Wine for Normal People
A podcast for people who like wine but not the snobbery that goes with it. I talk about wine in a fun, straightforward, normal way to get you excited about it and help you drink better, more interesting stuff. About half the shows feature guests and are informal but educational discussions between me and a passionate wine friend –they aren't interviews. All guests are personal friends or friends of friends in wine so like any conversation between friends, we’ll talk back and forth, interrupt each other, laugh and have fun, debate tough questions, voice our opinions, and most of all, enjoy sharing our time together and with you! The Wine For Normal People book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many local booksellers. Back catalog available on Patreon.com/winefornormalpeople
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Ep 601: Pollak Vineyards – A Leader in the Monticello AVA of Virginia
04/01/2026
Ep 601: Pollak Vineyards – A Leader in the Monticello AVA of Virginia
is a small family-owned winery founded in 2003 when Margo and David Pollak bought a farm west of Charlottesville, Virginia. David’s experience in wine was pretty extensive – he worked in the 1970s in Sonoma's Russian River Valley and was a founding partner and investor in one of Napa Valley’s first Carneros wineries, Bouchaine Vineyards. Years later, when he thought about retirement from the corporate world, he saw huge potential in Virginia and he and Margo took the chance to help shape this emerging region. Photo: Pollak Vineyards. Credit: In this show, I host Ryan Pollak Gardner, Dave and Margo's daughter and their successor, and Benoit Pineau, the long time winemaker. We discuss the story of , the terroir of their site, and what makes their wine so much better than so many others in Virginia. For me, is among the Grand Cru of Virginia – the top of the top. Their wines are stunning, their property is beautiful, and they are doing all the right things to showcase how incredible the wines of VA can be. And I’m not alone: in 2025, Pollak won five gold medals in the VA Governor’s Cup Competition, more than any other winery. A great show on what it takes to run a winery of this caliber in a challenging climate and terroir, and how far Virginia has come, due to places like Pollak. Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ This show is brought to you by my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. Go to to sign up!
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Ep 600: Nine Short Wine Stories -- How WFNP Listeners Got Into Wine
03/25/2026
Ep 600: Nine Short Wine Stories -- How WFNP Listeners Got Into Wine
600 episodes of WFNP! I am grateful to you for listening, for reading the book, for learning with me and gracefully accepting the changes over the years, and I’m especially grateful to my sponsors, guests, and travel partners. (thanks Heather and Beppe!) over the last 15 years who have supported this show. But most of all, as I say every week, I’m grateful to the Patrons – the people who directly support the work that I do week after week and who have become my friends, and who have allowed me to join them on their journeys into wine. I’m boring and you all know about me so for this episode, I asked the Patrons if anyone wanted to share their story on how they got their start in wine. I culled it down to nine! Each story is so unique and fun. Please make sure you listen to them all. The last story is with one of my very first listeners and we discuss some of the more philosophical things about wine and the show to wrap it up. I owe a debt of gratitude to all these brave people (who I definitely did not compensate for doing this NOR for saying all the nice things they said – I had no idea they were going to say this stuff!): Greg from Colorado Alissa from Los Angeles, California Tim from New Jersey Linda from Maryland Elizabeth from NYC Tina from Massachusetts Lyle from Silicon Valley, California Shana from Pennsylvania Claudette from Cape Cod, Massachusetts Just as a heads up: You’ll hear a brief pause between each vignette, and each varies in length. I hope you’ll laugh, nod your head, and enjoy this wonderful celebration of wine and the WFNP community. Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ This show is brought to you by Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can’t go wrong with Wine Access! Go to to sign up!
