Podcasts about guildsomm

In this episode, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe interviews Master of Wine Natasha Hughes about the modern winemaking landscape in Beaujolais. Tune in to hear them discuss winemaking techniques, generational turnover, stylistic shifts, and more.   Natasha passed her Master of Wine exam in 2014 and writes for Decanter, World of Fine Wine, Jancis Robinson, Imbibe, and other publications. Her new book on Beaujolais was published this fall by Académie du Vin Library.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!   Read the latest article on GuildSomm, Natasha's in-depth explanation of winemaking techniques in Beaujolais, excerpted from her new book: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/articles/b/natasha-hughes-mw/posts/winemaking-complexities-beaujolais   GuildSomm members receive a discount on Académie du Vin Library books: https://www.guildsomm.com/about_us/member-discounts/

This week on GuildSomm: Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Jesse Becker joins host MS Chris Tanghe to blind taste three red wines. Before he starts tasting, Jesse discusses his career and tasting journeys, including the challenges he faced as he was honing his blind tasting skills prior to passing the Master Sommelier exam. Jesse is the US sales manager for Veritable Wines & Estates, an importer of premium German and Austrian wines, and brand owner at ROCKWERK Grüner Veltliner. Over the last two decades, he has worked in nearly every facet of the wine and hospitality industries. Listen in and guess the wines along with Jesse! 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! Check out our tasting study guide to brush up on the basics of tasting: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/study/w/study-wiki/2683/tasting Discover more tasting resources: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/blind-tasting/ Learn more about ROCKWERK Grüner Veltliner: https://veritable-usa.com/rockwerkwine

In our latest podcast, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with David Pearson of Joseph Phelps Vineyards. They discuss the history of the winery, its role in Napa Valley's development, and the origins and future of the brand's flagship wine, Insignia. David is the executive chairman of Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Prior to this role, he served as the CEO of Opus One for 16 years. He has also held leadership roles at Robert Mondavi and Meadowood Estate. David has a BS in fermentation science and enology from UC Davis and an MBA in international business from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 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! Learn more about Joseph Phelps Vineyards: https://www.josephphelps.com/ Read our Joseph Phelps Producer Profile: https://www.guildsomm.com/research/wiki/ca/i/cabernet/joseph_phelps

In the latest blind tasting episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, sommelier Tori Testa discusses her tasting journey with host MS Chris Tanghe before blind tasting three red Italian wines. Tori is a beverage manager at Grill 23 & Bar in Boston. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, and is working toward her Advanced Sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. Listen in as Tori shares her tasting challenges and tips, then guess along with her as she tastes blind! 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! Read our Tasting Study Guide: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/study/w/study-wiki/2683/tasting Explore more tasting resources: https://www.guildsomm.com/explore/w/tasting 

In the latest episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe chats with MW Sarah Jane Evans about what's new and exciting in central and southern Spain. They discuss trends in Spanish wine, developments in Jerez, improvements in Spain's sparkling wines, and more. Sarah Jane recently released a new book on central and southern Spain, a follow-up to her previous book on Spain's northern regions. She is a contributing editor for Decanter magazine and resides in the UK. Keep an eye on the GuildSomm website for an excerpt from Sarah Jane's book, coming later this week! 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! GuildSomm members receive 25% off Académie du Vin Library publications, including both of Sarah Jane's books on Spain, using the discount code on our Member Discounts page: https://www.guildsomm.com/about_us/member-discounts/ Preview The Wines of Central and Southern Spain: https://academieduvinlibrary.com/products/the-wines-of-central-and-southern-spain-from-catalunya-to-cadiz-sarah-jane-evans-mwPreview The Wines of Northern Spain: https://academieduvinlibrary.com/products/the-wines-of-northern-spainExplore all Classic Wine Library books from Académie du Vin Library: https://academieduvinlibrary.com/collections/classic-wine-libraryRead Sarah Jane's work in Decanter: https://www.decanter.com/author/sarahjaneevans/

