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.

2025 James Beard award nominated! Jason Wise talks with winemaker Moe Momtazi as he shares the story of how he and his pregnant wife escaped Iran after the revolution in 1979 and survived against all odds to found Maysara Winery in Oregon.  You will not believe what wine can mean to people and culture in this award nominated episode.  Make sure to go to sommtv.com to watch this episode and also watch "Cup of Salvation" the newest SOMM Film featuring wine made in Iran.

One of the largest wine and spirits event is coming May 6th & 7th to Miami.  On today’s podcast we speak to the CEO of Vinexpo, Rodolphe Lameyse about what it takes to put an event this size and how the current economic and political situation will affect large multi national wine and spirits trade shows and wine itself. Members of the wine, spirits and hospitality industry who listen to this podcast will get a free badge to Vinexpo America in Miami May 7-8.  To get a complimentary badge, go to vinexpo-america.com and use the code VAMERICA25 and you get in free!

The government is making cuts to the USDA and the FDA which inspect and regulate our food in the United States, but what does that mean?  On today’s episode we speak with 4th generation butcher - Katie Flannery about what these agencies actually do and how they impact her job of making some of the greatest dry aged steaks in the world.  To get 50% off of our blind tasting wine card game ~ go to blindersgame.com

On today’s episode Jason is joined by Pat Monahan, lead singer of the band “Train”.   They talk about his wine project and count down their top songs that feature wine.  To the wine and spirits professionals listening... Get ready for Vinexpo America 2025, the premier event http://vinexpo-america.com and secure your place at Vinexpo America 2025 use code VAMERICA25 to claim a complementary badge, on the Vinexpo America website.  

Gamay has graduated from a darling of somms and winemakers to a full fledge wine of casual and regular wine drinkers.  On today’s podcast we are re-airing this episode with newly named winemaker at Opus one: Meghan Zobeck and Wildsound Wine winemaker: John Adams to discuss one of their favorite grapes and why it has become so popular.  To get our blind tasting card game “Blinders” for 50% off - go to blindersgame.com and get the best easter gift this season!

Can fine wine be made with more than just grapes?  Today we speak to esteemed Napa winemakers Steve and Jill Matthiasson about the oldest and possibly most under appreciated kind of wine.   Today’s episode is brought to you by Auction Napa Valley.  To register for a chance to win a pair of tickets to attend the greatest barrel tasting in the United States, go to this link: https://www.sommtv.com/anv2025. No purchase necessary.   

We are back to break down four films that have important wines in them.  On today’s episode: Inglorious Basterds, Ratatouille, Pig, and The girl with the dragon Tattoo and the bottles found in those films are discussed.  Make sure to subscribe to sommtv.com for the best in wine & food!

The heart and soul of the wine and food world is really about where it is grown, made, and ultimately where it comes from. On today’s podcast, Jonah Beer of True North imports, a small family importer of Italian and Burgundy wines returns the podcast to put a real perspective on the current trade war and how the threats alone may prove deadly to the way we used to know wine in the United States.  

As the new president begins to make good on many of his campaign promises and threats, economists and business owners wait in fear to hear what will become of “The promise to introduce wide and sweeping tariffs across the board”.  On today’s podcast we speak to journalist Jessica Dupuy about how the wine, restaurant, food industry, and yes - your grocery prices will be affected by what looks to be the invasion of tariffs at the borders.  Listeners can get 50% off SOMM TV by going to sommtv.com and entering code: sommtv2025

To honor the legacy of acclaimed filmmaker & wine drinker David Lynch who passed away this week, today’s episode of the SOMM TV Podcast will be taken over by winemaker and acting legend Kyle MacLachlan (“Twin Peaks” & “Blue Velvet”) & his good friend and fellow actor Joel McHale of “The Bear” and “Community”.  They open several bottles and have a hilarious conversation about hollywood, wine, and how these worlds collide.  The second bottle opened is the wine director David Lynch gave Kyle before filming and with it comes the story of one of cinema’s greatest partnerships to honor the great Director.  You can watch this episode now on SOMMTV.com 

There has been a large amount of anti-alcohol messaging in the last few years and just recently the Surgeon General has made clear the intention to place a cancer warning on all alcoholic beverages including wine, placing wine in the same category as cigarettes.  On the podcast today Jason is joined by wine writer Jessica Dupuy to discuss this massive step and what implications it may have for the drinks business. We also ask the question: is there someone or something else besides health behind this story?

Buckle up friends, because on this episode, we draft wine regions.  Join Jason Wise, sommelier Claire Coppi, winemaker and importer Jonah Beer, and film producer / wine collector Jackson Myers to assemble the greatest wine regions on earth for a chance to win all the glory, also streaming on SOMMTV.com in video form.  All wine regions of the world are on the table and everything is on the line. After listening / watching, vote for who won our second wine draft here:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DEDpY_Sy8Mc/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

What is your relationship with wine critics?  How does one become a person who writes about the quality of a wine?  On today’s podcast we are joined by Audrey Frick, one of the leading voices in the field of wine criticism to have a very honest conversation about the profession.  To get 50% off SOMM TV., use this link:  http://watch.sommtv.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase?code=sommtv50&plan=monthly

Jason is joined by wine writer Shakera Jones to discuss what we are doing wrong with wine, what wine may be doing wrong and what we should be drinking for the holidays and beyond.  make sure to subscribe to SOMM TV for hundreds of hours of the best content in food and wine.  want to claim 50% off SOMM TV?  http://watch.sommtv.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase?code=sommtv50&plan=monthly  

“It’s 9am… This is a 1955 Margaux.”We are once again asking you to listen to us talk about the movies and TV that feature wines in an important role… we are also drinking.  Today, filmmaker Jason Wise and winemaker Jonah Beer discuss pivotal scenes in “Seinfeld, The English Patient, Steve Jobs, and The Newsroom” that feature wine and we break down if they got it right.  This episode is brought to you by our coverage of the Napa Valley 2024 Vintage report and our original Film “Inheriting the Future” about Bourgogne’s next generation ~ both streaming free now on sommtv.com and all of our apps.  

Winemaker Meghan Zobeck makes wine for her own boutique label and also for a historic large American winery.  She is here to talk about what she originally thought this job was going to be and dispel some BS around what she actually does as a winemaker.  Make sure to subscribe to sommtv.com to watch our original shows and award winning films and to watch the 2024 Napa Valley Vintage report free right now.

Wine can be simple if you just want to drink it, but if you drink enough -  it eventually grabs you and begins to whisper about history, geography, and so much more.  Now you, like us are part of a never ending journey to learn about this incredible drink, but where do you start?  On today’s podcast we are joined by one of the world’s great teachers of wine: Kelli White.  Kelli and Jason discuss her new book “Wine Confident” and how the wine world may have completely messed up how we answer questions and teach about wine.  Don’t forget to subscribe to SOMMTV.com where you can watch the best wine shows and movies including the brand new Napa Valley Vintage report where leading winemakers sit down to discuss the 2024 vintage.  Watch the 2024 Napa vintage report free right now:  https://sommtv.vhx.tv/videos/2024-napa-valley-vintage-report