Veni, Vino, Variety

🍷 Episode 127: Kadarka – Whispering Spice and History In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of Kadarka—a charming, lesser-known red grape with big stories to tell. From its mysterious Balkan origins to its vibrant return to wine lists across Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria, Kadarka is a quiet stunner that just might become your new favorite. In this episode, you’ll discover: - Why Kadar...

🥂 Episode 128: Soave (Garganega) – Grace in a Glass Step into northeastern Italy with us as we uncover the quiet charm of Garganega, the grape behind the elegant white wine, Soave. It may not shout for attention, but once you get to know it, you’ll never forget it. - Discover why great Soave is all about subtle layers and silky texture  - Learn how volcanic soils and hillside vineyards shape its...

🍷 Episode 129: Listán Negro – Volcanic Vibes in a Glass Today we’re setting sail for the sun-drenched Canary Islands to meet a red grape that’s as wild and windswept as its volcanic home: Listán Negro. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill variety—it’s rustic, coastal, and packed with personality. In this episode, you'll learn: - How Listán Negro thrives in the unique, ash-covered vineyards of Ten...

🍷 Episode 121: Touriga Nacional – Portugal’s Boldest Beauty In this episode, we’re headed to the steep, sun-kissed slopes of Portugal to explore one of the country’s most iconic and powerful red grapes — Touriga Nacional. Whether blended into Port or starring in a dry red, this grape is bold, structured, and endlessly fascinating. - Discover why Touriga Nacional is considered the backbone of Port...

🥂 Episode 122: Torrontés – Floral with a Zesty Twist In this episode, we’re uncorking the vibrant and totally charming white grape from Argentina — Torrontés. If you're into aromatic wines that surprise you with crisp, dry finishes, this is one grape you’ll want to know better. What you’ll learn in this episode: - Why Torrontés smells like a summer garden but tastes refreshingly dry  - How h...

🍷 Episode 118: Dolcetto – Piemonte’s People-Pleaser In this episode, we're heading to the rolling hills of northwestern Italy to get to know a grape that's a staple on local tables—but still a bit of a hidden gem elsewhere. We're talking about Dolcetto: easy to love, fun to drink, and full of character despite its name suggesting sweetness. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why Dolcetto...

🍇 Episode 119: Future of a Wine Shop – Part 2 In this follow-up to Episode 99, we return to the world of AI-powered wine shops — but this time, we go deeper into the experience. What happens when wine retail is reimagined as a journey, not just a transaction? What if your next bottle wasn’t picked off a shelf… but introduced to you by a system that knows your taste, your mood, and your curiosity?...

🥂 Episode 120: Silvaner – Quiet Elegance in a Glass Ready to discover a white grape that’s subtle, soulful, and seriously underrated? In this episode, we’re diving into the world of Silvaner—a grape that lets terroir take center stage and rewards tasters who slow down and listen. Here’s what you’ll learn in today’s episode: - The fascinating (and surprising) origins of Silvaner, traced through DN...

🥂 Episode 115: L'Acadie Blanc – Ocean Breeze in a Glass In this episode, we're heading east to the cool, coastal vineyards of Nova Scotia to get to know a truly unique and underrated white grape: L’Acadie Blanc. Whether you’ve never heard of it or already love its zippy style, you're in for a delicious deep dive into what makes this grape so special. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Whe...

🍷 Episode 116: Counoise – The Blend’s Best-Kept Secret In today’s episode, we’re shining a warm spotlight on a grape that’s usually behind the scenes—but adds so much character to the wine in your glass. We're getting to know Counoise: a bright, spicy, red gem from the Rhône Valley with loads of charm and not nearly enough fame. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why Counoise is a standou...

🍷 Episode 117: Grenache Gris – Pink, Salty, and Full of Surprises Grenache Gris may not be the first grape you think of, but this soft-spoken stunner has a lot to say once it hits the glass. In this episode, we’re exploring a gray grape with a rosy hue, a coastal vibe, and a flavor profile that just might sweep you off your feet. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why Grenache Gris is the lesser-known s...

🍷 Episode 112: Koshu – Whisper of Mount Fuji In this episode, we’re uncorking the story of Koshu – Japan’s quietly elegant white grape that’s full of history, subtle charm, and surprising depth. If you’ve never heard of Koshu, you’re not alone — but trust me, it’s a grape worth knowing. Here's what you'll discover in today’s episode: - The amazing journey of Koshu from the Silk Road to...

🥂 Episode 113: Treixadura – Elegance from the Atlantic In today’s episode, we’re uncorking a glass of Treixadura, a white grape with roots deep in the misty hills of Galicia, Spain. It may not be a household name, but this grape delivers big on charm, freshness, and subtle complexity—and we’re diving into everything that makes it special. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: - Why Treixadura...

