GuildSomm Podcast

In our new tasting episode, host Christopher Tanghe speaks with fellow Master Sommeliers Mark Guillaudeu and Chris Gaither. They discuss their tasting journeys; how they recognize texture and, in particular, phenolic bitterness in wine; and the ways they apply blind tasting skills in their current roles. Mark Guillaudeu is a sommelier at the Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix. Previously, he worked at the...

In the latest GuildSomm podcast, host MS Christopher Tanghe interviews Annie Shi of King and Jupiter restaurants in New York City about her wine program philosophy. Annie discusses key considerations for bottle lists and by-the-glass offerings, how she thinks about pricing, creativity in spirits selection, and the importance of distributor relationships. Annie Shi opened King in 2016 and Jupiter i...

We're back with a new tasting episode! This week, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe discusses blind tasting practices with MS Steven McDonald and Rachael Liggett-Draper. They explore their tasting challenges, how they have calibrated acid and tannin calls, and the ways they apply blind tasting skills in their everyday work. Steven McDonald is the executive wine director for the Pappas Bros St...

In our latest podcast, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe explores the importance of coffee in restaurant beverage programs by tracking it from farm to cup with special guests from the Washington coffee community. Scott Richardson, the co-owner of Herkimer Coffee, explains sourcing and quality, followed by a live roasting session with Herkimer's head roaster, Brian James, and a discussion of c...

In our latest podcast, Seattle wine professionals Erin Lyman and James Lechner discuss blind tasting with host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe. They explore the value of blind tasting, their personal tasting challenges, and how they use blind tasting in their current positions. Erin Lyman is the owner of the long-standing Seattle wine shop Champion Wine Cellars. She took over the business...

In our latest podcast, host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe interviews Steven Thompson, the cofounder of Analemma Wines. Chris and Steven discuss the history and approach of Analemma Wines and its home, the Columbia Gorge AVA, then dive into a conversation about the requirements, ideals, and challenges of Demeter Biodynamic Certification. Steven Thompson and Kris Fade founded Analemma Wine...

In our latest podcast, Advanced Sommeliers Matthew Crawford and Cara De Lavallade discuss blind tasting with host and Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe. They discuss whether blind tasting is useful outside of the exam setting, how they use this skill in their jobs, and the greatest challenges in their tasting journeys. Matthew Crawford is the director of operations for Rocket Farm Restaurants, b...

In our latest podcast episode, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe interviews Fred Merwarth of Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Fred is the co-owner, head winemaker, and vineyard manager for the estate. Chris and Fred discuss the history of Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, the grapegrowing opportunities and challenges in the Finger Lakes, and all things Riesling.  Thanks for...

In our latest blind tasting episode, host MS Christopher Tanghe speaks with New York City sommeliers Andrea Morris and Jonathan Eichholz. Andrea and Jonathan share their blind tasting challenges and strategies before tasting the same red wine. Andrea Morris is the beverage director at Essential by Christophe. Before this role, she managed the beverage programs at Union Square Cafe, Intersect, and...

In our latest podcast, MS Christopher Tanghe interviews Ruinart Chef de Caves Frédéric Panaïotis. They unpack the effects of climate change in Champagne and discuss the ways that Ruinart and other Champagne houses are adapting and pursuing sustainability in light of these changes. Applications for the Los Angeles and San Francisco Ruinart Challenge events will be open through Wednesday. All GuildS...

In this episode, MS Christopher Tanghe speaks with New Zealand expert MS Cameron Douglas. They cover all things New Zealand, including the country’s winemaking regions, the still-important role of Sauvignon Blanc, and the wide range of styles being produced today. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect with and grow our community. Cheers...

Our blind tasting bonus episode is back! In this month's installment, GuildSomm Education Director MS Christopher Tanghe speaks with sommeliers Chuck Nix and Lindsay Thomas about how they approach blind tasting. Chuck is the sommelier and service manager at BRAVO! Italian Restaurant in Jackson, Mississippi. Lindsay is the director of wine and beverage at River Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas....

In this episode, MS Christopher Tanghe speaks with Nick Gislason, director of winemaking and viticulture at Screaming Eagle and co-owner and brewer at Hanabi Lager Company, about tannin management in wine. Chris and Nick discuss how tannins in wine are derived from both grapes and wood, and they explain how a range of viticultural and winemaking decisions impact their presence in a finished wine....

