VinePair Podcast

Zach speaks with Master of Wine Susan Lin and Master Sommelier David Keck about the wines of France's Loire Valley , including an overview of the region's many varieties, styles, and appellations, why brightness and freshness unite the wines of the region, and how they can be enjoyed at a wide range of occasions and with any number of different cuisines. For more information about locating the win...

As 2021 draws to a close, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss some of the most important stories and trends throughout the world of beverage alcohol, from unabated premiumization to retro nostalgia, from gimmickry to the proliferation of great drinks programs outside of big cities, and much more. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or whereve...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss how the last half-decade has seen a tremendous explosion of American interest in amaros (or amari ), and how much of that interest was fueled by craft cocktail bartenders and their endless experimentation. Plus, the group tastes Cynar . Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts,...

On this special episode, Joanna speaks with Alisa Marie Beyer, CEO of Spa Girl Cocktails , about her experience acquiring and rebuilding the premium vodka ready-to-drink brand, connecting with her consumers, and all the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcast...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach are joined by VinePair writer-at-large Dave Infante to discuss his recent reporting on the many ways that supply chain issues are creating problems for craft breweries, from aluminum can and barley shortages to a lack of tap handles. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and send an...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss alternative packaging for wine, and why it is that canned wine has moved out of the shadows but boxed wine is still looked down on. Then, they taste America's top domestic wine brand and most famous boxed wine, Franzia . Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and send any que...

On this special episode, Zach speaks with Luke Barr, master mixologist for Neft Vodka , about how the ultra-premium vodka was designed around highlighting the heritage rye and Alpine water used in its production, its potential as a spirit enjoyed neat, as well as how it can work in a wide range of cocktails, and its eye-catching packaging. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach are joined by Tim McKirdy, senior staff writer and host of Cocktail College , to dig into VinePair 's list of the Top 50 Spirits for 2021, including discussions around the rise of mezcal, the incredible diversity of gins on the market now, and why Maker's Mark doesn't get enough respect as a great bourbon distillery. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review this pod...

To celebrate Hanukkah, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the rise of kosher-labelled whiskies from around the world, and why whiskey in particular has become so popular with observant Jews. Plus, a discussion of the top Hanukkah foods, and the team tastes three different kosher whiskies: Ardbeg 10, Larceny Bourbon, and Journeyman Last Feather Rye. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review Vin...

In this special episode of the podcast, Zach speaks with two up-and-coming winemakers in Bourgogne: Aurélie Berthod, from Domaine Aurélie Berthod in Pernand-Vergelesses and Arnaud Desfontaine from Château de Chamilly in Chamilly, about their very different paths to becoming winemakers, some of the challenges of making wine in this iconic region, and much more. Please remember to subscribe to, rate...

In the wake of the expulsion of six Master Sommeliers from the Court of Master Sommeliers for sexual harassment, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether the punishment was sufficient, why the other 16 men accused did not face similar disciplinary action, and whether the organization has any remaining credibility. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,...

To decompress from Thanksgiving, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the drinks and paraphernalia they're hoping to score for themselves and others on Black Friday. Then they taste the ultimate digestivo, Fernet-Branca . Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or sugg...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach take time to dig into VinePair's list of the Top 50 Wines of 2021 , from a conversation about how the list is created in the first place, to highlighting some of the more unusual wines on the list, to looking at which bottles would be best at the Thanksgiving table. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever y...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the remarkable surge of popularity in the cream-based liqueur category, where Bailey's is no longer the dominant force. Newcomer RumChata has experienced explosive growth , while Bailey's has added multiple flavors and even other spirits like Disaronno are getting in on the act. Then, the team gives RumChata a taste test and discusses the best way to enjoy it. Please...

After much debate following a recent " Ask Adam " column, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss why tipping is such an essential action for diners and drinkers, how to properly register your displeasure if something in your experience goes awry, and why the model of tipping for service might be changing. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or w...

Joanna and Zach are joined by VinePair tastings director and " Wine 101 " host Keith Beavers to discuss five of the most confusing terms in the world of wine, including "tight" and "funky." Plus, the team tastes Korbel California Champagne. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, com...

In this special episode, Zach speaks with Anne Dempsey, winemaker at Skyside Wines , about her journey in the wine industry, how Skyside attempts to showcase the potential of a range of California AVAs, and the importance of blending to create the best possible wine. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts,...

Joanna and Zach are joined by VinePair senior staff writer and 'Cocktail College' host Tim McKirdy to discuss the recent resurgence of interest in that 1990s staple, the Espresso Martini. They discuss why it might be regaining popularity, new approaches to making the drink, and more. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you ge...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach chat about how some airlines have really upped their game when it comes to in-flight and lounge beverage service, not just in premium cabins but throughout the plane. Then, Joanna speaks with members of the Tip Top Cocktail team about the early days of the brand, and how a partnership with Delta Airlines changed their trajectory as a company. Finally, the team tastes the Tip...

To kick off VinePair's American Wine Month coverage, Adam, Joanna, and Zach dive into to the pressing question of whether or not we can even define "American Wine" with anything besides geography: is there something stylistic or philosophical that unites the wines of the country? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get yo...

With Halloween right around the corner, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the puzzling persistence of the pumpkin beer trend. Then, Joanna speaks with VinePair's managing editor Cat Wolinski about the origins of the trend and why it went from craft darling to near-universal condemnation. Finally, the team tastes one of the original pumpkin beers, Elysian Brewing's The Great Pumpkin. Please remember t...

Adam is joined by third-generation winemaker Sebastián Zuccardi of Zuccardi Wines to discuss his family's long history in Argentina's Uco Valley, his site-focused style of winemaking , and why it's so important to push the frontiers of Argentinian wines further and further. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your pod...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach dive into VinePair's inaugural Next Wave Awards : how they were created, why it was so important to highlight the various winners, and why many of their stories are so remarkable. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to po...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss their own experiences with shots and why shot culture remains popular even if it also can be problematic at times. Then, Adam speaks with Jägermeister director of innovation Jack Carson about how the brand was in many ways built around the shot. Finally, the team tastes Jägermeister and discusses why it remains appealing. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and re...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach survey the range of many recent purchases and moves in the beverage alcohol industry, from Winc's upcoming IPO to the sale of Francis Ford Coppola Winery , and a trio of moves in the food and beverage media landscape, in an attempt to understand how the Covid-19 pandemic and the public response to it has potentially altered the landscape. Please remember to subscribe to, rat...