Today Jason talks the current events happening in Iran with Persian - American winemaker  

Darioush Khaledi of Darioush vineyards in Napa. Iran is one of the birth places of civilization and with that had a major hand in discovering and spreading wine across the world.  The country is in the middle of generational upheaval that may change everything from geopolitics and freedom to It’s place in the global tourism, food, and wine space and millions hang in the balance.  Let’s dig in to the history, the potential, and the “what ifs” of Iran.  To watch our brand new episode on the upcoming 2024 Napa vintage free, go to https://sommtv.vhx.tv/videos/napa-valley-vintage-update-2024

The cellar master of Martell Cognac, the oldest of the historic large cognac houses still operating, tells the story of this iconic drink.  SOMM TV subscribers can watch this episode right now on SOMMTV.com, not a subscriber?  Get 50% off by entering sommtv50 at checkout and enjoy hundreds of episodes on all things food and drink found no where else.

Stéphanie de Boüard grew up in the French medieval village of Saint-Émilion and had a big decision to make when it was time to decide who would take over one of the most famous and respected wineries in the world.  She tells the story of what it was like to step into her father’s shoes and why she pursued a different career first.  You can watch this episode on SOMMTV.com right now with over 500 hours of the best content on tje culinary world.

Introducing SOMM TV’s top wines of the year.  We have argued, laughed, debated, and ultimately agreed—without major injury. Winemakers, sommeliers, writers, and the SOMM TV staff narrowed an entire year of tasting into ten wines that define our shared love of flavor, story, and value. For deeper dives, listen to the podcast, but here are the wines that defined 2025 for us.  Congratulations to the wines that made our list!

To learn more about our picks, watch the collection on SOMM TV:
https://sommtv.vhx.tv/top-wines-of-2025

For the full list:
https://www.sommtv.com/2025wines

Egg Nog, that creamy, boozy, sweet drink people either love or hate makes its way down the chimney this time of year to remind us all why we have a gym membership.  Where did this drink come from, and why does it hold such a nostalgic place during the holidays?  On today’s episode join Jason Wise & Forbes writer Jessica Dupuy as they dive into the story of this holiday drink we call Egg Nog. For the base recipe by Morgan Weller of Marfa Spirit Company (https://www.themarfaspirit.com/) mentioned in the episode go here: https://jeffreymorgenthaler.com/egg-nog/

For Morgan’s Yoakum Egg Nog mentioned in the episode:

5 egg 

2 cups bourbon

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup heavy cream

2 oz. sorghum vinegar (2:1 ratio Muddy Pond Sorghum and Steen’s Cane Vinegar)

2 oz. corn husk simple syrup*

Nutmeg to garnish 

Be sure to chill all ingredients well before making. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Whisk in remaining ingredients until frosty. Pour into a pitcher and serve with a dash of nutmeg. 

*Corn Husk Simple Syrup

Dissolve 2 cups of sugar into 1 cup of hot water in a sauce pan over medium heat to make a rich simple syrup. Remove from heat. Set a dozen dried corn husks into the pan and let steep for thirty minutes. Remove husks and discard. Add 1 tablespoon of Everclear. Chill simple syrup in refrigerator; will keep indefinitely.

Don’t forget to go to www.SOMMTV.com or on any SOMM TV app to watch the 2025 Napa Valley Vintage report for free right now!

We are back with another episode spotting wine that appears in movies and streaming!  Jonah Beer of Gabriel glass and Pilcrow wine joins Jason to discuss wines found in: The Sopranos, The Insider, Weekend at Bernie’s, Curb your enthusiasm, The Wire, and the Coen Brother’s film “A serious Man”.  To take advantage of our Black Friday deal of 50% off our blind tasting game - go to blindersgame.com and to get an astounding 70% off a year of SOMM TV ~ a year for only 17.99!!! (do not wait on this deal it ends soon!) go to https://watch.sommtv.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase?code=industrysommtv&plan=yearly and don’t forget you can watch this episode right now streaming on SOMM TV

The simple apple - it is in our lunches, on our teacher’s desk, and occasionally made into a delicious alcoholic drink called Cider.  Did you know that the apple and the drink made from its fruit is hiding one of the greatest stories ever told?  On today’s episode we tell the tale of how America was founded and built using Cider. The incredible origins of the apple, how cider pushed us westward and kept us together as a nation, and how it tore us apart.  We also try to find the long lost apples the founding fathers grew hundreds of years ago.  Join Jason Wise & author Ben Watson as we tell the story of Cider and the American Dream.  If you love this podcast, please be sure to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts.  Don’t forget to pick up your copy of our blind tasting card game at blindersgame.com and make sure to subscribe to sommtv.com  to watch our films and shows.

The stars of our brand new original film “Verticals: The Laithwaites” - now streaming on SOMM TV are on the podcast today.  A husband and wife who have lived and breathed wine for over 50 years look back on their lives and gaze forward to the handover of their accomplishments to their children.  Barbara and Tony Laithwaite, one of the most influential couples of wine in the last century as they look inward at the industry, and their legacy.  Make sure to stream our new film about these two on sommtv.com right now after listening.

Why does our Halloween candy taste so different now?  How much Chocolate is needed in a fun size chocolate bar to still be able to call it chocolate and what the heck is the rest of it? On today’s episode we speak to a food scientist to answer those questions and more.  Then Jason talks to the founders of “Final Girl wines” a winery founded on horror films.  Happy Halloween and make sure to subscribe to sommtv.com and rate and review this podcast wherever you listen.  

Is wine art?  Not long ago, people wondered if films were art.  How important is the moment or the age we were when we drank or saw a film?  Can someone from a different countries taste a wine  the same or feel the same things from a movie?  Today famed winemaker Alban Debeaulieu of Abbot Claim and Jason Wise turn what was a late night conversation over too much wine into a discussion about how we internalize things people call art and why.  You can watch episodes featuring this winemaker and many more on sommtv.com