In the latest blind tasting episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe chats with Erica Orr, a Washington winemaker and enologist. Erica crafts the wines for her own label, Orr, and also has a lab service providing wine analysis and consulting for other Washington wineries. Chris pours her a white, a rosé, and a red. After Erica tastes the wines blind, she and Chris discuss winemaking cause and effect. 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! Erica ran analysis on the wines that she and Chris tasted, which you can find on our website. Click over only when you're ready for the wines to be revealed! https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/podcasts/b/guild_podcasts/posts/tasting-with-winemaker-erica-orr  Find out more about Erica's wine lab: https://www.orrwinelab.com Learn about Orr Wines: https://ericaorrwines.com Read our Tasting Study Guide: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/study/w/study-wiki/2683/tasting Discover more GuildSomm blind tasting resources: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/blind-tasting/

In the latest episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe chats with Benjamin Spencer, an American journalist and winemaker who now lives on Mount Etna in Sicily. Benjamin is the director of Etna Wine School and the author of The New Wines of Mount Etna. Chris and Benjamin discuss the history of winemaking on Mount Etna and cover grapes, styles, and producers to know. Be sure to listen all the way to the end for a blind tasting bonus! 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! Learn more about Etna Wine School: https://etnawineschool.com Read Benjamin's book: https://etnawineschool.com/shop/the-new-wines-of-mount-etna/ Dive into our Southern Italy expert guide to keep learning: https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2647/italy-part-iv-southern-italy

In the latest blind tasting episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe takes a different approach to the study of blind tasting with a close look at Grüner Veltliner. He discusses the typicity of Grüner Veltliner and demystifies some misunderstood characteristics of the variety. Be sure to check out all the resources on GuildSomm.com, including our tasting materials and our new infographics on the typicity of classic grape varieties. Start here: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/staff-training/b/new/posts/tasting-la-cata  If you're not yet a GuildSomm member, check out our summer membership opportunity! Stay sharp this summer with full access to GuildSomm for three months at the discounted rate of US$35. Sign up by August 31: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/b/announcements/posts/summer-membership-offer Our latest article is a spotlight on the London wine industry, featuring an impressive group of London wine professionals: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/articles/b/spotlight/posts/london-spotlight  Thanks for listening and supporting our efforts here at GuildSomm. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

How does music, even types you dislike, make wine more enjoyable? Can curated playlists in tasting rooms and wine bars influence how customers drink, eat, and experience wine? What happens when you stop overthinking wine and music and just enjoy? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Susan Lin, a Master of Wine and a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Piano and Musicology. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights How does a low-pitched, slow-tempo musical piece impact the perceived fruitiness of wine? What does "timbre" mean in musical terms? How do different musical characteristics influence the perception of wine's effervescence? Did the participants' music preferences correlate with their enjoyment of the wine? What might surprise you about how the wines tasted in silence compared? Why does the influence of sound on our perception tend to go unnoticed? How are some winemakers using music in their wineries? Are there retail applications for Susan's research into the influence of music on the perception of wine? What would be Susan's ideal live concert and wine pairing scenario? What are some of the possibilities in the future for AI-generated music for wine experiences? Is there an interest in similar research on the intersection between dance and wine perception? What future research areas is Susan considering in terms of music and wine perception? What three objects would Susan display in a museum representing her life and passions? If Susan could share a wine with anyone outside the wine industry, who would it be and why? How can you start being more intentional about exploring sensory experiences with wine and music?   Key Takeaways How does music, even types you dislike, make wine more enjoyable? Susan says that in her experiments, the wine that was consistently the worst, least balanced, was the wine tasted without music. Even if somebody said I really didn't like this music, it was a way better wine to them than without music. Even for the wine experts, the wines were much more palatable without music. I think that's why sound can be a very, very powerful thing. Can curated playlists in tasting rooms and wine bars influence how customers drink, eat, and experience wine? Susan has worked with tasting rooms and wine bars to curate their playlists in terms of the experiences that they want their customers to have. You want to have people be a little more relaxed in the morning, but then, you start amping it up for the evening. I put together a complete journey, that sort of sonic seasoning for different expressions of their wines, for big bold red versus for their light, youthful white wines. What happens when you stop overthinking wine and music and just enjoy? Susan says that with the melding of music and wine, there's still so much to learn. Keep trying things. Don't worry about whether it's right or wrong. Just enjoy the experience. Let everything come in sensorially and enjoy that and embrace again the mystery of things. We can't explain everything through data, and that's a good thing.   About Susan R. Lin Susan R. Lin is a Master of Wine and a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Piano and Musicology. Susan's MW research paper ‘Influences of Classical Music on the Sensory Perception of a Brut Non-Vintage Champagne' and subsequent work on the interaction of music and wine have been featured in Decanter, Food & Wine, GuildSomm, and others. Each of Susan's creations is rooted in academic research and inspired by a deep respect for the essence of wine and music.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/347.

