• Season 1 Summaries
• Season 2 Summaries
• Season 3 Summaries

Season 4

Episode 401 (Piedmont, Italy): Barolo, Risotto & White Truffles
When you ask what Turin, Italy means to a foodie or wine lover, many things may come to mind. Aside from the natural beauty of this breath-taking city nestled at the base of the Alps, the region of Piedmont is home to the noble Barolo wine; Risotto Rice and the only place in the world where you can hunt for white truffles. Join Wine Television to explore the history of Barolo Wine at Catina Scavino di Carigliole Feletto and prepare a traditional white truffle dish at the quaint restaurant, Il Centro. Turin is also the source of the international movement for Slow Cooking. Get right to the bottom of it at the bi-annual food expo for this rapidly growing culinary craze at Salone del Gusto. [read more]

Episode 402 (Quebec City, QC, Canada): A Gourmet Experience
This episode of Wine Television tours one of the oldest settlements in North America, Quebec City.  Here take a peek into the wine cellars of the Chateau Frontenac at the SAQ and join Michel Morad in a tasting of some fine wines from around the globe. What does Canada's oldest skyscraper, the Quebec Stock Exchange and a Fish Produce company from the 1700's all have in common?  The two buildings that once held these claims to fame, now make up the Hotel Dominion, Quebec's premiere boutique hotel. Get a glimpse into this rapidly catching alternative to the big brand accommodations and learn where one will be popping up next. Across the bay from Quebec City there is a small island that is home to much of the regions little known vineyards. On L'Ile D'Oleans visit Domaine Steinbach to learn how animals, insects and Mother Nature ensure the wines here are 100% organic from start to finish. [read more]

Episode 403 (Mosel, Germany):   A Riesling Renaissance
This week on Wine Television, meet Sybille Kuntz, a groundbreaking female winemaker, who has wowed the world with her elegant dry Rieslings and her estate's modern, forward-thinking image. Nik Weis, a vintner whose family has a long winemaking tradition, explains why the Mosel River valley provides ideal conditions for growing Riesling grapes. Christine Becker, owner of Trier's famous Weinhaus Becker restaurant, recommends foods that suit Rieslings. Chef Harald Rüssel puts a new spin on German cuisine, with food that's reduced to the max. And Wine Television gets a tour of a thousand year old castle that's history is uniquely tied to the region's love affair with wine. [read more]

Episode 404 (Tasmania, Australia): Sunshine, Seafood and Stunning Scenery
Wine Television's first visit to Tasmania, Australia visits Pipers Brook Vineyard where the advantages of the Southern climates for yielding high quality grapes are discussed. Next stop: the Stillwater Restaurant to stand ocean-side as Chef Don Cameron prepares a lime and cane sugar cured salmon with mango salsa and walnut coulis! While the southern sun still shines, take full advantage with a stop by Barilla Bay Oysters where David Forrest explores the processes involved in harvesting live oysters. The visit to this amazing island would simply not be complete without a trek along the scenic hiking trails of Wineglass bay, which is actually shaped like a giant wineglass! [read more]

Episode 405 (Dundee, Oregon, USA): Pinot Noir, Mushrooms & Hot Air Ballooning
Oregon's state motto "she flies with her own wings" might just be based on this quiet States' movement in the international wine industry. In 1961, French businessman Robert Drouhin sowed the seeds for what would eventually become Domain Drouhin – his expansion of an already legendary wine making presence in France to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.  Combining fine mushroom-based cuisine with equally elegant wine was always one of Jack Czarnecki fondest dreams, and in 1996 he brought it to fruition with the creation of The Joel Palmer House. Follow along with Jack as he hunts for wild mushrooms and the put your taste buds to the test learning how to prepare an exquisite dish with his fresh find. It is hard to capture all the beauty that the north of Oregon has to offer but Vista Balloon Tours comes close with a tour high into the morning sky in their hot air balloons. Awe at the birds eye view of this fantastic wine country before making a quick visit to the shores of the Pacific where Grey Whales break from their seasonal migration patterns by setting up full time residency.

Episode 406 (Mendoza, Argentina): High Life Adventures in Mendoza
Join Wine Television in the Mendoza region of Argentina to learn first hand why the altitude of the Andes makes all the difference in producing a superior wine at Terrezas Winery. Next, check out the nightlife and action in this chic mountain town on a Saturday night, which includes a stop by one of its newest happenings, the Mendoza Festival of Jazz. Then experience the fine cuisine of clay ovens and modern menus at Restaurant 1884. An exclusive high end ranch is the last stop on this amazing tour through the Andes where visitors saddle up on a pleasant horse back ride and then zip up for a wild rafting ride! [read more]

Episode 407 (Niagara, ON, Canada): A Bird's Eye View of a Growing Wine Region
Niagara-on-the-Lake and its surroundings are no secret to any Canadian wine lover.  Elegant and charming are all fitting words for the small city that time appropriately forgot. This is where the non-traditional Malivoire Wine Company is located showcasing a unique approach to the role of gravity in the wine making process. Join in for a tasting of the new vintages at the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival, sampling products from the some of Canada's best wine makers. Savour the work of Executive Chef Virginia Marr of The Pillar & Post Inn as she prepares a roasted rack of lamb with a dijon crust, pine nuts and roasted panco crumbs served on a blackbean and corn compote. Then jump ship with Niagara Helicopters to travel high above the world's largest waterfall and then back down to enjoy a luncheon stopover at one of the regions many wineries [read more]

