Wine Talks with Paul K.

• Behind the Bottle: Wine, Humility, and Inspiring Stories from Rome to Texas

  Wine is about the humanity.  This concept hit me on a flight home from Rome. I was watching a movie and started to weep. I realized the human soul needs passion, passion forsomething; maybe another person, maybe a lifestyle, maybe a career, but passion drives our will. And wine is full of passion. To do it right, it takes nothing less than passion. Hey there, it's Paul Kalemkiarian on Wine Talks, and in this episode, I really wanted to get personal and share how deeply humanity and humility run through every thread of the wine world at its highest levels. I open the show reflecting on a profound sense of gratitude after tasting with some top producers—it reminded me why I'm passionate about this podcast. Wine isn't just a commodity to me; it's an expression of earth, spirit, and story, and the purpose of Wine Talks is to spread that message. I also let listeners into my own little world, sharing that I've tasted 100,000 wines over the years and even built a comprehensive database (and now an AI-driven app) to catalog all these bottles. It's quirky, but it keeps me grounded in what I love. Then, I shared a special moment from a recent trip to Rome, where I had the honor of attending the Vatican for the canonization of an Armenian archbishop. It was a powerful experience—full of history, pageantry, and meaning. Of course, the promised "private audience with the Pope" wasn't exactly one-on-one selfies, but still, being there among so many was remarkable. The journey continued to Puglia in southern Italy, where I managed, despite short notice, to meet with Mark Shannon of Amano wines. Mark's story resonated deeply—an American winemaker settling in an up-and-coming wine region, driven by pure passion. We recorded a heartfelt conversation, shared great food, and I came away reminded how wine connects people at the most human level. On my flight home, I got unexpectedly emotional watching Top Gun: Maverick. It hit home how we all seek passion and escape—sometimes in movies, sometimes in travel, sometimes in wine. No matter our circumstances, that longing for meaningful off-ramps never goes away. The show then explores not only the artistry and soulfulness in winemaking, but also the nuts-and-bolts of the business—from manipulated supermarket bottles that miss the mark to innovative new packaging concepts, marketing strategies, and the challenges faced by artisans like Mark Shannon trying to access the U.S. market. I shared anecdotes about recent guests—a geophysicist connecting volcanic soils to wine character, a business-savvy marketing pro, and other passionate personalities in the wine world. I reflected on the fascinating diversity of experiences, from NBA stars getting into wine to trailblazers supporting Armenian wine in the global conversation. In the end, I emphasized why I do this: it's for the humanity, the stories, and the connections that wine brings. My hope is always to bring listeners closer to the heart of wine—whether it's a legendary Bordeaux tasting or a birthday party at my own home. It's all about sharing, learning, and feeling something real. Cheers to the humanity of wine—and thanks for joining me on this episode of Wine Talks.         #winepodcast #WineTalks #PaulKalemkiarian #winetrade #winebusiness #winetasting #humanityinwine #PugliaItaly #Armenianwine #Bordeaux #NapaValley #passionforwine #storytelling #volcanicsoil #winemarketing #appellation #Primitivo #Zinfandel #winemakers #wineculture

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• Puglian Wine Evolution: Mark Shannon's 46-Year Passion for Quality and Authenticity

