Wine Two Five Podcast

Steph & Val are back behind the mic and in the same time zone, so you've been warned. We have cocktails, a little Brunello banter, talk history and what makes this wine one of Italy's finest, while Steph shares some of things she learned in Montalcino. Val breaks out her new Irish whiskey … and shares … and shares. Other things we chatter about this week include Wine Enthusiast’s new podcast, grappa, sushi chef shout out, movie wine trivia, tasting room tales, and a new giveaway! We’re having a great time and hope you’ll pour a glass, click, listen, learn, laugh & sing along … wait ... not the singing. Please. Not the singing.

While Steph works her way back to the states, we're taking a week off to square away busy winter schedules. Few people, however, have a busier schedule than our guest who took time out of her day to chat with the Wine Two Five ladies a few weeks back. Chardonnay for breakfast? Yes please, and Susan tells us why it's a great choice. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the smart, funny and talented Susan Kostrzewa, Executive Editor, Wine Enthusiast magazine!   Susan Kostrzewa, Wine Enthusiast Exec Editor, Wine Podcast

Dr. Matthew Horkey and Charine Tan are authors of the book Uncorking the Caucasus: Wines from Turkey, Armenia, and Georgia and this week they joined us from ArmAs Winery in Armenia. Charine and Matthew tell the most incredible stories about wine travels through less-explored regions, like Serbia, and share a plethora of #W25Challenge fodder for all of us! We couldn’t get enough of this dynamic duo and we’re quite sure you’ll fall in love with them and want to follow their Exotic Wine Travels.       Caucasus Wine Region, Wine Books, Wine Podcast, Exotic Wine Travel

We had an absolute ball this week with our banter back and forth across the Atlantic. Steph is still toodling around Italy, and Val admits that owning a vineyard would make her break out in hives. From harvest talk and male somms modeling designer table cloths (hey, we don’t make this stuff up), to baboons and Madeira-tasting party tricks, this episode covers a lot of ground but is a lot of fun. We hope you enjoy hanging out with the Wine Two Five ladies this week. Wine Grapes, Harvest, Italy, Wine Podcast, Wine Education

Grgich Hills Estate Co-Proprietor & Vice President for Operations and Sales, Violet Grgich, shares part of her day with the W25 ladies as well as priceless accounts of family history, philosophy and wise wine words. Her beautifully told stories will surely make you smile and have you planning your next trip to either stomp grapes or visit Croatia. We also are happy to bring you some delightful words from a listener which pair well with this very special episode you won’t want to miss. And what do  Marco Polo and Franz Liszt have to do with any of this? To find out, please pour a glass, click play, and enjoy!  Grgich Hills Estate, Wine Podcast

No, not Ron Burgundy, but a splash of Bourgogne wine babble. We wade in and swim over to the geeky deep end to talk about why some of it is so expensive, and how to catch a more accessible bottle for, you know, for regular people. This is a #W25Challenge trove of things to seek out and sip where we also fished out this quarter’s winner! Hopefully you reel in some helpful nuggets and discover at least one new Bourgogne in your glass soon!     Burgundy Wine Babble, Bourgogne, Wine Podcast

In honor of International #PodcastDay we are sharing our feed favs with you. What do Steph & Val listen to when we aren’t chattering away at the mic? We’re getting down with OPP – other people’s podcasts. Whether you’re looking for education, entertainment, information, or meditation there’s a podcast out there for you. With that, we hope you’ll celebrate along with us. Happy International Podcast Day!   International Podcast Day, OPP, Wine Podcasts

Chardonnay’s rep gets a grape-over from the W25 gals this week as we do a deeper dive into what is often called “the wine maker’s grape.” There’s good reason for this, and you may be surprised at all the ways you can Chardonnay. Another factoid-palooza along with some juice for the #W25Challenge is on deck for your sipping pleasure. The gals are kickin’ it a little country style with beer and bourbon on the side – and some red cowboy boots. So giddyup, grab a glass, and get set for this month’s grape gab, y’all!     Chardonnay, Wine Podcast, Wine Two Five, Grape Gab

The ladies of Wine Two Five are charmed by govino founder Joseph Perrulli this week. You may remember us fan-girling about the shatterproof genius that is govino. Well, we have a fun and funny inside scoop on the how, the why and the wine that brought this popular wine-lover (and beer-lover!) must-have accessory to the party. And what’s with that thumb notch, anyway? Joseph shares that secret as well. We hope you’ll pour a glass, kick back and enjoy this special episode!   Go Vino, Joseph Perrulli

We are back behind the mic with some mid-day beverages and fun, new exciting W25 things to chatter about. There are tasty tidbits about up-and-coming wine regions, truffle vodka, and a silly WinoRadar discussion regarding bitter food and drink choices. Steph and Val also have a special announcement, and we are serving up a cocktail of learning, laughs and a large pour of love fest this week.     Patreon, Idaho Wine, Walla Walla, Wine Podcast, #W25Challenge, Wine, Beer, Vermouth