🍷 Episode 114: Rubired (teinturier hybrid) – Color That Won’t Quit   In this episode, we’re exploring Rubired—a bold, little-known grape that brings more to the glass than you might expect. With deep roots in California and an even deeper color, Rubired may not be a household name, but it’s a behind-the-scenes star in many red blends. Here’s what you’ll learn: - What makes a teinturier grape diff...

🥂 Episode 109: Madeleine Angevine – Cool Climate’s Quiet Darling Ever heard of a white wine grape that thrives in places most others wouldn’t dare? Today, we're diving into the world of Madeleine Angevine—a soft-spoken superstar of cool-climate winemaking that’s quietly winning hearts from France to Puget Sound. Crisp, aromatic, and full of surprises, this grape brings subtle charm to every...

🍷 Episode 110: Vranac – Bold Soul of the Balkans In this episode, we're diving into Vranac—a powerful, character-packed red grape that's long been a local favorite in the Balkans. If you enjoy wines that are full-bodied, a bit wild, and bursting with history, you're going to want to get to know this one. Here’s what you’ll discover: - Where Vranac comes from and why it's consi...

🥂 Episode 111: Kerner – Perfumed Power in a Glass Today we’re shining a light on a lesser-known grape that’s full of personality and charm: Kerner. This episode dives into the story, science, and soul of this aromatic white wine that’s got Riesling roots and red grape grit. You’ll find out: - How Kerner was born from a blend of Riesling and Trollinger - Why it thrives in cool climates like German...

🥂 Episode 105: Bacchus – England’s Floral Secret Today we’re diving into a grape that deserves way more attention—Bacchus. This charming white variety brings big aromatics, zippy acidity, and surprising sophistication to your glass. If you’ve never tried it, you’re about to discover your new springtime favorite. In this episode, you'll learn: - The fascinating German origins of Bacchus and i...

🍷 Episode 106: Mission (aka País in Chile) – The Grape That Traveled Time  In this episode, we're diving into the uplifting comeback story of Mission, a humble red grape with centuries of history and a passport full of names. From its beginnings with Spanish missionaries to its rebirth in the hands of modern winemakers, Mission — or País, as it’s known in Chile — has a lot more to offer than...

🥂 Episode 107: Rkatsiteli – Ancient Grape, Fresh Vibes In this episode, we’re diving deep into one of the oldest and most intriguing white wine grapes you’ve probably never heard of: Rkatsiteli. With roots that go back over 3,000 years and flavor profiles ranging from zesty citrus to earthy amber, this Georgian native is as versatile as it is underrated.  Here's what you'll learn in thi...

🍷 Episode 108: Ruby Cabernet – The Unsung Hero of Table Reds In this episode, we’re diving into a grape that doesn’t always get to be the star of the show, but totally deserves a round of applause—Ruby Cabernet. From its origins as a drought-defying hybrid to its juicy, down-to-earth personality, we’re exploring why this red grape might just become your new weeknight favorite. Here’s what you’ll...

🍷 Episode 100: Zweigeltrebe – Velvet Fruit with a Czech Twist In this episode, we’re heading to the heart of Central Europe to explore Zweigeltrebe—the Czech take on Austria’s beloved red grape, Zweigelt. It’s smooth, it’s sippable, and it’s ready to be your new go-to red. Here’s what you’ll discover in this cozy chat: - The fascinating origin story of Zweigelt—how a 1920s grape experiment led to...

🥂 Episode 101: Gros Manseng – Tropical Zing with a Twist In this episode, we're diving into Gros Manseng—a lively, aromatic white grape that hails from the charming hills of southwest France. Whether you've heard of it or not, this grape has a lot to say—vibrant acidity, head-turning aromatics, and a personality that’s both fun and seriously food-friendly. Here's what you'll d...

🍷 Episode 102: Lagrein – Bold, Brooding, Underrated In this episode, we're getting up close and personal with a moody, inky red that deserves way more of the spotlight: Lagrein. Native to Italy’s Alto Adige region, Lagrein brings big personality, old-world charm, and some seriously delicious surprises. Here’s what you’ll discover: - The 700+ year history of Lagrein in northern Italy  - Why L...

🥂 Episode 103: Siegerrebe – Victory in a Glass  Get ready to meet your new favorite under-the-radar white grape. In this episode, we’re diving into Siegerrebe – an aromatic, early-ripening white variety with a flair for the exotic and a surprising cool-climate success story. - Discover the grape’s roots as a cross between Madeleine Angevine and Gewürztraminer  - Learn how Siegerrebe thrives in Ge...