Recently, a listener of the podcast took a trip to Napa Valley and visited a combination of legacy and new wineries. While there, they found that the newer brands were more innovative in both their tastings and winemaking techniques — and their hospitality delivered. The legacy brands, on the other hand, were said to be the opposite, and the experience did not stand out as anything special. And given the lofty price tag attached to the experience, it was a bit of a letdown. What is there to...| VinePair
Netflix’s “House of Guinness” finally launched on Sept. 25. From the writer of “Peaky Blinders,” the show is set in the 19th century and focuses on the Guinness family dynasty following the death of patriarch Benjamin Guinness. While the Guinness brand had nothing to do with the creation of the show, the series undeniably helps solidify the beer as a piece of cultural heritage. Moreover, it serves as an introduction for younger consumers — who are perhaps only eager to split the G...| VinePair
Born in the golden age of aviation, the Air Mail combines rum, lime, honey, and Champagne and packages it as a beautiful, effervescent mix that promises glamor and cross-continental connections. In many ways, the cocktail can be viewed as a sibling of the French 75 and a precursor to the Old Cuban — a cocktail named for the same country where the Air Mail’s story beings. Today on the “Cocktail College” podcast, Tim McKirdy is joined by Leanne Favre of Brooklyn’s Dolores to discuss ...| VinePair
The story of Harlan Estate begins with H. William Harlan, Bill for short. Bill was born in Southern California in 1940 and as a teenager, he had three dreams: Sail around the world, have a family, and own a vineyard. As Bill grew older, his love for wine developed further as he witnessed the work going on in California to revive an industry that was almost entirely decimated by Prohibition. After graduating from college, Bill sailed around the world, achieving one of his dreams, before return...| VinePair
Today on the “VinePair Podcast,” Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a trio of stories. First up, there’s the news that Michelob Ultra has surpassed Modelo as the best-selling beer (by volume) in the United States. Is this just because of tariffs and ICE raids, or has AB-InBev hit on a winning message? Then, they explore whether a recent Harris Poll about beverage preferences at restaurants says anything new about generational shifts in attitudes toward alcohol. Finally, the trio ponder the...| VinePair
Here on the “VinePair Podcast,” we talk a lot about the wine industry. Wine isn’t doing great right now — that’s not a secret, and it’s also not negative to point it out. The status quo isn’t working, and being blunt about it from a business perspective isn’t a cynical thing. If anything, it’s coming from a place of advocacy. This podcast is hosted by three individuals who are staunchly pro-wine, but they’re not cheerleaders, and championing everything in a category simply...| VinePair
Half Piña Colada, half Strawberry Daiquiri layered in a swirl of pink and white, the Miami Vice is as bold visually as it is on the palate. Inspired by a television show and born in result culture, the frozen cocktail quickly became a symbol of vacation excess. But the Miami Vice is more than a novelty — it’s a study in contrasts, and when executed with intention, it shows how frozen cocktails can be both playful and precise. The article The Cocktail College Podcast: The Miami Vice appea...| VinePair
If you’re in the wine world, when you hear Screaming Eagle, you think cult Cab. The wine — which is one of the most expensive American-made wines in existence — has been associated with the cult Cabernet class of wines practically since it made its debut in the early ‘90s. But despite its popularity and elite status, the history of the brand is shrouded in mystery. Today on the “Wine 101” podcast, Keith dives into the history of Screaming Eagle, one of Napa’s most coveted wine l...| VinePair
On Oct. 5 and 6, Chicago is set to host the second edition of Vinitaly.USA, an exhibition bringing together hundreds of Italian wine producers and thousands of buyers across North America. Vinitaly.USA showcases the dynamic nature of Italian wines and offers over 30 masterclasses and other events for attendees to network, learn, and taste. And here to tell us more about it are Molly Matelski and Serafin Alvarado. The article The VinePair Podcast: Exploring the Intersection of Italian Wine, Sp...| VinePair
Last week, news broke that GALLO acquired Whiny Baby, a California-based wine brand founded in 2020 that specifically markets to Gen Z drinkers of legal age. This is the first GALLO wine acquisition since the conglomerate purchased Rombauer and Massican in 2022. The news comes at a time when headlines dominate about wine’s struggle to gain the attention of younger consumers, and perhaps that’s the driving force behind the purchase. Whiny Baby has already established itself in their target...| VinePair
Today on the “VinePair Podcast,” Adam, Joanna, and Zach interrogate an oft-repeated and deeply held industry belief that “alcohol is recession-proof.” While it may have been true in the past that consumers continued to drink at similar levels regardless of the economic situation around them, that doesn’t mean that recessions don’t cause massive changes and create massive challenges. Plus, what if all the ugly sales data of the last couple of years is connected to the average Ameri...| VinePair
The Monte Carlo is a drink that hides in plain sight. On paper, it feels like an obvious extension of the Old Fashioned: whiskey, bitters, and Bénédictine for sweetness; and that single addition changes the drink completely. It introduces spice, honeyed depth, and an herbal warmth that lingers long after the last sip. It’s the difference between familiar comfort and something quietly transformative. And yet, the Monte Carlo never joined the pantheon of well-known whiskey classics. Under-o...| VinePair
The Prisoner is one of the most successful red blends on the market in the United States. Originally released in 2000 by winemaker Dave Phinney, the wine consists of a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono — and American consumers can’t get enough. The wine almost immediately won over fans of full-bodied reds with its plush palate and intriguing name. And while the wine may have started as a small project, The Prisoner Wine Company is now a part of Cons...| VinePair
This episode of the “VinePair Podcast” is sponsored by Tequila El Mexicano. Founded by one of Tequila’s most storied families, this traditionally made, additive-free tequila is an expression not just of the Bañuelos family’s collective knowledge, but of the Jaliscan highlands themselves. Try the Blanco, Blanco 90, or Reposado to discover their life’s work. You can visit ElMexicanoUS.com to find Tequila El Mexicano near you or order online to experience three generations of tequila ...| VinePair
