What to Drink

Chris Simmons , National Agave Spirits Specialist for Mezcal Vago , joins us today to tell us how to pair Mezcal Vago with pretty much anything -- but especially a Charred Corn Avocado Salad with Pickled Onions! Snag our recipe here: https://littlespicejar.com/charred-corn-avocado-salad/ The Pairing: We're going complementary flavors here -- corn with corn! Vago Mezcal uses charred corn in the sec...

Chris Montana, Co-Founder of Du Nord Social Spirits, joins us today to tell us how to make the easiest Espresso Martini out there! The Pairing: It’s the cocktail hour, but you need a little pep in your step. If you are like our host, your mixology skills are extremely limited. You need a straightforward cocktail.. who can beat a 1:1?! The cold-pressed coffee and chicory from the Du Nord Frieda Liq...

Alex Lacroix , CEO & Co-Founder of Siempre Tequila , joins us today to tell us how to make his famous Mundo Paloma cocktail! The Pairing: You're opening an expensive, aged Tequila, but you want to lose the pretense of it all. It's time to take the stuffiness down a notch by making a Mundo Paloma ! How to Make a Mundo Paloma: 3 ounces Siempre Rebel Cask Tequila (or any Siempre) Squirt S...

Larry Stone , Founder of Lingua Franca Wines , joins us today to tell us why his AVNI Chardonnay is the perfect pairing for salads, Thai, and more! Paint the Pairing: You've just returned from the farmer's market with the makings of a beautiful salad: heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, mozzarella, olives, red onions, and more! The acidity of salad dressing can be tough to pair with, though.. wh...

Jeffrey Baker , Founder, Hillrock Estate Distillery , joins us today to tell us why his Solera Bourbon is the perfect whiskey for reflecting on life's big questions in a rocking chair! Paint the Pairing: It’s a beautiful evening, and it’s time to get pensive, and time for reflection! You want a layered Bourbon that you could reflect on equally as long. The Solera aging has this Bourbon minglin...

Ford's Gin Founder Simon Ford and Master Distiller Charles Maxwell join us today to to tell us why their Gin is the perfect pairing for your next themed competition party: The SPRITZ-OFF ! The Pairing: You've invited your favorite people to a party with a twist -- or should we say, a spritz? You're hosting a Spritz-Off, which is a party that doubles as a cocktail competition. Your part...

Erik Kramer , head winemaker for Oregon's Willakenzie Estate , joins us today to tell us why his Estate Pinot Noir is the perfect pairing for a outdoor farm dinner! The Pairing: You've returned from the farmer's market with an incredible haul! Fresh carrots, tomatoes, local chicken, pork, salmon, & cheeses, and you've decided you want to have a "Farm Dinner" in your b...

Drew Schneider , Global Ambassador for The Prisoner Wine Co. , joins us today to tell us why The Prisoner Red Blend is the perfect pairing for a Chicken dish featuring Mexican mole sauce! The Pairing: You’re making mole sauce for the first time ever. Your sauce has lots of tantalizing flavors, like cinnamon, cloves, chilis, raisins, and chocolate! You want a wine that is bold enough to hang with t...

Melissa Rift , Master Taster for Old Forester, joins us today to tell us why Old Forester is the *best* Bourbon for your home bar. What is a 'Master Taster?' Melissa trained under legendary distillers Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall of Old Forester & Woodford Reserve and handles much of the quality control for Old Forester whiskies. Melissa also works on innovative projects, like the...

Diva Moretti Polegato , Export Area Manager & 4th generation Villa Sandi family member, joins us today to tell us why Prosecco Rosé is the perfect beverage to have with your Boo before date night! The Pairing: It's date night! You're getting ready to hit the town with your hot date. Maybe you're cooking for your partner. You put out a small plates of cheeses, meats, and finger food...

Anne Sarteaux , International Cellar Master, & Philippe Coste, owner and CEO o f Meukow Cognac, join us this week to tell us why Meukow VS works perfectly in a Horse's Neck Highball cocktail! How to Make a Horse's Neck:   This highball cocktail is bright, refreshing, and complex. Meukow VS is the best Cognac to use, with an emphasis on fruitiness and a smoothness due to a lighter tanni...

Adam Dorfman, Clinton Dugan, & Patrick Lemmond , founders of Shortbarrel Bourbon and NEW owners of Old Fourth Distillery, join us today to explain the ins and outs of barrel picking and tell us their mission for Old Fourth Distillery! What makes this project special: Adam, Clint, & Patrick are taking Atlanta's first distillery since prohibition in a new direction: future O4 Whiskey wil...

