The Zonda Wine Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we sit down with Joaquín Hidalgo — Buenos Aires-based wine journalist, Vinous reviewer, and the first Argentinean to join the international wine critic elite. Joaquín covers Argentina, Chile, Spain, and Portugal for Antonio Galloni's world renowned publication, Vinous, and has written for La Nación, Playboy and other local newspapers. We talk about his journey from winemaker to wine critic, his ironclad rules for integrity in a crumbling system, tasting with the world's best producers, and the only wine he ever gave 100 points. Joaquín also shares his thoughts on the rapidly evolving Argentine wine scene. This interview was filmed in Buenos Aires at Romanée Wine Experience.

Timestamps:

• 0:02 — Introduction to Joaquín Hidalgo
• 3:18 — Origins in Mendoza and the Agricultural School
• 3:37 — From enologist to journalist
• 9:43 — First steps in wine journalism
• 12:07 — Integrity and independence as a critic
• 16:50 — The role of the critic and scores
• 17:32 — Tasting with producers and calibrating the palate
• 21:46 — Covering Spain for Vinous
• 27:25 — The wine that deserved 100 points
• 34:45 — Favorite regions in Argentina
• 42:30 — The Argentine DNA and the wine industry
• 49:00 — The rise of white wines in Argentina
• 52:02 — Wine consumption and the Buenos Aires market
• 59:21 — Pairings: the best wine for a barbecue
• 1:00:22 — The oldest wine and personal preferences
• 1:02:29 — Wines at home and favorite cocktail

• (00:00) - Introducción a Joaquín Hidalgo
• (03:18) - Orígenes en Mendoza y el Liceo Agrícola
• (03:37) - Del enólogo al periodista
• (09:43) - Primeros pasos en el periodismo de vino
• (12:07) - Integridad e independencia como crítico
• (16:50) - El rol del crítico y los puntajes
• (17:32) - Catar con productores y calibrar el paladar
• (21:46) - Cubriendo España para Vinous
• (27:25) - El vino que mereció 100 puntos
• (34:45) - Regiones favoritas de Argentina
• (42:30) - El ADN argentino y la industria del vino
• (49:00) - El auge de los vinos blancos en Argentina
• (52:02) - Consumo y mercado del vino en Buenos Aires
• (59:21) - Maridajes: el mejor vino para un asado
• (01:00:22) - El vino más viejo y preferencias personales
• (01:02:29) - Vinos en casa y cocktail favorito

This episode features the founders of California's Newfound Wines, Matt & Audra Naumann, in their Napa home.

The fearless husband-wife duo started the nature-led project in 2016 after discovering a 40-acre Sierra Foothills property with a bonded winery and about 16 plantable acres. With roughly 20 years experience in the wine industry at renowned wineries, they chose to build a tangible, farming-driven estate winery rather than just a label, tearing out five heavily virused acres, and enduring setbacks including extreme rainfall and a landslide. Their first estate fruit arrived in 2024, which shows the patience and persistence of these two talented winemakers and farmers. They focus on Mediterranean varieties like Grenache and Chenin Blanc, farm organically, and price most wines at $55 and under to keep them accessible for many. 

Enjoy this episode and go get yourself a bottle, they're fun to taste with their rugged edges and unique flavors.

Buy here:

https://www.newfoundwines.com/collection/available/

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?

Boia De is one of Miami’s top restaurants. Bar none.

How this 27-seat restaurant wedged between a coin laundry and supermarket in a strip mall rose to the top is a testament to the vision of owners and chef-partners Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer. And of course, Gabriela Ospina, the wine director responsible for putting together an esoteric wine list filled with hidden gems waiting to be discovered and remembered. 

In our latest podcast episode, Gaby talks about her life leading up to Boia De, which includes a decade-long stint in San Francisco, meeting Robin Williams during her cocktail waitress days, managing a restaurant during peak COVID days, and coming into wine at her own pace. 

Gaby also opens up about a devastating fire that took her home and precious belongings in 2024, and how the wine community showed up to get her back on her feet. 

For aspiring sommeliers and restaurant lovers, this chat is for you. Gaby gets technical and breaks down how bottle pricing really works, what the industry’s ‘panic’ headlines get wrong, and why there will always be room for wine at the table.