Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast When You Just Want A Glass Of Wine

Pigs in a Blanket - Champagne

Ranch Dip - Albariño, Screaming Betty Vermentino, Bedell Cellars Cocquillage, 61 Vineyards' Sparkling Albariño

Brisket - Gamay

Grape Jelly Meatballs - Rhône reds

Chinese Food - Glen Manor Sauvignon Blanc

Cashew Chicken - Sauvignon Blanc on the lees

Veggie Indian - Vouvray, Riesling, Albariño, dry Petit Mangseng

Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich - Gruener Veltliner

Regular Meatballs - Brunetti

Bouche de Noel - Lacrima

Santa's Cookies - Glen Manor Rapheus, Klaus Cuvée

Because, even RAMW's President has "just pour me a glass" moments...Our Season 2 finale! Can you believe it? And we're thrilled to be joined by the leader of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington - Shawn Townsend. From Charleston, SC to the utterly unique dining & wining scene that is the DMV. That's DC/Maryland/Virginia for those outside the Beltway. "There's no other metropolitan region with invisible lines like we have here." We enjoy a wide-ranging chat on all things good in hospitality and wine.

Cheers to: The Dabney, Husk Nashville, Single Barrel Carol, Bresca, El Cielo, José Andres, Together We Dine, Come Over October, Spring Wine Fling DC, Xiquet, Unreasonable Hospitality, Roses Restaurant Group, El Tamarindo, Anju, Perry's Restaurant, Cana, Code Red, Del Frisco's, Titus Green, Cork Wine Bar.

Cheers to the chefs and servers, to the bartenders and sommeliers, to the dishwashers and managers, to the owners who open their doors even on the hard days, and to every guest who pulls up a chair and makes a space feel like home. Here’s to the brighter days we create together. May every shared glass bring us a little closer, May every toast lift us a little higher, and may we never forget that even in the toughest moments. There is always something worth gathering for. Cheers to today, to tomorrow, and to all the beautiful conversations still waiting to be had.

Happy Holidays from our When You Just Want a Glass of Wine family to yours! See you back in January 2026 for Season 3!!

Today we're diving into the wine terms people nod along to while secretly googling: tannins, clones, lees, carbonic maceration, terroir...One of the guiding principles of When You Just Want a Glass of Wine is decoding the language of wine and making wine drinking more approachable. Another guiding principle is geeking out on wine! We got to do both on this episode. From structure to winemaking to aroma and flavor terms to farming philosophies and finally cellaring and service.

Cellaring/Service Temps: Ideal temperature for cellaring/storing wine long-term is 10-15 degrees Celsius (50-59 degrees F) with 70% humidity. Service temperatures for wine: Sweet Wines (6-8 degrees C/43-46 F), Sparkling (6-10 degrees C/43-50 F), Light/Medium Body white wines (7-10 degrees C/45-50 F), Medium-Full body oaked whites (10-13 degrees C/50-55 F), Light body red (13 degrees C/55 F), Medium/Full body reds (15-18 degrees C/59-64 F).

What do you get with vanilla, pipe tobacco, dried herbs, leather, meat and red cherries and raspberries? You get the Tuscan Sun baby! A beautiful 2019 Brunello di Montalcino from Rodolfo Cosimi of Bramante Cosimi. Considered one of the greatest modern vintages for Brunellos, this 100% Sangiovese aged 24 months, had beautiful tannins and acid. It scored 95 points from James Suckling and 100 from Zena and Renée. After decanting for about an hour, and as we didn't have any cinghiale lying around we settled for pairing it with beef tenderloins.

A match made in heaven!

Zena and Renée hit Somm Sunday and take a tour of some amazing Cabernet Francs. Led by Slater Run's Sommelier, Sara Gann, this world tour features the "Mother" varietal, Cabernet Franc. Seriously, it's the mother of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, and a Basque varietal, Hondarribi Beltza.

