VinePair Podcast

The discussion dives into the challenges of modern bartending, highlighting the tension between bars seeking global acclaim and those focused on quality. Rising wages in Seattle reshape service models, pushing for quicker dining experiences. Bartenders face pressure to innovate while maintaining tradition in cocktail crafting. The balance between unique creations and community engagement is crucial, prompting emphasis on local relationships and diverse drinking cultures. There's a vibrant exploration of how the industry is adapting to changing consumer expectations.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the wine world's freak out over concerns that drinkers no longer see it as the healthiest choice when drinking, and whether there's any point in trying to discuss alcohol through that lens. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is drinking: Blue Negroni at Temple BarZach is drinking: Chartreuse Cuvée des Meilleur Ouvriers de France SommeliersAdam is drinking: Gimlet at The Long Island BarInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach talk about and taste this summer's breakout flavored whiskey, Crown Royal Blackberry: does Diageo just have a magic touch when it comes to flavored whiskies, why aren't other categories following suit, and why should beverage professionals be familiar with a category of spirits that they'd be inclined to look down on. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is reading: Unpopular Opinion: Serve My Martini on the RocksZach is reading: Welcome to the Chaotic Cocktail Bar EraAdam is reading: How Crown Royal Blackberry Became the Hottest Whiskey of 2024Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lively discussion kicks off with personal cocktail anecdotes and favorite drinks. The hosts delve into whether bartenders need to know their historical predecessors in the cocktail scene. They explore how the pandemic has reshaped industry knowledge and creativity. Tensions between honoring classic cocktails and embracing innovation are also addressed. Ultimately, they ponder if mastering bar history enhances skills or if modern influences take precedence in today's bartending landscape.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the biggest way that cannabis products are threatening alcohol: by being the substance of choice for relaxation at the end of a long day. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is reading: Facing a Shortage, Will Wray & Nephew Rum Be the Next Chartreuse?Zach is reading: Are ‘Legendary Vintages’ Becoming a Tired Wine Marketing Cliche?Adam is reading: The Best and Worst Bravolebrity Booze Brands, Tasted and Ranked Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the intriguing dynamics of the wine industry, where unsuccessful critics often overshadow successful voices. Discover why the sector gravitates towards insular perspectives and how it affects innovation. From recent trips and drink experiences, the hosts touch on the significance of crafts and storytelling. They also discuss the tension between traditional wine culture and contemporary consumer interests, advocating for a more inclusive appreciation of all wine styles. Join the conversation on redefining narratives in the world of wine!

Adam, Joanna, and Zach posit that despite lots of industry and brand focus on additive-free tequila, relatively few consumers understand what the term means or care much about it if they do. They're in it for the flavor profile or the recognizable label, and brands and bars are starting to wise up to that reality. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well.Joanna is reading: Can the Beverage Industry Stand United Amid Anti-Alcohol Animosity on Multiple Fronts?Zach is reading: Why the Mule Is the Ultimate Workhorse CocktailAdam is reading: What Ever Happened to Old Crow, Once the ‘Pinnacle of American Whiskey’?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In response to a pair of experiences Adam had in Napa Valley recently, he and Zach propose that wineries focus much less of their guest experience on wine education and inundating the guest with information, and much more on just pouring them the wine and getting out of the way. The notion that most tasting room visitors are there to be educated was perhaps never particularly true, but certainly isn't at the moment. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com. Thanks for listening, and be well.Zach is drinking: Fords Gin Freezer MartiniAdam is drinking: Dead Sea at Miss AdaInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hosts tackle the amusing yet frustrating trend of drink name policing by bartenders. They argue that sticking to familiar names helps drinkers know what to expect. A lively debate ensues over hot dog toppings, and they explore wild innovations like hot dogs in cocktails. The conversation then shifts to the balance between cocktail tradition and innovation, emphasizing the need for bartenders to understand customer preferences. Ultimately, it’s all about enhancing enjoyment without complicating the experience.

The hosts dive into why so much drinks education is branded, questioning the authenticity of information shaped by big names in the industry. They highlight the impact of brand sponsorships on consumer understanding and the importance of independent voices. A humorous comparison of hiking risks, like ticks, with cocktail-making adds a light touch. They argue for competitive transparency to help consumers navigate the beverage landscape, all while reminding listeners of the need for genuine insights beyond the glamour of branding.