Wine Access Unfiltered

When you hear “Riesling,” do you still think syrupy sweet? If so, you're not alone, but you're definitely missing out.  In this episode, Amanda and Wine Access experts Eduardo Dingler and Laura Koffer set the record straight on one of the world’s most versatile yet vexing grapes. They unpack Riesling’s reputation in the US, share tips on how to decode sweetness levels, and reveal where (outside Ge...

Oregon Pinot, Washington Syrah, and… heavy metal? Believe it or not, all three fit right into this episode’s deep dive into the Pacific Northwest, one of the world’s most exciting (and misunderstood) wine regions. Fresh off a National Geographic wine cruise through the Columbia and Snake Rivers, host Amanda McCrossin is joined by journalist, educator, and senior editor at JancisRobinson.com Samant...

What happens when one of the most legendary Champagne minds on the planet leaves a Champagne icon… to make sake? In this special bonus episode, Amanda sits down with Richard Geoffroy, former Chef de Cave of Dom Pérignon, to discuss his newest—and to many, extremely unexpected—venture: IWA 5, a cutting-edge Junmai Daiginjo sake born in Japan’s Toyama Prefecture. Recorded in NYC during a rare states...

Midwestern tax-preparer Steve Hoffman moved his family to the South of France to live out his dream of being a French-speaking bon vivant. But when life abroad fell far short of his expectations, he found himself at a loss for what to do—until his vigneron neighbor started him on a new and uncharted path. Steve swapped his spreadsheets for soupe à l’oignon, and his outstanding memoir A Season For...

How does a wine lover who started at the bottom shelf end up with a fine-tuned taste for fine wine? Master of Wine (and former Unfiltered Co-Host) Vanessa Conlin joins us for a candid conversation about how our palates evolve. We share our own cringe-worthy wine moments, debate the value of “flashy” vs. “ethereal” wines, and get real about why some expensive wines might fall flat for newer drinker...

Helen Keplinger is one of the most sought-after winemakers in Napa Valley, but she’s taking a break to take us on a California road trip with her Vermillion wine. Vermillion, sourced from the high-elevation Sierra Foothills to the sea-sprayed vineyards of Santa Barbara, captures the diverse terroirs that make this state so special, and we pop a bottle with Helen to identify how each component play...

Why do some wines cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars? How do global events impact your favorite bottle? Join us for a fascinating conversation with Peter Young, former McKinsey consultant and author of “Luxury Wine Marketing.” Peter’s an insider with experience at blue-chip wineries like Realm and Kosta Browne, and he sheds light on how wineries use everything from psychological triggers t...

What do BBQ potato chips, perfume, and the power of Champagne growers have in common? They’re all part of the fascinating conversation we had with wine expert Julia Coney at the World of Pinot Noir event in Santa Barbara! We cover which Pinot regions we’re most excited about—outside of classic regions like Burgundy and Oregon—why Pinot Noir is the “un-gettable get” for winemakers, and the surprisi...

Ever wonder what your favorite wine expert really drinks when they’re not swirling a glass of Pinot? Hint: It might involve a shaker, not a corkscrew! In this episode, we sit down with TikTok’s Queen of Cocktails and author of “How to Be a Better Drinker,” Hannah Chamberlain (@SpiritedLA ). She’s revealing the secrets to crafting the perfect Martini (shaken vs. stirred, anyone?), how to know when...

Think you know German wine? Think again. In this episode we’re shattering just about every German wine myth with Jenna Fields, the passionate force behind the German Wine Collection. Jenna’s mission to revolutionize how the world thinks about German wine began on a Post-It note (seriously), and in this episode, she breaks down why you’ll find racy, bone-dry Rieslings in the world’s finest collecti...

The wine industry might thrive on exclusivity and tradition, but social media is shaking things up big time: Like it or not, wine influencers are reshaping the way we discover, enjoy, and talk about wine by sharing access, tips, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the wine world—and today, we’re putting the spotlight on them. Host Amanda McCrossin is joined by fellow full-time wine influencer Warner...

We're kicking off 2025 what’s in and out for the wine world. From busting myths like “you have to store wine on its side” to showing you how to start a wine collection even if you don’t have a cellar, this episode is all about making wine more accessible in the next year. You’ll also get the scoop on why you might be seeing more affordable wines from popular regions like Napa Valley, why it’s okay...