In this episode, MS Christopher Tanghe discusses the wines of Chile with Elizabeth Butler, the director of wine at importing company Vine Connections. Lizzy oversees education for Vine Connections' wine portfolio, which focuses on Chile and Argentina. Prior to joining Vine Connections in 2013, Lizzy worked for the Catena family in Argentina and Viña Mayu in the Elqui Valley of Chile. Chris and Liz...

In this episode, MS Chris Tanghe speaks with Thomas Savre, the director of winemaking and viticulture at Lingua Franca Winery in the Willamette Valley. They discuss reduction, particularly in Chardonnay, unpacking a complex topic that is often oversimplified in wine circles. Chris and Thomas talk about the processes that create aromas such as matchstick, smoke, and flint and outline the distinctio...

In our new tasting episode, GuildSomm Education Director MS Christopher Tanghe talks to Advanced Sommeliers Matthew Dulle and Alexandra Stang about their perspectives on blind tasting. Matt is based in Healdsburg, CA, where he is the director of sales for Rhys Vineyards and Aeris. Alexandra is the beverage director at Seattle’s iconic Cafe Juanita. Listen in as Matt and Alexandra blind taste the s...

In our new podcast episode, Christopher Tanghe takes a look back at 2022 with guests Audrey Frick, Jonathan Eichholz, and Samantha Cole-Johnson. They discuss trends in wine and spirits, the state of the hospitality industry, wine law updates, and industry challenges and speculate about what might be ahead in 2023. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as this h...

In our final podcast episode of the year, MS Chris Tanghe interviews Chartreuse expert and sommelier Paul Einbund. Paul is the owner of The Morris and co-owner of Maison Nico in San Francisco. Paul and Chris discuss all things Chartreuse, offering an enthusiastic deep dive on this unique herbal liqueur. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as this helps us con...

In this month’s tasting episode, MS Chris Tanghe talks to Justyna Brewczyk and Michael Markarian about their approaches to blind tasting. Justyna is a Houston-based WSET Diploma graduate and a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. She recently won the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge in Miami. Michael is the sommelier and beverage director for the H2 Collective restaurant group in...

In our latest Spanish-language podcast, Elisa Errea speaks with Alberto Gil about all things Rioja. Alberto Gil is a journalist and the coauthor of "Rioja: Vinos Silenciosos." Elisa Errea is a Madrid-based wine educator and consultant. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect with and grow our community. Cheers!

In this month's tasting episode, MS Chris Tanghe speaks with Alyssa Champagne and MS Jim Bube about their approaches to blind tasting. Alyssa is based in Boston and has worked in various capacities in restaurants and retail over the past decade. Jim is a Chicago-based Master Sommelier. He is the national wine director for the Hogsalt restaurant group as well as a board member and the treasurer of...

In this episode, MS Chris Tanghe speaks with MW Nicolas Quillé, co-author with MW David Bird of  Understanding Wine Technology, 4th Edition.  Nicolas was born in Lyon, France, and has worked as a winemaker across the globe. He is currently the chief winemaking and operations officer for the Crimson Wine Group. In this conversation, Chris and Nicholas discuss some of the key technological developme...

In this episode, MS Chris Tanghe interviews Tony Cha, a consultant for Alfred Technologies, about the state of technology in beverage management. Tony, who previously co-founded BinWise, discusses prior technological advancements for beverage management as well as the new tools, including those that harness AI, impacting the industry today. Stay tuned for our second installment on wine technology!...

In this episode, GuildSomm board member Daniela Frison and Argentinean sommelier Paz Levinson return to provide a recap in English of their conversation on our first-ever Spanish-language episode last month. Listen in as Paz shares her blind tasting experiences and insights. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect with and grow our commun...

In this episode, we dive into the complex topic of regenerative agriculture with two experts in the field. First, Jenny Hemmer speaks with Meghan Zobeck, the winemaker at Burgess Cellars in the Napa Valley. Next, MS Chris Tanghe talks to Nate Ready of Hiyu Wine Farm in Hood River, Oregon. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review, as t...