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Rerelease and Edit of Ep 181: Laura Catena, The Leading Lady of Argentine Wine
03/18/2026
Rerelease and Edit of Ep 181: Laura Catena, The Leading Lady of Argentine Wine
In honor of Women's History Month, I'm rereleasing a show with one of the most dynamic, intelligent, and all around fantastic women in wine: Laura Catena of Bodegas Catena Zapata in Mendoza, Argentina. Photo from Laura's website: We discuss her life as a doctor, a mom, and the head of a wine empire. We cover the history of Malbec and how her family aided the meteoric rise of Argentine wine and of the comeback of the Malbec grape around the world. A fun, sharp-as-a-tack woman, you'll learn a ton about Malbec, Mendoza, and a few life lessons (it's all about the B+!) from this fascinating podcast! I've edited it to take out some outdated information and for conciseness, but it is well worth the listen -- still a great, educational, and fun show after all these years! Please look at Laura's web site on wine and health for the most accurate, up to date, and factual information on wine and health: Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 599: The Grape Miniseries Refresh - Malbec
03/11/2026
Ep 599: The Grape Miniseries Refresh - Malbec
This week I cover Malbec, or Côt as it’s known in its native home of Southwest France. This old red grape variety has long history in France and was once one of its most planted grapes. But due to pickiness in the vineyard and harshness in the bottle, Malbec fell out of favor in its native country. Despite being a big component in the Bordeaux blend, the grape remained in relative obscurity until it hit South America, particularly Argentina. Although it wasn’t an overnight success, Malbec hung around Argentina for about 150 years and then got its moment in the sun (literally). Today 75% of the world’s Malbec grows in Argentina. Photo: Malbec grape. Source: Getty Images via Canva From a combination of factors and circumstances that worked perfectly for Malbec, the grape took on premium status in the 1990s in Argentina and rocketed into fame through the 2000s. It was then that Cahors, the native home of the grape changed some of its techniques to make its native grape shine in a different style. Others followed, but these two titans of the grape remain the best. In the show I discuss the history of the grape, it’s not so cooperative nature in the vineyard, the key to making good Malbec in the winery, and then I talk about the regions where it is grown, in detail. As always, I end with food pairings and producers. Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 598: The Médoc and the Haut-Médoc of Bordeaux
03/04/2026
Ep 598: The Médoc and the Haut-Médoc of Bordeaux
This week I cover the regional AOCs of Medoc and Haut-Medoc, which wraps up our exploration of the Left Bank of Bordeaux. These two areas can cover a lot of ground, but they are usually used for discreet geographies in the north and south of the Médoc Peninsula. Because each AOC is so large and varied, I do a deep dive into the whole of the region and then into the particularities of the smaller Médoc AOC in the northwest of the Médoc and the Haut-Médoc in the south, around the city of Bordeaux and to the west of the communal appellations (Margaux, St. Julien, Pauillac, and Saint Éstephe). I review the history, geology, terroir, grapes (including the new grapes for exploration and the new WHITE Médoc AOC as of 2025), wines, and recommended châteaux. Photo: The 1855 Classification, 5th Growth. The Cantemerle write in! Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you quarterly To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 597: Lodi, California -- The Past, Present, and Future of this Historic Region
02/25/2026
Ep 597: Lodi, California -- The Past, Present, and Future of this Historic Region
This week I cover Lodi, California, an historic wine region in the Central Valley of California that has been growing grapes since the 1850s. Located 40 miles /64 km south of Sacramento and 90 miles/ 145 km east of San Francisco, Lodi is an often overlooked wine region, despite the fact that it has been recognized as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) since 1986. Lodi AVAs. Source: Lodi doesn't lack for vineyard land --today the region has 100,000 acres/ 40,500 ha planted to wine grapes, with 750 growers, 80 wineries, and about 65 tasting rooms. 20% of California’s total wine is made from Lodi grapes. The AVA also has the highest concentration of old vines in California. Photo: Bechthold Vineyard planted 1886. Credit: Randy Caparoso, , via Wikimedia Commons Although Lodi is known for big, juicy, high alcohol Zinfandel Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and red blends, the real secret is that with a library of 125+ different grapes, Lodi is doing a lot of experimentation with alternative varietals and some of it is pretty cool: it has a few tricks up its sleeve. In this show, I cover all of the details of Lodi - from the history, to the climate and land, to the AVAs, and the wine styles. I mention some key producers, and then I wrap with some of the challenges that Lodi faces and the opportunities it has in front of it. Source for this show was primarily the excellent site of the Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 596: Back to Basics - Defining Old World & New World (and why it still matters)
02/18/2026
Ep 596: Back to Basics - Defining Old World & New World (and why it still matters)
In this show I go back to basics (the last time I covered this topic was in 2011 -- episode 7!!) and discuss the differences between the terms New World and Old World. Although it seems totally basic, there has been controversy over using these terms, with some writers saying they are antiquated, non specific, and need to be replaced. I disagree. I discuss the usefulness of the terms and why they should still exist as terms in wine from three main perspectives: Geographical and historical perspectives REAL terroir differences that make the wines different Differences in regulation make Old World wines very consistent (and they conform to stereotypes!) Here are links to the articles that I mention: _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 595: Croatian Wine Revisited -- An Overview and Conversation with Patron and Listener Bevis Sydney
