Wine Two Five Podcast: Recent Episodes
Wine Two Five Podcast
Entertainment, education & consumer empowerment; everyday drinking for everyday people. Wine with lunch? Yes please! Wine-Two-Five is an entertaining wine podcast series featuring wine educators who like to drink their homework & have fun teaching.
Val and Steph believe in wine with lunch and not punching a clock when pulling a cork. In other words, drinking every day - any time of the day - is acceptable. And classy.
This is the season/series finale of the Wine Two Five Podcast. In this episode we look back, laugh, and look ahead at what's next.
We are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to have learned and laughed along with everyone who has been a part of this effort.
Cheers ~ Val & Steph
Dr. Laura Catena of Bodega Catena Zapata and the Catena Institute of Wine joins us for some in-depth conversation about Malbec's heritage, Argentine wine, and so much more. [sponsored content]
We tasted three of the Catena wines sent to us just for this occasion, and discussed grand cru vineyards, wine culture, and making a difference in the wine world.
What are coffee liqueurs, how are they made, and what are you supposed to do with them? Beyond breakfast and dessert, a little side trip into the history of liqueurs and coffee, and some brand tasting.
Also, a hot tip from a listener and a 200th episode tease.
Breakfast wines extend beyond the Mimosa. Breakfast is just food. Wine goes with food. Whether you're having wine for breakfast or breakfast for dinner, we stand by breakfast with wine - any time. Also, a listener in Scotland knew last week's Pod Quiz & called in to school us on some more Dubonnet facts.
Finally, as you all know, it's not five o'clock and we don't care.
Kamal Kouiri joins us from New York to discuss Greek wines, history, styles, spirits, travel, and a funny frose' wine story. He is the Director of Operations for Ousia restaurant, and an enthusiast and advocate of Greek wines.
Also, the new Pod Quiz, a bit about Dubonnet, and a hint at a surprise for our 200th episode releasing in Feb 2019.
More at winetwofive.com
Our 4th annual cutting room floor fun and a look back on the podcasting year that was (and what wasn't in the show, for obvious reasons).
Also in this episode, a new "Surviving Christmas" cocktail and a cheeky Pod Quiz.
Happy 2019 and thank you for listening!
Bloopers music: "You Um, I'll Ah" by Doctor Turtle https://doctorturtle.bandcamp.com/. licensed under under the CC 4.0 attribution license. (shortened from original work)
More at winetwofive.com
A walking tour of MSU Denver's Hospitality Learning Center with a 4,000 bottle wine cellar, cooking demonstration theater, and sensory analysis lab with Dr. Michael Wray, Restaurant & Beverage Management Professor. Wine, beer, distillation, stemware, and more are all taught at the school, and your hosts were schooled as well.
Photos, accompanying video and more at winetwofive.com
Getting frank about cab franc, a grape gab, a pod quiz, and way too much fun!
More at winetwofive.com
Michelle Miller of Reno's Esoteric Wine Bar joins us for some peppy pét-nat chitchat. Pét-nat is short for pétillant naturel, a type of sparkling wine based on an ancient, natural method of capturing the sparkle a bottle of fermenting wine. We also touch on natural wines, Michelle's journey from corporate world to wine bar manager, and a new Pod Quiz!
Photos, links, and more at winetwofive.com.
December's Grape Gab on the sassy Sauvignon Blanc, its color mutations, family members, and styles, history and other fun facts. Wild, and wily, perhaps like the vine itself, this episode is a fun exploration of one of the world's most important varieties.
More - including a ridiculous amount of links and resources - at winetwofive.com
This episode is all about answering questions you all have sent in about everything from how this podcast got started, finding (or starting) a tasting group, and ideas for new tasting room attendants. Wino Radar gives way to a Whiskey Radar, and we draw the November winner for a WTSO gift card.
Happy 40th Birthday to our smokin' hot co-host, Steph!
More (including a surprise for Steph in this week's blog) at winetwofive.com.
The Wine Two Five ladies are offering listeners a small token of of gratitude this week, as well as some Wino Radar edutainment finds. We also managed to finally open the wines from Jordan that were sent to us last year, and they are drinking so fine. And with that we raise our glasses to all our listeners. We will return next week with burning wine questions! Cheers ~
[sponsored content]
Links and more at winetwofive.com
This week we are chatting with Wines 'Til Sold Out (WTSO) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Justin Kite. Not only is WTSO a relationship-based retailer, they have educational aspects of their business. Full disclosure: they are this show's sponsor, and we wanted to learn more about WTSO, Weekly Tasting, and how to navigate their offerings. Justin was kind enough to entertain our many (many) questions and preview the just-released Holiday Portal for us!
[sponsored content]
More at winetwofive.com
The November Regional Rap features the wines of Golan Heights Winery by Victor Schoenfeld. These brands include Mount Herman, Gilgal, and Yarden. Many thanks to our friends at Gregory + Vine for sending them!
Also in this week's episode: the difference between kosher and mevushal wine, and an animated account of thousands of years of grape growing and wine making.
Show notes and more at winetwofive.com
Wines of Israel featuring Golan Heights Winery, Yarden, & Gilgal (sponsored content).
This week we are chatting with The Somm Journal's Managing Editor, Jessie Birschbach, known as JABS. She is also the Senior Wine Editor at both The Tasting Panel and The Clever Root publications. JABS joins us from LA, and brings wit from her comedy background, knowledge from her Sommelier days, and her pups Ripley and Coyote. We talk everything from beer and Cicerone training to the emerging cannabis scene, to busting a move with Beyoncé and JayZ ... while pouring champagne.
Show notes, links & more at winetwofive.com
This is the 1st episode of the W25 LoCo (Local Colorado) Edition! We are chatting with Paul Bonacquisti of Bonacquisti Winery in Denver, and Cha Cha Chavez, a broadcast industry veteran and Paul's partner in Denver Wine Radio podcast fun.
Interview with Paul Bonacquisti & Cha Cha Chavez, Denver, September 2018
We are talking Teroldego in October's Grape Gab. You may know it's an Italian original, but where else is it doing well? The answer may surprise you. It did us. We also draw the October winner of our monthly drawing for a WTSO gift card (sponsored by WTSO, thank you!), and have a new #W25Challenge update. Finally we dish on our new #W25LoCo mini-show, launching this week.
Links, show notes, vids & more at winetwofive.com
Grape Gab, Teroldego, Wine Education, WTSO Sponsored montlhy drawing, Italy, Wine Podcasts
A W25 exclusive! Evan Goldstein, MS, chats with us about his hottest new venture, Master the World, subscription-based and curated blind tasting kits. He is the President and Chief Education Officer of Full Circle Wine Solutions, and just the guy to explain ... where has this been all of our wine tasting lives?!
Photos, links, vids and more at winetwofive.com
Master the World, Evan Goldstein, MS, Full Circle Wine Solutions, Wine Education, Wine Tasting, Wine Service, Crowdfunding
This is our annual celebration of all that is fall! We talk flavors that find themselves into nearly all we eat and, yes, drink! Also, we toast #MerlotMe month, discuss post harvest winery activities, and fall cocktails.
A potpourri of fall favorites, flavors and fun. Seasonal sips and entertaining tips.
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Photos, links & more at winetwofive.com
Dr. Matilde Parente joins us for a fun - but serious - discussion on wine and Health. From headaches and hangovers, science and sulfites, to biogenic amines and everything in between. How to distill conflicting headlines? How much should we really be drinking? We address all this and more. This could quite possibly change the way you drink. You're welcome.
Photos, links & more at winetwofive.com
Wine, Health, Spirits, Congeners, Biogenic Amines, Hangovers, Headaches, Natural Wine, Ask the Doc, Matilde Parente MD, Wine Education [ad]
This month's Regional Rap is a virtual Loire lap in under 30 minutes! From the Muscadet of Pays Nantais, through Vouvray all the way to Pouilly-Fumé . Anjou and Haut-Poitou? Don't mind if we do! We explore "Saumur," grapes and styles galore, and hope this is an episode you will adore.
Pics, links and more at winetwofive.com
Loire Valley, French Wine, Wine Two Five Podcast Regional Rap
It's time for our monthly Grape Gab! We're sliding into September with Sémillon, its styles, and all those things that make it special. Is it an unsung hero(ine?) of the wine world? We think so, and we're happy to tell you why. We also pick a winner of our monthly giveaway.
Photos, pics, links & more on winetwofive.com
Semillon grape gab, Patreon drawing (sponsored), My Wine Society (app)
From Porto to Spain to the French Alps, this week is all about the beverage (and food!) finds from Steph's recent travels in Europe. Menorca was the #W25Challenge treasure of the trip. We thought you all would be interested to learn about Steph's special spirited summer and bring you along for the delicious ride.
Photos, show notes, links, and more at winetwofive.com
Wine podcast, wine travel, wine & spirits education, gin, port, Menorca, Spain, Portugal, Chamonix, Fine Dining
Clay is bringing the heat this week from Phoenix, AZ, as he flips the scripts and drops burning wine questions for Steph and Val to answer. A long-time patron and show supporter (oh, and Steph's big brother!), Clay won his own show co-hosting opportunity several months back, so he took full advantage of the chance to put the ladies on the hot seat. Therefore, we dish new embarrassing wine stories before having a cool discussion on a 109-degree day about Arizona wine.
Photos, links & more at winetwofive.com
Wine Education, Wine Edutainment, Patreon supporter grills the W25 ladies on burning wine questions, embarrassing wine stories, and drops some cool facts on Arizona wine. Wine podcast, listener love.
We're in a "wine camp state of mind," having just returned from our 5th Society of Wine Educators (SWE) conference in the Finger Lakes, NY. We affectionately refer to the annual gathering as "wine camp," and are happy to share our highlights, factoids, and favorite moments.
(Note: we experienced some audio technical difficulties with this recording & hope it doesn't reduce your enjoyment of our recap.)
Photos, links & more at winetwofive.com
This episode is about the Cru Artisan College experience! Full of factoids, embarrassing stories and so much more, this edition contains four incredible interviews that we hope will be the perfect late-summer vacation before heading into September. We also announce this month's giveaway winner of a WTSO gift card.
[This episode was recorded over a period of weeks between 15 July and 2 August, 2018].
Photos, links & more at winetwofive.com.
We Like Drinking Podcast host Jeff E. & die-hard supporter Diane H. enthusiastically join us to taste some unusual wines & spirits. For this episode, we popped some crazy, unusual bottles, & got some unfiltered input from around the table.
Not our usual format, but we really wanted to share some bottles with hard core local supporters & see what happened.
So while we are at wine camp this week, please enjoy some #W25Challenge fun!
