Season 1

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...

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...

Wallet-Friendly Wine Reviews: Two Buck Chuck and More! (Reviewing wines under $5, cheap Cabernet Sauvignon, some pleasant and unpleasant surprises)
March 31, 2024x
116
00:43:3530 MB

Wallet-Friendly Wine Reviews: Two Buck Chuck and More! (Reviewing wines under $5, cheap Cabernet Sauvignon, some pleasant and unpleasant surprises)

Believe it or not, 73% of the wine purchased in the United States is sold for less than $8. So, there are a LOT of people drinking those wines! But they don’t often get reviews, and so we thought we would take some time to taste and review some value wines to see just how different they are from slightly more expensive wines. The results: one of the wines was a pleasant surprise and a wine we enjoyed, and one of the wines was probably the worst wine we have ever had on our podcast, and we thi...

Bordeaux Bargains #1! (Haut-Médoc and Graves, Left Bank, why Bordeaux wines are so tricky to understand)
March 24, 2024x
115
00:48:3033.44 MB

Bordeaux Bargains #1! (Haut-Médoc and Graves, Left Bank, why Bordeaux wines are so tricky to understand)

Bordeaux is home to some of the most famous - and most expensive - wines in the world. But can you find a great wine at a great price?!? You can!!! There is no reason to spend more than $20 a bottle to find highly rated and very enjoyable wines from this classic region. In this episode, we focus on Left Bank wines, and we bring that up because Bordeaux may be the most confusing and complicated wine region in the world. If you want to learn more about Bordeaux red wines, this is a great starte...

WTF is Muscadet? (Melon de Bourgogne, the Sur Lie method, batonnage, the ultimate fish wine, the best French white wine under $20?)
March 17, 2024x
114
00:41:5028.78 MB

WTF is Muscadet? (Melon de Bourgogne, the Sur Lie method, batonnage, the ultimate fish wine, the best French white wine under $20?)

If you’re like us, French wines can feel so confusing - and that’s exactly why we do these WTF episodes! This week, we dive into a great French white wine called Muscadet, which is not to be confused with Muscat or Moscato (which are, by the way, the same thing). Muscadet is a wine made in the Loire Valley from the grape Melon de Bourgogne - and that’s already more than you likely knew about this wine. Muscadet has been called the ultimate fish wine, and, when made well, is fruity and zippy w...

Italian Wine Adventure #11: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo! (An underrated and underappreciated Italian beauty, the ultimate cookout wine)
March 10, 2024x
113
00:43:0429.66 MB

Italian Wine Adventure #11: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo! (An underrated and underappreciated Italian beauty, the ultimate cookout wine)

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is an easy wine to overlook. It is inexpensive, easy to find, and does not have the cachet that a Chianti or Barolo or Amarone has. But we are here to tell you that you should take a second look at this underappreciated and underrated Italian wine! In this episode, we tasted and reviewed three easy to find and reasonably priced Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines, and there wasn’t a clunker in the bunch - in fact, we think you should buy them all! Perfect for dinner parties,...

How Good Are Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Wines? (TJ’s is a great, inexpensive place to expand your wine horizons, is high-end cheap worth the price?)
March 03, 2024x
112
00:48:2933.37 MB

How Good Are Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Wines? (TJ’s is a great, inexpensive place to expand your wine horizons, is high-end cheap worth the price?)

Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve wines are meant to compare with wines twice their price, and are said to be top wines from top winemakers in some of the most prestigious wine-growing regions, but just how good are they really? We seek to answer that question to save you time and money. In this episode, we try three different Platinum Reserve wines from TJ’s, give our honest opinion on their taste and quality, and let you know if we think they are worth grabbing the next time you are shopping at...

WTF is Pinotage? (And WTF is Coffee Pinotage? South Africa’s signature wine)
February 25, 2024x
111
00:44:5930.98 MB

WTF is Pinotage? (And WTF is Coffee Pinotage? South Africa’s signature wine)

Ok, let’s be honest. Pinotage is a TRIP. It is like no other wine we have ever had before, and is flat out an experience that you have to try. You may not love it, or even like it, but you have to try it. Especially the Coffee Pinotage which in and of itself is an adventure (and is really a thing)! Pinotage is a wine that was invented in South Africa about 100 years ago, and is considered its signature wine. A cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, it has a smell and taste that is unique, int...

