Shows
The Wine Merchant29. Grace's PlanGrace and Sidonie trade the comfort of Sonoma for Hautvillers with Natalie and Tim in supporting roles. Elle DeLaVigne puts her organic co-op plan on hold.2024-08-0623 minThe Wine Merchant31. Harvest SeasonThis is the final chapter! Everyone has gathered at the Wine Merchant's shop to hear Grace and Sidonie's presentation - about how they will negotiate a settlement for the future of La Reine and who knows, maybe DeLaVigne's organic co-op will survive too.2024-08-0627 minThe Wine Merchant30. The General's Plan Grace and Sidonie are the champions of the hour as they lay out their plan for La Reine - the original French vine. 2024-08-0516 minThe Wine Merchant28. The Other ProblemThe issue of the corrupt Farmer's Committee complicates matters. However, the Wine Merchant's team of fixers has some ideas.2024-08-0419 minThe Wine Merchant27. Searching for MoreGrace and Claire break a promise to search for a clue, hint, or lead that might bring them closer to understanding the legend of the original vines.2024-08-0417 minThe Wine Merchant26. Digging Into The PastWith Claire by her side, Analise shares her most painful memories of the war years and the burden she still carries. Claire now has an additional problem to solve as they close in the legend of the vines - the original French vines - LA Reine.2024-08-0443 minThe Wine Merchant25. Love, War, and ChampagneWith help from Analise, Claire rediscovers a vivid documentation of life in the limestone caves of Champagne during wartime, as captured by a young Frenchwoman in her diary. Hiding from German forces, she details the arrival of American soldiers and the gift of much-needed supplies, including ink and paper. The diary becomes her solace and a means to cope with daily struggles. Her writings offer an intimate look at the resilience and spirit of the villagers, particularly the dynamic between her and her grandmother as they navigate their altered roles and responsibilities.2024-07-3134 minThe Wine Merchant24. Decoding the Village Diaries: My Wish Became RealityIn this episode, Claire receives an unexpected call from Laurent and Elle, asking her to decode a collection of wartime diaries that might hold the key to an important mystery. As Claire and her dedicated Wine Merchant team, including Anneliese and Brigitte, dive into reading and analyzing the old diaries, they uncover clues about the village's history, the efforts to save its vineyards, and deeply personal stories from the writers. Their mission is to piece together these fragmented histories to support Michel Grenault and preserve the essence of their village’s past.2024-07-3029 minThe Wine Merchant#23 Taking A BreakClaire takes a beat and returns to her other home in France - the Greno vineyard. Once again by Michel's side among the vines, they revisit old memories and discover something extremely important.2024-07-2429 minThe Wine Merchant#22 Changes Afoot, The after PartExhausted, the team takes a break that doesn't last long2024-07-2318 minThe Wine Merchant#21 This Is It . . . It's Time The general - Analise Huron - runs the caper from her cottage. Everyone has a role and it all works perfectly. The diver and the production manager give up all the details of their involvement and that of Andre's cousin.2024-07-2240 minThe Wine Merchant#20 The Final PlanAnalise has devised a plan to catch the thieves and capture the counterfeit wine2024-07-2117 minThe Wine Merchant#19 Secret WeaponsThe investigation for the DLV file takes Barret to Hong Kong where she finds a few clues about the counterfeit wine - Andre's stolen wine is used to counterfeit DLV's2024-07-2017 minThe Wine Merchant#18 The DeLaVigne IssueWhile helping Andre off the books of the Wine Merchant - they receive a new cellar file for Laurente's closest friend and mentor Elle St Denis DeLaVigne the grande dame of wine. She has been accused of cheating and counterfeiting wine. She needs a fixer.2024-07-1923 minThe Wine Merchant#17 Part II Dream State Claire awakens to reality after reliving the last ten years from her Champagne Internships up until last night when she met Brigitte in the woods by Analise's cottage.2024-07-1813 minThe Wine Merchant#16 Who We Are and What We DoClaire tells Andre about some of the details of their 'other' work at the Wine Merchant - the fixing. If and only if he promises to not ask questions.2024-07-1719 minThe Wine Merchant#15 Family TiesAndre tells Claire the story of his family, the vineyard, and his missing wine. He turns to Claire for help. He wants to protect more than his wine - it's about reputation; the makers and the precious terroir. With Brigitte by her side, Claire tells Andre that there is more to the Wine Merchant than a shop. Remi agrees.2024-07-1622 minThe Wine Merchant#14 The Wine Merchant is BornClaire opens a wine shop in a French village near the Greno vineyard. It's a place for makers and farmers to gather and talk. Meanwhile, the oversight committee