Wine Two Five Podcast

Episode 201: The W25 Journey - What a Trip! (Finale)

14 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This is the season/series finale of the Wine Two Five Podcast. In this episode we look back, laugh, and look ahead at what's next. We are sincerely gr...

Episode 200: Laura Catena - More than Malbec!

07 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Laura Catena of Bodega Catena Zapata and the Catena Institute of Wine joins us for some in-depth conversation about Malbec's heritage, Argentine w...

Episode 199: Pinotage Grape Gab

31 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Grape Gab about the Pinotage grape, drinking whisky and a whiskey cocktail, and swag.

Episode 198: Coffee Liqueurs

24 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What are coffee liqueurs, how are they made, and what are you supposed to do with them? Beyond breakfast and dessert, a little side trip into the hist...

Episode 197: Breakfast Wines

17 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Breakfast wines extend beyond the Mimosa. Breakfast is just food. Wine goes with food. Whether you're having wine for breakfast or breakfast for dinne...

Episode 196: Ousia's Kamal Kouiri on Greek Wine

10 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Kamal Kouiri joins us from New York to discuss Greek wines, history, styles, spirits, travel, and a funny frose' wine story. He is the Director of Ope...

Episode 195: Bloopers, 2018, and Molasses in our Glasses

03 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our 4th annual cutting room floor fun and a look back on the podcasting year that was (and what wasn't in the show, for obvious reasons). Also in this...

Episode 194: High Tech Wine Education

27 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A walking tour of MSU Denver's Hospitality Learning Center with a 4,000 bottle wine cellar, cooking demonstration theater, and sensory analysis lab wi...

Episode 193: Grape Gab - Cabernet Franc

20 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Getting frank about cab franc, a grape gab, a pod quiz, and way too much fun! More at winetwofive.com

Episode 192: Pét-Nats With Michelle Miller of Reno's Esoteric Wine Bar

13 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Michelle Miller of Reno's Esoteric Wine Bar joins us for some peppy pét-nat chitchat. Pét-nat is short for pétillant naturel, a type of sparkling ...

Episode 191: Grape Gab - Sauvignon Blanc

06 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

December's Grape Gab on the sassy Sauvignon Blanc, its color mutations, family members, and styles, history and other fun facts. Wild, and wily, perha...

Episode 190: Smokin' Hot Burning Wine Question Edition

29 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is all about answering questions you all have sent in about everything from how this podcast got started, finding (or starting) a tasting...

Episode 189: Thanksgiving, Sipping Jordan and Wino Radar

22 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Wine Two Five ladies are offering listeners a small token of of gratitude this week, as well as some Wino Radar edutainment finds. We also managed...

Episode 188: Behind the Bottles With WTSO's Justin Kite

15 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are chatting with Wines 'Til Sold Out (WTSO) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Justin Kite. Not only is WTSO a relationship-based retailer, t...

Episode 187: Regional Rap - Wines of Israel (featuring Golan Heights Winery)

08 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The November Regional Rap features the wines of Golan Heights Winery by Victor Schoenfeld. These brands include Mount Herman, Gilgal, and Yarden. Man...

Episode 186: Jessie "JABS" Birschbach, Managing Editor, The Somm Journal

01 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are chatting with The Somm Journal's Managing Editor, Jessie Birschbach, known as JABS. She is also the Senior Wine Editor at both The T...

W25LoCo1 - Bonacquisti Winery, Denver

26 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This is the 1st episode of the W25 LoCo (Local Colorado) Edition! We are chatting with Paul Bonacquisti of Bonacquisti Winery in Denver, and Cha Cha C...

Episode 185: Grape Gab - Teroldego

25 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We are talking Teroldego in October's Grape Gab. You may know it's an Italian original, but where else is it doing well? The answer may surprise you. ...

Episode 184: Master the World With Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein

18 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A W25 exclusive! Evan Goldstein, MS, chats with us about his hottest new venture, Master the World, subscription-based and curated blind tasting kits....

Episode 183: A Punch of Fall

11 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This is our annual celebration of all that is fall! We talk flavors that find themselves into nearly all we eat and, yes, drink! Also, we toast #Merlo...

