Best VinePair Podcasts (2024)

1
Does Generational Pandering Still Work? 27:05

1h ago27:05

27:05

As Gen Z moves more into the forefront of drinks culture, brands throughout the industry are trying to craft products and pitches that they think will resonate. Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether or not that kind of generational pandering actually works, and whether it makes sense to target the youngest section of legal-age drinkers potentially…

1
Italy Part I: Sicily and the Rome's Surroundings 24:02

5h ago24:02

24:02

Before and after the rise of Rome land under-vine in Italy was already everywhere. And what came next was the largest explosion of wine culture in the ancient world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Techniques: Mixing Wine in Cocktails 1:06:50

1h ago1:06:50

1:06:50

Ahead of hosting a monthly After Hours party at the VinePair HQ, Will Patton and Devin Kennedy of D.C.’s Press Club stop by the studio to give us a master class on mixing wine in cocktails. Will Patton’s “Obstacle 1” Recipe Ingredients 1 ounce Green Chartreuse 1 ounce Kabinett Riesling ½ ounce fresh lime juice ¼ ounce simple syrup Garnish: tarragon…

1
What Can We Learn From European Drinks Culture? 36:41

37m ago36:41

36:41

Adam has returned from his European vacation, and discusses with Joanna and Zach some of what he experienced and learned along the way, including whether the world's best bars are worth a visit, why wine lists are usually hyper-local, and the unexpected places where dining with a young child can work out. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and …

1
Greece Part II: Homer and Dionysia 22:06

10h ago22:06

22:06

We wind our way through ancient Greek history with examples of just how important the grapevine was to their culture Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Letting a Vineyard Run Wild with Benziger Family Winery 31:19

1h ago31:19

31:19

Zach speaks with vintner Chris Benziger about his family's move from New York City to Sonoma, their early adoption of biodynamic farming practices, how sheep and cows can bring life back into a vineyard, and their newly-released "Running Wild" Chardonnay. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wher…

1
When Bud Light First Got Fruity 42:45

1h ago42:45

42:45

Our guest this episode is Jeff Musial, a bev-alc industry veteran who was working in research and development for new products at Anheuser-Busch in the mid-Aughts. This was a heady moment for the St. Louis giant; Bud Light volumes would peak in 2008, the same year the Brazilian-led Belgian outfit InBev would complete its hostile takeover of the fir…

1
Can Restaurants Rein in Wine Prices? 37:33

18m ago37:33

37:33

Joanna and Zach are joined by VinePair contributor Dave Foss to discuss the current state of wine pricing in restaurants: why many restaurants, particularly in trendier cities and neighborhoods, are marking up their wine to previously-unseen levels, particularly in places without a dedicated wine or beverage professional. Please remember to subscri…

1
Will Lambrusco Ever Be Cool (Again)? 18:14

2d ago18:14

18:14

Joanna and Zach discuss Lambrusco - once America's most popular imported wine, can it reemerge as an unlikely favorite as both chilled red wines and sparkling wines are on the rise, and as the nation's love affair with cured meats, cheeses, and all things Italian shows no signs of waning? Or can something that was once so popular, then unpopular, n…

1
The Queen's Park Swizzle 57:19

2d ago57:19

57:19

Julie Reiner, partner of New York’s Clover Club, Leyenda, and Milady’s, makes a reappearance on Cocktail College to explore one of her all-time favorite drinks, the Queen's Park Swizzle. In this discussion on the "grown-up Mojito," we dive deep into a broad range of topics ranging from swizzling as a technique to the modern state of mixology. Liste…

1
Greece Part I: The Minoans and Mycenae 18:54

3d ago18:54

18:54

The grapevine happens upon a culture that takes its love for wine to the next level, becoming the conveyer of wine to the world beyond the Mediterranean. Greece's beginnings begin with wine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
The Rise of Soufflé Cocktails 27:44

5d ago27:44

27:44

Joanna and Zach are joined by VinePair assistant editor Hannah Staab to explore the modern revival of soufflé cocktails like the Ramos Gin Fizz, how certain bars are trying to turn a 15 minute cocktail into something that can be done quickly, and what the future of the trend looks like. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on …