has grown corrupt and they are no longer trusted. Laurente is the sole trusted authority that they can turn to. Claire has a few security systems but none better than Remi - her Irish wolfhound who stands guard by the shop entrance. Remi allows a visitor up to Claire's office and she is thrilled because it's Andre.2024-07-1524 minThe Wine Merchant#13 The Wine MerchantHow the Wine Merchant came into being. A wine expert who detects fraud and sees the future. Grace and Sidonie find a way to draft Claire into the fixing world - alongside Barret and Laurente.2024-07-1418 minThe Wine Merchant#12 Originals and ImitationsGrace and Sidonie come up with a new proposal for Claire's business plan. But first Barret and Laurente had to approve the idea. The new business will address the frauds and counterfeits that plague the makers and their fine products not to mention the regions that produce them. 2024-07-1324 minThe Wine Merchant#11 Out From Under a Cloud of DustClaire's closest friend Grace arrives with Sidonie, like the others, they too are fixers of a sort. Grace has a plan to help Claire - after they catch up. But first, they have to finagle the trailer into place. 2024-07-1219 minThe Wine Merchant#10 Unprecedented; The New NormalTogether this team of friends was trapped in a paradise by the pandemic. Andre is invited to stay longer - to help with everything from the barn renovation to the harvest. This was a fine-tuned team of people who could fix almost anything. And then everything changed and Claire thought she was alone with her future but Barret stepped in like an aunt - with advice.2024-07-1126 minThe Wine Merchant#9 It Was All Local Until It Wasn'tAs Tim takes the first steps for the barn renovation, Claire bears witness to a life-changing event at Natalie's vineyard. It took a team with amazing skill sets to figure things out - to 'fix' the issue. Claire confirms her aunt's involvement with the seat reassignments.2024-07-1017 minThe Wine Merchant#8 Homeward BoundClaire resigns to pursue another dream but not before returning to the BeeKeeper's Cottage and the advice of her mother, aunt, and friends. Every sensory pleasure is available there along with the calm of the porch - not to mention the company.2024-07-1026 minThe Wine Merchant#7 Delayed But DeterminedThree years into her tenure as a buyer, Claire tries to leave for France - it's harvest season and Laurente's Celebration is the one event she will never miss. Even though she's delayed Claire returns to a hero's welcome in Reims. The welcoming lunch is Claire's "Maiden Speech" for the group gathered. Madam Huron steps in to help and shares her secret with Claire. 2024-07-0920 minThe Wine Merchant#6 WestwardRecognizing that her best job prospects would be in the States, Claire heads to her mother's cottage - the BeeKeeper's Cottage in Sonoma. She settles into vineyard life with her mother, Natalie the owner, and Tim. They all get to know one another and their histories - including Manuel, Natalie's grandfather and inspiration. More interested in the vineyard than job hunting Claire avoids the inevitable until she receives the ideal job offer as a buyer of French wine. 2024-07-0818 minThe Wine Merchant#4 The End of The Beginning PartAfter a melancholy ending to her first summer internship, Claire returns for a second summer and then a third. This summer was different because she wasn't eager to leave, Claire wanted to stay for the harvest. Laurente invites her to their annual harvest celebration and Claire announces her decision to take a semester off and return to the States for her final semester and graduation. She learns that her mother Barret trusts her; they've entered a new era in their relationship.2024-07-0719 minThe Wine Merchant#5 Out in The Vineyard Awaiting HarvestImmersed in the beauty of the season with the ever-present threat of hailstones Claire works in the Greno vineyard alongside Michel. Claire attends Laurente's Harvest Celebration before the harvest - Madame A. Huron gives her the key to the village and makes Claire an honorary citizen for life. Claire returns to the States, finishes her degree, meets Laurente at their cafe, and then heads out west to her mother's new home in Sonoma.2024-07-0719 minThe Wine Merchant#3 The Diary Legacy of a French VillageClaire's aunt Laurente checks in on Claire at the Greno vineyard and introduces her to the value of diaries - for those who write in them and for those who discover them decades and centuries later. Claire takes you right into her life at the Greno family house and vineyard through her vivid descriptions of the place and the people who inspire her there - her 'other' family. She discovers the value of connections from the village Saturday market to Em the spaniel and her new friend Brigitte.2024-07-0624 minThe Wine Merchant#2 My Dream StateClaire needed a summer internship to satisfy her degree program. Eventually, she turned to her aunt who gave her an idea. Claire found