Behind The Bottle: Wine, Humility, And Inspiring Stories From Rome To Texas Wine Talks With Paul K. podcast

Content provided by Paul Kalemkiarian and Paul K from the Original Wine of the Month Club. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Paul Kalemkiarian and Paul K from the Original Wine of the Month Club or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Wine Talks with Paul K. »
Behind the Bottle: Wine, Humility, and Inspiring Stories from Rome to Texas

4d ago 28:32

MP3•Episode home

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

463 episodes

#Food #Business #Booze #Wine #Paul Kalemkiarian #Arts #Paul K from the Original Wine of the Month Club #Alcoholism #Spirit