Wine Pros On The Go

Born and raised in Ecuador, Pablo Aguilar brings a perspective on wine rooted in agriculture, food, culture, and the table. In this episode of Wine Pros on the Go , Pablo joins Lauren for a conversation that strips wine back to its roots — grapes grown by farmers, transformed through fermentation, and ultimately meant to be enjoyed alongside a meal. They explore why wine is too often treated as so...

Why does a glass of wine somehow taste better on a terrace in Tuscany, beside the ocean, or halfway through a trip you never want to end? In this episode, we get into the psychology, neuroscience, and suspicious magic behind why wine can feel more delicious when we’re somewhere beautiful. From memory and mood to expectation, environment, music, company, and the way our brains process pleasure, the...

What happens after the story you wrote changes the way an entire generation thinks about wine? In Episode 33 of Wine Pros On the Go, Lauren sits down with Rex Pickett, author of Sideways, for a fascinating conversation about the novel that became a cultural phenomenon—and the ripple effects that are still being felt throughout the wine world today. Rex takes us behind Sideways: the characters, hum...

There are people who build careers, and then there are people who build entire worlds around the things they love. Eric Flanagan is firmly in the second category. In this episode of Wine Pros on the Go , we sit down with Eric Flanagan, founder of Flanagan Wines in Sonoma County, California. Over decades, Eric has built Flanagan Wines around a deep respect for place—farming vineyards across Sonoma...

Bobby Stuckey has spent his career proving that great hospitality isn't about perfection—it's about making people feel something. In this episode of Wine Pros on the Go , Lauren sits down with the legendary Master Sommelier, restaurateur, and co-founder of Frasca Hospitality Group for a conversation about wine, restaurants, leadership, and the art of taking care of people. Bobby shares t...

Eric Asimov has spent decades asking one of wine's most important questions: What makes a bottle worth paying attention to? As Chief Wine Critic of The New York Times , Eric has helped shape the way generations of readers think about wine—not through scores or status, but through culture, place, people, and the simple pleasure of drinking something meaningful. In this episode of Wine Pros on...

We like to believe our wine choices are simply matters of taste. Yet the bottles we return to often carry something more: memory, aspiration, habit, even identity. In Episode 29, Wine Pros on the Go considers what our favorite wines may reveal about us—not as a scientific exercise, but as an affectionate study of the people behind the glass. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, rosé an...

Greece has been making wine for thousands of years—and still knows how to keep things interesting. Journey through volcanic vineyards, ancient myths, seaside tables, and remarkable native grapes, from Santorini's electric Assyrtiko to Xinomavro's brooding charm. Expect gods, great food, modern winemakers, and at least one uncle determined to teach you the circle dance. It's part win...

How many great bottles are waiting for a “special occasion?” What if the special occasion is today? Most of life doesn't happen on birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays. It happens on Tuesdays—in ordinary dinners, unexpected conversations, and quiet moments with the people we love. Years from now, you may realize those little moments were the big moments all along. Join Wine Pros on the Go fo...

Some grapes make wine. Pinot Noir makes people fall in love. In this episode of Wine Pros on the Go , we're diving into one of the wine world's most captivating, frustrating, celebrated, and downright irresistible grapes: Pinot Noir. Known for producing some of the most sought-after wines on Earth, Pinot Noir has earned a reputation as the heartbreak grape—a variety so delicate, temperam...

Pour yourself a glass and settle in, because we're tackling one of wine's biggest stars: Chardonnay . In this episode of Wine Pros on the Go , we're exploring the grape that has inspired devotion, debate, and more than a few strong opinions. Loved by millions and misunderstood by many, Chardonnay is far more than buttery California wine and far more exciting than its reputation some...

Join Wine Pros on the Go as we uncork the story of Cabernet Sauvignon —the undisputed King of Reds and one of the most celebrated grape varieties on Earth. Loved by collectors, sommeliers, steak lovers, and anyone who appreciates a wine with presence, Cabernet Sauvignon has spent centuries building its reputation as the benchmark for greatness. Bold yet elegant, powerful yet capable of remarkable...

Think you know Chenin Blanc? Think again. In this episode of Wine Pros on the Go , we’re diving into the wine world’s ultimate overachiever—a grape that somehow manages to be crisp, rich, dry, sweet, sparkling, age-worthy, budget-friendly, and world-class, often all in the same bottle. Meet Chenin Blanc: the Swiss Army knife of wine. From the misty castles and ancient vineyards of France’s Loire V...

