The Four Top: Wine News and Culture

Nearly every facet of American life has been thrown into uncertainty since Donald Trump took office last month. Undocumented immigrants and their communities are perhaps the most impacted. Searching for some understanding for how these unprecedented times may impact the wine world, we turn to Amelia Morán Ceja of Ceja Vineyards Winery for her perspective. Tune in to hear her words of wisdom. 

We're on a short hiatus, but the world isn't. While we work on more episodes for you all, we are bringing you our conversation with Helen Johannesen (of Helen's Wines) about the impact of the Los Angeles wildfires. Our dear friend and occasional co-host Martín Reyes, MW joins as well, and while the fires are devastating, Helen brings us glimpses of community, hope, and rebuilding. 

 Get out those flashcards, there is some new vocab to pair with your N. A. beverages. Pooches pounce on pests and pestilence in vineyards. Orange you glad that orange wine is finally official in Collio? We catch up on all the non serious wine news we missed over the holidays. These are the stories we're following this week on your favorite wine news podcast, The Four Top.

 The Surgeon General sends shockwaves through the beverage world. A rock star Napa winemaker goes N.A. We speak with the @sober_somm. Food tourism is dead, according to the New York Times. These are the top wine news stories we're covering this week on The Four Top

Happy New Year from The Four Top! We take it easy this week, sharing our new year resolutions and discussing our favorite stories from the past year. If you are looking for a chill podcast to help nurse your Champagne-addled head, this is the one! 

THIS IS NOT A DRILL: Santa Claus himself joins us on Ep. 185. You won't believe what we learn from (and about) Old Saint Nick.  Once Santa signs off, we deliver you some pitches for wine-centric Hallmark holiday classics. Somebody get us a movie deal...

 The FTC aims its phasers at Southern Glazer's misbehavior. Spain reigns atop the Liv-Ex Power 100. Sleepy girls are Googling. We chat with Sprudge founder Jordan Michelman about wine gifts. These are the wine news stories we're following this week. 

Michelin-starred restaurants rally behind Kally. We bring you advice for dealing with ICE. Washington's glass recycling industry is crushed. We welcome Women who Sparkle. These are the wine news stories we're bringing you this week on The Four Top. 

Trump touts tequila tariffs. Chefs begin to repeal the eels in their meals. Drinks retail needs to bring on the fun. Alder Yarrow talks old vines. These are the wine news stories we're following this week on The Four Top. 

Landowners weigh whether to plant crops or harvest clean energy. Prepare your maw for faux foie gras. Trump taps a new secretary of agriculture. It is time to acknowledge Indigenous people's impact on wine. These are the wine news stories we're covering this week on The Four Top. 

A major producer drops glass weight. Gen Z wants a no ABV party. Tis the season for best wines lists. We phone a friend in France to discuss levies out of London. All this and more on your favorite wine news podcast, The Four Top.

Trump tariffs have some terrified. It's not phylloxera, it's late frosts and freak storms. Workers allege toxic waste in winegrowers' waterways. The Aussies go aeronautical with aeration. These are the wine news stories we're following this week. 

The rain in Spain does not fall mainly on the plain. Fine wine is in decline, but some producers still shine. It turns out Nick is not the only thing that likes to get drunk in the woods. Napa can handle the heat. These are the wine news stories we're following this week. 

We have wine country horror stories for you this Halloween week. Plus, we have a famous comedian's contribution to wine home decor, and all the latest on AI in the wine industry. To wrap things up, we phone a friend, that friend being Jason Wise of SommTV. Jason is going to tell us all about the Ghosts of Napa Valley. These are the wine news stories we have this week on The Four Top. 

Criminals cashed in on counterfeit wine. Hip hip hooray! Napa's got a new AVA. What's going on at Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton? And in the name of Come Over October, we get to know the gal behind Chardonngay. These are the wine news stories we're following this week on your go-to wine news podcast, The Four Top.

It's Come Over October, and we've got Kimberly Charles on the mic! We're watching Weed and Wine. Katherine is boozing in Berlin. A winery was acquired for a truly ungodly sum. The Blue Zones may have been bullshit. These are the stories we're following this week in the wine world.

Karen MacNeil joins us on Ep. 174! Dock workers struck and some wine got stuck. Non-alcoholic champagne is here and it is a little pricey. Oregon's governor chooses chip farms over grape farms. Come on over because it's October. These are the wine news stories we're following this week. 

Somewhere in the recent flurry of negative wine news, we forgot the most important thing about our industry: the joy. Anna Maria Ponzi of Linfield University's Center for Wine Education and Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyard join us on Ep. 173 to remind us of that joy, and give us tips on how to spread it far and wide. Listen to this episode with a glass in hand; we're finding that joy once again...

Deluges along the Danube drench wineries. India may be the savior wine needs. A firefighter fans flames in California. Wineries could find a friend in the USPS if some senators get their way.  These are the four wine news stories we're following this week on The Four Top, with a special guest: food and wine writer Henna Bakshi!

We caught up with Jancis Robinson, Richard Hemming, André Mack, Agnese Gintere, Henna Bakshi, Samantha Cole-Johnson, Elaine Chukan Brown, and Amanda Barnes at the inaugural 67 Pall Mall Global Wine Communicator Awards. We got to travel to London to attend the awards ceremony, and the best part was talking to so many talented wine communicators. Enjoy their hot takes, and... Cheers! 

We do not have a full episode for you this week! We were all traveling for the past 7-10 days and could not get an episode together for you. But that's mostly a good thing, because we were at the 67 Pall Mall Global Wine Communicator Awards in London! We were able to speak to some very talented wine communicators to get their thoughts and insights, and we'll be bringing you all that magic next wee...

South African wineries are fans of wasps and bullshit. Napa Valley’s tourist stats are good news. You may RSVP to your next wedding invite via Resy. France welcomes new grape varieties. These are the four wine news stories were following this week on The Four Top.

Prehistoric pips point to possible birthplace of grapes. You can now walk from St. Helena to Calistoga. An unrealized real estate empire implodes. Cocoons are for caterpillars and cabernet. These are the four wine news stories we're following this week on The Four Top.

Chile designates new D.O.s. Mysterious brain diseases in Canada are cause for concern. Vine saboteurs are horrible, terrible, no good, very bad people. Vladimir Putin forks out rubles for rosés and reds. These are the four stories we're following this week on The Four Top.

Wine is not allowed to be fun or festive. California wants to chuck out self-checkout. Champagne lightens up. Walkathons are all the rage in Prosecco country. These are the news stories we're following this week on The Four Top.