We also tried Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Chardonnay this week. Let’s just say it rhymed with ducking spitty. Hear our unfiltered reaction in this week’s episode. And we couldn’t disagree with this article more. sporked.com/article/trad...

Some wine drinkers think Chianti can be polarizing because its tannins and acidity can feel sharp. Great discussion on Wine Berserkers www.wineberserkers.com/t/chianti-fa...

This week we’re doing a side-by-side: two Kirkland Chianti Riserva bottles from different vintages and different producers go head to head. Could we tell the difference?!? Big time! thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/cost...

Want to learn more about winemaking in Virginia? Here is a good place to start - and the subtitle is perfect: A young wine region with a long history. www.crushedgrapechronicles.com/virginia-win...

This week we interviewed Virginia winemaking legend Jake Busching. A conversation with Jake is a lesson in humility, persistence, and letting the land speak. thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/spec...

Yes. They make wine in Virginia, and we are on a mission to discover more about it. The Monticello American Viticultural Area (AVA) is the oldest viticultural area in the state and home to more than 40 wineries. www.visitcharlottesville.org/blog/wine-va...

In Virginia, they have built a strong community of winemakers who support each other, something needed in an industry that can be so difficult to not only break into, but to stick with. Our guest this week, Jake Busching, is a core member. eastwoodfarmandwinery.com/the-winemake...

Did you know Virginia was the first place in North America to plant European grapes, back in the 1600s? www.virginia.org/blog/post/am...

This week we’re spotlighting Jake Busching - Virginia’s “dirt guy” who’s built a career from farming to winemaking. If you want to learn about Virginia wine, you start with Jake. thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/spec...

Like lighter red wines but feeling like there aren’t a lot of choices? Well, Grignolino may be the answer you’ve been looking for thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...

Grignolino’s past is wild! it used to be one the preferred red in Piedmont, but fell out of fashion when richer reds took over. www.decanter.com/learn/what-i... Decanter

One of the things we found interesting in Marisa Finetti’s piece is her description of Grignolino as perfumed with rose hips and rustic berries. marisafinetti.com/wine/grignol...

Interesting fact: the name “Grignolino” probably comes from “grignolè,” meaning seeds in Piedmontese, because this grape has more pips than most. www.decanter.com/learn/what-i... Decanter

This week we are exploring Grignolino, a native Piedmont red that you can chill with super sticky tannins and fruit juicy taste. thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...

It’s kind of interesting that the oldest continuously farmed Cinsault vineyard is not in France but rather in Lodi, California! www.theguardian.com/food/article...

For the wine nerds who care about climate change: you may need to start thinking really hard about Cinsault. Because you may run out of other choices. younggunofwine.com/wine-101/gra...

WTF is Cinsault? We’re diving in this week on what makes it light, drinkable, and sometimes the hero instead of the sidekick. thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...

Many early U.S. Chardonnays “buttered-up” to the point of barely tasting like Chardonnay at all. It’s a shame it still happens thepourfool.com/2021/06/11/b...

This week we’re digging into why American Chardonnay so often lands heavy on oak, and why few people remember it also made waves in history. thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/cost...

Jancis Robinson says about Chardonnay “Wine drinkers find it flatteringly easy to enjoy, with its broad, exuberant charms, relatively high alcohol and low acidity, and lack of powerful scent.” Agree? We don’t www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape-...

They say Chardonnay is kind of a blank slate, so winemakers lean on oak for flavor and texture. winefolly.com/grapes/chard...

If you are wondering why American Chardonnay is so damn oaky, you can blame the Judgement in Paris. It wasn’t just about red wine . . . white was there, too! www.bevinars.com/2024/08/litt...

We did another Costco wine challenge this week to see how their Kirkland Sonoma Chardonnay compares to other oaky, American, butter bombs. See what we think, then judge for yourself thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/cost...

Vinerra calls out that Mencía can age for 20–30 years. You can drink it young, but it gets better with time. www.vinerra.com/education/wi...

For a long time, Mencía was thought to be related to Cabernet Franc because of some aroma and structure similarities. Turns out it is genetically identical to the Portuguese wine grape Jaen. 8wines.com/blog/mencia-...

