’s culinary journey

• Introduction to Boragó and its unique approach to Chilean ingredients

• The decades-long knowledge-gathering process of Boragó

• The Role of Boragó in the evolution of Chile’s gastronomic Landscape

• Discussion on Chilean endemic ingredients and their diversity and the uniqueness of the dining experience at Boragó

• Rodolfo’s book “Coming from the South” and what’s next…

Resources:
Instagram: @rgborago
Website: www.borago.cl
Rodolfo’s book, “Coming from the South” by Phaidon

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 31: Rodolfo Guzmán of Boragó on Chile’s Endemic Ingredients & Culinary Heritage appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

In this episode we talk about:

• The wine revolution in Chile and how Rodrigo started exploring the wine in Burgundy, France
• His definition of terroir and how that relates to growing grapes and winemaking
• The journey and a 10-year search to identify the perfect site to plant his vineyard in the rainy south of Chile–a place where nobody had planted vines before.
• Understanding the climatic conditions in the south and their impact on wine production, and how ultimately these translate into Trapi’s unique wines
• Why Trapi’s wines are vegan, sustainable, and have incredibly low sulfates.
• His future plans in the US market and the legacy he hopes to leave the Chilean wine industry

Resources:

Instagram:@trapidelbueno

Travel in the South of Chile: Lake District & Patagonia

Order Trapi del Bueno wines from us here!!! 

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 28: Rodrigo Romero on Extreme Wines from the Chilean Patagonia appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

With Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, rain forests, jungles, great valleys and rivers flowing from the Andes Mountains, desert, and fog forests, Colombia is a country with deep regionality and distinct food, culture and customs. As the country exports more and more talent in music, innovation, art, design, fashion, and now food, today we are going to introduce you to a brilliant tastemaker, chef, and food stylist, Mariana Velásquezz, a native of Bogotá. She’s spent the past two decades residing in New York and cooking in restaurant kitchens, food styling, and writing/collaborating on cookbooks and published her own cookbook called Colombiana, which she says brings it all full circle. Mariana shares why Colombia’s culinary philosophy means ‘more is more’ and the inherent joy and generosity present in its cuisine, and culture, which anyone traveling to the region will immediately savor.

In this episode we talk about:

• Mariana’s childhood memories of her grandmothers and the strong women in her family who modeled for her how to ‘dress’ a table.
• How she followed her passion in food abroad, honed her skills and eventually meshed her love of aesthetics into food styling.
• The diversity of Colombian cuisine, understanding its pillars, and how to make Colombian cuisine translatable at home.
• Her cookbook creation journey, the challenge faced when the pandemic hit, and how she pivoted.
The stories behind the recipes and why she featured whole menus evocative of different regions of the country with hosting tips, suggestions for setting the scene, and playlists.
• Just to whet your appetite: here are a few examples of delicious dishes from Colombiana: empanadas (need we say more)… Cuchuco de Papaya y Camarón Tostado (Spicy Papaya and Charred Shrimp Gazpacho); Lomito de Cerdo al Tamarindo y Menta (Tamarind Pork Tenderloin with Mint).

Resources:
Instagram: MarianaVelasquezV
Website: www.marianavelasquez.com
Casa Velasquez HostingWare

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 26: Food Stylist Mariana Velásquez on Colombia’s Cuisine of Generosity appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

We are in the final stretch of summer up north, guys, and we all have been enjoying languid afternoons in the shade or by the pool, usually with a glass of rose or a chilled white like…Sauvignon Blanc….in hand. In this episode, Liz dives into sharing her knowledge on Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from appellations, valleys, styles, producers, ideal pairings, some cultural anecdotes, and how to ultimately find a style that will dial into your white wine pleasure. It’s an episode full of practical wine tips so listen in.

We also just announced our newest wine workshop entitled South American Terroir happening virtually (or in your own time via the replay) on September 21, 2021. Click here for details and to sign up!

Resources:

If you are considering traveling to Chile in 2022, it’s a great time to start planning as the country has the most complete and aggressive vaccination in South America (over 85% of the adult population is fully vaccinated and there is now zero cases in Patagonia!). Contact us to plan your trip

In Episode 22, we talk a little about the possible forecast for travel in South America in 2022, although the pandemic is always a moving target Listen here.

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 25: The Cilantro of the Wine World appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

In today’s episode, meet Rodrigo Soto, a Chilean winemaker who backed into wine, and organic and biodynamic viticulture, almost by mistake. However his slightly rebellious nature and love for the outdoors carved a path that took him from Chile to California and back multiple times. Rodrigo has spearheaded the winemaking initiative at pioneering wineries in Chile & California like Fetzer, Matetic Vineyards, Benziger, Veramonte, and today is the Estate Director for the Hunees family properties in Napa that include Quintessa, Faust Wines, and Flowers winery in Sonoma. Today we go behind the scenes to meet the man who has transformed these wine projects with the power of his conviction in how biodynamic agriculture ultimately yields a better wine.

In this episode we talk about:

• Rodrigo’s background and why a summer job in a restaurant was the beginning of his curiosity about wine.
• The uncanny timing of an unwanted thesis on organic agriculture that opened the door to a lifelong learning and
working with biodynamic agriculture.
• A glimpse into the world of wine in Chile in the early 2000s, and then mid-2010s, as he worked with trailblazers
Matetic Vineyards and Veramonte.
• His fascination, and love affair, with California that brought him to LA, then Mendocino, Sonoma, and finally
landed him in Napa.
• The importance and influence of key biodynamic mentors in his life like Alvaro Espinoza and Alan York who shaped
his path.
• His knack for coming into wine projects and transforming them, with biodynamic viticulture, to finer wines.
Chile & California’s geographical similarities from coastline to weather, and even soil. Culture is another story,
though.

Resources:
Matetic Vineyards (Chile)
Benzinger Winery (Napa)
Veramonte Winery (Chile)
Quintessa Winery (Napa)
Follow Rodrigo on Instagram

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 23: Trailblazing a Path in Biodynamic Viticulture from Chile to California appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.