The Daily Decant

Sunday's wrap-up episode zooms all the way out. After six days and 30 wines, what did the Wine Spectator Grand Tour Denver 2026 actually tell us about where the wine world is right now? Today, we cover the dominant trends, the biggest surprises, the vintage to be buying, and a personal top five from the entire evening, plus the one thing every listener should walk away knowing. ▸ 98 pts Valdi...

Before Sunday's big wrap, Saturday's episode is your reference guide: the complete top 30 wines from the Wine Spectator Grand Tour Denver 2026 in one place, with quick-hit tasting notes, vintage context, and practical buying advice organized by region. Bookmark this one. WINES REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE ▸    98 pts  Valdicava   ·  Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano Riserva 2016 ▸ ...

Today's episode takes The Daily Decant around the world, from Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills, where Zena Crown's Pinot Noir earned one of the highest scores of the entire Grand Tour, to the high-altitude vineyards of Argentina's Cafayate Valley, three elite Chilean producers redefining their country's reputation, and Torbreck's legendary Barossa Valley Shiraz closing out t...

California showed up with seven wines in the top 30, the most of any single country outside of Italy. Thursday's episode walks through all of them: four Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons from some of the valley's most prestigious appellations, a Russian River Pinot Noir from an under-the-radar Sonoma estate, a Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel from old vines, and a Paso Robles Rhône blend that ca...

The name everyone knows, the wine fewer people understand. Today's episode goes deep on Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the southern Rhône's most famous appellation, built on ancient riverbeds and blended from up to 18 grape varieties. We cover what makes it unique, what the famous stones actually do, the difference between Grenache-dominant and Mourvèdre-dominant styles, and five producers worth k...

Wednesday's episode covers the wines that didn't fit neatly into Monday's Tuscany deep-dive, two outstanding Bolgheri Super Tuscans from the coast, plus the one French wine that cracked the top 30 (Château de Beaucastel's stunning Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2023), and a California sparkling from Schramsberg that proved North Coast bubbles belong in any serious conversation about prest...

We head north to Piedmont for episode two, where two legendary Barolo producers showed that Nebbiolo, at its best, belongs in any conversation about the world's greatest red wines. Damilano's iconic Cannubi vineyard and Poderi Aldo Conterno's Cicala cru each earned 95 points and showed two distinct expressions of what makes Barolo so endlessly fascinating.

We kick off our week-long coverage of the Wine Spectator Grand Tour Denver 2026 right where the evening peaked: Tuscany. Ten of the top 30 wines came from this iconic Italian region, spanning Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, and the bold Super Tuscan blends that redefined Italian wine. Today's episode starts with the highest-scored wine of the entire event and works through every Tus...

The Week 7 wrap-up: a recap of how to move confidently beyond the obvious wine choices: from Albariño to Cru Beaujolais, and why small shifts build lasting wine confidence.

How to choose a wine that feels celebratory and elevated without breaking the budget. Cru Beaujolais makes the case for why sometimes the less obvious choice is the most impressive one.

Why Rhône blends can be the ideal wine for business dinners: versatile, professional, approachable, and reliably impressive without being flashy.

A simple strategy shift that instantly upgrades how you order wine at restaurants, and why sommeliers actually prefer it when you do this.

A quick guide to the wine list sections most people ignore, and why experienced drinkers go there first. Covers Southern Italy, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Beaujolais, and the Loire Valley.

Learn a confident alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon when you want a lighter, more versatile red wine. This episode explains why Grenache is a useful restaurant choice.

Learn a confident alternative to Chardonnay when ordering at restaurants. This episode helps you choose a white wine that feels interesting, approachable, and food friendly.

This Week 6 recap reviews quiet confidence wine strategies for restaurants, hosting, and group dinners. Reinforce simple wine choices that help you order and bring wine with confidence.

Learn why rosé works beyond summer. This episode helps you confidently order rosé year round.

Learn why Chianti is one of the best wines for group dinners. This episode helps you confidently order a red wine that works across multiple dishes and preferences.

Learn why Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most widely liked white wines. This episode helps you confidently choose a bottle for hosting, group dinners, or casual gatherings.

Learn why Pinot Noir is one of the safest and most thoughtful wines to order on a date. This episode helps you choose something flexible that supports conversation and pairs easily with different dishes.

Learn why Portuguese wines are one of the best restaurant value moves. This episode helps you order confidently without overspending.

Learn the safest wine to bring when you do not know what the host is serving. This episode helps you confidently show up to dinner parties with a bottle that works in almost any situation.

This week’s recap covers six upscale wines that help you order with confidence in high-end restaurants and professional settings. Learn when to choose Champagne, Napa Cabernet, Burgundy Pinot Noir, Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, and Super Tuscan, and how each fits different social situations.

Super Tuscans are some of Italy’s most modern and prestigious wines. In this episode, learn what makes a wine a Super Tuscan, when to order one, and why it’s a confident choice for upscale restaurants and client dinners.

Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy’s most prestigious and collectible wines. In this episode, learn when to order Brunello, what it tastes like, and why it’s a confident choice for upscale dinners.