Why might a symphony night pair just as well with your wine as a heavy metal ballad? What is “sonic seasoning” and how can music impact the way we experience the taste of wine? How are sensory experiences like music, taste, and atmosphere all connected? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Susan Lin, a Master of Wine and a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Piano and Musicology. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights What did Susan's grandfather teach her about fine beverages and hospitality? How did playing piano in hotels as a child shape Susan's perspective on the holistic nature of our sensory experiences? Is there a connection between Susan's backgrounds in tech, music, and wine? When did Susan decide she wanted to dive deeper into the intersection between music and wine? What makes a wine "musical"? How do cross-modal correspondences impact wine tasting? Why was Brut Non-Vintage Champagne Susan's choice for her research paper? What is "sonic seasoning" in the context of wine and music? What was Susan's most memorable wine and music pairing event? What might surprise you about the intersection between classical music and heavy metal? How did Susan set up her experiment to observe how music affected participants' perceptions of the wine they were tasting?   Key Takeaways Susan says she was always encouraging a Bach goth night at the symphony to bring people together. I like to say, whether my Brahms is your Metallica or vice versa, music can make such a difference in what you're feeling. Hence, if you got a glass of wine, what you're tasting in that glass, right? I've actually done a few experiments with heavy metal. People feel a lot of things, and there are ballads in metal. It's not just your typical really assertive sound all the time. It can be really soulful too and I noticed a lot of use of medieval melodies and folk songs in the ballads that are really nice. So not too far of a distance between Brahms and Metallica in that sense. Susan explains that if you're listening to something that might add a little bit of pizzazz here or there to your wine, like seasoning can do. It's more of a fun term, not a scientific term. All classical composers experienced all the emotions and all the feelings that we all do and it comes through in their music. Maybe they can be feeling joyful or melancholy or longing or frustrated or upset, and everything in between. So the nature of the seasoning is that it can run in many, many different ways. Susan observed during her performances how moods of the guests changed depending on what she played. Everything in the sensory world, all of our experiences, are really taken in holistically, right? It's not like, oh, we're just listening to this one thing and that's isolated. Oh, and we're tasting this one thing, we're smelling this one thing, and we're seeing something. It's all together. I knew that it was something special, and knew that it was something that I wanted to learn more about, or just somehow be a part of. And playing the piano in those situations actually was a great way for me to be a part of it.   About Susan R. Lin Susan R. Lin is a Master of Wine and a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Piano and Musicology.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/346. Susan's MW research paper ‘Influences of Classical Music on the Sensory Perception of a Brut Non-Vintage Champagne' and subsequent work on the interaction of music and wine have been featured in Decanter, Food & Wine, GuildSomm, and others. Each of Susan's creations is rooted in academic research and inspired by a deep respect for the essence of wine and music.

In the latest episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe chats with the one and only John Alban of Alban Vineyards in the Edna Valley of California. John has been a champion of Rhône varieties through his entire winemaking career, and he was a pioneer in bringing Rhône vine material to the US in the 1980s. He is the founding director for Hospice du Rhône and has been made an honorary citizen of Condrieu and Côte Rôtie for his remarkable accomplishments.   Listen in to learn about John's wine journey, the Rhône Valley, and the success of Rhône grapes in California.   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!   Learn more about Alban Vineyards: https://www.albanvineyards.com   Read our Rhône Valley study guide: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/study/w/study-wiki/155/rhone-valley-and-southern-france   Don't miss your chance to explore all of GuildSomm's offerings at a reduced rate this summer! Sign up for our summer membership before August 31: https://www.guildsomm.com/recurly/v1/join

