The Wine Pair Podcast

The Wine Pair Podcast

Recommended by Decanter Magazine who call The Wine Pair Podcast fun, irreverent, chatty, and entertaining! In each episode, husband and wife team Joe and Carmela learn about, taste, and give our honest review of three wines that are reasonably priced - meaning under $20 each -  and easy to find. Our podcast is made for people who want to learn more about wine, find new wines to enjoy, and just want someone to talk about wine in a fun and funny way that regular people can understand. So, if that sounds like you, you are in the right place!  
Contact us at joe@thewinepairpodcast.com
Instagram: @thewinepairpodcast
Website: https://thewinepairpodcast.com/

Reviews:
Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #11: Leslie Frelow The Wine Concierge & Aamira Garba of LoveLee Wine!
December 01, 2024x
147
00:41:1928.43 MB

Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #11: Leslie Frelow The Wine Concierge & Aamira Garba of LoveLee Wine!

This week we had the honor and privilege to sit and talk with Leslie Frelow and Aamira Garba, two amazing women making waves in the wine world. Leslie calls herself the Owner & Chief Discovery Officer of The Wine Concierge, and that title is perfect because she seeks to sell wines from boutique wineries owned by women and underrepresented groups. Aamira is the CEO and Winemaker for LoveLee Wine who built her wine brand from scratch after deciding that she was tired of living the “checkbox...

WTF is Picpoul?
November 24, 2024x
146
00:42:5229.49 MB

WTF is Picpoul?

Picpoul translates to “lip stinger” in the original dialect, and this is not your typical high acid white wine. In fact, we were pretty surprised by this wine overall. It had more body (read: alcohol) than a typical zippy white wine, and more body as well. Although it is often called a summer sipper, this wine felt more like a fall wind-breaker. Picpoul is not a commonly grown wine grape, and does best in Mediterranean climates like where it is from in Languedoc in the south of France. We exp...

Getting Serious About Rosé: Thanksgiving Edition! (Why alcohol content in wine is a consideration for pairing)
November 17, 2024x
145
00:49:1733.92 MB

Getting Serious About Rosé: Thanksgiving Edition! (Why alcohol content in wine is a consideration for pairing)

You may think that Rosé is a summer wine, made for sipping by the pool - but did you know it is the perfect pairing for Thanksgiving?!? We ain’t sh*&^ing you! The kind of Rosé you serve matters, because after all Rosé is a way of making wine, and so the grapes in the Rosé and the style in which it is made make all the difference. And so in this episode, we talk about what to look for in a Thanksgiving wine, and in a Rosé wine for Thanksgiving in particular, and we have three amazing Rosé ...

Costco Kirkland Signature 2022 Napa Valley Red Blend Challenge (Napa vs. Bordeaux, Judgment of Paris)
November 10, 2024x
144
00:51:4235.57 MB

Costco Kirkland Signature 2022 Napa Valley Red Blend Challenge (Napa vs. Bordeaux, Judgment of Paris)

We generally have pretty good luck with Kirkland wines, and we put our good fortune to the test in this episode by tasting the 2022 Napa Valley Red Blend vs. two other Bordeaux-style blends. How did the Kirkland wine do?!? Well . . . we don’t want to give too many spoilers, but let's just say that we gave it a fair shot. We also dig into what exactly Bordeaux-style blends are because, let’s face it, when a wine says it is a “red blend” that could mean a whole bunch of things. So, we demystify...

Episode 143: Are Bread & Butter Wines Good?
November 03, 2024x
143
00:51:2535.38 MB

Episode 143: Are Bread & Butter Wines Good?

Bread & Butter Wines is one of the fastest growing wine brands in the United States, but does that mean they are any good? Even more importantly, are these wines worth the price? And because these wines rarely show up in the ratings and reviews of the major wine publications, we figured we’d do you a solid and share what we think. In this episode, not only do we taste and give our totally honest review of three different Bread & Butter wines, we spill the tea on what we think is the a...