Interesting fact: in this article James Lawrence says Mencía was once a simple table wine and only recently started earning respect. www.cellartours.com/blog/spain/m...

We agree with the Young Gun of Wine (which is kind of a fun name) - we think Mencía can be a pretty food-friendly wine that is easy to enjoy. younggunofwine.com/wine-101/gra...

This week we are exploring Mencía, the grape that is Spain’s answer to Pinot Noir. However, we have to warn you that our tasting did not turn out the way we expected in any way, shape, or form. thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...

Primitivo was a poorly regarded workhouse wine used for bulk and blending. Today, it stands on its own as a signature varietal, helped by the fact that DNA tests from UC Davis confirmed the genetic match between Primitivo, Zinfandel, and Croatia’s Tribidrag. www.vinerra.com/education/wi...

Primitivo is a grape that ripens early. In fact, its name comes from the Latin word Primativus which translates to “first life.” That early ripening makes it perfect for warm weather areas like Puglia. www.vinerra.com/education/wi... Food & Wine+15Vinerra+15Le Baroudeur du Vin+15

Did you know Primitivo, one of the most planted grapes in Puglia, was originally brought from Croatia centuries ago? www.independent.wine/denomination... Food & Wine+15Independent Wine+15MasterClass+15

Interesting fact: Primitivo is the same grape as California’s Zinfandel, but it calls Puglia its home. www.masterclass.com/articles/lea... Italian Wines La VignolaThe TimesMasterClass

This week we are all about Primitivo. We explore its history, how it is perfectly suited to the heat of Puglia, and why it's one of our favorites from southern Italy. thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...

We were surprised to learn Chablis now makes up over a quarter of U.S. white wine imports labeled as Burgundian. www.bourgogne-wines.com/press/n-266%...

For the nerds out there: this writer suggests Chablis is the global benchmark for what wine minerality can be. If you believe minerality is a thing. www.openingabottle.com/minerality-i...

2024 was tough in Chablis. Frost and hail hit many vineyards but winemakers are adapting fast. www.decanter.com/wine-news/ch...

Chablis is continuing to evolve as tastes change. For example, many domaines in Chablis are moving to organic farming. Vineyards under organic certification have nearly tripled in recent years. www.the-buyer.net/insight/how-...

Fun fact: Chablis is made entirely from Chardonnay, but it skips the rich, buttery style most people expect. www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine...

WTF is Chablis? This week we will walk you through what makes it lean, mineral, and totally different from most Chardonnays. thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...

A listener asked us if we would do an episode on High QPR Pinot Noir from South America. We gladly obliged, and we are really glad we did! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...

We didn’t cover Uruguay in our episode this week, but it is another South American country making some good juice! Best kept wine secret?!? cvindependent.com/2025/06/vine...

WTF is rosorange? Is it a new trend, or another fake TikTok trend/gimmick that is soon to die out? www.theguardian.com/food/2025/ju...

Chile was the first South American country to really embrace Pinot Noir in the more classic style. Now, it is making Pinot Noir that rivals other new world regions. www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/06/fina...

Interesting fact: Early South American vineyards planted Pinot Noir primarily for sparkling before venturing into still wines.

This week, we see if we can find High QPR Pinot Noir from South America. Spoiler alert, we tried a wine from Chile and one from Argentina, and one of those wines was a fantastic wine at a great price - High QPR for sure open.spotify.com/episode/4dIC...

Costco doesn’t always win, but this time it won hands down! thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/cost...

Sunset Vashon Island Washington

A good example that the wine industry, even in the storied places, continues to grow and adapt. www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2024/09/cote...

Is Côtes du Rhône vastly underrated relative to Bordeaux and Burgundy? Maybe, if you are looking for some bargains. www.capitalgazette.com/2024/12/24/w...

Tan Vinh and Owen Bargreen try a bunch of Kirkland wines, including the 2023 Côtes du Rhône Villages we are covering this week. What do you think about their recommendations? www.seattletimes.com/life/food-dr...