In the latest blind tasting episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe pours a flight of three red wines for Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Doug Frost and Master Sommelier Jonathan Eichholz. Doug is a partner in Echolands Winery, located in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington, and he also helps run the American chapter of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale.   Learn more about Doug: https://www.mastersofwine.org/doug-frost-mw   Explore our new staff training on tasting, perfect for beginning your tasting journey or training your team: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/staff-training/b/new/posts/tasting-la-cata   If you're an intermediate taster, don't miss our study guide on tasting: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/study/w/study-wiki/2683/tasting 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 newly minted Master of Wine Amanda Barnes about the state of the Chilean wine industry. They discuss how to understand Chile's geography and wine regions, the country's wine history, and grapes to know.   Amanda Barnes works as a freelance writer, covers South America for JancisRobinson.com, and consults for restaurants. She wrote The South America Wine Guide, which is one of the best guides to the wines of the continent.    Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, leave us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers! Learn more about this topic and read Amanda's bio on our site: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/podcasts/b/guild_podcasts/posts/chile-with-amanda-barnes-mw   Listen to our interview with Amanda on Argentinian wine: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/podcasts/b/guild_podcasts/posts/argentina-with-amanda-barnes   GuildSomm members receive a discount on Amanda's book: https://www.guildsomm.com/about_us/member-discounts/ Not yet a member? Learn more here: https://www.guildsomm.com/recurly/v1/join

In the latest blind tasting episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe pours the always-tricky-to-parse Gamay and Pinot Noir comparative for Advanced Sommelier Max Goldberg. Max is based in Los Angeles and is currently the sommelier at Santa Monica's SELINE, a fine-dining restaurant from Chef Dave Beran that opened last year. Previously, Max curated the beverage programs at The Maybourne Beverly Hills and The Peninsula Beverly Hills. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.   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!   Listen to more tasting podcasts: https://www.guildsomm.com/tags/Tasting_2D00_Podcast   Read our Science of Tasting expert guide: https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2441/the-science-of-tasting   Dive into more blind tasting resources on the GuildSomm site: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/blind-tasting/       Explore GuildSomm membership: https://www.guildsomm.com/recurly/v1/join

In the latest GuildSomm podcast, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with Seth Kitzke of Upsidedown Wine about all things Grenache. Seth and his family farm vineyards in Washington's Candy Mountain AVA, among other areas, and focus on Rhône varieties. Chris chats with Seth about Grenache's virtues, challenges, and future in Washington State and beyond.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, leave us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!   Learn more about this topic and read Seth's bio on our site: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/podcasts/b/guild_podcasts/posts/grenache-with-seth-kitzke    Explore Upsidedown Wine: https://upsidedownwine.com/   For more resources, become a GuildSomm member: https://www.guildsomm.com/recurly/v1/join

In the latest blind tasting episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe pours the dreaded so-called Bermuda Triangle of white wines for Texas sommelier Skyler Ring.   Skyler has quickly risen through the sommelier ranks and has passed both the theory and service portions of the Master Sommelier exam, with just the tasting portion remaining before he becomes Austin's next Master Sommelier. Skyler began his hospitality career in New York City managing restaurants, and his focus shifted exclusively to wine after moving to Texas, where he has worked at Jeffrey's in Austin and Mastro's Steakhouse in the Post Oak Hotel in Houston. He currently works for importer Wilson Daniels.   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 Los Angeles-based Lukas Dempsey, Assistant Vice President and Wine Specialist for Sotheby's wine division. They discuss how wines are acquired, valued, and authenticated for auction, as well as how restaurants can leverage auctions to create more dynamic beverage programs. Prior to joining Sotheby's, Lukas was a floor sommelier at some of New York City's top restaurants, including The Modern, Masa, and Le Bernardin. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, leave us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

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!

In the latest episode of Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe pours a red wine for two Seattle sommeliers aspiring to achieve the Master Sommelier Diploma. Chris Lara has worked for top Seattle restaurants for the last 30 years, including Matt's in the Market, Crush, John Howie Steak, and Metropolitan Grill, where he is currently the wine director. Seattle native Torrey Lewis got his start in the kitchen as a pastry cook before he fell for wine. He is now the wine director for Willows Lodge and Barking Frog restaurant in Woodinville, Washington. 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 Master of Wine Gus Zhu about the wines of China. They dive into the country's winemaking history, major regions, primary varieties, and iconic producers.   Gus is the first Chinese national Master of Wine and is currently a research and development scientist at Cork Supply and Tonnellerie Ô, where he is responsible for the chemical analysis of TCA in corks and sensory studies of aroma compounds in oak. He is the author of the newly published book Behind the Glass: The Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting.   Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, leave us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

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!

