The Wine Pair Podcast
@thewinepairpodcast.com
Honest reviews for wines regular people drink. Edumacation. Witty banter. Decanter recommended. PNW.
Etna Bianco is driven by a grape called Carricante. It’s an ancient variety that grows on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna. It has high acid and a distinct salinity that makes your mouth water instantly.
www.cellartours.com/blog/italy/s...
www.cellartours.com/blog/italy/s...
Carricante Grape Variety: Sicily's secret weapon
Sicily's Carricante grapes thrive on Mount Etna's slopes, producing fresh, high-acidity white wines with complex aromas, a hallmark of Etna Bianco DOC.
www.cellartours.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Etna Bianco is driven by a grape called Carricante. It’s an ancient variety that grows on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna. It has high acid and a distinct salinity that makes your mouth water instantly.
www.cellartours.com/blog/italy/s...
www.cellartours.com/blog/italy/s...
We made it to episode 200! To celebrate, we are drinking one of the most electric white wines on the planet: Etna Bianco. It’s salty, flinty,, and tastes like lemonade made on an active volcano.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
Italian Wine Adventure #22: Etna Bianco! | The Wine Pair Podcast - Find Great Wines Without Breaking the Bank
Wow! That’s about all we can say about this zippy, electric, and super tasty white wine from the slopes of Mt. Etna. Etna Bianco is a white wine lover’s dream....
thewinepairpodcast.com
January 11, 2026 at 6:05 PM
We made it to episode 200! To celebrate, we are drinking one of the most electric white wines on the planet: Etna Bianco. It’s salty, flinty,, and tastes like lemonade made on an active volcano.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
Did you know the winemaking history on Etna goes back to the Greeks? It isn’t a new trend, it is a revival. We get into the history on this week’s episode.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
Italian Wine Adventure #21: Etna Rosso! | The Wine Pair Podcast - Find Great Wines Without Breaking the Bank
Etna Rosso is sometimes referred to as the “Burgundy of the Mediterranean” and for good reason. This wine, made on the slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily from the...
thewinepairpodcast.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Did you know the winemaking history on Etna goes back to the Greeks? It isn’t a new trend, it is a revival. We get into the history on this week’s episode.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
Digressing from wine for a moment. College football is a hot mess, but one thing I appreciate about the expanded playoffs is that they have clearly demonstrated how overrated the SEC is and has always been. Choose love.
January 9, 2026 at 4:29 AM
Digressing from wine for a moment. College football is a hot mess, but one thing I appreciate about the expanded playoffs is that they have clearly demonstrated how overrated the SEC is and has always been. Choose love.
Etna Rosso must be at least 80% Nerello Mascalese. The other 20% is usually Nerello Cappuccio, which adds a little color and softness to the mix. It’s the Robin to Nerello Mascalese’s Batman.
www.decanter.com/features/reg...
www.decanter.com/features/reg...
Regional profile: Etna, Sicily - Decanter
An influx of growers and winemakers over recent decades has meant that the vinous potential of Etna's unique volcanic terroir is finally being fully realised. Exciting times, says Simon Woolf.
www.decanter.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Etna Rosso must be at least 80% Nerello Mascalese. The other 20% is usually Nerello Cappuccio, which adds a little color and softness to the mix. It’s the Robin to Nerello Mascalese’s Batman.
www.decanter.com/features/reg...
www.decanter.com/features/reg...
For the nerds out there: Viticulture on Etna relies on "muretti a secco" dry stone terraces that make farming the steep slopes possible. This means almost everything is done by hand. It is inefficient, but it creates incredible concentration in the wine.
www.winemag.com/2019/02/26/m...
www.winemag.com/2019/02/26/m...
www.winemag.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:00 PM
For the nerds out there: Viticulture on Etna relies on "muretti a secco" dry stone terraces that make farming the steep slopes possible. This means almost everything is done by hand. It is inefficient, but it creates incredible concentration in the wine.
www.winemag.com/2019/02/26/m...
www.winemag.com/2019/02/26/m...
The soil on Mount Etna is so rich in volcanic sand that phylloxera couldn't survive there.That means you can find incredibly old, ungrafted vines that are over 100 years old.
www.decanter.com/wine-news/op...
www.decanter.com/wine-news/op...