the confidence to believe in her dreams and make them happen on a vineyard in France. When she couldn't find a career path, she built her own in Champagne - with the help of an aunt.2024-07-0516 minThe Wine Merchant#1 An Urgent CallAwakened by a call in the middle of the night, Claire runs to help without asking questions. Her sidekick Brigitte is desperate for Claire to personally witness suspicious activity at the Andoux vineyard bottling facility. Her true mission? Convince Claire to help solve this mystery as part of a related and ongoing investigation. Claire's company is called The Wine Merchant - an unassuming wine shop tucked away in a French village whose real business is discretely fixing the type of problems associated with luxury goods and counterfeits. When you have no options and cannot call the police, the Wine...2024-07-0416 minThe Wine MerchantINTRODUCTIONA brief introduction to The Wine Merchant2024-07-0301 min
Your Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantSeventh Binge - The Love War Champagne CollectionSam goes back in time with Claire to a small village in France during WWII and into the Diary of another young woman - as she learns to live, love and survive in the caves of Champagne during the Nazi occupation. It's thrilling and charming with a bit of love tension in between - not to mention the characters and family that make this village a very special place in the caves of Champagne.2022-09-2845 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantSixth Binge: Lingering and A Hero's WelcomeSam narrates an especially touching episode with two of Claire's Diary entries. In the first entry Claire describes her feelings about being in Laurente's company - just being and thinking with her too. The second entry covers Claire's delayed return to her favorite French Village along with the people there - a time to remember and cherish too.2022-09-2326 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantBecoming (a Podcast)Claire departs from her usual format as she writes a letter to the Listeners and Readers of the YourCoolAunts Podcast. She tells the inside story on how her Diary became a podcast with the help of Sam and Ted2022-09-1416 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantFifth Summer BingeThis episode will keep you entertained as Sam narrates a few classics. Sam dives into Claire's Diary entries from her college summers in France as a tour guide in the Champagne caves with: Common Traits, Adopted by a French Village, Decision Made and A Champagne Harvest Celebration2022-09-0127 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantFourth Summer SeriesSummer Binge Series - Host and narrator Sam revisits a few of Claire's memorable stories from very different times in her life: Ultimate Passport, The Things You Love and String of Pearls – The Japanese Matchmaker2022-08-2941 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantThird Summer BingeThe Summer Binge Series continues with Sam as she narrates a revisit of Claire's early memories in her Diary stories with: Ultimate Passport, Things You Love and String of Pearls2022-08-2922 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant#3 Summer SeriesGet to know the Cool Aunts in Claire's life with Sam as she narrates these 3 classics from the Diary: Ultimate Passport, Things You Love and String of Pearls. Original Episode #'s 8, 9, 10.2022-08-0622 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant#3 Summer BingeGet to know the Cool Aunts in Claire's life with Sam as she narrates these 3 classics from the Diary: Ultimate Passport, Things You Love and String of Pearls. 2022-08-0522 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantSecond Summer BingeGet to know all of the characters in Claire's travels to the vineyards and villages of France. This Binge series continues with new takes on three favorites from Claire's early Diary entries. In this episode Sam narrates Champagne Internship, Becoming and Diary Legacies - all from Claire's first summer in France. Visit YourCoolAunts.com for her original photography and much more. 2022-07-2830 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantIntroduction & The Summer Binge #1For New Listeners or a re-visit - either way it's perfect for a Summertime Binge - newly recorded there are 3 of Claire's Diary entries in every podcast hosted by Sam. In this episode you'll hear listener favorites from the earliest days of Claire's Diary: Laurente's Arrival, Details Matter and Lost and Found.2022-07-0323 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantFinally - Our StoryIt's the Season IV Finale where Claire ties up several loose ends. The Diary legacy that was picked up by Claire years ago will continue for generations to come. There are many more of the old diaries from the Village - Laurente and Elle DeLaVigne have been making plans once again. . .Claire picks up the mantle, and then makes her feelings for Alexandre official