They Make Wine in Armenia?!? (SOMM: Cup of Salvation)
October 27, 2024x
142
00:42:4429.41 MB

They Make Wine in Armenia?!? (SOMM: Cup of Salvation)

Armenia may be the oldest wine making region in the world, and yet, have you ever had wine from Armenia? There are some good reasons why that may be, and probably most likely because when they were part of the Soviet Union, the government forced them to make fortified wines like brandy, and the winemaking industry was forced to go underground. Over the past few decades, however, winemaking is having a bit of a renaissance, led by people like Vahe and Aimee Keushguerian who literally risk thei...

WTF is Furmint? (THE white wine from Hungary)
October 20, 2024x
141
00:42:0128.96 MB

WTF is Furmint? (THE white wine from Hungary)

It may have an odd sounding name, but Furmint is a wine we are delighted to add to our wine list! Hailing from Hungary, where it is often made into the famous sweet wine called Tokaj Asuz, dry Furmint is a crisp, refreshing, and yet medium bodied white wine that can give any classic white a run for its money. In this episode, we learn a bit about the wine industry in Hungary (they are the 14th largest wine producing country in the world!), and we spill the tea on what exactly Furmint is - and...

Minisode #15: Why Total Wine is Sus!
October 13, 202400:13:549.63 MB

Minisode #15: Why Total Wine is Sus!

Look, Total Wine is big, it has a ton of wine (obvi), and it is often conveniently located, but we just are not convinced about Total Wine, and we do not enjoy shopping there. For a wine store that is so huge, the selection seems kind of crappy frankly. Why is that? In this podcast, we go into some depth into explaining why, and what some better alternatives are. This is just our opinion, though, so hear us out, and we would love to hear from you to hear what you think. Send us a Text Me...

Minisode #14: Is Sake Wine?
October 06, 202400:15:3110.72 MB

Minisode #14: Is Sake Wine?

Sake is often called rice wine, but is it actually wine?!? You may be surprised to find the answer! And for this minisode, we are joined by our daughter Marianna who you can find on Instagram at munch.with.mar! They have been making sake in Japan in the same way for more than 500 years, and there are 12 steps to making it, so, whether it is wine, beer, spirits, or its own thing, it is a very involved process! You may also be surprised to find that they make wines from grapes in Japan, and the...

Wallet Friendly Wine Reviews: Two Buck Chuck Sauvignon Blanc Challenge!
September 29, 2024x
140
00:37:4926.04 MB

Wallet Friendly Wine Reviews: Two Buck Chuck Sauvignon Blanc Challenge!

Sauvignon Blanc is one of our very favorite wines because it is rarely ever anything other than good, and a lot of people feel that way as well, but in this episode we put that to the test by seeing if really inexpensive Sauvignon Blancs can be any good. And, we have some news for you people - while you can find some good inexpensive Sauvignon Blancs, there are some cheap ones out there that are just not very good - we’re looking at you, Charles Shaw! In this episode, we talk about why Sauvig...

WTF is Alicante Bouschet aka Garnacha Tintorera?
September 22, 2024x
139
00:39:2627.15 MB

WTF is Alicante Bouschet aka Garnacha Tintorera?

Did you know that most red wine grapes do not have red flesh? That is what makes teinturier grapes so unique, and why this is a great episode for expanding your wine knowledge and wine horizons. Alicante Bouschet, as would be appropriate, is one of those grapes. Derived from the French term for “dye” or “stain,” teinturier grapes have red flesh to match their red skins. Crazy, right?!? Alicante Bouschet is not a wine for the faint of heart. Hailing from Portugal and Spain, where it is better ...

High QPR Pinot Noir #5! (Learning about Australia Pinot Noir)
September 15, 2024x
138
00:43:5830.24 MB

High QPR Pinot Noir #5! (Learning about Australia Pinot Noir)

In our ongoing mission to find high quality Pinot Noirs at reasonable prices, we bring you a taste of Australia and a discussion on where they can actually grow good Pinot Noir grapes in Australia, how warm climate regions like Australia and California try to deal with this grape that does better in cooler climates, and why Pinot Noir can be expensive. Our personal take on Pinot Noir is that it should be soft, acidic, relatively low in alcohol, and have rich cherry flavors, something that can...

