Two Guys Talking Wine

André Proulx and Michael Pinkus assemble an “Avengers” lineup of Trius Red winemakers at Trius — J-L Groux, Craig McDonald, Emma Garner, and Ben Minaker - for a deep vertical tasting from 2010–2024 (plus a 2002 Trius Grand Red). Today's episode is supersized to match the grandeur of the guests. The unpack how Niagara’s climate, vineyard sourcing, blending, tannin management, cork choices, and rest...

Michael Pinkus and André Proulx take this show on the road live from the GO Train en route to a Barolo and Barbaresco tasting recently held in Toronto. André was looking for a starting point as a Barolo-curious drinker concerned about tannins and long aging. At the Liberty Grand, they taste through producers and interview Salvatore from Reva Winery about crafting youthful, fruit-forward Nebbiolo a...

Michael Pinkus and André Proulx record in downtown Toronto with Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta of Tenuta San Guido to unpack the history of Sassicaia and Bolgheri. Priscilla explains how Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, inspired by Bordeaux, began planting Cabernet in stony Bolgheri hill sites and originally made Sassicaia privately before Nicolo brought it to market, with the first release (1968 v...

Michael Pinkus and André Proulx welcome Nikka Global Director Koji and Export Manager Kuma to discuss Japanese whisky and taste Nikka’s Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malts plus Nikka From the Barrel and the 40th-anniversary From the Barrel Extra Marriage. They cover founder Masataka Taketsuru’s role as the “father of Japanese whisky,” his 1918–1920 Scotland apprenticeship and detailed notebook, and...

Judging 130 Chardonnays, the Canadian Wine Library, and a Surprise Chinese Cabernet Gernischt André and Michael reunite over drinks after time apart, starting with André’s experience judging about 130 Chardonnays for the Experts Tasting alongside winemakers, sommeliers, and an LCBO rep, and his visit to the Canadian Wine Library at Brock University, where he tasted older wines and brought home a 2...

When you open high-priced wines, what goes through your head? You expect to be wowed. You expect a moment of zen. You expect your world to change ... for the better. We opened three bottles in one night that should have changed our lives. A La Tache, a Henri Guiraud Fut de Chene MV17 and something else none of us can remember - which should tell you all you need to know about our dinner and tastin...

When Michael came back from Bordeaux, he made a bold statement: "I'm a right bank guy over a left bank guy". But the left bank is where all the 1st growth producers reside, how could this be. An interview with Ludovic von Neipperg may open a few eyes. So let us borrow your ears for an hour and see if you agree. Learn about the Vignobles Comtes von Neipperg here - https://www.neipperg.com/ You can...

Sangrantino, heard of it? It's a wine that has the ultimate tannin punch and can take decades to resolve itself (make it ready to drink) ... but hold on. There's a new wave of winemakers in the region, fronted by women, who are learning to show the softer side, the more approachable side of this wine. Could Sagrantino be drinkable sooner - are we looking at a renaissance in Umbrian wine. Michael i...

After last episode's introduction to Vino Nobile, we dive a little deeper. We taste wines from Boscarelli, and even go "outside the house". For those who want to go even deeper, check out our Patreon account, there we have posted the full interview with Luca Ferrari ... become a paid member and get exclusive content like this. You can learn more about Poderi Boscarelli here - https://www.poderibos...

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, also known as Nobile ... it's Italian for Noble and so this is known as Noble wine. But what is it, what's the history, what makes it so special and why has André been in the dark so long about this? In this episode, some of those questions get answered, others, sadly, we'll remain in the dark about. We are joined by a principal from Poliziano to discuss. You can lear...

This week we are joined by friend of the podcast, Ofelia Bartolucci, and we discuss Michael's and her visit to Alois Lageder and Summa back in the Spring of 2025. What is Summa you might ask? What is an Alois Lageder? What the hell are you guys talking about? So many questions. Be prepared to have them answered by none other than Helena and Clemens Lageder Learn more about Alois Lageder - https://...

They are going to have trouble with people pronouncing it, and they know it, but Chianti Rufina producers have a gem of a wine on their hands and they want you to know about it. Andre and Michael discuss TerraElectae with the help of Gerardo Gondi (of Gondi Estates) and Federico Giuntini Masseti (of Selvapiana). Beware: High Quality Wines Ahead. You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.pat...