02/11/2026
Ep 595: Croatian Wine Revisited -- An Overview and Conversation with Patron and Listener Bevis Sydney
This show is a refresh of Episode 371 with a new take! In October of 2025, I visited Croatia on a scouting trip with my friend Brett from (check them out and take a trip with them! Marija and Barişa are the best guides!) to see if there was a possibility of me hosting a patron trip there! It was a fantastic trip and I learned so much about the country and the wines. Photo: View from Rizman Winery. Credit: WFNP Just two weeks before I went, Patron, listener, wine educator, previous pod guest cohost (Ep 522 -- the Wine Movie Podcast), Bevis Sydney, visited to Croatia on a family holiday. He and I compared notes and they were nearly identical. I enlisted his help to do this show as a look into our shared perceptions -- great and less great. I cover all the basics in a brief review on the country and then Bevis and I do a deep dive into the main grapes of Dalmatia and beyond. We come to the conclusion that the whites Grk and Poşip are the best wines we tasted, and the red Babiç has some potential. Photo: Kastel Sikuli is a great winery in Dalmatia. Credit: WFNP Here are the links to things we reference: (check them out and take a trip with them!) Stockists: (UK and US) Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 594: Seb Pradal, The Sommelier Consultant Behind Apple TV’s Award-Winning “Drops of God”
02/04/2026
Ep 594: Seb Pradal, The Sommelier Consultant Behind Apple TV’s Award-Winning “Drops of God”
If you haven’t seen the Apple TV Series “Drops of God”, you must change that quickly. This is, in my opinion, the single best wine show/movie ever done. It’s not hokey, it shows wine in a realistic and good light, and it’s a cool story. The show, whose first season dropped in 2023, won the International Emmy Awards for Best Drama Series and has been praised for its beautiful cinematography, skilled acting, and accurate portrayal of certain elements of the wine world. It’s actually based on a Japanese manga series of the same name that was wildly popular. Season one was so successful that Drops of God was renewed for a second season, which is currently unfolding week after week on Apple TV. Season one is still available for you to watch if you missed it. In this show, I sit down with Sebastien “Seb” Pradal, who was the man behind all the wine knowledge in this show. He worked with the writers and actors to get all the facts and details of the wines right. Although he won the very prestigious Best Young Sommelier of France in 1997, Seb took the entrepreneurial route instead of working as a somm. He leads a wine distribution and consulting agency, owns the fine dining restaurant La Petite Régalade in Paris, where he showcases French gastronomy and highlights independent producers and cool wines, and he imports French wines into Mexico and Colombia. He was selected by the writers working on “Drops of God” to help them make the series true to the wine world in a non-snobby way. He was charged with making all wine-related activities authentic, and we worked closely with the actors to teach them about wine, wine tasting, and the wine world (he told me offline that the actors now order and drink wine regularly and know their way around a list!). This podcast will give you a rare glimpse into why this show is so successful in portraying the wine world when many others have fallen short. And that glimpse really is all about Seb Pradal and his contributions to the show. He is a delightful person and shares some fun insider information about the inner workings of how a production of this caliber gets made. As promised, here are the links we mention in the show: Seb's Paris restaurant: Georgian wine Seb calls his "Grail": Information on Lignage grape: Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ This show is brought to you by my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can’t go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to to sign up!
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Ep 593: Fronsac and Canon Fronsac - The Past & Future Greats of Bordeaux
01/28/2026
Ep 593: Fronsac and Canon Fronsac - The Past & Future Greats of Bordeaux
In the show I discuss these two outstanding appellations that once were Greats in Bordeaux and should be once again -- these are wines we should all be drinking more often, especially at the price we pay (you can get a great bottle for US$30). Located at 44.5°N, northwest of the city of Libourne, Fronsac and Canon Fronsac sit on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, overlooking the Dordogne River. These two red-wine-only appellations share some of the best limestone terroir in Bordeaux. And despite the beauty and high quality of the vineyards that cover rolling hills and plateaus, AOC Fronsac and the much smaller AOC Canon Fronsac to the south, are praised by critics but virtually unknown by wine lovers these days. This is even more surprising when we consider that historically, Fronsac was every bit, if not more respected than its way more famous neighbors, Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. But after losing most of the top vineyards to the phylloxera epidemic/French wine blight in the late 1800s neither appellation regained the status they once had. That means today they have enormous untapped potential: savory and high-quality wines that aren’t sold at prices they merit, and a lack of investment to help the region shine, despite it having all the ingredients to do so. Despite the prime location and the ideal terroir and historic legacy, the wines remain one of Bordeaux’s best secrets: fruity, complex, and full of bright acidity that, thanks to the cooler limestone soils and long growing season. With climate change, these wines are poised to be successful – they hold up beautifully even in hot years – but will we give them the chance? Here links to the list of producers and my friend Sally Evan's winery that you should visit! Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ This show is brought to you by my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can’t go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to to sign up!
