🍾 Episode 138: Incrocio Manzoni – Italy’s Quiet Genius In this episode, we’re diving into an under-the-radar white wine grape with deep Italian roots and a fascinating origin story. Meet Incrocio Manzoni—specifically Manzoni Bianco—a hybrid masterpiece that blends science, tradition, and some seriously delicious flavor. You’ll learn: - Why this grape is a cross between Riesling and Pinot Bianco—and how that impacts the taste - What makes Professor Luigi Manzoni one of wine’s unsung h...

🥂 Episode 136: Rivaner (Müller-Thurgau) – Quiet Elegance in a Glass Discover one of the wine world’s best-kept secrets in this episode all about Rivaner, also known as Müller-Thurgau. We’re going beyond the big names to celebrate a graceful, crowd-pleasing grape with a fascinating backstory and a flavor profile that’s perfect for warm-weather sipping. - Learn how this grape was born in 19th-century Germany and why its DNA story recently got a plot twist. - Find out where Rivaner thrives tod...

🍷 Episode 137: Corvinone – Veneto’s Velvet Underdog Get ready to meet the grape that’s been hiding in plain sight—and quietly elevating some of Italy’s most iconic wines. In this episode, we’re exploring Corvinone, the bold, plush, and often overlooked red grape from northeastern Italy’s Veneto region. Trust me, once you've heard its story, you'll never look at an Amarone the same way again. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why Corvinone is not just “another Corvina,” and how DNA testing gave i...

🥂 Episode 130: Parellada — Spain’s Freshest Secret Think you’ve tasted all of Spain’s top white wines? Think again. In this episode, we’re diving into Parellada—a quietly charming grape that plays a starring role in Cava and deserves a little more time in the limelight. From its crisp citrus notes to its mountain-grown finesse, Parellada just might be your new favorite discovery. - Discover why Parellada is known as the “soprano” of Cava’s traditional trio - Learn how high...

🥂 Episode 132: Inzolia – Sicily’s Whispering White In this episode, we’re shining a light on Inzolia—an ancient Sicilian white grape that’s full of subtle charm and Mediterranean character. It might not always steal the spotlight, but trust us: this grape has stories to tell and flavors to savor. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: - Why Inzolia is one of Sicily’s oldest—and most underrated—grape varieties - How it went from Marsala mixer to dry white star - What ar...

🍷 Episode 135: Étraire de la Dui – Alpine Soul in a Glass In this episode, we’re venturing into the alpine foothills of eastern France to uncover the story behind Étraire de la Dui—a rare, rustic red grape with a wild heart and a mysterious past. From its near-extinction to its savory, earthy charm, this grape is the kind of wine lover’s treasure you'll want to get to know. - Discover the grape’s deep roots in the Savoie region and why it nearly disappeared - Learn how Étraire de la D...

🥂 Episode 134: Savagnin – The Jura Enigma Uncorked In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most eccentric and underrated white grape varieties around: Savagnin. Mysterious, ancient, and totally unforgettable, this grape has deep roots in eastern France’s Jura region — and trust me, the wines it makes are just as fascinating as its backstory. Tune in to learn: - Why Savagnin is not a misspelling of Sauvignon 😉 - What makes Jura wines like Vin Jaune so unique (hint: yeast and ...

🍷 Episode 133: Ciliegiolo – Cherry-Charged and Charming This episode is all about a juicy little Italian grape that’s been hiding in plain sight—Ciliegiolo. We’ll explore why it’s more than just a blending partner and why you might want to make room for it on your next dinner table. - Discover the grape’s wild backstory, including its mysterious family ties to Sangiovese - Learn how regional differences in Tuscany, Liguria, and Umbria shape Ciliegiolo’s flavor - Hear what it's l...

🍷 Episode 131: Agiorgitiko – Blood, Spice & Velvet In today’s episode, we’re heading to the sun-soaked hills of Greece to explore Agiorgitiko, a bold yet plush red grape that’s all heart and heritage. From legendary myths to modern winemaking, we’re diving deep into what makes this grape the pride of Nemea. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why Agiorgitiko is known as the “Blood of Hercules” (yes, really!) - How its styles range from light and bright to dark, spicy, and age-worthy - What giv...

🍷 Episode 123: Pinotage – Smoky Rebel with a Root Ready to meet one of the most polarizing grapes in the wine world? In this episode, we’re uncorking the bold and uniquely South African world of Pinotage—a grape with a fascinating origin story, a comeback arc, and flavor notes that just might surprise you. Here’s what you’ll sip on in this episode: - The wild story behind how Pinotage was created by crossing Pinot Noir and Cinsaut - Why early Pinotage wines got a bad rep—and how winemakers...

