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. 5d ago

    Too Crisp or Just Right? This $15 Greek White Split the Table | Hermes Assyrtiko 2025 Review

    There’s crisp, and then there’s this. But is that a good thing? A $15 Hermes Assyrtiko splits the table as Colin, Joel, and Aaron kick off their Greek wine challenge. Aaron calls it a winner from the first sip. Joel enjoys the intensity. Colin wonders whether the acidity is throwing punches the rest of the wine can’t keep up with. The mission: find the best Greek wine they can each get their hands on for under $20. This first contender brings citrus, floral notes, and more weight than you might expect. We unpack why “crisp” and “light” aren’t the same thing, debate when acidity becomes too much, and decide whether this bottle deserves a spot in your white wine rotation. Then it’s Grape Guesses: Greek edition, with questionable geography, strategic guesses, and an ancient drinking game that sparks a disputed finish. Wine Featured Wine: Hermes Assyrtiko Vintage: 2025 Grape: 100% Assyrtiko Region: Peloponnese, Greece Style: Dry white ABV: 13% Price: Approximately $15Chapters 00:00 Greek Wine’s Underdog Moment00:21 The Greek Wine Challenge: Under $2003:59 Meet the Bottle: Hermes Assyrtiko05:25 First Sips: Aaron Calls a Winner07:57 Floral Notes, Big Acidity, and Unexpected Weight12:38 “Crisp” and “Light” Aren’t the Same Thing16:48 How to Recognize Acidity and Body18:34 Can a Wine Have Too Much Acidity?20:36 The Verdict: Does This Bottle Find Its Balance?25:47 Would We Pick This Over Our Usual $15 White?28:29 Joel Teases His Greek Wine Pick29:55 Grape Guesses: Greek Edition Support the Show!Enjoying the podcast? Buy us a glass! Connect with the ShowWe would love to hear from you! Have a Greek wine we should try? Let us know. Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagram Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTube cheers@stopwastingyourwine.com

    Too Crisp or Just Right? This $15 Greek White Split the Table | Hermes Assyrtiko 2025 Review

  2. Oct 9 ·  Bonus

    BONUS: Pinot Noir Without the Red? | Saffron Fields White Pinot Fest

    Pinot Noir doesn’t have to be red. And there’s a whole festival ready to prove it . Our friend Adam from Saffron Fields joins us for a bonus preview of our upcoming interview. We’re sharing the White Pinot Fest details early so you have time to check it out before October 17. Our full conversation, including our tasting of Saffron Fields White Pinot Noir, is coming in a later episode. In this excerpt, we talk about what white Pinot Noir is, how the event came together, and what to expect when wineries across Oregon’s Willamette Valley bring their versions together for an afternoon of tasting. Expect still and sparkling wines and a chance to explore beyond your usual Pinot. October 17, 2026 | Noon to 4 p.m.Saffron Fields Vineyard | Yamhill, OregonTickets: $45 per person Event details and tickets:https://saffronfields.com/product/white-pinot-fest We’re not being paid to promote this event. We’re helping a friend spread the word about something we think our listeners would enjoy.

  3. Oct 6

    We Would Have Missed This Wine | Valle Reale Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2023 Review

    Would you spend $23 on a grape you’ve never tried, or reach for your usual bottle? This week, Colin, Joel, and Aaron open the 2023 Valle Reale Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, an Italian white that gets us talking about everything from its round texture and bright finish to floral aromas and a surprising flinty note. It’s a bottle some of us admit we probably would have walked right past. Would that have been a mistake? We discuss taking a chance on unfamiliar grapes, why the producer matters, and how checking the importer on the back label can help you find your next bottle. Then we deliver our verdicts before an Italy edition of Grape Guesses tests our knowledge and our ability to be slightly less wrong than each other. Wine reviewed: 2023 Valle Reale Trebbiano d’AbruzzoPrice discussed: Approximately $23 | ABV: 12.5% Thank you to Winebow for providing this bottle for review. Wine provided by Winebow! Learn more about Winebow and Bodega Garzón! Winebow Website ⁠https://www.winebow.com/⁠ Winebow Valle Reale Information Page https://www.winebow.com/our-brands/valle-reale Winebow on Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/winebow/?hl=en⁠ 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 Chapters 00:00 An Italian White Worth Discovering? 00:20 Meet Valle Reale and Abruzzo 02:11 The Bottle: Vintage, Price, and ABV 04:34 First Sips: Round, Full, or Bright? 05:35 Citrus, Flint, and a Surprising Texture 11:32 Where Is That Weight Coming From? 12:47 Would You Buy an Unfamiliar Grape? 18:20 Check the Importer on the Back Label 19:58 The Verdict: Solid Pour or Must Share? 26:15 Grape Guesses: The Italy Edition 34:34 The Tiebreaker: Italy’s Share of World Wine 36:27 Wrap Up and Stay in Touch