1
The Spritz is a Vibe, Not a Recipe 25:50

13d ago25:50

25:50

Joanna and Zach discuss the state of the spritz in 2024: why it remains a very popular drink, whether there's room for other versions besides the Aperol Spritz, and why it may or may not be a good template for brands and bartenders to riff on. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get…

1
Wine An Origin Story Part VII: The Phoenician Influence and Greece On Deck 18:50

10d ago18:50

18:50

As we wrap up the series on the Origins of wine we see the Phoenician culture inspire the Mediterranean and eventually the Greeks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
How Cold IPA Got Hot 51:04

16d ago51:04

51:04

In 2018, Gold Dot Beer’s Kevin Davey was working as the brewmaster of Portland Oregon’s Wayfinder Beer when he hit upon the idea of brewing an India Pale Ale with lager yeast. Hazy IPAs had yet to consolidate their grasp as the dominant substyle of the traditional West Coast variety, and this was the age of tinkering; in fact, Davey says his experi…

1
Why Are You Talking Me Out of That Wine Sale? 34:43

12d ago34:43

34:43

Adam, Joanna, and Zach talk about a frustrating issue with wine sales and service, where professionals attempt to talk customers out of buying the wines they're interested in, and whether that comes from a lack of experience, poor training, or just snobbery. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or w…

1
Does It Really Take Longer to Get a Drink Now? 34:25

16d ago34:25

34:25

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the balancing act between bars serving good drinks quickly in a more frenetic environment, versus a slower pace of service with a more chill atmosphere, as well as what some of the causes of slower service might be. Plus, they discuss their personal IPA Mount Rushmores and answer a listener question about the drinks t…

1
The Improved Whiskey Cocktail 1:03:51

16d ago1:03:51

1:03:51

How do you improve upon the very formula that brought us the Old Fashioned? Subjectively speaking, many may argue that it's impossible. But from a technical — or technical cocktail terminology — perspective, there is an historic answer. Tristan Brunel, bar director at New York's Tusk Bar, joins us today to explore the Improved Whiskey Cocktail and …

1
Wine An Origin Story Part VI: The Carthaginians and Bathtubs 19:50

17d ago19:50

19:50

As the Bronze Age becomes the Iron Age the grapevine begins to travel beyond its previous limits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
What Is the Future of Wine Collecting? 27:42

19d ago27:42

27:42

Adam, Joanna, and Zach ponder the future of wine collecting: will Millennials and beyond continue to seek out and value the same kinds of wines as older collectors? Will there be as many people interested in wine collecting as in the past? Will wine knowledge and aptitude continue to have the same kind of cultural cachet as it does now? Please reme…

1
The Stinger 56:56

24d ago56:56

56:56

Laura Maddox, bar manager-owner at Austin's Small Victory, joins us today to dissect the Stinger. Dubbed "the king of after-dinner cocktails," Laura teaches us how to master this two-ingredient mix of Cognac and creme de menthe. Listen on, or read below, to learn Laura's Stinger recipe — and don't forget to like, review, and subscribe! Laura Maddox…

1
It's Pride Month. Where Did All the Drinks Brands Go? 28:52

25d ago28:52

28:52

Adam, Joanna, and Zach bemoan the fact that last year's right wing boycott of Bud Light has scared drinks brands off from outwardly supporting the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month. Is it enough that some of them are supporting causes but not being particularly public, or is this even a somewhat welcome end to craven rainbow-washing? Please remem…

1
Wine An Origin Story Part V: Canaanite Wine and Egyptian Vineyards 15:24

24d ago15:24

15:24

Before we move into more familiar territory we watch the grapevine exit the Fertile Crescent to the Nile Delta. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Inside Mayenda's Unique Approach to Tequila 26:24

27d ago26:24

26:24

Zach speaks with Jesus Susunaga, Maestro Tequilero for Mayenda Tequila, about his novel approach to tequila production, the distinct qualities of this ultra-premium blanco, his background in distilling, and the release of Mayenda's Reposado Tequila. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever y…

1
Why Brut IPA Never Hit It Big 46:29

30d ago46:29

46:29

Towards the end of the Teens, Kim Sturdavant was brewing at Social Kitchen & Brewery in San Francisco when he developed a new kind of India Pale Ale. He christened his crisp, dry varietal Hop Champagne, and christened the promising new substyle "Brut IPA," a nod to the sparkling wine that this new beer resembled. Brewers in the Bay Area loved it, a…

