VinePair Podcast

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about recent news that the popular reservation platform OpenTable is providing algorithmically-derived information about users to restaurants: notes that a given guest might frequently be late, linger over their table, or have certain preferences. Does this make anything better for anyone, or does it crudely recreate the earned knowledge and relationship that a restaurant might have with a frequent diner? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Zach is reading: Welcome to Alcohol’s Slop EraJoanna is reading: The 20 Best Non-Alcoholic Beers for 2026Adam is reading: Is This the American Version of Ichiro’s Malt Card Series?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To ring in 2026, Adam, Joanna, and Zach continue a yearly tradition on the podcast, offering their predictions for what 2026 will bring for the drinks industry. Will red blends have their moment in the sun again? What will happen to "funky" wines? Will the "total beverage" trend continue? All that, and much more. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In another preview of VinePair's latest podcast "The Buildout," Adam sits down with Maison Premiere co-founder Joshua Boissy to discuss his early career in the hospitality industry, how he and co-founder Krystof Zizka made Maison Premiere a reality, and what it's like keeping a bar vibrant and exciting 15 years in. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a yearly tradition, Adam, Joanna, and Zach are joined by members of the VinePair staff to share some of their favorite and most memorable drinking experiences in 2025. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium inSacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an episode from VinePair's newest podcast series "The Buildout," Adam sits down with The Dead Rabbit co-founder Jack McGarry to talk about his early career as a bartender in Ireland, what brought him to New York, and how The Dead Rabbit remains a vital and vibrant part of New York's drinks scene. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium inSacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a yearly tradition, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss some of the biggest stories, trends, and changes in the world of drinks in 2025. From the ongoing tumult surrounding tariffs and the general economic situation, to significant sales and business collapses, to potential bright spots with drinking habits more generally, it was a chaotic, confusing, and confounding year to be sure. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about whether more restaurants should allow or even encourage guests to pre-order wine so that it could be opened and decanted ahead of time, leading to a better drinking experience. Would asking for this instantly make you seem like a pretentious jerk, and are American restaurants even really interested in this kind of service beyond the top tier of fine dining? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Zach is reading: No, Vodka Is Not a ‘Neutral Spirit’Joanna is reading: What Does ‘Make It Skate’ Mean When Ordering a Martini?Adam is reading: Noreetuh Turns 10: How a Small Hawaiian Restaurant Became a Fixture of New York’s Wine CommunityInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a year of apocalyptic headlines and generally bad vibes, Adam, Joanna, and Zach ponder whether things are as bad as they're going to get for the wine industry, or if more pain is still ahead. Then, Adam interviews John Sutton, CEO of The Wine Group, about his view on the short- and medium-term outlook for wine, how they approach innovation, and much more. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts,Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium inSacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Zach is drinking: Upsidedown Wine Roussanne + Andrew Will Two Blondes + Treveri Cellars Blanc de Blancs Reserve + Perrier-Jouët Belle ÉpoqueJoanna is drinking: The PuritanAdam is drinking: Bloodroot ChardonnayInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite much consternation about how Americans in general and Gen Z in particular are drinking less, once again new survey data shows not just that drinking rates are well within historic norms, but that the youngest cohort of drinkers are in fact engaging with alcohol at normal levels. Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss these results, as well as some other information, and try to explain why sales numbers still remain sluggish in many categories despite this. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Joanna is reading: The 26 Best New Breweries of 2025, According to Beer ProsZach is reading: Rogue Is a Case Study in Craft Brewery CollapseAdam is reading: The 7 Best Red Wines to Gift This Holiday (2025)Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss VinePair's Top 50 Spirits of 2025 list, and then are joined by spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb to further dive into what some of the most striking and discernable trends are in spirits, as well as to highlight a few particular bottles that are interesting, spectacular, or otherwise noteworthy. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Joanna is drinking: Big Table Farm Pinot NoirZach is drinking: 1985 Rocca Alfonso BarbarescoAdam is drinking: Paper Plainsman at War Eagle Supper ClubInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach debate the rumored sale of the wine-based RTD BeatBox to Anheuser-Busch InBev for $700 million. What prompted AB InBev to make this big of a commitment? What is the long-term upside for BeatBox? Why did drinks companies move away from purchasing or investing in smaller brands in favor of big purchases like this? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: Did Bols Just Release a Blue Liqueur That’s Actually, Well, Good?Joanna is reading: The 2025 Holiday Cocktail CountdownAdam is reading: Listener mailInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about why exactly the winemakers, grape growers, and wineries in Champagne are so protective of that term: not just with regards to other wines, but to a wide range of products that might use the term. Does the existence of "champagne" gummy bears really impact a wine region in France? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is drinking: Gin and Tonic with Mermaid GinJoanna is drinking: SH Martini at SeahorseAdam is drinking: Sleepless Manhattan at Great Jones Distilling Co.Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach talk about their Thanskgiving plans - what they're cooking and baking, who they're cooking and baking for, and most of all what they'll be drinking along with it. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: What Does the Wine Industry Actually Need Right Now? 9 Experts Weigh In.Joanna is listening to and watching: The Buildout Podcast: schmuck.Adam is reading: How ‘Little Treat’ Drinks Won Over Gen ZInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about why innovation and new products take so long in beverage alcohol. Are there specific obstacles, like the three-tier system and regulations, that slow down this process, or are drinks companies just worse at this than other packaged good companies? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is drinking: 2010 Casanuova delle Cerbaie Brunello di MontalcinoJoanna is drinking: Failla Wines ChardonnayAdam is drinking: Newfound Wines Gravels RedInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss a recent column by Esther Mobley in the San Francisco Chronicle positing that there are simply too many wineries in California for the current market to support. Is this in fact true? If so, what happens next? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: What Exactly Is a ‘Turbo Guinness?’Joanna is reading: The Protein Era Is Coming for Your Happy HourAdam is reading: 10 Alternatives to Gravner, Italy’s Iconic Orange WineInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach are joined by VinePair tastings director Keith Beavers and managing editor Hannah Staab to discuss the Top 50 Wines of 2025 list: what are some of the trends that we can see in the wine industry from this list, what are some of our favorite bottles, and how do you even put something like this together in the first place? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: Red Diamond MerlotJoanna is drinking: NegroniAdam is drinking: MartiniInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a recent piece stating that craft cocktail programs are killing bars. Are the hidden labor and ingredient costs too much for most bars and restaurants to offset? Does the need for highly skilled and well-trained bartenders make aspiring to cutting edge cocktail programs too big a lift for most establishments? If so: what is actually reasonable to expect from most bars and restaurants? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is reading: Early-Bird Diners Have Disrupted the Way Bars Do BusinessJoanna is reading: Can We Stop Overthinking the Highball?Adam is reading: THC Beverages’ Biggest Enemies Are Going for the KillInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach debate a recent piece about sommeliers posting shots of the bottles they've sold on social media. Is this a viable marketing strategy, a harmless way to start a conversation, or just another form of snobbery and elitism? If it is bad, what could wine bars and restaurants do instead to satisfy the endless demand for social content? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is drinking: Milk Punch from OverstoryZach is drinking: Von Winning Deidesheimer 'Leinhöhle' RieslingAdam is drinking: Threes Brewing Vliet PilsnerInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about whether it's harder than ever to be a bar regular. Have the rising cost of drinks, the changing approach to bar formats, and other considerations created an environment where being a bar regular is relegated to the history books? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is reading: Boston Beer Co. Still Can’t Shake Its ‘Beyond Beer’ CurseJoanna is reading: The U.S. Put Irish Whiskey Back on the Map. Now the Category Has to Evolve.Adam is reading: The 30 Best Zinfandels for 2025Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zach is joined by Josh Taylor, co-founder of TabX, to discuss the company's platform, and how it can offer bar goers not just more flexibility and a speedier way to close out their checks, but also special deals on drinks, while helping bars drive business and maintain revenue and allowing brands to connect to their audience more directly. Plus, what are some of the trends that Josh and the TabX team have seen out in the bar world over the last couple of years. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach recap the Next Wave Awards party, Zach's epic NYC bar crawl, and discuss why it is that wine bars just don't seem suited to the same kind of "pop in, pop out" experience. Then, spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb joins to discuss the latest releases from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: Split Ends at Bar SnackJoanna is drinking: Blue Jay Brewing Märzen LagerAdam is drinking: Negroni Colada at Clemente BarInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach convene to discuss a recent gripe from within the drinks industry that they heard from a very highly-placed executive: that brand managers tend to design marketing campaigns and outreach around what they themselves want to do or what they think is cool, not necessarily in the locations and moments where their product's consumers tend to be. This seems bad, right? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is reading: 7 Things You Should Know About Malört, Chicago’s Much-Maligned Bitter LiqueurJoanna is reading: 16 Essential Bottles of GinAdam is reading: The Mount Rushmore of California Chardonnay, According to 9 Wine ExpertsInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to an unhinged television appearance from winemaker Charles Smith and the latest iteration of a topic that comes up every so often: that wines in the US can contain a wide range of additives that do not need to be disclosed on the label. Do consumers really care about any of the ingredients or nutritional information of their wine? Would knowing the calorie count on your favorite wine make you change your habits? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: Straightaway Cocktails Oregon Old FashionedAdam is drinking: 2015 Clos MogadorInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss influential whiskies, hunting for sought-for bottles, and other drinks adventures. Then, Adam and Joanna are joined by Kate Shapira Latts, co-president of Heaven Hill Brands, to discuss why so much of the fear-mongering around the future of bourbon is misguided. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is reading: The 13 Most Important American Whiskeys of the 21st Century So FarJoanna is reading: Maybe People Who Want to ‘Save Beer’ Should Learn Something About It FirstAdam is reading: 2 Years, 10 Cities, and Countless Wine Shops: A Flight Attendant’s Relentless Hunt for Domaine des MiroirsInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach celebrate the winners of VinePair's 2025 Next Wave Awards, highlighting some of their favorites and suggesting what the industry as a whole can learn from some of the outstanding individuals, establishments, and brands therein. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: "Big Dumper" Lager from Scuttlebutt BrewingJoanna is drinking: Pali Wine Co. Pinot NoirAdam is drinking: Benjamin Leroux Savigny-les-BeauneInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a recent op-ed claiming to offer suggestions to the struggling wine industry, an op-end that dismisses the vast majority of wine drinkers as just looking for a cheap, pleasant buzz. In tough times in particular, isn't it important to celebrate self-identifying wine lovers, no matter what wine they prefer? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is reading: How Ultramarine Became California’s Cult Sparkling WineJoanna is reading: We Asked 12 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Cheap Bourbon?Adam is reading: Too Old to Be New, Too New to Be Old: Not-Quite-Legacy Bars and Their Struggle to Stay RelevantInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach muse on a conversation from Vinitaly.USA about a super successful Italian wine region trying to get more acclaim and approval from sommeliers, and whether that even makes sense for such a financial juggernaut. Does marketing to and through somms actually move the needle for brands, or is this more just about a very human desire for praise and attention from the most hyper-focused elements of the industry? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: 2015 Perrier-Jouët "Belle Époque" ChampagneJoanna is drinking: Improved Tequila Cocktail at Gus' Sip & DipAdam is drinking: Llewelyn Wine 'God moving over the face of the waters' ChardonnayInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about whether it works for smaller, alternative wine brands to market themselves as better or healthier alternatives to large-scale wine, much in the way that smaller food manufacturers and purveyors do. While there are some similarities, does the nature of how wine is typically displayed in grocery stores undercut that attempt? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is reading: Can You Take Home a Wine Bottle From a Restaurant? Each State’s Wine Take-Home Laws.Joanna is reading: Beneath the Bines: The Multicultural Roots of the Pacific Northwest Hop HarvestInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about a recent, unsatisfying visit to a well-regarded Napa Valley winery. Are some of the more established wineries in the valley failing to provide the kind of hospitality guests expect? Are newer brands more responsive to the current landscape? How can wineries justify high-priced tastings to a clientele that perhaps wants a different experience than in the past? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: Jean-Charles Fornerot "Murgers des Dents de Chien" Saint-Aubin 1er Cru White BurgundyJoanna is drinking: Domaine Sylvain Pataille AligoteInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In light of the recent launch the Netflix prestige drama "House of Guinness," Adam, Joanna, and Zach take stock of the show, and the potential for drinks-centric programming in general. Does "House of Guinness" actually work as a marketing engine for the ultra-popular beer, and if so, is there any way for other brands and companies to piggyback off this success? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is reading: We Asked 11 Bartenders: What’s the Biggest Red Flag When You Sit at a Bar?Joanna is reading: Why Buffalo Trace Is Beating Bourbon’s DownturnInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a trio of stories: first, Michelob Ultra has surpassed Modelo as the best-selling beer (by volume) in the United States - is this just because of tariffs and ICE raids, or has AB InBev hit on a winning message? Then, they explore whether a recent Harris poll about beverage preferences at restaurants says anything new about generational shifts in attitudes towards alcohol. Finally, the trio ponder the sale of LALO Tequila to fellow Austin-based drinks company Fifth Generation: can they replicate their incredible Tito's success with another clear spirit? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is drinking: Beer from The Second Wedge Brewing Co.Zach is drinking: Caribana at BrambleAdam is drinking: Burgundy at ClaudInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a frequent comment/criticism about being negative about the present and future of the wine industry: shouldn't we be cheerleading an industry that we love and want to succeed? Is the role of journalists to root for the industry the cover? Can different kinds of content live within one publication? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is reading: Cantillon’s Tale: How America Adored, Chased, and Abandoned Sour BeersZach is reading: Beer Is Losing Its Grasp on Football. Here’s Why.Adam is reading: We Asked 6 Wine Pros: What’s the Most Overrated Wine Region?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zach is joined by Molly Matelski, director of buyer relations, programming and partnerships for Fiere Italiane and Vinitaly.USA, and Serafin Alvarado, director of wine education for Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits to discuss the upcoming Vinitaly.USA conference in Chicago. What are some of the lessons learned from last year's debut of the US-based version of the iconic wine conference? Why make Italian spirits a part of the focus? What are some of the most exciting elements of this year's programming? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Ticket InformationInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the recent purchase of Whiny Baby by GALLO: does it give them a leg up on marketing to Gen Z wine drinkers, or will it perhaps backfire? Then, Adam and Joanna are joined by spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb to chat about why whiskey collectors remain largely uninterested in rye whiskey. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: Tamdhu 50-Year-Old 1963 Single Malt WhiskyJoanna is drinking: Vermouth cocktail at Cafe KestrelAdam is drinking: Tomato Bomb from Sip & GuzzleInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach interrogate an oft-repeated and deeply-held industry belief that "alcohol is recession-proof." While it may be true in the past that consumers continued to drink at similar levels regardless of the economic situation around them that doesn't mean that recessions don't cause massive changes and create massive challenges. Plus, what if all of the ugly sales data of the last couple of years is connected to the average American consumer simply not feeling as good about the economy as the top-level numbers of the stock market would make you think. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is reading: We Asked 14 Beer Pros: What Are the Most Overrated and Underrated Hops?Joanna is reading: How Did Blind Tasting Become the Internet’s Favorite Way to Learn About Wine?Adam is reading: Forget the Hotel Bar — Welcome to the Bar HotelInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question: do wine scores and reviews still move the needle? If so, what are some of the wines that benefit and the places where scores matter, and if not: what's changed? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: Ravenna Brewing Co Centennial Wet Hop IPAJoanna is drinking: Voon Wines Malvasia BiancaAdam is drinking: Damilano BaroloInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the recent investment by GALLO into Gran Malo, a spicy tamarind tequila liqueur, and if it could be the next spirit to become the go-to shot for drinkers. Plus: what are some of the traits that made Fireball and Jägermeister so successful in this area? Can a bottle like Gran Malo find love in higher-end cocktail bars? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is reading: At This Big Ten School, Tailgates Set SailJoanna is reading: What Happened to the Restaurant Bar?Adam is reading: Could This Spicy Tamarind Liqueur Capture the American Market?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to the recent news about canned wine brand Archer Roose partnering with Buffalo Wild Wings, and discussed the mostly unexplored potential for wine at sports bars. Given that wine as a category needs to do more to be where people are drinking, and that sports bars remain a reliably successful business model, how can wine brands of various stripes establish a presence at this kind of bar, and is there room for higher-end wines at the right sports bars? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is drinking: Transmitter Brewing "BNY7"Adam is drinking: Barrel-aged Manhattan at Propaganda PieZach is drinking: 2014 Clos de L'Oratoire Saint-EmilionInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach talk about the Honey Deuce, the signature cocktail of the U.S. Open, and whether it - and other drinks tied to a specific sporting event - can actually make a meaningful impact for brands. Is the pairing of the Open and the cocktail something that works but can't really be copied, or are drinks companies shying away from what could potentially be a powerful branding opportunity. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is reading: The Secret Ingredient in Your Drink? The Soundtrack.Zach is reading: The Prized White Wines Collectors Covet Most — That Aren’t ChardonnayAdam is reading: From Green Tea to Picklebacks, the New Era of Shots Is PackagedInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With summer at an end, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss a few of the changes coming to the podcast, including the introduction of full video recordings as well as more shareable clips and content. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: Martini-San at RoquetteJoanna is drinking: Luger Lager at Threes BrewingAdam is drinking: Las Jaras ChardonnayInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a recent Substack post from wine influencer Pilar Brito about the need to tell people that mass market wine is bad. While there's certainly some folks who might respond positively to being told that the wine they like to drink apparently actually sucks, most consumers are likely to be turned off from the category if wine's already entrenched reputation for snobbery and elitism is reinforced right in their face. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is reading: Before Espresso Martinis, Pousse Cafés Dominated After-Dinner DrinkingJoanna is reading: The Definitive Ranking of Bar GamesAdam is reading: The 25 Best Orange Wines for 2025Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a question from a listener pondering a career in the wine industry. With all the negative headlines, slackening sales, and general turmoil, is this a terrible idea, or is it worth it to follow your passion and your dream even so? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: Grassotti Vermouth di Torino DryJoanna is drinking: Threes Brewing VLIET LagerAdam is drinking: Tomato Water MartiniInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach share some context and thoughts about the recent showing not just a noticeable decline in respondents who drink, but a particularly large drop in those who identify as Republicans. Has a new era of right wing political leaders and influencers really caused that kind of change in behavior, particularly among young people? Are there other factors at play? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Adam is reading: TVs in Cocktail Bars Are Divisive — but Can They Be an Asset?Joanna is watching: Places PleaseZach is reading: After Conquering the U.S. Open, Is the Honey Deuce Coming for Your Cooler?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach puzzle over why it's become increasingly difficult to just get a drink at a restaurant bar, whether you're early for your reservation or just hoping to scope out a new place. Does it really pay in the long run for restaurants to be so miserly with bar space? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is drinking: Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt WhiskyAdam is drinking: Olive Oil Gin Martini at LUCAZach is drinking: Thai Gimlet from Straightaway CocktailsInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the potential role of AI in restaurants and bars, from wine list and menu creation to guests relying on ChatGPT for recommendations instead of the staff. Are we really going to let an algorithm take over this part of the world too? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is reading: Is Still Prosecco a Clever Bid or a Branding Blunder?Zach is reading: Espadín: The Surprisingly Short History of Mezcal’s Most Prominent AgaveAdam is reading: How a Passion Fruit Grand Marnier Became a Cult Classic LiqueurInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss a recent piece outlining Sonoma County's contentious plan to created a Wine Improvement District to collectively market the appellation and its wineries. While similar efforts have been used to solid success in Temecula, Livermore, and Santa Barbara, this effort has been fraught, to say the least. Why is it that many wineries, which ostensibly would all benefit from increased marketing and visitation, don't want to get on board, and what does it have to do with the broader industry? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: 2011 Archery Summit "Arcos Vineyard" Pinot NoirAdam is drinking: De Sterlich Trebbiano d'AbruzzoInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam and Zach discuss a recent VinePair piece about the worrisome trend of wine companies divesting themselves of value brands. Given how important these brands and the value tier is for bringing new consumers into wine, why can't premium and fine wine folks accept that they need these wines to exist and succeed for their own success? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is reading: Reddit Bartenders Reveal What Makes a Good RegularAdam is reading: The 30 Best Sauvignon Blancs for 2025Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Adam's travels through Europe, he, Joanna, and Zach discuss why there's such a massive difference between fine dining, Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe and those in the United States that either have or aspire to the same acclaim. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Adam is drinking: Augustiner-BräuJoanna is drinking: Chambord BrambleZach is drinking: PÁŠXA "Rockgarden Estate" GrenacheInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about the state of American-made amaro, and the category more broadly. Is there in fact a market for craft, locally-focused amaro? Did the craze from earlier this decade just kind of die out? Why aren't there more iconic amaro cocktails? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is reading: What Can Bourbon Distillers Learn From the Last Big Bust?Zach is reading: We Asked 9 Bartenders: What’s Your Guilty-Pleasure Cocktail Ingredient?Adam is reading: Diageo CEO Steps Down as Company Shifts StrategyInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanna and Zach discuss a recent article about cocktail garnishes, and how some bars are eliminating them to either reduce costs or promote sustainability. Does every cocktail need a garnish? Where is the garnish absolutely essential? Could some drinks actually be improved by not garnishing them at all? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is drinking: Fiddlehead Brewing Co. IPAZach is drinking: Georgetown Brewing Co. "Bodhizafa" IPAInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.