The simple apple - it is in our lunches, on our teacher’s desk, and occasionally made into a delicious alcoholic drink called Cider.  Did you know that the apple and the drink made from its fruit is hiding one of the greatest stories ever told?  On today’s episode we tell the tale of how America was founded and built using Cider. The incredible origins of the apple, how cider pushed us westward and kept us together as a nation, and how it tore us apart.  We also try to find the long lost apples the founding fathers grew hundreds of years ago.  Join Jason Wise & author Ben Watson as we tell the story of Cider and the American Dream.  If you love this podcast, please be sure to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Don’t forget to pick up your copy of our blind tasting card game at blindersgame.com and make sure to subscribe to sommtv.com  to watch our films and shows.

The stars of our brand new original film “Verticals: The Laithwaites” - now streaming on SOMM TV are on the podcast today.  A husband and wife who have lived and breathed wine for over 50 years look back on their lives and gaze forward to the handover of their accomplishments to their children.  Barbara and Tony Laithwaite, one of the most influential couples of wine in the last century as they look inward at the industry, and their legacy.  Make sure to stream our new film about these two on sommtv.com right now after listening.

Why does our Halloween candy taste so different now?  How much Chocolate is needed in a fun size chocolate bar to still be able to call it chocolate and what the heck is the rest of it? On today’s episode we speak to a food scientist to answer those questions and more.  Then Jason talks to the founders of “Final Girl wines” a winery founded on horror films.  Happy Halloween and make sure to subscribe to sommtv.com and rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.  

Is wine art?  Not long ago, people wondered if films were art.  How important is the moment or the age we were when we drank or saw a film?  Can someone from a different countries taste a wine  the same or feel the same things from a movie?  Today famed winemaker Alban Debeaulieu of Abbot Claim and Jason Wise turn what was a light night conversation over too much wine into a discussion about how we internalize things people call art and why.  You can watch episodes featuring this winemaker and many more on sommtv.com

Harvest… a time for hard work and big rewards and occasionally utter chaos and mayhem.  On today’s episode we talk to three winemakers with three very different perspectives on the monster that is harvest. Steve Matthiasson from Napa Valley, CA - Amy Christine MW from Santa Barbara wine country, CA - Travis Todd of the Willamette Valley in Oregon join Jason Wise to share how 2025 has gone and also some hilarious stories of how harvest can go wrong.  Don’t forget the holidays are coming up and you can get our blind tasting card game for 50% off at blindersgame.com

During the course of a life in wine there are special truly great bottles that change you and guide you towards the future of your career and tastes.  On today’s episode, famed sommelier and winemaker Rajat Parr discusses the 9 bottles that define his life in wine.  This episode is brought to you by sommtv.com - the world’s leading streaming service in wine and food.  For incredible discounts on bulk subscriptions, email hello@sommtv.com

Feeling a little anxious about things in the wine and food world?  Maybe the current situation is as much a matter of perspective as it is real.  On today’s episode Jason & winemaker Steve Matthiasson hold a mirror up to the wine business and cut through the BS & noise to figure out where we really stand and hopefully find some positivity.  This episode is brought to you by our blind tasting card game “SOMM BLINDERS” which is 50% off in time for the holidays.  Go to blindersgame.com to get yours!

For over 200 years, the Loosen family at DR Loosen has made Riesling in Germany - it pumps through their veins and that can lead to some hilarious stories.  On today’s episode Jason talks to Ernst Loosen, who since the 1980s has run the growing empire of wine in their family and they have one of the funniest conversations you can have about white wine!  Make sure to subscribe to SOMM TV AT SOMMTV.com to watch over 30 hours about everything you can imagine about Riesling.  For 50% off enter SOMMTV50 at checkout on a monthly subscription.

Awards shows are the greatest concentration of celebrities on earth, but we want to talk about what everyone is drinking!  The Emmy awards just wrapped and most people don’t know the real story happens not at the awards podium, but at the bar and at the parties after.  On today’s episode we are joined by  Emmy nominated creator of the 9 time nominated show “Dying for Sex” - Nikki Boyer.  She tells us what happened off camera and we dive into what everyone was drinking off camera. Make sure to subscribe to sommtv.com for the best in everything drinks, food, and pop culture available on all apps worldwide.

The medieval village of Saint-Émilion may be famous for the vines surrounding it, but it holds an ancient secret.  Kilometers of tunnels, quarries, and cellars wind below closed off to the millions who visit each year.  On this new episode, we take you past the walls that exist for regular visitors deep into the rock that famously makes some of the world’s most famous wines.  You can watch this episode and many more on sommtv.com which streams worldwide and our apps can be found on all devices.  If you would like to parter with us, email info@sommtv.com.

Can a new app solve the many different ways people learn about wine and study for things like the master sommelier exam and the WSET?  Today we speak to Cameron Sumpter, the mind behind “Curate” an app that uses the way we learn and retain knowledge to crack wine studying.  If you want to try this new app go to https://rb.gy/byqchu. Don’t forget to subscribe to sommtv.com for hundreds of hours of the best in wine and culinary shows and education.