This episode features Sarah Hughes Bray, a wine educator, writer, and brand consultant who is the 6th generation of an Atlanta-based family and was recently named one of Wine Enthusiast's 2024 Future 40 innovators in wine. After a diverse career journey in publishing and the auction world, including stints at SAVEUR magazine and Sotheby's, she found her calling in the wine industry. Sarah is a co-founder of the women-in-wine organization Bâtonnage Forum and runs the Wine Writers' Symposium based in Napa, CA. Fluent in Italian and French, she served as European Director of VinConnect, building out DtC strategies for wineries, and Brand Ambassador for Vini Franchetti's Tenuta di Trinoro in Tuscany and Passopisciaro on Mt. Etna. She has completed her diploma with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, and she helped build programming and curriculum for The Wine Center at Meadowood in Napa Valley while also serving as a contributor to AFAR, GuildSomm, California Homes, VinePair, and other publications. In her spare time, she leads sales and marketing initiatives for T. Berkley Wines with her husband, winemaker Taylor Berkley Boydstun, a Loire-varietal project based in northern California. You can follow her @sarah.h.bray on Instagram, check out her “Life by the Glass” substack, and visit www.batonnageforum.com or www.winewriterssymposium.org to learn more about her initiatives. Recorded November 1, 2024 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/acorkintheroad/support

Kelli White is an educator, Sommelier, and an award-winning journalist and author. After Somming at two of America's great wine restaurants, Veritas and Press, Kelli continued her love of wine by writing about it for Vinous, Somm Press and GuildSomm among others. She published her first book, “Napa Valley Then and Now” in 2015, a doorstop of essential reading about the Napa Valley. She is now the Director of Education at The Wine Center at Meadowood in Napa Valley. Kelli just published her latest book “Wine Confident” a book for all people with a love and interest in wine.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

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!

In our latest podcast, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe connects with Sother Teague, a bartender and a founding partner of Overthrow Hospitality, in New York City, to discuss all things bitter and the current state of cocktails. The conversation explores the differences between tinctures and potable bitters, the espresso martini phenomenon, and more. Sother is the cohost of The Speakeasy, a podcast on Heritage Radio Network, and author of I'm Just Here for the Drinks,: A Guide to Spirits, Drinking and More Than One Hundred Extraordinary Cocktails. He was named mixologist of the year by Wine Enthusiast in 2018 and has been featured in the New York Times, VinePair, and New York Magazine, among other publications. 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 podcast, the host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe explores the diverse wine styles of Hungary, including the iconic and incredibly complex sweet wines of Tokaj as well as lesser-known dry wines from multiple regions. Our guest this month is Hungary's first Master Sommelier, Tamás Czinki, from Budapest, who is the wine director of the Felix restaurant and consults for Culinaris Wholesale, where he is developing an extensive portfolio of fine wines. Previously, Tamás spent a decade in the UK, where he was the head sommelier for the Northcote hotel in Lancashire and regularly competed in sommelier competitions, placing second in the 2018 Best Sommelier of the United Kingdom event.  Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!  

In the latest GuildSomm podcast, host MS Christopher Tanghe interviews Kelli A. White, director of education for the Wine Center at Meadowood in Napa Valley, author of Napa Valley, Then & Now, and accomplished wine writer. Kelli discusses the history of Napa Valley, its regions, trends, and much more. Prior to her role at Meadowood, Kelli was the senior staff writer here at GuildSomm, where she wrote articles and expert guides on a wide range of topics and received two Roederer Awards for her work. Her writing has also appeared in World of Fine Wine, Robb Report, Sommelier Journal, Le Pan, and Vinous. Before venturing into writing and education, Kelli was a sommelier at New York City's Veritas and PRESS in St. Helena. Her acclaimed book, Napa Valley, Then & Now, was originally released in 2015; a reprint was recently issued. Head to GuildSomm.com for links to Kelli's writing and to learn more about Napa Valley, Then & Now. Listen in for a deep-dive on Napa Valley and great insights into the region. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!