🍷 Episode 129: Listán Negro – Volcanic Vibes in a Glass Today we’re setting sail for the sun-drenched Canary Islands to meet a red grape that’s as wild and windswept as its volcanic home: Listán Negro. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill variety—it’s rustic, coastal, and packed with personality. In this episode, you'll learn: - How Listán Negro thrives in the unique, ash-covered vineyards of Tenerife and Lanzarote - The grape’s fascinating family tree—including a surprise connection to C...

🍷 Episode 127: Kadarka – Whispering Spice and History In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of Kadarka—a charming, lesser-known red grape with big stories to tell. From its mysterious Balkan origins to its vibrant return to wine lists across Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria, Kadarka is a quiet stunner that just might become your new favorite. In this episode, you’ll discover: - Why Kadarka is often called the “Pinot Noir of the East” - The key role it plays in Hungary's historic B...

🥂 Episode 124: Xarel·lo – Cava’s Quiet Powerhouse In this episode, we're diving into one of Spain’s most underrated wine grapes: Xarel·lo. You might not know how to say it (yet), but by the end of this episode, you’ll want it in your glass. We’re talking citrusy zip, herbal intrigue, and serious versatility. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: - Why Xarel·lo is the backbone of traditional Cava blends – and what it adds that other grapes don’t - How its flavor profile ranges fro...

🍷 Episode 125: Petite Sirah – Big, Bold, and Unapologetic Ever heard of Petite Sirah? Despite the name, there’s nothing small about this powerhouse red grape. In this episode, we dive deep into why this under-the-radar varietal deserves a spot in your wine rack — and on your dinner table. - Discover the origins of Petite Sirah (spoiler: it started in France but found fame in California) - Learn what makes this wine so dark, intense, and full-bodied - Explore flavor notes like bl...

🥂 Episode 126: Cortese – Italy’s Whispering White In this episode, we’re diving into Cortese—a crisp, elegant white grape from Italy’s Piedmont region that’s quietly been stealing hearts for centuries. Best known for producing Gavi, this underrated gem is perfect for those who love a wine that’s fresh, floral, and fantastically food-friendly. Here’s what you’ll sip up in today’s episode: - Why Piedmont isn’t just about bold reds like Barolo—Cortese has its own story to tell - How Cor...

🥂 Episode 128: Soave (Garganega) – Grace in a Glass Step into northeastern Italy with us as we uncover the quiet charm of Garganega, the grape behind the elegant white wine, Soave. It may not shout for attention, but once you get to know it, you’ll never forget it. - Discover why great Soave is all about subtle layers and silky texture - Learn how volcanic soils and hillside vineyards shape its minerality - Hear how winemaking techniques, from stainless steel to lees aging, vast...

🍇 Episode 119: Future of a Wine Shop – Part 2 In this follow-up to Episode 99, we return to the world of AI-powered wine shops — but this time, we go deeper into the experience. What happens when wine retail is reimagined as a journey, not just a transaction? What if your next bottle wasn’t picked off a shelf… but introduced to you by a system that knows your taste, your mood, and your curiosity? In this episode, we walk through the future wine shop, room by room — from playful beginner zo...

🍷 Episode 118: Dolcetto – Piemonte’s People-Pleaser In this episode, we're heading to the rolling hills of northwestern Italy to get to know a grape that's a staple on local tables—but still a bit of a hidden gem elsewhere. We're talking about Dolcetto: easy to love, fun to drink, and full of character despite its name suggesting sweetness. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why Dolcetto usually isn’t sweet (even though its name means “little sweet one”) - How it stacks up against Piemonte neighb...

🍷 Episode 117: Grenache Gris – Pink, Salty, and Full of Surprises Grenache Gris may not be the first grape you think of, but this soft-spoken stunner has a lot to say once it hits the glass. In this episode, we’re exploring a gray grape with a rosy hue, a coastal vibe, and a flavor profile that just might sweep you off your feet. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why Grenache Gris is the lesser-known sibling in the Grenache family and how it got its beautiful blush color - What makes this ...

🥂 Episode 115: L'Acadie Blanc – Ocean Breeze in a Glass In this episode, we're heading east to the cool, coastal vineyards of Nova Scotia to get to know a truly unique and underrated white grape: L’Acadie Blanc. Whether you’ve never heard of it or already love its zippy style, you're in for a delicious deep dive into what makes this grape so special. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Where L’Acadie Blanc comes from — and how a hybrid grape became Nova Scotia’s crown jewel - Why cool climat...