[Recorded on 8 August 2018.]
Pics, links, & more at winetwofive.com
Wine Education, Wine Edutainment, Wine Tasting, Wine & Spirits Podcast, Liqueurs, Patreon, Listener Love, Wine Podcast
Kevin Begos, author of the new book Tasting the Past: The Science of Flavor & the Search for the Origins of Wine, chats with the W25 ladies. Fresh off his book tour, he shares the "tasting notes" on a 10-year wine grape journey ... that all started in a hotel room minibar in the Middle East.
[This episode was recorded on 30 July 2018.]
Show notes, pics, links & more at winetwofive.com
Wine Podcast, Interview with "Tasting the Past" author Kevin Begos; wine history, wine grapes, wine education
Roll out those crazy Albariño days of Summer! In this episode we are Grape Gabbing about Albariño. Also we announce our July Patron drawing at the end of the show. [sponsored content]
#MakeItAnAlbariñoWeekend #AlbariñoFiesta
Pics, links, and more at winetwofive.com
Albarino grape gab, summer sips, Wine Education, sponsored content
Smokin' hot summer edition of the #W25BookClub. This week, die-hard listener, Meg Hansen, CSW, CSS, joins us to discuss "Tangled Vines: Greed, Murder, Obsession and an Arsonist in the Vineyards of California" by Frances Dinkelspiel. But of course there is one prevailing theme: wine.
Photos, links, more at winetwofive.com
"Tangled Vines: Greed, Murder, Obsession and an Arsonist in the Vineyards of California" by Frances Dinkelspiel.
Joining us from Mexico City is superstar sommelier & owner of SFG Public Relations for Premium Wine & Spirits, Sandra Fernández Gaytán. Not only did she guide us on an audio tour of the Mexican wine producing states, geography, history, wine styles & grapes, but she brought lessons in coffee & tequila! Bonus!
She's been recognized for her outstanding contributions as a leader in the wine industry by the Association of Mexican Sommeliers, El Conocedor Magazine, Oaxaca City, & Lideres Mexicanos Magazine five years in a row.
Pics, links, maps & more at www.winetwofive.com
We love Barbera. It responds well to different wine making processes to result in a great variety of styles. We hate to put it in a style box, but we love to sip it in its many forms. Also, what is a cherry bounce, and what does it have to do with George Washington? Yes, a history lesson too. Much to learn and love in this episode!
Pics, links & more at winetwofive.com!
Wine Podcast, Education, Edutainment, Wine, Grapes, Barbera, Italia, Cherry Bounce
This spirited discussion focuses on the flavoring, characteristics, and botanical foundations of anise or licorice-based spirits. What's fascinating is the variety of plants, seeds, roots and fruits that make up these beverages, as well as the lore, culture and traditions behind them. We also share some hot news for our wine lovers to take the summer quarter of the podcast to the next level for listeners and supporters!
Links, photos, and more at www.winetwofive.com
Anise & licorice spirits, cocktails, new sponsor, WTSO, Weekly Tasting, Weekly Pour of Wine Edutainment
Provence. Bucolic images of lavender fields, stone farmhouses, Pastis, bowls of mussels … or Russell Crowe slowly unrotting his soul in uncle’s vineyard in the movie "A Good Year" may come to mind. But there is more to the story. Sun, a patchwork geology, and that wind - along with a magic blend of innovation and tradition - aid the vines in the varied regions in producing wines that are now superstars on the world stage.
Just when you think the online wine community couldn't get any cooler, the ultimate online wine community comes along - and it's pretty darned cool. We're talking with CEO of My Wine Society, Sean Evans, and the Director of Channel Content and Brand Ambassador - Christine Havens to get a behind-the-scenes sneak peek and preview of the My Wine Society app launching in July 2018.
Pics, info, and more at winetwofive.com
We are getting to know Nebbiolo in June's Grape Gab. Also, we deliberate a Burning Wine Question on knowing when to open your bottles versus saving them for future enjoyment.
Photos, links & more on www.winetwofive.com.
June Grape Gab on Nebbiolo, Wine Education, Wine Podcast, Burning Wine Question, Aging Wine
Côtes du Rhône wines were recently paired with London artist Joe Cruz's art for a creative tasting. Sommelier, wine writer, educator & prophet, Jonathan Cristaldi, & Rhône Valley Wines Trade Marketing Manager, Eileen Fabunan, were the orchestrators of this feast for the senses, & they joined forces us to take us all behind the scenes. This was a unique, elevated wine discussion that we know you will want to experience for yourself ... in one way or another.
Photos, links, more at www.winetwofive.com.
Rhone, Wine, Art, Wine Podcast, Interview, Eileen Fabunan, Jonathan Cristaldi, Teuwen Communications, Joe Cruz, Trade Tastings
Jameson Fink, creator of Wine Without Worry, joins the Wine Two Five ladies for some conversation about Chablis, oysters, and learning about wine when you're just beginning. Then he lays down a brilliant, convincing defense of the Champagne flute that you won't want to miss. This? Was way too much fun! Cheers ~
Photos, links, and more on winetwofive.com
Wine Education, Wine Culture, Wine Podcast, Chablis, Oysters, Stemware
We are geeking out on the Verdicchio grape in May's Grape Gab. Verdicchio is important to Italy's Le Marche, and makes diverse, interesting styles of wine. There were also some fun tidbits that emerged from this discussion. What else emerged? This month's giveaway winner!
Show notes, links, photos & more at www.winetwofive.com.
Wine Podcast, Grape Gab, Verdicchio, Marche, Italy, Wine Education, Wine Edutainment, Wine
As the weather warms up, it's a good time to chill down with some ice wine - or Eiswein - or Icewine. Believe it or not they are not all the same thing. Also, we are announcing the next #W25BookClub book and upcoming educational events.
Show notes & links at www.winetwofive.com
Eiswein, Ice Wine, Icewine, wine education, podcast, Germany, Canada
Martin Ward is the owner of Wine Educators International, a company focused on touring, learning about, and enjoying the finer aspects of food, wine, and culture. In this episode Martin gives us an overview of Mallorcan wine and food, as well as his inspiration for introducing these wines and wines of the world through entertaining presentations and fine dining and luxury travel experiences.
Mallorca, wine, podcast, wine education, Wine Educators International, Dining With Style, Wine Podcasts, Wine Travel
From inside the beltway to outside in wine country - wine grape growers Clark and Bonny Lystra talk with us about finding their dream home in the Russian River Valley. There was only one small add-on: 35 rows of Pinot in Siduri's Betty Ann Vineyard.
In this episode we sat back and sipped along. This interview has something for everyone - including those of you who like to geek it up with enology and viticulture.
Shownotes, photos, & more at www.winetwofive.com
Wine, Winemaking, Wine Grape Growing, Wine Podcast, Tasting, Wine Blogs, Viticulture
It's time for the April Grape Gab, and we are getting down and gabbing Gewürztraminer. This white grape has been described as everything from spicy to grandma, to fussy and even "brassy in the glass." Either way, we're happy to grab a glass and get to know our good friend, Gewurz.
Show notes, links, pics and more at www.winetwofive.com
We're ushering in Season 4 of the Wine Two Five Podcast with a podcastiversary celebration, bourbon and bubbles! Have no fear, there are factoids galore throughout the show, but we've got some surprises as well. Thank YOU for being part of the Wine Two Five community of hard core wine lovers and learners, and let's raise our glasses to a 4th year! Cheers ~
Show notes & links at www.winetwofive.com
The Juice is in the house! Eric V. Orange, creator of localwineevents.com and "The Juice" newsletter joins the W25 ladies for an afternoon chat about the number one website for consumers who are actively seeking out wine and food events in their area.
Show notes and links at www.winetwofive.com.
Wine podcast, local wine events, wine culture
This episode explores canned wine beverages, and features the craft wine coolers of St. Mayhem. Those of us who came of drinking age in the '80s & '90s? Well, these are not the wine coolers that we were drinking in our acid washed jeans, spiral perms and parachute pants.
Actually, those wine coolers of synthesized music days gone by were a whole different category of beverage, and we suss that out here as well.
The St. Mayhem styles and flavors surprised us, and we hope you'll enjoy learning about them.[ad] [sponsored content]
Show notes & links at www.winetwofive.com
Wine in cans, craft wine coolers, alternative packaging, sponsored content, St. Mayhem, ad, wine podcast
Wine and Spirits Education Specialist, and host of the Shift Drink Podcast, Arthur Black joins the ladies for an incredibly spirited discussion. Strap in, listeners, this episode is a straight, cask-strength pour with no chaser.
Arthur's a dedicated educator, speaker, and is very generous with his time and advice for anyone seeking the gospel of gastronomy and the pure enjoyment of beverages that inspire.
Wine & Spirits Education, Industry, Podcasts, Shift Drink, Responsible Drinking, Arthur Black, Wine Podcast,
A super special episode in which we were charmed and educated by the CEO of the Fladgate Partnership, Adrian Bridge. Adrian is the brains behind Taylor's, Fonseca, and Croft Port brands, and we were fortunate to have him share some valuable information about enjoying Port, as well as travel tidbits about the region.
Show notes, pics & more info at www.winetwofive.com
Adrian Bridge Interview, Taylor Fladgate, Port, Wine Wine Education, Fonseca, Croft, Portugal, Wine Podcast
In preparation for a special guest that will joining us from Portugal in the next episode, we thought it would be appropriate to polish up our Port knowledge. This week we are popping off with a Port primer to get the party started. We cover styles, service, and try to get a jump on those burning fortified wine questions.
Port, Fortified Wine, Portugal, Wine Education, International Women's Day
March's grape gab is about the Negroamaro grape from the wine region of Puglia, Italy. The name translates to "black bitter" but don't let that scare you away. The wine made from these grapes is often approachable, affordable and quite quaffable young. This episode goes from zero to 12.5 (and that's just the names of the wines!) in 23 minutes, and includes a new "Tasty Tales" segment to add to the not-so-bitter conversation.
We answer a request for some edutainment about English wine, and found some cool resources on this cool climate country's rise as a wine presence in the world, particularly where bubbly is concerned. Talk about wino radar! Also, the "proof" is in the factoid, and the ladies scare up a silly video for patron consumption.
Show notes & more at /http://www.winetwofive.com/
English Wine, England, Sparkling, Bubbly, Grapes, Proof, Wine & Spirits Podcast, Education
Carving out a cava convo in response to a listener's burning wine question, we dove into some bubbly banter. Who knew this discussion would take us from rosado or rosé to the Festa de la Filox-era (bring your bug costumes) and a sparkling Spanish sipper that garners about $200/bottle? Steph creates a new cocktail, Val gets her haiku on, and a patron supporter wins some swag.
