VinePair Podcast

Zach is joined by Jared Himstedt, head distiller at Balcones Distilling in Waco, Texas to discuss his entry into the world of whiskey, why American Single Malt is such a dynamic and exciting category, the challenges and opportunities that come from using local ingredients, and why the climate in Texas is well-suited to produce world-class whiskies of various sorts. 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.Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepairPLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.DISTILLED & BOTTLED AT BALCONES DISTILLING, WACO, TX.

With the announcement of VinePair's fourth annual Next Wave Award winners, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the selection process and highlight some of the deserving recipients among the 17 different categories. 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: Tablas Creek "Côtes de Tablas"Adam is drinking: Harlan Estate RedZach is drinking: High West "Midwinter's Night Dram"Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether cocktail menus have gotten too clogged with unique, unpredictable, and frequently improperly-executed drinks, especially in the kinds of establishments that might be better served just focusing on nailing the classics and maybe offering a small selection of originals. Who is pushing for this kind of program in every bar and restaurant? How can you trust that the drink you order will actually taste good? 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.Adam is reading: What to Drink in NYC Right Now (October 2024)Zach is reading: The 20 Best Proseccos to Drink in 2024Joanna is reading: From Dorm Room Shots to At-Home Aperitifs: Millennials Re-Embrace PregamingInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Zach speaks with winemaker Nate Walsh of Walsh Family Wine about the past and present of the Virginia wine industry: the distinctive geographic, meteorologic, and topographic elements that shape the state, as well as the tremendous capacity for wine tourism and other kinds of cultural experiences that can be had when visiting the state's many wine regions. 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.Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Adam, Joanna, and Zach break down the recent news that a private equity firm has purchased The Duckhorn Portfolio and is taking it private. Why has Wall Street been so cool towards wine-only companies of late, and is it something that's inherent to the wine industry, or just a bad moment for these particular entities. 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: Isola Bella at Café MarsZach is drinking: Harvey WallbangerAdam is drinking: Envinate Misturado de Abeleda Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Adam, Joanna, and Zach spend some time discussing the plight of Pisco, then chat about the new wave of highball cocktails that aim to reinvent the form: do they make high-end cocktail bars more approachable, or are they just a way to fancy up what is at heart a simple drink? 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: Pisco Is Still Searching for Its Place on the American Back BarAdam is watching: Bottle BattleZach is reading: The Basic Well Drink Is Your Bartender’s New Favorite PlaygroundInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Zach speaks with Chicago sommelier Derrick Westbrook and Molly Matelski, director of buyer relations, programming, and partnerships for VinItaly USA about the first-ever American version of the iconic Italian wine festival, including what's behind the move to bring it to America, why Chicago, and how it will differ from the version held in Verona. 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.Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

With yet another viral social media trend centered around Guinness, it's time for Adam, Joanna, and Zach to discuss how this perfect beer effortlessly finds new fans and ways to remain at the center of drinking culture around the world, moving between higher-end and low-cost establishments and drinking occasions in a way that no other beer can. 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: Cascading Olympics at Barrel ThiefJoanna is drinking: Division BellAdam is drinking: Champagne Chavost Ratafia de ChampagneInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Another day, another NA brand acquisition. Adam, Joanna, and Zach talk about LVMH's recent minority investment in the shockingly-expensive French Bloom line of non-alcoholic French sparkling wines: who the market for $100+ non-alcoholic sparkling wine even is, why LVMH doesn't want to enter this category with their own brands, and more. 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: Blood, Wine, and Ziti: The Starring Role of Food and Drinks in ‘The Sopranos’Adam is reading: Are Airports About to Start Restricting Your Drinks?Zach is drinking: When Did Wasabi Become Iceland’s Hottest Cocktail Ingredient?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair