Wine 201 Bridget Leech & Nick Vorpagel

If you like wine and want to know just a little bit more about wine without being overwhelmed by nerdy information, this podcast is the right place for you!

On this introductory episode, you'll learn:
Just who the heck we are (we're Bridget and Nick and we're excited to be hosting this podcast!)Why we are releasing this podcast in addition to our weekly Dinner Plus Drinks podcast.What you can expect in each episode.Wine 201 will be released in seasons, giving you the information you need to feel confident about a particular wine subject by the time the season is over. This season, we're digging into red Bordeaux grape varietals, that is grapes that were originally grown in Bordeaux, France and then have thrived elsewhere.

Each episode features an interview with an expert on a specific grape and provides information about the grape and wine making, as well as the story behind the guest's winery and their personal wine journey. We have a diverse and fun group of guests lined up for this season that'll give you a variety of viewpoints on wine - we enjoyed talking to them, and we think you'll like listening to them!

In addition to this podcast, we're on social media posting what we're drinking, wineries we love, regions you should check out, and lots more. You can follow us on Facebook or Instagram, just click the links or search for Wine 201 Podcast.

We're hosting a Wine 201 Taste and Talk at Simple Café in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on Friday, October 29th. If you going, you'll be able to try wines from each of the wineries we interviewed for this series, snack on food, and meet Bridget and Nick! Visit this link to get your tickets. 

Thanks for joining - all the episodes are released, so dig in and enjoy!

Bridget & Nick

When it comes to Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Staglin Family Vineyard is one of the best. To learn more about Cabernet Sauvignon, we were joined on the podcast by Amber Mihna, the Global Trade Sales Director at Staglin Family, and a fellow Wisconsinite.

Amber is one of the best wine educators and advocates for drinking wine that we've ever met. She was the perfect person to help us learn some basic facts about wine, wine production, and Napa Valley. From there, she helped us narrow down what it is about Cabernet Sauvignon that so many people like and how you can make sure you fine a great bottle for yourself.

If you liked what you heard and you're interested in learning more about Staglin Family Vineyard, their incredible philanthropy, or purchasing wine directly from them, please visit their website.

If you'd like to purchase bottles for delivery and support the podcast you can use these links:


Staglin 2016 Cabernet SauvignonSalus 2016 Cabernet SauvignonFor more wine tips, suggestions, and updates, you can follow us on social media! Search for Wine 201 Podcast, or click these links:


Wine 201 FacebookWine 201 InstagramWe're hosting a Wine 201 Taste and Talk at Simple Café in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on Friday, October 29th. If you going, you'll be able to try wines from each of the wineries we interviewed for this series, snack on food, and meet Bridget and Nick! Visit this link to get your tickets. 


Thanks for listening - cheers!

Bridget & Nick

*We may receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase using our links.

When you say "Cabernet" you probably are thinking of Cabernet Sauvignon, not its genetic parent - Cabernet Franc. You may not have even known Cabernet Franc was a grape - but fear not, know you're going to discover the OG Cabernet and also get to know an emerging wine region all at the same time.

To learn about Cabernet Franc, we headed to the East Coast and talked with Bruce Murray, owner of Boundary Breaks winery in Finger Lakes, New York. Bruce helped us understand why New York is doing an incredible job with this often overlooked grape, and why you should try Cabernet Franc.

If you're interested in visiting Boundary Breaks, joining their wine club (it's a phenomenal offer), or purchasing rare bottles directly from them, please visit their website.

If you'd like to purchase bottles for delivery and support the podcast you can use these links:


Boundary Breaks Cabernet FrancBoundary Breaks No. 198 Reserve RieslingBoundary Breaks No. 239 RieslingFor more wine tips, suggestions, and updates, you can follow us on social media! Search for Wine 201 Podcast, or click these links:


Wine 201 FacebookWine 201 InstagramWe're hosting a Wine 201 Taste and Talk at Simple Café in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on Friday, October 29th. If you going, you'll be able to try wines from each of the wineries we interviewed for this series, snack on food, and meet Bridget and Nick! Visit this link to get your tickets. 

Thanks for listening - cheers!

Bridget & Nick

*We may receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase using our links.