1
Why Do Drink Brands Get Bought? 30:37

28d ago30:37

30:37

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the metrics, sales data, and portfolio shape that tends to get smaller drinks brands purchased by some of the biggest beverage companies, and why $20 million in revenue is a magic number. Plus, speculation on a few brands that just might be the next ones to sell. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VineP…

1
Do Trade Shows Move Product? 31:42

1M ago31:42

31:42

Fresh off Bar Convent Brooklyn, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the merits and downsides of such trade shows: they undoubtedly provide a great time for members of the bartending community, but do they actually move products for the brands involved, or provide a platform to newer and smaller producers? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and revie…

1
The Brooklyn 45:40

1M ago45:40

45:40

Jason Hedges, beverage director at Laurent Tourondel Hospitality, author of “The Seasonal Cocktail,” and founding partner at the beverage consulting firm, Bar IQ, joins us today for our third New-York-bourough-inspired cocktail, The Brooklyn. Listen on to discover Jason's take on (and recipe for) this "improved" Manhattan riff— and don't forget to …

1
Wine An Origin Story Part IV: Supras and Grape Motifs 15:20

1M ago15:20

15:20

Before the grapevine spreads west we stop for a moment to visit an excavation site south of Tbilisi in the Republic of Georgia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Has Craft Beer Gotten Boring? 26:40

1M ago26:40

26:40

Adam, Joanna, and Zach debate whether craft beer has gotten boring: has a proliferation of breweries around the country created too much homogeneity, and is the old allure of the taproom no longer enough to bring drinkers in droves? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episo…

1
Is The Flat Drink Trend...A Bubble? 32:20

1M ago32:20

32:20

Adam, Joanna, and Zach examine the burgeoning trend of "flat drinks," alcoholic beverages that are very purposefully not carbonated. Do enough drinkers dislike carbonated beverages to make this an area for real growth, or are these drinks just not interesting enough to capture the public's full attention? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and …

1
The Banana Daiquiri 58:15

1M ago58:15

58:15

Vanessa Leon, National Educator for Diageo, visits Cocktail College today to talk about a drink that's near and dear to her heart: The Banana Daiquiri. Think of this as an evolution of our recent exploration of El Floridita Daiquiri — but we're ditching the blender and frozen serve and bringing both high-quality Guatemalan Rum and banana liqueur in…

1
Wine An Origin Story Part III: Flood Myths and Gilgamesh 18:44

1M ago18:44

18:44

As we move into our history as writers, stories emerge to tell the tale of humanity—wine comes along for the ride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
The Controversial Rise of Big, Honkin' Pastry Stouts 53:59

1M ago53:59

53:59

Pastry stouts — sweet, saccharine, indulgent beers built on flavors more common to a bakery than a brewery — emerged towards the end of last decade as a coveted, if occasionally maligned, pseudo-style of craft beer. Many trace their rise to a southern California brewer named Derek Gallanosa (currently: GOAL. Brewing, previously Moksa Brewing and Ab…

1
Do Most Wine Drinkers Care Where Wine Comes From? 31:27

1M ago31:27

31:27

Adam, Joanna, and Zach use a listener question as a jumping-off point to discuss whether most wine drinkers really care where a wine is from: do regular wine drinkers below a certain price point care about appellations and vintages, or is it mostly about flavor profile and price point? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on A…

1
The Cosmopolitan (re-run) 58:48

1M ago58:48

58:48

We're taking a trip in the Cocktail College time machine as we revisit our 2022 conversation with Toby Cecchini, co-owner of Long Island Bar and The Rockwell Place, and inventor of The Cosmopolitan. Listen on (or read below) to discover Toby's original Cosmo recipe — and don't forget to like, review, and subscribe! Toby Cecchini’s Cosmopolitan Reci…

1
Can Craft Beer Enter the Light Lager Conversation? 26:39

2M ago26:39

26:39

Adam, Joanna, and Zach debate whether growth in craft light lagers portends a shakeup in the American beer landscape, and why these local and regional beers might be able to resonate with beer drinkers in a way that macro lagers are struggling to. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you…

