Big changes are coming to Stop Wasting Your Wine! In this episode, Colin, Joel, and Aaron unveil an exciting new format: monthly wine challenges. Each month, the hosts will pick wines based on a specific theme, with three weeks of competitive tastings followed by a wildcard week featuring interviews with wine industry pros or special features.

For February's inaugural challenge, the crew tackles finding the sexiest bottle of wine under $30. A task that proves more difficult than expected. Aaron shares his hour-long odyssey through Total Wine, searching Italian and French sections before settling on a romantic Rioja with "sexy trees." Joel takes a more literal interpretation of "sexy," while the hosts debate what makes a bottle truly appealing beyond the liquid inside.

The episode also features a lively discussion about wine cocktails, specifically whether it's acceptable to use good Rioja for sangria. The hosts explore the difference between honoring a wine's craftsmanship and enjoying it in creative ways, leading to the question: is a better base wine the key to a better cocktail?

Wine Details

Producer: Viña Alberdi

Region: Rioja

Varietal or Blend: 100 percent Tempranillo

Vintage: 2020

Price Range: About $22

ABV: 14 percent

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Chapters

0:00 – Welcome to Stop Wasting Your Wine
0:17 – New Monthly Challenge Format Explained
1:24 – February Challenge: Sexiest Bottle Under $30
3:46 – The Reality of Shopping for a “Sexy” Wine
4:57 – Aaron’s Pick: Viña Alberdi Rioja Reserva
7:55 – First Impressions and Bottle Expectations
8:24 – Nosing the Wine
9:59 – Tasting Notes and Palate Breakdown
12:53 – Learning Segment: Tempranillo and Rioja
15:29 – What Reserva Aging Really Means
18:04 – Introducing the New Rating Tier: Solid Pour
22:46 – Final Ratings and Verdict
26:53 – Did Aaron Nail the Challenge
29:16 – I’m Wine With That: Should You Make Sangria With Rioja
34:06 – Feedback and Where to Find Us
34:49 – Outro