American Wine Rebel Show

Most people think of Cabernet Sauvignon when they want a bold red wine. But there’s another grape that has higher tannin, and almost no one is talking about it. In this video, we’re breaking down Tannat: where it comes from in Madiran, how it became the signature grape of Uruguay, and why it’s now gaining traction in places like Texas. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:20 Tannat is from Madiran France 0:51 M...

You’ve probably never heard of Pinot Meunier… but if you’ve ever had Champagne, you’ve definitely tasted it. Pinot Meunier is one of the three main grapes used in Champagne, alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, yet it rarely gets the spotlight. In this video, we're breaking down what Pinot Meunier actually is and why it's about time it gets some of its own attention. We’ll talk about how Pinot Meu...

Coffee in the morning. Wine at night. But what about espresso-infused wine? Today I’m trying a Vidal Blanc ice wine that’s been infused with espresso beans, and it raises a bigger question: how far can winemakers push the boundaries of wine? Vidal Blanc is a hybrid grape known for its high acidity and cold-hardy vines, which is why it’s commonly used for ice wine in colder regions like Ontario, Ne...

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most recognizable, and most expensive, wines in America. But why? Lets talk about what’s actually driving the price of Napa Cab: limited vineyard land in a valley just 30 miles long, expensive hillside farming that often requires hand harvesting, strict production standards, and global demand that keeps pushing prices higher. Cabernet Sauvignon became N...

Petite Sirah isn’t Syrah, and it might be one of the most misunderstood grapes in California. Today we're opening a bottle of Petite Sirah from Parducci Wine Cellars and breaking down what this bold, inky grape actually is, where it came from, and why Mendocino County might be one of the best places in America to grow it. We’ll talk about the history of Petite Sirah (also known as Durif), how it m...

Rosé and orange wine often look similar in the glass, but the taste completely different. In this video, we'll discuss the history, winemaking, and taste difference between Rosé and Orange wine. We’ll talk about skin contact, phenolic bitterness, and how rosé gets its color without turning into red wine. If you’ve ever wondered: – Why rosé and orange wine can look similar but taste nothing alike –...

Wine without grapes? It’s not a trend, it’s history. Today we're exploring fruit wine (wine made from fruit other than grapes) and why it existed long before modern day winemaking. From ancient fermentation to modern American producers, fruit wine has always been part of the wine story, even if it’s been overlooked. 0:00 Does wine have to be made with grapes? 0:31 Brief history of wine 1:31 Why do...

Champagne can only come from Champagne France, right? Well, yes... and also no. In this episode, we’re digging into the real history of American Champagne and sparkling wine. From how Champagne was invented in France, to American Sparkling's surprising roots in Ohio and New York, to why some U.S. producers can still legally use the word “Champagne” today. We’ll talk about: How sparkling wine actua...

Apple wine? Apple cider? Apple & grape co-ferments? Let’s clear this up. In today’s episode, we dig into the line between cider and wine, and how American producers have been experimenting with fruit & grape co-ferments for far longer than you might think. From early settler fermentations to today’s modern craft winemakers, fruit fermentation has shaped American wine culture for centuries....

Hudson Valley New York isn't one of America's most known wine regions, but it has one major claim to fame: it’s home to America’s oldest continually operating winery, a piece of early U.S. wine history that predates most of what we think of as “American wine.” In this episode, we'll take a look at that history and then focus on two modern wines from the region. We'll taste a Cabernet Franc and a C...

What is Gamay, really? In today’s episode, we’re taking Gamay far beyond Beaujolais and diving into it's diversity of styles: Beaujolais Nouveau, oak-aged Oregon Gamay, and even Gamay made as a white wine. If you’ve only ever tasted Gamay as a light red from France, buckle up. This grape has range. We start with the history of Beaujolais Nouveau, and how a local harvest wine turned into a global f...

Most people think they know what Malbec tastes like: dark, jammy, plush, perfect with steak. But what if that’s only one version of the story? In this episode of American Wine Rebel, we're tasting two Malbecs that couldn’t be more different: - Gilbert Cellars Malbec from Horse Heaven Hills, Washington. This more classic malbec has structured tannin and big dark fruit flavors. - Benmarl Winery Malb...

When most people think American white wine, they think of one thing... Chardonnay. Big, buttery, golden Chardonnay from California. But what if I told you that’s only a fraction of the American white wine story? In this episode of The American Wine Rebel Show, we're exploring two totally different white wines from opposite corners of the U.S.: Oregon’s Ovum “Big Salt”: a cool-climate blend of Ries...

What if I told you the future of American wine was shaped by a 52-year-old immigrant who arrived in the U.S. with no money, no English, and no land... just a belief that fine wine could grow in New York? This is the story of Dr. Konstantin Frank, the man who proved everyone wrong. In the 1950s, while America was drowning in cheap jug wine, Dr. Frank brought European vinifera grapes like Riesling,...

Don’t listen to this at 3PM on a Thursday… unless you’re ready to meet the ghosts of New York’s most haunted winery. In this episode: 0:00 Intro 0:53 The Merritt family tragedy (and the 3PM curse) 4:42 The ghosts today 6:22 Wine tasting: Thursday Afternoon at 3PM (Peach/Niagara Blend) 9:49 Wine tasting: Shubal’s Blush Table Wine 10:17 Rosé vs Blush wines 11:56 The case for sweet wine In this episo...

It’s spooky season, and we’re heading to Oregon’s Willamette Valley for a ghost story with a sparkling twist. Argyle Winery isn’t just known for its Bubbles... it’s also home to one of the region’s most famous hauntings. 0:00 Intro 1:00 Argyle Winery 1:54 Winery History 2:38 Nuthouse Pinot Noir Tasting 4:22 The Ghost Story 6:07 Argyle Sparkling Wine Tasting In this episode, we'll talk about the sp...

It’s spooky season, and we’re heading to Oregon’s Willamette Valley for a ghost story with a sparkling twist. Argyle Winery isn’t just known for its world-class Pinot Noir... it’s also home to one of the region’s most famous hauntings. 0:00 Intro 1:00 Argyle Winery 1:55 Winery History 2:39 Nuthouse Pinot Noir Tasting 4:22 The Ghost Story 6:07 Argyle Sparkling Wine Tasting In this episode, I uncork...

Agoston Haraszthy’s story is the wild foundation of California wine history. 00:00 Intro 00:31 Who was Agoston Haraszthy 02:16 From Hungary to California: Gold Rush beginnings 04:25 Founding Buena Vista and pioneering California wine practices 08:00 Importing European grape varieties and the Zinfandel debate 11:00 Champagne disaster and financial downfall 12:54 Legacy, mystery in Nicaragua, and th...