We get some odd questions as Canadian wine writers, many are about other Canadian wine writers: "Does Michael really hate Chardonnay?" "Does Andre really not know how to finish a question?" But the question we get asked most: "I have a bottle of BLANK Canadian wine in my cellar - how much is it worth?" We finally sat down with an expert in the secondary market of wines and posed that and other que...

Does a bottle of British Wine sound foreign to you? We had heard good things about British Bubbles, and when given the opportunity to sit down with four British winery principals (on British soil - at the British consulate in Toronto) we jumped at the opportunity ... the results: Sparkling. You can purchase the following bottles in limited supply at the LCBO https://www.lcbo.com/en/balfour-1503-cl...

Michael and André have been talking wine for 10 years - they take a look and reflect on what - if anything - they have learned. You can email André at andre@andrewinereview.ca and follow him on Instagram here - @andrewinerview You can email Michael at michael@michaelpinkuswinereview.com and follow him on Instagram here - @thegrapeguy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NBA could only wish for such Madness. They do theirs in March, we do ours in October ... it's just scarier that way. It all comes down to this. Four wines remain. The Highlander said it best, "There can be ONLY ONE" and we're about to find out who takes home the belt (literally). From the Ontario's longest running, and award winning, podcast about wine. The Podcast that brought you such iconic...

With the Sweet Sixteen over and done with, we move on to the Elite Eight. We reshuffle the deck. No one knows what wine is which. There is no picking of favourites. New numbers are assigned and we taste again. Knocking out 4 more wines from this competition; because there can be only one. This is Round 2 of Ontario's Ultimate Wine Competition: the wine competition nobody asked for, and yet we pull...

A boy. A dream. An adventure. An idea. They said he was crazy. They said he was nuts. They said it could not be done. The doubters were everywhere. And yet he persisted for 3 years. Finally, worn down by his antics, Michael said yes. André swooned. His dream was about to become a reality. Just a few things were needed, namely a cast of characters to help, enter Anja Warunkiewicz and Matt Cauz. Lad...

JP Wisers recently announced the release of a high end exclusive whiskey aged in Mizunara Oak . What the heck does a $600.00 a bottle Canadian Whiskey Taste like? André wanted to find out - and he forced Michael to taste it with him. André sits down with Dr. Don Livermore Master Blender at the Hiram Walker distillery in Windsor. He took the opportunity to taste through a few bottles to help our li...

That's right, this week we are talking with winemaker, general manager, head bottle washer (and whatever other job he has had over the years) Federico Giuntini Masseti of Selvapiana, one of Chianti Rufina's premier producers about all things wine. You don't wanna miss this one. You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive cont...

On today's episode Andre and Michael rehash an old issue, but with a new twist. This time we have parts of an interview with Marie Lefevere, owner of four chateaux in St. Emilion. Up for discussion today, how can Bordeaux get out of the fog they are in, and what are wineries doing about it. The answers might shock the crap out of you. You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2g...

There are grapes we know and there are grape we don't; on today's podcast we explore one of the latter: Caberlot from Il Carnasciale. What is it? Where did it come from? What do they do with it? And why not just DNA test the thing and find out? You can support us on Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/2guystalkingwine ... $5/month members NOW get exclusive content. See Patreon page for details....

Bertani has been making wine in the Veneto region of Italy since 1857. Valpolicella, Soave, Amarone, wines we've all heard about, yet the 2 Guys rarely talk about. Today, we rectify that situation. We sit down with Serena Bonaventura to talk Bertani and one of the newest innovations of the region: single vineyard wines - and while the concept isn't new - it is new to this region. Join us for a goo...

Federico Graziani is the owner of his eponymous winery found on Mount Etna. Etna ... is an active volcano - where some of the most interesting wines in the world come from. Michael and Ofelia Bartolucci had a chance to catch up with Federico. And then - they brought some great wines back to taste and discuss on this podcast. You can email André at andre@andrewinereview.ca and follow him on Instagr...

Michael and André continue their adventure into champagne - this time Michael caught up with Ronny Weber head of sales in Europe for Billecart Salmon. Michael caught up with him ... in Italy. The guys sit down and talk about the future of Champagne and enjoy a bottle of Billecart Salmon, along with another special guest.. You can email André at andre@andrewinereview.ca and follow him on Instagram...