In honor of the Olympics, we thought we’d geek a little bit about Greek wines. The Olympics have come a long way since their origins in Olympia back in 776 BC. Because this year's event is being held in South Korea, we bring it home, along with the gold, with a factoid on Korean Soju. There were pairing puns, Soju stories, and a new segment letting you know where in the W25 world Steph & Val are ... besides behind the mic, noses in the glasses.
A very high-level flyover of some Greek wine regions, accidentally pairing them with winter Olympic sports. Soju stories and a new segment. Wine Education, Wine & Spirits podcasts. Wine Edutainment
We're talking Tannat in this month's Grape Gab. Tannat is a red grape that has its roots in Southwestern France. Recently it has reinvented itself in South America. So where else does it grow, what else is it called, and what does it mean to a glass of wine? Click play and sip away!
Show notes at winetwofive.com.
We're talking about Miljenko "Mike" Grgich's book, "A Glass Full of Miracles" this week. The book is an historical account of world and US wine events, as well as a genuine, personal story that every wine lover should read! Also, Steph has a purple Gin, and Val has a coveted Tequila.
Wine Two Five Podcast Book Club, Wine Education, Book Review, A Glass Full of Miracles by Miljenko "Mike" Grgich
Sometimes we have to look back to go forward. In this episode we find out what it is listeners are downloading the most. We thank those of you who “nominated” your favorites. There were certainly some surprises (or “SLURPrises”), so we hope this is a fun guide to content most enjoyed over the past three seasons of Wine Two Five.
Top 10 most listened to podcast episodes for Wine Two Five; Wine Education; Wine Edutainment
Rick Fisher is the program director of the Wine Scholar Guild's Spanish Wine Scholar program (launching Fall 2018) and lover of all things Spain. His Catalan roots have certainly had an influence, but his passion for Spanish wine, food & culture is infectious. And what do Boise, Idaho & little plastic bulls have do with any of this? Pure, unadulterated wine edu-tainment for the books.
[Recorded November 2017]
Wine Education, Spanish Wine, Spanish Wine Scholar, Wine Podcasts, Rick Fisher, Wine Scholar Guild
What is the “red drinker’s white wine?” What’s unique about Alsace, the wine styles, and the labeling? Cassidy Havens, DipWSET, of Teuwen Communications fills us in on why these wines are so sought after on wine lists. There are some juicy nuggets of information of which wine lovers will want to take note. Also, she shares the secret to “the best 15 minutes of your wine and cheese life.” Yes, we go there. We all should go there.
[Interview with Teuwen Communications Senior Account Supervisor, Cassidy Havens, DipWSET, on Alsace Wines. Recorded at Wine Bloggers Conference, Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country, Santa Rosa, CA, 9 Nov 2017]
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
This is an introductory exploration into the wines of New York, an overview of a couple of the regions, and their representative wine styles. There are some tasting segments, but also some factoids and recommendations, as well as a lot of fun. [sponsored content]
At year's end we like to compile some of the year's outtakes, bloopers, and goof-ups that were swept into a wine-stained pile on the cutting room floor. This year the theme seems to be "quick and dirty." We thank you all for a super fun 2017, and look forward to a 2018 filled with more learning, laughs and love. Cheers ~ Val & Steph
Steph & Val took a break from their end-of-year planning session at the Curtis Hotel in Denver, Colorado to stroll down to the lobby and record this little ditty. This is our original rendition of "'Twas the Night Before Podcast."
The video can be seen on the Wine Two Five YouTube channel under "Holiday" videos.
Happy Holidays to our listeners around the world!
Sparkling wine, just in time, to celebrate the holidays – and we mean any holiday, all year round. In this episode we decode some superior sparkling wines from the Veneto region of Italy known as Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG. This episode covers the grape(s) found in the wines and a discussion of styles. We hope you’ll enjoy the information with a sparkling sip nearby. [Ad]
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Sparkling Wine, Education, Italian, Italy, Veneto, Prosecco
The W25 ladies mix up some pisco-based cocktails this week, and unpack the 411 on the national spirit of Peru. Also produced in Chile, pisco has a long history, and we’re diving into the grapes, styles, and its versatility. We hope you pick up a pisco nugget to add to your brandy or cocktail repertoire.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
One of the most influential personalities in many facets of the wine industry is Master of Wine, James Cluer. He's the owner of Fine Vintage LTD, but there's so much more to his story. From wine education to luxury tours, wine jobs to wine making - and let's not forget those super fun videos - James enlightens us on the many roads that led to not only his wine lifestyle, but also how he's opening doors for others.
Wine, Wine Education, Master of Wine, James Cluer, California Wine, Wildfires, Wine Jobs, Wine Videos, Travel, Wine & Spirits Podcasts
How does one tackle learning all 21 wine regions of Italy? Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) program creator and Wine Scholar Guild's (WSG) Education Director - Italy, Maurizio Broggi, DWS, FWS, breaks it down over a glass of vino. He also chats with us about splitting his life between Las Vegas and Milano, shares a funny wine story, and inspires us to learn - and taste - more from Italy's varied wine and food regions.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Wine Education, Wine Scholar Guild, Italian Wine, Wine Podcasts, Wine Education Podcasts, Maurizio Broggi, DWS, FWS
We're back with a recap of the 2017 Wine Bloggers Conference in Santa Rosa, CA. From nuggets of knowledge to tasting and tours, and ... did they say, "wine made with weed?" Yes, yes they did ... we're all abuzz (ha ha) with new friends from the wonderful world of wine blogging. Also on deck are so many shout-outs, as well as a tease of interviews to come. Since this episode will air on Thanksgiving Day, we're sending out holiday wishes and a nod to favorite dishes. Happy Turkey Day and we hope there's something delish in your glass!
#WBC17, Wine, Wine Bloggers, Thanksgiving, Wine Education, California
The Wine Scholar Guild's Education Director, Lisa Airey, CWE, FWS, joins us for an afternoon of cocktails, tea, wine and conversation. We're talking about credentials, certifications, wine courses, careers, immersion trips, and education tips. Lisa also lets us in on her success as a novelist.
Wine Education, Wine Scholar Guild, Lisa Airey CWE, Wine, French Wine Scholar, Wine Podcasts, A Toast to Friendship, Drink the Good Bottles, Wine People Rock
Part 2 of our Austrian wine region rap we explore labels, laws, special designations, and bubbles. We just can’t get enough of Austria. Let's talk about sekt, baybee!
Austrian wine, DACs, sekt quality pyramid, South African Pinot, Hamilton Russel, Hemel-en-aarde valley, wine podcasts
The hills are alive with the sound of Steph & Val rapping Austrian wine - or wien. Part one gives an overview of the where, the who, and the when, as well as a quick grape gab and Austrian crystal factoid.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Wine Education, Language, Wine, Austria, Austrian Wine, Austrian Crystal, Wine Education Podcasts, Wine & Spirits Podcast
This week we’re exploring cider, its history, how it’s made, styles, and varieties. There’s so much more to this alcoholic beverage than we ever imagined. Val has five glasses in front of her, and Steph discovers “Dances with Squirrels.” Also on deck: our monthly Patreon winner, the next #W25BookClub title, and shoutouts galore.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
cider, apples, pears, sparkling, beverages, education, tasting, fall, hard cider, cidre, sidra
October's grape gab is about the Marselan, a red grape only slightly older than Val. We're celebrating Steph's wedding anniversary, sipping 2006 California wines, talking tastevins, and bringing National Pork Month full circle. It's all happening in this episode, and we hope you'll pour a glass and drink along with us.
More on this week's shownotes on blog website.
Marselan, Tastevin, Wine, Wine, California
"Doctor, doctor give us the news, we got a bad case of pumpkin booze!" The cure? Cocktails! We're looking for new ways to stay warm and cozy via the crock pot or the mug. This week's episode explores fall flavors, celebrations, and some unexpected things we hope you'll enjoy.
Look, kids, a chicken hat! We're recapping Steph's European vacation. The term, "Go big or stay home" certainly applies here, as we get to relive some fun and delicious moments in Bordeaux, Prague and Oktoberfest fun. Sip-along to original field recordings featuring factoids about Becherovka and Burcak. Oh, there's more, but you'll have to listen to believe it.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Travel, Burcak, Becherovka, Jordan Winery's genius, wine, whisky
Join us in celebrating International Podcast Day on 30 September. First, we toast. Then we lay down a little 411 on the history and motivation behind podcasting and International Podcast Day. This is what we call a 30-hour podcast happy hour celebrating the voices, stories, and communities that have emerged from behind the mics all over the world. Finally, some juicy wino radar bits, shoutouts and our monthly Patreon winner bring it all home. Grab your wine glass, beer mug, or a cocktail and raise 'em up for #InternationalPodcastDay!
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Master of Wine Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan joins the ladies for a mid-morning happy hour to talk everything from changing careers to creating apps, courses, & writing books. The Jedi Wine Master also shares some funny stories & even chats a little "wine in space." There is something here for every wine lover. Pour, click, learn, & giggle. Cheers ~
Show notes & blog here.
Author and Cheese Expert, Janet Fletcher, joins the ladies for a most delightful and drool-worthy afternoon of cheese chatter. We’ve decided Janet is a true cheese goddess, and we think you’ll find her just as enchanting as she enlightens us on so many aspects of wine’s favorite sidekick. Grab your favorite beverage, and perhaps a wedge of something new, and explore the wonderful world of cheese along with us!
Author, Cheese Aficionado, Janet Fletcher, World Cheese Tour, Planet Cheese, Wine, Vodka, Whiskey
Live from Livermore Valley (pre-recorded with Steph, Val, & three wines), Director of Winemaking Robbie Meyer brings a generous pour of winemaking knowledge – & charm – to the show this week. This is our first episode about the Livermore Valley, and we learned a lot. The history of the region is fascinating, and were absolutely blown away by the wines of Murrieta’s Well! We hope you enjoy this chat with Robbie as much as we did! Cheers ~
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
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Robbie Meyer of Murrietas's Well Winery, Wine, Wine Education, Tasting
We have our sassy pants on, per usual, but in this episode Sebastian Sassi of Sassi Italy Tours shares some breakfast wine with us. We’re talking wine, travel, experiential education, and connecting to and preserving wine culture. After a little lingering in bell’Italia, the factoid takes us to Martinique – oh what a week!
