The Zonda Wine Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Jancis Robinson wants to be known as a writer. But few figures have transformed industries with words like Jancis, which also makes her a transformative figure worth celebrating, knowing, and remembering.

In this episode of the Zonda Wine Podcast, Jancis unveils where she gets her tireless work ethic, why she started JancisRobinson.com, why she sold it, and her biggest lessons from 50 years of writing.

In 1984, Jancis made history as the first person outside the wine trade to earn the title Master of Wine. Since then, she’s written colossal works including The Oxford Companion to Wine and The World Atlas of Wine (co-authored with Hugh Johnson). She earned her journalistic integrity while working for The Sunday Times in London, and since 1990 has written the wine column for Financial Times. Her voice reverberates through many channels and has catapulted generations of wine lovers from book to glass.

This is Jancis.

Bern's Steakhouse is one of the world's most iconic restaurants, housing the country's biggest private wine collection at 650,000+. bottles! Head sommelier Brad Dixon got his dream job when he started working at Bern's in 2003, and has since catered to the mass of wine lovers that make pilgrimages to Tampa, FL every year to choose special bottles to celebrate. Listen to our interview with Brad to learn how he manages a huge wine list, the rarest wines he's opened, and a funny story involving a bottle of Champagne.

Ben Aneff is at the forefront of the fight against wine tariffs and the most knowledgable person on the subject today as it pertains to the wine industry.

Ben is the managing partner of Tribeca Wine Merchants in New York City, named one of “America’s Best Wine Shops” by Food & Wine Magazine, and an “Editor’s Favorite” by Wine Spectator. He is also the director of the U.S. Wine Trade Alliance and the National Association of Wine Retailers, where he has testified on tariff effects at the International Trade Commission and worked with congressional offices and wine trade members to preserve the wine industry's economic stronghold in the world's biggest wine market: the U.S.

This is the only podcast you'll need to understand wine tariffs at their core.

Historian Adam Zientek is the author of A Thirst For Wine & War: The Intoxication of French Soldiers on the Western Front (2024), winner of the Tomlinson Prize for best First World War monograph.In this episode, Adam shares his groundbreaking research on the role of wine and distilled alcohol in the daily lives of French soldiers during World War I. From boosting morale to masking the stench of death in the trenches, alcohol became a powerful tool of survival and solidarity. As of 1915, up to 35% of every French winemaker's harvest went directly to the military. Soldiers called wine 'Pinard', the lifeline in a world of chaos and fear.We explore how wine became a symbol of courage, community, and even national identity on the Western Front, and how intoxication was woven into the brutal fabric of modern warfare.Don’t miss this deep dive into the social history of alcohol and war, and how it shaped the experience of trench fighting in WWI.

Antonio Galloni founded Vinous in 2013. It is now regarded as one of the world's top wine publications boasting a team of highly respected wine critics that help experienced collectors, auction houses, retailers, and young wine lovers make informed decisions on what to drink and buy. Antonio joined The Zonda Wine Podcast in Miami to talk about starting Vinous, the key to building a successful team, and why young people and women especially hold the key to wine's future.

How do the world’s top wine tasters sharpen their palates? In this episode, we dive into 'Beyond Flavour', the award-winning book from Master of Wine Nick Jackson—a must-read for anyone serious about blind tasting, or needing to pass that WSET or Master of Wine (MW) exam. Nick, who aced all three parts of the MW exam on his first try, joins us to share why he trusts structure over flavor when identifying grape varieties. We unpack his unique approach to wine analysis, talk about the evolution of fine wine, and discover Nick's dream wine.

Get your taste buds battle ready. This is blind tasting 101.

In this episode, we sit down with one of the top players in fine wine glassware: Riedel, The Wine Glass Company. Our guest Julio Ruiz has been with the legendary family company for almost 20 years and shows us why your wine glass makes all the difference in experience and pleasure.

Riedel has been in the wine game for nearly 300 years, powered by 11 generations of one family. The most well-known recent figures in the company include Georg Riedel and his son Maximilian Riedel, who continue to lead the brand and expand its influence in the wine world.

Riedel revolutionized the wine industry in 1958 when they released varietal-specific glassware, that is glasses tailored to specific grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay. This innovation began with the introduction of the Burgundy Grand Cru glass, designed to enhance the characteristics of specific grape varieties.

Today, we look at Riedel's 'Veloce Collection'. “Veloce”—Italian for “fast”—is a tribute to innovation, making premium glassware accessible. Perfectly suited for wine connoisseurs, Riedel Veloce is elegant, functional, and dishwasher safe, plus one of the finest, thinnest and tallest glasses in the portfolio.

From enhancing aromas to balancing acidity, Julio reveals the science and design behind why the right glass can take your wine experience from underwhelming to mind-blowing. Whether you're a casual sipper or a wine nerd, this episode will forever change how you pour your next glass.

Want to get the most out of this episode? Get the ⁠Veloce Tasting Set online⁠, scoop the corresponding wines at your closest shop and join us from the comfort of your home.

This show is produced by Zonda Wine Services.

The Zonda Wine Podcast brings entertainment to the world of wine. Hosted by industry insider Shawn Zylberberg and produced by Zonda Wine Services, this show dives deep into the basics of wine straight from the most influential figures in the business—glassmakers, sommeliers, celebrities, and the top names shaping the industry today. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a curious newbie, each episode uncorks engaging conversations that address our biggest questions. What's yours?

There is no modern day Napa Valley without Tor Kenward. Many know him as the founder and proprietor of the critically acclaimed TOR Wines, but his five decades of experience in the heart of American wine country goes much deeper. This episode is loaded with Tor's fascinating stories alongside iconic characters like Robert Parker, Robert Mondavi, Andy Beckstoffer, and Andre Tchelistcheff, all of which is in his autobiography 'Reflections of a Vintner'. Tor also shares EXCLUSIVE news on a groundbreaking documentary being released this year. Enjoy the interview!Buy 'Reflections of a Vintner' Book: https://a.co/d/j2DLustTOR Wines: https://torwines.com/

It's not easy keeping up with Laura Catena, the fourth generation steward of Argentina's icon estate, Catena Zapata. Luckily, we were able to sit down with her in Buenos Aires for an exclusive interview.Founded by Italian immigrants in 1902, the winery is known for putting Argentina on the global stage, and making Malbec a popular grape in the U.S. market.

This one-on-one interview contains exclusive details that explain how they got it done, and why Argentina is in a 'Golden Era' of quality.From her journey as an emergency room physician to leading a wine dynasty, Laura shares great stories that capture the challenges, breakthroughs, and bold decisions that led to success and recognition.