Italian Wine Adventure #13: Arneis! (A hidden white wine gem from Piedmont, for Chardonnay lovers?)
September 08, 2024x
137
00:36:4225.26 MB

Italian Wine Adventure #13: Arneis! (A hidden white wine gem from Piedmont, for Chardonnay lovers?)

Known as “little rascal” in the local Piemontese dialect, this unique Italian white wine is elegant, rich, and flavorful. We usually prefer our white wines to be crisp and acidic, but we really enjoyed this rounder wine, and we think that Chardonnay lovers may find this to be a good option. In this episode we explore just exactly what Arneis is, and we found two nice Arneis wines worth seeking out that won’t put a dent in your pocketbook. We also talk about the number 13 being lucky in Italy,...

Bordeaux Bargains #2! (Plus: how to figure out what grapes are in a Bordeaux wine)
September 01, 2024x
136
00:38:2626.49 MB

Bordeaux Bargains #2! (Plus: how to figure out what grapes are in a Bordeaux wine)

Confused by how to tell what is in a Bordeaux wine? We feel you! It’s confusing because there are a wide variety of grapes and blends to be found in Bordeaux wines and they don’t usually tell you on the label, but we have some secrets to share about how you can start to figure it out. Also, we think that, whether you are a Cabernet Sauvignon lover or not, you owe it to yourself to taste and try Bordeaux wines, especially Left Bank Bordeaux wines, so you can start to learn the way Cabernet Sau...

Portuguese Wine Primer #1: Vinho Verde!
August 25, 2024x
135
00:39:2527.13 MB

Portuguese Wine Primer #1: Vinho Verde!

With just a few weeks of summer left, we have the perfect wine to ensure that you do not squander those last few precious days. Afterall, there are some wines that just scream summer, and Vinho Verde is at the top of the list. Hailing from Portugal, Vinho Verde is a light, crisp, easy drinking, crowd pleasing little spritzer. Yes, spritzer because it is often also effervescent. Vinho Verde is also pretty easy to find in your local store, and very reasonably priced! This episode is also the pe...

Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #10: Kira Ballotta, Winemaker and Owner of Olivia Brion + Cantadora Wines!
August 18, 2024x
134
00:49:3834.14 MB

Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #10: Kira Ballotta, Winemaker and Owner of Olivia Brion + Cantadora Wines!

Kira Ballotta not only makes highly rated and sought after wines (her wines have rated at 92+ with Wine Enthusiast), she is a storyteller who focuses on trailblazing women - and we have to admit, she is quite a trailblazer herself. She is a self-made winemaker and entrepreneur who focuses on sustainable wines, and you can hear her fascinating story, including how she went from a background in finance to one of California’s best winemakers, in our latest episode. Kira’s Cantadora labels featur...

Are We Wrong About Oaky Chardonnay?
August 11, 2024x
133
00:51:4635.61 MB

Are We Wrong About Oaky Chardonnay?

We can admit when we are wrong, and we have to say that although we are not the biggest fans of oaky Chardonnay, we think we found some wines that even an ABC person (that is Anything But Chardonnay) can enjoy. Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world, but it is also a very polarizing wine - some people love it and will drink nothing else, and others won’t even touch it. We are more on the “it depends” end of things - we love unoaked Chardonnay, and are finding that Chardonnays ...

Are Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Wines Good? (Reviews of their Chardonnay, Meritage, and GSM)
August 04, 2024x
132
00:51:0935.21 MB

Are Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Wines Good? (Reviews of their Chardonnay, Meritage, and GSM)

A common question we get is just how good are in-house wine brands like Trader Joe’s or Costco Kirkland Signature wines. This week, we tackle the 3rd highest tier of Trader Joe’s in-house wines, the Grand Reserve level, which is usually priced at $12.99 - which is a killer price IF they are any good. This week we also went out on a limb to try wines that we would not normally choose but that we know are very popular for the majority of wine drinkers, so we give our review of the Chardonnay, G...

Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #9: Victor Schoenfeld, Head Winemaker of Golan Heights Winery!
July 28, 2024x
131
00:36:5625.43 MB

Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #9: Victor Schoenfeld, Head Winemaker of Golan Heights Winery!

Did you know they make award winning wines in Israel? In this special episode, we have the honor to speak with Victor Schoenfeld, Head Winemaker at Golan Heights Winery and one of the pioneers of modern winemaking in Israel. Victor shares with us his journey and how we combined his love of food and interest in agriculture into a career in wine that started down a very traditional path - working for Mondavi and Champagne house Jacquesson & Fils in France - which then took a serendipitous t...

Getting Serious About Rosé #2: Provence Rosé! (The Rosé you probably think about when you think about Rosé)
July 21, 2024x
130
00:39:1527.02 MB

Getting Serious About Rosé #2: Provence Rosé! (The Rosé you probably think about when you think about Rosé)

When most people talk about Rosé wine, they are most likely referring to Provence Rosé. Most people also probably think that Provence Rosé is what all Rosé wine tastes like, but that is not true. In this latest getting serious about Rosé episode, we spend some time talking about why that is. Now, it is true that Rosé from Provence is the most popular, and good ones are crisp and refreshing with good acidity which makes them favorites for summer sippers and pairing with lighter fare. But we be...

WTF is Agiorgitiko? (This Greek red wine is a hidden gem, a must-learn wine)
July 14, 2024x
129
00:39:0026.85 MB

WTF is Agiorgitiko? (This Greek red wine is a hidden gem, a must-learn wine)

Don’t sleep on Agiorgitiko! You may not be familiar with Greek wines - or know how to pronounce them (we didn’t!) - but this is a wine that deserves to be on your must-learn list! Agiorgitiko is a hidden gem in the wine world - a versatile red that comes in different styles, goes well with tons of foods, and can be found at very reasonable prices. It is a perfect complement with Greek food, obviously, but this is a great wine for everything from a cookout to a romantic, fancy dinner. The two ...

Costco Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel Challenge! (Kirkland wines vs. similarly priced wines)
July 07, 2024x
128
00:42:2629.21 MB

Costco Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel Challenge! (Kirkland wines vs. similarly priced wines)

Sometimes being old is good. Aged cheddar? Check. Vintage cars? Yep. Antique furniture Fo’ Sho’! Old Vine Zinfandel? You bet your a$$. In this episode, we return to one of our much beloved Kirkland Signature Challenges, and this week we pit the Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel against similarly priced and easy to find Old Vine Zinfandels to see who wins. And this week, the winner is . . . well, you need to listen in to find out!!! We also talk about what an Old Vine Zinfandel is, w...

Great American Sparklers: 2024 Edition! (California Brut Sparkling Wines for the 4th of July - or Anytime!)
June 30, 2024x
127
00:39:1026.95 MB

Great American Sparklers: 2024 Edition! (California Brut Sparkling Wines for the 4th of July - or Anytime!)

What’s more American than sparkling wine?!? Seriously, we make a lot of sparkling wine in the U.S. and we drink a lot of sparkling wine, too! And we think there is hardly anything better on warm summer afternoons and evenings than a nice glass of bubbly! Don’t save sparkling just for serious occasions. And on July 4th?!? Sparkling wine is perfection! This week, we talk about California sparkling wines and what makes them similar and different from the great sparkling wine Champagne, and we ta...

Getting Serious About Rosé #1: Pinot Noir Rosé (Choose a Rosé based on the red wines you like!)
June 23, 2024x
126
00:37:5926.15 MB

Getting Serious About Rosé #1: Pinot Noir Rosé (Choose a Rosé based on the red wines you like!)

We admit it, we have not always been fair to Rosé, but starting today, we are going to set the record straight! If you think you don’t like Rosé, it may be because you have not yet met a Rosé you like. And the key to finding a Rosé you like is to start with a red wine you like and then finding a Rosé made from that wine. Because, afterall, Rosé is a wine made from red wine grapes - and like any wine, the grapes that are used will make all of the difference. For our first episode in this new s...

