VinePair Podcast

Adam and Zach discuss the reasons why they find Dry January to be a silly and counterproductive way to have a healthy relationship with alcohol: that it's viewed more as a challenge of willpower than an opportunity to be thoughtful about our consumption, that people don't make any lasting changes to their drinking habits, and that even the health benefits are greatly overstated. Do you disagree? W...

Adam and Zach discuss their predictions for the upcoming year, including a new source for rosé, more rampant growth for spiked seltzer, casual bars, bitter is better, and more. Plus, all kinds of technical issues and why checks are the worst form of payment. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or su...

Adam and Zach are joined by wine importer Mary Taylor to talk about the catastrophic and nearly-unimaginable damage that President Trump's proposed 100% tariff on imported European wine and spirits would have on the American beverage alcohol world. For more information, please read this VinePair piece . If you are an American citizen, you should also contact your U.S. Senators ( find them here ) a...

In the final VinePair podcast of 2019 (and the 2010s), Adam and Zach reflect on some of the changes in the drinks world that have most impacted them, from the rise of the sommelier to the democratization of drinks media. Plus, Nick returns from his travels with tales of Thai gin and aged eggnog. Thanks so much for listening to VinePair, and please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review the pod...

With the 2010s drawing to a close, Adam and Zach look back at the brands and beverages that defined the decade. From mass-produced and marketed vodka and red blends to biodynamic Beaujolais, from Instagram-darling beers to a beer that purported to be a sports drink, it's all here. If you think we missed an important drink from the past decade, or if you have any other questions, comments, critique...

Adam and Zach take some time to answer listener questions about the rise of natural wine, red blends, whether gin is finally having its moment, and how not to come off as an asshole when you know a few things about drinks. Plus, a conversation about aging egg nog and whether drinking while you're sick is worth it or not. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you...

Adam and Zach are joined by acclaimed wine director and author Victoria James to discuss sexism, exploitation, and a profound lack of diversity in the wine world, particularly in fine dining. James is the beverage director at New York City's Cote, the author of "Drink Pink" and the upcoming "Wine Girl," available for pre-order now, and you can read her piece on this subject here . Please remember...

With Thanksgiving upon us, we revisit the very beginnings of the podcast: Zach's interview of Adam for a previous podcast, originally recorded in June 2017, where they discussed the history and growth of VinePair, what the future held for the celebrity sommelier, and much more. Read Adam's piece on Dustin Wilson here . Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever it is you g...

Adam and Zach are LIVE in Charleston, South Carolina, where they're joined by beverage pro Kellie Holmes to discuss why Charleston has become such a great cocktail city, why wineries and importers need to take the South more seriously, and much more. Many thanks to Charleston Wine + Food for making this event happen, and our on-site engineer Lindsay Collins for making us sound good. Please remembe...

Adam and Zach answer Nick's questions about how best to drink when facing a long international flight, and how to gauge local drinking customs in a foreign land. Plus, why oral hygiene is critical for drinks professionals, and details about the next VinePair live show! Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and please send any comments, que...

Celebrities have always been a part of the alcohol industry, but recently, certain celebs have gone beyond endorsements to launch brands and offer creative input on production, not just marketing. Adam and Zach discuss whether you should take these drinks seriously, why the trend is suddenly exploding, and how to identify which celebrity spirits are actually worth buying. For more on the subject,...

Adam and Zach discuss their very different interest levels in Halloween festivities, and then come up with a few drink pairings for classic Halloween candies. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and remember to send any questions, comments, critiques, and suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks so much for listening, and Happy Hallow...

Adam and Zach are joined by legendary Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey: restaurateur, winery owner, and hospitality icon. They discuss the term "sommelier," what hospitality really means, how to get started in the wine industry, the natural wine movement, and much more. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments,...

Adam and Zach discuss how the signature cocktail craze has more than run its course, and why most bars would be better served to focus on the classics. Plus: what does the rise of draft and pre-batched cocktails mean for the future of the bartender? Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and please send any questions, comments, critiques, o...

Adam and Zach respond to a listener question and explore whether it's wise to get wine pairings when you enjoy a tasting menu, if sommeliers use them as a dumping ground for wine they can't otherwise sell, and how exactly you get a chatty somm to leave you the hell alone. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever it is you get it, and feel free to send any questions...

Adam and Zach record an EMERGENCY PODCAST in the wake of the Trump Administration's rollout of a new 25% tariff on many European wines, spirits, and cheeses. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast...

Adam and Zach are joined by legendary Seattle bartender Casey Robison to discuss tequila, mezcal, and all things agave, including how American companies can behave responsibly in Mexico and what exactly makes this category so exciting. Plus: Nick and Adam's paths potentially cross in Portland. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send...

Adam and Zach discuss the bizarre duality of vodka: at once America's most popular spirit in terms of sales, yet perhaps its most overlooked and underappreciated by bartenders, including a conversation about vodka's role at the dinner table in many Eastern European cultures. Plus, Adam and Zach share their favorite fall drinks and discuss the bachelor party Adam is throwing for his brother. Please...

Adam and Zach discuss some deeply untrendy drinks that they still love, including Merlot, Pinot Grigio, and the Mojito. Plus: why is it that it's way more fun to drink while watching football than any other sport? Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever it is you get your podcasts, and don't forget to send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podc...

Adam and Zach are joined by Hanna Raskin, chief critic and food editor for the Charleston Post & Courier, to discuss why it is that restaurant reviews don't devote much space to beverage programs and the people who run them. Prompted by Zach's Twitter conversation with Pete Wells of the New York Times, Adam and Zach explore why specialty publications like VinePair might be better suited for th...

Adam and Zach have an actual argument over whether wine regions, particularly those in America, should focus on a single variety or style of wine. Things get heated. Plus, your feedback on the podcast, and did you know that VinePair does reader/listener trips? If you'd like to send us your feedback, please send questions, comments, critiques, and suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com, and please rem...

Adam and Zach discuss how we can no longer ignore the reality that our beverage purchases can serve as an endorsement, and that we should think long and hard about the people and businesses we choose to support with our dollars and drinks. Plus, more discussion of last week's topic: online wine clubs. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or...

Adam and Zach are joined by Paul Zitarelli, owner of Full Pull Wines , to discuss how online wine clubs work, what sets them apart from one another, and how some sell you bulk juice while others sell you wine from actual, real-world wineries. Plus, Adam ups the stakes in Paloma War 2019, and a discussion about the best day of the week to do your drinking. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, rev...

Adam and Zach join forces for a late night conversation about what's fair to expect from a bar or restaurant, like that they should know how to make the drinks on their cocktail list, or that they serve your beverage in a clean glass, plus a Negroni horror story from Zach's wife. Please remember to subscribe to, like, rate, and review VinePair on whatever podcast service you prefer, and send any q...

Adam reports in from Santiago, Chile, where he and Zach discuss what's going on in the Chilean wine industry, why Chile might be one of the world's best places to grow grapes, and how producers there are trying to find a way into the American market. Plus, why the revamped TWA Lounge at JFK Airport is a great model for drinking while traveling, and the difference between grafted and own-rooted vin...