Vint Wine Podcast

Quality is rising, challenges are mounting, and interest in Canadian wine has never been higher. In this episode, host Billy sits down with Okanagan-based Master of Wine Geoff Moss to explore the regions, grapes, and decisions shaping Canadian wine today.Geoff shares how he moved from political science into winemaking, how production experience informs his work in branding and DTC strategy, and why his négociant label Søren Wines serves as a live test case for the advice he gives wineries. We dig into the styles Canada does best, from Syrah and Cabernet Franc to Chardonnay and Riesling, and how recent extreme winter freezes (including 2024) are reshaping what gets planted in BC.We also look at the realities behind bulk wine logistics, export limitations, and the economic pressures facing premium Canadian producers in a soft global market.In this episode, you’ll learnHow Geoff Moss MW built a career across production, branding, and direct-to-consumer work.Why the Okanagan is both diverse and climate-challenged, with styles ranging from cool-climate Pinot to warm-climate Syrah.How recent deep freezes devastated BC’s vineyards, particularly Syrah, and what growers are replanting now.Why Niagara shines with cool-climate Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Riesling.How Søren Wines sources fruit from BC to Eola–Amity Hills and operates as Geoff’s “proof-of-concept” brand.Chapters:00:00 Introduction & Meet Geoffrey Moss, MW01:53 Canada’s Wine Landscape: Regions, Climate & Industry Insights04:14 Geoffrey’s Path Into Wine & the Origins of Søren Wines13:24 Production Realities: Logistics, Sourcing & Winemaking Challenges16:11 Deep Dive into the Okanagan: Style, Diversity & Key Varieties23:09 Evolution of Okanagan Wines: Merlot, Syrah & Climate Impacts30:32 Market Dynamics: BC Exports, Ontario’s Cool-Climate Identity35:18 Niagara’s Standout Grapes & Signature Styles41:25 The Future of Canadian Wine46:07 Final ThoughtsThe 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!

In this episode of Five Questions, host Billy Galanko sits down with Geoffrey Moss, MW, marketing strategist, DTC specialist, founder of Lithica Wine Marketing, and the mind behind his own wine label, Søren Wine, to explore the ideas shaping today’s wine industry.Geoffrey shares how he helps wineries grow direct-to-consumer channels, the climate challenges facing the Okanagan Valley, the surprising magic of Baja California wines, why “organic but not certified” claims drive him crazy, and a recent vineyard hike in the Douro that reshaped his perspective. As both a Master of Wine and a producer himself through Søren Wine, Geoffrey brings an insider’s view from both the business and cellar sides of the industry.What You’ll LearnHow Geoffrey Moss approaches DTC sales, digital marketing, and wine club strategyThe two biggest issues threatening the wine industry todayWhy the Okanagan and Baja California deserve more global attentionThe problem with “organic” claims, and what he wishes wineries would do insteadWhat mouse taint is (and why he never wants to taste it again)How a hike through Portugal’s Douro Valley vineyards reshaped his understanding of the regionA powerful recent wine experience that renewed his optimismEpisode Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Vent Wine Podcast00:19 – Welcome to Five Questions00:44 – Meet Geoffrey Moss00:53 – Geoffrey’s Role in the Wine Industry01:28 – Key Issues in the Wine World03:10 – Underrated Wine Regions05:35 – Wine Trends Geoffrey Dislikes09:02 – Memorable Wine Experiences10:49 – Conclusion and FarewellThe 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!

Master of Wine Lisa Perrotti-Brown returns to the Vint Wine Podcast with a new chapter in her career. Known for her influential tenure as Editor-in-Chief of The Wine Advocate and decades of reviewing top estates across Bordeaux, Napa, Australia, and New Zealand, Lisa has long blended deep technical expertise with approachable, consumer-focused insight. After co-founding The Wine Independent, she’s now launched TheWinePalate.com, a modern, data-driven platform built to personalize wine discovery. Her mission: make it easier for drinkers to find wines that truly match their preferences, with clarity, transparency, and far more than just a score.Before diving in, host Billy Galanko recaps a big wine week in Los Angeles, from a Wines of Hungary seminar with John Szabo MS to La Fête du Champagne with Peter Liem and some of Champagne’s most exciting growers and houses.In this episode, you’ll hear:How Lisa’s global wine journey shaped her approach to modern criticismWhy traditional tasting notes and scores fall short for today’s drinkersHow The Wine Palate’s Palate Matcher uses 25+ sensory and structural filtersWhy faults (brett, oxidation, smoke) should be searchableThe importance of winery stories, vintage reports, and editorial contextLisa’s take on orange wines, climate change, and the evolution of “fine wine”Early thoughts on recent Napa and Bordeaux releasesChapters:00:00 Welcome to the Vint Wine Podcast00:23 Introducing Lisa Perrotti-Brown01:02 Billy's Wine Adventures01:58 Champagne Tasting Highlights04:55 Lisa's Journey in the Wine Industry07:09 The Wine Palate: A New Era in Wine Criticism26:42 The Importance of Wine Filters27:10 Meet the Wine Review Team28:06 Exploring Orange Wines30:14 The Role of Wine Critics33:34 Vintage Reports and Editorials38:13 The Future of Fine Wine41:23 Wine Tasting Process Revealed48:45 Recent Vintages in Bordeaux and Napa50:52 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe 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!

