The Future of Michigan Wine & The "Third Wave" of Viticulture (S8 E2)

Stop playing it safe—it's time for Michigan to find its unique identity through small, thoughtful production. The "Grape to Plate" segment is a masterclass on slow-rendering duck breast with lavender, and we learn the tells of "tasting room theatre".In episode two of season eight of The Real Wine Show, hosts Chaad Thomas and Matt Kuhr announce show sponsor Gabriel Group (www.gabrielgrp.com) and introduce panelists Alan Collins (Michigan vineyard project advocating risk-taking for a uniquely Michigan wine identity), wine traveler/judge Bobby Frank, and chef/winemaker Jason Berthold (promoting aging high-acid white wines). They discuss three news topics: billionaire winery acquisitions and their impact on wine’s “soul,” proposed 2026 U.S. ingredient-label transparency and consumer reactions to additives, and AI-driven wine recommendations in tasting rooms versus human sommeliers. During glass checks they taste wines including aged Muscadet and other bottles. The new “Grape to Plate” segment sees Chef Jason conjure a slow-rendered duck breast and swiss chard pan sauce from blind tasting a 2022 Famille Gras Côtes du Rhône. The show includes a Wine Cipher game, the popular emotive blind tasting (revealed as an Italian Ciliegiolo), and ends with Jason taking home the prize!00:00 Welcome and Sponsor01:05 Meet Alan Collins03:42 Meet Bobby Frank06:02 Meet Chef Jason07:27 Glass Check09:54 Billionaires Buying Wineries15:51 Ingredient Label Transparency21:14 AI Sommelier Debate27:28 Grape to Plate Pairing37:27 Duck Resting Plan37:49 Chard Wine Pan Sauce38:41 Jam And Duck Sauce39:42 Wine Reveal Cote Du Rhone41:51 Practical Hack: Low And Slow42:44 Blind Notes Game Begins42:54 Big Red Guess Chateau Pavie45:39 Second Cipher Debate49:56 Riesling Notes Too Easy52:43 Glass Check #255:13 Michigan Wine Collaborative Events Update56:33 Emotive Blind Tasting01:03:12 Reveal Italian ciliegiolo01:05:15 Favorite Wines And Scores01:07:50 Final Wrap And ThanksMay is Michigan Wine Month:Visit www.michiganwinecollaborative.com for event details.