Hey, Renee — and hey friend. If you’ve got a client dinner coming up and don’t want to look out of your depth (but also don’t want to be stiff and boring), this chat has your back. There are two main vibes you can lean into: the quietly sophisticated move or the casually cool cocktail move.

For the low-key, impress-without-trying option, go wine: a Pinot Noir, especially from Willamette Valley or Burgundy, is a safe, classy choice that says you’re worldly and confident without shouting it. Avoid polarizing picks like big Cabs or sweet Rieslings.

If the spot is more modern or has a fun cocktail program, use the menu to your advantage — pick a base spirit you like (tequila, rum, whiskey) and ask the server about a cocktail by name, or ask its flavor profile. That shows thoughtfulness and curiosity without pretending to be an expert.

In old-school or male-dominated settings, ordering a whiskey-forward cocktail, an Old Fashioned, or a specific scotch can be an intentional power move — annoying and unfair that it works, but also effective. Conversely, avoid party drinks (Long Island Iced Tea, shots) unless you’re celebrating and the group is going there.

Martini fans: if you go this route, know the terminology (gin vs. vodka, dry vs. extra dry, stirred vs. shaken, up vs. on the rocks, garnish) so you don’t give away that you’re faking it. If you can, glance at the cocktail list before you sit so you’re not flustered, and don’t be the person who orders first unless you know what you want — mirroring the group and projecting calm confidence will take you far.

Bottom line: it’s less about the exact drink and more about how you order it — poised, informed, and present. Now go close that deal, hold your drink like you know what you’re doing, and hey — if it’s Margaritaville and scooters with cup holders, send pics.

Hey friend — if you’re planning a pool day and want to bring something better than boxed rosé (but still chill and easy), this episode’s for you. We’re big fans of low-drama, high-fun batched drinks: think margaritas and mojitos as the MVPs. They’re simple to scale, super tweakable, and they won’t leave you with a sad, flat, sugary mess after a few hours in the sun.

Quick PSA: don’t bring Long Island iced tea to the heat. Also, please don’t do blue motherfuckers. Learned that the hard way — way too much alcohol with way too much artificial sugar and a color that makes you question life choices. If you’re making something for a group, pick something that stays pleasant in a pitcher.

Real talk on batched cocktails: start simple. Margaritas are the perfect base — tequila, lime, and a touch of agave. Mojitos are great too, just keep the soda separate so it stays fizzy when you serve. For fruit-forward sweetness, use ripe fruit (watermelon, strawberries, peaches) and muddle it in the pitcher for natural flavor instead of dumping in extra sugar. Sugar + sun = rough morning, so let the fruit do the work.

Want to get fancy? Try spicy margaritas with jalapeño, or play with citrus like blood orange or a lemon-lime-orange blend. If you want bubbles, batch the base and top each poured drink with Prosecco or soda — don’t pre-mix the fizz. Also, remember large-batch ratios sometimes need a little tweaking from your single-drink recipe, so taste and adjust before you serve.

Another favorite hack: make a few different lemonades (spicy watermelon lemonade, triple-citrus lemonade, ginger-peach lemonade) and let folks pick their liquor — rum, vodka, tequila, gin — so people can control strength and sweetness. It’s great for guests who don’t drink much; they still get a delicious refresher without the buzz.

Bottom line: keep it fresh, keep it simple, and don’t over-sweeten. If you try one of these batched ideas (or invent your own twist), tell us how it went — we love hearing your variations. Hit us up at [email protected] or on Instagram. We’ll send you some swag if it’s cute enough. Cheers and enjoy the pool!

Hey — this episode is one for the books. A mom finds out her adult daughter has been secretly taking her grandchild to stay with the father’s religious, homophobic family after the dad came out and was disowned. She tells her daughter she’s disgusted, informs the dad, and now custody leniency is gone. Big feelings and bigger consequences all around.

Hey — quick catch-up: this episode dives into a husband who’s been the butt of his wife’s friend Megan’s “jokes” for months. Little digs about cooking, fixing things, and asking if he’s sulking turned into a pattern that felt less like teasing and more like deliberate bullying. He usually laughed it off to avoid awkwardness, but when it kept happening at a party, he finally said, “Can you stop? It’s getting annoying being the punchline every time we hang out.”