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Ep 592: The Next Frontiers of Wine Production - New heights, techniques, regions
01/21/2026
Ep 592: The Next Frontiers of Wine Production - New heights, techniques, regions
This week I discuss the current challenges facing wine due to climate change. I cover some strategies the industry is undertaking to address the major issues -- from vineyard and tech solutions to new varieties (Pilzwiderstandsfahige Reben or PiWi grapes!). Then I cover emerging regions that are doing a surprisingly great job making innovative wines! From Normandy, France to the UK, Tasmania, and countries in Scandinavia, you will get a great idea of what is happening on the cutting edge of wine! As promised, here are some names of Danish and Swedish Vineyards: Denmark: Skærsøgaard Dons Cuvée Brut is award winning Dansk Vincenter Frederiksborg Vin Vinperlen Domain Aalsgaard Lille Gadegaard Dyrehøj Vingaard Nygårdsminde Vingård (northernmost commercial wine production) Sweden: Kullabergs vingård Arilds Vingård Thora Vingård Vejby Vingård Lottenlund Estate Flyinge Vingård Flädie Mat & Vingård Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 591: Grape Mini Series - The Zinfandel Refresh
01/14/2026
Ep 591: Grape Mini Series - The Zinfandel Refresh
After 14 years, I felt like it was probably time to do another show on Zinfandel! Known as America's heritage grape, the story of the quest for its European origins is like a mystery novel with an interesting end. It is a great grape and so historic! Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons In this show I cover the massive history of the grape and the unbelievable decades-long search for its origins, which were finally discovered after a dogged group of researchers did a painstaking investigation. I move on to discuss the vineyard and winemaking. Much of the information I got was from one of the kings of Zinfandel in the Dry Creek Valley of Sonoma, Fred started his career in wine working under the very famed Paul Draper at Ridge, before starting his own winery. Fred has been making Zinfandel for more than 50 years. His estate vineyard is outside his front door and has Zin in it. He sources from other vineyards, and makes low intervention, excellent Zinfandel in different styles. I share all the wisdom I got from my conversation with him, including the stylistic differences in winemaking and vineyard management and how that shows up in the wine. After discussing the grape and cellar, I talk about flavors, styles and where the grape is grown. I end with a disucssion of serving temperatures, aging, and food pairing (Zin is so versatile!). You can call it Zinfandel, Primitivo, Tribidrag, Pribidrag, or Crjenak Kaštelanski, but whatever the name, I wish more people were into Zinfandel. It's such a storied and truly great grape. Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 590: Back to Basics - Defining Terroir (2026 Remix)
01/07/2026
Ep 590: Back to Basics - Defining Terroir (2026 Remix)
Many, many years ago (like 15 years ago when I started the pod! ) I did a bunch of shows to define terroir. This was when there was a lot of controversy over whether or not terroir was “real”, with people lining up on various sides – terroir is a bunch of bunk made up by snobby French people, wine from anywhere can be made to taste the same regardless of place, the winemaker is more important than the land, and on the other side – terroir is magic that can’t be explained, only European wines have a sense of place, etc., etc. In this show I discuss some of the newer definitions of terroir that most of the world has settled on, as well as the finer points that are still argued. I address how the concept of a sense of place came to be, and specifics of what’s included in the definition, and then wrap with my views on terroir. Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ This show is brought to you by my sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can’t go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to to sign up!
