Shows / The Wine Pair Podcast
The Wine Pair Podcast
Not every wine is worth buying. The Wine Pair Podcast features a married couple as they try wines they haven't had before, share their brutally honest opinions, and tell you which bottles are worth your money. Each week, Joe and Carmela take on a different grape, wine style, or region, then taste two or three reasonably priced bottles, usually under $25, and describe what they are tasting in ways that are hilarious and actually make sense. Some are great, some are fine, and some absolutely are…
Episodes
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #26: Schiava! Sommeliers Love This Chillable Red!
Chillable red wines are a thing right now, and we think we may have found the perfect chillable red wine for you to not only enjoy but wow your hipster…
The Wine Pair PodcastCostco Kirkland Signature Châteauneuf-du-Pape Challenge!
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of the world’s great wines, but many people haven’t tried it because it can be darn expensive. So, when Costco drops their Kirkland…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #25: Brian and Jessica Smith from Wendelin Vines
Meet Brian and Jessica, a husband and wife winemaking team from Kansas. Yes, you heard that right - Kansas! It’s not as crazy as it sounds. In fact, did you…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #25: Vermentino! Summer Sipper Contender?
Nothing says summer like a nice, crisp white wine, and in this episode, we cover one of the greats that you may never have heard of called Vermentino…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #24: High-Altitude Excellence: Discovering PDO Amyndeon & PGI Florina with Alpha Estate.
Angelos Iatridis has a philosophy that stuck with us: if you want to be a better man, you make better wine. That's the kind of thoughtful conversation we get…
The Wine Pair PodcastGigondas Has a Reputation for Punching You in the Face. Does It Live Up to That?
Are you a fan of powerful red wines like Châteauneuf-du-Pape but don’t love the price tag? Then Gigondas may be the wine you’ve been waiting for. Gigondas is…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Verdejo?
If you are stuck in a Sauvignon Blanc rut, then Verdejo is here to come to your rescue. This great white wine from Rueda Spain is very similar to Sauvignon…
The Wine Pair PodcastCostco Kirkland Signature Bordeaux Wine Challenge: 2023 Pauillac and 2023 Saint-Julien!
We all know that Costco wine moment when you see a Kirkland Signature wine and you wonder, should I get it? Well, we are here to tell you that you should…
The Wine Pair PodcastIs Moscato d'Asti the Sweet Wine Serious Wine People Won't Admit They Love?
When asked, most people say they like dry wines rather than sweet wines, but is that really true? Based on the most popular wines in the United States, it…
The Wine Pair PodcastThis Ain't Chianti: Is Italian Sangiovese Better Outside Tuscany?
Sangiovese is the classic example of how a wine can taste completely different depending on where it is from and how it is made, and this episode demonstrates…
The Wine Pair PodcastPinot Grigio Is Boring. Alsace Pinot Gris Is Its Richer, Weirder French Cousin!
You may think you know Pinot Grigio, but do you know Pinot Gris? Pinot Gris is the same grape as Pinot Grigio, but in taste, body, and just about every other…
The Wine Pair PodcastThey Make Wine in Lebanon?!? Diving Into One of the World’s Oldest Wine Traditions
Not only do they make great wine in Lebanon, the country has one of the oldest winemaking traditions in the world! The ancient Phoenicians produced wine there…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #23: Jun Kono President and Master Sake Brewer at Sohomare and Leo Lê Sommelier of Kappo Sono and Momoya
Sake is not a beverage we often cover on the podcast, but when we had the chance to talk to one of the great sake makers in the world, we jumped at the chance…
The Wine Pair PodcastIs Two Buck Chuck Actually Bad, or Is That Just Wine Snob Talk?
We KNOW you are curious! No matter what you think about Trader Joe’s Two Buck Chuck, AKA Charles Shaw wine, you want to know. If you love Two Buck Chuck or…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Malvasia?
You may not know Malvasia wine, but it’s time to introduce you to this “kaleidoscope” white wine! Malvasia is a really interesting varietal because, depending…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #24: Frappato! The Chillable Red Wine!
Of course you can chill red wine! But, not just any red wine, though. There are specific fruity and juicy red wines that are amazing when they are chilled, and…
The Wine Pair PodcastViura: The Great White Wine Hiding in Rioja’s Red Wine Shadow!
It may be shocking to find out that there is such a thing as White Rioja, but what may be even more shocking is that a wine this good is hardly known outside…
The Wine Pair PodcastExperts Loved the $50 Oregon Pinot Noir. We Chose the $23 Bottle!