The room went quiet, Megan got embarrassed and left early, and later a few people scolded him for not pulling her aside. But here’s the thing — if someone is chronically making your partner uncomfortable and your friend group watches it happen, you can’t just expect the target to always tiptoe around the problem. Sometimes boundaries have to be set in the moment.

This conversation gets into who’s actually in the wrong — Megan for the mean comments, the wife and friends for letting it go on, and whether calling someone out publicly is ever justified when the behavior has been ongoing. There’s also a hint of possible flirtation or “negging,” and the classic bully defense: “I’m just joking.”

So what do you think? Would you have pulled her aside privately, or stood up in the moment like he did? Tell me how you’d handle a friend who keeps making your partner the punchline — I want to hear your take.

DEFENDANT: Midsomar 

EVIDENCE: Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio

SCENE OF THE CRIME: A Maypole Near You... 

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Hey friend — welcome to our bonus midsummer episode! We kick things off with playful banter about time, podcast firsts, and then dive into the lushly sunlit weirdness of Ari Aster’s Midsommar while sipping Mary J. Blige’s Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio. Expect gossip, gross food talk, and the kind of movie chat that makes you want to rewatch with a notebook.

We nerd out on the Friuli region (hello rose-gold Pinot Grigio color!), savor juicy melon-and-nectarine tasting notes, and praise the wine for being both approachable and surprisingly complex. Then we pivot into the film: Florence Pugh’s Dani, toxic boyfriend Christian, and that creeping daylight dread that makes Midsommar feel like artful folk horror instead of just jump scares.

There’s also a playful Midsommar traditions true/false quiz, heated opinions about who deserves what, and a long, affectionate breakdown of costumes, rituals, and the film’s ambiguous place between indigenous practice and cult. We wrap with whether we’d join a cozy wine-loving cult (spoiler: yes — but only the Nancy Meyers version) and all the micro-joys that make this episode feel like a friend sitting on your patio, passing the bottle and whispering theories.

Hey friend — welcome to this episode of True Crimes Against Wine! We spent a little time nerding out about what’s popping in the wine world this summer, and honestly, some of it is super fun and worth keeping an eye out for.

First up: rosé remains everywhere. It’s the easiest glass to recognize and the easiest choice when you want something fresh, fun, and usually dry. Sparkling rosé? Instant party. It’s the mood drink for warm weather and patio hangs — dangerously drinkable in the best way.

Also gaining steam: chillable, crushable reds. Think lighter-bodied reds (not your heavy, tannic Cab) that actually taste great slightly chilled — bright, floral, cranberry-like fruit that’s perfect for a hot patio or a lazy brunch.

And here’s the spicy one: simultaneous-ferment rosés — a real old-school technique where red and white grapes are fermented together. Some winemakers are reviving it, and it’s starting to show up with a trendy nickname — blouge (ugh, right?). You might spot it first at trendy brunch spots and in big-city wine shops. It’s technically a rosé but often sits in that chillable-red vibe.

If you find a favorite pool-season bottle, tell us! Email [email protected] or DM us on Instagram — we love hearing what you’re sipping. Also: we have new swag and a few koozies left; tell us your size if you send something and we’ll try to send one back.

Cheers — can't wait to taste-test some of this stuff with you. Bye!

Hey Miguel (and friends) — welcome to Atlanta! If you’ve got World Cup plans, here’s a friendly, no-nonsense run-down of how to actually enjoy the city without losing your mind.

First: traffic and transport. Do not rent a car. Atlanta traffic is terrible (think worse than LA in spots) and downtown parking/driving is confusing. Plan on using Uber/Lyft to get around — MARTA exists but can be tricky if you’re unfamiliar. And please, don’t rent an e-scooter unless you want people yelling at you.

Neighborhoods are the heart of Atlanta, so pick one (or two) and explore. Little Five Points is great for dive bars, thrift shops, and weirdos; Inman Park and Candler/Decatur offer walkable shops and food; East Atlanta Village and Edgewood Avenue (check out Joystick for an arcade-bar vibe) are fun nights out; Ponce City Market is huge for food and shopping and sits right on the Beltline — a lovely path for a stroll, people-watching, and dogs.

