VinePair Podcast

Zach interviews Lynnette Marrero, co-founder of Speed Rack, bar director at New York's Llama San and Llama Inn, and founding board member of the Restaurant Workers Community Foundation about shuttering her restaurants, trying to keep a cocktail competition alive, and online teachings and trainings. Please send any suggestions or requests for future Conversations to [email protected]. Thank you for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam speaks with Maggie Curry, Director of Marketing for Jackson Family Wines, about the future of drinking wine at home, how Jackson Family is keeping production going during these challenging times, and what life in wine country is like right now. Please send any recommendations or requests for future Conversations to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam speaks with Mike Capoferri, owner of Los Angeles's Thunderbolt, about feeding furloughed restaurant workers, trying to keep a new venture viable during the crisis, and pivoting to cocktails to-go. Please send any recommendations for future VinePair Conversations to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Erica, and Zach discuss which changes to the drinks world that the Covid-19 crisis has caused will last: will online ordering become the norm? Will society have a similar response as it did to the 1918 epidemic? And will we still be able to discover new drinks without restaurants, bars, and wine shops to guide us? Please remember to rate and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam speaks with CMO Stephanie Gallo about how her family's winery is dealing with the changes that Covid-19 has brought to both making and selling their wines. Please send any recommendations for future Conversations to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erica speaks with sommelier Erik Segelbaum, vice president of the United Sommeliers Foundation, about his efforts to provide support for furloughed and unemployed wine professionals. Please send any recommendations for future Conversations guests to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zach speaks with distiller Cody Morris of Hardware Distillery in Hoodsport, Washington about changing production over to hand sanitizer, dealing with government agencies in the middle of a crisis, and the challenge of launching a brewery in the midst of said crisis. Please send any recommendations for future interviews to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sparks fly as Adam, Erica, and Zach debate whether the term "simple" is an insult to a beer, wine, or cocktail. As more and more people and publications are championing "simple drinks" at this moment, it's important to define what exactly that term even means. Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe to VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam speaks with Patrick Cournot, Alexis Percival, and Moshe Schulman of the acclaimed New York wine bars Ruffian and Kindred about their decision to shutter their restaurants, and what they'd need to get back on their feet in the future. If you have suggestions for future VinePair Conversations guests, please email [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam speaks with Artisanal Brewing Ventures' CMO Derek Detenber about how the shift to total off-premise sales has changed his business, and what craft beer will look like after Covid-19. If you have suggestions for future VinePair Conversations guests, please send them to [email protected]. Thank you for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam interview Jenny Lefcourt, the founder of Jenny & François Selections, a New York-based importer of natural wines, about the impact of Covid-19 on her business. If you have anyone you'd like us to speak to about how Covid-19 is impacting their business or life, please email [email protected]. Thank you for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Erica, and Zach discuss drinks-based projects to take on while quarantining/social distancing/sheltering in place, such as making your own infusions, syrups, vermouths, and even home-brewing. Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe to VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zach speaks with Cory Rellas, CEO and co-founder of Drizly, an alcohol ordering and delivery app, about the massive surge in business Drizly has seen, and how order sizes and compositions are changing. Please let us know who else in the beverage world you'd like to hear from at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zach speaks with Rajat Parr, acclaimed sommelier, winemaker at Sandhi, Domaine de la Côte, and Evening Land, as well as the author of The Sommelier's Atlas of Taste and Secrets of the Sommelier, about how winery work is proceding during lockdown and what wines and books he's catching up on. If you have suggestions for future conversations, please send them to [email protected], and remember to rate and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam speaks with Paul Mabray, CEO of Emetry and an expert in e-commerce and digital presence about how Covid-19 is changing the way wineries interact with customers online. We are bringing you these Covid-19 Conversations as part of our expanded podcast presence during this crisis, and if you have any suggestions on potential guests, please send them to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Erica, and Zach discuss how drinking with friends has transformed in the era of social distancing, with virtual happy hours, Instagram Live nightclubs, and online wine classes replacing the ways we used to socialize over drinks. Hell, there's even Zoom beer pong! Keep an eye out for more of our Covid-19 Conversations in this channel, and please send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected], as well as sending us pictures of what you're drinking. Subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on your podcast platform of choice, and thanks so much for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zach speaks with Esther Mobley, Wine Critic at the San Francisco Chronicle, about how Covid-19 is affecting the California wine industry, Bay Area restaurants and bars, and is forcing the government to relax alcohol regulations in order to get drinks to the people who want them. If you have suggestions for other conversations in this series, please send them to [email protected], and remember to rate and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Erica, and Zach discuss how they're coping with the challenges of COVID-19 with old vine Pais and 1 pm margaritas, and then tackle the real question: how can we all help to keep the American restaurant and bar industry afloat during this unprecedented crisis. Check out VinePair's industry live blog for up-to-the-minute information, and let us know what you're thinking about, or how you're dealing with this challenge, at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Erica, and Zach address the sad reality facing the restaurant industry in the face of COVID-19, then offer some suggestions on how to still have quality drinks while keeping yourself and your community safe. In these difficult and uncertain times, please remember to drink responsibly, and also remember that we're all in this together. If you have any thoughts you'd like to share, please email [email protected], or you can record a voice memo and send it in to that email address as well. Thank you for listening, and be well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach talk about the many ways in which COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is having major impacts on the beverage alcohol world, from cancelling major industry events to crippling many bars and restaurants. This episode was recorded on Tuesday, March 3rd, so our apologies for any out-of-date or inaccurate information. Is coronavirus having an impact on your job or lifestyle? Please email us at [email protected], and remember to rate, review, and subscribe to VinePair wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening, and please be safe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach are joined by their new co-host, VinePair's Editor-in-Chief Erica Duecy, as well as VinePair staff writer Tim McKirdy, to discuss what the data says about hard seltzer's audience, staying power, and future. Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe to VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss a pressing question in the fine wine world: why is no one collecting wine any more? Is it just that no one has any space to store bottles, or does it have more to do with limited experience with older wines and a chaotic time that seems to reward living for the here and now. If you collect wine, or don't, let us know about it at [email protected], and please rate, review, and subscribe to VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach are joined by VinePair Associate Editor Cat Wolinski to discuss Zach's recent piece on the rising trend of cocktail beers, and how breweries hope they draw new drinkers into taprooms and brewhouses. Plus, discussions of Valentine's Day plans...and the New York International Auto Show, for some reason. Please remember to rate, review, and subscribe to VinePair on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss why Valentine's Day is perhaps the only big "drinking holiday" without a drink or drinks to call its own, and make a few suggestions for the Official Drink of Valentine's Day. Plus, recapping Adam's Super Bowl party, and news about a permanent addition to the podcast. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach are joined by VinePair's Tastings Editor and former restaurateur Keith Beavers to discuss the scourge of incomprehensible wine lists, why they turn off many guests, and how they serve more as sommelier insurance policy than as actual useful tool. Plus, more talk about drinking at sporting events. Please subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and remember to send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss the unique circumstances of drinking at sporting events, why more and more fans are moving beyond beer, and more. Plus, more Dry January thoughts and a heartbreaking story about the Kentucky Derby. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and please send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss the reasons why they find Dry January to be a silly and counterproductive way to have a healthy relationship with alcohol: that it's viewed more as a challenge of willpower than an opportunity to be thoughtful about our consumption, that people don't make any lasting changes to their drinking habits, and that even the health benefits are greatly overstated. Do you disagree? We'd love to hear your comments, questions, critiques, and suggestions, please send them to [email protected], and please rate, review, and subscribe to VinePair wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss their predictions for the upcoming year, including a new source for rosé, more rampant growth for spiked seltzer, casual bars, bitter is better, and more. Plus, all kinds of technical issues and why checks are the worst form of payment. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach are joined by wine importer Mary Taylor to talk about the catastrophic and nearly-unimaginable damage that President Trump's proposed 100% tariff on imported European wine and spirits would have on the American beverage alcohol world. For more information, please read this VinePair piece. If you are an American citizen, you should also contact your U.S. Senators (find them here) and U.S. Representatives (find them here). Protecting the burgeoning American beverage alcohol trade, and the prices and selection that you value, is something that we all need to do. Thank you for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final VinePair podcast of 2019 (and the 2010s), Adam and Zach reflect on some of the changes in the drinks world that have most impacted them, from the rise of the sommelier to the democratization of drinks media. Plus, Nick returns from his travels with tales of Thai gin and aged eggnog. Thanks so much for listening to VinePair, and please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review the podcast wherever it is you get it. Please also send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Have a wonderful and joyous holiday season, and we will see you in 2020! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the 2010s drawing to a close, Adam and Zach look back at the brands and beverages that defined the decade. From mass-produced and marketed vodka and red blends to biodynamic Beaujolais, from Instagram-darling beers to a beer that purported to be a sports drink, it's all here. If you think we missed an important drink from the past decade, or if you have any other questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions, please email [email protected], and don't forget to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks so much for listening and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach take some time to answer listener questions about the rise of natural wine, red blends, whether gin is finally having its moment, and how not to come off as an asshole when you know a few things about drinks. Plus, a conversation about aging egg nog and whether drinking while you're sick is worth it or not. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and please send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach are joined by acclaimed wine director and author Victoria James to discuss sexism, exploitation, and a profound lack of diversity in the wine world, particularly in fine dining. James is the beverage director at New York City's Cote, the author of "Drink Pink" and the upcoming "Wine Girl," available for pre-order now, and you can read her piece on this subject here. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Thanksgiving upon us, we revisit the very beginnings of the podcast: Zach's interview of Adam for a previous podcast, originally recorded in June 2017, where they discussed the history and growth of VinePair, what the future held for the celebrity sommelier, and much more. Read Adam's piece on Dustin Wilson here. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever it is you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks so much for listening, have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach are LIVE in Charleston, South Carolina, where they're joined by beverage pro Kellie Holmes to discuss why Charleston has become such a great cocktail city, why wineries and importers need to take the South more seriously, and much more. Many thanks to Charleston Wine + Food for making this event happen, and our on-site engineer Lindsay Collins for making us sound good. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and feel free to send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks so much for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach answer Nick's questions about how best to drink when facing a long international flight, and how to gauge local drinking customs in a foreign land. Plus, why oral hygiene is critical for drinks professionals, and details about the next VinePair live show! Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and please send any comments, questions, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Celebrities have always been a part of the alcohol industry, but recently, certain celebs have gone beyond endorsements to launch brands and offer creative input on production, not just marketing. Adam and Zach discuss whether you should take these drinks seriously, why the trend is suddenly exploding, and how to identify which celebrity spirits are actually worth buying. For more on the subject, read Tim McKirdy's recent piece on VinePair. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and please send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks so much for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss their very different interest levels in Halloween festivities, and then come up with a few drink pairings for classic Halloween candies. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and remember to send any questions, comments, critiques, and suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks so much for listening, and Happy Halloween! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach are joined by legendary Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey: restaurateur, winery owner, and hospitality icon. They discuss the term "sommelier," what hospitality really means, how to get started in the wine industry, the natural wine movement, and much more. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks so much for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss how the signature cocktail craze has more than run its course, and why most bars would be better served to focus on the classics. Plus: what does the rise of draft and pre-batched cocktails mean for the future of the bartender? Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and please send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach respond to a listener question and explore whether it's wise to get wine pairings when you enjoy a tasting menu, if sommeliers use them as a dumping ground for wine they can't otherwise sell, and how exactly you get a chatty somm to leave you the hell alone. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever it is you get it, and feel free to send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach record an EMERGENCY PODCAST in the wake of the Trump Administration's rollout of a new 25% tariff on many European wines, spirits, and cheeses. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach are joined by legendary Seattle bartender Casey Robison to discuss tequila, mezcal, and all things agave, including how American companies can behave responsibly in Mexico and what exactly makes this category so exciting. Plus: Nick and Adam's paths potentially cross in Portland. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss the bizarre duality of vodka: at once America's most popular spirit in terms of sales, yet perhaps its most overlooked and underappreciated by bartenders, including a conversation about vodka's role at the dinner table in many Eastern European cultures. Plus, Adam and Zach share their favorite fall drinks and discuss the bachelor party Adam is throwing for his brother. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever you get your podcasts, and send us your comments, questions, critiques, and suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks so much for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss some deeply untrendy drinks that they still love, including Merlot, Pinot Grigio, and the Mojito. Plus: why is it that it's way more fun to drink while watching football than any other sport? Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair wherever it is you get your podcasts, and don't forget to send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks so much for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach are joined by Hanna Raskin, chief critic and food editor for the Charleston Post & Courier, to discuss why it is that restaurant reviews don't devote much space to beverage programs and the people who run them. Prompted by Zach's Twitter conversation with Pete Wells of the New York Times, Adam and Zach explore why specialty publications like VinePair might be better suited for the task then traditional restaurant reviews. Plus: Pumpkin Spice White Claw? Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review the VinePair podcast on whatever platform you prefer, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks so much for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach have an actual argument over whether wine regions, particularly those in America, should focus on a single variety or style of wine. Things get heated. Plus, your feedback on the podcast, and did you know that VinePair does reader/listener trips? If you'd like to send us your feedback, please send questions, comments, critiques, and suggestions to [email protected], and please remember to like, subscribe, rate, and review on the podcast platform of your choosing. Thanks so much for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss how we can no longer ignore the reality that our beverage purchases can serve as an endorsement, and that we should think long and hard about the people and businesses we choose to support with our dollars and drinks. Plus, more discussion of last week's topic: online wine clubs. Please remember to like, subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]; we love to hear from you! Thanks so much for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach are joined by Paul Zitarelli, owner of Full Pull Wines, to discuss how online wine clubs work, what sets them apart from one another, and how some sell you bulk juice while others sell you wine from actual, real-world wineries. Plus, Adam ups the stakes in Paloma War 2019, and a discussion about the best day of the week to do your drinking. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, review, and like VinePair on the podcast platform of your choosing, and make sure to send any comments, suggestions, critiques, or questions to [email protected], we love to hear from you! Thanks so much for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach join forces for a late night conversation about what's fair to expect from a bar or restaurant, like that they should know how to make the drinks on their cocktail list, or that they serve your beverage in a clean glass, plus a Negroni horror story from Zach's wife. Please remember to subscribe to, like, rate, and review VinePair on whatever podcast service you prefer, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.