The Tasting Room With Tom Leykis Hosts Mark Beaman and Fifty Shades of Grey

Fine wine connoisseur Tom Leykis clinks a few glasses with Mark Beaman and Fifty Shades of Grey Film Producer Dana Brunetti in his Tasting Room podcast. 

Beaman recounts the creative process behind the unique blends of Fifty Shades of Grey wines, and reveals how Petite Sirah adds a snap of "wildness" to the Red Satin's smooth flavor.

Fifty Shades of Fun: Dana Brunetti, Mark Beaman and Tom Leykis wait for a refill
@TomLeykisTheTastingRoom

Flavor Verdict

Leykis praises the complexity of both White Silk and Red Satin (while saving room for the 100% Petite Sirah Beaman brought him to sample later) and gets Beaman and Brunetti to dish about tasting wine in a hotel room with E L James (apparently spit cups were provided, but--spoiler alert!--none were used!). Beaman also provides a colorful and insightful history of Mendocino Winery and the Central Valley, spotlighting its wealth of varietals.

Beaman and Brunetti announce the Fifty Shades line's arrival in the U.K. and Europe (!!), and their hope that demand for the wines will continue far beyond the release of the next two films.

All in all, a delectable and informative half-hour that sounds like good friends chatting over a great bottle of wine, and reminds us that there are two more FSOG films to look forward to!! Hand us that corkscrew...

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About FIFTY SHADES OF GREY WINE

Fifty Shades of Grey Wine is inspired by the seductive relationship between Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey in the hit series Fifty Shades of Grey. The collection includes Red Satin and White Silk, sure to send your taste buds on a thrilling adventure. Personally crafted by world famous author E L James, the Fifty Shades of Grey Wine Collection is a perfect blend of naughty and nice.

Apr 21, 2015 at 4:42 PM Permalink

Mark Beaman Tells Fifty Shades of Grey Fan.Org About Skipping the Vanilla With E L James

Mark Beaman gives FiftyShadesOfGreyFan.Org a taste of what blending wines with E L James was like, where her only rule from the start was: no Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon, and nobody gets hurt!

Mark Beaman and E L James Gaze Into A Bright FSOG Future

Blending the Wines

Beaman worked closely with "Erika" to establish respectful nods to the Alsace and Sancerre mentioned in the FSOG books (he read all three!) for the floral White Silk, and to create a savory, masculine flavor for the Red Satin using Syrah and Petite Sirah as a solid base.

Beaman also discusses the remarkably thoughtful process of creating the Fifty Shades of Grey wines--how the books' themes and the personalities of the characters affected blending choices, and the extent of E L James' involvement, which was substantial: "She is a woman who knows what she likes and she provided commentary and direction where she felt the wine needed to go."

Adding to Success?

The FSOG wines have enjoyed "phenomenal" success: any chance there will be additions to the line, Mark? "That is up to Erika and to some extent up to the fans and consumers... If enough people ask for it we would do our best to honor if she wanted to add to the lineup."

Hmmm.... could that addition perhaps be a FSOG Champagne??

"We would of course call it a “sparkling wine” in respect to our friend’s region in France... I love the idea though, since there is never a bad time to have a glass of bubbles and Christian and Ana frequently enjoyed it."

Oh, well. For now, we can continue to enjoy the fruits of Beaman and James' labor with FSOG White and Red Silk: 

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About FIFTY SHADES OF GREY WINE

Fifty Shades of Grey Wine is inspired by the seductive relationship between Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey in the hit series Fifty Shades of Grey. The collection includes Red Satin and White Silk, sure to send your taste buds on a thrilling adventure. Personally crafted by world famous author E L James, the Fifty Shades of Grey Wine Collection is a perfect blend of naughty and nice.

Apr 16, 2015 at 2:30 PM Permalink