In the last GuildSomm podcast episode of 2023, Master Sommeliers Chris Tanghe and Jonathan Eichholz address myriad topics related to the past year, from the state of hard seltzer to how to make an interesting wine list for 2024.   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 2017.   Thank you to all of our listeners for the amazing support of the show in 2023! We'll be working hard to bring you more fun and educational podcasts next year. Happy holidays!

In the latest GuildSomm podcast, host MS Christopher Tanghe interviews Annie Shi of King and Jupiter restaurants in New York City about her wine program philosophy. Annie discusses key considerations for bottle lists and by-the-glass offerings, how she thinks about pricing, creativity in spirits selection, and the importance of distributor relationships. Annie Shi opened King in 2016 and Jupiter in 2022 with her partners, Claire de Boer and Jess Shadbolt. She is the beverage director at both restaurants. Prior to opening King, Annie was an associate with J.P. Morgan in New York and London. She is an alum of the James Beard Foundation Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership program and was listed in the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review to support the show. Cheers!

Katrina Sanders is a clinical dental hygienist, author, award-winning educator, consultant, podcaster, international speaker, sommelier, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and dog lover. Her mission is to elevate the profession by creating an undeniable movement that educates, encourages, and empowers the dental profession to rise in its power. Known as the “Dental WINEgenist™,” she pairs her unwavering desire for excellence in the dental industry with her knowledge and passion for wine. She has charmed audiences around the world with her lectures on provocative topics that leave the participants with a call to action and a renewed sense of pride for their industry. She is enthusiastic about creating an environment where the course participants are supported, energized, and connected. Her message of empowerment and her zest for dental hygiene are infused throughout her content as she brings her own unique blend of knowledge, inspiration, charisma, and humor in her approach to continuing dental education.  Katrina is the founder, CEO and keynote speaker for Sanders Board Preparatory, a comprehensive program designed to supplement student learning and enhance understanding of concepts, terminology and procedures commonly discussed in preparation for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Her desire to help hygiene students develop and succeed grew from her position as a dental hygiene faculty member.  During this full-time appointment, she published three editions of her preclinical textbook, developed programmatic competencies, spearheaded curriculum design, and served as a faculty representative for community oral health partnerships. Katrina is the Clinical Liaison, Hygiene Excellence and Innovation for AZPerio, the country's largest periodontal practice.  She treats advanced periodontal patients clinically, while working alongside Diplomates to the American Board of Periodontology in the surgical operatory. Katrina perfected hand skills during L.A.N.A.P. surgery, suture placement, IV therapy and blood draws. She instructs on collaborative professionalism and standard of care protocols while delivering education through hygiene boot camps and study clubs.   Katrina is the host of Fast Facts Perio Edition Podcast with A Tale of Two Hygienists and co-host the Floss & Flip Flops Podcast with her sister Dr. Elizabeth Sanders, DPM. She is a published author with RDH Magazine, Inside Dental Hygiene, Oral Health Group, DentalTown and Today's RDH, a columnist and advisory board member for Modern Hygienist, editorial advisory member for the Dental Academy of Continuing Education and brand ambassador for Dimensions of Dental Hygiene.   Katrina is a Level 1 Sommelier as recognized by the Court of Master Sommeliers. A member of GuildSomm, Premium Wine Lover with Direct Cellars, and VIP member with Aridus Wine Co. In 2022, she co-founded The Wine Op with her business partner and fiancé Dale Stewart, bottling beautifully curated wines that honor her hygienist heroes with proceeds providing support to underserved populations. Proudly, her wines speak to the empathetic and humanistic side of what it means to be a provider.  Her philanthropic efforts include dental humanitarian work in developing countries, most recently in Kigali, Rwanda, supporting abused and homeless animals and spreading awareness about the benefits of organ and tissue donation in loving memory of her late mother, Linda Marie Sanders.  Visit: www.katrinasanders.com. Handle: @thedentalWINEgenist. 

