The Second Glass

In this episode of The Second Glass , we dive into one of the most paradoxical grapes in the wine world: Nebbiolo —the pale, fragile-looking fruit that somehow produces some of Italy’s most powerful and age-worthy wines. We break down Nebbiolo with absolute clarity: Origins & Identity — why it thrives only in a few corners of Piedmont Structure & Style — high tannin, high acid, light color...

In this episode of The Second Glass , we dive into one of the most paradoxical grapes in the wine world: Nebbiolo —the pale, fragile-looking fruit that somehow produces some of Italy’s most powerful and age-worthy wines. We break down Nebbiolo with absolute clarity: Origins & Identity — why it thrives only in a few corners of Piedmont Structure & Style — high tannin, high acid, light color...

Exotic. Intense. Unmistakable. In this episode of The Second Glass , we dig into one of the most polarizing grapes in the wine world — the unmistakable Gewürztraminer . We break down: Why it smells like lychee, rose, and ginger How its low acidity and powerful aromatics shape winemaking choices Why Alsace remains the global benchmark How styles shift in Alto Adige, Pfalz, and New Zealand Why sweet...

Exotic. Intense. Unmistakable. In this episode of The Second Glass , we dig into one of the most polarizing grapes in the wine world — the unmistakable Gewürztraminer . We break down: Why it smells like lychee, rose, and ginger How its low acidity and powerful aromatics shape winemaking choices Why Alsace remains the global benchmark How styles shift in Alto Adige, Pfalz, and New Zealand Why sweet...

Gamay is one of the wine world’s great bait-and-switch grapes: light and playful on the surface, but capable of shocking depth and structure when given the right terroir. In this episode, we dig into why Gamay thrives in granite soils, how carbonic maceration shaped its global reputation, and why Beaujolais is far more complex than people assume. In this episode, we cover: Origins & history —...

Gamay is one of the wine world’s great bait-and-switch grapes: light and playful on the surface, but capable of shocking depth and structure when given the right terroir. In this episode, we dig into why Gamay thrives in granite soils, how carbonic maceration shaped its global reputation, and why Beaujolais is far more complex than people assume. In this episode, we cover: Origins & history —...

Sangiovese isn’t just a grape — it’s an entire universe of styles, traditions, and regional identities. In this deep dive, we explore why this shape-shifting variety defines central Italy and how small changes in soil, elevation, and clone selection create dramatically different wines. Perfect for CSW, CSS, WSET, and CMS students who want clarity, not confusion. In this episode, we cover: Origins...

Sangiovese isn’t just a grape — it’s an entire universe of styles, traditions, and regional identities. In this deep dive, we explore why this shape-shifting variety defines central Italy and how small changes in soil, elevation, and clone selection create dramatically different wines. Perfect for CSW, CSS, WSET, and CMS students who want clarity, not confusion. In this episode, we cover: Origins...

Viognier is one of the world’s most beguiling white grapes—lush, perfumed, and famously difficult to grow. In this episode, we trace its origins in Condrieu, explore why it nearly vanished, and break down the exact traits that define it today: low acidity, high aromatics, stone-fruit richness, and a silky, weighty texture. You’ll learn how winemakers handle Viognier, where it thrives in the New an...

Viognier is one of the world’s most beguiling white grapes—lush, perfumed, and famously difficult to grow. In this episode, we trace its origins in Condrieu, explore why it nearly vanished, and break down the exact traits that define it today: low acidity, high aromatics, stone-fruit richness, and a silky, weighty texture. You’ll learn how winemakers handle Viognier, where it thrives in the New an...

Sémillon is one of the most misunderstood grapes in the world—soft, subtle, and capable of becoming everything from bright, lemony dry wine to the richest, most luxurious botrytized dessert wine on Earth. In this episode of The Second Glass , we explore how Sémillon evolved from a blending partner in Bordeaux to a cult classic in Australia’s Hunter Valley, and why this chameleon-like grape deserve...

Sémillon is one of the most misunderstood grapes in the world—soft, subtle, and capable of becoming everything from bright, lemony dry wine to the richest, most luxurious botrytized dessert wine on Earth. In this episode of The Second Glass , we explore how Sémillon evolved from a blending partner in Bordeaux to a cult classic in Australia’s Hunter Valley, and why this chameleon-like grape deserve...