  Wine Talks was invited to meet the Pope....well, at least by the language in the invitation, it sounded like we were going to meet the Pope. It turns out that the word "private audience" meant with 6294 other private invitees. Lol, it was an honor just to be there. Wine Talks took a detour out of Rome to the now-famed wine region of Puglia.  Home of Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Fiano, the area of Puglia has a rich Italian history on its own. As the trip was put together on short notice, I searched through my database of Puglian wines tasted and found the wines of A MANO as wines I enjoyed. In the meantime, I reached out to Vahe Keushguerian for some advice on who to contact for a podcast; after all, his famed winemaking career started in Puglia. He mentioned Mark Shannon of A Mano wines...how about that for a serendipitous connection?  I put out a quick email to Mark, and he graciously accepted...and offered to bring in a "traditional" Puglian lunch for our group.  Mark Shannon may call himself "just a student of winemaking," but after you hear his journey, you'll realize he's more of a wine whisperer—an alchemist who turns curiosity and grit into liquid art. Pour yourself a glass, because in this episode you'll travel from the bustling streets of Toronto and the sun-drenched vineyards of California, all the way to an ancient town in Puglia, Italy, where Mark Shannon has spent nearly three decades revolutionizing the region's wines. You'll discover how he ditched a potential career in medicine for the fermentative fascination of grapes, and how, propelled by his mother's wisdom to "work at something you really want to do," he has woven innovation through tradition. Journey me and Mark Shannon as they break down the science, art, and sheer perseverance it takes to make world-class wine in a place once known as Europe's bulk wine cellar. You'll learn about the true identity of Primitivo, the surprising origins it shares with California's Zinfandel, how post-communist Slovakia and Texas played into Mark's winding path, and why he chooses soil health and vineyard wisdom over trend-chasing packaging fads. They'll dig into the sociocultural shifts rocking the global wine market, dissect the mythos (and madness) of biodynamics, and debate what makes a wine truly reflect its terroir—even as climate, culture, and commerce threaten to pull it apart. By the end, you won't just know how great wine is made—you'll understand why people still obsess over it, why the right bottle at the right table can mean everything, and why Mark Shannon wouldn't trade his hard-earned slice of Puglia for anything in the world. Amano Wines (also referred to as a Mano or Amano): https://www.amanowine.com This is the winery founded by Mark Shannon, and much of the conversation centers around it. Bogle Vineyards (mentioned by Mark Shannon as a place he worked): https://www.boglewinery.com Fess Parker Winery (another winery Mark Shannon helped build): https://www.fessparker.com   #WineTalks #Puglia #ItalyWine #MarkShannon #AdamCarolla #AmanoWines #Primitivo #NegroAmaro #Falanghina #BiodynamicWine #VineyardLife #WineMaking #Terroir #WinePodcast #EuropeanWine #GlobalWine #WineCulture #WineTasting #Sustainability #WineEducation  

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• Unlocking Luxury Wine: Charlotte Selles on Brand Strategy, Relationships, and the Business of Wine

