Published by VinePair
Join VinePair co-founder Adam Teeter, executive editor Joanna Sciarrino, and sommelier and wine educator Zach Geballe as they discuss the latest news, trends, and happenings in the world of wine, beer, and spirits each week. Now officially New York Times recommended! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Listen on Apple Podcasts31 min
With Joanna back from Scotland, she rejoins Adam and Zach to discuss her takeaways from visiting Panda & Sons , the iconic and world-class bar in Edinburgh. Do bars at that level tend to seem more similar than you'd think given that they're located in countries around the world? How tough is it to balance trying to be a place that locals might go to with being such a tourist destination? 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: E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie "Brune & Blonde de Guigal" Joanna is drinking: Aberfeldy 21-Year Single Malt Scotch Adam is drinking: St. Innocent Winery "Freedom Hill" Chardonnay Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 min
Wine has long relied on tradition to sell itself: traditions surrounding wine producers and regions, traditions surrounding drinking occasions and traditions surrounding how all of that is used to market wine. Yet do those stories still matter to consumers? Do they get people excited about wine, or do they serve as barriers that keep some people out of the category? Adam and Zach discuss all that and more in this week's episode. 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: We Asked 12 Bartenders: What’s the Most Exciting International City to Drink in Right Now? Adam is reading: How the Upper East Side Became New York City’s Last Bastion for Craft Beer Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
39 min
Adam and Zach discuss two recent studies, the first of which shows that, surprise , Gen Z is drinking at historically normal rates, despite all the misplaced doom and gloom around the generation. Why were so many invested in the myth that Gen Z doesn't drink, and how should producers and marketers be rethinking their strategy. Plus, another study explores what drinkers really value, and how being consistent in terms of messaging and price can be more effective than chasing trends. 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: Treveri Cellars Dornfelder Adam is drinking: Sad Negroni Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
36 min
Adam and Zach discuss some of Adam's takeaways from hosting The Buildout, in particular about the tremendous importance of hospitality, and on making the guest experience welcoming and accommodating, as well as the need to be willing to change your concept, why you have to know your marketplace very well, and 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Zach is reading: Monarch Tractors Promised to Save American Wine With AI. Then, It Closed. What Happened? Adam is reading: More Than Functional Fungi: How Mushrooms Are Flavoring Wine and Spirits Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
28 min
Adam, Joanna, and Zach are joined by VinePair spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb to discuss his recent list of the best vodkas , as well as how drinkers are relating to the spirit these days. Has the rise of the Martini, and particularly the Dirty Martini, given it a new relevance? Can cocktail bars find a role for vodka beyond either the classics or the "fruity/sweet" paradigm? Are producers doing anything interesting or innovative? 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: Jean-Louis Chave St. Joseph Joanna is drinking: Evening Land Vineyards "Seven Springs" Chardonnay Adam is drinking: Japonaise at The Rockwell Place Aaron is drinking: Rothaus Pilsner Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
31 min
In the wake of the recently-announced "Sauvy B" from Trinchero Family Wine and Spirits and famed winemaker Joel Gott, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether wine-based RTDs, particularly those that proclaim their wine affiliations proudly, can serve as a bridge, particularly for younger drinkers, from RTDs to wine, especially bottled wine. Will loving a Sauvignon Blanc-based canned spritz eventually convince someone to order a glass of wine at a restaurant, or pick up a bottle to have at home? 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: Half of All Napa Vineyards Lost Money Last Year. How Are the Other Wineries Surviving? Joanna is reading: Exclusive: Trinchero Releases ‘Sauvy B,’ a Wine Spritzer With Added Electrolytes Adam is reading: California and Burgundy Gave Chardonnay a Reputation. Can Oregon Break Through? Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 min
Adam and Joanna discuss whether companies that are making obvious dupes or copies of popular drinks are being smart or just trying to cash in on a trend. Can you copy and become more premium? Does it matter if the packaging is nearly identical? Does it matter what part of the drinks space you're 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 podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and cheers! Joanna is drinking: Foradori Teroldego Adam is drinking: Martini at Horse Inn Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 min
Adam and Joanna respond to a listener question: are RTDs actually a fad? Despite emerging in the late 2010s and becoming a significant part of the beverage alcohol industry in the 2020s, is it possible that they don't have staying power, or have they shown that there's a significant audience for convenience, flavor, and accessibility? 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! Joanna is reading: The Karaoke Bar Is Finally Taking Cocktails Seriously Adam is reading: How Cocktail Kingdom Grew From a Small Bar Supply Shop Into a Global Cocktail Powerhouse Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
32 min
Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the renewed speculation that Jack Daniels manufacturer Brown-Forman might be for sale: while the family-owned company rejected two reported offers in April, rumors continue to swirl that they're on the market. Will Pernod-Ricard or Sazerac remain interested? Which drinks company makes the most sense as an acquirer, and how can they attempt to rebuild and grow the brand, especially outside the United States? 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: Upsidedown Wine Roussanne Joanna is drinking: Dogwood & Thistle Monticello Rosé Adam is drinking: Thierry Richoux ‘"Les Cailles"’ Irancy 2017 Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 min
Traditionally, summer (and the 4th of July specifically) have been opportunities for drinks brands of all kinds to (sometimes literally) wrap themselves in the American flag to move product. Yet even with the country's 250th anniversary just days away, it seems like relatively few are doing so this year. Is that because the current American political landscape is so fractious? Is patriotism and American pride at a low point, especially amongst the types of folks who tend to make that kind of decision? Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss that, plus how that kind of branding compares to more overtly targeting one political party or movement. 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: Is It Time to Retire the Oversized Steakhouse Martini? Joanna is reading: VinePair's Best New Bartenders Class of 2026 Adam is reading: Why Is New York City’s Hottest Cocktail Bar Serving Steak Frites? Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 min
