Stop Wasting Your Wine

Think you know Zinfandel? Italy might have something to say about that.

This week, Aaron, Joel, and Colin taste the 2022 Pietraventosa Allegoria Primitivo from Puglia, Italy. Primitivo and Zinfandel are the same grape, but does that mean you know what to expect in the glass?

We explore the connection, compare our first impressions, and discuss who this bottle might suit and what to serve alongside it. Plus, Grape Guesses takes us through Primitivo’s history, Puglia’s wine production, and some surprisingly large bottles before we share our final revi...

Pine trees probably aren’t what you’re looking for in a glass of white wine. But this $13 bottle gave us plenty to talk about.

We’re tasting Hermes Retsina, a Greek white wine that gets its signature pine character from actual pine resin. Joel made us promise not to open our bottles before recording, and the first sips lead to three very different opinions. Is this a wine we’d reach for again, or one we’re just glad we tried?

We explore how that unexpected ingredient became part of a...

Big fruit, floral notes, and an $18 price tag. This Greek red brings plenty of flavor, but does that make it your kind of wine?

Week two of our Greek Wine Challenge puts Colin’s pick on the table: the 2022 Flowers Agiorgitiko from Greek Wine Cellars in Nemea. It sparks a debate about what we want from a red wine. Is bold flavor enough, or do you want more tannin, acidity, and structure to go with it?

Aaron, Joel, and Colin taste through the bottle, discuss who might enjoy its st...

There’s crisp, and then there’s this. But is that a good thing?

A $15 Hermes Assyrtiko splits the table as Colin, Joel, and Aaron kick off their Greek wine challenge. Aaron calls it a winner from the first sip. Joel enjoys the intensity. Colin wonders whether the acidity is throwing punches the rest of the wine can’t keep up with.

The mission: find the best Greek wine they can each get their hands on for under $20. This first contender brings citrus, floral notes, and more weight than you might expect. We unpack...

Pinot Noir doesn’t have to be red. And there’s a whole festival ready to prove it

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Our friend Adam from Saffron Fields joins us for a bonus preview of our upcoming interview. We’re sharing the White Pinot Fest details early so you have time to check it out before October 17. Our full conversation, including our tasting of Saffron Fields White Pinot Noir, is coming in a later episode.

In this excerpt, we talk about what white Pinot Noir is, how the event came together, and what to expect...

Would you spend $23 on a grape you’ve never tried, or reach for your usual bottle?

This week, Colin, Joel, and Aaron open the 2023 Valle Reale Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, an Italian white that gets us talking about everything from its round texture and bright finish to floral aromas and a surprising flinty note. It’s a bottle some of us admit we probably would have walked right past. Would that have been a mistake?

We discuss taking a chance on unfamiliar grapes, why the producer matters, and how checking the im...

Love Pinot Noir but ready to try something different? This week, we head to Sicily with the 2024 Ayunta Nerello Mascalese Rosso, a $33 red that brings bright cherry, earthy spice, and some familiar Pinot vibes with an Italian twist.

We explore what makes this grape worth a look for fans of lighter reds, how the wine changes in the glass, and whether it earns its price tag. Plus, what does growing wine on the slopes of Mount Etna actually change? We dig into volcanic soil, test our knowledge with Grape Guesses, and finish with our...

What makes a Sauvignon Blanc worth $75?

Brian Mondavi Borger returns to Stop Wasting Your Wine with the 2024 Sentium, a Sauvignon Blanc led blend from the fourth generation of the Mondavi family. We taste it together and explore why winemaker Chiara Mondavi looked beyond Napa to old vineyards in Mendocino.

From Robert Mondavi’s Fumé Blanc legacy to Chiara’s approach in the cellar, Brian shares how the family’s history informs something new. We dig into the wine’s bright acidity, creamy texture, and the decisions behind what ends up in our...

Did the wine industry push away a generation of drinkers by making wine too expensive, intimidating, and inconvenient?

This week, we sit down with Los Cuernos founders Zeke Blattler and Cory Assink to discuss why they believe wine has a consumer trial problem and how they plan to fix it. Their solution is premium California wine served in single portion cans and kegs, designed for places where quality wine is often missing.

We taste three wines from the Los Cuernos lineup: Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling Rosé, and their flagship Petite S...

Viognier came dangerously close to disappearing. By 1965, only about eight hectares, or roughly 20 acres, remained worldwide. Today, the grape is experiencing a comeback, and Yalumba played a major role in establishing it in Australia.

This week, we taste the 2022 Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Viognier from Eden Valley. At around $24, it delivers lime, stone fruit, melon, vanilla, minerality, and a rich texture that keeps evolving in the glass.

We explore why growers nearly abandoned Viognier, how a handful of producers kept it alive, and whether this bottle proves that the di...