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Ep 589: The Monticello AVA of Virginia- The Birthplace of American Wine
12/10/2025
Ep 589: The Monticello AVA of Virginia- The Birthplace of American Wine
Located about 2.5-3 hours southwest of Washington DC, in the southeast of the United States, the Monticello AVA is making world class wines that you need to know about! Photo: Afton Mountain Vineyards. Credit: WFNP Although California is the state for which American wine is known, the first place to tirelessly attempt to make premium wine was, in fact, Virginia. In the land Thomas Jefferson, the greatest wine advocate in American history, called home, the third president never realized his dream of making great wine. But in 1976 a couple of prominent Italians made a go of it and since then, the wine of the Monticello AVA, located In the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of central Virginia, has gone from strength to strength. In this show I discuss the history of how the Monticello AVA of Virginia finally was able to make good wine on a difficult terroir. I talk about the particulars of the climate and (very diverse) soils, the grapes that grow here (yes, it’s mostly Vitis vinifera), the challenges of the business of wine in the Monticello AVA, and then I give my list of top wineries and go into some detail about what makes them great. Monticello is an evolving story, but it only has upside. If you haven’t had the wines from here or visited and you get an opportunity to do one or both, I really recommend it! It’s beautiful and the wines are world class (if you stick to my recommendations, there are still people learning here…😂). Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 588: The Greats of Bordeaux – Pomerol
12/03/2025
Ep 588: The Greats of Bordeaux – Pomerol
As our last in the series of the Greats of Bordeaux, I tackle Pomerol -- land of the hedonistic, silky, velvety, complex wines. The name of the game in Pomerol is terroir, and what the excellent, dedicated producers do to express it in the glass. I cover the history of Pomerol, its variable terroir and what that means for the wines, discuss the main grapes in the blend, viticulture and winemaking and then go over some of the top châteaux: Petrus, Le Pin, Château Lafleur, Château La Conseillante, Château Trotanoy, and more! Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 587: The Thanksgiving Show 2025 - Two-Wine Strategies to Rule the Feast
11/25/2025
Ep 587: The Thanksgiving Show 2025 - Two-Wine Strategies to Rule the Feast
Thanksgiving is one of the most difficult meals to pair with, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try! Source: Canva This year, for one of our weekly discussion questions I asked the Patrons how many wines they would be serving with their Thanksgiving/holiday feasts and the answer was overwhelmingly 2-3. Given that, in this show I talk about combinations of two wines you can purchase for your table that will pair with many types of Thankgsivings. Some examples: If your dishes tend to be on the sweet side… honey glazes, marshmallow sweet potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, etc Off-dry Riesling or Vouvray (although butternut squash soup with a kick could do well with a regular Gewurztraminer) Reds: Grenache, GSM blends from Rhône, California, Australia, etc., Garnacha from Spain, Zinfandel Asian-influenced Thanksgiving Aromatic whites: Alsace Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Torrontés, or Viognier Fruity reds with low tannin: For smokey or braised meat: New World Pinot Noir, Côtes du Rhône, Garnacha. For something especially smoky: Saumur-Champigny from Loire Desserts....Pecan Pie: Tawny Port, Madeira, Pedro Ximenez Sherry From Getty Images via Canva There are these ideas explained and so much more packed into the episode. Listen, take what you want leave the rest! Please know that I'm grateful to you for listening and your loyalty to me and the show!! Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 586: The Five Paths to Bubbles - The 5 Sparkling Production Methods & Styles to Try
11/19/2025
Ep 586: The Five Paths to Bubbles - The 5 Sparkling Production Methods & Styles to Try
Just in time for the holiday season, I review the five ways to get fizz in a wine (on purpose) -- and the wines that result. I discuss regions and styles of different wines in each of the three major categories: Ancestral Method/Pétillant Naturel, Méthode Champenoise/ Metodo Classico, and the Martinotti/Charmat/Tank Method. From Col Fondo to Method Cap Classique to German Sekt, I offer you new possibilities and sparkling wine types you may not know or think of off the top of your head, but which are all great in their own right and many which are ridiculously affordable (and yes, it's way more than just Prosecco and Cava!). Photo: The "Underground Cathedrals" in Canelli, a UNESCO site Source: Alta Langa DOCG Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 585: Ten White Wines for Winter
11/12/2025
Ep 585: Ten White Wines for Winter
At the suggestion of Patron John D., in this show I give you a list of 10 great winter whites and review each in detail! I discuss the varied styles, since most regions have multiple versions of these wines, and how to get the bone warmers, not the light sippers. I offer food pairing ideas to boot! From white Burgundy to Poşip to Savienníeres and Fiano, I've suggested a great white bottle for almost every week of winter! I hope you find the list useful. Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 584: The Grape Miniseries Refresh - Riesling
11/05/2025
Ep 584: The Grape Miniseries Refresh - Riesling
This time in the grape miniseries -- a refresh on one of my all time favorite grapes -- Riesling. This versatile grape has a long history of quality, and is highly misunderstood by most people. I review the long and noble history of the grape, starting in 1435 and talk about how it wound up in places like the US and Australia, where it makes world class examples. I cover Riesling in the vineyard, in the cellar, and what makes a wine sweet or dry. I even explain a bit about the International Riesling Foundation scale! I hope this overview gives you a new apprecaition for this grape that can be dry, sparkling, off-dry, sweet, and everything in between. Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ This show is brought to you by my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can’t go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to to sign up!