In this episode of Five Questions, host Billy Galanko sits down with one of the most influential and trusted voices in the modern wine world: Lisa Perrotti-Brown, MW, former Editor-in-Chief of Robert Parker Wine Advocate and founder of the newly launched TheWinePalate.com, a platform designed to help drinkers find wines that truly match their personal palate.In this quick, high-impact conversation, Lisa shares her perspective on the rapidly evolving wine landscape, why communication is the industry’s biggest challenge, the emerging regions drinkers should be paying attention to, and why stylistic “wine tribes” do more harm than good. She also discusses a sobering recent experience that underscored the challenges facing Bordeaux and the wider wine world.Whether you're a collector, a casual drinker, or wine-curious, this episode offers clarity, candor, and grounded insight from one of the industry’s most respected critics.What You’ll LearnHow Lisa thinks about her role as a critic and consumer guideWhy wine must evolve its communication tools to stay relevant in an AI-driven worldThe regions and subregions worth exploring next, from the West Sonoma Coast to GeorgiaWhy she rejects wine “gatekeeping” and embraces stylistic diversityWhat the 2024 Bordeaux en primeur season revealed about the industry’s challengesChapters00:00 Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast00:19 Welcome to Five Questions00:44 Interview with Lisa Perrotti-Brown00:51 Lisa's Role in the Wine Industry01:24 Current Issues in the Wine World03:03 Underrated Wine Regions04:29 Wine Trends Lisa Dislikes05:36 Memorable Wine Experiences07:57 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe 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!

Few wines capture Tuscany’s essence like Brunello di Montalcino, and few estates embody its heritage like Il Poggione. In this episode, winemaker Alessandro Bindocci joins Billy Galanko to explore what makes this corner of southern Tuscany one of the most fascinating wine regions on earth.From four generations of family stewardship to the estate’s modern sustainability drive, Alessandro takes us inside Il Poggione’s vineyards and cellars to reveal how classic Sangiovese becomes one of Italy’s most age-worthy wines. We unpack everything from clonal selection, elevation, and soil types to submerged-cap fermentation, large oak aging, and the fine line between structure and elegance that defines great Brunello.Billy also shares new updates on the future of the Vint Wine Podcast, including an upcoming rebrand, a dedicated website, and expanded YouTube content featuring winemakers, critics, and regions shaping today’s global wine culture.What you’ll learnHow Il Poggione preserves a century-old Brunello identity while embracing organic certification and solar-powered sustainability.Why Montalcino’s Mount Amiata, Tyrrhenian breezes, and forest biodiversity are critical to balance and longevity.The impact of submerged-cap fermentation on tannin refinement and color depth.How large French oak casks (3,000–5,000 L) keep Sangiovese pure, while selective barrique aging adds finesse.Vintage takeaways: 2019 classic and firm, 2020 open-knit and supple, 2025 shaping up as a potential benchmark year.A tasting roadmap through Il Poggione’s range, from Rosato Toscana to the iconic BdM Riserva Vigna Paganelli.Chapters00:00 Welcome to the Vint Wine Podcast00:55 Exciting Podcast Updates02:04 Meet Alessandro Bindocci of Il Poggione02:42 Exploring Il Poggione’s Wine Range08:16 A Family Legacy in Winemaking13:40 The Unique Terroir of Montalcino19:57 Organic and Sustainable Practices25:22 Innovation and Winemaking Philosophy27:57 Submerged-Cap Fermentation Explained30:22 The Role of Oak in Aging32:40 Indigenous Yeast and Fermentation33:56 Vintage Deep Dive: 2019, 2020, and 202541:11 Rosso vs. Toscana — Two Expressions of Sangiovese47:42 The Evolution and Future of Il Poggione50:42 Closing Thoughts and CheersThe 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!

In this episode of Five Questions, Billy sits down with Alessandro Bindocci, winemaker at Il Poggione, one of Montalcino’s founding estates and a benchmark producer of Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino.From the estate’s roots as a working Tuscan farm to its massage-selection Sangiovese vineyards, Alessandro shares how Il Poggione balances deep tradition with innovation in the cellar. He discusses the influence of Barolo on his winemaking, the adoption of submerged-cap fermentation, the vintages that shaped his career, and Il Poggione’s ongoing organic efforts.🔑 Episode HighlightsThe history and philosophy of Il PoggioneSangiovese and the terroir of southern MontalcinoLessons from Barolo and the submerged-cap techniqueMemorable vintages: 1955, 2006, and 2010The future of Il Poggione: sustainability and organic farming🕒 Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast00:19 Welcome to Five Questions00:44 Meet Alessandro Bindocci00:54 Vineyards and Varieties01:41 About Il Poggione Winery02:31 Inspirations and Techniques04:03 Memorable Vintages05:08 The Road Ahead for Il Poggione05:48 ClosingThe 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!