  4. Sep 29

    Love Pinot Noir? Meet Your Next Italian Red | Ayunta Nerello Mascalese 2024 Review

    Love Pinot Noir but ready to try something different? This week, we head to Sicily with the 2024 Ayunta Nerello Mascalese Rosso, a $33 red that brings bright cherry, earthy spice, and some familiar Pinot vibes with an Italian twist. We explore what makes this grape worth a look for fans of lighter reds, how the wine changes in the glass, and whether it earns its price tag. Plus, what does growing wine on the slopes of Mount Etna actually change? We dig into volcanic soil, test our knowledge with Grape Guesses, and finish with our verdicts. Wine: 2024 Ayunta Nerello Mascalese RossoRegion: Sicily, ItalyGrape: 100% Nerello MascaleseABV: 13%Price: About $33 Thank you to Ushwin at Unpinned for providing this week’s bottle. You can see everything the Unpinned Bottle shop has to offer at the website: https://unpinnedwineclub.com/collections/bottle-shop You can scoop up a bottle for you self on the Unpinned wine shop. https://unpinnedwineclub.com/products/ayunta-terre-siciliane-nerello-mascalese-bianco-2023 Follow us on Instagram @stopwastingyourwine.Questions, bottle suggestions, or guest inquiries? Email cheers@stopwastingyourwine.com. Chapters: 00:00 A Red Wine from Mount Etna00:20 Meet Ayunta: Is It Worth $33?02:26 The Grape, Vintage, and Bottle Details03:54 First Sips: “Freaking Italian”05:36 Cherry, Spice, and Pinot Noir Vibes08:01 A Little Chill and a Finish That Keeps Going10:27 Does Volcanic Soil Change the Wine?12:00 Grape Guesses: How Rare Are Volcanic Wines?14:19 What Soil Actually Does to the Vine18:58 Grape Guesses: The Etna Blend Question21:25 Final Reviews: Must Share Material?26:27 Joel’s Wine Fridge Shakeup

  5. Sep 22

    The Next Generation of Mondavi Wine! | Sentium Sauvignon Blanc Review

    What makes a Sauvignon Blanc worth $75? Brian Mondavi Borger returns to Stop Wasting Your Wine with the 2024 Sentium, a Sauvignon Blanc led blend from the fourth generation of the Mondavi family. We taste it together and explore why winemaker Chiara Mondavi looked beyond Napa to old vineyards in Mendocino. From Robert Mondavi’s Fumé Blanc legacy to Chiara’s approach in the cellar, Brian shares how the family’s history informs something new. We dig into the wine’s bright acidity, creamy texture, and the decisions behind what ends up in our glasses. Then comes our verdict: does Sentium deserve a spot in our wine fridges? Plus, Brian takes on Grape Guesses. Does a lifetime around wine give him the edge, or can Colin and Aaron pull off an upset? Pour a glass and find out whether Sentium belongs on your splurge list. Learn More About Sentium Wine Website: https://www.sentiumwine.com/ Also be sure to check out Continuum Estate Website: https://www.continuumestate.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/continuumestate/ 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 Chapters: 00:00 The Next Generation of Mondavi Wine01:59 Introducing Sentium and the Story Behind Its Label05:11 Robert Mondavi and the Fumé Blanc Legacy09:36 The $75 Bottle: What We’re Drinking11:50 Old Vines and the Search Beyond Napa15:57 First Sips: One Word Each17:42 Why Use Oak, Concrete, and Stainless Steel?23:39 Bright Acidity, Creamy Texture, and Sémillon29:27 Minerality and Brian’s Vineyard Quartz33:21 Our Ratings: Does Sentium Make the Wine Fridge?40:04 Brian on Food Pairing and Aging Potential42:59 Grape Guesses: Can We Beat a Mondavi?

