Wine Spectator's Straight Talk

Salvestrin Family winemaker Natalie Winkler struck a chord when the 2018 Salvestrin Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon earned a spot among Wine Spectator's Top 10 Wines of 2021. But it all started with a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir …Winkler represents a new breed of California wine pros specializing not just in winemaking or vineyard management, but in both, and she tells us why winemakers should be in the vineyard, and much more. Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank joins us as well, with news of some recent major wine thefts from two of Europe's most esteemed restaurant wine cellars.And don't forget, there's always more free content at WineSpectator.com!• Video: Watch James' vineyard walk with Natalie• Read more about Salvestrin winery and Dr. Crane Vineyard• Wine Crime: Read more about thefts at La Tour d'Argent and El Atrio• The 15 Most Expensive Wines Ever Sold• Wine Spectator's May 31, 2024, issue• Latest News and Headlines• Ask Dr. Vinny• Sign up for Wine Spectator's free email newslettersA podcast from Wine SpectatorMarvin R. Shanken, Editor and PublisherHost: James MolesworthDirector: Robert TaylorProducer: Gabriela SaldiviaGuests: Natalie Winkler, Mitch FrankAssistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

Winemaker Dan Petroski made news when he sold his boutique California white wine brand Massican to Gallo late last year. But that was just the latest step on a wine journey that started ignominiously as a Columbia University football player and began in earnest a decade later after an eye-opening dinner at Le Bernardin in New York. Petroski went on to become cellarmaster at Larkmead, where he worked until 2021 while also building his own brand. "I started Massican because my mother couldn't afford Larkmead," Petroski tells host James Molesworth in the newest episode of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast. "I wanted to do something that would bring more people great wine."Plus, our beloved educator and advice columnist Dr. Vinny returns! And don't forget, there's always more free content at WineSpectator.com!• Read more on winemaker Dan Petroski• Wine Spectator's April 30, 2024, issue• Latest News and Headlines• Ask Dr. Vinny• Sign up for Wine Spectator's free email newslettersA podcast from Wine SpectatorMarvin R. Shanken, Editor and PublisherHost: James MolesworthDirector: Robert TaylorProducer: Gabriela SaldiviaGuests: Dan Petroski, MaryAnn WorobiecAssistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

From his teetotaling childhood home to Opus One's debut vintage to putting Argentine Malbec on the map, winemaker Paul Hobbs opens up to host James Molesworth about his career-defining moments with candid humor and insightful analysis in the season 2 premiere of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast!Plus, senior editor for news Mitch Frank tells us about a government study that recently surfaced in Oregon, and the controversy over why it had been buried by state officials.Thirsty for more? There's always more free content at WineSpectator.com!• Read more on winemaker Paul Hobbs• Oregon's Controversial Hidden Alcohol Tax Study• Wine Spectator's March 31, 2024, issue• Latest News and Headlines• Ask Dr. Vinny• Sign up for Wine Spectator's free email newslettersA podcast from Wine SpectatorMarvin R. Shanken, Editor and PublisherHost: James MolesworthDirector: Robert TaylorProducer: Gabriela SaldiviaGuests: Paul Hobbs, Mitch FrankAssistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

It's our season 1 finale and our year-end roundup of the most exciting wines of the year! In this episode, host James Molesworth is joined by senior editor Bruce Sanderson, counting down our Top 10 Wines of the Year, including an exclusive interview with the man behind our 2023 Wine of the Year! Plus, senior editor for news Mitch Frank tells us about the biggest stories of the year, we remember some of the wine industry stars we lost this year, and Dr. Vinny tackles Chianti vs. Brunello.Thirsty for more? Check out:• Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2023• Wine Spectator's Dec. 31, 2023, issue• Latest News and Headlines• Ask Dr. Vinny• WS website members: More on James' 2023 Wine HighlightA podcast from Wine SpectatorMarvin R. Shanken, Editor and PublisherHost: James MolesworthDirector: Robert TaylorProducer: Gabriela SaldiviaGuests: Bernardino Sani, Mitch Frank, Bruce Sanderson and MaryAnn Worobiec (as Dr. Vinny)Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

What's in the cellar of the world's second-richest man? Wine Spectator senior editor for news Mitch Frank tells us all about LVMH founder, chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, the man behind not just fashion house Louis Vuitton and the Möet & Chandon Champagne house (including Dom Pérignon), but also brands like Dior, Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Hublot, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co. and many more, including Bordeaux's Cheval Blanc. It's also the holiday season, which means we've gotta have bubbly. Host James Molesworth welcomes senior editor and tasting director Alison Napjus back to talk about her annual Champagne report, and Möet & Chandon's Benoît Gouez chats with her about rosé Champagnes and much more.Later in the episode, our wine advice columnist Dr. Vinny shares more of her most popular sparkling wine tips, and stay tuned til the end for James' sneak peek wine pick!Thirsty for more? Check out this related content• Dec. 15, 2023, issue of Wine Spectator• WS website members: The Story of Bernard Arnault• WS website members: Champagne Tasting Report• Latest Free News and Headlines• Ask Dr. Vinny• More on James' Sneak Peek PickA podcast from Wine SpectatorMarvin R. Shanken, Editor and PublisherHost: James MolesworthDirector: Robert TaylorProducer: Gabriela SaldiviaGuests: Benoît Gouez, Mitch Frank, Alison Napjus and MaryAnn Worobiec (as Dr. Vinny)Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

