In Episode 26 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are tackling the unprecedented news coming straight out of France's most prestigious sparkling wine region. The 2026 Champagne harvest hasn't just broken records with its historically early start in August; it has fundamentally challenged the very chemistry of the region's famous bubbly. The duo breaks down how a brutal string of summer heatwaves and drought sent grape sugars skyrocketing, forcing French regulators to grant a temporary, historic exception allowing some 2026 Champagnes to reach up to 15% ABV. Andrew and Lydia unpack what this massive shift means for the traditionally crisp, low-alcohol profile of Champagne, how winemakers are scrambling to use reserve blends to keep their cuvées balanced, and whether these intensely ripe, low-yield grapes will ultimately produce highly coveted single-vintage bottles. Whether you're worried about your favorite celebration pour getting a little too boozy or fascinated by how a changing climate is actively reshaping traditional winemaking, grab a glass and join the conversation as the hosts explore what this exceptional vintage means for the future of bubbles.

Co-hosts Andrew and Lydia return to the biggest industry shakeup of the year as the Michelin Guide officially drops its highly anticipated "Michelin Grapes" ratings for Bordeaux. A region famously anchored to its historic 1855 Classification is suddenly facing a brand-new hierarchy, and the results are stirring up plenty of drama on both the Left and Right Banks. The duo pours over the freshly released list, breaking down the biggest shocks and triumphs of the inaugural Bordeaux guide. They explore which iconic estates secured the ultimate Three Grape honor, the unexpected rising stars that snagged One and Two Grapes, and who successfully rounded out the entry-level Recommended tier. But perhaps the juiciest part of the conversation? Andrew and Lydia unpack the jaw-dropping snubs—the legendary, blue-chip châteaux that mysteriously missed the cut altogether. Whether you are a die-hard Bordeaux collector or just here for the wine world gossip, grab a glass and tune in as the hosts dissect what these new ratings mean for the future of France's most famous, and heavily structured, wine region.

In Episode 24 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia take a hard look behind the label of Spain’s most famous sparkling wine to discuss the mounting economic crisis facing the Cava industry. While consumers have long celebrated Cava as an affordable, high-quality alternative to Champagne, the reality on the ground in Penedès tells a much darker story. The duo breaks down the core forces driving the storm: severe overproduction, a dramatic collapse in grape prices that has left generational vine growers struggling to survive, and the tension between massive industrial production houses and small-batch quality producers. Together, Andrew and Lydia explore how rock-bottom grape pricing squeezes local farming communities, fuels grower strikes, and has driven a growing movement of premium winemakers to walk away from the Cava DO entirely in favor of alternative designations like Corpinnat. Grab a glass and join the conversation as the hosts pull back the curtain on the delicate economics of sparkling wine and discuss what this crisis means for the future of Spanish bubbles—and the bottles on your local wine shop shelf.

In Episode 23 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are keeping the late-summer momentum going as they wrap up the VDV Select August Wine Club with Part 2. Shifting gears from the crisp whites of the first half, the duo explores two distinctly fascinating, chillable pours that beautifully blur the lines between seasons. First in their glasses is the Fabulas "Fortitudo" Cerasuolo di Montepulciano, a deeply pigmented, structured Italian wine that sits right on the delicious boundary between a robust rosé and a light red. They unpack its vibrant cherry notes and refreshing acidity, explaining why it is the ultimate late-summer food wine. Next, they travel to the historic, old-vine vineyards of Chile to explore the fiercely traditional and highly crushable Lomas de Llahuen Gustavo Riffo Pipeño. Andrew and Lydia break down the rustic, earthy charm of this light-bodied, chill-ready red, proving it is the exact bottle you want in your cooler at an August barbecue. Whether you are already pulling the corks and tasting right along with the back half of your August shipment, or listening leaves you inspired to officially join the wine club yourself, Andrew and Lydia serve up the ultimate guide to finishing the month strong.

In Episode 22 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are soaking up the final stretch of summer with Part 1 of the VDV Select August Wine Club. Join the duo as they pop the cork on the first half of this month’s four-bottle lineup, starting with the bright and alpine-fresh Alois Lageder Vigneti delle Dolomiti 'Misto Mare' Bianco. Together, they head to the stunning peaks of Northern Italy to explore how this crisp, aromatic white blend delivers the ultimate thirst-quenching energy for hot August afternoons. Next, they journey to the Loire Valley to pour the Domaine Maison Cheverny Blanc, breaking down how its classic, zesty marriage of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay strikes a perfect balance of vibrant citrus and elegant texture. Whether you are already pulling the corks and tasting right along with your own August shipment, or listening leaves you inspired to officially join the wine club yourself, Andrew and Lydia serve up the perfect pours to keep you cool all month long.

