Brian Freedman Videos

Today Brian Freedman tastes a rose sparkler, "Le Marchesine Franciacorta Rose Millesimato 2003". This mouthful of bubbly joins some of the best in Cava, Prosecco and sparklers from Brazil as a great addition to your regular choice of Champagne. Please join us to find a wonderful bottle to celebrate the holidays.

What makes a super tuscan wine super? Join Brian Freedman as he reviews the Ruffino Modus 2005 to find out about the freshness and floral notes in this wine, along with the traditional leather and chocolate. This wine was brought to us by WineChateau.com who is generously donating a portion of the cost to the American Italian Cancer Foundation. A great wine and a great cause, what could be better.

Host Brian Freedman is here to help you this holiday season. If you ve got wine lovers in your life (And we hope you do), you ll want to investigate wine gifts. What could be more convenient than combining the ease of online shopping with the thoughtfulness of a nice wine gift? Brian explains what kinds of gifts to search for, and gives you a good example (WineGiftsOnline.com) of where you can go to do your shopping.

Although we are all accustomed to seeing the standard 750ml bottle, wine actually comes in a multitude of sizes. Two other widely utilized bottle sizes include the Demi (375 ml) bottle and the Magnum (1500ml) bottle. These different sizes can affect the wine inside as it matures over time, so it s important to factor bottle size in as a variable when aging. Join Brian Freedman as he discusses what you need to know about about size and aging. Used in today s episode are the Luce 2001 Red Blend (Super Tuscan) and the Robert Mondavi 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. To find your favorite wine please visit us at ClassicWines.com.

Continuing our Wine Cellar Management series, host Brian Freedman explores one of the great aspects of collecting and organizing your own wine cellar region exploration. Even if you don t have an expansive cellar filled with rows of wine, it s still possible to have fun with similar wines from different regions. For example, in today s episode, Brian examines two Cabernet Sauvignons from the same producer, but from different regions. What will the terroir bring? The wines featured today are the Louis Martini 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) and the Louis Martini 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley). To find your favorite wine please visit us at www.classicwines.com.

Move over cabernet, this one is all about California Zinfandel. Among the extremely popular varietals produced by California, Zinfandel is one of the most dominant. Not to be confused with white zinfandel, zinfandel is a fruity red style that can also pack a punch of complexity. Tune in to this week s episode as Brian compares two distinctly different zinfandels from California. Tasted in today s episode are the Benson Ferry Vineyards 2006 95240 Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel and the M. Cosentino 2005 Zinfandel Cigarzin.

In a previous episode, we discussed how long is too long for storing a bottle. Now we d like to play our own devil s advocate and discuss how Short is Too Short. A lot of wine lovers will use expert opinions to guide just how long they store a bottle before they open it. Unfortunately, the expert s taste may not match their own. You may find yourself opening a bottle too soon based on someone else s instinct. Host Brian Freedman explains the parameters in which you can open a bottle, and how not to commit a panic open.Todays bottle is a Chateau Leoville Barton 1995 (Bordeaux). To find your favorite bottle of wine please viisit us at www.ClassicWines.com.

Willamette Valley has made great strides in creating a reputation for itself, especially when it comes to Pinot Noir. Host Brian Freedman is an especially large fan, so this showdown was a treat for him. Join in as Brian samples two Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley and gives is professional reviews. Sampled today are the Airlie Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2006 and the Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir 2006. For more classicwines TV please join us at www.ClassicWines.com/wine-videos.

Brian Freedman continues his investigation of good cellaring techniques. In this episode, Brian discusses the time element in storing wine. The tricky thing about storing wine for periods of time is that every bottle behaves differently. Depending on the level of tannins and their dominance in the wine itself, every bottle should get different treatment. As if that weren t enough, personal taste plays a role in cellaring time, depending on how tannic you prefer your wine. Time management can seem a little overwhelming, but is actually one of the most fun aspects of wine collecting. Used in today s episode is the Domaine Jamet 2001 Cote-Rotie. To watch additional wine videos please visit us at www.ClassicWines.com/wine-videos.

Host Brian Freedman gets vertical this week as he tries out two Pessagno Chardonnays. Pessagno is a well respected establishment that hails from the Monterey and San Benito counties of California. Focusing on back-to-back years, 2005 and 2006, Brian is able to analyze the different flavor profiles a year s difference can produce. Tasted in this episode of ClassicWines TV are the Pessagno 2005 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay, and the Pessagno 2006 Lucia Highlands Vineyard Chardonnay.

Classic Wines TV continues to explore wine collecting in this latest video about wine cellar management. Host Brian Freedman uses a bottle from his very own collection to demonstrate the two main concepts of managing your cellar bottle value, and personal affection. Certain bottles can be stored simply for financial accruement or because the bottle will age well. This is a very cerebral approach to wine cellar management. But the bottle can also be stored if it has a personal connection to you. Perhaps you visited the vineyard and had a wonderful experience. Perhaps the bottle was made on a child s birthday. Whatever the case may be, appeal may be another factor to consider when storing bottles. The bottle examined today is the Dierberg 2005 Pinot Noir Steven . To find more wines please visit us at www.ClassicWines.com.

Got a few wine bottles sitting on your kitchen counter? Maybe a few collecting dust down in the basement? Well it s time to get in the game start your collection right away! Brian Freedman shows you the basics of starting a real wine collection, and gives tips and tricks for keeping yourself organized. Wine collections aren t just for aristocrats with thousands of bottles; anyone can do it. You might be surprised at how easy and cost effective it can be.To find a favorite bottle of wine please join us at www.classicwines.com

Corks screw tops glass stoppers the world of wine enclosures is much more diverse than it used to be! Years ago, your choices were essentially limited to one cork. But as technology grows, more consistent means of enclosure have developed. Of course, with change comes reaction in the form of complaints about a lessening of breathability that corks natural contain. Host Brian Freedman examines the most popular kinds of enclosures available today and let s you be judge.To learn more about wine please go to www.classicwines.com/wine-videos.

Germany s most famous wine is Riesling but what happens when Americans take a stab at it? Join Brian Freedman as he pits two American Rieslings against each other in a full on tasting challenge. More wine videos are available at www.ClassicWines.com. The wines sampled today are the Tarrica Wine Cellars Riesling 2007, and the Chateau Ste Michelle Dr. Loosen Riesling 2006.

Brian Freedman is extra sweet in today s episode as he guides you through the ins and outs of dessert wines. Dessert wine, which is interchangeably referred to as sweet wine, is often mistaken as something that must be enjoyed accompanying dessert. This false assumption can lead the unsuspecting wine drinker astray, as too much sweetness can overload the palate. Depending on style and alcohol level, certain sweet wines can be enjoyed on their own or with contrasting food elements. Watch this week s ClassicWines TV episode as Brian gives you the inside scoop regarding dessert wines. Wine sampled in today s episode is the Sandeman Founders Reserve Porto.

California may be most well known for Cabernet Sauvignon, but host Brian Freedman doesn t want you to forget about the Pinot Grigio either. Pitting two California Pinot Grigio s against each other, Brian examines a significant contrast in production style, and how that comes through on the palate. Sampled today are the Estancia 2007 Pinot Grigio and the Tangent 2006 Pinot Gris. Watch more wine videos at www.ClassicWines.com/wine-videos.

Wine bottles come in many shapes and sizes, and as wineries seek to create new trends, new styles develop. But, no matter what, there will always be a few classic bottle styles that will always stay in fashion. Today, Brian Freedman examines Burgundy and Bordeaux two of the most historic varieties of wine. The wines used in today s episode are the Robert Mondavi 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Louis Jadot 2005 Pinot Noir Bourgogne. Find your favorite bottle of wine at www.ClassicWines.com.

Brian Freedman gets down to wine tasting basics. If you have ever wondered about the proper method for tasting a wine, this video is for you. From decanting, to sniffing, to swirling, to tasting, watch as Brian teaches you to do it like a pro.Join us for more wine videos at www.ClassicWines.com/wine-videos.

Some people consider port off limits during the summertime. Brian Freedman, being his normal daring self, suggests otherwise. He believes that since we are approaching cigar season, the time couldn t be more ripe to break open a quality bottle of Tawny Port. The wines sampled today are the Warre s Otima 10 Year Old Porto, and the Noval Tawny Porto. To find wines you love, or would love to try, go to ClassicWines.com

They may be adorable, but what kind of quality will these wines bring? As one of the rising stars of the wine world, Australia has become a key player in the realm of Shiraz. Utilizing large production techniques and attractive labels, Australia hopes to continue dominating their niche of the market. But the big question has always been does the wine inside stack up when it comes to quality? Today, host Brian Freedman tries two very obtainable Australian Shiraz. Wines sampled in this episode of Classic Wines TV include the Boolaroo 2005 Shiraz and The Little Penguin 2006 Shiraz.