Tokaji may be famous for dessert wine, but this bottle shows a completely different side of Hungary’s historic wine region.

This week, we taste the 2020 Préselő Tokaji Furmint, a bone-dry white packed with sharp acidity, green apple, citrus, minerality, and a petrol note that transforms as the wine opens. We explore why dry Furmint has struggled to escape Tokaji’s sweet reputation and whether it could follow Riesling’s path from misunderstood grape to white-wine favorite.

At around $30, can this unfamiliar Hungarian wine earn a place at your nex...

Albariño usually means Spain or Portugal. This week, we travel much farther south to see whether the grape has found a legitimate second home in Uruguay.

We taste the 2025 Bodega Garzón Reserva Albariño, a coastal white wine packed with grapefruit, green apple, floral aromas, bright acidity, and a salty finish. Does Uruguay bring something new to the grape, or has Bodega Garzón recreated the Spanish Albariño experience for around $20?

We also explore why Uruguay’s Atlantic coast suits Albariño, reveal how heavily the country...

This week, we explore two sides of white Burgundy through two very different expressions of Chardonnay from Louis Jadot.

First, we taste the bright and unoaked 2024 Mâcon-Villages. Then we move to the warmer and fuller 2024 Pouilly-Fuissé, aged for six months in French oak. Tasting them side by side gives us a clear look at how oak, place, and appellation shape what ends up in the glass.

We also explore why the Mâconnais offers some of Burgundy’s best value, debate which style we prefer, and close with a Cha...

The Mondavi name remains one of the most recognizable names in American wine. But the Mondavi family hasn’t been involved with Robert Mondavi Winery since 2004.

This week, we sit down with Robert Mondavi’s grandson, Brian Mondavi Borger, to hear what happened and how his family rebuilt after losing the winery that helped put Napa Valley on the world stage.

Brian shares what it was like growing up inside an iconic wine family, the lessons his grandfather passed down, and why wine should bring people together instead of maki...

Last week, Louis Jadot's Beaujolais Village surprised all of us with incredible value. This week, we're raising the stakes with one of the world's most recognizable wines: Burgundy Pinot Noir.

Can a $20 bottle from one of Burgundy's most respected producers actually deliver the classic Pinot Noir experience, or is great Burgundy only reserved for collectors spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars?

Along the way, we explore why Burgundy is one of the world's most celebrated wine regions, what makes Pinot Noir such a difficult grape to grow, and...

For years, we've heard that French wine offers some of the best value in the world. This week, we finally put that idea to the test with one of Burgundy's most recognizable names: Louis Jadot.

We're kicking off our three-week Louis Jadot series with their Beaujolais Villages, a $14 Gamay that's available almost everywhere.

Along the way, we break down why Old World wine labels don't have to be intimidating, how learning a few famous wine regions can make buying wine much easier, and why great French wine doesn't have...

This week we're joined by Ryan Julio and Shane Mason from Del Rey Wine Center to answer one of the biggest questions in wine: does proper storage really matter?

We talk about what actually happens to a bottle as it ages, the biggest storage mistakes people make, and how heat, light, and temperature swings can quietly ruin a great wine. Along the way, Ryan explains why some inexpensive wines are worth buying by the case, why Riesling is one of the world's greatest aging wines, and how patience can completely transform what's in your...

Over the past three weeks, our listeners challenged us to give Australian wine another chance.

This week, we wrap up the challenge with one of the most recommended bottles we received: Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz (2023) from South Australia.

Featured wine: Mollydooker The Boxer Shiraz (2023), 100% Shiraz, South Australia, 15% ABV, approximately $24-25.

Along the way, we discuss why this wine surprised us, how American oak changes the personality of a Shiraz, and whether a wine label can actually tell you something meaningful about what's inside the bottle...

This week, we're putting another listener recommendation to the test and the pressure is on.

After last week's surprise Australian wine win, our community is looking to go 2-for-2 with a Barossa Valley Shiraz from legendary winemaker Chris Ringland. Can a $24 bottle from one of Australia's most respected names really deliver?

We dive into bold dark fruit, pepper, herbs, oak, and one tasting note none of us saw coming (fruitcake?!), while tackling a bigger question:

Do great winemakers only make expensive wine?

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This week, we're kicking off our Australian wine challenge with a bottle recommended by you, our listeners.

After our infamous Yellow Tail review stirred up plenty of passionate responses from Australia, we knew we had to come back with an open mind. Enter the 2022 Penfolds Max's Cabernet Sauvignon from South Australia (14.5% ABV, $18-22).

Along the way, we explore why it's a mistake to judge an entire wine region by a single bottle, why Cabernet and Shiraz can taste dramatically different even when they're grown in the same country, and...

