Veni, Vino, Variety

🍷 Episode 70: Mencía – Spain’s Smoky Poet Ever heard of Mencía? If not, you’re in for a treat. In this episode, we’re popping the cork on one of Spain’s most quietly compelling red grapes — full of poetry, minerality, and unexpected charm. Whether you’re a total wine nerd or just love discovering hidden gems, Mencía’s a grape that deserves a spot in your glass. Here’s what you’ll uncork in this e...

🥂 Episode 71: Furmint – Hungary’s Citrus Soul Hey wine friends! In this episode, we’re popping the cork on a hidden gem of the white wine world—Furmint. It may not be a household name (yet), but this Hungarian native is complex, refreshing, and packed with history. Whether sweet or dry, Furmint has plenty to offer curious palates. - Discover why Furmint is the backbone of legendary Tokaji wines...

🍷 Episode 72: Montepulciano – Italy’s Juiciest Secret Hey there, vino adventurers! Today we’re uncorking a bottle of Montepulciano—the grape, not the town. It’s a bold, juicy red that’s flown under the radar outside of Italy, but back home, it’s a dinner table staple with serious character. In this episode, we’ll chat about: - The difference between the town of Montepulciano and the grape (yes, i...

🥂 Episode 73: Verdejo – Spain’s Crisp Comeback Kid Hey there, wine friends! In this episode, we’re shining a light on a white grape that’s been flying under the radar for far too long — Verdejo. We’ll explore what makes it so special, from its refreshing flavor to its sun-drenched Spanish roots. Here’s what you’ll uncork in this episode: - Why Verdejo is the go-to white wine for seafood, sunny pa...

🍷 Episode 74: Bobal – Bold Grape, Big Soul Hey there, wine lovers! In this episode, we're heading to the sun-drenched vineyards of eastern Spain to uncover the story behind one of the country’s most underrated red grapes: Bobal. From its rugged past to its exciting present, this bold, beautiful grape is finally getting its moment in the spotlight — and we’re here for it. Here’s what you’ll l...

🥂 Episode 75: Ortega – Floral Whispers, Hidden Depths In this episode, we’re diving into the world of Ortega — a soft-spoken white grape with a beautifully expressive soul. Whether you’ve never heard of it or just haven’t explored it yet, Ortega is ready to charm your palate with floral aromas, silky texture, and surprising versatility. Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode: - How Ortega wa...

🥂 Episode 69: Fiano – The Whispering White of Campania   Hey there, wine lovers—ready to meet a grape that’s quietly captivating and charmingly complex? In this episode, we’re getting to know Fiano, a white variety from southern Italy that’s all elegance, texture, and timeless appeal. Whether you’re new to Fiano or a longtime fan, there’s something in here for everyone. Here’s what you’ll discove...

🍷 Episode 64: Leon Millot – The Early Bird Get ready to meet a grape that’s bold, early-ripening, and full of hidden charm. In this episode, we’re shining a spotlight on Leon Millot — a lesser-known hybrid variety with big energy, vibrant flavors, and a fascinating backstory. Whether you’ve never heard of it or you’ve sipped it once and weren’t sure what to make of it, this one’s for you. Here’s...

🥂 Episode 65: Loureiro – The Jules Verde In this episode, we’re shining the spotlight on Loureiro — a beautifully aromatic white grape from northern Portugal that’s full of character, freshness, and floral charm. Whether you've heard of it or not, Loureiro is one of those hidden gems that's just waiting to surprise you. Here’s what you’ll discover: - What makes Loureiro stand out in the...

🥂 Episode 66: Encruzado – The Crusade In this episode, we’re shining a light on Encruzado — a white grape from Portugal that’s been quietly stealing the show. If you’ve never heard of it, you’re in for a treat. We’re talking about bright citrus flavors, elegant textures, and a wine that’s just as happy fresh and crisp as it is rich and age-worthy. Here’s what you’ll learn: - What makes Encruzado...

🍷 Episode 67: Tannat — Grit, Grapes & Glory In this episode, we’re diving deep into the bold and beautiful world of Tannat — a red grape with serious character, a rich backstory, and some pretty surprising destinations. From its earthy French roots to its juicy reboot in Uruguay, Tannat is a wine that demands attention and totally rewards your curiosity. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episo...

🥂 Episode 68: Grillo – Sea Breezes & Citrus Zing Ready to meet your new favorite white wine? In this episode, we’re heading to Sicily to explore Grillo, a zesty, coastal grape with lots of charm and a story worth telling. Whether you’ve never heard of it or already love it, Grillo’s citrusy snap and seaside soul might just win you over. Here’s what we’ll uncork in today’s episode: - How Grill...