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Sassi Italy Tours, Sebastian Sassi, Wine, Martinique, Rhum Agricole
This month’s grape gab is about the chenin blanc grape and its contribution to a fascinating variety of wine styles; we also engage in a little “who’s the grape daddy” and a little more chenin chatter. Finally, the factoid is all about the sharbat. The shar-what? We think you’ll love it as much as we did! Cheers ~
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Chenin Blanc, Grape Gab, Sharbat, Wine Education, Wine Podcasts
We’re winding down from wine camp and rewinding our wine-soaked memories to replay our favorites. Also on deck: silly alcohol cures from a sillier time; someone gets a little too excited about kale; we ate everything on the menu. Also, we chatter about our first ever W25 Happy Hour with our listener community at Vault Martini! This is an all-out shout-out-palooza!
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Wine Camp 2017 Recap
This episode is an audio review of New York Times Bestselling book, Cork Dork: A wine-fueled adventure among the obsessive sommeliers, big bottle hunters, and rogue scientists who taught me to live for taste, by Bianca Bosker. We also, ironically, open a couple of screw cap wines, drop a factoid, and serve up some shoutouts. (Previously recorded, as the ladies are attending the Society of Wine Educators Conference in Portland this week).
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Cork Dork Book Review, Bianca Bosker
We’re in the moment this week with Jordan Cowe, CWE. He teaches us about being wineful, updates us on Canadian wine, and extends an invitation for the 30-day winefulness challenge. Full disclosure, Val is double barrel “bourbonful” while Steph gets “ginful” up in the pod. The factoid strays into “who’s umami” and “oleogustus for the rest of us” territory. All of this happens before lunch, so raise your breakfast cocktails to a wineful, educational, and fun-filled show. Namaste and Cheers ~
An interview this week that is straight with no chaser. We’re talking with Jordan Winery’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Lisa Mattson. She is the creative genius behind the latest “Despacito Embotellado” video as well as many award-winning films and videos. Lisa talks to us about the impact of video storytelling in the wine world, her book, “The Exes in My Glass: How I Refined My Taste in Men and Alcohol,” and the grape-squeezing moment in Miami that turned her world around and steered her career toward the world of wine.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Jordan Winery, Lisa Mattson, Wine Podcast, Wine Writing, Wine Media
This month’s Grape Gab is all about Albarossa. We were fortunate to have a conversation earlier this month with Andrea Costa from the Marenco family winery in Piemonte, Italy. He was one of the first handful of producers to experiment with it, and he generously shares some of his experiences with us. We also tried a traditional May Wine – in July, because that’s how we roll – and have shoutouts and announcements to wrap up this week’s fun.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Albarossa, May Wine, W25 Happy Hour, Podcast Awards
When wine label monsters attack – or just stare back – do you still buy the wine? The ladies engage in a little wine label bottle babble this week, keeping it light while exploring the – um – darker or sillier side of wine labels. We also mange to jam in a factoid about a California appellation, launch our new book club, draw a Patreon winner, and announce our first ever W25 Happy Hour next month in Portland at Vault Martini. Lots to cover, so pour a glass, click play, and join the fun! Cheers ~
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Wine Labels, Red Hills AVA, Dawn's Dream, Assobio, Patreon Perks, Book Club
Kala Maxym joins the W25 ladies for remarkable stories, laughs and insight into Five Senses Tastings. Five Senses tastings has emerged as a unique and extremely successful wine tasting concept that provides elevated, multi-sensory experiences that can change the way we see, taste – and experience – wine.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
This week we discuss limoncello: what it is, where it comes from, and how to make it. Also on deck are Podcast Awards, a new book from Exotic Wine Travel, #SparklingWineWeek, limoncello bottles you wouldn’t take home to mom, and a lot of fun.
All of this happened with Steph stuffed in a closet while sipping a limoncello buffet from a step stool. Val's trying out a new mic and slurping a PLB (Pallini limoncello, lemon, & bitters) cocktail.
We hope you have just as much fun listening as we did recording. Cheers ~
Steph has a crazy dream, Val plays the diva card, and then we have an enlightening chat about another side of the wine biz. While we all do what we do out of passion, we concede that many aspects are not as fabulous as some may infer from what they see in magazines or on social media. In this episode we talk everything from health to hangovers, cost to credentials, travel to time, and what’s normally missing from the discussion. Is it all worth it? We’d like to hear what you think!
Wine, Wine Podcasts, Transylvania, Vail Symposium, Port
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com.
This week we’re all about the versatile Grenache grape and its various styles. Steph and Val get back to our podcasting roots, share lovely wines and a Mezcal factoid. You may hear some thunder in the background, but these gray days are the days made brighter by sharing wine with friends.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Wine, Wine Grapes, Mezcal, Wine Education, Wine Entertainment, Wine Podcasts
Wine Show TV host and IWSC Wine Communicator of the Year, Joe Fattorini, absolutely charms the W25 ladies this week. A gifted storyteller, Joe fills us in on some of the striking stories behind Season Two of Wine Show TV, and shares the single most stupid thing you could do when running the Bordeaux Marathon. Speaking of marathons, this episode is worth the trip - we go long and laugh hard. Joe’s not only won the BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind, but also our most embarrassing wine story honour to date.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Joe Fattorini, Wine Education, Wine Show TV, Wine Stories, Podcasts, Wine Writing, Entertainment
Andrea Rogers has over a decade and a half in the wine industry and joins the ladies of W25 today. Not only is she the reason this podcast exists, but she’s guiding the tasting and discussion about a successful wine brand that taking the country by storm. We’re chatting over six glasses of wines and cocktails, so click “play” to hear what the buzz – and “frothy creamy head” is all about.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
New Age Wines, Andrea Rogers, Cocktails
Wine guru and certified sommelier, Andrew Villarreal ,is on hand for a Millennial Moment to give us some insight into the Millennial wine mind. We’re chatting over bourbon, beer, and some serious amber wine, while discovering how the wine market is evolving in response to a significant sector of the population and their purchasing preferences. Andrew gives us a peek at his ‘new’ Chicago. He also explains what a naked lady on a Cadillac and $10 have to do with any of this. Click play, pour a glass, and join our chatter.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Wine, Millennials, Wine Education, Wine Podcast
Miles and Jack are at it again, and so are Steph and Val. This week we review Rex Pickett’s Vertical: Passion and pinot on the Oregon wine trail while cozying up to our glasses on a Tuesday morning. Alongside our little book babble about the Sideways sequel, we have some Wino Radar goodies, shoutouts and factoids. Did they say pinot in a can? Yes, yes they did. It’s a fun week in the world of wine, and we hope you enjoy this episode! Cheers ~
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Wine, Vertical: Passion & Pinot Book Review, Wine Education, IPNC, Oregon Wine, Barbera, Wine Podcasts
We’re spending some time in the wine glasses this week with some bubbly banter to find that Steph and Val share a similar South African sparkling wine story. Then it’s time lay down a double dose of grape gab about Alicante before bringing it home with more sparkly speak and a flirty, fun factoid about Trepat. The May Patreon winner is announced and there are shout outs galore!
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Grape Gab, Alicante, Trepat, Sparking Wine, Wine
Cynthia is the Principal and Creative Director of Sterling Creativeworks, a strategy, branding and design agency. She joins us this week to talk to us about wine labels, and what goes on behind the scenes of wine brands. We learn about what must be on a wine label as well as what cannot – and this may surprise you. Pour a glass of your favorite beverage and join us for a fun interview and some wine bottle label stories with Cynthia, Steph and Val.
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Cynthia Sterling, Sterling Creativeworks, Wine, Labels, Branding
Jacqueline Strum, Wine Enthusiast’s Director of New Business Development, gives us the 411 on the new Thirsty Nest Wine and Spirits Registry. We also learned a little about Glacier Wine, an upcoming book about wine from the French Alps, and other cool things on the wine horizon. Pour a fresh glass, click play, and thank you for joining us!
Show notes at WineTwoFive.com
Robin Salls, founder of Girls Gone Grape (GGG), joins us on World Malbec Day. We chat wine, women, adventures, haikus, cocktails, and more. We share the story of GGG, upcoming trips to Tuscany and beyond, as well as climate change and extinct grapes. Yes, it’s all here, including some epic #WineOops stories for you and an occasional haiku. Pour a glass and join this week’s pour of fun!
Girls Gone Grape, Wine, Women, Wine Education, Wine Travel
One hundred and five straight weeks of drinking and getting behind a microphone require celebratory drinks and a custom cocktail. This week we also pay homage to one of our founding fathers who revered wine as much as we do. While offering up some interesting, historical tidbits about one of our country’s earliest wine experts, we discover what he drank, where he visited, and some great resources for history lovers and wine lovers. So raise ‘em up, listeners, to early American cork dorkery during the birth of our nation, the birth of a new cocktail, and W25’s wine-soaked future. Cheers and thank you for being part of the W25 fun!
Thomas Jefferson, Wine, Cocktail, Wine Education, Podcast,
Steph and Val are answering a Burning Wine Question this week, and also launching an information session about the commonly demonized sulfites. There are many reasons for different reactions to different wines, so we address biogenic amines or proteins, “wee beasties,” and other theories as to why wine can sometimes not love us as much as we love it.
Burning Wine Question, Sulfites, Wine Podcast, Gin, Nebbiolo
Direct from Dublin, Ireland – via Cambeltown, Scotland – Features Editor for Cask Magazine, Suzanne (Suzi) Redmond, joins the ladies of W25 to fill us in on the hottest things under the Irish whiskey sun. A writer and contributor to the Malt Whiskey Year Book and Whiskey Magazine, Suzi also shares a passion for wine and gives us the lowdown on the Irish craft beer - and moonshine - scenes as well. We hope you’ll pour a dram and join the ladies for a little “malt madness.” Sláinte ~ Cheers!
Suzanne Redmond, SuzisGrapeCrush, Irish Whiskey, Ireland, Scotch Whisky, Campbeltown, Scotland, Poitín
Our version of March Madness is having a Grape Gab about the gray - or grey - grape known as Pinot Gris - or Grigio. We talk about what it is, what it isn’t, wine styles, and share a little story about a “one night stand in a bottle.” Also, what is “fat washing” and what does it have to do with cocktails? Val and Steph are giddy to tell you! Finally, we bring it on home with Wino Radar and comments from you. We hope this week’s episode inspires you to find something new to sip and enjoy. Happy Spring!
Shades of Gray/Gris/Grigio Grape Gab
What is a breakfast beer? Amanda Doughty from the Great Beer Adventure Podcast joins us for a morning happy hour to fill us in on this whole breakfast beer thing. During a witty poolside conversation Amanda lays down some righteous 411 that will help you drink better beer, anytime, anywhere. Raise your glasses and breakfast sandwiches, because it’s not five o’clock and, well, we don’t care!