while Remi is never far away.2022-06-1840 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantPatienceOne of Claire's most exciting diary entries where she recounts the final days of this mystery and investigation. A few more details before The Wine Merchant closes the file for the client Madame DeLaVigne and the mystery surrounding the counterfeit wine. A sad day for Alexandre is turned around as Claire waits her turn. Patiently.2022-06-1032 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantDelusionalAlexandre's cousin Robert runs out of luck but thinks he still has one more chance. He has lost touch with his own reality. The family vineyard is safe in Alexandre's hands and there are still a number of mysteries for Claire to solve with Analise and her pack of 'little wolves' - (mes petit loups).2022-06-0323 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantIt's TimeThis is it. The time has come to execute our plan ‘L’Operation’ and kill at least two birds with this one stone we hold. Fingers crossed – allons-y. 2022-05-2724 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantMadame GeneralAnalise Huron uses the skills she learned in the Resistance. Thank god for Analise, no doubt that she’s a CoolAunt. She stepped into The Wine Merchant without knowing and without asking. She accepted things as they are and the people too. She never criticizes and she always finds a way to make the best of every thing and every situation. The label of optimist falls short as well as that of leader. Analise is so much more to each and every one of us. I think she has well-earned another Legion of Honor medal.2022-05-2227 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant56. Madame GeneralAnalise Huron uses the skills she elarned in the Resistance to plan the 'operation' to catch the counterfeit criminals in the act. "Only perfect plans get perfect results" was her philosophy but it was her leadership that made the difference. Nicknamed Madame General, she is a beloved and respected CoolAunt to everyone.2022-05-2034 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantUpdatesClaire's quiet Sunday is turned around by Barret's call from Hong Kong and this changes everything. Alexandre learns the fate of his wine through Analise and Brigitte's brilliant idea. The Resistance lives on through Analise.2022-05-1327 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantNight ShiftThings are heating up as Claire and Brigitte get into Alexandre's case of the missing wine. 2022-05-0629 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantWe've Had A CallEverything is moving along with Alexandre's 'situation' - until Laurente calls for an ungent meeting of The Wine Merchant. Her dear and very important friend needs their help immediately. It's an all hands on deck moment so Alexandre will have to go it alone for now - or will he?2022-05-0130 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantFor An Old FriendClaire thought things were moving along smoothly, until they weren't. So much was happening and there were so many things moving in different directions. Everyone seems to have an old friend but this one is for Analise's old friend too. Henri was a true blue good friend dating back to the Resistance and she has always kept an eye out for his family even though he's gone. Now it's all about the vineyard he built. 2022-04-2427 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantDon't AskClaire has decided to help Alexandre. There is something very wrong with the wine from his family's vineyard and he needs help finding the problem and the culprit. All this action against the backdrop of maybe something more than 'a friendship' developing between the two of them. Brigitte plays a significant role as they begin to assess and investigate the problem. 2022-04-1724 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantNeed to KnowThe Wine Merchant is real. Claire finally reveals the 'other' work of The Wine Merchant - most of it, just enough - to Alexandre. 2021-11-1926 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantHelp WantedAlexandre turns to Claire for some help. He didn’t know where to turn or what he was getting into - and neither did she. Claire is so caring and possibly too much so. Either way, there's a great deal of interest between the two of them.2021-11-1224 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantFamily TiesAlexandre is out and about promoting the wines of his region as well as his own award winning recent vintage. Until something goes very wrong with his sample wine.2021-11-0524 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantGrand OpeningClaire has returned to France to start her new business. She found a shop and it's perfect. Brigitte was instrumental in finding the right place. Claire calls it equal parts wine shop, cafe and bookstore. Have a seat and stay for a while.2021-10-2926 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantYes You CanLaurente has inspired Claire once again and now she is ready to work with the members of The Wine Merchant.Claire could never pass on the chance to join these women at The Wine Merchant to defend and protect not only their products, but also the terroir - the reputation of the source. It's the only thing that truly matters.2021-10-2230 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantCount Me InWhen Grace needed help Laurente answered her call but there was so much more to be done. As the village's defacto mayor, Laurente cared about the reputation of the place and the wine. As to the farmers and vintners; she amassed their information, knew things the Committee could never penetrate and importantly, she cared at least as much as they did - sometimes more so. Laurente was the right woman at the right time and this time, it was she who needed assistance helping the others. This is part of Claire's interest and her professional calling.2021-10-1518 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantThe Chairman's ProblemGrace shares the details of how she became involved with the wine business - and how she called upon Laurente for help with a very serious client problem.2021-10-0825 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantBut First . . .Claire needed Grace and Sid to answer a few more questions before she spoke to Barret and Laurente. She reminisces about her career path in the wine business - it's about the good and the not-so-good people and their intentions. Her decision is obvious, but she wants to go into this business arrangement with her eyes wide open - no more surprises.2021-10-0132 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantNew DayGrace and Sid create a new business plan for Claire. The new plan offers Claire a pathway for her new business to succeed. But first, Claire must agree to absolute secrecy. Relieved and shocked Claire listens to their plan and agrees to think about the offer overnight. Her last question is a broad one - is there anyone else involved that I should know about? Their answer shocks her once more - Claire cannot believe that she is the last to know. How could this have happened without her knowing and right under her nose? 2021-09-2425 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantNow Is The TimeClaire is back with a letter and she tells us that she's on the cusp of something that will change everything - in a good way. Luckily she was locked down for the pandemic on a vineyard in Northern California with an amazing group of people. Her wine importing business idea has been waiting for her attention. Grace and Sidonie are the experts and they are here to help.2021-09-2135 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantFriendsAlexandre leaves Natalie's vineyard and heads home to France and leaving Claire at her new home in the refrubished Barn to weather the shutdown - insecure and feeling a little down. But not an hour passes when out of the dust trail appears Claire's oldest friend from college Grace - pulling an Airstream trailer into the Vineyard. A reunion and much laughter ensues on the porch of the Beekeeper's Cottage. Once installed, Grace and Sidonie plan to start their business on the West Coast but first, they will help Claire with her new business plans. It's going to be a...2021-03-1432 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantComing and GoingAn emotional turn around as Claire struggles after Alexandre's departure - his return to France has left her wondering if they would have anything like a future together. Barret is there for her - to offer advice as CoolAunts always manage to do. Claire is uninspired and without any ideas for her next move, until she is surprised by the unexpected arrival of her dear friend Grace. As is her usual, Grace arrives in a big way with another friend in tow - and a 25 foot long Airstream trailer. Like Claire, both of them are now unemployed - they'd j...2021-03-0434 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantBetter Than Instead OfThe Barn remodel is just about finished. Everyone has pitched in on the work in the Barn and the vineyard too. Natalie's first harvest with the new water supply is saved when Barret comes up with a plan to step in for the absent pickers. Throughout the pandemic shut down everyone at the vineyard picks up on whatever needs doing and gets it done. Barret steps in again for Claire - she's collected an inspiration file for Claire by listening to her and her dreams for collecting art and furnishing the Barn - now Claire's home. Cool Aunts come i...2021-02-2623 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantChange of PlansLike everyone, Claire plans have been upended by the pandemic. She has just left her job to start a wine and spirits import and export business. Laurente has left on the last flight out to Paris. Caught up in the lockdown, Claire is inspired by the diaries in Love War Champagne once