The wine draft is back!  The SOMM TV team is joined by a famed winemaker, an expert sommelier, and a wine expert to draft the best islands that make wine around the world.  Who will be the winner of this new episode of the SOMM TV wine draft?  Remember you can watch this episode on SOMM TV and when you are finished go here to vote for the winner:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DVMYtAIEv1k/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

For over 100 years, UC Davis has produced some of the most important figures in wine.  Today we talk to Dr Ben Montpetit, one of the world’s leading scientists working in advancing and expanding wine to find out the history of UC Davis’s wine program and what may be next to change wine for farmers and drinkers.  Today’s episode is brought to you by our blind tasting card game “SOMM BLINDERS”.  Go to blindersgame.com to get yours today.

What is the best wine region currently in Europe?    Today we make some very difficult choices, but there can only be one: the greatest wine region currently standing at this moment. Jason Wise and Master Sommelier and star of the first SOMM Film: Ian Cauble give you the inside baseball from two people who have done more wine travel than almost anyone else.  You can watch this episode right now on SOMMTV.com and all of our apps. This episode is brought to you by Wine Paris. Wine Paris 2026 is coming.
 From February 9–11, the global wine, spirits, and no/low community meets in Paris for three days of discovery, business, and trend-shaping conversations.
 More than 6,000 exhibitors and 60,000 professionals from 155+ markets will gather under one roof — including a major U.S. presence across wine, craft spirits, and emerging categories.
Join the industry in Paris.
Register for your trade badge 

Link: https://wineparis.com/newfront/page/why-visit?utm_source=lealb&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=relais 

A crown jewel in the wine world’s history and heritage, Casa Madero is not only the oldest winery in the New World, but also the cornerstone of Mexican wine.  On this episode we discuss the incredible history of this property originally deeded by the king of Spain in 1597 and  talk to the family bringing this one of a kind property into today’s wine world.  
This episode is brought to you by Wine Paris. Wine Paris 2026 is coming.
 From February 9–11, the global wine, spirits, and no/low community meets in Paris for three days of discovery, business, and trend-shaping conversations.
 More than 6,000 exhibitors and 60,000 professionals from 155+ markets will gather under one roof — including a major U.S. presence across wine, craft spirits, and emerging categories.
Join the industry in Paris.
Register for your trade badge 

Link: https://wineparis.com/newfront/page/why-visit?utm_source=lealb&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=relais 

One of Los Angeles’ best wine bars has just closed its doors for the final time.  On today’s episode we speak to Rebecca Phillips about her time behind the bar as the owner of Vintage, a place that defined a neighborhood through bottles and laughter. She shares some of her craziest experiences, and we attempt to understand what disappears when we lose a local watering hole. Today’s episode is brought to you by Wine Paris.  If you work in wine, spirits, or beverages in the U.S., you should be at Wine Paris 2026 February 9-11. Register online now and secure your trade badge. February is coming fast.

Link: https://wineparis.com/newfront/page/why-visit?utm_source=lealb&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=relais 

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!