Episode 182: Wine & Health With Dr. Matilde Parente, MD, CSW

04 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Matilde Parente joins us for a fun - but serious - discussion on wine and Health. From headaches and hangovers, science and sulfites, to biogenic ...

Episode 181: Regional Rap - Let's go Loire!

27 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This month's Regional Rap is a virtual Loire lap in under 30 minutes! From the Muscadet of Pays Nantais, through Vouvray all the way to Pouilly-Fumé ...

Episode 180: Grape Gab - Semillon in September

20 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for our monthly Grape Gab! We're sliding into September with Sémillon, its styles, and all those things that make it special. Is it an unsu...

Episode 179: I Know What You Drank Last Summer

13 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From Porto to Spain to the French Alps, this week is all about the beverage (and food!) finds from Steph's recent travels in Europe. Menorca was the #...

Episode 178: Burning Wine Questions and Arizona Wine With Clay Janson

06 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Clay is bringing the heat this week from Phoenix, AZ, as he flips the scripts and drops burning wine questions for Steph and Val to answer. A long-tim...

Episode 177: Wine Camp in New York

30 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We're in a "wine camp state of mind," having just returned from our 5th Society of Wine Educators (SWE) conference in the Finger Lakes, NY. We affecti...

Episode 176: Back to (Wine) School With Cru Artisan College

23 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

  This episode is about the Cru Artisan College experience! Full of factoids, embarrassing stories and so much more, this edition contains four incre...

Episode 175: Wine Tasting Potpourri Podcast Party

16 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We Like Drinking Podcast host Jeff E. & die-hard supporter Diane H. enthusiastically join us to taste some unusual wines & spirits. For this episode, ...

Episode 174: Tasting the Past With Author Kevin Begos

09 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Begos, author of the new book Tasting the Past: The Science of Flavor & the Search for the Origins of Wine, chats with the W25 ladies. Fresh off...

Episode 173: The Great August Albariño Grape Gab

02 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Roll out those crazy Albariño days of Summer! In this episode we are Grape Gabbing about Albariño. Also we announce our July Patron drawing at the e...

Episode 172: Tangled Vines - Smokin' Summer Book Club With Meg Hansen, CSW, CSS

26 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Smokin' hot summer edition of the #W25BookClub. This week, die-hard listener, Meg Hansen, CSW, CSS, joins us to discuss "Tangled Vines: Greed, Murder,...

Episode 171: Wines of Mexico With Sommelier Sandra Fernandez Gaytan

19 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Joining us from Mexico City is superstar sommelier & owner of SFG Public Relations for Premium Wine & Spirits, Sandra Fernández Gaytán. Not only did...

Episode 170: Barbera Banter - A Midsummer Grape Gab

12 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We love Barbera. It responds well to different wine making processes to result in a great variety of styles. We hate to put it in a style box, but we ...

Episode 169: Anise Spirits and a Nice (Wine!) Surprise

05 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This spirited discussion focuses on the flavoring, characteristics, and botanical foundations of anise or licorice-based spirits. What's fascinating i...

Episode 168: Tour de Provence

28 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Provence. Bucolic images of lavender fields, stone farmhouses, Pastis, bowls of mussels … or Russell Crowe slowly unrotting his soul in uncle's vine...

Episode 167: My Wine Society

21 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Just when you think the online wine community couldn't get any cooler, the ultimate online wine community comes along - and it's pretty darned cool. W...

Episode 166: Grape Gab - Getting to Know Nebbiolo

14 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We are getting to know Nebbiolo in June's Grape Gab. Also, we deliberate a Burning Wine Question on knowing when to open your bottles versus saving th...

Episode 165: Rhone Wine & Art - A Feast for the Senses

07 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Côtes du Rhône wines were recently paired with London artist Joe Cruz's art for a creative tasting. Sommelier, wine writer, educator & prophet, J...

Episode 164: Pearls of Wine Wisdom With Jameson Fink

31 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Jameson Fink, creator of Wine Without Worry, joins the Wine Two Five ladies for some conversation about Chablis, oysters, and learning about wine when...

Episode 163 : Grape Gab - Getting Geekio With Verdicchio

24 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We are geeking out on the Verdicchio grape in May's Grape Gab. Verdicchio is important to Italy's Le Marche, and makes diverse, interesting styles of ...