again and lives the value of being in the moment she has. Claire, Barret, Natalie, Tim and Alexandre are a force together - they manage to complete Natalie's vineyard harvest, maintain the vineyard and remodel the Barn - Claire's future home. Every day ends on th...2021-02-1933 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantFor The WineIn this season finale, good things fall into place for Claire and seemingly everyone around her too. Tim's big brother/hero status is secured and the future of Natalie's vineyard is bright as her grandfather's struggle is resolved. All of this happens with some help from the new comer Alexandre. Of course, Laurente's fingerprints are found on the 'unlikely coincidence' of two seat mates finding one another on a flight from Paris. Love is in the air.2021-02-1231 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantFrom The PorchNearing the end of Season III Claire has a few surprises from her Diary. Knowing this will be a significant event, Claire wants to savor, notice and share as much as she can - such that she'll be able to return to this time in memory and to share it with as many details as possible . There are heroes, beekeeping, surveys, villains and new friends with blue skies every day. Better than a romance novel or any other fiction, this is Claire's Diary life for real.2021-02-0627 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantFirst ImpressionsFeeling nostalgic on her return to her mother's home, Claire has decided to leave her job and to start her own business. She will be importing the artisanal wines and spirits she was unable to buy for her now former employer - that 'big box' corporation. She also shares some thoughts about what she calls 'memorable moments' - those places and times when you want to lock it into your memory bank - so you can return to it again. This visit with her mother is one of those ‘moments’ from the beginning and for more than one reason.2021-01-2929 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantHomeward BoundClaire has been traveling throughout France constantly. A dream job for sure, but her work as a wine buyer for a 'big box' store has its downside too. She's been in constant motion for a few years at this point and so much so that she doesn't even maintain her own home. That is about to change.In need of a break, she heads for her mother's home - The Beekeeper's Cottage - in California. Along the way Claire meets a French winemaker and Laurente's fingerprints seem to be everywhere Claire turns.2021-01-2223 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantHero's WelcomeAfter a long travel delay, Claire returns to Champagne for the annual Celebration - it's her first time back to the village as a 'working woman' in the wine business. It's also an intense rush of emotion and memory when Claire is put on the spot to speak to the gathered celebrants. There's important history from the postmistress and Legion of Honor recipient - Madame A Huron, who finally reveals her mysterious first name to Claire - and why it has been a secret all this time. While not a part of the Love War Champagne d...2021-01-1534 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant**Back AgainLove War Champagne series continues with another diary entry where a young woman leads her village in the Resistance in the caves of Champagne of war time France. American soldiers accompany them on their journey of survival, love and espionage. The future is so uncertain - can they resist falling in love?2021-01-0826 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant**My AmericanLove War Champagne - Part 3. A relationship grows amidst wartime life in a Champagne cave. Cooperation and creativity displace dwindling supplies and everyone benefits. She's able to write in her diary again with the Christmas gifts from the American. Hope is afoot, the two leaders grow close - enough so that she shares her diary with the book starved, curious American. She wants him - and anyone who might read her diary in the future - to understand why they fight so hard for this place - Champagne.2020-12-3125 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant**Ink and PaperLove War Champagne - The 2nd in a multi-part series. Claire is reading from an old inherited diary - a young woman deals with life (and love) in the Champagne caves of wartime France. With little more than her determination, creativity and the company of her diary, she manages a day at a time. A wayward group of American soldiers joins them in the cave where they figure out how to work together to survive.As Claire reads the diary, she becomes deeply intrigued by the degree to which she identifies with its writer - how...2020-12-2427 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant**Come With MeLove War Champagne - First in a multi-part series - Laurente shares an inherited diary with Claire that brings her into the world of Diary Legacies. Here, Claire shares