Show notes and links here
Amanda Doughty, Great Beer Adventure, Podcast, Breakfast Beer
This week we are celebrating 100 episodes with a glance back at the state of the wine world 100 years ago. After a quick look at the 1917 vintage we give a Wino Radar nod to the future with an historic US winery celebrating 100 years. Also, we have a shout out to the humble beginnings of our podcast, recorded listener comments, and more good news for our expanding wine loving community. We hope you’ll click, sip, and stay for the party!
Show notes here
While Val and Steph are still soaking up the Florida sun, you are invited to a private winery tour in Italy at Scacciadiavoli with Steph! You get to hear about chasing the devils, while we get back to drinking like superheroes - or heroines.
Scacciadiavoli Tour
… but we’ll return your calls for wine edutainment as soon as possible! This micro-episode will make you wonder, “Where did the term shot glass come from?” And, perhaps, “Will Val and Steph manage to stay off YouTube – or the police blotter – in Orlando this weekend??” Click, clink, cheers – and thank you for your continued support of Wine Two Five!
Podfest, Shots, Wine, Podcast, Messengers
Forbes writer and author of Hungry for Wine: Seeing the world through the lens of a wine glass, Cathy Huyghe, joins the ladies of Wine Two Five this week! We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation about her book, new Enolytics wine consumer data project, the Atlanta food and wine scene, and wine life in general. There's also a little taste of #WineOops in the podcast glass to pair with some giggles. Please sit back, click play, open a bottle, and dig into some wine edu-tainment and insight.
Cathy Huyghe, Wine Writing, Enolytics, Wine Books, Wine
Why, when, and how do you subject your wine to an oxygen trip? It’s a question that gets asked often, and the answer can be somewhat controversial in many wine circles. We go there, while we allow our Factoid and Wino Radar segments go – well - everywhere. Pour a glass, give it a swirl and come along for a little wine road trip to chat, “breathing, aerating and decanting – oh why?”
Wine Aerating, Decanting, Spanish Wine, Podcast
This week our final 2016 #W25Challenge winner and newly minted CSW, Cathie Schafer, joins the W25 party from Georgia! Also known as the Side Hustle Wino, Cathie lays some fresh perspective and poetic wine culture juju on us with respect to wine labeling. We get into “the weeds” (ha ha), draw a winner for our monthly Patreon giveaway, and even dig up factoid about King Tut’s wine. Everyone learned something in this episode and we’re sure you will too!
Side Hustle Wino, Wine Labels, Geeky Wine Factoids
What makes a great wine list? There is no single great answer to this. However, navigating your way through restaurant selections shouldn’t be rocket science. In this episode we talk about the why and how of things you may encounter in a restaurant. Steph is gifted an Iconic Wine. Val is roaming around Rome. (Recorded Dec 2016)
Wine Lists, Iconic Wines, Travel, Tautavel, Sonoma, Colorado, Wine Podcast
You may have those wine geek friends. You may be that wine geek friend. We may be those wine geeks who may have had a little too much fun with this episode. Either way, we’ve all experienced uncomfortable slurping and spitting situations. Steph and Val dive to the bottom of the spit bucket to banter about keeping our inner – and outer - wine geek in check. Steph has a great factoid about Meade. Val tries to rap. We’re gettin’ silly with it. (Recorded Dec 2016)
Wine Geek, Wine Snob, Wine Podcast, Prerecorded
Bright Cellars Co-Founder and CEO Richard Yao and Director of Operations Christie Lowe join the ladies of Wine Two Five this week to tell us how two MIT grads created a wine club that’s personalized for each wine drinker. Steph and Val gave it a try, and we were both sent selections customized for us. Want to hear the results? Click play, pour a glass, and let’s talk wine – and cheese – with Bright Cellars! [ad]
Bright Cellars, Wine Clubs, Wine Tasting, Wine Podcast, Sponosred Content
Happy sipping New Year! There are new wines, new hashtags, new factoids, new patrons, new contests and new promotions. Needless to say, we are looking forward to a new year of wine fun! We also announce our giveaway winners and our #W25Challenge winner from the 4th quarter of 2016. So much to enjoy, so pour a glass of wine, and tune in for the win!
Wine, Winners, Podcast, Shows, New Year
In our last episode of the year we wrap up with listener favorites, highlights, and some of the not-so-shining “oopsie” moments. Let’s celebrate the end of a full and fabulous year of wine edu-tainment, guests, factoids and follies with the Wine Two Five Podcast! We hope you’ll pour a glass, sit back and giggle along as we look forward to a fun-filled, wine-soaked 2017!
Dinner is Poured, Wine Two Five Year in Review, Bloopers
Steph and Val are scurrying around this week like caffeinated elves. Before we sign off for the week we wanted to take a minute (or 10) to wish you all a sparkly holiday season. However or wherever you are celebrating, we hope there’s something beautiful in your glass. Feel free to share your joy on our FB page, Twitter, or Pinterest so we can all celebrate together! We also couldn’t resist dropping a fun, festive, freaky little factoid we think you’ll enjoy. So from our homes in Colorado to yours around the world, cheers~
Christmas, Holidays, Wine, Podcast, Cheer
There’s more to Beauj than Nouveau, you know. And Beaujolais is more than just the gamay. This week we rap the villages and the crus, and jam this episode with factoids you can use. From Irish moonshine to drinking podcast fun, there’s something here for everyone (over 21, of course). This is our last full episode of the year, so let’s raise ‘em up for some wine geek cheer!
Beaujolais, Irish Moonshine, Drinking Podcasts, Wine
The sounds of our favorite wine things are ringing in the holiday season. We’ve had to shake up our schedule a bit and get all snow globe up in here, but when the glitter settled packed this show with goodies galore. We’re chatting our favorite wine things, cheap things and fine things – from flippity-flip, drippity drip to the clickety-click and sippity-sip. There’s a fun Marsala factoid, a special wine deal for W25 listeners, and a whole lot of fun. Cheers~
Wine books, wine gifts, wine, Marsala, Bright Cellars
Two wine geeks, four bottles of Japanese wine and a translate app. Oh my. This is one of our “taste and tell” shows where we taste and discover things for the first time and bring you along for the wild ride. We also dug up some fun facts about the grapes, wines and regions of Japan, and hope you enjoy this side trip to the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. Kanpai/Cheers~
Japanese Wine, Grapes, Region, Wine Podcast
Food & Lifestyle Contributor for the Greeley Tribune and award-winning author Emily Kemme gets the W25 take on everything from the holiday table, cooking with wine, to stemware, gifting, and office parties. Steph’s signature SWT cocktail returns to the show and is sure to cure what ails you. We’re thankful for all of you who listen, subscribe, and laugh and sip along with this special episode, your holiday entertaining survival guide.
Thanksgiving, Entertaining, Cocktails, Wine, Spirits, Gifting
We’re pumped up to sit down to some Champagne chatter with our third quarter #W25Challenge winner! Michelle Miller, CSW, CS, from Reno is in the house, she just happens to work for a Champagne house, and she shares her life-changing wine moment. In this episode we dig into some historical and other fun nuggets of Champagne trivia, stories, and announce a giveaway. We hope you find something delicious for your glass, push play, and have a great day!
#W25Challenge, Champagne, Wine Podcast
Steph & Val are back behind the mic and in the same time zone, so you've been warned. We have cocktails, a little Brunello banter, talk history and what makes this wine one of Italy's finest, while Steph shares some of things she learned in Montalcino. Val breaks out her new Irish whiskey … and shares … and shares. Other things we chatter about this week include Wine Enthusiast’s new podcast, grappa, sushi chef shout out, movie wine trivia, tasting room tales, and a new giveaway! We’re having a great time and hope you’ll pour a glass, click, listen, learn, laugh & sing along … wait ... not the singing. Please. Not the singing.
While Steph works her way back to the states, we're taking a week off to square away busy winter schedules. Few people, however, have a busier schedule than our guest who took time out of her day to chat with the Wine Two Five ladies a few weeks back. Chardonnay for breakfast? Yes please, and Susan tells us why it's a great choice. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the smart, funny and talented Susan Kostrzewa, Executive Editor, Wine Enthusiast magazine!
Susan Kostrzewa, Wine Enthusiast Exec Editor, Wine Podcast
Dr. Matthew Horkey and Charine Tan are authors of the book Uncorking the Caucasus: Wines from Turkey, Armenia, and Georgia and this week they joined us from ArmAs Winery in Armenia. Charine and Matthew tell the most incredible stories about wine travels through less-explored regions, like Serbia, and share a plethora of #W25Challenge fodder for all of us! We couldn’t get enough of this dynamic duo and we’re quite sure you’ll fall in love with them and want to follow their Exotic Wine Travels.
Caucasus Wine Region, Wine Books, Wine Podcast, Exotic Wine Travel
We had an absolute ball this week with our banter back and forth across the Atlantic. Steph is still toodling around Italy, and Val admits that owning a vineyard would make her break out in hives. From harvest talk and male somms modeling designer table cloths (hey, we don’t make this stuff up), to baboons and Madeira-tasting party tricks, this episode covers a lot of ground but is a lot of fun. We hope you enjoy hanging out with the Wine Two Five ladies this week.
Wine Grapes, Harvest, Italy, Wine Podcast, Wine Education
Grgich Hills Estate Co-Proprietor & Vice President for Operations and Sales, Violet Grgich, shares part of her day with the W25 ladies as well as priceless accounts of family history, philosophy and wise wine words. Her beautifully told stories will surely make you smile and have you planning your next trip to either stomp grapes or visit Croatia. We also are happy to bring you some delightful words from a listener which pair well with this very special episode you won’t want to miss. And what do Marco Polo and Franz Liszt have to do with any of this? To find out, please pour a glass, click play, and enjoy!
Grgich Hills Estate, Wine Podcast
No, not Ron Burgundy, but a splash of Bourgogne wine babble. We wade in and swim over to the geeky deep end to talk about why some of it is so expensive, and how to catch a more accessible bottle for, you know, for regular people. This is a #W25Challenge trove of things to seek out and sip where we also fished out this quarter’s winner! Hopefully you reel in some helpful nuggets and discover at least one new Bourgogne in your glass soon!
Burgundy Wine Babble, Bourgogne, Wine Podcast
In honor of International #PodcastDay we are sharing our feed favs with you. What do Steph & Val listen to when we aren’t chattering away at the mic? We’re getting down with OPP – other people’s podcasts. Whether you’re looking for education, entertainment, information, or meditation there’s a podcast out there for you. With that, we hope you’ll celebrate along with us. Happy International Podcast Day!