It originated in France, but is now best known in Argentina, and there's no one better at growing the grape and making wine from Malbec than Bodegas Catena Zapata, or as you may more simply known them, Catena.

To learn more about Malbec, we were joined by one of our most energetic and fun guests, Ernesto "Nesti" Bajda, winemaker at Catena. Nesti started working in the Catena family's vineyards in 2002 and has grown in the company since that point. He was able to shed light on all areas of the vineyards and talk about what makes Argentina perfect for growing Malbec.

To get a full breakdown on the incredible work and all the bottles Bodegas Catena Zapata makes, you can visit their website.

Here are a few of our favorite bottles that Catena produces that you can buy online for delivery to your house:


Catena La Consulta MalbecCatena Alta MalbecCatena Zapata Malbec ArgentinoFor more wine tips, suggestions, and updates, you can follow us on social media! Search for Wine 201 Podcast, or click these links:


Wine 201 FacebookWine 201 InstagramWe're hosting a Wine 201 Taste and Talk at Simple Café in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on Friday, October 29th. If you going, you'll be able to try wines from each of the wineries we interviewed for this series, snack on food, and meet Bridget and Nick! Visit this link to get your tickets. 

Thanks for listening - cheers!

Bridget & Nick

*We may receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase using our links.

Sideways, the movie, gave Merlot a bad rap, but we are here to tell you that it's an incredible grape, that makes delicious wines, and you need to try some for yourself!

To help convince you that Merlot isn't a joke of a grape, we enlisted the help of Neil Bernardi, Vice President at Duckhorn Vineyards. Personally, we can't think of a producer that makes better Merlot than Duckhorn, and the company is in large part built on their reputation for making incredible Merlot. That's a rarity in Napa Valley where Cabernet is King, but after this interview, we think you're going to want to reach for a bottle of Merlot.

Duckhorn has a super easy to use and helpful website that lets you purchase bottles that you won't find on any retail shelves, check out their suggested recipes, and learn more about their wines. Visit their website and discover the wide, wide world of Duckhorn.

If you'd like to purchase a few bottles of Duckhorn's Merlot and support the podcast, you can use this link and wine.com will deliver them to your house:


Duckhorn Napa Valley MerlotDuckhorn Napa Valley Merlot IN A MAGNUM FOR A PARTY!Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot - AKA Nick's Favorite!Decoy Merlot - Duckhorn's second label of more affordable, well made wines.For more wine tips, suggestions, and updates, you can follow us on social media! Search for Wine 201 Podcast, or click these links:


Wine 201 FacebookWine 201 InstagramWe're hosting a Wine 201 Taste and Talk at Simple Café in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on Friday, October 29th. If you going, you'll be able to try wines from each of the wineries we interviewed for this series, snack on food, and meet Bridget and Nick! Visit this link to get your tickets. 

Thanks for listening - cheers!

Bridget & Nick

*We may receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase using our links.

If you listen to true crime podcasts (like Bridget), you may love this episode as we talk about  the "Lost Grape of Bordeaux" - Carmenere! Once thought to be completely wiped out, it was re-discovered in Chile and makes unique and delightful wines that you may have never tried before!

Lapostolle is one of Chile's premier wineries and focuses on making quality wines at affordable prices. We were fortunate to be joined by Andrea Leon, Head Winemaker at Lapostolle Wines. She helped us understand the grape, Chile, and provided a 360º perspective on grape growing, wine making, and enjoying wine!

If you'd like to learn more about Lapostolle, including detailed information on their environmental practices and their tourism options, you can visit their website. 

If you'd like to try wines from Lapostolle and their higher end project, Clos Apalta, here are a few we recommend:


Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre CarmenereLapostolle Grand Selection CarmenereClos Apalta For more wine tips, suggestions, and updates, you can follow us on social media! Search for Wine 201 Podcast, or click these links:


Wine 201 FacebookWine 201 InstagramWe're hosting a Wine 201 Taste and Talk at Simple Café in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on Friday, October 29th. If you going, you'll be able to try wines from each of the wineries we interviewed for this series, snack on food, and meet Bridget and Nick! Visit this link to get your tickets. 

Thanks for listening - cheers!

Bridget & Nick

*We may receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase using our links.