In this episode of Wine Pros on the Go , we sit down with one of the wine industry's true Swiss Army knives: Phillip Stice, owner of Specialty Wines Distributors and a man who has spent a lifetime seeing the wine world from nearly every angle imaginable. Long before Phillip was building portfolios and representing family-owned wineries, his family's story in wine began during the Prohibi...

Forget everything you think you know about Riesling. In this episode of Wine Pros on the Go , we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood—and most beloved—grapes in the wine world. Often dismissed as simply “sweet,” Riesling is actually one of wine’s greatest shape-shifters, capable of producing wines that are bone dry, lusciously sweet, sparkling, age-worthy, wildly complex, a...

Join Wine Pros on the Go as we uncork the fascinating story of Pinot Grigio —the crisp, refreshing white wine that became a global phenomenon while quietly hiding one of wine's most surprising identities. Often dismissed as simple, Pinot Grigio is anything but. From the dramatic alpine vineyards of northern Italy to the historic wine regions of France, Germany, Oregon, and beyond, this chamel...

Join Wine Pros on the Go as we hop on an imaginary Vespa and head straight for the rolling hills of Tuscany to meet one of the wine world's greatest characters: Sangiovese . This isn't just a grape. It's the heartbeat of Italy. Sangiovese is the force behind Chianti, the soul of Brunello di Montalcino, the backbone of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and the reason countless trattorias...

Join Wine Pros on the Go as we sit down with Eric Palmer — Fine Wine Specialist with RNDC , newly minted Advanced Sommelier , and one of the most thoughtful voices in today's wine community. Earning the Advanced Sommelier credential is no small feat. It requires years of relentless study, tasting thousands of wines, mastering service, and developing a deep understanding of the world's mo...

In this episode of Wine Pros on the Go , we sit down with the team behind Through the Grapevine , one of Atlanta's fastest-growing wine communities. We discuss the inspiration behind the brand, its mission to make wine more approachable and inclusive, and how it's building meaningful connections through curated events, hospitality, education, and shared experiences.  Join us for an engag...

Join Wine Pros on the Go for a conversation with one of the most respected voices in hospitality and wine: Juan Fernando Cortés , recipient of the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Atlanta Sommelier Award , and Co-Founder of the David Bowie-Inspired Atlanta Wine Bar, Under Pressure .  Known for his thoughtful approach to service, fearless creativity, and deep respect for both food and wine, Juan has spent more...

Join Wine Pros on the Go as we uncork the story of Sauvignon Blanc—one of the wine world's most vibrant, expressive, and globally celebrated white grape varieties. From the historic vineyards of France's Loire Valley to the sun-drenched landscapes of New Zealand, California, South Africa, and beyond, we'll explore how climate, soil, and winemaking shape Sauvignon Blanc's unmist...

What Shark Diving Taught Me About Hospitality —A Wildly Human Side Quest About Sharks, Wine, Service, Fear, and Wonder I didn't expect one of the most important lessons of my wine career to come from a shark. But somewhere between open water, racing heartbeats, and a healthy respect for creatures with far better PR problems than they deserve, I discovered something surprising about hospitalit...

Join Wine Pros on the Go as we step inside the life of a wine sales representative with Atlanta wine veteran Ryan Mullins . From breaking into the industry and navigating a typical day in the field to building expertise, organizing a cellar, and discovering the books, films, and experiences that shape a successful wine career, Ryan shares hard-earned wisdom from years in the business.  Equal parts...

In this episode of Wine Pros on the Go , Lauren Crim sits down with Samantha Holley, founder of Atlantik Imports , to explore the often-unseen world of wine importing. From discovering producers and building a portfolio to navigating distributors, global travel, and industry events, Samantha shares what it really takes to bring great wines to market. Along the way, she pours and discusses Austrian...

Portugal is a country shaped by explorers, carved by the Atlantic, and rooted in some of the oldest wine traditions on Earth. In this episode of Wine Pros on the Go , we journey through a land where terraced vineyards cling to dramatic river valleys, ancient grape varieties thrive against all odds, and every bottle tells a story centuries in the making. From the misty hills of Vinho Verde to the s...