Discovering Etna wines: Masterclass - Decanter
Sicily is a behemoth in the wine-producing world, producing more wine than Australia. Amy Wislock discovers Etna wines at the Decanter Italy Encounter...
www.decanter.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:48 PM
The soil on Mount Etna is so rich in volcanic sand that phylloxera couldn't survive there.That means you can find incredibly old, ungrafted vines that are over 100 years old.
www.decanter.com/wine-news/op...
www.decanter.com/wine-news/op...
Nerello Mascalese is the main grape of Etna Rosso. People love to compare it to Pinot Noir or Nebbiolo because it has that pale color but killer structure. winefolly.com/deep-dive/am...
Amazing Red: Nerello Mascalese | Wine Folly
Nerello Mascalese "nair-rello mask-ah-LAY-zay" is a light-bodied red wine that primarily grows on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily. Despite its rarity, the wine offers amazing value and a taste prof...
winefolly.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:36 PM
Nerello Mascalese is the main grape of Etna Rosso. People love to compare it to Pinot Noir or Nebbiolo because it has that pale color but killer structure. winefolly.com/deep-dive/am...
This week we are heading to Sicily to talk about Etna Rosso. If you think Sicilian wine is just big jammy reds, this wine is going to change your mind. It’s so elegant, it is sometimes called the Burgundy of the Mediterranean”
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
Italian Wine Adventure #21: Etna Rosso! | The Wine Pair Podcast - Find Great Wines Without Breaking the Bank
Etna Rosso is sometimes referred to as the “Burgundy of the Mediterranean” and for good reason. This wine, made on the slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily from the...
thewinepairpodcast.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:06 PM
This week we are heading to Sicily to talk about Etna Rosso. If you think Sicilian wine is just big jammy reds, this wine is going to change your mind. It’s so elegant, it is sometimes called the Burgundy of the Mediterranean”
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/ital...
If 2025 confirmed anything it is that we are Chablis people. Two of our top five wines of the entire year came from the "WTF is Chablis?" episode. If you are still drinking oaky butter-bomb Chardonnay you are missing out on the good stuff.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
WTF is Chablis? | The Wine Pair Podcast - Find Great Wines Without Breaking the Bank
Chablis is a wine we absolutely adore, and we think too many people are just unaware of what a beautiful and fantastic wine it is. If you are thinking, wait, I...
thewinepairpodcast.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:39 PM
If 2025 confirmed anything it is that we are Chablis people. Two of our top five wines of the entire year came from the "WTF is Chablis?" episode. If you are still drinking oaky butter-bomb Chardonnay you are missing out on the good stuff.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
We had over 42k downloads this year from listeners in over 100 countries. Whether you are listening in Seattle or Singapore we just want to say thanks! We can't wait to see what we drink together in 2026. Listen to our retrospective and then join us each week!
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/the-...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/the-...
The Best & Worst Wines We Drank in 2025! | The Wine Pair Podcast - Find Great Wines Without Breaking the Bank
Welcome to our very own version of Spotify Wrapped! In this episode, we review the best and worst wines we drank this year, and share with you why we thought...
thewinepairpodcast.com
January 1, 2026 at 9:21 PM
We had over 42k downloads this year from listeners in over 100 countries. Whether you are listening in Seattle or Singapore we just want to say thanks! We can't wait to see what we drink together in 2026. Listen to our retrospective and then join us each week!
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/the-...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/the-...
We spent over $1,750 of our own money on wine for the show this year. Why? Because we never accept free samples from wineries. That is the only way we can promise you that our reviews are 100% unbiased and honest.
December 31, 2025 at 6:43 PM
We spent over $1,750 of our own money on wine for the show this year. Why? Because we never accept free samples from wineries. That is the only way we can promise you that our reviews are 100% unbiased and honest.
We try to be nice but sometimes a wine is just offensive. Our lowest-rated bottle of 2025 came from a very popular grocery store brand that rhymes with "Player Bake." Spoiler alert: We gave it a 3.
December 31, 2025 at 1:37 AM
We try to be nice but sometimes a wine is just offensive. Our lowest-rated bottle of 2025 came from a very popular grocery store brand that rhymes with "Player Bake." Spoiler alert: We gave it a 3.
Carmela is a tough critic but she actually gave out a rare 10/10 rating this year. It wasn't for a fancy Champagne or a big Napa Cab. It was for a sparkling red wine that cost under twenty bucks. You need to hear which bottle won her heart.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/holi...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/holi...
Holiday Sparkling Wines #5: Lambrusco! | The Wine Pair Podcast - Find Great Wines Without Breaking the Bank
Forget what you think you know about Lambrusco, because this wine slaps! We walked away from this episode with one of our very few 10/10 rated wines! If you are...
thewinepairpodcast.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Carmela is a tough critic but she actually gave out a rare 10/10 rating this year. It wasn't for a fancy Champagne or a big Napa Cab. It was for a sparkling red wine that cost under twenty bucks. You need to hear which bottle won her heart.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/holi...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/holi...
It is officially time for our version of a "Spotify Wrapped." We looked back at every single bottle we opened in 2025 to find the absolute gems and the ones we wished we hadn’t swallowed. We drank 80 wines so you didn't have to.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/the-...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/the-...
The Best & Worst Wines We Drank in 2025! | The Wine Pair Podcast - Find Great Wines Without Breaking the Bank
Welcome to our very own version of Spotify Wrapped! In this episode, we review the best and worst wines we drank this year, and share with you why we thought...
thewinepairpodcast.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:03 PM
It is officially time for our version of a "Spotify Wrapped." We looked back at every single bottle we opened in 2025 to find the absolute gems and the ones we wished we hadn’t swallowed. We drank 80 wines so you didn't have to.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/the-...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/the-...
Trying to buy White Burgundy these days requires a second mortgage. Aligoté is one of the last places you can find wines from top producers for a fraction of the price of their Chardonnays. It may be the smartest buy in the region.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
WTF is Aligoté? | The Wine Pair Podcast - Find Great Wines Without Breaking the Bank
Sometimes known as the “other” white wine of Burgundy, Aligoté is the bargain white from one of the world’s most famous wine regions. It is the child of Pinot...
thewinepairpodcast.com
December 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Trying to buy White Burgundy these days requires a second mortgage. Aligoté is one of the last places you can find wines from top producers for a fraction of the price of their Chardonnays. It may be the smartest buy in the region.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
There is a secret society of winemakers called "Les Aligoteurs" who are obsessed with Aligoté. They are holding tastings and sharing cuttings to save old clones. It’s basically a punk rock movement within the stuffy world of Burgundy. www.winescholarguild.com/blog/viticul...
Aligoté: Playing with Panache
Everyone loves an underdog. And when the underdog emerges, bruised and battered but nonetheless victorious, these triumphs become powerfully...
www.winescholarguild.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:25 PM
There is a secret society of winemakers called "Les Aligoteurs" who are obsessed with Aligoté. They are holding tastings and sharing cuttings to save old clones. It’s basically a punk rock movement within the stuffy world of Burgundy. www.winescholarguild.com/blog/viticul...
As Burgundy summers get hotter Chardonnay is struggling to keep its acidity. Enter Aligoté. It naturally holds onto razor-sharp acidity even in heatwaves. Winemakers are realizing this "peasant grape" might actually be the future of fresh White Burgundy. winereviewonline.com/aligote-burg...
Aligoté: Burgundy's Other White Grape
White Burgundy is made from Chardonnay, right? Well, mostly. There’s another white grape in Bourgogne, Aligoté, that makes zippy,
winereviewonline.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:26 PM
As Burgundy summers get hotter Chardonnay is struggling to keep its acidity. Enter Aligoté. It naturally holds onto razor-sharp acidity even in heatwaves. Winemakers are realizing this "peasant grape" might actually be the future of fresh White Burgundy. winereviewonline.com/aligote-burg...
You may know Aligoté as the mixer for a Kir cocktail. Canon Félix Kir, the mayor of Dijon, popularized the drink to make the acidic local wine more palatable. Ironically, the cocktail made the grape famous while ruining its reputation as a standalone wine. www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia...
Kir and Kir Royale cocktail
Sometimes called the 'Kir Cocktail' but more properly termed 'Kir aperitif' or simply Kir, this drink consists of just two ingredients, crème de cassis and chilled Bourgogne Aligoté white wine, poured...
www.diffordsguide.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM
You may know Aligoté as the mixer for a Kir cocktail. Canon Félix Kir, the mayor of Dijon, popularized the drink to make the acidic local wine more palatable. Ironically, the cocktail made the grape famous while ruining its reputation as a standalone wine. www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia...