We started with a 2024 Bernard Baudry Chinon Rosé. Next up Slater Run's own 2021 Cabernet Franc. On to our first of two Cab Francs from Canada, a 2020 Chronos Cabernet Franc from Okanagan Valley in Penticton, British Columbia. Next up - perhaps a surprise if you're not already a lover of Cab Franc, a 2022 Duemani Cifra Costa Toscana, "Super Tuscan" 100% Cabernet Franc from Castellina, Marittima, Italy. Then we headed south to Tunuyán, Mendoza Argentina for the 2022 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc (with a touch of Malbec). Finally, we ended the tasting with a luxurious 2022 Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Ice Wine from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario Canada. At $164/half-bottle, this wine was worth every penny. Pair it with chocolate? Sure. Pair it with a gorgonzola and you have magic!

Cheers to Sara Gann, and all those at Slater Run Vineyards who make it special every time we visit! Cheers to the Mother Grape - Cabernet Franc!

A spectacular 2021 Chassagne-Montrachet from the Côte de Beaune, that's what!

Join us as we sit down with PR pro and world traveler Wendy Gordon for a feel-good episode filled with wine, humor and unforgettable stories. Zena and Wendy swap memories of eating and drinking their way through incredible restaurants - complete with the world’s worst photo ever taken of Zena.

From discovering Wendy’s aha wine moment to choosing the perfect stadium drink, from converting her husband into a wine lover (pro tip: take him to France) to finally opening the incredible bottles they’ve aged together for 15 years..:this episode has it all. Grab a glass and sip along!

A toast to friendship, wine, travel, sports. All the best things in life!

What are we sipping this episode? A shout out to Wendy's travels in the Côte de Beaune...A spectacular 2021 Chassagne-Montrachet.

What's that you say? French elegance with New World fruit. Aromatics, honeysuckle and dried herbs? A rich, almost oily fuller bodied-white? What do you get when you take a classic blending grape of the Northern Rhône and make it a single varietal? Some golden magic in a glass.

A Michael Shaps Roussane from the Honah Lee Vineyard in Gordonsville, VA.

This episode is all about adventure! Wine adventures, travel adventures, dinner adventures and adventurous souls! Join Zena and Renée as we welcome Jeri Buchholz for Hosting Uncorked: Parties, Places and Camper Named Lemon Twist (it goes with the Subaru named Olive)! From a Midwest Minnesota upbringing, to the Show Girl Life to an exotic life in Italy at the UN Mission to the United Nations Agencies in Rome), to the DMV as Chief Human Capital Officer at NASA to legendary parties in Newport RI, to the quiet country life in Orange, VA where she strategically ensconced herself near the legendary Barboursville Vineyards. Jeri joins us to talk about her legendary hosting ethos before starting her biggest adventure yet. At 65 she's sold nearly everything she owns, including her house: She kept the dog and her wine key!

Tonight we sip to solo tables, open hatches and the friends we haven't met yet. Raise a glass to Jeri, to journeys and to saying yes! Cheers!

What we're sipping this episode: The 2022 Michael Shaps Roussanne - a James Suckling 91 point wine!

Shout out to Jeri Buchholz aka CampingSolo60, Happier Camper.

What a treat! The Odd Lot, Petit Sirah, Petit Verdot, aged in French, American and Hungarian, from Monterey County. Go out and find this "Petit Petit"....maybe at Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique!

Decoding Sauvignon Blanc: A Deep Dive into Terroir, Acidity and, of course, Attitude! This week, Zena and Renée go full Sauvignon Blanc with five glasses, five regions and a lot of laughter. Joined by special guest Margaret Sheridan, the trio tastes through a lineup that proves just how wildly expressive this grape can be.

From the crisp mountain minerality of Glen Manor (Virginia) to the ocean-kissed texture of Saltbird “Migratus” (Long Island) to the vibrant coastal energy of Kumusha (South Africa) every pour tells a story.

Along the way, they explore: The parentage of Sauvignon Blanc and how it gave birth to Cabernet Sauvignon. The difference between thiols and methoxypyrazines (aka: why your wine smells like gooseberry or grass. Fermentation styles: stainless vs oak, lees vs no lees. Old World vs New World expressions

It’s part wine class, part comedy and 100% Sauvignon.