selected diary entries from the women of Champagne who lived it - war, pestilence, economic devastation - and wrote their way through it all. Learning to love during war, surviving in the caves of Champagne and so much more. Although they are living in very different times and places; these women and their diaries have much more in common than Claire could ever have imagined.2020-12-1828 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantCommon TraitsClaire recalls some moments as a tour guide intern in France. Brigitte is a kid from the village and is an old soul and wise one too even though she is much younger than any of the tour guides in this group of friends. There are nine young women in the group and they all intend on being a 'big sister' to Brigitte or even better, a CoolAunt. Brigitte surprises them all with her stories and local wisdom and at the end of the day they wonder who is leading whom? Have they formed a surrogate family while they're aw...2020-12-1125 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant* LingeringThe art of being fully in the moment - on a long awaited get together Laurente and Claire get into a conversation about lingering. What they think of when they engage in lingering - how and when to do it, define it and perfect the art of lingering.2020-12-0429 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantBecomingSeason III opens with a Special Edition - A Letter From Claire to the Readers, Listeners and Followers of YourCoolAunts - All of the Nieces, Aunts and Friends out there in the world of CoolAunts. Claire tells us how her diary became a podcast with the help of Sam&Ted.2020-11-2835 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantSame Time, Place and TableClaire and friends - CoolAunt admirers all - regularly get together for dinner at their favorite restaurant. There's always someone new joining the group, so the notion of CoolAunts needs to be explained - or does it? Doesn't everyone have a CoolAunt?2020-11-2126 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantParisian SongstressClaire spends another Sunday morning at Laurente's NYC townhouse and once again learns something new about Laurente and herself. The lesson for Claire is a reminder to be open, seek out new things or change - and most of all - never make assumptions concerning Laurente.2020-11-1328 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantKnitting CodeClaire always admired her mother's knitting skill but never learned until now. She sets out to find a way to start knitting and finds the math and community alongside of the craft.2020-11-0726 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantString of PearlsOn a stopover to San Francisco Claire engages in one of her favorite pass times - roaming the shops of Japantown. With no particular destination or mission, Claire is determined to let go for a while and just follow the path wherever it may lead - this time it's into an intriguing shop with an even more intriguing shop keeper - or should we say matchmaker? The shop keeper's regal, full length kimono commands attention - but her spirit soon takes hold of the moment as she finds a perfect match that Claire cannot refuse. It's all about t...2020-10-3125 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantThe English Woman ExplorerAn intrepid mapmaker more interested in diplomacy than notoriety2020-10-2500 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantThe English WomanA biography for Claire's flight to Paris turns into a worldwide journey with the Queen of The Desert, an intrepid mapmaker more interested in diplomacy than notoriety. Claire finds more meaning in the book than expected, especially when she returned it to Laurente.2020-10-2424 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant* Vintage PhotoClaire's photo journey encounters a mystery in one special photograph of Laurente. Claire keeps it for herself - for awhile. From vintage black and whites to recent color snapshots and everything in between - Claire has a plan to digitize the lot but first she needs to identify and sort the people and places. 2020-10-1831 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant* Beekeepers CottageBarret finds and resurrects a Beekeepers Cottage with a French touch. Her new home in this California vineyard feels like a French village outpost - a perfect landing place for Claire as she considers her future in the wine and spirits business. In this episode we meet Barret's newest friends and neighbors - Natalie the vineyard owner/vintner and Tim the carpenter. Landlord and contractor respectively, both have an interest in the rebuilding of the cottage but more so in Barret's counsel and friendship on the porch.2020-10-1036 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant* Things You LovePersonal treasures; The things that you'll go back and search for - an inexpensive beloved object from a trip or an expensive gift to self. But