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Ep 583: The Greats of Bordeaux - Graves and Pessac-Léognan
10/30/2025
Ep 583: The Greats of Bordeaux - Graves and Pessac-Léognan
Lying just south of the city of Bordeaux is one of the oldest winemaking regions in the Bordeaux AOC -- Graves. Graves, along with it sub appellation of Pessac-Leognan are covered in this show as two of the great of Bordeaux. Graves has a wine history stretching back to 100 BCE when the Romans first settled this area and realized that its gravelly (graves=gravel) soil was excellent for viticulture. That was the start and Graves has been continuously making wine for more than 2000 years. I discuss this wonderfully historic area, some of the challenges that it has faced, and the things that make it so special. Map: Vins de Bordeaux After discussing Graves, I take on Pessac-Léognan, the northern area of Graves, just south of the city of Bordeaux. It is the home of the most famous châteaux of the southern Left Bank including Haut Brion, the first growth in the 1855 classification. As with all “The Greats” shows, I cover the history, terroir, grapes and winemaking, and then discuss key châteaux but after this show I encourage you to seek out a bottle of the larger Graves AOC and Pessac-Léognan to see the similarities and differences between each of these regions. I think you will then understand why Pessac-Léognan is so different, in spite of the fact that it is part of Graves! Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Re-release of Ep 306: Planeta and the Story of Modern Sicilian Wine with Alessio Planeta
10/22/2025
Re-release of Ep 306: Planeta and the Story of Modern Sicilian Wine with Alessio Planeta
I happen to be in Sicily with a group of Patrons (this could be you if you join Patreon!). While I was in , in 2019, I had the honor to speak with Alessio Planeta, President at Assovini Sicilia and Owner at For five centuries and through seventeen generations, Planeta has been active in changing and improving agriculture in Sicily. Alessio Planeta has spent his life dedicated to the study of Sicily and figuring out how to make it a significant force in world wine. With his family, Alessio now has six wineries around Sicily, and they have almost single-handedly put Sicily on the map as a quality player. continues its mission to show what Sicily can do and what it’s forgotten varietals can bring to the world of wine. They are one of the big reasons we have access to excellent Sicilian wine today. Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 582: Back to Basics – Wine Etiquette
10/15/2025
Ep 582: Back to Basics – Wine Etiquette
This time I revisit a show from long ago on Wine Etiquette. In this Back-to-Basics episode, I cover the three main places you would use etiquette - a dinner party, a restaurant, and a tasting room. I address: The Dinner Party: What to bring a host, a good welcome drink, whether or not to open a bottle that a guest brings, the etiquette of what to do with the last glass in the bottle, and the point in the night to serve your best wine. I also talk about the proper way to pour, how high to fill a wine red or white wine glass, and whether or not to display a bottle you have decanted. Source: Des Moines Register The Restaurant: I review every step of wine ordering from perusing the menu to looking at the cork to approving the wine. I discuss the interaction with a sommelier and what to do with large groups, and how to handle a restaurant that serves less than fresh wine by the glass. I touch on giving the waiter a taste of a special wine and some ideas of what to do at a BYO restaurant. Tasting rooms: When to make a reservation, what to wear, tasting room fees, spitting, commenting/ask questions, and the most pressing question people have: what to tip tasting room staff. I tried to cover everything, but if you still have questions, feel free to reach out! Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 581: Wes Hagen - Santa Barbara Expert & Native9 Wines Brand Ambassador
10/07/2025
Ep 581: Wes Hagen - Santa Barbara Expert & Native9 Wines Brand Ambassador
You will get no better primer on Santa Barbara wine country than in the show. Wes Hagen comes on to school us on his region. Ask anyone in Santa Barbara wine about Wes Hagen and they'll tell you he is a legend. He has worked in Santa Barbara wine for 30+ years as a vineyard manager, winemaker, hospitality specialist, wine educator, and sommelier. He has run prestigious vineyards , made wine in amazing wineries (Clos Pepe, J. Wilkes Wines, Miller Family Wines), and then became the go-to guy for creating American Viticultural Areas in Santa Barbara, writing and getting four AVAs approved between 1997-2019. He is also a noted educator, having lectured at many of the top viticulture and enology schools in the US and he is known for his famed TED talk on the History of Wine. Image: Wes Hagen. Credit: Wes Hagen Wes is currently the brand ambassador for Native9 wines, a brand representing the Ontiveros family’s 9th generation of California farmers. In the show Wes educates us on Santa Barbara geology and climate, the various Santa Barbara County AVAs and what each grows, the process of petitioning for an AVA, the Santa Barbara wine country culture and how the movie "Sideways" affected it, and his reasons for believing that a downturn in the wine industry is "doom and room", rather than "doom and gloom"! You are guaranteed to learn a ton about Santa Barbara in this show! Info on how to contact Wes: Wes Hagen is available through to help guide you through planning a Santa Barbara Wine Adventure: or text him at 805-450-2324. Wes's web site: Learn more about Native9 Wines at Vineyard Tours and 'Deep Dive' tastings with Wes are available at Native9 by appointment: - Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ This show is brought to you by my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can’t go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to to sign up!
