Choosing wine should not feel like a gamble. Each week Colin, Joel, and Aaron put bottles to the test so you know which wines are actually worth buying.
Every episode includes an honest wine review, practical wine tips, and real opinions about what is overrated, what is underrated, and what deserves a spot in your cart.
No wine snobbery. No confusing jargon. Just straightforward help picking better bottles. If you have ever stood in the wine aisle wondering “Is this actually good?” you are in the right place.
Pour a glass and listen in.
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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 next dinner?
Has Albariño Found a Second Home in Uruguay? | Bodega Garzón Reserva Albariño Review
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 • Duration 31:51
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 is investing in the grape, and play a Uruguay-themed round of Grape Guesses.
Oaked vs. Unoaked Chardonnay: Two Sides of White Burgundy | Louis Jadot Chardonnay Review
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 • Duration 48:03
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 Chardonnay edition of Grape Guesses.
Two wines. One grape. Two completely different sides of white Burgundy.
Wines Reviewed
2024 Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay
Region: Mâconnais, Burgundy, France
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Style: Unoaked
ABV: 12.5%
Price: Approximately $16
2024 Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuissé
Region: Pouilly-Fuissé, Mâconnais, Burgundy, France
Wine Interview: Brian Mondavi Borger of Continuum Estate | Novicium 2023 Review
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 • Duration 01:09:32
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 making them feel intimidated.
We also explore the creation of Continuum Estate, the rugged mountainside vineyard on Pritchard Hill, and Tim Mondavi’s 50 years of winemaking.
Then we taste Novicium, a limited-production, estate-grown Cabernet blend priced around $200. Can an expensive Napa wine deliver enough quality to justify the price?
Wine Details
Wine: Novicium Producer: Continuum Estate Region: Napa Valley Varietals: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot Alcohol: 14.9% ABV Price: Approximately $200
The Best $20 Pinot Noir We've Ever Had? | Louis Jadot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2022 Review
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 • Duration 40:56
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 why producer matters just as much as region when you're shopping for wine.
Plus, we wrap things up with another round of Grape Guesses featuring surprising Burgundy trivia that puts the region's history and reputation into perspective.
If you've been looking for an affordable Pinot Noir or have always wondered what all the hype around Burgundy is about, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
King of the Grocery Store Wines? | Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Review
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 • Duration 36:08
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 to come with a high price tag.
Wine: Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Producer: Louis Jadot Vintage: 2024 Region: Beaujolais Villages, Burgundy, France Grape: 100% Gamay ABV: 12.5% Price: About $14 USD
Most importantly, we ask a simple question:
Can a $14 grocery store wine actually be good enough to become your everyday bottle?
If you've ever walked past French wine because the labels felt intimidating, or you're looking for an affordable bottle that overdelivers, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!
The Truth About Wine Storage w/ the Del Rey Wine Center | Wine Review: 2023 Weingut Keller Limestone Riesling Kabinett
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 • Duration 01:00:23
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 glass.
To put those ideas to the test, we finish the episode with a Keller Riesling from Germany, a wine that reminds us why some bottles really are worth the wait.
If you've ever wondered whether you need a wine fridge, how long you should hold onto a bottle, or whether aging wine is only for collectors, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Another Fan Recommendation. Another Win! | Mollydooker Boxer Shiraz 2023 Review
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 • Duration 47:30
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.
Then we crown the winner of our Australian Wine Challenge and answer the question we never expected to ask after our infamous Yellow Tail review:
Was Australia unfairly judged all along?
If you've ever dismissed Australian wine, or wondered whether a bottle's label is clever marketing or an honest preview of what's inside, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!
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Legendary Winemaker and a $24 Bottle of Wine? | Ringland Barossa Shiraz 2021 Review
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 • Duration 35:13
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?
Turns out, the answer might change the way you shop for wine forever.
Plus:
Why affordable wines aren't just "cheap versions" of luxury bottles
A chaotic round of Grape Guesses featuring kangaroos, Shiraz exports, and Australia's oldest vines
Colin discovers new sound effects... and maybe a little too much power
Wine Reviewed:
2021 Ringland Barossa Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia)
Have a wine you think we need to try? Send us your recommendation—you might pick our next winner.
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 how understanding the grape can be just as important as understanding where it came from.
Most importantly, we ask a bigger question: are we finally discovering the sweet spot for value wines, or is finding great wine under $17 still just a game of chance?
Discover shows related to Stop Wasting Your Wine, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
00:00 Intro: Albariño From Uruguay? 00:58 Can Uruguay Compete With Spain? 02:02 Aaron’s First Experience With Bodega Garzón 03:45 Wine Details and Price 04:19 First Sips: Salty, Breezy, and “Acidy” 05:34 Grapefruit, Green Apple, and Coastal Character 07:57 What Defines Spanish Albariño? 08:55 Does Uruguay’s Version Taste Different? 09:41 Why Albariño Works in Uruguay 11:27 Availability and Value 13:03 The Final Reviews 17:17 A Must-Share Because of the Story? 19:33 Grape Guesses: Uruguay Edition 22:49 The Rise of Albariño in Uruguay 27:34 How Many Uruguayan Producers Grow Albariño? 30:33 Outro and Where to Find Us
00:00 The Mondavi Name Isn’t What You Think 02:36 Meet Brian Mondavi Borger 14:23 Making Wine Less Intimidating 18:44 What Happened to Robert Mondavi Winery? 24:02 Building Continuum Estate 38:30 Introducing Novicium 42:25 Tasting a $200 Napa Cabernet 55:26 The Final Ratings 1:02:53 Aging and Collecting Novicium 1:04:39 Pick Your Poison 1:08:02 Outro
Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!
00:00 Why Wine Storage Matters 02:08 Meet the Team from Del Rey Wine Center 04:50 How Del Rey Wine Center Was Built 07:45 The Biggest Wine Storage Mistakes 13:00 Heat, Light & Why Your Kitchen Is a Terrible Place for Wine 18:00 Does Storing Wine on Its Side Still Matter? 20:30 When Is It Time to Buy a Wine Fridge or Storage Locker? 25:15 How Temperature Really Affects Aging 29:15 How Much Does Professional Wine Storage Cost? 34:00 Why Ryan Chose Keller Riesling 39:40 The Best Affordable Wines to Age 45:00 Keller Riesling Review 50:35 Final Ratings
