Wine Two Five Podcast

This week we’re paying homage to those who’ve made wine history. You may be surprised at some of the people, stories and deeds. From presidents to prime ministers to modern day icons, we’re raising our glasses. Speaking of which, we also have a vintage fashion accessory dating back to 1818 and share some updated things in the modern wine world as well.

We’re cozying up to our favorite wine flicks. Our guest this week is Gary Matsch from Ready to Drink Packaging. Gary tells us about his super cool new design for single-serve wine that will change the way we drink and snack on the go … even at the movies! “Wine Anywhere. Wine Anytime.” Yes please! So get some popcorn and a glass of something good, because we dug up some wine movies, believe it or not, that even were new to us. This is a fun-packed episode that will have you set for a weekend of cozy.  

Is it a book club or drinking club with a reading problem? Well, it depends, and not just on whether you see "holy spirits" in your liquor cabinet. But first, we’re all about beloved wine books. We flash back to our first dog-eared, well-drunk editions, invaluable references for your own wine library, and fun, new recommendations. Pour a glass, put on your smoking jacket … and spread some beer jelly on your toast? Yes. Why not?!

Bitters. Not talking about Steph & Val here, but a true, versatile cocktail essential. From a medicinal history and flirting with extinction during prohibition bitters are back and going strong! We’re getting on board the bitter train, and taking cocktail hour to another level. So what are bitters, why do we care, and why do we want them within arm's reach? Grab a Manhattan or a Negroni and join us for another happy (half) hour as we celebrate W25's 21st episode.

This week we’re sipping and rapping “other kinds of wine” like Vermouths and aromatized aperitif wines. We explore what they are, how to store them, and a little history. Why should we covet adding botanically infused booze to our liquor cabinets … and where have they been our whole lives (besides in a cocktail near you)? Mix up a Manhattan, Martini, or Negroni or grab a glass of Americano and join us for a high-class happy hour. OK, it’s a half hour that’s just happy.  

Bourbon, brothels, beignets and beads: we’re back from New Orleans with so much good stuff! This week we are revisiting our week at the Society of Wine Educators Conference. Whether it’s cocktail crawls and Chinese wines or wine and health, we rap favorite nuggets of our NoLa experience from fine dining to drag queen shows.  Yep.  We go there. And since our friends keep asking about the wine “butt?” We go there too. You’re welcome.  

In this episode we've got tools for your bag of tricks when making your own food & wine magic. Did she say white wine with beef? Yes, she did. Also, Steph is drinking out of a Steelers mug & Val gives a brief shout out to her Pittsburgh roots; so it's actually white wine with "beef-n-at." Go Stillers. The ladies are off to WINE CAMP and are, maybe, a little too excited. Maybe. Definitely. Look out, New Orleans. You've been warned.

This week we are tossing back and talking super tasty nuggets about cooking with wine. There are pitfalls to avoid, fixes for adding too much wine to a dish (if that’s even a thing), and a way to use your ‘old’ wine, again, if that’s even a thing.  This episode is soaked – kind of like your hosts – with wine information and fun.  

Pour a glass, it’s story time. Whether you’ve just spilled wine all over your friend’s new outfit or slammed into restaurant doors with your face, well, stuff happens. However, we can at least save you some embarrassment when it comes to bringing wine to someone’s home. Check in for some tips to make your host happy and some tales to make you giggle. We hope you enjoy this episode!  

We are in the wild wine kingdom this week as we recap Steph’s recent trip to Norway and Sweden, and lament the menu item that got away. We hunt down some grape and wine bottle math, spot some rare plant and wine pairings, and get waaaay too excited about having cocktails with zoo animals. Do you have some wild stories? This is your chance to share!

A bit of a love fest, really. Official wine tasting terminology, such as “Yummy yummy likey likey.” Of course, someone (not mentioning any names) is double fisting Scottish Gin & Dutch Genever in the middle of the afternoon. Juice boxes, square boxes, and get a straw … it’s all here in our final stab at alternative packaging & drinking outside your wine box. [Pre-recorded 30 June 2015]  

Size matters in this chock-full episode. We discuss large format bottle names, wine in a keg, and our guest, Michaela Hightower of Soiree Events & Celebrations, shares the innovative philosophy behind her curious- and serious-sized pours.  There are giggles galore as three gals with glasses share stories about spilling wine during exams, learning about cocktails, and where to have a “date with a pig.”  [Pre-recorded on 29 June 2016]  

We blind tasted 10 wines with alternative packaging, and have slipped in some audio from the tasting process. You’re welcome. We were very surprised, learned a lot, despite unanimous inquiry as to whether there was a condom in the house. To top it off we were joined by one of our die-hard listeners during the process which kept it real ... maybe too real. You’ll be shocked at the results, as were we. Happy Fourth of July & happy sipping!  

We’re rapping basics on bubbles and giving you the lowdown on sweetness labeling terms. Brut? Extra dry? Do you know which one’s sweeter? It’s not what you'd think! Steph digs up some great boozy quotes, & someone please take the Bourbon away from Val before she says “fo shizzle” one more time … **NOTE** We update & clarify the "straight" whisky comment/definition in another episode. It's 2 years, but required to be on the bottle if less than 4 years.  

More drinking, thinking, and clinking is on deck this week as we take a peek under The Wine Heroine’s cape, toast our dads, & rap boozy gifts for Father’s Day celebrations.  There’s some bottle talk about bottle shock with Steph before Val geeks out on some bottle glass history. Why should we thank the British Navy for saving us from exploding Champagne bottles?  Grab a glass, click “play,” and raise a toast to Father’s Day! That's right, when we say "rap" we mean it.  

This week we have Muscat any way you want it – dry or sweet, fizzy or full-on bubbly, light or boozy & all-around delicious. We pontificate on the varied & versatile varieties. Steph’s dog, Eisen, is our first guest on the show & has something to say. Weird wine facts? Got 'em. We wrap up with wicked awesome wine shop finds that Val & Steph believe are worth the drive on I25. Oh, there’s more (like "horse jizz cocktails") … but you’ll just have to pour a glass & giggle along with us.

There’s a good chance it’s a martini, beer, or Scotch. It is Negroni week, after all! This week we equip you with some protocol for there really is a time to spit, a time to swallow, a time to rinse, a time to dump. Also? Don’t drink & try to say, “Scratch & sniff. Just sayin’. We hope you enjoy this week’s sipping & talking & find something delicious in your glass!

This week we talk about our favorite tried & true gadgets, wish lists & why we think we drink like men. We unearth some ancient Greek & Roman influence regarding symposiums (which are really drink fests) & jamming a piece of burnt toast into your wine. We also deliver proof that drinking alone is not only OK, but it’s cool, &, yes, wine is a grocery item.

We're turning up the heat & backing off the higher alcohol wines for the weekend, especially when Steph talks bacon-wrapped jalapenos. Grilling "go to" wines & how to keep it simple & smart with generous hydrating while partying on the patio. What else? A Sangria Royale, a Govino review, & shout-outs galore. We wish you all a delicious & safe Memorial Day weekend!

What we learned about storing wines in bomb shelters, the original Chianti “recipe” &, well, what the crow of a rooster has to do with wine. The girls get a little sassy in this one: Steph has a special hat & Val tells a medieval story. There’s a trivia question for you, & we have some shout outs to new & fun followers in Chicago & in the UK!