Torrontés is Argentina’s signature white grape—floral, aromatic, and unlike anything else in the world. In this episode of The Second Glass , we explore where Torrontés really comes from, why there are three distinct types (Riojano, Sanjuanino, Mendocino), and why only one truly matters for quality wine. We break down: • the high-altitude vineyards of Salta and Cafayate • classic aromas like jasmi...

Torrontés is Argentina’s signature white grape—floral, aromatic, and unlike anything else in the world. In this episode of The Second Glass , we explore where Torrontés really comes from, why there are three distinct types (Riojano, Sanjuanino, Mendocino), and why only one truly matters for quality wine. We break down: • the high-altitude vineyards of Salta and Cafayate • classic aromas like jasmi...

Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s flagship white grape—crisp, spicy, and instantly recognizable. In this episode of The Second Glass , we trace Grüner’s origins, explore how it became the backbone of Austria’s wine identity, and break down what gives it its signature white-pepper snap. We cover: • key regions like Wachau, Kamptal, and Kremstal • classic aromas: lime, green apple, white pepper • how ri...

High-altitude vineyards produce some of the most intense, aromatic wines in the world — but why? In this special episode of The Second Glass , we break down the science behind elevation and its impact on wine without drifting into needless jargon. We explore: • how sunlight intensity changes flavor development • why cooler air preserves acidity • the effect of huge day–night temperature swings • t...

Zinfandel’s story begins far from California’s sunbaked vineyards. In this episode of The Second Glass , we follow the unexpected journey of Zinfandel from its Croatian origins as Tribidrag, through its Italian identity as Primitivo, to its reinvention as California’s heritage grape. We explore everything a CSW-level student should know: • DNA discoveries and Old World origins • how Zinfandel arri...

Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s flagship white grape—crisp, spicy, and instantly recognizable. In this episode of The Second Glass , we trace Grüner’s origins, explore how it became the backbone of Austria’s wine identity, and break down what gives it its signature white-pepper snap. We cover: • key regions like Wachau, Kamptal, and Kremstal • classic aromas: lime, green apple, white pepper • how ri...

Malbec didn’t start in Argentina — but Argentina made it a star. In this episode of The Second Glass , we trace Malbec’s journey from its ancestral home in Cahors to its modern dominance in Mendoza. You’ll learn how altitude shapes flavor, why the grape nearly disappeared in France, and what makes Argentine Malbec so lush, dark, and unmistakably iconic. We break down the essential CSW-level knowle...

High-altitude vineyards produce some of the most intense, aromatic wines in the world — but why? In this special episode of The Second Glass , we break down the science behind elevation and its impact on wine without drifting into needless jargon. We explore: • how sunlight intensity changes flavor development • why cooler air preserves acidity • the effect of huge day–night temperature swings • t...

Zinfandel’s story begins far from California’s sunbaked vineyards. In this episode of The Second Glass , we follow the unexpected journey of Zinfandel from its Croatian origins as Tribidrag, through its Italian identity as Primitivo, to its reinvention as California’s heritage grape. We explore everything a CSW-level student should know: • DNA discoveries and Old World origins • how Zinfandel arri...

Malbec didn’t start in Argentina — but Argentina made it a star. In this episode of The Second Glass , we trace Malbec’s journey from its ancestral home in Cahors to its modern dominance in Mendoza. You’ll learn how altitude shapes flavor, why the grape nearly disappeared in France, and what makes Argentine Malbec so lush, dark, and unmistakably iconic. We break down the essential CSW-level knowle...

Step into the smoky saloons of the 19th century with this episode of Drink Different , where we meet the original rockstar of the bar world: Jerry Thomas . Discover how this flamboyant showman turned bartending into performance art, wrote the world’s first cocktail book, and helped define American drinking culture. More spirits wisdom is pouring soon— Drink Different has much more in the shaker. S...

In this episode of The Second Glass , we explore the legacy of Masataka Taketsuru—the visionary chemist who brought Scotch tradition to Japan and helped create a new whisky identity. From his time in Scotland to founding Nikka, Taketsuru's story is one of cultural fusion, discipline, and devotion to quality. More spirits deep-dives are coming soon from Drink Different —stay tuned.

In this episode of The Second Glass , we raise a tulip glass to the man who distilled ideas as deftly as he distilled spirits—Franciscus Sylvius. Often hailed as the father of gin, Sylvius was far more than a physician or flavor tinkerer. He was a thinker, a chemist, and a product of the Dutch Golden Age’s thirst for exploration—both literal and intellectual. Join us as we untangle the truth from...