For views and golden hour, hit The Clermont Hotel rooftop. For a slightly elevated, ever-changing dining experience, try The Consulate in Midtown — amazing drinks and a rotating menu inspired by different regions. If you want late-night, local, and legendary tacos, try Nancy’s Taqueria (delivery-only, late into the night) and for classic Southern-stays-true vibes try Waffle House — it’s an essential Atlanta experience.

If you’re chasing legit international eats, make the trip to Buford Highway — it’s a destination for Asian, Latin American and other authentic cuisines. It’s a bit of a trek but worth it. Also keep an eye out for pop-ups near the stadium (there’s one at Walker & Haynes from a local bar) if you want quick drinks and snacks near the event.

Some extra tips: expect world-class soccer fans for Atlanta United (they’re predictable and courteous), but Falcons game days can get chaotic with lots of out-of-towners and bad driving. Don’t Airbnb your place to random event-goers if you’re worried about parties and damage. Oh — and don’t call the city “Hotlanta” unless you want to start a riot.

Have fun, eat well, and explore neighborhoods rather than camping out downtown. If you want specific recs based on what you like (cheap eats, craft cocktails, late-night snacks), tell me your vibe and I’ll narrow it down.

Hey friend — this episode’s sidebar is a cozy, hilarious chat about Tori Amos’s brand-new album In Times of Dragons, a little tour gossip, and some very serious bagel bite nostalgia. We gush over favorite songs (the title track Shush, Strawberry Moon, and the joyous Pyrite), unpack the album’s political edge and clever dragon metaphor for concentrated wealth, and celebrate Tori’s poetic lyricism that reads like standalone poetry while also hitting hard as songs.

You’ll also get playful banter about live shows, family collaborations (her daughter and husband join in the music), and the delightful idea of listening to albums like it’s 1999 — CD booklet, full attention, zero interruptions. Plus, expect our trademark soup talk and general slurpy vibes. Big thanks to Jamie for the question — hit us up with your favorite tracks and stay tuned for a possible concert follow-up!

Hey — welcome back. We’re diving straight into a messy, emotional family moment that unspooled at the worst possible time: a middle-schooler is grieving the loss of a classmate, and the adults around her fall apart instead of showing up. This episode walks through a dad’s frantic return from a trip, a mother with a deep fear of funerals, and a grandmother who jumps in and calls out the mom — sparking a blowup over who should apologize and what real parenting looks like.

I’m with you: funerals are heavy, and kids need supportive adults who can put their own stuff aside. But this story also shows how much context matters — trauma, phobias, and old family tensions could all be playing a role. We break down the reactions (and the “dun-dun” vibes), ask the questions the Reddit post leaves out, and get real about how messy grief and communication can get when everyone’s hurting.

Tune in for empathy, sharp takes, and a few laughs — because sometimes the only way through the worst parts of life is with humor and honesty. And yes, we might roast a mother-in-law or two along the way.

Hey there, wine lovers and amateur relationship detectives! 🍷🕵️‍♀️ In this People’s Court episode of True Crimes Against Wine, Judge Topher takes on a juicy Reddit-style dilemma involving emotional cheating, workplace crushes, secret text messages, and a husband who’s gotten a little too attached to his 19-year-old coworker. 😬

When one wife notices her husband acting suspiciously around a much younger “friend,” alarm bells start ringing. Between private conversations, secret-sharing games, hidden messages, and a whole lot of vague explanations, what starts as a gut feeling quickly spirals into a relationship mess involving not one, not two, but three relationships. 💥

We dive into the difference between friendship and emotional affairs, discuss trust, transparency, and boundaries in long-term relationships, and share some personal experiences with partners who blurred those lines. Along the way, we ask the big question: when someone is clearly hiding something, is exposing the truth ever the wrong move?

Packed with hot takes, relationship drama, and plenty of side-eye for people making questionable decisions, this episode is equal parts entertaining and cathartic. Pour yourself a glass and join us as we decide who’s really at fault in this tangled web of secrets, flirting, and broken trust. Cheers! 🥂