Busy restaurants have imposed time limits on diners for decades. Yet bars have, historically, operated in such a way that once you get a seat, and as long as you're behaving, you can generally stay as long as you like. Well, in this new era of reservation-only bars, some are starting to impose time limits on patrons. Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether this is inhospitable, how bars should communicate this policy, and why bars in particular struggle to juggle the seating plans for a given evening. 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: Henschke "Hill of Grace" Shiraz Joanna is drinking: Frozen Cherry Cola at Kinda Nice Adam is drinking: Old King Cole Martini at Maison Premiere Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
34 min
Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the siren's song of online wine sales, and in particular the idea of affiliate marketing and referrals. So many businesses have taken aim at this potential market, yet when even Amazon decides that selling wine online is a non-starter, why do people continue to try? What are the specific challenges that make selling wine (and other beverage alcohol) online so difficult. Plus, an extended discussion of flavored whiskey. 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: With the Industry Under Pressure, Should Bartenders and Sommeliers Finally Join Forces? Joanna is reading: Why Is Everybody Making Blackberry Whiskey? Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
23 min
With two Gen Z-directed movies lighting up the box office, it turns out that despite the doom and gloom, young people do want to go to the movies...if the movies are made for them. Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss what the drinks industry might be able to learn from this recently phenomenon, and whether in fact it can be applied at all. 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: Pacifico Joanna is drinking: Vesper from Bar Goto Adam is drinking: Champagne Bollinger Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
32 min
Many winemakers the world over aspire to make world class wines. Yet the wines that are generally regarded as such have never been more expensive or difficult to source. So - can you make great wine if you almost never get to drink it? That's what Adam, Joanna, and Zach debate: can you even know what your wine is capable of if you don't know what the absolute pinnacle of the category tastes like? 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: How Social Media Propelled the ‘Cult’ Wine World Into Absurdity Joanna is reading: Wine Is Swinging for the Fences With Sports Advertising — Is It Working? Adam is reading: One Tequila Brand Has an Official World Cup Bottle. The Others Have Pricey Knock-Offs Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
33 min
Adam, Joanna, and Zach comment on the fact that while many publications (including VinePair) love to interview bartenders about their favorite places to drink, it's an open question as to whether that serves as good advice for the drinking public when it comes to whether they should seek those places out. While bartenders might prioritize a relaxed vibe and an industry-friendly ethos, that might not serve those seeking out the pinnacle of cocktailing. 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: Torbreck Vintners Marsanne Joanna is drinking: Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale from Dogfish Head Adam is drinking: Light Cone Pilsner from Grimm Artisanal Ales Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
22 min
You might have heard that apparently, smoking cigarettes is cool again. Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss what might be influencing this trend, why the health consequences of smoking might not resonate right now, and how that could impact the alcohol industry. 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: 21 Liqueurs to Know to Read a Cocktail Menu With Confidence Joanna is reading: Here’s How 7 Top Bartenders Make Spritzes at Home Adam is reading: Legendary Bartender Shingo Gokan on Hype, Humility, and Sip & Guzzle’s Big Win Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
36 min
Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether the brands and bars that are counting on the upcoming World Cup as a central park of their marketing push or as a major driver of business over the next month might be let down. Just how big is the American appetite for soccer? Will the many obstacles and objections for international tourists harm hospitality properties in host cities? Plus - how do you tell if you kid's friend's parents are cool? 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: Vesper Sentinel at Driftwood Joanna is drinking: Rice Lager from Saltfields Brewing Adam is drinking: Martini at Le Veau d'Or Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26 min
Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss whether people looking for a wine country outing actually care about being able to see vineyards, or even winery facilities, or if nice amenities and easy access are more appealing. Can urban tasting rooms and concentrated wine districts be a better bet for tourism than scenic vistas that also come with long drives and hard-to-access experiences? 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: Happy Hour Isn’t Dead, But It Could Be Going Late-Night Joanna is reading: We Asked 14 Bartenders: What’s the Most Overrated Bourbon Cocktail? Adam is reading: The 15 Beers That Defined American Craft Brewing — and Where They Are Now Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 min
Adam and Joanna are joined by VinePair Spirits Editor Aaron Goldfarb to break down his list of the 20 Best Mezcals for 2026 and the general state of Mexico's other great agave spirit. While bartenders and aficionados remain deeply enamored with mezcal, commercial success has been limited in scope and confined to a few specific brands. Is the wild, small batch nature of the spirit an insurmountable roadblock to a larger audience? Is the complexity and variety, the very thing that draws some in, a turnoff for most? Plus - what's the deal with pechuga anyhow? 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! Joanna is drinking: Guinness Negroni Adam is drinking: Grimm Artisanal Ales "Lambo Door" Double IPA Aaron is drinking: Heaven Hill "Deatsville" Bourbon Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 min
Adam and Joanna dive into why the proliferation of reservation-only bars is hurting the industry, and has a surprising root cause. How is it that credit card companies and their desire to provide high-end perks for big spenders are changing the way that bars have always operated? 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! Joanna is reading: Malört Was Made for the Shot. Bartenders Are Changing That. Adam is reading: It’s Been 50 Years Since the Judgement of Paris — It’s Time to Move On. Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Observed August 1, 2026.
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