A Sauvy B Bonus! Our sixth Sauvignon Blanc of the afternoon! It's research people! Renée might be a little tipsy in this one (and safely ensconced at home at her own dining room table)... Can she still guess the region? Turns out, yes. And that it's a blend with Semillon.

Popeye's Fried Chicken, Thai Green Curry, Chipotle's Carne Asada Burrito Bowl, and a Five Guys Burger....sounds like a perfect pairing for wine! Whether you call it the "High-Low", or you're craving deep fried meat or complex coconut curries, or you just want a glass of wine but don't want to cook, this episode of Guy Talk with Jimi hits all the right notes. Listen in as Michael Warner leads us through a magical land of wine and fast food. Check out DCanter on the Hill - and if you're around on November 8, 2025 stop in for their Bottled Art tasting!

Champagne Lancelot-Pienne Accord Majeur

2020 Bestheim Riesling des Chasseurs de Lune

2022 Viu Manent Reserva Carménère

2022 City Limits The Citizen

Cheers to Michael Warner of DCanter Wines!

Sauvignon Blanc baby! Five sauvignon blancs to be precise! Guessing the region this time. Or rather, failing to guess the region. But hey, a bad day guessing regions is still a good day of drinking Sauvignon Blancs! What a treat!

Today we’re pouring and telling wine stories with former public servant turned wine shop owner, and all‑around wine geek, Michelle Lim Warner of DCanter Wine Boutique.

Located in Barracks Row, DCanter is a neighborhood destination where curious wine lovers can explore thoughtfully selected bottles.

Michelle shares how she built the business in this lively community, how locating in the Capitol Hill area informs her shop’s identity, and how DCanter highlights wines made by women winemakers (and other under­represented voices) as part of its curated global selection.

We’ll dive into the challenges of wine retail in a fast‑changing marketplace, trends that matter to serious and casual drinkers alike and the ways she’s helping customers engage with wine.

Join us for a conversation about wine, place and the people behind the bottles. Cheers! 🥂

White pepper? High acid? It's a dead giveaway! That's a 2023 Weingut Stadt Krems, Kremstal Grüner Veltliner.

When you just want a glass of wine… and your daughter shows up with a microphone, a bottle of Virginia sparkling and a bowl of caramelized onion dip.

Zena surprises her mom, Elaine, with a sparkling twist for Virginia Wine Month: a Thibaut-Jannison tasting paired with Beauty’s famous caramelized onion dip and salty potato chips. There’s musing and memories of France, including that time her parents took a Harley across Bordeaux.

Elaine is inspired and gifts us this magnificent quatrain:

“The fruit of the vine,

Virginia’s sparkling wine,

A drink for romance,

Like a secret night in France.”

Because sometimes, the best pairing isn’t wine and food.. it’s raising a glass with your mom. 🥂

Zena and Renée take an Acid Trip through the wonderful world of Riesling! A Noble Grape dating back to 1435 in Germany. Naturally high acidity make it a perfect venue for terroir to shine. Ranging from bone dry to sweet - find your niche - rich, aromatics, lime and minerality, stone fruit and honey...and petrol? Yes, petrol. Pair it with your favorite seafood or spicy Indian! These are imminently quaffable, lower alcohol , food-loving, expressive and ageable wines! Pair it with your favorite version of "White Rabbit" (To no one's surprise, Renée's is by P!nk!) and take your own Acid Trip around the world from the Old Word to the New!

Also, Zena tries really hard to prove Renée wrong...but Renée was RIGHT on the Influence!!

Tegernseerof Smaragd Riesling from Austria, Left Foot Charley Riesling, from Michigan, Pewsey Vale, Eden Valley Australia, A dry 2024 Influence Riesling from the Finger Lakes, NY, Rolly Gassman Riesling from Alsace.

A little swirl, a little sniff....Is that petrol? Why, yes it is! Remember, go with your first instinct! What a gorgeous Argyle Riesling!

