This Week Uncorked

In this week's episode, we discuss a neuromarketing study that reveals how wine capsules sway buying decisions, Japanese vintners embrace their own terroir over French imports, and wine and white spirits surge in Thailand's beverage market. This week's features include Château Fortia winery in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 2022 Château Fortia Cuvée Baron, and SUSHISAMBA in London.   Wine News Round-Up:...

In this week's episode, we discuss how Japan's sake laws are driving brewers to the U.S., Decanter explores cellar-clearing panic and rethinking alcohol levels, and the Wall Street Journal reports on California's deepening wine industry crisis. This week's spotlight features Le Domaine de la Roche in Beaujolais, their 2020 "La Croix Blanche," and a visit to the Michelin-starred La Scène Thélème in...

From a $25 wine revolution shaking up California, to Charles Smith's transparency crusade, and bacteria that may save smoke-tainted vintages — we've got the stories that have the wine world buzzing. This week's features include the legendary Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe winery, the 2021 M. Chapoutier La Bernardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the iconic restaurant Le Comptoir de La Mère Germaine in the...

In this week's episode, we are discussing how Canada's wine industry is seeing a surprise sales boom thanks to U.S. tariffs, Valle de Guadalupe faces a surprising new wine region rival, and the global winemaking profession hits a generational crossroads. This week's featured winery is Château des Bachelards in Fleurie, with a spotlight on the 2017 Domaine Dupré Goujon and the acclaimed OXTE Restau...

In this week's episode, we discuss how premium wine by the glass is finally shedding its stigma, a surprising Prohibition-era loophole used by Churchill resurfaces, and the best sparkling wine in the world has just been crowned. This week's features include the Tuscany-based Poggio Amorelli winery, the rare Ao Yun "Shangri-La" 2014 from China, and fine dining at Poggio Rosso on the San Felice Esta...

In this week's episode, we are discussing how tariffs continue to send shockwaves through the global wine trade, with U.S. buyers pulling back and fine wine markets reeling from long-term fallout, just as the rise of winery hotels offers a new lifeline for struggling producers. This week's features include Château Mont-Thabor in Bédarrides, their 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and a visit to the Michel...

In this week's episode, we discuss how wild chimps may hold the key to our love of booze, Sonoma wineries are trying to attract younger drinkers by raising prices, and a quirky vineyard in Lodi with 50+ German grapes now has a waitlist. This week's featured picks include Panizzi Winery in San Gimignano, the rare 2021 San Felice Pugnitello Toscana IGT, and modern Japanese cuisine at Azumi in Housto...

In this week's episode, we discuss Angelina Mondavi takes the helm at Charles Krug, a major wine recall shocks Costco shoppers, and European vintners clash with the WHO's anti-alcohol stance. This week's featured sips include the 2022 Cervaro della Sala from Antinori, a stop at Rome's beloved Enoteca Il Goccetto wine bar, and a Michelin-starred dining experience at Per Me Giulio Terrinoni.   Wine...

In this week's episode, we discuss Direct-to-Consumer wine laws are changing in three states, the average DTC bottle price has soared to $52, and blind tasting is now dominating online wine education. This week's featured picks include Villa a Sesta in Chianti Classico, the 2021 Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and Potente in Houston, Texas.   Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ Three Stat...

In this week's episode, we discuss the U.S. just exempted Portuguese cork from 15% tariffs, Congress pulled funding from an anti-alcohol panel aiming to tighten drinking guidelines, and Gen X is emerging as the wine industry's next big buyer. This week's spotlight features La Lama in Chianti Classico, the 2022 Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato, and Xochi, a standout Oaxacan restaurant in Houston,...

In this week's episode, we discuss California facing another brutal grape glut, climate change drives a rise in non-vintage blends, and media giants like Fox News jump into the wine game as Texas wine country levels up. This week's highlights include Fèlsina in Chianti Classico, the 2017 San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucere, and LMP Restaurant & Bar in Las Vegas. Sideways novels available...

In this week's episode, we discuss San Francisco Giants team up with Sonoma County Winegrowers to launch the first-ever MLB wine club, South African wineries face steep 30% U.S. tariffs, and a new free tool called WineSpeak is helping industry marketers sharpen their messaging. Our featured picks include Cantine Marisa Cuomo in Furore, Italy, the 2022 Page Springs Cellars Anonymous, and The Bootle...

In this week's episode, we discuss Sonoma grapegrowers clash over a 1% Wine Improvement District fee, Michelin stars in the U.S. and Europe come under scrutiny, and Napa cult Cabernet sales show signs of slowing. This week's highlights include Casa Emma winery in Tuscany, a Corsican Patrimonio Rosé, and First & Oak restaurant in Solvang, CA.   Find Restaurant Corkage Fees on Cork & Journey   Wine...

