VinePair Podcast

Adam and Zach discuss two recent studies, the first of which shows that, surprise , Gen Z is drinking at historically normal rates, despite all the misplaced doom and gloom around the generation. Why were so many invested in the myth that Gen Z doesn't drink, and how should producers and marketers be rethinking their strategy. Plus, another study explores what drinkers really value, and how being...

Adam and Zach discuss some of Adam's takeaways from hosting The Buildout, in particular about the tremendous importance of hospitality, and on making the guest experience welcoming and accommodating, as well as the need to be willing to change your concept, why you have to know your marketplace very well, and more. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Pod...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach are joined by VinePair spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb to discuss his recent list of the best vodkas , as well as how drinkers are relating to the spirit these days. Has the rise of the Martini, and particularly the Dirty Martini, given it a new relevance? Can cocktail bars find a role for vodka beyond either the classics or the "fruity/sweet" paradigm? Are producers doing any...

In the wake of the recently-announced "Sauvy B" from Trinchero Family Wine and Spirits and famed winemaker Joel Gott, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether wine-based RTDs, particularly those that proclaim their wine affiliations proudly, can serve as a bridge, particularly for younger drinkers, from RTDs to wine, especially bottled wine. Will loving a Sauvignon Blanc-based canned spritz eventual...

Adam and Joanna discuss whether companies that are making obvious dupes or copies of popular drinks are being smart or just trying to cash in on a trend. Can you copy and become more premium? Does it matter if the packaging is nearly identical? Does it matter what part of the drinks space you're in? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,...

Adam and Joanna respond to a listener question: are RTDs actually a fad? Despite emerging in the late 2010s and becoming a significant part of the beverage alcohol industry in the 2020s, is it possible that they don't have staying power, or have they shown that there's a significant audience for convenience, flavor, and accessibility? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the renewed speculation that Jack Daniels manufacturer Brown-Forman might be for sale: while the family-owned company rejected two reported offers in April, rumors continue to swirl that they're on the market. Will Pernod-Ricard or Sazerac remain interested? Which drinks company makes the most sense as an acquirer, and how can they attempt to rebuild and grow the bra...

Traditionally, summer (and the 4th of July specifically) have been opportunities for drinks brands of all kinds to (sometimes literally) wrap themselves in the American flag to move product. Yet even with the country's 250th anniversary just days away, it seems like relatively few are doing so this year. Is that because the current American political landscape is so fractious? Is patriotism and Am...

Busy restaurants have imposed time limits on diners for decades. Yet bars have, historically, operated in such a way that once you get a seat, and as long as you're behaving, you can generally stay as long as you like. Well, in this new era of reservation-only bars, some are starting to impose time limits on patrons. Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether this is inhospitable, how bars should comm...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the siren's song of online wine sales, and in particular the idea of affiliate marketing and referrals. So many businesses have taken aim at this potential market, yet when even Amazon decides that selling wine online is a non-starter, why do people continue to try? What are the specific challenges that make selling wine (and other beverage alcohol) online so difficu...

With two Gen Z-directed movies lighting up the box office, it turns out that despite the doom and gloom, young people do want to go to the movies...if the movies are made for them. Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss what the drinks industry might be able to learn from this recently phenomenon, and whether in fact it can be applied at all. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair...

Many winemakers the world over aspire to make world class wines. Yet the wines that are generally regarded as such have never been more expensive or difficult to source. So - can you make great wine if you almost never get to drink it? That's what Adam, Joanna, and Zach debate: can you even know what your wine is capable of if you don't know what the absolute pinnacle of the category tastes like?...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach comment on the fact that while many publications (including VinePair) love to interview bartenders about their favorite places to drink, it's an open question as to whether that serves as good advice for the drinking public when it comes to whether they should seek those places out. While bartenders might prioritize a relaxed vibe and an industry-friendly ethos, that might n...

You might have heard that apparently, smoking cigarettes is cool again. Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss what might be influencing this trend, why the health consequences of smoking might not resonate right now, and how that could impact the alcohol industry. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether the brands and bars that are counting on the upcoming World Cup as a central park of their marketing push or as a major driver of business over the next month might be let down. Just how big is the American appetite for soccer? Will the many obstacles and objections for international tourists harm hospitality properties in host cities? Plus - how do you tell...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether people looking for a wine country outing actually care about being able to see vineyards, or even winery facilities, or if nice amenities and easy access are more appealing. Can urban tasting rooms and concentrated wine districts be a better bet for tourism than scenic vistas that also come with long drives and hard-to-access experiences? Please remember to s...

Adam and Joanna are joined by VinePair Spirits Editor Aaron Goldfarb to break down his list of the 20 Best Mezcals for 2026 and the general state of Mexico's other great agave spirit. While bartenders and aficionados remain deeply enamored with mezcal, commercial success has been limited in scope and confined to a few specific brands. Is the wild, small batch nature of the spirit an insurmountable...

Adam and Joanna dive into why the proliferation of reservation-only bars is hurting the industry, and has a surprising root cause. How is it that credit card companies and their desire to provide high-end perks for big spenders are changing the way that bars have always operated? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get...

With Memorial Day marking the traditional start of summer, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether bars having seasonal cocktails that get tremendous acclaim is actually a good thing for those bars when drinkers can't have said cocktails year-round. Do you end up disappointing more than delighting when your limited-time offering goes bye-bye, or is this just a matter of drinkers needing to respect...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the quandary that faces the alcohol industry at the moment: people generally want to drink, but are drinking less than they used to. Instead of ascribing this to theories about wellness trends or shifting demographics, what if we looked at the friction points that are keeping people from drinking: cost, social media pressure, an overwhelming array of choices, and mor...

After his time in Oregon's Willamette Valley, Zach poses a question to Adam and Joanna: is there a real market for domestic sparkling wine, particularly wine that aims to be priced close to Champagne. Can a region well-known for Pinot Noir, and increasingly Chardonnay, parlay that into demand for bubbles, or do you need to be price-competitive with Prosecco to stand a chance? Please remember to su...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach puzzle over New York City's recently launched "Buzzkill" campaign, ostensibly to inform the public about the health risks of alcohol. Why is this a priority for any city, especially one that relies so heavily on the food and beverage industry as a source of revenue and jobs? Doesn't this cut against at least a sizeable swath of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's political constituency?...

On this special episode of The VinePair Podcast, Adam is joined by Dave Phinney, the founder of Orin Swift, to discuss his storied career in the wine industry, why he's so committed to traveling to sell and support his wines, what reaching new consumers means in this day and age, and much more. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wh...

In light of the news that workers at the iconic New York City bar Attaboy have unionized, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss what might have led this unionization effort to succeed where previous ones have failed, whether this will spur similar efforts at other well-known bars and restaurants, and why the hospitality industry has largely not been union-friendly, particularly in smaller restaurants and...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether wine drinkers still need every red wine to be deep and inky in color, or can brands and producers that have typically relied on Mega Purple and other additives instead get away from that practice? What made such wines so desirable in the first place, and have tastes changed enough to allow brands to phase out this approach to winemaking? Please remember to su...