Stop Wasting Your Wine

Stop Wasting Your Wine
  • 5.0 (10)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Choosing wine should not feel like a gamble. Each week Colin, Joel, and Aaron put bottles to the test so you know which wines are actually worth buying. Every episode includes an honest wine review, practical wine tips, and real opinions about what is overrated, what is underrated, and what deserves a spot in your cart. No wine snobbery. No confusing jargon. Just straightforward help picking better bottles. If you have ever stood in the wine aisle wondering “Is this actually good?” you are in the right place. Pour a glass and listen in.

  1. 3D AGO

    Dave Matthews’ $15 Wine… Is It Actually Good? | The Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend Review

    Celebrity wines can be a minefield. This week the crew kicks off a new challenge to find the best celebrity wine under $30, starting with The Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend (2023) from Dreaming Tree Wines, a collaboration between Dave Matthews and winemaker Steve Reeder. The wine comes from California, costs about $15, and sits at 14.5% ABV. The hosts discuss what celebrity wines get right and wrong, why California red blends often surprise drinkers, and who these easy drinking wines are actually made for. They also break down common misconceptions about “jammy” wines and how warm climate fruit and modern winemaking shape approachable red blends. Plus a Dave Matthews Band lyric game and the first score in the celebrity wine challenge. Subscribe for weekly wine conversations. Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stopwastingyourwine.com/⁠⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00 – New Celebrity Wine Challenge Begins00:21 – Rules: Finding the Best Celebrity Wine Under $3003:31 – Upcoming Celebrity Wines (Mary J. Blige & John Legend Picks)04:10 – Today’s Wine: The Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend (Dave Matthews)08:17 – First Impressions and Discussion17:05 – Learning Segment: What California Red Blends Actually Are23:26 – Who California Red Blends Are Actually For25:37 – Review System Explained26:43 – Review and Final Thoughts31:39 – Dave Matthews Lyrics Game37:01 – Wrap Up and Where to Find the Show

    38 min

  2. MAR 3

    Wine Interview: Chris Louton Winemaker at St. Francis Winery | Protecting the Soul of a Wine?!?

    From cleaning kennels to crafting Sonoma Cabernet, Chris Louton’s path to winemaking wasn’t planned. A UC Davis class changed everything. Now at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, he’s shaping wines that stay balanced, affordable, and true to place. Chris shares how he went from veterinary ambitions to overseeing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Bordeaux varietals in Sonoma County. We talk vintage differences, protecting quality at scale, and why he refuses to “make wine for trends.” We taste the 2023 St. Francis Merlot and 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (both around $15–$16, 14.8% and 14.5% ABV). Chris breaks down vineyard strategy, blending across Sonoma County, and how they maintain control from vine to bottle. If you care about value wine done right, this one’s for you. Subscribe for weekly wine conversations. Learn More About the St. Francis https://www.stfranciswinery.com/ Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stopwastingyourwine.com/⁠⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction 00:55 – From Veterinary Medicine to Winemaking 05:14 – Luxury Cabernet & Early Career 07:42 – Joining St. Francis & Carrying the Legacy 10:08 – Making Wine for a Wide Audience 15:07 – What St. Francis Wines Aim to Deliver 18:15 – Protecting Quality at Scale 22:06 – 2023 Merlot Breakdown 34:36 – 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Breakdown 42:45 – Review & Ratings 47:25 – Pinot or Chardonnay Game 50:13 – Final Thoughts + Where to Find St. Francis

    52 min

  3. FEB 24

    Wine Interview: Katie Madigan Winemaker at St. Frances Winery | Making Great Wine at Great Scale

    This week, a behind-the-scenes look at how great Sonoma wine actually gets made. Katie Madigan of St. Francis Winery shares how she went from chemistry student to winemaker, why sustainability is more than farming, and how to keep soul and quality in wines priced around $15–$18. Katie breaks down St. Francis Winery’s approach to balance, aromatics, and vintage expression, plus what it takes to produce accessible wines at scale without losing identity. We taste and discuss:• 2023 Sonoma County Chardonnay – St. Francis Winery – Sonoma County – $15–$18 – 14% ABV• 2023 Old Vine Zinfandel – St. Francis Winery – Sonoma County – $15–$18 If you care about sustainability, value-driven California wine, or how winemakers think during harvest, this one’s for you. Subscribe for weekly wine conversations. Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stopwastingyourwine.com/⁠⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome and Introducing Katie Madigan 02:02 – From Chemistry to Winemaking03:14 – UC Davis Enology Program 04:34 – Early Days at St. Francis08:28 – Sustainability at St. Francis Winery12:19 – How Katie Knows a Wine Is Ready14:16 – Aromatics, Texture, and Wine Accessibility18:32 – Making Quality Wine at Scale20:11 – Todays Wine20:13 – 2023 Sonoma County Chardonnay26:52 –2023 Old Vine Zinfandel36:01 – Review and Final Thoughts

    41 min

  4. FEB 17

    Forbidden Kiss Sweet Red Sparkling Wine Review | Looks Can Be Deceiving!