  It is complitcated. Life. Wine. And to help clear up the wine complication (not sure there is a way to uncomplicate life), is Charlotte Selles.  With a distinctive path to her new company Tassei, she brings to the table a wealth of experience cloaked in knowedge, philosophy and experience. She is like a wine savant. She was in LA for a speaking gig and breaved an unusual SoCal downpour to come to studio to share her spirit. Charlotte Selles is the kind of guest who'll have you reconsidering not just what's in your wine glass, but why you care in the first place. You think you know luxury in wine? Not so fast. Drawing on her roots in Paris, direct experience with Beaujolais, and a career arc that went from family negotiations to the boardrooms of Robert Mondavi and Jackson Family Wines, Charlotte uproots every tired assumption about what makes a winery—or a wine—worth chasing. Listen closely and you'll discover why luxury isn't about price tags or pedigrees, but about resilience, grit, and the tension that comes from pouring your soul into the vineyard, braving storms—literal and figurative—and nurturing a legacy. But this episode doesn't stop with terroir. Charlotte takes you to the frontlines of modern wine business, from the misguided myth of floodgates marketing to the high-stakes realities of retention, data analytics, and AI in today's DTC world. She'll have you rethinking the purpose of your tasting room, craving the deep relationships behind the best bottles, and maybe even second-guessing whether a discount culture can ever breed true loyalty. By the end, you'll have a new definition of success—not in cases sold, but in customers kept, relationships built, and a business as alive and evolving as the wine itself. Walk away with a fresh understanding of the true business of wine, grounded in purpose, powered by connection, and ready for an uncertain but thrilling future. Jackson Family Wines Website: https://www.jacksonfamilywines.com Constellation Brands Website: https://www.cbrands.com Robert Mondavi Winery Website: https://www.robertmondaviwinery.com Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Website: https://www.woodbridgewines.com Trader Joe's Website: https://www.traderjoes.com Gallo (E. & J. Gallo Winery) Website: https://www.gallo.com Enolytics Website: https://www.enolytics.com Commerce7 Website: https://www.commerce7.com Wine Direct Website: https://www.winedirect.com The Wine Group Website: https://www.thewinegroup.com Verité Winery Website: https://www.veritewines.com KNL (K&L Wine Merchants) Website: https://www.klwines.com Wally's Wine & Spirits Website: https://www.wallywine.com   #WineTalksPodcast, #CharlotteSelles, #PaulKalemkiarian, #LuxuryWine, #WineBusiness, #DTCWine, #WineInnovation, #CustomerRetention, #WineMarketing, #AIandWine, #NapaValley, #Beaujolais, #BrandStrategy, #SonomaState, #CriticalThinking, #WineRelationships, #WineConsulting, #Entrepreneurship, #WineIndustryInsights, #CommunityBuilding   Charlotte Selles is a dynamic leader in the wine industry, known for blending deep expertise with an adventurous spirit. Born in Paris, Charlotte grew up immersed in wine thanks to her father's work in the négociant industry and an ambitious, if slightly misguided, attempt to become a gentleman farmer in Beaujolais. Through this early exposure, she witnessed first-hand the highs and lows of wine production, gaining a nuanced understanding of luxury and the grit required to succeed. Charlotte made the leap to the U.S. in her early twenties, bringing with her a suitcase of Beaujolais and a healthy dose of courage. Over the years, she carved out a reputation as an innovative strategist, serving as the general manager of the renowned Robert Mondavi Winery and Constellation Brands. She also held the position of Vice President of International Portfolio Strategy for Jackson Family Wines, steering global growth for one of the industry's heavyweights. Her journey ultimately led her to found Tissay, where she now works as CEO, advising premium vineyards and artisan wineries on brand management and growth. Tissay specializes in helping wineries recover from overexpansion, transition to new business models, and build meaningful relationships with their core customers. Charlotte's approach is anything but one-size-fits-all; she champions retention marketing, customer data analysis, and strategic focus, drawing on her broad experience in both the European and American wine landscapes. In addition to her consulting work, Charlotte teaches at the Sonoma State Wine Business Institute and speaks on topics ranging from leadership and innovation to global market evolution. She's well-known for her wit, candor, and commitment to elevating both wine and the people behind it. Her path, from Paris to California's wine country, is proof that embracing adventure—and a bit of chaos—can lead to extraordinary results.

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• From Rocks to Wine: Diana Khandilyan's Unique Journey Through Terroir and Winemaking

  I jumped in on a LinkedIn conversation about wine, soil, volcano's and more. Thought I would contribute to the message string. That is when I engaged Diana on the concept of terroir. But not just any terroir, but volcanic terroir.  Then I realized that Diana's expertise in the realm of wine...is the soil! She is a expert in energy and geophysics! Diana Kandiglian is the kind of guest who measures her excitement in bottles, not hours. If you've ever wondered what happens when a scientist who reads rocks for a living falls in love with wine, this episode is for you. You'll learn how Diana's background as a geophysicist shapes her curiosity about soils and terroir, and why she believes the best wines surprise you, just like life itself. Through her stories, you'll uncover why Armenia's volcanic soils produce wines unlike any other, how centuries-old vines navigate climate change, and why boutique winemaking has become the soul of the country's industry. Paul and Diana peel back layers of old world tradition and new world innovation, exploring appellations, indigenous grape varieties, and the risks of chasing global trends at the expense of authenticity. You'll be puzzled—but enlightened—by the paradox of Armenia's old vines and young winemakers, and why Diana advocates for some rules to keep the magic alive. There's a fascinating discussion of soil science, climate, and grape selection: from Texan clays to French boulders, you'll understand how the land whispers its secrets into every glass. You'll hear why the future of wine in both Armenia and unexpected places like Texas and Brazil depends on resilience, sustainable practices, and stories worth telling. If your palate craves complexity and your mind seeks narratives from every region, Diana's "Pour Across America" vision will inspire you to taste wines you've never imagined—and appreciate the intersection of science and soul in every sip. By the time you finish listening, you'll carry away a deeper understanding not only of Armenian wine, but of what it means to seek adventure, surprise, and connection in your glass.         Pour Across America Wine Club Website: www.pouracrossamerica.com Grgich Hills Winery Website: www.grgich.com Zulal Wines Website: www.zulalwines.com Van Ardi Website: www.vanardi.com Karas Wines Website: www.karaswines.com Messina Hof Winery Website: www.messinahof.com McPherson Cellars Website: www.mcphersoncellars.com En Vino Wine Shop (Envino) Website: www.invinowine.am Terravox Website: www.terravox.wine   #winepodcast, #winetalks, #DianaKandiglian, #PaulKalemkiarian, #Armenianwine, #terroir, #geophysics, #soilscience, #volcanicwine, #winenatural, #sustainablewine, #boutiquewine, #fingerlakeswine, #pouracrossamerica, #winetasting, #climatechangewine, #winelover, #winenewworld, #wineeducation, #wineinnovation