Italian Wine Adventure #12: Dolcetto! (Similar to Gamay, the Sommelier’s secret weapon)
June 16, 2024x
125
00:46:0531.71 MB

Italian Wine Adventure #12: Dolcetto! (Similar to Gamay, the Sommelier’s secret weapon)

From the great wine region of Piedmont, Italy comes the red wine called Dolcetto, which means “little sweet one” - but don’t be fooled, this is not a sweet wine, although it is a red wine with flavors and aromas of crunchy red fruit. In our latest Italian Wine Adventure, we travel back to one of our favorite wine areas to see if Dolcetto should be on your wine list. Sometimes called the sommelier’s secret weapon, this wine is less expensive than many wines from Piedmont, and can pair well wit...

Malbec: The Ultimate Summer Cookout Wine! (A lush, fruity, inexpensive crowd-pleaser)
June 09, 2024x
124
00:40:5828.22 MB

Malbec: The Ultimate Summer Cookout Wine! (A lush, fruity, inexpensive crowd-pleaser)

Summer is here, and that means cookouts with family and friends! If you are wondering what kind of wine would be a crowd-pleaser and pair well with food and fun, we have the perfect answer: Malbec! This juicy, well-balanced wine from Argentina is an inexpensive wine that doesn’t taste or drink like it's inexpensive. You may ask why would a wine from Argentina be a good wine for cookouts? If you didn’t know, Argentina has its own deep-rooted cowboy culture, and gauchos from this South American...

Minisode #13: Help! I Don’t Know How to Love White Wine! (Use the B-FAST method to learn to love White Wine)
June 02, 202400:17:5812.38 MB

Minisode #13: Help! I Don’t Know How to Love White Wine! (Use the B-FAST method to learn to love White Wine)

We introduce you to the B-FAST method in this minisode so you can become a white wine lover. What’s that you say, you’ve never heard of the B-FAST method? Well, that’s because it is a Wine Pair Podcast original! To love a thing, you have to learn about a thing, and you have to spend time with a thing. You can’t just go with your first impression! You have to put in some effort! Many people just don’t think white wines are as serious as red wines, but this is false! Using the B-FAST method, wh...

Minisode #12: What Are the Noble Grapes? (And Why Should You Care?)
May 26, 202400:14:179.87 MB

Minisode #12: What Are the Noble Grapes? (And Why Should You Care?)

When it comes to wine grapes, it’s ok to play the field, but it is a good idea to get to know the Noble Grapes. And the good news is - you may already be really familiar with them. That’s because many of the most popular wines and wine blends, both red and white, are often made of these grapes. But what makes them Noble? We’ll tell you! And does that mean they are better than the other grapes? You should listen in to find out! We would say that you need to know the Noble Grapes because they a...

Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #8: Jennie Murphy of Oxlee Graham Wines! (From forensics to wine making, being a woman in the wine industry
May 19, 2024x
123
00:41:5728.87 MB

Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #8: Jennie Murphy of Oxlee Graham Wines! (From forensics to wine making, being a woman in the wine industry

Jennie Murphy is, like her grandmothers who she named her winery after, a tough, resilient, and determined woman. After losing her home in the 2017 wine country fires, she started to seriously think about starting her own winery. We learned a ton about the winemaking world in our conversation with her - things that the average wine drinker never thinks about - for instance the importance of “moving the wine” in the cellar, something she learned from cellar master Roberto Ruiz. In our intervie...

WTF is White Grenache? (AKA Garnatxa Blanca and Grenache Blanc, an underrated white wine, an alternative for Chardonnay lovers, a good summer wine)
May 12, 2024x
122
00:38:4826.71 MB

WTF is White Grenache? (AKA Garnatxa Blanca and Grenache Blanc, an underrated white wine, an alternative for Chardonnay lovers, a good summer wine)

Yes, it’s true, they make Grenache is white as well as red! And it’s a great summer wine! Popular in the Catalonia area of Spain where it is known as Garnatxa Blanca, and in the Rhône area of France where it is often used as a blending grape and known as Grenache Blanc, White Grenache is a tasty, complex, and food friendly white wine that deserves more attention! After tasting and reviewing it in this episode, we were surprised that this is not a more well-known wine. It is a perfect pairing ...

