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 PodcastSpecial Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #16: Kurtis Ogasawara, Director of Winemaking at Robert Mondavi Winery
How did a kid with no background in winemaking, a D1 scholarship to wrestle in college, and an interest in Mechanical Engineering end up making wine at one of…
The Wine Pair PodcastMinisode #18: How Alcohol Content Impacts Wine
Understanding a wine’s alcohol content doesn’t just mean you can figure out how fast it will get you a buzz - it actually can be central to understanding what…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #17: Ribolla Gialla!
A favorite wine of sommeliers, Ribolla Gialla is just different. Hailing from the beautiful Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy, this wine even made it into…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Assyrtiko?
This is a “wow your friends” wine if there ever was one! Serve this wine, have them guess what it is, and then amaze them with your wine knowledge. Assyrtiko…
The Wine Pair PodcastMinisode #17: Why Are Wines Sometimes Named After a Place Rather than the Grape?
Many people find it confusing that wines from places like France, Italy, and Spain are often named for where they are from rather than the grapes they are made…
The Wine Pair PodcastBoxed Wine Unboxed: Bota Box and La Vieille Ferme!
Boxed wine sucks - or does it?!? When a listener suggested we do an episode on boxed wine given all of the nuttiness with tariffs and rising wine prices, we…
The Wine Pair PodcastPortuguese Wine Primer #3: Douro Tinto!
Douro Tinto is often called a “Steakhouse Wine” but that really doesn’t do it justice. This fabulous wine from the Douro region of Portugal - an area most…
The Wine Pair PodcastCostco Kirkland Signature 2022 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Challenge!
It ain’t easy to find an Oregon Pinot Noir under $25, but in this episode, we taste and review 3 Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs to see if any of them are worth…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Châteauneuf-du-Pape? (A wine with a direct line to the Pope)
As the Cardinals head into Conclave to elect the new Pope, we head into our studio (ok, it's our basement, but whatever) to dig into a big, bold, red wine that…
The Wine Pair PodcastGetting Serious About Rosé #3: Tavel! (The Pope’s wine, The 4th wine)
Visually stunning, Tavel is not your typical rosé, and may be the rosé wine that makes your snobby “I don’t drink rosé” friends change their minds! Sometimes…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #16: Grechetto!
Wines from Umbria are often considered “delightfully undervalued.” Right now, that sounds especially appealing! Grechetto is one of those wines from Umbria…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #15: Lenny Recanati and Kobi Arviv of Recanati Winery
In the year 2000, Lenny Recanati decided to start a winery, which is not a small decision. Born out of a love of wine, Lenny rightly says that when you’re not…
The Wine Pair PodcastTrader Joe's Diamond Reserve Vs. Costco Kirkland Signature Series: 2022 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
This is our first ever head-to-head battle between Trader Joe’s and Costco wines, and what a doozy it was. A true battle of equals - the same year, same price…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Kerner?
Now this is an exciting wine! We didn’t have super high expectations going in - the name Kerner does not scream “adventure” - but we are telling you this is a…
The Wine Pair PodcastThey Make Wine in Croatia?!?
When one of our listeners asked if we would be willing to explore wines from Croatia, we were a little hesitant - not because we didn’t want to try them, but…
The Wine Pair PodcastAre Layer Cake Wines Any Good?
We had mixed expectations about Layer Cake Wines. On the one hand, Layer Cake was started by a winemaker who produces some of the most expensive and highest…
The Wine Pair PodcastMinisode #16: What is minerality in wine, and why is it controversial?
Is there such a thing as minerality in wine? Our taste buds tell us yes, but the science tells a different story. Is it a myth? Have the wine nerds and snobs…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #15: Greco di Tufo!
What a beautiful wine! You may not have heard of Greco di Tufo, and you may not be familiar with wines from Campania in southern Italy, but we are hoping that…
The Wine Pair PodcastJust How Good Are Trader Joe’s Reserve Wines?
You know when they say “you get what you pay for”?!? That seems to fit pretty well with Trader Joe’s Reserve label wines. Look, you’re spending $10, so you…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #14: Roman Roth of Wölffer Estate and Jens Honoré Co-Author and Photographer of the Book Rosé Revolution
Sometimes an interview just feels magical. Like, you just happen to find two people who have amazing stories, who genuinely like each other, and who complement…
The Wine Pair PodcastSorry, Prosecco. Franciacorta is Italy’s Answer to Champagne!
Don’t say we didn’t warn you - because once you try this wine, you may never go back to Prosecco! Don’t get us wrong. We like a nice Aperol spritz made with…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF is Blaufränkisch? (AKA Lemberger)
This is what we call a “wow your friends” wine! First, it’s a wine they have probably never heard of. Second, it is a great wine for all sorts of different red…
The Wine Pair PodcastAromatic Dry White Wines: Müller-Thurgau!
If you love Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, or Albariño, you’re going to also love Müller-Thurgau because they all have something in common: they are…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #13: Vince Vidrine of Cowhorn Vineyard and Morgan Beck of Johan Vineyards (Willamette Valley and Southern Oregon)
If you love Oregon wines and biodynamic wines, we have a treat for you! And, if you think you know Oregon wines, this episode is a must listen. Did you know…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian Wine Adventure #14: Rosso di Montalcino! (Brunello's baby brother)
Holy smokes, did we find a great wine! If you or someone you know is a Sangiovese skeptic, just doesn’t get what all the fuss is about Chianti wine, then you…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #12: Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron of Invivo Wine!
How do you start a wine making partnership with Sarah Jessica Parker? It turns out, all you have to do is ask - as long as you have an award-winning wine brand…
The Wine Pair PodcastThe Top 10 Best and Worst Wines We Drank in 2024!
Once again, we present our version of Spotify Wrapped where we review the top 10 and bottom 10 wines we tasted and reviewed in 2024. Some of what we think…
The Wine Pair PodcastPortuguese Wine Primer #2: Port! (A Winter Warmer!)
Port is a fun and festive after-dinner drink during the Holidays. But, which one should you choose - Ruby Port or Tawny Port? Have no idea what we are talking…
The Wine Pair PodcastHoliday Sparkling Wines #4: Sparkling Shiraz!
Looking for a show stopping sparkling wine to serve this Holiday? Then look no further than Sparkling Shiraz! This is a sparkling red wine - yes, you heard us…
The Wine Pair PodcastWhat’s All the Fuss About South African Chenin Blanc?
Chenin Blanc is the “it” wine in South Africa, but is it worth the hype? Spoiler alert - if you like an oaky Chardonnay or white wines with some body, you may…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastGetting 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 Wine Pair PodcastCostco 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastEpisode 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastThey 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastMinisode #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…
The Wine Pair PodcastMinisode #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…
The Wine Pair PodcastWallet 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastHigh 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastBordeaux 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastPortuguese 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastAre 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastAre 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastGetting 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastCostco 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastGreat 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastGetting 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastItalian 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastMalbec: 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastMinisode #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?…
The Wine Pair PodcastMinisode #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…
The Wine Pair PodcastSpecial 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…
The Wine Pair PodcastWTF 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…