1
Wine An Origin Story Part II: Natufians And The Fertile Crescent 18:26

2M ago18:26

18:26

As we evolve out of the Stone Age so does our agriculture. Wine becomes a key player in the beginnings of human cultivation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
How Many SKUs Are Too Many for Wineries? 29:53

2M ago29:53

29:53

Adam, Joanna, and Zach debate whether American wineries are in general making too many different wines and styles in a given vintage, and if a tighter focus with fewer offerings would help them in the marketplace, particularly in distribution or even with media coverage. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, …

1
How Big Can the Paloma Get? 25:14

2M ago25:14

25:14

Adam, Joanna, and Zach speculate on the future of the Paloma - can it be another standard bearer for tequila, or does the divergence between the drink's original formulation with grapefruit soda and more upscale versions with fresh grapefruit juice make it harder to take worldwide? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple…

1
Techniques: Preservation 1:01:00

2M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

Miles Macquarrie, beverage director and partner at Decatur, Georgia’s Kimball House joins Cocktail College for another Techniques episode, this time focusing on the art and science of preservation. Miles’ approach to cocktails is simple on paper, but it relies on years of practice, and hours and hours of prep time during the months of abundance for…

1
Wine An Origin Story Part I: A Place Where The Sun Rises In The East 16:26

2M ago16:26

16:26

How did wine become popular? In the first part of this new series, we look back in time in search of where humans and the grapevine first intersect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
The Future of Tequila with GALLO’s Britt West 24:13

2M ago24:13

24:13

Adam is joined by GALLO executive vice president and general manger spirits Britt West to discuss his history in the alcohol industry, and where in particular he sees the tequila market going, from the conversation around additives to bottle shape to interest in cristalino expressions. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on A…

1
The Inside Story of "Black Is Beautiful" Stout, One of the Biggest Cause Beers Ever Brewed 56:38

2M ago56:38

56:38

In the early months of the pandemic, Marcus Baskerville was working as the head brewer at Weathered Souls Brewing Company, the brewery he co-founded in San Antonio, when a police officer five states away murdered George Floyd. Marcus, who would go on to become a founding member of the National Black Brewers Association, had an idea to galvanize the…

1
Where Does Rosé Go From Here? 31:15

2M ago31:15

31:15

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss rosé's sales slump - are people sick of it or do they just have more choices for easy-drinking summertime fun? Can certain brands, regions, or multinationals find a new way to make rosé surge? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and …

1
Surging Labor Costs Are a Nationwide Challenge for Bars and Restaurants 37:58

2M ago37:58

37:58

Adam, Joanna, and Zach break down GALLO's acquisition of Montucky Cold Snacks, then are joined by restaurateur, consultant, and VinePair contributor Dave Foss to discuss his recent piece about how unbeknownst to most diners, elevated menu prices in bars and restaurants are being driven by a surge in labor costs that have created new challenges for …

1
El Floridita Daiquiri 58:53

2M ago58:53

58:53

Ricardo Rodriguez, bar manager at Aberdeen, N.J.'s Lita and La Otra, visits Cocktail College today to shed light on the many numbered variants of the Daiquiri — most specifically, number four: El Floridita Daiquiri. We're ditching the shaker tins in favor of the blender for this one, and it's time to pull out that tall, straw-covered bottle of Luxa…

1
Rhone: Part III The Baron and The Senator 22:58

2M ago22:58

22:58

Like the unfolding of a complex plot the Rhone thrusts France's industry into Modernity. We wrap up the Rhone series with the region's ultimate contribution to wine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Do Medals Move Bottles? 23:46

2M ago23:46

23:46

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the many competitions and judgings that wine, beer, and spirits producers can enter: do medals or high scores really shift consumer behavior, or does the fact that there are so many of these scores, points, and medals floating around rob them of their ability to have much impact? Please remember to subscribe to, rate,…

1
Wine Is Art, But Wineries Need to Be Businesses 35:25

2M ago35:25

35:25

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a recent San Francisco Chronicle piece about the purportedly dire situation facing California winemakers, and propose that the current struggles are more an aftereffect of the pandemic than a cataclysmic shift in how Americans feel about wine, but also that small winemakers absolutely need to be more honest about t…

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