VinePair Podcast

I wish I could rate this podcast higher. I don’t necessarily work in wine only, but as a bartender working at a hospitality company, I often get discouraged by the pretentious attitudes of my peers. I also love to reach the average person and inspire them to experience new flavors and expand their palate on their terms. When they mentioned the validity of Crown Blackberry, I was sold. I fully trust these hosts and will listen to them talk about anything

Was particularly disappointed by the Karen McNeill episode; to say that Napa or California has been “fortunate” to have the agricultural worker pool they’ve had for years without even mentioning it’s proximity to Mexico i.e. Latinoamérica (and it’s migrants) and how that region was built quite literally off the backs of these workers is willfully ignorant. Am I supposed so feel bad for the poor poor Napa wineries? Try again.

The cast is least pretentious, yet still super knowledgeable, group of people talking about wine. Many other pods about alcohol come off as snooty and egotistical, or simply boring. This podcast is informative about the industry and they really do show an understanding of the average consumer. Episodes are well constructed and the cast doesn’t take a long time to get to their points (plus no prolonged ‘thinking’ pauses).

As a casual consumer of alcoholic beverages of many types i can say that this is one of the most informative and entertaining pods out there. Even on topics that don’t initially peak my interest i find that half way through I’m hooked. And they don’t talk down to their audience. They lift the listener to new levels of appreciation for wine and other spirits and the business surrounding the industry and culture.