Episode 162: Ice Wine & Chill

17 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As the weather warms up, it's a good time to chill down with some ice wine - or Eiswein - or Icewine. Believe it or not they are not all the same thin...

Episode 161: Magic of Mallorca - Martin Ward, Wine Educators International

10 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Martin Ward is the owner of Wine Educators International, a company focused on touring, learning about, and enjoying the finer aspects of food, wine, ...

Episode 160: From Government to Grapes: An American Wine Dream

03 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From inside the beltway to outside in wine country - wine grape growers Clark and Bonny Lystra talk with us about finding their dream home in the Russ...

Episode 159: A Good Old Gewürztraminer Grape Gab

26 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for the April Grape Gab, and we are getting down and gabbing Gewürztraminer. This white grape has been described as everything from spicy t...

Episode 158: New Season, New Stuff

19 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We're ushering in Season 4 of the Wine Two Five Podcast with a podcastiversary celebration, bourbon and bubbles! Have no fear, there are factoids galo...

Episode 157: Eric V. Orange of LocalWineEvents.com

12 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Juice is in the house! Eric V. Orange, creator of localwineevents.com and "The Juice" newsletter joins the W25 ladies for an afternoon chat about ...

Episode 156: Oh yes we Can! Craft Wine Coolers & Bringing the Mayhem

05 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This episode explores canned wine beverages, and features the craft wine coolers of St. Mayhem. Those of us who came of drinking age in the '80s & '90...

Episode 155: Keeping it Real With Arthur Black of the Shift Drink Podcast

29 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Wine and Spirits Education Specialist, and host of the Shift Drink Podcast, Arthur Black joins the ladies for an incredibly spirited discussion. Strap...

Episode 154: Port & Adrian Bridge, CEO, The Fladgate Partnership

22 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A super special episode in which we were charmed and educated by the CEO of the Fladgate Partnership, Adrian Bridge. Adrian is the brains behind Taylo...

Episode 153: A Port Primer

15 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In preparation for a special guest that will joining us from Portugal in the next episode, we thought it would be appropriate to polish up our Port kn...

Episode 152: Power to the Grape Gab - Negroamaro

08 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

March's grape gab is about the Negroamaro grape from the wine region of Puglia, Italy. The name translates to "black bitter" but don't let that scare ...

Episode 151: English Wine & a Bout of Bubble Banter

01 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We answer a request for some edutainment about English wine, and found some cool resources on this cool climate country's rise as a wine presence in t...

Episode 150: Burning Wine Questions, a Cava Convo & Celebrations

22 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Carving out a cava convo in response to a listener's burning wine question, we dove into some bubbly banter. Who knew this discussion would take us fr...

Episode 149: Greek Wine, Olympics & Soju

15 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of the Olympics, we thought we'd geek a little bit about Greek wines. The Olympics have come a long way since their origins in Olympia back i...

Episode 148: Talking Tannat - A Grape Gab

08 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We're talking Tannat in this month's Grape Gab. Tannat is a red grape that has its roots in Southwestern France. Recently it has reinvented itself in...

Episode 147: " A Glass Full of Miracles" Book Review

01 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We're talking about Miljenko "Mike" Grgich's book, "A Glass Full of Miracles" this week. The book is an historical account of world and US wine events...

Episode 146: Top 10 Wine Two Five Podcast Re-wined

25 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes we have to look back to go forward. In this episode we find out what it is listeners are downloading the most. We thank those of you who "no...

Episode 145: The Spanish Wine Guy, Rick Fisher

18 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Rick Fisher is the program director of the Wine Scholar Guild's Spanish Wine Scholar program (launching Fall 2018) and lover of all things Spain. His ...

Episode 144: Alsace Opulence With Cassidy Havens

11 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What is the "red drinker's white wine?" What's unique about Alsace, the wine styles, and the labeling? Cassidy Havens, DipWSET, of Teuwen Communicatio...

Episode 143: New Year, New York Wines

04 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This is an introductory exploration into the wines of New York, an overview of a couple of the regions, and their representative wine styles. There ar...