International Podcast Day, OPP, Wine Podcasts
Chardonnay’s rep gets a grape-over from the W25 gals this week as we do a deeper dive into what is often called “the wine maker’s grape.” There’s good reason for this, and you may be surprised at all the ways you can Chardonnay. Another factoid-palooza along with some juice for the #W25Challenge is on deck for your sipping pleasure. The gals are kickin’ it a little country style with beer and bourbon on the side – and some red cowboy boots. So giddyup, grab a glass, and get set for this month’s grape gab, y’all!
Chardonnay, Wine Podcast, Wine Two Five, Grape Gab
The ladies of Wine Two Five are charmed by govino founder Joseph Perrulli this week. You may remember us fan-girling about the shatterproof genius that is govino. Well, we have a fun and funny inside scoop on the how, the why and the wine that brought this popular wine-lover (and beer-lover!) must-have accessory to the party. And what’s with that thumb notch, anyway? Joseph shares that secret as well. We hope you’ll pour a glass, kick back and enjoy this special episode!
Go Vino, Joseph Perrulli
We are back behind the mic with some mid-day beverages and fun, new exciting W25 things to chatter about. There are tasty tidbits about up-and-coming wine regions, truffle vodka, and a silly WinoRadar discussion regarding bitter food and drink choices. Steph and Val also have a special announcement, and we are serving up a cocktail of learning, laughs and a large pour of love fest this week.
Patreon, Idaho Wine, Walla Walla, Wine Podcast, #W25Challenge, Wine, Beer, Vermouth
For the third episode in a row Steph and Val are behind the same mic and most likely pre-sipped before recording. You’ve been warned. A whole bunch of #W25Challenge fodder is included, but we’ve kept the episode bite-sized.
NZ Wine, New Zealand, Wine, Travel, Wine Tourism
This week we are chatting with Celia Hay, Owner of New Zealand School of Food and Wine. She generously shared some of her country’s finest wines with us, as well as incredible stories. As a child waiting tables for her parents' dinner parties for dignitaries she learned to appreciate fine food that led to her success as a premier wine and food destination in New Zealand. You’ll enjoy her funny wine story at the end as well. Don’t mind the sound of dishes breaking in the background.
Celia Hay, NZ School of Food and Wine, NZ Wine
Chief Wine Critic for the New York Times Eric Asimov joins the Wine Two Five ladies this week. He is the author of “How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto,” and talks to us about just that – his love for wine, what’s changed over the last 15 years, and finding great wines to enjoy. He shares his philosophy on wine service, or as Val says, preaches the gospel on why you should show your good somms some love. Steph’s hangin’ in the Springs for this one, and both gals are behind the same mic for a change. Uh oh. Click, sip, giggle, learn, and enjoy!
Eric Asimov, New York Times, Wine, Restaurant Wine Service, Wine Writing
Steph and Val return from the 2016 Society of Wine Educators 40th Annual Conference and have fun new beverages to talk about. We learned a lot, laughed a lot, and are already looking forward to 2017 in Portland, OR. We have favorite sips, presentations, moments, and a healthy shoutout-palooza to some seriously dedicated listeners, fellow podcasters and more. Needless to say, we are having a “whale” of a good time with this episode. Eh hem.
SWE Conference, Wine Educators, Cognac, Armagnac, Wine Tasting,
Our latest #W25Challenge winner, Lynn Gowdy, linked up with us for chatter about a classic cocktail and how she ended up moving to France to study – what else – wine! Lynn shares her philosophy on changing up her life for the love of wine as well as her approach to the #W25Challenge. Steph shares her Sidecar study story and Val trolls the bar for a breakfast gin. The new ‘Burning Wine Questions’ segment premieres and we drop a special announcement. Too much fun packed into this cast, so pour a glass, click, sip, giggle and enjoy!
Wine Podcast, #W25Challenge, Lynn Gowdy, Burning Wine Questions
Author Suzanne Hoffman chats with us this week to talk about her new book, Labor of Love: Wine Family Women of Piemonte. She shares some great stories and insight on how she was able to bring these precious stories to paper. Anyone that loves and appreciates great Italian wines will certainly fall in love with the women who left their indelible mark on Italian wine culture and heritage. We did. We also recommend you regard the table of contents as a wine list while you’re reading this gorgeous book. We hope you enjoy this special episode. Salute~
Author, Italian translator, wine historian, writer and rocker Jeremy Parzen, Ph.D. joins the W25 ladies this week to share Italian wine adventures around the world. In this episode we get the 411 on what Sir Elton John has to do with Barolo, learn about the allure of Franciacorta, and get a little grape gab on about Groppello. Grab a bottle, some friends, and click play. We guarantee some fun treats and a chat about sweets that will surely please any palate. Salute/Cheers ~
Do Bianchi, Franciacorta, Wine Podcast, Wine
This week we are talking a little heat, a little sweet, and wine entertaining tips that can’t be beat. Oh, and apparently we’ve "busted a rhyme.” Sharing some personal pearls of summer sipper wisdom, we offer more choices, less work and simple patio pickings that will rock your guests’ worlds in original ways. Sweet and spicy preserves from PRiMO Specialty Foods with fun cheese and wine pairings are riding shotgun as we jam into summer with white, rosé, red, and even apéritif and fortified options. Jam. Bam. Thank you ma’am. [ad]
Karen MacNeil has won an Emmy as well as James Beard and International Wine and Spirits awards, and this week she joins the Wine Two Five Podcast ladies from Napa. You may know her as author of the best-selling Wine Bible, and TIME Magazine calls her “America’s Missionary of the Vine.” She was generous with her time, humor, insight and graciousness – as well as honesty about what she won’t write about – and we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed producing it. Yes, listeners, you are in for a treat. Pour a glass of something lovely, sit back and join us for some cool sips with a wine writing icon!
Karen MacNeil, Wine Bible, Wine Speed, Wine Podcasts
Part three of our Spanish Wine Summer series brings it home with Paola Medina Sheldon, Technical Director and Winemaker of the legendary Bodegas Williams and Humbert in Cádiz, Spain. Paola shares stories of tasting a 100-year-old Amontillado and the secret to being happy in doing work that you choose. Finally, we are teased with the vintage Fino line and new vodka that is definitely the most unique in the world. We were so fortunate to have her join the ladies Wine Two Five, so please enjoy – preferably with a glass of Sherry!
Sherry, Paola Medina, Spain, Wine Podcasts
Part two of our Spanish Wine Summer series offers up some vocabulary and a tiny tease of history. We’re full of all kinds of nuggets and factoids in this episode. Cava gets some love, and we pick the winner of the second quarter #W25Challenge! Grab a glass of rosado and sip along!
Spanish Wine, bottle vocab, wine podcast, wine podcasts, wine education
This week we are taking a quick trip around Spanish wine regions and grapes as we kick off a three-part summer series leading up to a very special Sherry episode in a few weeks. Splattered across our Wino Radar are blue alcoholic beverages, which are now … a thing? Oh, and then Steph breaks down a Colorado booze bill into bite-sized chunks for us to digest. Or spit out. You decide. Either way, we hope you’ll enjoy a little daytime sip along with us!
After finishing her PhD in Florence, Katarina decided to move from her native Sweden and start her own translation services business. She is the creator of the Wines of Italy Blab on Twitter and the Grapevine Adventures Blog. You can often find her quite actively engaged in the wine scene in Florence as a FISAR sommelier as well as in social media tasting, chatting and writing about Italian wines. Lots to learn in this episode from favorite wine bars in Florence, to cocktails to a little factoid about Swiss wine.
Director of Education for the Eastern United States, Brianne Guist, sat down with us prior to a seminar in Fort Collins, CO on the history of Robert Mondavi Winery. She gave us some great insight on what Mr. Mondavi’s contributions have come to mean to the wine industry over the last five decades, as well as some industry tips for when your job requires you to eat – and drink – for a living. Add in some inspirational moments, stories, interesting sips from Steph and Val, along with lots of shoutouts, and you have a packed episode that we hope you’ll enjoy!
If it’s geeky, funny or silly we sniffed it out this week. We have native grapes from Italy, talk about a geeky Greek grape, and have just a bit of a WTF moment where Champagne and ice cubes collide. There’s a dose of education chased with some banter, and we hope you enjoy our little geek trek into the crazy hot matrix of wine.
Leanne Laine, also known as the “Women in Wine” artist, creates some of the most collected wine art in the world. She joins the gals this week to chat about her motivation behind her paintings, growing her business, creativity, and what her wine art has come to mean to so many. We know you are going to love hearing her story as well as the other nuggets of information we have for you. Pour a glass and sink into this special, inspiring episode!
This week the ladies are sitting side-by-side with two fabulous bottles of wine from Kaiken and Aurelio Montes Jr. We are giving you where, the wine, the winemaker … and the geese. Geese? Yes, Geese. We’re two birds of a feather and flocking together, tasting and talking about Argentina’s signature varietal wines, Malbec and Torrontés. We hope you enjoy this introduction to one of our favorite producers and find some great wines to add to your cellar and summer entertaining arsenal! [ad] [sponsored content]
We are taking a side trip south of the equator to learn a little bit about Argentina. One of the gals admits to owning “tango shoes” while the other has a new guilty podcast pleasure. We’re also pretty high - not that kind of high (insert Colorado jokes here) - on vineyard altitude and other factoids this week. This is an easy sipper and a jumping off point for next week’s special Argentinean wine exploration - and seduction - edition.
May’s grape gab is an introduction to the Hungarian grape, Furmint, and overview of the styles of wine that can be produced from it. Steph drinks a cocktail with dried grasshoppers. Val admits to being a gypsy with an attitude. We’re back to our commute-sized format with ‘Factoids’, ‘Wino Radar’, and ‘Shoutouts’ to the max. Pour, click, and sip along!
Three ladies are on deck and in a decadent discussion. Dr. Susan Golicic, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at Colorado State University, and author of Contemporary Wine Marketing and Supply Chain Management: A Global Perspective joins us this week. She is our #W25Challenge winner, a spinner of great stories, including how she found her way to Amarone. Susan continues to find links to wine and wellness, including the genesis for future research on the topic. We also announce some exciting wine events coming up this summer, and share some epic laughs. We hope you’ll enjoy this super fun guest host edition of W25!
Vice President of Trade Relations for Trinchero Family Estates, Barry Wiss, CS, CWE, CSS joins Wine Two Five to share history, wisdom and Napa Valley legends. TFE is now one of the largest family-owned wine companies in the world, but it came from humble beginnings. You will be captivated by the story of Zinfandel, “The Lady That Brought Us To the Party” … albeit in the trunk of a 1962 Chrysler New Yorker … and the successes that have ensued. Also, we have updated information on our rescheduled Podcast Anniversary Soiree in Denver! Pour a glass, learn, laugh and enjoy this insightful and nostalgic journey through the vines.
