VinePair Podcast Unpacking the 2025 Next Wave Awards
Oct 20, 2025
The hosts celebrate the innovative winners of the 2025 Next Wave Awards, shining a light on fresh ideas in the beverage industry. They discuss the highlights of unique brands like Lalo Tequila and Drawdown Brewing. The conversation includes a critique of common wine pairings, specifically the over-reliance on Riesling with Asian cuisine. They emphasize the importance of innovation and service in shaping future trends, while praising standout figure Amy Racine for her holistic approach to beverage program management.
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Big Dumper Lager During Mariners Playoff
- Zach drank Big Dumper Lager from Scuttlebutt Brewing while watching Mariners playoff games.
- The beer paired poorly with the team's loss but Cal Raleigh hit a home run late.
Burgundy Beats Off-Dry Riesling With Peking Duck
- Adam drank a 2015 Benjamin Leroux Savigny-lès-Beaune at Peking Duck House and preferred it over an off-dry Riesling.
- He found off-dry Riesling a terrible pairing for Peking duck and returned to the Burgundy.
Avoid Blanket Pairing Claims
- The claim "Riesling goes with Asian food" is overly broad and lazy according to the hosts.
- Pairings must consider regional cuisines and match wine complexity to dish simplicity.