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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The first in a 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. Carolyn and Aly Wente of Wente Vineyards talk about how they maintain their family business. Also in this episode is Remi Cohen, the second CEO of iconic California brand Domaine Carneros, who shares how her decades of experience have helped shape her role and perspectives today.

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Chardonnay may be the world's most popular white wine grape, but consumers tend to gravitate to two iconic areas when shopping for the stuff: Burgundy and California. It's time to think about the bridge that brings those two worlds, Old and New, together in one delicious sip: South Africa.

Graham Weerts, winemaker for Capensis Wines in South Africa as well as winemaker at Stonestreet Estate in California’s Alexander Valley and Senior Vice President of Vineyard Operations for Jackson Family Wines, helps us explore why the country should be in your regular rotation for exemplary Chards of brilliance and balance.

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Cork closures are nothing new in the world of wine, but thankfully, the techniques and technology being used to make them more consistently reliable is. From questions of sustainability and the use of alternate materials to improved testing techniques, it turns out that not all corks are created equally, but they’re being made better than ever before.

In honor of our The New Now issue, we’re getting a little geeky and diving deep with some real cork dorks. Contributing Editor Sean Sullivan talks to Carlos de Jesus, director of marketing and communication, and Dr. Paulo Lopes, director of innovation, from Amorim, the world’s largest cork producer. We also tap Denis van Roey, CEO, and Stéphane Vidal, head of strategic innovation, at Vinventions, producers of Nomacorc.

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Still grappling with the global pandemic and all of the business shifts that have resulted, we have a candid conversation with multiple beer industry pros about what the year ahead holds for craft beer, and what it means for what's in your glass.

Why do budget-minded wine pros always choose Cava over Prosecco? Are big-brand Champagnes really worth the hype? Associate Managing Editor of Digital Emily Saladino breaks down what constitutes a good investment in sparkling wine and why, all with the help of Felix Salmon, Chief Financial Correspondent for Axios, and Tonya Pitts, sommelier and Champagne Master candidate.

Just because your holidays may be celebrated a little differently this year doesn’t mean you can't do it up right. No matter where you are and who you're with—even if that's just yourself—we have the tips to keep your days merry and bright and full of delicious wine and food. 

Nearly every winemaker, sommelier and critic agrees on one thing: Syrah from cool-climate sites makes for some of the most interesting wines in the world. This episode explores that reality, showcasing bottles that are good examples and producers who push the envelope. Join Wine Enthusiast Contributing Editor Matt Kettmann in conversation with renowned California Syrah winemakers Bob Lindquist and Nicole Bertotti Pope.

It’s that time of year, when we’re all looking for the best wines to buy, share, drink and gift, all without breaking the bank. We’ve got you covered for all your holiday wine-shopping needs with the Top 100 Best Buys of 2020, our list of the best accessible and available value-minded wines to snap up today. In this episode, we dive into what made the cut this year with Wine Enthusiast Tasting Director Alexander Peartree. 

Managing Editor Lauren Buzzeo asks members of our tasting panel to tackle more of the toughest wine myths out there today, confirming what's true and noteworthy versus what's utter BS and utterly forgettable.

From small batch to large scale, there’s serious skill required to consistently distill quality spirits of any category, so what truly is the difference between craft and commercial? Associate Managing Editor of Print Layla Schlack speaks with industry insiders Elizabeth McCall, Samara B. Davis and Tim Wiggins to get the lowdown.

Managing Editor Lauren Buzzeo speaks with two of this year’s 40 Under 40 Tastemakers, Cristie Norman and Will Blackmon, about covering new ground and finding unique opportunities in the evolving wine and drinks worlds, from shifts in wine education and hospitality to new curation modules and beyond.