VinePair Podcast

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.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a recent op-ed claiming to offer suggestions to the struggling wine industry, an op-end that dismisses the vast majority of wine drinkers as just looking for a cheap, pleasant buzz. In tough times in particular, isn't it important to celebrate self-identifying wine lovers, no matter what wine they prefer? 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 reading: How Ultramarine Became California’s Cult Sparkling WineJoanna is reading: We Asked 12 Bartenders: What’s the Most Underrated Cheap Bourbon?Adam is reading: Too Old to Be New, Too New to Be Old: Not-Quite-Legacy Bars and Their Struggle to Stay RelevantInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach muse on a conversation from Vinitaly.USA about a super successful Italian wine region trying to get more acclaim and approval from sommeliers, and whether that even makes sense for such a financial juggernaut. Does marketing to and through somms actually move the needle for brands, or is this more just about a very human desire for praise and attention from the most hyper-focused elements of the industry? 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: 2015 Perrier-Jouët "Belle Époque" ChampagneJoanna is drinking: Improved Tequila Cocktail at Gus' Sip & DipAdam is drinking: Llewelyn Wine 'God moving over the face of the waters' ChardonnayInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hosts tackle whether smaller wine brands can effectively market themselves as healthier options, similar to niche food products. They examine the challenges posed by grocery store displays that favor big brands, and debate the pitfalls of negative marketing strategies. Topics include the unsustainable nature of anti-competitor messaging and how it can reinforce elitism. Additionally, they discuss the difficulties of comparing wine to food and the complexities of guiding consumers toward better wine choices.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about a recent, unsatisfying visit to a well-regarded Napa Valley winery. Are some of the more established wineries in the valley failing to provide the kind of hospitality guests expect? Are newer brands more responsive to the current landscape? How can wineries justify high-priced tastings to a clientele that perhaps wants a different experience than in the past? 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: Jean-Charles Fornerot "Murgers des Dents de Chien" Saint-Aubin 1er Cru White BurgundyJoanna is drinking: Domaine Sylvain Pataille AligoteInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In light of the recent launch the Netflix prestige drama "House of Guinness," Adam, Joanna, and Zach take stock of the show, and the potential for drinks-centric programming in general. Does "House of Guinness" actually work as a marketing engine for the ultra-popular beer, and if so, is there any way for other brands and companies to piggyback off this success? 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 reading: We Asked 11 Bartenders: What’s the Biggest Red Flag When You Sit at a Bar?Joanna is reading: Why Buffalo Trace Is Beating Bourbon’s DownturnInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a trio of stories: first, Michelob Ultra has surpassed Modelo as the best-selling beer (by volume) in the United States - is this just because of tariffs and ICE raids, or has AB InBev hit on a winning message? Then, they explore whether a recent Harris poll about beverage preferences at restaurants says anything new about generational shifts in attitudes towards alcohol. Finally, the trio ponder the sale of LALO Tequila to fellow Austin-based drinks company Fifth Generation: can they replicate their incredible Tito's success with another clear spirit? 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: Beer from The Second Wedge Brewing Co.Zach is drinking: Caribana at BrambleAdam is drinking: Burgundy at ClaudInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hosts tackle the fine line between being honest and supportive in the wine industry. They argue that critical coverage can drive success rather than just cheerleading. A discussion on overrated wine regions reveals industry hesitance to criticize peers. The impact of negative consumer behavior on sales and marketing practices comes to light. They emphasize the importance of balancing personal taste with journalistic integrity and suggest learning from market winners for a sustainable future.

Zach is joined by Molly Matelski, director of buyer relations, programming and partnerships for Fiere Italiane and Vinitaly.USA, and Serafin Alvarado, director of wine education for Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits to discuss the upcoming Vinitaly.USA conference in Chicago. What are some of the lessons learned from last year's debut of the US-based version of the iconic wine conference? Why make Italian spirits a part of the focus? What are some of the most exciting elements of this year's programming? 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.Ticket InformationInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the recent purchase of Whiny Baby by GALLO: does it give them a leg up on marketing to Gen Z wine drinkers, or will it perhaps backfire? Then, Adam and Joanna are joined by spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb to chat about why whiskey collectors remain largely uninterested in rye whiskey. 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: Tamdhu 50-Year-Old 1963 Single Malt WhiskyJoanna is drinking: Vermouth cocktail at Cafe KestrelAdam is drinking: Tomato Bomb from Sip & GuzzleInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.