After more than 200 episodes, we are doing something we have never done before. We are doing a head-to-head comparison of two wines that are from the same…
The Wine Pair PodcastGerman Riesling Smells Like Airplane Glue and We Can't Stop Drinking It!
It sounds crazy, right?!? Wine is not supposed to smell like glue or kerosene or gasoline, is it? Well, friends, when you are talking about classic German…
The Wine Pair PodcastPét-Nat Is Older Than Champagne. Is It Better?
Pét-Nat has a “reputation.” Some people love it, and some people think it is a revival of an ancient technique that should have stayed ancient. But, did you…
The Wine Pair PodcastPortugal’s Ancient Clay-Pot Reds in Alentejo Are Back. Worth the Hype?
Winemakers in the Alentejo region of Portugal have been bringing back the ancient tradition of making wine in Talha, also known as Amphora, also known as clay…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #22: Fausto Cellario of Poderi Cellario
Sometimes we talk to winemakers who are part of big wineries and big production facilities. Other times we talk to winemakers like Fausto who are, truly…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #21: Pascal Marty Owner and Winemaker of Viña Marty
Meet a true legend of winemaking. Ever heard of Opus One? How about Château Mouton Rothschild? Pascal Marty, owner and winemaker of Viña Marty in Chile, has a…
The Wine Pair PodcastWhy Serious Wine Nerds Love Xinomavro!
If you are an aspiring wine nerd, Xinomavro is a wine you just gotta know. Why is that you ask? Well, Xinomavro is often compared to the great Italian wines…
The Wine Pair PodcastPortuguese Wine Primer: Douro Branco — Portugal's Best White Under $15?
Have you ever picked up a Portuguese wine, stared at the label, and thought... I have absolutely no idea what this means? Same! And here's the thing: Douro…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #23: Valpolicella Ripasso — The Best Under-$25 Italian Red You're Not Drinking
Valpolicella Ripasso is one of the most fascinating wines we have ever had. It’s not just the flavor, which slaps, but also the process and history behind it…
The Wine Pair PodcastSparkling Riesling (German Sekt): The Fruity Bubbly Under $20 You've Never Tried!
If sparkling wine feels like it's either too expensive, too pretentious, or just not your thing... you haven't had Sekt. German sparkling Riesling is the…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Bordeaux Blanc? The Best French Sauvignon Blanc Value!
If you think the only great wine coming out of Bordeaux is red, you’ve got it wrong! When most people think of Bordeaux wine, they think of red wines that are…
The Wine Pair PodcastRosé d'Anjou: Better (and Cheaper) Than Provence Rosé?
Forget that boring Provence Rosé everyone else is grabbing for Valentine’s Day. We are exposing a secret from the Loire Valley that offers amazing flavor and…
The Wine Pair PodcastForget Chocolate: Why Sherry is the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Unlock!
Valentine’s Day is coming, and if you are feeling stuck in the same old chocolate and roses rut, we have the perfect solution to win over your sweetie! Sherry…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #20: René Barbier Meyer winemaker at Clos Mogador
Meet the wonderful René Barbier Meyer, head winemaker at Clos Mogador winery in Priorat, Spain. René is a winemaker who believes in being close to the land…
The Wine Pair PodcastMeiomi: The Worst Wine We’ve Ever Tasted?
Every once in a while a wine comes along that makes us say, “What the f*&k is this $h&t?!? Meiomi is such a wine. Sometimes described as diabolical, this wine…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #22: Etna Bianco!
Wow! That’s about all we can say about this zippy, electric, and super tasty white wine from the slopes of Mt. Etna. Etna Bianco is a white wine lover’s dream…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #21: Etna Rosso!
Etna Rosso is sometimes referred to as the “Burgundy of the Mediterranean” and for good reason. This wine, made on the slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily from the…
The Wine Pair PodcastThe Best & Worst Wines We Drank in 2025!
Welcome to our very own version of Spotify Wrapped! In this episode, we review the best and worst wines we drank this year, and share with you why we thought…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Aligoté?
Sometimes known as the “other” white wine of Burgundy, Aligoté is the bargain white from one of the world’s most famous wine regions. It is the child of Pinot…
The Wine Pair PodcastHoliday Sparkling Wines #5: Lambrusco!
Forget what you think you know about Lambrusco, because this wine slaps! We walked away from this episode with one of our very few 10/10 rated wines! If you…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #20: Nero d’Avola!