🥂 Episode 63: Verdicchio – A Lemon Fanfare In this episode, we’re heading to Italy’s Adriatic coast to shine a light on Verdicchio—a zesty, expressive white grape that doesn’t always get the fanfare, but absolutely deserves it. From lemony aromas to crisp minerality and unexpected aging potential, Verdicchio is your new favorite white wine waiting to happen. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Where Verd...

🥂 Episode 60: Seyval Blanc – The North Star Ever heard of Seyval Blanc? If the name doesn’t ring a bell, you’re not alone — but trust me, this cool-climate white wine grape deserves a spot on your radar. In this episode, we’re exploring the fascinating story of a hybrid grape variety that’s quietly making delicious waves in places vinifera can't always go. Here’s what you’ll learn: - How Sey...

🍷 Episode 61: Saperavi – The Red Ink Hey wine lovers! This episode is all about Saperavi—a bold, inky red grape that doesn’t just make a statement, it tells a story. We're diving into its ancient origins, its one-of-a-kind traits, and why it might be your next favorite wine discovery. Here’s what you’ll uncork in this episode: - What makes Saperavi one of the rare teinturier grapes—and why t...

🥂 Episode 62: Pecorino – A Cheesy Comeback? Today we’re pouring a glass of something a little off the beaten wine path—a crisp, aromatic Italian white with a delightful name: Pecorino. No, not the cheese (though we’ll talk about that too). In this episode, we explore the fascinating story, flavors, and food pairings of this once-forgotten grape that's making a big-time comeback. Here’s what...

🍇 Episode 59: Tasting Notes for Life (According to Wine Grapes) What if you were a wine grape? In this playful solo episode, we flip the script — and the bottle — by matching personality traits, creative habits, and life vibes to iconic wine grape varieties. Are you bold like Cabernet Sauvignon or adaptable like Chardonnay? Spicy like Syrah or sweetly misunderstood like Riesling? We’ll tour the v...

🥂 Episode 55: Picpoul – The Lip-stinger Today, we’re diving into a zesty little number that’s as fun to drink as it is to say — Picpoul! Bright, fresh, and totally underrated, this crisp white grape from southern France might just become your new go-to for warm weather sipping (or really, anytime you’re craving something snappy and refreshing). In this episode, you’ll discover:  - What makes Picp...

🍷 Episode 56: Nerello Mascalese – The Vulcano In this episode, we’re diving into one of Sicily’s best-kept secrets: the beautifully complex and volcanic Nerello Mascalese. Grown on the dramatic slopes of Mount Etna, this red grape brings elegance, minerality, and a whole lot of personality to your glass. Here’s what you’ll discover in today’s episode: - How Nerello Mascalese has earned the nickna...

🥂 Episode 57: Aligoté – The Zippy Ever heard of Aligoté? It’s time to meet one of Burgundy’s best-kept secrets. In this episode, we shine a well-deserved spotlight on this zippy, citrusy white grape that's long flown under the radar—but totally deserves a place in your glass. If you love wines with energy, freshness, and a story to tell, this one's for you. What you’ll learn in this epi...

🍷 Episode 58: Zweigelt – The Juicy Charmer Meet your next favorite red wine grape! In this episode, we’re getting cozy with Zweigelt — Austria’s most planted red variety that’s bursting with juicy charm, spicy flair, and a backstory that’s anything but average. Whether you’ve sipped it before or it’s brand new to your radar, this is one grape that deserves a spot in your glass. Here’s what you’ll...

🍷 Episode 52: Aglianico – A to the B Today, we’re pouring ourselves a glass of something bold and soulful as we shine a spotlight on one of Italy’s most underrated red grapes: Aglianico. Often dubbed the "Barolo of the South," this ancient variety brings power, elegance, and serious aging potential — all wrapped up in volcanic charm. If you've never heard of it before, you're...

🥂 Episode 53: Cabernet Blanc – The Have We Met Before Ever heard of a white grape called Cabernet Blanc? No, that’s not a typo—and in this episode, we’re uncorking the story behind this bold, aromatic, and little-known variety. From its surprising parentage to its growing reputation for sustainability, Cabernet Blanc is one of those hidden gems that deserves a spot in your wine rotation. Here’s w...

🍷 Episode 54: Blaufränkisch – Shadows & Highlights Get ready to meet one of Central Europe’s best-kept wine secrets: Blaufränkisch. In this episode, we’re diving into everything that makes this grape so special—from its juicy, peppery personality to its surprisingly noble roots. Whether you’ve never heard of it or it’s already in your wine glass, you’re in for a delicious deep dive. What you’...

🥂 Episode 49: Godello – The Galician In this episode, we're diving into the story of Godello — a white wine grape from northwestern Spain that’s quietly making waves in the wine world. Once you taste it, you’ll wonder how it flew under your radar. Here's what you'll discover in today’s pour: - Why Godello is often called Spain’s answer to white Burgundy  - How this nearly extinct g...