In honor of making it to our 100th episode, we have something special in store: We turned to some of our most opinionated staff editors to collect 100 recommendations for wines we love. Whether it’s a special occasion, an achievement earned, a milestone reached or just plain-old making it through a Monday, we talk about some of our favorite pours to pop and enjoy right now to make every moment, no matter how big or small, deliciously count. From Baja Garnacha and Special Club Champagne to Riesling from all around the globe and, stellar South African pours of all types and styles, it’s such an exciting time to be a wine lover, with so many wonderful bottles to try and stories behind them. Here are some of our faves. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast  

Wine Enthusiast Podcast

Episode 100: 100 Wines for Our 100th Episode

While we all love getting out and about, the past year has forced us to rethink the communal status quo and consider how we can connect without being in the same physical space. Enter the internet and all of the possibility it holds to create virtual gathering spaces for a variety of needs, including sharing a glass and building your wine community online. In this episode, we speak to two of this year's 40 Under 40 Tastemakers—Laura Brown, Cofounder of Uncorked Access and Wine Educator at Vin Social; and Alex Schrecengost, founder and CEO of Virtual With Us and Culture With Us—about our redefined expectations on what it means to wine together while remaining apart. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast

Episode 99: Get Your Wine On in a Virtual Space (40 Under 40 of 2021 Series - Part 3)

Above all other established styles, all of the trends, all of the brewer wishes, the India pale ale remains the best-selling style in the craft beer space. Why is it so popular and why is it seemingly unstoppable? In this episode, the second in our three-part series highlighting some of this year’s 40 Under 40 Tastemakers, we dive into everyone’s favorite love-it-or-hate-it beer style: IPA. Beer Editor John Holl speaks with three people from this year’s 40 Under 40 list—Lisa Allen of Heater Allen Brewing in McMinnville, OR; Bill Shufelt of Athletic Brewing in Stratford, CT; and Doug Veliky of Revolution Brewing in Chicago, IL—about the good, the bad and the in between on all things IPA. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast  

Episode 98: Why is IPA so Unstoppable? (40 Under 40 of 2021 Series - Part 2)

In this episode, Associate Managing Editor Emily Saladino speaks with 40 Under 40 honorees Shanika Hillocks and Isis Daniel about the role of social media in wine business and culture. What makes for compelling social content in the wine world, and how can wine companies, professionals and casual drinkers better harness the power of Instagram, TikTok and beyond? Hillocks and Daniel share tips from their work as social media experts and discuss where they see social wine communities headed. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast  

Episode 97: The Power of Social Media in Wine (40 Under 40 of 2021 Series - Part 1)

Over the past few years, hard seltzer has taken over the drinks world. Has the bubble burst? Or, is it about to take a different shape? Say hello to wine-based seltzers. While most hard seltzers are made from fermented sugars, specifically malt, these drinks use wine as a boozy base. And more winemakers are getting into the seltzer game. To explore this space, Managing Editor Lauren Buzzeo speaks with Andrew Nelson, Managing Partner and President at War Room Cellars, a company that produces the wine seltzer Bubble Butt, among others.   FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast

Episode 96: Love Hard Seltzer? Have We Got a Wine for You!

A lot has happened in the South African wine industry over the past year-plus. Since the start of the global pandemic, it has faced numerous obstacles. The first Covid-19-related restrictions came in March 2020. Since then, there have been multiple starts and stops to alcohol sale, transport and export. Figures have estimated billions of dollars of revenue lost, as well as hundreds of thousands of drinks-industry jobs. But simultaneously, the country has maintained international relationships, improved global standing and further honed-in on its own brand and messaging, leading to improved quality overall. Managing Editor Lauren Buzzeo catches up on the current state of affairs for South African wine with Jim Clarke, Marketing Manager for trade group Wines of South Africa USA as well as author of the book The Wines of South Africa. There’s clearly been a lot of recent change in the South African wine industry. Some good, some bad, some still to be fully determined. But at the end of the day, the takeaway remains—there’s truly never been a better time to drink South African wine. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast

Episode 95: There's No Better Time to Drink South African Wine

With summer in full swing and many eager to return to in-person gatherings, we take a look at how to make summer entertaining extra special this year. In this episode, Associate Managing Editor of Print Layla Schlack talks to two sommeliers about crowd-pleasing bottles that go with anything you might be serving at your barbecue or picnic, as well as what to bust out to make any summer gathering feel like a party. Joining Layla is Cory Holt, a sommelier with Union Square Hospitality Group and founder of Bridges Wine Culture consulting, and Tahiirah Habibi, founder of Hue Society and a previous 40 Under 40 honoree. They’re both serving up bubbles, magnums and more this summer, so grab your glass and get ready for all the pro tips to making this summer wine sensational. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast  

Episode 94: Summer 2021 Outdoor "Entertaining"

Though largely associated with big, international brewing companies, lagers are having a craft moment. To tap into the trend, Beer Editor John Holl speaks with Todd DiMatteo, owner and brewer of Good Word Brewing & Public House in Georgia, and Khristopher Johnson, founding brewer and co-owner of Green Bench Brewery in Florida, about the current state of American craft lagers, and where to turn for your next delicious sip. From familiar styles with new-age hops to collaborations that revive forgotten substyles, there sure is a lot of love for lagers these days. So grab a pint of your favorite cold one and enjoy the lager lowdown. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast  

Episode 93: The Current State of American Lagers

Winemakers across Italy produce a wide range of sparkling wines. From assorted appellations and using different grape varieties and techniques, a beautiful array of offerings can be found from the country. But with so much variety, it can be a little tricky to know exactly what kind of final wine you should expect in any given glass. To help break it down, Tasting Director Alexander Peartree talks with Giuseppe LoCascio, Chief Everything Officer of Vntners and Lucidity Wine Merchants, about four of the country’s prominent sparkling wine selections: Prosecco, Franciacorta, Trentodoc and Lambrusco. They cover what sets each of these sparkling wines apart, and why they are great go-tos for any occasion. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast  

Episode 92: The Wide World of Italian Sparkling Wine

In this episode, Associate Managing Editor of Digital, Emily Saladino, speaks with sommelier and natural wine consultant Margot Mazur and The Lotus and the Vines founder Larissa Dubose. The three discuss how climate change and last year’s wildfires played a vital role in how winemakers pivoted from full-bodied reds to rosés with minimal skin contact. They also explore the style’s recent history, popularity and where might the great pink wave be off to next. Dubose also highlights the importance of exploring food inclusivity by pairing rosé with dishes from different cultures and locales, like the Caribbean and Philippines. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast

Episode 91: Is There Anything New to Say About Rosé?

Australia has a long history of wine production, dating back around 200 years. In that time, the country has built a reputation for quality offerings that can compete globally. But broad understanding of Australia’s winemaking origins, especially the influence of Aboriginal culture, is sparse, and the contributions of the First Nations People of Australia are often overlooked or undervalued. To understand more about the country’s drinks history and its impact on Australia’s wine world today, Contributing Editor Christina Pickard speaks to drinks industry veterans Curly Haslam-Coates and Gary Green. Their conversations demonstrate how programs and producers are advancing modern dialogues. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast

Episode 90: Exploring the Drinks Influence of First Australians

In this episode, we go a little deep and talk about a somewhat philosophical question. Is wine art? Wine drinkers often romanticize the art and poetry of winemaking, but it’s impossible to ignore the science behind wine production. At the end of the day, perhaps wine is just a product, a commodity, based in science and with a clear method for optimal production? Care to fall down this rabbit hole with us? Managing Editor Lauren Buzzeo speaks to Winemaker/Vineyard Manager Rachel Rose of Bryn Mawr Vineyards in Salem, Oregon, to discuss the reality of making wine, and if what’s in the bottle can truly be considered art. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast

Episode 89: Is Wine Art?

 “Natural wines” are increasingly bantered about these days, but in cool-climate regions like Germany, with highly challenging weather and disease issues, making wines “au naturel” can be a risky proposition. For some, it's a must-do labor of love, and we explore why. Contributing Editor Anna Lee Iijima speaks with two producers from the Pfalz wine region in western Germany who champion such change: Bettina Bürklin-von Gurazdi of Dr. Bürklin-Wolf, and Hans and Valentin Rebholz from the Rebholz Estate.   FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast 

Episode 88: Germany's Au Naturel Challenge

Natural wine often falls into a love it or hate it conversation, but why? In search of answers, we talk to Meri Lugo of Domestique Wine shop, a retailer from the natty side, and Charles Springfield, a somm who deals in more traditional bottles, to find out what it is about this category that inspires such heated debate. We discuss some of the perceptions and misunderstandings among natural and conventional wine lovers, as well as how one can get over the hump to expand your palate.   FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast

Episode 87: Why Is Natural Wine So Divisive?

The second in our two-part series to honor Women’s History Month, this episode of the Wine Enthusiast Podcast features some of the leading ladies of the California wine scene who are driving the industry forward today.  To kick things off, Contributing Editor Virginie Boone speaks with Amanda Wittstrom Higgins, president and founder of Dream Big Darling, cofounder of Wine Speak Paso Robles and VP of operations at Ancient Peaks Winery, about the importance of finding your tribe and building your support network, as well as mentoring and amplifying others’ voices. We also speak with Ana Keller of Keller Estate, who centers her conversation around respecting the land and the community around you, and how organizations can champion change. Innovative and inspiring, Keller advocates attention to farming for the future and applying best and sustainable practices for the greater good of generations to come. FOLLOW US ON: Instagram: @wineenthusiast Twitter: @WineEnthusiast Facebook: @WineEnthusiast

Episode 86: California's Women in Wine—Part 2

The Wine Enthusiast Podcast takes you on a tantalizing trip into the world of wine, beer and spirits. Drink up engaging, behind-the-scenes stories reported and recorded by Wine Enthusiast’s editors. In each episode, we explore emerging trends, provide educational tidbits, and introduce you to the passionate people who craft, shake, ferment, and pour their beverage of choice. Inside every bottle is a story.

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Wine Enthusiast Podcast

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