Wine Tripping with Amanda McCrossin

Picture this: you’re on the train, outside your window breathtaking landscapes carved by a serpentine river roll past. On the river’s banks, sun-drenched, terraced vineyards seem to touch the sky. Welcome to Portugal’s Douro Valley.  But the gorgeous scenery is only the beginning of what Portugal’s wine scene has to offer. In this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda is your guide to one of the w...

What is it that makes Champagne so magical? Does adding some bubbles to a wine really make it worth all the pomp and circumstance - not to mention the price tag? In this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda McCrossin pops the cork on the world’s most iconic sparkling wine, pours her argument for why Champagne is 100% all its cracked up to be and more.  Starting with the story of her own “aha” mom...

Looking for the chance to live like French Royalty? Does sipping world-class wine on the lawn of a storybook château sound like your idea of the perfect escape? If you answered yes, then Bordeaux — the land of legendary reds, decadent dinners, and a little bit of snobbery (in the best way possible) -- is where you want to go. In this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda spills all about her first-ever...

Think you know Oregon wine? Think again. On this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda McCrossin takes you far beyond the tasting room — straight into the heart (and forests) of the Willamette Valley. What starts as a classic Pinot Noir pilgrimage quickly turns into an unexpected adventure, when a winemaker offers Amanda a choice: vineyard tour or mushroom foraging? For the record, when a winemaker ask...

When you close your eyes and think of Washington State what do you see? Grey skies and perpetual drizzle? A certain hospital with a ridiculously good looking staff of surgeons? Well, on this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda is here to open your eyes to the real Washington - through the lens of the perfect bottle of wine of course! Because Washington, with its snow-capped mountains, rolling rivers,...

Ready for an Argentine adventure at the foot of the Andes? In this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda takes you deep into the heart of South America’s wine country for an unforgettable journey through Mendoza’s legendary vineyards, mouthwatering cuisine, and the magic that happens when steak meets Malbec under a fiery sunset. You’ll hear Amanda’s firsthand stories—like the moment she thought she cou...

Confession time: despite Italian wines having a reputation as some of the most legendary wines to ever fill a stemmed glass, Amanda had always been lukewarm on them.  They just didn’t stir her imagination that way other regions did. That is until she was invited to visit Tuscany by one of the OG producers of Brunello di Montalcino - Biondi-Santi . And once she stepped foot on their vineyard,...

Ever dreamed of sipping world-class Cabernet right where it’s made — or wondered why Napa Valley is on every wine lover’s bucket list? In this episode of Wine Tripping, we’re heading straight to the heart of California wine country - and the town Amanda calls home - for an insider’s guide to Napa’s legendary vineyards, unforgettable flavors, and the secrets that make this region so magical. You’ll...

Ever wondered if there’s actual fruit in your wine? (Spoiler: there isn’t—but the story behind those “cherry” and “lemon” notes is fascinating!) In this episode of Wine Tripping, we’re swirling, sniffing, and sipping our way through the art and science of tasting wine. You’ll learn why wine pros use fruity metaphors, how to actually train your nose and palate, and the real impact of glassware and...

Ever wondered what really happens between the vineyard and all the swirling, sniffing, and sipping when the wine reaches your glass? On this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda pulls back the curtain on the secrets of winemaking, stripping away the mystique and showing you just how much magic (and muscle) goes into every bottle. Amanda takes you from her first grape-stomping shock in Napa to the hear...

Ever wondered why a Chardonnay from California tastes like baked apples, while one from Burgundy is all tart and zipy? In this episode of Wine Tripping, Amanda uncorks the magic of terroir—the mysterious “sense of place” that makes every bottle unique. Join Amanda as she shares sun-soaked stories from the south of France, explains why even tomatoes taste better at that one particular stand at Jers...

Ever look at a wine list, feel totally intimidated, and in the end just order the one whose name you think you know how to pronounce? Yeah. Us too.  The world of wine can feel daunting - terms like terroir, robe, legs, and steely mouthfeel can seem like some impenetrable secret language. But Amanda McCrossin - certified sommelier, Napa Valley insider, and all-around wine nerd - is here to cha...

Ever wonder how dirt, weather, and a single grape can change everything in your glass? Wine has shaped civilization for thousands of years, and sommelier Amanda McCrossin is your guide to exploring it all. From Napa to Tuscany, Argentina to Portugal’s breathtaking Douro Valley and beyond, Amanda is your guide on a globe-trotting adventure to uncork the secrets of Wine and help you begin - or...