Episode 142: Quick & Dirty from the Cutting Room Floor

28 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

At year's end we like to compile some of the year's outtakes, bloopers, and goof-ups that were swept into a wine-stained pile on the cutting room floo...

'Twas the Night Before Podcast

23 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Steph & Val took a break from their end-of-year planning session at the Curtis Hotel in Denver, Colorado to stroll down to the lobby and record this l...

Episode 141: Decoding DOCG Prosecco

21 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Sparkling wine, just in time, to celebrate the holidays – and we mean any holiday, all year round. In this episode we decode some superior sparklin...

Episode 140: Pisco Unpacked

14 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The W25 ladies mix up some pisco-based cocktails this week, and unpack the 411 on the national spirit of Peru. Also produced in Chile, pisco has a lon...

Episode 139: James Cluer, Master of Wine

07 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most influential personalities in many facets of the wine industry is Master of Wine, James Cluer. He's the owner of Fine Vintage LTD, but ...

Episode 138: Studying Italian Wine With Maurizio Broggi, DWS, FWS

30 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

How does one tackle learning all 21 wine regions of Italy? Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) program creator and Wine Scholar Guild's (WSG) Education Directo...

Episode 137: Wine Bloggers Conference Recap and Giving Thanks

23 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We're back with a recap of the 2017 Wine Bloggers Conference in Santa Rosa, CA. From nuggets of knowledge to tasting and tours, and ... did they say, ...

Episode 136: Wine, Education, & Writing - Wine Scholar Guild's Lisa Airey, CWE, FWS

16 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The Wine Scholar Guild's Education Director, Lisa Airey, CWE, FWS, joins us for an afternoon of cocktails, tea, wine and conversation. We're talking a...

Episode 135: Austrian Wine Regional Rap (Part 2)

09 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our Austrian wine region rap we explore labels, laws, special designations, and bubbles. We just can't get enough of Austria. Let's talk abo...

Episode 134: Austrian Wine Regional Rap (Part 1)

02 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The hills are alive with the sound of Steph & Val rapping Austrian wine - or wien. Part one gives an overview of the where, the who, and the when, as ...

Episode 133: Cider Insider

26 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're exploring cider, its history, how it's made, styles, and varieties. There's so much more to this alcoholic beverage than we ever imagi...

Episode 132: A Mid-October's Marselan Grape Gab

19 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

October's grape gab is about the Marselan, a red grape only slightly older than Val. We're celebrating Steph's wedding anniversary, sipping 2006 Calif...

Episode 131: Fall Fever & Celebrating the Season

12 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

"Doctor, doctor give us the news, we got a bad case of pumpkin booze!" The cure? Cocktails! We're looking for new ways to stay warm and cozy via the c...

Episode 130: The Wine Heroine Abroad: Steph Loose in Europe

05 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Look, kids, a chicken hat! We're recapping Steph's European vacation. The term, "Go big or stay home" certainly applies here, as we get to relive some...

Episode 129: A Toast to International Podcast Day

28 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Join us in celebrating International Podcast Day on 30 September. First, we toast. Then we lay down a little 411 on the history and motivation behind ...

Episode 128: Jedi Wine Master Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, MW

21 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Master of Wine Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan joins the ladies for a mid-morning happy hour to talk everything from changing careers to creating apps, cours...

Episode 127: Planet Cheese With Janet Fletcher

14 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Author and Cheese Expert, Janet Fletcher, joins the ladies for a most delightful and drool-worthy afternoon of cheese chatter. We've decided Janet is ...

Episode 126: Robbie Meyer of Murrieta's Well Winery

07 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Live from Livermore Valley (pre-recorded with Steph, Val, & three wines), Director of Winemaking Robbie Meyer brings a generous pour of winemaking kno...

Episode 125: Sassi Italy Tours With Sebastian Sassi

31 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We have our sassy pants on, per usual, but in this episode Sebastian Sassi of Sassi Italy Tours shares some breakfast wine with us. We're talking wine...

Episode 124: Chenin Blanc Grape Gab

24 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This month's grape gab is about the chenin blanc grape and its contribution to a fascinating variety of wine styles; we also engage in a little "who's...