For the third episode in a row Steph and Val are behind the same mic and most likely pre-sipped before recording. You’ve been warned. A whole bunch of #W25Challenge fodder is included, but we’ve kept the episode bite-sized.   NZ Wine, New Zealand, Wine, Travel, Wine Tourism

This week we are chatting with Celia Hay, Owner of New Zealand School of Food and Wine. She generously shared some of her country’s finest wines with us, as well as incredible stories. As a child waiting tables for her parents' dinner parties for dignitaries she learned to appreciate fine food that led to her success as a premier wine and food destination in New Zealand. You’ll enjoy her funny wine story at the end as well. Don’t mind the sound of dishes breaking in the background.    Celia Hay, NZ School of Food and Wine, NZ Wine

Chief Wine Critic for the New York Times Eric Asimov joins the Wine Two Five ladies this week. He is the author of “How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto,” and talks to us about just that – his love for wine, what’s changed over the last 15 years, and finding great wines to enjoy. He shares his philosophy on wine service, or as Val says, preaches the gospel on why you should show your good somms some love. Steph’s hangin’ in the Springs for this one, and both gals are behind the same mic for a change. Uh oh. Click, sip, giggle, learn, and enjoy!     Eric Asimov, New York Times, Wine, Restaurant Wine Service, Wine Writing

Steph and Val return from the 2016 Society of Wine Educators 40th Annual Conference and have fun new beverages to talk about. We learned a lot, laughed a lot, and are already looking forward to 2017 in Portland, OR. We have favorite sips, presentations, moments, and a healthy shoutout-palooza to some seriously dedicated listeners, fellow podcasters and more. Needless to say, we are having a “whale” of a good time with this episode. Eh hem.   SWE Conference, Wine Educators, Cognac, Armagnac, Wine Tasting,

Our latest #W25Challenge winner, Lynn Gowdy, linked up with us for chatter about a classic cocktail and how she ended up moving to France to study – what else – wine! Lynn shares her philosophy on changing up her life for the love of wine as well as her approach to the #W25Challenge. Steph shares her Sidecar study story and Val trolls the bar for a breakfast gin. The new ‘Burning Wine Questions’ segment premieres and we drop a special announcement. Too much fun packed into this cast, so pour a glass, click, sip, giggle and enjoy!     Wine Podcast, #W25Challenge, Lynn Gowdy, Burning Wine Questions

Author Suzanne Hoffman chats with us this week to talk about her new book, Labor of Love: Wine Family Women of Piemonte. She shares some great stories and insight on how she was able to bring these precious stories to paper. Anyone that loves and appreciates great Italian wines will certainly fall in love with the women who left their indelible mark on Italian wine culture and heritage. We did. We also recommend you regard the table of contents as a wine list while you’re reading this gorgeous book. We hope you enjoy this special episode. Salute~      

Author, Italian translator, wine historian, writer and rocker Jeremy Parzen, Ph.D. joins the W25 ladies this week to share Italian wine adventures around the world. In this episode we get the 411 on what Sir Elton John has to do with Barolo, learn about the allure of Franciacorta, and get a little grape gab on about Groppello. Grab a bottle, some friends, and click play. We guarantee some fun treats and a chat about sweets that will surely please any palate. Salute/Cheers ~   Do Bianchi, Franciacorta, Wine Podcast, Wine

This week we are talking a little heat, a little sweet, and wine entertaining tips that can’t be beat. Oh, and apparently we’ve "busted a rhyme.” Sharing some personal pearls of summer sipper wisdom, we offer more choices, less work and simple patio pickings that will rock your guests’ worlds in original ways. Sweet and spicy preserves from PRiMO Specialty Foods with fun cheese and wine pairings are riding shotgun as we jam into summer with white, rosé, red, and even apéritif and fortified options. Jam. Bam. Thank you ma’am. [ad]  

Karen MacNeil has won an Emmy as well as James Beard and International Wine and Spirits awards, and this week she joins the Wine Two Five Podcast ladies from Napa. You may know her as author of the best-selling Wine Bible, and TIME Magazine calls her “America’s Missionary of the Vine.” She was generous with her time, humor, insight and graciousness – as well as honesty about what she won’t write about – and we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed producing it. Yes, listeners, you are in for a treat. Pour a glass of something lovely, sit back and join us for some cool sips with a wine writing icon!   Karen MacNeil, Wine Bible, Wine Speed, Wine Podcasts

Part three of our Spanish Wine Summer series brings it home with Paola Medina Sheldon, Technical Director and Winemaker of the legendary Bodegas Williams and Humbert in Cádiz, Spain. Paola shares stories of tasting a 100-year-old Amontillado and the secret to being happy in doing work that you choose. Finally, we are teased with the vintage Fino line and new vodka that is definitely the most unique in the world. We were so fortunate to have her join the ladies Wine Two Five, so please enjoy – preferably with a glass of Sherry!   Sherry, Paola Medina, Spain, Wine Podcasts