We’re refreshed, motivated, and inspired. Somewhere between a fan girl love fest and a shout-out-palooza, Steph and Val are debriefing our experiences from the Women of the Vine Symposium in Napa and the SWE Spirits Mini Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, respectively. From bourbon balls to champagne and music video pairings, there are all kinds of nuggets tucked into this sassy and “spirited” episode.
Fifty two weeks, a family affair, and one of us is drinking a ‘who’s yer daddy’ wine. We announce our #W25Challenge winner for this quarter and are so excited to have the listener co-host the show with us later this month! Oh … then there are the tribbles. Tribbles? Yes. Tribbles. We obviously need change for the pop culture clue bus here, but we’re on the Zinfandel train this week and either way it’s a fun ride. We hope you enjoy this episode!
This is a special “taste-and-tell” edition with Sharron McCarthy, Vice President of Banfi Vinters. In this episode Sharron guides us through a tasting of Concha y Toro’s Carménère wines and supplies us with history, stories and information to satisfy all wine knowledge appetites … and budgets. Style, elegance, and the Marques kissing your hand - we got that ... and more. You’ll never look at Chilean wine or Carménère the same. We promise. [sponsored content] [ad]
Spring Break ‘mini-cast’ packed with goodies about Chile, Carmenere, and some exciting upcoming events. Steph and Val share a Chilean Negroni cocktail and toast to our 50th episode. We also peep some info about our one-year celebration in a few weeks - and you’re invited! Pour a glass, get ready to play along in our first live tasting tweet fest!
It’s Jeff Solomon from the Stay Rad Wine Blog and We Like Drinking podcast joining us from Gilroy, California. We had a blast with “The King of All Wine Media,” this week so strap in, listeners. Jeff brings his west coast flair to the Wine Two Five show, and we packed a lot into this episode including a factoid that will totally surprise you. There are lots of laughs, cool wine nuggets … and then there was that one night in Chico... Happy #ThirstyThursday and enjoy this extended treat!
This episode was recorded on International Women’s Day, and we found a way to link the celebration with a bit of fizzy cocktail history. Somehow we also packed in a surprising little factoid, shout-outs galore, and way too much fun into a commute-sized podcast. Want to get in on the #W25Challenge for a chance to co-host the show with us? There’s still time! Listen, sip, share, enjoy! Cheers ~
Master Sommelier David Glancy is the founder and CEO of the San Francisco Wine School and one of 12 people in the world to hold both the MS and Certified Wine Educator (CWE) credentials. He believes wine education should be edu-tainment and most certainly brings it to this week’s episode. Not only does David share great information about fabulous upcoming events and classes, but he also regales us with stories from his time in Macau to sabering a bottle of bubbly … and … a premature popped cork. Pour a glass, learn, and laugh along!
This episode features a tasting of four wines on the sweeter side that not only surprised us but would be delightful choices for the sweet wine lover or the hypersensitive vinotype (see www.myvinotype.com or revisit Episode 44 for empowerment). Maybe we had a little too much fun with this episode, so we hope you’ll enjoy it and share it with your friends who like the sweet stuff!
The wine, the where, the legend, and factoids galore are all part of our fun exploration of the Viognier grape which sometimes, let’s be honest, just doesn’t get enough love. We talk about where it came from, where it grows now, and what you can find in the glass! We have #W25Challenge updates, new reviews, upcoming events, and lots of love to shout out. Thank you for joining us and sipping along!
What does an Altoid mint, a glass of Scotch, and a Brazilian wax have in common? It’s 50 shades of wine science this week. Tim Hanni, MW, author of Why You Like The Wines You Like: Changing the way the world thinks about wine, breaks down the physiological and other reasons why some wines taste – and feel – good to some people and not others. He’s a champion for sweet wine lovers, and Tim calls B.S. on some common ideas that may just take your enjoyment of wine up a notch. This is a refreshing, feel good episode, for sure.
As Vice President of Wine Education for Banfi Vintners Sharron probably has one of the coolest wine careers ever, and she takes some time out of her busy schedule to chat with W25! Last year’s inductee into the Italian Trade Commission’s Hall of Fame, she gives us some insight into her place in the wonderful world of Italian wine. We talk about pairing a novel with Brunello, upcoming wine and spirit education events, and … yes, it’s true … grapes named after salami. Pour a glass, sip, learn, and laugh along. Salute!
This week we decide to weigh in on some of these predictions for 2016 that have been squirming around in wine media. Is it new, is it news, or is it just plain nuts? This is our “state of the wine” episode where we discuss the changing times in what can sometimes seem like a wacky world of wine. There are some requests, some goals, and there is some mention of fly dance moves that will hopefully not involve physical therapy or muscle relaxers, as neither of these pair well with wine. We hope you enjoy our commentary this week and pick up some fun sip tips! Cheers ~
We’re sipping, chatting and exploring Sangiovese this week. The versatility, the styles, the characteristics are all on the table (or in the glass) along with savvy input from last week’s guest, a true Tuscan. Massimo helps us elaborate on the many facets of Sangiovese and its wines. But wait, there’s more! The #W25Challenge is heating up, we have shoutouts to some awesome somms, and we talk about wine in a tube. Join us for some wine edu-tainment and some tips for expanding your palate!
Massimo Coppetti, Italian sommelier and faculty member of Florence University of the Arts (FUA), schools us on wine as a lifestyle and eloquently expresses how wine is considered sexy. By the way, what cheese pairs great with a good Lambrusco? Where can you find the Negrette grape? Why would we drink a wine that’s considered “rancio?” Booze-infused cupcakes? This and much more in this week’s packed – and dare we say, “sexy?” – episode! Pour a glass, listen, learn, and laugh along with us! Cheers ~
In our first episode of #Sipping2016 we’re talking “new year, new booze” with a call to action for our listeners to try something new this year and tell us about it. Steph creates a cocktail with lavender vodka, and Val finds a Pineau des Charentes rouge to kick things off. Want to be a guest host on the Wine Two Five show? Listen, taste, discover, and start a conversation. It's all part of the #W25Challenge and so get ready sip what you've never sipped before!
In our last episode of 2015 we celebrate your favorite moments and revisit a few of ours as well. There’s a mash-up of some ... er ... grittier moments that ended up on the cutting room floor, so this episode is a little more on the Rated R side. Steph and Val ask each other some interesting questions, and then? We announce our 2016 W25 Sipping Challenge and share how YOU can be a guest host on W25! We end the show - and the year - with a glittering five-star review, and wish you all a safe and Happy New Year!
We are tickled to have 7th Generation Champagne Proprietress Chantal Brégeon-Gonet of Champagne Philippe Gonet join us for a fun discussion about … Champagne: how to drink it, great pairings, and traditions. We also talk about the often controversial topic of decanting wine and when it will or will not actually benefit your enjoyment. It’s all about pleasure this week, and it’s truly our pleasure to share these lovely stories from Chantal about Champagne that will surely make you smile if you’re pouring bubbles this holiday!
Allan Wright from Taste Vacations and Zephyr Adventures joins us this week and talks with us about cool wine trips, wine regions, and how you can get the most from your wine tour experience. Chile? Argentina? New Zealand? There are some exciting wine tours out there, and lots to taste so hang on! He also is the organizer of the annual Wine Blogger Conference and Wine Tourism Conference. We wrap up this episode by getting a little geeky (what else is new?) with our factoid about Champagne bubbles.
This is an easy listening, easy drinking episode. Jeff Eckles from the We Like Drinking podcast joins us for some laid-back wine and beer chatter this week. Is there such thing as a free lunch? Sure there is – and we cover that in the factoid. There’s a small celebration of our nation’s attempt to (still) recover from those silly temperance & prohibition movements, and a hint about our upcoming holiday video. Let's pour a glass and listen to Jeff explain that whole “smoked whale” thing, shall we?
Have no fear, we have some spirited banter this week packed full of ideas and resources that will make you a rock star with the wine lover in your life. We’re thinking outside the bottle this week with gift ideas that range from silly to practical and geeky to extravagant … and some are not what you’d expect … kind of like some of the comments in this episode. The factoid will be a surprise for many of you as well. What’s “simply fabulous?” You’ll have to listen to find out. Happy December and let’s raise a glass to stress-free holiday gifting!
Sharing gratitude, a toast for the ages, Champagne factoids, and our Thanksgiving Day go-to wines. Steph and Val move a little quickly through this episode so you can get back to celebratory activities if you’re in the states – or drinking great wine wherever you are in the world! We finish with a “drinking stars” shout out and a five star review on iTunes that had us over the moon. This week we cannot express enough our thanks for our friends and listeners and the opportunity to connect with some part of your wine journey each week. Happy Thanksgiving!
The Wine Two Five crew is stoked to welcome Jane Nickles, CWE, CSE to the show. She’s the Director of Education for the Society of Wine Educators and one of the most beloved and accomplished wine educators that you’ll meet. You won't want to miss how "The Bubbly Professor" came to be. Honestly, “My dress is on the floor” is something we never thought we’d hear on the show, but our faces literally hurt from laughing at the end of this cast. We hope you enjoy your time with her this week as much as we did. Be sure to stick around for upcoming wine education events, a factoid, and some words from you! It’s a long one, but the entertainment is nonstop this week!
Click, sip, and learn! This week we're talking about ways to learn about wine on the go, online, or just sitting around kicking it with friends. Most of these are free! While not necessarily drinking games these are games that could change the way you drink, shop for, or enjoy wine – while giving your brain a little bit of a workout too. Some are fun, some are dorky, some are free (did we mention free?), but all can be done with a wine glass in one hand. A bonus - a couple of them let you break bottles … without having to clean up the mess.
From mulling wine to whisk(e)y wisdom Steph & Val offer up some fun information on hot mug classics. We also touch on basic types of whiskies. Or is it whiskeys? Both are correct, as you’ll see. So get ready to snuggle up, wrap your hands around a big ol’ mug of happiness, and join us for another tasty episode as we give you the 411 on warm cocktails and favored fortifications.
*Note: we talked about blended Scotch Whisky also being called “vatted” whisky; you won’t see that word on bottles after 2011. Also, the answer to "white whiskey" is that while American whiskey does have an oak requirement, there is no minimum time for aging, so the whiskey could have been put in overnight! The white dog whiskeys are normally corn whiskeys and they are not required to be stored in oak. So the answer is both yes & no as to whether white whiskeys are actually "whiskey."
