Is any drink with tequila a marg?

Joanna and Zach discuss America's most popular cocktail, the Margarita. Specifically, can anything with agave in it be a Margarita, and is their an appetite for high-end versions of the cocktail? 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well. Zach is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/wine-gadget-importance/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wine Gadgets: The Good, the Bad, and the Downright Unnecessary</a> Joanna is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/baijiu-success-in-united-states/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Could Now Be the Time for Baijiu to Shine?</a> Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Exploring the Outer Limits of the Margarita

Some brands want to test the upper limits

Adam, Joanna, and Zach ponder some recently-reviewed blanco tequilas that check in at well over $100 retail: is there really a market for unaged spirits at that pricepoint, and if so, who are these brands targeting? 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well. Zach is drinking: <a href="https://www.russianriverbrewing.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Russian River Brewing</a> "Damnation" Golden Ale Joanna is drinking: <a href="https://www.johanvineyards.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Johan Vineyards</a> "Sapience" Pinot Noir Adam is drinking: <a href="https://www.elevenmadisonpark.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Leek Martini</a> at Eleven Madison Park Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Just How Much Will People Pay for Blanco Tequila?

And can craft cider make a move?

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to listener questions about the potential for craft cider to grab a bigger slice of the pie, and make predictions about what the drink of Summer 2024 will be. Plus: is the Martini an indoor-only cocktail? 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well. Zach is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/four-part-cocktail-formula-versatility/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">All Things Being Equal: the Triumph of the Four-Equal-Part Cocktail</a> Joanna is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/techniques-building-backbars-orlando-franklin-mccray/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Building a Purpose-Driven Backbar with Nightmoves’ Orlando Franklin McCray</a> Adam is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/raspberry-flavored-clear-campari-history/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Remember When Campari Made a Raspberry-Flavored Clear Cordial?</a> Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

What Drink Will Own Summer 2024?

I guess this is what passes for discourse these days

In response to a ton of listener feedback, Adam, Joanna, and Zach weigh on a recent slew of social media posts from a famous sommelier-turned-winemaker who claims that the American restaurant industry is being criminal for not better supporting American wine...and a lot of other noise. They have thoughts. 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well. Zach is drinking: <a href="https://www.thebalvenie.com/en-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Balvenie</a> Caribbean Cask 14 Year Joanna is drinking: Sazerac at <a href="https://wolfgangssteakhouse.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wolfgang's Steakhouse</a> Adam is drinking: Mai Tai from <a href="https://tiptopcocktails.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tip Top Cocktails</a> Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Is It Criminal For American Restaurants to Not Sell American Wine?

Most aren't trying

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss VinePair's recent Martini Madness tournament, then explore why it feels like cocktail bars and restaurants are focusing on different kinds of cocktails: what's driving that divide, and should restaurants be trying to keep up? 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well. Joanna is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/warm-sake-guide/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What We Miss When We Write Off Warm Sake</a> Adam is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/state-of-bottle-service-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">No Sparklers, Please: Has Bottle Service Fizzled Out?</a> Zach is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/martini-madness-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VinePair's Martini Madness</a> Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Can Restaurants Keep Up With Cocktail Bars?

Seems like an odd double standard

Adam, Joanna, and Zach ponder why sustainability is such a central part of the conversation around wine, from vineyard practices to alternative packaging, while the same considerations almost never come into the broader conversation around spirits. 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well. Zach is drinking: <a href="https://upsidedownwine.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Upsidedown Wine</a> "The Devil is a Liar" Joanna is drinking: <a href="https://www.kobalwines.si/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kobal</a> Sauvignon Blanc Adam is drinking: <a href="https://www.forlornhopewines.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Forlorn Hope</a> Trobairises Picpoul Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Why Do We Care About Sustainability in Wine, and Not in Spirits?

If not, why are they on the rise?

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the curious case of the rise of functional beverages - drinks that rely on adaptogens, nootropics, and other buzzy ingredients to create an aura of healthfulness and safe stimulation, despite many of the ingredients being untested and lightly studied. Then, they try two examples from category leader <a href="https://www.kineuphorics.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kin Euphorics</a>. 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well. Zach is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/bud-light-controversy-one-year-later/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Bud Light Fiasco: How AB InBev Fell for the Gamergate Playbook</a> Adam is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/ask-a-somm-wine-vintage-pricing-explainer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ask a Somm: Is It a Red Flag if an Older Vintage of a Wine Is Less Expensive?</a> Joanna is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/bartending-impact-on-body/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Treacherous, Untold Toll Bartending Takes on the Body</a> Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Do "Functional Beverages" Actually Function?

Maybe prices have an upper limit after all

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about recent and significant increases in the prices of several cult Napa Valley wines: will these increases alienate even the very wealthy who form the core audience for these wines, or is the prestige priceless for that set? 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well. Joanna is drinking: <a href="https://www.hussbrewing.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Huss Brewing Co.</a> Scottsdale Blonde Zach is drinking: <a href="https://www.elysianbrewing.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Elysian Brewing</a> Fields Premium Adam is drinking: <a href="https://www.belcolle.it/en/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bel Colle</a> Riserva 10 Anni Barolo 2013 Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Is Napa's Cult Wine Bubble Close to Popping?

For cocktail bars and brands, at least

First, Adam shares an update on a <a href="https://vinepair.com/booze-news/tequila-matchmaker-raid/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">breaking news story</a> about Mexican authorities raiding the home of <a href="https://tequilamatchmaker.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tequila Matchmaker</a>, then Adam, Joanna, and Zach talk about why despite its ubiquity and success in Europe, the Gin &amp; Tonic will never be a drink that works in American cocktail bars or for premium gin brands. 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well. Zach is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/usda-organic-changes-impacting-wine-importers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New USDA Regulations Are Sparking Chaos for Small Organic Wine Importers</a> Adam is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/booze-news/constellation-ab-inbev-hard-seltzer-definition-appeal/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AB InBev Loses Appeal In Legal Battle With Constellation Over the Definition of Beer</a> Joanna is reading: <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/diverse-wine-travel-experience-tasting-room-traffic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How More Diverse Wine Experiences Are Bringing Travelers Back to Tasting Rooms</a> Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

The Gin & Tonic Is a Dead End

A show about the conversations you have with a drink in hand

Join <a href="www.vinepair.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VinePair</a> co-founder Adam Teeter, executive editor Joanna Sciarrino, and sommelier and wine educator Zach Geballe as they discuss the latest news, trends, and happenings, as well as interview newsmakers and key figures in the world of wine, beer, and spirits each week. Now officially <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/26/arts/wine-beer-cocktail-podcasts.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New York Times recommended!</a>

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