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Ep 580: The Grape Miniseries (refresh) -- Tempranillo
10/01/2025
Ep 580: The Grape Miniseries (refresh) -- Tempranillo
It’s been 13 years since I’ve done a grape miniseries on Tempranillo, so it was high time! This grape has come a long way in a decade +, proving that it has more nuance, terroir driven finesse, and versatility than it gets credit for. Tempranillo is now the third most widely planted wine grape in the world, at 231,000 ha/570,000 acres. It is not widely grown outside of Spain but there are growers in 17 countries making a go of it. That said, 88% of Tempranillo’s vineyard area is in Spain and most of it is in the northern central parts, with Rioja and Ribera del Duero as the shining stars. Photo: Getty Images via Canva In this show, I go over the DNA and history of the grape and I discuss the many, many names it has. I talk about how it reacts to terroir and its behavior in the vineyard, and why it is so uniquely suited to the special areas in Spain where it thrives. I talk about winemaking and its effect on the grape and then I dive into the aging criteria of Spain (Generico, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva) before going over the specific regions in Spain, Portugal, and the New World in which this grape does amazing things. This is one of the most important grapes in the world, and the mini-series is packed with info! Enjoy and go try some different wines, you will be surprised at how different they are based on all the factors I mention in the show. You can test yourself to see if you can figure out if it’s the land or the hand of man that has an effect! Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 579: The Greats of Bordeaux - Moulis with Listrac
09/24/2025
Ep 579: The Greats of Bordeaux - Moulis with Listrac
This week I finish up the communal appellations of the Médoc for our "Greats of Bordeaux" series with Moulis! Map: Wines of the Médoc Although the communes of Moulis and Listrac are often seen as one in the same because both are inland and neither is adjacent to the Gironde River/Estuary, this grouping is a mistake. The wines of Moulis, especially from the Grand Poujeaux plateau next to Margaux, can rival or exceed the quality of the wines from the big name communes on the river -- Margaux, St-Julien, Pauillac, and Saint-Estèphe. Moulis is varied and not all the wines grow on the top terroir, but those that do make exquisite, ageworthy wines that are undervalued. Châteaux like Poujeaux, Chasse Spleen, and Maucaillou make top wines for relatively low prices. I spend most of the show on Moulis but also cover Listrac. Listrac, in my mind is not one of "The Greats" but it is historic and important. I review the commune and try to point out some of the main reasons I think Moulis and Listrac are so very different, with Moulis earning top billing over Listrac. This is the final in the Médoc Greats! We have covered Margaux, Saint Julien, Pauillac, Saint Estèphe, and now Moulis. We will move to Graves and Pessac-Leognan next, before ending where we began this series, on the Right Bank! Enjoy!! Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 578: The Greats - Chianti Classico
09/17/2025
Ep 578: The Greats - Chianti Classico
This week I return to The Greats series in which I explore the greatest wines in the world and how they became such big deals. Photo: Vineyards in Chianti Classico. Credit: Unsplash Chianti Classico, with its 700+ years of history and ideal terroir, is indisputably one of the great wines in the world. In this episode, I cover the long history of Chianti Classico, its ebbs and flows, and its current leaps in quality. I talk about the terroir of the region and why wines here are different from any other in the world and the best pairing with food you could ask for. I address the new Gran Selezione and Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive (UGA) systems, which are signs that Chianti Classico is ever improving. Several times in the show I make the distinction between Chianti Classico DOCG and Chianti DOCG, so I'll reiterate here -- there is a big difference and it definitely is worth your time to listen and figure out why looking for the Gallo Nero/black rooster on a bottle of Chianti Classico will pay off in the glass! Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ This show is brought to you by my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can’t go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to to sign up!