Today's podcast is a sensorial journey through Switzerland - tasting regional wines and pairing each with a rejuvenating skincare ritual. Guest Ada Polla - CEO of Alchimie Forever - brings her expertise in holistic beauty, while we pour wine and soak it all in. Use our special code: SIPANDSPA for 20% off Alchimie Forever til Oct. 30!

Pairings:

Charm Sparkling White Merlot from Deleaa in Ticino, Switzerland and the Alchimie Forever Peptide Lip Booster.

Château d'Auvernier Pinot Noir from Neuchâtel, Switzerland and the Alchimie Forever Gentle Refining Scrub.

Château Constellation Fendant (Chasselas) from Valais, Switzerland and the Alchimie Forever Kantic Light Clarifying Cream.

Château Constellation Humagne Rouge, from Valais, Switzerland and the Alchimie Forever Kantic Calming Cream.

Remember, as Ada says, you can't pour from an empty glass! Skin care is self-care...so is wine!

Cheers to Ada Polla, CEO of Alchimie Forever!

Shout out to the fabulous Michelle Lim Warner of DCanter Wine Boutique in DC for bringing it today with the bottle for What's in Renée's Glass? A 2016 Château Tour Calon from Montagne Saint-Émilion, Premier Des Tours. What a Merlot! Indigenous yeast, organic, one year in oak. Dark Merlot fruit, fantastic acid and tannin. As it opened up we got leather, earth, smoke. Long finish. OUTSTANDING WINE!!!

This week we’re pouring stories with our friend Nycci Nellis - the voice behind Industry Nights, Foodie & the Beast, and TheListAreYouOnIt.com. She joined us at National Landing to talk about the people, the places and the pours that make the DMV so vibrant. Together, we laughed, swapped insider stories and toasted with two incredible Barboursville wines.

We’re also so excited for Chefs for Equality, where Zena and frequent podcast guest, Andrew Stover, will be pouring wine at a special Perry’s Drag Brunch.

It’s an episode full of friendship, storytelling, and plenty of wine talk - the kind of conversation you’d expect when the microphones are on, but the vibe feels like you’re right at the table with us.

Cheers to Bedell Cellars, National Landing BID, Michael Shaps Winery, Linden Vineyards, Glen Manor Vineyards, Slater Run Vineyard, Commonwealth Crush, Lightwell Survey, Williams Corner, RAMW, Iron Gate, Duck and Peach, Two Wolves Wines, Women in Wine, Karen MacNeil, Human Rights Campaign, Chefs for Equality.

Acid, acid, acid...Riesling is the Acid Queen! In this episode of “What’s in Renée’s Glass?” Zena pours four very different Rieslings: Left Foot Charley (Michigan), Influence (Finger Lakes), Tegernseerhof Smaragd (Austria), and Rolly Gassmann (Alsace). The challenge? Renée has to sniff, swirl and sip her way to the right region.

Along the way, they explore how Riesling is one of the most expressive grapes in the world, and is capable of showing completely different personalities depending on where it’s grown and how it’s made.

And yes… it’s also the start of Zena’s apology tour — where she confesses that the “off-dry” Riesling she swore was lightly sweet turned out to be, well, pretty bone dry. (Oops!) .)

It’s wine, it’s geeky, it’s a little silly, and it’s everything you love about “What’s in Renée’s Glass?”

Beauty's Bellezza Wine Club goes on the road to Slater Run Vineyard in Upperville, VA. We started with a walking tour of the winery led by owner/vineyard manager, Kiernan Slater, whose family has owed the property for 300 years. From a welcome Pet-Nat blanc in the open airy tasting room to an "old world" Sauvignon Blanc and a view of the vines from the patio to a crisp, beautiful stainless Chardonnay on the crush pad, Kiernan and Slater Run's sales representative Petra Stolfa, led us through the first round of our tasting. Round two was a seated lunch (catered by Zena!) in the winery's Library Room, where we were treated to a Reserve chardonnay, the Rocket Fish (amber Viognier), Cabernet Franc, and the First Bridge Bordeaux blend. Petra then joined us on the podcast for her tips on how to be a good winery guest and how to get the most out of your winery experience.