    A $15 sparkling Gamay from Beaujolais with a sexy label and big wine family backing… and it became the first unanimous drain of 2026. This week, the guys crack open Forbidden Kiss Sparkling Red Wine from the Boisset Collection in Beaujolais. It’s 100% Gamay, made in the ancestral method, 7.5% ABV, and widely available at Total Wine. On paper, it checks the boxes for a fun, low-alcohol sparkling red. In the glass, things go sideways. They break down: What sparkling Gamay should taste like How the ancestral method works Why sugar and alcohol matter And how this bottle missed the mark Plus: sexy bottle challenge results and the first unanimous drain of the year. Subscribe for weekly wine conversations. Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stopwastingyourwine.com/⁠⁠⁠ Chapters 00:00 – Sexy Bottle Challenge Finale 02:09 – Todays Wine 04:52 – First Impressions 11:02 – Understanding Sparkling Gamay 13:34 – How the Ancestral Method Works 15:00 – What This Wine Should Have Been 18:49 – Who Is Jean-Charles Boisset? 21:28 – Review and Final Thoughts 26:01 – Challenge Results and Winner 29:01 – PiNope or ChardonnYay 31:27 – Where to Find Us

    32 min

  5. FEB 10

    Delta Estate Identity Vineyard Dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc, 2024 Review | A Sexy Sauvy B!?

    The Sexy Bottle Challenge rolls on with Colin's Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the latest contender in the search for the best intersection of great wine and great presentation. Colin's pick faces off against last week's bottle as the competition tightens and early favorites begin to emerge. The conversation then shifts to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as a style: why the region has earned its reputation, and how climate and winemaking choices create a wine that feels instantly recognizable. With ratings locked in and stakes rising heading into the final week, each pick carries more weight as the leaderboard takes shape. The episode closes with a fast-paced Spellmelier game built around New Zealand wine terms, adding a competitive jolt before the challenge moves one step closer to crowning a winner. Pour a glass, listen along, and see where this bottle lands. Support the show and help keep the wine flowing! Buy us a glass! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stopwastingyourwine.com/⁠⁠ Chapters 0:00 Welcome and Sexy Bottle Challenge Recap1:47 Colin’s Wine Pick Revealed2:10 The Little Black Dress Bottle Theory3:50 Is the Bottle Actually Sexy?5:03 Let’s Talk About the Wine6:35 First Smells and Expectations7:50 Tasting Notes and Flavor Breakdown9:42 Acidity and Finish Discussion11:50 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Explained14:44 How This Wine Is Made17:55 Food Pairings That Make Sense21:25 Final Ratings and Verdicts25:31 Sexy Bottle Debate Continues27:19 Rapid Spellmelier Game34:25 Final Thoughts and Outro

    35 min

  6. FEB 3

    Viña Alberdi La Rioja Alta Reserva Review | A Good Time for a Solid Pour

    Big changes are coming to Stop Wasting Your Wine! In this episode, Colin, Joel, and Aaron unveil an exciting new format: monthly wine challenges. Each month, the hosts will pick wines based on a specific theme, with three weeks of competitive tastings followed by a wildcard week featuring interviews with wine industry pros or special features. For February's inaugural challenge, the crew tackles finding the sexiest bottle of wine under $30. A task that proves more difficult than expected. Aaron shares his hour-long odyssey through Total Wine, searching Italian and French sections before settling on a romantic Rioja with "sexy trees." Joel takes a more literal interpretation of "sexy," while the hosts debate what makes a bottle truly appealing beyond the liquid inside. The episode also features a lively discussion about wine cocktails, specifically whether it's acceptable to use good Rioja for sangria. The hosts explore the difference between honoring a wine's craftsmanship and enjoying it in creative ways, leading to the question: is a better base wine the key to a better cocktail? Wine Details Producer: Viña Alberdi Region: Rioja Varietal or Blend: 100 percent Tempranillo Vintage: 2020 Price Range: About $22 ABV: 14 percent Buy us a glass! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stopwastingyourwine.com/⁠⁠ Chapters 0:00 – Welcome to Stop Wasting Your Wine0:17 – New Monthly Challenge Format Explained1:24 – February Challenge: Sexiest Bottle Under $303:46 – The Reality of Shopping for a “Sexy” Wine4:57 – Aaron’s Pick: Viña Alberdi Rioja Reserva7:55 – First Impressions and Bottle Expectations8:24 – Nosing the Wine9:59 – Tasting Notes and Palate Breakdown12:53 – Learning Segment: Tempranillo and Rioja15:29 – What Reserva Aging Really Means18:04 – Introducing the New Rating Tier: Solid Pour22:46 – Final Ratings and Verdict26:53 – Did Aaron Nail the Challenge29:16 – I’m Wine With That: Should You Make Sangria With Rioja34:06 – Feedback and Where to Find Us34:49 – Outro

    35 min

  7. JAN 27

    Aix Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rosé 2024 Review | Can Rosé Actually Be a Great Gift Wine?

