Our common nature is a musical journey with Yo-Yo Ma and me, Ana Gonzalez, through this

complicated country.

We go into caves, onto boats, and up mountain trails to meet people, hear their stories,

their poetry, and of course, play some music, all to reconnect to nature and get closer to the things we're missing.

Listen to Our Common Nature from WNYC wherever you get podcasts.

Hey, it's Francis Lamb.

Thanks so much for downloading this week's podcast.

And if you like it, please share it.

Leave us a review

where you found it. It really helps us out. You can also find recipes and videos and information

on just about everything else you hear today on our website, splendidtable.org. But right now,

let's get to this week's show, hosted by Lynn Rosetta Casper.

This is the splendid table from APM, American Public Media,

the show for people who love to eat.

I'm Lynn Rosetta, Casper. I'm Lynn Rossetto, Casper. Madeline Puckett is a wine expert with a special knack. She clearly lays out what you need to know about a wine so that you can pick a good bottle and thoroughly enjoy it, no matter if you're kind of baffled by wine or one of the savvy folk.

Vaapolicella is a wine I want to talk to her about. Madeline, good to have you with us.

Great to be here. Thank you. So, Madeline, va policella, give us a bit of orientation.

Certainly. This is a region in northern Italy. It's just north and northwest of the city of Verona,

all the way to Lake Garda. As you head into the foothills, that's where you find some of the

best vineyards. And the focus there is on a red wine. We call it a Valpolicella blend because it's a blend of multiple grape

varieties. The top ones to know are Corvina, Rondonella, Corvinoe, and Molinara. And in fact,

I think even on the low end, there's different levels of quality there. It continually improves.

...