Bottles & Bites Without Borders

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Bottles & Bites Without Borders, Rob sits down with wine expert and friend of the show, Jaime Deleon, to dive deep into the newly released Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2025. We break down how many wines each country landed on the list—and whether we actually agree with the rankings.

Rob and Jaime also share how they use the Top 100 list in their own wine journeys, and offer practical, no-nonsense advice for how you, the consumer, can make the most of it. Is it a shopping list? A discovery guide? A marketing tool? We’re talking about all of it.

From the strengths and limitations of the 100-point scoring system, to the sometimes eyebrow-raising prices attached to these wines, to the trends this year’s list reveals across regions and styles—it’s all here, with plenty of insight, perspective, and laughs along the way.

Pour a glass and join us for a fun, honest, and informative breakdown of one of the wine world’s biggest annual releases.

🎙 Rob Clark — Host of Bottles & Bites Without Borders
Exploring the world of food, wine, and whiskey—one bottle and bite at a time.

🌐 Website: www.bottlesandbiteswb.com
📸 Instagram: @bottles_bites_wb
🐦 X (Twitter): @foodwhiskey
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/533352930766813
📧 Email: [email protected]

#food #whiskey #bourbon #wine #homecook #cook #BBQ #foodie #Italy #barolo #cabernet Sauvignon #france #italy #spain #napa #scotch #pizza #coffee 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

As wine drinkers lean increasingly toward whites for their freshness and lower alcohol, the shift into fall and winter brings back that familiar craving for red wine. But what if you want the comfort and complexity of a red—without the big alcohol punch?

In this episode of Bottles & Bites Without Borders, Rob sits down with Advanced Sommelier Jaime Deleon to explore the world of low-alcohol red wines you can enjoy as the weather cools. From elegant Pinot Noir and juicy Gamay, to vibrant Mencía, volcanic Etna Rosso, Grenache, and more, we break down what makes these wines so drinkable and delicious.

Jaime also dives into the role of climate—how cooler regions help keep alcohol levels naturally lower, and which places around the world are producing the best balanced reds right now.

Whether you're looking for a cozy, weeknight-friendly pour or a bottle that won’t knock you off your feet, this episode is packed with approachable recommendations and sommelier insight.

Pour a glass and join us!

🎙 Rob Clark — Host of Bottles & Bites Without Borders
Exploring the world of food, wine, and whiskey—one bottle and bite at a time.

🌐 Website: www.bottlesandbiteswb.com
📸 Instagram: @bottles_bites_wb
🐦 X (Twitter): @foodwhiskey
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/533352930766813
📧 Email: [email protected]

#food #whiskey #bourbon #wine #homecook #cook #BBQ #foodie #Italy #barolo #cabernet Sauvignon #france #italy #spain #napa #scotch #pizza #coffee 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we dive into a controversial take: fine dining isn’t worth the hype — or the price tag.

Sandra and I recently visited a so-called “authentic Italian” fine dining restaurant, and let’s just say… it was anything but.

The service was polished but clueless, the Bolognese tasted like grocery-store jarred sauce, the wine list was marked up five times retail, and they even tried to upsell us on a membership just to get reasonable wine prices.

Oh — and they rushed us out in 45 minutes while calling it “a luxury experience.”

Valet parking and white tablecloths don’t equal quality. We talk about:
 🍝 When fine dining becomes factory dining
 🥂 The wine markup madness
 ⏱️ Why “premium” shouldn’t feel rushed
 👎 How marketing tries to justify mediocrity
 💡 And why simple, soulful food often beats the fancy stuff

Let’s explore why the best meals aren’t always the ones with the highest price tag — and what diners should demand instead.

🎙 Rob Clark — Host of Bottles & Bites Without Borders
Exploring the world of food, wine, and whiskey—one bottle and bite at a time.

🌐 Website: www.bottlesandbiteswb.com
📸 Instagram: @bottles_bites_wb
🐦 X (Twitter): @foodwhiskey
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/533352930766813
📧 Email: [email protected]

#food #whiskey #bourbon #wine #homecook #cook #BBQ #foodie #Italy #barolo #cabernet Sauvignon #france #italy #spain #napa #scotch #pizza #coffee 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

 As the weather cools and comfort food takes center stage, the wines we crave start to change too. In this episode of Bottles & Bites Without Borders, Rob Clark sits down with Advanced Sommelier Jaime Deleon to explore the perfect wines for fall. From soulful reds that pair beautifully with stews and roasts to whites that still shine when the temperatures drop, we dive into the bottles that give you that warm, cozy feeling — like a good meal and great company on a crisp autumn evening. Whether you’re sipping by the fire or at the dinner table, this is your guide to wines that taste like the season itself. 

🎙 Rob Clark — Host of Bottles & Bites Without Borders
Exploring the world of food, wine, and whiskey—one bottle and bite at a time.

🌐 Website: www.bottlesandbiteswb.com
📸 Instagram: @bottles_bites_wb
🐦 X (Twitter): @foodwhiskey
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/533352930766813
📧 Email: [email protected]

#food #whiskey #bourbon #wine #homecook #cook #BBQ #foodie #Italy #barolo #cabernet Sauvignon #france #italy #spain #napa #scotch #pizza #coffee 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

 In this episode, Rob sits down with Advanced Sommelier Jaime Deleon for a deep dive into the fascinating contrast between Old World and New World wines. They explore how history, climate, and winemaking philosophy shape what ends up in the glass — from structure and balance to ripeness and expression. Together, they compare examples side by side, discuss how modern winemakers are blurring those lines, and offer insights on how to identify which style best fits your palate. 