    Rosé does not usually top the list when it comes to gift wines. This week, that assumption gets challenged. In this episode of Stop Wasting Your Wine, the crew wraps up their Gift Wine Series with a deep dive into a Provençal rosé that aims to stand out in a crowded category. They explore what makes rosé a smart and often overlooked choice for gifting, especially when the weather heats up and expectations are high. The conversation moves beyond the glass into Provence itself. Why elevation matters. How wind and climate shape freshness. What separates intentional rosé from mass produced bottles lining the shelves. Along the way, the hosts break down classic Provence blending, winemaking choices that preserve aroma and precision, and what defines the region’s signature style. The episode closes with the return of Viterations, a fan favorite game where the wine gets reimagined as a vacation destination, blending insight with pure chaos. If you’ve ever wondered when rosé makes sense, what quality actually looks like in the category, or how to gift wine without playing it safe, this one’s for you. And as always, stop wasting your wine. Wine Details Producer: Mason Saint AIX Name: AIX Region: Provence Appellation: Coteaux D’ Aix Provence Varietal: Grenache (60%), Syrah (20%), Cinsault (20%) Vintage: 2024 COST - $20 ABV 12.5% Support the Show! Buy us a glass! ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3⁠⁠⁠ Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stopwastingyourwine.com/⁠ Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome to Stop Wasting Your Wine and Gift Wine Finale 01:53 – Wrapping Up the Gift Wine Series 03:30 – Introducing the Masson Saint Ex 2024 Rosé 04:27 – Wine Question of the Week. Cleaning Wine Glasses 06:23 – First Impressions. Aroma and Palate 10:50 – Why This Winery and Rosé Style Matter 11:36 – Supporting the Show 11:47 – Provence Rosé. Style and Expectations 14:31 – Provence Terroir. Elevation Climate and Wind 16:13 – How This Rosé Is Made 18:27 – Revisiting the Glass. What Stands Out 23:06 – Finding the Sweet Spot in Rosé 24:26 – Is Rosé a Great Gift Wine 25:17 – Viterations. If This Wine Were a Vacation

    30 min

  8. JAN 20

    Tenuta Di Salviano Rigogoli 2022 Bianco Umbria IGT Review | Overpriced or Overdelivering?

    This week we ask a simple question. Is a fifty dollar white wine actually worth it? We head back to Umbria with the Rigogoli 2022 from Tenuta di Salviano. A fifty fifty blend of Viognier and Grechetto di Todi. An IGT wine built on freedom and intention. Named for the winemaker’s grandfather, Rigogoli brings real story to the glass. We also kick off a new yearly tradition. The wine fridges are officially cleared. New year. Clean slate. Only three spots are open for 2026. Things go off the rails fast when Colin puts a natural orange wine straight into his fridge. No hesitation. No apology. Along the way we dig into why IGT does not mean lower quality, how Viognier and Grechetto work together, and why serious white wine should not be ice cold. We also revisit PiNope or ChardonnYay! and ask you the listener for your experience with the last white wine that truly surprised you? Wine details Producer: Tenuta di Salviano Wine: Rigogoli 2022 Region: Umbria Italy Grapes: Viognier and Grechetto di Todi ABV: 13.5 percent Price: Around $50 Support the Show! Buy us a glass! ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3⁠⁠ Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you! Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWine⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Stop Wasting Your Wine Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stopwastingyourwine.com/ Wine Specs https://www.kobrandwineandspirits.com/product/tenuta-di-salviano-rigogoli/ Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and Show Dynamics 02:02 – Wine Review: Tenuta di Salviano Rigogoli 04:41 – White Wine That Surprises You 06:07 – Price Point and Value Discussion 07:23 – Tasting Notes: Nose and Palate 15:14 – Balance, Acidity, and Finish 16:19 – What Is Bianco Umbria IGT 18:37 – Viognier vs Grechetto di Todi 20:18 – Winemaking Choices and Style 25:59 – Final Reviews and Ratings 32:21 – Pinot or Chardonnay: Aged Wine Debate 36:15 – Closing Thoughts and What’s Next

    38 min
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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Choosing wine should not feel like a gamble. Each week Colin, Joel, and Aaron put bottles to the test so you know which wines are actually worth buying. Every episode includes an honest wine review, practical wine tips, and real opinions about what is overrated, what is underrated, and what deserves a spot in your cart. No wine snobbery. No confusing jargon. Just straightforward help picking better bottles. If you have ever stood in the wine aisle wondering “Is this actually good?” you are in the right place. Pour a glass and listen in.

Information

  • Creator
    Stop Wasting Your Wine
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    152
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Stop Wasting Your Wine
  • Show Website
    Stop Wasting Your Wine

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