  6. Sep 15

    Taking the Friction Out of Wine | Los Cuernos Canned Wine Interview

    Did the wine industry push away a generation of drinkers by making wine too expensive, intimidating, and inconvenient? This week, we sit down with Los Cuernos founders Zeke Blattler and Cory Assink to discuss why they believe wine has a consumer trial problem and how they plan to fix it. Their solution is premium California wine served in single portion cans and kegs, designed for places where quality wine is often missing. We taste three wines from the Los Cuernos lineup: Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling Rosé, and their flagship Petite Sirah based Red Blend. Along the way, we discuss stale restaurant pours, the value of nonvintage wine, the science behind canning, and why breweries, burger bars, golf courses, hotels, and outdoor venues could become the next frontier for wine. Can canned wine break through the traditions holding the industry back, or will consumers struggle to look beyond the package? Wines tasted: Los Cuernos Sauvignon BlancLos Cuernos Sparkling RoséLos Cuernos Red Blend Learn more about Los Cuernos through their Instagram, LinkedIn, and online store. Website: https://loscuernos.com/ Online Store: https://loscuernos.com/shop/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loscuernoswine/ 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 Chapters 00:00 Did the Wine Industry Ruin Itself?00:15 Introducing Los Cuernos02:25 Why the Wines Are Nonvintage03:42 Should You Drink Wine From the Can?05:30 The Idea Cory Initially Rejected11:28 When Wine Became Too Precious14:42 Wine Has a Consumer Trial Problem22:53 Tasting the Sauvignon Blanc26:37 A Sparkling Rosé Built for the Can29:47 Meeting Winemaker Gerardo Espinosa34:13 Is This the Future of Accessible Wine?38:07 Is Canned Wine Inevitable?39:29 Tasting the Sparkling Rosé43:06 The Flagship Red Blend47:04 Why Zeke Almost Rejected Wine Spectator54:28 Can Los Cuernos Help Wine Grow Again?57:41 Reviewing the Los Cuernos Lineup1:02:11 Pick Your Poison1:05:37 Where to Find Los Cuernos1:07:31 Outro

  7. Sep 8

    Viognier: Back From the Brink! | Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Viognier 2022 Review

    Viognier came dangerously close to disappearing. By 1965, only about eight hectares, or roughly 20 acres, remained worldwide. Today, the grape is experiencing a comeback, and Yalumba played a major role in establishing it in Australia. This week, we taste the 2022 Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Viognier from Eden Valley. At around $24, it delivers lime, stone fruit, melon, vanilla, minerality, and a rich texture that keeps evolving in the glass. We explore why growers nearly abandoned Viognier, how a handful of producers kept it alive, and whether this bottle proves that the difficult grape was worth saving. Then we finish with our ratings and another round of Grape Guesses. Wine featured: Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Viognier Vintage: 2022 Region: Eden Valley, Australia Grape: 100% Viognier ABV: 13.5% Price: Approximately $24 This bottle was provided by Winebow Fine Wine + Spirits. Our opinions remain our own. Winebow Website ⁠https://www.winebow.com/⁠ Winebow Yalumba Information Page https://www.winebow.com/our-brands/yalumba Winebow on Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/winebow/?hl=en⁠ 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 Chapters 00:00 The Wine Grape That Almost Disappeared 00:20 Welcome and This Week’s Wine 01:32 Yalumba Viognier Details 03:22 First Sips 03:51 Lime, Stone Fruit and an Oily Texture 06:10 Colin Detects the Oak 07:22 What Makes This White Wine Different? 09:11 A Mix of Familiar White-Wine Styles 10:54 Was Viognier Worth Saving? 12:01 Why Growers Abandoned the Grape 13:15 How Yalumba Helped Bring It Back 16:20 Final Ratings: A Triple Must Share? 21:57 Grape Guesses29:46 Outro

  8. Sep 1

    Is Dry Tokaji Hungary’s Best-Kept Wine Secret? | Préselő 2020 Tokaji Furmint

    Tokaji may be famous for dessert wine, but this bottle shows a completely different side of Hungary’s historic wine region. This week, we taste the 2020 Préselő Tokaji Furmint, a bone-dry white packed with sharp acidity, green apple, citrus, minerality, and a petrol note that transforms as the wine opens. We explore why dry Furmint has struggled to escape Tokaji’s sweet reputation and whether it could follow Riesling’s path from misunderstood grape to white-wine favorite. At around $30, can this unfamiliar Hungarian wine earn a place at your next dinner? Wine Details: Producer: PréselőWine: Tokaji FurmintVintage: 2020Region: Tokaj, HungaryGrape: 100% FurmintABV: 11.5%Price: About $30Provided by: UNPINNED Bottle Shop Learned more about and sign up for the UNPINNED Wine Club and Bottle Shop! Website: https://unpinnedwineclub.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unpinnedwine/ 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 Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:22 - Tokaji’s Unexpected Dry Side 02:02 - Préselő Tokaji Furmint Wine Details 03:51 - First Sips and First Impressions 05:00 - Apple Cider, Petrol, and Acidity 12:12 - Why Hasn’t Dry Furmint Broken Through? 19:41 - Our Final Reviews 24:53 - Exploring UNPINNED’s Wine Picks 25:51 - Hungarian Grape Guesses 32:44 - Final Thoughts and Outro

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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
    184
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Stop Wasting Your Wine
  • Show Website
    Stop Wasting Your Wine

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