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Ep 577: The Wines of South Africa - Refresh
09/10/2025
Ep 577: The Wines of South Africa - Refresh
This week’s show is on South Africa, a much more historic region than many realize, it has been making wine for more than 350 years. Although considered a 'New World' wine region, winemaking and ethos are often more oriented towards the Old World. Its style often straddles the line between New and Old World, offering fruit-driven wines with minerality, earthiness, restraint, and higher acidity. In this show, I talk about the unique conditions of this country, located between latitudes 27° and 34° south. I discuss the lengthy winemaking history, and how the Mediterranean climate, old soils, and a unique topography create world class wines of mainly Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, and Merlot. Photo: South African Winelands/Stellenbosch. Source: Canva/Getty Images Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Encore of Ep 448: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Terroir with Dr. Kevin Pogue, PhD
09/03/2025
Encore of Ep 448: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Terroir with Dr. Kevin Pogue, PhD
In this ENCORE presentation, Dr. Kevin Pogue, PhD, professor and geologist educates us on terroir. This podcast is like taking a terroir class: it debunks so many things that people spout in reference books, at wineries, and in mainstream press about the topic! He explains things brilliantly and he is one of the first people I've ever met who actually has answers to my really dorky questions about terroir. Photo: Kevin Pogue. Kevin is one of the most famous people in the field of terroir. He's considered the foremost terroir expert on Washington State wine and he’s known around the world - his work has been featured in both national and international journals. He's a licensed geologist and professor of geology at Whitman College in Walla Walla. Kevin has a doctorate in geology from Oregon State University, and decades of college teaching and research experience. He has authored books, articles, and done extensive research on the terroir of the Pacific northwest, with a good portion of this time spent on investigating the deposits of the Missoula floods, which were the pivotal event that formed the geological base of the region. Kevin’s research today focuses on terroir. He owns a consulting company, , through which he assists wineries in choosing the best vineyard sites, matching grape to site, and educating winery owners and winemakers and their customers on why their specific terroir leads to the style in their wine. This is a great show and well worth a listen -- whether it's your first time or it's an encore for you, you will definitely learn something (again!). Remember that this and ALL back episodes are on Patreon. ____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 576: The Greats of Bordeaux Saint Estèphe
08/27/2025
Ep 576: The Greats of Bordeaux Saint Estèphe
Saint Estèphe is the northernmost of the six communal appellations of the Médoc. 50 kilometers/30 miles north of the city of Bordeaux, this red wine only appellation borders Pauillac to the south and a part of the Haut-Médoc in the north. This commune is very different from the others I’ve covered and the wines are amazing, but of a completely different ilk (they are also much more affordable!). Photo: Château Cos d'Estournel. Credit: Cos d'Estournel photo library The largest of all the major, prestigious Médoc communes, Saint Estèphe is varied but its diversity, which has been a hinderance in the past, has become a great asset with climate change and better viticulture. Today the wines have gone from tough wines requiring long aging to softer, tasty wines that are approachable earlier. This is not the most prestigious commune (it has no first growths) but it is unique and probably the one which I have the most of in my cellar! I love these wines and the people who make them. In this show, I cover what makes Saint Estèphe so unique. As in the other Greats of Bordeaux shows, I review the history, terroir, climate, and then discuss the top Châteaux. For reference, Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ They have an amazing selection -- once you get hooked on their wines, they will be your go-to! Make sure you join the for wines I select delivered to you four times a year! To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to:
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Ep 575: Lombardy, Italy
08/20/2025
Ep 575: Lombardy, Italy
This week I cover Lombardy/Lombardia, one of the smaller wine production areas of Italy. Lombardy, home to the cities of Milan, Bergamo and Brescia is known far more for its fashion, its industry, and osso bucco and risotto alla Milanese than it is for its wines, but there are some gems to be discovered. Photo: Lugana Credit: Because there is limited availability of these wines, I only cover the major regions that you may encounter and discuss the terrain of Lombardy and the terroir of each of the fine wine regions. Lombardy is known in the wine world primarily for Franciacorta, the sparkling wine made in the Champagne method, which has been called the best sparkling wine of Italy. But Lombardy is is more than just Franciacorta. There are exceptional sparkling, sweet, and still wines of Oltrepò Pavese in the southwest of the region, complex reds from the Alpine area of Valtellina on the Swiss border, tasty, refreshing whites from Lugana near Lake Garda, and other interesting regions that have significant production. Photo: Valtellina. Credit: I hope you enjoy this look at one of the smaller wine producing areas of Italy and, more importantly, that you can use this info if you ever see these wines on the shelf or (more fun!) find yourself in Lake Garda or Lake Como or Milano with some time and desire to explore the wines of this beautiful place! Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. _______________________________________________________________ This show is brought to you by my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can’t go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to to sign up!
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