In Episode 21 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are treating their palates to something decadent with a deep dive into the luscious world of dessert wines. Often misunderstood by modern drinkers as being simply "too sweet," the duo breaks down the fascinating science, extreme patience, and intensive labor required to craft these liquid gold pours. They explore the incredibly diverse methods winemakers use to naturally concentrate sugar and flavor—from the miraculous "noble rot" (botrytis) that gives us iconic wines like Sauternes and Tokaji, to the freezing temperatures required for Ice Wine, and the rich tradition of fortified favorites like Port. Along the way, Andrew and Lydia discuss the crucial secret weapon behind every great sweet wine—bright, balancing acidity—and share their favorite, sometimes unexpected, food pairings (hint: bring on the salty, blue cheese!). Whether you are a lifelong fan of a sticky nightcap or looking to expand your palate beyond dry wines, grab a glass and prepare to treat yourself to the ultimate after-dinner sip.

In Episode 20 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are tackling one of the most famous—and perhaps most polarizing—grapes in the entire wine world: Chardonnay. Often referred to as the ultimate "winemaker's canvas," this highly adaptable grape can take on wildly different personalities depending on where it is grown and how it is crafted in the cellar. The duo breaks down the full spectrum of Chardonnay styles, traveling from the razor-sharp, unoaked minerality of Chablis to the rich, buttery, and oak-driven classics of California. Along the way, they address the infamous "Anything But Chardonnay" (ABC) movement, explaining exactly where those polarizing butter and vanilla notes come from (hello, malolactic fermentation and new oak!) and why there is truly a style of this grape out there for every palate. Whether you are a lifelong fan of this versatile white or a skeptical drinker willing to give it a second chance, grab a glass as Andrew and Lydia pour out the history, science, and undeniable charm of the world's most planted white grape.

In Episode 19 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia take a deep dive into the refreshing world of coastal wines, exploring how proximity to the sea shapes some of the most vibrant and energetic bottles on earth. The duo breaks down exactly how maritime climates—with their cooling ocean breezes, morning fogs, and natural temperature regulation—slow down grape ripening to preserve mouthwatering acidity and impart a signature, thirst-quenching kiss of salinity. To bring this saline magic to life, they travel the globe in their glasses to highlight three iconic coastal styles. They explore the windswept, Atlantic-influenced vineyards of Rías Baixas in Spain, the sun-drenched, Mediterranean island terroir of Sicily, and the lip-smacking, oyster-ready perfection of Picpoul from the coast of Southern France. Grab a glass and pull up a beach chair as Andrew and Lydia guide you through the unique science of seaside winemaking and prove why these ocean-influenced pours deserve a permanent spot in your summer rotation.

In Episode 18 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia tackle the biggest news to hit the wine world this year: the launch of the Michelin Guide's brand-new wine rating system. Moving beyond restaurants and hotels, Michelin has officially introduced "Michelin Grapes", and they are starting right in the heart of France's most prestigious and complex region: Burgundy. The duo breaks down how this new ranking works—from the entry-level "Selected" tier all the way up to the highly coveted Three Grapes—and explores the five strict criteria inspectors use to evaluate each estate. Together, they discuss the inaugural list of 94 recognized Burgundy producers, debating whether these new accolades will shake up the market, help wine lovers discover hidden gems, or just make the region's blue-chip bottles even harder to find. Whether you are a hardcore Burgundy collector or just curious about how the legendary guidebook is shifting its focus to the vineyard, Andrew and Lydia pour out everything you need to know about this historic industry shakeup.

In Episode 17 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia wrap up a stellar month of sipping with Part 2 of the VDV Select July Wine Club. Shifting gears from the all-Rosé first half of the month, the duo explores two distinctly fascinating pours to round out the July lineup. First in their glasses is the 2025 Reeve Sonoma County Vermentino, a bright, zesty California take on a classic Mediterranean grape that bursts with mouthwatering citrus, vibrant energy, and a refreshing coastal salinity. Next, they head to Northern Italy to explore a lighter, incredibly elegant expression of a famously structured red grape with the 2023 Centovigne 'Rosso della Motta' Nebbiolo. Together, they break down how this floral, cherry-laced pour proves that the right red wine—especially with a slight chill—absolutely belongs in your warm-weather rotation. Whether you are already pulling the corks and tasting right along with the back half of your July shipment, or listening leaves you inspired to officially join the wine club yourself, Andrew and Lydia serve up the ultimate guide to finishing the month strong.