A natural carbonic wine from Santa Barbara has changed the face of wine drinking around the world.  This is the story of “Love you Bunches”, a wine with a small beginning that has become a very big thing.  Pete Stolpman and Jason Wise tell this story of success in wine. Today’s episode is brought to you by Curate - an amazing new app created to help you study wine and master blind tasting.  Whether you're prepping for the CMS or WSET, it’s packed with targeted tips to help you taste smarter and improve faster. Prepare Smarter, not harder with Curate, your palate will thank you.  SOMM TV listeners can get 25% off your first three months with the code: SOMMTV - offer good through october 2025https://discover.curate.wine/for-sommeliers/blind-tasting-mistake-map/?utm_source=sommtv&utm_medium=podcast_ad&utm_campaign=sommtv_202508&utm_term=sommtv_ep260&utm_content=episode_description

What US wine region is currently the champion to visit? On today’s episode we discuss what wine regions are most worth visiting for your dollar to experience.  How is wine region travel doing? Which place deserves your hard earned cash and is actually worth it?  Host Jason Wise and Sommelier Claire Coppi break down the state of travel to wine regions and make their picks for the wine region they believe is currently holding the Championship belt right now for visiting.  If you are a SOMM TV subscriber, you can watch this episode now on our app and the web at sommtv.com   This episode is brought to you by Curate. Have you ever called Cabernet for a Syrah on a blind tasting? Curate for Sommeliers helps fix that and help guide your path to understand and study wine better. SOMM TV listeners save 25 percent on their first three months with code SOMMTV, valid through October 2025.https://discover.curate.wine/for-sommeliers/?utm_source=sommtv&utm_medium=podcast_ad&utm_campaign=sommtv_202508&utm_term=sommtv_epXXX&utm_content=episode_description

A war over a name erupts in Napa and engulfs two winemaker's lives for a decade.  "The Apostrophe war" as it has now come to be called between Stag's Leap wine cellars and Stags' Leap winery has become the stuff of legend, but also asks at what point is the fight not worth winning anymore?  Today we break down what happened and who won this battle in the vines. Watch this episode now at sommtv.com.  Today’s episode is brought to you by “Curate”, the app that can turn your wine study into mastery.  Get 25% off using the code “SOMMTV”.  Go to this link to get started: https://discover.curate.wine/for-sommeliers/?utm_source=sommtv&utm_medium=podcast_ad&utm_campaign=sommtv_202508&utm_term=sommtv_epXXX&utm_content=episode_description

With the value of some wines exploding, the business, art, and science of storing wine is now a big topic and a huge responsibility. Jason Wise, host of the SOMM TV Podcast sits down with Jeffrey Stein, CEO of UOVO Wine to discuss the often-overlooked and fascinating topic of storing wine properly. From natural disasters to the perfect temperature for aging, learn why storing your wine is more important than you might think. If you're interested in storing your wine with UOVO go to https://uovo.wine to learn more.

Did you know the U.S. still uses the word Champagne on some labels, even though it's illegal almost everywhere else in the world? In today’s episode, we’ll find out why.  Today we tell the tale of the 100 year battle California fought (and sometimes ignored) with the French region of Champagne for the name they owned.  Make sure to subscribe to SOMMTV.com for the greatest content you can find anywhere about wine, food, and the culture that makes it so great.  Get 50% off a monthly subscription with the code: sommtv50 at checkout.

You think the Mcrib is special? Food writer  Gary He has spent years traveling the world and documenting every Mcdonalds in over 55 countries. His new book “The Mcatlas” is the definitive unauthorized guide to all the crazy local meals, wild architecture and surprises you can find across the world of this iconic fast food institution.  We tell the story of his book, the wild things Mcdonalds serves outside the United States and follow the book through the 2025 James Beard awards where it is nominated in two categories.   Make sure to subscribe to SOMM TV at sommtv.com and get 50% off by entering code: sommtv50 at checkout!

For hundreds of years Billecart Champagne has set a standard and remained a family business against incredible odds.  On today’s episode Mathieu Billecart, the seventh generation of the Champagne house discusses how this family has defied the odds, survived world wars fought in their backyard, and what it feels like to be the next in charge of the history and future.  We also discuss the new release of their top Champagne.   Watch this episode now on sommtv.com and use code sommtv50 to get 50% off a subscription.

The invention of the cork changed everything for transporting and selling liquid, and in the case of wine, spirits, and beer it created a global culture.  On today’s episode we breakdown how the cork became the method to close a bottle and get into the controversy and success that has always surrounded it.  We want you to subscribe to SOMM TV!  we are giving 50% off monthly subscriptions right now with this link:  https://watch.sommtv.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase?code=sommtv50&plan=monthlyOr go to SOMMTV.com and use the code: SOMMTV50Today’s episode is hosted by Jason Wise. Expert guest is Armen Khachaturian of Morlet Family Vineyards.  This episode was produced  for SOMM TV by John Adams. This episode’s original hand drawn artwork was created by Brandon Lee Wise.

We are all used to grapes, grains, and things like spices flavoring our drinks, but what about olives, tomatoes, or even anchovies? On today’s episode we talk to Chris Beyer, a man who has made it his life’s mission to explore the far side of whats possible in your drink.  Make sure to subscribe to sommtv.com to watch this episode and go to blindersgame.com to get our blind tasting card game.