In this episode of ‘In Search of Flavor,’ Liz chats with renowned wine writer and wine editor of Food & Wine Magazine, Ray Isle, to discuss his recent book “The World in a Wine Glass” and his journey from academia to becoming a prominent figure in wine journalism. Ray shares his insights on sustainable, organic, and biodynamic wine practices, the evolving wine industry, and the timeless appeal of wine amidst modern challenges such as cocktails and cannabis. He discusses the emphasis on quality over mass production and the cultural importance of wine and offers some insights as to how consumers can start to understand the difference between organic, biodynamic, natural and terroir wines.Ray also highlights storytelling in wine writing and the significance of knowing your wine producers.

In this episode we talk about:

• From Academia to Wine Writing
• Evolution of Wine at Food & Wine Magazine
• The Inspiration Behind ‘The World in a Wine Glass’
• Understanding Sustainable Wine Terminology
• How He Chose the Wine Producers in ‘The World in a Wine Glass’
• The Human Element & Storytelling in Winemaking
• Exploring Emerging Wine Regions around the world (ie not Italy or France)
• The Future of Wine and Its Challenges
• Finding and Enjoying Affordable Quality Wines, some tips!
• What’s Next for Ray

Resources:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayisle/

Websites: https://www.foodandwine.com/author/ray-isle
https://rayisle.com/

The post IN SEARCH OF FLAVOR, EPISODE 40: Ray Isle on Sustainability & The Human Element in Wine appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

We dig into that in this episode. Travel provides the ultimate opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. From immersing yourself in a new culture and language to confronting travel hassles, ‘scary’ adventure activities that awaken bravery, or swallowing your ego to become a student again and learn a new skill, the willingness to be vulnerable and adopt a growth mindset is key.

We also discuss how travel sharpens your people skills, makes you more present, and helps you cultivate embracing change and uncertainty when it inevitably comes your way.

The post IN SEARCH OF FLAVOR, EPISODE 39: Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone through Travel appeared first on Liz Caskey Culinary and Wine Experiences.

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.

Soil is life. Without it, we cannot sustain ourselves on Earth. We are losing it, poisoning it, chopping it up with tilling, and with it, depleting the fungi which are integral to it, an intricate system, a web, that connects the plants, micro-organisms, digests carbon dioxide, and so much more. In this re-release of Episode 13, we learn about the world of fungi with one of Chile’s foremost experts, Guiliana Furci, to understand this area of the plant kingdom and how it touches every corner of our lives.

Giuliana is the director of Fundación Fungi and one of the most notable promoters of the Fungi Kingdom. Her dedication to fungi has helped make Chile the first country in the world to include the Fungi Kingdom in its General Environmental Law, which is essential for the study, protection and recognition of a species. Giuliana and I discuss the importance of fungi, its staggering diversity, and how it naturally seeks harmony to work with ecosystems.

I also share how the newly released documentary Common Ground, tied together this conversation around regenerative farms and the soil, the future of our ecosystems, and climate change in a way no other film has.

In this episode we talk about:

• How Giuliana was “chosen” by the world of fungi
• The “3F’s” & basics of the Fungi Kingdom & the role fungi plays in sustaining life
• The development of Chilean mycology and the uniqueness of Chilean fungi. The lonely road that was studying
Chilean fungi at first and why Chile is classified as a “mycro-phobic” country despite being a fungi hotspot!
• How co-evolution with fungi have led to fungi with medicinal properties
• The process of looking for fungi for particular purposes – medicinal, pesticides, — and how their co-evolution with animals have led to groundbreaking discoveries
• The Fungi Foundation
• Why everyone should see the newly-released documentary ‘Common Ground’, currently in theaters (as of March 2024)

Resources:

Common Ground Documentary

Field Guides to Chilean Fungi

Fundacion Fungi

Fundacion Fungi Donation Page

Fantastic Fungi Documentary

@giulifungi

@fungi_foundation

@commongroundfilm

The post In Search of Flavor, EPISODE 37: How Fungi & Regenerative Farming Can Save Us (Re-release of Episode 13 with Guiliana Furci) 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.

Today we kick off a monthly series into specific wine varieties and regions starting with a look into Chile’s clandestine-turned-flagship grape called Carmenere. Initially it was thought to be extinct after the phylloxera decimated Bordeaux’s vineyards in the 19th century. However, Carmenère was rediscovered in Chile in the mid 1990s and since then has been championed as the country’s iconic variety, much like Malbec has been touted as Argentina’s. In this episode, we delve into the origins of Carmenere, why it has thrived in Chile’s Mediterranean climate, discuss its seductively complex, earthy profile as a red wine, what producers and appellations to know as a consumer, and how to pair it with food, and how its affordability (at any price point from entry level to icon) can earn a place in your rotating wine options or cellar.

In this episode we talk about:

• History and Background of Carmenere
• Origin and discovery of Carmenere grape
• Transitioning the vineyards and where Carmenere grows in Chile
• Specific viticulture of growing Carmenere
• Flavor profiles of the grape and nuances across regions
• Chileans producers of Carmenere at all price points
• What to eat, and pair with Carmenere

Resources:
Instagram: @lccwe, @lizcaskey77
Website: www.lizcaskey.com
Our cookbook: https://lizcaskey.com/cookbook/

The post In Search of Flavor, Episode 32: Carmenere – Chile’s Clandestine-Turned-Flagship Grape 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.