🎙 Rob Clark — Host of Bottles & Bites Without Borders
Exploring the world of food, wine, and whiskey—one bottle and bite at a time.

🌐 Website: www.bottlesandbiteswb.com
📸 Instagram: @bottles_bites_wb
🐦 X (Twitter): @foodwhiskey
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/533352930766813
📧 Email: [email protected]

#food #whiskey #bourbon #wine #homecook #cook #BBQ #foodie #Italy #barolo #cabernet Sauvignon #france #italy #spain #napa #scotch #pizza #coffee 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Bottles & Bites Without Borders, host Rob Clark explores how American wine culture stands apart from the rest of the world — from how we buy wine to how we drink it and even how we think about it.

Why do most Americans grab bottles at grocery stores instead of wineries? Why is wine treated as a special-occasion drink instead of part of everyday life? And what can we learn from places like Italy, France, and Spain, where wine flows as naturally as conversation?

Rob breaks down the cultural differences in how Americans approach wine — the marketing, the mindset, and the food pairings — and offers a few simple ways to bring more ease, enjoyment, and authenticity into how we drink.

So pour a glass, relax, and join the conversation. Because understanding how we drink is the first step toward enjoying it even more.

Listen now and discover:

• Why Americans treat wine as a lifestyle symbol, not a daily staple
• How marketing and shelf talkers shape what ends up in our carts
• What European wine culture gets right about simplicity and connection
• How to bring that everyday ease into your own glass

🍷 Bottles & Bites Without Borders — exploring the stories, people, and flavors that make food and drink worth sharing.

🎙 Rob Clark — Host of Bottles & Bites Without Borders
Exploring the world of food, wine, and whiskey—one bottle and bite at a time.

🌐 Website: www.bottlesandbiteswb.com
📸 Instagram: @bottles_bites_wb
🐦 X (Twitter): @foodwhiskey
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/533352930766813
📧 Email: [email protected]

#food #whiskey #bourbon #wine #homecook #cook #BBQ #foodie #Italy #barolo #cabernet Sauvignon #france #italy #spain #napa #scotch #pizza #coffee 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

 In this episode, Rob sits down with Tony, Garrison, and Anthony Ford to settle one of the greatest debates of all time — who makes the best fast food burger? From classics like the Big Mac and the flame-broiled Whopper to heavy hitters like Wendy’s Baconator and beyond, each of us reveals our personal Top 5 lists. Expect plenty of laughs, nostalgia, and maybe a few controversial picks as we break down what makes a great burger — the flavor, the sauce, the bun, and the sheer satisfaction factor. Who will come out on top? Tune in and find out! 

🎙 Rob Clark — Host of Bottles & Bites Without Borders
Exploring the world of food, wine, and whiskey—one bottle and bite at a time.

🌐 Website: www.bottlesandbiteswb.com
📸 Instagram: @bottles_bites_wb
🐦 X (Twitter): @foodwhiskey
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/533352930766813
📧 Email: [email protected]

#food #whiskey #bourbon #wine #homecook #cook #BBQ #foodie #Italy #barolo #cabernet Sauvignon #france #italy #spain #napa #scotch #pizza #coffee 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

 With endless options on apps and menus, why does ordering dinner still feel like such a struggle? In this episode of Bottles & Bites Without Borders, Rob and Sandra dive into the real frustrations of modern takeout—sky-high prices, disappointing portions, inconsistent quality, and the nagging question of whether it’s even worth it. From the role cost and timing play to why Asian food often feels like the only safe bet, we unpack why America’s takeout scene feels broken and what we really want from our food-to-go. 

🎙 Rob Clark — Host of Bottles & Bites Without Borders
Exploring the world of food, wine, and whiskey—one bottle and bite at a time.

🌐 Website: www.bottlesandbiteswb.com
📸 Instagram: @bottles_bites_wb
🐦 X (Twitter): @foodwhiskey
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/533352930766813
📧 Email: [email protected]

#food #whiskey #bourbon #wine #homecook #cook #BBQ #foodie #Italy #barolo #cabernet Sauvignon #france #italy #spain #napa #scotch #pizza #coffee 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

🍇 Draft season… but make it wine! 🍷

On the next episode of Bottles & Bites Without Borders, I’m joined by Hector Ramirez, Jaime De Leon, and Matt Carter for a fantasy draft of wine grapes.

4 people. 10 rounds. 40 grapes.
 Once a grape is picked, it’s OFF the board.

Who’s building the grape roster you’d actually want to drink from the most? 👀

This one’s going to be fun, competitive, and maybe a little controversial. Stay tuned!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

 It’s Sunday, the craving for pizza is strong, but our favorite local spot has its doors shut. So Sandra throws out an idea: what if we put the big chains to the test? In this episode, we order up pizzas from Domino’s and Papa John’s to see if the national giants can actually satisfy when the craving hits. Is there such a thing as a “good” chain pizza? Did either impress us—or leave us saying “never again”? Tune in as we taste, debate, and maybe discover a guilty pleasure. 

🎙 Rob Clark — Host of Bottles & Bites Without Borders
Exploring the world of food, wine, and whiskey—one bottle and bite at a time.

🌐 Website: www.bottlesandbiteswb.com
📸 Instagram: @bottles_bites_wb
🐦 X (Twitter): @foodwhiskey
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/533352930766813
📧 Email: [email protected]

#food #whiskey #bourbon #wine #homecook #cook #BBQ #foodie #Italy #barolo #cabernet Sauvignon #france #italy #spain #napa #scotch #pizza #coffee 

Support the show