In this week's episode, we explore the best wine tasting rooms, top-tier wine country hotels, and unforgettable winery tours across the United States in this special rundown. This week's picks feature San Felice Winery in Tuscany, the 2019 Martin Woods Rosé, and Coast Range in Solvang, CA. Find Restaurant Corkage Fees on Cork & Journey   Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ Cheers To The 10 Best Wine Tasting Ro...

In this week's episode, we discuss the new 15% tariff on European wines could drive up prices across the board, a $65 million Napa estate hits the market, and bizarre U.S. bottle size laws finally catch up with the rest of the wine world. This week's spotlight features the Art of Wine in Sedona, the 2019 Melville Estate Syrah, and the five-star experience at Zuma in Las Vegas. Find Restaurant Cork...

In this week's episode, we discuss Jancis Robinson's surprising investment advice to buy Sauternes, a new $99 wine certification from the Napa Valley Wine Academy, and United Airlines serving a 96-point Napa Cab in business class. We also feature Crawford Family Wines in Solvang, their 2019 Second Street Cuvée, and Mother Wolf at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, where the corkage fee is $50.   Find...

In this week's episode, we discuss the $99 million Bordeaux Cellars Ponzi scheme, the murky legal ethics behind re-labeled Champagne, and how AI is helping wineries fight back against rising DTC labor costs. We also feature Alma Rosa Winery in Solvang, CA, their 2021 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir "El Jabali," and Orla at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV, with a $50 corkage fee. Find Restaurant Corkage Fees on...

A Michigan court's landmark ruling in favor of small wineries is setting the stage for a legal showdown in Napa Valley, while Washington's tasting room expansion and a new book debunking minerality keep the wine world buzzing. We also highlight Lucas & Lewellen in Solvang, their 2020 Hidden Asset Red Blend, and Anthony's Prime Steak and Seafood in Henderson, NV with a $25 corkage and award-winning...

In this week's episode we discuss the WHO's push to regulate alcohol like tobacco leads this week's top stories, followed by California's new "click to cancel" law making it easier to drop wine club memberships, and a surprising trend toward embracing smoke-tainted wines. We also feature Irvine & Roberts Vineyards in Ashland, Oregon, their 2019 Wädenswil Block Pinot Noir, and Sgrizzi Ristorante &...

In this week's episode, we are discussing how winemakers may fudge alcohol levels more than you think, Gen Z's drinking habits may be shifting, and Oregon oak barrels could reshape American winemaking. This week's features include Sanger Family Wines in Solvang, the 2022 Marianello Cielo Rubio, and Hank's Fine Steaks & Martinis in Henderson, NV. Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ Winemakers Are Fibbing About...

In this week's episode we discuss Silicon Valley Bank's 2025 DTC Wine Report reveals vital trends for small wineries, New York updates its alcohol laws to support on-premise businesses, and a new benchmark wine region report highlights shifting global tastes. This week we feature Flying Goat Cellars in Lompoc, the 2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru "Florimont," and In Bloom in Paso Robles, CA. Wine News Ro...

In this week's episode, we discuss a new push for interstate wine shipping freedom takes center stage, alongside a sobering look at how poor marketing dooms great winemakers and a major consulting shake-up at famed Tuscan producer San Felice. This week we visit Ampelos Cellars in Lompoc, sip their 2020 Syrah Gamma, and grab dinner at 888 Japanese BBQ in Las Vegas. Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ The Fight...

Roederer Estate earns the first-ever 100-point score for a U.S. sparkling wine, tariffs crush American wine exports abroad, and Sicily's Mount Etna erupts just miles from local vineyards. This episode features Dark Water Winery in Lompoc, their 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Happy Canyon, and Corner Restaurant in Austin, Texas. Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ The World's 50 Best Restaurants Recognize...

This week, we explore how government staff cuts could put AI in charge of wine labeling, Bernard Arnault's defiance of investment freezes in the US, and the debate over pairing wine and ice cream. Plus, we're featuring Bridgeview Vineyard & Winery in Oregon, the 2014 Meteor Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Perseid, and Martini's Seafood House in Fredericksburg, Texas. Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ Opolo Viney...

In this episode, we discuss Texas wine country faces boozy challenges as tourism booms, the global wine industry finds hope in a bottoming-out market, and America's wine industry reveals jaw-dropping economic impacts. This week we feature the Crush Pad Wine Bar in Las Vegas, NV, the 2016 Ferretti Brunello di Montalcino, and Hill & Vine in Fredericksburg, TX. Wine News Round-Up: ♦️ "What's the Most...