In our latest blind tasting episode, host MS Christopher Tanghe speaks with New York City sommeliers Andrea Morris and Jonathan Eichholz. Andrea and Jonathan share their blind tasting challenges and strategies before tasting the same red wine. Andrea Morris is the beverage director at Essential by Christophe. Before this role, she managed the beverage programs at Union Square Cafe, Intersect, and Nix. Jonathan Eichholz is currently an educator at GuildSomm, where he oversees the Wine Law Compendium, contributes to content, and teaches classes. Previously, he was a sommelier at The Modern. Listen in as Andrea and Jonathan blind taste, and see if you can guess along with them. We'll reveal the wine they're tasting at the end of the episode. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect with and grow our community. Cheers!

In our latest podcast, MS Christopher Tanghe interviews Ruinart Chef de Caves Frédéric Panaïotis. They unpack the effects of climate change in Champagne and discuss the ways that Ruinart and other Champagne houses are adapting and pursuing sustainability in light of these changes. Applications for the Los Angeles and San Francisco Ruinart Challenge events will be open through Wednesday. All GuildSomm members are eligible to apply. Find more details on the GuildSomm website. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect with and grow our community. Cheers!

Master Sommelier David Keck discovered his love for wine while pursuing a career—and traveling the world—as an opera singer. He has a Master of Music Degree from Rice University, an undergraduate degree in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University and attended Juilliard for opera performance. ​ After years of bartending and working in hospitality between operatic gigs, David took his first sommelier course with the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2010 and decided to make the career change. David was named one of Food & Wine's Sommeliers of the Year in 2016, and passed his Master Sommelier exam later that year, making him the 149th American Master Sommelier and the 233rd in the world. He was awarded the StarChefs Rising Stars Restaurateur of the Year award in 2019. He has presented seminars for the Court of Master Sommeliers, GuildSomm, Vine Society, and numerous other educational organizations, as well as being a featured presenter at events such as the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, Pebble Beach Food & Wine, Nantucket Food & Wine, and many others. He is a sought-after wine judge for competitions both nationally and abroad. Since going full-force into the hospitality field, he has worked in every aspect of the beverage industry: He has opened restaurants, wine bars, honky-tonks and retail shops, worked as a sales rep. and directed wine programs for distribution companies, and now farms a vineyard and makes wine with hybrid grapes in the mountains of his home state, Vermont, under the label Stella 14 with his partner Lauren. https://www.stella14wines.com/ Support this episode by subscribing via patreon. Sponsors: Centralas Wine Catavino Tours Oom - recycled bottles for wine VT Vineyards Let them know you heard about them through the Organic Wine Podcast.

In this month's tasting episode, MS Chris Tanghe talks to Justyna Brewczyk and Michael Markarian about their approaches to blind tasting. Justyna is a Houston-based WSET Diploma graduate and a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers. She recently won the Ruinart Sommelier Challenge in Miami. Michael is the sommelier and beverage director for the H2 Collective restaurant group in Washington, DC, overseeing three French bistros. He is an Italian Wine Ambassador through the Vinitaly International Academy and an Advanced Sommelier. Listen in as Justyna and Michael blind taste the same wine. See if you can guess along with them, and stay tuned until the end of the episode, when we reveal the wine they were tasting. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect with and grow our community. Cheers!

In our latest Spanish-language podcast, Elisa Errea speaks with Alberto Gil about all things Rioja. Alberto Gil is a journalist and the coauthor of "Rioja: Vinos Silenciosos." Elisa Errea is a Madrid-based wine educator and consultant. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect with and grow our community. Cheers!

In this month's tasting episode, MS Chris Tanghe speaks with Alyssa Champagne and MS Jim Bube about their approaches to blind tasting. Alyssa is based in Boston and has worked in various capacities in restaurants and retail over the past decade. Jim is a Chicago-based Master Sommelier. He is the national wine director for the Hogsalt restaurant group as well as a board member and the treasurer of Second City Sommeliers. After their conversations about tasting, listen in as Alyssa and Jim blind taste the same wine. See if you can guess the wine along with them! We will reveal what they were drinking in a future episode. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect with and grow our community. Cheers!

In this episode, GuildSomm board member Daniela Frison and Argentinean sommelier Paz Levinson return to provide a recap in English of their conversation on our first-ever Spanish-language episode last month. Listen in as Paz shares her blind tasting experiences and insights. Thanks for listening! If you enjoy this episode, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect with and grow our community. Cheers!