Episode 123: Winding Down and Wine Camp Rewind

17 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We're winding down from wine camp and rewinding our wine-soaked memories to replay our favorites. Also on deck: silly alcohol cures from a sillier tim...

Episode 122: A Couple of Cork Dorks Geeking Out on "Cork Dork" – A Book Review

10 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is an audio review of New York Times Bestselling book, Cork Dork: A wine-fueled adventure among the obsessive sommeliers, big bottle hunt...

Episode 121: Being Wineful and Canadian Wine With Jordan Cowe, CWE

03 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We're in the moment this week with Jordan Cowe, CWE. He teaches us about being wineful, updates us on Canadian wine, and extends an invitation for the...

Episode 120: Jordan Winery's Lisa Mattson

27 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

An interview this week that is straight with no chaser. We're talking with Jordan Winery's Director of Marketing and Communications, Lisa Mattson. She...

Episode 119: Albarossa Grape Gab and May Wine in July

20 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This month's Grape Gab is all about Albarossa. We were fortunate to have a conversation earlier this month with Andrea Costa from the Marenco family w...

Episode 118: Bad Labels, Good Wine, Red Hills and a New Book Club

13 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

When wine label monsters attack – or just stare back – do you still buy the wine? The ladies engage in a little wine label bottle babble this week...

Episode 117: Kala Maxym of Five Senses Tastings

06 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Kala Maxym joins the W25 ladies for remarkable stories, laughs and insight into Five Senses Tastings. Five Senses tastings has emerged as a unique and...

Episode 116: When Life Gives You Limoncello

29 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss limoncello: what it is, where it comes from, and how to make it. Also on deck are Podcast Awards, a new book from Exotic Wine Tra...

Episode 115: The Glamorous Wine Life?

22 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Steph has a crazy dream, Val plays the diva card, and then we have an enlightening chat about another side of the wine biz. While we all do what we do...

Episode 114: Grenache Grape Gab With the Gals & a Little Mezcal

15 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're all about the versatile Grenache grape and its various styles. Steph and Val get back to our podcasting roots, share lovely wines and ...

Episode 113: Under the Influence of Joe Fattorini from Wine Show TV

08 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Wine Show TV host and IWSC Wine Communicator of the Year, Joe Fattorini, absolutely charms the W25 ladies this week. A gifted storyteller, Joe fills u...

Episode 112: Connecting Over New Age Wines

01 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Andrea Rogers has over a decade and a half in the wine industry and joins the ladies of W25 today. Not only is she the reason this podcast exists, but...

Episode 111: The Millennial Wine Mind and Market

25 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Wine guru and certified sommelier, Andrew Villarreal ,is on hand for a Millennial Moment to give us some insight into the Millennial wine mind. We're...

Episode 110: Passion and Pinot – "Vertical" Book Review

18 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Miles and Jack are at it again, and so are Steph and Val. This week we review Rex Pickett's Vertical: Passion and pinot on the Oregon wine trail while...

Episode 109: A Trepat Grape Gab and a bit o' Bubbly Banter

11 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We're spending some time in the wine glasses this week with some bubbly banter to find that Steph and Val share a similar South African sparkling wine...

Episode 108: Wine, Bottles and Branding With Cynthia Sterling

04 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Cynthia is the Principal and Creative Director of Sterling Creativeworks, a strategy, branding and design agency. She joins us this week to talk to us...

Episode 107: Thirsty Nest and a Glacially Cool Factoid

27 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Jacqueline Strum, Wine Enthusiast's Director of New Business Development, gives us the 411 on the new Thirsty Nest Wine and Spirits Registry. We also ...

Episode 106: Girls Gone Grape!

20 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Robin Salls, founder of Girls Gone Grape (GGG), joins us on World Malbec Day. We chat wine, women, adventures, haikus, cocktails, and more. We share t...

Episode 105: Thomas Jefferson's Wine, W25's Second Podcastiversary, & an Official Cocktail

13 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

One hundred and five straight weeks of drinking and getting behind a microphone require celebratory drinks and a custom cocktail. This week we also pa...

Episode 104: When Wine Makes You Sick: Myths, Science, Wee Beasties and Demons

06 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Steph and Val are answering a Burning Wine Question this week, and also launching an information session about the commonly demonized sulfites. There ...