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 & TakeawaysVolcanic 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 / Chapters00:00 - Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast00:19 -  Meet John Szabo: Volcanic Wine Expert01:22 -  The Rise of Volcanic Wines09:35 -  Challenges in Volcanic Wine Regions13:56 -  Volcanic Wine Characteristics and Certification24:12 -  Exploring Hungary's Volcanic Wines25:24 -  The Rise of Dry Hungarian Wines30:34 -  Volcanic Wine Awards and Global Interest33:09 -  Volcanic Wines in the US40:04 -  Volcanic Wine Regions Around the World🗺️ MentionedBook: 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!

In this episode of Five Questions, Billy sits down with John Szabo, Master Sommelier, author, and volcanic wine expert, to discuss his journey from restaurant kitchens to becoming one of Canada’s most respected wine writers and educators.John shares insights from his decades exploring global wine culture, from his work co-founding Volcanic Wines International to his advocacy for sustainability and regenerative farming. He highlights the rise of Canadian wines, the rediscovery of Hungary’s historic regions, and the enduring fascination with volcanic terroirs. John also challenges the “clean wine” marketing trend and shares a powerful story from Italy’s volcanic heartland.🔑 Episode HighlightsJohn’s path from chef to Master Sommelier and wine writerThe origins and mission of Volcanic Wines InternationalWhy climate change and regenerative agriculture define fine wine’s futureCanada and Hungary’s most exciting regions and grape varietiesThe myth of “clean wine” and the importance of authenticityLife, risk, and beauty in Campania’s volcanic vineyards⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast00:19 Welcome to Five Questions00:44 Meet John Szabo00:51 John’s Journey in the Wine Industry01:49 Volcanic Wine Expertise02:43 Climate Change and Sustainability in Wine04:23 Canadian and Hungarian Wine Regions08:52 The Clean Wine Movement Debate10:49 Volcanic Wines and Human Cost13:22 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe 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!

Cork Supply founder & CEO Jochen Michalski joins Billy Galanko to unpack 40+ years of cork innovation, how the industry tackled TCA (cork taint), why oxygen transmission matters, and when to choose natural, technical, synthetic, or screwcap. Jochen explains Legacy (Cork Supply’s premium natural cork) and its X100 imaging, AI-assisted electromagnetic scanning that screens individual corks for TCA and internal structural risks to reduce bottle-to-bottle variation. We also dig into manufacturing, QC, climate impacts on cork forests, and why consumers still equate cork with quality.What you’ll learnHow TCA went from industry crisis to near-zero—and what “1 ppt” really means.Natural vs. technical corks: ideal use-cases and aging implications.Why oxygen control is central to wine development and consistency.How X100 imaging + sensory panels power Legacy’s screening.How bottle neck shapes, cork length, and bottling lines affect sealing.Forestry, climate, and the future of sustainable cork.Timestamps (Optimized)00:00 Welcome to the Vint Wine Podcast00:23 Introducing Jochen Michalski and Cork Supply05:31 Jochen’s Early Life and Career07:43 Starting Cork Supply in California13:28 Challenges and Successes in the Cork Industry25:02 Innovations and the Future of Cork26:54 Screening Corks for TCA27:40 Sensory Analysis vs. Technology29:13 Electromagnetic Imaging and AI32:18 Legacy Cork and Market Trends34:21 Technical Corks and Market Shifts38:21 Impact of Climate Change on Cork Forests40:01 Innovations in Cork Harvesting41:15 Global Market Dynamics43:10 Consumer Perception and Cork Quality49:03 Future Prospects and New MarketsThe 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!

In this episode of Five Questions, Billy sits down with Jochen Michalski, Founder and CEO of Cork Supply, one of the world’s leading suppliers of premium natural corks, barrels, and closures to wineries around the globe.From founding the company in California in 1981 to expanding across Europe, Australia, and South Africa, Jochen shares insights from over four decades at the intersection of craftsmanship, sustainability, and innovation. He discusses the future of cork, the challenge of declining wine consumption, and why he believes de-alcoholized wines miss the mark, plus, a memorable (and very expensive) wine experience in the Maldives.🔑 Episode HighlightsThe founding and global growth of Cork SupplySustainability and the remarkable life cycle of natural corkThe biggest issue facing the wine industry today: consumptionWhy Jochen isn’t convinced by de-alcoholized winesA surprising $2,500 wine story from the Maldives⏱️ Timestamps00:00 — Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast00:19 — Welcome to Five Questions00:44 — Interview with Jochen Michalski Begins00:52 — Jochen’s Role in the Wine Industry02:08 — Biggest Issue Facing the Wine World03:15 — The Truth About Natural Corks04:38 — Dislike for De-Alcoholized Wines05:53 — A Memorable Wine Experience08:20 — Conclusion and ThanksThe 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!