Chris Walker
👤 PersonAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
They're the very names we're all familiar with today. Grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
They're the very names we're all familiar with today. Grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The 75% rule, passed in 1983, codified this. It says that for a California wine to be labeled as a Merlot, for example, it must contain at least 75% of that particular grape. So if you see a bottle labeled as Merlot, it has at least 75% Merlot grapes. Syrah, 75% or more Syrah grapes. This was a big leap from the previous benchmark of 51%. And the rule, still in effect today, is all about trust.
The 75% rule, passed in 1983, codified this. It says that for a California wine to be labeled as a Merlot, for example, it must contain at least 75% of that particular grape. So if you see a bottle labeled as Merlot, it has at least 75% Merlot grapes. Syrah, 75% or more Syrah grapes. This was a big leap from the previous benchmark of 51%. And the rule, still in effect today, is all about trust.
We're supposed to be able to trust what a label says, that a California cab really does consist mostly of Cabernet grapes. The 75% rule even extends to such lowbrow wines as White Zinfandel. If that California bottle says White Zin, it's supposed to have mostly Zinfandel in it. So mislabeling grapes, it undermines this new system.
We're supposed to be able to trust what a label says, that a California cab really does consist mostly of Cabernet grapes. The 75% rule even extends to such lowbrow wines as White Zinfandel. If that California bottle says White Zin, it's supposed to have mostly Zinfandel in it. So mislabeling grapes, it undermines this new system.
It undermines the integrity of the wine industry, with the potential to cast doubts not just on White Zinfandel, but all of California's wines. Most of all, it undermined Jack Licciardi's integrity, a man who'd built his reputation and relationships on the quality of his grapes.
It undermines the integrity of the wine industry, with the potential to cast doubts not just on White Zinfandel, but all of California's wines. Most of all, it undermined Jack Licciardi's integrity, a man who'd built his reputation and relationships on the quality of his grapes.
But even if Michael and the Bavaros failed to grasp the big picture, they knew they couldn't let Jack find out what they were up to.
But even if Michael and the Bavaros failed to grasp the big picture, they knew they couldn't let Jack find out what they were up to.
Jack had an encyclopedic memory of farmers he'd dealt with and would be sure to recognize anything unusual if deals were done under known aliases. So according to the government, the co-conspirators made up fictitious companies, with fictitious vineyards that Jack wouldn't recognize, like Rihanna Farms, which was actually a play off the name of one of the Bavaro's employees, Fred Rina.
Jack had an encyclopedic memory of farmers he'd dealt with and would be sure to recognize anything unusual if deals were done under known aliases. So according to the government, the co-conspirators made up fictitious companies, with fictitious vineyards that Jack wouldn't recognize, like Rihanna Farms, which was actually a play off the name of one of the Bavaro's employees, Fred Rina.
Other times, they delivered grapes under pseudonyms like George Garcia. And so far, Jack didn't seem too suspicious. Delicato hadn't seemed to notice anything was amiss either, although according to Frank, the winery didn't look too hard.
Other times, they delivered grapes under pseudonyms like George Garcia. And so far, Jack didn't seem too suspicious. Delicato hadn't seemed to notice anything was amiss either, although according to Frank, the winery didn't look too hard.
But that was about to change. Soon, the public was going to find out what was going on. Wineries would be forced to confront the grape mislabeling souring their industry. And the godfather of grapes, Jack, he was going to ask some tough questions. And again, you didn't cross Jack. Loyal to a fault, he counted honor and integrity among his most important virtues.
But that was about to change. Soon, the public was going to find out what was going on. Wineries would be forced to confront the grape mislabeling souring their industry. And the godfather of grapes, Jack, he was going to ask some tough questions. And again, you didn't cross Jack. Loyal to a fault, he counted honor and integrity among his most important virtues.
And betrayal, well, that was the ultimate sin. On the next episode of Blood Vines, the government plays its hand.
And betrayal, well, that was the ultimate sin. On the next episode of Blood Vines, the government plays its hand.