Wine plus Friendship

Andrea & Maddie put serving temperature to the test — chilling and then re-warming a Grenache and a Sangiovese side by side to find out what temperature actually does to a wine. Along the way: why cold sharpens acid and tannin but mutes sweetness and aroma, a real-time science experiment complicated by wine warming up faster than expected, a checklist for picking a chillable red at the shop, a...

Maddie & Andrea finally give sparkling wine the deep dive it deserves — with the help of guest expert Emily who explains the what and the how of sparkling wine. They put a Spanish traditional-method rosé and a "dying category" pét-nat to the test, debate flute vs. tulip glassware, bust some Prosecco myths, and land on a surprising verdict. Wines featured: Viña Eguia Brut Cava (Catalunya, Spain...

Maddie & Andrea put the "rules" of wine pairing to the test — by breaking them on purpose. This episode, they pair inexpensive white and red wines with snacks that really shouldn't work. Along the way they get into umami vs. salt, why chilli turns wine bland instead of horrifying, and how low-alcohol wines survive spicy food better than high-alcohol ones — plus a detour into Palooza vs. curate...

Maddie & Andrea follow one tiny molecule through the entire winemaking process: oxygen. Why do winemakers spend so much effort keeping oxygen away from wine—only for Sherry producers to embrace it? We explore sulfites, flor and oxidation before tasting our way through the Sherry spectrum, from a fresh Fino to an Amontillado and finally an Oloroso, discovering how oxygen can completely transfor...

The battle continues. Andrea and Maddie make the case for Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot and Pinot Noir before putting two finalists head-to-head in a tasting showdown. Along the way they debate prestige versus personality, discover that not all Cabernet is as bold as its reputation, and crown the ultimate noble grape. Wines featured: J.H. Meyer Cuvée Pinot Noir 2022 (Western Cape, South Afric...

A special AKA "Friendship Plus Wine" Andrea and Maddie raise a glass to Taylor Swift (and her rumoured wedding!) and spend some time talking about the music, lyrics and memories that have meant the most to them over the years. Along the way they sip sparkling wine, reminisce about London, share the Taylor Swift songs that have shaped their lives, and discuss why her songwriting resonates so deeply...

What makes a grape "noble" anyway? Andrea and Maddie kick off a two-part battle to crown the king (or queen) of the noble white grapes. They make the case for and against Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling and go head-to-head in a tasting showdown. Along the way they discuss consultant-style scoring frameworks, mutant grapes, petrol aromas, and whether the honorary grape deserves...

Maddie & Andrea investigate whether wine glasses actually matter by drinking Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir out of coffee mugs, water glasses, crystal stemware, and giant Burgundy bowls. Along the way they discuss crystal vs glass, varietal-specific stemware, quiet luxury, and why some vessels feel refined while others feel… desperate. Wines featured: Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Riesling Trocken 20...

[Edited to fix corrupted audio] Maddie & Andrea dig into the role of soil in wine (pun fully intended) while tasting Pinot Noir from Burgundy and New Zealand. Along the way, they bust some common wine myths, question whether you can actually taste “minerality,” and discover just how much soil influences what ends up in your glass. Maddie shares some facts about the science of smell (including...

Maddie & Andrea (& a special guest) walk through how to taste wine and answer questions like what is biodynamic wine? Why do I want to taste dirt in my wine? Is a pear the same as a tomato? Wines featured: Sassotondo San Lorenzo 2021 I Forestieri Giratondo Rosso 2022 Cullen Wines Red Moon 2024 La Bien Planta Garnacha 2023

Maddie & Andrea talk food and wine pairing and peppery Shiraz (or Syrah?). Who wore it better, France or Australia? Wines featured Wine paired: Wild Bee Chardonnay from Big Table Farm ( link ) French Syrah: Etienne Becheras “Le Pieurre d’Arras” Crozes-Hermitage 2022 ( link ) Julien Cecillon “Les Marguerites” Crozes-Hermitage 2022 ( link ) Australian Shiraz: Karatta “Lost Ram” Shiraz 2023 ( lin...

Maddie & Andrea (& a special guest) talk Spain. Rioja or Ribera del Duero? Who makes the best Paella in DC? Answers to these questions and more. Wines featured: Nivarius 2022 Tempranillo Blanco (Rioja) ( link ) Valenciso 2020 Cemento (Rioja) ( link ) 2022 Granito del Caldazo Garnacha (Sierra de Gredos) ( link )

Maddie & Andrea get topical. Andrea apologises twice. Chats include: the role of oak in winemaking, how to hook a “wine guy”, what does full bodied mean, what if trees in France were endangered.  Wines featured: Cerro Añon 2023 Crianza and 2018 Gran Reserva Rioja ( https://www.grupobodegasolarra.com/en/label/cerro-anon/ ) Leeuwin Estates Art Series 2025 Sauvignon Blanc ( https://leeuwinestate....

Maddie & Andrea (re)record their very first podcast episode. Topics discussed include: their origin story, the benefits of fries (or beer), Napa wine tasting. Laughs are had. Missions are accepted. Wines featured: Tantalus ( https://tantalus.ca/ ) Yellowtail (correction: it was the 2003 Cab Sauv that won the Jimmy Watson award, not the 2001 Shiraz - link )