What happens when two Midwesterners fall in love, start making wine in a Los Angeles apartment bathroom, and eventually plant their own vineyard in Oregon? John and Megan Adams of Wildsound Wine share their journey from home winemakers to farming and producing wine in the Willamette Valley.

The conversation explores vineyard life, organic farming, whole-cluster fermentation, amphora aging, and why they believe great wine starts in the vineyard. The team also tastes and reviews the 2023 Gamay Noir from Wildsound Wine, discussing the winemaking choices that shape the wine and what makes Oregon such a...

Can a Bordeaux-style Napa blend close out the Napa Wine Company series on a high note?

In this episode, we review the Oakville Winery Napa Valley Red Wine, an estate-grown blend from Oakville, Napa Valley. The conversation explores how the wine evolves with air, why decanting may make a difference, and what stood out to each host after spending more time with the bottle.

We also take a closer look at what "estate grown" actually means, why it matters, and why it isn't necessarily a guarantee of quality. Plus...

Can a $25 Napa red really deliver a premium wine experience?

This week on Stop Wasting Your Wine, we're heading from Ghost Block to its sister label, Elizabeth Rose, to find out. In the glass is the 2023 Chockablock Red Blend, a Napa Valley blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec that surprised us from the very first sip.

What started as a savory, herbal, and unexpectedly salty wine transformed dramatically as it opened up, revealing layers of dark fruit, oak spice, vanilla, and structure. Along the way, we explore why...

A Napa Valley Cabernet that challenged expectations. This week the team explores the 2022 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, and finds a wine that delivers freshness, balance, and complexity without the overpowering oak and alcohol often associated with big California Cabernets.

Along the way, they discuss how oak aging really works, the difference between oak flavor and barrel aging, and why intentional winemaking matters. The conversation also touches on wine tasting etiquette, including the great sip-versus-spit debate from a recent tasting event.

Wine: Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon (2022)

Priyanka French of Ghost Block Estate Wines joins the show to talk about her path from India to Bordeaux, Burgundy, New Zealand, and Napa Valley, plus how those experiences shaped her approach to vineyard-driven winemaking. The conversation covers organic farming, women in wine, mentorship programs like Batonnage and Wine Unify, and the legendary ghost story behind the Ghost Block vineyard in Yountville. Then Aaron and Joel review the 2024 Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc, a surprisingly layered and playful Napa Sauvignon Blanc that completely rewrites their expectations for the varietal.

This week:

- Why...

Sutter Home Chardonnay surprised the crew by being less offensive than expected, but the real shock was how little separation there was between a $9 1.5L bottle and the $15.99 Olema California Chardonnay. The episode dives into why Chardonnay gets such a bad reputation, how oak and climate shape the wine, and why people shouldn’t give up on the grape after one bad experience.

Featured wines:

The crew also crowns a winner of the “Drink This, Not That” challenge and debates whethe...

Barefoot Moscato vs. Rivata Moscato d'Asti - Does a jump in price mean a jump in quality?

Week two of the Drink This, Not That challenge, and Colin steps up as the sacrificial lamb. The Barefoot Moscato gets a fast, ugly, unanimous verdict. Think thick Sprite with a side of nickels. But the substitute, a DOCG-certified Moscato d'Asti from Italy, opens up a real conversation about what this grape can actually be. The quality gap is massive. The final rating? Closer than you'd expect.

This week:

Some of the most popular wines in America are also some of the cheapest and most criticized. So the guys decided to put that reputation to the test. This week launches the brand new “Drink This, Not That” challenge, where each host tries to replace a widely available bottom shelf wine with something noticeably better without asking people to spend much more money. First up: Yellow Tail Shiraz vs Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet.

The episode explores:

A winemaker with 90+ scores and even a perfect 100 set out to solve a simple problem: how to enjoy one great glass of wine without opening a whole bottle. Preston Thomas shares how Tirage brings premium wine into cans without sacrificing quality. The wines come from Lake and Sonoma counties and land at 12% ABV, built for real-life moments.

The episode explores:

Featured wines include White Cap...

Is Crémant just “cheap Champagne”… or are you being sold the wrong story?

In the final round of our Best Bang for Your Buck Bubbles Challenge, we put a Crémant de Bourgogne to the test and things get controversial fast. A surprise price jump turns this bottle into a debate about value, expectations, and what actually makes sparkling wine worth buying.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
• Why Crémant is not trying to be Champagne and why that matters when you’re buying
• The r...

A Spanish sparkling wine producer walked away from Cava on purpose. They wanted more control.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why Raventós left the Cava designation
• What stricter farming and lower yields are aiming to do
• And whether this Spanish sparkling wine is just “better Cava”… or something different

We’re reviewing Raventós Blanc de Blancs (2023), a traditional method sparkling wine from Conca del Río Anoia, Spain. At 12% ABV and $20–$25, it’s positioned as a high-value alternative to Cava.