Host Brian Freedman guides you through the sometimes complex process of reading a wine label. Grapes vintages producers regions there is a lot to know when picking out a bottle of wine! Furthermore, there is no standard when it comes to the information producers have to provide you. If you re choosing a new world wine, you can expect one style. If you are choosing an old world wine, you can expect another. Brian breaks it down to help you with your next wine shopping excursion. The wines sampled on ClassicWines.com today are the Ravens Wood 2005 Sonoma County Zinfandel, and the Joseph Drouhin Chablis Premier Cru.

Brian Freedman sits down at Brasserie Cognac in New York to discuss the great versatility of Cognac. Alessandra Rotondi, special guest and Sommelier for Brasserie Cognac, guides Brian through the pairing theory utilized by the restaurant. Rotondi also describes the surprisingly large amount of Cognac available, and when they can be best enjoyed. Join Brian and Alessandra as they chat about pairings, Europe, and all things wine!To find your favorite bottle of wine please visit us at www.ClassicWines.com

When it comes to wine in California, Cabernet Sauvignon is the equivalent of the 2007 New England Patriots (nevermind that one loss.) California Cab enjoys a global reputation for excellence, and in today s episode, Brian Freedman puts them to the taste. Placed in a food and wine pairing context, two Cabs compete for the prize of showdown champion. Which will come out on top? Wines tasted today are the Joel Gott 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Annabella 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection.

While food and wine pairings attempt to match flavor sets, cooking with wine instills the flavors of food and wine together. Cognac in particular is an extremely versatile wine that has developed a reputation for being great in the kitchen. In this episode of Classic Wines TV, host Brian Freedman meets with Roberto Manfe and Florian Hugo of Brasserie Cognac to cook up some fantastic Lobster Flambe and demonstrate all the uses of Cognac. The wine in this episode is the Remy Martin Cognac V.S.O.P., to find more wines please visit us at www.ClassicWines.com.

Host Brian Freedman meets with Classic Wines Columnist Romany Reagan to discuss wines on the dating scene. Ordering wine on a date can be tricky business, especially as you try to make a good first impression. Certain bottles can lead to success, while others can lead to abysmal failure. Watch as Brian and Romany analyze the positive and negative attributes of potential date wines. Sampled today are Old Fart s Wife, Luna di Luna Premium Pink Merlot, Il Bastardo, and Marques de Riscal Rioja.

Brian Freedman and Christian Holtzhausen (International House Communications Director of Charles Heidsieck) taste champagne in the beautiful Brasserie Cognac Restaurant. Watch as these two experts riff on champagne food and wine pairings, the history of Charles Heidsieck Champagne, and much more. The two bottles sampled today are the Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Non Vintage, and the Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires 1995. For more information and wine videos please visit us at ClassicWines.com/wine-videos.

Brian Freedman pits two Cotes du Rhone against each other in wine competition. Cotes du Rhone, found in the Rhone region, is a very popular French wine. Can these two bottles hold up to a well established reputation, or will they fall flat? The wines tasted today are the J. Vidal-Fleury 2006 Cotes du Rhone, and the Chateau Beauchene 2006 Cotes du Rhone.Join us for more Classic Wines videos at www.ClassicWines.com/wine-videos

Ever wanted to peek into the wine cellar of a high end restaurant? Here is your chance Join Brian Freedman and Jason Miller, General Manager and Wine Director of Picholine, as they chat about Burgundy and food and wine pairings. The wines discussed today are Domaine Coste Caumartin 2005 Monthelie, and Domaine Michel Lafarge 2004 Volnay Clos Du Chateau Des Ducs.

The head to head sommelier smackdown food and wine pairing competition final round is here. Gary Vaynerchuk and Brian Freedman let the judges decide the best wines for their last pairing. Join us to learn more about choosing a wine that's right for you, and learn what to consider when serving wine and food.For more wine videos please visit us at www.ClassicWines.com/wine-videos.

Food and wine pairings are not an exact science, however a beautiful pairing can be a wonderful thing. In this episode of Classic Wines TV we visit Picholine in New York City for a top of the line food pairing with one of Piper Heidseick s Rare Champagnes. Join Brian Freedman, Christian Holthausen of Piper Heidsieck and Jason Miller of Picholine Restaurant as they sample this delicious pairing. To search for your favorite wine or champagne please visit us at ClassicWines.com.