Cheers to Kiernan, Petra and all at Slater Run Vineyard for the amazing and generous welcome, to the Bellezza Wine Club and Jimi for driving!

What's in Renée's Glass? Elegant with a little bit of rusticity on the edges. Pretty. Complex. A New World Old World wine? Yep. A new fave! The McPherson 2020 Cinsault!

Wine writer, wine drinker and raconteur, Dave McIntyre, joins Zena and Renée and their good friend Nick Materese for a lively discussion on everything from the early days of a couple Napa legends to the back breaking work of harvest, to the emotional connections and history made through the stories of wine...and a favorite Columbo episode!

#whenyoujustwantaglassofwine #senseofplace #43minutes #comeoveroctober

Cheers to our very own Liquid Storyteller Nick Materese, Dave McIntyre, Dave McIntyre's WineLine Substack, Alcesti Vibrari Frizzante, 61 Vineyard, Silver Oak, Left Foot Charley, BorgonsanDaniele Isonzo del Friuli, Glen Manor Vineyard, Simple Theory Wine, Burnt Hill Farm, Loew Vineyards, Commonwealth Crush, Lightwell Survey, Michael Shaps Winery, Bollinger Champagne, Two Wolves Wine.

Zena's giving Renée an easy one in her first episode back. Her favorite varietal. What's herbaceous and bright with subtle citrus? An old world Loire Valley, Touraine Sauvignon Blanc. A perfect sipper on a hot August afternoon.

Join us live at the Westin in Crystal City where we have the lovely Molly Finnegan of Laurent Perrier helping us raise a glass to Season 2! The Bellezza Wine Club from Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique invited some of their favorite people to celebrate the season 2 launch of When You Just Want a Glass of Wine. There may have been sabering....

#whenyoujustwantaglassofwine #thefrencharegonnafrench #sabered #playwithyourwine

Cheers to Molly Finnegan of Laurent Perrier, McCealaig O'Clisham, Sebastian, Tee, and Jorge of The Westin Crystal City, Bellezza Wine Club from Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique, Julia Coney and her Lays & Blanc de Blanc pairing.

Do we have something special in store for you in season 2!

On the road on home at Beauty, what were your favorite episodes?

What does it really take to get your WSET Level 3. Find out in Season 2!

Guests, guys and good times.

Exciting times at Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique. We're launching Season 2 with champagne and a live podcast from the Westin, a VIP Road Trip to Slater Run Vineywards, Sip & Cinema back for another show, Halloween parties and the annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Tasting!

What's coming up in Season 2?? Magic in a glass!

How do you find a good glass of wine when you’re dining at a corporate restaurant like Hard Rock Cafe? We’ll decode the wine list, help you spot hidden gems and suggest the perfect pairing for a burger, a glass of wine and a blast of rock and roll. You'll learn the biggest difference between a corporate wine list and a curated wine list, how price points can influence perceptions on quality, whether to order a glass or a bottle, and finally, what to pair with the Legendary Burger!

Cheers to Nick Materese, Siema Wines, Alex Becker and Danielle Perdue of Hard Rock Cafe DC, Hard Rock World Burger Tour.

Our friend Klaus Wittauer returns with an Austrian red blend. Cherries and wildness and acid oh my! The three biggies of Austrian reds: a blend of 40% Blaufrankisch, 30% Sankt Laurent (St. Laurent), and 30% Zweigelt from Burgenland. A 2022 Steindorfer Blend.

Cheers to Klaus Wittauer again!

This week, everything's coming up Rosés! Zena and Renée welcome Renée's long-time friend Marquette Rogers to discuss his favorite style of wine. We're "pretty in pink" in this week's episode. Join us and discover why rosé is a perfect year round versatile wine. Pair it with food, friends or any given Tuesday. #roséallday #pinkiesdown

Cheers to Marquette Rogers, Hillinger Secco, Old Westminster Rosé, Haywater Cove Rosé, Château Minuty, Rose et Or, Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV, Underwood Rosé Bubbles.