We're live at Wine Spectator's New York Wine Experience in this special episode of Straight Talk with host James Molesworth.  He's joined by senior editor for news Mitch Frank, podcast director Rob Taylor and a cast of wine and restaurant industry all-stars that includes chefs José Andrés, Emeril Lagasse and Eric Ripert, Hollywood legend Rich Frank, Tribeca Grill wine director David Gordon, California wine stars Thomas Rivers Brown, Carlo Mondavi, Greg Brewer and more, including a special musical number from our 2023 Video Contest winner. Stay tuned til the end for James'  sneak peek wine pick and a special Jean-Michel Cazes tribute. And don't miss our Bonus Mini Episode, featuring Thanksgiving wine-pairing advice from our very own Dr. Vinny!Thirsty for more? Check out this related content• Wine Spectator's 2023 New York Wine Experience • Nov. 30, 2023, issue of Wine Spectator • Latest News and Headlines• Ask Dr. Vinny• WS website members: More on James' Sneak Peek PickA podcast from Wine SpectatorMarvin R. Shanken, Editor and PublisherHost: James MolesworthDirector: Robert TaylorProducer: Gabriela SaldiviaGuests and appearances: José Andrés, Greg Brewer, Thomas Rivers Brown, Rich Frank, David Gordon, Chris Kajani, Emeril Lagasse, Carlo Mondavi, Eric Ripert, Mitch Frank, Bruce Sanderson and Marvin R. ShankenAssistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

What wine pairs best with turkey and sides? Straight Talk podcast director Rob Taylor made an emergency appointment with Wine Spectator advice columnist Dr. Vinny (aka senior editor MaryAnn Worobiec) for some tips on Thanksgiving wine pairing, including pumpkin pie! And don't miss Episode 16: Wine Spectator's New York Wine Experience with Chefs José Andrés, Emeril Lagasse and Eric Ripert, featuring Hollywood legend Rich Frank, Tribeca Grill wine director David Gordon, California wine stars Thomas Rivers Brown, Carlo Mondavi, Greg Brewer and more, including a special musical number from our 2023 Video Contest winner.Thirsty for more? Check out this related content• Ask Dr. Vinny• Wine Spectator's 2023 New York Wine Experience• Nov. 30, 2023, issue of Wine Spectator• Latest News and Headlines• WS website members: More on James' Sneak Peek PickA podcast from Wine SpectatorMarvin R. Shanken, Editor and PublisherHost: James MolesworthDirector: Robert TaylorProducer: Gabriela SaldiviaGuest: MaryAnn Worobiec as Dr. VinnyAssistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

Don't miss this Straight Talk podcast exclusive: Never-before-heard highlights from Wine Spectator editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken's one-on-one interview with Napa Cabernet legend Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards. Host James Molesworth also welcomes Napa winemaker Maya Dalla Valle to the studio.Later in the episode, our wine advice columnist Dr. Vinny addresses the old adage that wine improves with age, and stay tuned til the end for James' sneak peek wine pick!Thirsty for more? Check out this related content• FREE BONUS EPISODE ALERT! Listen to the full Maya Dalla Valle Interview• Nov. 15, 2023, issue of Wine Spectator• WS website members: The Story of Caymus• Video: The Chuck Wagner Interview• Winery Intel: Dawn of a New Dalle Valle • Coming soon: 2020 California Cabernet report• Latest News and Headlines• Ask Dr. Vinny• More on James' Sneak Peek PickA podcast from Wine SpectatorMarvin R. Shanken, Editor and PublisherHost: James MolesworthDirector: Robert TaylorProducer: Gabriela SaldiviaGuests: Marvin R. Shanken, Chuck Wagner, Maya Dalla Valle and MaryAnn Worobiec (as Dr. Vinny)Assistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley

Episode 15 of Wine Spectator's Straight Talk podcast is all about California Cabernet, and host James Molesworth's interview with Napa winemaker Maya Dalla Valle was too fun not to share the whole thing.Enjoy the full, uncut  Dalla Valle interview, and don't forget to listen to Episode 15 of Straight Talk for our exclusive interview between Wine Spectator editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken and Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards, plus, our wine advice expert Dr. Vinny addresses the old adage that wine improves with age.Thirsty for more? Check out this related content• FULL EPISODE ALERT! Don't miss Episode 15: The Chuck Wagner Interview• Nov. 15, 2023, issue of Wine Spectator• WS website members: The Story of Caymus• Video: The Chuck Wagner Interview• Winery Intel: Dawn of a New Dalle Valle• Coming soon for WS website members: 2020 California Cabernet report• Latest News and Headlines• Ask Dr. Vinny• More on James' Sneak Peek PickA podcast from Wine SpectatorMarvin R. Shanken, Editor and PublisherHost: James MolesworthDirector: Robert TaylorProducer: Gabriela SaldiviaGuest: Maya Dalla ValleAssistant producer, Napa: Elizabeth Redmayne-Titley