In our first-ever podcast in Spanish, GuildSomm board member Daniela Frison and Argentinean sommelier Paz Levinson discuss all things blind tasting. Dani is the founder of Le Vin Nécessaire, a wine consulting business based in Montreal. Paz is the head executive sommelier for Groupe PIC, which has restaurants in France, Switzerland, and the UK. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect with and grow our community. Cheers!

In this month's tasting episode, MS Chris Tanghe sits down with Ray Sholes of Michael's Genuine in Miami. Ray shares his approach to blind tasting and how he applies it to his buying habits for the restaurant's list. Then, GuildSomm Executive Director Jenny Hemmer speaks with GuildSomm alum Kelli White to hear her perspective on the blind tasting skillset. Kelli is the director of education for Meadowood in Napa Valley and the author of "Napa Valley, Then & Now," a magnificent tome on all things Napa.   Following each conversation, you'll hear Ray and Kelli blind taste the same wine. Listen closely and see if you can guess the wine along with them!   Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect with and grow our community. Cheers!

In this episode, GuildSomm Executive Director Jenny Hemmer speaks with Rob McMillan and Philana Bouvier to explore consumer trends in the beverage industry. Rob is the executive vice president and founder of Silicon Valley Bank's Wine Division, which publishes the annual State of the Wine Industry Report. Philana is a visionary leader and the president of Demeine Estates in Napa Valley. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. Thanks for listening, and cheers!  

In this month's tasting episode, MS Chris Tanghe sits down with Mia Van de Water to discuss her approach to blind tasting, why it's an important skill to hone as a beverage professional, and how she overcame her own "blind" spots. Mia is the head of beverage operations for COTE Korean Steakhouse and became a Master Sommelier in 2018.   Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review, as this helps us connect to and grow the community. Cheers!

In this episode of the Tasting with GuildSomm series, longtime member Ryan Robinson speaks with Emily Nixon about the development of his blind tasting methods, how to find mentors and study groups, and how be became the first Idaho resident to pass the CMS Advanced Exam. Ryan also leads a blind tasting of one wine; can you discern the grape, region, and vintage based on Ryan's description? We hope you enjoy this new series. Leave us a comment and review wherever you get your podcasts. Cheers!

In this episode, Chris Tanghe hosts Ruinart Chef de Cave, Frédéric Panaïotis. They discuss the storied past of the Ruinart estate within the broader context of Champagne's history, as well as how the region continues to develop as its producers look to the future. Frédéric also gives a preview of this year's Ruinart Challenge lecture, centered on the topic of cork.     All active GuildSomm members are welcome to apply to the Ruinart Challenge. We're still accepting applications for these events in Dallas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Check www.guildsomm.com for more information on how to apply before June 13.  

We're adding a regular tasting series to the GuildSomm podcast! In addition to our monthly wine topics, we'll be releasing monthly podcast episodes devoted to theme of tasting. We'll cover a wide spectrum of tasting subjects, including blind tasting study methods, challenging comparatives, full-length tasting sessions with GuildSomm members, and more. To kick off the first episode in this new series, Director of Education MS Chris Tanghe introduces GuildSomm's new Executive Director, Jenny Hemmer. They discuss why blind tasting is so much more than a parlor trick and why this skillset is essential for a successful wine career.  We hope you enjoy this new series. Leave us a comment and review wherever you get your podcasts. Cheers!

In this episode, we continue our Emerging Wine Regions series and explore several states producing wines off the beaten path in the United States. First, Chris Tanghe interviews Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon about the wines produced across Michigan. Madeline is famously the first American woman to pass the Master Sommelier exam, and has witnessed the Michigan wine industry develop since she began her career in the 1970s in Detroit. Then, Chris speaks with Jessica Dupuy, wine journalist and author of The Wines of Southwest U.S.A., about the exciting and unexpected wines being grown in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado.  Blind tasting guest Paula de Pano reveals the wine she and Emily Nixon tasted on the Rum podcast episode. Stay tuned for another blind tasting feature in a bonus episode coming soon.  To learn more about becoming a GuildSomm member, visit us at https://www.guildsomm.com/about_us/member-benefits.