We’re closing out the year with a celebratory “favorites” episode, where Eduardo Dingler and Laura Koffer join Amanda to relive their top wine discoveries and dining experiences of 2024. Along the way, they explore the resurgence of volcanic terroirs, provide pro pairing tips (Chardonnay with tacos, anyone?), and debate the quirks of wine gadgets. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a curious w...

PJ Awe, Director of Marketing and Sales at Amorim Cork America, joins us to dive into cork’s fascinating journey from bark to bottle. As one of the most sustainable products on the planet, cork plays a bigger role than many wine drinkers might realize. We discuss why storing wine bottles on their sides might not be necessary and why cork taint (TCA) is about to be a thing of the past. Geek out wit...

We’re crashing one of Oregon’s most meaningful wine events to give you exclusive access to some of the biggest stars in the wine industry. Amanda sits down with Michael Fay (Domaine Serene), Claire Carver (Big Table Farm), Thomas Savre (Lingua Franca), and Alban Debeaulieu (Abbott Claim) to discuss their rise to stardom, the surprising wines that have inspired them along the way, and why they beli...

This isn’t the end, it’s actually just the beginning of a major revolution, according to this week’s guest—Master Sommelier (and importer/distributor) Ken Frederickson. Ken joins us to discuss how the landscape has shifted in the last 20 years and what he believes wine drinkers can look forward to in the coming decades. From a surprising union between wine and spirits to why restaurants might shif...

Wine collectors love to talk about the good old days—when cult wines were going for a fraction of the price they are today and didn’t have waiting lists. How did brands like Harlan and Screaming Eagle achieve cult status? And is it still possible to achieve that today? On this episode, we’re hunting for the next big thing with the dynamic father-daughter-duo from one of the fastest-growing wine Yo...

Konstantin Baum is Germany’s youngest Master of Wine and one of the most followed YouTube wine experts, but even he grapples with one of the most common problems for wine drinkers—figuring out what you like and being confident in your choices. In this episode we’re helping you discover YOUR wine palate, including a DIY project that will help you become a better taster (that even your kids might en...

If you’re looking for value, you can have place or you can have grape, but you usually can’t have both. That’s why we enlisted Vince Anter from the award-winning wine show V is for Vino, who is been termed “the Bourdain of Wine TV.” He joins Amanda to discuss their favorite lesser-known wine regions … because exploring different wine regions allows you to experience unique flavors and blends. What...

A pro tip for buying wine is to familiarize yourself with wine importers since they can be the key to unlocking your next favorite bottle. But how do wine importers go about discovering under-the-radar producers? Our good friends Jonah and Sara Beer of True North Wine Merchants join the program to share their stories from the wine trail and what their secrets are to spotting that next big thing. P...

Caleb Mosley proudly waltzed into his 4th grade class covered in Cabernet stains so it’s no surprise that he’s now the Executive Director of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers. Having worked with some of the most revered vineyards in California, he joins us to discuss how farming impacts what’s in your glass and how understanding its role in the winemaking process can lead to savvier wine buying. From w...

From single vineyard grape selections to ultra-specific techniques, winemakers are taking rosé more seriously than ever. But how do you discern which style is right for you? Raquel Royers—whose viral Instagram videos have earned her (@watchmesip) well over 100M views—has tasted HUNDREDS of rosé’s in her quest to find the best. Join us as Raquel discusses how she spots the best bottles based on the...

On this very special crossover episode, Wine Access Unfiltered host Amanda McCrossin joins Dr. Matthew Horkey’s YouTube channel. He interviews Amanda, who opens up about the first HUGE mistake she made as a sommelier at Press, why one of the world’s most popular wines just can’t be aged, how a particular Chenin blanc makes her think of butterflies getting it on in the garden, and her favorite hack...

When it comes to celebrating, how do you know which wine to choose? Amanda gets thoughts from some of the best in the business—Niki Russ Federman of NYC’s iconic Russ & Daughters, Jasmine Hirsch, Nia Renee Hill, Anthony Giglio, and Master Sommelier June Rodil—at the Aspen Food and Wine Classic. From the value wines they love serving at weddings to rare bottles they’ll never forget, our guests shar...

In this very special episode, Amanda is joined by some of the top vintners and winemakers in the world—from Spottswoode, Shafer, Frogs Leap, Gallica, and Duckhorn—at the Napa Valley Barrel Auction. You’re not going to want to miss their never-before-told stories on their ‘aha moments’ of clarity where something just clicks for them—when wine starts to feel different, more purposeful, more meaningf...