you won't search for things that can be easily replaced, things that don't matter very much - cheap throw-aways. A sustainable lifestyle includes saving money by acquiring better things less frequently.2020-10-0422 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantSecrets RevealedLaurente shares a deeply personal secret with Claire to help her overcome a pressing challenge. Surprised by the story, Claire does not ask for any more detail than her CoolAunt wanted to share in that moment.2020-09-2727 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantUltimate PassportWhat do the movie Out of Africa and Claire signing for her first library card have in common? It's Claire's mother and a well told story.2020-09-2031 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant*California DreamingNorthern California called and Barret answered...she remodels a cottage in a vineyard with her French touch and artistic skill. Soon her cottage is a place for new friends, her daughter Claire, the vineyard owner Natalie and the carpenter Tim. Everyone has a story and an opinion too. 2020-09-1326 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant*Harvest CelebrationCollege intern Claire stays in France for the Autumn Harvest and her CoolAunt's Celebration. 2020-09-0629 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantShe Stayed in FranceIn the final episode of the first Season, Claire must announce her decision to stay for the Harvest and Laurente's Annual Celebration. Her relationship with her mother Barret has changed and now Claire must live up to those changes. We're all adults now - and Claire will spend the Autumn and holidays in France, in the Village that adopted her into the vineyards of Champagne.2020-08-2925 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantAdopted by a French VillageClaire's last summer as a tour guide in the Champagne caves is drawing to a close and she's looking for a way to stay in the village through the harvest as the days tick by. Even though she's only a few credits away from graduating, Claire is in no hurry to return to New York for her final semester. Laurente's upcoming annual harvest celebration was far more than a party - it was a treasured gathering of members and friends. No one had ever declined her invitation to join - why would they? Claire wasn't going to be the...2020-08-2325 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantA Rising CoolAuntBrigitte is a local kid from the Champagne village where Claire lives with the Greno family. She is an old soul at heart - filled with stories and joy as well as a desire to escape the village. Adopted by Claire's group of friends - all young women, all Champagne tour guides far from home for the summer who want to be her CoolAunts. It turns out that Brigitte the local kid is leading them through their summer in Champagne. She is well on her way to becoming a CoolAunt.2020-08-1618 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantMy French Host CharlotteClaire's host family is headed by Charlotte - a very accomplished woman and a Cool Aunt for sure. Claire gets to know her well during her three summers in this small village in the Champagne region. During each of those summers, while working in their vineyard and in the Champagne Houses, Claire became a part of the Greno family, forming a lifelong connection to people she truly admired. Charlotte is truly an inspiration for Claire.2020-08-0923 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantFrench MarketsAfter her Aunt suggests keeping a Diary, Claire visits the Saturday village market looking for Diary supplies and maybe she's just trying to start a ritual on this day too. In addition to ink and paper, she finds a friend and a weekly destination. French markets do have everything and more.2020-08-0229 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantDiary Legacy . . . it was this memorable setting where Laurente connected me to the history of the women of Champagne through their diaries. These creative, determined women who managed to elevate any moment in the midst of unimaginable challenges, the daily grind and . . . 2020-07-2524 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine Merchant* Becoming A Tour GuideClaire arrives in France - to start an internship which may lead to a career and a life of world travel. Claire's plan is filled with hope and excitement as she settles in for her first summer in Champagne. She unknowingly becomes part of this village.2020-07-1936 minYour Cool Aunts present The Wine MerchantMy College Internship in ChampagneClaire's CoolAunt steps in to help her with first creating and then finding a college internship. Laurente has a friend with a vineyard in France along with an ulterior motive for her niece's future in the wine business. But first, Claire needs to make the details happen over the next semester in NY for the plan to work. Claire only needed an idea for her dream.2020-07-0524 min