Special Guest Klaus Wittauer - expert in Austrian Wine - brings a beautiful example Austria's leading varietal, the Queen of Austrian wine, Grüner Veltliner. High acid, stone fruit, floral and white pepper. What's in Renée's Glass? A new style Paul D Grüner Veltliner.

Cheers to Klaus Wittauer and Austrian wines!

Join Zena and Renée on a hot day at the beautiful Loew Vineyards. 5th generation winemaker, Rachel Lipman, talks about her remarkable family history in winemaking from Mead in the Hapsburg Empire to a dry sparkling red in Mount Airy, MD. Discover how the diverse climates in Maryland express a sense of place and legacy at Loew Vineyards.

Cheers to Rachel Lipman at Loew Vineyards,

Did you know there are 300 molecules that make up cherry aroma and taste? Cherry cola? Bing cherry? Red cherry? Black cherry? Fresh cherry? Cooked cherry? Maraschino cherry? Actually, it's a beautiful aromatic, 2023 Barboursville Merlot.

Cheers to: The Amazing Holly Feraci at Barboursville Vineyard and John Peters of Winebow.

Zena and Renée welcome the man, the myth, the Austrian Wine Legend, Klaus Wittauer for a full on deep dive on Austrian wines! Accounting for about 1% of the world's wine production, but responsible for some of most magical wines on earth, where else can you stay in the historic city where Beethoven wrote his 9th Symphony, which is also its own designated wine region, and within one hour you can reach all the wine regions in the country? Trust us, you're not drinking enough Austrian wines!

Cheers to Klaus Wittauer, Paul D, Josef Bauer, Anton Bauer, Netzl, Steininger.

Light pale lemony, and Italian or is it? Ah, a 2023 Barboursville Pinot Grigio - a beautiful example of Virginia winemakers bridging the gap between Old World and New World. Wanna score cool points with Luca Paschina? Ask for a Pinot "Gree Joe".

PRO TIP: Lessons learned - Heavy dishwashing soap can impact the aroma of your wine. Check before you pour - does your glass have a "nose" of its own?

Cheers to: The amazing Holly Feraci of Barboursville Vineyards and John Peters at Winebow.

For our first in a series on Virginia wines, Zena and Renée take a road trip to the astonishingly beautiful Glen Manor Winery in Front Royal, VA. Nestled beneath the epic views of Skyline Drive, and family owned for 4 generations, making it a Virginia certified "Century Farm", Glen Manor Winery is a true "glen". Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains (elevation ranging from 1400 and 3400 feet above sea level) on three sides, Glen Manor's vineyards boast elevation changes from 1000 to 1400 feet above sea level. All of this combines to create a unique and perfect microclimate for growing grapes. Farm owner, vigneron and vintner, Jeff White, planted sauvignon blanc in 1995 and never looked back. We talk with winery manager and Certified Sommelier of the Master Court, Cassie Gonce and assistant vigneron and vintner, Nick Driscill, about how Glen Manor embodies Virginia's reputation of being rooted in tradition and defined by innovation, a bridge between old world and new world, and why family and a sense of place are the driving forces in the vineyard.

Cheers to: Cassie Gonce (and special guest, Alex), Nick Driscoll, Jeff and Kelly White and Denise (nap whisperer) and all at Glen Manor Vineyards.

Zena finally gets into the hot seat! The best part of wine is bringing people together. Zena, Renée and their friends take on a blind vertical tasting of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Hawkes Wine Alexander Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Renée has been a wine club member of Hawkes Wine for over a decade, which, as it turns out, does not guarantee success! The group has the tasting notes courtesy of Hawkes. Can they match the vintage with the wine?

Pro Tip: Don't think, meat. Pitch. In a blind tasting, don't over think it. Say what you think out loud and go from there. You can talk yourself out of the truth.

Cheers to: Hawkes Wine, Chris, Jenn and Marquette, and Leslie and Smudge.

"A Deep Dive into Flavors and Aromas aka is there bacon in my wine?" In this episode, we chat about the fascinating world of wine flavors and aromas — demystifying why your glass might smell like cherries, freshly cut grass, butter or cat’s pee.

Where Do These Aromas Come From? We break down how wine’s scents aren't added, but come from a mix of grape variety, fermentation, aging methods and terroir. From primary aromas of the varietal (fruity, floral, spice) to secondary aromas courtesy of fermentation and winemaker decisions (yeasty, buttery), and tertiary aromas derived from bottle aging (earthy, nutty, leathery, forest floor), it’s a full-on aromatic journey.

Grape Varietals and Signature Notes We give hints on how to recognize classic grape varieties and their aromas — like Sauvignon Blanc’s grassy notes, Pinot Noir’s red fruit and forest floor and Syrah’s black pepper. These aren’t just poetic descriptions — they’re chemical compounds similar to those found in everyday foods and spices.

How to Train Your Nose We give you insight on how to build your sensory vocabulary by smelling fruits, herbs and spices and encourage you to slow down, swirl, sniff and sip with curiosity rather than be intimidated

Big Takeaway Wine is more than a drink — it’s an experience rooted in memory, chemistry and personal perception. Understanding the science behind the aromas not only makes you a more informed drinker, but it also deepens your appreciation for each glass!

Cheers to: Holly Feraci, chief sommelier and national sales director at Barboursville Vineyard.

Cherry, tannins and a hint of balsamic. Oregano and thyme, and tomato leaf. A pink label with a black rooster. Special Guests Geoff and Jimi. Put them all together and you have a lovely 2023 Gellina Chianti Classico Reserva. Aged a minimum 24 months. Pair it with a Sunday Sauce, a pizza or just a smile. SPOILER ALERT: No fava beans were hurt in the making of this podcast. This week's What's in Renée's Glass features Geoff's first chianti and it was worth the wait. Geek Alert: This Tuscan region was named Chianti and recognized as a wine-region since the 13th century and its borders were defined in 1716 by an edict issued by Gran duke Cosimo III de' Medici.

In this episode of Guy Talk, we’re sipping bold Amarone and getting real about wine. What do guys love about it? What do guys hate? We break down the stereotypes around men and wine drinking—because wine isn’t just for swirling and sniffing, it’s for enjoying. From boxed wine to pricy favorites, we talk about how wine culture is shifting and share tips on making it less intimidating for guys who just want a glass of wine. Plus, we share easy tips to help guys feel more confident around wine, whether ordering at a restaurant or bringing a bottle to a playoff game.

Forget the snobbery. Just sip, talk and learn with us. Hit play, grab a glass, and join the conversation.

Cheers to: Geoff Hartman, Begali 2020 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico.

We talk old and new. Fruit and forest floor. Volcanic and limestone. What's in Renée's Glass? The wonderful world of pinot noir! Spoiler Alert: Renée still hasn't found a wine from Mâconnais that she likes.

Cheers to: Andrew, Holly, Côte de Nuits, (Côte-d’Or), Gevrey-Chambertin 2021 Vieilles Vignes, Belle Glos 2023 Balade, Domaine Drouhin 2023 Rose Rock, Mâconnais, Côte de Beaune, Sideways .

Pinot Noir is a diva in the vineyard but a rockstar in the glass. In this episode, we take a "deepish" dive into the history, mystery and sheer drama of this beloved grape. From its Burgundian roots to surprising New World hotspots, we explore why Pinot is both a winemaker’s heartbreak and a wine drinker’s joy. What are you looking for tonight? Old world? New world? Mushrooms and forest floor or strawberries and raspberries? "God made Cabernet Sauvignon, the devil made Pinot Noir".

Cheers to: Drappier Brut Nature, 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Drouhin 2023 Rose Rock, 2023 Belle Glos Balade, Elk Cove, Archery Summit, Brooks Wine.

Old world elegance....a classic Left Bank Bordeaux from Château Verdignan. Ever wondered how those wine experts know if it's a left bank or right bank Bordeaux? Do you taste more Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot? Left Bank Bordeauxes are Cab Sauvignon dominant and Right Banks feature Merlot more.

Here's a tasting tip - when your red wine starts to get a slightly brown tinge on the edge or has some sediment, it's usually a pretty good indicator that it's an older wine.