Spain’s Answer to Champagne: Cava! (A step up from Prosecco at a similar price)
May 05, 2024x
121
00:42:1729.1 MB

Spain’s Answer to Champagne: Cava! (A step up from Prosecco at a similar price)

A 10 point wine in this episode! If you want a higher-class alternative to Prosecco at the same price point, then Cava is your wine. Cava is an underrated sparkling wine from Spain that is made in the same way as Champagne, but at a fraction of the cost. Cava is unique among sparkling wines - it is made with native Spanish grapes like Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada which give it a very specific pear + citrus + bitterness that is refreshing and exciting. Cava is a fantastic party and celebra...

WTF is Txakoli? (Fizzy, fruity, and fun dry white wine from Spain, aka Txakolina)
April 28, 2024x
120
00:43:1729.78 MB

WTF is Txakoli? (Fizzy, fruity, and fun dry white wine from Spain, aka Txakolina)

It may be hard to pronounce and spell, but is it ever easy to drink! In this episode, we introduce you to a fun, quaffable, and not so serious wine called Txakoli which hails from the Basque region of Spain. Sometimes also called Txakolina, this slightly fizzy white wine is a perfect summer sipper. While tasting it, we had visions of sitting by the pool or at a cookout with friends on a warm summer afternoon. Heavenly! If you are a fan of Vinho Verde, this wine is definitely another to add to...

Costco Kirkland Signature 2019 Rioja Reserva Challenge! (A punch-you-in-the-face wine, perfect base for Sangria, for Cab Sauv lovers)
April 21, 2024x
119
00:43:2229.84 MB

Costco Kirkland Signature 2019 Rioja Reserva Challenge! (A punch-you-in-the-face wine, perfect base for Sangria, for Cab Sauv lovers)

Rioja is the big dog of Spanish wines, but the question on everyone’s lips is - how does the Costco Kirkland Signature Rioja Reserva stack up to other Riojas? Amiright?!? Well, without giving it away, we’re here to tell you that the Kirkland Signature Rioja is a worthy contender! But did it win in a knockout, or was it a draw? You’ll have to listen to find out. Rioja is a big, bold, punch-you-in-the-face wine that is a good alternative for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers, and, in our humble opinion...

Spain’s Hidden Gem: Priorat! (One of the great wines of Spain, Grenache-based red wine)
April 14, 2024x
118
00:38:1626.34 MB

Spain’s Hidden Gem: Priorat! (One of the great wines of Spain, Grenache-based red wine)

When we say hidden gem, we are not kidding! When people think of Spanish red wines, they immediately think of Rioja, but don’t sleep on Priorat. Hailing from the Catalonia area of Spain, Priorat is a Grenache-based red wine blend that completely blew away our expectations! Rich, complex, and oh so drinkable, this is a wine that deserves a lot more attention and accolades. And we are guessing you may have never even heard of it! The magic of Priorat is said to come from the unique licorella so...

High QPR Pinot Noir #4! (How the American wine palate has been programmed by big wine, Pinot is a polarizing wine)
April 07, 2024x
117
00:43:3029.93 MB

High QPR Pinot Noir #4! (How the American wine palate has been programmed by big wine, Pinot is a polarizing wine)

Pinot Noir can be a polarizing wine - some people love it, and some people just don’t get it. We think that happens for a few reasons. First, most wine drinkers have been trained to think that wines are supposed to taste like Cabernet Sauvignon - big, fruit forward, high in alcohol, and very tannic. Which is just not what a great Pinot tastes like. Second, good Pinot Noirs that have a more classic style are generally not cheap. And that, our friends, is why we do these episodes. Because we wa...