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• Wine Innovation: Mini Bottles, Younger Drinkers, and an Industry in Transition: Meet Abby Bogle

  I keep hearing how the industry has to change, how Gen Z is aren't drinking wine, how the trade is slow to do anything....until you speak with Abby Bogle. She is the type of enthusiasm and drive that is needed to move with the times. You have all heard me say that "time will tell" and that "all generations come around to the proper glass of wine." What Abby is doing is making the proper glass of wine more accessible.  Be careful, she is a bit infectious. Abby Bogle is not your average disruptor—she's bottling up tradition, cracking open innovation, and pouring new life into the wine industry one mini-bottle at a time. You'll discover how Abby moved from the heart of Texas wine country to leading a revolution in single-serve wine formats that could change how generations experience wine. This conversation uncorks why classic 750ml bottles are struggling to captivate younger drinkers and what it will take for wine to rival the convenience of seltzers and cocktails. Abby reveals the secrets behind fractionalization—how her company, Small Lot Bottles, transforms wines into TSA-friendly miniatures for education, gifting, and direct-to-consumer sales. You'll learn why canned wines fizzled, why PET plastic just doesn't cut it, and how glass keeps wine's integrity intact. The discussion dives into the technical challenges of bottling, shelf life, and the sophisticated use of Coravin's argon technology to preserve taste and tradition. Paul and Abby muse on the frustrations of shipping wine, navigating legal hurdles, and why Gen Z consumers might grab a can of hard seltzer before ever considering a can of wine. As the conversation flows, you'll gain a behind-the-scenes look at how wineries are adapting, how industry innovators like Paul Mabray are influencing change, and why experience matters more than size. You'll come away understanding how the wine world is responding to declining sales, changing demographics, and the demand for something different—plus, you'll hear about Texas' own pioneering vineyards and what it means for the future. If you're wondering where wine is headed, pull up a glass—this episode will give you more than just a taste of tomorrow's wine culture.     Small Lot Bottles Abby Bogle is owner and CEO of Small Lot Bottles. Their website is: https://smalllotbottles.com Napa Valley Wine Academy https://napavalleywineacademy.com Coravin https://coravin.com Wine Foundry https://www.winefoundry.com Oakville Grocery (Oakville Grocer) https://oakvillegrocery.com Culinary Institute of America https://www.ciachef.edu Quarter Masters of America's  Wine education partner: https://www.mastersommeliers.org Knox & Dobson https://knoxanddobson.com #wineindustry #fractionalization #smallformatbottles #wineinnovation #GenZwine #winetrends #winepackaging #wineexperience #directtoconsumer #wineeducation #NapaValleyWineAcademy #winesampling #Coravin #miniwinebottles #Texaswine #ONDseason #winesustainability #winewastesolutions #alternativewineformats #winerymarketing #winegifting #podcastinterview

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