Episode 408 (Vienna, Austria): A Long Heritage of Wine
Vienna is surrounded by a small wine region that claims to focus on "more class and less mass production". Tour Schloss Gobelsburg - one of Austria's pre-eminent wine estates, which was run by Cistercian monks since the twelfth century, but for the last five years, has been under the management of a young vintner with a philosophy of low intervention winemaking. Visit Heuriger Wieninger to learn more about the long heritage of traditional Viennese wine bars. Featured expert, sommelier Susanne Wagner of Austria's renowned Landhaus Bacher recommends a wine to go with lamb. And Vegetarians beware! In exploring regional cuisine, Plachutta Wollzeile serves up enormous portions of traditional Austria beef stews to hundreds of customers each day. Finally, experience Taubenkobel, a unique and gorgeous hotel and restaurant in rural Austria, and a treat for all the senses! [read more]

Episode 409 (Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada): Breaking News & Hidden Gems
The picturesque Okanagan Valley in the interior of British Columbia, Canada is home to dozens of large winery operations. However, one of the newest estates in the region is perhaps also one of its best. John Simes, chief winemaker of Mission Hill Family Estates leads a guided tour of Anthony von Mandl's dream turned into reality. The Okanagan Valley is also home to hundreds of crystal clear lakes and rivers, one of the largest of which is historic Okanagan Lake. Travel over the lake in a floatplane to get a sense of the lake's impact on local winemaking, then come to a landing directly in front of Naramata Heritage Inn, a classy boutique hotel with all the amenities of the big city on the inside but nothing other than breathtaking scenery on the outside. Norm Davies tells the story of a century of intriguing history surrounding this little known gem. The Okanagan Wine Festival has been one of North America's Top 100 events for the past seven years – and it's no wonder!  In this episode, Blair Baldwin introduces the festival and the plethora of tantalizing tastes that are on offer. [read more]

Episode 410 (Melbourne, Australia): Planes, Trains & Lavender Down Under
G'day mates! This week on Wine Television head out to Rochford-Eyton in the Yarra Valley to explore a great Australian vineyard. Next stop: soak up the aromas and atmosphere of the Warrantina Lavender Festival followed by a ride on Puffing Billy, the oldest steam train of Oz and Yarra wine country, a trip that concludes with a visit to the Healesille Santuary, home to some of Australia's famous and not-so-famous indigenous species! Then experience a taste of fine traditional Aussie cuisine at Elenore's restaurant. Finish it all off at Tiger Moth World to catch some great maneuvers preformed in vintage 1930's open cockpit planes over wine country. [read more]

Episode 411 (Trier, Germany): Roman Roots in Modern Germany
The Mosel region's unique 2,000-year-old tradition of winemaking dates back to the Romans and is evident in the beautiful ruins that surround the ancient city of Trier. In this episode, meet Stefan Justen of the Wine Estate Meulenhof, who still plants his vines in the Roman style, on single poles perched on precariously steep vineyards. The best of region's wines are celebrated at the annual Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Wine Forum held at the Trier Museum, where guest and vintners drink wine amidst ancient Roman winemaking artifacts. Michael Moosbrugger of Schloss Gobelsburg in Austria explains how an at home winemaker can tell when malolactic fermentation is complete. Chef Wolfgang Becker of Weinhaus Becker in Trier prepares a classic Mosel dish of Pike Perch on a bed of lentils. Then Wine Television takes a tour of the historic Mosel town of Bernkastel, where according to legend there's a vineyard whose wines are said to heal the sick!  [read more]

Episode 412 (Quebec City, QC, Canada): Old World Tradition
Nestled in the outskirts Quebec City in the quaint suburb of Saint-Foy, lies an enchanting compound known as Chateau Bonne Entente. Barely recognizable from the surrounding suburban sprawl, this destination is a must for any one planning a trip to the area. Soak up the history of the Chateau and learn how everyone who resides here is on a first name basis with the hotel staff. Next learn all about one of the oldest wines in recorded history, but perhaps one of the least known in today's society – honey wine, better known as mead, at Vignoble Moulin du Petit Pre. What's 1.5 times taller than Niagara Falls but only 1/10 of the width?  That would be Montmorency Falls, located outside of the city limits - there join Chef Marie Chantel Lepage at Manoir Montmorency and experience some fine Quebec cuisine! [read more]

Episode 413 (Mendoza, Argentina): The Future of Argentina's Wines
This week on Wine Television – Argentina! The country's top winemaker is turning heads with his latest winery… Catena Zapata! World-renowned wine consultant Michel Rolland looks into his glass, and his glass ball, as he leads a tasting of more than 200 wines from Argentina. From markets to mountains, discover the most traditional cuisine in the Andes: barbecue-grilled goat and spiced beef empanadas. Then tour a classy hotel that's the place to be in Mendoza, the newly renovated 19^th century Spanish colonial hotel: the Park Hyatt Mendoza! [read more]