Volcanic Wines 101 With Master Sommelier John Szabo

Episode Description (Apple & Spotify)

Volcanic wines are among the most distinctive on earth, and no one unpacks their character quite like John Szabo, MS. Author of Volcanic Wines: Salt, Grit and Power, critic at WineAlign, and long-time explorer of lava-born terroirs, John covers what makes a wine “volcanic,” why these bottles often taste more savory and saline than fruity, how regions like Santorini, Etna, Washington, Oregon, Lake County, Moon Mountain, and Tokaj fit into the picture, and where to hunt for compelling bottles now. We also discuss Santorini’s drought/over-tourism pressure, a new Volcanic Origin certification, and the rise of dry Furmint from Hungary.

🔑 Key Topics & Takeaways

• Volcanic Wines 101: what counts, where to find them, and common sensory markers (think savory, mineral-tinged, often salty).
• Santorini now: drought, tourism pressure, sky-high grape costs, and irrigation/desalination plans.
• Certification: how a new Volcanic Origin seal verifies geology (authenticity, not quality).
• Hungary beyond Tokaj sweet wines: stellar dry Furmint/Hárslevelű, plus surprising reds on extinct volcanic hills near Lake Balaton.
• US hotspots: Columbia River Basalts (WA), Dundee Hills/Jory (OR), Lake County, Moon Mountain & hill zones of Napa/Sonoma, plus Sierra Foothills.
• Tasting through lines: volcanic sites often push wines toward a peppery, stony, botanical, saline profile versus overt fruit.

⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast
00:19 -  Meet John Szabo: Volcanic Wine Expert
01:22 -  The Rise of Volcanic Wines
09:35 -  Challenges in Volcanic Wine Regions
13:56 -  Volcanic Wine Characteristics and Certification
24:12 -  Exploring Hungary's Volcanic Wines
25:24 -  The Rise of Dry Hungarian Wines
30:34 -  Volcanic Wine Awards and Global Interest
33:09 -  Volcanic Wines in the US
40:04 -  Volcanic Wine Regions Around the World

🗺️ Mentioned

• Book: Volcanic Wines: Salt, Grit and Power by John Szabo, MS (print returning; digital edition planned)

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!