298 - Season 7 Opener: The Power of the Raisin

In today's episode we kick off Wine Time Fridays Season 7 with an amazing Amarone! Amarone is a very unique wine that is produced very differently from your typical wine. #HappyFriday! #Happy2026! #ItsWineTime! #Cheersing #EasterEgg

Wines featured this episode:

• 2019 Michele Castellani, "i Castei" Campo Casalin Amarone della Valpolicella Classico (From GaryVee Wine Club, January, 2025)💥

A HUGE thanks to our sponsors:  Seasons of CDA and J. Bookwalter!

Seasons of Coeur d'Alene: Experience the best of Coeur d'Alene's culinary scene at Seasons, where farm-to-table cuisine meets elegant ambiance. Don't miss their Wine Down Wednesday where all bottled wines are 50% off! Visit https://www.seasonsofcda.com/ for more information or call 208-664-8008

J. Bookwalter: Celebrating their 40th year of producing award-winning wines crafted from the finest Columbia Valley vineyards, J. Bookwalter wines bring excellence and quality to every glass. Visit https://www.bookwalterwines.com for more information or simply call or 509-627-5000.

And of course, a HUGE thank you to Tod Hornby who wrote and recorded our official Wine Time Fridays theme music. Please visit https://todhornby.com to see what Tod is up to! 

The Rivaura Wine Word of the Week - Appassimento Appassimento is an Italian term for the process of drying harvested grapes, usually on racks or mats, to concentrate their flavors and sugars before fermentation.

Rivaura: There’s a new wine in town. Rivaura! Producing some of the best wines Idaho has to offer, Rivaura now has a tasting room in Coeur d’Alene! They are open Wednesday through Saturday! When you stop by, say 'hi' to Cooper! Visit https://rivaura.com for more information or simply call, 208 667-1019!

Mentions: Jackie Maker, GaryVee Wine Club, John Kobylt, Rush Limbaugh, Grocery Outlet, Cuvaison Winery, Liberty Lake Wine Cellars, Cinder, Edward Holmes and Elsom Cellars. Some wines we've enjoyed this week: Antinori Pèppoli Chianti, Saviah Malbec, Masotti Chardonnay, Thesis Chardonnay, Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Liberty Lake Wine Cellars Zinfandel, Pepper Bridge Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Duckhorn Chardonnay, Stefano Di Blasi Toscana, Elsom Cellars Corks on the Loose red blend and we wrapped up 2025 with a Rob McNeill Sparkling Brut from Russian River Valley.

Please find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WineTimeFridays), Twitter (@VintageTweets), Instagram (@WineTimeFridays) on our YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/@winetimefridays and on Threads, which is @winetimefridays. You can also “Follow” Phil on Vivino. His profile name is Phil Anderson and will probably “Follow” you back! 

Wine Time Fridays Rating System: 

Phenomenal  💥

Practically Perfect  🤩

Pretty Damn Good!  🥰

Pleasant 😋

Problematic  🤐

Pleagth (Pitiful and Pathetic)  🤮

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