Ghosts and ghouls of alcohol’s checkered past pay us a visit. Black cats, green fairies, missing hands, corpse reviver, murder mysteries, and madness pack this episode full of creepy, seasonal fun. Steph takes one for the team with a pumpkin beverage, and Halloween takes a spirited turn toward the seas to conjure up the real pirate of rum fame, Captain Morgan. Yo ho ho and a bottle of Happy Halloween!
Duckhorn’s Chief Marketing Officer Carol Reber and Western District Manager Jennifer Burke join us to talk about the October #MerlotMe month-long campaign. Shenanigans and partying with firefighters pair very well with Merlot, as we’ll see in this episode. We look closer at the “Sideways Effect” and uncover some interesting tidbits, as well as some cheeky lore about bootlegging during prohibition. We have a round of WWSD (What Would Steph Drink?) and Val divulges her holy grail of whisky. Who’s your daddy, Merlot? Join us this week to find out … and celebrate!
Master Sommelier Sally Mohr has the distinction of being the 2nd woman in North America to earn the MS title, and she joins the W25 crew this week! We chat everything from wine to sake, and Sally even offers sage advice on following your own wine path. We also talk about fake wine & what we learned may surprise you as much as it did us! The glasses are clinking, the gals are drinking and we’re pouring non-stop fun paired with a lot of education. What is “Happiness in a Cup?” The ladies find out this week …
We chat silly wine descriptions, introduce you to some unusual grapes, and offer a bite-sized factoid on wine colors. Also, Eric from Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants graciously sits down and shares some time, wine and insight with Steph, and even offers up his own experience with puzzling wine descriptions. Yes, there’s a lot of laughing jammed into this episode, but learning as well. And class. We promise.
Recorded on #InternationalPodcastDay and #WineWednesday this episode celebrates #fall. We’re chatting entertaining with richer foods, wines, cocktails, seasonal pairings, and a very cool factoid on eau de vie (water of life). Somehow, between Steph’s sips of cider and Val’s strange relationship with a rosemary twig in her cocktail, we managed to fit in host gift ideas! We thank you for joining us in this fabulous fall fest of fermented fun!
This week we’re paying homage to those who’ve made wine history. You may be surprised at some of the people, stories and deeds. From presidents to prime ministers to modern day icons, we’re raising our glasses. Speaking of which, we also have a vintage fashion accessory dating back to 1818 and share some updated things in the modern wine world as well.
We’re cozying up to our favorite wine flicks. Our guest this week is Gary Matsch from Ready to Drink Packaging. Gary tells us about his super cool new design for single-serve wine that will change the way we drink and snack on the go … even at the movies! “Wine Anywhere. Wine Anytime.” Yes please! So get some popcorn and a glass of something good, because we dug up some wine movies, believe it or not, that even were new to us. This is a fun-packed episode that will have you set for a weekend of cozy.
Is it a book club or drinking club with a reading problem? Well, it depends, and not just on whether you see "holy spirits" in your liquor cabinet. But first, we’re all about beloved wine books. We flash back to our first dog-eared, well-drunk editions, invaluable references for your own wine library, and fun, new recommendations. Pour a glass, put on your smoking jacket … and spread some beer jelly on your toast? Yes. Why not?!
Bitters. Not talking about Steph & Val here, but a true, versatile cocktail essential. From a medicinal history and flirting with extinction during prohibition bitters are back and going strong! We’re getting on board the bitter train, and taking cocktail hour to another level. So what are bitters, why do we care, and why do we want them within arm's reach? Grab a Manhattan or a Negroni and join us for another happy (half) hour as we celebrate W25's 21st episode.
This week we’re sipping and rapping “other kinds of wine” like Vermouths and aromatized aperitif wines. We explore what they are, how to store them, and a little history. Why should we covet adding botanically infused booze to our liquor cabinets … and where have they been our whole lives (besides in a cocktail near you)? Mix up a Manhattan, Martini, or Negroni or grab a glass of Americano and join us for a high-class happy hour. OK, it’s a half hour that’s just happy.
Bourbon, brothels, beignets and beads: we’re back from New Orleans with so much good stuff! This week we are revisiting our week at the Society of Wine Educators Conference. Whether it’s cocktail crawls and Chinese wines or wine and health, we rap favorite nuggets of our NoLa experience from fine dining to drag queen shows. Yep. We go there. And since our friends keep asking about the wine “butt?” We go there too. You’re welcome.
In this episode we've got tools for your bag of tricks when making your own food & wine magic. Did she say white wine with beef? Yes, she did. Also, Steph is drinking out of a Steelers mug & Val gives a brief shout out to her Pittsburgh roots; so it's actually white wine with "beef-n-at." Go Stillers. The ladies are off to WINE CAMP and are, maybe, a little too excited. Maybe. Definitely. Look out, New Orleans. You've been warned.
This week we are tossing back and talking super tasty nuggets about cooking with wine. There are pitfalls to avoid, fixes for adding too much wine to a dish (if that’s even a thing), and a way to use your ‘old’ wine, again, if that’s even a thing. This episode is soaked – kind of like your hosts – with wine information and fun.
Pour a glass, it’s story time. Whether you’ve just spilled wine all over your friend’s new outfit or slammed into restaurant doors with your face, well, stuff happens. However, we can at least save you some embarrassment when it comes to bringing wine to someone’s home. Check in for some tips to make your host happy and some tales to make you giggle. We hope you enjoy this episode!
We are in the wild wine kingdom this week as we recap Steph’s recent trip to Norway and Sweden, and lament the menu item that got away. We hunt down some grape and wine bottle math, spot some rare plant and wine pairings, and get waaaay too excited about having cocktails with zoo animals. Do you have some wild stories? This is your chance to share!
A bit of a love fest, really. Official wine tasting terminology, such as “Yummy yummy likey likey.” Of course, someone (not mentioning any names) is double fisting Scottish Gin & Dutch Genever in the middle of the afternoon. Juice boxes, square boxes, and get a straw … it’s all here in our final stab at alternative packaging & drinking outside your wine box. [Pre-recorded 30 June 2015]
Size matters in this chock-full episode. We discuss large format bottle names, wine in a keg, and our guest, Michaela Hightower of Soiree Events & Celebrations, shares the innovative philosophy behind her curious- and serious-sized pours. There are giggles galore as three gals with glasses share stories about spilling wine during exams, learning about cocktails, and where to have a “date with a pig.” [Pre-recorded on 29 June 2016]
We blind tasted 10 wines with alternative packaging, and have slipped in some audio from the tasting process. You’re welcome. We were very surprised, learned a lot, despite unanimous inquiry as to whether there was a condom in the house. To top it off we were joined by one of our die-hard listeners during the process which kept it real ... maybe too real. You’ll be shocked at the results, as were we. Happy Fourth of July & happy sipping!
We’re rapping basics on bubbles and giving you the lowdown on sweetness labeling terms. Brut? Extra dry? Do you know which one’s sweeter? It’s not what you'd think! Steph digs up some great boozy quotes, & someone please take the Bourbon away from Val before she says “fo shizzle” one more time … NOTE We update & clarify the "straight" whisky comment/definition in another episode. It's 2 years, but required to be on the bottle if less than 4 years.
More drinking, thinking, and clinking is on deck this week as we take a peek under The Wine Heroine’s cape, toast our dads, & rap boozy gifts for Father’s Day celebrations. There’s some bottle talk about bottle shock with Steph before Val geeks out on some bottle glass history. Why should we thank the British Navy for saving us from exploding Champagne bottles? Grab a glass, click “play,” and raise a toast to Father’s Day! That's right, when we say "rap" we mean it.
This week we have Muscat any way you want it – dry or sweet, fizzy or full-on bubbly, light or boozy & all-around delicious. We pontificate on the varied & versatile varieties. Steph’s dog, Eisen, is our first guest on the show & has something to say. Weird wine facts? Got 'em. We wrap up with wicked awesome wine shop finds that Val & Steph believe are worth the drive on I25. Oh, there’s more (like "horse jizz cocktails") … but you’ll just have to pour a glass & giggle along with us.
There’s a good chance it’s a martini, beer, or Scotch. It is Negroni week, after all! This week we equip you with some protocol for there really is a time to spit, a time to swallow, a time to rinse, a time to dump. Also? Don’t drink & try to say, “Scratch & sniff. Just sayin’. We hope you enjoy this week’s sipping & talking & find something delicious in your glass!
This week we talk about our favorite tried & true gadgets, wish lists & why we think we drink like men. We unearth some ancient Greek & Roman influence regarding symposiums (which are really drink fests) & jamming a piece of burnt toast into your wine. We also deliver proof that drinking alone is not only OK, but it’s cool, &, yes, wine is a grocery item.
We're turning up the heat & backing off the higher alcohol wines for the weekend, especially when Steph talks bacon-wrapped jalapenos. Grilling "go to" wines & how to keep it simple & smart with generous hydrating while partying on the patio. What else? A Sangria Royale, a Govino review, & shout-outs galore. We wish you all a delicious & safe Memorial Day weekend!
What we learned about storing wines in bomb shelters, the original Chianti “recipe” &, well, what the crow of a rooster has to do with wine. The girls get a little sassy in this one: Steph has a special hat & Val tells a medieval story. There’s a trivia question for you, & we have some shout outs to new & fun followers in Chicago & in the UK!
Opening up the mind & opening up the pink … without opening up the wallet too wide. Let your wine shop experts help you select wines in your price range & out of your normal comfort zone to rock your summer sipping.
Buck up! Because pink? It’s not a sissy wine (regardless if Val & Steph are drinking it at 11 a.m.) If it has a dragon on the label even better.
A Chianti clue will wrap things up & get you ready for Episode 5. We hope you enjoy this episode of Wine Two Five!
The how on whites: Chilling for warm weather entertaining. The why on reds: Room temperature is not really the right temperature. Plus: Sparkling wines any time. Yes, you can! The lowdown on pink: psst, most pink wines in the world are not sweet. Some things should be saved for a therapist’s couch, but this is so much more fun!
In episode two we go to that place that intimidates so many people: the nose in the glass. Why do we do it? What are we looking for? Bottom line - don't fear the process & don't feel the pressure of checking out your wine using your senses before consuming or purchasing.
Also, one of your hosts admits to being a "closet cork sniffer," & at some point we switch from Burgundy to Rum in this episode, & there may or may not be some "cheesy" dialogue. We hope you enjoy!
In our first episode we introduce the concept behind drinking Wine-Two-Five, explore the question of why that bottle of wine may have tasted better on a trattoria table in Italy than back home, & ask YOU a very important question. We're diving in! Welcome to Wine Two Five, where it's not five o'clock & we don't care!