For decades people called this grape "Aligrotty" and banished it to the worst parts of the vineyard. But that is changing. Top winemakers are now giving it the royal treatment and proving it can make serious, complex wine. www.cellartours.com/blog/france/...
Aligoté Grape Variety: Burgundy's Other White Grape:
Discover Aligoté, the dazzling white wine grape from Burgundy, boasting zesty, citrus-infused charm. 🍇🍷 Experience French winemaking at its finest!
www.cellartours.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:09 PM
For decades people called this grape "Aligrotty" and banished it to the worst parts of the vineyard. But that is changing. Top winemakers are now giving it the royal treatment and proving it can make serious, complex wine. www.cellartours.com/blog/france/...
We are tackling the "other" white grape of Burgundy this week called Aligoté. If you think Burgundy only means Chardonnay you are missing out on the rebellious younger sibling that the cool kids are drinking. It’s finally getting some respect.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
The Wine Pair Podcast - Find Great Wines Without Breaking the Bank
Wine information and reviews on reasonably priced wine. The Wine Pair give their honest opinions and ratings on wines - and other subjects - to help you find hidden gems
thewinepairpodcast.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:06 PM
We are tackling the "other" white grape of Burgundy this week called Aligoté. If you think Burgundy only means Chardonnay you are missing out on the rebellious younger sibling that the cool kids are drinking. It’s finally getting some respect.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/wtf-...
It almost never happens but Carmela actually rated one of the wines in this episode a perfect 10/10. We won’t spoil exactly which bottle it was but let’s just say it completely changed her mind about what Lambrusco can be.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/holi...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/holi...
Holiday Sparkling Wines #5: Lambrusco! | The Wine Pair Podcast - Find Great Wines Without Breaking the Bank
Forget what you think you know about Lambrusco, because this wine slaps! We walked away from this episode with one of our very few 10/10 rated wines! If you are...
thewinepairpodcast.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:04 PM
It almost never happens but Carmela actually rated one of the wines in this episode a perfect 10/10. We won’t spoil exactly which bottle it was but let’s just say it completely changed her mind about what Lambrusco can be.
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/holi...
thewinepairpodcast.com/episode/holi...
We keep using the word "gastronomic" in this episode which is just fancy talk for “real frickin’ good with food." Some wines are great for sipping on the couch but Lambrusco really wakes up when you eat it with salty fatty foods.
www.fratellidelvino.com/blog/part-3-...
www.fratellidelvino.com/blog/part-3-...
Part 3 – Lambrusco at the Culinary Heart of Emilia Romagna — Fratelli del Vino
Discover Lambrusco’s rich culinary heritage and modern versatility—red or rosé, dry or sweet, perfect for food pairings and cocktails. Learn about Emilia-Romagna’s culinary icons, from Parmigiano-Regg...
www.fratellidelvino.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:28 PM
We keep using the word "gastronomic" in this episode which is just fancy talk for “real frickin’ good with food." Some wines are great for sipping on the couch but Lambrusco really wakes up when you eat it with salty fatty foods.
www.fratellidelvino.com/blog/part-3-...
www.fratellidelvino.com/blog/part-3-...
Holiday dinners are a nightmare to pair wine with because of all the different sweet and savory side dishes. A dry sparkling red is the cheat code. It handles the cranberry sauce and the gravy equally well without clashing.
December 17, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Holiday dinners are a nightmare to pair wine with because of all the different sweet and savory side dishes. A dry sparkling red is the cheat code. It handles the cranberry sauce and the gravy equally well without clashing.
For decades Lambrusco was called the "Coca-Cola of wines" in America thanks to massive production of overly sweet fizzy wines. But a new wave of artisans is reclaiming the region’s reputation with savory wines that have zero sugar and a lot of character. www.travelemiliaromagna.it/en/lambrusco...
The history of Lambrusco in 6 curious points | Travel Emilia Romagna
Did you know that the roots of Lambrusco go back centuries? Discover the history of Lambrusco in 6 points, including stories and curiosities.
www.travelemiliaromagna.it
December 16, 2025 at 6:19 PM
For decades Lambrusco was called the "Coca-Cola of wines" in America thanks to massive production of overly sweet fizzy wines. But a new wave of artisans is reclaiming the region’s reputation with savory wines that have zero sugar and a lot of character. www.travelemiliaromagna.it/en/lambrusco...