VinePair Podcast

In the wake of a bit of a social media firestorm within the bar community, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether there's a backlash coming for The 50 (formerly 50 Best) within that community. Are bartenders who aspire to recognition tiring of the need to work guest shifts at far flung bars, endlessly politick, and generally focus on brand-building and vote-wrangling more than actually making their bars better? Is there a lesson from the past in what's happened to wine scores and reviews? 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: Gen Z Doesn’t Like Phone Calls. Apparently, They Do Like Calling BarsJoanna is reading: Beverage Programs Are Under Pressure. These Pros Are Finding Ways to Adapt.Adam is reading: Why Did a Hot Take on Bartender Guest Shifts Spark a Social Media Firestorm?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

In the wake of a recent viral video showing celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck repeatedly calling a specific cocktail "girly," Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss why this outdated and sexist way of classifying drinks remains present in some elements of the drinks industry, what harm it causes, and how in the end it can only serve to deepen some of the struggles that the industry is facing. 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is drinking: Bale Breaker Fresh Hop Topcutter IPAJoanna is drinking: Lychee-ish Martini at Bar GotoAdam is drinking: Stella ArtoisInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the etiquette of splitting checks: is this something that only young adults can and should do? Is there a threshold point where it becomes acceptable? Do things like Venmo make this better or worse? 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: The Bull Case for Sierra Nevada’s Under-the-Radar ‘Hype Brewery’ LineJoanna is reading: The Crazy Origin Story of the East 8 Hold-Up, a London-Born Vodka Cocktail Rising in PopularityAdam is reading: A Restaurant’s Off-Menu Wine List Should Feel Special, Not ExclusiveInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Sometimes, it feels like a product needs a brand refresh. A new label, a new design, a new bottle -- something. Yet as Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss, moving away from an established design aesthetic can serve to confuse and even alienate consumers - did you not just change the packaging but the product inside as well? 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is drinking: 2014 Gramercy Cellars "Forgotten Hills" SyrahJoanna is drinking: Dewar's Distillery Edition ScotchAdam is drinking: Chopin Family Reserve VodkaInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Adam and Zach contemplate whether collecting beer, spirits, and wine has gone from a hobby associated with class and refinement to something that comes off as weirdo behavior. Did craft beer nerds delude themselves into thinking there would be a market for decade-old beer? Are there just too many specialty bottles of whiskey? Do people actually want to drink old wine? 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: A Timeline of Craft Beer’s Darling StylesAdam is reading: Rare Beer Was Once a Collector’s Dream. Now, It’s a Liability.Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

Recession indicators abound, from robust inflation to consumer sentiment. Within the hospitality industry, it's the rise of all-you-can-eat restaurants and drinks specials. How can bars and restaurants entice wary consumers, and does "value" always have to mean "cheap as hell?" 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is drinking: Project 9 Brewing Czech Dark LagerJoanna is drinking: CHO Wines "Dreamer's Reserve" Pinot NoirAdam is drinking: Las Jaras Pinot NoirInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

With recent doomerism about the most popular red grape variety in the world, Adam, Joanna, and Zach take stock of Cabernet Sauvignon - is it in fact going through a bit of an identity crisis, or does its continued status as a red wine behemoth belie those concerns? Additionally, can producers and regions that built their success on the backs of a bold, ripe, assertive style of Cabernet actually pivot to more restrained, lighter styles, or will they make everyone unhappy. 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is reading: The 25 Best Scotch Whiskies for 2026Joanna is reading: VinePair's 2026 Next Wave Award FinalistsAdam is reading: Parker’s Heritage Is One of the Most Compelling Lines in Whiskey. What’s Next for the Label?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair

With Adam back from his European adventures, he, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether America's general dismissal of hotel bars as nothing more than places for mediocre drinks and clandestine assignations is changeable. If Londoners can continue to view hotel bars as legitimate spots for top cocktail bars, why can't Americans? 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Zach is drinking: Ashes & Diamonds "Saffron Vineyard" Cabernet SauvignonJoanna is drinking: Gin Martini at SailorAdam is drinking: Martini at Satan's WhiskersInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair