Sorry for the delay, believe it or not we were pretty busy making wine. Harvest is only about halfway(?) over, give or take, but here's a progress-check on how it's all going/went. For a bonus episode featuring reviews of some pretty crazy wines we had recently, check out ⁠Patreon.com/CorkTaint⁠

Thanks everybody tell your friends

A good ol inside scoop of what happens before harvest, an update of what's goin with this vintage, and christ I'm so tired I don't have the effort for this description. SIGN UP AT PATREON.COM/CORKTAINT FOR BONUS CONTENT Thanks Everybody

We can't believe it either, but Marc Hochar from Chateau Musar joined us to discuss their history, vineyards, unconventional winemaking practices, their style, blending, Volatile Acidity (VA), and further philosophical stuff. Give it a listen, please go seek out their wines and give them plenty of air (much more than you normally would).

And for more episodes and tasting notes, sign up at Patreon.com/CorkTaint

Thanks guys

We drank some sparkling from Domaine Carneros and Bernard Fouquet in Vouvray

We drink German and Austrian Pinot Noir  (locally known as Spatburgunder and Blauburgunder respectively) which is very good. Weingut Brundlmayer 2011 pinot noir reserve and Koehler-Ruprecht 2017 Kabinett Trocken

We drink some delicious chenin blanc

chateau du hureau argile

domaine des baumard SAVENNIÈRES

yummy

Nebbiolo is delicious

We drank PRODUTTORI DEL BARBARESCO NEBBIOLO LANGHE and Pierro Benevelli 'Ravera' Barolo

We talk about french Sauvignon Blanc, a pouilly fume and a sancerre

Eh I don't really feel like writing the names of the wines down right now. 

2017 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel

Delicious 

We drink some Alsatian stuff and talk about it. Sorry we sound so tired on this one. We were

2018 Mollydooker Shiraz Blue Eyed Boy

2017 Paxton Vineyards AAA Shiraz Grenache

2010 Carlos Serres Gran Reserva

2014 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva

For something a bit different this week, Read Spear and Carlos Mendez Blas of Tso'ok Rum join us to talk about an amazing spirit that conveys terroir unlike anything else. This isn't regular rum made from molasses, it's made from fresh sugar cane juice. It's fascinating stuff that doesn't resemble anything we've had before! Give the episode a listen and go find a bottle! For more information, check out https://www.tsookrum.com/ and https://www.realmezcal.com/

For bonus episodes, sign up at patreon.com/corktaint!

2018 Dr. Loosen Red Slate Dry Riesling 

2017 Ovum Off the Grid Riesling

 2018 Carl Ehrhard Rüdesheim Kabinett Feinherb Riesling

2016 Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Rouge les Champauvins

 2016 Château de Montfaucon “Baron Louis” Lirac

It does.

2015 The Eyrie Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 

2016 Anthill Farms Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 

2015 Philippe Livera Cote de Nuits Village

2017 Patrick Piuze Chablis ‘Plateau de la Cornasse’ 

2018 Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon Mâcon-Villages 

2016 Copain Les Voisins Chardonnay

One of those "tell us how you really feel" type of episodes. Tune in to find out exactly how much of a fucking piece of garbage this book is, part 2. For more bonus episodes like this, sign up at Patreon.com/CorkTaint

Thanks everybody

Francis Fogarty, sixth generation winemaker of Antonio Vallana, one of the greatest producers in Italy (and the world!), explains the geological and winemaking history of Alto Piemonte, as well as how both the geology and soil influence the wines! For the second part of the conversation where we discuss the geneaology of grape varieties in Piedmont, and FREE access to all of the maps and diagrams we mention on this episode, visit Patreon.com/CorkTaint!

Follow them on IG at @AntonioVallana and us at @KorkTaint

Tessa Gorsuch, 5th Generation Estate Director of Martinelli Vineyards and Winery, joins us for a fascinating conversation about their incredible Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Zinfandels, as well as their meticulous farming and winemaking practices! Give it a listen and visit https://martinelliwinery.com/ to learn more about them, purchase some of their delicious wines, and sign up for their mailing list! And sign up at Patreon.com/Corktaint for a full list of tasting notes from the wines we drank this episode, plus bonus episodes!

Thanks everybody

Sarah Goedhart, head winemaker of Hedges Family Estate, joins us for a fantastic discussion about their history, farming, array of wines (especially their delicious syrahs), and much more! Also, visit ⁠HedgesFamilyEstate.com⁠ and use discount code "CORKTAINT" to recieve 20% off your order! The discount code will be valid through the end of March, so use it while it lasts! And for a full list of tasting notes from the wines we discussed, visit and sign up at Patreon.com/Corktaint!

Thanks everybody

Max Kogod of Kogod Wine Merchant (KogodWine.com) joins us for a discussion about his background, the time he spent working in Burgundy, and the fantastic values from there that still exist. He's also given us a list of his top value Burgundy picks that can be found exclusively at Patreon.com/CorkTaint! Sign up there to get the whole list. Also, valid from now until April 10th, use discount code "Corktaint" to get 10% off all wines on KogodWine.com! I know I said April 4th on the episode but it’s been extended! Thanks everybody

We discuss the differences between the two major wine certifications: Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). What they're good for, what they're definitely NOT good for, why people do them, why you should or shouldn't do them, etc. Tune in and enjoy!

For bonus content, sign up at Patreon.com/CorkTaint!

Part 2 of our fantastic episode with very special guest and fan of the show: Maria (pourdecisions_somm)!!! We continue the conversation and discuss some pretty insane aspects of the marketing-side of the business. If you haven't listened to part 1, go check it out now! Thanks guys

For bonus content check out Patreon.com/CorkTaint

We're very fortunate to have Yoann Canovas, Technical Sales Manager for DIAM-Vivelys North America, join us on this week's episode to discuss all things DIAM! How they're made, what function they serve, their sustainability, durability, utility, and efficacy. Tune in to learn all about it!

For fantastic bonus content, sign up at Patreon.com/CorkTaint

We discuss Residual Sugar AKA RS in wine, its merits, function and properties, explain Brix and the Oechsle scale, and loads of other fascinating stuff. Also I said something about Auslese indicating botrytis - that is incorrect. Interestingly enough, none of the tiers of the Pradikat system indicate botrytis, so in theory a TBA could be absent of any. Check out out patreon at ⁠Patreon.com/CorkTaint⁠ for incredible bonus content. Thanks everybody

This episode is part 1 of our multi-rant series about Jon Bonne's highly-praised book, The New French Wine. Spoiler Alert: We really did not like it. Tune in to find out why.

Part 2 (and maybe 3?) will be coming soon on Patreon.com/CorkTaint. Sign up to give it a listen

Thanks everybody

Samantha Cole-Johnson, Senior US Editor for JancisRobinson.com, joins us for a discussion about the resilience, stability, and sustainability of the wine industry, why people aren't drinking wine more often, and what we can do to change that! Follow her on IG: @SamanthaColeJohnson, @JancisRobinson Find her writing at: JancisRobinson.com

We got an all-meat episode today talking about tasting notes. Why you should be taking them, why you shouldn't be taking them, when you should be taking them, when you shouldn't be taking them, do you think the intro would have been funnier if we said it was written by Obama, etc etc.

Sign up at patreon.com/corktaint for bonus episodes!!!!

We got none other than Big John from Slik Wines joinin us this episode to talk about why wine is getting less serious and why it matters. I'll be honest, it may be our best one yet. Give it a listen and check out SlikWines.com for some fantastic educational wine content, then follow them on instagram at @SlikWines

THEN, visit patreon.com/corktaint to help support us and keep this goin. Thanks guys

Very special guest and fan of the show on this episode: Maria (pourdecisions_somm)!!! She shares her experiences through the wine professional certification process and the SUPER optimistic takeaways from the entire ordeal. It's a great one - check it out! Part 2 of this episode can be found at patreon.com/corktaint, where we continue this conversation and also discuss some pretty insane aspects of the marketing-side of the business. Thanks guys

Professor and wine writer Andrew James joins for a fantastic discussion about his newest book: Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvedre! Tune in to learn about the fascinating region, their culture, and the special wines they make. Follow him on Instagram at @andywine2021 and check out his book:

Here's a link to his book!

If you enjoy this content and would like more of it, please sign up for Our Patreon!

We drank fantastically delicious bottles of 2013 Domaine les Pallieres Gigondas Terraces Du Diable!! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did this wine. Fuck man, this wine is so good. If you like this and want to throw us a couple bucks to keep this going, check out patreon.com/corktaint. Thanks guys

Mystery guest who shall remain unnamed discusses fundamental wine knowledge and how to run a wine tasting. It is very good wine-related content you should listen to it now and give us moneys at patreon.com/corktaint

Thanks guys

We got Robbie of Podere Piccolo (@Podere_Piccolo), Virginia's finest fine wine producer making Cabernet Franc on par with the best Loire stuff, on the show to discuss minimalist winegrowing, farming, sustainability, the Virginia wine scene, and much much more! Give it a listen now and sign up for even more fantastic content at Patreon.com/CorkTaint

Follow us both on Instagram at @KorkTaint and @Podere_Piccolo

Thanks guys

I know we've been gone for a little while so we're catchin everybody up on cool stuff we've had recently. Roulot Meursault, Didier Fornerol, Fancy Chateauneuf, the list goes on. Check it out.

Sign up at Patreon.com/CorkTaint for bonus content!

Thanks guys

Can you believe we haven't done an episode about Oregon wine until now? We couldn't either. On this episode we cover the main AVAs and give you a long list of our favorite producers in each area. Speaking of our favorite producers, check out Patreon.com/CorkTaint for an exclusive episode about a recent vertical tasting of Eyrie's South Block bottling, the most storied wine in Oregon! It's quite good check it out

Thanks everybody

We got a real comprehensive review of this year's 2023 International Pinot Noir Celebration! Featuring wines from Simon Bize, Kosta Browne, Henri Giraud, Domaine Dujac, Felton Road, loads of great Oregon producers, and many more!!

For an even more comprehensive review of this event, sign up at patreon.com/corktaint

Thanks guys

We talk about stemware, which glasses are best for certain wines, whether it's all a gigantic scam, and if you're better off slurping wine out of your filthy disgusting hands

Somebody please for the love of christ make us a Dennis Hopper/ Michael Douglas Blue Velvet mashup

Sign up for our Patreon at Patreon.com/CorkTaint if you want more good stuff

Thanks

We answer questions about wine shopping, production, vintage variation and the stupid french language that 99% of people don't wanna ask but also don't usually know the answer to

For bonus content, including regularly released extra episodes, sign up for our patreon at patreon.com/corktaint

Thanks guys Ye 2024

Yea man I got to try Petrus. Some 1959 Chateau Montrose, 2015 Olivier Bernstein Chambertin Clos de Beze, 2013 Roulot Bourgogne Blanc, Berstein Clos de Beze, and much more you just gotta give it a listen. Wine content starts at 18:14

As always, please sign up at patreon.com/corktaint for bonus content and to help us keep this going and make it waaaaay better

Thanks guys

Man oh man do we have a tasty episode this week: we're talkin PetNat/Petillant Naturel/Méthode Ancestrale and forced carbonation/ Charmat wines! We cover production, why we typically hate them, how often we refuse to drink them, and much more!

Check out patreon.com/corktaint for bonus episodes!

Follow us on instagram at @korktaint

Thanks guys

Certified Madeira Wine Educator, Wine Director of Chez TJ, and overall humongous wine nerd Paul Carayas joins us to discuss one of his many passions: Madeira! We drank some fantastic stuff and learned about the history, politics, styles, and production of Madeira! Tune in for fascinating tidbits like how it has major ties to American revolutionary history! In even more interesting news, I found out that there are a bunch of cartoons in the public domain so we got some sweet new theme music. Enjoy folks Follow Paul at @paul_the_wineguy (and us at @korktaint) and sign up for our patreon at patreon.com/corktaint for bonus content!

It's not really a secret at all but it is delicious and under-appreciated and only really comes from one small region: Cour-Cheverny! We drank a delicious bottle of 2009 Francois Cazin Cour-Cheverny Cuvee Renaissance. Very tasty and in our understated opinions we have provided you with the best, most informative and transformative conversation concerning this varietal imaginable. Give it a listen sign up for our patreon at: Patreon.com/CorkTaint Thanks guys

Lewis Kopman of GK Selections joins us to discuss the fascinating Portuguese wine scene, as well as a Baga-centric discussion featuring wines from Filipa Pato and Luis Pato.

For a bonus episode with our reflections on the conversation and additional notes about the wines, visit patreon.com/corktaint and sign up. Thanks guys

Old Sauternes, Rioja, Alsace, Bordeaux, and New Zealand Chardonnay. Excellent stuff check it out. Sign up at patreon.com/corktaint for even better stuff. Thanks guys tell your friends

Part 1 of the most extravagant, over the top blind tastings/ wine dinners to date. This episode we talk about:

• 2007 Billecart Salmon Cuvee Elizabeth
• 2011 Stephane Coquillette Les Cles Blanc dss Noirs
• 1997 Chateau Grillet
• 2019 Domaine des Ardoisieres Quartz
• 2006 Leroy Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Aux Cheseaux
• 2012 Dugat-Py Gevrey-Chambertin "Cuvee Coeur de Roy"
• 1999 Bruno Clavelier Corton Grand Cru Le Rognet

Sign up at patreon.com/corktaint to hear reviews of the rest of the lineup featuring 1989 Trevallon, 1983 Olga Raffault, 1998 Musar, 1954 Antonio Vallana, AND MANY MORE

This is a recap of our watchalong of Somm3 that can be found at Patreon.com/CorkTaint. Check that out to hear our live commentary of the movie which, as you can probably imagine, we didn't care for. Thanks guys