What stood...

A $17 sparkling wine from Bordeaux challenges the idea that bubbles need to be expensive to be worth it. This week kicks off a value-focused series with a surprising pick.

The wine is the Dulong Crémant de Bordeaux Brut from Bordeaux, France, priced around $17 with 12% ABV. The hosts explore why a region known for red wine is producing sparkling wine and how value plays into buying decisions.

They break down what “Brut” actually means, how region shapes style, and why traditional method sparkling wines matter when chasing quality at lower...

A winemaker challenges Amarone tradition and flips the script. Mariano Buglioni shares how his Il Lussurioso Amarone from Buglioni in Valpolicella Classico (15.5% ABV) is intentionally made to be more drinkable, food-friendly, and approachable.

Instead of heavy, overpowering styles, Buglioni shifted away from barrique aging to large casks and adjusted grape drying to reduce sugar and alcohol intensity. The result is an Amarone designed for a second glass, not just a single sip.

The conversation explores challenging tradition, using hospitality as real-time feedback, and attracting younger drinkers through simpler messaging...

A celebrity Pinot Grigio that doesn’t look like Pinot Grigio and might challenge what you expect from the category. This week, the crew digs into a unique bottle and debates whether it delivers where it counts.

This episode features the Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato 2021 by Mary J. Blige from Friuli, Italy. It’s 12.5% ABV and priced around $20.

They break down the Ramato style, why the wine has its copper color, and how it compares to typical Pinot Grigio. The conversation explores drinkability, style choices, and when a wine...

Is John Legend’s wine actually worth buying, or are you just paying for the name? The crew tests the 2023 LVE Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon from LVE Wines by John Legend, a North Coast, California bottle priced around $20 with 14.5% ABV, as part of their celebrity wine challenge under $30.

Aaron explains why this bottle stood out among the many celebrity wine options and why the LVE lineup caught his attention. The hosts also discuss the partnership with producer Jean-Charles Boisset and whether that background should raise, or lower, expectations.

Later, th...

Celebrity wines can be a minefield. This week the crew kicks off a new challenge to find the best celebrity wine under $30, starting with The Dreaming Tree Crush Red Blend (2023) from Dreaming Tree Wines, a collaboration between Dave Matthews and winemaker Steve Reeder.

The wine comes from California, costs about $15, and sits at 14.5% ABV. The hosts discuss what celebrity wines get right and wrong, why California red blends often surprise drinkers, and who these easy drinking wines are actually made for.

They also break down common misconceptions about “jammy” wine...

From cleaning kennels to crafting Sonoma Cabernet, Chris Louton’s path to winemaking wasn’t planned. A UC Davis class changed everything. Now at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, he’s shaping wines that stay balanced, affordable, and true to place.

Chris shares how he went from veterinary ambitions to overseeing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Bordeaux varietals in Sonoma County. We talk vintage differences, protecting quality at scale, and why he refuses to “make wine for trends.”

We taste the 2023 St. Francis Merlot and 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (both around $15–$16, 14.8% and 14.5% ABV). Chris breaks...

This week, a behind-the-scenes look at how great Sonoma wine actually gets made. Katie Madigan of St. Francis Winery shares how she went from chemistry student to winemaker, why sustainability is more than farming, and how to keep soul and quality in wines priced around $15–$18.

Katie breaks down St. Francis Winery’s approach to balance, aromatics, and vintage expression, plus what it takes to produce accessible wines at scale without losing identity.

We taste and discuss:
• 2023 Sonoma County Chardonnay – St. Francis Winery – Sonoma County – $15–$18 – 14% ABV
• 2023 Old Vine Zinfandel – St. Fr...

A $15 sparkling Gamay from Beaujolais with a sexy label and big wine family backing… and it became the first unanimous drain of 2026. This week, the guys crack open Forbidden Kiss Sparkling Red Wine from the Boisset Collection in Beaujolais.

It’s 100% Gamay, made in the ancestral method, 7.5% ABV, and widely available at Total Wine. On paper, it checks the boxes for a fun, low-alcohol sparkling red. In the glass, things go sideways.

They break down:

What sparkling Gamay should taste like

How the ancestral method works

The Sexy Bottle Challenge rolls on with Colin's Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the latest contender in the search for the best intersection of great wine and great presentation.

Colin's pick faces off against last week's bottle as the competition tightens and early favorites begin to emerge. The conversation then shifts to Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc as a style: why the region has earned its reputation, and how climate and winemaking choices create a wine that feels instantly recognizable.

With ratings locked in and stakes rising heading into the final week, each...