GuildSomm Podcast

In the latest episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe mixes up the format of the blind tasting series. This and upcoming episodes will feature single blind comparatives, which help tasters overcome common misidentifications of similar wines and develop a better understanding of the data points that drive cause and effect.   For this episode, three Chardonnays are poured for Advanced Sommelier Wendy Shoemaker, the Western Regional Sales Manager for Frog's Leap Winery in Napa Valley. Wendy, who has a chemistry background, has also worked in some of San Francisco's great restaurants, including Californios and the St. Francis Yacht Club.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

In the latest GuildSomm podcast, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with Jean Trimbach, 12th generation of the iconic estate in the village of Ribeauvillé, Alsace. They review the history, climate, winemaking, and wines that define the Trimbach house along with a look at several grand cru sites, unpacking what makes them special. Jean and his brother, Pierre, run the estate with their children, who will carry the torch into the 400th year in 2026!    Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, leave us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

Join Torrey Lewis, a former pastry cook turned wine director at Willows Lodge, and Chris Lara, the wine director at Metropolitan Grill with 30 years in the industry, as they dive into the art of blind tasting. They share techniques to enhance tasting skills, exploring the intricate traits of Syrah and its chemistry. The duo passionately debates a specific wine's characteristics and origin, uncovering complexities that challenge traditional classifications, especially with a focus on the 2016 Vega Atelier Valbuena.

Gus Zhu, the first Chinese national Master of Wine and a research scientist at Cork Supply, shares insights into the burgeoning wine scene of China. He traces the historical evolution of winemaking in the country, spotlighting the rise of Riesling and the promising Marcellon grape. Zhu discusses regional challenges like extreme climates and frost management, and highlights innovative practices by wineries. He also unveils the unique characteristics of the Great Shangri-La region, revealing how China aims to make its mark on the global wine stage.

In the latest GuildSomm podcast, Master Sommeliers Chris Tanghe and Jonathan Eichholz discuss the trends, challenges, and highlights of 2024 and consider what might be ahead in 2025.   Jonathan lives and works in New York City. As an educator for GuildSomm, he maintains the Wine Law Compendium and teaches on various subjects. Previously, Jonathan worked at The Modern. Chris is based in Seattle and is GuildSomm's director of education and podcast host. He spent years working in restaurants across the country and has spearheaded GuildSomm's seminars since 2016.   Thank you to all of our listeners for the amazing support of the show in 2024! We'll be working hard to bring you more fun and educational podcasts next year. Happy holidays!

In the latest episode of the GuildSomm blind tasting podcast, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe pours a white wine for two Master Sommeliers from opposite sides of the country while chatting with them about their approaches to blind tasting, what has been challenging for them, and how they apply blind tasting skills to their work. Rebecca Fineman is a partner in San Francisco restaurants Ungrafted and Glou Glou and has previously written for GuildSomm. Scott Tyree works out of Freeport, Maine, as an educator and consultant, and he spends part of the year in Cape Town, South Africa. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

In our latest episode of the GuildSomm podcast, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with Lauren McPhate about her journey through the IMW to become a Master of Wine, discussing what worked and what didn't in her approach to studying and examining. Lauren found wine through a career in accounting and finance that brought her to Hong Kong, where she managed the fine-wine startup House of Fine Wines. This inspired Lauren to further her wine studies, and she went on to work harvest in Burgundy while pursuing WSET certifications and working in multiple facets of the industry. Lauren returned to NYC after seven years in Asia to join Tribeca Wine Merchants and chase the Master of Wine credential. She has finished all testing portions of the MW exam, leaving only the research paper to complete.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

In our latest blind tasting episode of the GuildSomm podcast, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with Master of Wine Bree Stock about her approach to blind tasting. They discuss why it's an important career skill to continually develop, even after achieving certification goals.   Bree became a Master of Wine in 2016 and has worked as a consultant and education developer around the globe. She and her husband, Chad Stock, are cofounders of Limited Addition Wines and Constant Crush Wine in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect with and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

In our latest episode of the GuildSomm podcast, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with Kevin Pike about distilling eaux-de-vie and spirits, and managing a farm to cultivate the materials to make it all happen. Kevin owns Schatzi, a New York–based importing company that started off by specializing in German and Austrian wines but has expanded its focus to include all of Europe. He and his wife, Robin, purchased a farm in the beautiful Hudson Valley in 2014 and have since been cultivating grains and fruit in pursuit of their latest project, the Branchwater distillery. Kevin and Robin collaborated with Reisetbauer, the famed Austrian distiller, to design their still and refine their distilling process.  Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

In our latest blind tasting podcast, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe chats with Jonathan Eichholz,MS, about proven study methods that have helped both of them develop the skill to not only pass the Master Sommelier exam but also continue to improve their tasting ability and adapt to evolving wine typicity. Working with the GuildSomm team, Jonathan keeps the compendium up to date and occasionally teaches classes. He has worked at the acclaimed New York City restaurants The Modern and Aquavit, and he passed the Master Sommelier exam in 2023.  Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!