Legendary winemaker Chris Carpenter (Cardinale, Lokoya, Hickinbotham, La Jota, and Mt. Brave) joins us today to tell us why Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect pairing for beef tenderloin! We also talk all things Mount Veeder and discuss the differences in mountain versus valley floor grapes. Why the Pairing Works:   Mt. Brave has a brightness and acidity that pair beautifully with the fat...

Lauren King, Senior Manager of Wine Education for Ste Michelle Wine Estates, joins us today to tell us why Fried Chicken and Champagne (specifically, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte) go together like Peanut Butter & Jelly! Join us this episode as we put 3 Fried Chickens to the test: Publix Chicken Tendies, Chic-fil-a Chicken biscuit, and Bojangles Cajun Chicken Filet biscuit! We'll reveal our...

Leah Adint, winemaker for Erath Winery, joins us today to tell us why her Reserve Pinot Noir is *perfect* for your holiday table! Why the Pairing Works:   Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile wines for food! It's all about balance. Pinot has great acidity, bright flavors, medium-bodied & alcohol content, and lower tannins than other varietals, so there's no worry about overpowering...

Edward Geyman , founder & CEO of Laneta Tequila, joins us today to explain why his Tequila embodies the philosophy of its name (Laneta means "truth" in Spanish). Joey "Baby Kangaroo" Waknine and Manny "From the Bronx" Blanco are also in studio today, sharing their truths (as well as some laughs). What makes Laneta Tequila Special: Edward Geyman is a fourth generat...

Road Trip time!! We took What to Drink on the road to the Napa Valley to interview industry legends Barbara & Bruce Neyers, owners & founders of Neyers Vineyards! The married duo recounts the story of their journey into the world of wine, starting in the early 1970's in the Napa Valley. All of their wines are delicious and leave you wondering, "Am I drinking Old World (European) w...

Guinness National Ambassador Ryan Wagner joins us today to explain why this iconic Dry Irish Stout is not a bad choice to drink when you're counting calories! "There's nothing on this planet like a pint of the black stuff." Guinness Dry Irish Stout  is a legendary beer, and in fact was brewed for the first time in 1959 to celebrate the 200-year anniversary since Arthur Guinness s...

Dixon Dedman , founder of 2XO - "Two Times Oak" Whiskey, joins us today to explain why his award-winning blends will, in the words of Spinal Tap's Nigel Tufnel, "Take it to Eleven!" "Two Times Oak" is a blending process Dixon pioneered, where he re-barrels his hand-selected aged whiskey into new charred oak barrels. The result is intense wood notes and extraordina...

Lauren Patz, Head Distiller for Redwood Empire Whiskey, joins us this week to tell us why you need their "Lost Monarch" on your next trip to a National Park! Why this pairing works:   This whiskey is an homage to John Muir, father of the National Park system, and each bottling is named for a living Redwood tree. This blend of rye and bourbon has the perfect balance of sweetness and spice...

Gerard Bertrand, founder & owner of his eponymous wine label, joins us today to teach us about Biodynamic principles, the Lunar Calendar, and his new orange wine, 'Orange Gold.' What is a 'Fruit Day?' The lunar calendar has been used in farming for centuries, but recently people have noted the moon’s effect on wine tasting. According to the lunar calendar, every day is either a...

Eddie Brook, Founder of Cape Byron Distillery & creator of Brookie's Gin, joins us this week to tell us why you need more Gin-based slushies and hammocks in your life, pronto! Why this pairing works:   This slushie is summer incarnate. It will slay the heat of the day and transport you to the Australian rainforest where Eddie & co. source 17 of the 25 botanicals used for this Gin. Trav...

Mara Smith, Founder of Inspiro Tequila, joins us this week to tell us why she believes Inspiro Rosa Reposado Tequila is the *perfect* spirit to enjoy with your girlfriends (and this Tequila loving guy agrees)! But don't stop there, be sure to grab a bottle of Rosa Reposado for the Barbie movie with your squad! What makes this Tequila special:   Inspiro Reposado Rosa is a gluten free, zero-suga...

Steve Nally , Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee and Master Distiller for Bardstown Bourbon, joins us today to explain why Origin Series whiskeys pair perfectly with asking your potential in-law the 'big' question! Paint the Paring:   You've been dating your significant other for some time and you're considering the next step. You're nervous to ask your potential mother or father-in...

Calling all GRÜN GOONS! Dieter Hübler, Founder of Laurenz V, joins us this week to tell us about his mission to Grünerize the entire world! If you've never tried a Grüner Veltliner before, this episode is a great place to start. Grab a bottle and learn about the bright and elegant style of Grüner Dieter makes, with an emphasis on lees aging (aging the wine on the dead yeast cells in stainless...