Costco Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir Challenge! (The pros and cons of Costco’s wine selection, why few experts review Costco wines, Kirkland Signature Russian River Pinot Noir review)
February 18, 2024x
110
00:44:5930.97 MB

Costco Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir Challenge! (The pros and cons of Costco’s wine selection, why few experts review Costco wines, Kirkland Signature Russian River Pinot Noir review)

Costco sells a TON of wine, but finding expert reviews of their Kirkland Signature wines can be very tricky. We are happy to help fill that void! Find out why few wine reviewers bother to review Costco Kirkland Signature wines, and where you can find some pretty reliable reviews for those wines. But, most importantly, find out what we think of the Costco Kirkland Signature Russian River Pinot Noir, and how we think it stacks up against some other similarly priced Pinot Noirs that are also eas...

Josh Wines Are . . . Meh. (The truth behind the hype. BTW, we did not give this episode a title until after we tasted the wines in our recording!)
February 11, 2024x
109
00:45:5931.63 MB

Josh Wines Are . . . Meh. (The truth behind the hype. BTW, we did not give this episode a title until after we tasted the wines in our recording!)

Josh Cellars wine has been all over social media recently, but the real question is - is it worthy of the hype?!? We gave Josh Cellars an honest-to-goodness opportunity to impress us. We tasted and reviewed three different Josh Cellar wines just to make sure that we were getting a proper sense of the breadth of their products, and the results were . . . meh. Not good, not bad, just sort of meh. Listen to this episode to get our tasting notes - the flavors and scents that we got from the wine,...

Sweet Dessert Wines for Your Sweetheart! (Wines for Valentine’s Day, Savoring a meal and time with family and friends, WTF is fortified wine)
February 04, 2024x
108
00:49:5134.3 MB

Sweet Dessert Wines for Your Sweetheart! (Wines for Valentine’s Day, Savoring a meal and time with family and friends, WTF is fortified wine)

If you think you are not a fan of dessert wines, we believe we can change your mind - because we changed our own minds in this episode! Dessert wines are perfect for romantic evenings, but also a great excuse to slow down and extend a meal with family, friends, and loved ones. If you are looking for something special to do this Valentine’s Day, serving a sweet wine to your sweetheart to complement the sweets you bought them is a perfect end to a wonderful evening. And who knows, maybe the eve...

They Make Wine in Michigan?!? (The Riesling Belt, Leelanau Peninsula, and a bunch of other stuff we bet you didn’t know!)
January 21, 2024x
106
00:48:1633.2 MB

They Make Wine in Michigan?!? (The Riesling Belt, Leelanau Peninsula, and a bunch of other stuff we bet you didn’t know!)

Look, we were skeptical too, but it’s true. Not only do they make wine in Michigan, they are making great wine! If you are like us, you didn’t realize that there is a burgeoning wine industry in Michigan, and that some highly rated wines are coming out of their 5 AVAs. And, in this episode we’ll taste some of these well rated wines and tell you what we think! What is wonderful about Michigan wine is that this is a place where the winemakers know their terroir and are making wines that are wel...

Italian Wine Adventure #10: Fiano! (A nearly extinct ancient grape makes a comeback, bigger bodied white wine, famous foods from the Campania area of Italy, Chardonnay alternative)
January 14, 2024x
105
00:50:3434.8 MB

Italian Wine Adventure #10: Fiano! (A nearly extinct ancient grape makes a comeback, bigger bodied white wine, famous foods from the Campania area of Italy, Chardonnay alternative)

The Campania region of Italy, famous for the city of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Mount Vesuvius, is also home to many of the most beloved Italian foods - like pizza! - but did you know it is also home to many of the best Italian wines?!? In this Italian wine adventure, we introduce you to a white wine called Fiano that you probably have not heard of but definitely deserves your attention! This is not one of those fly-away Italian Pinot Grigios. No! This is a bigger bodied, rich, and complex...