Known as the King of Sicily, Nero d’Avola is a wine that can be very approachable and fruity, and might just be the wine that you need to serve your friends…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! The Virginia Winemakers Series #3: Corry Craighill of Septenary Winery
In the third installment of our Virginia winemaker’s series, we meet Corry Craighill who is the head winemaker at Septenary Winery as well as her own small…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Graciano?
You say you love Spanish wine, but you’ve never heard of Graciano?!? Then we have got a treat for you! Hailing from the Rioja region of Spain (as well as the…
The Wine Pair PodcastBarolo Battle! Costco Kirkland vs. Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve!
We had to try it. We couldn’t help ourselves. And, can you blame us?!? Afterall, who can resist a $20 Barolo from Costco’s Kirkland Brand, or Trader Joe’s…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! The Virginia Winemakers Series #2: Justin Rose of Rosemont of Virginia
In our second installment of our Virginia winemaker’s series, we meet Justin Rose of Rosemont wine. Justin was able to leverage his chemical engineering…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpätburgunder: High QPR Pinot Noir!
This wine, friends, is the epitome of why we started our podcast in the first place - to help you find great wines at reasonable prices that you have just not…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Bonarda AKA Charbono?
If you are looking for a crowd-pleasing, bigger red wine, this may be the ticket. Wait, you’ve never heard of Bonarda or Charbono?!? Shameful! It’s time to get…
The Wine Pair PodcastOrange Wine, One More Time!
Is Orange wine still a vibe wine? A couple of years after our first episode on Orange wine, we revisit it to see if it’s still all that. The verdict? It is! We…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Trousseau? (Jura wine exposed!)
All the cool kids are talking about wines from Jura, but should you believe the hype? Well, when it comes to the red wine Trousseau, we say a resounding YES!…
The Wine Pair PodcastCostco vs. Costco! Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva Challenge! (Bonus: TJ’s Horrible Pumpkin Spice Chardonnay!)
We know what you’re thinking: how different could two of the same wines from different vintages taste really?!? We’re here to tell you, they were vastly…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! The Virginia Winemakers Series: Jake Busching of Jake Busching Wines
Jake Busching is a bit of a legend around Virginia winemaking, so who better to be the first winemaker we talk to as part of our Virginia Winemakers series!…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #19: Grignolino!
When you think of red wine from Piedmont, you likely think of Nebbiolo or Barbera, but did you know that for a long time, Grignolino was the preferred red wine…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Cinsault?
Summer is almost over, but we found a great end of the summer wine that is chillable, quaffable, and easy drinking. In fact, this may be the wine that…
The Wine Pair PodcastCostco Kirkland Signature Challenge: Sonoma County Chardonnay!
Have you ever wondered why American Chardonnay tastes like oaky butter-bombs? Well, you can blame the French! The American style of Chardonnay is not our…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Mencía?
Ok, in this episode, all hell breaks loose! It starts out innocently enough - an introduction to the Spanish wine Mencía, a quick interview with a real…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #18: Primitivo!
This crowd-pleasing wine from Southern Italy’s Puglia region we think is underappreciated and not well-enough known - kind of like Puglia. Genetically…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Chablis?
Chablis is a wine we absolutely adore, and we think too many people are just unaware of what a beautiful and fantastic wine it is. If you are thinking, wait, I…
The Wine Pair PodcastHigh QPR Pinot Noir from South America!
South America may not be the first place you think of for high quality Pinot Noir, but it is definitely time to start putting it on your list, especially…
The Wine Pair PodcastCostco Kirkland Signature Côtes du Rhône Challenge!
Have you ever walked down the wine aisle at Costco, picked up one of their Kirkland Signature wines and thought, “What the eff is this wine?” Because, you…
The Wine Pair PodcastMinisode #20: WTF Does Body in Wine Mean?
Body can feel like a wine nerd term, but it is a super important aspect of wine that has a huge impact on the wine drinking experience. If you are not sure why…
The Wine Pair PodcastThe Other Cabernet: Cabernet Franc!
If you think Cabernet Sauvignon is the only Cabernet, you’ve got another think coming (as Joe’s mom used to say). Cabernet Franc is on the rise, and it’s time…
The Wine Pair PodcastGetting Serious about Rosé #4: Bandol!
They say summer is the time for Rosé, but did you know that not all Rosé wines are the same? Bandol is the perfect example of a Rosé that may just surprise…
The Wine Pair PodcastMinisode #19: Can You Chill a Red Wine? (The 20/20 rule, chillable red wines)
It is not a heresy to chill red wine. In fact, it can be downright crucial to creating a better drinking experience. Temperature impacts a wine’s aromas…